tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86655873836566589622024-03-05T11:15:44.019-06:00Abra Leah Stamps......crochets, paints, sews, photographs, scraps, cooks, decorates, and blogs!Abra Leah Crosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02186055323985439945noreply@blogger.comBlogger463125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665587383656658962.post-22329100904900518452020-02-17T06:06:00.000-06:002020-02-18T06:20:00.899-06:00Just Because Card<br />
Today is <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B8q_mONJ1dK/" target="_blank">National Random Act of Kindness Day</a> - so I'm sending out some Happy Mail to random folks. I hope they enjoy them! Here is one of the cards I made using the fun <a href="https://www.lawnfawn.com/products/reveal-wheel" target="_blank">Reveal Wheel </a>interactive die by Lawn Fawn.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi9nNhjxrA3Pw6laLiaHiUCxT_LYgHM_kDftvi29eU-7nG06c8PDSfScY8bZ5GND4km1qu2OcKvOA8FgWS6J5GtwgBxZwJou1q3wP3McQGymbvFGHa0g7kCpILoPJp605BtsU-jjNUyNQ7/s1600/20200209_174138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1600" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi9nNhjxrA3Pw6laLiaHiUCxT_LYgHM_kDftvi29eU-7nG06c8PDSfScY8bZ5GND4km1qu2OcKvOA8FgWS6J5GtwgBxZwJou1q3wP3McQGymbvFGHa0g7kCpILoPJp605BtsU-jjNUyNQ7/s320/20200209_174138.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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As you can see in the animation below, you can spin the wheel to get a new phrase. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBWZg4CcbveEkG3s_5m51fGgqc9SPa6CT6lvWBXvP-zfUdGITohePYaEmgUWGISn3Q6rZcCe6GTW9UaWKjaA8wN8RTWuQYR1g6T34zaoYDS-Jtjo4eaftDu0w7Pl5X5jChAN_gCXnHSa_k/s1600/20200209_173942-ANIMATION+%25281%2529.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="793" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBWZg4CcbveEkG3s_5m51fGgqc9SPa6CT6lvWBXvP-zfUdGITohePYaEmgUWGISn3Q6rZcCe6GTW9UaWKjaA8wN8RTWuQYR1g6T34zaoYDS-Jtjo4eaftDu0w7Pl5X5jChAN_gCXnHSa_k/s320/20200209_173942-ANIMATION+%25281%2529.gif" width="247" /></a></div>
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The possibilities are endless with this fun die - and they have loads of <a href="https://www.lawnfawn.com/collections/reveal-wheel-collection" target="_blank">coordinating stamp sets and add-on die sets</a> to go with it. <br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 13.6px;"><strong>Card stock:</strong> Stampin' Up<br /><strong>Designer Paper:</strong> Simple Stories</span><span style="font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 13.6px;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Stamps: </span>Lawn Fawn<span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 13.6px;"><strong>Ink:</strong> Stampin' Up<br /><strong>Other:</strong> Reveal Wheel Die (Lawn Fawn)</span></span><br />
<br />Abra Leah Crosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02186055323985439945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665587383656658962.post-66322633692275497222020-02-08T14:02:00.001-06:002020-02-08T17:02:43.297-06:00Waterfall Cards<br />
Waterfall cards were all the rage in the early 2000s, and I haven't made one since 2007. (I might have worn myself out making 30 of them for <a href="http://abraleahstamps.blogspot.com/2007/08/another-waterfall-card.html" target="_blank">party invitations</a>!) Now that so many paper-crafting companies are developing interactive elements I thought it would be fun to make an interactive card that just requires cutting and scoring - no fancy dies needed! (If you would like more information about interactive elements, check out the amazing dies that <a href="https://www.lawnfawn.com/collections/interactive/interactive" target="_blank">Lawnfawn</a>, <a href="https://www.mftstamps.com/collections/die-namics/shaker-&-interactive" target="_blank">MFT</a>, and <a href="https://www.motion-crafts.com/" target="_blank">Motion Crafts</a> make.)<br />
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To make a Waterfall card you will need some basic cardmaking supplies:<br />
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<li>Cardstock (how many colors is up to you)</li>
<li>Patterned paper (or cardstock)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<li>Stamps or printed images</li>
<li>Inking/coloring supplies</li>
<li>Paper trimmer with both cutting and scoring blades</li>
<li>Eyelets and setting tool</li>
<li>Adhesives</li>
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To make a standard 4.25" x 5.5" card you will need to cut paper in the following measurements...</div>
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<li>A - card base 4.25" x 11" (fold in half)</li>
<li>B - patterned paper 4" x 5.25"</li>
<li>C - horizontal strip 4" x 1"</li>
<li>D - moving element strip 2" x 9"</li>
<li>E - spotlight bases (4) 2" x 2"</li>
<li>F - image bases (4) 1.875" x 1.875"</li>
<li>G - pull tab (optional)</li>
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To assemble the card, follow these steps... </div>
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<ol>
<li>Stamp, draw, or color your images on the image bases (4)</li>
<li>Adhere each image base to a spotlight base</li>
<li>Using a hole punching tool or eyelet kit (I use my <a href="https://www.wermemorykeepers.com/product/cad-eyeletsnap-punch/" target="_blank">Crop-o-dile</a> to punch the holes and set the eyelets with one tool), attach the horizontal strip to the patterned paper with eyelets. If you don't have an eyelet tool you can use adhesive. However, do NOT use adhesive in the middle section of the horizontal strip. It has to stay open for the moving element to work.</li>
<li>Adhere the patterned paper to the front side of the card base</li>
<li>Using a scoring tool or your paper trimmer with scoring blade, score the moving element along the following measurements starting at the end of the strip: 2", 2.75", 3.5", and 4.25"</li>
<li>Attach the moving element strip to the horizontal strip as seen below. You will slide the long (unscored) end of the moving element under the horizontal tab - be sure to center it. Adhere the scored end of the moving element to the horizontal tab. I use a strong adhesive for this part rather than my usual tape runner because it needs to be thoroughly adhered since it will be a moving element. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuEn7WC1ELSbEOt_pHclaOaLEisRwyrvyj79w9domwvRVQ51HjtGomWqlEH3rQB3mfjD3S6zEmQ5mMrado90X9iZCHS4ELdffVF-KfXJZtFRsEUr1RUMhUIios-yZRVdAtQSE_Nc1P2g60/s1600/20200208_132659.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="574" data-original-width="1600" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuEn7WC1ELSbEOt_pHclaOaLEisRwyrvyj79w9domwvRVQ51HjtGomWqlEH3rQB3mfjD3S6zEmQ5mMrado90X9iZCHS4ELdffVF-KfXJZtFRsEUr1RUMhUIios-yZRVdAtQSE_Nc1P2g60/s400/20200208_132659.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<li>Attach your first spotlight image to the bottom 2" x 2" square at the end of the moving element strip.</li>
<li>Push the moving element up and you then attach the next spotlight image to the .5" scored area. Be sure to put adhesive on the moving element strip and not on your spotlight image so that you don't risk accidentally gluing the spotlight images together!</li>
<li>Adhere the remaining spotlight images on the scored areas of the moving element strip. </li>
<li>I used a pull tab punch at the end of my moving element strip, but you could use ribbon, a coordinating color cardstock, or just leave it plain. </li>
<li>Once all the images are attached, pull gently on the long end of the moving element strip and you will see the images flip behind each other.</li>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyTkITE80MLi0HEUw551VswtkjuNmHtuY9OgCMsCz6HiJ-tFOw0QWxoGEsuVM19rNouZUZ1-qzu5DJxaLQesg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
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That's it! A super cute, adorably interactive card that can be adapted for any occasion. Have fun!</div>
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Abra Leah Crosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02186055323985439945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665587383656658962.post-24792232916439131722020-02-08T13:56:00.003-06:002020-02-08T14:14:36.703-06:00Minutes to Memories<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444;">"My family and friends are the best thing I've known</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">Through the eye of the needle I'll carry them home</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">Days turn to minutes</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">And minutes to memories</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">Life sweeps away the dreams</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">That we have planned</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">You are you and you are the future</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">So suck it up and tough it out</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">And be the best you can"</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">~John Mellencamp</span></div>
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It might have been a minute or two since I last updated this blog. Life, work, family.... It's been busy. But, lately I've been working on crafting again as my own little form of therapy and I figured I might as well share here, too.<br />
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I can't promise I'll update as much as I used to back when the kids were little and life was easier (someone go back in time and tell me to savor those moments!!), but I'll definitely try.<br />
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Most of my craft projects are on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/whatnotandwhimsy/?hl=en" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, but I can post a little bit more information here when needed.<br />
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<br />Abra Leah Crosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02186055323985439945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665587383656658962.post-34075410993426365662012-05-12T08:34:00.000-05:002019-12-31T08:36:23.493-06:00ChompCheck out the face on this guy. Truly a face only a mother (or my daughter) could love!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCVS_b-3JUJoePGGt1sNKVkgeEZkUtd0UUGpopTppkK2OkqkEciwXXkTFDAFdis2RDDuZrqWXGngwWhoDJAp_H8weH2dznsG-qBjsriJiz43CvH09cu6kNK2W6jAW7HQHmYP4TzLmJZ4xe/s1600/DSC_0036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCVS_b-3JUJoePGGt1sNKVkgeEZkUtd0UUGpopTppkK2OkqkEciwXXkTFDAFdis2RDDuZrqWXGngwWhoDJAp_H8weH2dznsG-qBjsriJiz43CvH09cu6kNK2W6jAW7HQHmYP4TzLmJZ4xe/s400/DSC_0036.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I have so many creatures living on my kitchen island, it's a bit scary. Not to mention a bit insane that I'm helping my daughter raise the very critters that eat my tomatoes and peppers. All for the sake of science!</div>
<br />Abra Leah Crosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02186055323985439945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665587383656658962.post-28107266080820921652012-05-08T22:06:00.000-05:002012-05-08T22:06:01.629-05:00Conkerr Cancer PillowcaseMy friend, Amy, and I have been teaching a sewing class for the elementary-aged kids at church over the past three weeks. This week they will finish making their very own pillowcases and also have the opportunity to make a second case to donate to the <a href="http://conkerrcancer.org/home/" target="_blank">Conkerr Cancer Pillowcase Program</a> at a local hospital. I made a pillowcase today to donate to a student of mine who is in the hospital with cancer. It was really easy to make using the "roll-up" method. Here's how it's done.<br />
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Pre-step - wash all fabric before cutting/sewing<br />
Step 1 - Cut main fabric to 41" x 27" and iron<br />
Step 2 - Cut accent (cuff) fabric to 41" x 10" and iron<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk2mldIu1wzGaVPgteI6aAMdNBE20ZjAWMmMGI_tEBcldoj6TN-dkWpJdLZKoxXhJgu5NlxV1-ldTqJR07Uw39EbuI0GKzoOvzsS7985DbAU5LY-GFbcDtVusKSX6eozzUBzybiL6BYQs4/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk2mldIu1wzGaVPgteI6aAMdNBE20ZjAWMmMGI_tEBcldoj6TN-dkWpJdLZKoxXhJgu5NlxV1-ldTqJR07Uw39EbuI0GKzoOvzsS7985DbAU5LY-GFbcDtVusKSX6eozzUBzybiL6BYQs4/s320/DSC_0001.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Step 3 - Lay accent piece right side up on work surface</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX1sq6ajBGBI5ySvNpTxU6OuHe3cHbwGPZJfoA-IlWxVUzczYYuGQEiwlRxWrztcodOdLIdDfQoF27WR1UhZkd-YmA2Vxz7CyWfUICHo7jT6u9Cw_3noqtnel8SSlOsQ_Q62CQHLcmo-dA/s1600/DSC_0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX1sq6ajBGBI5ySvNpTxU6OuHe3cHbwGPZJfoA-IlWxVUzczYYuGQEiwlRxWrztcodOdLIdDfQoF27WR1UhZkd-YmA2Vxz7CyWfUICHo7jT6u9Cw_3noqtnel8SSlOsQ_Q62CQHLcmo-dA/s320/DSC_0003.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Step 4 - lay main piece wrong side up on top of accent piece</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsW-v1VmpmlXIxqTbqlO4Eev3PI5wHHKlmgnrW7Y3k2ZOnsf_l-wVo7Q1bePKyH0-63gCLkMfDwM89rqP3Kb42So3UtlfoS_UKMOa-2eWjzoGTglCzgCHcZuYBXoEuPLuBVEOV-VXQdF4v/s1600/DSC_0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsW-v1VmpmlXIxqTbqlO4Eev3PI5wHHKlmgnrW7Y3k2ZOnsf_l-wVo7Q1bePKyH0-63gCLkMfDwM89rqP3Kb42So3UtlfoS_UKMOa-2eWjzoGTglCzgCHcZuYBXoEuPLuBVEOV-VXQdF4v/s320/DSC_0004.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Step 5 - roll main fabric up from the bottom towards the top</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQGMIaMEqCZgKtt-ieJsT19tsR3xQp3_QOKXZqzMhotFE2uI0GPCtSlyq0SpBfuaPcY66ZyBL-1KGFSQ5f9ohHKt8fC-TTrXsVVc3o39M63ItWZvEcIzj0khN0tkdGHpqGjH66MdUhGUeS/s1600/DSC_0005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQGMIaMEqCZgKtt-ieJsT19tsR3xQp3_QOKXZqzMhotFE2uI0GPCtSlyq0SpBfuaPcY66ZyBL-1KGFSQ5f9ohHKt8fC-TTrXsVVc3o39M63ItWZvEcIzj0khN0tkdGHpqGjH66MdUhGUeS/s320/DSC_0005.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Step 6 - bring accent fabric up and over rolled up main fabric</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrY3OYkbWffljdOL9D-6kFYJUSm7Z_OYTQIxHMKNG70i0qoJDzVq6peZ1EhwGecY-uH3g2z1buvY7JDCabOHo9bMTKEUCDC_r3CUnHKe2bzKPDWGUgJWPt2LCaa7lY3u19JYLCm1Ru5ZvZ/s1600/DSC_0007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrY3OYkbWffljdOL9D-6kFYJUSm7Z_OYTQIxHMKNG70i0qoJDzVq6peZ1EhwGecY-uH3g2z1buvY7JDCabOHo9bMTKEUCDC_r3CUnHKe2bzKPDWGUgJWPt2LCaa7lY3u19JYLCm1Ru5ZvZ/s320/DSC_0007.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Step 7 - pin the heck out of it</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgATyZJYY24jQD8vM9kiaMFb4wVO1T0QI2wWZXtv3lRtcyw1vRiYkO1LGrM8uHlAQkRmwr-ZcF3eaDwYQS7SQDUsrVHtrWLqtN8ea_NQlaynDpyIr7eQ3PqH1_bQfkB2b5dpP0yjdvA19HU/s1600/DSC_0008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgATyZJYY24jQD8vM9kiaMFb4wVO1T0QI2wWZXtv3lRtcyw1vRiYkO1LGrM8uHlAQkRmwr-ZcF3eaDwYQS7SQDUsrVHtrWLqtN8ea_NQlaynDpyIr7eQ3PqH1_bQfkB2b5dpP0yjdvA19HU/s320/DSC_0008.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Step 7.5 - admire your handiwork</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2u15Vsmki42DNAjYOFRsfAL4HZZHtaTxkI47R24EDOAoZWj7cDvqLFghwx-7JXRV1dYYL2XBi8dpe8cNYd-3vmQrfQaj6fRity-BvJSNwvdCyYF583u5MAeBOAa2Pbcv7PIzp3WoAPN14/s1600/DSC_0009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2u15Vsmki42DNAjYOFRsfAL4HZZHtaTxkI47R24EDOAoZWj7cDvqLFghwx-7JXRV1dYYL2XBi8dpe8cNYd-3vmQrfQaj6fRity-BvJSNwvdCyYF583u5MAeBOAa2Pbcv7PIzp3WoAPN14/s320/DSC_0009.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Step 8 - sew a straight stitch along length</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaARVXX8R8mY0sLmuPBBH5IzGFC9SNHLoCaEoJ6JKMT_RJst_xYHKNS9izfek8FOeX6aAOHImCTx2h7UnCoQYESUV9E9PRAIDl8JrzCaSjGqlFzbIJSbaNORVDwSqzivcYZTbH7prM3RNE/s1600/DSC_0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaARVXX8R8mY0sLmuPBBH5IzGFC9SNHLoCaEoJ6JKMT_RJst_xYHKNS9izfek8FOeX6aAOHImCTx2h7UnCoQYESUV9E9PRAIDl8JrzCaSjGqlFzbIJSbaNORVDwSqzivcYZTbH7prM3RNE/s320/DSC_0010.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Step 8.5 - admire your handiwork</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLrfmezEEMAg1H1-YWIth7iWkaUwLpLk45gCzpPTeWfC30teMjNGuoCqspBHoCRiGCqjSTKrswZ6mOfFYdgzyk0nyD3JeuxQ-a3GGzAm7rzkEdDtD-x7finaa3NxoVIY07vPI-wC1koKTI/s1600/DSC_0011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLrfmezEEMAg1H1-YWIth7iWkaUwLpLk45gCzpPTeWfC30teMjNGuoCqspBHoCRiGCqjSTKrswZ6mOfFYdgzyk0nyD3JeuxQ-a3GGzAm7rzkEdDtD-x7finaa3NxoVIY07vPI-wC1koKTI/s320/DSC_0011.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Step 9 - start to pull main fabric out of its roll</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhftOZQd68tYuBnOTlbUGo5QqiGVzqV_1ui486zAh7ECX6ufMfplBFMYSFT2vmeWkNzyu7dNcJlU0xJ_qWNsQHuPD7Z4n_xYWKY19N_IMrnClgLV_Z-KVfEiPE5KjBDxLp2nJl3SGoy2Bcy/s1600/DSC_0013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhftOZQd68tYuBnOTlbUGo5QqiGVzqV_1ui486zAh7ECX6ufMfplBFMYSFT2vmeWkNzyu7dNcJlU0xJ_qWNsQHuPD7Z4n_xYWKY19N_IMrnClgLV_Z-KVfEiPE5KjBDxLp2nJl3SGoy2Bcy/s320/DSC_0013.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Step 9.5 - keep pulling</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhD6O0yIm1k-HBMbj-AP3PmzZRU9PCSWdzZ2JT7gokImsvnUGY-RWxUiJJPMIiNuLbKd0qP5wj9gksi4y1EMkw-oUZm9cPYtGZVnMqLodOR_o6m8NfN16d4Sx6zug2y3DDJnhfq9LIA9hK/s1600/DSC_0015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhD6O0yIm1k-HBMbj-AP3PmzZRU9PCSWdzZ2JT7gokImsvnUGY-RWxUiJJPMIiNuLbKd0qP5wj9gksi4y1EMkw-oUZm9cPYtGZVnMqLodOR_o6m8NfN16d4Sx6zug2y3DDJnhfq9LIA9hK/s320/DSC_0015.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Done with the cuff - note how all the raw edges are hidden</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs9-ah-QeHjJ1Zof3pAEkKB9pZ070uJlHbhFg3At0GpJi_oI5uA0cR84gWbPCzB-ryFb5EjiUicvFLwvwVT8tyzQme3Ok7v2EsbvS9X0CLqcxgBWJXJWgeHhvmbeWbCdScXyji4MNs2RME/s1600/DSC_0016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs9-ah-QeHjJ1Zof3pAEkKB9pZ070uJlHbhFg3At0GpJi_oI5uA0cR84gWbPCzB-ryFb5EjiUicvFLwvwVT8tyzQme3Ok7v2EsbvS9X0CLqcxgBWJXJWgeHhvmbeWbCdScXyji4MNs2RME/s400/DSC_0016.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I finished off the case with French seams on the side and bottom to keep all the raw edges enclosed. (Here is a great tutorial on how to do a French seem by <a href="http://www.coletterie.com/tutorials-tips-tricks/tutorial-how-to-create-a-french-seam" target="_blank">Coletterie</a>.) But, you can can simply sew the right sides together and serge, zigzag stitch, or trim/press the edges. From start to finish it took me less than an hour, and that was with lots of extra ironing and sewing for the French seams. <br />
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I can't wait for the kids to finish their pillowcases!Abra Leah Crosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02186055323985439945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665587383656658962.post-83447059819362863162012-05-06T21:06:00.000-05:002012-05-08T22:30:34.269-05:00RDS Recital 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Today was our 3rd <a href="http://www.robinsdancestudio.com/home.html" target="_blank">Robin's Dance Studio</a> recital (Chloe's 6th recital and Bradley's 3rd). I had to do the mother/son dance with Bradley since I kinda sorta forced Mike to dance with Chloe last year. Not too much foresight there, huh? But, the kids all did great and much fun was had by all. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIn05lW17m44U0cidMw1BYCyN1fUslhwtSKUzgsG3ForV9oh5GjRJqIGuuQQz_B3S9uItrLlUgmywmz6awsQ7AjOm-vXlXT003H49p2NWW0E4Vwv97depXeko6BKYiibgZQ-vCxn3KiIGI/s1600/DSC_0384c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIn05lW17m44U0cidMw1BYCyN1fUslhwtSKUzgsG3ForV9oh5GjRJqIGuuQQz_B3S9uItrLlUgmywmz6awsQ7AjOm-vXlXT003H49p2NWW0E4Vwv97depXeko6BKYiibgZQ-vCxn3KiIGI/s320/DSC_0384c.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From L-R: Bradley, Chloe, Me, Alexis, Erin, Alyssa, Meghan, McKenna, Kim</td></tr>
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<br /></div>Abra Leah Crosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02186055323985439945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665587383656658962.post-54301385915703776582012-04-06T17:37:00.000-05:002012-05-08T22:38:26.210-05:00Bluebonnets 2012<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This year we brought the Cousins along for our annual Texas Bluebonnet pictures. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXVDYPJCOzFpsnLXbVcg12pZnu2xLwsUKYC9-Ki0FmMydJ3zSSeA8rPOV8mhBWsIIeaxZUlIMNLdgz_pZ0IN0ky84u6VRJFl6Ug9FBjmakoxTZ9I8gRMRFfSn3wtNObiRO9zDjovrWt0bY/s1600/DSC_0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXVDYPJCOzFpsnLXbVcg12pZnu2xLwsUKYC9-Ki0FmMydJ3zSSeA8rPOV8mhBWsIIeaxZUlIMNLdgz_pZ0IN0ky84u6VRJFl6Ug9FBjmakoxTZ9I8gRMRFfSn3wtNObiRO9zDjovrWt0bY/s400/DSC_0003.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chloe (7), Bradley (6)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5FpsPx3Sr4EQH6G__8yPpsNeNpnbdRk18nNLvrudyGq8XIrtKYMNvvnf-J1MMzRDbMaPLTfTHPXfAjm5VBR5bS2oQJIw1KPpRMTJi25mISEowrPviNJrKRw_fANvADROk6TY6Iw8vXBEl/s1600/DSC_0063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5FpsPx3Sr4EQH6G__8yPpsNeNpnbdRk18nNLvrudyGq8XIrtKYMNvvnf-J1MMzRDbMaPLTfTHPXfAjm5VBR5bS2oQJIw1KPpRMTJi25mISEowrPviNJrKRw_fANvADROk6TY6Iw8vXBEl/s400/DSC_0063.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alexis (13), Alec (9), Bradley, Chloe, Alyssa (4)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEnhlDkzpb3-deiNDURdy5TJOo7lDOb6trMCAt369aJ7XMONKqPUSxjQpvYtYrqSrp3d2UJzbCgpUzRM5ng0UKsjluGEW9f8IN5cWwnSk_sXC2_Lr-8kykvdREfzgfRGA2eCgbYqrEcGcj/s1600/DSC_0156b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEnhlDkzpb3-deiNDURdy5TJOo7lDOb6trMCAt369aJ7XMONKqPUSxjQpvYtYrqSrp3d2UJzbCgpUzRM5ng0UKsjluGEW9f8IN5cWwnSk_sXC2_Lr-8kykvdREfzgfRGA2eCgbYqrEcGcj/s400/DSC_0156b.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and my sister (both 29, of course)</td></tr>
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<br /></div>Abra Leah Crosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02186055323985439945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665587383656658962.post-29539397542726052432012-03-31T13:29:00.000-05:002012-05-08T22:30:18.995-05:00No more curls<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Bradley has always had long, curly hair and he's always been proud of it. But, lately some rotten boys at school have been teasing him, so he has been begging me for a hair cut. Today, I finally gave in and only cried a tiny bit as he got his first real haircut. He is an absolute doll, but it's going to take me a while to get used to his new look.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3xBZuUz-YmSH1r9FM0gr3MvfAoSs_BnTqDINg__pT6NOInhf_qyAOktKL77zEUIRWm07Fiv9VfIdrQ_SHoK_MaQZXDPBLH2-m7x5vh9ZAapOqqfGS8br4mTBoA9BuCrFAbocXheKEJwN0/s1600/DSC_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3xBZuUz-YmSH1r9FM0gr3MvfAoSs_BnTqDINg__pT6NOInhf_qyAOktKL77zEUIRWm07Fiv9VfIdrQ_SHoK_MaQZXDPBLH2-m7x5vh9ZAapOqqfGS8br4mTBoA9BuCrFAbocXheKEJwN0/s400/DSC_0002.JPG" width="265" /></a></div>
<br />Abra Leah Crosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02186055323985439945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665587383656658962.post-4033784663618491322012-03-18T16:23:00.000-05:002012-05-08T22:23:39.641-05:00Meet RosieTurns out Rocky was lonely. So, at <a href="http://www.repticon.com/" target="_blank">Repticon</a> (really) Chloe chose a little friend for him - Rosie. She was born in October and is a Tequila corn snake. Let's just hope they remain a family of only two.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX8WJPIqfOtJMX9Vid6Mxri5qDXFOrKv3FUsQAbGjniABwVMetVuX75NuLLGP3eVQ34fHkjnbCx7lmj66R8XCFdmzJW1z1_APc6mx0ShpFgyvCG14Hz-WDeO9ESltPML7Ln30m-ZdFpDGz/s1600/DSC_0026b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX8WJPIqfOtJMX9Vid6Mxri5qDXFOrKv3FUsQAbGjniABwVMetVuX75NuLLGP3eVQ34fHkjnbCx7lmj66R8XCFdmzJW1z1_APc6mx0ShpFgyvCG14Hz-WDeO9ESltPML7Ln30m-ZdFpDGz/s320/DSC_0026b.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />Abra Leah Crosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02186055323985439945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665587383656658962.post-91951023304814572902012-02-08T22:12:00.000-06:002012-05-08T22:15:50.019-05:00Meet RockyWe are now the proud owners of a new pet - Rocky, the baby corn snake. He will get to be about 5 feet long, live for 20 years, and eat mice. He will live in my daughter's room and she could not be happier. Anyone want to come over and play?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIKqsHFw6LjsVZ4PHjswObeBhHRhpcXrtLf9_u-vja_OQ7a_Q5KL4LPH_8Bki-T5TcpUygIyXQGEH8PWgHKh2_Rb82J0LSpcFz9wOJfHjRuSwHj2DGcz-phtk7182H0oG-vJZEOTFLWmCu/s1600/Chloe's+baby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIKqsHFw6LjsVZ4PHjswObeBhHRhpcXrtLf9_u-vja_OQ7a_Q5KL4LPH_8Bki-T5TcpUygIyXQGEH8PWgHKh2_Rb82J0LSpcFz9wOJfHjRuSwHj2DGcz-phtk7182H0oG-vJZEOTFLWmCu/s320/Chloe's+baby.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />Abra Leah Crosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02186055323985439945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665587383656658962.post-81622080959098216372012-02-07T16:22:00.001-06:002012-02-07T16:24:27.978-06:00Cookies!<div>Here's Chloe with her cookies all ready for delivery Still need to order? Give us a call! :)</div><div><br /></div><div>Huge thanks to everyone who ordered! We'll see you soon! </div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMukoikMb_5zlZlcs8vc9fCJTM8dr_un4op64ICFU8DrBZctk5f3AiBMpL9WHbSCw7YrEAnWmlUfaoD8e55dx-MWFvVYKIBG77d9_QJPWnVpYtx8h5TyN8CYnCLo5oGJlVEh43qWFbWvyA/s1600/286+boxes.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMukoikMb_5zlZlcs8vc9fCJTM8dr_un4op64ICFU8DrBZctk5f3AiBMpL9WHbSCw7YrEAnWmlUfaoD8e55dx-MWFvVYKIBG77d9_QJPWnVpYtx8h5TyN8CYnCLo5oGJlVEh43qWFbWvyA/s400/286+boxes.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706522783069591618" /></a>Abra Leah Crosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02186055323985439945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665587383656658962.post-263552277938420432012-01-22T14:15:00.001-06:002012-02-07T16:22:30.387-06:00DIY SpeederJust Bradley racing through Endor after Storm Troopers on his homemade speeder. Jam their comlink. Center switch!<div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMF1OzSOGMbT8WL8kHwl3iBG1oqp1KuYS49T04mUudhPqLy96uciygLnqGwysZl6K1JbJHNoqRY4JPeWYPWsOszMOY15c2uwyZR_ID_Ch37J1GkJdGyAXrLJRGLztUQAkqcOr1sTmAuJ_L/s1600/DSC_0003.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMF1OzSOGMbT8WL8kHwl3iBG1oqp1KuYS49T04mUudhPqLy96uciygLnqGwysZl6K1JbJHNoqRY4JPeWYPWsOszMOY15c2uwyZR_ID_Ch37J1GkJdGyAXrLJRGLztUQAkqcOr1sTmAuJ_L/s400/DSC_0003.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706521151737948194" /></a><div><br /></div>Abra Leah Crosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02186055323985439945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665587383656658962.post-60682230293876904612012-01-18T22:07:00.001-06:002012-01-19T22:25:22.081-06:00What's That Smell?A couple of weeks ago I grabbed a t-shirt from my closet and when I put it on I actually gasped and said out loud, "Good God, what is that smell?" I quickly realized it was me and I had a moment of panic, but then realized it wasn't really me - it was just the t-shirt. I jumped right back to freaking out, though, because seriously why did my t-shirt freaking smell like funk? Yucky footy dirty feetsy funk. Because I am pretty bright I deduced that my t-shirt had the horrific aroma of Man Foot because it had been hanging right next to the shelf upon which my husband puts his shoes. Stank. Contagious stank. {seriously, UGH} <div><br /></div><div>After I overreacted and washed all my clothes within a few yards of his shoes, I set to the task of dealing with the source of the problem. Boys are so gross, but I can't do anything about that. Which left the shoes. Now, I know Man Foot is nasty, so I've bought all those fancy inserts and gels and such for my husband's shoes. He's gellin' but he's still smellin'. </div><div><br /></div><div>I tried bacteria-eating, odor-fighting powder, but my husband didn't exactly like the poofs of smoke when he walked (or the fact that all his socks had a cloudy tint to them). I tried good ol' baking soda, but same issues with the powder. Then, when I was doing laundry (where I spend a lot of time now that it is so darn cute in my laundry room) I got an idea - I stuck fabric softener sheets in each of his shoes. </div><div><br /></div><div>Guess what? It totally worked!! He just takes them out in the morning and sticks them back in at the end of the day. His shoes no longer stink, which has stopped my clothes from stinking, which has stopped me from stinking. And that, my friends, is sweet.<br /><br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZk7YrWAsxJljjhGb3WRAfFh30WsmOK1hrItNOgrqGn0T4vMWisfTSuc9Er79ggkveS9LYSUP2MNj7nxe8XPBNzxd0Eo4PayE_Br77YXgs1KdD8-oD8GtogH6h5BagbLWesqJwU4Sg13WG/s1600/DSC_0002.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZk7YrWAsxJljjhGb3WRAfFh30WsmOK1hrItNOgrqGn0T4vMWisfTSuc9Er79ggkveS9LYSUP2MNj7nxe8XPBNzxd0Eo4PayE_Br77YXgs1KdD8-oD8GtogH6h5BagbLWesqJwU4Sg13WG/s320/DSC_0002.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699564754026248994" /></a><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Abra Leah Crosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02186055323985439945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665587383656658962.post-68084681197765919692012-01-16T20:45:00.006-06:002012-01-19T22:08:28.607-06:00Lights OutAbout five minutes into our Girl Scout meeting tonight the power suddenly went out (the weather wasn't bad or anything) and not a single one of the 16 girls there panicked or screamed or squeeled! (These are 1st and 2nd graders (Daisies and Brownies), y'all.)<br /><br />I turned on the flashlight on my phone, and asked them if we had any flashlights in our Camp Kit. One girl excitedly told us that we did, because she had brought them. So, my co-leader went to get them. I told the girls not to worry and one little voice said, "It's okay - I have my buddy." I scanned my flashlight phone around the room and each girl had the hand of a girl next to her. And no one was scared. They didn't get all silly or goofy, and they were ready to continue their meeting.<br /><br />My co-leader got a bunch of candles lit and for the majority of the rest of our 1.5 hour long meeting, our crazy cool girls met all of their objectives for the evening by candlelight and flashlight.<div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNoxhU2TRwtuORA8UsEaaOPnKjKWyzFCHDibCgldUTmO7q57SPZp6ULerLFfhLCSIjQFMkcpjYmvsAR-lr3PTjkAhKCmG_C81egotbKLk8MM5aubD6lOHZJl2xfoHqTIOpujRO2YEEoSOl/s1600/DSC_0006.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNoxhU2TRwtuORA8UsEaaOPnKjKWyzFCHDibCgldUTmO7q57SPZp6ULerLFfhLCSIjQFMkcpjYmvsAR-lr3PTjkAhKCmG_C81egotbKLk8MM5aubD6lOHZJl2xfoHqTIOpujRO2YEEoSOl/s400/DSC_0006.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699300271190067298" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>They worked, sang, ate snack, cleaned up, and took care of business in the dark. Because Girl Scouts, even little ones, can totally do anything.</div>Abra Leah Crosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02186055323985439945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665587383656658962.post-12269515545162214132012-01-09T16:30:00.000-06:002012-01-16T21:00:20.228-06:00Tech FamilyI came home from the gym today to find my family lounging about...<div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOP2vP_v0lGtsz8OHuqBW5t9EhKUlNzyDj4xdS5PwfdOfHl33TzbCEzyCGJZIx4w5uN6ZmRFwuxt9vkg3vkW37VxlN9Vf8_zMN5zwOEPFUf2yolBgSwfRVZPhOaB4fDimnEqikLSZufOY_/s1600/DSC_0003b.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOP2vP_v0lGtsz8OHuqBW5t9EhKUlNzyDj4xdS5PwfdOfHl33TzbCEzyCGJZIx4w5uN6ZmRFwuxt9vkg3vkW37VxlN9Vf8_zMN5zwOEPFUf2yolBgSwfRVZPhOaB4fDimnEqikLSZufOY_/s320/DSC_0003b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698430073534648018" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSDqJQaW97L3a_fyyg97AU6ZxpmQtexIOPyB0zqnnjxzLXsgZUPTVZWHEddm2WqkUoMc4tH2_EHyIVtX-SUIewX8MsS1XvdfKQFz-tdq3zz9_k944cMofZir4OOZXvDfPRyrq8xRP26J7j/s1600/DSC_0001b.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSDqJQaW97L3a_fyyg97AU6ZxpmQtexIOPyB0zqnnjxzLXsgZUPTVZWHEddm2WqkUoMc4tH2_EHyIVtX-SUIewX8MsS1XvdfKQFz-tdq3zz9_k944cMofZir4OOZXvDfPRyrq8xRP26J7j/s320/DSC_0001b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698430007459415234" /></a><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Glued to their technology. </div>Abra Leah Crosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02186055323985439945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665587383656658962.post-67370316579071075562012-01-08T20:26:00.010-06:002012-01-08T21:14:16.423-06:00Removing Glitter Nail PolishThe holidays are over, and I think it's time to move on from my ultra glitter nail polish! Have you tried <a href="http://www.sallyhansen.com/products/nails/nail-color/gem-crush-nail-color">Sally Hansen's Gem Crush polish</a>? Talk about bling! It's great because the glitter doesn't just float around and clump up like most glitter polishes - it's full coverage with micro glitter and larger glitter chunks. (Costs around $7-$8 at the drug store, but I found it on sale with a $2.5o off coupon at my local grocery store before Christmas.)<div><br />I did mine in the red Cha-Ching for Christmas and then did the Lady Luck for New Years. But, it was starting to chip and flake, so it had to go.</div><div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCoc4Ve2KuyWbAiNhc_AVkSUaMD3m65XohqYccRyXPf9A8UB96wBBeShAQRyjKFLDSw88y0Jh9cnJilGLxyTWMrdqWGKvZ2S0281txZe_QJyVKfGxjkHT5Nw1J3wneQrkvpOqFPccKSKUs/s1600/DSC_0005.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCoc4Ve2KuyWbAiNhc_AVkSUaMD3m65XohqYccRyXPf9A8UB96wBBeShAQRyjKFLDSw88y0Jh9cnJilGLxyTWMrdqWGKvZ2S0281txZe_QJyVKfGxjkHT5Nw1J3wneQrkvpOqFPccKSKUs/s320/DSC_0005.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695457880567024658" /></a><div><br /></div><div>Now, if you've ever used glitter nail polish (and if you haven't, do you want me to do your nails?) you know that getting it off can be a massive pain. Usually you have to scrub and scrub until you are sore! But, here's the easy way to manage it...</div></div><div><br /></div><div>First, you need some basic things which you probably already have: Foil, acetone polish remover, and cotton balls. You'll also need some scissors to cut up the foil. (Bonus: cutting heavy duty foil sharpens your scissors. You could also use a square craft punch.) Cut the foil into 10 pieces each about 3"x3".<br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio1uE6_2cm3TCv-Zv81vq9ruM_XazT0tmKDy9gxKeQgSI4KUDrptPUccXjOEUXA4hEIZ_CBWuEVX9sh7oKquGufpOF_-aBjSY_db41Ct3pYjIaGPuivfqihZqMe66wYMedwdR7FR6cS71P/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio1uE6_2cm3TCv-Zv81vq9ruM_XazT0tmKDy9gxKeQgSI4KUDrptPUccXjOEUXA4hEIZ_CBWuEVX9sh7oKquGufpOF_-aBjSY_db41Ct3pYjIaGPuivfqihZqMe66wYMedwdR7FR6cS71P/s320/DSC_0001.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695459427788878386" /></a> </div><div><br /></div><div>Step 1 - polish remover. Wet the cotton ball, but don't soak it. I usually just block the top with the cotton ball and flip it over quickly once to get the right amount of remover.<br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOh0WJpotuC5Mwa8lx4luWWXskZSCOAUllD5QHFZXwO1J9OgerLPrZLf4qIWnA-fpjNWllZ3rtabu217F9v-Wx8Rf4iOaqD5sifhkYlMW8XO6HswatkrrTHQum3MYf9ANpgp_UWBkVTbQH/s1600/DSC_0006.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOh0WJpotuC5Mwa8lx4luWWXskZSCOAUllD5QHFZXwO1J9OgerLPrZLf4qIWnA-fpjNWllZ3rtabu217F9v-Wx8Rf4iOaqD5sifhkYlMW8XO6HswatkrrTHQum3MYf9ANpgp_UWBkVTbQH/s320/DSC_0006.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695460591803838146" /></a><div><br /></div><div>Step 2: wrap. Put your finger upside down onto the wet cotton ball (or hold it onto your finger) and wrap it with the foil. Give it a little squeeze to get the remover flowing around your nail (but don't squeeze so hard that it starts dripping out of your foil wrap).<br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixmCwpcC8JHqvSE0ukEbU2UMLWiGSYw9q4GBqpFThYnAiZ-0j6Ju8OgSY5FSHs97FS2QMNOv1ghk1QhaXMe_NFUgdMLBbINeWdTWnq4KgzPApZARqkxmQ3wXnUCOrEmTF-4i3Y7SE4ZpC7/s1600/DSC_0008.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixmCwpcC8JHqvSE0ukEbU2UMLWiGSYw9q4GBqpFThYnAiZ-0j6Ju8OgSY5FSHs97FS2QMNOv1ghk1QhaXMe_NFUgdMLBbINeWdTWnq4KgzPApZARqkxmQ3wXnUCOrEmTF-4i3Y7SE4ZpC7/s320/DSC_0008.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695461000671112722" /></a><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Step 4: repeat. Get all your nails cozy. Now, you can also do your other hand so you can have all 10 soaking at the same time. I'm not that coordinated, though, so I do each hand separately.<br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTQji6U9Io1kBSmZLlW6shP38-RGOeTK0XkQ42dTZoT4UDqt4ReimiQqhwNyn6Vz6Wx90-W8q8pWpgxqK3qTNoMds3JITs98edu7GDjZXvT3K9OJeYLXaOk8C3ye-MweDWZpj3VUBZcrZr/s1600/DSC_0009.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTQji6U9Io1kBSmZLlW6shP38-RGOeTK0XkQ42dTZoT4UDqt4ReimiQqhwNyn6Vz6Wx90-W8q8pWpgxqK3qTNoMds3JITs98edu7GDjZXvT3K9OJeYLXaOk8C3ye-MweDWZpj3VUBZcrZr/s320/DSC_0009.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695461460563779698" /></a><div><br /></div><div>Set a timer or watch the clock for 5 minutes. Chase your kids or dog with your robot hands, do a little finger tap dance on the counter, or play on <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.pinterest.com">Pinterest</a>. Ahh, <a href="http://pinterest.com/abraleah/">Pinterest</a>. Just don't get sucked into something and forget to take off the foil because if it dries it makes a big, sticky cotton mess. Not that I've done that or anything. Okay.</div><div><br /></div><div>Step 5: ooooo! Give your finger a final squeeze and then twist the foil and cotton ball around to get the last dregs of polish off of your finger. Sometimes you'll have some glitter left over that you just need to brush away (the glitter doesn't actually dissolve or anything, so I usually have some stuck under my nail and I just use a tooth pick to flick it out).<br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhju7zWKnYs-QZOn8NwIDiOgtyjQw0vHUQ_PTQ2sXV4gAlMZ8wXHbnNA0m8xkJ40cMl8-F4-kHS6P45sFE5fJvg9u69nG1JMLMre2HOAvDCzNewxotSkAlD0Oqvrw1PhumPnLbeA5tAGCdJ/s1600/DSC_0010.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhju7zWKnYs-QZOn8NwIDiOgtyjQw0vHUQ_PTQ2sXV4gAlMZ8wXHbnNA0m8xkJ40cMl8-F4-kHS6P45sFE5fJvg9u69nG1JMLMre2HOAvDCzNewxotSkAlD0Oqvrw1PhumPnLbeA5tAGCdJ/s320/DSC_0010.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695462660402841970" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Here are my nails right after taking the foil wraps off:<br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj43d0OBu3YWnjCJnW-6jKJCyLSfkA_nc3zuvVoANeHq8cZz7vaVZzco2M5f7JZKAp3Wxf4OrUVt7O5tJDOKPhVZsqzR17Hvm8Dlunq4xS0r_lJQTAjSj3aHsf9FnNfzjr9Rk0SWmDduUro/s1600/DSC_0011.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj43d0OBu3YWnjCJnW-6jKJCyLSfkA_nc3zuvVoANeHq8cZz7vaVZzco2M5f7JZKAp3Wxf4OrUVt7O5tJDOKPhVZsqzR17Hvm8Dlunq4xS0r_lJQTAjSj3aHsf9FnNfzjr9Rk0SWmDduUro/s320/DSC_0011.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695463191920408290" /></a><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>And, finally, here are my nails after doing my <a href="http://www.abraleahstamps.blogspot.com/2007/11/simple-sugar-scrub.html">simple sugar scrub</a>, filing, buffing, and with my staple <a href="http://x.opi.com/trEssentials.asp">O.P.I.'s Natural Nail Base Coat</a>:<br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJHIN3QPJGQTOeY6zXcN0mGX0wTOkxHKwdU2EV28E61jMAv3BOCGx_3BaEOdR0781IP1GxKF4GGTImIdJtnVif-j2ErLz6WQm6W-rB7R21asNqN8oyQK2B0jGaG3kJxecnvxLq7UBjF51r/s1600/DSC_0016.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJHIN3QPJGQTOeY6zXcN0mGX0wTOkxHKwdU2EV28E61jMAv3BOCGx_3BaEOdR0781IP1GxKF4GGTImIdJtnVif-j2ErLz6WQm6W-rB7R21asNqN8oyQK2B0jGaG3kJxecnvxLq7UBjF51r/s320/DSC_0016.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695464042994714482" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I can either leave them like this or add my next color when I'm ready. Hope this helps you - and encourages you to try some fun glitter polishes! (Really, I will totally paint your nails if you come over.) <span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; ">♥</span></div>Abra Leah Crosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02186055323985439945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665587383656658962.post-88663107684464437772012-01-02T20:00:00.000-06:002012-01-02T22:28:42.354-06:00The Laundry Room Make-over (a work in progress)We've been in our house for four years and the laundry room has always bugged me. It was the plain basic flat white done by the builder and that paint is really bad about collecting dust. It's always a battle: me vs. the dust creature army (and I usually retreat in terror). So, on Friday I saw that the paint was on sale, found a great color and started my project. I always forget to take "before" shots, but here are some pictures...<br /><br />This is my first "test" of the paint color. I was trying to decide whether or not to do the whole room the blue (Bermuda Bay by Glidden) or to just do an accent wall and then do the rest of the walls a lighter color. But, I found this great website (<a href="http://www.houseofturquoise.com/" target="_blank">House of Turquoise</a>) that has samples of all kinds of amazing turquoise rooms and I saw plenty of rooms smaller than mine done beautifully. My laundry room is only 9' by 6.5', but it has 9' ceilings, so that really opens up the space and I figured it could handle the full coverage.<div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVGerjpjPaSKKOWA0aHVxFxb9H5p87S2lNoWIMhzWiZ7_5qPlJmN-oiQgMtU8IX8AxJL8YpdVYigkQaRpEI8C7blNszCvY5mhmVKzjkM3VTf5ydc4qe1KNqm1_ahDwoNmHCecv0B5PTaBp/s1600/2011-12-29_17-21-27_930.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 181px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVGerjpjPaSKKOWA0aHVxFxb9H5p87S2lNoWIMhzWiZ7_5qPlJmN-oiQgMtU8IX8AxJL8YpdVYigkQaRpEI8C7blNszCvY5mhmVKzjkM3VTf5ydc4qe1KNqm1_ahDwoNmHCecv0B5PTaBp/s320/2011-12-29_17-21-27_930.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693256895697107698" /></a><br /><br /></div><div>Of course, while the paint was drying I spent some time playing on Pinterest and I found this great pin of a gal who has a very cool way to tint mason jars (<a href="http://www.momtastic.com/diy/168908-diy-tinted-mason-jars-in-rainbow" target="_blank">check it out here</a>). I thought I would try it with vases since I don't have any mason jars. I also didn't have any vases, but a quick trip to the thrift store yielded two great vases for $.50 each and a pretty milk glass vase for $.75. Go, me! :)</div><div><br /></div><div>I followed the directions, but I managed to goof somehow (or it's probably just different with the greater surface area of the vases and completely unrelated to an error on my part, right?). The vases did take the tint, but they ended up with a bubbly texture rather than the smooth look I was going for. But, I think they still look pretty. From a distance.<br /><br />This first one is how they looked during the tinting.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUXJ7d8Q2IoxuiEYbUPSIWKAs5C1YHyHTFiv0TNikiEQ2S0RmPkWHtL6265bEm6y53oaWmQAZtczGTGSe5_82oF9A-s1_v3nABOB1y-DDjGChsk70vuWK1iytL4OrvIwu7fv1ixU24GZ6D/s1600/2011-12-31_15-56-49_333.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 181px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUXJ7d8Q2IoxuiEYbUPSIWKAs5C1YHyHTFiv0TNikiEQ2S0RmPkWHtL6265bEm6y53oaWmQAZtczGTGSe5_82oF9A-s1_v3nABOB1y-DDjGChsk70vuWK1iytL4OrvIwu7fv1ixU24GZ6D/s320/2011-12-31_15-56-49_333.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693257135639410146" /></a><br /><br />And here is a close-up of the larger one after. See the weird texture? Anyone know what I did wrong?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBn_-0kYYSAXimwGIj7p9Gz9G6Wo6begvaHThwSkUdo-WQ18ZAvO6awrAeMolPfTGnprsNn5GRo08_JSW2a6Dp2Z279_tiVm8mtYdU9VK2lYcPe5YmBxbxjpm2vZI0GPCqjxjsSU4rA30d/s1600/2011-12-31_22-13-37_574-1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 194px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBn_-0kYYSAXimwGIj7p9Gz9G6Wo6begvaHThwSkUdo-WQ18ZAvO6awrAeMolPfTGnprsNn5GRo08_JSW2a6Dp2Z279_tiVm8mtYdU9VK2lYcPe5YmBxbxjpm2vZI0GPCqjxjsSU4rA30d/s320/2011-12-31_22-13-37_574-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693257137611960082" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div><div>Sunday I finished all the final touch-ups on the paint and I made a run to the fabric store to pick up some fabric to make the curtains (I let Chloe pick the fabric - she has a great eye for color). Mike wanted them to cover the whole window, but I only wanted half length so the light would still pour in. Not sure if I made the right choice, but we'll see. I just finished the curtains this evening, so I'll know for sure tomorrow in the day light.</div><div><br /></div><div>I still have a lot more to do, of course. I'm working on the hanger rod slowly. It was dark wood, so it's taking several coats of spray paint to get good coverage. I'd also like to find an old fashioned washboard to hang on the wall, and maybe a tin wash tub to put on the shelf. It's a work in progress (like all my projects). I added some of my old wooden spools to the big vase and some wooden clothespins to the smaller one. </div><div><br /></div><div>Totals:</div><div>Paint: $12 (normally $18), 1 gallon</div><div>Fabric: $3.99 patterned (normally $7.99/yd), 1 yard; $1.99 muslin for lining (normally $4.99/yd), 1 yard</div><div>Boxes: $2 ea (normally $6 ea), 4 boxes</div><div>Vases: $1.75, 3 vases</div><div><br /></div><div>Already had: paint brushes, curtain rod, thread</div><div><br /></div><div>Not bad for less than $30, huh?</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzo0wDxgv9H7liDH4TLUQ_a9zCtCM5mc0GsyUCOzNhNFoUm6rgLmuWwii4a2Nymi2j8r_M9Jjncia9Bpwh-W403QSa6jdD3ubZdNTZQa11MgXCVEFE1gdGu-jnrdWRZGtiQkefUoF0Wv_h/s1600/DSC_0068.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzo0wDxgv9H7liDH4TLUQ_a9zCtCM5mc0GsyUCOzNhNFoUm6rgLmuWwii4a2Nymi2j8r_M9Jjncia9Bpwh-W403QSa6jdD3ubZdNTZQa11MgXCVEFE1gdGu-jnrdWRZGtiQkefUoF0Wv_h/s320/DSC_0068.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693257139583210562" /></a><br /><br /></div><div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Abra Leah Crosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02186055323985439945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665587383656658962.post-63173598486360669892011-12-28T19:54:00.000-06:002012-01-03T19:43:25.786-06:00Figgy PuddingBoth of my children put "figgy pudding" on their Christmas wish lists. I thought it was pretty cute that they were both interested in this old fashioned, traditional treat. So, I told them I would make it for them. But, what the heck IS figgy pudding? I started my quest on the Internet and basically found out that Figgy Pudding is a sort of steamed fruity cake. I found several "traditional" and "original" recipes and kind of combined them to make my own version (minus the steaming - no clue how to steam a cake). It tasted like a rummy, fruity, dense bread pudding. My kids were thrilled and everyone enjoyed it. (Except for my sister who I almost killed when I forgot I put pineapple in it. Sorry, sis - you can barely see the hives now!) Can't wait for next Christmas to make it again! :)<div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9G3YTYIBu5Jd7a5OUNaKdt3i4H0Wxbjqd3Hp5wPcJPrO2UzJ4YUeaX_surNLy4Mh9-R_ISXDDmJxH4VNaQfZTBo_oBDw7KHTWwHcxI9ohKvutMGohvDtNSiNH9gbRwQdeEailLe5QtnGL/s1600/DSC_0005.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9G3YTYIBu5Jd7a5OUNaKdt3i4H0Wxbjqd3Hp5wPcJPrO2UzJ4YUeaX_surNLy4Mh9-R_ISXDDmJxH4VNaQfZTBo_oBDw7KHTWwHcxI9ohKvutMGohvDtNSiNH9gbRwQdeEailLe5QtnGL/s320/DSC_0005.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693564300968318066" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div>Abra Leah Crosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02186055323985439945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665587383656658962.post-4342908205856836572011-12-25T01:00:00.001-06:002012-01-16T21:52:19.612-06:00Merry Christmas!A very merry and blessed Christmas to you and your families!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGulUtp8cP6YvpNAvnICznOZ2A8gx1oOdaTdwiFHSCnYHPt7CFeZbwBd1KnYf8zv76WoPJwPouLEHbYLIHsjyp_ognZaX5scu19hcCLDnc4MGMxaZ-wc1JnLyCQEEexhsXW6HTnPI8QIS_/s1600/cmas2011.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 281px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGulUtp8cP6YvpNAvnICznOZ2A8gx1oOdaTdwiFHSCnYHPt7CFeZbwBd1KnYf8zv76WoPJwPouLEHbYLIHsjyp_ognZaX5scu19hcCLDnc4MGMxaZ-wc1JnLyCQEEexhsXW6HTnPI8QIS_/s400/cmas2011.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693258500876262674" /></a>Abra Leah Crosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02186055323985439945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665587383656658962.post-78011901948717603422011-11-26T20:35:00.000-06:002012-01-02T22:49:34.191-06:00The BenchMy mother and her best friend purchased twin benches when I was probably around 8 years old. A while ago. My mom loved it and she covered that bench, recovered it, and it followed us around the country to all our different homes. When my sister bought her own house four years ago she got the bench and covered it. Then, it ended up in my garage about a year ago. Until Today. I got it in my head that since it was just sitting in MY garage I might as well do something with it. I wanted to use it in my kitchen along one side of our table so that I can fit more folks around and free up more chairs. I had a JoAnn's coupon (and Black Friday weekend sales), so I dashed on over this morning and picked out some pretty cute fabric. Then came the work. Work I hadn't really planned on. Not fun work. <br /><br />Here is the bench as it looked this morning. Not very cute.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP4K7yZeH4vdVVfNwdTJy88nCWX_byIKtz1F9OWz3BPmKHSbDq9dAGFzMKNTgXlSuFIhHb4uQNtXG0wxCire1a8AJMGYkmXLKoPkD1Qp2NKpN3T2tt2GNBKu-vMwYOstoS-kKY2Kk-zbek/s1600/DSC_0004.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP4K7yZeH4vdVVfNwdTJy88nCWX_byIKtz1F9OWz3BPmKHSbDq9dAGFzMKNTgXlSuFIhHb4uQNtXG0wxCire1a8AJMGYkmXLKoPkD1Qp2NKpN3T2tt2GNBKu-vMwYOstoS-kKY2Kk-zbek/s320/DSC_0004.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693259877105577410" /></a><br /><br />First, I ripped off that awful fabric. And found this:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilyi3OZq0pa2PwhahJ3eBumGN_MDj5vGXpMfworqN7SFoq5up2z_da7H23CZowryascTPv51BWFfoKsEYfpIqfHENwDuMN39CUB3wnpDAGYRBpD841y93X8w9ioRuI8tvW4eX-2GbFJOd2/s1600/DSC_0005.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilyi3OZq0pa2PwhahJ3eBumGN_MDj5vGXpMfworqN7SFoq5up2z_da7H23CZowryascTPv51BWFfoKsEYfpIqfHENwDuMN39CUB3wnpDAGYRBpD841y93X8w9ioRuI8tvW4eX-2GbFJOd2/s320/DSC_0005.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693260239984864818" /></a><br /><br />Yikes! Flash back to the early 80s! So, I pulled it off. (And by "pulled it off" I mean painstakingly used a tack puller to remove 2 frillion staples from the underside for EACH layer of fabric!) Only to reveal this:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEWz-eBIAVFr4KzzLmTJ5RLaQNHlFCxq62Hb50YkqsG0KDmc4b462zyARthYRTxOmj3eoqklUlfMrmHJRrOlT_WBLhvuTSPHkmuxHR7Fh8nAyrmKER4S6Ko6dWQfwntSCPg1HIHei-jnYL/s1600/DSC_0007.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEWz-eBIAVFr4KzzLmTJ5RLaQNHlFCxq62Hb50YkqsG0KDmc4b462zyARthYRTxOmj3eoqklUlfMrmHJRrOlT_WBLhvuTSPHkmuxHR7Fh8nAyrmKER4S6Ko6dWQfwntSCPg1HIHei-jnYL/s320/DSC_0007.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693260698169110530" /></a><br /><br />Huh? Okay... Well, I actually love that bright orange vinyl, so I saved it for some future as-of-yet-unknown project. I threw out the old (but not THAT old, right?) foam and tossed about 10 pounds of tacks. Seriously, that stuff was on there GOOD.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlQVuggHCwzDRGIo2bb0457LVvgjXP3KlAmNmSFC00oiK19yzH5rr3nmwKt1eUKNh4CAbkwIrTvg9FYmt175CuOlDNS1WlxDN50qpuSQML49ESzLLcVPgul4UEr3I8XA1h1S_jCH0Nmhsi/s1600/DSC_0008.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlQVuggHCwzDRGIo2bb0457LVvgjXP3KlAmNmSFC00oiK19yzH5rr3nmwKt1eUKNh4CAbkwIrTvg9FYmt175CuOlDNS1WlxDN50qpuSQML49ESzLLcVPgul4UEr3I8XA1h1S_jCH0Nmhsi/s320/DSC_0008.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693261324084478114" /></a><br /><br />I cleaned the bench, added new foam, and used my own limitless supply of staples to add first the fabric and then a layer of clear vinyl to make clean-up easy. (Apologies in advance to anyone who wants to recover it sometime in the future.)<br /><br />I think it's pretty cute.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh4M2lEEC7zZthoYua2kG1qN5yflsNSrHruAbAvQSZf5TJondKv9hC5-ZAi8Bu4ZzCFJx3CO8yPASKDcWGxUdrxne45AiNU6UJyHYdqjsej8YzmJtFOeEBV0GVNQZgT4FfgBBxiP34qufo/s1600/2011-12-21_12-17-55_156.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 181px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh4M2lEEC7zZthoYua2kG1qN5yflsNSrHruAbAvQSZf5TJondKv9hC5-ZAi8Bu4ZzCFJx3CO8yPASKDcWGxUdrxne45AiNU6UJyHYdqjsej8YzmJtFOeEBV0GVNQZgT4FfgBBxiP34qufo/s320/2011-12-21_12-17-55_156.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693262423000963250" /></a>Abra Leah Crosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02186055323985439945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665587383656658962.post-76043026123131997822011-10-29T18:45:00.001-05:002012-01-03T23:04:13.010-06:00Pika Party!Bradley is into Pokemon right now, so he just had to have a Pokemon birthday party. Here is what the invitation looks like inside and out:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC9e0FrYCmc48H2mpkzV9lajnUgrlVUgplIyDdL79dNAPjpyncdfi1e2WfJnSkH0q-NKHkN8y85UIfUCXzq3SyfLk6tEp1BfPVLsn75xoJDTXzOkNSQj21fIXAfszPt14SFWd8TVSHf2-K/s1600/DSC_0009.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 366px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC9e0FrYCmc48H2mpkzV9lajnUgrlVUgplIyDdL79dNAPjpyncdfi1e2WfJnSkH0q-NKHkN8y85UIfUCXzq3SyfLk6tEp1BfPVLsn75xoJDTXzOkNSQj21fIXAfszPt14SFWd8TVSHf2-K/s400/DSC_0009.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693621274951986578" /></a><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnMdRT9AR3_s8Lz0rYfjyGNolQTdDqyBNleC8uX-1VRXP4znijEXNsINA9UR8HtA-h83DDWLylOZWABYzKtA6ZCNJYnUAea7mjALK3GMY60aiD-JaEU2n9G-L3bvKU7K4PG7bFKyEp_NmP/s1600/DSC_0010.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnMdRT9AR3_s8Lz0rYfjyGNolQTdDqyBNleC8uX-1VRXP4znijEXNsINA9UR8HtA-h83DDWLylOZWABYzKtA6ZCNJYnUAea7mjALK3GMY60aiD-JaEU2n9G-L3bvKU7K4PG7bFKyEp_NmP/s400/DSC_0010.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693621271679693730" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Everything was done with Stampin' Up!. I did the large circles with the Circle Scissors, and used SU punches and card stock, as well. My husband actually helped me come up with how it should open (Go, Mike!). Bradley loves them, and I'm sure his friends had fun opening them to see their own name in it.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here are the cupcakes I made. I wish someone would teach me how to properly frost cupcakes so they look all smooth! Oh well, the 6-year-old boys didn't care what they looked like! :)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC5Ld_c7cV2bIclluUIp3LrIZJp3kJxbJzsw9to4qZ8v_LRyCAaZOrw4pKe16aF_F2brMSGzzI8l-aVu3gUv8XxRHO-kMBFeJfRfaSonmnE35WuWQTTYKXdueeSaBD3b3I8WJfwxhvRFa0/s1600/DSC_0009.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC5Ld_c7cV2bIclluUIp3LrIZJp3kJxbJzsw9to4qZ8v_LRyCAaZOrw4pKe16aF_F2brMSGzzI8l-aVu3gUv8XxRHO-kMBFeJfRfaSonmnE35WuWQTTYKXdueeSaBD3b3I8WJfwxhvRFa0/s400/DSC_0009.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693637408878744562" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>It was a great party, but exhausting! Having eight 5 and 6-year-old boys running around felt like having twenty of them. I can wrangle 19 girl scouts without issue - but those boys, wow! Bradley is already planning his next party - he can't decide between Cars 2 or Star Wars. He has plenty of time to decide!</div><div><br /></div>Abra Leah Crosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02186055323985439945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665587383656658962.post-71241561900185651372011-09-18T14:50:00.000-05:002012-01-03T21:56:30.411-06:00Shrinky Dinks!I found some Shrinky Dink plastic the other day when I was cleaning out my craft room, so I let the kids play with it. They had SO much fun tracing pictures from their books and coloring them. When they first watched them in the oven it was like watching a magic show - they were really impressed at how fast they shrunk and how it they retained all the color and detail.<div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXka9zuuiWOPmFrinGA_crb8Fp0MohCeIHGW7x-EOZFNP-32RiIxK9aMBcKimK-OYkcM_rgeedU5unYnQn2Tc2TfRCGBOWW6iNsOhKRH3CorV3a-2ueUVpWm-lpmYLarht7hB5EKSzCAnh/s1600/DSC_0013.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXka9zuuiWOPmFrinGA_crb8Fp0MohCeIHGW7x-EOZFNP-32RiIxK9aMBcKimK-OYkcM_rgeedU5unYnQn2Tc2TfRCGBOWW6iNsOhKRH3CorV3a-2ueUVpWm-lpmYLarht7hB5EKSzCAnh/s400/DSC_0013.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693619636172057234" /></a><div><br /></div><div>Did you know you can make your own shrink plastic and recycle at the same time? If you get plastic containers (like from a salad bar or take-out restaurant), check the bottom. It must be number 6 plastic and it will have this symbol on the bottom: <a href="http://www.skiptomylou.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/ps.gif" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 51); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -10px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-5214" title="ps" src="http://www.skiptomylou.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/ps.gif" alt="" width="60" height="80" style="border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; " /></a>. But, you can use it the same way - cut it out, draw on it with permanent markers (or rough it up with sand paper first to use colored pencils on it) and bake it at 300 degrees for about 3 minutes. Fun, huh? </div>Abra Leah Crosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02186055323985439945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665587383656658962.post-11540457242709375852011-09-06T21:45:00.000-05:002012-01-03T21:49:34.668-06:00Wall Art from Designer Paper<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihDGZLYajJf9q5dI-Y3W6fVIkX3sWkYRVEIApVDzI9cbecHXxJqk74rR5xisxx6hGhwxW9ra_rMIQoMVehemoB0-_LT-Jvbpyg1oXmIR70A3VFPnBm5BJChfafvUveuzVusKpA8dd0lJ_p/s1600/DSC_0009.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihDGZLYajJf9q5dI-Y3W6fVIkX3sWkYRVEIApVDzI9cbecHXxJqk74rR5xisxx6hGhwxW9ra_rMIQoMVehemoB0-_LT-Jvbpyg1oXmIR70A3VFPnBm5BJChfafvUveuzVusKpA8dd0lJ_p/s400/DSC_0009.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693618564865195442" /></a><div><br /></div><div><br />When I saw <a href="http://shop.hobbylobby.com/store/item.aspx?ItemId=180418">this designer paper</a> I just knew I was going to make these for Chloe's room. It's called "Hoot Hoot" and it has the most darling little owls in it. I just painted the 6x6 canvases green, cut out the paper, and used Modge Podge to glue them down and coat them. I started with the 3, but I think I'll probably add 6 more to have a big square on her wall. She loves them, and I really like how they came out. </div>Abra Leah Crosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02186055323985439945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665587383656658962.post-14521561282993451142011-09-04T21:37:00.000-05:002012-01-03T21:44:11.873-06:00Thrift Store Table Face LiftMy kids have been begging for a Lego table, but those bad boys are expensive! So, I was looking through our local thrift store and I found a great table (that I didn't take "before" pictures of because I'm a dork and I always forget to). It was ugly, dirty, dark brown, with plastic casters. But, it had a raised edge on the top and a great slanted shelf on the bottom I figured could be used to hold the Lego bins. <div><br /></div><div>I spray painted it white (with several coats), used craft paint for the top, glued the plates down with Gorilla Glue, and voilla! (Plates found on ebay for $12 for all of them, free shipping.)</div><div><br /></div><div>Their bins fit perfectly beneath and now the kids can build to their hearts' content. :) <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ItMBgUWBkE_v_yFbQrARuQGu9ZIfQAb7VPxgNWa7DuyVV8CfwUCD-nKt5D9yV5um6G6cq8-RbfMRdxGIesSMX6H2GIWL8sKT8MlmuE__IJLfnx8TNr9nPH7u9Z4gbjB18oMR_sE3ch32/s1600/DSC_0010.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 274px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ItMBgUWBkE_v_yFbQrARuQGu9ZIfQAb7VPxgNWa7DuyVV8CfwUCD-nKt5D9yV5um6G6cq8-RbfMRdxGIesSMX6H2GIWL8sKT8MlmuE__IJLfnx8TNr9nPH7u9Z4gbjB18oMR_sE3ch32/s400/DSC_0010.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693617024281738066" /></a></div>Abra Leah Crosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02186055323985439945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665587383656658962.post-49822170887140220562011-09-01T20:31:00.000-05:002012-01-03T21:36:06.636-06:00All About ChloeChloe had to do a big "All About Me" poster for school this week. (Yes, they assigned it on Monday and it is due on Friday - I don't know if I'm ready for 2nd grade!!) I let her pick out the pictures herself and she cut most of them out and used a ton of stuff from my craft room to design her masterpiece. :) If you have school aged kids, every time Hobby Lobby has their stickers on sale for 50% off, buy some! Chloe goes through a ton of them every year. I think she did a great job.<div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVnLj9NAWU2eUo7EjOUcZc4EcodDBIf4dO2DV6i1ymRW3lBQm6YPxb3T31HnAdmyU276_VBuZr3ESo8olfGsrych3G8hAM8ZTmYxgvfOQOhi7nC8g8mxPu9ktI7BFthSkKFfyt3Gy8xtj-/s1600/DSC_0010.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 308px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVnLj9NAWU2eUo7EjOUcZc4EcodDBIf4dO2DV6i1ymRW3lBQm6YPxb3T31HnAdmyU276_VBuZr3ESo8olfGsrych3G8hAM8ZTmYxgvfOQOhi7nC8g8mxPu9ktI7BFthSkKFfyt3Gy8xtj-/s400/DSC_0010.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693614727496659218" /></a><div><br /></div>Abra Leah Crosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02186055323985439945noreply@blogger.com0