tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21548355893080571392024-03-14T08:04:49.741-07:00Creative TraditionJenn at Creative Traditionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09641659545813677717noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2154835589308057139.post-64949425752862260332013-12-08T14:25:00.000-08:002013-12-08T14:25:14.220-08:00A Christmas NurseryChristmas is my favorite time of year, the entire house gets decorations, even bathrooms. This is the first Christmas that I've had my son who will be 3 months old for Christmas. I wasn't planning on completely redecorating his room, however this year we started a tradition of <a href="http://creativetradition.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-little-golden-book-christmas-advent.html">book advent calendar</a>. Since the nursery is mainly decorated with books, it seemed so natural to decorate the rest of the room to match. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHvgb6k_stA2oSjZSysWpmwSI_vdM-s8MSY94crETdFGf0yHAjc7k1gAZl0GglyOmYcXAVGYTnDkv9Y86evtmo70jEKfXKjOuAPnuIgDqxRuLvVgRb5HNiA8BXa1S8nkc6LEOPsp1E7WDb/s1600/1312_ChristmasNursery_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="361" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHvgb6k_stA2oSjZSysWpmwSI_vdM-s8MSY94crETdFGf0yHAjc7k1gAZl0GglyOmYcXAVGYTnDkv9Y86evtmo70jEKfXKjOuAPnuIgDqxRuLvVgRb5HNiA8BXa1S8nkc6LEOPsp1E7WDb/s400/1312_ChristmasNursery_1.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wrapped picture frames and Christmas book advent calendar on picture ledges</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanging snowflakes and card stock reindeer and sleigh</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Decal trees decorated with reusable sticker ornaments</td></tr>
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See <a href="http://creativetradition.blogspot.com/2013/08/ajaxs-woodland-adventure-gender-neutral.html">how the nursery looks for the rest of the year</a>.<br />
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Like what you see and want it for yourself?</h3>
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Add holiday ribbon to your stuffed animals to give them a festive flare! Tie the ribbon into a bow or wrap it around the neck like a winter scarf.<br />
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Wrap any picture frames with wrapping paper and bows. Its an easy way to instantly bring some holiday cheer into a room.<br />
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Replace any fabric items such as pillow cases, blankets, crib skirts and changing pad covers with Christmas themed ones. You can replace or cover a large frame with an advent calendar. You can find my <a href="https://www.fabric.com/buy/0300904/christmas-metallic-angel-advent-calendar-panel-natural" target="_blank">Angel calendar at Fabric.com</a> along with a lot of other designs. I made the Santa Suit changing pad cover from an apron panel I found in store at Hobby Lobby but you can find it online at <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/159401777/santa-clause-apron-pattern-panel-fabric" target="_blank">Etsy</a>. You have to piece the pockets into the arm hole area and find some red fabric to make up the difference, but it looks pretty good still!<br />
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Place holiday wall decal or reusable stickers, the kind used on windows or sliding doors work well, on the wall. I got mine from a super Joann's in the seasonal section but they aren't available online. It had pine branches, which didn't match the nursery trees, so I just used the ornaments from 4 packages.<br />
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Hang craft foam or paper snowflakes from the ceiling using Command Hooks. I took down all of the nursery's normal hot air balloons and replaced them with snowflakes. You don't have to go crazy, 3 in a corner gives the right affect without over crowding the rest of the decorations. I found both the large foam and smaller 3D cardstock snowflakes at Hobby Lobby in the seasonal craft section. I hung them from artisan wire, its easier to make loops to hang from the Command Hooks and looks better then string. I also found a card stock craft kit with reindeer and sleigh at Hobby Lobby or you could use <a href="https://www.google.com/shopping/product/5778355858033747322?client=firefox-a&hs=THo&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&biw=1600&bih=754&sclient=psy-ab&q=reindeer+sleigh+glitter+paper&oq=reindeer+sleigh+glitter+paper&pbx=1&sa=X&ei=MfCkUs-JHuO52QXKy4CgCw&ved=0COABEPMCMAk" target="_blank">Martha Stewart's holiday garland</a>.Jenn at Creative Traditionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09641659545813677717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2154835589308057139.post-54126036669625062922013-12-01T12:42:00.000-08:002013-12-08T13:16:30.834-08:00The Little Golden Book Christmas Advent Book CalendarIn November, I saw a Facebook post from a friend who is an emerging children book author. When I saw the picture of books wrapped for a Christmas advent calendar I fell in love. I thought I would save the idea for next year, when my son was old enough to enjoy opening presents (he is only 2 months old now). I shared the post to my Facebook wall and my grandmother, who we call Baba in Ukrainian tradition, saw it and fell in love too. At a lunch we discussed it and she loved the idea, and would want to make 3 of them to give to all of her grand kids, but she felt it was too late to go and find all the books in time for 2013 Christmas. Boy was she wrong ;) I told her with Amazon, we could find all the books, even vintage used ones, and have them shipped in a week or 2, just in time for December 1st.<br />
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<b>The Books </b><br />
We found Little Golden Books at Barnes & Noble, one of the last local brick-and-mortar book stores in our area, on sale as well as Amazon and Amazon Marketplace. Each book averaged around $4, the trick is to get multiple vintage books for 1 cent at one reseller at the Amazon Marketplace. We tried Friends of the Library stores and consignment sales but didn't find any Little Golden Books there, online is really your best bet. You can find collections and lots of them on eBay or Etsy, just be careful of the shipping costs.<br />
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Here is a <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=book%20advent%20calendar&rs=ac&len=11" target="_blank">Amazon Collection of Christmas Little Golden Books</a>. You can pick the best ones that fit your child's interests, like Barbie, Thomas or Veggie Tales. <br />
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<b>The Box </b><br />
We decided to display and store the wrapped books in a box. You have to find a box that is about 1/2 inch wider and taller then the largest book to account for the wrapping. For Little Golden Books that is about 7x8x8 box. We found the perfect sized box at <a href="http://www.containerstore.com/shop/giftWrapWonderland/giftPackaging/giftBoxes?productId=10021102&N=74976" target="_blank">Container Store</a> but you could also find similar shaped boxes at Hobby Lobby or even on Amazon. In the inside of the lid, Baba wrote a message to each grand child.<br />
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We decorate my son's nursery for Christmas, replacing all of the regular books on display with Christmas books. So instead of keeping the books in the box, we just use the box for storage and display the wrapped books on the picture ledges we use as front facing book cases. It looks festive and will help him learn numbers trying to hunt for the right numbered label.<br />
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<b>Want to make it a multi-generational tradition?</b><br />
If you have multiple children in a family, once they grow up, divide the books up and buy new ones to build book advent calendars for their future families while still passing down books and the tradition.<br />
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Find other ideas for Book Advent Calendars on <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=book%20advent%20calendar&rs=ac&len=11" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>.<br />
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<b>The Thank You Gift</b><br />
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Since Baba was so generous in creating these three Christmas book advent calendars for her grand children's children, I wanted to gave her a thank you gift that she could wear and think of her far away great grand kids. In my book searches on Etsy, I found a <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/167717226/book-lovers-bracelet-little-golden-books" target="_blank">beautiful hand made bracelet</a> with little pictures of the covers of Christmas Little Golden Books. It was perfect! When I gave it to Baba she cried, so happy knowing she can wear the bracelet and think of her grand kids reading the books and enjoying the holiday season.<br />
<br />Jenn at Creative Traditionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09641659545813677717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2154835589308057139.post-18905135092841751732013-08-21T18:05:00.000-07:002013-08-21T18:05:00.054-07:00Ajax's Woodland Adventure gender neutral couples baby shower<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We are expecting a little baby boy soon and while my mother might have hosted my baby shower, I was the one who designed the decorations. I wanted the theme to match our baby's nursery, Woodland Adventure, which you can see pictures of at this <a href="http://creativetradition.blogspot.com/2013/08/ajaxs-woodland-adventure-gender-neutral.html" target="_blank">blog post</a>.<br />
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We decorated the tables with light aqua table clothes and baskets of stuffed animals with helium filled 'hot air' balloons. Each place setting was set with cloud shaped vinyl place mat, baby shower bingo paper, and favors.<br /><br />
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Woodland Adventure Cupcakes</h3>
We designed cupcakes to match the theme of Woodland Adventure's forest animals and hot air balloons. The animal cupcakes were chocolate with green icing piped out like grass with sugar animal decorations. The hot air balloon cupcakes were lemon cake with sky and cloud icing and hot air balloon sugar decorations. We placed the animal cupcakes on a moss mat on the table and placed all of the hot air balloon cupcakes on a clear cupcake stand to look like they were floating in the sky. <br />
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Couples Shower Games & Favors</h3>
While I was 'allowed' to do the decorations, my mother was adamant that she was responsible for the games. I've attended several baby showers and was concerned that the games would be too old-school for the modern couples shower I wanted. However, she came up with some great couple friendly games that everyone enjoyed!<br />
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One-handed Dressing</h4>
In teams of two, couples had to just use one hand each to diaper and fully dress a stuffed animal. Grandma won, but parents-to-be didn't fare too bad. It was great fun to see the different couples, with kids or without kids, dress the animal.<br />
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Green Beans or Peas? Carrots or Yams? </h4>
Remove the labels off of jars of baby food, number the jars, and have each person try to guess what the food is. Lots of fun with similar colored foods. Meats are especially hard. Make sure you keep the labels so you can reattach them and give them to the parents-to-be for use later.<br />
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Baby Mad Libs</h4>
The most fun had at the couples shower was completing and reading pregnancy mad libs. Lines like "She was dilated <u>54</u> centimeters and the baby <u>figure skated</u> out" brought tears to the couples. You can write your own mad libs or find them online.<br />
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Favors</h4>
Along with our usual gifts of home made jams, we also provided customized pencils for people to use during games and to take home. Simple wooden pencils covered with scrap booking paper or even just designs printed from your computer can look amazing! Cut your paper a little less then the length of your pencil and about half an inch wide. Add Mod Podge to the back of the paper, wrap it around the pencil and let dry for an hour or two. Be careful when sharpening the pencil, I was able to hand sharpen them but my battery powered sharpener couldn't handle both the pencil, paper and Mod Podge.<br />
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Jenn at Creative Traditionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09641659545813677717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2154835589308057139.post-33273527396257513602013-08-14T17:19:00.000-07:002013-08-14T17:19:14.751-07:00Ajax's Woodland Adventure gender neutral nurseryBeing a 'professional nursery decorator', I thought designing my own nursery might be daunting for the mere fact that I love so many themes and fabrics. I started drawing designs and ideas from practically the moment I found out we were pregnant. I spent a lot of time walking nursery areas of fabric and department stores, to see what was commercially available and what too-trendy themes I wanted to avoid.<br />
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With just one extra room in the house (sorry kids, but this momma isn't giving up her <a href="http://creativetradition.blogspot.com/2011/06/new-design-studio-for-creative.html" target="">design studio</a>!) I wanted to make sure I designed a space that a baby could grow up in and even share with a future sibling so I didn't want a specifically boy, girl or baby theme. I also knew I wanted the room filled with vibrant modern colors and not so soft and pastel like so many nurseries are. Instead of trying to find the perfect matching colors at fabric stores, I decided to design all of my own fabrics and have them printed from <a href="http://www.spoonflower.com/profiles/jennifercolucci" target="_blank">Spoonflower.com</a>. I was able to design modern prints like <a href="http://www.spoonflower.com/fabric/1978599" target="_blank">chevrons</a> and <a href="http://www.spoonflower.com/fabric/1999987" target="_blank">alphabet </a>in the exact color scheme I wanted for the nursery and open up a new product line for Creative Tradition at the same time. In the process, one of my fabric designs turned out to be the <a href="http://www.spoonflower.com/fabric/2000000" target="_blank">2 Millionth design</a> on their site!<br />
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<h3>
Forest Animals</h3>
While managing our Creative Tradition Etsy online shop, I fell in love with some prints from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/SeaUrchinStudio?section_id=6136001" target="_blank">SeaUrchinStudio</a> that had a great woodland critters theme. I specifically loved how the forest animals were cute but still realistic. So many of the animal themes available for nurseries are overly cartoonish. I also found a great <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/79528222/nursery-wall-decals-baby-birch-trees" target="_blank">wall decal of trees</a> at SurfaceInspired's Etsy shop that I knew would look just great on our pale yellow walls. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ46VhuGUq70wgRJ5OusK9-htr2cO6nABGJRqQ7IiiPKoN8l-TvfHvw_x7ssJqdFroNDiY62PC0AClnQpcXuClBhrJircIuTREMZfqXeubZgrKUSbxfpppBZy5XPGsz6au8RMmUJ28s7id/s1600/ajax_nursery2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ46VhuGUq70wgRJ5OusK9-htr2cO6nABGJRqQ7IiiPKoN8l-TvfHvw_x7ssJqdFroNDiY62PC0AClnQpcXuClBhrJircIuTREMZfqXeubZgrKUSbxfpppBZy5XPGsz6au8RMmUJ28s7id/s400/ajax_nursery2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I collected different styles of frames from antique malls, Ikea, Target and Pier 1 to use for the prints. Instead of just framing the prints, I made mats out of my custom designed fabrics to add even more color to the walls. I didn't use any glass in the frames as most of the antique frames didn't have it and the large frame my mom used to create a memory board. I'm just hoping that I didn't make a mistake hanging them above the changing table, what with us having a baby boy ;)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKG16_4cuQcamyvA-OQo0LHdFKvC-Q3PTZzQL-Qg6vczZp0O8xgKDu8Pg2wO9BCVIZXOSNaYN0yVqFO8hGpjkNPsojQskfr73d_F8yJvCDGdh-AG3w_dCUiYQB1f4tdPjBeBs3HY2Tbh09/s1600/ajax_nursery5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKG16_4cuQcamyvA-OQo0LHdFKvC-Q3PTZzQL-Qg6vczZp0O8xgKDu8Pg2wO9BCVIZXOSNaYN0yVqFO8hGpjkNPsojQskfr73d_F8yJvCDGdh-AG3w_dCUiYQB1f4tdPjBeBs3HY2Tbh09/s400/ajax_nursery5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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On the same wall we hung <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20126065/" target="_blank">Ikea Ribba Picture Ledges</a> to create open facing bookshelves. The picture ledges come in two different sizes and different finishes and just cost $10-$15 each. Wish we had more space to add more ledges, I just love how the book covers are all on display and bring so much color to the space.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE0cNtxCC3AF9nb4JX2sdU8yoroCoFugyW4xEvgj3JeAhZeKeLwU_u3R2c2OgQBrOPSde6kYifRqEOHPNMBjUbonDdjmIwT_Ak3g_bZD_5zN8KV-gtEdC8gmcotQpIpL9B5o2Ya-GZxUq7/s1600/ajax_nursery_pictures1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE0cNtxCC3AF9nb4JX2sdU8yoroCoFugyW4xEvgj3JeAhZeKeLwU_u3R2c2OgQBrOPSde6kYifRqEOHPNMBjUbonDdjmIwT_Ak3g_bZD_5zN8KV-gtEdC8gmcotQpIpL9B5o2Ya-GZxUq7/s400/ajax_nursery_pictures1.jpg" width="305" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju6YqNZ7JhAw23QPneS_N7VyU-62Y5lgCBpIPg9VlsLRGXfAmXVmEC9mjLn407mXDbQhyphenhyphenCkfzqRpsKfmWFgkQlyfziD2EiEA_FZaHErDXLinvzWDDdOAp8krH2c08eQpVIX19iGAXUaJez/s1600/ajax_nursery_pictures2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju6YqNZ7JhAw23QPneS_N7VyU-62Y5lgCBpIPg9VlsLRGXfAmXVmEC9mjLn407mXDbQhyphenhyphenCkfzqRpsKfmWFgkQlyfziD2EiEA_FZaHErDXLinvzWDDdOAp8krH2c08eQpVIX19iGAXUaJez/s400/ajax_nursery_pictures2.jpg" width="323" /></a></div>
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The picture ledges are also deep enough at 3.5" to hold diapering essentials like power, lotions, and even the new <a href="http://www.target.com/p/huggies-natural-care-resealable-package-40-ea/-/A-14596958" target="_blank">Huggie's Natural Care Resealable</a>
wipes. I removed the design from the stand up wipe tube and recovered
it with my colorful chevron fabric. Several coats of Mod Podge will
help keep it clean from its daily use.<br />
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<h3>
A Bit of Adventure</h3>
Even though we wanted a gender neutral nursery, once we found out we were having a boy I wanted to add a bit more 'daring' instead of 'darling' into the nursery design. At a craft show I was inspired and sketched out a hot air balloon quilt with forest animals riding in the basket. From there on out our theme was 'Woodland Adventure'. My hubby likes to consider it like 'Wind in the Willows' -- sweet forest animals, with a bit of daring adventure thrown in for good measure.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHhRL51w_82u73m5j81qrU88RGfLrPM36tITp23KeLXxg7-AYQUw1Q9E0N0-WsEtxSoO1nxCB7MJvUQpDCwftRb7-lUfUs8cW2KRr7FQ6C2yFAfGx4NIs9oyj7gm_-vKQGAVCQGZkJduMH/s1600/ajax_nursery6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHhRL51w_82u73m5j81qrU88RGfLrPM36tITp23KeLXxg7-AYQUw1Q9E0N0-WsEtxSoO1nxCB7MJvUQpDCwftRb7-lUfUs8cW2KRr7FQ6C2yFAfGx4NIs9oyj7gm_-vKQGAVCQGZkJduMH/s400/ajax_nursery6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I found a great mobile pattern on Etsy at CraftSchmaft to make <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/107798837/hot-air-balloon-mobile-e-pattern-pdf" target="_blank">fabric hot air balloons</a> to decorate the nursery. The pattern was easy to use and follow. As I wanted multiple sizes of balloons, I enlarged the pattern slightly to create the medium sized balloons. For the large balloons I didn't enlarge the pattern on a copier, but instead took the medium balloon pattern and added an extra half inch on all sides. This created a slightly different curve to the balloon that I find interesting. I also created all of my own cloud patterns to make them unique.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpwdBV84CmvBxK71oiZcArPlE5anh4ZWDQjPkdjgVmB3ySEjp4yUDDRd0CHVr3O82WDZ4vSa1SmHHXZLyIb8LRMZYwQapPLEloLCOoy4m2z_tezez2g2l3PmIEi9x7oWO5loH13wMlbCSm/s1600/ajax_nursery_balloons3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpwdBV84CmvBxK71oiZcArPlE5anh4ZWDQjPkdjgVmB3ySEjp4yUDDRd0CHVr3O82WDZ4vSa1SmHHXZLyIb8LRMZYwQapPLEloLCOoy4m2z_tezez2g2l3PmIEi9x7oWO5loH13wMlbCSm/s400/ajax_nursery_balloons3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I hung all of the balloons using clear CommandStrip hooks and wire. The wire was more sturdy then string or fishing line and provided a way to position the balloon and baskets in certain positions so they didn't spin and the animals in the basket looked the right way. The baskets were made from burlap ribbon scraps I had left over from our wedding floral arrangements and were the perfect size for the <a href="http://www.onlyheartspets.com/" target="_blank">Only Hearts Pets mini stuffed animals</a> to ride in.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBEMOismJsqO6Pdtvh0YxXDuL1Zy5x07glxpM60HYyw6q8OHK0TVI5W-v83mPvkifwocpaUthDFXGzQOX7UO9CePlaBzyzlsjeUURJksrgU31OPS5qFkM0eaLw1kedE1BZ4-6VjQ2NHT_w/s1600/ajax_nursery_balloons1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBEMOismJsqO6Pdtvh0YxXDuL1Zy5x07glxpM60HYyw6q8OHK0TVI5W-v83mPvkifwocpaUthDFXGzQOX7UO9CePlaBzyzlsjeUURJksrgU31OPS5qFkM0eaLw1kedE1BZ4-6VjQ2NHT_w/s400/ajax_nursery_balloons1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I created the window valance using chair foam sculpted into clouds and covered in different textured white fabrics. I took plenty of pictures while I made the valance and hope to provide a tutorial soon. I love how the light shines through and makes the clouds glow. <br />
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<h3>
A Boy Needs a Good Closet Too</h3>
The closet went through several different designs as the nursery progressed. Initially I wanted to turn the sliding doors into open facing bookcase to maximize the space. However as we got further along the more likely we would have structural problems led us to paint them with custom tinted chalkboard paint. While the color worked with the room, it just felt wrong, so we replaced the sliding doors with mirrored doors. The finished products looks wonderful! It opens the small room up, reflecting the tree wall decal and hot air balloons.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTXeohO9g6MnM0BA-npE3djchRf2UJmUr5VJbMnBa3tsHKk8y3H2eKxEsgKXG8lYWWKXGyXoiXBvftfnOy76TPD_UL696gHBS9mqaUfEblNqVA8htusWWQZmAXSq8qVIn97G_d5ZsMS1wU/s1600/ajax_nursery0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTXeohO9g6MnM0BA-npE3djchRf2UJmUr5VJbMnBa3tsHKk8y3H2eKxEsgKXG8lYWWKXGyXoiXBvftfnOy76TPD_UL696gHBS9mqaUfEblNqVA8htusWWQZmAXSq8qVIn97G_d5ZsMS1wU/s400/ajax_nursery0.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<h3>
Nursery Odds & Ends</h3>
Finishing touches are what really makes a nursery come together. With my custom designed fabric, I made some of Creative Tradition's best selling products: nursing pillow covers, crib skirt, rocker pillows, toy chest seat covers, and contoured changing pad covers.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0xCbUziu_bfBtJmNKI5aEA-XZziWzGp1VMlp2CQJCvDO12kZuTW5HFACn2BefLLrsAisr2lLtkgD6VglZZJ106lh7mLXSB9PvgXShFz6fJniPSdNXhFymWgDyCaSQPj7YiS_Uf3Hn8i9g/s1600/ajax_nursery_boppycover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0xCbUziu_bfBtJmNKI5aEA-XZziWzGp1VMlp2CQJCvDO12kZuTW5HFACn2BefLLrsAisr2lLtkgD6VglZZJ106lh7mLXSB9PvgXShFz6fJniPSdNXhFymWgDyCaSQPj7YiS_Uf3Hn8i9g/s400/ajax_nursery_boppycover.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH8W_Oe4xkxpd3XdAErCSrukc9Cw1xxUuDzfvmSw11apcU0MjWLxyxVx7pEtsN19Cn8mzJSwk1xUUT8Ha5-BuWJPbC-3V55LDdUxtw27-_hSOvIvpw7P0cxcbCQYsSs4szIf0TZMRuu94d/s1600/ajax_nusery_pillow1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH8W_Oe4xkxpd3XdAErCSrukc9Cw1xxUuDzfvmSw11apcU0MjWLxyxVx7pEtsN19Cn8mzJSwk1xUUT8Ha5-BuWJPbC-3V55LDdUxtw27-_hSOvIvpw7P0cxcbCQYsSs4szIf0TZMRuu94d/s400/ajax_nusery_pillow1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One side of rocker pillows</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSKYNQ-SLZEgf5PZV9_u0N4G4RdLUeX1gBQlSKZgUeLR1BaDjI-ASOqIHejGhXeYM_TWK11zd4gK2dXhSgXTMZQjreYbHEUSscByuiJW6wiwaeN2z-cC99QOl9z1YUW6b43NfmiXuvr9HX/s1600/ajax_nusery_pillow2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSKYNQ-SLZEgf5PZV9_u0N4G4RdLUeX1gBQlSKZgUeLR1BaDjI-ASOqIHejGhXeYM_TWK11zd4gK2dXhSgXTMZQjreYbHEUSscByuiJW6wiwaeN2z-cC99QOl9z1YUW6b43NfmiXuvr9HX/s400/ajax_nusery_pillow2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Other side of rocker pillows</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghLtrtxtXHZ6ZTXYoc6yLfxQ_redHUydUruNv6VIqF5L-2CF11gaBfvq8hZl5iLUuScu5uYeFU6WDeoEPCCSg9suQpS0iMM-C_fcbrGJvw9TrsF6iePS0gidQfoTfkPnq8yK8r0cLIRkNS/s1600/ajax_nursery_clock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8jzT5mwX8gQ3kyktpEaquf68PvBqnzwVvFtuArvSZyPEFKmPNofUK4diRqkxLULN9nsaL5rdeOQ1YkRFR_MVBBLRKOLyA3JmTAzumKIEx7GukAdmSKNkN215x0s638H4Y2OXlyL1sTvGo/s1600/ajax_nursery_clock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8jzT5mwX8gQ3kyktpEaquf68PvBqnzwVvFtuArvSZyPEFKmPNofUK4diRqkxLULN9nsaL5rdeOQ1YkRFR_MVBBLRKOLyA3JmTAzumKIEx7GukAdmSKNkN215x0s638H4Y2OXlyL1sTvGo/s400/ajax_nursery_clock.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simple white clock from Target with face Mod Podged with fabric</td></tr>
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Jenn at Creative Traditionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09641659545813677717noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2154835589308057139.post-89418897045525249422013-08-07T13:52:00.000-07:002013-08-14T15:56:57.940-07:00Brooklyn's Birds & Birdhouses Baby Girl NurseryIts been a long time since we've posted on our blog, but we've had a good excuse -- actually 2. Over the Christmas holidays we discovered that both my sister and I were pregnant! Since then its been a whirlwind of morning sickness, exhaustion, craft shows, and lots of baby sewing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6YQNf7FS8IydnRMMs1tGcK-2XWtWhdbwKQKhH2dZyeSxYL6TLwuVN0XnzuLWIQZ3z5ti4H-rL-uKRj1XkoAho4JpZ0j967SpYbj7XBEQKh6hYP82S5fWNcghQgMT3sfTP-AxYV9fndemu/s1600/brooke_nursery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6YQNf7FS8IydnRMMs1tGcK-2XWtWhdbwKQKhH2dZyeSxYL6TLwuVN0XnzuLWIQZ3z5ti4H-rL-uKRj1XkoAho4JpZ0j967SpYbj7XBEQKh6hYP82S5fWNcghQgMT3sfTP-AxYV9fndemu/s320/brooke_nursery.jpg" width="320" /></a>I had designed my little boy's nursery pretty quickly, but it took some time for my sister to decide on a theme, as well as her baby girl's name. Once she decided, well once her husband finally agreed to the name she wanted, we had a lot of work to accomplish in just a few short weeks before her baby shower. In the end, everything turned out perfect and adorable for my favorite <br />
(and only) niece.<br />
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<h3>
Oh-Not-So-Pink Birds & Birdhouses</h3>
At a random trip to the fabric store, I found a new nursery fabric that had birds and birdhouses on it. My sister wanted something less pink with blue so she could reuse a lot of her first child's, a baby boy, crib sheets and things. The birdhouse fabric had blue, green, peach, grey and pink. The perfect color scheme for her.<br />
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At first she said she didn't want much, just a quilt, but within a day or two her list had grown to include an entire nursery! It was fun to work on another baby girl's nursery while working on my son's gender neutral nursery. There is just something about cute ruffles and frills that are so fun to work with!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge0V3-bcYL4_OaPQh2KZjk6Zcpyi4iVsx4tAXiwW9HsoqKcw3l78DFxqwSdF7vYtQKwDQiN7qkiTzDylR1jAW4krk6bRDZYHF-O_PNAtoTiiNowoAVeoMmnt8FmtEok3IasRPBQ4GijKhi/s1600/brooke_nursery2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge0V3-bcYL4_OaPQh2KZjk6Zcpyi4iVsx4tAXiwW9HsoqKcw3l78DFxqwSdF7vYtQKwDQiN7qkiTzDylR1jAW4krk6bRDZYHF-O_PNAtoTiiNowoAVeoMmnt8FmtEok3IasRPBQ4GijKhi/s400/brooke_nursery2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pillow with a B for Brooklyn and a stuffed animal bird</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl8YN3xB6PmQm2mieJnIlHY56bOujO_YVkxTSrubjqQxm4Gt8rtaI2oVo1SLicx6k051ucYtiwkXDmE5kuWS0FUEoFKPFJnZmtC5BdIaXkMB6s8OyRLKVudJDrNhT9xfKxHTj6U1mLg5oT/s1600/brooke_quilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl8YN3xB6PmQm2mieJnIlHY56bOujO_YVkxTSrubjqQxm4Gt8rtaI2oVo1SLicx6k051ucYtiwkXDmE5kuWS0FUEoFKPFJnZmtC5BdIaXkMB6s8OyRLKVudJDrNhT9xfKxHTj6U1mLg5oT/s640/brooke_quilt.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby Brooklyn's quilt with appliqued birds and birdhouses</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB3rqMy1bQCjenKPPzu_j_aLjjIfNlnIafp5NMLicJimovJfB9d-Ijo1hwOM1neCqPIp2Xoz4DCSzKRWjlaLkDPyq-bwvA34oP7Kul3fZPpgkZ7gppleO3SD6VQvQFz0Ruj8BVz9O7koIQ/s1600/brooke_mobile2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB3rqMy1bQCjenKPPzu_j_aLjjIfNlnIafp5NMLicJimovJfB9d-Ijo1hwOM1neCqPIp2Xoz4DCSzKRWjlaLkDPyq-bwvA34oP7Kul3fZPpgkZ7gppleO3SD6VQvQFz0Ruj8BVz9O7koIQ/s400/brooke_mobile2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Handmade bird mobile with sweet colorful stuffed birds</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQMWuFb9GzUq8oaa5dbJNqwNIxUDvEbDSRShhkgZp4okoju74GuLHMbE2tilX_44mHZzBiaK080HF4SVlejFIZWDwIdDkw2_A6KdAq__Rvv-7M5K474-muElOpN20Xy3ARbV_xGYfV4m7n/s1600/brooke_cribskirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQMWuFb9GzUq8oaa5dbJNqwNIxUDvEbDSRShhkgZp4okoju74GuLHMbE2tilX_44mHZzBiaK080HF4SVlejFIZWDwIdDkw2_A6KdAq__Rvv-7M5K474-muElOpN20Xy3ARbV_xGYfV4m7n/s400/brooke_cribskirt.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crib skirt embellished with ruffles and ribbon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlI51yksQB7skmC-DXsnEz22Pth3P0TISJYNkmKPvRLLwBFgPVXtcgQwD31pzhpZUhF2z5f6r3M8F35J1T7woBiVFxQuS5eA3BUsM6CKDoJFpCBIhIBgfRmtIyL4UnrFY6HU6z_cPAWEn1/s1600/brooke_birdhouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlI51yksQB7skmC-DXsnEz22Pth3P0TISJYNkmKPvRLLwBFgPVXtcgQwD31pzhpZUhF2z5f6r3M8F35J1T7woBiVFxQuS5eA3BUsM6CKDoJFpCBIhIBgfRmtIyL4UnrFY6HU6z_cPAWEn1/s400/brooke_birdhouse.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wooden birdhouses painted and mod-podged fabric</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDxM-ttIdLHs0WjFrD6rQiRfopXJ_JaIMUnBMWmJoscLoBVaGoU9pRjJ2r9RIYXTOwZLPcVjLmlzgXxcmz16jWlOhRifu5-mI6LJv8XiHG2MQ_q-kJQrjBsHldUhz6ucgzsUbXcdDqqzX5/s1600/brooke_bird.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDxM-ttIdLHs0WjFrD6rQiRfopXJ_JaIMUnBMWmJoscLoBVaGoU9pRjJ2r9RIYXTOwZLPcVjLmlzgXxcmz16jWlOhRifu5-mI6LJv8XiHG2MQ_q-kJQrjBsHldUhz6ucgzsUbXcdDqqzX5/s400/brooke_bird.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Target clearance bird wall hanging recovered with fabric</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMuOmeKUJLapIJ2hF8YoP2loanXAmObarj_q9Scef1W0FI_7PthHoYox1X0E1Q2pDkTUeHylsiNJ7Ws9Z3wNQbgoQnxr7vdvkKIQj4oh81Xbg90PANB4ve8qfDObwMjG01-tc6-A7eoEm6/s1600/brooke_letters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMuOmeKUJLapIJ2hF8YoP2loanXAmObarj_q9Scef1W0FI_7PthHoYox1X0E1Q2pDkTUeHylsiNJ7Ws9Z3wNQbgoQnxr7vdvkKIQj4oh81Xbg90PANB4ve8qfDObwMjG01-tc6-A7eoEm6/s400/brooke_letters.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wooden letters covered in fabric</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
View our <a href="http://pinterest.com/jennifercolucci/baby-brookes-birdhouse-nursery/" target="_blank">Baby Brooke's Birdhouse Nursery Pinterest board</a> for more ideas how to recreate this nursery on your own.
Jenn at Creative Traditionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09641659545813677717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2154835589308057139.post-2312213231795860822012-11-26T10:48:00.000-08:002012-11-26T10:48:00.122-08:00Design Studio Update: Photo Studio for QuiltsOver a year ago I <a href="http://creativetradition.blogspot.com/2011/06/new-design-studio-for-creative.html">converted my guest room into a design studio</a> or craft room for my sewing, scrapbooking, painting and other creative pursuits. I <a href="http://creativetradition.blogspot.com/2012/08/design-studio-update.html">updated it again to have more storage</a> and now I've updated it again to help me take photographs of my handmade quilts.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRNARJfOCSMVZvbigK7s2v8ngAOJHXt05Lv0RoardzrxxGVau_Xz3KdcWjJ5GdcSCLMgAHNaWvGdO7buDzRHxIsgR6YHIj3FqDz31tJvF4ZVdPOxBvAfRkXSOLfX3Sqeg5ELcGNiBptBhi/s1600/designstudio_curtainrod.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRNARJfOCSMVZvbigK7s2v8ngAOJHXt05Lv0RoardzrxxGVau_Xz3KdcWjJ5GdcSCLMgAHNaWvGdO7buDzRHxIsgR6YHIj3FqDz31tJvF4ZVdPOxBvAfRkXSOLfX3Sqeg5ELcGNiBptBhi/s320/designstudio_curtainrod.JPG" width="320" /></a>I've been using thumb tacks, push pins and even safety pins to hang my handmade baby quilts so I can photograph them for our <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/creativetradition?section_id=7285216" target="_blank">Etsy store</a>. This has left hundreds of holes in my wall and has caused my post production color issues as my wall is slightly pink.<br />
<br />
I had been doing research on backdrop systems photographers use for photo shoots, homemade pvc alternatives, quilt hanging wood blocks, really everything I could think of. On a visit to my favorite furniture store, Ikea, I found the perfect thing -- a curtain rod with curtain rings with clips! Great news, its not expensive or hard to install either ;)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHbWtw4j7GRKg2ceEk0Y_8Wo_0mf91qphfGs6jKLRaG_5a00L2673o8Ke4G8Q1I3XOIKwPQq3VpFFluQXcd0XnDEYAtRg3MyOp9cKovgGe59zlwVQlrE8biM-tocBAnao9uGnAAIV8U3Hz/s1600/designstudio_curtainrod3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHbWtw4j7GRKg2ceEk0Y_8Wo_0mf91qphfGs6jKLRaG_5a00L2673o8Ke4G8Q1I3XOIKwPQq3VpFFluQXcd0XnDEYAtRg3MyOp9cKovgGe59zlwVQlrE8biM-tocBAnao9uGnAAIV8U3Hz/s320/designstudio_curtainrod3.JPG" width="320" /></a>I can move my storage containers around, quickly and easily clip up a
quilt and take pictures. When I'm not photographing quilts then I can
put my storage containers back. While I mostly only use a small portion
of the curtain rods and clips for the majority of our baby blankets, I
got a curtain rod long enough to support a a king size quilt to show off
my larger master pieces. <br />
<br />
With the white clips and rod I can more easily find true white when correcting the color of the pictures. I also added colorful, inspirational fabric in black frames to help provide more color to help the graphics program make better 'automatic' adjustments.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbbY-kAHWZPKj7hK5ZSnc-IybSetXw-b6ZNfkX4ne5F1TXw-wYxgkaTMqx86w7HdZkDKUymJ8Fx3wgjfql9gHIbfxueeFcw8B9GD3tXIFKYPfzvzDSQlNfgR4D8ohsyHUxuAyw8-jvbnBr/s1600/designstudio_curtainrod2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbbY-kAHWZPKj7hK5ZSnc-IybSetXw-b6ZNfkX4ne5F1TXw-wYxgkaTMqx86w7HdZkDKUymJ8Fx3wgjfql9gHIbfxueeFcw8B9GD3tXIFKYPfzvzDSQlNfgR4D8ohsyHUxuAyw8-jvbnBr/s320/designstudio_curtainrod2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Ikea Shopping List:<br />
<a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/90217161/" target="_blank">Racka curtain rod </a><br />
<a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30219889/" target="_blank">Betydlig wall/ceiling bracket</a> (I got 4 for the length of my curtain rod) <br />
<a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00217194/" target="_blank">Vasentlig finial set</a><br />
<a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80224096/#/50217238" target="_blank">Syrlig curtain ring with clip and hooks</a> (comes in 2 sizes, I got 4 packs)<br />
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<br />Jenn at Creative Traditionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09641659545813677717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2154835589308057139.post-77006736630260510962012-11-22T20:30:00.000-08:002013-11-13T12:01:53.531-08:00Thanksgiving 2012 CelebrationAs always, Thanksgiving was a special family gathering for us this year. It was just our immediate family and grand parents. We spent a lot of time talking, munching on olives, catching up on each other's lives -- new jobs, home projects, ideas about the world. Jeanine, my mom and the 'traditional' partner of Creative Tradition, spent most of the morning in the kitchen prepping and cooking.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEoOZ3zNfybijLBG12eYMDi_aXRF6FyWbq0qSmuAU6wnW8eR2ZDDnFC1kM_G7dTEaky9q6zLzsscztlfNLwsI8X3XuYdUyUI6tvdTlDxVwf4u0C43HlUPk09gtCoFkT0MwDS5GDLyvFLCa/s1600/thanksgiving2012_turkey.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEoOZ3zNfybijLBG12eYMDi_aXRF6FyWbq0qSmuAU6wnW8eR2ZDDnFC1kM_G7dTEaky9q6zLzsscztlfNLwsI8X3XuYdUyUI6tvdTlDxVwf4u0C43HlUPk09gtCoFkT0MwDS5GDLyvFLCa/s320/thanksgiving2012_turkey.JPG" width="320" /></a>Thanksgiving is really her favorite holiday. She shows her family love through cooking and on Thanksgiving she really gets to shower us with food and love. She had the large bird in its bag, in its pan and in the oven before most of us arrived. The table was also dressed and ready with scraps of paper telling everyone what food went into what serving dish.<br />
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While waiting for the turkey to cook we had an opportunity to Skype with our far away family. We got to watch my younger nephews playing, dancing, nearly walking, doing somersaults, having fun. Its nice to be able to connect with family across the miles. It may not be the same as having them in the same room with you but seeing smiles and hearing voices is a wonderful thing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjidMi3HltGiqSANWPRVMT5eYMod6jN5w4Ge5LJYQHm6eip4fTviwvQtEBPlcrShszx-1tmt4FEFDepBlG_TMUjCPpBRKgU-fNw_9tD_a4AxKQR2rhbPkoCxOFfCPhyphenhyphen8_f4Md9RqzGaLROf/s1600/thanksgiving2012_cooking.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjidMi3HltGiqSANWPRVMT5eYMod6jN5w4Ge5LJYQHm6eip4fTviwvQtEBPlcrShszx-1tmt4FEFDepBlG_TMUjCPpBRKgU-fNw_9tD_a4AxKQR2rhbPkoCxOFfCPhyphenhyphen8_f4Md9RqzGaLROf/s320/thanksgiving2012_cooking.JPG" width="320" /></a>As the time got closer to the meal everyone stepped up and helped in the kitchen stirring gravy, mashing potatoes, carving the turkey or really what ever mom asked of us. It made the kitchen a little tight to maneuver at times, especially with heavy, hot dishes but the feeling of family was palpable. My sister and I acted like the children we are in our hearts and stole little bits of food while mom chased after us with a wooden spoon. Despite the drama, hot plates, and MANY cooks in the kitchen the table got set, food was served and the family began the meal.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA6eKWj_5_jpqSeJ9yZmC5usmbI9u-0IG6LWjnKgt6pj_YkwyuG6RrczPoc3ICXheH6TT9bDm8XLqW_DgdGlVBO0SOBsjUDjlLDTKaZ9EGipbZlC0D1eM2U8_OMVRJwkIEeJo7_IeBM84r/s1600/thanksgiving2012_table.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA6eKWj_5_jpqSeJ9yZmC5usmbI9u-0IG6LWjnKgt6pj_YkwyuG6RrczPoc3ICXheH6TT9bDm8XLqW_DgdGlVBO0SOBsjUDjlLDTKaZ9EGipbZlC0D1eM2U8_OMVRJwkIEeJo7_IeBM84r/s400/thanksgiving2012_table.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Table set with side dishes, waiting for the carved turkey.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLUdNwOcOh7yQq4Y8Bp2d69lN8sJvVfrpN2ULicgU6WF3Yu2LSMCcSIKAbG00Fwrir0929kRvHuyutNNCdPHy8pNpVVVu0LSWQbpRAXmS2-TXWnr_tU9Z5pSbSAAZKUO-rTtOn6sZBrAnJ/s1600/thanksgiving2012_dinnerplate.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLUdNwOcOh7yQq4Y8Bp2d69lN8sJvVfrpN2ULicgU6WF3Yu2LSMCcSIKAbG00Fwrir0929kRvHuyutNNCdPHy8pNpVVVu0LSWQbpRAXmS2-TXWnr_tU9Z5pSbSAAZKUO-rTtOn6sZBrAnJ/s400/thanksgiving2012_dinnerplate.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A perfect Thanksgiving plate!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />Jenn at Creative Traditionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09641659545813677717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2154835589308057139.post-40199762630957805832012-11-21T08:39:00.000-08:002013-11-13T12:00:37.209-08:00Crockpot Creamed Corn<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7A6o3Zi5WkJJdnPfalTBo6VxqZJ44HmS3ghjbuIvmXWayZtG0Gl-qjbrOOl9NMxxf0WhH1utZbHm1eCIPaRlgpP5xKrTUaTrA42EI_5TIzXHj6AlXyEMs_Pi1ayV0m9uuqfnYTtrAFRCn/s1600/creamedcorn.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7A6o3Zi5WkJJdnPfalTBo6VxqZJ44HmS3ghjbuIvmXWayZtG0Gl-qjbrOOl9NMxxf0WhH1utZbHm1eCIPaRlgpP5xKrTUaTrA42EI_5TIzXHj6AlXyEMs_Pi1ayV0m9uuqfnYTtrAFRCn/s320/creamedcorn.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
One of the Bass Thanksgiving traditional foods is Jeanine's creamed corn. It's rich, creamy with bright bursts of sweetness when you bite into the corn. This year my in-laws weren't able to join us for Thanksgiving and they requested this recipe to make and bring to their potluck Thanksgivings with their friends. It's great for fall or winter potlucks as you can make it in a crock pot and keep it warm all night long.<b> </b><br />
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<b>Gulliver's Creamed Corn</b><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: #666666;">INGREDIENTS</span></span> <br />
<div>
2 boxes (8 oz) frozen corn</div>
<div>
1 c milk</div>
<div>
1 c whipping cream</div>
<div>
2 T butter</div>
<div>
2 T flour</div>
2 T sugar<br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-size: xx-small;">INSTRUCTIONS</span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
On the stove pot:<br />
In a large pot, melt butter.<br />
Stir in flour till well mixed with butter.<br />
Add rest of ingredients. Cook until
thickened.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
In a crock pot:<br />
"I use the crock pot to
give me more room on the stove and you don’t have to watch it as closely so it
doesn’t burn. I put mine in in the morning on high and then once it’s
thickened, I turn it to low until it’s time to serve." - Jeanine<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTbY6TzCceRFLFsTCWzm9xEcQhUv2RXD4BN2EC7pzj0xYQyuE8j08Z1qvv3hOnnWy6q0jtmBybRQtHw_unzk4XeAT_SnPFPNGu4BHXVrXaoMCQ3ITQTzKwma52koyhNHQcX0wqwZTxvKN2/s1600/creamedcorn2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTbY6TzCceRFLFsTCWzm9xEcQhUv2RXD4BN2EC7pzj0xYQyuE8j08Z1qvv3hOnnWy6q0jtmBybRQtHw_unzk4XeAT_SnPFPNGu4BHXVrXaoMCQ3ITQTzKwma52koyhNHQcX0wqwZTxvKN2/s320/creamedcorn2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
At meal time, creamed corn is served in vintage colored, textured glass dishes my mother inherited from her Aunt Mary. They are green, orange, brown and red... perfect for our Thanksgiving table.<br />
<br />
Mom loves her cream corn unseasoned. She says its so everyone can season it to their taste but really I just think she prefers the sweet cream taste. I usually season it with sea salt, ground pepper and would serve it with some chopped parsley to brighten the flavor.</div>
Jenn at Creative Traditionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09641659545813677717noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2154835589308057139.post-86594778625828543922012-11-19T09:41:00.000-08:002012-11-22T09:42:21.951-08:00Tart Cherry Pie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVyQjy5THiYJh1WKoHRxJF7ZkSPy2HILYLv0X8kv4yWrE1Wjr42NSu7y-CtOJ_4taarrIKkn6yCt7sLGEqVhGW1HIoWqn0ayByjybtvRVgae76_ifno-AXYU2nacv9ThCdfXsSYsReRSS5/s1600/pie_cherry.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVyQjy5THiYJh1WKoHRxJF7ZkSPy2HILYLv0X8kv4yWrE1Wjr42NSu7y-CtOJ_4taarrIKkn6yCt7sLGEqVhGW1HIoWqn0ayByjybtvRVgae76_ifno-AXYU2nacv9ThCdfXsSYsReRSS5/s320/pie_cherry.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Cherries are one of my favorite fruits and cherry pie is one of my favorite Thanksgiving pies. Growing up when mom would make extra pies to feed everyone it always seemed there was never enough cherry pie!<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: #666666;">INGREDIENTS</span></span> <br />
2 cans red tart cherries in water<br />
1 1/2 c sugar<br />
5 tbsp corn starch<br />
<a href="http://creativetradition.blogspot.com/2011/07/moms-blue-ribbon-french-glaze.html">pie shell and top crust</a> <br />
<br />
Drain cherries, saving the juice. Mix sugar and cornstarch together so there are no lumps. Pour mixture into juice in a saucepan and cook, stirring constantly until the sauce is thick and clear. Cool for about 5 minutes then add the cherries and stir. Pour into a pie shell and top with the crust. Put a whole in the center of the top crust to let the steam escape. Bake at 425 for 40 minutes or until the crust is done.Jenn at Creative Traditionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09641659545813677717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2154835589308057139.post-3391732859575475132012-11-16T09:34:00.000-08:002012-11-22T09:42:53.891-08:00Traditional Granny Smith Apple Pie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEIXs5AMgPM5nuOcP5sdu2xpQ-juFqFvZdkGhZyivxCrsNVGsn1jMSeoNvSj5j5lq1jS2PrH2QvKNSetoqg9spXO7OPMkKgRTNIDyMGMY5sMHJ2Iw55gO5Yp7f7domo8nrM4RgK76G9kiJ/s1600/pie_apple.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEIXs5AMgPM5nuOcP5sdu2xpQ-juFqFvZdkGhZyivxCrsNVGsn1jMSeoNvSj5j5lq1jS2PrH2QvKNSetoqg9spXO7OPMkKgRTNIDyMGMY5sMHJ2Iw55gO5Yp7f7domo8nrM4RgK76G9kiJ/s320/pie_apple.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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It's not Thanksgiving with out mom's traditional apple pie! Mom prides her self on stuffing her pies with more fruit than the usual bakery restaurant bought pies so you can always tell her apple pies based on the big domed top crust.<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: #666666;">INGREDIENTS</span></span> <br />
8 to 10 granny smith apples, peeled, cored, and sliced<br />
sugar<br />
cinnamon<br />
<a href="http://creativetradition.blogspot.com/2011/07/moms-blue-ribbon-french-glaze.html">pie shell and top crust</a> <br />
<br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-size: xx-small;">INSTRUCTIONS</span><br />
Put a little water in the bowl with the apples and sprinkle a little
sugar and some cinnamon over the top. Mix well. Put into the pie shell
and put the top crust on. Crinch the sides closed using your thumb and first two fingers or a fork. Put a small hole
in the middle of the top to let the steam escape. Bake at 350 about 50
minutes or until the pie crust looks done -- slightly golden and flaky dry.Jenn at Creative Traditionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09641659545813677717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2154835589308057139.post-61734307932519337992012-11-09T09:20:00.000-08:002012-11-22T10:13:48.111-08:00Thanksgiving Pecan Pie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9LBxjYkuziGBaZIlec9mlczKY2f7ASS4CXiEpEao15-n4eut-GrG1Dq4k_zo7vYYgtfDdmKPrtIS5jJ9X0lYHzPV0yHgD3KLaFEj4akkaXEnAybbwAhNNg0LpmafrSkXf3GWF5vbN8aAl/s1600/pie_pecan.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9LBxjYkuziGBaZIlec9mlczKY2f7ASS4CXiEpEao15-n4eut-GrG1Dq4k_zo7vYYgtfDdmKPrtIS5jJ9X0lYHzPV0yHgD3KLaFEj4akkaXEnAybbwAhNNg0LpmafrSkXf3GWF5vbN8aAl/s320/pie_pecan.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I absolutely love Pecan Pie for Thanksgiving! My husband is allergic to walnuts and pecans so I don't ever cook with them any more. So Thanksgiving is one of the few times a year I can indulge in my love of these nuts as my mom, Jeanine, the 'traditional' partner of Creative Tradition, usually bakes them. She uses the recipe on the back of the Karon corn syrup and uses <a href="http://creativetradition.blogspot.com/2011/07/moms-blue-ribbon-french-glaze.html">Grammy's Pie Crust</a> though it would still taste yummy if you used a store-bought graham cracker crust.<br />
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We usually half slices of pecan pie as it is very rich. And well, it's Thanksgiving! If you take half slices of pie you can taste every pie and not feel guilty for eating 4 full pieces!<br />
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<b>Karo Pecan Pie</b><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: #666666;">INGREDIENTS</span></span> <br />
1 c Karo corn syrup<br />
3 eggs, slightly beaten<br />
1 c sugar<br />
2 tbsp margarine or butter, melted<br />
1 tsp vanilla<br />
1 1/4 c pecans<br />
1 <a href="http://creativetradition.blogspot.com/2011/07/moms-blue-ribbon-french-glaze.html">unbaked pie shell</a><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-size: xx-small;">INSTRUCTIONS</span><br />
Stir together the first 5 ingredients, then add the pecans.<br />
Pour all into the pie shell and bake at 350 for 50 – 55 minutes.<br />
Serve with whipped cream. Jenn at Creative Traditionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09641659545813677717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2154835589308057139.post-76763748269592327532012-11-02T09:49:00.000-07:002012-11-22T10:13:38.892-08:00Real Pumpkin Pie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBVb-q35oiPlZjfgJuHT3gnrPDOcAI-AeuIkvo6NcP1TxlFXBd5_KH48DtToVCz4S7Ulolk-MWEAE6nTuaJWGOoCnyJfIpnlNCAxxdOh1LtCukmaQuEH0mboDLmYbR8ed76z7SZM7433bG/s1600/pie_pumpkin.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBVb-q35oiPlZjfgJuHT3gnrPDOcAI-AeuIkvo6NcP1TxlFXBd5_KH48DtToVCz4S7Ulolk-MWEAE6nTuaJWGOoCnyJfIpnlNCAxxdOh1LtCukmaQuEH0mboDLmYbR8ed76z7SZM7433bG/s320/pie_pumpkin.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
A family favorite at Thanksgiving is mom's famous pumpkin pie. We never were allowed to carve pumpkins for Halloween. We could pick out our own pumpkins and put them on display at the front door. But after Halloween, before they rotted, mom would cut up the pumpkins, roast seeds, and boil the pumpkin flesh in preparation for Thanksgiving pumpkin pies.<br />
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I've had bakery restaurant pumpkin pie before and it was good, but the pie filling was so mushy. Using real pumpkins and not canned gives a better texture and very fresh taste. It is more work but definitely worth it!<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: #666666;">INGREDIENTS</span></span> <br />
2 c pumpkin<br />
3/4 c sugar<br />
2 tsp cinnamon<br />
3/4 tsp nutmeg<br />
1/4 tsp cloves<br />
3 eggs, slightly beaten<br />
1/2 c whipping cream<br />
1/2 c milk<br />
<a href="http://creativetradition.blogspot.com/2011/07/moms-blue-ribbon-french-glaze.html">1 unbaked pie shell</a><br />
<br />
Combine pumpkin, sugar, and spices. Blend in eggs, cream, and milk. Stir until well blended. Pour into pie shell and bake at 400 for 40 to 45 minutes or until a knife in the center comes out clean.Jenn at Creative Traditionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09641659545813677717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2154835589308057139.post-57204737092732390022012-08-08T06:00:00.000-07:002012-08-08T06:00:06.537-07:00Best Roasted Chicken I've Ever Tasted<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLJL0MvsTNfo4DfNhokpjRXXwS66rev3kZdwK3UCjKwe_SJ6hOZTIxrpzjmAn0AAVIs5DS5w33567Wgk7Ath2qjZpxLBK8zeRzqGAIwOcea42frLsbSmkZpi06fKe4nFInqfZ2P4QcX4YY/s1600/food_roastchicken_plate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLJL0MvsTNfo4DfNhokpjRXXwS66rev3kZdwK3UCjKwe_SJ6hOZTIxrpzjmAn0AAVIs5DS5w33567Wgk7Ath2qjZpxLBK8zeRzqGAIwOcea42frLsbSmkZpi06fKe4nFInqfZ2P4QcX4YY/s320/food_roastchicken_plate.jpg" width="320" /></a>On a recent trip to Pier1 I found a roasting pan on <a href="http://www.pier1.com/Dining-Entertaining/dining_entertaining,default,sc.html?prefn1=clearance&prefv1=true" target="_blank">clearance</a> for just $25. I had only cooked a full bird once before. When I was 16 my mom had me cook our family's Thanksgiving dinner. It was a lot of fun but whole poultry just seemed a bit too daunting with out my mom in the kitchen to answer my questions. I thought it was time to give it a try on my own, get some good use out of my new roasting pan, and hopefully find another healthy meal to enjoy on a regular basis.<br />
<br />
I did a quick search online and discovered <a href="http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/simple_roast_chicken.html" target="_blank">Eating Well's Simple Roast Chicken Recipe</a>. It didn't have too many ingredients, simple cooking instructions, and even had calorie information. I followed the recipe exactly instead of my usual glance and do whatever I want type of cooking. I'm glad I did. Even though I was hesitant about using tarragon in the stuffing (I don't like the smell of it) everything turned out delicious! <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijRfgG9ADHjzlO0h7KyrFVJS4UuA7m2TOFmcmAhCCS9AYjyrD2PAJNhoZt28639bqzMbIFaQNiWePhkOClxrgEv-RYAMrKuZ6TampJmpi29SdntjdCeg4c0pazx6k9pSmOK3m_0xOMoXUI/s1600/food_roastedchicken.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijRfgG9ADHjzlO0h7KyrFVJS4UuA7m2TOFmcmAhCCS9AYjyrD2PAJNhoZt28639bqzMbIFaQNiWePhkOClxrgEv-RYAMrKuZ6TampJmpi29SdntjdCeg4c0pazx6k9pSmOK3m_0xOMoXUI/s400/food_roastedchicken.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nothing is so satisfying as a perfectly golden brown meat.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I served the roasted chicken, minus the onion herb stuffing, with
roasted vegetables and a box of <a href="http://www.kraftbrands.com/stovetop/varieties-boxed.html" target="_blank">Stove Top Chicken Stuffing</a>. I cooked on the rack above the chicken for the last
30 minutes. Just drizzle with olive oil and throw some extra tarragon and thyme with some carrots, pearl onions and mushroom caps.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj90lDbvEIGC4v62BWgbx49Q8cdjQ-4xU5qcYzw0PBk6WEd_Tifx-AXpc6s6kh65ZaUbF8FajUSu27WtNK4IAMk0t6AKAK5H5fN4JeeTttTM93O2pTO4clfSh4brZsvS2w0aZpCxEPn-49p/s1600/food_roastedveggies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj90lDbvEIGC4v62BWgbx49Q8cdjQ-4xU5qcYzw0PBk6WEd_Tifx-AXpc6s6kh65ZaUbF8FajUSu27WtNK4IAMk0t6AKAK5H5fN4JeeTttTM93O2pTO4clfSh4brZsvS2w0aZpCxEPn-49p/s400/food_roastedveggies.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perfect side dish: oven roasted vegetables with thyme.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Want to try it for yourself? Visit <a href="http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/simple_roast_chicken.html" target="_blank">Eating Well's Simple Roast Chicken Recipe</a>.Jenn at Creative Traditionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09641659545813677717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2154835589308057139.post-38490833354247891642012-08-06T06:00:00.000-07:002012-08-06T06:00:04.328-07:00Design Studio Update<div style="text-align: right;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYZexcqKZyTZBoVuaW4Urc6OWLkvB-o1_8KfxxYqCuECpNloi3bn4RwYb1qeIS0bBYWDj-dvmISZFBm50MOkIa7zVMgncyepC54_o9Z3wq6ujr6bKSbEfqk51245-vYIETIR-EGbchLSPy/s1600/designstudio_tv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYZexcqKZyTZBoVuaW4Urc6OWLkvB-o1_8KfxxYqCuECpNloi3bn4RwYb1qeIS0bBYWDj-dvmISZFBm50MOkIa7zVMgncyepC54_o9Z3wq6ujr6bKSbEfqk51245-vYIETIR-EGbchLSPy/s200/designstudio_tv.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unused craft space from June 2011</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Over a year ago I shared how you can build out your <a href="http://creativetradition.blogspot.com/2011/06/new-design-studio-for-creative.html" target="_blank">craft room or design studio for under $1,000 at Ikea</a>. I've loved using my ultra-functional and totally-beautiful work space but found the random extra pieces of furniture to be a bit combersome when breaking down the room for guests. Each time we have visitors a bookcase, dress form and quite a few totes have to be moved next door into our office.<br />
<br />
I decided to get some <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/categories/departments/living_room/11685/?color=white" target="_blank">white Ikea Billy bookcases</a> to utilize unused vertical space against the window. Not only do the white Billy bookcases look great with the rest of the room they are cheaper than the other color options. I only spent about $155 only spent on the 5 new bookcases! (That's a pretty great selling point if you got to convince your husband to let you update your craft room -- Ikea is much cheaper than Craft-specific furniture out there.) I also invested in more black Kassett boxes to organize everything in. This set up has 2 great advantages for serious sewers... the thin bookcases are great for holding bolts of fabric and the Kassett hanging file box is just wide enough to hold patterns. I also love the adjustable shelves so I can configure perfect spaces for boxes or organize and show off colorful supplies like fat quarters and skeins of yarn.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi__ZtzFB7WFaveFMRauDdPly7IW6kBaM0ZyYiTkVR1jrvpXtji1yNn36dlB4Q99FiIpyAtwSMgqU0yAURTdo2hwNsOIupjNRYF7k64Ue739K8SdfW4g1uK6zrjOZrSsJ7G-NvAKbRCSnuM/s1600/designstido_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi__ZtzFB7WFaveFMRauDdPly7IW6kBaM0ZyYiTkVR1jrvpXtji1yNn36dlB4Q99FiIpyAtwSMgqU0yAURTdo2hwNsOIupjNRYF7k64Ue739K8SdfW4g1uK6zrjOZrSsJ7G-NvAKbRCSnuM/s400/designstido_2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Update with Ikea Billy bookcases and more labeled boxes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy2LFYIvNUAmegVaQVSjf5Eu7qGKKkwwWGZkhXCj79F8aRDRqxHFQthDkgS4u2pHh-HcbOzsIuRzvU6hqfwd7z3lPC5aQixOdOD3TYq7ZpR1C-VgzHTSbveS0YM4m3NnKmrEY8b8gj1-fp/s1600/designstido_2_work.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy2LFYIvNUAmegVaQVSjf5Eu7qGKKkwwWGZkhXCj79F8aRDRqxHFQthDkgS4u2pHh-HcbOzsIuRzvU6hqfwd7z3lPC5aQixOdOD3TYq7ZpR1C-VgzHTSbveS0YM4m3NnKmrEY8b8gj1-fp/s400/designstido_2_work.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Updated Design Studio. It only looks this clean after Guests leave ;)</td></tr>
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Once its time for guests to visit transforming this Design Studio is very simple. The sewing machine fits tucked away in the desk alcove. The main work space is a gate table which breaks down to a very low profile and serves as a night stand for guests. We carefully vacuum the floor several times to ensure all stray pins have been found before filling up a high queen inflatable bed. Its not as nice as a real bed, but with some egg shell padding its pretty comfortable. Not too comfortable... you don't want guests to stay too long and keep you away from your current crafting projects ;)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieMaQzElVRPhmalXTIsa1GaG8BE6iDQZrPAqIBWMb1EaUejkXQfLSwb-1QvNNvcy84GtTmxm_RMNI3o3YXwpM_sV-0JUTHZusIZ6kTzKyshb4ome9f2lymIN-pUu2vPkPFPnKL7a4hgjLi/s1600/designstido_2_guest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieMaQzElVRPhmalXTIsa1GaG8BE6iDQZrPAqIBWMb1EaUejkXQfLSwb-1QvNNvcy84GtTmxm_RMNI3o3YXwpM_sV-0JUTHZusIZ6kTzKyshb4ome9f2lymIN-pUu2vPkPFPnKL7a4hgjLi/s400/designstido_2_guest.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Craft Room transformed into Guest Room</td></tr>
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Want this craft room or design studio for your self? Visit my first post about how to create a <a href="http://creativetradition.blogspot.com/2011/06/new-design-studio-for-creative.html" target="_blank">craft room or design studio for under $1,000 at Ikea</a>.Jenn at Creative Traditionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09641659545813677717noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2154835589308057139.post-54485935186050515042012-08-04T18:07:00.000-07:002012-08-04T20:00:00.934-07:00Pink & Chocolate Baby Girl Jungle Animals Nursery<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiOSi0BaErMGKjy6Db5jOBuIYJDWIyi1shpjseCv82x_4lVeBxRRtSfzOUYMGgWcasLhpAaTCNN4glMa3KWfaT1RcHlTGI4e1-VpJw_NXlQ-a47GRSowWjLzDSs0YGGrJjc8VK9jwCryZk/s1600/mia_nursery2.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiOSi0BaErMGKjy6Db5jOBuIYJDWIyi1shpjseCv82x_4lVeBxRRtSfzOUYMGgWcasLhpAaTCNN4glMa3KWfaT1RcHlTGI4e1-VpJw_NXlQ-a47GRSowWjLzDSs0YGGrJjc8VK9jwCryZk/s320/mia_nursery2.jpg" width="320" /></a>A friend recently had her second child, a cute little baby girl, and decorated her nursery in pink and chocolate brown with jungle animals. She found some cute <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Carters-Jungle-Jill-4-Piece-Crib/dp/B004CPINGW/ref=sr_1_18?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1344131230&sr=1-18&keywords=carters+jungle+jill" target="_blank">mass-produced nursery decor sets</a> but it wasn't perfect -- too wild and way too much green for her taste. We got together, used the inspiration of her <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/79961409/on-sale12900was-13900girls-pink-big" target="_blank">wall decal</a> and designed a twin quilt, curtain valance, and crib skirt to furnish her baby's room. With an older son, my friend realized a traditional crib quilt would only last her baby
for 6 months to a year, so instead she wanted a handmade twin quilt that
could be grown into and used for years.<br />
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<h3>
Lions, Elephants & Owls, Oh My!</h3>
The twin quilt features 5 large windows each with their own animal framed with random fabrics in magenta, floral, white eyelet, brown polka dots and pink diamond plaid and accented with magenta rick rack. Each animal is appliqued, hand embroidered and has sensory items like floppy ears or tails. The blanket is backed with an amazingly soft brown with pink polka dotted minky fleece. Along with the quilt I made an adorable little stuffed giraffe with pink rick rack hair and cute brown rick rack horns.<br /><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQRh2Kh7SuCTNKm4Sxk6VKQPyYz_JfBg2msEk0XleRMF0ZJfkh3rQIEV2t3r4iFptpMrIOxNl_1PxMuCWolE0VUn7mtxlTTubR9OlbISRFW1nMBOzWKtcxyQOu1sK8XXLTpegJY9Olx4qi/s1600/mia_blanket1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQRh2Kh7SuCTNKm4Sxk6VKQPyYz_JfBg2msEk0XleRMF0ZJfkh3rQIEV2t3r4iFptpMrIOxNl_1PxMuCWolE0VUn7mtxlTTubR9OlbISRFW1nMBOzWKtcxyQOu1sK8XXLTpegJY9Olx4qi/s640/mia_blanket1.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby Mia playing with her handmade giraffe on her new quilt.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcN4SyNh1fQwlSXYt3DK7XD7nydQ2bs8lFAe0c0XAi1SBn9EEt9QdDop3joYt2u9NFjno-itWdxWz4cOQmGAjpFNNgJ8Yt1Dtq99U1Gk1fC1iS24G0Gy-AmshZtkZ3ibC34FImW5efFxyn/s1600/quiltsketch.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcN4SyNh1fQwlSXYt3DK7XD7nydQ2bs8lFAe0c0XAi1SBn9EEt9QdDop3joYt2u9NFjno-itWdxWz4cOQmGAjpFNNgJ8Yt1Dtq99U1Gk1fC1iS24G0Gy-AmshZtkZ3ibC34FImW5efFxyn/s400/quiltsketch.png" width="306" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Initial design sketch of the twin quilt.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Omx9rC4ugoJ3w-OsWo90ASTaBiIuWDYHnktUe-NzMCKuU_WwwHpbWkdvrhKTs_75VhUFf9jl_2DGa4nKoE7pJ9yJ2BVZCj1ZuAJMexau0XypA-onuE1ojwJo0zHzwHqtC-o6sKi0ITlk/s1600/blanket_detail_hippo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Omx9rC4ugoJ3w-OsWo90ASTaBiIuWDYHnktUe-NzMCKuU_WwwHpbWkdvrhKTs_75VhUFf9jl_2DGa4nKoE7pJ9yJ2BVZCj1ZuAJMexau0XypA-onuE1ojwJo0zHzwHqtC-o6sKi0ITlk/s400/blanket_detail_hippo.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quilt detail of Hippo with its floppy teeth and cord tail.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUSSpsbT1j9zjwuQ3-8F09loH0mfQl-X7qFbESA-pU4PWLfeTonIT0NqElJuRJTta2OyWQVFiZOA92-t6rawE-yQQnePX9trBx8UZUTikcy927_D1_vCI5IVOFu_eU1N_7vuPkZ9ai2iyZ/s1600/blanket_detail_monkey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUSSpsbT1j9zjwuQ3-8F09loH0mfQl-X7qFbESA-pU4PWLfeTonIT0NqElJuRJTta2OyWQVFiZOA92-t6rawE-yQQnePX9trBx8UZUTikcy927_D1_vCI5IVOFu_eU1N_7vuPkZ9ai2iyZ/s400/blanket_detail_monkey.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brown monkey with felt flowers and embroidered tree.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaK6TnaCt6rM9-S_VRADKmscQBytIOcKIb7C0x3VduQmT635YRvSSxEYI-kcviIlkPPWOOOsEdHUO_wRkrDmGk_U-432XCfPQfbP7FD0nzvK84yZcmtlJFt_11hpp32gbUoSggHYtl2G_2/s1600/blanket_detail_owl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaK6TnaCt6rM9-S_VRADKmscQBytIOcKIb7C0x3VduQmT635YRvSSxEYI-kcviIlkPPWOOOsEdHUO_wRkrDmGk_U-432XCfPQfbP7FD0nzvK84yZcmtlJFt_11hpp32gbUoSggHYtl2G_2/s400/blanket_detail_owl.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pink owl with fuzzy tummy and hand embroidered branch.</td></tr>
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View our <a href="http://pinterest.com/creativemomndot/pink-chocolate-baby-girl-wild-animals-nursery/" target="_blank">Pink & Chocolate Baby Girl Jungle Animals Nursery Pinterest board</a> for more ideas how to recreate this nursery on your own.Jenn at Creative Traditionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09641659545813677717noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2154835589308057139.post-51707728796018560262012-02-20T13:54:00.000-08:002012-02-21T13:55:42.616-08:00Our Debut at Yorba Linda Farmers MarketCreative Tradition had its first day at the <a href="http://www.ylfarmersmarket.com/" target="_blank">Yorba Linda Farmers Market</a>. We set up our mobile boutique and had a blast meeting all the local vendors. I ended up coming home with amazing food including tamales, danish cookies, chocolate covered strawberries and of course kettle popcorn (my husband's fav and frequent bribe for him helping us).<br />
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Visit our <a href="http://creativetradition.com/events/" target="_blank">Events Calendar</a> to see when we'll be at the <a href="http://www.ylfarmersmarket.com/" target="_blank">Yorba Linda Farmers Market</a> or other venue near you next. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3O5x_l8vvpR2muC4Bl54t7WoHCu6HcppaWqzLiuLG3QrHSBnhCROd50C2BcALswSka3r2diSdcCfBa3hR2I86pWJtmKjxiciEF9kcT39ntdcr_KJUZgUiw00DjO-7mRiTtTu-pQZ6TZlK/s1600/creative-tradition-at-yorba-linda-farmers-market_february2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3O5x_l8vvpR2muC4Bl54t7WoHCu6HcppaWqzLiuLG3QrHSBnhCROd50C2BcALswSka3r2diSdcCfBa3hR2I86pWJtmKjxiciEF9kcT39ntdcr_KJUZgUiw00DjO-7mRiTtTu-pQZ6TZlK/s400/creative-tradition-at-yorba-linda-farmers-market_february2012.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This will actually be the last time our storefront will look like this! We've upgraded our display racks to rotating garment racks. They show off our product wonderfully and will help shoppers browse more of our product faster. We set them up as part of a dry run and they look so cool I can't take them down. ;) Here is a little sneak peak.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1qqOjq8oQ91FROCo2_hJc7s-mK68ofiejeq012fwcY9WTzOSYzFU_OWYgr-mQ7_wkkq_zxMl2ykALVsnimijZfdKpfrVzLX610alRqbaj-IYRBeccqUdCjQQwT20AdYaa_F9ry5cl6SUT/s1600/creative-tradition-new-garment-rack-displays.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1qqOjq8oQ91FROCo2_hJc7s-mK68ofiejeq012fwcY9WTzOSYzFU_OWYgr-mQ7_wkkq_zxMl2ykALVsnimijZfdKpfrVzLX610alRqbaj-IYRBeccqUdCjQQwT20AdYaa_F9ry5cl6SUT/s400/creative-tradition-new-garment-rack-displays.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>Jenn at Creative Traditionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09641659545813677717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2154835589308057139.post-16861032225666085142012-02-16T12:40:00.000-08:002012-02-21T12:44:11.230-08:00A Valentine's Day Salad full of Heart<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbHFmySH0HkD6zzDbT4hzqfw4Zfx5pL9ZcNg06ZcUac24jqvR1gd_IVOMojV2OduhoJ-1VnIBqRSeR7WISnLNf4Jp0ub18EOLrVIhLiZbmFnTm8iCSliGTHfZDO2g4fTPmUEom75A7CLTM/s1600/valentines-2012-salad-with-tomatoe-hearts.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbHFmySH0HkD6zzDbT4hzqfw4Zfx5pL9ZcNg06ZcUac24jqvR1gd_IVOMojV2OduhoJ-1VnIBqRSeR7WISnLNf4Jp0ub18EOLrVIhLiZbmFnTm8iCSliGTHfZDO2g4fTPmUEom75A7CLTM/s320/valentines-2012-salad-with-tomatoe-hearts.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
This Valentine's day my husband and I had our traditional home cooked meal of Chicken Parmesan. It's his favorite meal but I don't make it too often. I still haven't found a recipe that I like enough to keep in our standard rotation of meals.<br />
<br />I did a bit of research to see what new recipe I could try this year and I found the Hungry Happenings blog. Beth has some great recipes but I especially like how she creates themed meals. She won me over with her <a href="http://www.hungryhappenings.com/2011/01/valentines-day-recipe-chicken-parmesan.html" target="_blank">heart shaped Chicken Parmesan recipe</a> but her <a href="http://www.hungryhappenings.com/2011/01/valentines-day-salad-topped-with-tomato.html" target="_blank">Salad with Tomato Hearts</a> completely made the meal! You can see how our Valentine's Salad inspired by Hungry Happenings turned out this year. The instructions how to create the hearts are so simple I might be adding grape tomato hearts to all of our salads through out the year.<br />
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The best part was the look on my husband's face when he saw the tomato hearts. It was the icing on the cake... or the tomato heart on the salad ;)Jenn at Creative Traditionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09641659545813677717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2154835589308057139.post-90024812645577886042012-02-01T19:36:00.000-08:002012-02-01T19:36:50.820-08:00Seasonal Decorating: Valentine's DayValentine's Day isn't a very big holiday for my husband and I. We skip out on all the busy commercial stuff like restaurants, chocolates, and flowers. Usually we stay in, cook a dinner together and then snuggle on the couch while we watch a DVD. But that doesn't stop me from decorating the house! I started the Valentine's decorations last year with some wooden words and wreathes and kept the pillow cases very basic. This year JoAnn's had a gorgeous Antique Valentines fabric that fit perfectly with my style and the decorations we had already. I ended up loving the fabric so much I designed a Valentine's Quilt that I'm going to try to complete this month.<br />
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I've also made matching his and hers aprons with the remaining fabric for us to wear as we cook our annual Valentine's Day dinner together. Mine is a skirted apron in the Antique Valentines fabric and my husband has a BBQ apron in the coordinating plaid.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWbll7IL8BjnoXBXzwEtf3ZKLjuxhhlrdCl7dJQfUQDWThaL4S9VtX8ObaCvSW8_S2VIlEJ_BQG-RkXo67LRdrSqX2_ROn6WY2r4A845BHFU8B92Rk9aAlMQFk0A7mWGXEqqjAZepTTQbF/s1600/homedecor_valentine1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWbll7IL8BjnoXBXzwEtf3ZKLjuxhhlrdCl7dJQfUQDWThaL4S9VtX8ObaCvSW8_S2VIlEJ_BQG-RkXo67LRdrSqX2_ROn6WY2r4A845BHFU8B92Rk9aAlMQFk0A7mWGXEqqjAZepTTQbF/s400/homedecor_valentine1.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The couch covered with Valentines Pillow Cases.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnGcL9l_nv4K7edCaX3CwfemijavWpyzzxn68mV0nqUriwfBoGpvsryfJwxbRFdFhso4WLrQjPksqEH2Y2CMQJAe-kXbbxGng4D1hSHje4HI0rwpDaSxlLZUcD4ls3mZfR8jZIhKoEuoCE/s1600/homedecor_valentine2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnGcL9l_nv4K7edCaX3CwfemijavWpyzzxn68mV0nqUriwfBoGpvsryfJwxbRFdFhso4WLrQjPksqEH2Y2CMQJAe-kXbbxGng4D1hSHje4HI0rwpDaSxlLZUcD4ls3mZfR8jZIhKoEuoCE/s400/homedecor_valentine2.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our LOVE jars filled with silk roses.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdTbbpzVeAXpCZeWfKWt2jz2vPdguNtEjVdLI2SxQe7tH6pUmyR4UPhvW4w4-IZS5LjPfO_5s43Fdhh7oWZFceHDMgN-vAPxrRR4GZ13byQfaFVEbDrOTOhcEQYCpgBXre9HV-O88uzhiK/s1600/homedecor_valentine3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdTbbpzVeAXpCZeWfKWt2jz2vPdguNtEjVdLI2SxQe7tH6pUmyR4UPhvW4w4-IZS5LjPfO_5s43Fdhh7oWZFceHDMgN-vAPxrRR4GZ13byQfaFVEbDrOTOhcEQYCpgBXre9HV-O88uzhiK/s400/homedecor_valentine3.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The original LOVE wooden words decorate the mantle.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvqfekmWZB_1V4RdlIpwfvjsdfyIiEKh0gXT8LoDq_Ip5GxstXPZbsS3PTCrp6O3azaeExk5QyYkQV6Y08xp71GrRqZ-tKLFwAonjMLAlXatoYzUHLbHKlHw-HXxsg4Z4j_P67eZuKd-FK/s1600/homedecor_valentine4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvqfekmWZB_1V4RdlIpwfvjsdfyIiEKh0gXT8LoDq_Ip5GxstXPZbsS3PTCrp6O3azaeExk5QyYkQV6Y08xp71GrRqZ-tKLFwAonjMLAlXatoYzUHLbHKlHw-HXxsg4Z4j_P67eZuKd-FK/s400/homedecor_valentine4.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even the bathroom was decorated with a tissue box cover.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmPrjlwGVoN8hgS24kseWxi3srMxxplsd4r2DSHS8jSuYDLXhkTRjZ7G7PhwWhFlM7yJNnGTpP3xm8VyKeEGi6YTK7BlmAjXS0L4aRkMcEsf56hr3x2q9kL5gvbCxoF-PhR9p54ZoDHjDo/s1600/homedecor_valentine5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmPrjlwGVoN8hgS24kseWxi3srMxxplsd4r2DSHS8jSuYDLXhkTRjZ7G7PhwWhFlM7yJNnGTpP3xm8VyKeEGi6YTK7BlmAjXS0L4aRkMcEsf56hr3x2q9kL5gvbCxoF-PhR9p54ZoDHjDo/s400/homedecor_valentine5.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The table decorated with reversible placemats. I love the coordinating plaid.</td></tr>
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This is the end of the Seasonal Decorating series. In 2012 we plan to blog about all of the quilts we have made in the past or projects we are currently working on. The first of which should be the Valentine's Quilt with the Antique Valentines fabric and coordinating plaid.Jenn at Creative Traditionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09641659545813677717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2154835589308057139.post-77601223021810132802012-01-05T12:02:00.000-08:002012-01-05T12:04:11.008-08:00Garlic Mushroom Couscous Recipe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yI4EsIyXcAI/TwX9NJ2z6FI/AAAAAAAAATI/TROnR0t9PuA/s1600/120104_chickencouscous.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yI4EsIyXcAI/TwX9NJ2z6FI/AAAAAAAAATI/TROnR0t9PuA/s320/120104_chickencouscous.JPG" width="320"></a></div>
Continuing on with our <a href="http://creativetradition.blogspot.com/2012/01/healthier-traditions-in-2012.html" target="_blank">healthier traditions in 2012</a> I'm experimenting with new recipes and products. This is the second time I cooked couscous, the first being a winter salad for our annual Christmas party. The salad didn't make much of an impression on my guests but I had left over dry couscous and wanted something healthier then mashed potatoes (my personal weakness) so I tried a savory couscous last night. It turned out very nice with sauteed chicken breast, white wine gravy and <a href="http://creativetradition.blogspot.com/2011/02/simple-yet-sophisticated-fillet-mignon.html" target="_blank">roasted fancy carrots</a>.
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<b>Garlic Mushroom Couscous</b><br>
Makes about 2 cups.<br>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: #666666;">INGREDIENTS</span></span> <br>
1 Tbl. butter or olive oil<br>
1 Tbl. minced garlic<br>
2 medium shallots<br>
1/4 cup chives<br>
1/2 to 1 cup sliced mushrooms<br>
1 cup chicken broth, reduced sodium<br>
1 cup couscous
<a href="http://creativetradition.blogspot.com/2012/01/garlic-mushroom-couscous-recipe.html#more">Read more »</a>Jenn at Creative Traditionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09641659545813677717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2154835589308057139.post-41455610710780095342012-01-04T10:27:00.000-08:002012-01-04T10:27:35.590-08:00Healthier Traditions in 2012New Year's has never been a big deal to me so it didn't seem that important of a date to change my life over by making shallow resolutions. My birthday, especially big ones, are great days to make goals for myself. However, now that I'm married and we have combined goals it makes more sense to set goals at the beginning of the year. This is the first year we've decided to set goals. Last year, our first year of marriage, was spent celebrating, redecorating, and generally getting used to each other's schedules. Now its time to get our married life organized.<br />
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Our first goal is to live a healthier lifestyle with more activity and more home cooked meals. We're starting breakfast with some great products I've discovered recently. Both my husband and I don't really eat breakfast during the week, something I've learned isn't that healthy as you should be eating more than 200 calories for breakfast. My husband's solution was LeanPockets but I've convinced him to have fruit smoothie and english muffin. <br />
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We discovered <a href="http://www.oroweat.com/Our-Products/Misc/English-Muffins/Double-Fiber.aspx" target="_blank">Orrowheat's Double Fiber English Muffins</a> while visiting my in-laws. They are filling, give us the extra fiber, and taste a bit sweet because of the wheat just at 120 calories per muffin. A spray or two of<a href="http://www.tasteyoulove.com/Products/Spray.aspx" target="_blank"> I Can't Believe It's Not Butter! Spray</a> give it a perfect hint of butter with just 1 calorie per spray.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cuisinart Compact Blender</td></tr>
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A post-Christmas shopping trip to Bed Bath & Beyond led me to the <a href="http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=17588915&RN=2293&" target="_blank">Cuisinart SmartPower Compact Blender</a> with 4 16oz travel cups and lids, chopper, and blender bowl. At $70, it's more expensive then other compact blenders on the market (like $20 ones at Target) but it has larger travel cups, more of them, and a trusted brand name. If you get it at Bed Bath & Beyond you can use a 20% off coupon and there is a $20 mail-in rebate making it about $40!<br />
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The blender is perfectly matched with <a href="http://www.jambajuice.com/jamba-at-home/smoothie-kits" target="_blank">Jamba Juice Smoothie Kits</a> I found at Ralphs. For a 16oz smoothie at 120 calories, add 1 smoothie kit bag of frozen fruit and a cup of juice or milk in a travel cup and blend. It's that simple! If I can't finish the smoothie that morning, I save the travel cup in the fridge then add more frozen fruit to thicken it up the next morning. I also got a few <a href="http://yoplait.com/products/yoplait-smoothie-yogurt" target="_blank">Yoplait Smoothie mixes</a> but I haven't tried them yet. Next thing I'm going to look for are smoothie boosts like Jamba Juice has in their shops to add protein to the morning smoothie mix.<br />
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All together that makes about 245 calories for a healthy breakfast of fruit and fiber!Jenn at Creative Traditionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09641659545813677717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2154835589308057139.post-43598846665881323212011-12-26T17:47:00.000-08:002011-12-26T17:47:00.421-08:002011 Christmas CelebrationsOur Christmas Celebrations are always jam packed with activities, family and food! This year was no different.<br />
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<b>Christmas Eve Afternoon</b><br />
We spent the afternoon at my grandparent's for lunch and games. Grammy has the most beautiful china and always gets to set a lovely table. She also researches great games, puzzles, and trivia for us to play to bring back great childhood memories, learn more about the history of Christmas or just have fun. She served her famous Swedish Meatballs that take forever to cook and she hates them for months after serving them but they always are a huge hit with everyone! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-97BXvqcOUmw/TvkdCf9DkwI/AAAAAAAAASU/Tos-rKYx09o/s1600/2011_christmas_eve.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-97BXvqcOUmw/TvkdCf9DkwI/AAAAAAAAASU/Tos-rKYx09o/s400/2011_christmas_eve.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grammy's beautifully set table</td></tr>
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<b>Christmas Eve Night</b><br />
We spent the evening after church at my parent's house. We enjoyed playing BuzzWord and snacking on a wonderful Bass spread of Christmas jello, clam dip, chips and dip, cheese and crackers. After the game we opened our yearly <a href="http://creativetradition.blogspot.com/2011/12/christmas-eve-pajamas.html">Christmas Pajamas</a> and <a href="http://creativetradition.blogspot.com/2011/12/2011-christmas-ornaments.html">Ornaments</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T4ufSCq1ucE/Tvkdbulv_aI/AAAAAAAAASg/UJ7062NDVO8/s1600/2011_christmaseve_jello.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T4ufSCq1ucE/Tvkdbulv_aI/AAAAAAAAASg/UJ7062NDVO8/s400/2011_christmaseve_jello.JPG" width="383" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeanine's famous Christmas Jello</td></tr>
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<b>Christmas Day</b><br />
The morning each family spent at their individual homes unwrapping presents. The afternoon and evening were spent at my house for games and dinner.<br />
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Every Christmas Dinner I like to try a different recipe but always with lamb. This year was <a href="http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/classic_rack_of_lamb/" target="_blank">Herb Crusted Rack of Lamb</a> with a <a href="http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/353146" target="_blank">Cabernet sauce</a> served with Roasted Carrots, Mushrooms and Brussel Sprouts and Mashed Potatoes. My sister and I artistically plated each serving and provided extras family style for people to have seconds. After two years of rack of lamb its been decided we will try a different cut of lamb next year to spend less time getting to the meat ;) I still think two chops look the best and so elegant on a plate.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O0kxO92W6vw/Tvkd9f0iKaI/AAAAAAAAASs/X5L21jNSLUc/s1600/2011_christmas_dinner_table.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O0kxO92W6vw/Tvkd9f0iKaI/AAAAAAAAASs/X5L21jNSLUc/s400/2011_christmas_dinner_table.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Table set for Christmas Dinner</td></tr>
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For our wedding we received a large trifle bowl as a present but it cracked in shipment. I returned it and decided to get 12 individual trifle bowls from Pier 1 instead. I love them for entertaining. I wanted to make a family favorite, Raspberry Trifle, but my husband doesn't like fruit deserts. He wanted chocolate. So I ended up making half Raspberry and half Chocolate. Not only do the deserts look delicious, they are much easier to make then they look and with Sugar Free or Fat Free options can be a nice lighter desert.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dL5Han2FG1I/Tvkd__A8sTI/AAAAAAAAAS0/cJ7RpDFyfH8/s1600/2011_christmas_trifledessert.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dL5Han2FG1I/Tvkd__A8sTI/AAAAAAAAAS0/cJ7RpDFyfH8/s400/2011_christmas_trifledessert.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Raspberry Trifle and alternative Chocolate Trifle</td></tr>
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The best part of hosting a party is seeing all the empty plates and licked clean bowls of desert. We all enjoyed a round of Disney Apples to Apples, a Christmas present opened that morning, while moaning at how wonderful the meal and the entire day was.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clean bowls and fun games!</td></tr>
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<br />Jenn at Creative Traditionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09641659545813677717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2154835589308057139.post-15455919577712106982011-12-26T12:31:00.000-08:002011-12-26T17:39:08.532-08:002011 Christmas OrnamentsAnother tradition our family celebrates each Christmas Eve is opening our grandmother, Baba's, yearly ornaments. Each year she spends most of the holiday shopping seasons hunting for the perfect ornament to portray a special moment of the year or special significance.<br />
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This year's biggest hit was the Hallmark 2011 Peanuts Wireless musical boxes. They each have 2 songs that play and can link together wirelessly to compliment each other's songs. Check out the video to see how neat they are.<br />
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Baba confessed she held off wrapping them till the morning of Christmas eve because she was having too much fun playing with them herself! The family liked the 3 she gave to us (1 for my dad, 1 for my sister, and 1 for her boyfriend) but they might never be all in the same place again so Baba is going out after Christmas to buy sets for each household. <br />
<br />Jenn at Creative Traditionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09641659545813677717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2154835589308057139.post-29861191554508595912011-12-21T19:38:00.000-08:002011-12-21T19:43:30.594-08:00Christmas Eve PajamasOne of our biggest holiday traditions was started by my mother, Jeanine, in 1982. She made me my first Christmas Eve pajamas for my first Christmas. Since then she's been making the family PJs every Christmas. <br />
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At our family gathering Christmas Eve we open our Christmas
PJs. We always know we'll get them but we never know what kind of
flannel fabric mom picked out for all of us 4 kids and my dad. Usually
she tries to choose holiday themed fabric, like snowflakes, or something of interest to
us, like trains, butterflies, or camouflage. Children and adults get flannel PJ pants with matching shirts while babies get footed PJs.<br />
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As our family grew up, kids moved out, went to college, got married. and started their own families. In 2008, we were lucky enough to all be home for the holidays and took this Christmas Eve family portrait in our pajamas. This year mom started to add more PJs to her annual to-do list. This year she has made 10 for her husband, 4 children, 3 in-laws, and 2 grandchildren. <br />
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In 2009, I realized we all got Christmas Eve pajamas except my mother. She had worked so hard all those years making our pajamas but she never made one for herself. That didn't feel right to me so I started making her Christmas Eve pajamas. She preferred an old Simplicity nightgown pattern over the PJ pants (you can see the style in the family portrait). The first year I made her 2 Christmas themed nightgowns to make up for so many Christmas Eves that she went without. I spent a few hours this morning making her 2011 nightgown. My favorite part is embellishing it with lace, ruffles, ribbon and rick-rack. She doesn't usually go beyond the average for herself so I really like making her something super pretty for her Christmas Eve pajamas.Jenn at Creative Traditionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09641659545813677717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2154835589308057139.post-69009256566702258872011-12-11T11:40:00.001-08:002011-12-11T12:04:47.661-08:00Christmas Present Wrapping<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEk4ffaY8SisGBGdm_nN_UL_vV8R9Q7DB3a4zpO83XxJ6gTzx5Pwclw_6ElIO5QtUpwsQGwHh-y1wPP9HEPLMStaUjixcs2bCKdrklNtMG_MwXa5o1BfAKHxWANlCuxgcyigFzI9v_KIb0/s1600/present_gold.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEk4ffaY8SisGBGdm_nN_UL_vV8R9Q7DB3a4zpO83XxJ6gTzx5Pwclw_6ElIO5QtUpwsQGwHh-y1wPP9HEPLMStaUjixcs2bCKdrklNtMG_MwXa5o1BfAKHxWANlCuxgcyigFzI9v_KIb0/s320/present_gold.JPG" width="320" /></a>The Christmas season doesn't officially start for us until my little sister and I have our traditional Starbucks and Gift Wrap Wonderland adventure. Every year we visit Metro Point in South Coast Plaza, grab a coffee or cider and walk around Container Store picking out wrapping paper. <br />
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I decorate all generic gifts, that would go under our tree, with more classical paper accented with red, green and gold. I love Container Store's crinkled gold paper ribbon, it adds so much elegance to packages. I also use craft accent tags in Victorian designs. <br />
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Other gifts we wrap in person-specific paper. My little sister always gets to pick out her own, usually something pink and glittery. Then there is fun paper for my 5 nephews. This year I was super lucky to find the perfect Christmas Train wrapping paper for my Foamer dad at Container Store.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWPhEnAUjV4OLUNMFDG-DClUzhuZuoqLimg4TEs0TPnt3EgF6AQHFd_qID89jLhOBv2XoV3DQC-gm2btqOZFHczMIZBAMYWHtuCfI72k8U3zt9JRfEicaF38PkgdoJcWa1gpeeSYEPNuVR/s1600/present_trains.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWPhEnAUjV4OLUNMFDG-DClUzhuZuoqLimg4TEs0TPnt3EgF6AQHFd_qID89jLhOBv2XoV3DQC-gm2btqOZFHczMIZBAMYWHtuCfI72k8U3zt9JRfEicaF38PkgdoJcWa1gpeeSYEPNuVR/s400/present_trains.JPG" width="335" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cut items from expensive paper and<br /> use to decorate other packages.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2_NBbJBiH4L3orRMrJ2xscb8CJwr6SZxfvbtUNloMpcwuZLhnSPJddDg8JOYD1-25pZhK7WxeX7JjXob7wzk4QUm5gnEhorickYvOGJj3G1hvbQtqZcWXo_gay-QnQxEHYtCycRJlcWmo/s1600/present_penguins.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2_NBbJBiH4L3orRMrJ2xscb8CJwr6SZxfvbtUNloMpcwuZLhnSPJddDg8JOYD1-25pZhK7WxeX7JjXob7wzk4QUm5gnEhorickYvOGJj3G1hvbQtqZcWXo_gay-QnQxEHYtCycRJlcWmo/s400/present_penguins.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Use tulle, available in wedding craft aisle, as ribbon.<br />Tie a bow, then cut the loops and tails to make a snow ball.<br />Cut items from paper and attach to marking tag to make matching tags.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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It might be surprising but Ikea is another great place for wrapping
paper. I get their red and brown paper -- almost 9 yards for just $1!
The paper is really good for combo presents to complement the more
expensive paper. Also, the brown paper is perfect for making your own
sewing patterns.Jenn at Creative Traditionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09641659545813677717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2154835589308057139.post-34536110934313910732011-12-04T10:57:00.000-08:002011-12-11T11:30:59.157-08:00Seasonal Decorating: Christmas!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjISs82kRTna4QSk4Ilnw1R3F6sJf_5rXlxCR7A-w5Ps8dqNOs6XRE32WX6Ja4mJi9fS2LgtXxE0SGwmaH1BiM2YiIJGFKFOqTKEAFY8PQLbEXGChyphenhyphenDcEY2g65QpbTE3yIvtTWcGKG1FRyp/s1600/decor_xmas_tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjISs82kRTna4QSk4Ilnw1R3F6sJf_5rXlxCR7A-w5Ps8dqNOs6XRE32WX6Ja4mJi9fS2LgtXxE0SGwmaH1BiM2YiIJGFKFOqTKEAFY8PQLbEXGChyphenhyphenDcEY2g65QpbTE3yIvtTWcGKG1FRyp/s320/decor_xmas_tree.jpg" width="234" /></a>Christmas is my favorite holiday! I love the warm fuzzy feeling you get when its cold out, you're all bundled up, holding hands with your loved ones while you hunt for the perfect Christmas tree. Decorating the house as we grew up was so much fun; turning the house into a winter wonderland!<br />
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While this is the last post of our Seasonal Decorating blog series, the decorations were actually the first I made to celebrate our Christmas two months after I got married. I fell in love with Debbie Mum's 2010 Ornament fabric and used it as the basis for all our Christmas items.<br />
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As you've seen in our other Seasonal Decorations Love always plays a big role, so it had to be a big part of Christmas time too! Santa Claus has never been a big part of my family Christmas so choosing the Peace, Love, Joy theme was perfect for us. For Peace I used a dove icon, for Love a heart, and for Joy a star.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_alvHmYYWzfZPwkFyXMZJgI2b8oIZgT_UtWgvWTngz2Ek9kKYL_aNS5Fn0YJHYVGXcKn5cyO3SAeUNfJKPL8Guli3vLIQlRzgJfeZ2uybRS5WlDTPqJP-5arXxbJbyrnXbIjU9YmeVUnd/s1600/decor_xmas_mantle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_alvHmYYWzfZPwkFyXMZJgI2b8oIZgT_UtWgvWTngz2Ek9kKYL_aNS5Fn0YJHYVGXcKn5cyO3SAeUNfJKPL8Guli3vLIQlRzgJfeZ2uybRS5WlDTPqJP-5arXxbJbyrnXbIjU9YmeVUnd/s400/decor_xmas_mantle.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mantle decorated with fabric trees, candles and hanging stockings.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ_O7Om7sAynpIhyvMKhm5K6pzaNoOBt7Hxpl4Yb_ZsO9O7AXT7rJvOuKcYJvkjdCMqc-7Cdegz5CmqZMplswtuKYIjqDPLCrIgktnQFncXqjQhmra25jpBdbaIdZX67JryF2AWo6fCGAz/s1600/decor_xmas_ornament.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ_O7Om7sAynpIhyvMKhm5K6pzaNoOBt7Hxpl4Yb_ZsO9O7AXT7rJvOuKcYJvkjdCMqc-7Cdegz5CmqZMplswtuKYIjqDPLCrIgktnQFncXqjQhmra25jpBdbaIdZX67JryF2AWo6fCGAz/s400/decor_xmas_ornament.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of three handmade ornaments, the peace dove.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYNx2N9CkqiRJ4oQxqvEVuaPWoYSUYuD2KHq-98H-_7FFFTn5MZAOBTYnr6I-X-a20hqSWRA3xbTJFiXxKefy9W71exzCDdVkX3I-GPbPwp6ejqjoznaJyGE908D8oBDLrTHXbtMLk8MAB/s1600/decor_xmas_pillowsjpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYNx2N9CkqiRJ4oQxqvEVuaPWoYSUYuD2KHq-98H-_7FFFTn5MZAOBTYnr6I-X-a20hqSWRA3xbTJFiXxKefy9W71exzCDdVkX3I-GPbPwp6ejqjoznaJyGE908D8oBDLrTHXbtMLk8MAB/s400/decor_xmas_pillowsjpg.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas pillowcases with Peace, Love and Joy and Ornament fabric.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDc4nru5_PJa2w-6lZdW4ntyPZaVwx-3Yfgf1IZ2I-D41O9ZkSh2jAi6Nlc5Q2BznLPbtiSGDjmej3A8wVRMBPI_yCb3YDzv3Mr_Ut7zmizd8CMfhZsRERpiEMMhBd9bNMn49zF7j8cZZs/s1600/decor_xmas_lovejar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDc4nru5_PJa2w-6lZdW4ntyPZaVwx-3Yfgf1IZ2I-D41O9ZkSh2jAi6Nlc5Q2BznLPbtiSGDjmej3A8wVRMBPI_yCb3YDzv3Mr_Ut7zmizd8CMfhZsRERpiEMMhBd9bNMn49zF7j8cZZs/s400/decor_xmas_lovejar.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Love jars, pine cones, and cream and gold candles.</td></tr>
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<br />Jenn at Creative Traditionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09641659545813677717noreply@blogger.com0