Oversized Moss Letter Tutorial and Some Photos of My Little Snuggle Bugs

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I may have to let Jason guest post more often! I think he enjoyed reading your comments as much as I did. This summer he is going to be taking over the business side of Dear Lillie. Despite his claims, though, he will not be taking over the artistic side, but maybe I will let him do a guest post every now and again so he can exercise his writing skills and mock me...or maybe he can find another family member to pick on next time. Although I am sure after having me boss him around on a regular basis he will probably have lots of complaining to do about me again! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I also want to thank you all for your continued prayers for Lola Wren! We truly appreciate it and will be sure to let you know once we get the pathology report back.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Now onto the tutorial!</b></span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU6CAGUuLOE94zyndSNJw6YtXWOkVt3iX5dr84NF1iJ-MENkQTC2zWBVbBuzFa_yJH7A0ADDnHg4_vI1P5GOOMAGDUVkBJuxNYO0401P7HyZOfirhw5DIoNDnSQUbLXs_lYKrfdpLSabo/s640/cDSC_0120.jpg" width="470" /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnPSqHT6T-T_I0w7Z7ucCzkvA2OsOIbuov5t4bKcAVgrPsV11lzVVkCmsnx2JbYmOqa1bwaqQEp5wmQYhvbbI9j979o23-tCzihuWqSL_jYF1K9RAzeK_YTWIFr9N8rDfoJERgiKN7DdM/s1600/cDSC_0140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnPSqHT6T-T_I0w7Z7ucCzkvA2OsOIbuov5t4bKcAVgrPsV11lzVVkCmsnx2JbYmOqa1bwaqQEp5wmQYhvbbI9j979o23-tCzihuWqSL_jYF1K9RAzeK_YTWIFr9N8rDfoJERgiKN7DdM/s640/cDSC_0140.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> A while back I mentioned how I loved the large moss letters that Pottery Barn was selling but they were sooooo expensive! ($79 each plus shipping and handling) <a href="http://dearlillieblog.blogspot.com/2011/03/moss-letters-tutorial-and-some-fun-with.html">We did a tutorial on how to make a smaller version of them and I used those in dining room.</a> However, I still wanted to make a large one. I couldn't find a large enough base letter anywhere, though! I finally decided just to use what I had and make my own. I found a large cardboard box in the garage and cut out an "H". By using cardboard you can make the letter(s) any size you want. Mine is about two feet tall. It also allows you to make any assortment of letters you want - all for free! When I did my last post I wasn't able to use any of the words I wanted because the craft store was missing so many letters.  I also was FINALLY able to get my hands on the moss that comes in sheets! We just had a new craft store open in Williamsburg and they carried it. Before that I hadn't been able to find it anywhere.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>1). First, draw your letter on a piece of cardboard. </b></div><div style="text-align: center;">It's okay if you mess up because you are going to be covering it with moss anyway. It may help to use a ruler for any straight lines or to make guides for curves (I made a C for my mom and a D for one of my sisters to cut out and used a ruler to make sure my curves were the same width where I started as they were at the end).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>2) Cut your letter out using scissors or a box cutter.</b> </div><div style="text-align: center;">I was lazy and didn't feel like getting up to get my box cutter so I just used scissors. It worked fine, but it would have gone much more quickly had I just gotten up and gone to the garage and gotten my box cutter. In my defense, though, I made this the day before I had Lorelei so I was not exactly full of energy!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTg2CIt6osKtAgrGucmSkW3kIOXRZr231-2sgwY1NWG3iuO8_n-JX89FHlWU87Lfj998oNGvBLKcfPG1dapZ_xVjmQbTQRCUjPfhs4RBe9rlTxG7msivokZWA6g6MH2jYFKQjQBTEjFz8/s1600/eDSC_0178.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTg2CIt6osKtAgrGucmSkW3kIOXRZr231-2sgwY1NWG3iuO8_n-JX89FHlWU87Lfj998oNGvBLKcfPG1dapZ_xVjmQbTQRCUjPfhs4RBe9rlTxG7msivokZWA6g6MH2jYFKQjQBTEjFz8/s640/eDSC_0178.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>3) Now start up in one corner and put some hot glue on the cardboard.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(Work in small sections so the glue doesn't harden before you attach the moss).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNk1TvoYhzKCwuM65isC3S5srFDkjral4gUPllCbECOHeNd-dqURmNH17_iwH5HjVztF6Uj1agMNeRzT2YvJZ9IX6AB-ROBCnrE2e3_TmhXorQc4iehnoYwxaHkOCAQ5kqZ4kTAtc6TDs/s1600/eDSC_0182.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNk1TvoYhzKCwuM65isC3S5srFDkjral4gUPllCbECOHeNd-dqURmNH17_iwH5HjVztF6Uj1agMNeRzT2YvJZ9IX6AB-ROBCnrE2e3_TmhXorQc4iehnoYwxaHkOCAQ5kqZ4kTAtc6TDs/s640/eDSC_0182.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>4) Now place the sheet of moss over the glue.  </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>You want it to overlap the cardboard - do NOT trim it! </b></div><div style="text-align: center;">(If you can't find moss in sheets like this <a href="http://dearlillieblog.blogspot.com/2011/03/moss-letters-tutorial-and-some-fun-with.html">you can refer to this tutorial</a> on how to proceed with regular "clumps" of moss).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXMo3FzoperWvwWqmT5ZPzx99ITAjR9LyQXQ1h_2mWFtPtNWdPbbO4qp7RTl4N25_AXGaeyPgaHzIdvbAkXE4ZFZPJPueM9CFXbG0d-kUfg-E5L845gL6hXh0TBeyKTy8_aRtMapk69Zs/s1600/eDSC_0181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXMo3FzoperWvwWqmT5ZPzx99ITAjR9LyQXQ1h_2mWFtPtNWdPbbO4qp7RTl4N25_AXGaeyPgaHzIdvbAkXE4ZFZPJPueM9CFXbG0d-kUfg-E5L845gL6hXh0TBeyKTy8_aRtMapk69Zs/s640/eDSC_0181.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>5) Cover the whole letter.  </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b> </b>It doesn't need to be perfect or even close to it! Just make sure it is completely covered and you have enough around the edges to fold over onto the back.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6u7EeKPTJl64CZekq6ThtIpul3rAFKXs9EIZrAK7KM3aFtf1Xq2_XImIQ_n21tfyQzInQZE7gUT1Ei0raaFUgOryz4-mxNIyy-u3oU_Z0wPnrgf9yUx-cmolsmQp8DpvZQAIkrtOGrEE/s1600/eDSC_0183.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6u7EeKPTJl64CZekq6ThtIpul3rAFKXs9EIZrAK7KM3aFtf1Xq2_XImIQ_n21tfyQzInQZE7gUT1Ei0raaFUgOryz4-mxNIyy-u3oU_Z0wPnrgf9yUx-cmolsmQp8DpvZQAIkrtOGrEE/s640/eDSC_0183.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b> 6) Now flip it over.</b> </div><div style="text-align: center;">In retrospect I wish I had even more moss overlapping but it was my first time and I was just "winging it" so I wasn't sure what I was doing. In the future I will have it overlap even more.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU33wo2reFVhSxXqVVG_XGBi0n1V_Z4A4tc3PSfonzEmQF2r9tcvaRLb1MW9URtiLuK3_BQP2h-hQU9S6PjkVpo7OlmqBsml4AaWJyyDapmwIrlZnp0G560MX4CV-0eVpD6omc9IpVxz0/s1600/eDSC_0185.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU33wo2reFVhSxXqVVG_XGBi0n1V_Z4A4tc3PSfonzEmQF2r9tcvaRLb1MW9URtiLuK3_BQP2h-hQU9S6PjkVpo7OlmqBsml4AaWJyyDapmwIrlZnp0G560MX4CV-0eVpD6omc9IpVxz0/s640/eDSC_0185.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <b> </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>7) Use more hot glue and fold over the edges onto the back.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfO9gVxPS8HjWdo5OMHQ5DJcG3C0iqyOzD9ZmQLid1TgBbQrm789xO7lRhjKtyI10DzIV-hUo1F587DzrlyGkCFSzNc6ABzma3XuXsNIXNkAsiX32xK7AgCiRqO2ry32Cjp6A0B5fOUa4/s1600/eDSC_0187.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfO9gVxPS8HjWdo5OMHQ5DJcG3C0iqyOzD9ZmQLid1TgBbQrm789xO7lRhjKtyI10DzIV-hUo1F587DzrlyGkCFSzNc6ABzma3XuXsNIXNkAsiX32xK7AgCiRqO2ry32Cjp6A0B5fOUa4/s640/eDSC_0187.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>8) You'll have to slice the corner areas a bit to get them to fold over. </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhSS404AtCkOz9h4MWAasTTJD__EimEcfOR0MugPRhm84c-qQUGf13hr_OsfmUTYJ5n91Zs8yqdRedkVQGToIdv1CO4ByRjGviW9j-XPKHXwV4iuI_hVEtbFX-sDWsnXdiD015SIHcJl4/s1600/eDSC_0188.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhSS404AtCkOz9h4MWAasTTJD__EimEcfOR0MugPRhm84c-qQUGf13hr_OsfmUTYJ5n91Zs8yqdRedkVQGToIdv1CO4ByRjGviW9j-XPKHXwV4iuI_hVEtbFX-sDWsnXdiD015SIHcJl4/s640/eDSC_0188.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>9) Once the edges are all folded and glued start adding glue and "patching in" the empty spots with strips of moss. </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn-Ve0OGTz4VP4adYsFSbbsFwjaHCqKVCkS4XAasYzBZOTCj-5ceAUQipHCaOpjCY5uAIqH6OcRkWexUNTX11UEc2PUwn3iW8QdwxPyKV8bKvfmCb7hJUW3bos85mdtO2gGMSmWyuK0h8/s1600/eDSC_0189.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn-Ve0OGTz4VP4adYsFSbbsFwjaHCqKVCkS4XAasYzBZOTCj-5ceAUQipHCaOpjCY5uAIqH6OcRkWexUNTX11UEc2PUwn3iW8QdwxPyKV8bKvfmCb7hJUW3bos85mdtO2gGMSmWyuK0h8/s640/eDSC_0189.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Keep going! </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnwoJ0yWP1jBVF5lHN3aRm70tYbwhE9L10fAoRDMBU-SwpZX6CUs0NuXUgPjKLyOcWWr7Wk9zYjZxeSX9hbLaKNXPhoto45ZLjHsz2rLy-BCtmoET4nGEnjySNFCej9101A80sPGy0zdg/s1600/eDSC_0190.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnwoJ0yWP1jBVF5lHN3aRm70tYbwhE9L10fAoRDMBU-SwpZX6CUs0NuXUgPjKLyOcWWr7Wk9zYjZxeSX9hbLaKNXPhoto45ZLjHsz2rLy-BCtmoET4nGEnjySNFCej9101A80sPGy0zdg/s640/eDSC_0190.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>And there you have it!</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWyc4MP9WaOZEFwyToMOY8IAYFpXmsShSezimq6p96OR0-gNunKvs55bwS8w8Fo0Uq6HLkIgEKnMU3E1XSS_KgdvsmE3t5mRQG48G_1qhzlqGVTe85IhLSH7kIQVgzJcbJkCnGKHKs2uE/s1600/cDSC_0136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWyc4MP9WaOZEFwyToMOY8IAYFpXmsShSezimq6p96OR0-gNunKvs55bwS8w8Fo0Uq6HLkIgEKnMU3E1XSS_KgdvsmE3t5mRQG48G_1qhzlqGVTe85IhLSH7kIQVgzJcbJkCnGKHKs2uE/s640/cDSC_0136.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As I mentioned I made "H" the day before Lorelei arrived. I also took a bunch of pictures of Lillie in an adorable dress my mom made her. She just made a matching one for Lorelei that arrived in the mail yesterday so I am going to take some photos of them wearing the dresses together at some point. Here's a shot of Lillie, though, on one of her last days of being an only child! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKsvRuASG59dvOvZs9tRgaNMcbhgIkEbmN8GrlKPCGbG-lfHYTjQerad6fWWVEGWU4apU8I4Vsp4pivfsIFxWe9HgLgy-TLbTZhIGXDLCXD5lRbnJdKGtivnWi0YQ_pwHWgYqmYKPS56A/s1600/eDSC_0091cclens-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKsvRuASG59dvOvZs9tRgaNMcbhgIkEbmN8GrlKPCGbG-lfHYTjQerad6fWWVEGWU4apU8I4Vsp4pivfsIFxWe9HgLgy-TLbTZhIGXDLCXD5lRbnJdKGtivnWi0YQ_pwHWgYqmYKPS56A/s640/eDSC_0091cclens-copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">And here are some quick candid shots from this morning of the girls snuggling in bed. Although I am NOT a morning person, this past week I have really been enjoying my mornings as Lillie, Lola and I all snuggle up in bed. Lillie begs to hold Lola and it is so sweet watching them together. I wish I had taken a minute to tame Lillian's wild and crazy hair - oh well. I got it tucked behind her ear for one shot and then it went back to being everywhere!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj57Hg9qssIRaPqjjlgtYKJUowvr-O-vWtHNQ3XXRFiSBasuWYV9HS2-5QoYHaaPpwmZS1942lkzO3_-b4Cc8tGbqpN5bvoiRXwuhUfTRT5I1nHwEmeRMdU29d8QL9K6kl6lXw_CVe2xuk/s1600/fDSC_0024c-bwblushcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj57Hg9qssIRaPqjjlgtYKJUowvr-O-vWtHNQ3XXRFiSBasuWYV9HS2-5QoYHaaPpwmZS1942lkzO3_-b4Cc8tGbqpN5bvoiRXwuhUfTRT5I1nHwEmeRMdU29d8QL9K6kl6lXw_CVe2xuk/s640/fDSC_0024c-bwblushcopy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu_4ItdnWmoGZbRrv4a52AUhm32lX-j10S2bHhVKExaGLXKFt9D4z2Qv-KoFruao7rR326wx8z-3ccKXdOCkBfovaLjUYGeTe4Wv72uOjEDkU9aBcHsmw2szMra7MfDjGmBkkx7w-ceYw/s1600/fDSC_0021c-bwblcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu_4ItdnWmoGZbRrv4a52AUhm32lX-j10S2bHhVKExaGLXKFt9D4z2Qv-KoFruao7rR326wx8z-3ccKXdOCkBfovaLjUYGeTe4Wv72uOjEDkU9aBcHsmw2szMra7MfDjGmBkkx7w-ceYw/s640/fDSC_0021c-bwblcopy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhohL6szIsw4Coky4r4ocGxdnBB_JsNabsCOsIQzWpLZ_n1-XNsYlswtZFykMHADLhpzZALV5F4UCGAh1PzmaRJ1BQ-hCf1r8v1L3vu6Z8QpftyuohqvqSTR5kpUc6uldLWOoXMRo_laaA/s1600/fDSC_0066c-bwblushcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhohL6szIsw4Coky4r4ocGxdnBB_JsNabsCOsIQzWpLZ_n1-XNsYlswtZFykMHADLhpzZALV5F4UCGAh1PzmaRJ1BQ-hCf1r8v1L3vu6Z8QpftyuohqvqSTR5kpUc6uldLWOoXMRo_laaA/s640/fDSC_0066c-bwblushcopy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio2zY4b70UGTG8G0uW_xbiSPVC7Ub-DTj9ZPUzzlIWbOlScqF1KY7b6Ck_rckShc-UTc9JLaHyDBCR9hk8KRFG0hjSl21b8DrB33Mlkq20yNzzmUsqKTrCrH3Ix3KUq5PafsKolczNb9c/s1600/fDSC_0086c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio2zY4b70UGTG8G0uW_xbiSPVC7Ub-DTj9ZPUzzlIWbOlScqF1KY7b6Ck_rckShc-UTc9JLaHyDBCR9hk8KRFG0hjSl21b8DrB33Mlkq20yNzzmUsqKTrCrH3Ix3KUq5PafsKolczNb9c/s640/fDSC_0086c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggNLB77V03UpUKq4pZQrPU2QkhaH0f6vN4tBeM9YVEhhzTBx4QKYEaBmu00u_Yv_AGxPr2_A1HF-i2YiG7mkZKAzMSbC-1WpwEptVMp9YOFI_q5yUeL1jwFUVIZg47Eww0UwXmy2-7sec/s1600/fDSC_0110c-bwblucopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZk12E1lfmaB7zD2EiMpNTsjlKHWtORYCorktp8pcd8RYQUfwHKbwLzp9cEkJEvVz53raDU-dMxysBB_lFWieH7wCPpB31acctN-dP9GSunO5wGw_uCMCjBOdGTaJyDRyuY-eIwyeNnAQ/s1600/fDSC_0068cvs-copyc-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZk12E1lfmaB7zD2EiMpNTsjlKHWtORYCorktp8pcd8RYQUfwHKbwLzp9cEkJEvVz53raDU-dMxysBB_lFWieH7wCPpB31acctN-dP9GSunO5wGw_uCMCjBOdGTaJyDRyuY-eIwyeNnAQ/s640/fDSC_0068cvs-copyc-copy.jpg" width="430" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>This is long overdue but I wanted to announce the winner of the Baby Guessing Contest! </b><span style="color: #ea9999;">Congratulations to Picture Perfect Pixies! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">She guessed the date and weight exactly! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Send us an e-mail at dearlillie@hotmail.com to collect your prize! </div><br />I am hoping to work on another tutorial this weekend to share on Monday or Tuesday but I am learning with two little ones things don't always go according to the plan so we shall see if I actually get it done or not! <br /><br />I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbh1M_Vzxx-RbEprtBgPmLlwkR_8UcX7JbtQI7FmG5MuohDWq0QeZmV2x5vIk6SCv-huo-oxkLQRf3XeZvxuVWVTvIFIDpkIHtz2KgPj0bR82zpv6f8zhp9FnNX287YTZqPXSknGsIG1U/s1600/sig.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbh1M_Vzxx-RbEprtBgPmLlwkR_8UcX7JbtQI7FmG5MuohDWq0QeZmV2x5vIk6SCv-huo-oxkLQRf3XeZvxuVWVTvIFIDpkIHtz2KgPj0bR82zpv6f8zhp9FnNX287YTZqPXSknGsIG1U/s1600/sig.png" /></a></div>

Oversized Moss Letter Tutorial and Some Photos of My Little Snuggle Bugs

I may have to let Jason guest post more often! I think he enjoyed reading your comments as much as I did. This summer he is going to be taki...

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The Truth About Dear Lillie (Jason's May Post)

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I expected our host to take care of this, but since she did not, please allow me to introduce myself.  My name is Jason Crotty.  I am Jenni’s only brother and Lillie’s favorite relative (in the coming months I will also surely become the favorite of Jenni’s newest child… whose <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVXmMMSo47s">name</a> currently escapes me).  For those who have been following the Dear Lillie blog for some time, you may recognize me from the far-too-occasional shout-outs Jenni reluctantly throws my way (usually in reference to <a href="http://smalltalkbook.blogspot.com/">my fledgling of a blog</a>).  I am entering the final few weeks of my senior year at Notre Dame, and I will be working for Dear Lillie full time beginning this summer.  Now on to the important stuff…</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwXF2YPfurJw7-spmchdBWdaIqYgkLYtyAUhDghQASAgbsn60Ae1pcsjOYmGDrSgq8vG4ui2e2Ife8-_crFl-leyP7mZsSMs3-uCvbvjVvMv8gKah2EeNlO1a05fdEIchzyUge-LXWy-s/s1600/Uncle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwXF2YPfurJw7-spmchdBWdaIqYgkLYtyAUhDghQASAgbsn60Ae1pcsjOYmGDrSgq8vG4ui2e2Ife8-_crFl-leyP7mZsSMs3-uCvbvjVvMv8gKah2EeNlO1a05fdEIchzyUge-LXWy-s/s576/Uncle.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Uncle of the Year</i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Since Jenni has somehow justified taking another extended vacation, I thought that this might be as good an opportunity as ever to shed a little light on some of her deepest, darkest secrets.  Actually, I will only be exposing one, but I figured the promise of many certainly carried more weight than the pledge of but a single revelation.  Rest assured, however, that the information I am about to disclose is more enlightening than a complete list of her childhood crushes.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Through the medium of Dear Lillie, it appears that Jenni has found an outlet for all of those urges she gets to <a href="http://dearlillieblog.blogspot.com/2011/02/good-bye-guest-bedroom.html">redecorate each room in her house</a> on a monthly basis or to conjure up <a href="http://dearlillieblog.blogspot.com/2011/01/valentines-shirts-opinions-wanted-and.html">second-rate drawings</a> on her new Mac.  She then feels the needs to parade eight of these projects in front of us every week.  In fact, many of you have commented on her previous posts—expressing both awe and admiration while wondering just how she combines her talent, taste, and creativity to seemingly complete a host of projects in less time than it takes most of us to make a TV dinner.  Well here’s an explanation… She doesn’t.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Yes, that’s correct.  For the last two years Jennifer Holmes has been routinely stealing my work and labeling it her own.  Never considering myself a vigilante, I figured the authority of law would act in accordance with the spirit of justice.  Apparently it did not… So consider this my first attempt at putting an end to her unfortunate misconduct.  No, there is probably nothing I will ever be able to do to interrupt her continual flow of jealousy, but it is time that she finally discontinued her overtly criminal behavior.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">While being the lifeblood of my extended family certainly does require a serious time commitment, I have somehow also managed to dabble in the worlds of art, photography, home design, and <a href="http://smalltalkbook.blogspot.com/2010/08/goodbye-miss-lillie-beans.html">child-rearing</a>.  Probably not the areas of expertise you might expect from such a <a href="http://smalltalkbook.blogspot.com/2011/04/here-we-go-ladies.html">high-level collegiate athlete</a> as myself (note: that’s a joke), but I do my best.  For the last two years, these efforts have been met with little-to-no recognition because Jenni has swindled nearly all of my most inspirational designs.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div>Now I am going to assume that your loyalties lie with my sister.  After all, why would you have any reason to believe me?  No cause for alarm—I have come prepared with evidence so undeniable that I am sure to win your trust.  I have posted below examples of my own work in contrast to the work Jenni claims to be her own, and quite honestly, I’d be shocked if you could tell the difference between the two.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: lime;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Interior Design</span></span></i></b><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUAiyAN771AORRJKwv4epRP4RKwAErG8ILtdYOZHa_RzmHTth29fGsdWbwkBkFf4hXMGoInnznEFIuhuLqk8e32-eCfEQkxsWI2xWvEThxNbQiKeOMKHFkXw-ghNgO5XeKDK_Wh5pqlFc/s1600/InteriorDesignA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUAiyAN771AORRJKwv4epRP4RKwAErG8ILtdYOZHa_RzmHTth29fGsdWbwkBkFf4hXMGoInnznEFIuhuLqk8e32-eCfEQkxsWI2xWvEThxNbQiKeOMKHFkXw-ghNgO5XeKDK_Wh5pqlFc/s576/InteriorDesignA.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZXSXhylvRBdOSOs5y1FYChO9glhJl758Y1yZ-iMows70sD4whuOg81EMiSI3bpSpNlN7ybjqKSoDismIkI-C6_nMPM360gau6AtWyOfXjqwRfveIVA56zX07x4V_hEMgHsBfMXpfcrk/s1600/InteriorB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZXSXhylvRBdOSOs5y1FYChO9glhJl758Y1yZ-iMows70sD4whuOg81EMiSI3bpSpNlN7ybjqKSoDismIkI-C6_nMPM360gau6AtWyOfXjqwRfveIVA56zX07x4V_hEMgHsBfMXpfcrk/s576/InteriorB.jpg" style="cursor: move;" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: lime;">Templates</span></span></i></b></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaQ7mkS8M3dH8Ks23giZT9JpXLViwhs6lmCAYn6k52P58_KrfjhxaLHME_4OyVDYqxhKYKXSUmxqS_g6DCukgufwdWU1BlKzJy2iR-vcaWJXBqwfuNXqjRCyKSea4mzFT1RB6GXe-bbfo/s1600/TemplateA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaQ7mkS8M3dH8Ks23giZT9JpXLViwhs6lmCAYn6k52P58_KrfjhxaLHME_4OyVDYqxhKYKXSUmxqS_g6DCukgufwdWU1BlKzJy2iR-vcaWJXBqwfuNXqjRCyKSea4mzFT1RB6GXe-bbfo/s576/TemplateA.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXrPsPdcoayJcOQlmrRPE3ruM6Kan8XIfO4VsTHa2PXMwioAmbyMSb1MhgpK4fqyevR3bX9FiyQJpEo5PLmWKlRjUcBU1lvrKag6DanOkXpU1na22ewo1cNZpM0gAas85QPKGoxBVJRyg/s1600/TemplateB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXrPsPdcoayJcOQlmrRPE3ruM6Kan8XIfO4VsTHa2PXMwioAmbyMSb1MhgpK4fqyevR3bX9FiyQJpEo5PLmWKlRjUcBU1lvrKag6DanOkXpU1na22ewo1cNZpM0gAas85QPKGoxBVJRyg/s576/TemplateB.jpg" style="cursor: move;" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: lime;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Art</span></span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUQ22F8ol7hAVee18kdPVLgFDcgjQSo7Bg_y6bZ8_kHSUduAoaq60TS5rfOzAerwdUoCNMSnOgBa3AwD2OiilOqbX1RSTu2EGqvPyLf_4bOZ4XuyD9bM0rZN-CU2FSb5eizVoomcDXu9k/s1600/ArtA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUQ22F8ol7hAVee18kdPVLgFDcgjQSo7Bg_y6bZ8_kHSUduAoaq60TS5rfOzAerwdUoCNMSnOgBa3AwD2OiilOqbX1RSTu2EGqvPyLf_4bOZ4XuyD9bM0rZN-CU2FSb5eizVoomcDXu9k/s576/ArtA.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUCoX4ziP71JQ66ei3aapkfgMv4pNm-LiWFNBEJokJb9gZmwhvOell57EtWVrlpmMQRX3lxIaf_rjjRCoCrZxO5H7VJmseJGv1U_G_rIE5Yu7o6cP_KTzThqSnMHovTpE6OtAyUc2zXrs/s1600/ArtB.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUCoX4ziP71JQ66ei3aapkfgMv4pNm-LiWFNBEJokJb9gZmwhvOell57EtWVrlpmMQRX3lxIaf_rjjRCoCrZxO5H7VJmseJGv1U_G_rIE5Yu7o6cP_KTzThqSnMHovTpE6OtAyUc2zXrs/s576/ArtB.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: lime;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Photography</span></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBIXw0Vx8YNs05MINxWJi2O1v-w1q3UlW_220tbRofh_DKZ-pcl09jTOGXV7HdGmMLFBslpT4uUW8GIoTU_eb7ydFsleVmQWwToA_bNmOTuS8BIG1zKHEjaS2989x54Zs552YWzVY8PcE/s1600/PhotographyA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBIXw0Vx8YNs05MINxWJi2O1v-w1q3UlW_220tbRofh_DKZ-pcl09jTOGXV7HdGmMLFBslpT4uUW8GIoTU_eb7ydFsleVmQWwToA_bNmOTuS8BIG1zKHEjaS2989x54Zs552YWzVY8PcE/s576/PhotographyA.jpg" style="cursor: move;" /></a></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidSxiLsicjqehHV-o6iI-44-UZyJxvubkiGGlvcXnF8EKqcwJVpG4ZkWB4J2a4W2WPjRponM0LfOBNydBwY8MhcYtd5oGv4DSMIpWSHd9k2qUArZsHWMiAjyIPHpTl1CqAHUQsrJOMxcw/s1600/PhotographyB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidSxiLsicjqehHV-o6iI-44-UZyJxvubkiGGlvcXnF8EKqcwJVpG4ZkWB4J2a4W2WPjRponM0LfOBNydBwY8MhcYtd5oGv4DSMIpWSHd9k2qUArZsHWMiAjyIPHpTl1CqAHUQsrJOMxcw/s576/PhotographyB.jpg" style="cursor: move;" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="MsoNormal">At this point, the verdict should be quite obvious.  After viewing the mountain of incriminating evidence I have presented you with, I suspect that even the most faithful among you would be unable to blame coincidence or kinship for the striking similarity in our work.  While I can’t fault you for wanting to give my sister the benefit of the doubt, I can only hope that rationality wins the day.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I realize that many of you may be overwhelmed with a blazing outrage after learning of Jenni’s highly unethical tactics, but I urge you not to judge her too harshly.  After all, I can only imagine what it must be like to live in the shadow of a younger sibling whose artistic resume makes your own look like mere child’s play.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">So while it may be disheartening to learn of her pattern of creative betrayal, I encourage you to help Jenni use this as an opportunity for growth.  Perhaps you could send her an email or two offering words of encouragement.  Together, I trust that we can help her through this most difficult time.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">And now you know the truth about Dear Lillie...</div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-leudnuRb9yw6XbEaZWqe0PG_wciQlIgh8hzoBMo6ACBJrg4Pbj51fkpYnVGsOnp-nlOBNG-Wz3lOmfmBVNLyneZhwY3WfcSlP7NUsLc69hma9T-Q3cBKJCRWk-Vt9K6v6S0eyRt7rHA/s1600/jason.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-leudnuRb9yw6XbEaZWqe0PG_wciQlIgh8hzoBMo6ACBJrg4Pbj51fkpYnVGsOnp-nlOBNG-Wz3lOmfmBVNLyneZhwY3WfcSlP7NUsLc69hma9T-Q3cBKJCRWk-Vt9K6v6S0eyRt7rHA/s1600/jason.png" /></a></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: right;"><a href="http://smalltalkbook.blogspot.com/">smalltalkbook.blogspot.com</a> -  Blog</div><div style="text-align: right;">@evensmallertalk - Twitter</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">p.s. Jenni, the first step to recovery is admitting your mistake.  While I don’t expect you to do this anytime soon, I would like you to know that I accept your apology in advance.<o:p></o:p><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smalltalkbook.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil1upiEJlsBWu_L5_qeKaqpFx4EyZgjFZmo4c_C9s_7zI2Rdk36m1LInjNPp4yMLpI6e4g4ubmCqXyc5kYWJh1sneK0MkoV0DvnKsevpmAeAbI7gtjwnJgQuX_UCjtJccIMUPUt4baZ7A/s576/jasonfooter.jpg" /></a></div></div>

The Truth About Dear Lillie (Jason's May Post)

I expected our host to take care of this, but since she did not, please allow me to introduce myself.  My name is Jason Crotty.  I am Jenni’...

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The Rest of the Porch

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I cannot even begin to thank you all properly for all of yours prayers for little Miss Lorelei! Friday was one of the longest days of my life and as I was sitting in the waiting room at the hospital and reading comment after comment from you all on my phone it brought me to tears and it was such a comfort knowing that not only was our whole family praying for her that day but so many people we have never even met before were as well. She did wonderfully and although we did have to spend the night on Friday she was able to be discharged on Saturday and we got home in time to attend the beautiful wedding of our friends, Ben and Lisa! Now we just have to wait one to two weeks for the pathology report to come back but her surgeon said she felt confident that the tissue she removed was benign. I will let you all know once we hear something. Thank you all from the very bottom of my heart!  There are no words to express how grateful I am!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now onto some decorating! Here is the other side of the porch. Because this was a slow process that I started almost a month ago it looks pretty "springy". I think in a couple more weeks I will remove all of the eggs and add a few more pops of color out there to help it look a little more "summery". When I do I will post some more photos. For now, though, here is what the other side of our porch looks like:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>* Although I prefer vases filled with fresh flowers or branches with blossoms - like dogwoods, or cherry blossoms - vases filled with tree branches work too - and they are free!  I didn't have time to head to Trader Joe's to pick up some fresh flowers like I had planned before I photographed the porch so I just went out to the woods and cut some branches down. </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiHgF3oIX7BAAKRUe5ZKRYEKsqVBYMSh9BXCp-rd2_wlVrm1lXsLbOdokZEvX9A5kVKGQUOWmTZ0xGvgvMuG5xngC6F_UkYh32Ea4z7ugvy4bHFCiLV2cD3lAjdu-b6WDNXKZvfGhiRlE/s640/cDSC_0069.jpg" width="428" /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha_GNEIoJaU4cKmvOp8zepjX9mEyjZi3v524HIeqalwv6me3oPtFRbwW_XCZWjsyFGozt142FnMYQ3CAif0FrPRvv2NcjegYdHrwaM6H0_TiD-gQBlm-oSmu8ggehKpTifkyw5s3R-1fU/s1600/cDSC_0075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha_GNEIoJaU4cKmvOp8zepjX9mEyjZi3v524HIeqalwv6me3oPtFRbwW_XCZWjsyFGozt142FnMYQ3CAif0FrPRvv2NcjegYdHrwaM6H0_TiD-gQBlm-oSmu8ggehKpTifkyw5s3R-1fU/s640/cDSC_0075.jpg" width="426" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm_MvT4JjwjzmFoP161LSpsBWQ0D5tIRk8T_00W8pJa9z2Lzlh39biUED6jANJnWtgzCDutbdQDBVs66rCyW-j3K1A-V2LgEaFPM1xmG2uKkvztjiXyN8OMo21qYvKDwu_AZSnA9A2Ojs/s1600/cDSC_0068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm_MvT4JjwjzmFoP161LSpsBWQ0D5tIRk8T_00W8pJa9z2Lzlh39biUED6jANJnWtgzCDutbdQDBVs66rCyW-j3K1A-V2LgEaFPM1xmG2uKkvztjiXyN8OMo21qYvKDwu_AZSnA9A2Ojs/s640/cDSC_0068.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDT_UVcyi-DT1vwlNaeDgze5ONjFOsabpKSphKfovfVUsVJC0lZwrBuzl9BSgVVjfg0QMKdf1g2C0ceGpppzQv24Cdq_jVhtG1MvU9NHmYCy4S34jp6Crz-hilaRuyyBdF0ZPmuXU8YH0/s1600/cDSC_0137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDT_UVcyi-DT1vwlNaeDgze5ONjFOsabpKSphKfovfVUsVJC0lZwrBuzl9BSgVVjfg0QMKdf1g2C0ceGpppzQv24Cdq_jVhtG1MvU9NHmYCy4S34jp6Crz-hilaRuyyBdF0ZPmuXU8YH0/s640/cDSC_0137.jpg" width="408" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjprWCEvxZOVYfMgpJ_weti3phM0XvqyJQvOW7UiPCWF38WYPmNtkikgJ52Ko1-P3FgJnSNd_6C1tr9hojcsaLGDviONO0KQY7Hkbzjxg0jhpPcae39H9FA_h78M403U3Lk6ANfj7Tf4gA/s1600/cDSC_0141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjprWCEvxZOVYfMgpJ_weti3phM0XvqyJQvOW7UiPCWF38WYPmNtkikgJ52Ko1-P3FgJnSNd_6C1tr9hojcsaLGDviONO0KQY7Hkbzjxg0jhpPcae39H9FA_h78M403U3Lk6ANfj7Tf4gA/s640/cDSC_0141.jpg" width="428" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>I recovered the cushions and pillows a few weeks ago.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdQHTyuco2HTtJckp-vcJphTmG8uGJNv4soPPSsegcx6i4zm8_Zvh7ovMkzmPUsTCo7d5xeNBXa-vLo5aleVs6272x8PjeMdV72u2zZTrioASo2EoXg_DYjMfWN8LIcmN2wcq7xS97on8/s1600/cDSC_0079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdQHTyuco2HTtJckp-vcJphTmG8uGJNv4soPPSsegcx6i4zm8_Zvh7ovMkzmPUsTCo7d5xeNBXa-vLo5aleVs6272x8PjeMdV72u2zZTrioASo2EoXg_DYjMfWN8LIcmN2wcq7xS97on8/s640/cDSC_0079.jpg" width="442" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_kJlPw0dpZHXoTdNkc4K62h1QQFaqXP7nk0sYkhzr4ezC_Dsro8qQccXZ7GaXYIr6flWZVZiQ1bW33zpYgtEmo-lSQ4p615vkY9Lhq6-MtmoXC0wUHsn6LqKRvtVgtlNewkyhDuu3sM/s1600/cDSC_0082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_kJlPw0dpZHXoTdNkc4K62h1QQFaqXP7nk0sYkhzr4ezC_Dsro8qQccXZ7GaXYIr6flWZVZiQ1bW33zpYgtEmo-lSQ4p615vkY9Lhq6-MtmoXC0wUHsn6LqKRvtVgtlNewkyhDuu3sM/s640/cDSC_0082.jpg" width="430" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_WPQUF534bxEyqMg-O-oGgADMbwmEP0jgRk9YKPWmph4kPBbcZNcueKAvnHEzAdakom-V6K5BfyVQYRoma-dxYy6kfalWNKtbJ46jH28oJqPbziZgnYmbvERSV4FbGbFVSmPSvqiqIME/s1600/cDSC_0084.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_WPQUF534bxEyqMg-O-oGgADMbwmEP0jgRk9YKPWmph4kPBbcZNcueKAvnHEzAdakom-V6K5BfyVQYRoma-dxYy6kfalWNKtbJ46jH28oJqPbziZgnYmbvERSV4FbGbFVSmPSvqiqIME/s640/cDSC_0084.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAjWLlgLyxaqj855CpDqOQehSXOh5_6v1a0hxTF22onGc_8bG66Pfp3K92LXwZo9Eb8OKVW8SQfGBBVoGOjtlU4AwsK48Sfdrl5DvSAUIZV1eCjFhreQdXZyiZZqkqxl4G4AlB_Zw9-SM/s1600/cDSC_0096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAjWLlgLyxaqj855CpDqOQehSXOh5_6v1a0hxTF22onGc_8bG66Pfp3K92LXwZo9Eb8OKVW8SQfGBBVoGOjtlU4AwsK48Sfdrl5DvSAUIZV1eCjFhreQdXZyiZZqkqxl4G4AlB_Zw9-SM/s640/cDSC_0096.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>I love these little cups and saucers from <a href="http://dearlillieblog.blogspot.com/2010/12/trip-to-burdicks-and-homestead-farms.html">Burdick's</a> </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b> (a gift from my sister and brother-in-law quite a few years ago)! </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr13U11KyfEcHvjmUMG1BjI3K9gREDQcFlQRVfnggSS_aRdadJNaiHyfSaOVkklQA3FAkTUC0cHxPWmbRwi2rRBmhQU-zikaiMx63Kr4cg9hlhl0A1zFU-tJxyG4iGU72dL8VRaUvJIMA/s1600/cDSC_0099.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr13U11KyfEcHvjmUMG1BjI3K9gREDQcFlQRVfnggSS_aRdadJNaiHyfSaOVkklQA3FAkTUC0cHxPWmbRwi2rRBmhQU-zikaiMx63Kr4cg9hlhl0A1zFU-tJxyG4iGU72dL8VRaUvJIMA/s640/cDSC_0099.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSZMf1mqpD5XgQfaUL8VvtkiVp61hoFkjPb7n6od8GJY6hlM00ua4zyDnzbSSke5vZKdQkvHYl35GOLUsztmxcdcilRdWDbxyLODRpM46JgXs24MiYjDFr3eC1v4BsWXKBRS8kf08YkZc/s1600/cDSC_0101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSZMf1mqpD5XgQfaUL8VvtkiVp61hoFkjPb7n6od8GJY6hlM00ua4zyDnzbSSke5vZKdQkvHYl35GOLUsztmxcdcilRdWDbxyLODRpM46JgXs24MiYjDFr3eC1v4BsWXKBRS8kf08YkZc/s640/cDSC_0101.jpg" width="454" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA_pZIRCEbLH8eqcI2hnno-kw9z54nkWq2K0Y17_3Wo5J2R0TVHL32S25PHf5lflgbI6OsUr76gf_EA5-gs-DwqvXD2Y470XYJ1RV_aSSjLZgnexlyyR19KNqb7zljTqezwEWkqwtsVe0/s1600/cDSC_0110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA_pZIRCEbLH8eqcI2hnno-kw9z54nkWq2K0Y17_3Wo5J2R0TVHL32S25PHf5lflgbI6OsUr76gf_EA5-gs-DwqvXD2Y470XYJ1RV_aSSjLZgnexlyyR19KNqb7zljTqezwEWkqwtsVe0/s640/cDSC_0110.jpg" width="414" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4YSLjNXZiWcZQZhm-OpfZ80e4fCRVlNVJ-h_wk6dR0SSaAZs-ty0-PzeTc4CCNys67OJg8JrbdJ_9t2SeOxvBsfTGnNYz8gBJUGWDoG-vXHaDR4m5hv8KI44_JhZUz6KSTegvkF3_4qE/s1600/cDSC_0129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4YSLjNXZiWcZQZhm-OpfZ80e4fCRVlNVJ-h_wk6dR0SSaAZs-ty0-PzeTc4CCNys67OJg8JrbdJ_9t2SeOxvBsfTGnNYz8gBJUGWDoG-vXHaDR4m5hv8KI44_JhZUz6KSTegvkF3_4qE/s640/cDSC_0129.jpg" width="456" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>This moss letter was even easier than the <a href="http://dearlillieblog.blogspot.com/2011/03/moss-letters-tutorial-and-some-fun-with.html">other ones I showed you a while back</a>. </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>I have a tutorial for this that I will post later this week.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiQGjev_PpjKvB449fecXJa6OzO49zYZlKySqoDJw0JIND3s8tJAYHcTV6JhABHY2Pi6VLsBz5ONkXsuEx8sOfvQNaaH2u0BJ8XtKO0xTvdQcvP5q6S_dZnIaq9uDTL9sPdzu7TbtR-C8/s1600/cDSC_0116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiQGjev_PpjKvB449fecXJa6OzO49zYZlKySqoDJw0JIND3s8tJAYHcTV6JhABHY2Pi6VLsBz5ONkXsuEx8sOfvQNaaH2u0BJ8XtKO0xTvdQcvP5q6S_dZnIaq9uDTL9sPdzu7TbtR-C8/s640/cDSC_0116.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj07fSZH9j68vrmSSEKROz452PODYniJjzclilBTkkriiSuY1TfabW52xYEKOl1RyNkL_O_oGAL2zsAPByDtjU-YhxxmNlCdtsjTTqKPepR82s4DJB0w2yTFkNdWxDXyJVmaG4Sv1iCsAM/s1600/cDSC_0120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj07fSZH9j68vrmSSEKROz452PODYniJjzclilBTkkriiSuY1TfabW52xYEKOl1RyNkL_O_oGAL2zsAPByDtjU-YhxxmNlCdtsjTTqKPepR82s4DJB0w2yTFkNdWxDXyJVmaG4Sv1iCsAM/s640/cDSC_0120.jpg" width="470" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6UPajKpHkwPqFDIMwXF9TXYbf-WCzIhKkSuKsiIWOzeWmqMY2FpoRsOwCbESVbSH6XRYd9MRrT89yudFJGiXUWTnj9R9pOQaiOU5UzoFGi_qOWd2yXF8fR3KkyuM222lLTRVNu4gFaX8/s1600/cDSC_0140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6UPajKpHkwPqFDIMwXF9TXYbf-WCzIhKkSuKsiIWOzeWmqMY2FpoRsOwCbESVbSH6XRYd9MRrT89yudFJGiXUWTnj9R9pOQaiOU5UzoFGi_qOWd2yXF8fR3KkyuM222lLTRVNu4gFaX8/s640/cDSC_0140.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>And if you haven't seen photos of the other side of the porch with the daybed and table you can click <a href="http://dearlillieblog.blogspot.com/2011/04/playing-with-color-on-porch-and-some.html">here. </a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL1SoAO0yvuV537_mZyEiylbnBMBQ2PG1R1IBH-8BHeRZu-VVc2en3MIwQ3le5DarEJXmB5_XUL7AOEebMkB4RomfVW7OQVhFAfI1AKDdHzJSe3_bd2DKKHSVAbfs9xg0ue_doOA0KzN0/s1600/eDSC_0067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL1SoAO0yvuV537_mZyEiylbnBMBQ2PG1R1IBH-8BHeRZu-VVc2en3MIwQ3le5DarEJXmB5_XUL7AOEebMkB4RomfVW7OQVhFAfI1AKDdHzJSe3_bd2DKKHSVAbfs9xg0ue_doOA0KzN0/s640/eDSC_0067.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>I hope you all have a wonderful week and again thank you, thank you, thank you! </b></div><div style="text-align: center;">Linking up to: <a href="http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/">Savvy Southern Style!</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbh1M_Vzxx-RbEprtBgPmLlwkR_8UcX7JbtQI7FmG5MuohDWq0QeZmV2x5vIk6SCv-huo-oxkLQRf3XeZvxuVWVTvIFIDpkIHtz2KgPj0bR82zpv6f8zhp9FnNX287YTZqPXSknGsIG1U/s1600/sig.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbh1M_Vzxx-RbEprtBgPmLlwkR_8UcX7JbtQI7FmG5MuohDWq0QeZmV2x5vIk6SCv-huo-oxkLQRf3XeZvxuVWVTvIFIDpkIHtz2KgPj0bR82zpv6f8zhp9FnNX287YTZqPXSknGsIG1U/s1600/sig.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>

The Rest of the Porch

I cannot even begin to thank you all properly for all of yours prayers for little Miss Lorelei! Friday was one of the longest days of my lif...

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Prayers for Lola Wren

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitieWM6tUgiEJnE_nx2qKvrRvbM4TKOxmPcNVGI33Fc6ZUngpHvcYuTLkBJkbkiunLxbONS5oo8p1bfdJD5dNc8VN1SVY981wq9zA2_o5pLz9MrYahQs1wEo91bL6FVs7PGY7c1n9ItQY/s1600/bDSC_0090lightcbwbl-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitieWM6tUgiEJnE_nx2qKvrRvbM4TKOxmPcNVGI33Fc6ZUngpHvcYuTLkBJkbkiunLxbONS5oo8p1bfdJD5dNc8VN1SVY981wq9zA2_o5pLz9MrYahQs1wEo91bL6FVs7PGY7c1n9ItQY/s640/bDSC_0090lightcbwbl-copy.jpg" width="398" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <b>It has been a busy last two weeks since Lorelei's arrival with family members coming and going and adjusting to life with two little ones.  Lorelei has been a wonderfully easy baby so far and is the sweetest little thing, but unfortunately she has had a few minor health issues. On Tuesday we found out she was going to have to have surgery. It was scheduled for June but then someone canceled and we found out yesterday that they could get her in today. So, we are headed to the Children's Hospital about an hour away for the second time this week. </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>We are so thankful that they were able to get her in so quickly and would appreciate all of your prayers. We were torn about sharing this on the blog (which is why we hadn't mentioned it until now) but in the end decided that we wanted as many prayers being said for her as possible.  She is having some tissue removed and although her doctor thinks it is benign we won't know until it is tested so we would appreciate your prayers both for her surgery today and that the biopsy will come back clean!</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>I have been dying to take the girls down to Colonial Williamsburg to take some photos but so far I haven't gotten to yet. I tried to take a few of them REALLY quickly last night but only got a few shots in and didn't get any I was happy with. Lola didn't quite fit in Lillie's doll stroller like I thought she would and then when I just had Lillie hold her she started screaming so we ended up giving up. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0b6soal6VeXdWzH-UYrh4Qo5LNzbV8HrSreZxOHwSnKNlBttCTtc4C9gR_repKd1JWSQLBeyOkAVnoq84q5AE6gf1qFYLKf_-IyVwu2sjBoo79DeJLakgD5FnTiYNtFVx0SM_4rPxvg/s1600/bDSC_0058c-halocopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0b6soal6VeXdWzH-UYrh4Qo5LNzbV8HrSreZxOHwSnKNlBttCTtc4C9gR_repKd1JWSQLBeyOkAVnoq84q5AE6gf1qFYLKf_-IyVwu2sjBoo79DeJLakgD5FnTiYNtFVx0SM_4rPxvg/s640/bDSC_0058c-halocopy.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <i>Clearly, Lola Wren was not very happy about picture taking. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I think we try it next time when she is sleeping! =) </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibTUXSDNEIlSkw2CbcB71UerY2La3o4fQUOM4GeeUChyyYOuCEMGobNr2XIlb5QXSx73_7dADCbeb2wXE9qLJUjOjMUgFyWcWCDjvsS8ErmbmoVKZOu-rBv8NbpmQwz-p4p98BXFeBTLk/s1600/bDSC_0089c-vscopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibTUXSDNEIlSkw2CbcB71UerY2La3o4fQUOM4GeeUChyyYOuCEMGobNr2XIlb5QXSx73_7dADCbeb2wXE9qLJUjOjMUgFyWcWCDjvsS8ErmbmoVKZOu-rBv8NbpmQwz-p4p98BXFeBTLk/s640/bDSC_0089c-vscopy.jpg" width="410" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm54ZZHAfTzyIr8vX2NUeyiG7iGGwBQtuQEYxLRUsPsiYilNR9SHuM9kRYILNY_Jz0glqnp6fdS2IUD8Kq6TlhqnwNbJIzRtrLcAtTXwSDWmbDnJbsJ_nF0V6W2TScQSQ0f4CYUF4EKaA/s1600/bDSC_0090lightc-vscopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm54ZZHAfTzyIr8vX2NUeyiG7iGGwBQtuQEYxLRUsPsiYilNR9SHuM9kRYILNY_Jz0glqnp6fdS2IUD8Kq6TlhqnwNbJIzRtrLcAtTXwSDWmbDnJbsJ_nF0V6W2TScQSQ0f4CYUF4EKaA/s640/bDSC_0090lightc-vscopy.jpg" width="398" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><i>"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><i>Matthew 18:20 </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I hope you all have a blessed weekend!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbh1M_Vzxx-RbEprtBgPmLlwkR_8UcX7JbtQI7FmG5MuohDWq0QeZmV2x5vIk6SCv-huo-oxkLQRf3XeZvxuVWVTvIFIDpkIHtz2KgPj0bR82zpv6f8zhp9FnNX287YTZqPXSknGsIG1U/s1600/sig.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbh1M_Vzxx-RbEprtBgPmLlwkR_8UcX7JbtQI7FmG5MuohDWq0QeZmV2x5vIk6SCv-huo-oxkLQRf3XeZvxuVWVTvIFIDpkIHtz2KgPj0bR82zpv6f8zhp9FnNX287YTZqPXSknGsIG1U/s1600/sig.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>

Prayers for Lola Wren

  It has been a busy last two weeks since Lorelei's arrival with family members coming and going and adjusting to life with two little o...

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Fairyland Canvas Print

<div class="itemIntroText" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><div style="color: #ea9999;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_UxmZMgZ2N74xRa4Pl5U-Lqg6Dsp_39J-3CKWUyLFYwYWFppqUNJszOKN6WyJDT_p_XyOnW0-PfBZaJr7aet9Rp5vnOj0_Rk5yxAnLU5mzENGRBcEivWGvg8hEChrizXbcKVWfRY1fw/s1600/aDSC_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_UxmZMgZ2N74xRa4Pl5U-Lqg6Dsp_39J-3CKWUyLFYwYWFppqUNJszOKN6WyJDT_p_XyOnW0-PfBZaJr7aet9Rp5vnOj0_Rk5yxAnLU5mzENGRBcEivWGvg8hEChrizXbcKVWfRY1fw/s640/aDSC_0001.jpg" width="446" /></a><b><span style="font-size: large;"><i> </i></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;"><i> </i></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;"><i>"There is such a place as fairyland -</i></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i> </i></b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><i>but only children can find the way to it. And they do not know that it is fairyland until they have grown so old that they forget the way. One bitter day, when they seek it and cannot find it, they realize what they have lost; and that is the tragedy of life...</i><i> </i></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><i>On that day the gates of Eden are shut behind them and the age of gold is over. Henceforth they must dwell in the common light of common day. Only a few, who remain children at heart, can ever find that fair, lost path again; and blessed are they above mortals. They, and only they, can bring us tidings from that dear country where we once sojourned and from which we must evermore be exiles.  <span style="color: #93c47d;"> </span></i></span></div><div style="color: #ea9999; text-align: center;"><b><i>The world calls them its singers and poets and artists and story-tellers;</i></b></div><div style="color: #ea9999; text-align: center;"><b><i>but they are just people who have never forgotten the way to fairyland.</i>" </b></div></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><i>- L.M. Montgomery </i></b></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Recently I was contacted by <a href="http://www.easycanvasprints.com/">Easy Canvas Prints</a> and asked about helping to promote their website. Surprisingly, as much as I enjoy taking and editing photos I don't have very many photographs on our walls. The wall going up our staircase does have photos of all our parents and siblings and of course Lillie (and soon Lola will be added in) but other than that I only have a handful of other photos on display so I was excited at the idea of getting a canvas print. I chose one of my favorite photos of Lillie and then overlaid it with one of my all-time favorite quotes (the L.M. Montgomery one shows above) to make it a little more "artsy". The canvas literally arrived as I was going into labor on Good Friday. The door bell rang right during an agonizing contraction - haha! In fact I didn't even have time to open it until after we returned home from the hospital on Easter. When I did finally get to open the package, though, I have to say I was thrilled with the product and the quality of it! I highly recommend this company and now can't wait to order a canvas of Lorelei! They are currently running a great Mother's Day Sale:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Enjoy 20% off all canvas and free shipping Plus get a Free 8x10 canvas on all orders over $60</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Be sure to <a href="http://www.easycanvasprints.com/">head on over</a> and check it out!  <i></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">I played around with it in a few different spots and ended up putting it in our upstairs hallway (these photos are of one of the spots I tried, although didn't end up keeping it there). </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw_t4UCGWqlafeu7UmC3SOMiNkcocSPb__3cA7JRku0VBeRkDT0zDyFWuloXoE-0nRbFIhWSILrIKny0EcoL38D-Rj846jmyUQtysYQhH3yv50PzbLwn88cVgj1Bs4I05zkw-ESS-CXSs/s1600/aDSC_0005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw_t4UCGWqlafeu7UmC3SOMiNkcocSPb__3cA7JRku0VBeRkDT0zDyFWuloXoE-0nRbFIhWSILrIKny0EcoL38D-Rj846jmyUQtysYQhH3yv50PzbLwn88cVgj1Bs4I05zkw-ESS-CXSs/s640/aDSC_0005.jpg" width="436" /></a></div>  <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKQbv9fQ3g0ExJOPXxwpZ-e08d3fTJWFWR40rPG3M-K9MCa-4992pmgk2rqTgpqXjMRM3F-P6kMZJ5EjJiBPPXXHTUuiBwssrd6wy76-llZlgTQietTosFUcyviGsh55668TXyQW9_69A/s1600/DSC_0011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKQbv9fQ3g0ExJOPXxwpZ-e08d3fTJWFWR40rPG3M-K9MCa-4992pmgk2rqTgpqXjMRM3F-P6kMZJ5EjJiBPPXXHTUuiBwssrd6wy76-llZlgTQietTosFUcyviGsh55668TXyQW9_69A/s640/DSC_0011.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKMD15T9fxpMBiPjW5NCk0D7_YQScFFLnvEkKYf8_JRd5KWHOkGvosnzG0WEQ0tfpTKJrXyUPL70WepCtpFJJg-Mpp3CfojtAP8bPW8rImAVJVDgGvwJThwee4x48CtbUqsg6CdEWnYrw/s1600/aDSC_0009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKMD15T9fxpMBiPjW5NCk0D7_YQScFFLnvEkKYf8_JRd5KWHOkGvosnzG0WEQ0tfpTKJrXyUPL70WepCtpFJJg-Mpp3CfojtAP8bPW8rImAVJVDgGvwJThwee4x48CtbUqsg6CdEWnYrw/s640/aDSC_0009.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I hope you all have a wonderful Monday! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Be sure to check back Wednesday because the lovely <a href="http://bouffeebambini.blogspot.com/">Hanna</a> from <a href="http://bouffeebambini.blogspot.com/">bouffe e bambini</a> will be guest posting and then I hope to have finished our porch and have a tutorial for one of the projects I did out there by Friday!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbh1M_Vzxx-RbEprtBgPmLlwkR_8UcX7JbtQI7FmG5MuohDWq0QeZmV2x5vIk6SCv-huo-oxkLQRf3XeZvxuVWVTvIFIDpkIHtz2KgPj0bR82zpv6f8zhp9FnNX287YTZqPXSknGsIG1U/s1600/sig.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbh1M_Vzxx-RbEprtBgPmLlwkR_8UcX7JbtQI7FmG5MuohDWq0QeZmV2x5vIk6SCv-huo-oxkLQRf3XeZvxuVWVTvIFIDpkIHtz2KgPj0bR82zpv6f8zhp9FnNX287YTZqPXSknGsIG1U/s1600/sig.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>

Fairyland Canvas Print

  "There is such a place as fairyland - but only children can find the way to it. And they do not know that it is fairyland until th...

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