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Sweater Pillows as Wedding Gifts for Temple Wedding
It's kinda scary when you feel like you are still young, but all of a sudden your friends have children who are getting married.  And then your oldest child also has friends who are getting married too!!! Oh boy!  How did that all that happen....?  Are we getting old too?

I think NOT!!!

In the mean time I had to come up with some ideas for gifts for all these receptions we were invited to this summer!
The easy way out is a gift card or check, of course.  But be that EXTREMELY practical, I do not AT ALL find them personal.  I know how much I enjoy receiving personal gifts, so I kept thinking about what I could give/make, and finally came up with this: 
An up-cycled sweater pillow with a temple silhouette featured on the front:  the specific temple in which the happy couple tied the knot.

So I went to the invitation, which listed the specific temple at which they were to wed.  Then I went online to see what colors they had chosen to decorate their living areas with.  It is all listed on their wedding registry information on the net.  Voila!  I had the info I needed to get started on my sweater pillows;
  • which temple
  • the color of pillow {sweater}
Now all I had to do was sew them together. 
Each pillow took me about 1 hr 15 min to make.
I will write up a tutorial for you later so you can make some too.
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Teal Sweater - Upcycled Pillow - Idaho Falls Temple
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Upcycled Sweater Pillow - Idaho Falls Temple
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Albuquerque New Mexico Temple and Idaho Falls Temple

Why Get Married in the Temple?

Worthy members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can choose to get married in a dedicated LDS aka Mormon} temple.  The reason they choose to get married there is because during a temple wedding ceremony  they make eternal covenants not only with each other but also with their Heavenly Father.  In return they receive blessings, including that of being sealed, not only for this lifetime, but also for the life after.
Starting our marriage out in the temple has been a great blessing for me and my squeeze.  Knowing that our relationship is so much larger than this earth-life, gives us additional commitment and perspective and appreciation for each other and our marriage.
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Sock Monkey likes the sweater pillow too!
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On left Twin Falls, Idaho Temple - On right: Idaho Falls, Idaho Temple
Coming Soon:  a tutorial...!!! 
Below: Downloadable Temple Silhouettes: Idaho Falls, Idaho ~ Twin Falls, Idaho ~ Albuquerque, New Mexico 
temple_silhouettes_lds.pdf
File Size: 225 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

 
 
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Free Melissa Handbag Purse Sewing Pattern
The Melissa Handbag has been popular for a long time, and since I am no longer selling on my potatoboutique etsy account, I thought it was high time I gave this pattern away free. 
YAY!!!



The Melissa is a roomy shoulder bag that is patchy FUN!!!





The knotted handle is comfy soft and all your items are within easy reach.
The interior features one zippered pocket (optional) and a divided patch pocket to make it easy to find your keys, lipstick and cell-phone!


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Melissa Handbag in Haute Handbags
The launch of the Melissa Handbag pattern took place in October of 2009 when Haute Handbags Magazine published a fabulous article named "Haute Potato" on CrystelleBoutique potato sack purse.  I was so delighted at the time, and honored that they did such a fabulous three page spread on my patterns.  And I could not believe the amount of emails I received afterward....!!!
I was just flabbergasted ....

Read more about the magazine article right here

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Melissa Handbag with Burlap Flowers
The Melissa Handbag is quite easy to make.  Easy to play with, easy to alter (into something uniquely yours) and fun and convenient to carry. 

This pattern is a great bag for people of all ages:  from 5 to 95
It has lots of room, but it does not get cluttered: your items are still easily accessible and right within reach. The Melissa handbag is a fun and practical shoulder bag that is comfortable and handy in every day use.

Make it in different fabrics to match the style of the person carrying it....

Email me a photo of your finished Melissa Handbag, and I will add it to the
Show and Tell page.....

Download the Melissa Handbag Pattern PDF file at the bottom of this post. 
Potato Sack Prep Tricks are also downloadable at the very bottom

melissa_handbag_pattern-download_2009_crystelle_boutique2.pdf
File Size: 4920 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

potato_sack_preparation_tricks____2009_crystelle_boutique.pdf
File Size: 566 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

 
 
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My friends: Red High Chair and Sock Monkey
I've had this cute little red highchair around for a while to keep me company in the house... She holds a plant for me, or provides a seat for a favorite pillow or stuffed animal.  My sock monkey is especially fond of this seat....
Yesterday I was having a wonderfully relaxing hour or so, sitting on the couch, thumbing through some of my favorite old magazines, when I noticed that I had a highchair JUST like in the picture of a super fun magazine from last year:  FreshStyle, Simple Ideas For Creative Living, Summer 2011 {a Southern Lady Special}.

Soooooooo, today I made a look-alike display using that red high chair.  It's not an exact copy, but I had a fun time playing around with some of the stuff I had laying around...
It's so fun to play.....



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High-chair and Magazine: Look-Alike Contest

  • Instead of citrus art, I displayed a lemon wreath.  Instead of a green door, I used a green something that has been on our property ever since we moved here ten years ago...
  • A little vase with some flowers from the yard...
  • I have vintage spools somewhere, but I think they are on loan, so I used the colorful glass jar with mini-billiard balls instead. 
  • A little yellow frame at the top. 

I know, it's not exactly the same, but you get the same vibe, right?  Good times!

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My Version of the Red Highchair Display
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FreshStyle Magazine, Summer 2011, Page 56
 
 
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Vintage Sale - July 6 - Noon though 4 pm
If you happen to be in East Idaho this week,
Please visit us at our upcoming
Vintage Sale for Fun Furniture and Other Treasures
It promises to be a LOT of fun...!!!

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Vintage Sale Treasures Sampling
 
 
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America! America! God shed his grace on thee
Independence Day for the USA is celebrated on July 4th, which is just around to corner, so I thought I would take this opportunity to wish all of you a happy 4th.

So grateful for all the men and women who have sacrificed in the past and still sacrifice today to ensure our freedom...