tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440265006621159452024-02-19T18:28:03.746-08:00baby black dogParty thoughts, plans, projects and puns. Or sumpin like that...kimmarshallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09540320906753912851noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-244026500662115945.post-92229298643864938292019-02-19T06:23:00.000-08:002019-02-19T06:23:30.590-08:00Details. You never know where you’ll spot them.<br />
Look around. But don’t forget to look up.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk41Mn3WyfJP3G0DMELmBm15YIYEN55thcximL0pSm4dd08T_hfkujH7UkMNlRJlNUb0H2XkqxzRZMjl9i3kGjXq1otDEhEv-DJ7rJAHhL-qv8qfHbYB56TKxe9ZbgcYARjap2enS_x4s/s1600/59B88099-7DFC-4CA5-9BD9-78836EC0C39D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk41Mn3WyfJP3G0DMELmBm15YIYEN55thcximL0pSm4dd08T_hfkujH7UkMNlRJlNUb0H2XkqxzRZMjl9i3kGjXq1otDEhEv-DJ7rJAHhL-qv8qfHbYB56TKxe9ZbgcYARjap2enS_x4s/s320/59B88099-7DFC-4CA5-9BD9-78836EC0C39D.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
Like the painted ceiling of a Disney hotel.<br />
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Or, the vivid colors in a Disney sunset.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq0eWnWeOQJ5MudOEJi7aID7S96_lkt-44WfooYs_SQMdOK_7JEVyAvvRtl5LyN6tK7KMFfRmA7EIZ-kDhJukVF9zQV_7dVfBzHKqhgppqk1RdJymz8pPZtrJZg6b5qEVCWMCQNJVt5a0/s1600/0B1446BB-486F-4C99-9E8B-7E741FD7ABDB.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq0eWnWeOQJ5MudOEJi7aID7S96_lkt-44WfooYs_SQMdOK_7JEVyAvvRtl5LyN6tK7KMFfRmA7EIZ-kDhJukVF9zQV_7dVfBzHKqhgppqk1RdJymz8pPZtrJZg6b5qEVCWMCQNJVt5a0/s320/0B1446BB-486F-4C99-9E8B-7E741FD7ABDB.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
Inspiration will find you when you notice it. It waits for you to look...kimmarshallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09540320906753912851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-244026500662115945.post-70237346790328150512019-02-08T07:18:00.003-08:002019-02-08T07:18:50.829-08:00Details<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAgxkJKldQn5eMMpHw-Z88NhHhypGjYmcdjsbey_IPEmv1E9IO9jECoDcQ1tT6cgFsBAhqS5d1VCLRVQfQUv3_862Bp5-zK62HLroauoMyJZ6J0lHHinpRDtzubx_wPC-3mDa_QG7vRC0/s1600/01659DE4-8947-40C4-9F8E-AD175FD69E97.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAgxkJKldQn5eMMpHw-Z88NhHhypGjYmcdjsbey_IPEmv1E9IO9jECoDcQ1tT6cgFsBAhqS5d1VCLRVQfQUv3_862Bp5-zK62HLroauoMyJZ6J0lHHinpRDtzubx_wPC-3mDa_QG7vRC0/s320/01659DE4-8947-40C4-9F8E-AD175FD69E97.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
Details.<div>
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The faded color of a front door. A perfect door knocker in a perfect City. The best things in life are often the tiniest.</div>
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Don’t forget to look.<br /><br /></div>
kimmarshallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09540320906753912851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-244026500662115945.post-23543840304256917562019-02-07T07:37:00.004-08:002019-02-07T07:37:53.723-08:00Wonderful Whatever Moments<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOz5Gc4YYBYuTXv09BQpOC_jj-LuRDxuzG1zs-WH7Na9p5tJ7EuqD2C-uMnqUEKfim15BZKm5qXtETXFXNkzzt2q1ggCU7C_y9oa-1KYNC6_dUBfiVhoqJCDflE6i4VpvbZV60G8s14Jo/s1600/CC04E463-AE8C-420F-ACA0-622ADCB9EE26.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOz5Gc4YYBYuTXv09BQpOC_jj-LuRDxuzG1zs-WH7Na9p5tJ7EuqD2C-uMnqUEKfim15BZKm5qXtETXFXNkzzt2q1ggCU7C_y9oa-1KYNC6_dUBfiVhoqJCDflE6i4VpvbZV60G8s14Jo/s320/CC04E463-AE8C-420F-ACA0-622ADCB9EE26.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
When something unexpected catches your eye are some of my favorite Whatever Moments.<div>
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This was the reflection of lights on the ceiling on a nearby water bottle. Everyday stuff, but better. </div>
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Creativity is a way of seeing those everyday things in a way that you haven’t seen before. Sometimes the creativity I experience is funny, and I love those times. Sometimes it’s precious, like a certain angle in one of my (SIX!) grandchildren’s faces, and I love those times. Sometimes it’s the reflection of lights in a plastic water bottle and it causes you to stop in your tracks, and I love those times...</div>
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kimmarshallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09540320906753912851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-244026500662115945.post-4629970572474081882016-09-06T09:14:00.001-07:002016-09-06T09:14:25.144-07:00Happy Accidents<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">So, my "manufacturing" process is unpredictable. I am often at the mercy of color copy attendants, messy tabletops and availability of my favorite materials.</span></div><div><br></div><div>When I refer to my products as "handmade", they are indeed just that: made by me, with my hands, and usually glue and scissors.</div><div><br></div><div>I have a customer who requests journals for her children's teachers at the beginning of each school year. She usually wants something a bit different, and I try to accommodate. This year, she wanted lace and burlap, and some shabby chic images. I get set in my ways with what I like, so I look forward to being pushed in other design directions. </div><div><br></div><div>I was so pleased with my designs for her, and decided to add them to my shop, BabyBlackDog.etsy.com</div><div><br></div><div>Different papers require different techniques, and assembling is always a bit of a challenge...</div><div><br></div><div>But today, the glue was the issue. It was everywhere. </div><div><br></div><div>When the glue turned ugly on a final product, I decided to get creative...</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioKsymkLy_YBQQ1bZvH1wR-kgx9J4miJkEa-LHzx4pqByNnCg6eB9o5dIK8O-HysuxOgO32HAllq6eWCKsd7qZa7lPkcypQ8RQGGZqyayoQ3zq9aG13VRFlthYHt-Sqz_QdAp2ZqdPDPU/s640/blogger-image-1923390809.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioKsymkLy_YBQQ1bZvH1wR-kgx9J4miJkEa-LHzx4pqByNnCg6eB9o5dIK8O-HysuxOgO32HAllq6eWCKsd7qZa7lPkcypQ8RQGGZqyayoQ3zq9aG13VRFlthYHt-Sqz_QdAp2ZqdPDPU/s640/blogger-image-1923390809.jpg"></a></div></div><div>and cut an embellishment to cover a spot...</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDbmh8kPMaXSbZ935Hy7bsTq-H9-feeFe9-xoVHmL6IEzI6ANRtU-UuHhoOmDWf953xdZ8Jym_kMWWsZ4ALdqFdyV2DPYDU6XxSK3m6gndsfg_rcXdBIwqKAW1G71lWNlugqOrRvti4EQ/s640/blogger-image-1913770843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDbmh8kPMaXSbZ935Hy7bsTq-H9-feeFe9-xoVHmL6IEzI6ANRtU-UuHhoOmDWf953xdZ8Jym_kMWWsZ4ALdqFdyV2DPYDU6XxSK3m6gndsfg_rcXdBIwqKAW1G71lWNlugqOrRvti4EQ/s640/blogger-image-1913770843.jpg"></a></div></div><div>And sprinkled glitter where hot glue was excessive...</div><div><br></div><div>Accidents make my creativity brave.</div><div><br></div>kimmarshallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09540320906753912851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-244026500662115945.post-77703529394378002142016-03-18T08:03:00.001-07:002016-03-18T08:03:17.243-07:00The Joys of Wrapping...I have a need to create. Every day.<div><br></div><div>But when creativity alludes me for one reason or another, I can always jump-start the flow by wrapping a gift.</div><div>Gift-wrapping is my original purpose, my passion and one of my favorite activities.</div><div><br></div><div>It begins with the present, of course, but I'm a firm believer that the packaging is a huge part of the perfect gift.</div><div><br></div><div>I prefer boxes to bags. Maybe because I'm such a fan of wrapping paper. I can't get enough of a beautiful paper. There's a room in my house dedicated to rolls of it. Technically it's a closet...</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR7B4rJwN0iy-VTcxix6ZE6qEPLaGYmiVwBTsHH07ONOT7wyA9ccUpFILSYzYWozxXHiImG5we7IDoJFGR3IxRgJXSpFgFh0B0054GtmkMes0eZ6jfDNulLwDfCI28KZkFug3bzyEb2tQ/s640/blogger-image--1859811451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR7B4rJwN0iy-VTcxix6ZE6qEPLaGYmiVwBTsHH07ONOT7wyA9ccUpFILSYzYWozxXHiImG5we7IDoJFGR3IxRgJXSpFgFh0B0054GtmkMes0eZ6jfDNulLwDfCI28KZkFug3bzyEb2tQ/s640/blogger-image--1859811451.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">...and also contains poorly-folded linens, but I digress.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Once the paper has been chosen, next comes the ribbon. I love beautiful ribbon in casual fabrics, but the organization of said-ribbon?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR7DfJijMp-hjiR96M4qPWTx18S-PfbrPLYC_x_7WmSsRWThplq4n0rBROaKBIPGIOxO971v8thaHClqPQduMIIMbHOCDOcM1H3RQYgoPKkgkFDJoeSFgZN9I3n4m8JHG3LgvrNVtrqvo/s640/blogger-image-1649171442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR7DfJijMp-hjiR96M4qPWTx18S-PfbrPLYC_x_7WmSsRWThplq4n0rBROaKBIPGIOxO971v8thaHClqPQduMIIMbHOCDOcM1H3RQYgoPKkgkFDJoeSFgZN9I3n4m8JHG3LgvrNVtrqvo/s640/blogger-image-1649171442.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">...not so important.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">But, the perfect ribbon?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQh9PxVDONLRGv9zq0MTU73Zn4biOjtTnsvVC1ohPfGxMFcf9TZJaVFFqjSoWkQU8ys5oL_OC4G0NfVb45tMA2OTlBbWYUrgFV7UgBRNvVHLUGVPJqnhWdZZWHRlTHyHYSBguR_91kw9o/s640/blogger-image-1714250737.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQh9PxVDONLRGv9zq0MTU73Zn4biOjtTnsvVC1ohPfGxMFcf9TZJaVFFqjSoWkQU8ys5oL_OC4G0NfVb45tMA2OTlBbWYUrgFV7UgBRNvVHLUGVPJqnhWdZZWHRlTHyHYSBguR_91kw9o/s640/blogger-image-1714250737.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">...most important!</div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My favorite part of wrapping, however, is found in the embellishing. Shiny objects, pretty buttons, old Scrabble letters, found florals, bits and pieces of this and thats...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE9uHLsIImU95BaocRNG-CHdYO8E2gql_N41kXWzBV1QV4IDR9pxKgParRSQ-zECc-A58tz_W9aJKwlP3EGNzFFounzWuJlnUwgUmjhH7kkoWcIKnKGaLZER_iIP9z9b6QlqQpt43Qo0M/s640/blogger-image-586421511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE9uHLsIImU95BaocRNG-CHdYO8E2gql_N41kXWzBV1QV4IDR9pxKgParRSQ-zECc-A58tz_W9aJKwlP3EGNzFFounzWuJlnUwgUmjhH7kkoWcIKnKGaLZER_iIP9z9b6QlqQpt43Qo0M/s640/blogger-image-586421511.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div></div><div>I find that too much is often just right, but should be tastefully done. Obviously. And h<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">ot glue is used for attaching the baubles, carefully avoiding finger contact...</span></div><div><br></div><div>And never underestimate the power of a well-placed chenille chick. With a flora added, when possible...</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9e-uHL7Jc7r19su5ulytIRqMkwHT-hYzDw6aR6_9xrwXMWauhXGuM2f-5qTeIO4VUWqO7uq9BZd66mDJsOSKiT0-TdT0pvDcifxjvWizgN9XT0cEZ45-_meTphxQhydFVut39wwIOR9M/s640/blogger-image--1564760458.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9e-uHL7Jc7r19su5ulytIRqMkwHT-hYzDw6aR6_9xrwXMWauhXGuM2f-5qTeIO4VUWqO7uq9BZd66mDJsOSKiT0-TdT0pvDcifxjvWizgN9XT0cEZ45-_meTphxQhydFVut39wwIOR9M/s640/blogger-image--1564760458.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And before I realize, creativity has returned and a loved one has been thought of satisfactorily...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjccLfXWosK2H7OrO4rZVLDzOXIcAIc7qgTnnbLbiugNazOXJe9xWnMu6f4L_X9ztRvnwhAzxJJJQKIEWHjO007T-4gO2caCc4LlHqOV6BzbtuA9YD4dphkvs9g3nazIg0_zDK7nheouNQ/s640/blogger-image--187132581.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjccLfXWosK2H7OrO4rZVLDzOXIcAIc7qgTnnbLbiugNazOXJe9xWnMu6f4L_X9ztRvnwhAzxJJJQKIEWHjO007T-4gO2caCc4LlHqOV6BzbtuA9YD4dphkvs9g3nazIg0_zDK7nheouNQ/s640/blogger-image--187132581.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div>kimmarshallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09540320906753912851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-244026500662115945.post-39420674385335620212016-01-13T09:55:00.001-08:002016-01-13T09:55:55.335-08:00Old SchoolI spent some time this week with some ideas and new listings for my shop, <b>BabyBlackDog.Etsy.com</b>, and, as always, I get tickled by how low-tech my creative process is. I love letterpress and modern or clean designs.<div><br></div><div>I, however, am of a cluttered-taste and very old-fashioned in my creations. I am a literal cut-and-paste artist...<div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5FFO7B4cAtlacwGRxSi1K6f79BCoc8-cGeuJ3suPTfXnAjfuP6DVMqZt3tA1gFkjMY_3rSNH7jbxCmldGbRLBI5oXwYkAcPadbffOsWwymmbruJi-hV9gZF5Lu8naohCNxiUwcJuLvvc/s640/blogger-image-488130820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5FFO7B4cAtlacwGRxSi1K6f79BCoc8-cGeuJ3suPTfXnAjfuP6DVMqZt3tA1gFkjMY_3rSNH7jbxCmldGbRLBI5oXwYkAcPadbffOsWwymmbruJi-hV9gZF5Lu8naohCNxiUwcJuLvvc/s640/blogger-image-488130820.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">A cutting board is my favorite tool and black card stock & glue sticks are my trade secrets. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU9ZgAqtwZryLP-4VAqEgx3otkmulHy5Gh6Pn0dbB_lv6qMlpsw7UvGPwF0xIuU-kmfGj14BTKFhLZMa83oZWXpaNyxObh6rECQmWS2f0v5IqpLSSvpJhrPNsknbZH8KHTMlmYJUxD2E8/s640/blogger-image-969356305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU9ZgAqtwZryLP-4VAqEgx3otkmulHy5Gh6Pn0dbB_lv6qMlpsw7UvGPwF0xIuU-kmfGj14BTKFhLZMa83oZWXpaNyxObh6rECQmWS2f0v5IqpLSSvpJhrPNsknbZH8KHTMlmYJUxD2E8/s640/blogger-image-969356305.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I try to create on the computer, I do! I try to think different, but my ideas always come back to vintage and black borders. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So, I'm going with it! I'm sticking to it! I'm dancing with the one who brung me, or sumpin like that...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFPIJvqTN01rbQ3zI5NRsdORF7GXmdYiZGmwlVoeHg6zCBU-j6PK7nunO2HUXFnum165DYiqFkGD8Z1AuZhD4jsgMjp2Tsx2wljhgGJEaiIVgA3VmDD86GYTzT41iQEhyphenhyphenL1YuH5SQK0l8/s640/blogger-image-622634807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFPIJvqTN01rbQ3zI5NRsdORF7GXmdYiZGmwlVoeHg6zCBU-j6PK7nunO2HUXFnum165DYiqFkGD8Z1AuZhD4jsgMjp2Tsx2wljhgGJEaiIVgA3VmDD86GYTzT41iQEhyphenhyphenL1YuH5SQK0l8/s640/blogger-image-622634807.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Cause, I sure do like to follow my dreams...</div><br></div></div></div>kimmarshallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09540320906753912851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-244026500662115945.post-7768408011024438982015-11-24T08:05:00.001-08:002015-11-24T08:05:47.422-08:00A Christmas Thank-You!I recently ordered some Thanksgiving catering from someone I admire, and I wanted to send a little thank-you (along with my payment!).<div><br><div>I have a stash of Weck jars because they make great gift containers-they're inexpensive and respected and come in unusual shapes. I put one of my mini Santa journals in a cello bag tied with black bakers twine...</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMY1mw0aKrPwtRJwv4cdLd9Wu-EG9CccqTZtBWJekgRiGU-8tyqQKBwgeHqZY5wHUTvv_WA0BmFm3O4WQicPLtb9-j0zkCwU9RjZG3WjXPO7Sig184gJY1txTvU9oNQYVLJWvU-QTXs0Q/s640/blogger-image-630844690.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMY1mw0aKrPwtRJwv4cdLd9Wu-EG9CccqTZtBWJekgRiGU-8tyqQKBwgeHqZY5wHUTvv_WA0BmFm3O4WQicPLtb9-j0zkCwU9RjZG3WjXPO7Sig184gJY1txTvU9oNQYVLJWvU-QTXs0Q/s640/blogger-image-630844690.jpg"></a></div>added a package of gingham cupcake papers, a spool of twine from the dollar bin at Target, wrote a note on my You're a Little Deer notecard (cause she is!)...</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxcuMv30psE0mp4kdZsYyEzHz-Z6A4Vzl2efc4fEAHw-4VJBlgv6eLAfJxPaHyo4I6u5Q7Uqe2i6VgLH0321mCEKgu1mdMTds-T8Aq_vD2YVxOZ1GOhlQ2l1bkWEk8DH42VUSl89VdDvw/s640/blogger-image--294663046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxcuMv30psE0mp4kdZsYyEzHz-Z6A4Vzl2efc4fEAHw-4VJBlgv6eLAfJxPaHyo4I6u5Q7Uqe2i6VgLH0321mCEKgu1mdMTds-T8Aq_vD2YVxOZ1GOhlQ2l1bkWEk8DH42VUSl89VdDvw/s640/blogger-image--294663046.jpg"></a></div>and added a tiny plastic deer to emphasize the point...</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS13ZsVcxEjOLeibxR0bacTnLWWk_IkNcM2Xr6SNxlI0NSslKkXNdH-CloyvQebqLx0FS_6uNTexVSZDpRhf9CNVrP-6YLKgBRx4MQQ-3YT3Noc5LJib0wuQYe-feFnF7LRBe9IPTpiQI/s640/blogger-image-1348619662.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS13ZsVcxEjOLeibxR0bacTnLWWk_IkNcM2Xr6SNxlI0NSslKkXNdH-CloyvQebqLx0FS_6uNTexVSZDpRhf9CNVrP-6YLKgBRx4MQQ-3YT3Noc5LJib0wuQYe-feFnF7LRBe9IPTpiQI/s640/blogger-image-1348619662.jpg"></a></div>I packaged the set in the jar with some shreds and tied a happy Christmas pipe cleaner to embellish...</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbMvDqm2Q606nN7ceJgBTJhW7wgzFkNbyUOlHqDmxZiykq9LUVc8xyxbTlR6KyDxYZrLr7NSXUb5se-1G06Cq2Hu-sn7mucDIHFMTLIuTZg6ePjZuIARmhTbFyqg9S0VLFVMC4gEnHZ9I/s640/blogger-image--10005259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbMvDqm2Q606nN7ceJgBTJhW7wgzFkNbyUOlHqDmxZiykq9LUVc8xyxbTlR6KyDxYZrLr7NSXUb5se-1G06Cq2Hu-sn7mucDIHFMTLIuTZg6ePjZuIARmhTbFyqg9S0VLFVMC4gEnHZ9I/s640/blogger-image--10005259.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ZQw2Ggh-rQ6d3VHUOV4bc7I-OHLmlmZadE6iklTzGq3kl2f9_3357sAIt7Y4OSTmx-rxBgO81W5WB-GRwR4DBNjCx7tKv_5hfL-yhSUfu-ehQyNB3_NVEL7drT_oVWjXznzEAj3b3JM/s640/blogger-image--1059486981.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ZQw2Ggh-rQ6d3VHUOV4bc7I-OHLmlmZadE6iklTzGq3kl2f9_3357sAIt7Y4OSTmx-rxBgO81W5WB-GRwR4DBNjCx7tKv_5hfL-yhSUfu-ehQyNB3_NVEL7drT_oVWjXznzEAj3b3JM/s640/blogger-image--1059486981.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwEfFwVOElxwJHlAqGmqt4pzMGMfLcET8ccqqBv30EbDFGJDFlk2AQAcmktS4BZaGcJyfHaW5KyVNq6uJ4NDHqdbsSk4i1o4KTxcNWgvBerVDkCoe8un-DfChSGuGLMN37PXYFxz4Zx64/s640/blogger-image--1127880640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwEfFwVOElxwJHlAqGmqt4pzMGMfLcET8ccqqBv30EbDFGJDFlk2AQAcmktS4BZaGcJyfHaW5KyVNq6uJ4NDHqdbsSk4i1o4KTxcNWgvBerVDkCoe8un-DfChSGuGLMN37PXYFxz4Zx64/s640/blogger-image--1127880640.jpg"></a></div>Cute. To the point. Special. </div><div><br></div><div>Merry Christmas Giving!</div></div>kimmarshallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09540320906753912851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-244026500662115945.post-69761861352655287382015-07-30T07:49:00.001-07:002015-07-30T07:49:19.259-07:00DabblesI'm a dabbler.<div><br></div><div>I have a lot of ideas. Some of those ideas stick, some don't.</div><div><br></div><div>My mom, The Finder, will show me something and OF COURSE I'll remark, "how cute is that" or sumpin, to which she will reply, "you gave it to me!".</div><div><br></div><div>I lose interest or maybe my attention gets divided, but over the years, my tastes have changed and refined as a result of my dabbling.</div><div><br></div><div>In packaging a Baby Black Dog sale today, none reminds me of my Transforming Taste more than my logo. I originally created it with an image from a 1940s textbook that looked like Emma, my Baby Black Dog. Along with found text, I cut and glued together my "logo". I took it to Staples and had a stash of copies made, then I glued them to the backs of my journals. </div><div><br></div><div>Years later, I had a graphic designer friend create an updated logo using the same images. It looked cleaner and made me happy. I still take my originals to copy centers, but instead of handing them over in a file folder, I email a pdf and walk out with an organized stack of logos for my business cards and journals.</div><div><br></div><div>As I packaged today, the difference made me stop...<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlSFyC-2QXy95x5y3XHozaTS_9xdetjbOz1e4uXUhooEgQdRH58PdAjHMh2WNr_HhJloWgofr1MiWMC9NryOET4Y4peEPOWtQ47QNnVWGyfSLeSYlgfTZe03kvVQNGWpda7Ao4blGwBVA/s640/blogger-image-2145046209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlSFyC-2QXy95x5y3XHozaTS_9xdetjbOz1e4uXUhooEgQdRH58PdAjHMh2WNr_HhJloWgofr1MiWMC9NryOET4Y4peEPOWtQ47QNnVWGyfSLeSYlgfTZe03kvVQNGWpda7Ao4blGwBVA/s640/blogger-image-2145046209.jpg"></a>I <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">originally wanted an Etsy shop so I'd have a destination for my dabbles...a place where I could say, "yes, you can buy that here"...a spot where I would prove to myself that I could do a "new thing". I just turned 55 and I'm certainly no "old dog", but if I were, I'd say that today I just wanted to encourage us old dogs that it really is never too late to learn new tricks...</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">BabyBlackDog.Etsy.com</span></div>kimmarshallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09540320906753912851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-244026500662115945.post-87266514904627800302015-02-03T14:10:00.001-08:002015-02-03T14:11:41.476-08:00A Valentine Thought...My oldest GrandBoy's preschool Valentine's party is this month. His first as a preschooler, my first as a Munny. Of all the holidays, Valentine's Day isn't my favorite, but, oh, the hearts! The pinks! The reds! The "give one to everyone"! <div><br></div><div>Not that anyone asked, but I searched and found such cute ideas for classroom pass-outs, and showed several to him, to see what he thought, as I am always itching for a party-project. He was uninterested till he saw a photo of little cereal boxes, and said "Okay, that one!" </div><div><br></div><div>In the next couple of weeks, my eye was drawn to printed cards, those with gold foil to be exact. But he would have nothing to do with them. I thought this was a general "no" to classroom treats, but then he said "just the cereal, Munny". I had forgotten all about those! It had been days! But he remembered and the plan was forged.</div><div><br></div><div>I found packages of little cereal boxes, bought plastic silver spoons, alphabet beads and striped ribbon...</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSQue4TNYXLP9gLGgoJEXiGuROiadU6QxqMIQ91Ja0p5YMteFgc25sPhYmeLuA_SxFUR0Nw8aoBDzXf92HrhizZDthG_RoS2NdAZdGrQ43hXiiU7w6H5k_ZA8WYUlqZLFs45T-uESRqg0/s640/blogger-image-726810698.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSQue4TNYXLP9gLGgoJEXiGuROiadU6QxqMIQ91Ja0p5YMteFgc25sPhYmeLuA_SxFUR0Nw8aoBDzXf92HrhizZDthG_RoS2NdAZdGrQ43hXiiU7w6H5k_ZA8WYUlqZLFs45T-uESRqg0/s640/blogger-image-726810698.jpg"></a></div>His classmates' names I spelled out on the spoon handle, and lightly-glued them to the boxes. He helped me assemble them somewhat (cause, hot glue), I printed up tags for them, matted and strung them on the ribbon...</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4rk4MzJHmQ94mntcYQYoRUTGVt2ryIMNpIVk4YkXV2nbfxhlFOhyBDXEzLxu0LHhqN_XNNEUlpGQDO6ijSrsNF_gUruI0aKngDl-lz8-PeoMsIeym6FevejkURaVXIImWZQgf0SLuI4I/s640/blogger-image-930068990.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4rk4MzJHmQ94mntcYQYoRUTGVt2ryIMNpIVk4YkXV2nbfxhlFOhyBDXEzLxu0LHhqN_XNNEUlpGQDO6ijSrsNF_gUruI0aKngDl-lz8-PeoMsIeym6FevejkURaVXIImWZQgf0SLuI4I/s640/blogger-image-930068990.jpg"></a></div>And attached them to the boxes of cereal...</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwbZUyK1op96dE3C7hNCmlQKIW0pcs3UWUgOOlayZjF-beje6Ksm-e17CnS8MS2_00uC_1wutHMggLD_5ZLWob6UPI2krmTuy8MuH020JIyOTvHolCMjLBcXW9TeVtqrbUOordKLr9Ous/s640/blogger-image--260181754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwbZUyK1op96dE3C7hNCmlQKIW0pcs3UWUgOOlayZjF-beje6Ksm-e17CnS8MS2_00uC_1wutHMggLD_5ZLWob6UPI2krmTuy8MuH020JIyOTvHolCMjLBcXW9TeVtqrbUOordKLr9Ous/s640/blogger-image--260181754.jpg"></a></div>Cutest valentines ever!</div>kimmarshallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09540320906753912851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-244026500662115945.post-43731919375671970992015-01-20T08:06:00.001-08:002015-01-20T08:06:45.973-08:00Moments of Little Discoveries and Light-BulbsMy oldest GrandBoy is 5 and he lights up our world. He's funny, confident, almost too-independent and, he's uber-creative. You can almost see the gears in his brain moving, designing and thinking. All the time. It's one of my favorite things about him.<div><br><div>Yesterday we went to enjoy the sunshine by doing some painting on a (washable!) blanket in the backyard, as his favorite subject to paint are sticks and he and his Papa had just collected a few of them.</div><div><br></div><div>We usually have a stack of freshly-painted sticks hanging around...</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfRE9ZA2fl3cO_donNxy6rYNTEsx39_uy9tKAib0-Rbx2MRh5pFfriuHbmlKLQ-qIx6gV3EDxfaPVkcUcF8kjqpRWhcTFtd2ttx9Si1RRewiDguwhVBXLsx0Lq5ItnSeZBdra39wWCpcM/s640/blogger-image--184936081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfRE9ZA2fl3cO_donNxy6rYNTEsx39_uy9tKAib0-Rbx2MRh5pFfriuHbmlKLQ-qIx6gV3EDxfaPVkcUcF8kjqpRWhcTFtd2ttx9Si1RRewiDguwhVBXLsx0Lq5ItnSeZBdra39wWCpcM/s640/blogger-image--184936081.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>But yesterday, I watched him break up a small, thin one, try to paint it and then discover that he could dip the ends in the paint without the brush. It was such a gift to watch this discovery, that light-bulb moment...</div><div><br></div><div>We picked them up and placed them in an Angry Bird paper cup...</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaYYu5nY38WtwuCSGwMWYzXufHxq0BAPzqe-CWdDxvLB4WXNQLMzApvsMX3OGBeA-HzkcE_Eokjolx1EJ-a9GrvFkdBkhfBy0SA0APKlvY-kmBlIlk2iXWMtZ8eu034YUDFJA5kxJATfc/s640/blogger-image--630906305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaYYu5nY38WtwuCSGwMWYzXufHxq0BAPzqe-CWdDxvLB4WXNQLMzApvsMX3OGBeA-HzkcE_Eokjolx1EJ-a9GrvFkdBkhfBy0SA0APKlvY-kmBlIlk2iXWMtZ8eu034YUDFJA5kxJATfc/s640/blogger-image--630906305.jpg"></a></div></div><div>...because I thought they were spectacular, and wanted to "save" them cause I've got big plans for those sticks...</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixE-Qxi5MvsYheGyHJHfmwmBz3ZCuuaxvseCfZfxITy87eM0Cb5t_uD6E-wira_4t5XLI9RZ1KrkPth2QyLc44eUvmMWTDd8bdjDDqZGFDJD6u0ty6nrkR5ZM3X9fiTY-JDuz25lz23sU/s640/blogger-image--487849079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixE-Qxi5MvsYheGyHJHfmwmBz3ZCuuaxvseCfZfxITy87eM0Cb5t_uD6E-wira_4t5XLI9RZ1KrkPth2QyLc44eUvmMWTDd8bdjDDqZGFDJD6u0ty6nrkR5ZM3X9fiTY-JDuz25lz23sU/s640/blogger-image--487849079.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div>kimmarshallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09540320906753912851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-244026500662115945.post-57745498313226334722014-12-31T02:01:00.001-08:002014-12-31T02:01:28.768-08:00Using My MuscleWhen I was in college, I took a philosophy class for a humanities requirement. One week our topic of discussion was sleep. I don't remember a single bit of what was being discussed, but I remember trying to sleep later that night...just about to drift off...my mind asked the question "what IS sleep?" and then there was no sleep, only thinking about sleep...<div><div><br></div><div>This is one of those nights. We are traveling and doing all that is involved in getting to our destination. Our flight is early. My potential sleep hours are few. But my mind asks, "what about that invitation design?" (which, by the way is a custom project that I'm working on). And then there's no sleep, only thinking about a design...</div><div><br></div><div>So I get up and write down these thoughts. </div><div><br></div><div>Creativity is a muscle. I'm convinced of it. But it doesn't atrophy from non-use. It lies there, tapping it's foot, waiting to be remembered and used. </div><div><br></div><div>...Even if it's 2:00 in the morning and my alarm is already set for a 3:35 (3:30 seemed too harsh) wake-up call. </div><div><br></div><div>Christmas and its creating is over. The three trees have been taken to the local recycling pile, the ornaments and vintage nutcrackers have been put away, and the giant, long-dreamed of but poorly-thought-out tent for my GrandBoys has found a for-now home where it can be enjoyed and squishing one's body sideways to get past isn't necessary. Honestly, I knew "how large" but I just didn't realize "how large". Honestly.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCcVMW8lPXy_Rg6Nj4ETsi7BFNEwnUQmqVbMkL67OiBIDOktZ-SnHLJOuQj8AqHs1xfjWCnGPPD_YyABAT6act2Y6fa6jeAl1jBolAr8ceXSvG-HZH7KwQBOly6clJsapDw_IPjIq6tb0/s640/blogger-image-2072042948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCcVMW8lPXy_Rg6Nj4ETsi7BFNEwnUQmqVbMkL67OiBIDOktZ-SnHLJOuQj8AqHs1xfjWCnGPPD_YyABAT6act2Y6fa6jeAl1jBolAr8ceXSvG-HZH7KwQBOly6clJsapDw_IPjIq6tb0/s640/blogger-image-2072042948.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>There's the collective sigh, that comes with Christmas clean-up. Things back in their places energizes me. It relaxes me. It frees up head-space that can be used for other things. Dreams. Thoughts. Then,</div><div><br></div><div>Oh, hello creativity and vintage-carnival project! I've missed you! </div><div><br></div><div>My shop is closed for a few days while we visit some of our Dearests. I'll do some inventory revamping when I return. I'll toss some listings and create some others. I'll get my vintage books and scissors and glue sticks and inspiration boards back into action. </div><div><br></div><div>I'm on vacation. </div><div><br></div><div>But my creativity isn't. Thankfully.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div></div>kimmarshallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09540320906753912851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-244026500662115945.post-75679363638304913082014-12-14T06:41:00.001-08:002014-12-14T06:41:13.106-08:00Time For...I'm an Empty Nester. More accurately, I'm an Unwilling Empty Nester, but, that's a story for a different time and place...<div><br></div><div>One of my favorite things about having Grown Children is my Grandchildren. I both excel and stink at being a GrandMother. It's the hardest and the best thing I've ever done. So many highlights and stories and memories so far, (and the oldest is only five!), so I'll know I'll have volumes-full in no time. Anywho...</div><div><br></div><div>I'm enjoying my Christmas preparations, as I always do, but I'm enjoying the timing of my to-dos this year a bit more than ever...decisions made, decoration-happy, cards out with just the right stamps, things like that...and I'm having time to do the things that I'd always wished I'd had time to do. This weekend we took our Eldest GrandBoys to view a new local light display and a drive-through at that. We weren't sure what to expect but thought we'd give it a go. Our 5 year-old was a bit grumpy, actually he said he would close his eyes as he didn't want to look at lights at all, but would rather stay at Munny's house (that's me, and my house, and his "place"), and our 3 year-old fell asleep on the way there...</div><div><br></div><div>But when we began our tour...the language changed. The talking, oh, the talking!</div><div>"That's my favorite color!"</div><div>"Munny, what's your favorite color?" "Where's Santa?" "Are we going to see Santa?" (Santa is new to them this year, long story... We prefer the Christmas Platypus, longer story.)</div><div>"We have to draw this when we get to Munny's house!"</div><div>"Are we going to see Santa?"</div><div>"Don't sing, Munny."</div><div>"That's my favorite light!"</div><div>"Munny, I said don't sing."</div><div>Then we left with toy laser guns (longest story...) and went to share pizza.</div><div><br></div><div>As I was straightening this morning, I saw this...</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4M_8UI3EVjofkZ8pJeCW-7JPE2fnDgnLG1MnTLjFBWPHCOdgLdxQ5fWiz-GmvnlSXXMH9xIgSeFy77z4a3nY4HcH5slChp3v3gUURc6tJbtSRZRnXBVVx5J2GNdz6aMsaX1Hrl5w5XXk/s640/blogger-image-1220684100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4M_8UI3EVjofkZ8pJeCW-7JPE2fnDgnLG1MnTLjFBWPHCOdgLdxQ5fWiz-GmvnlSXXMH9xIgSeFy77z4a3nY4HcH5slChp3v3gUURc6tJbtSRZRnXBVVx5J2GNdz6aMsaX1Hrl5w5XXk/s640/blogger-image-1220684100.jpg"></a></div>It began as a drawing of the lights, but ended up being a depiction of Rudolph and Bumble...</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHF59qmHgINHIsqRZ-GIuB0ZQd7WdKqPxAvfX0wyqb-t_RaHfZ2BFpVzfhqRi4EbpAPpLSVXabGPn5m_HNnTJYABKkGyoZq_wwkP8B1cxtvCQof1WnACm_sMsaglt42lQOz7TocXC8dZU/s640/blogger-image--1311635976.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHF59qmHgINHIsqRZ-GIuB0ZQd7WdKqPxAvfX0wyqb-t_RaHfZ2BFpVzfhqRi4EbpAPpLSVXabGPn5m_HNnTJYABKkGyoZq_wwkP8B1cxtvCQof1WnACm_sMsaglt42lQOz7TocXC8dZU/s640/blogger-image--1311635976.jpg"></a></div>As did 3 year-old brother's, just with lots of purple...</div><div>Also, the Abominable's features I had to draw, as I'm given many assignments and they are my biggest fans, they like my drawing skills. However, they take great exception to my singing.</div><div><br></div><div>I tell you all of that cause I love those stories. Also, to simply say this...</div><div><br></div><div>In whatever form this season of preparation comes for you, I hope you find your own "Time For"...</div>kimmarshallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09540320906753912851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-244026500662115945.post-14467767693054266572014-12-11T09:32:00.001-08:002014-12-11T09:33:30.412-08:00A Baby Black Dog Version of Envelope-Lining (yes, it's a verb!)My "how-to" posts are really more like "you could do this" posts and this one is no exception... Think of them as encouragement, really.<div><br><div>It's no secret that I'm a fan of paper-things: note cards, envelopes, journals, wrapping and the like. My first real job was in the stationery department of Neiman-Marcus where I learned to appreciate all the above. I vividly recall marbled papers from Italy and the Crane's paper line and engraved wedding invitations. And the materials we used when packaging a purchase...lovely tissue and Neiman's gold seals. And our shopping bags were of the most beautiful glossy and heavyweight paper.</div><div><br></div><div>My tastes were developed during those days, and over the years, through exposure and education, I've come up with my own must-haves with paper products.</div><div><br></div><div>One of those have-tos is lined envelopes. I love those. The wilder the better, but must always suit the occasion. I began lining them awhile back, for when the perfect card and/or envelope didn't come with its own.</div><div><br></div><div>Templates are too much trouble for me, like reading directions on a new toy, so I basically follow these simple steps...</div><div><br></div><div><i>Card stock works best, but the perfect vintage sheet paper or a bit of gift wrap will do, they just require a little extra patience in the gluing and cutting process.</i></div><div><br></div><div>I lay my open envelope on the backside of my paper and trace. <i>(PS, I just use enough to cover the part that can be seen when open. I used to line the whole front but found it unnecessary...) </i>Cut out the shape while shaving off just a bit from the sides. Use a glue stick and run it across the top edge and just a smidge down the sides. Place the glued-piece inside the flap, just under the envelope-adhesive, and press. Let it dry and give it a good crease so it closes easily. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaUc8HI_9TkKlZfEBzOvafFy95-vE5Aajh48Affl22rdN6bELbmkG_miP8r-osFyinndgHoUvF0AP6m2A8fH7w4xvxP_fGHKHZOFqixD84le3kcg3pG1eAnoZqzVW9bdtaRwvYpKH-rJE/s640/blogger-image-1294009498.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaUc8HI_9TkKlZfEBzOvafFy95-vE5Aajh48Affl22rdN6bELbmkG_miP8r-osFyinndgHoUvF0AP6m2A8fH7w4xvxP_fGHKHZOFqixD84le3kcg3pG1eAnoZqzVW9bdtaRwvYpKH-rJE/s640/blogger-image-1294009498.jpg"></a></div>These are our Christmas card envelopes. I used the plain white ones that came with our card order. Also, I added this...</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-N75LrSDx2nTHrEbjLabFV3DTbVVa7xQAFqroKkccL7iwQIpCt6K6ZhpqzFhYN-j6omTzG1jZ_bCpRSMbBt2Q4YbLs_ZM4QpVkdOkwiN-33zm1Oy8uRJayrkfk4k9ft29iJZWHsArcz4/s640/blogger-image-1182426497.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-N75LrSDx2nTHrEbjLabFV3DTbVVa7xQAFqroKkccL7iwQIpCt6K6ZhpqzFhYN-j6omTzG1jZ_bCpRSMbBt2Q4YbLs_ZM4QpVkdOkwiN-33zm1Oy8uRJayrkfk4k9ft29iJZWHsArcz4/s640/blogger-image-1182426497.jpg"></a></div>with a Sharpie cause I'm fancy. And I used green ink on our return address (done with a wooden-handled stamp, of course) cause I think too-much is just-right sometimes...</div><div><br></div><div>Also, I love that Rudolph is a "thing" this year. He and his friends look perfect on Christmas mail.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIYwnFzyz5hAZKAiQ7haYwIiLs5yx1Zeaf-wC_EeH2fcKyCmqahcSljXOttS-KS1fu8CGTWt7jdaiGzYQrtPZ51BOWKggKtbjDq2VxD4OTU7dGZZS_AOfqWmEDsFiWkNnm2ny8CgTRYvk/s640/blogger-image-1442477814.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIYwnFzyz5hAZKAiQ7haYwIiLs5yx1Zeaf-wC_EeH2fcKyCmqahcSljXOttS-KS1fu8CGTWt7jdaiGzYQrtPZ51BOWKggKtbjDq2VxD4OTU7dGZZS_AOfqWmEDsFiWkNnm2ny8CgTRYvk/s640/blogger-image-1442477814.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Happy How-toing to you this season!</div><div><br></div><div><br></div></div>kimmarshallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09540320906753912851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-244026500662115945.post-88328960820650180742014-05-06T13:17:00.001-07:002014-05-07T08:42:13.956-07:00Thoughtfulness and The Ensuing Celebration<div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">My cousin, Brenda, is one of my favorite people. She's still just </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">the way I remember her as a sweet teenager that loved my grandma (Ma) as much as me except now she's this graceful-grandmother who sets a wonderful example for me and others....</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The other day and out-of the blue, she sent me a piece of fabric...</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJUJ41hFu7GF6Q8Nl4jCxlH-_s_mk4sVzA_YFVKfn317SHOod5qUa-FWgSplKz2h-IiTdMULSA-5xOsbD3C5Db_4CundDwaV1RINdS4W3_Zv3cMe8Zb0lOAF9Wyr0bn_j60OLs7MG60rU/s640/blogger-image--682195125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJUJ41hFu7GF6Q8Nl4jCxlH-_s_mk4sVzA_YFVKfn317SHOod5qUa-FWgSplKz2h-IiTdMULSA-5xOsbD3C5Db_4CundDwaV1RINdS4W3_Zv3cMe8Zb0lOAF9Wyr0bn_j60OLs7MG60rU/s640/blogger-image--682195125.jpg"></a></div>...with a note, "thought of you when I saw this and can't wait to see what you do with it". What a sweet gesture, as being thought-of by lovely-people is almost my favorite activity in all the world.</div><div><br></div><div>So, I took her thoughtfulness as a challenge and thought I'd write this post to share with you what I did...</div><div><br></div><div>I began by playing around with drawstring bags, as I'd been wanting to try some polka-dotting with them. I used black paint, made some ribbon (torn, of course) from the inspiration-fabric and attached them to the bag with needle and thread...<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht69v4v-m_waj15cCamgrs2of1mParzGTjb8nSXIaWE3sOoBh9dnnYSj_v-_r9wd6ugN6pYiOZ0dN8Xvimn8QwNJHo40Ru0gR-z8Lbh4tV6Iti7Eyn3-c1o2v7QAn2Jb1uvu6Tsffelw4/s640/blogger-image--393468459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht69v4v-m_waj15cCamgrs2of1mParzGTjb8nSXIaWE3sOoBh9dnnYSj_v-_r9wd6ugN6pYiOZ0dN8Xvimn8QwNJHo40Ru0gR-z8Lbh4tV6Iti7Eyn3-c1o2v7QAn2Jb1uvu6Tsffelw4/s640/blogger-image--393468459.jpg"></a></div></div><div>...ya know, like sewing.</div><div><br></div><div>The bags looked like real party favors, so a plan and a theme was born.</div><div><br></div><div>The images on the fabric, along with my "advanced" needlework skills, some old sewing patterns, and my fondness for chocolates & the like, blended so nicely together that I decided a "You're Just Sew Sweet" party was a perfect fit.</div><div><br></div><div>I used a brown Kraft paper runner and laid the pattern pieces randomly over the top...then set a table for five, using my old and very-inexpensive mismatched china...<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7uo4KHB_vrJBQuNnD2wL38rXQgmKvigCPpgfk1EgU6HxX-2-KPdWs28WHo_3-y9XD0NRPygnpE4omaMiWkrOtQ8DwxfUuG9oeC7MJW2GThcn1wsCki6r6FxO1Y6IVWXAr5f4AHqow4N0/s640/blogger-image-285123286.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7uo4KHB_vrJBQuNnD2wL38rXQgmKvigCPpgfk1EgU6HxX-2-KPdWs28WHo_3-y9XD0NRPygnpE4omaMiWkrOtQ8DwxfUuG9oeC7MJW2GThcn1wsCki6r6FxO1Y6IVWXAr5f4AHqow4N0/s640/blogger-image-285123286.jpg"></a></div></div><div>I <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">made corsages from brown coffee filters, tied them with fabric ribbon and set them on drinking glasses.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I used a black metal tiered-basket and some large glass jars (that I bought for a wedding Candy Bar my mom and I put together a couple of years ago that maybe I'll share on this blog one day) as the centerpieces and filled them with black and red "sweets"...red gumballs, Hostess cupcakes and Little Debbies...</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrp4SCO9NHGtmAToYQpAcKDnhIKjBY-eSS4Li_kez3RMyUhMNHVNrquI7eotIP-QMgu7dos70pQ-zwtgG8ALfqahNjRa80ZdibzA8227Fok_YFZG2_mxbW27Oq3O6fvmLcT3enac6rwS4/s640/blogger-image-1948317099.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrp4SCO9NHGtmAToYQpAcKDnhIKjBY-eSS4Li_kez3RMyUhMNHVNrquI7eotIP-QMgu7dos70pQ-zwtgG8ALfqahNjRa80ZdibzA8227Fok_YFZG2_mxbW27Oq3O6fvmLcT3enac6rwS4/s640/blogger-image-1948317099.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMGgQ1bPJWvIRV_v4pIjdfe8K6FN4BSwZ-J8tOC7ENW-aj_Ubkrnb-oaNMTvx6mL1vOcUHkZPqgovhYvaX93_Rstj9WAw0dzxM_nl_NChWfl6DMnIK8WM4pU3WwqHHrCi4jIUfgoUMMj0/s640/blogger-image-246392349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMGgQ1bPJWvIRV_v4pIjdfe8K6FN4BSwZ-J8tOC7ENW-aj_Ubkrnb-oaNMTvx6mL1vOcUHkZPqgovhYvaX93_Rstj9WAw0dzxM_nl_NChWfl6DMnIK8WM4pU3WwqHHrCi4jIUfgoUMMj0/s640/blogger-image-246392349.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBC78S0xp3Kh1ldhGTc-suQlKv0QwcBcHI9GZVBBNg1GAjKx4qikYB0luuGCicoGYa5OgbKmfOjrqPe0cgqjby3DOKxvyAV2nYkKjHfPoYRdeXCGrweFlGJtONUeMUFazts0bC1J50UYQ/s640/blogger-image-724810891.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBC78S0xp3Kh1ldhGTc-suQlKv0QwcBcHI9GZVBBNg1GAjKx4qikYB0luuGCicoGYa5OgbKmfOjrqPe0cgqjby3DOKxvyAV2nYkKjHfPoYRdeXCGrweFlGJtONUeMUFazts0bC1J50UYQ/s640/blogger-image-724810891.jpg"></a></div><br></div>..and a tall glass for holding red & black paper straws, oh, and some Twizzlers...</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtOquSChZFRQnC8wTVL4qD2WfNhXIlBpMVZeXPfQNQFVoMKUL0CFwdL5UH5DU5EjgOBWZ7CGZ6S9NafKIIECg4mA4baq2YwIMwfNZVObrRbeUGRCG93uROPNyd4cFK42ifTv86IV-HGLk/s640/blogger-image--1804454047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtOquSChZFRQnC8wTVL4qD2WfNhXIlBpMVZeXPfQNQFVoMKUL0CFwdL5UH5DU5EjgOBWZ7CGZ6S9NafKIIECg4mA4baq2YwIMwfNZVObrRbeUGRCG93uROPNyd4cFK42ifTv86IV-HGLk/s640/blogger-image--1804454047.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The table looked fun.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4yfQ1ldlGSnqgjZN5edMsFe8dBczxu0AV6AwwvnBNqt10GVpQcs1pbcdLO8a8EZpB1NQAgow5olQGEEWSLQjasw_iAlo-uwSmJmVRaCW073avZp4gfhoYXGjEGhClFGvLBypJf09J-S8/s640/blogger-image--1056344710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4yfQ1ldlGSnqgjZN5edMsFe8dBczxu0AV6AwwvnBNqt10GVpQcs1pbcdLO8a8EZpB1NQAgow5olQGEEWSLQjasw_iAlo-uwSmJmVRaCW073avZp4gfhoYXGjEGhClFGvLBypJf09J-S8/s640/blogger-image--1056344710.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">So, since a party can't REALLY exist without invitations, I fashioned some from sewing-stuff I had here & there, attaching hand-written "instructions" made of vintage adding machine paper to them...</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihnfNt5tAh82Ni36l_sJqAVN5xETwkLFJvxRcoXYh6f4xmR9nC7CNHX7_1kQDpGtCrTY-N_nU6bm7pT7YKyWH5e1568jf54FPXSSuEkiUq_YYhz9EqihHtXX1peXP_DHq7BISmgLwZLjE/s640/blogger-image-787041465.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihnfNt5tAh82Ni36l_sJqAVN5xETwkLFJvxRcoXYh6f4xmR9nC7CNHX7_1kQDpGtCrTY-N_nU6bm7pT7YKyWH5e1568jf54FPXSSuEkiUq_YYhz9EqihHtXX1peXP_DHq7BISmgLwZLjE/s640/blogger-image-787041465.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPugXgCYrqNFyYteIgKtoAnr5hgw06iKZJ2KQIQeFUuYkmr5Wv7_mQ1MvgPJO1PrH9vsZaZKIorqye_bUNn6A8TzlzlE4XwXLFG6EwD7H-hT0DM2yTSGzrmZFwjPmc20hYg8tyUcdGWF8/s640/blogger-image--1757968508.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPugXgCYrqNFyYteIgKtoAnr5hgw06iKZJ2KQIQeFUuYkmr5Wv7_mQ1MvgPJO1PrH9vsZaZKIorqye_bUNn6A8TzlzlE4XwXLFG6EwD7H-hT0DM2yTSGzrmZFwjPmc20hYg8tyUcdGWF8/s640/blogger-image--1757968508.jpg"></a></div></div><div>...and put them in red striped boxes to send to 4 of my closest friends...</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrgpUrwDCnG4eHNOujgmuJNvHVk6qotMDKPfUeKjjvK9fLWGMWkUAi4fthPdb9zOBwvPX6bcK3ogLAnua5zplVQ50u-6mvwTkWl2dacJP8NDnaxl8wULwsTjcGAZQqtQJN8AvY0fefPck/s640/blogger-image-148625113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrgpUrwDCnG4eHNOujgmuJNvHVk6qotMDKPfUeKjjvK9fLWGMWkUAi4fthPdb9zOBwvPX6bcK3ogLAnua5zplVQ50u-6mvwTkWl2dacJP8NDnaxl8wULwsTjcGAZQqtQJN8AvY0fefPck/s640/blogger-image-148625113.jpg"></a></div>...then I also asked Elderly Jack Russell to join us, even though she eats with her mouth open...<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie9dam9y3Zrz25JEjalcmqtxtQUratGOcgBU2TIVOPu7fqMVvlFYcrDWROeMrR_uhiJUPlYb1wGXfsL4omMik0uar60hDmmKR-w3sqBYqg-SBzZFbOVuFUn0U88bBmVrI8EAdR7N1gZGY/s640/blogger-image-985643844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie9dam9y3Zrz25JEjalcmqtxtQUratGOcgBU2TIVOPu7fqMVvlFYcrDWROeMrR_uhiJUPlYb1wGXfsL4omMik0uar60hDmmKR-w3sqBYqg-SBzZFbOVuFUn0U88bBmVrI8EAdR7N1gZGY/s640/blogger-image-985643844.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">All the guests were lovely and gracious, that is until the sweets had been devoured and Mr. Fox wore his corsage as a hat...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH-ran_jN3zDlhXvXSNssJTUcdbE93Zs05rukn_kEXT_C2hGijCM09D4UBtgQsuPUazudq6t0K5UJaDPLD6CSgbWPt8vf36BmdvuHhL2JInO3gaFcbEo-1RKA8qRn-JsAXT6d9xIACnYo/s640/blogger-image--641916201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH-ran_jN3zDlhXvXSNssJTUcdbE93Zs05rukn_kEXT_C2hGijCM09D4UBtgQsuPUazudq6t0K5UJaDPLD6CSgbWPt8vf36BmdvuHhL2JInO3gaFcbEo-1RKA8qRn-JsAXT6d9xIACnYo/s640/blogger-image--641916201.jpg"></a></div>...and we began to take silly pictures with one another...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbqAmAp1-sXBL8UVjg_c8fkIxGwF-VYSf-dfE1xrk55gkYYnFoI-GgvGB22j2-wQKJMutqsg5sGAHrw79lDiNSJJoDvDmTD5X-bu-GOw3iurFd6pszSjDpEUlYkkVBISZ6b6oZMZczMwc/s640/blogger-image-1089211067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbqAmAp1-sXBL8UVjg_c8fkIxGwF-VYSf-dfE1xrk55gkYYnFoI-GgvGB22j2-wQKJMutqsg5sGAHrw79lDiNSJJoDvDmTD5X-bu-GOw3iurFd6pszSjDpEUlYkkVBISZ6b6oZMZczMwc/s640/blogger-image-1089211067.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">But then again, it's not REALLY a party till someone puts their hand in a candy jar and puts rabbit-ears on Momma Bear...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhMmK3Ss_IvOhh1zg5SgkR8gctLknR9KYTKEn-4wfSSVTdqwBEOWnsR-KFdM3yruzycg2POzjdbHffI5oixS_F7RAqix5Rt4EAoGd-XhDMHsID1VAiJX410hfXUWSqgyCVG9dfX5r5QpA/s640/blogger-image--1917137157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhMmK3Ss_IvOhh1zg5SgkR8gctLknR9KYTKEn-4wfSSVTdqwBEOWnsR-KFdM3yruzycg2POzjdbHffI5oixS_F7RAqix5Rt4EAoGd-XhDMHsID1VAiJX410hfXUWSqgyCVG9dfX5r5QpA/s640/blogger-image--1917137157.jpg"></a></div>...and one of the guests falls asleep on the floor. Or sumpin like that.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I think we all kept the spirit of the gifted-fabric going by being Just Sew Sweet to each other and celebrating the thoughtfulness of a Dear.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I'm thinking that I may add a few of the pieces from this fete to my Little Etsy shop, which you can find at BabyBlackDog.Etsy.com, you know, in case you need a spark and a favor-bag to create your own celebration with those who are Just Sew Sweet in your life...</div>kimmarshallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09540320906753912851noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-244026500662115945.post-8059837764576481882014-05-02T08:28:00.002-07:002014-05-02T08:28:21.422-07:00Creativity, Silly Pressures and Whatnots...<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've been thinking about creativity...mostly how I've not been being creative as of late. You know, not been-being busy with projects and <a href="http://babyblackdog.etsy.com/">my Etsy shop</a> and what-not... Basically, I've made being creative a thing on my to-do list, as we so often do with things that we love... And that kind of thinking quickly turns in to thought of "I stink at being an Etsy-shop-keeper it haven't listed a single new item", or, "I could never be a legitimate blogger because _____(fill in the blank on that one)!"...</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But instead, why isn't this my default setting: "Wow. I have really cool business cards (cause, I do!)"...or, "I actually have an Etsy shop! And it's filled with things that I created! (Cause, it is!)"...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've been busy lately. Really busy. There's dogs to talk to & to walk...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv_ogptUGJnIQ4v9rVUsNGiGEEWtgakBxmzLKZWEg1XCmqe8zGaf4Kc5oiCVQ4thmINrvCMgeMUIAH4nNnnxysMpjeAszDBkJIS17Y6Cqbb3T4xcn3ZIhEY_d3dYDhJtslidarbPv6Qjo/s640/blogger-image-2056656705.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv_ogptUGJnIQ4v9rVUsNGiGEEWtgakBxmzLKZWEg1XCmqe8zGaf4Kc5oiCVQ4thmINrvCMgeMUIAH4nNnnxysMpjeAszDBkJIS17Y6Cqbb3T4xcn3ZIhEY_d3dYDhJtslidarbPv6Qjo/s640/blogger-image-2056656705.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjioM2AKrFEvfTw3CBvXWLEPdEg_W2R_xP6NkGmKEfOeH9ItSqQJ93y6wkcCWoRBXQAqYyIasZBe7PoZlVXZFSXGX-lgZvuEpNDb6_bHfkhMmWiTmboJAFvv9Bx8tanoDiCZjymj5cWcaI/s640/blogger-image-1160290782.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjioM2AKrFEvfTw3CBvXWLEPdEg_W2R_xP6NkGmKEfOeH9ItSqQJ93y6wkcCWoRBXQAqYyIasZBe7PoZlVXZFSXGX-lgZvuEpNDb6_bHfkhMmWiTmboJAFvv9Bx8tanoDiCZjymj5cWcaI/s640/blogger-image-1160290782.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">there's friends to see...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ayAkCIUlJTjmy9Lyg1xw8WbvuFbZlqC72ruRj2GNsWCOQDPkqu9D4esp2DqUiK_9MNPb1eHFBkJzgrMYqQ0bEcckWuD5QnGOoRQLSD32LZam_opyEeckFkSwO9zs6X3uXAxlnXcnPnc/s640/blogger-image-844776389.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ayAkCIUlJTjmy9Lyg1xw8WbvuFbZlqC72ruRj2GNsWCOQDPkqu9D4esp2DqUiK_9MNPb1eHFBkJzgrMYqQ0bEcckWuD5QnGOoRQLSD32LZam_opyEeckFkSwO9zs6X3uXAxlnXcnPnc/s640/blogger-image-844776389.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">...there's friends to miss, there's been too-much friend-missing, but that's another story for another time... </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And there's these Little People...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVkDC1_DCA3F-NH7KYzULP7n3bY_ZvJ0qnFmbemVU_9LvNCpReT7PijJBHlILqvgeb7ameyNLNjUH3IjVPW-7y6Pm1CJN4M-PWLAhPoWV9RSpwuVcGisuq-eSGe0paOUkprKVGfuCtjV4/s640/blogger-image-1010278316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVkDC1_DCA3F-NH7KYzULP7n3bY_ZvJ0qnFmbemVU_9LvNCpReT7PijJBHlILqvgeb7ameyNLNjUH3IjVPW-7y6Pm1CJN4M-PWLAhPoWV9RSpwuVcGisuq-eSGe0paOUkprKVGfuCtjV4/s640/blogger-image-1010278316.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVkDC1_DCA3F-NH7KYzULP7n3bY_ZvJ0qnFmbemVU_9LvNCpReT7PijJBHlILqvgeb7ameyNLNjUH3IjVPW-7y6Pm1CJN4M-PWLAhPoWV9RSpwuVcGisuq-eSGe0paOUkprKVGfuCtjV4/s640/blogger-image-1010278316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg610iywHr1iV7cOP6Fu3iHh07lJfhsnpeMiS2OOYFVrPD3s-W7mycLMl9hUWk8LSCEYA76vXEesBef1Plq6XwV5n7hC7CgbmJBrUYLoNr0VWqEFlNwpgSSjzqEw2Xzcp-gLdo9_QzzdJs/s640/blogger-image-1657882354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg610iywHr1iV7cOP6Fu3iHh07lJfhsnpeMiS2OOYFVrPD3s-W7mycLMl9hUWk8LSCEYA76vXEesBef1Plq6XwV5n7hC7CgbmJBrUYLoNr0VWqEFlNwpgSSjzqEw2Xzcp-gLdo9_QzzdJs/s640/blogger-image-1657882354.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg610iywHr1iV7cOP6Fu3iHh07lJfhsnpeMiS2OOYFVrPD3s-W7mycLMl9hUWk8LSCEYA76vXEesBef1Plq6XwV5n7hC7CgbmJBrUYLoNr0VWqEFlNwpgSSjzqEw2Xzcp-gLdo9_QzzdJs/s640/blogger-image-1657882354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5TbRurKX0a4lzdrolTHSv0eh8WzxCJANH4-eZk9K1hIga8npShWKUaHyTIYVXLtkhKNIEdj9vdYskX0Ru_HEGJoX5XXH9jua2pTRj8U9_v_WNptIf8LsBPA5ekz5AROiuNY-ik1_vQmU/s640/blogger-image-1418545272.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5TbRurKX0a4lzdrolTHSv0eh8WzxCJANH4-eZk9K1hIga8npShWKUaHyTIYVXLtkhKNIEdj9vdYskX0Ru_HEGJoX5XXH9jua2pTRj8U9_v_WNptIf8LsBPA5ekz5AROiuNY-ik1_vQmU/s640/blogger-image-1418545272.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">that I love and love being with...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not to mention all the dancing. There's been so much dancing! Yes, there are pics but that's part of another story for another time, as most good stories are...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I got to thinking about silly-pressures I put on myself. And don't look at me in that tone-of-voice, you put silly-pressures on yourself, too... I think I'm going to change that. From now on, everytime I think of how long it's been since I blogged or added to my Etsy shop, I'm going to think instead... "I got to spend the weekend with my GrandBoys (cause I did!)", or, "I'm going to see my GrandGirl in a few days (cause I am!), or, I made a cute gift basket for my friends who visited (cause I did!), or one of a hundred non-tangibles things that I thought, did or put together...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My personal-challenge in the past year or so was to put myself out there. To not be afraid of whatever it was that I thought might happen if I failed. To stop thinking what I wanted was just for other people. To start thinking, "why not me?". I really like thinking that. So I've done that. I'm doing that.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I read a quote from famous artist a bit ago, "Be good at what you do. If the universe needs something from you, it will find you"...or sumpin like that. In a world of social media and marketing strategies and business plans, have we forgotten to simply be good at what we do?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Your path might not include creativity or blogging or Etsy-ing, but it includes something. Go do that thing. Be good at doing it and I'll do the same...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you need me, I'll be at <a href="http://Babyblackdog.etsy.com/">Babyblackdog.etsy.com</a></span></div>
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kimmarshallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09540320906753912851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-244026500662115945.post-5173456692707849572014-04-14T09:34:00.001-07:002014-04-14T09:34:40.227-07:00Memory Boxes, How-Tos and WhatnotI got a request from a potential customer for a gift for a baby girl, I'd had a project in my mind for a bit, something I'd been wanting to try, I told her the idea, she loved it, so I created it... It was fun, simple-well, not simple-simple, but Kim Marshall-simple, so I thought I'd share it with you, ya know, in case my thoughts could spark your thoughts, or, maybe you'd need to order one from <a href="http://babyblackdog.etsy.com/">Baby Black Dog</a>...<br />
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I'd heard of Memory Boxes for new mommies, ways they could collect and/or store snippets of memories, either until they had time to work on their Baby Books, or, for keeping special items that might not fit in a Book. I think it's a lovely idea, cause, in this stage of my life, my biggest "want" is to encourage young parents to cherish these moments, see times, even trying ones, with a different perspective, knowing that they won't last forever, and, before they know it, their baby will be a DADDY living four hours away from you...but, I digress as I often do...</div>
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I found the most beautiful box at Target. It was a gift box but sturdy and perfectly suited for my Memory Box...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXgj2NFGvRXBJWUMloEc_XQi_k-dY77pi1QzuTxwSVEEOlPmD7fC9BNbxi8kgvooR57cYyVj5q486BrEGieDMBYcKQIYr5sYHhphGx9kzXj6nG00Ge_ucqT01_3nHp7_N9n1EsS0GUKxs/s640/blogger-image--805630290.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXgj2NFGvRXBJWUMloEc_XQi_k-dY77pi1QzuTxwSVEEOlPmD7fC9BNbxi8kgvooR57cYyVj5q486BrEGieDMBYcKQIYr5sYHhphGx9kzXj6nG00Ge_ucqT01_3nHp7_N9n1EsS0GUKxs/s640/blogger-image--805630290.jpg" /></a></div>
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...and since this was a gift for a modern mommy of a baby girl, I loved the colors and patterns.</div>
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Then I set out filling my Box.</div>
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I have quite a collection of bags and envelopes of all shapes, materials and sizes. I'm drawn to them and most things made of paper. I think it stems back to my first job, working in the stationery department of <a href="http://NeimanMarcus.com/">Neiman-Marcus</a> in Dallas, Texas. I learned about fine papers and invitations and Waterman pens and gift wrap. I think that knowledge and appreciation has stuck with me all these years. But, back to my how-to... I gathered an assortment of pretty things with which to collect...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK_fEF8yyHbL16Vz6estjmnneebkOIMwK668QLhyphenhyphen2wYWGEoVfNLrtRCWK4bel8qjKO76qQnbiVCrIqepjeqi6n0baXu_ap2tMZ1OFiMdrls181wfal_UBU1D9CBmFdCfnkGiPR9jQJHzc/s640/blogger-image-22788216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK_fEF8yyHbL16Vz6estjmnneebkOIMwK668QLhyphenhyphen2wYWGEoVfNLrtRCWK4bel8qjKO76qQnbiVCrIqepjeqi6n0baXu_ap2tMZ1OFiMdrls181wfal_UBU1D9CBmFdCfnkGiPR9jQJHzc/s640/blogger-image-22788216.jpg" /></a></div>
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...and put them in a muslin drawstring bag (one of my current favorite "things"), with a pretty tag of explanation. Oh, the tags! I love them...</div>
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I have an assortment of paper punchers, and I used an especially perfect one to create some tags for categorizing and labeling...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVqnWsur71FRAr0ccgL8tNnogtZi7RFDYNmYBxO4gaR0fa6U-DZOP9raMh4fUCFMObjaoAiNtXubLa2CZ7VbxfF7WkQIHFqkY8ftlh7YZod8Q4YXuJmlsO6zoo1NyC4sK8tJK1id7hnYo/s640/blogger-image-626352752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVqnWsur71FRAr0ccgL8tNnogtZi7RFDYNmYBxO4gaR0fa6U-DZOP9raMh4fUCFMObjaoAiNtXubLa2CZ7VbxfF7WkQIHFqkY8ftlh7YZod8Q4YXuJmlsO6zoo1NyC4sK8tJK1id7hnYo/s640/blogger-image-626352752.jpg" /></a></div>
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...I used pretty, textured papers and put them in a sweet glassine bag, and tied on a tag for 'splainin with a piece of pink baker's twine (another current favorite thing).</div>
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I also made some tags out of chevron papers to match some chevron bags I'd collected...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht5Jds9iHDRkfbYt6JcCd6j3OaD74onSv6HdzNFmwV1xqRMLOCIiWev_hf9-sZ8E2b5NwQiY_L8EhYeqdkABVygCNjjWdy0gBrDaJ7k4mUvfb15MpIVwMr6hIaH1m4ZGh7fOpcMzwQ-Mk/s640/blogger-image--679505073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht5Jds9iHDRkfbYt6JcCd6j3OaD74onSv6HdzNFmwV1xqRMLOCIiWev_hf9-sZ8E2b5NwQiY_L8EhYeqdkABVygCNjjWdy0gBrDaJ7k4mUvfb15MpIVwMr6hIaH1m4ZGh7fOpcMzwQ-Mk/s640/blogger-image--679505073.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTTpPlFDMLMQ_5R_6cyBTgzWBex7PDcKEMO0ELQ1ZEylCH7h6dcQ_qf5OKrlJFno1d0JQ7GSs6y0wfEMQHAeSSYVgIGSxQfH1atTgYoSwJTFyVNTF4te4dphEmDW3heJqibfCsW1mfqFg/s640/blogger-image--198040510.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTTpPlFDMLMQ_5R_6cyBTgzWBex7PDcKEMO0ELQ1ZEylCH7h6dcQ_qf5OKrlJFno1d0JQ7GSs6y0wfEMQHAeSSYVgIGSxQfH1atTgYoSwJTFyVNTF4te4dphEmDW3heJqibfCsW1mfqFg/s640/blogger-image--198040510.jpg" /></a></div>
...added some of the twine and placed them in a bag. Then closed it with some graphic washi tape, isn't it just too-too?<br />
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I added some pretty ribbon...<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">some black and white striped grosgrain and, of course, some soft pink torn fabric ribbon, of which I'm very fond...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWbVxo3WanD4Hc3p58wIoKDZPAcWWcXvbUl3x0qsWeY7tjUQO4PrpwkHknKDBZ1IabRozxZaxu_T_dl1uSRfoWgIqCXk6Yr-69KnGTvOTkbq_Z2BswqFrZ2hOypNkBiPnxBUXTSQXSiQI/s640/blogger-image--1468817810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWbVxo3WanD4Hc3p58wIoKDZPAcWWcXvbUl3x0qsWeY7tjUQO4PrpwkHknKDBZ1IabRozxZaxu_T_dl1uSRfoWgIqCXk6Yr-69KnGTvOTkbq_Z2BswqFrZ2hOypNkBiPnxBUXTSQXSiQI/s640/blogger-image--1468817810.jpg" /></a></div>
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No celebration (and that's what it is, you know...an Everyday Collecting Memories and Taking Care of Your Family is...it's a celebration!) would be complete without confetti. So I added a sweet bag of confetti, in coordinating colors, of course...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBBTWVk5g_SQE3nPSyOlj_Gp5VzI8cAWB6LEaey1hRMcly_-dt9EDCnDMm3n6pl5YcD1QSvH7H0si4evCQ-WAnsO5_ohIldmuNgoEYDy0-2HYseY4YKMnDs1mdbMxpJCkL8_goYxxg7g0/s640/blogger-image--1260591328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBBTWVk5g_SQE3nPSyOlj_Gp5VzI8cAWB6LEaey1hRMcly_-dt9EDCnDMm3n6pl5YcD1QSvH7H0si4evCQ-WAnsO5_ohIldmuNgoEYDy0-2HYseY4YKMnDs1mdbMxpJCkL8_goYxxg7g0/s640/blogger-image--1260591328.jpg" /></a></div>
...and there's that tape again! Love that.<br />
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I added one of my handmade paper corsages, just for extra sweetness, and put it in a muslin drawstring bag with a "what for?" tag...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM_msJA0VSPkzVJ-nBHCxhQtz9LnkIUmNk6vtKYz_-CYrkOvx-Sqmk9GE4fkIv3b1L08MESIhDFjv3tMqKMPqV_And00j-v08SEjQzSC80At5Iqq7LtLSz4R2eNw8IL_GglE1ezvvqAsw/s640/blogger-image--1692633806.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM_msJA0VSPkzVJ-nBHCxhQtz9LnkIUmNk6vtKYz_-CYrkOvx-Sqmk9GE4fkIv3b1L08MESIhDFjv3tMqKMPqV_And00j-v08SEjQzSC80At5Iqq7LtLSz4R2eNw8IL_GglE1ezvvqAsw/s640/blogger-image--1692633806.jpg" /></a></div>
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I also added a hand-written note of how to use the Box, and placed it at the top of the package...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlBfHFg8FnJB21sUdeJid8VMyC3qmvpU-NlT62y0IPysd7-VPBojLi0NDFjnUFvI3WOGmHagwBsWQQCbM-BP4Ga2mTpMwyyl9R57E8yHKkn2OSVj6vop8OHzl6qknOiH-DC4yHhbXH__E/s640/blogger-image-249792958.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlBfHFg8FnJB21sUdeJid8VMyC3qmvpU-NlT62y0IPysd7-VPBojLi0NDFjnUFvI3WOGmHagwBsWQQCbM-BP4Ga2mTpMwyyl9R57E8yHKkn2OSVj6vop8OHzl6qknOiH-DC4yHhbXH__E/s640/blogger-image-249792958.jpg" /></a></div>
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I used lots of pink shreds and tied everything up with the black&white ribbon...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioAfYwsl4arSvphgleTsuP8l8wTICi-UzthwKCR_UyDPWnSGuns5I5aO5DYVBegb9uPJV2i8CNC2WWO9AQoOucI77N9LF4V6qGaENzL8p8sveH8VHFvn20K-xIC_owRgLxzr2ruGeyBAU/s640/blogger-image--176103227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioAfYwsl4arSvphgleTsuP8l8wTICi-UzthwKCR_UyDPWnSGuns5I5aO5DYVBegb9uPJV2i8CNC2WWO9AQoOucI77N9LF4V6qGaENzL8p8sveH8VHFvn20K-xIC_owRgLxzr2ruGeyBAU/s640/blogger-image--176103227.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4tkCcDk09VXHUNgNjtkRKbYe-VLqDr0YPEYt9tSVXNzJrPC2ic4X0VI3xZ2UiveYQDSOlj4MQ4eT4QvXsO1pv-n5VRkgdpPdepZ-d3DzfZB8EftgYxsr3wjmROz6GfvkxAwRWcFByOzY/s640/blogger-image--637080793.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4tkCcDk09VXHUNgNjtkRKbYe-VLqDr0YPEYt9tSVXNzJrPC2ic4X0VI3xZ2UiveYQDSOlj4MQ4eT4QvXsO1pv-n5VRkgdpPdepZ-d3DzfZB8EftgYxsr3wjmROz6GfvkxAwRWcFByOzY/s640/blogger-image--637080793.jpg" /></a></div>
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I'm thrilled with how it turned out, and I think it will make a lovely and thoughtful gift. You may have someone in mind for one yourself. Use my thoughts to spur your own. Or. I've put one together for sale in my Little Shop. You can find it <a href="http://babyblackdog.etsy.com/">here</a>...just in case...</div>
kimmarshallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09540320906753912851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-244026500662115945.post-13998307280446149672014-04-06T12:48:00.002-07:002014-04-06T13:18:17.593-07:00A Custom Book ProjectSo, I have this Little Shop that I kinda like. <a href="http://babyblackdog.etsy.com/">This</a>. I've been tweaking it and the way I think about it a bit...<br>
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Several weeks ago, my very-supportive and visionary friend asked me if I (and my Little Shop) would take on a special order, that she wanted me to create a Baby Book for someone special. I told her I'd look into it and began poking around...<br>
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The Baby Books of my own children are still unfinished (my youngest son is 26), but gave me some "don't do that" ideas. I read blogs for the takes from different mothers about wants and wishes with their current Baby Books. I looked in brick and mortar shops to see what was offered. I looked at websites to see what was popular.</div>
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I have to admit. I don't do well with comparisons. I always find something I prefer in someone else's work. But, in the Search for Baby Books, I began to gather my own ideas and liked the way I was heading. So I continued down that road...</div>
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The biggest challenge was how I was going to bind the book so I talked to a couple of local printers, seeing just what was available, thinking I would create the Book from scratch. But one day, I stumbled upon a Book in a favorite shop: a small, 3-ring binder Baby Book. A perfect solution for the way I was thinking...the pages could be added or changed as desired, so that I didn't have to make chronological decisions for this new Mommy and her wishes for how to keep track of these memories. </div>
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I remembered that Target has the cutest little notebooks, small 3-ring binders. Really, Target has the cutest of a lot of things! They were the perfect size, about 6x9", just right for some thoughts and a photo or two.</div>
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Instead of many wordy pages, I made journaling prompts...<br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiissP27wfGnjfx2IutbRd5eiwONj8c3KfeX7XMYnARFXLriBkslldusAajmQA1o2RY-b0_P5KNZoKH6u5JyvKx3jOFSuknIIXK4D_j0kSuBCE9bL1PrPffrUPAjBzoPwkSp32P-QpFe8/s640/blogger-image--1011648183.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiissP27wfGnjfx2IutbRd5eiwONj8c3KfeX7XMYnARFXLriBkslldusAajmQA1o2RY-b0_P5KNZoKH6u5JyvKx3jOFSuknIIXK4D_j0kSuBCE9bL1PrPffrUPAjBzoPwkSp32P-QpFe8/s640/blogger-image--1011648183.jpg"></a></div>
...on pretty shapes of cardstock. Things that could spark a way to capture a memory (your room, your first haircut, your arrival, etc) and could be easily adhered to a page, then I edged them in gold ink, just because. I also made some fill-in-the-blanks pages...<br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCRWm_-RpMNvvA9FfeF28YmlIRAkOYTfOcTp1hLjKN0KG1tqOy49XjdrHdyxKDiW0TZV8M-lE0Bfzf-vGlLD_MiwN0G9iniKXGleWR2hXtZJg0klouOlAHCElX2TmNOpSVgqs-oPkTyc0/s640/blogger-image--38869371.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCRWm_-RpMNvvA9FfeF28YmlIRAkOYTfOcTp1hLjKN0KG1tqOy49XjdrHdyxKDiW0TZV8M-lE0Bfzf-vGlLD_MiwN0G9iniKXGleWR2hXtZJg0klouOlAHCElX2TmNOpSVgqs-oPkTyc0/s640/blogger-image--38869371.jpg"></a></div>
...for keeping track of weight and such...</div>
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I made pages from pretty sheets of cardstock and from watercolor papers. I made some pages from illustrations I'd cut from really old cards and Little Golden books...<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLpGptpj0BLkOHQsS5Tld0MTnq_nCcQbyUE9WipC4h89rwsjbgrnW_4naleeipOlhSTEy6gsYInAdS8NQ7ctBigAzGHfW0cSI7WpKjPix0jkIQDPGv11FmWdmpCVHjoDxcq97i57OH-WQ/s640/blogger-image--998648678.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLpGptpj0BLkOHQsS5Tld0MTnq_nCcQbyUE9WipC4h89rwsjbgrnW_4naleeipOlhSTEy6gsYInAdS8NQ7ctBigAzGHfW0cSI7WpKjPix0jkIQDPGv11FmWdmpCVHjoDxcq97i57OH-WQ/s640/blogger-image--998648678.jpg"></a></div>...thinking a photo could be displayed on them.</div>
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I made some special occasion pages, too, like a First Birthday page...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyUSyBCRBnq3TfpYVHkvPgofx-QVDY3ah0TMnhAV-2nrTlQ0xTeS0KzCIAHw3PJVJ50Cmk3mASdJ4tznRbDyEt2FJXwMQcdYKeAkQ6HfTBwVFpOovj-aDswVs3q6MEs6SSLVwYHwVxpOc/s640/blogger-image--2066069634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyUSyBCRBnq3TfpYVHkvPgofx-QVDY3ah0TMnhAV-2nrTlQ0xTeS0KzCIAHw3PJVJ50Cmk3mASdJ4tznRbDyEt2FJXwMQcdYKeAkQ6HfTBwVFpOovj-aDswVs3q6MEs6SSLVwYHwVxpOc/s640/blogger-image--2066069634.jpg"></a></div>
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...a page for Shower Memories...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS6FsuKB-LQBbxSO5lcQqaPYZNHhOBmdLxfff1xnJhqS5yZ-kVZ0WQ43A1e-9za1gIVPsWePrMZ2Nx9OI9TkFiy_r1hhoUmUWZljnjDrBr8K166AxjN0nQUfKLQPy267kgohBM-MAPAsw/s640/blogger-image-1629674215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS6FsuKB-LQBbxSO5lcQqaPYZNHhOBmdLxfff1xnJhqS5yZ-kVZ0WQ43A1e-9za1gIVPsWePrMZ2Nx9OI9TkFiy_r1hhoUmUWZljnjDrBr8K166AxjN0nQUfKLQPy267kgohBM-MAPAsw/s640/blogger-image-1629674215.jpg"></a></div>
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...and, maybe my favorite, an "I'm Here" page, complete with a bag of confetti...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnOKLKrZMbwoEslA7ccMXnESNRvlHEjMxaUeW8UurbODWeU-ZoaS3OejuvWtQnTj-siw6cnFy5zwqKuUnxpy_iCT9__uV4oT5PRNYu9b_Aezman1q_HhEl0dStFcnLVGb1GK_EuiTQE_4/s640/blogger-image--9362220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnOKLKrZMbwoEslA7ccMXnESNRvlHEjMxaUeW8UurbODWeU-ZoaS3OejuvWtQnTj-siw6cnFy5zwqKuUnxpy_iCT9__uV4oT5PRNYu9b_Aezman1q_HhEl0dStFcnLVGb1GK_EuiTQE_4/s640/blogger-image--9362220.jpg"></a></div>
...and a fold-out for Birth Information.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji9GscYqxRbnb-8Jkr1oOib7SszKbFbxN_M1sdhJfkKOR0Ea04fJbTUbkVIAfH0LIVJvEbCIbljzCS0pCGzgtZruLHXMl53KvooWenPUbhzc_GceQEMGaRff4kba0yNibtwnHFcGbijzU/s640/blogger-image--412246583.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji9GscYqxRbnb-8Jkr1oOib7SszKbFbxN_M1sdhJfkKOR0Ea04fJbTUbkVIAfH0LIVJvEbCIbljzCS0pCGzgtZruLHXMl53KvooWenPUbhzc_GceQEMGaRff4kba0yNibtwnHFcGbijzU/s640/blogger-image--412246583.jpg"></a></div>
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I used the computer for some things, but mostly I hand-lettered everything using a gold Sharpie.</div>
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I put the journal-prompts, along with some pretty tags, glassine envelopes and sheets of sticky-dots for adhering, in a big vellum envelope, used pretty paper brads & bakers twine for closure and attached the whole envelope to the inside back cover. This way, everything this New Mommy will need to work on her book will be on-hand...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOaQKCiM-mzzvS69sBNK9K5HAPjStv0Zx7KlgKENc4Qui7n0MepjR6gWLoZtgc9vmfZSzmam7nAUBgJdZduXtueV4Xy8grGOckIdYNnUS-v1IibjIwiLU4dgX65ot9x9Szv8Xehc_-AgQ/s640/blogger-image-545212980.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOaQKCiM-mzzvS69sBNK9K5HAPjStv0Zx7KlgKENc4Qui7n0MepjR6gWLoZtgc9vmfZSzmam7nAUBgJdZduXtueV4Xy8grGOckIdYNnUS-v1IibjIwiLU4dgX65ot9x9Szv8Xehc_-AgQ/s640/blogger-image-545212980.jpg"></a></div>
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The Book cover was of the perfect colors-pink, peach, gold and minty-green, so I just tied a pretty ribbon around the cover...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrcf5ATw9hFrsHH-lLvhp4BZ94hUpU3CyL6bFk6WcG0R-xPARR32sFoPIOI2yvqVDVv02vXvSnKgWj8fHnqwZHQxnXTvrxnNGyb7IDZQv3uHkFLkFTZfeEaz8KUCZwQTpGlDFep0eWFFA/s640/blogger-image--1397342088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrcf5ATw9hFrsHH-lLvhp4BZ94hUpU3CyL6bFk6WcG0R-xPARR32sFoPIOI2yvqVDVv02vXvSnKgWj8fHnqwZHQxnXTvrxnNGyb7IDZQv3uHkFLkFTZfeEaz8KUCZwQTpGlDFep0eWFFA/s640/blogger-image--1397342088.jpg"></a></div>
...added a name plate to the inside, and packaged some extra pages...<br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrcuyZulsHOUWREQX-Gm_iPvQLpCHryQr3zTWpQYmMVAF1Li5a2zbPsRoHJXxC1IYyLXLUUK-VEPbJFScHUptd62RZW4rCHoKMmq1Ki8nj740EOq5gKzHSLBTVnzEo7rM4M_JfllF-atc/s640/blogger-image-1614140217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrcuyZulsHOUWREQX-Gm_iPvQLpCHryQr3zTWpQYmMVAF1Li5a2zbPsRoHJXxC1IYyLXLUUK-VEPbJFScHUptd62RZW4rCHoKMmq1Ki8nj740EOq5gKzHSLBTVnzEo7rM4M_JfllF-atc/s640/blogger-image-1614140217.jpg"></a></div>
...to go along in the gift.</div>
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This Book became the perfect combination of gathered-thoughts plus my own way of doing things. Oh, and a pretty binder from Target.</div>
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<div>Use my thoughts to spark your own creativity, or, I could help you with that... This one is already sold, but I'd love to create one for your Special Occasion (think: babies, weddings, engagements!). Message me, we'll talk. <a href="http://babyblackdog.etsy.com/">Here.</a></div>
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kimmarshallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09540320906753912851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-244026500662115945.post-21724587591325927912014-04-05T07:36:00.001-07:002014-04-05T07:36:40.316-07:00Categories, Dreams and LifeI don't really fancy this to be a do-it-yourself blog. Mostly because there's a category of those and I don't want to try to compete or fit-in. Instead, I want it to be a be-yourself blog. There's no competition for any of us with that.<div><br></div><div>I wanted to begin by saying that.</div><div><br></div><div>To remind you and me that we don't have to fit into a single category. <i>Let's make & be our own category...</i><div><br></div><div>So, this morning, I'm having an epiphany of sorts as I've allowed myself to dream. </div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">A big, scary personal dream.</span></div><div><br></div><div>I think the word "dream" has always bothered me a bit. Overused. Misused. Others made to suffer for our pursuit of said-dreams. But I think mostly what bugs me is that we treat "dreams" as though they're off in the distance. They're elsewhere and we have to chase them far and fast. And for me personally, I was too busy <b>living</b> a dreamy life. My life with my family, my home, my dogs, my friends...I've always been contented with my life. A perfect life? Ummm, NO! Far from perfect. Let me clarify that. Do I now or have I ever had a PERFECT life? NO! But, are dreams always perfect? I don't think so. I used to dream I could fly like a bird...but my dream-friends thought I looked weird, so...</div><div><br></div><div>But, for the past few months (while I've been living and helping and loving and working and...) I've been pursuing my own personal dreams. Mine. For me... <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">This blog is part of that dream. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">My Etsy shop is part of that dream.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I say all that to say this to you: Dream. Hold tight and pursue your dreams. Don't let your dreams die in a sea of self-doubt. But, while you pursue those dreams, remember to LIVE the dream. My good friend, Aaron, replies something like that when asked "How are you?". So, I'm passing it on to you...</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">This morning I admitted a scary, big dream that I plan to pursue this next year, maybe I'll tell you about it one day. It was a big deal. Made me feel strange and elated and hopeful.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">But.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I also brushed my teeth. And drank coffee. And thought about my children. And walked my dogs. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">And on our walk I found this...</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvnDEj7fETetT4Yhyphenhyphenv4Mlrgtwk75hizupKWaKQlrhyphenhyphentL0NSq82F4StPRsmt_KD09GIsXw870G-VhBdL_ogj3DIJ_iLccCzQmBFTw7kHEOM0WbU0rNbs3JSG29BkeDkUCD9Tf3V8G3Q1RU/s640/blogger-image--384503629.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvnDEj7fETetT4Yhyphenhyphenv4Mlrgtwk75hizupKWaKQlrhyphenhyphentL0NSq82F4StPRsmt_KD09GIsXw870G-VhBdL_ogj3DIJ_iLccCzQmBFTw7kHEOM0WbU0rNbs3JSG29BkeDkUCD9Tf3V8G3Q1RU/s640/blogger-image--384503629.jpg"></a></div>...right outside my house.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">And my beautiful Labrador found a baby pine tree and it was a magical scene.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFqtnN5ZnvFx_Qdw2glE1Y5G3M81R3Sd4OSGKPHwGPGl4zuMUv-2e-zcLdpkZar5OmUFbSj1Cr88KUkhoRqXvwhTLDdR-fyq9w6QrgKye-utWH_aM3aTmmwAc9T0nC6Hf16U-ySujEMDI/s640/blogger-image--1071613428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFqtnN5ZnvFx_Qdw2glE1Y5G3M81R3Sd4OSGKPHwGPGl4zuMUv-2e-zcLdpkZar5OmUFbSj1Cr88KUkhoRqXvwhTLDdR-fyq9w6QrgKye-utWH_aM3aTmmwAc9T0nC6Hf16U-ySujEMDI/s640/blogger-image--1071613428.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">And I noticed the wisteria were fully-and-fragrantly blooming, so I took a picture...</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrwTK6tdQw95ErVQFqT0xWes28Zp6q6LwrFMY1erF4pZv9Mq62PjPWFYmRCfbaEvBlPD_zoArE1j33LxrQSqgqn2knkB0ncYMWLr36P7UkTHwT2IEjHayvRUF4b_S_UNMZeWd15PERg4s/s640/blogger-image--2129271462.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrwTK6tdQw95ErVQFqT0xWes28Zp6q6LwrFMY1erF4pZv9Mq62PjPWFYmRCfbaEvBlPD_zoArE1j33LxrQSqgqn2knkB0ncYMWLr36P7UkTHwT2IEjHayvRUF4b_S_UNMZeWd15PERg4s/s640/blogger-image--2129271462.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">And I found this in my own ill-tended-to-but-much-appreciated yard...</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCw9EwmVtbHM3KlCgzI-fMHU4Z5yjtIaAnR-rBNLpMM7QQTWwRcnan8AB0n6ayLLI9jgaNyo3RpZH5cn8mePWS3hTik1J2i85BJr6qnk3fWnDw0T139spYYB1JiZ7aicLIg78KbyHnBP8/s640/blogger-image-435315963.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCw9EwmVtbHM3KlCgzI-fMHU4Z5yjtIaAnR-rBNLpMM7QQTWwRcnan8AB0n6ayLLI9jgaNyo3RpZH5cn8mePWS3hTik1J2i85BJr6qnk3fWnDw0T139spYYB1JiZ7aicLIg78KbyHnBP8/s640/blogger-image-435315963.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">My everyday life. Yes. My dream life. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">So, Dear Friends, this is my challenge and my well-worn-advice to you...</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Keep dreaming. Go after those dreams. Don't be talked out of them. Keep them. Treasure them.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">But also, don't forget... <b>Go live the dream</b>.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div></div>kimmarshallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09540320906753912851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-244026500662115945.post-42973949259234316612014-03-28T07:22:00.001-07:002014-03-28T07:23:46.366-07:00The Chains of Everyday (or, A Very Dramatic Way to Title a Post About
Parties)<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div>...then, I remembered paper chains (you know, Dear Friends. Middle of a conversation)...<div><br></div><div>I had a long time to prepare for a Dear Friend's baby shower, so I got to fuss over the details a bit more than usual. And really, details are what sets one thing apart from other things...whether it's a party, or a gift you made for someone, or even if it's the details of your everyday life. No one else can recreate those details just like you. And recognizing and appreciating those details can make your heart light and your mundane life anything but mundane... And isn't that how it should be?</div><div><br></div><div>Don't sit around, waiting for the "next big thing".</div><div><br></div><div>You know that Little Boy that calls you Mommy? You know that kitchen window where you collect your Maileg Mice? You know that laundry that you need to get done today, and decide to use a new scent of detergent? You know that corner you pass on your way to work every morning, the one with the tree that's flowering so beautifully this time of year? Yes. Those are your "next big things"...</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB-GWn6PWsFpV8CGwrqmJQQiUiPhrH5vpvf4_tTBjjiHQL2yzg-Yu4CWsICgA1wxzWTHBxpBpeCXE3Nw5_EpLIaZEmh9MqR8qBORE3sJdcYC3a5_OvKbM6A3y5vNjEtRUr8HaMHQAvE20/s640/blogger-image--927005281.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB-GWn6PWsFpV8CGwrqmJQQiUiPhrH5vpvf4_tTBjjiHQL2yzg-Yu4CWsICgA1wxzWTHBxpBpeCXE3Nw5_EpLIaZEmh9MqR8qBORE3sJdcYC3a5_OvKbM6A3y5vNjEtRUr8HaMHQAvE20/s640/blogger-image--927005281.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>But, back to paper chains...</div><div><br></div><div>Scraps and bits of paper have to be one of the easiest and most plentiful sources of supplies. Often when I'm working on a project or a party, I'm taken aback by how pretty my trash looks! Much too pretty to grow away...</div><div><br></div><div>I remember putting together chains of paper as a class when I was in elementary school. Probably, it was to keep us busy and occupied, but it always made our classroom look festive. My teachers must have been very wise, to have accomplished all those things with the simplest of activities and using the most inexpensive of materials, and here I am, MANY years later, blogging about them...</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdwj-Wq-WjNcvWxoqlzZLxxbv7NRqxooG18_Uw2kPwmrdALY_5JQd4DeYjhYmahrLxxuxO_ZD52ovM1VtU3sQlgWg9xTyIjkrZYloVxmkNWdQpoLkAtYo0XqB-J5anAN-mMBNVcYKZ74o/s640/blogger-image-1566867437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdwj-Wq-WjNcvWxoqlzZLxxbv7NRqxooG18_Uw2kPwmrdALY_5JQd4DeYjhYmahrLxxuxO_ZD52ovM1VtU3sQlgWg9xTyIjkrZYloVxmkNWdQpoLkAtYo0XqB-J5anAN-mMBNVcYKZ74o/s640/blogger-image-1566867437.jpg"></a></div>Leftovers. Strips and scraps too small to reuse for most decorating. But not for this Creative Genius! (PS, just a week prior to taking these pictures, I saw an Instagram picture of paper-chaining from a famous party-planner that I follow. So, it's really alright for me to refer to myself as Creative Genius since it's a bit tongue-in-cheek. But, it does take a bit of genius to recognize a great idea, so...)</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcffC6Y9QDsHg1GkKNFulGOTXIYbarNvbHcib63qEadh3FLzz5zM0hPwztZ8YUnTPdAES3QFL7n-zFiZqrX_4X2yRJ7gol07YZAvs78o00tKEZAIZYSF60JcPeBCHLLV_ODjcxloIEsWs/s640/blogger-image-432333541.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcffC6Y9QDsHg1GkKNFulGOTXIYbarNvbHcib63qEadh3FLzz5zM0hPwztZ8YUnTPdAES3QFL7n-zFiZqrX_4X2yRJ7gol07YZAvs78o00tKEZAIZYSF60JcPeBCHLLV_ODjcxloIEsWs/s640/blogger-image-432333541.jpg"></a></div>You know the drill, right? Make a loop out of a strip of paper and glue it together (I actually stapled these because I had to transport them a good distance). Then take another strip of the same-ish length, stick it through the loop you made, and glue the newly-created loop together. Keep adding and gluing, mixing up the patterns and colors as you go... Make it as long or as short as you like.</div><div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG3VBTCrVfuw6JFzMz8_om8gCo4QQanCHvKtLB3CfaykxY1gU73lprj5IKOyK4wsjfC-YQPe_ksKDvQtodA5ldMNBJ9lKf27eEuN6oo3TCUkYB8aX_19gnf1TpfjsB7BLcEN8tXDJMLeo/s640/blogger-image-1872910138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG3VBTCrVfuw6JFzMz8_om8gCo4QQanCHvKtLB3CfaykxY1gU73lprj5IKOyK4wsjfC-YQPe_ksKDvQtodA5ldMNBJ9lKf27eEuN6oo3TCUkYB8aX_19gnf1TpfjsB7BLcEN8tXDJMLeo/s640/blogger-image-1872910138.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This is just a "pile" of the chain, before I used it as decor, but already it made me visually-happy!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpCUITexP3Qnj1CPY2ayDyrZGXgTGFTa4NQtoFhIh047nComG9pR7fDYhGhNWoHjINAHQbLPTApBR2Qp8fJUXkLIgDTSsGNGW3GB2GTPADEEDVxLVSilixXsau75exQhLnghYCpwuHBr4/s640/blogger-image-6167862.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpCUITexP3Qnj1CPY2ayDyrZGXgTGFTa4NQtoFhIh047nComG9pR7fDYhGhNWoHjINAHQbLPTApBR2Qp8fJUXkLIgDTSsGNGW3GB2GTPADEEDVxLVSilixXsau75exQhLnghYCpwuHBr4/s640/blogger-image-6167862.jpg"></a></div>Once at the shower, we strung, "hung" and laid the chains here & there. Adding a bit of pattern and color in various spots...<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlBsRtvOORkXVw1kKGd5YVEui2O4FnqVubxpGaCIca4mBXDpqIcvW_tWY-0p-Uw-9QKYz9QtpsGoCnkPRO8GYyVmS6A_b_ggYvexgp9lvErrGx6LvpwIkQ2LIVzZsxfjxZed04SGIjdKQ/s640/blogger-image--644108670.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlBsRtvOORkXVw1kKGd5YVEui2O4FnqVubxpGaCIca4mBXDpqIcvW_tWY-0p-Uw-9QKYz9QtpsGoCnkPRO8GYyVmS6A_b_ggYvexgp9lvErrGx6LvpwIkQ2LIVzZsxfjxZed04SGIjdKQ/s640/blogger-image--644108670.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlBsRtvOORkXVw1kKGd5YVEui2O4FnqVubxpGaCIca4mBXDpqIcvW_tWY-0p-Uw-9QKYz9QtpsGoCnkPRO8GYyVmS6A_b_ggYvexgp9lvErrGx6LvpwIkQ2LIVzZsxfjxZed04SGIjdKQ/s640/blogger-image--644108670.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghde82tqSobHuqlZTzYwrmvhGeS_dwZH1aiIjixpA538Jst1XBn_naxiZh1ZGgnIwBIZocayGmWtQRgEZ14fLQfd8FskZA04EPD-vF9yiIjSY4JDtIixIQ2lK9KitfJAVpbsgXxFLS8v8/s640/blogger-image--1148488352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghde82tqSobHuqlZTzYwrmvhGeS_dwZH1aiIjixpA538Jst1XBn_naxiZh1ZGgnIwBIZocayGmWtQRgEZ14fLQfd8FskZA04EPD-vF9yiIjSY4JDtIixIQ2lK9KitfJAVpbsgXxFLS8v8/s640/blogger-image--1148488352.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I think they were a festive addition to an already lovely venue (my Gracious Friend, Kim's, home), a beautiful party scheme and a perfect reason for a party, a Dear Friend's new baby...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Actually, I'm so proud that I remembered to take pictures of the chains along the way of their life-cycle. I often get so excited about decorating and creating that I forget to photograph. And it's the first thing that my mother, you know, the Discoverer of Raw Materials, will ask, "Did you take pictures?", as she is my Biggest Fan and wants to share me with the world.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So, here you are, world... Now, go make an occasion, you Lucky You!</div></div></div>kimmarshallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09540320906753912851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-244026500662115945.post-17487755503011917662014-03-20T06:11:00.001-07:002014-03-20T06:11:45.934-07:00A New Spot. And Some New Inspiration...I am a homebody. I love bring home. I love being with my husband. He really is my best friend. I love my routine. And my pups. I love my kitchen window. It's one of my favorite spots to decorate. I love to make my bed and do my laundry. I love that my GrandBoys and Adventures are (sorta) within arms-distance.<div><br></div><div>But. I'm also a traveler. I like flying. And long car rides. <font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">I like experiencing different seasons-and even different cultures-as a result of just a few hours of either. I like airports, some not as much as others. I like the stops along the way. But mostly, I love that there are people I love in lots of different places. All over the country. All over the world. But really, I'm a sucker for Birmingham...</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">There are people I love in that City. Part of me lives there. I visit as often as I can and stay for as long as I'm able. </font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">One of my new perks of being in Birmingham, besides my New GrandGirl, is a new favorite store, Paper Source. </span></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">I think shopping and inspiration should go hand-in-hand. When I walk around in a store, I want my head to swim with ideas and thoughts and things I'll want to do when I leave there. Paper Source for me is that kind of place and I've been wanting to share it with you...</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">It's is a spot for cards and seasonal gifts and embossing powder and wrapping paper. </font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1rS2G-bd_HzqneYw5smV19hGV3i7a1pTSf1VCM8AYTahkoN23n2gJPk7x-okOt1wFVX0UfdhpmHlH3OwJW7p59AABlMbP0s6QwCpGLQcr8Ari5U3SHKRvqStOA_Lr9GljqL7dTMQf2mY/s640/blogger-image-1238016625.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1rS2G-bd_HzqneYw5smV19hGV3i7a1pTSf1VCM8AYTahkoN23n2gJPk7x-okOt1wFVX0UfdhpmHlH3OwJW7p59AABlMbP0s6QwCpGLQcr8Ari5U3SHKRvqStOA_Lr9GljqL7dTMQf2mY/s640/blogger-image-1238016625.jpg"></a></div>Oh! The wrapping paper! Museum-quality-art on a roll. Sheets worth framing. Or, of course for wrapping the perfect gift, one of my favorite activities.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzbnXAUk3qdsO2dg9735LtWTWqJ9pTupKioRaVhqBAm0Af_jE9Bvgk2uq_OI6vt9K8Nw1YXGk8CfmM-7xjud6LJi2Bpt1mZ8YN8K-Ala_KrzCIazDsuLMhiqCyuym-7pjT_Xyx_nf-eNU/s640/blogger-image--206578598.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzbnXAUk3qdsO2dg9735LtWTWqJ9pTupKioRaVhqBAm0Af_jE9Bvgk2uq_OI6vt9K8Nw1YXGk8CfmM-7xjud6LJi2Bpt1mZ8YN8K-Ala_KrzCIazDsuLMhiqCyuym-7pjT_Xyx_nf-eNU/s640/blogger-image--206578598.jpg"></a></div>I'm not a prolific stamper, but look at this wall of rubber stamps. The designs we could emboss (<i>remember my earlier post bout that?</i>) with these. What fun!</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIwXzgx3Of-DXLZZ6QEXHiNoMYNntQxB0s8L9DNVlnOryYocOPzCaID9-guqk-bmAQkFrqsWZhOyW4AnWPCXwNePRV_b8pSO_QY0DU-Ux5qx9KXZJUz2Lkhx5TmXduSdMWUyWFNrtrBoE/s640/blogger-image--700149070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIwXzgx3Of-DXLZZ6QEXHiNoMYNntQxB0s8L9DNVlnOryYocOPzCaID9-guqk-bmAQkFrqsWZhOyW4AnWPCXwNePRV_b8pSO_QY0DU-Ux5qx9KXZJUz2Lkhx5TmXduSdMWUyWFNrtrBoE/s640/blogger-image--700149070.jpg"></a></div>This is silk ribbon. Hand-dyed. And just enough of a length to tie around that Perfect Gift.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCSrFeZIWqoWgAL2A6jFz-hQfurP5FtkDymXS0c-vO9ia_xv5OGZls9qMiL_iqvXZDxWpWtnh68bzs6dD1N6Xx2UIaZGTGnDZ8lNNHx4pu0PxOLOXZU-c6zoZPiX1EiB2WghI1ad530zE/s640/blogger-image-521058197.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCSrFeZIWqoWgAL2A6jFz-hQfurP5FtkDymXS0c-vO9ia_xv5OGZls9qMiL_iqvXZDxWpWtnh68bzs6dD1N6Xx2UIaZGTGnDZ8lNNHx4pu0PxOLOXZU-c6zoZPiX1EiB2WghI1ad530zE/s640/blogger-image-521058197.jpg"></a></div>This paper chain kit! Such a cute way to "get started" with being creative. Also, I've got an upcoming blog post about paper chains and their how-tos, so stay tuned...</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Specifically, I went this time looking for these...</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOs6xj9RmSxvCF9utD_gZG2lK6zgYwWIUgeYP6PRBwMDgExdS_Gz22VRB9mfM3WMpzvWR0kNaqTp105XEA2MfkVg9Nn6hgP9NpXd88WxvzimTbX0lfXo_5PsfJm-wDGcVFbo7BgJmUMlQ/s640/blogger-image--529471321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOs6xj9RmSxvCF9utD_gZG2lK6zgYwWIUgeYP6PRBwMDgExdS_Gz22VRB9mfM3WMpzvWR0kNaqTp105XEA2MfkVg9Nn6hgP9NpXd88WxvzimTbX0lfXo_5PsfJm-wDGcVFbo7BgJmUMlQ/s640/blogger-image--529471321.jpg"></a></div>...little glassine envelopes for a baby book I'm custom-creating for a Baby Black Dog (<b>Babyblackdog.etsy.com</b>) customer. After a few trips around the shop, I told the salesperson, "I'm looking for packages of tiny envelopes..." And she showed me a back wall that I'd never seen, containing the perfect answer to my need...</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Paper Source is located at The Summit in Birmingham and so-near to Anthropologie, how convenient! You need to stop by and dream. And then let me know what you've found... They also have an online shop that you'll enjoy, for the times when you can't physically get there.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Inspiration can translate into areas of your life where you'd least expect it. Thought I'd remind you of that today...Make room for it whenever possible...</font></div>kimmarshallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09540320906753912851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-244026500662115945.post-12066247097246314502014-03-11T08:34:00.001-07:002014-03-11T08:34:34.629-07:00Projects, Notelets and Mathmatics<div><br></div>I was putting together an order for a Baby Black Dog customer. It was a gift that she bought and was having me send it directly to the gift-ee. <i>By the way, did you know that Babyblackdog.etsy.com is a perfect place to shop for gifts? </i>Well, it is.<div><br></div><div>I was putting the finishing touches on the gift and grabbed a mini card and envelope to attach with her greeting...I have a stash of cute cards and envelopes that I always have on hand...<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvZVVy5_9tkpKQOwSOREYj0OJgXNblquMfn-wQrChmRuQBCHvG9cMTKbzSP1XIVbQYTgE3vAqasU7KkTUiXhnz1_ybxdHNEdjnAyHCXMGKyMciU7NKq1fVWley5H8t8i5Dwd8Z0LGoj0k/s640/blogger-image--954564879.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvZVVy5_9tkpKQOwSOREYj0OJgXNblquMfn-wQrChmRuQBCHvG9cMTKbzSP1XIVbQYTgE3vAqasU7KkTUiXhnz1_ybxdHNEdjnAyHCXMGKyMciU7NKq1fVWley5H8t8i5Dwd8Z0LGoj0k/s640/blogger-image--954564879.jpg"></a></div>then I realized, "those aren't Baby Black Dog cards"...</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0RDF5lygSXZgrhQDnquvIh_Bqth96gW8g-FSbEvc7nEAzdQwmFIV02sXRsfpspwtuwVt4rzapofUMXOzlO8Yr7U7duRBWXxyEbd_M8eF8276uZQ_IgDZtAzp9s_7Q7FvFZ60TqvgQ2x4/s640/blogger-image-19328594.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0RDF5lygSXZgrhQDnquvIh_Bqth96gW8g-FSbEvc7nEAzdQwmFIV02sXRsfpspwtuwVt4rzapofUMXOzlO8Yr7U7duRBWXxyEbd_M8eF8276uZQ_IgDZtAzp9s_7Q7FvFZ60TqvgQ2x4/s640/blogger-image-19328594.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div>So off I went to remedy the situation.</div><div><br></div><div>I tore open one of the envelopes, to create a template...<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Ox1t_k3e_6QI-ZCuWduLeTKR8Sat1SVx09Zmk1WEXj0sI6oOf4OSWCAEbbrmkexoiB3UwRAiw2i9UWuuGLgcQP3st9eQTbQHATRekiGY3tRAxdG9RvBGWolZtM0W8rZZJcKI3lVbEBk/s640/blogger-image-413849548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Ox1t_k3e_6QI-ZCuWduLeTKR8Sat1SVx09Zmk1WEXj0sI6oOf4OSWCAEbbrmkexoiB3UwRAiw2i9UWuuGLgcQP3st9eQTbQHATRekiGY3tRAxdG9RvBGWolZtM0W8rZZJcKI3lVbEBk/s640/blogger-image-413849548.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">...chose some patterned paper scraps...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOeaT3hSpwo2UcvbibUTX_qGtDvBblTi6AlFmNqjO_jN6bn5BE5rVD4nSbjpw2EwLgyyZ-QbyXJZlCP4_834AIrZHxFdUB3NFtM_OIHfnBcL_HnjgoEo5WE1ZANIKKnXocuwECCPLobo8/s640/blogger-image--1220904867.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOeaT3hSpwo2UcvbibUTX_qGtDvBblTi6AlFmNqjO_jN6bn5BE5rVD4nSbjpw2EwLgyyZ-QbyXJZlCP4_834AIrZHxFdUB3NFtM_OIHfnBcL_HnjgoEo5WE1ZANIKKnXocuwECCPLobo8/s640/blogger-image--1220904867.jpg"></a></div>...cut, glued and formed the envelopes. Then, got my paper cutter-one of my most-favorite project tools-and some white cardstock and, with much effort in a this-is-ridiculous-I-used-to-be-a-teacher sort of way (cause, in case you don't know, me & mathematics just don't get along), cut some fold-over notelets...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinU1D59AIeIck8UHKAfgb7LBHD22FU85zHZ-8ORIaHyfyANyUeQwhfeAUX194YhWnu52HPIwsxQ-_xk6pqMsxXF_KzBRnd8VedqfLzyVtmPrlomK_0iPRcN4abqNWg-2-0TUAs7GW45E0/s640/blogger-image-13019162.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinU1D59AIeIck8UHKAfgb7LBHD22FU85zHZ-8ORIaHyfyANyUeQwhfeAUX194YhWnu52HPIwsxQ-_xk6pqMsxXF_KzBRnd8VedqfLzyVtmPrlomK_0iPRcN4abqNWg-2-0TUAs7GW45E0/s640/blogger-image-13019162.jpg"></a></div>...which were promptly embossed with a coppery-gold new embossing powder...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBl3A2KiHHctjy_m65qn71dcFzMuaWxKzKVoWSf_P3NKF_aVuAyFbcdQnHxC3iWtlao4WnISJdTx-YXv8tutEj_WsUHhnFl-uBr-dGEhTxqbVnd5_56vvHPDJGXeg77w37EAIP33GOQsU/s640/blogger-image-570799080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBl3A2KiHHctjy_m65qn71dcFzMuaWxKzKVoWSf_P3NKF_aVuAyFbcdQnHxC3iWtlao4WnISJdTx-YXv8tutEj_WsUHhnFl-uBr-dGEhTxqbVnd5_56vvHPDJGXeg77w37EAIP33GOQsU/s640/blogger-image-570799080.jpg"></a></div>...such a pretty shine.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I stamped the back of each with my awkward (for now) Baby Black Dog stamp and created my own stash of all-occasion notelets...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUTNUA36V-NInFYN0PoyDL4ASXCD-XI91RxHVpuZ9A1evicLgisgBjdFvi5_SOxprCvpg1kHWlbMPKZc9TOl6KDlFOCjX3yNYH1znT3FvR4_kst0zUzbNCIGhm5c48Ppc6ZfX60BeYLbY/s640/blogger-image-1100890452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUTNUA36V-NInFYN0PoyDL4ASXCD-XI91RxHVpuZ9A1evicLgisgBjdFvi5_SOxprCvpg1kHWlbMPKZc9TOl6KDlFOCjX3yNYH1znT3FvR4_kst0zUzbNCIGhm5c48Ppc6ZfX60BeYLbY/s640/blogger-image-1100890452.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTcsDS8psyU6m5DKQEaTvO36nf9h1v6AyBw8W7rDWi77VfevEX4fxibKtBMyyGEas-2gz2kN2rcD6tAl5Rbhj6MPRNKFFaZNEmFV5BKd5VCkPmmq3CJ8qrgqqkLc4DZHZmR9o3DlgooYA/s640/blogger-image-2046869531.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTcsDS8psyU6m5DKQEaTvO36nf9h1v6AyBw8W7rDWi77VfevEX4fxibKtBMyyGEas-2gz2kN2rcD6tAl5Rbhj6MPRNKFFaZNEmFV5BKd5VCkPmmq3CJ8qrgqqkLc4DZHZmR9o3DlgooYA/s640/blogger-image-2046869531.jpg"></a></div>...and, for their first official "usage", I attached them to the gift-order I was sending out...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2uA0ksuy-fGuVKSoAculHolBj5jUG7KswZmFQC9d99cmDBrvPGJJ4xakwXgU0VsnGXMv4c6_e8QtFePPwql1xXe_2oOT8BI9Dht_Vygy-HpGxs38tQUmCOP-nJZbz89oqAwkG0dgFEqs/s640/blogger-image-1906325290.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2uA0ksuy-fGuVKSoAculHolBj5jUG7KswZmFQC9d99cmDBrvPGJJ4xakwXgU0VsnGXMv4c6_e8QtFePPwql1xXe_2oOT8BI9Dht_Vygy-HpGxs38tQUmCOP-nJZbz89oqAwkG0dgFEqs/s640/blogger-image-1906325290.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Necessity is the mother of invention, I've found it to be true. Of course, I use the word "necessity" loosely, as in telling the Popcorn Lady at Target, "I <b>need</b> a bag of popcorn", but you get the idea...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>kimmarshallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09540320906753912851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-244026500662115945.post-7692935438342530882014-03-11T08:14:00.001-07:002014-03-18T07:33:15.030-07:00The Wonderful Everyday...Dear Friends...<div><i><br></i></div><div><i>I like to begin my posts as if we're Dear Friends in the middle of a conversation...</i><div> -You've Got Mail (loose) reference</div><div><br></div><div>So...Dear Friends,</div><div><br></div><div>I was thinking of one of my Favorite Things. Yes, I have lots of Favorite Things. And People. I have lots of Favorite People. Oh! And Places. I have lots of...you get the idea...</div><div><br></div><div>I'm sure my mother taught this particular Favorite Thing to me, as most of my creativity can be attributed to my mom. She is the Discoverer of Raw Materials... Sometimes it takes me years to be able to visualize what it is that she sees in something. She's the kind of "creative" that you can't learn. You just appreciate "it". And do what "it" suggests...</div><div><br></div><div>Anyway, she is a huge fan of clear, glass jars for keeping stuff. Big jars, little jars. And inside those jars she usually stores things she's found for me but that I haven't quite caught-on to...cause when I do, her jars of treasures are no longer her's...I take them home and they become mine.</div><div><br></div><div>I have a closet that is a good size. It used to house wetsuits and Lacoste shirts and baseball cleats. And it smelled of adventure. But then one day, it was just a big, empty room with no useful purpose. A place where Love used to hang his clothes...Sigh...<i>In case you didn't catch on, that was a reference of my unwillingness to be a Contented-Empty-Nester, but that is a subject for another time and, another blog,</i> Kimcanandsocanyou.blogspot.com (shameless plug!) to be specific...</div><div><br></div><div>Anywho. The closet is now my workspace. It's where I house my supplies. And my inspiration. I have drawers of drawstring and cello bags. I have boxes of cardstock. I have an entire drawer of chenille chicks. And I have lots of jars...</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNBq61W5hVLYklufRcy6DDsvBu8ptCgPOqdIAy6SXqQ657GA-kzexjz8orbYa8iR8b1LbUEwyWL2mmYR_pmi_eOjfIUjipEsl5ZhXOyzxNFbwc9XBDs6fq6q-aZmf0-C3ResjsYmdyXHA/s640/blogger-image-2113917885.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNBq61W5hVLYklufRcy6DDsvBu8ptCgPOqdIAy6SXqQ657GA-kzexjz8orbYa8iR8b1LbUEwyWL2mmYR_pmi_eOjfIUjipEsl5ZhXOyzxNFbwc9XBDs6fq6q-aZmf0-C3ResjsYmdyXHA/s640/blogger-image-2113917885.jpg"></a></div>...sitting atop an old card catalog, a favorite-find from the Discoverer of Raw Materials...</div><div><br></div><div>The jars are (fairly!) organized and contain this-and-thats. Old Scrabble letters and plastic cameos. Dominos, don't know why, but I have lots of dominos. I have vintage French flashcards in one jar. And ballerinas that hold birthday cake candles. And tiny, glass Christmas ornaments...</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOmVNBVH_PmfO562BrLP5QvZAWdzyAH1fqTc1y96BaWo9ZO1JzY6G89haIEkYVwLRPO37RK4epcXv2zUv3dego_4DKQHFD1BnaRy7-2AKutBj1bAPS3WN1e-zdsJAveHThGiDoc-PoPOU/s640/blogger-image-1941812637.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOmVNBVH_PmfO562BrLP5QvZAWdzyAH1fqTc1y96BaWo9ZO1JzY6G89haIEkYVwLRPO37RK4epcXv2zUv3dego_4DKQHFD1BnaRy7-2AKutBj1bAPS3WN1e-zdsJAveHThGiDoc-PoPOU/s640/blogger-image-1941812637.jpg"></a></div>Things that I create with. Stuff that inspires me. Lots of things I took from my mom...</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyzLc8Tf8WbGEVP7lKDdx58rGILHJx3SRu_m6hVPJgc5uhLDSsGh4qgHKy7yO1cVD-xIZSa9pwci9Tv8uYht89U-f1lIFyDb3l0VZWocrz1aGfo2XhtnbEbkCy2eCD1mVuN0yIdDlp73s/s640/blogger-image--1674517697.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyzLc8Tf8WbGEVP7lKDdx58rGILHJx3SRu_m6hVPJgc5uhLDSsGh4qgHKy7yO1cVD-xIZSa9pwci9Tv8uYht89U-f1lIFyDb3l0VZWocrz1aGfo2XhtnbEbkCy2eCD1mVuN0yIdDlp73s/s640/blogger-image--1674517697.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc1szvnd2WuHE5skTjJYz8l0umtR8nReEgyw-dnnow31LL5Z6Z76I8DP2E5Ut0kXSqbXY2Fk70tdzZc0JdUqpTrrNKZezxZX8-yvsb-CHIzITgIUcfn_7CcKIxhgEzzpP9xcg91DCYtBM/s640/blogger-image-127320841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc1szvnd2WuHE5skTjJYz8l0umtR8nReEgyw-dnnow31LL5Z6Z76I8DP2E5Ut0kXSqbXY2Fk70tdzZc0JdUqpTrrNKZezxZX8-yvsb-CHIzITgIUcfn_7CcKIxhgEzzpP9xcg91DCYtBM/s640/blogger-image-127320841.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div>For me, it's a good way to be aware of my supplies, but I also use them for decorating. The ballerinas are currently part of my fireplace mantle-decor.</div><div><br></div><div>More importantly, the jars make these everyday items look festive, and that's my favorite thing. It's a philosophy. It's an outlook. <b>Don't save your best just for company. </b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">My hint for you today is to look around you. Take notice of what makes up your Daily Life. Little Boys who smell of adventure and bubble-solution. Little Girls who collect stuffed toy mice. Puppies and their food. You know, Life...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Now. Take some of the ingredients of that Daily Life and display them like precious works of art (cause, that's what our Daily Lives are, you know)...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">C</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">upcake papers... I have to climb on a chair to get the ones I need. But they look happy, so I like them there...</span></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZp9IpZ5aqCfMC-kWekwl5hd0TVW0jYU5GT8vRmZsog1KmD_BRWdk3syhM28AgOp3rvpK6e53IfyuhERwPRul9qnJNOUQGd2vPA4QxHaZw_7IjhACaI8-lo_p5uMsVsqD8gqk7dMPknc4/s640/blogger-image--66341259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZp9IpZ5aqCfMC-kWekwl5hd0TVW0jYU5GT8vRmZsog1KmD_BRWdk3syhM28AgOp3rvpK6e53IfyuhERwPRul9qnJNOUQGd2vPA4QxHaZw_7IjhACaI8-lo_p5uMsVsqD8gqk7dMPknc4/s640/blogger-image--66341259.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Dog treats...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixhnwZXoWGToA503E_sp12QcbY5oAZYikpdn0Bekq7QGCbeS2hIuYFEQERBdoH5OmI8eVMMlTaXskwlP2K-FGMEe_KrL-gREmhhyphenhyphenHueTNurMweFbbAKYNPVeGJnDnH1WpzhJZZ8MY3LaY/s640/blogger-image-253421464.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixhnwZXoWGToA503E_sp12QcbY5oAZYikpdn0Bekq7QGCbeS2hIuYFEQERBdoH5OmI8eVMMlTaXskwlP2K-FGMEe_KrL-gREmhhyphenhyphenHueTNurMweFbbAKYNPVeGJnDnH1WpzhJZZ8MY3LaY/s640/blogger-image-253421464.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Pacifiers. Golf tees. Pods of coffee for your newly-discovered-and-daily habit...<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi56BaMCtrJktnwtd3T6DrltoBsX_CuyVaqhtfN_u9jfvK9ZkyY0PWZDJPKnf_J48lmEBc3SlkFw8g4JhHnGPk1a6D6ysj4bEws-ps5jr6r_ZRKzLt6NBtO429SBmGIN96spKQTIuDcZ_g/s640/blogger-image--1375358861.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi56BaMCtrJktnwtd3T6DrltoBsX_CuyVaqhtfN_u9jfvK9ZkyY0PWZDJPKnf_J48lmEBc3SlkFw8g4JhHnGPk1a6D6ysj4bEws-ps5jr6r_ZRKzLt6NBtO429SBmGIN96spKQTIuDcZ_g/s640/blogger-image--1375358861.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Cello sponges used to wipe Labrador-drool off the hardwood floor. I mean, ya know, in case you need a suggestion for a friend...</span></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKmc85iGPrfeCNrOIh6vBlk2QDYe0bsYBNhes6a_lFEakt0Rg0ah6tRtEtXVv9pSU4cEcsFmOZ-1ZaHPq3dCTkjVWEeSvwc-7jYoZcPxQBKfr8RcgD_5LnKDMEu4L78f1XxipgftllWJk/s640/blogger-image--1986543898.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKmc85iGPrfeCNrOIh6vBlk2QDYe0bsYBNhes6a_lFEakt0Rg0ah6tRtEtXVv9pSU4cEcsFmOZ-1ZaHPq3dCTkjVWEeSvwc-7jYoZcPxQBKfr8RcgD_5LnKDMEu4L78f1XxipgftllWJk/s640/blogger-image--1986543898.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My wish for you for today is this: that you stop fighting the everyday. Enjoy it. Embrace it. Be thankful for it. Dress it up. Put it in a glass jar and take a pretty picture of it. And then, show it off. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Or sumpin like that...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div>kimmarshallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09540320906753912851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-244026500662115945.post-74800624918844199592014-03-06T07:35:00.001-08:002014-03-06T07:35:43.630-08:00A (Currently) Golden Life...Currently, along with being inspired by almost everything and everybody, I'm liking a touch of <b>gold</b> on my projects... I've gilded before, but it hasn't caught on with Kim Marshall and become one of her go-tos. I'll just go ahead and get this out there:<div><br></div><div><i>When it comes to "how" I enjoy my creativity, I'm very particular. I don't like projects that are tedious-I appreciate that in others, but personally I like things I can pick up and get done. Things with quick and immediate results. I'm more of a designer when it comes to any kind of project. I love the idea process. But the implementation of the idea, or the vision, often leaves me a bit numb. There, I feel better now that I've put that in black and white...</i></div><div><br></div><div><br><div>Gilding requires following instructions. I'm not good at those, although I do (follow instructions) from time-to-time. I prefer activities that I can figure out myself and that are difficult to mess-up. Anyway...</div></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-A8fOLKhWngf41hAr8Mzs1OmnV_XwfISYhIa595gHbBONPyUepDrjgMUC6UIXmFxQnpQ-0kM_dp_Bm-I8hurFKA4n_a6xyEFdFxTO4Px8Sf3gnmEA8YRiwKyL-4c7cajBHCvL2sQWoQ/s640/blogger-image-1272432118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-A8fOLKhWngf41hAr8Mzs1OmnV_XwfISYhIa595gHbBONPyUepDrjgMUC6UIXmFxQnpQ-0kM_dp_Bm-I8hurFKA4n_a6xyEFdFxTO4Px8Sf3gnmEA8YRiwKyL-4c7cajBHCvL2sQWoQ/s640/blogger-image-1272432118.jpg"></a></div></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">This is what I'm trying to share today.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">My old/new favorite way to add shine to something is with embossing powder. I think the reason I have a new-found love for it is my new jar of gold powder. What I've been able to put my hands on over the last few years has been a glittery powder that is stocked at the local stores. It just doesn't work like I've wanted it to, and I lost my respect for embossing for a bit. <i>I'm sorry, embossing powder, but it's true and needed to be said...</i></span></div><div><br></div><div>Side note: <b>Paper Source</b>, which I've known from its online presence, opened a store at the Summit in Birmingham, which, if you're a creative-type like me, is like a dream. I get lost in there. The store and the City...</div><div><br></div><div>I found a five-dollar jar of gold embossing powder without the glitter and it's changed my world. By the way, you have to be careful with glitter of any sort as it can be a cheap substitute for creativity. That's an excerpt from my book, <u>Things I Wish I Knew About Life And Creativity</u>.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv3KcU6jBAspnsSuL5T54Rgoa3mYreMTK9kczYoiNm6nB9gNOskuo3D3YSo0xJ3nZNpNm2m6fL7-NXfcw-wG0hm7-DnluMPwkz4d5DWof-lMuUjVANPrctk3ZF7-4ONfTu95oQJ6EeX5g/s640/blogger-image--852359650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv3KcU6jBAspnsSuL5T54Rgoa3mYreMTK9kczYoiNm6nB9gNOskuo3D3YSo0xJ3nZNpNm2m6fL7-NXfcw-wG0hm7-DnluMPwkz4d5DWof-lMuUjVANPrctk3ZF7-4ONfTu95oQJ6EeX5g/s640/blogger-image--852359650.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Embossing, is basically rubber-stamping with dimension. You need powder, an embossing pad, a heat gun and rubber stamp. Don't let any of those items scare you. They're all easily-located and inexpensive to own. You stamp and heat. That's it. Good embossing powder has the lovliest finish. I've used it in many of my projects as of late...</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgV20tfbOyfT22B3XVkWuy920CKJT5CA12HJA4KyclkfbvkkQmrqTk-P_K-_9pL5vCjrxZBxGXLLLyG9ucLaxSskEdxfl078tC-dmIMRRdOUvWGfF-Fv49wr61M1hOutQOInq_8YtFK2c/s640/blogger-image-275493821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgV20tfbOyfT22B3XVkWuy920CKJT5CA12HJA4KyclkfbvkkQmrqTk-P_K-_9pL5vCjrxZBxGXLLLyG9ucLaxSskEdxfl078tC-dmIMRRdOUvWGfF-Fv49wr61M1hOutQOInq_8YtFK2c/s640/blogger-image-275493821.jpg"></a></div></div><div>On favor bags, table and game signs for my friend's shower...</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPsPmk8x9Iprm_16S56W1S7E7B7CPATyuaQgloqhuBCjLS1ozYcStmqtmBnFlRFCrIzmCPqkJz0EUp769QKryFirtKXTpR1pEY4zBDViLVuHGJCk5DAxg1wmLzFNFEA33ee2X8Jnbj7b4/s640/blogger-image-1035218943.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPsPmk8x9Iprm_16S56W1S7E7B7CPATyuaQgloqhuBCjLS1ozYcStmqtmBnFlRFCrIzmCPqkJz0EUp769QKryFirtKXTpR1pEY4zBDViLVuHGJCk5DAxg1wmLzFNFEA33ee2X8Jnbj7b4/s640/blogger-image-1035218943.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div>And just yesterday...</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4OkhvBHQTmf1geAjcqYVlvlTtfhcvkeL6KrocJBS54pNbhsRuwX1sKxNOg57YuAw6atdE-ZPnhx43QzuZ2M9tyyq4WQb2Kq47XdKYkdjf9KVsWp0ld8kF5TrSHcreIO4gXN20yELYcuE/s640/blogger-image--559726632.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4OkhvBHQTmf1geAjcqYVlvlTtfhcvkeL6KrocJBS54pNbhsRuwX1sKxNOg57YuAw6atdE-ZPnhx43QzuZ2M9tyyq4WQb2Kq47XdKYkdjf9KVsWp0ld8kF5TrSHcreIO4gXN20yELYcuE/s640/blogger-image--559726632.jpg"></a></div>...used it to make personalized envelope seals for a favorite Etsy customer of mine. These are just Avery labels that I bought at an office supply store. I stamped her initials, sprinkled the powder and heated it until it liquified and developed a visible shine. And it doesn't rub off. You should try it...</div><div><br></div><div>I've been saving my ideas and thoughts for a long time. Waiting for the perfect format to share them.</div><div><br></div><div>I think I may have found just that...</div><div><br></div><div><br></div>kimmarshallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09540320906753912851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-244026500662115945.post-56317169300128861542014-03-05T07:01:00.001-08:002014-03-05T07:01:10.004-08:00My First How-To...<div><br></div>I've been wanting to incorporate ideas, projects and parties into my blogging, so I'm beginning this new spot as my place to concentrate on that creative side of me, keeping my blog <b>kimcanandsocanyou.blogspot.com</b> as the home for my musings, thoughts and what-have-yous... <div><br></div><div>So, here's what I'm creating today...<div><br></div><div>I love torn fabric. Particularly strips of it. I keep inexpensive muslin on hand as it makes the loveliest of gift-wrapping ribbon. But recently, when working on a surprise baby shower for a friend (let me clarify...the shower was the surprise, not the baby!), I was putting the ideas & design together and wanted to take it in a soft and vintagey direction. I decided to make a garland of torn-fabric and challenged myself to use what I had on hand. I had some soft pink muslin already, and searched my closets and hiding places for other fabrics. What I found was a well-loved Ralph Lauren sheet and an old Vera linen tablecloth, aged well-beyond it's usefulness. I did purchase a bit of pink-tiny-gingham to go along with the patterns and colors, cause I felt like pink-tiny-gingham needed to be there...</div><div><br></div><div>The garland looked beautiful, so I thought I'd share my "secrets" with you, just in case you'd like to try one. <b>PS, I'm working on 1 or 2 that will be for sale in my shop, babyblackdog.etsy.com in case you'd rather purchase than make...</b></div><div><br></div><div>To begin a tear of any fabric, I make a tiny snip with scissors as a ripping-point (the width of the individual strips is up to you, but an inch or so is my favorite). Some fabrics don't do this well, but most tear with ease. You'll need to go with the grain, so if you snip on the wrong edge, just turn the fabric, snip and tear away. By the way, depending on my project, I like to use at least 1 1/2 yards of fabric so my strips will be that length (when tearing for ribbons, the more the yardage, the longer-and better- the ribbon will be for wrapping). </div><div><br></div><div>For this particular event, I used regular twine as a base/holder/string-thing (profession terms!) for my garland, cause I liked the color, and probably 4-5 yards of it. I began in the middle of the length and slip knotted (slip knotting allows me to scoot the pieces about) a fabric strip. I repeat this process over and over, using my <b>excellent-taste </b>for deciding which pattern of fabric goes where. All total, I used approximately 40 strips, each about an inch and a half wide, each bumping next to one another, making the garland-part about 2 yards wide with a few extra feet of twine on either side for hanging. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1UpQn_YZb9frHH9kC2LUH4dTvDPX1_B8Bl80Et7JpVjSVjxzQkTHh81WfF70jv85A7gLfQUA8guOuHSTTmWMeEsDuj__UrGaUK4sR3U-WXEe2dfqpNQSVBtvNseJElw33d4dXJwIcjvU/s640/blogger-image-1924919840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1UpQn_YZb9frHH9kC2LUH4dTvDPX1_B8Bl80Et7JpVjSVjxzQkTHh81WfF70jv85A7gLfQUA8guOuHSTTmWMeEsDuj__UrGaUK4sR3U-WXEe2dfqpNQSVBtvNseJElw33d4dXJwIcjvU/s640/blogger-image-1924919840.jpg"></a></div>For this shower, I used a Rifle Paper Co (my favorite!) banner, spelling out the New Baby Name, in front of the garland, and we draped a quilt behind for creating a suitable focal point...</div><div><br></div><div>I'm making another garland for a different party, and purchased small amounts of specific fabrics to achieve the look I wanted. This one, an <b>Ahoy It's a Boy! </b>shower needed a different feel, thus the newer fabrics...The garland itself has 35 or so strips, and is perhaps a yard wide.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2PlFx_dVCDsuBtTE4cTMHyalCJrO20vIbfdltUuasZ_RnaJ7RiXIrGYDMat91uXSJuRZvonVXNyOY6loKI3RhvySlBdqDwrE8qaaYVsf4BhN91aXm6kSnr1dQjuPx6PcEOS33RODsTAI/s640/blogger-image--406371767.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2PlFx_dVCDsuBtTE4cTMHyalCJrO20vIbfdltUuasZ_RnaJ7RiXIrGYDMat91uXSJuRZvonVXNyOY6loKI3RhvySlBdqDwrE8qaaYVsf4BhN91aXm6kSnr1dQjuPx6PcEOS33RODsTAI/s640/blogger-image--406371767.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Of course, this garland isn't just for parties. To use it to embellish a window or over a crib would be lovely. The sky is the limit! Also, I found a display on Pinterest where the strips of fabric were hung on an embroidery hoop and used as a chandelier...it was stunning.</div><div><br></div><div>So. Wanted to share this method/idea/inspiration with you. Use it as a starting place and let creativity take you where "it" wants you to go... Let me know what you come up! </div></div>kimmarshallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09540320906753912851noreply@blogger.com0