Realtree Camo/Pink Jacket

Decided to make myself a jacket out of real tree camo, lined with pink corduroy. I also made it reversible! I used Simplicity pattern 2341. Not quite done yet - just have to add the zipper and collar!
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July 12, 2012

"The time I get to spend with you means so much too me. I feel like you are here so we can explore through life together and have every moment be stuck in our memories. Your kisses make my entire day the best day it can be. Only true couples figure out life together and stay with each other even if they run into a rough patch. Whether you're smiling, laughing, sad, or mad I am always going to love you."
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Text From Nick - January 9th, 2012

"I know who your match is very well and idk you would even consider. You wanna be comfortable with the person and the have all your wish list qualities. Your perfect match is dj. Ive never come across a pair of people who fit so well together. When you two are together your off in your own little world. You may not believe it but think about hes got everything you asked me to find i even asked some friends they even say that you would be perfect for dj. You are like peanut butter and jelly you both belong together. Why? Because you always have a good time him and you always are happy and in a good mood."

- Nick Foster
via text
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Creating a Vignette in Photoshop

Open the picture that you want to add the vignette effect to. (Go to standard edit mode in Photoshop Elements 3.)

Double-click on the background layer in the layers palette. In the new layer dialog click OK.

Use the elliptical marquee tool to select the subject in the photo. (If you need to reposition your selection as you are drawing it, press the spacebar while the mouse button is still pressed and move the marquee selection around as you create it.)

Click the "Create a new layer button" (first button) on the layers palette.

Go to Edit > Fill Selection and use black as the fill color.

Deselect (Ctrl-D).

Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur.

Adjust the radius of Gaussian Blur until you are happy with the fade amount. Something from 10-40 pixels works well, depending on the resolution of the photo.

In the layer's palette, click on the filled ellipse layer (should be layer 1) and drag it below the original photo layer (layer 0).

Click on the photo layer (Layer 0) and press Ctrl-G (Layer > Group with Previous). Now the lower layer is acting as a mask for the upper layer.

To add a background, press the second icon on the layer palette "Create adjustment layer" and choose solid color.

Pick a color for the background.

Drag "Color Fill 1" to the bottom of the layers stack.

Hold the Ctrl key down and click on Layer 1 (the filled ellipse).

Choose Image > Crop. This will center the vignette photo without clipping the faded pixels.

Tips:

Although this is a few more steps than some methods of creating a vignette effect, your original image is preserved and you can get back to the unaltered image just by removing the extra layers.

The background color you picked in step 12 can be changed by clicking on the color swatch (first thumbnail) in the layers palette.

If you wish, you can flatten the layers (Layer > Flatten Image) but be sure to save under a new file name so you don't overwrite your original.

This is a great time-saving trick when you are restoring an old, damaged photo. By vignetting the subject of the photo, you eliminate much of the background which may have spots, cracks, tears, discoloration, and other problems which you would otherwise need to repair.

Another quick way to create a vignette effect is with the cutout tool in Photoshop Elements 3.0, using the feather option. In earlier versions of Photoshop Elements, there is a one-click vignette effect in the effects palette. However, this method gives you more control over the fade amount around the photo.
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Love Quote From 'The Twilight Zone'

"Love gives naught but itself and takes naught but from itself. Love possesses not nor would it be possessed; For love is sufficient unto love."   

- Gibran, Kahlil
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Crockpot Orange Chicken

Ingredients:

• 3-4 boneless chicken breasts, chopped into small chunks
• 1/3 cup flour
• olive oil
• 1/2 T salt
• 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
• 3 T ketchup
• 6 oz. frozen orange juice concentrate (thaw or throw it in the microwave for 45 seconds)
• 4 T brown sugar

(You can use 1 tablespoon cider or red wine vinegar plus 1/2 teaspoon sugar to substitute for 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar.)

In a bowl, mix the orange juice, brown sugar, vinegar, salt, and ketchup.

Pour the flour in a small bowl.
Cover the chicken breast chunks in flour and shake off the excess.

Pour a small amount of olive oil in a skillet and brown the flour-covered chicken.

The chicken doesn't need to be fully cooked since it's going in the crock pot.

After the chicken is done cooking, pour the pieces into the crock pot.
Then cover the chicken with your sauce mixture and give the pot a stir.

Cook on low for 5-6 hours or on high for 2-3.

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Crochet Hedgehog Hat

This hat was made for the girlfriend of my boyfriend's younger brother. He helped pick out some of the yarn, since it's her birthday present.
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Crochet Angry Birds Hat

I had been making some plain hats to have in stock, since I'll now be shipping out bundles to a store opening in Minnesota specializing in handmade crafts, and I kept looking at the red hat... I was really tempted to make a ladybug, but then while I was browsing online, I saw the Angry Birds hat that are out there and I knew I had to make one!

www.designsbystacymarie.webs.com
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Cross Stitch Giraffe

I found this little guy at the craft store in the clearance section one day for $5. The little bib in front is cross stitch fabric, so I had the idea to personalize it as an anniversary gift for DJ! It even came with a few pattern guides, including one for letters, so I was all set. Then, when I got to the register, I was told that clearance was an extra 50% off, which was even better! (Made me think that I should go back for the 2nd one I had seen sitting on the shelf, but I resisted... lol)
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Valentines Day Stamped Card

Just a card I made while playing around with stamps I got from 2 of my aunts after they passed away.
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Hedgehog Birthday Card

My boyfriend's brother's new girlfriend has a birthday coming up. I was going to buy a hedgehog stamp (since that's her favorite animal) but then I realized I already had one! Plus, her favorite color is pink. I'm making her a crochet hedgehog hat that her boyfriend is giving her as a gift, too!
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Giraffe Anniversary Card

I made this card for our 1 year anniversary. I was able to find this cute, cuddly giraffe stamp that was perfect. His birthday was in December, and I bought a single giraffe stamp special for that, so I needed one that was a little different :)
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