Monday, July 30, 2012

Double Sided Pillow

Hey y'all!!  How are you this fine day?

This months challenge was to make something that could be used two ways.  At first I thought I would make a reversible skirt for myself.  However, due to some unforeseen circumstances, I had to come up with something less time consuming.
Because, I have been working on making new pillow covers for our living room, I decided to make one for the challenge.

So here's what I came up with.


I made a piece pillow cover.  I call it a double front pillow, because it doesn't really have a back.  Both sides can be used as the front and are equally as cute.

I used the fabric scraps from Mindy Mae's Market straitened them up {full tutorial on that} and sewed them together.
If you are looking for a good exercise in creativity, this is it!  It sure fun to pick out pieces that worked together out of the huge pile of scraps. It took a while to get them all lined up, but I'm glad I did.

 Some of the fabric is upholstery fabric (very thick) I have never sewn on that type of fabric.  I also used some new stitches on the edges of the flap.









 It's my favorite pillow cover, by far.  I LOVE all the fabrics and especially the little buttons!  I'm sure you remember the drill from the last challenge.  I will be begging for votes over the next month.


Thanks for stoppin' by and hangin' out.
I will be linking up to these fantastic parties.




WoooooHoooo I won 2nd place thanks for voting!

Second Place Winner!

Friday, July 27, 2012

Make Your Life A Little Brighter

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Astrobrights Papers by Neenah Paper. All opinions are 100% mine.

I love color!  All color.  When my kids ask me what my favorite color is, the answer is always all of them.  I get really excited to find new ways to incorporate bright fun colors into my life.

 Ofcourse  when I heard about AstroBrights papers I was really excited to learn more about them.  AstroBrights papers is super bright paper that is about 20% thicker than ordinary paper.  It's acid and ligden free aswell, which makes it perfect for every day use.  You can use Astrobrights paper in a copier a printer or as craft paper, and did I mention it comes in 23 colors? Sounds great to me!

You want to know what else is pretty great?   AstroBrights papers has a "Give a Brighter Year" sweepstakes going on!   You can enter through their facebook page AstroBrights papers ,  there's  $30,000 up for grabs for the school of your choice.

Even more fun things are going on at AstroBrights papers,  the family-friendly "Make Something Astrobright" design challenge just started as well.  It's a great way to unleash your creativity for a chance to win AstroBrights Paper and other prizes! I know all you crafty ladies could come up with some great ideas for the contest.  A few ideas off the top of my head are pinwheeels,  flowers, menu board, birthday cards. Or you could even print your favorite saying on the super bright paper. You could win $100 visa card just for being crafty!  All the details can be found, and  you can enter the contest, on their facebook page AstroBrights papers.  

How great would it be if a Seven Alive all Livin' in a Double Wide reader won!?!

Make sure you keep up with all the fun things going on by following with Twitter  and on Pinterest. #goastrobrights.

Visit Sponsor's Site

Pin it Friday

I am having too much fun with my kiddos this summer.  I have had to limited my pinterest addiction.  I am only allowed to get on pinterest on Thursday nights. It's purely for the blog and y'all.  I do it only because I love you all so much. Right...... ;0)
No, real theme for today just a few things that I love/would like to try.


I have been wanting to crochet myself a rug forever!  I am completely in love with this one!  Maybe I'll have the time this winter.  Oh, who am I kidding maybe I'll have the time in a couple of years.

Source: ravelry.com via Kadie on Pinterest


I love this saying!  I think I'm going to tape it to my bathroom mirror.




How cute is this?!  It looks like a cupcake in raspberry jam! I am totally drooling all over my keyboard looking at this.




If any of you crocheters out there are looking for a new project.  This one is adorable and a free pattern.



I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, that you are able to spend lots of time with the people that matter the most to you.  And that you can find a little time to create something you love.


Thanks for stoppin' by and hangin' out!

Thursday, July 26, 2012

LINK IT UP THURSDAY #30

It has been a bit of a slow week here on the blog.  I did mange to get some sewing time in, and some reading.  I just finished my book for the Ready Set Read Party coming up soon.  How about have you finished your book yet?



 I am also giving away some of my favorite cabochon necklaces at Bear Rabbit Bear Crafts.  Head on over to enter.


I can't wait to see what you have all been up to this week.  Before we do, we get to take a look at the BELLES  of the ball from last week.



Our Pinteresting Family made over this adorable chair.  You really should go see the before.



How clever of Artsy VaVa to make a shudder into a bathroom caddy.  I love it!




Vilabarnes used up some scraps making this adorable basket.  She made a great pillow, that you might want to check out.


I love, love, love this Minny Mouse cake/table scape from I Gotta Try That.



How clever is Adrianne from Happy Hour Projects to make a hand stamped metal gift tag out of an old pop {soda} can?!

If you would like to pin any of the featured projects PLEASE make sure you go to the featured blog and pin from there.  PLEASE PIN REASONABLY.  Thanks!

Y'all are AMAZING  go ahead and grab yourself a Featured Button!  Face Book Features, make sure you get a button too. If you didn't get featured here head over to Terry's to see if she featured you.

Seven Alive

This is a shared link party so if you link it up here it will show up on the fabulous Terry's blog These Peas Taste Funny.  We want to see everything you have to link up! Old projects, new posts, giveaways, Etsy shops, recipes, crocheting, any and everything.  If you have more than one thing to link up, even better.  Here are our very simple rules.

1.  Please keep it family friendly.
2.  Link back to our site or grab a button so others can share in the fun.
3.  Following us would be nice. (but don't feel you have to)
4. Have fun, be inspired.


If you would like an e-mail reminder about the party let us know in the comments. Make sure you leave your e-mail address with your comment. We will happily add you to the list.  

Grab a button if you need one.

Seven Alive

Party On!!
Click on read more, to see the links and add your own.

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Practice Makes Perfect

Do you remember all the hub-bub about the I will wear it public challenge? I was so stressed out that I wouldn't finish. Mostly because sewing quilts, curtains and pillows is so different from sewing wearable clothing. If you remember in this post my mom told me I "just needed more practice". I completely agree with her so, I have been sewing lately.


To that end I bought a pack of fabric scraps from Mindy Mae's Market.
The fabric in the pack was really nice, beautiful fabric scraps!   I couldn't think of what to do with it. However I have been wanting to make some new pillow covers since seeing this post at Terry's blog {These Peas Taste Funny}. 

I am pretty excited that I have finished two scrappy, colorful, fun summer pillow covers.  {I have another one almost finished I just need to put on some buttons.}


I absolutely LOVE the bright colors against my very dark brown couches!


I also did a test run on the skirt I plan on making for the sewing challenge this month. {yes, I'm getting down to the wire again!}  
It's a simple circle skirt like this one I made my 7 year old Abba using the tutorial from Made.









Don't you love that little stance!!  And, the fashion sense.... what can I say, she's her momma's daughter! 

I would highly recommend the tutorial by Made.  You do have to do a little math but if you have a calculator you'll be just fine. ;0)


They are a perfect skirt for twirling.


To make one for myself I will be using a much more silky fabric so it will lay nicer and not add a lot of bulk to my hips.  What woman wants more padding on their hips?!  

This is the fabric I will be using.


I know it is a little hard to see.  But it is a gold and burgundy silky, slick martial.  However both sides are beautiful. If I can figure out how to hem it in a way that looks good on both sides than it will work.  Cross your fingers for me.

Thanks for stoppin' by and hangin' out.
I will be linking up to these fantastic parties.

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Christmas In July with Bear Rabbit Bear Crafts


Good Morning, Good Morning!!  
I just want to let y'all know that I am sponsoring TWO giveaways today.



I along with a couple other bloggers are offering up some fun prizes for the

Fashionista

( young and young at heart) in your life.  They would make a great gift, or of course you can keep them.:)  Head over to 
to enter. 

 I would LOVE it if one of my readers won!!

Saturday, July 21, 2012

You're A Winner Baby, Yeah!!

First off thank you all so very much for entering all the giveaways!!  It has been so much fun to be able to do something like this here on the little ole' blog.




Let's get right to it!!  I know why you are all here today.  You want to know if you won any thing!   I will list all the winners here, and they are announced on the rafflecopter widgets for each giveaway.


First up is the custom made slippers made by me.
The winner according to Random.org {because I didn't use raffelcopter for my giveaway} is:

# 15, Kelsey




Winner of the Bow Wristlet by Sunny Vanilla is :
 #  121,  Rhea Stogsdill Chladek

 Winner of the Outdoor Vinyl Welcome sing by Debbie Does Creations is:
#62,  Tina B.


Winner of the two {2} crochet patterns from Petals to Picots is:
# 138, Debbie A.

Winner of the Small Ad Space and Cake Mix from A Cupcake Love Affair is:
#113  Teresa W

Winner of the To-Go Coffee Cup Cozzy by Wait Til Your Father Gets Home is:
 #131  Jennifer 

Winner of the Large Ad Space on Bear Rabbit Bear Crafts is:
#120  Karen H

Winner of the Amethyst Necklace and Cuff by Fabulously Flawed is:
 #176, Kelly D

Winner of the Wire Wrapped Tree Necklace by Happy Hour Projects is:
#23 Heather Lay

Winner of the He Loves Me Necklace by One Artsy Mama is:
 #69  Katrina Garcia

And the one you are all holding your breath for.
The Winner of the Pick Your Plum box full of $25 worth of craft swag is:
#339   Melanie 


Congrats to all the winners!!!  I will be sending each of you an e-mail keep an eye out for them so you can claim your prize.:)

If you didn't win remember the HUGE giveaway over at Happy Hour Projects.  Also I a sponsoring a giveaway starting tomorrow at Bear Rabbit Bear Crafts.  Plenty of giveaways to enter! 


Thanks so much for being a part of the Birthday Bash!

Friday, July 20, 2012

Caterpiller Cupcake Cake

Will someone please tell me how in the world it got to be the middle of July all ready?!  My goodness I feel so behind.

I entered into another sewing challenge.  Crazy {I know} after all the problems with the last challenge.  There is something to be said for completing a challenge,  learning new skills, and ending up with an outfit you love and made with your own hands.  It's addicting!

I would love it if  some of you would join in the Challenge too. You have until the end of July to enter and get your submission ready. {plenty of time} I think it sounds like a fun one and maybe a little easier for a beginner sewer like me.

2-in-1 Challenge Homepage

I am thinking of making a reversible skirt. I have some double sided fabric my brother brought me from India about 9 years ago.  I have never been able to think of something to do with it.  I thought this would be perfect.  I hope it turns out the way it looks in my head. I THINK it will be pretty simple.  Of course having never made a skirt before I have no idea. 


In the midst of all the hoopla of  last week my youngest boy turned 3 *sniff,sniff*.  I don't know who told him he could grow up? But I sure wish he would stop!

Remember the fun book I showed you?  With all the fun food things we want to make over the summer.  Well, we pulled the book out to find the cake for our birthday boy.

Here is what we came up with.


 I think he turned out adorable. And he was so easy to make! 





The "grass and flowers" he is sitting on is coconut {dyed green} and sprinkles.  I put down a very thin coating of frosting first so it would stay down better.  And the best part about the coconut is when you grab a cupcake you can roll the frosting in the coconut if you like and if you don't.... then don't.  Gotta love options!

The cupcakes are made from a white boxed cake mix.  I mixed it up like the directions on the box said then divided the batter into five{5} small bowls and added my food coloring.  Then you put them in white cupcake paper to bake.  When they cool down, frost the top. Lay the cupcakes on their sides to make the caterpillar.  Then the face is one un-frosted siting up and one frosted cupcake on its side.
Decorate the face with candies and the add the legs to each cupcake.
So simple.  I do have one tip however.  It was very hot the day we were making this and the "face" slid right off the cupcake.  We had to put it back on and then put the cupcake in the fridge until it was time to serve.  If I would have had room {or thought of it beforehand} I would have put the entire platter in the fridge until it was time to serve it.

But look at how excited they were!!  This is why I bake, to see my kids faces do this.  The fact that the cupcakes tasted great has nothing to do with it at all.


{And what about my husband getting so great at taking nice photos!! Great job JP}

We had a nice quite birthday party just family.  He had a great day and said it was the best birthday ever.  He is so sweet.   We are grateful he is in our family.

Don't forget today is the last day to enter all the birthday bash giveaways.  You might want to enter the Christmas in July giveaway by Happy Hour Projects.  {It's HUGE}
And I am sponsoring a giveaway on Bear Rabbit Bear Crafts on Sunday too!!  Whew that's a lot of giveaways.  A lot of people are going to have a very happy JULY!!


Thanks for stoppin' by and hangin' out!
I will be linking up to these fantastic parties.


Thursday, July 19, 2012

LINK IT UP THURSDAY #29

Welcome back to another party day!  

I am back home and trying to get back into the swing of blogging and house work.  

We had  a blast with my extended family!  My baby Lotte (1 1/2 years old) hadn't met most of my family so it was very nice for her to get to know them. 
 We were out in the sun a lot, swimming, bike riding, and playing.  All the kiddos {except the two that take after me} are looking much tanner than they did before we left.  I stayed up WAY to late talking, and ate things I shouldn't, and laughed the way you do only with family.  It was a great time!!  

But now it's time to get back to real life. 
 School is just around the corner and I haven't even started to get my THREE oldest ready yet.  The laundry is getting a little more out of hand than usual, and you don't even want to see what my master bathroom looks like. {eewwww}
Sounds like a good day to party to me!! 

 Make sure you check out all the wonderful giveaways going on from the Birthday Bash Giveaway Day.  11 prizes are up for grabs including a Fantastic Pick Your Plum box valued at $25!  You can find all the links here. 

We were also lucky enough to have two wonderful guest bloggers this week. 

On Monday Adrianne of Happy Hour Projects showed us how to make some awesome reuseable lined snack bags.  I am going to have to make a few for my kiddos for school.  

Also Melanie from Bear Rabbit Bear Crafts shared a great teaching moment for kids with preschool dough balls.


Now lets take a look at the BELLES of the ball from last week.


Petals to Picots has a wonderful tutorial on how to dress up your flip flops.



The Pickin' Pair used old fence wood to made this card box and a sign for her wedding. 


One Artsy Mama has a super cute useful jewelry organizer. 


 Prudent Living tells us how to harvest and use Lavender.  I LOVE the smell of fresh lavender.



Etcetorize made this adorable halter top out of a scarf.  So clever!


Cupcake Love Affair has a great tutorial/recipe for a fruit tart.  It makes my mouth water just looking at it!
If you would like to pin any of the featured projects PLEASE make sure you go to the featured blog and pin from there.  PLEASE PIN REASONABLY.  Thanks!


Y'all are AMAZING  go ahead and grab yourself a Featured Button!  Face Book Features, make sure you get a button too. If you didn't get featured here head over to Terry's to see if she featured you.

Seven Alive

This is a shared link party so if you link it up here it will show up on the fabulous Terry's blog These Peas Taste Funny.  We want to see everything you have to link up! Old projects, new posts, giveaways, Etsy shops, recipes, crocheting, any and everything.  If you have more than one thing to link up, even better.  Here are our very simple rules.

1.  Please keep it family friendly.
2.  Link back to our site or grab a button so others can share in the fun.
3.  Following us would be nice. (but don't feel you have to)
4. Have fun, be inspired.


If you would like an e-mail reminder about the party let us know in the comments. Make sure you leave your e-mail address with your comment. We will happily add you to the list.  

Grab a button if you need one.

Seven Alive

Party On!!
Click on read more, to see the links and add your own.

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Christmas in July

Adrianne at Happy Hour Projects is having a HUGE giveaway!  Santa is coming early to some very lucky people!! 
 
There are six(6) prize packs all valued at over $100 dollars!  Yeah,... you are going to want to get in on this one!!  
 
I have a prized offered in prize pack #5 I would love it if one of my readers won it!  That is why I am sharing the the giveaway with you here.  You can enter with rafflecopter  at the end of the post.  There are a ton of ways to enter.  Trust me you are going to want to do them all!

Speaking of awesome giveaways,  if you haven't had a chance to enter all the birthday giveaways from last week make sure you do !!  I put all the links together to make it that much easier for you! 
You could have a VERY happy July with all these giveaways!


Prize Pack #1 is available for US Shipping only.  $103 Value.

Wooden Name Puzzle in Primary or Pastel Colors from TLC Woodcrafters
$10 Gift Card to Target from Live Laugh Rowe
$10 Gift Card to Hobby Lobby from 4 You With Love
$10 Gift Card to JoAnn Fabrics and one Coffee Cozy of winner's choice from Wait Til Your Father Gets Home
$15 Starbucks gift card from Happy Hour Projects

Prize Pack #2 is available for U.S. shipping only.  $101 Value.

Stencil of choice from Cutting Edge Stencils (up to $50 value)
One Bar of Lavender Shea Butter Soap and Shea Butter Lavender Lotion, handmade by Natural Garden Soaps
$10 Michael's Gift Card from Here Comes The Sun
Handmade Brooch by Bear Rabbit Bear Crafts
Random Mix of 4 Woven Bracelets from Happy Hour Projects

PrizePack #3 available to US & Canada.  $120 Value.

36" Hand-Blackened Brass Necklace with Mother of Pearl Accents by Tumblestone Handmakery
$20 Michael's Gift Card from The Painted Pear
Choice of Vinyl Chalkboard Labels from Ginger Snap Crafts
Item of Choice from Jessie Street Designs
Unfinished Wood Jewelry or Craft Item from Banglewood Crafts

Prize Pack #4 available to both US and Canada.  $100 Value.

Lowercase Ballroom Boogie Stamp Set
Jewelry Hammer
Bench Block 
24 metal stamping blanks (not pictured)
Everything you need to get started metal stamping

Prize Pack #5 available to both US and Canada.  $103 Value.

Vintage Inspired Necklace from The Painted Pear
Choice of 2 Crochet Patterns from Petals To Picots
$15.00 Gift Card to Knit Picks from 4 You With Love
2 Crocheted Cloths and Michael's Gift Card (or Canadian equivalent) from Seven Alive All Livin' In A Double Wide
Fat Quarter Bag Pattern and 4 Made-to-order, Hand Stamped Fat Quarters from Homemade By Cameron
Initial Impressions Ty Pennington Fat Quarter Shop Bundle from Happy Hour Projects


Prize Pack #6 available to both US and Canada.  $102 Value.

Limited Edition Leaf Necklace with Orange Quartz Briolette and Sterling Silver Chain from StampCharm
Set of 3 Braided Polymer Clay Bracelets from Leslie Marquez Designs
$10 Starbucks Gift Card and Random Mix of 4 Woven Bracelets from Happy Hour Projects

WOW, right?

I know that rules are scary, but I have a few things to tell you about how this giveaway will run so that we are all on the same page.

There is just one Rafflecopter widget, one pool of names, a one-time shot to be entered to win one of the six prize packs.  I opted to run it just once to give everyone the best chance at everything available.  You don't have to keep coming back and entering new giveaways every day - but that means there are a LOT of optional ways to enter to maximize your chances.  Please don't get overwhelmed or feel as though you have to complete every entry task - but of course, the more tasks you complete, the better your odds.   So set aside some time to make the most of your chances of winning!

Only the #3, #4, #5, and #6 prize packs are available for shipping to both US and Canada.  If a Canadian winner is drawn for the #1 or #2 prize pack, they will be awarded the next numerical prize available.  Even though the #1 and #2 prize packs cannot be shipped outside the US, you may still complete the entry tasks for those sponsors if you wish!  That will still increase your odds of winning one of the other prize packs!

Facebook has an anti-spam system in place so that computers cannot auto-"like" pages.  The word "confirm" may appear on some entries - this is a random validator, ensuring that you are a real person and not a computer.  You must click "confirm" in order to like the page and for that entry to be valid.  Winners will be verified, so don't risk forfeiting your prize because you didn't click "confirm"!

A big thank you to these great prize sponsors!

Now, enter to win from through July 22!  If you can't make it through the tasks you want to do all at once, just come on back anytime this week.  (Giveaway ends on July 23 at 12:01 am EDT).  Good luck!







a Rafflecopter giveaway








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