tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69375179306846166442024-02-21T08:42:36.580-05:00The Little Sewing ShopMy blog on The Little Sewing Shop: the space where I sew, and homeschool my little guy!Levi's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210833187451001512noreply@blogger.comBlogger168125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6937517930684616644.post-53393004764886926322017-06-24T12:51:00.001-04:002017-06-24T12:51:27.896-04:00Making Clothes Unique with Fun DetailsBoys clothes can be really boring, but its easy to add fun details to make something unique and interesting. I've noticed that most sewing patterns are overall the same thing with variations on details, so instead of buying pattern after pattern to get different looks, I choose a well fitting pattern that already comes with a few variations, and then add all kinds of details to get different looks. For this pair of shorts, I added several details to make a boring basic pair of red shorts into something special that you will never see in stores. You don't have to add all of these different details on one piece of clothing, sometimes I just pick one or two and that is enough to make it more interesting! <br />
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For these shorts, I used the <a href="http://www.sewalittleseam.com/product/linden-shorts-skirt-pdf-pattern/">Linden Shorts by Sew a Little Seam</a>. This is a shorts and skirt pattern that I tested a while back. I like it for its multiple finishing options, 2 lengths, multiple waistband options, and recently a new set of "extras" came out like cargo pockets, a real fly, and a board shorts option!<br />I made size 8, which is a bit big on Levi, so these should last him a while if he doesn't destroy them. Fabric is corduroy, some cotton woven scraps, and I did a simple knit waistband. <br /><br />
Front:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFR-gLuGL1JUgta09T-NwIzocgkAQW9xgNwZd2ShPzfYRayBcivvy_rxXJpsS-F01J18KAJ9Wp9-YCUgRUPd2_h2lp3tBKHrfwzNLfOqk_WaxF8sxlP77HqiMEHhHS2lqVeKw1DZ89HvA/s1600/19396803_1495388263815434_2875209647107810949_n.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFR-gLuGL1JUgta09T-NwIzocgkAQW9xgNwZd2ShPzfYRayBcivvy_rxXJpsS-F01J18KAJ9Wp9-YCUgRUPd2_h2lp3tBKHrfwzNLfOqk_WaxF8sxlP77HqiMEHhHS2lqVeKw1DZ89HvA/s1600/19396803_1495388263815434_2875209647107810949_n.jpg" /></a><br /><br />
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Back:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyJ6NNX5lZfvGz6ydcDvYb4WGEEUO68c0qBP2s85bOuffsh0YXCtN3u2_lgczqwWr80rHoM4nWgSWSf4ECD5nTo0R-QUCw2cOKSS-OyiuTzWXV6RCQbu-Ve8mjGWpicpG1e0MwIgaNO6g/s1600/19366430_1495388383815422_1236818216427180700_n.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyJ6NNX5lZfvGz6ydcDvYb4WGEEUO68c0qBP2s85bOuffsh0YXCtN3u2_lgczqwWr80rHoM4nWgSWSf4ECD5nTo0R-QUCw2cOKSS-OyiuTzWXV6RCQbu-Ve8mjGWpicpG1e0MwIgaNO6g/s1600/19366430_1495388383815422_1236818216427180700_n.jpg" /></a><br /><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The details:</span> <br />
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<b>Fun stitching: </b>For the pockets, instead of a simple straight stitch, I chose this uneven wave stitch. My machine has lots of different stitches so why not play around with them!<br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKL7CL-c22c5aZANGN8KMkkj3A8WHnDmMxfcNObC-rkiGz9-OXB63uZtUzafOp-13eXhwbgNKD3M-zpk7yYGZfex8Xs5bA_AMnLM_XQ7C3nMragXVbm6mtW4MqCwWMGQ5nGkuEi03N12c/s1600/19247591_1495388377148756_6205666808230296271_n.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKL7CL-c22c5aZANGN8KMkkj3A8WHnDmMxfcNObC-rkiGz9-OXB63uZtUzafOp-13eXhwbgNKD3M-zpk7yYGZfex8Xs5bA_AMnLM_XQ7C3nMragXVbm6mtW4MqCwWMGQ5nGkuEi03N12c/s1600/19247591_1495388377148756_6205666808230296271_n.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><b>Ribbon: </b><br />
This is something I almost always add - on back pockets of shorts/pants, button down shirt front pockets, side seams of shorts and shirts (on t-shirts put it near the bottom of the shirt), etc. I cut a small scrap of one or two ribbons, fold in half, and tuck into the seam or like in this example, under the edge of the pocket. This gives a little pop of color and another fun detail. Sometimes I use twill tape instead of ribbon and sew a tiny little button onto the tab, I love buttons too!<br />Another fun one is to cut a small strip of ribbon, turn the ends under and stitch the short ends down, I most often do this one at the bottom of the back yolk on button down shirts, or at the bottom of a pocket. <br />
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<b>Topstitching: </b><br />
I like to topstitch everything! Not only does it make clothing more durable, but it can add a bit of fun color as well. If you match your fabric, it hides the stitching, so I prefer to use contrasting colors. I also sew up some of the project and then switch to another color. You can see here that I used yellow first and then switched to green to finish. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzUljyFEBZfNg6WiclkQuZCUAfplcsfEJ1HOYrfX3ApXm6sTh-r8wq45B_lDRUbWPm-kXAuHBjja3jqrZNfUeXe04FEQeWo53luKBj1Dcz010J3p6pQE9eXr6PQ8n6p3pvXxooLBGWffU/s1600/19275203_1495388350482092_1556861055815211175_n.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzUljyFEBZfNg6WiclkQuZCUAfplcsfEJ1HOYrfX3ApXm6sTh-r8wq45B_lDRUbWPm-kXAuHBjja3jqrZNfUeXe04FEQeWo53luKBj1Dcz010J3p6pQE9eXr6PQ8n6p3pvXxooLBGWffU/s1600/19275203_1495388350482092_1556861055815211175_n.jpg" /></a><br />
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<b>Buttons: </b><br />
Speaking of buttons... On this pair I added buttons to the back pockets, if your machine is cooperative with button holes (which my new machine thankfully is), then adding buttons is a quick easy add on. I often let the kid choose a button or two to add. On this pair I added one to the front as well. Sometimes I put them on the bottom corner of a pocket as a little detail. A group of buttons placed somewhere can be fun as well. <br />
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<b>Patches:</b><br />
Also shown here are patches. For these, I sometimes do raw edges, sometimes applique them on (a tight zigzag stitch around the edge, and sometimes use a quilters applique technique like I did here. For this method, take 2 squares (or circles, triangle, rectangles, etc) and sew them right sides together, all the way around with no gap. Then, clip the corners, and cut a generous snip through the middle of ONE layer and turn everything inside out. The snip will be hidden underneath when you sew the patch down, use any stitch you want to sew on the patch!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQWB0jPsV3fgWF9YqY7nBIW_kSo1NPxoZj_oWiqE25wPjrdngnX6sa3ChJR1FVf58qAeZdZe5PypVgA1n78VkInweFJhHrAgfRvqM46uKuSjhP0BdVNaMBcs_ZxZwm2OmkEDNGbokF6L0/s1600/19396794_1495388237148770_7062520267800450326_n.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQWB0jPsV3fgWF9YqY7nBIW_kSo1NPxoZj_oWiqE25wPjrdngnX6sa3ChJR1FVf58qAeZdZe5PypVgA1n78VkInweFJhHrAgfRvqM46uKuSjhP0BdVNaMBcs_ZxZwm2OmkEDNGbokF6L0/s1600/19396794_1495388237148770_7062520267800450326_n.jpg" /></a><br />
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<b>Stitching as detail: </b><br />
On pockets in particular, but sometimes randomly across a leg of shorts or some other random place, I do a line of stitching. Here I used the same "wave" stitch to do a line across the back pocket before turning the edges under and attaching it. I also added <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheLitttleSewingShop">TLSS (The Little Sewing Shop)</a> on the pocket (branding!)<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFR8YeQfm5Z8XAzFEu1wnMhZb8Nm4xBj0icPXUYW5A4RCOWSMxe9BdWnZ8w5Kzg7k1BpJU1lXA8yxd2al8AJrxCybLgAia6prD1OPL9jwySDbEq0gVqb2uJ7-z36D2mguBCbwMpbTcG-U/s1600/19399172_1495388387148755_2787842300565927931_n.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFR8YeQfm5Z8XAzFEu1wnMhZb8Nm4xBj0icPXUYW5A4RCOWSMxe9BdWnZ8w5Kzg7k1BpJU1lXA8yxd2al8AJrxCybLgAia6prD1OPL9jwySDbEq0gVqb2uJ7-z36D2mguBCbwMpbTcG-U/s1600/19399172_1495388387148755_2787842300565927931_n.jpg" /></a><br />
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<b>Fun pockets: </b><br />
The Linden shorts have a bunch of pocket options, but not zips. I saw these on a pair of mini boeden shorts and used that as inspiration. Experiment with different pocket shapes and mix it up! You can do can do different pockets on each side, like a patch pocket on the right and a regular pocket on the left. Or a square back pocket and a pointed one, or one with a flap and another without.... <br />Try unusual shapes too, Max California has a tutorial for a <a href="http://www.max-california.com/2013/02/dripping-pocket-tutorial-pattern.html">fun dripping pocket</a> for example. I save inspiration for fun pockets on my pinterest like <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/AcYwEu53aacdqlH-6hrY6Y4rtnQPQ_zzjcna874QTlR328aaUmEOgng/">this</a> and <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/45950858678352054/">this</a>. There are tons of ideas out there!<br /><br /><br />This is another example of <b>Fun Stitching, </b>I used an "x" shaped stitch to topstitch the pocket shape. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh73L76PBCjy8So4s49n0xn1uUNn_6VgL8Hag6Hd2t1jt7C7_S5dM-84chJZWD02N_LT2Nh9uxOp7Q30LWpPZddMt2KWbYhB9dkFDKMf95z5ESXSdJvrfEUPJBmKWF3ISKad1Ye08nR1kQ/s1600/19424065_1495388250482102_2457245753396897956_n.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh73L76PBCjy8So4s49n0xn1uUNn_6VgL8Hag6Hd2t1jt7C7_S5dM-84chJZWD02N_LT2Nh9uxOp7Q30LWpPZddMt2KWbYhB9dkFDKMf95z5ESXSdJvrfEUPJBmKWF3ISKad1Ye08nR1kQ/s1600/19424065_1495388250482102_2457245753396897956_n.jpg" /></a><br />
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Hope that gives you some inspiration to add fun details! <br />
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Here are the finished shorts:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfsuWN_nWnQYVwwDZe3dnoncsGl8RgsO8vZSBGBz94S4iT2Fw44BzW5q2YU903CBJsxY-ksAqowOPRnhE-6Z6O10moxlYJrNmmxa3q30Up2PT1flLpK-jZmiwXpnbNtYhTKuoMbiprY6E/s1600/19366181_1495388197148774_2360535296191696601_n.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfsuWN_nWnQYVwwDZe3dnoncsGl8RgsO8vZSBGBz94S4iT2Fw44BzW5q2YU903CBJsxY-ksAqowOPRnhE-6Z6O10moxlYJrNmmxa3q30Up2PT1flLpK-jZmiwXpnbNtYhTKuoMbiprY6E/s1600/19366181_1495388197148774_2360535296191696601_n.jpg" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd7TxRzwjqo4VNr_4cF3i-xtnRV81wUftmOJ-TGO_wusC-7uNTnqMK_SrQgOr0izuYBILoECtyWxi7MAHpwZwNhC5gpKTI9wf7Oin7QQvmTlAh4b5Lk4BpRCYaxgJMtsGUk9zGnuGa8IQ/s1600/19420384_1495388233815437_4766101563430983941_n.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd7TxRzwjqo4VNr_4cF3i-xtnRV81wUftmOJ-TGO_wusC-7uNTnqMK_SrQgOr0izuYBILoECtyWxi7MAHpwZwNhC5gpKTI9wf7Oin7QQvmTlAh4b5Lk4BpRCYaxgJMtsGUk9zGnuGa8IQ/s1600/19420384_1495388233815437_4766101563430983941_n.jpg" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKoce5OOyvBbJ3WffcAbdad3u-s5_CJleJ8846cGg3fU9GtQ3jmIwc7YMNhHGPzH53twzCkKvbkAtLgrjuZrR2CFEgs9JircKP2SIPOx7pf0iHoghlKKyuQCgXttq3aTExKGoNXmYnDWI/s1600/19366446_1495388190482108_8981144071103472815_n.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKoce5OOyvBbJ3WffcAbdad3u-s5_CJleJ8846cGg3fU9GtQ3jmIwc7YMNhHGPzH53twzCkKvbkAtLgrjuZrR2CFEgs9JircKP2SIPOx7pf0iHoghlKKyuQCgXttq3aTExKGoNXmYnDWI/s1600/19366446_1495388190482108_8981144071103472815_n.jpg" /></a><br />
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<br />Levi's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210833187451001512noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6937517930684616644.post-78978664253356469372017-06-06T16:18:00.001-04:002017-06-06T16:18:27.350-04:00Tie Dye and Batik Day! <div style="text-align: center;">
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Levi's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210833187451001512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6937517930684616644.post-75962815332590422092017-06-04T16:09:00.003-04:002017-06-04T16:10:08.069-04:00Swimwear sewing! <br />
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Levi needed new swimwear (again) and I found a good deal on fabric so bought a bunch. I was also offered the opportunity to test a couple sewing patterns from <a href="https://madebyjacksmum.com/">Made By Jack's Mum</a>, one of my favorite pattern designers. I used the <a href="https://madebyjacksmum.com/product/sunshine-swim-romper/">Sunshine Romper</a> for the one-piece suits and the <a href="https://madebyjacksmum.com/product/reef-beach-rashie/">Reef Beach Rashie </a> for the tops. For the jammers, I used a pattern from <a href="https://www.ottobredesign.com/">Ottobre</a>, from the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HI1hBQDY5ww">Summer 2016</a> issue. And lastly, for the speedos, I used a free pattern from <a href="https://boodesigns.com.au/products/pdf-pattern-boys-swim-briefs">Boo! Designs</a>. <br />
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This is the Sunshine Romper with some modifications as requested by Levi. First I chopped off the sleeves and hemmed the arm opening, making it sleeveless. I used the regular neck band piece to make the neck band and brought the zip right up to the top of it. I used a fold over method on the zip guard to protect his chin from the toggle. I like this method best because it gives full coverage and a nice looking finish, and its not difficult or fiddly to do. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhymYEi37QNwauRlaiqRO44AjaxliZ7sLa-x_Qa300hDI8nFGYxSyeHIsXv1gzo4AnKSnQVYsEJoipqR3_eeuGWOel4i1wBDls8FkbOGQ-uSiWSJim4WZS_9rnuep4ltkLK3QGDj7_z1xA/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="id_eb35_a576_3391_a415" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhymYEi37QNwauRlaiqRO44AjaxliZ7sLa-x_Qa300hDI8nFGYxSyeHIsXv1gzo4AnKSnQVYsEJoipqR3_eeuGWOel4i1wBDls8FkbOGQ-uSiWSJim4WZS_9rnuep4ltkLK3QGDj7_z1xA/" style="height: auto; width: 298px;" title="" tooltip="" width="480" /></a></div>
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This is the basic version of the Reef Beach Rashie and Ottobre jammers. I appliqued "swim" and added a freezer paper stencil for the shadow, because I can't leave anything plain! </div>
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Super basic ottobre jammers, I got rid of the side stripe here and made them extra tight "so they don't fall off when I dive mom". </div>
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This is the Sunshine romper with a little bit of modification for the zipper. I added a chin guard at the top of the zip guard by lengthening it a little bit and folding it over the top of the zipper. This keeps the "stopper" from rubbing his chin. I also used the pattern piece for the non-zip style giving it square edges at the opening of the zip. He picked this fabric, and its awfully crazy but I will easily be able to spot him on the beach! I love that its full coverage for minimal sunscreen use, but the pattern also comes in 3/4 and short lengths for sleeves and legs.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZeVKFLuCpWxAZ23d3kPNOmNWSn-g5GXi2DZH50gAfJOdkwK6MNfXXJlnI5-OfWbBYr4z3m8chYnzrvxgSgmhqsZsEQm5FsXDJC_yjXISlgI-YMJ8sN9wLJMA3hi2JjoCa9YLlNfCVg48/s1600/18582199_1468190699868524_1600657827281146467_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" id="id_9843_eb06_a6aa_d1e8" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZeVKFLuCpWxAZ23d3kPNOmNWSn-g5GXi2DZH50gAfJOdkwK6MNfXXJlnI5-OfWbBYr4z3m8chYnzrvxgSgmhqsZsEQm5FsXDJC_yjXISlgI-YMJ8sN9wLJMA3hi2JjoCa9YLlNfCVg48/s640/18582199_1468190699868524_1600657827281146467_n.jpg" style="height: auto; width: 480px;" width="480" /></a></div>
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These are the Boo! Design speedos, perfect for swim team (and using scraps) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLqvZ2h2MQcmsAfv0VumSUm9oFntDSS2hg7uOdlHhALHVIydCq1heLr6_Fs6E2u_tIpyQAEdg6BzoA_4Xp26QmoKxFwCPqjoccOch5TdsUi4rZoDmsNy4UyA8XxqSHjvuC_20NdoCbwXo/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="565" id="id_2ee_c318_8de3_bff7" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLqvZ2h2MQcmsAfv0VumSUm9oFntDSS2hg7uOdlHhALHVIydCq1heLr6_Fs6E2u_tIpyQAEdg6BzoA_4Xp26QmoKxFwCPqjoccOch5TdsUi4rZoDmsNy4UyA8XxqSHjvuC_20NdoCbwXo/" style="height: auto; width: 298px;" title="" tooltip="" width="640" /></a></div>
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This is the Reef Beach Rashie and Ottobre jammers. Here I mostly stuck with the pattern for the construction of the neckline, but did add the fold over zip guard. The patterns curved neck piece makes it a bit tricky to get things even. This is my favorite fabric, but not great for the ocean because blue is hard to see in the water! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi5rsH4Xaf-F51cBQ4C4YXvUeoVAvjowUx2X1BW99_-tWAwok_dWzIZY_g4Z1iwDg6auYVqEzdBjD0pTiK7mf4ej4sXgBnnS8_O60y3fi2zZxF0O9Z_sXvRTf2HBGNGE3kPEaWQCT_qQA/s1600/18622472_1467795523241375_7668716678727588152_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" id="id_c7f9_37ef_487_4311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi5rsH4Xaf-F51cBQ4C4YXvUeoVAvjowUx2X1BW99_-tWAwok_dWzIZY_g4Z1iwDg6auYVqEzdBjD0pTiK7mf4ej4sXgBnnS8_O60y3fi2zZxF0O9Z_sXvRTf2HBGNGE3kPEaWQCT_qQA/s640/18622472_1467795523241375_7668716678727588152_n.jpg" style="height: auto; width: 480px;" width="480" /></a></div>
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I still have more fabric to use, but this should keep him swimming for a while! </div>
Levi's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210833187451001512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6937517930684616644.post-41250912525350970702017-05-13T12:04:00.003-04:002017-05-13T12:05:27.185-04:00Winter Wear Designs, Amuse Boho <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="text-align: start;">We have been getting rid of a lot of "stuff" from our home lately, and one of the things that I have been doing is going through my wardrobe. I found lots of things that were too old, too small, too worn, or that are just not flattering. I also seem to have lots that is not really my style. Recently, I got a couple new dresses and a top from a company called </span><a href="https://angieclothes.com/" style="text-align: start;">"Angie"</a><span style="text-align: start;"> which has a bohemian vibe that suits me perfectly. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">When I saw a request from <a href="https://www.winterweardesigns.com/">Winter Wear Designs</a> for the <a href="https://www.winterweardesigns.com/blogs/news/the-amuse-boho-homecoming-tour">Amuse Boho Homecoming Tour</a>, I knew I wanted to participate! </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">I get fabric from thrift stores on occasion, and while I was there, I saw a stack of doilies that I thought would be a perfect detail to use for the front panel of the <a href="https://www.winterweardesigns.com/products/amuse-boho-top-and-dress-for-women-size-xs-xxxl">Amuse</a>, to add to the bohemian vibe of my dress. </span></div>
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This is what I started with. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXmG1rGSPaIpFuoiUsUxf9qb_ysmqk95Cld9UmRd6BCx1_EYF85K8OK5mt7LN_Q_wLiGIg69glyBqBP3brzrPAHNvPnGzO8E8e1l7U-NqyMHsk-_RhPqMOWqtJ0uSRSCy7qDoQZ7mIUwY/s1600/18424179_1458968880790706_6135180951761508842_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXmG1rGSPaIpFuoiUsUxf9qb_ysmqk95Cld9UmRd6BCx1_EYF85K8OK5mt7LN_Q_wLiGIg69glyBqBP3brzrPAHNvPnGzO8E8e1l7U-NqyMHsk-_RhPqMOWqtJ0uSRSCy7qDoQZ7mIUwY/s640/18424179_1458968880790706_6135180951761508842_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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I cut out the front panel from the pattern and laid it over my doily, which was a little challenging because this particular doily does not lay flat! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG_VzJUi5M_GnHt58kpYT3Y8Jp8smu5w4aka5H2EhpShM5vfiqLHg1nw6eO4wOQ7b5ANo_yFsdRAl4zhFsgv8Z6_Nwjihw4sdOXlB25WQvZ68QxIBCMBAY_rMg2qHUE989zeLifIHdX9U/s1600/18447079_1458968857457375_230121075163267332_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG_VzJUi5M_GnHt58kpYT3Y8Jp8smu5w4aka5H2EhpShM5vfiqLHg1nw6eO4wOQ7b5ANo_yFsdRAl4zhFsgv8Z6_Nwjihw4sdOXlB25WQvZ68QxIBCMBAY_rMg2qHUE989zeLifIHdX9U/s640/18447079_1458968857457375_230121075163267332_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Pin it, and stitch all the way around. I used pink thread <strike>because I am too lazy to switch thread colors</strike> so you can see it better. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjACcgrLxpk4QnRkUf8u9dGnWa8CSOMY92qhrCLPrg0fqlmMGq9pQWV8bxzqlafYSkJQ1fI1TV1kb-uISC4U4GXnE_kSpjOMLN2vFKNEz06K3k1r7zhi2p5xaydM-LWenGWhTqmL89wdEw/s1600/18425241_1458967627457498_1269142686056524369_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjACcgrLxpk4QnRkUf8u9dGnWa8CSOMY92qhrCLPrg0fqlmMGq9pQWV8bxzqlafYSkJQ1fI1TV1kb-uISC4U4GXnE_kSpjOMLN2vFKNEz06K3k1r7zhi2p5xaydM-LWenGWhTqmL89wdEw/s640/18425241_1458967627457498_1269142686056524369_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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This is what it looks like on the other side sewn. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQWmlwGayrMkxrdDOI4pW2Fs_dVWZBAxpP4jHJp-EDo-qtI8lhcFree47IbYY9PJCN0k3CgS-lUyZ-3uuXzXk4HzoHitvpGOanWvzaqdI30EhASrQX2u9fAZmmo70VKjr_98w5Qbtkr0Y/s1600/18403549_1458966600790934_2226277350162417611_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQWmlwGayrMkxrdDOI4pW2Fs_dVWZBAxpP4jHJp-EDo-qtI8lhcFree47IbYY9PJCN0k3CgS-lUyZ-3uuXzXk4HzoHitvpGOanWvzaqdI30EhASrQX2u9fAZmmo70VKjr_98w5Qbtkr0Y/s640/18403549_1458966600790934_2226277350162417611_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Cut it out:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNs-zxgbifl6vQMYMNcaWEBKEuoLngQ-3x5F5YmpxVX359nnQPXmwws1JvQL-HZl-VHQQhCPf-0gpD_XZIt4c7-ryQXPqsb6Ef2SU0ckYQAc0P19alz5Wdh4JRKuiO8eekD2AMOOZKm4k/s1600/18446685_1458966554124272_909649915582420293_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNs-zxgbifl6vQMYMNcaWEBKEuoLngQ-3x5F5YmpxVX359nnQPXmwws1JvQL-HZl-VHQQhCPf-0gpD_XZIt4c7-ryQXPqsb6Ef2SU0ckYQAc0P19alz5Wdh4JRKuiO8eekD2AMOOZKm4k/s640/18446685_1458966554124272_909649915582420293_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Use it as the outer fabric for the front panel<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1eZn3A4RIyTQNvsq6TqbxVu8H0mGdbGF0tZMdbGEJ_fp24VVnx_HWxp8aROp-Bx2bGOSt9dZW8T2qZnf_65AAjneaRYWL5Xd2J2A2fGwwt2iJBXKm_kVXz-QOSRSVnAcNlFAfGnEq750/s1600/18423674_1458966507457610_1662244450603643589_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1eZn3A4RIyTQNvsq6TqbxVu8H0mGdbGF0tZMdbGEJ_fp24VVnx_HWxp8aROp-Bx2bGOSt9dZW8T2qZnf_65AAjneaRYWL5Xd2J2A2fGwwt2iJBXKm_kVXz-QOSRSVnAcNlFAfGnEq750/s640/18423674_1458966507457610_1662244450603643589_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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And here is what it looks like finished! Not bad for $1 worth of materials! <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivhxSGGKJABPn3ha3T0LxCzzXUuI7kYobbMJNBn02_q2COLdYcOq0GhfNhShRh3tqdD0BRdHz3J48HY1vLZeYAvw8rcnmlTHr18sSAMb4J3n0PHqIrpdZWV-yv9UrOp6hTOavzKdjIb6k/s1600/18402985_1458966450790949_7204222817470328331_n.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivhxSGGKJABPn3ha3T0LxCzzXUuI7kYobbMJNBn02_q2COLdYcOq0GhfNhShRh3tqdD0BRdHz3J48HY1vLZeYAvw8rcnmlTHr18sSAMb4J3n0PHqIrpdZWV-yv9UrOp6hTOavzKdjIb6k/s400/18402985_1458966450790949_7204222817470328331_n.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvdoTOsGSfC10ghFyQGWN3CdwqM_iisKDCQ5W76gPIAdVVfpBElqBdydxv4c5FgAqjoCL5tHM95ANGoVl0dTA5-jX5NUpReqGdz69SshMBhA0rnBU2KKe0psn4b51G2juncaaDU-5FS44/s1600/18403417_1458966477457613_5841522101820269218_n.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvdoTOsGSfC10ghFyQGWN3CdwqM_iisKDCQ5W76gPIAdVVfpBElqBdydxv4c5FgAqjoCL5tHM95ANGoVl0dTA5-jX5NUpReqGdz69SshMBhA0rnBU2KKe0psn4b51G2juncaaDU-5FS44/s400/18403417_1458966477457613_5841522101820269218_n.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3TSuWzYVPMWpL9xIQhWEAoapYav2sgpu96W9byh9QUMJQjSkrBz4jCwWV5FOY85CkrkCy1v297T3_pzm5ZdQpp-k2odzeQ2a7jhNBD9gWDx65T1yF-zkObiqjKdA8kaj8xmlfCrbUgvE/s1600/18423680_1458966497457611_5622239023289146334_n.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3TSuWzYVPMWpL9xIQhWEAoapYav2sgpu96W9byh9QUMJQjSkrBz4jCwWV5FOY85CkrkCy1v297T3_pzm5ZdQpp-k2odzeQ2a7jhNBD9gWDx65T1yF-zkObiqjKdA8kaj8xmlfCrbUgvE/s400/18423680_1458966497457611_5622239023289146334_n.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhEFhX5KsrROg3MMMyLHLvu43Jw11hU14FaLWscAnr9OLti7zKRuVWCGhQ7X5XyqgQ4ld3-fzIlbS1Pq35ur4JuULDHv0NoeeKrnz7W4jfBbm-weh6nnuhElgNPw4sXlBNUBuAUBfSeoQ/s1600/18403304_1458981114122816_7160005670179619203_n.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhEFhX5KsrROg3MMMyLHLvu43Jw11hU14FaLWscAnr9OLti7zKRuVWCGhQ7X5XyqgQ4ld3-fzIlbS1Pq35ur4JuULDHv0NoeeKrnz7W4jfBbm-weh6nnuhElgNPw4sXlBNUBuAUBfSeoQ/s400/18403304_1458981114122816_7160005670179619203_n.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
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This pattern is on sale through the 14th! Get your <a href="https://www.winterweardesigns.com/products/amuse-boho-top-and-dress-for-women-size-xs-xxxl">Amuse Boho here</a> and use code "AMUSEME" to get 20% off! There are lots of options - optional back yoke, 2 sleeve lengths, 3 dress lengths, top and tunic lengths, and a straight or shirttail hem for all! Best yet its super comfy for hot Florida summer. Levi's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210833187451001512noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6937517930684616644.post-90365892491570459792017-04-13T10:29:00.000-04:002018-04-11T09:28:20.440-04:00Fermenting adventures: Kimchi and Kraut - Easy recipes! James and I attended a fermentation class at the <a href="http://www.floridaearthskills.org/">Florida Earthskills Gathering</a>. It was our last class of the week but one of the best. We sat on the floor under the "dining tent" and passed around jar after jar of tasty goodness while learning that sanitation is not always advantageous, rotten fish mixed with sugar is good for the garden, and kraut is actually really easy to make and tastes amazing compared to store bought. We came away inspired, and sense then our kitchen has been a regular science lab with new things brewing, bubbling, fermenting and sprouting on every surface, even the tiki bar. People walk into our house for a visit and we shove forkfuls of new kraut in their mouth and pour samples of water kefir and kombucha for them to sample. I bring jars and bottles to friends houses, violin practice and easter egg hunts eager to share our latest creations. Jars are hoarded and beer is purchased with flip-tops so they can be used again. The kid runs out of the room when a bottle is about to be opened because of the ONE time I sprayed the entire kitchen with an overly fizzy explosion of kifer. Its a lot of fun, and no one has been poisoned yet by our creations - they just ask for recipes because they are so good! Here I share a couple of my favorites, quick, easy and tasty! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxGFJVejCPf90pQRN-7m-a794zJ8dDiR_EXDjDmhi72SEBf2eQwzN5CDOnrbty2tN-yhEqyj_8h42LwfpA6ZUlBa3LumuEdF8sOcH-rhjKDQjUGbNOHcZ4R-zzl7j1edfcQwLh7136xJk/s1600/17626334_1409065519114376_8743214932404720070_n.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxGFJVejCPf90pQRN-7m-a794zJ8dDiR_EXDjDmhi72SEBf2eQwzN5CDOnrbty2tN-yhEqyj_8h42LwfpA6ZUlBa3LumuEdF8sOcH-rhjKDQjUGbNOHcZ4R-zzl7j1edfcQwLh7136xJk/s320/17626334_1409065519114376_8743214932404720070_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-dI60s57odouBYo8Hoz8x2kxvwqSmeXj0aXtZIefvgRbyoNHMi1BG7Q8peaq7pzMANLMtN2e-Ol6ZvIwCuBClTDY-4rZUy1eiackliIECSzjoIkixYm-TpbawwpvAP9f2vKwmXzdb2-Q/s1600/17190665_1387380031282925_5909547856458521484_n.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-dI60s57odouBYo8Hoz8x2kxvwqSmeXj0aXtZIefvgRbyoNHMi1BG7Q8peaq7pzMANLMtN2e-Ol6ZvIwCuBClTDY-4rZUy1eiackliIECSzjoIkixYm-TpbawwpvAP9f2vKwmXzdb2-Q/s320/17190665_1387380031282925_5909547856458521484_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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First, is a kraut recipe. Naked Kraut was one of the first jars passed around in our class, consisting of just 2 ingredients - cabbage and salt. One bite of that stuff and we decided we would never need to buy store kraut again, there was such a big difference in flavor....and so much flavor for something so simple! <br />
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Sense making basic kraut I've experimented with several other variations - its easy enough to mess with and change based on whatever you have on hand, the technique is the same either way. <br />
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Ingredients: <br />
- Cabbage<br />
- Salt*<br />
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Supplies:<br />
-Clean jars<br />
- smooth rocks (I use river rocks bought at the dollar store, boiled in water to sanitize)<br />
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*use sea salt, pink salt, kosher salt - pretty much anything that is not standard table salt. <br />
<ol>
<li> Remove some of the big outer leaves of the cabbage and save them. </li>
<li>Cut up the cabbage - I slice it up thin, you want it into little pieces but the shape is up to you. </li>
<li>Put it into a big bowl and sprinkle with salt. Smush the cabbage with your hands squeezing and turning it. Taste a piece, if it tastes good, its got enough salt. If you can't taste the salt add a bit more. </li>
<li>Smash and squeeze and turn the cabbage until you get bored. Then leave it alone for 20-60min and do it again. You may need to do this just once if you have a juicy cabbage, or multiple times. You are looking for a little puddle of water at the bottom of the bowl. </li>
<li>At this point, if you want to add other things to the mixture, do that now. Shredded carrot, shredded apple, cranberries, ginger, onion chopped small, cilantro, mustard seeds, any veggies you have chopped up leftover, etc. Toss it on in. </li>
<li> Pack the cabbage into jars. Put a handful into a jar, then smash it down with something (your fist, a wood spoon, the end of a rolling pin...). Add another handful and repeat until you have around 3 of space to the top of the jar. Fill up remaining jars the same way. </li>
<li>Pour any additional liquid you have over the cabbage - basically everything should be under the brine you've created. </li>
<li>Take one of the cabbage leaves you saved and tear it into a circle the size of the jar opening. Pack it over the cabbage and press it under the brine. Top it with the rocks to hold everything down. Its very important that all of the "bits" are under the liquid. </li>
<li>Put the lid on the jar and leave it on the counter. Every day open the lid a tiny bit to "burp" it. In around 4 days you can eat it, but its even better if you leave it 2-3 weeks or longer. Just taste it and see how you like it best! </li>
<li>Put it in the fridge once you start using it - at that point you can remove the rocks and big cabbage leaf and even pour off the brine if you want. </li>
</ol>
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<div>
Kimchi - vegan and not too spicy! </div>
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Ingredients: </div>
<div>
- Cabbage</div>
<div>
- additional veggies, if you want them (carrot and daikon are our favorites) </div>
<div>
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<div>
- 2 TBS soy sauce</div>
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- 2TBS sugar (whatever kind you like)</div>
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- chunk of pineapple (maybe 1/3 cup size)<br />
- thumb size chunk of ginger (peel it)</div>
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- 4-5 cloves of garlic (peel)</div>
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- 1/2 onion</div>
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- 1/4 cup red chili flakes (the kind you put on pizza)</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<ol>
<li>Chop up the cabbage and any other veggies you choose. </li>
<li>Take the rest of the ingredients and dump them into a blender or food processor. Chop them a bit first if you need to. Blend them up into a paste, if it seems super thick you can throw in a little water. </li>
<li>Dump the sauce onto the kraut and toss it up - if you have sensitive skin you may want gloves, my hands burned for days. DO NOT touch your eyeball (you can guess how I figured that one out). </li>
<li>Press into jars, and using the same technique as for kraut. </li>
<li>Leave on the counter for a while, its good after about a week but can sit longer too! Start tasting it and decide what you like. </li>
</ol>
</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Y1QszCRezAoqaxHViclHisL5hiTVQ1UnBxV51uNRu1v6COPRfgR8oCCZz9OLQhKwLkOLB8cZ9iohyphenhyphenmWLkAydARu1bYY6m8fSba-TjoNlq9yOScePoTTi-3GDaO9OqT3r8f3WG7EMTKA/s1600/17155644_1391489784205283_7802199490125310302_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Y1QszCRezAoqaxHViclHisL5hiTVQ1UnBxV51uNRu1v6COPRfgR8oCCZz9OLQhKwLkOLB8cZ9iohyphenhyphenmWLkAydARu1bYY6m8fSba-TjoNlq9yOScePoTTi-3GDaO9OqT3r8f3WG7EMTKA/s640/17155644_1391489784205283_7802199490125310302_n.jpg" width="524" /></a></div>
<br />Levi's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210833187451001512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6937517930684616644.post-51873219553293767882017-02-28T09:37:00.001-05:002017-03-02T11:00:05.290-05:00Vegan Savory MuffinsThis recipe is adapted from the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1612431097/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1612431097&linkCode=as2&tag=t03ccb-20&linkId=19868dc71599d35bbbbab18c9e64469f" target="_blank">I Love Trader Joe's Vegetarian Cookbook</a>, which we got from the library but might end up buying, there are so many good looking recipes and every one of them has a vegan option. <br />
<br />
This muffin recipe is so good (and quick and easy!) that we have made it 3 times now in the last couple weeks! <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Vegan Savory Muffins</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjagGTBKiHBFYqe6bm7-rl8Z4RapbhyphenhyphenR_xQe5GZdWcu_NgZ5UBXJmNHe323BrN-Pc_0_0v4lLnX5zNEbP4yGWHv5dtXAKEipfhHySg19r4YiVOexfcweYSRHEzAEe-iZzT1i8qHf_PNXFo/s1600/17021458_1380239281997000_5512600090006990491_n.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjagGTBKiHBFYqe6bm7-rl8Z4RapbhyphenhyphenR_xQe5GZdWcu_NgZ5UBXJmNHe323BrN-Pc_0_0v4lLnX5zNEbP4yGWHv5dtXAKEipfhHySg19r4YiVOexfcweYSRHEzAEe-iZzT1i8qHf_PNXFo/s320/17021458_1380239281997000_5512600090006990491_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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Ingredients:<br />
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2 Cups of white whole wheat flour*<br />
2 TBS organic sugar (optional, but adds a tiny bit of sweet to counter the savory)<br />
1 tsp baking powder<br />
1/2 tsp baking soda<br />
1/4 tsp sea salt<br />
1/4 cup mild oil (I use coconut, but any oil works, even good olive oil)<br />
1/4 tsp vinegar (again, whatever you have on hand, I use ACV)<br />
1 and 3/4 cup non-dairy milk (I use whatever I have on hand)<br />
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Seasoning/Add ins, add whatever you like here, but add something, this is where the flavor comes from! <br />
This is the blend I use:<br />
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2 tsp ground oregano<br />
1 tsp dried garlic powder<br />
1 tsp Italian seasoning<br />
1-2 TBS herbs from the garden washed and cut up (chives, basil, thyme, etc)<br />
Handful of shredded cheese (we use non-dairy "Follow your heart" brand)<br />
1/4 cup chopped up sundried tomatoes<br />
1/3 cup (ish) of chopped up breakfast sausage (we use vegan field roast apple maple)<br />
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*We use King Arthur's Flour, which is GMO free, I have not tried this with alternative flours, GF flour, etc., but it might just work!<br />
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Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line or grease muffin pans. Dump all of the dry ingredients into a bowl and mix. Dump all of the wet ingredients on top and mix. It should be pretty thick and lumpy, just mix enough to get rid of any dry spots. <br />
Fill muffin cups, its ok to fill them all the way up. This fills up a dozen to the top. <br />
Bake 14-16min<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJh03moOpzELWXTavMRc43yHIoMb9bDcHUxP4c1XEYaYL3CyExOsdn0xNn7AmQ4YPYhbQkfrv3NhqcXtycBu57AVD0nbo0dsmY27WVN3RJbiVb3W3dYdDSN45qfXoG-JLLsPpbd74eIMk/s1600/16996361_1380230528664542_4729852115187091707_n.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJh03moOpzELWXTavMRc43yHIoMb9bDcHUxP4c1XEYaYL3CyExOsdn0xNn7AmQ4YPYhbQkfrv3NhqcXtycBu57AVD0nbo0dsmY27WVN3RJbiVb3W3dYdDSN45qfXoG-JLLsPpbd74eIMk/s640/16996361_1380230528664542_4729852115187091707_n.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Cool. Eat! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggsncY5Z78InsW8_3oVuoxJwrlE69RUXADECghy8IUet61LmKZTY-YZAe3Af_2TJoiVbzujZxbWlKKo7y7armsGkVFAt90VBJ9o6gWNgeSyVYcFOsM4D8TPlX6_T3rJcJOnvpwWUfr9IE/s1600/16996231_1380239285330333_3310616988351535130_n.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggsncY5Z78InsW8_3oVuoxJwrlE69RUXADECghy8IUet61LmKZTY-YZAe3Af_2TJoiVbzujZxbWlKKo7y7armsGkVFAt90VBJ9o6gWNgeSyVYcFOsM4D8TPlX6_T3rJcJOnvpwWUfr9IE/s640/16996231_1380239285330333_3310616988351535130_n.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Cookbook can be found here: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1612431097/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1612431097&linkCode=as2&tag=t03ccb-20&linkId=2528ae71a908906408515666cbea49b2" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=1612431097&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=t03ccb-20" /></a></div>
<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=t03ccb-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1612431097" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
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<br />Levi's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210833187451001512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6937517930684616644.post-48438855987652343552017-01-07T10:08:00.002-05:002017-01-07T10:09:35.734-05:00Yeti Village Gingerbread houseInspired by my yeti stuffies that I have been making and selling in my etsy shop (which is back open!), I made a yeti gingerbread village. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9NcQJvPH258kRF_2ZgRFs540X_qrnLITIsd05zqF6JKRqjc80jMt-Q3M63D4q4kgdSoHKDMOaZLZiuPW8wg22VT5tLc6HQjmI3Sp7-0WdS33DK54BO_1gQy7yglTmgUpqbB_3IoAqgyo/s1600/15871598_1334020916618837_4700145046162000005_n.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9NcQJvPH258kRF_2ZgRFs540X_qrnLITIsd05zqF6JKRqjc80jMt-Q3M63D4q4kgdSoHKDMOaZLZiuPW8wg22VT5tLc6HQjmI3Sp7-0WdS33DK54BO_1gQy7yglTmgUpqbB_3IoAqgyo/s320/15871598_1334020916618837_4700145046162000005_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOSQct7Sqwk0qbsldDIhdifEYSNAGR9Il8-urDH_g9zge23rFpxIeaHgrVTrnjE35ATkG7inMij2OigC_n4mOb9UpIdN4JmUlZ4tPa86uO0hvB1C5-Oyo933Lnnyif_mdcjWilp1a9p7g/s1600/15940695_1334020883285507_3564997495345655814_n.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOSQct7Sqwk0qbsldDIhdifEYSNAGR9Il8-urDH_g9zge23rFpxIeaHgrVTrnjE35ATkG7inMij2OigC_n4mOb9UpIdN4JmUlZ4tPa86uO0hvB1C5-Oyo933Lnnyif_mdcjWilp1a9p7g/s320/15940695_1334020883285507_3564997495345655814_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglMX9-ba8swfg_I0HtET1eYEDN36WGFGfL1v6Mvwwkd8Ma6It64DE1UC3J6iF8blcovyudSyqG36DNINz70tGmmRuoGwmAu9M6tZP_f4AEdlSaxRqFZd6VAYTd4m_G0-ylp_Y4oYnAcaQ/s1600/15871803_1334020866618842_6802013395790126536_n.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglMX9-ba8swfg_I0HtET1eYEDN36WGFGfL1v6Mvwwkd8Ma6It64DE1UC3J6iF8blcovyudSyqG36DNINz70tGmmRuoGwmAu9M6tZP_f4AEdlSaxRqFZd6VAYTd4m_G0-ylp_Y4oYnAcaQ/s320/15871803_1334020866618842_6802013395790126536_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7MSj2n8YYOEoLQ83LHn4F8zunSA8tN9R3XSwJ-0hivbwP5ckSBwZT6MJNS1U50NukjepFlU4rIfFqSXzet9yEJeGsyoXRKidMfBMTxrOsUlf_Q4jzRt-yfJWm9G-lJsFXlIiEzvmCFgI/s1600/15940979_1334020849952177_7752711404024616990_n.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7MSj2n8YYOEoLQ83LHn4F8zunSA8tN9R3XSwJ-0hivbwP5ckSBwZT6MJNS1U50NukjepFlU4rIfFqSXzet9yEJeGsyoXRKidMfBMTxrOsUlf_Q4jzRt-yfJWm9G-lJsFXlIiEzvmCFgI/s320/15940979_1334020849952177_7752711404024616990_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYmq0eYFEgT_oD4AzfBIfoG7YObhmZ6CX3R7UNMsZXNt-K0kf_4SxEeNhg8uW_Tv46wGf5kRuKbF-JsOdNlYqpRJszDBKcXgLvBwYLFxz9h5nIArE0-9wy6MnTrGE2YhYLL5vdHyAIVe8/s1600/15894847_1334020823285513_7038773323839315843_n.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYmq0eYFEgT_oD4AzfBIfoG7YObhmZ6CX3R7UNMsZXNt-K0kf_4SxEeNhg8uW_Tv46wGf5kRuKbF-JsOdNlYqpRJszDBKcXgLvBwYLFxz9h5nIArE0-9wy6MnTrGE2YhYLL5vdHyAIVe8/s320/15894847_1334020823285513_7038773323839315843_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvnylzRmtcGbt8FjZNsCloogxEgiaGBboEDCuXMU5n4ACI6VLf2tC9Zoabq-I1Ykc-qg_wqep_-6DAseHyF6XTWLnK56TKI20Vd1RTEi1-ynPzMeS_VqiiiEWxIwTU2OnoUkJET6pSfKY/s1600/15894990_1334020806618848_4243433457701606896_n.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvnylzRmtcGbt8FjZNsCloogxEgiaGBboEDCuXMU5n4ACI6VLf2tC9Zoabq-I1Ykc-qg_wqep_-6DAseHyF6XTWLnK56TKI20Vd1RTEi1-ynPzMeS_VqiiiEWxIwTU2OnoUkJET6pSfKY/s320/15894990_1334020806618848_4243433457701606896_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJZiV9EeyZWK2COLYN54LC3DIq0DWbO_frzvW5Zm-HsNh0-22M4j1ZzgS0zoxOrWeWjRURSbG9skKQrxC6d4azOyhZLDzfxfGXt2HO57O35t9vcb1-p8NettA0Z_T3SVJcq_wwv-Thdlk/s1600/15871794_1334020786618850_3629672953163411969_n.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJZiV9EeyZWK2COLYN54LC3DIq0DWbO_frzvW5Zm-HsNh0-22M4j1ZzgS0zoxOrWeWjRURSbG9skKQrxC6d4azOyhZLDzfxfGXt2HO57O35t9vcb1-p8NettA0Z_T3SVJcq_wwv-Thdlk/s320/15871794_1334020786618850_3629672953163411969_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMrIgfBIa6WtQKR2ZyWsS_GLsB3ECZA-Z5DK7Ux7vKXEcUSDVWS5pt-Gl79WRCZkKpTjZNMs4Pya9YrINvbferdv6tgL_SuooYQYhdUP0Ks1Mszi3MMbcjbPm_mho8HywjjkpOUOxOl_k/s1600/15871818_1334020763285519_6670366709508413119_n.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMrIgfBIa6WtQKR2ZyWsS_GLsB3ECZA-Z5DK7Ux7vKXEcUSDVWS5pt-Gl79WRCZkKpTjZNMs4Pya9YrINvbferdv6tgL_SuooYQYhdUP0Ks1Mszi3MMbcjbPm_mho8HywjjkpOUOxOl_k/s320/15871818_1334020763285519_6670366709508413119_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>Levi's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210833187451001512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6937517930684616644.post-29588482732379847482016-11-28T16:26:00.004-05:002016-11-28T16:27:03.146-05:00Gnomes, Yetis and Santa! I finally have been getting some things put up in my etsy shop. James helped me with pictures, so I have some good looking listings! The gnome pictures I even took myself, I'm finally learning to use my camera a little, although I don't think I remember everything. <br />
I've been making dozens of these guys because they are so much fun, they make great stocking stuffers for everyone!<br />
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/494424835/cyber-monday-mini-gnome-stuffies?ref=listing-shop-header-2">Get gnomes here</a><br />
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/480889372/cyber-monday-mini-tiny-santa-stuffie?ref=shop_home_active_2">Get santa here</a><br />
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/480696420/cyber-monday-mini-tiny-snow-yeti?ref=shop_home_active_1">Get yetis here</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPmCzwTDBa6PfPbT5ttJ4O1J2HiQEYb0biLFQn5wE3d1GNApBfXuQAwcUGl_k8MdCafQN-rePYVRm7ePfJGCjtihl2jTiW3Vdad75aVXSy4HLzDrvUKxqjsuc_IAHAVeDEiX9aXJthZ_0/s1600/_DSC2499.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPmCzwTDBa6PfPbT5ttJ4O1J2HiQEYb0biLFQn5wE3d1GNApBfXuQAwcUGl_k8MdCafQN-rePYVRm7ePfJGCjtihl2jTiW3Vdad75aVXSy4HLzDrvUKxqjsuc_IAHAVeDEiX9aXJthZ_0/s400/_DSC2499.jpg" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaP89VUwqiYfE42etsSLdddZRrVpjoS-pNBSla6txG_QrvkOLwQQ2lW3fTDmBasUSVmdAEI53FiiHHp5SppTYfp9nZpvom_jc5uqefKSA-YkOMfSNiHk7f_N8Ho9BZCvI-wLjr8Wi759Y/s1600/_DSC2491.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaP89VUwqiYfE42etsSLdddZRrVpjoS-pNBSla6txG_QrvkOLwQQ2lW3fTDmBasUSVmdAEI53FiiHHp5SppTYfp9nZpvom_jc5uqefKSA-YkOMfSNiHk7f_N8Ho9BZCvI-wLjr8Wi759Y/s400/_DSC2491.jpg" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjibk1lTo6w4inhcPbFzh-9o342JhcWlf6KGDKz4rGIwpUgyW61B7bdO7WVdOsQGTbDxcrVbNPRH0xWbrEKS9mtsbFXyPSqgjTEaoDkEzmlfCmXaXnhD-hSOUluJLLhZQF4zVVefbluOvc/s1600/_DSC2467.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjibk1lTo6w4inhcPbFzh-9o342JhcWlf6KGDKz4rGIwpUgyW61B7bdO7WVdOsQGTbDxcrVbNPRH0xWbrEKS9mtsbFXyPSqgjTEaoDkEzmlfCmXaXnhD-hSOUluJLLhZQF4zVVefbluOvc/s400/_DSC2467.jpg" width="301" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Tke_wYZh8c5wNrCSf1XShFdwlsUqcRxtF4z031vbgccyAKxMSH23zsYRwj4RwmmirroZN2_0n1erEp1rubwVJCk4Fnqq4BCXFjiR0ubGJK1YWABH4Hz1Pggc5pNUdM1DoRhecIec1m0/s1600/_DSC2442.jpg" 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src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic9MO_fBAa6x6g2vmM4c9lblVaBMk1gRNNjhNLJZMyMtXYQNTAZgkzpPG46OlTPFde1_WveTHhLvFzi1VImCA3ES984VIKotKL__rXcwmg0pWhaNN-HVf3mF6fNYOVNIyb6y6HomTBwiI/s320/_KP21128.jpg" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtKW3CxvD7_spm9-rxe8rGt1eK6Nl3HBPpKpQB1U6eFmojc5L0P-GoyTNcam3MGD2G3GjsLZGbdgTCx4BhoZHbt-n_7PmWkhphDQYvevRdYplsu0tiv4H4Bd64VNQhmCHJtww-WBmgvvs/s1600/_KP21127.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtKW3CxvD7_spm9-rxe8rGt1eK6Nl3HBPpKpQB1U6eFmojc5L0P-GoyTNcam3MGD2G3GjsLZGbdgTCx4BhoZHbt-n_7PmWkhphDQYvevRdYplsu0tiv4H4Bd64VNQhmCHJtww-WBmgvvs/s400/_KP21127.jpg" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilY4_gZ_A9f0Ek94Y2EIvV8R9i3vhVXRa9KCKCEPxatTDndPtC5cYmLDySLTX5XmJ4aIRIUB6MoNq3sfeHIPj8xPoVorTw3UytScXNrszqyPhCh6KDODH35S3IVrRF3g5IdiguU2CdyPs/s1600/_KP21125.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilY4_gZ_A9f0Ek94Y2EIvV8R9i3vhVXRa9KCKCEPxatTDndPtC5cYmLDySLTX5XmJ4aIRIUB6MoNq3sfeHIPj8xPoVorTw3UytScXNrszqyPhCh6KDODH35S3IVrRF3g5IdiguU2CdyPs/s400/_KP21125.jpg" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOKJTShANO_ZAdlkECq1GMIYyI6IgcscFxbVbtE4d5jJi943N5m9sQcBIWp0M4gSk_jJg63xcxlpRwwugymZfKit8qNuP6ZEOWNic2Q-YaUfPKluzVfRSC7qaLE2cNndHm-MIQaL-db1U/s1600/_KP21123.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOKJTShANO_ZAdlkECq1GMIYyI6IgcscFxbVbtE4d5jJi943N5m9sQcBIWp0M4gSk_jJg63xcxlpRwwugymZfKit8qNuP6ZEOWNic2Q-YaUfPKluzVfRSC7qaLE2cNndHm-MIQaL-db1U/s320/_KP21123.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj128rlWavM3BiiOOzbKDbEKyR6iqA_iyRLok6ZbVhVXex0jqseSzyyk5eKGqVEdBF6QKw98GFUeiPzfWhF5G09f1G8xVW8eKEPc31Vri4zhcIyZlx2mRk7lzsJjhY9V3EYjRA5C5pZC-w/s1600/_KP21121.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj128rlWavM3BiiOOzbKDbEKyR6iqA_iyRLok6ZbVhVXex0jqseSzyyk5eKGqVEdBF6QKw98GFUeiPzfWhF5G09f1G8xVW8eKEPc31Vri4zhcIyZlx2mRk7lzsJjhY9V3EYjRA5C5pZC-w/s320/_KP21121.jpg" width="302" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqnTpQeD5F8hUW7f1w-ThtSNLU_xiakRphgarCAKf-_tpWVcazxrz2h4xB4afTv08RNTGkOp_jgg93T0IzhUVA-Rtp34SlokmAIis5zJczm4NzpQik3wdvcHBLHmFF7ULJQPNMbAmSnfc/s1600/_KP21116.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqnTpQeD5F8hUW7f1w-ThtSNLU_xiakRphgarCAKf-_tpWVcazxrz2h4xB4afTv08RNTGkOp_jgg93T0IzhUVA-Rtp34SlokmAIis5zJczm4NzpQik3wdvcHBLHmFF7ULJQPNMbAmSnfc/s640/_KP21116.jpg" width="640" /></a>Levi's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210833187451001512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6937517930684616644.post-64873438400958158532016-08-09T10:55:00.002-04:002016-08-09T10:55:46.923-04:00Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop Vitality Racerback Shaped Back Opening HackFor the back of the night dress in the previous post I decided to do a little experimenting with the back. I made a half circle shaped opening to change up the simple style a little bit. <br />
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This is what it looks like: (my scissors are labeled fabric yet "someone" still used them to hack up cardboard or something else equally horrifying!)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq_GUC0Lvi_BOM8qFIJEyMyIf_X8lUGAYpG_xbIAotPafANMhcAS3GXLBE-384CnuB_YEzpPtdFjzpdkvmfvX3lcxvRIb0evP99Hz5WfhqUppBr7X_B3cRSPQYxeX6rL16G2f7j2O9J8E/s1600/13876247_1192496247437972_5003491864168235985_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq_GUC0Lvi_BOM8qFIJEyMyIf_X8lUGAYpG_xbIAotPafANMhcAS3GXLBE-384CnuB_YEzpPtdFjzpdkvmfvX3lcxvRIb0evP99Hz5WfhqUppBr7X_B3cRSPQYxeX6rL16G2f7j2O9J8E/s640/13876247_1192496247437972_5003491864168235985_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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This is actually pretty easy to add and you can do any shape you want (I was thinking of doing a star, but decided not to push my luck sewing in the middle of the night!) </div>
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First, assemble the <a href="http://www.peekaboopatternshop.com/vitality-racerback-tank-sports-bra/?aff=206">Vitality Racerback</a> as instructed in the pattern. Get the bra sewn, and the tank, but stop before basting them together. </div>
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Next figure out what shape you want, I just cut a piece of paper and laid it out until I liked it. This "pattern" will be the exact size of your hole when you are done, so no need to add seam allowance or anything like that. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGk4B0yIjuRTLA_Qh8mWc2TFif62NuGvx3wrYZiMhxScuHPgkVV9Pav95zdVmD_3ll5BbMQf0XYkSeD6xFC-RiCoqQt7mNvTA1uMLrr6-l98yb8bjvCh1JfAWyw8bSlMK3IMiHKeiyvCM/s1600/13882096_1192496314104632_3079539620301025283_n.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGk4B0yIjuRTLA_Qh8mWc2TFif62NuGvx3wrYZiMhxScuHPgkVV9Pav95zdVmD_3ll5BbMQf0XYkSeD6xFC-RiCoqQt7mNvTA1uMLrr6-l98yb8bjvCh1JfAWyw8bSlMK3IMiHKeiyvCM/s640/13882096_1192496314104632_3079539620301025283_n.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Trace the pattern piece on the right side of the bra (in the next steps I switched this because I prefer the bra hem inside out). I just use washable crayola markers for sewing patterns, they are cheap, wash out easy, and they are all over the house!<br />
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Layer the bra over the tank lining up the arm and neck openings. The WRONG side of the bra touching the RIGHT side of the tank (remember I switched my bra inside out here). <br />
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Pin all over the place, my pinning looks crazy because this fabric is super soft and moves all over the place - you want to put enough pins that the two layers line up, and around your "hole" shape so that stays still while you sew. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw0wYVUWomkHHTu7DoxyPHHJ6OgSV1Tfc82d9HNDVLv-_VkBMPys0VjzBdEwUs_ExGIiKX9xh4KDQL83pZ3d2bv0ildaQ7xzBaexcII_V6V9hzHmHvQvWzG2CTUFROer8NqACz3uv4SQE/s1600/13895567_1192496290771301_1397219859713130162_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw0wYVUWomkHHTu7DoxyPHHJ6OgSV1Tfc82d9HNDVLv-_VkBMPys0VjzBdEwUs_ExGIiKX9xh4KDQL83pZ3d2bv0ildaQ7xzBaexcII_V6V9hzHmHvQvWzG2CTUFROer8NqACz3uv4SQE/s640/13895567_1192496290771301_1397219859713130162_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Now take it to your machine and stitch right on the line you drew. Make sure you pivot the fabric at any corners to make them nice and neat. Remove pins as you go if they are poking you, and be careful not to catch any random bits of fabric in there from underneath. <br />
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Take all the pins out when its sewn.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaKNgLX0w0CKhA1wq3d93VCv2khx1YLeywgBQIWQku-fdKVbWhh8qyDSab6DTTafcCsngWQsL8Qyl5fYdefUP-lBWGio90KC_xlUD_Qi0CRBG4mHSyOIjU87xPjynCNR-mC9FqUqUbjgg/s1600/13892240_1192496264104637_4010178099022895866_n.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaKNgLX0w0CKhA1wq3d93VCv2khx1YLeywgBQIWQku-fdKVbWhh8qyDSab6DTTafcCsngWQsL8Qyl5fYdefUP-lBWGio90KC_xlUD_Qi0CRBG4mHSyOIjU87xPjynCNR-mC9FqUqUbjgg/s640/13892240_1192496264104637_4010178099022895866_n.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Next, try and find some sharp scissors that nobody ruined, and cut out your "hole" leaving a seam allowance on the inside. At corners, clip a little "v" shape so it lays flat when you turn it. <br />
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See how well my scissors work?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfpVv_R2hC9CBgzL9NaVOA58vHsv5sp41KxAATFLhK8o2JInhclOvu-pu1ONsV-e8WGrqpvjO2n4ew7UXnlEoA81HB9XCUeHvuJmRMhYaWB9Rbt6R7LBWe0OIPkU98X2et5Tm4wwTufB0/s1600/13924951_1192496284104635_2366306835599426971_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfpVv_R2hC9CBgzL9NaVOA58vHsv5sp41KxAATFLhK8o2JInhclOvu-pu1ONsV-e8WGrqpvjO2n4ew7UXnlEoA81HB9XCUeHvuJmRMhYaWB9Rbt6R7LBWe0OIPkU98X2et5Tm4wwTufB0/s640/13924951_1192496284104635_2366306835599426971_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Now take the bra and stuff it through the hole. Prod it as necessary to get everything to lay flat, and then press. Next topstitch around the edge of the hole, this helps it to stay flat although you can skip this if your fabric seems to be cooperating without it. <br />
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My soft fabric doesn't like to lay flat for pretty pictures. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA5Wx_HNJXO8B3_GKTVTOaj-9BhNnQn94srG1vSR78bXf1W2zkfgN3RjC_nH3skbaVUqgmXgDHGYgIShmbbivLbE0L9NFZHHWCoTKdkOOeibIrAH-aTqywQnU0O4TZ44hjL3guP6KrCgI/s1600/13876247_1192496247437972_5003491864168235985_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA5Wx_HNJXO8B3_GKTVTOaj-9BhNnQn94srG1vSR78bXf1W2zkfgN3RjC_nH3skbaVUqgmXgDHGYgIShmbbivLbE0L9NFZHHWCoTKdkOOeibIrAH-aTqywQnU0O4TZ44hjL3guP6KrCgI/s640/13876247_1192496247437972_5003491864168235985_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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But thats ok, because when you put it on, it lays how it should! <br />
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It took way too many tries to get this picture so its kinda blurry, its much easier when I can get the kid to take pictures of my back!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifhxvBJOLcVrmpr2O85PeWK0em24ndWTxMHHP8NaXNso1IjrnIruZPnSPdd-DfRBs3X0boLuyoh9ObLWReOdMq2qQkOTb8QJL9C4HTDAGPULxe0F0Mpi3ork2E6DSev7dR9qVX1z-jexE/s1600/13901468_1192496160771314_5990150334352073558_n.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifhxvBJOLcVrmpr2O85PeWK0em24ndWTxMHHP8NaXNso1IjrnIruZPnSPdd-DfRBs3X0boLuyoh9ObLWReOdMq2qQkOTb8QJL9C4HTDAGPULxe0F0Mpi3ork2E6DSev7dR9qVX1z-jexE/s640/13901468_1192496160771314_5990150334352073558_n.jpg" width="480" /></a><br />
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Ta-dah! A fun twist on the <a href="http://www.peekaboopatternshop.com/vitality-racerback-tank-sports-bra/?aff=206">Vitality Tank</a>!<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Links are affiliate links! </span>Levi's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210833187451001512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6937517930684616644.post-88521947097444827542016-08-09T10:55:00.001-04:002016-08-09T10:55:10.434-04:00Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop Vitality Racerback Nightdress Hack<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So for whatever reason, Levi decided to wear my nightdress. And when I pulled it out of the wash I found this: </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4AO5jYVM_nr5GSGeM3RYiUOjI072dzmmxKAFo3ocqnr9MmTKe8lexsDovpej1v6nnlzPpqlUUXBk2hAdEKFUFJQyLU5jwaVDPMXdxtZPzoK_AwDdHlyq-12pzH7GIZvFmgUwCUywp0Hw/s1600/13932871_1192499457437651_7809237972825375805_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4AO5jYVM_nr5GSGeM3RYiUOjI072dzmmxKAFo3ocqnr9MmTKe8lexsDovpej1v6nnlzPpqlUUXBk2hAdEKFUFJQyLU5jwaVDPMXdxtZPzoK_AwDdHlyq-12pzH7GIZvFmgUwCUywp0Hw/s640/13932871_1192499457437651_7809237972825375805_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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He ate it! The weirdo kid literally ate the sleeve of my nightdress. <br />
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I was making a birthing gown for a customer and really liked how soft the fabric was, so I bought extra for myself, so I could make a replacement. <br />
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I used the <a href="http://www.peekaboopatternshop.com/vitality-racerback-tank-sports-bra/?aff=206">Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop Vitality Racerback Tank</a> (which I tested a while back), as my basis. The pattern comes with a tank, sports bra, or combo of the two. There is also a<a href="http://www.peekaboopatternshop.com/vitality-maternity-add-on-pack/?aff=206"> maternity add-on</a> you can get. <br />
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I modified the pattern a bit to get a simple A-line dress. <br />
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First, I figured out how long I wanted it to be. I wasn't too worried about an exact length so just held the measuring tape where I thought the neckline would start and measured to about my knees. <br />
Next, if you want a specific width for the hem, figure out what you want that to be and divide by 4. I just eyeballed it sense this is pj's. <br />
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Fold the fabric in half, and put the bra pattern piece on the fold. Measure the length going down the fold and mark. Then measure the width (remember its 1/4 what you want it to end up), across the bottom. Last draw a line from the "armpit seam" down to the hem. This will be an "A" shaped line and will be wider than the bottom of the bra pattern piece. <br />
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Cut it out. <br />
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For the back, use your front that is cut out as a pattern piece - line up the armpit seam and cut the skirt portion, then put the back pattern piece on and cut that out. This way the skirt bit will match front and back. <br />
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Cut the bra part out as instructed in the pattern, if you want to include it. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ghhbT8xTQHA6DUqaHzTbNFbejjJvw0ddSEW6OUAjA2JRDBx6vTGx1bkWWTcNpOcZGO70GfXcz7mY2vEwq0tjwYbzplv7Cnso-wNXjjsqhHh3LuPfave7_MFwjz2hp7mUjMabUHh7DF8/s1600/13876437_1192499304104333_3926497800608612487_n.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ghhbT8xTQHA6DUqaHzTbNFbejjJvw0ddSEW6OUAjA2JRDBx6vTGx1bkWWTcNpOcZGO70GfXcz7mY2vEwq0tjwYbzplv7Cnso-wNXjjsqhHh3LuPfave7_MFwjz2hp7mUjMabUHh7DF8/s640/13876437_1192499304104333_3926497800608612487_n.jpg" width="480" /></a><br />
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Now follow the pattern! Its the same as making the "tank with built in bra" option, with the exception of the side seams being longer. <br />
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Ta-dah! An easy and comfy nightdress, ready for bed! <br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Links are affiliate links</span>Levi's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210833187451001512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6937517930684616644.post-15756060704321786852016-07-25T15:04:00.005-04:002016-07-25T15:05:17.237-04:00Whales in San Francisco<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="text-align: start;">We visited San Francisco again for a couple days this July. This time we went whale watching! Levi really enjoyed the boat ride (which was rough, luckily we don't get seasick), and we saw whales, dolphins, sea lions, sunfish, birds, sea otter and even a shark! </span></div>
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Sea Lions<br />
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Sunfish<br />
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Dolphins<br />
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Sea Otter<br />
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Whales! These were so hard to capture because they move fast, the boat was pretty far, and we were in rough seas. <br />
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My parents and Levi! <br />
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<br />Levi's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210833187451001512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6937517930684616644.post-62315102495000932202016-06-17T14:42:00.000-04:002016-06-17T14:50:18.184-04:00Tank Top Testing - Finding Our Favorite Muscle Tank Pattern, a comparison of 15 patterns! <br />
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Levi asked me to make him some more tank tops, his favorite style of shirt for the summer. I had a look and realized I had 18 different tank patterns! Some of these are free ones, some are ones I've tested for various designers, none of them I actually bought. In the past, I just chose one of my patterns without thinking too much about it, but I know some of Levi's tanks fit better than others, so I decided to find out which we like best.<br />
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I ended up sewing a total of 15 tank tops, and I even convinced Levi to pose for pictures for every single one of them.<br />
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I'm going to share a little about each pattern, some key measurements, and pictures of the front, armcye and back fit. I'm putting these in order starting with Levi's least favorite and ending with his favorite.<br />
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AND if you stick it out to the end of the post, you will find a giveaway to win your very own tank top made from one of these patterns by The Little Sewing Shop.<br />
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First a quick comparison on a measurement chart, these are all size 6, or the equivalent Euro size.<br />
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Armcye depth -<span style="color: magenta;"> Pink Line</span><br />
Shoulder width - <span style="color: blue;">Blue line</span><br />
Chest width - <span style="color: red;">red line</span><br />
Length - <span style="color: cyan;">Turquoise line</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;"><br />
</span> <span style="color: red;">(All titles are clickable links!!!) </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">15. <a href="http://aefflyns.blogspot.de/2015/06/freebook-minisun-das-sommertop-2015.html">Mini Sun</a> by <a href="http://aefflyns.blogspot.com/">Aefflyns To Go</a></span><br />
Size: 74-140 (about 12m-10yrs)<br />
Price: FREE<br />
Armcye/Neck: Bands- Measure openings to determine length<br />
Notes: This pattern is not in English but comes with great pictures and Google Translate does a good job as well. Check out the other patterns on <a href="http://aefflyns.blogspot.de/">this blog</a> too, there is a mom's version of this one too!<br />
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I had high hopes for this pattern because I liked that it is the only one with a more "racer back" style. Unfortunately, it seemed to run pretty small despite remembering to add seam allowances (European patterns often don't include them). I plan on trying this again in a bigger size because I like the look!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk_mFepcseFFBVczS89X4srOt4ngOZkeY987i-q0uyOe34iKgyJ465FxmVFKA-buLrJyLKJW0NMs_fbY45YgxfiUEsFkgsW_UATtmTltqoj49Lh_ExJRVw_dweL28WyEXZRSDY-r0ZwUc/s1600/_DSC1476.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk_mFepcseFFBVczS89X4srOt4ngOZkeY987i-q0uyOe34iKgyJ465FxmVFKA-buLrJyLKJW0NMs_fbY45YgxfiUEsFkgsW_UATtmTltqoj49Lh_ExJRVw_dweL28WyEXZRSDY-r0ZwUc/s320/_DSC1476.JPG" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgqtO9-Moidg-Y7lRVjR7F7Clw2Euyvn3tLduHaCRS8eIWiyIILOJ-ofG3XYfA-qN7fRjOhyphenhyphenaOyu42OwRm9L7jEQ6G2ADReTM6oAZWLr5M3HFBNzeZEklcChmVUA6yO5FV1n_qWsOzZZw/s1600/_DSC1475.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgqtO9-Moidg-Y7lRVjR7F7Clw2Euyvn3tLduHaCRS8eIWiyIILOJ-ofG3XYfA-qN7fRjOhyphenhyphenaOyu42OwRm9L7jEQ6G2ADReTM6oAZWLr5M3HFBNzeZEklcChmVUA6yO5FV1n_qWsOzZZw/s320/_DSC1475.JPG" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCW96oygk-_iop2e76PGfS9v_nZPQ-TWVw_B0yWP0aKqfW_Vyg4VI1VPH4n-NIrc35W3aG4dgCT59o-uryLELn1ofVaPCuSJjna_BNGHJN8qI7FzYrKbk7w5CwOAMfhhCl4ekL6uAo_sU/s1600/_DSC1472.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCW96oygk-_iop2e76PGfS9v_nZPQ-TWVw_B0yWP0aKqfW_Vyg4VI1VPH4n-NIrc35W3aG4dgCT59o-uryLELn1ofVaPCuSJjna_BNGHJN8qI7FzYrKbk7w5CwOAMfhhCl4ekL6uAo_sU/s320/_DSC1472.JPG" width="213" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">14. <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/292053883/on-your-mark-t-shirt-and-tank-top?ref=shop_home_active_2">On Your Mark</a> by <a href="https://kellyjdesigns.wordpress.com/">Kelly J Designs</a></span><br />
Size: 12m-18yr<br />
Price: $9<br />
Armcye/Neck: Binding, with cutting chart<br />
Notes: This has fun color blocking with pockets! The On Your Mark pattern is not just a tank but also a short or long sleeve shirt too. Layered printing on this one too which saves ink!<br />
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I was surprised that Levi ranked this one "low" on his list of favorites, because another pattern in the <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/292286167/the-race-day-sewing-pattern-collection-t?ref=shop_home_active_1">same bundle</a> came in higher even though they have the same fit. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt7XM0KGbAKxUQS0kdyJkzXjpPnfYL0LqXZiZ0cSglNL8zScs-JWsDttTs9G4Y1szyC13wwZ_N2dZFGlrIWyTe8-KVTn2moJw5f-NB3r-crfT5Q5qvZgN3j2fyKVW15k2yq7rCjKcuPpk/s1600/FotorCreatemarkd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="588" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt7XM0KGbAKxUQS0kdyJkzXjpPnfYL0LqXZiZ0cSglNL8zScs-JWsDttTs9G4Y1szyC13wwZ_N2dZFGlrIWyTe8-KVTn2moJw5f-NB3r-crfT5Q5qvZgN3j2fyKVW15k2yq7rCjKcuPpk/s640/FotorCreatemarkd.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">13. <a href="http://www.peekaboopatternshop.com/maui-muscle-tee/">Maui Muscle Tee</a> by <a href="http://www.peekaboopatternshop.com/">Peek-A-Boo Pattern Shop</a></span><br />
Size: 3months-12yrs<br />
Price: $7.95<br />
Armcye/Neck: Bands with pattern pieces<br />
Notes: Peek-A-Boo has very clear instructions, nice easy pattern to follow.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIECgs1YeNuZXfAMbJqD9CN4Nd2HLBp_W-bxLrSsPNQMCHdhZdLJoE7LbV1aw6Jwj1kb3Q5wU0CF5_rixaTDdZ-dBLfwAkzLKbcA7ybHrWS76qw9tg6uu8HZRezpeFJbT7YODeF0sdMvE/s1600/peek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIECgs1YeNuZXfAMbJqD9CN4Nd2HLBp_W-bxLrSsPNQMCHdhZdLJoE7LbV1aw6Jwj1kb3Q5wU0CF5_rixaTDdZ-dBLfwAkzLKbcA7ybHrWS76qw9tg6uu8HZRezpeFJbT7YODeF0sdMvE/s640/peek.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">12. <a href="https://blankslatepatterns.com/products/blank-tank">Blank Tank</a> by <a href="https://blankslatepatterns.com/">Blank Slate Patterns </a></span><br />
Size: 18months- 8yrs<br />
Price: $7.95<br />
Armcye/Neck: This one is unique - neck and armcyes are folded under and topstiched<br />
Notes: Slight flare to the shape, curved hem, and a pocket as well. I used a fun meerkat embroidered design for the pocket. Levi likes the deeper arm holes. I like the details on this one and because it doesn't have bands its even faster and easier to sew than the other tanks. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQZHE9g3_YgyCof3kH0agtzehasQbwrZ9mFlY1PKrvTaHlm7MWvc96i-CvQ2pu4-ItR68VGEOAiF6dX3bc0G2zdXB7Zfp4eBkeenW1c8nwEQScjul-UpMY4WpMA0GbkauFlijL_TEFS70/s1600/blank.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQZHE9g3_YgyCof3kH0agtzehasQbwrZ9mFlY1PKrvTaHlm7MWvc96i-CvQ2pu4-ItR68VGEOAiF6dX3bc0G2zdXB7Zfp4eBkeenW1c8nwEQScjul-UpMY4WpMA0GbkauFlijL_TEFS70/s640/blank.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeFxcXoxqHLqrd_9AWQE6J-cerI-TkRwv6OODTZoYGGvjJpUWE1nnRXYe5dipLrYQLCbOGGskFXBCSXahvr3AMgMyF7dxS4kmdbKMFB3LPpt1RxWV6MuGYKTpaUX8-u3T5D06HnfNrwhU/s1600/blank2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeFxcXoxqHLqrd_9AWQE6J-cerI-TkRwv6OODTZoYGGvjJpUWE1nnRXYe5dipLrYQLCbOGGskFXBCSXahvr3AMgMyF7dxS4kmdbKMFB3LPpt1RxWV6MuGYKTpaUX8-u3T5D06HnfNrwhU/s400/blank2.jpg" width="335" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">11. <a href="http://www.fishsticksdesigns.com/TheTank.pdf">The Tank</a> by <a href="http://www.fishsticksdesigns.com/">Fishsticks Designs</a></span><br />
Size: 12m-5T (I made a 5T on this one!)<br />
Price: FREE<br />
Armcye/Neck: Bands with measurement chart. Has instructions for adding the armcye bands flat<br />
Notes: I found that the measurements given in the pattern are different than my finished tank - it is narrower and longer than the pattern says. But a good basic tank, this was a favorite when Levi was smaller.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4lR3OV63SEop7JzvhDPM_v_Heh6y4WL7xY9JCdGwbBJjSCDGYpCmYbA7n-XMUrqVi2eEZSnEhYZYvh3PG9pfvBMwVdq9MsWK1aYWBxIuBx7CHv0onMYV3VsW0Qg_dMTBfr2jMzanuDes/s1600/the+tank.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4lR3OV63SEop7JzvhDPM_v_Heh6y4WL7xY9JCdGwbBJjSCDGYpCmYbA7n-XMUrqVi2eEZSnEhYZYvh3PG9pfvBMwVdq9MsWK1aYWBxIuBx7CHv0onMYV3VsW0Qg_dMTBfr2jMzanuDes/s640/the+tank.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">10. <a href="http://elliedactyl.indiemade.com/product/elliedactyl-5k-pdf-pattern">5K T-shirt and Tank</a> by <a href="http://elliedactyl.indiemade.com/">Elliedactyl</a></span><br />
Size: NB-12yrs<br />
Price: $9, or FREE in the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Elliedactyl/">Facebook Group</a><br />
Armcye/Neck: Bands, measurements on the pattern pieces<br />
Notes: Lots of options - tank, short sleeve, long sleeve, color blocking. Layered printing. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu2I31WO0FX26tf-wtsmFPHYaBebqKF_nZKlfsbAjcsPBRnfgNKvGBGi9VohTx6V8GVLipSwV9fFbfRna5-c98DkiLV4Hbf0GZsTMmnXSSYxutkst6f3W316ABgSKZC6QrekWV_q-W10g/s1600/5k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu2I31WO0FX26tf-wtsmFPHYaBebqKF_nZKlfsbAjcsPBRnfgNKvGBGi9VohTx6V8GVLipSwV9fFbfRna5-c98DkiLV4Hbf0GZsTMmnXSSYxutkst6f3W316ABgSKZC6QrekWV_q-W10g/s640/5k.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">9. <a href="http://www.ottobredesign.com/">Ottobre Designs</a>: <a href="http://www.ottobredesign.com/fi/kaavat/pdf/tank_top_EN.pdf">Free tank top</a></span><br />
Size: 80-122 (about 18m-6x)<br />
Price: Free<br />
Armcye/Neck: Binding, stitched on flat instead of in a circle<br />
Notes: I made this from an upcycled Tahoe shirt, its 'burnout" fabric. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF1-HwaW4a1Hgs8dzG61OAYwIxAg6b9OY99Qt4V8WWDGfPfaTRv51FsZfXFh8hYe_t7X1vvQshBs5ibz5BtagSdWKXw7Ch9Ba1ghVj2Nve7zcGTr0AEnPArRSvZbyWiM3JyAQox4AnImM/s1600/ottobre.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF1-HwaW4a1Hgs8dzG61OAYwIxAg6b9OY99Qt4V8WWDGfPfaTRv51FsZfXFh8hYe_t7X1vvQshBs5ibz5BtagSdWKXw7Ch9Ba1ghVj2Nve7zcGTr0AEnPArRSvZbyWiM3JyAQox4AnImM/s640/ottobre.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">8. <a href="http://www.pickletoespatterns.com/product/pickled-pepper-tank-sizes-2-16-boy-or-girl-ruffle-band-or-regular-hem-pocket-and-hood-option">Pickled Pepper Top</a> by <a href="http://www.pickletoespatterns.com/">Pickle Toes Patterns</a></span><br />
Size: 2-16yrs<br />
Price: $8.95<br />
Armcye/Neck: Bands, hood option too<br />
Notes: This one has a few options - hood or not, ruffle, band or hem at the bottom, and color blocking for the front and/or back shoulders and a kangaroo pocket. Slim and regular fit options.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1E6d6Wiqe3N0ypVMBobG3e7St3ZOZe69sCIjLsPH8TQfzFE3g3SMuEyo_JIO7FDgx5wNGsJpb6uGFwEoH_ba3ykhW5dc8uWNCJJenQ05yMTQZQBElAJFaeMfpiOZfqacwybbQisdw8RE/s1600/pickle.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1E6d6Wiqe3N0ypVMBobG3e7St3ZOZe69sCIjLsPH8TQfzFE3g3SMuEyo_JIO7FDgx5wNGsJpb6uGFwEoH_ba3ykhW5dc8uWNCJJenQ05yMTQZQBElAJFaeMfpiOZfqacwybbQisdw8RE/s640/pickle.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">7. <a href="https://snugglemybaby.com/product/justin-justines-muscle-tank-2t-16years/">Justin & Justine’s Muscle Tank</a> by <a href="http://snugglemybaby.com/">Snuggle My Baby Patterns</a></span><br />
Size: 2-16<br />
Price: $8<br />
Armcye/Neck: Bands, uses measurements<br />
Notes: This is a good basic design, quick and easy to sew up. Seems to run a bit short.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_aP-S-YRulSez6Spe8GsLoLSWH0UQ7QZBGNPVceI8vDlsd2JzOLcIiSeFdHWBTr4VZekPlOgEpOwMJez8QEYzEvyRfX0YTsXc7oC7i2ecSvAuekdA0BMloA0wylCeAqWIVUAqIclVyM/s1600/justine.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_aP-S-YRulSez6Spe8GsLoLSWH0UQ7QZBGNPVceI8vDlsd2JzOLcIiSeFdHWBTr4VZekPlOgEpOwMJez8QEYzEvyRfX0YTsXc7oC7i2ecSvAuekdA0BMloA0wylCeAqWIVUAqIclVyM/s640/justine.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">6. <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/278811290/go-t-shirt-and-tank-top-pattern">Go!</a> by <a href="https://kellyjdesigns.wordpress.com/">Kelly J Designs</a></span><br />
Size: 12m- 18yrs<br />
Price: $9 or $20 as part of the <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/292286167/the-race-day-sewing-pattern-collection-t?ref=listing-shop-header-2">Race Day Collection </a><br />
Armcye/Neck: Bands, instructions for sewing in the round and flat. <br />
Notes: Tank, short and long sleeve options (both with layered look options). This one has a fun kangaroo pocket. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZI9XRBvAq30QdgE5kwf3PLfaJWEbDrIfme4irLATjkgqeNVfn1ojzVy7U595CYDAdVC1szwB6girC-ECOvZB-QBCw0Z5lBWB8wugG3IaVCP68Ul_noh9wqkmXtnpLLVpDbR-2QUcvf3w/s1600/go.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZI9XRBvAq30QdgE5kwf3PLfaJWEbDrIfme4irLATjkgqeNVfn1ojzVy7U595CYDAdVC1szwB6girC-ECOvZB-QBCw0Z5lBWB8wugG3IaVCP68Ul_noh9wqkmXtnpLLVpDbR-2QUcvf3w/s640/go.jpg" width="638" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">5. <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/235180263/mini-muscles-tank-pdf-pattern?ref=shop_home_active_1">Mini-Muscles Tank</a> by <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/StinkinAdorable">Stinkin’ Adorable LLC</a></span><br />
Size: 12m-10yrs<br />
Price: $3<br />
Armcye/Neck: Bands, uses measurements<br />
Notes: Has color blocking - stripes down the sides<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEjWGF1dK3CbNppAtoMAi-eSjv27T4whXjisn5rBiFCUa4Ppa9xq7NwNp9mhOquG4aYlvIqcJiGbsPVxJLrqqiDDs-iR8eRjVFonG-MrbXnOGk0o_A-2RNeeA_yBu7v_61zgrN4AvXnjM/s1600/mini.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="560" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEjWGF1dK3CbNppAtoMAi-eSjv27T4whXjisn5rBiFCUa4Ppa9xq7NwNp9mhOquG4aYlvIqcJiGbsPVxJLrqqiDDs-iR8eRjVFonG-MrbXnOGk0o_A-2RNeeA_yBu7v_61zgrN4AvXnjM/s640/mini.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">4. Tyler Tank Top by <a href="http://funktionalthreads.blogspot.com/">Funktional Threads</a></span><br />
Size: 12m-16<br />
Price: $1<br />
Armcye/Neck: Bands - cutting chart OR pattern pieces<br />
Notes: Another good basic tank, this one is only $1!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwejp3PtDMz0Nby0u0scW13v7BV8dHdpnzOFkNJkps9AFajTRNIxcefStAyf07Avo2i1x48OXxtx_T1fDZTW78-O4UMhqiNaSYA8JeDRNYhHSDvhFBq57q6ZozTnwpKxwIvAuHsqfVjEI/s1600/bird.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="560" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwejp3PtDMz0Nby0u0scW13v7BV8dHdpnzOFkNJkps9AFajTRNIxcefStAyf07Avo2i1x48OXxtx_T1fDZTW78-O4UMhqiNaSYA8JeDRNYhHSDvhFBq57q6ZozTnwpKxwIvAuHsqfVjEI/s640/bird.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">3. <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/0gx1hd5awvn1j21/Freebook%20Sommertop.pdf">Freebook Sommertop</a> by <a href="http://www.klimperklein.de/">Klimper Klein</a></span><br />
Size: 56-158 (about NB-16yrs)<br />
Price: Free<br />
Armcye/Neck: Bands, you measure them yourself<br />
Notes: Good basic pattern, has an <a href="https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/99914350/Freebook%20Fakeknopfleiste.pdf">add-on option</a> for the faux placket. There are some other good free patterns on this site as well. Its not in english, but google translate works well!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">2. <a href="http://www.patternsforpirates.com/product/muscle-tank/">Matey Muscle Tank</a> by <a href="http://www.patternsforpirates.com/">Patterns for Pirates </a></span><br />
Size: 3m-14yrs<br />
Price: $5<br />
Armcye/Neck:<br />
Notes: Looser fit, basic style. <a href="http://www.patternsforpirates.com/product/mens-muscle-tank/">Matching mens tank </a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">1. <a href="http://www.pickletoespatterns.com/product/safari-tank-sizes-2-16-boy-or-girl-ruffle-band-or-regular-hem-regular-or-slim-fit">Safari Tank</a> by <a href="http://www.pickletoespatterns.com/">Pickle Toes Patterns</a></span><br />
Size: 2-18<br />
Price: $5<br />
Armcye/Neck: Bands<br />
Notes: This is the more basic version of the Pickled Pepper Tank, it has ruffle, hem, or band options. <br />
This was Levi's favorite!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin1xP_Y96Ua0KfnGk4uHxNHaDrjn1wurBx6-WosTcaRWLL-fobl5euyQPE8BIbZE1q6FjAqykk-a8GYu6B9XE2Z9K4Dn040Iwa94V0paJ3mB7QFWHeTIQGKEBVaHZ7Bbbu83UShUKiroE/s1600/neon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin1xP_Y96Ua0KfnGk4uHxNHaDrjn1wurBx6-WosTcaRWLL-fobl5euyQPE8BIbZE1q6FjAqykk-a8GYu6B9XE2Z9K4Dn040Iwa94V0paJ3mB7QFWHeTIQGKEBVaHZ7Bbbu83UShUKiroE/s640/neon.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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All of the tanks together<br />
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In order from first place to last place<br />
Row 1: Safari Tank, Matey Muscle Tank, Sommertop, Tyler Tank Top , Mini-Muscles Tank<br />
Row 2: Go, Pickled Pepper Tank, Justin & Justine’s Muscle Tank, Ottobre, Elliedactyl 5K<br />
Row 3: The Tank, Blank Tank, Maui Muscle Tee, On Your Mark, Mini Sun<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/386998006/surprise-tank-top-custom-made-choose">Buy one here</a> or Enter the giveaway!!</span></div>
<br />
<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="83aa71753" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/83aa71753/" id="rcwidget_0d0cqy0b" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><br />
<script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script> <br />
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<br />Levi's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210833187451001512noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6937517930684616644.post-75386333217753126992016-05-27T16:24:00.003-04:002016-05-27T16:24:39.799-04:00Pattern Review: Love Notions Tidal Tank and TopI test a lot of sewing patterns, but the vast majority of the time they are clothes for Levi. I rarely sew for myself, but lately I've had the opportunity to test a few women's patterns. This is one that I really like and plan on making more of. <br />
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<b>Pattern Description:</b> Love Notions: Tidal Tank and Top </div>
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Comes with 3 lengths (top, knee and maxi), short sleeves, sleeveless or tank. I learned that "tank" and "sleeveless" mean different things, "tank" is the narrower straps, and "sleeveless" is fuller coverage straps. Option of banded or bound neckline/arm holes. </div>
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<b>Pattern sizing:</b> Comes in sizes XS-XXXL. I made the size small. There are also instructions for a full bust adjustment. </div>
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<b>Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern when you were finished sewing? </b>yes</div>
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<b>Were the instructions complete and easy to follow?</b> Yes, this is a super quick and easy pattern to sew up</div>
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<b>Fabric used: </b>Pattern is for knit fabrics, but woven fabric can be used for the middle panel (still need to try that!). I used knit fabric I found at a thrift store for one, and Joann knit for another. </div>
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<b>Did you alter the pattern in any way?</b> I shortened the first one (purple) by about 2" at the "lengthen/shorten" line included on the pattern. On the floral dress I chopped 3" off the bottom before hemming because I forgot to shorten sooner. </div>
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<b>Was there anything you disliked or would change? </b> Nope, it is great the way it is. The pattern went through 6 different changes in the testing group to make sure it was perfect. </div>
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<b>Would you sew it again?</b> Yes, I have the top version printed and am going to try that next, my mom also wants me to make her one. </div>
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<b>Would you recommend it to others?</b> Yes</div>
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<b>Do you consider the pattern beginner/intermediate/advanced? </b> Beginner with a knowledge of sewing knits, its a super fast and easy pattern for me, but the bands or binding might be tricky for someone new to knits. </div>
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<b>Shirts/dresses: Were the sleeves cut on the on the fold? </b> I haven't made sleeves, but they are different front and back. </div>
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<b>Does the pattern include layers for easy printing?</b> yes </div>
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<b>Seam allowance used in the pattern</b> 3/8" </div>
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<b>Is the pattern cut or no cut pages?</b> No trim pages</div>
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Overall, this is a great pattern. It is really really fast to make, and very comfortable to wear - no side seams! <br /><br /><a href="http://www.lovenotions.com/product/tidal-top-dress-ladies-xs-xxxl">Pattern can be bought here</a></div>
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Levi's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210833187451001512noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6937517930684616644.post-89580870770524200312016-05-13T14:00:00.002-04:002016-05-13T14:00:28.746-04:00Viera Hospital Field TripLevi learned a lot on his field trip to Viera hospital today. He was a bit apprehensive about going on this trip (worried about seeing blood!), but quickly realized that they weren't going to show him anything gross. We had just a tiny group of 5 kids on this trip, but they split us into groups anyway. <br />
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First, we looked at Radiology. A teddy bear demonstrated how one gets an X-ray, and the kids even got to see what an X-ray of a bear looks like (he has some metal bits inside that showed up on the film). <br />
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Checking out how the machine works...<br />
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They got to see real X-rays of people too, and were able to identify all of the "body parts" shown. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyHSALfFgA-G4aFQUcdepCn5kjnCmYY3bQArN6VcwRAT4xOiXWVvoXHwQiF7mgmsnhxFVR4cABbIhWJVpCen_ycmHsJiT0uL6pJsuhTxeK1lYcjAmWJnjpl9k6gr-sMyHwrberJd43p7k/s1600/13177361_1139489612738636_822560035272260643_n.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyHSALfFgA-G4aFQUcdepCn5kjnCmYY3bQArN6VcwRAT4xOiXWVvoXHwQiF7mgmsnhxFVR4cABbIhWJVpCen_ycmHsJiT0uL6pJsuhTxeK1lYcjAmWJnjpl9k6gr-sMyHwrberJd43p7k/s640/13177361_1139489612738636_822560035272260643_n.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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After that, we saw the CT machine, and the bear demonstrated once more. <br />
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Next, they went to the ED, and looked at all of the equipment. They were given hospital gowns to try on, tested the moving bed, the call buttons, and even the lights! They also got their blood pressure and heart rate checked. <br />
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There was a game of "who can put on the doctor gear the fastest"<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSgEHxBCUkfary58RIgOxTljlF_9KoMYDxc0taOqyrHLzt1GwazhUMXfzHZ5ogNRTyCdPiHA0wVN_7ryAqTRUoyey7Wyr2ZjEqZjyEnc4kzTdquQTr5QxRj_4ujRmsAN45SMd_QY1vyUY/s1600/13227035_1139489669405297_2319672789203224815_n.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSgEHxBCUkfary58RIgOxTljlF_9KoMYDxc0taOqyrHLzt1GwazhUMXfzHZ5ogNRTyCdPiHA0wVN_7ryAqTRUoyey7Wyr2ZjEqZjyEnc4kzTdquQTr5QxRj_4ujRmsAN45SMd_QY1vyUY/s640/13227035_1139489669405297_2319672789203224815_n.jpg" width="480" /></a><br />
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Smurf hands! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDLuVbxs0HRvExDHNEi0OPiKqoy4eQGvtiRiNJ3Tol9fAEVYXUqY2nEohB55vmX2dOlAN5tCOMafFti-ZgKSTdZ71wXXipwVXAhjhWgMaN2aH0M0QpNjGAR70zAyWgO7qglCiEnNTOTEY/s1600/13240542_1139489702738627_181740459937870545_n.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDLuVbxs0HRvExDHNEi0OPiKqoy4eQGvtiRiNJ3Tol9fAEVYXUqY2nEohB55vmX2dOlAN5tCOMafFti-ZgKSTdZ71wXXipwVXAhjhWgMaN2aH0M0QpNjGAR70zAyWgO7qglCiEnNTOTEY/s640/13240542_1139489702738627_181740459937870545_n.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Lastly was the highlight of the experience, meeting the hospital's service dog Paco. He comforts patients, but also has lots of training - he can pick things up off the floor, open doors and even get a bottle of water out of the refrigerator. <br />
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This is his "baseball card"<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfI-39iWgEZbkODjxTwSIfUWQrXyGIvoDl4xml3hquzcPioJB1EOPvsaEpWQboRpwsAW4enVzzHG_LRuVLpQ9aM5X_v2f-6bpC69OtOSsm8MMFyT6gHr5uRJ82Ie-B-T3wdruKpnOCyL4/s1600/13174036_1139489756071955_9011412484804611125_n.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfI-39iWgEZbkODjxTwSIfUWQrXyGIvoDl4xml3hquzcPioJB1EOPvsaEpWQboRpwsAW4enVzzHG_LRuVLpQ9aM5X_v2f-6bpC69OtOSsm8MMFyT6gHr5uRJ82Ie-B-T3wdruKpnOCyL4/s640/13174036_1139489756071955_9011412484804611125_n.jpg" width="480" /></a><br />
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His handler "released" him so the kids could pet Paco. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_bWePkIEsyiWmHlXFt8t6Ec-WbMRubgDitxT9_rNSEZUFCtknTurM4FKgeWyFVJhFbG0GOQwsjcojXPHr8mNlFxLy-rRbSuvauimbpD1mquVrJeS_4sdt5VoxHGN6R__80Qy0U4cXggE/s1600/13241102_1139489709405293_838632949721046680_n.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_bWePkIEsyiWmHlXFt8t6Ec-WbMRubgDitxT9_rNSEZUFCtknTurM4FKgeWyFVJhFbG0GOQwsjcojXPHr8mNlFxLy-rRbSuvauimbpD1mquVrJeS_4sdt5VoxHGN6R__80Qy0U4cXggE/s640/13241102_1139489709405293_838632949721046680_n.jpg" width="480" /></a><br />
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And even check his heart beat along with some belly rubs!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpzHk6USSbvjcG4Zxzr7T_0FZIotPKZ-7BFLUTxCpPX5InDz6cHiqggU2rTq4Gb91VwESYg7b31wbItZIanoPqkemjiPwdiyvoEkncz03smzYazt7YBrgl21jfSrmpbNeQKf9sELAk7tM/s1600/13177962_1139489726071958_5888216903990092576_n.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpzHk6USSbvjcG4Zxzr7T_0FZIotPKZ-7BFLUTxCpPX5InDz6cHiqggU2rTq4Gb91VwESYg7b31wbItZIanoPqkemjiPwdiyvoEkncz03smzYazt7YBrgl21jfSrmpbNeQKf9sELAk7tM/s640/13177962_1139489726071958_5888216903990092576_n.jpg" width="480" /></a><br />
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The kids went home with a whole bunch of loot as well - a goodie bag, their doctor gear, a coloring book about nursing and even a pedometer! It was a great experience and hopefully made the hospital seem a little less scary. The staff was wonderful with the kids and complimented how smart homeschoolers were. Thanks Viera Hospital!Levi's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210833187451001512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6937517930684616644.post-73174342253624682102016-03-14T20:57:00.000-04:002016-03-15T18:18:03.035-04:00Pi Day! Raw Vegan Apple PieToday, March 14th is "Pi Day" (3.14.....), and because we are trying to cut back on sugar, I made a raw vegan healthy apple pie. <br />
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<b><u>Raw Vegan Apple Pie</u></b></div>
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</b></u> <u><b>Ingredients: </b></u><br />
<b>Crust: </b><br />
1 cup of dates (pitted and chopped)<br />
1 cup of nuts (walnuts or almonds)<br />
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<b>Filling: </b><br />
5 apples (choose ones you like to eat!)<br />
Bit of lemon juice (about 1 TBS)<br />
1/2 cup dates<br />
cinnamon (to taste)<br />
nutmeg (pinch)<br />
3 tsp chia seeds (optional, but holds everything together better)<br />
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<b><u>Preparation:</u></b><br />
<b><u><br />
</u></b> <b>Crust: </b><br />
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<ol>
<li>Soak dates in some warm water for about 15min, then drain. </li>
<li>Meanwhile, put the nuts in a food processor (I use my ninja) and pulse until very finely chopped. Remove and set aside. </li>
<li>Pulse the dates until finely chopped, then throw in the nuts and pulse some more to combine. </li>
<li>This should hold together when you smush it - press into a pie pan. </li>
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<b>Filling: </b></div>
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<li>Peel the apples. Chop up 2 of the apples and put in the food processor with the 1/2 cup dates, lemon juice and spices. Pulse and blend until it looks like apple sauce. Throw in the chia seeds and pulse a bit more to combine. </li>
<li>Chop the other 3 apples (peel if you want) into small pieces. Stir into the apple mixture. </li>
<li>Put the filling on the crust and sprinkle on some more cinnamon if you want. </li>
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Thats it! Pretty easy to make and healthier than most pies. </div>
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The "sauce" makes it look like a cooked pie</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXvagCRkz2RaYsfRV5b8IW2x2lfTAccloSPQRuagIciMvlymgw0wnYjLvq7dSSMHA35CH9rvv_TE91Gp9ChomfYds_cyHsjRY6lfwDdozC02XwXXbuMeWaQHk84XiubGQbQGB3lQQzWCY/s1600/_DSC0990.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXvagCRkz2RaYsfRV5b8IW2x2lfTAccloSPQRuagIciMvlymgw0wnYjLvq7dSSMHA35CH9rvv_TE91Gp9ChomfYds_cyHsjRY6lfwDdozC02XwXXbuMeWaQHk84XiubGQbQGB3lQQzWCY/s640/_DSC0990.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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mmmm pie....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwCKeb2u_cu_tNw3iP2jpb3h-IONssnClQkCh5kCbpu1EyVQ3qXwaFYqfwIl8oJ9nfl-hmAC2-n7fFWmh1sSbKudjoRfdEz_Mt30gHJ4yfkkp8BSb1bvivUuA4Ncg-tLghrEOJE5SWPtk/s1600/_DSC0988.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwCKeb2u_cu_tNw3iP2jpb3h-IONssnClQkCh5kCbpu1EyVQ3qXwaFYqfwIl8oJ9nfl-hmAC2-n7fFWmh1sSbKudjoRfdEz_Mt30gHJ4yfkkp8BSb1bvivUuA4Ncg-tLghrEOJE5SWPtk/s640/_DSC0988.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Levi approves, he wanted to taste it when I was taking pictures but I made him wait until after dinner.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLnS-TE-u9p3EKrjIaq948K9dAheZGzXlZlpzG12u-X1MfQ5Y-1y7EiPn1m2C-NdXs-6FuoAbED7NWXPBAlIIMp675l_chGTn0tEVtCLyj4yVvLSCW6XvINgvr8DrcdkN0s-Qou7TH_Jk/s1600/_DSC0991.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLnS-TE-u9p3EKrjIaq948K9dAheZGzXlZlpzG12u-X1MfQ5Y-1y7EiPn1m2C-NdXs-6FuoAbED7NWXPBAlIIMp675l_chGTn0tEVtCLyj4yVvLSCW6XvINgvr8DrcdkN0s-Qou7TH_Jk/s640/_DSC0991.JPG" width="438" /></a>Levi's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210833187451001512noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6937517930684616644.post-8756201241431094732015-08-13T02:27:00.003-04:002015-08-13T02:27:59.513-04:00Blue Spring<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Levi, James and I went to<a href="https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Blue-Spring"> Blue Spring State Park</a>. Levi and I had never been to a springs before so this was our first adventure. We really enjoyed it and plan on going to see other springs as well. We had a picnic lunch, swam and snorkeled in the springs, watched a rain storm, and then walked up and down the wooden path while Levi kayaked. </div>
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Hello dragonfly!</div>
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Thursby House - Before this was a state park, people lived in this house and the spring was their front yard. How different it would be before all the wooden paths, camp areas, buildings, playground, and all those people! <br />
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Because fishing is not allowed, there were a ton of huge fish who make their home at the springs. These are mostly alligator gar, nearly as long as Levi. <br />
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We put on snorkel gear and swam towards where the spring starts. At the head of the springs, there is a big deep hole with a fallen tree branch across it. Diving down, you can see how far it goes. I can't hold my breath long and the pressure down there is amazing making my ears pop. There were lots of people in this area, making noise, swimming around, splashing - some with no concept of personal space. But if you could tune them out or go underwater, you could focus on seeing the beauty of the spring. And there were moments of open space, where one could imagine what it would be like to be in this place all alone. </div>
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The water is super cold, so when we decided we were freezing, we swam back to where we got in. A storm rolled in and we waited under a covered picnic area, watching Levi play on the playground in the rain and pick beauty berries. Beauty berries <a href="http://www.eattheweeds.com/beautyberry-jelly-on-a-roll/">are edible</a> and can <a href="http://www.motherearthnews.com/nature-and-environment/beautyberry-natural-insect-repellent-zmaz09amzraw.aspx">repel bugs</a>, unless maybe you have stinky feet in which case I don't know what works. <br />
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When the rain slowed down, we had a look at the river, and then got Levi's kayak out. Blue Spring has a "boat" area for kayaks, and a "swim" area, separated by a rope and a sign. <br />
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Levi launched his kayak by shoving it down the stairs into the water, and took off. Because there were only 2 other kayaks in the water, I didn't think he would stay in for long without us.<br />
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We walked up and down the path. <br />
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And watched the water, the fish, and the boy. <br />
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That kid stayed in the kayak for a very long time, going back and forth just exploring and experiencing nature. A calm and mostly solitary activity for someone always in motion. He occasionally followed the other kayakers but for the most part was on his own. He even scared some people who thought he was going to get eaten by a gator. Right before he got out, he picked up a foam cup that was floating in the water, removing a piece of something so out of place. <br />
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Me, just looking. <br />
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It was a wonderful introduction to Florida Springs. We left with a guidebook of more places to visit, this was just the first of more adventures to come. <br />
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<br />Levi's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210833187451001512noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6937517930684616644.post-67796639810426555922015-07-25T12:37:00.000-04:002015-07-27T09:24:50.077-04:00Junior Lifeguard Camp<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Levi has spent a good part of his summer attending Junior Lifeguard camp through <a href="http://www.kidstriclub.com/">Space Coast Youth Multi-Sports</a>. It has been a wonderful experience for him, full of learning, friendships, hard-work, and lots of fun on the beach. </div>
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The kids did lots of surfing, beach games, yoga, learned about water saving and recycling, did beach clean ups, learned CPR/First aid/Lifesaving, running, swimming and paddling. </div>
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Beautiful beach where camp takes place <br />
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<span id="goog_117660473"></span><span id="goog_117660474"></span>The kids did a lot of surfing, one of Levi's favorite camp activities. <br />
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They learned how to do CPR (good thing, in case Levi ever needs to save my life!)<br />
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<span id="goog_117660473">They played fun games....</span><br />
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<span id="goog_117660473">Sack race </span><span id="goog_117660474"></span><br />
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Beach flags - I'm not sure I'm clear on how this one is played, but from what I gather, they lay on the beach, heads go up and down and at some point they hop up and run to grab flags. The cap Levi has on is a lifeguard cap, look a bit silly but he doesn't mind! <br />
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<span id="goog_117660473">Here, the kids learned how to put someone on a backboard while protecting their neck. They learned lots of rescue skills. </span><br />
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<span id="goog_117660473">Practice rescues</span><span id="goog_117660474"></span><br />
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<span id="goog_117660473">And of course, one of the best parts was that Levi got to hang out with a great group of kids. </span><br />
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Thank you Vanessa for organizing all of this and giving Levi a great summer! Levi's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210833187451001512noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6937517930684616644.post-17992781326681706032015-07-21T11:28:00.000-04:002015-07-27T09:23:57.593-04:00Levi's 8th Birthday Camping Party<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Levi had a wonderful birthday weekend, and turned 8yrs old! He chose a camping theme this year so we had his party at a local park near the water. It was a lot of work but all came together in the end, the kids really enjoyed themselves. Our friend James decided to help me get organized for the party, and set it up, and clean it up, and even take some pictures! It was very helpful to have backup this year, the party turned out great! </div>
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My favorite camper in his mommy made outfit. The shirt stayed on for all of 30 seconds, and everything was covered in water and dirt 10 seconds after that. </div>
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And I look like a weirdo here, but was convinced to get my picture taken with my not-so-little guy. </div>
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Camp Levi signs</div>
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Our "campsite" camp #8 of course.</div>
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This one I made for his 2nd birthday, before I had a decent sewing stash, or sewing machine, and these colors no longer suit Levi, but I still pull this out every year!<br />
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Levi decided we needed "rules" so this is what we came up with.</div>
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And he said kids needed to "sign in" (I suppose like they do at his lifeguard camp)</div>
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The kids each got a red or blue strip of fabric tied around their wrist for their "team" and had a painter's tape name tag. </div>
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The food: <br />
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Cake: <br />
This is a vegan chocolate cake, with melted vegan marshmallows and graham cracker. I made the tiny tent, and the fire pit is pretzels. Its much messier than I intended, however, it was made at 1am so not so bad. It tasted good! I also made healthier banana cupcakes with chocolate icing, which we put on the "tent" cupcake stand from last year's birthday. <br />
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Ants on a log (made with sunbutter) <br />
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Can you see my mistake on this sign? No one seemed to notice, I didn't see it until the day after I made it. Too much work to change it! Make your own s'mores station included marshmallows, chocolate chips, crasins, and sunbutter. Kids put their toppings in an ice cream cone, wrapped in foil and put on the grill to heat. Yum! <br />
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Baked beans, which no one really ate, even though they were really good! My dad's recipe. I also made corn which was re-heated on the grill, manned by our friend Ted from church. <br />
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We also had bunny food (carrots/hummus), birdseed (sunflower seeds), and various trail mixes. I brought along 3 jugs of water, one with orange in it, and another with a "green juice" blend thrown in (made it taste like fruit water, but look like swamp water). Kids and adults were reluctant to taste that one, and one guest ran out to get extra water (Thank you Laurie!) <br />
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The first main activity was a scavenger hunt. James and I found a bunch of random "stuff" that started with different letters. He hid these along with our ransom note tags in two different colors. Each team had to find the items, pull off the tag, and bring it back to the apple boxes. There, they had to unscramble to spell the word "birthday". It was a tie! An exciting finish as both teams got the word spelled at the same time. <br />
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The kids had time to hang out at "camp"</div>
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Making friendship bracelets in the "arts and crafts tent" </div>
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Playing in the river. (Levi was full on swimming, everyone else just waded! <br />
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Eating and chatting while making s'mores cones <br />
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Trying out the slackline <br />
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Cake time!<br />
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Levi enthusiastically sang "Happy birthday to ME!" along with all of his friends. <br />
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The next activity was a watermelon explosion. This looked much better on youtube than it turned out in real life, but still had an interesting result.<br />
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This is what it was supposed to look like:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Q1VoK0Ga36w/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Q1VoK0Ga36w?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe><br />
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First, I chose a watermelon. People thought I was awfully strange putting rubberbands on watermelons in Publix, and then taking pictures. I ended up choosing the bigger one.<br />
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You can see our problem started right away, the kids didn't get the rubber bands all in one spot on the watermelon. Because they were spread out, the pressure wasn't all in one spot. <br />
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Different kids, and finally a few adults worked on this the rest of the party! <br />
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Levi didn't help much, he was too busy eating cake. <br />
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Back to the watermelon later, it took a long time....<br />
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Meanwhile, the next activity started, obstacle course! <br />
Kids had to weave, step, hop, fill a cup with water, carry it over their head and fill up a bucket. <br />
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Back to the watermelon.... <br />
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Finally, someone gave it a good whack and it split in half, much to the delight of the kids who got to finally eat the watermelon. Because of the "squishing" a lot of juice same out too, so they drank that up.<br />
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Me scooping while now muddy Levi drinks watermelon juice. <br />
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I set the watermelon on the picnic table while the kids continued to eat. Scooping out some of the melon must have weakened the half that was left with rubber bands still on it, because while we were gathered round, all of a sudden it gave way sending watermelon flying. The spoon, which had been sitting in the watermelon, held all the rubber bands. It was crazy!<br />
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This is my favorite picture of the day. My crazy mess boy, and his bewildered friends. <br />
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For whatever reason, we didn't get any pictures, but another thing we did at the end of the party was water balloons! James made a contraption with an exercise band and a funnel that shot water balloons an amazing distance. 3 people launched, and the kids tried their best to get splattered. Fun stuff. <br />
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Lots of work planning, carrying everything, running activities, making
food, and cleaning it all up. But Levi went home tired, happy, and of
course, a complete mess! Thank you to all our wonderful friends who
helped with the party, and came out to celebrate with Levi. Happy
Birthday Levi! <br /><br /><br />Bonus pics! A friend sent me some of the pics she took... <br />
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The other tent... <br />
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Party favors ("stick" pencils... the tag says "Thanks for sticking around at camp Levi" <br />
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Making s'mores <br />
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S'more station <br />
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Food pic <br />
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Lounging area <br />
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mmmm...s'mores.... <br />
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<br /><br />Levi's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210833187451001512noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6937517930684616644.post-8689525728139912372015-04-29T14:21:00.000-04:002015-04-29T14:21:02.470-04:00Rocks/Crystals: part 3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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More on rocks and crystals! <br />
We have been talking about the different shapes crystals can be. We looked at close up pictures of salt and sugar, and we looked at the crystals we grew from Borax with magnifying glasses. <br />
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This is a model of a crystal we put together: (green thing is an eraser) <br />
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Levi tried out the "scratch test" on the back of a tile he found in the garage. He was disappointed to discover his "big chunk of gold" was fools gold! It had a black streak, not yellow. <br />
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And, lots of fun, he hammered geodes. I got these at a garage sale a long time ago, but they can be ordered online lots of places too. We talked about how geodes are formed: water containing minerals seeps into "bubbles" in rocks, the water evaporates, leaving crystals behind. Sometimes the process happens multiple times leaving layers of crystal that can be different colors. <br />
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<br />Levi's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210833187451001512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6937517930684616644.post-13799319593108766672015-04-28T22:55:00.000-04:002015-04-28T22:55:22.639-04:00Fort Wilderness, the Wilderness Lodge, and more rocks! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Levi was invited to a bday party at the Disney campgrounds, so we spent the day there enjoying the area, and then having a great time at the party! It was our first time there and we decided we would like to camp out sometime. Even on a fun day out we managed to find some learning along the way. <br /><br /></div>
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Boat ride</div>
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This guy posed for a picture! <br />
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Levi LOVED playing dodge-ball. A sport that combines my least favorite things to do - running around in hot sun while balls are being thrown at me. I just watched. Levi played the entire time they had a game going and had the "best time ever" according to him. <br />
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We stayed for the camp fire, they had a sing-a-long, with marshmallow roasting (we brought our own allergy friendly/vegan ones). They do a movie after but we left before it started. <br />
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Sing-a-long face I guess? <br />
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And Levi met his friend Dale. <br />
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And here is where we found some rocks! At the Wilderness Lodge, they have a display of a bunch of real rocks in a case: <br />
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<br />And these rocks match up with rocks that are in layers of the Grand Canyon, which we had just been talking about. <br />
Even more fun was the giant fire place they have in the lobby next to
this display. It represents the layers of rock, just like a giant
model of the Grand Canyon page Levi colored. It was so big I
couldn't get it all in the picture <br />
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<br />So even at Disney, you can learn about rocks. Levi's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210833187451001512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6937517930684616644.post-29378872199125978572015-04-16T14:39:00.000-04:002015-04-16T14:39:05.815-04:00Grand Canyon (start of our rocks/minerals/crystals study) I've decided to do something a little different with blogging about our current unit study. Instead of posting all at once when we are done, I will post as we go, so that I don't get overwhelmed or forget anything! <br />
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This unit study is on Rocks, minerals, and crystals. I'm trying to focus just on those elements so that we can do a "land formations" type study after this one, but there will be some overlap! <br />
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<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/leighi123/rocksmineralscrystalsgeology/">To start, here is my pintrest board of inspiration, resources, books, lapbook stuff, unit study stuff, etc</a><br />
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We are reading the Magic School Bus chapter book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rocky-Road-Magic-School-Chapter/dp/0439560535">Rocky Road Trip</a>, and using the lapbook from <a href="http://yeeshallknow.com/science/">Ye Shall Know</a> that goes with it. <br />
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First, Levi read a book about the Grand Canyon from the series <a href="http://www.mikegrafauthor.com/parkers.htm">"Adventures with the Parkers"</a> . This sparked his interest in rocks in the first place. I had never heard of this series before, but already we have 2 more checked out from the library and another ordered off ebay. This series is about 10yr old twins who go to different National Parks. They are stories, of the kids adventure through the park, but throughout there are "boxes" that include real facts. The stories themselves are all about actual locations, plants, animals, history, land formations, etc. The pictures in the book are both real photographs and drawings of the characters and what they are doing. Its a wonderful mix of fact and realistic fiction with lots of educational value while still being high interest. <br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Grand-Canyon-National-Park-Adventures/dp/0762779659">This is the one Levi read</a><br />
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Levi did some artwork, Grand Canyon style. I found the <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/160651911680294207/">inspiration picture</a> on pintrest, and didn't realize until we were done that there was a lesson plan for it! I used to teach art classes in a "step by step" style that teaches different techniques, so I used that method to make my own lesson plan for it. It came out wonderful! <br />
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Because the Grand Canyon is in both the books Levi read, we have been talking a lot about it, the rocks, how it was formed etc. Levi did<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/45950858674880389/"> this fact sheet</a>, and we used<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/45950858674880307/"> this idea </a>about erosion/sedimentary rock formation, and the formation of the canyon to do an experiment. <br />
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First, he filled a tray with sandy soil (any dirt/sand should work)<br />
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Then draw a line down the center with your finger and add the hose: <br />
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You can see the deepening/widening of the canyon/riverbed in the center, watch erosion happen as the sides gradually break away, and see the "sediment" that ends up at the bottom of the river. <br />
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We also did <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/45950858674833324/">this experiment</a> to learn more about sedimentary rocks with layers of dirt, sand, rocks, and whatever was in the compost. And we have <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/45950858674759114/">these geodes</a> starting to form, Levi was anxious to start that experiment! <br />
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That's what we have done so far! We have plans to make our own rocks, and do some other experiments so I will share those as we go. Levi's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210833187451001512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6937517930684616644.post-89098870909015187002015-02-19T12:39:00.002-05:002015-02-19T12:39:51.071-05:00Valentines Day and Zebras at the Zoo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Happy Valentines day! (a few days late!) </div>
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This is Levi's valentine shirt, made with the only zebra fabric I had on hand, chosen because we got to meet the zebras on valentines day! I really like this pattern though next time I will make the arms longer. Levi seems to have monkey arms - I used one size for width and 2 sizes up for length and the arms just fit him in length even though I made the cuffs a little wider! I'm going to modify it some more to make it work, because the body and shoulders fit him really nicely. <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgljPGZ8l1cg5xSSSgjG2kfz2lGZMcHraLJ6strLxpLKGZOXa48fnOdDMXYaGZ95nkfTah0utx-h5Wx3nJ08OMgmd4S8oAgPm_gfMyg3voGwOJNqJR78C9CF8kwC1-CI00wKKPuHcFyRVc/s1600/100_9478.JPG" height="480" width="640" /><br />
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Embroidery design from <a href="http://lynniepinnie.com/shop/see-it-all/lots-of-hearts-applique-4x4-5x7-6x10-7x11-svg/prod_10623.html">Lynnie Pinnie</a>. This one didn't stitch out quite as nicely as I'm used to with these designs, I'm not sure why but I didn't worry too much for just a valentine shirt. </div>
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He paired it with his "twist and shout" pants. <br />
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Some pre-party crafting: <br />
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We went to the Explorers Club Valentine Party. He used his metal detector to look for treasure (didn't find any)<br />
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And climbed a tree <br />
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On valentines day, we went to the zoo. We got a special invite to see the zebras before anyone else. The new extension allows you to see the camels, lemurs and giraffes more easily. <br />
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Levi showing off the "love monster" I made him for valentines day. They gave him zebra ears to wear too! <br />
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Jahari (the big male) kept looking at us on the new bridge. It looked like he was asking us for snacks, now that the new extension goes along the edge of the giraffe area. Giraffes usually get snacks at the giraffe platform. <br />
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And another giraffe was easily seen<br />
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The zoo had a quartet serenade the zebras (both girls) for valentines day. They had bouquets of "flowers" made from hay and apples. <br />
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Finally the zebras came out. They were hiding a bit at first, because they aren't quite used the rhinos who now have to share their enclosure. <br />
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Aren't they pretty? </div>
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More love monsters I made for valentine gifts! <br />
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Happy Valentines Day!</div>
<br />Levi's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210833187451001512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6937517930684616644.post-8074979718330169662015-02-18T21:56:00.002-05:002015-02-18T21:56:55.053-05:00Twist and Shout pants <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I got to test the new "<a href="http://www.madebyjacksmum.com/#!twistandshout/c21c4">Twist and Shout</a>" pants by <a href="http://www.madebyjacksmum.com/">Made by Jack's Mum</a>. These pants were really easy to make, came together nicely, and have a unique "twist" (literally!). As you can see, the leg of the pant looks like its twisted, but its really just the way the front and back pattern pieces are shaped. I used two colors of corduroy, but these will work in one color two, and can be made in other fabrics. There are 3 different waist options, but I went for the faux fly, which has a snap (or button) that functions, but still pulls up and down with elastic. They have an "extra long" option as well, which is great for slim kids and gives the option to roll up (so more room for growing)</div>
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I also added an "&" embroidery to the leg, as a nod to the name of the pattern! </div>
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<br />Levi's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210833187451001512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6937517930684616644.post-24635303337302043322015-02-18T21:40:00.000-05:002015-02-19T23:37:44.199-05:00Florida Earthskills WeekendLevi and I attended the "<a href="http://floridaearthskills.org/">Florida Earthskills Gathering</a>" which was a 4 day gathering to learn "earthskills" (primitive type skills), and spend some time outdoors. There are many different classes for kids and adults in all kinds of different earthskills, plus typical camping activities like hanging out around the camp fire. <a href="http://floridaearthskills.org/classes/">Check out all of the classes here. </a><br />
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We camped out in an area designated as "Family and Elder" camping, which turned out to be a really nice spot because we were close to the kids area and the main fire, which was the central gathering place. Every morning there was a "morning circle" where activities for the day were announced. There was a morning and afternoon class each day with many to choose from. <br />
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The kids program had classes for them as well, and lots of games and running around too. They built a "fairy garden", did <a href="http://www.gardenista.com/posts/diy-black-walnut-tie-dye-napkins">tye dye with black walnut, </a>learned how to start a fire with a bow drill, went on edible plant walks, did some henna tattoos, made natural soda, played a lot of "hand tag" learned about some local fish, did some water critter catching, and had a great time playing outside. They even played "man hunt" which is something like hide and seek/tag but in the dark with flashlights. <br />
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The classes I took were: Didgeridoo making (from bamboo), an edible plant walk and bamboo craft (I made a bowl, cup and utensils from bamboo), and stargazing. I only got to take a few classes because I did "worktrade", I helped with the kids program in exchange for a very reduced rate for the gathering. <br />
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The food was really good - vegan and vegetarian options always, and fresh grown food. Everything was cooked over the campfire! <br />
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There was a camp fire each night (the last night was a big huge bonfire), and people would sing songs and play instruments and tell stories. <br />
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It was a really fun experience for Levi and I, and we learned a lot of interesting things. We will try and attend again next year for sure, hopefully with even more friends to join us!<br /><br />A beautiful description of the <a href="https://nettleandthread.wordpress.com/2015/02/19/the-florida-earth-skills-gathering-life-under-the-live-oaks/">Earthskills Gathering by Nettle and Thread here</a><br />
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Morning circle: <br />
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Levi has a snack from the kids area (they had fresh cut fruit, sugar cane and tea). The tents behind him were where some of the classes met. </div>
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Levi and his new friends carving sticks by the main fire. Many of the kids spent a lot of time making "hatchets" carved from wood. </div>
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Main Fire</div>
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Levi near the kitchen, behind him is an oven. <br />
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Kitchen area and to the far right is the bathrooms (which were porta potties, but did flush, so gross, but tolerable!)<br />
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Me, our tent, and the didgeridoo and cup I made from bamboo. (yes, I made the skirt too, I will be making some to put up for sale as I've gotten many requests!)<br />
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Some more about the didgeridoo class <a href="http://judyrobinsondesigns.com/2015/02/09/making-a-bamboo-didgeridoo/">can be found here</a> from another student in the class. <br />
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Levi on the slackline we set up behind our tent - many kids and adults came and tried our slackline! <br />
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(I made this outfit too of course)<br />
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Nothing to see here, but this is what the Earthskills gathering sounded like at night. One is the fiddle music, and the other has fiddle music, drumming, kids having a snack, and the hoe down. <br />
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And as usual, I made Levi some clothes for the occasion, 3 shirts and the "crazy pants" he is wearing in the picture of him carving by the campfire. <br />
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This describes Levi well: <br />
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Camping shirt, of course. <br />
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And this one is a combo of embroidery and screenprint, inspired by <a href="http://www.nextbigwhat.com/disconnect-productivity-hack-297/">this </a><br />
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Some fun on the backs as well. <br />
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<br />Levi's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210833187451001512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6937517930684616644.post-445437370061741282015-02-03T22:24:00.003-05:002015-02-03T22:24:59.446-05:00Groundhog Day Lapbook, and Two Little DressesLevi wanted to learn more about groundhogs for Groundhog day so I found him a lapbook and we chose some of the activities to do. <br />
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First we had to find out what the "results" were this year, so we watched this <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/capital-weather-gang/wp/2015/02/02/groundhog-day-2015-punxsutawney-phil-sees-shadow-predicts-six-more-weeks-of-winter/">quick clip here</a>.<br />
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This was the lapbook I found, from <a href="http://www.homeschoolshare.com/groundhog_lapbook.php">Homeschool Share</a>, we didn't make every single element, but did talk about all of it and made many of them. I introduced classifications for the first time, something I find confusing myself. We learned about diet, rodents, the history of Groundhog's day, how groundhogs help/harm farms, and how much dirt groundhogs can really move (700lbs!). <br />
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We also watched this short video, all about groundhogs. <br />
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Here is Levi's finished lapbook! <br />
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The cover is actually a paper bag puppet printable, I found it <a href="http://www.pdfpedia.com/download/17488/lincolns-beard-and-hat-pdf.html">here</a>. Paper bag puppet printables are great for lapbook covers because they are already split. Levi chose to paint this with water color paint. <br />
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And Levi presents his lapbook the phone rang in the middle and threw him off! </div>
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These are some little dresses I made. I don't often make girls clothes, so its fun when I get to! These are from a free sewing pattern, the Izzy top. I added some length to make them into dresses. </div>
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And now I am back to sewing, getting a few more shirts made for Levi for our camping trip this weekend. We are very much looking forward to the <a href="http://www.floridaearthskills.org/">Florida Earthskills Gathering</a>! </div>
<br />Levi's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210833187451001512noreply@blogger.com0