Whimsy flag shirt

Don't forget to join up with this weeks craft challenge.  Everyone that participates is automatically entered to win a surprise giveaway.  There aren't many entries so your chances are really high.

This little project took a lot longer then I had thought it would.  I just kind of lost interest half way through due to other stressful life stuff and then today when I decided to finish it I didn't really like how it turned out.  I don't know if I'll keep it but I thought maybe it would spark an idea for you and also it shows that all of my projects don't always turn out how I envision them.  Oh Well.  Its still kind of fun.

Funny thing is I came up with this on my own but after I started I found out it wasn't so original.  Here are two really cute ruffly flag ideas  here and here.

Getting to know you Challenge

Before I forget: The next craft challenge will be make any project using wood.  Link up will be July 7th.

Welcome to this weeks special challenge!  I hope you are already to share a little about yourself and get to know some fellow bloggers.  First here are some highlights from last weeks Red, White, and Blue challenge.  I am so excited it was our biggest challenge yet.  Thank you to everyone that participated it was so fun to see all of your projects. 

Look how cute these bangles from Just Make It:Handmade by Annabelle.  I am hoping to make some for me and my girls for this weekend. 

I really like this fun 4th of July blanket from I am Only One, But still I am one.  This would be so fun for all of those picnics or watching fireworks.

I really liked this original idea from Simpsonized Crafts.  Its so cute.  You need to go check out her pictures.

They were all so wonderful I hope you had time to check them out.  Now its time to link up again.  The challenge is to write a post all about you.  (Here's mine) You can do it however you like but some ideas are to share about your family, your hobbies, your likes, your fears, etc.  I think its going to be so fun to learn a little about all of you.  Make sure you stop by some other blogs and say hi.  Also don't forget that linking up gives you an automatic entry to my surprise giveaway.  So lets get started.

To Join:

1.Please Grab a button (help spread the word)

2.link to your specific post not your blog

3.Then stop by and visit other participates projects and please leave lots of comments!

Link will be open until Monday at Midnight.

I'll announce the winners of the two giveaways on Tuesday.

(If you don't have a blog you can share join us anyway by sharing a little about yourself in the comment section-it will qualify you for the giveaway)

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more then you ever wanted to know

I am SO EXCITED about this next craft challenge and hope there will be some that will join me.  Thank you to everyone that asked questions last week.  It was a lot of fun to answer all of them and I hope I don't put you to sleep.  First here's a little about me and then I'll get on to the questions.
I am the oldest of 6 kids, 5 girls and 1 boy.  I've been married for almost 6 years and we have two little girls.  Ages 4 and 2.  We would love to have at least 4 more but we'll see what the future holds for us.  I love reading, crafting, watching movies, and playing with my family.  I am about 2 semesters shy of an elementary education degree.  I may go back one day and finish but in the mean time I love using everything I've learned to teach my little ones. 
Now for your questions.

The Gosfam said...

I want to know what inspires you to be crafty? (I aspire to be crafty, but just can't get in the groove :)

Well I get inspiration everywhere. I love looking in stores, in catalogs and figuring out how I can make something. Also craft blogs spark so many new ideas.

Mandy said...

I always think it's fun to find out how you met your spouse....

I met my hubby at the sand dunes over 7 years ago. My best friend and I met a group of boys at a church party the night before and they invited us to go. My hubby just happened to be one that came. I was tossing a football and he came over and introduced himself. later I found out he was pretty concerned by my lack of football skills-oh well at least something else sparked his interest.

Amy said...

We have the same birthday!!! I am always excited to find out I have the same birthday as someone else. I would like to know where you craft? Do you have a specific room or place you get crafty?

First Happy Birthday Amy! Hope you had a great day. I use to have my own craft corner but right now we live with my mother in law and have very limited space. I set up my craft table in our bedroom-we are pretty squished. I have one tub of stuff under the table. A few things stashed in the closet but most are in the garage hidden in boxes. It makes it fun to try and create something. Oh well at least I have somewhere.

McKell + Garrett Hartle said...

Today, I am feeling fruity....If you were a fruit, Which one would you be??

ps. you guys are my heros, i totally want to be a stay at home mommy & be crafty.

Well this is a tough one. Umm maybe an orange.  I'm pretty shy so it takes a while to get to know me but once you get pass the outside I'm not so bad-even a little sweet.  Okay that was totally corny.  I tried.

KatrinkaJane said...

If you had any superpower, what would it be? And what would your super name be?

What's your favorite game (board, card, outdoor, etc.)?

What joke makes you laugh every single time you hear/tell it?

Wow again some tough questions.  One superpower I would like would be speed.  How nice would that be when I have to clean or get my kids ready in the morning.  Yup I would have lots more time to play dolls and craft.
My favorite game is pounce.  We love card games and this is a family favorite.  Oh and that superpower would sure help me beat my sister that seems to win EVERY time.
Okay I'm not really a joke person.  I think its because I don't often get them or the fact that my hubby tells a bunch of them but he shares them about 25 times in 3 days so I just don't find any of the good ones funny any more.  However I do love me some good stories and movie quotes. 

Mama24Monkeys said...

If you can have on magical object what would it be?

I would really like something that would transport me to where ever I need to be or would like to go.  It would sure make those long 10 hours car rides a lot better.  We have one this weekend and I'm driving by myself with my two little ones-not so fun.

AUDRA said...

What a great idea, and happy early birthday!:)

I'd like to know what is your number one pet-peeve...?

Okay this one is easy!  When you are driving and you see a sign that says lane ending in a mile or so and those people that drive as fast as they can all the way up to the front and then cut in at the last second.  Umm It irritates the heck out of me and I don't let them in.  I just don't get why they think they should get to move to the front when everyone else is being patient.

★All Thingz Related★ said...

I always like to know what state everyone lives in. So where are YOU from? :)

{Rebekah}

We were living in Utah but recently moved back home to Washington
Amie said...
What do you do when you get in a crafting rut? I'm in one right now and I'm not sure how to get out of it!
I seem to go through those often.  To get out of them I look over my huge "want to make list," magazines like Pottery Barn, or the best way is to figure out what we actually need like something clothes for my kids, decor for a wall etc.  Usually the ideas start coming.

Tiffany said...

What is your favorite season??

XoXo

Tiffany @ Easie Peasie

I love the fall because the weather starts getting cool, the leaves changing make perfect picture opportunities, and there are so many fun holiday starting.  It seems like one fall starts there is always something to look forward to.

Amy @ Chicy-Creations said...

I just found your blog and I'm excited to read more!

Question: What is your all time fav fun or inspiring blog?

I LOVE craft blogs.  Its hard to pick just one-as you can see my blog list is huge and always changing.  My all time favorite is probably Sumo's Sweet Stuff.  I love Summer, she shares a huge variety of projects and I often add pretty much everyone to my list.  It also helps that she also has two little girls.

Danielle said...

How do you find the time for crafting??? Your kids are beautiful by the way!

Since we have moved I don't have nearly as much time.  I try and craft at night when my kids are in bed and during nap time along with cleaning and all of that fun stuff.  Basically I sneak it in whenever I can.  Many projects are completed over the course of a few days.

Well I think that's it!  There were some tough questions but I had a lot of fun answering all of them.  I can't wait to see all of your posts tomorrow and get to know many of you a lot better.  Remember join in and get an entry for the surprise giveaway!

White Chocolate Chip Cookies

Alright I think I have finally found my favorite cookie.  These were so addicting!  I found the recipe here and didn't change anything except for adding white chocolate chips instead of regular ones.  This was only because that was all I had.  Can I just tell you it was so yummy and my hubby's new favorite.  I love when an oops turns out even better then the original plan.

Copycat Mrs. Field's Chocolate Chip cookies
1 cup softened butter
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups firmly packed brown sugar
2 large eggs
2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
White or Regular chocolate chip cookies

Preheat oven to 350°.
Mix all of your ingredients.
Stir in chocolate chips.
roll into golf ball sized balls and place about 2-inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake 9-10 minutes or just until edges are light brown.

Just a hint: they may not look completely done but they are so don't over cook!  Let them sit for a few minutes and they will be perfect. 

Don't forget to enter!

Today is the last day to enter the First Giveaway!  Go here to enter.

Also The Red White and Blue craft Challenge and Feature Friday end today.  Hope everyones having a great weekend.

I'm over at the Crafty Cupboard...

guest blogging.  Come visit me here and see my little toddler purse I made for my little one. 

Things I'm loving

I can't believe its already Friday!  Don't forget to enter my Surprise giveaway!  (the link is above)  We have our family reunion this weekend and our house is FULL!  Its fun though.  I am also feeling quite a bit better and thank you for all of your kind words and comments this week.  I really need them.  Anyway I didn't have much crafting time this week but I was able to do a bit of blog hopping and I found a ton of fun ideas.  Here are some of my favorites from last weeks link up and from blog hopping.

Look at this adorable shirt refashion from A few Crafty Things.  HOw fun are those flowers?!?

Look at this fun coloring portfolia made by The butcher, the baker, and the craftmaker.  My girls would LOVE this!

I love these boutique inspired frames from I am Momma hear me roar.   She used marshmallows to make the polka dots and she tells you how to make an adorable argyle one as well.

I love this sweet flower onesie I found on Just for Love.  Its part of a very sweet baby gift-go check out what else she added.  So Cute!

 

How adorable is this guy.  Its a pet pillow from Twelve Crafts to Christmas.  Love him!

Now its your turn!  I can't wait to see what you've been up to this week.

To join:

Please grab a button below.

Link to a specific post not your blog

Try and visit some other people and leave a comment.



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Next Challenge and a Giveaway!

For the Next Craft Challenge I thought I would do something a little different.  Here's the challenge-write a post about you.  Share anything you want...your likes, dislikes, favorite hobbies, about your family, favorite craft project, pictures, etc.  Why am I doing this your might wonder.  Well my favorite reason to blog is meeting all of you wonderful people and I would love to get to know you all a little better.  I really like seeing all of your craft projects but some of my favorite post are when I get to learn a little more about you.  So starting next Wednesday we are all going to link up and meet some new friends and get to know some of our old friends a bit better.  I hope you are as excited as I am.

Now for the giveaway!  Well this Sunday is my birthday and I am in a giving mood so I am going to be offering two surprise gifts to two different people!

To Enter:

1ST giveaway: Leave a comment on this post asking me anything you want to know about me.  I will be using these questions for my getting to know you post so I really hope someone want to know something about me. Giveaway will end June 27th at midnight.

2nd giveaway:  Join in our getting to know you challenge on Wednesday!  Giveaway will end July 5th at midnight.

Winners will be announced July 6th.  Good Luck everyone!

Red White and Blue Link Up!

Its already that time again-another weekly challenge is here.  I can't wait to see all of your red, white, and blue projects.  But first I was to share a few highlights from last week fathers theme challenge.  Seriously it was so tough to choose just a few, all of your projects are so amazing.

All I can say is WOW!  Look at this beautiful album from Girl. Inspired. 

I thought this was such a unique idea from Keeping it Simple.  Kaysi made these from light switch covers!

And of course I had to share this sweet picture from Sugar Bee-Craft Edition.

Now Let see what you've been up to! 

To Join:

1.Please Grab a button (help spread the word)2.link to your specific post not your blog 3.Then stop by and visit other participates projects and please leave lots of comments!

Link will be open until Monday at Midnight.

It can be a new or an old project

I'll share a few of my favorites next week

(If you don't have a blog you can share join us anyway by emailing me a picture of your project.)
 

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Update:  We have one more link to add: Flag Cling anywhere tutorial

real life, dresses, and coming soon

I am currently working on an adorable 4th of July shirt and hopefully a skirt.  Lets just say it includes ruffles!  I was hoping to have it done today but real life happened.  Right now I'm struggling to get much of anything done-I'm a little frustrated, sad, and just not feeling so great.  So if the crafting is a little slow over the next few weeks that's why.  Hopefully I'll snap out of it soon.  And why you are waiting for this years outfits I thought I would repost last years in case you need a little inspiration and I just think my kids are adorable.

mod podge picture

I thought I would share my project from my guest post for In the Land Of Misfits a few weeks ago. I thought some of you may have missed it. Also It has been kind of a rough weekend. I am really not feeling well but don't want to go into any details right now. I am hoping to get all of the fun projects done that I have planned but if not please forgive me. The craft challenge link will still be up on Wednesday and last weeks is extended until midnight (for any of those last minute father's day ideas). Hope everyone had a great father's day. I am so grateful for my sweet hubby (he is such a wonderful dad) and also for my dad-he is the greatest! Okay enough rambling here's the project-Hope you like it.

My sister recently got married and with that came a bunch of pictures I just love. I decided to share this pictures of my sisters (and little girls) in a fun and unique way. Its so simple and can be done to fit any style or room. Before I start I just want to say my camera was having issues and I'm am so sorry the pictures aren't very good. It looks a lot better in person so please use your imagination.

You need:

wood board (mine is 5x7 from walmart)

paint for the edges

mod podge

computer and printer

picture of your choice

sand paper (optional)

To start I opened a word document and inserted the picture I wanted. I sized it just a little smaller then 5x7 so it would fit the wood board. (sorry its super dark)

To take it to the next level I inserted a text box and typed in the words "my sisters, my friends." I changed the font, color, changed it to no outline, and no fill. I then moved it so it laid on top of my picture.

Next print your picture on regular computer paper. The quality isn't as good as photo paper but this way you can use mod podge to attach it. Cut out your photo


Sand and paint the edges of your board and anywhere else your picture won't cover. Once its dry apply mod podge to the top of your board

Place your picture on top.

Carefully apply mod podge on top of your picture. make sure to smooth and remove all of the bubbles and wrinkles. Tip: Make sure the ink in your picture is completely dry before you do this step. It may bleed a little so test a corner you don't care about as much and try to use minimum brush strokes around faces.

Once it dries use your sand paper to distress the edges of your wood, the edges of your photo, and I even sanded parts of my picture to give it the look I wanted.

Now that its done it looks like the picture is apart of the board. Mine is roughed up a bit and far from perfect but that's what I like about it. (its really difficult to take a picture of so it does look better in person but hopefully you get the idea) Its a fun and unique way to display your pictures.

I'm linking up to:

next craft challenge, features, and link up

First I just realized I forgot to announce next weeks Craft Challenge. The theme will be "RED, WHITE, and BLUE!" I am doing it a week early so we will all have time to use some of the crafty inspiration from others. Also the week after I am going to be doing a special challenge so look for the fun details next week. Also don't forget about this weeks craft challenge-the link up will go through Monday so you will have a chance to share any of those last minute Father's day gifts.

I'm not feeling so great so I am going to keep this sweet and simple. Thank you for all of the wonderful link ups last week. I was so excited to see that there were a few more. I hope to have even more this week! You all really inspire me. It was really tough to choose but here are a few highlights from last weeks link up and some beautiful projects I found blog hopping.


Check out these sweet flowers from Enjoy every moment. I LOVE the twisted ones! I love this little skirt from Fowl Single File. Check out that adorable birdie fabric.

Emily from Toad's Treasures has done it again. Check out this awesome gift she made for father's day. I really want to make one for my kids to keep their art supplies in or to keep in the car for those long road trips.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this beautiful pillow from Just another Hangup.I can't get enough of this gorgeous dress from Girl. Inspired. Its absolutely beautiful.

Feel Free to grab a feature button (on the right sidebar). Now its time to see what you've been up to. I'll be featuring some next week and they may be used as an inspiration craft for future challenges.

To join:

1. Please grab a button below.
2. Link to a specific post not your blog
3. Try and visit some other people and leave a comment.

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Blog Swap with Fun To Craft

I am so excited to introduce Stacey from Fun to Craft. She is so sweet and has a really fun blog.

------------------------------------------------------------

Hello!

Thank you SO much to Crystal for having me over here today. I just love her blog!! She is so crafty!! So if you don't know who I am....

That is me, Stacey.I am the crafter over at Fun to Craft.

I blog to share tutorials, crafts, sewing projects, recipes,
frugal finds or tips, and host giveaways.

I have two crazy kiddos and a darling hubby who just graduated from law school and is in the throes of studying for the bar!! We have been on a thrifty budget so I try to make creative things that don't break the bank. I craft as my creative outlet because I think it helps keep me sane! I definitely dig home decor, sewing, crocheting, hand embroidery, spray painting, hot gluing and anything else I have to do to make that project just right.

Some of my favorite projects I have featured on my blog are:
I whipped up this Camera Strap Cover with frills to sport my camera in style, plus it has a nice padded minky fabric for my neck!I made this Art Smock out of a vinyl tablecloth. Very cheap and a great way to keep my kiddos clean during those crazy art projects.
I whipped up this bag to be prepacked each week to take to church. It helps occupy the kiddos and makes my life a lot easier.
I made these Luggage Tags to add a little pop of color on my luggage and to help me id my bags quicker!
I made this nice Book Momento for my hubby's 30th birthday filled with admiring thoughts from others.
I made this damask tray to add a bit of flair to my decor. I am LoViNg it!!

I have a LOT of fun over at Fun to Craft and would love for you to join me! I have a 'Look at me, I am SO Crafty!' Link Party every Friday.
I love making new blogging friends and love to find new inspiring blogs to check out too. So come by, leave me a comment and I will come check out your blog too!! Thanks again to Crystal for having me over here today at her Craft Spot. It's been great!!