InstaFriday-6.29.12 {NEW FOLLOWERS}

Holy Guacamole...it's Friday already! This week has really flown by. I think it's because I'm looking so foward to the 4th of July. I don't know why but this is definitely up there as one of my favorite holidays! For sure my favorite summer holiday! Next month I am going to switch it up and do every other week...One week instas the next week Friday Letters. I'm going to start Friday letters next week so you can learn more about it then.

Ok....just a little mention to all my new follwers...I am SO INCREDIBLY GLAD that you are here! It's so wonderful to have you! Please feel free to comment {but keep it friendly} and join in! I will always comment back and if I'm not following you, I will!!!! I want to be an open blogger and make sure everyone feels the love!

Here's my week so far in Insta's

My one day to do list to get ready for the 4th. Let me just say not everything got done! That only makes this weeks list longer right?!?! Yikes!

Took a night off to spend with my mother-in-law watching old movies. Black & White

Playing with the cat...I promise there is a cat hiding back there somewhere! :)

Mmmm....eating breakfast with my honey!

Crafting for the 4th....you can make this too....check out the tutorial here.

Oh no...I found this little guy just sitting outside of our breezeway door...it's like he was in mid travel and just stopped...poor little guy!

I did my first Co-Host and Giveaway...if you haven't linked up you can check it out here.

Mike's grandma {Granny} dropped off a whole box of crafting supplies! I came home for lunch and it was waiting there for me!

My honey sent me flowers to work just because he was thinking of me. How sweet huh?! AND THEY'RE SPARKLY!!!!

I hope you all have an amazing weekend! Are you doing anything fun?! My grandma is turning 70, so were having a big bash for her!

Current Crush Thursday {Co-Host & GIVEAWAY}

Oh my goodness guys...today is my FIRST ever co-host with Danielle from Framed Frosting for Current Crush Thrusday.

So, right now I am totally crushing on nautical. Specifically anchors and sparkles. What could be better right?! My hubs always calls me a pirate because I am usually wearing stripes or something of the sort.

Shopping spree in the near future? I think so!!!

Happy Thursday!

It's Thursday and you know what that means...Current Crush time! Feel free to write up a post and share what you have been "crushing" on for the week. Then, just link up your post below! Today Danielle (what a great name!) from The Life of an "Ordinary Housewife" is co-hosting with me. Since she's donating a FABULOUS giveaway prize, she'll be the only co-host this week. And just like last week, there will be another giveaway! You MUST be linked up in order to win. I'll be using Random.org to pick a # in the Linky and that will be my winner for the week! {If you'd like to donate a giveaway prize or be a future co-host, please send e-mail me!}

 Follow your host:

Danielle from Framed Frosting

This week's co-host is:

Danielle at The Life of an "Ordinary" Housewife

The Rules

1. Follow your hosts

{They are the first 3 in the Linky and they WILL return the favor.}

2. Say Hi to at least 3 new people

{Or more! Introduce yourself... Its a great way to make new friends!}

3. Spread the word!

{The more the merrier! Grab a button and add it to your blog, 

Also, feel free to Tweet or Facebook about the link up.}

Tweet

<a href="http://www.framedfrosting.com/search/label/current%20crush" target="_blank"><img alt="Current Crush Thursdays" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8008/6960234856_6b71c8a505_m.jpg" border="0" alt="Current Crush Thursdays"/></a>

Congratulations to Courtney from Baxtron Life! You were #51 to link up and the winner from last week's Current Crush post! Please e-mail me within the next 48 hours to claim your prize!

This week we're giving away...

$35 credit to Danielle's Etsy shop!

{the $35 shop credit includes shipping costs}

Tomorrow is going to be HUGE

Just a short post today....

TOMORROW IS GOING TO BE HUGE!

I am co-hosting with Danielle over at Framed Frosting for Current Crush Thursday.

I will be doing a giveaway for a $35.00 credit to my Etsy Store as well!!

Are you excited? I know I sure am!!!!!!!!!

I'm so excited to start getting my blog out there. It's time for me to take it to the next level. I have been a "quiet" blogger for some time now and I really want to start growing. Although, sometimes it feels like blogging is taking over my life, I love it! Seriously, I take my camera everywhere with me now, I am always saying to my husband {who isn't as thrilled with it as I am, but still supportive} oohh this would be great on the blog, and am constantly thinking about what I'm going to write about tomorrow. {so much so sometimes I dream about it}

I have to put my limits on it though...my nights and weekends are reserved for my man! He obviously means more to me than blogging and I want to make sure he knows that. Don't get your feelings hurt, because I love my bloggy friends...new and old. There's something about logging on and seeing that you have some new followers. I still feel so small though, so I am putting myself out there. I'm a little nervous because I don't have the following and I'm new at the whole "big girl blog" thing, but who cares...bloggy friends are so supportive, and almost all of them aren't judgemental...they have all been there too! :) So, thank you to the "big girl bloggers" that are up for the challenge of helping me out!

I'm so glad you're here and I can't wait for new friends to join! Make a NOTE...stop by tomorrow! Don't forget...you'll be sad if you do!!!!

Sorry for the poor iPhone pic...

Tutorial Tuesday-Red White and Blue Ruffle Wreath

 Oh my goodness....I was featured AGAIN!!!! This has by far surpassed my greatest expectations as a newbie blogger. Yippie!!!

On to this week's tutorial....in honor of the 4th of July {seems to be the theme this week since I'm preparing for our party}I thought I would share my rendition of the Red, White, and Blue Ruffle Wreath. I have seen these all over Pinterest, but came up with my own method...which I'm sure is close to theirs! Super easy and super cheap! Seriously, I think it cost me $6 to make, if that.

Materials Needed:

1. Foam Wreath Form (found at any craft store)

2. Straight Pins

3. Felt in Red, White, and Blue (depending on how big you want your wreath to be. Mine is a 10" wreath and I used 4 white, 3 red and 2 blue. Basically one felt sheet for each section of color)

4. Scissors

5. Stars (I just used some star stickers that I had laying around. I've seen wood starts, paper stars, ect. Be creative)

Cut your squares roughly into 2x2 squares. They don't have to be perfect, but it's easier to make the folds with a square rather than a rectangle.

Fold your square diagonally once, then again.

Stick your pin through the point of the folded piece of felt, and pin it to your wreath form. You don't have to "fluff" yet. You can do that here in a couple of steps.

For your first couple of pieces, pin your points together to make a square of sorts. This kind of gives you a guide so you don't have scattered felt pieces pinned all over. {which will end up happening anyways, unless you can come up with a better method}

Pin the rest of your felt pieces around the first "square." Pin them close so you can't see the green wreath underneath. You can wrap your wreath form in extra pieces of felt if you would like, but if you pin them close enough you shouldn't have a problem. Also, make sure you are flaring out the bottom of the bottom of the stripes towards where the are going to meet the wall/door. This will help keep the stripes looking even. You should see what I mean when you get to that point.

 This picture is serving two purposes...one to show you the connection between colors, and secondly to show you the difference between the "fluffed" and the "unfluffed." The white section is fluffed and the red is not! You have to play with it some to get it the right "fluff consistency" you like. You can also add or take away the pieces if you prefer more or less fluffiness.

Add your stars. Since mine were stickers, it was pretty easy. Like I said, be creative...I might change the stars up eventually, but since I had the stickers around, they were easy and didnt cost me anything.  

TaDa...very patriotic! I am so thankful for all the people who have served, are currently serving, and have sacrificed their lives for our country and our freedom! Why not show it but decorating with Red, White, and Blue!

If you have any questions about this tutorial, please feel free to e-mail me...daniellecov36{at}aol{dot}com.

Linking up here...

4th of July Pinspiration {plus I was featured and a possible giveaway}

Holy Cow...so I was featured for the first time today!!!!! My confetti wall art was featured at Home Sweet Home for More the Merrier Monday!!! I am so excited about this!

So....I hope everyone had a great weekend! I did....I think I have mentioned this before, but we're having a big 4th of July bash at our house, so we are trying to get things done and ready. I was going to do a tutorial on our fire pit/patio, but my husband decided to the work while I wasn't home so that idea went out the window! But that's ok....I will come up with something for tomorrow don't you worry! {I might just make him help me with the tutorial on the fire pit...I'll improvise with the pictures}

I went to my first 31 Party this weekend. I was very excited about it. I have heard all kinds of things about it, but haven't ever been to a party or bought anything from them. I ended up getting two different totes...one for organizing my sewing stuff {which desperately needs organized} and a larger tote which was the special this month. If you spend $35.00 you get this huge tote for $10. So, we will wait to see if when I receive my stuff if I am impressed or not! :)

Today I am going to share some of my Pinspiration for our 4th of July Party. Hopefully I will get tutorials on all of the stuff I make or do....a party tutorial one day?!?

1.Gum Ball Flag Holders - Don't know where this came from on Pinterest. Doesn't have a tutorial or link attached to it. So I'm sorry if you came up with this...please let me know and I will link back.

2.Red Hot Rocket Wreath - I love this. I might change up the rocket and do something else there, but very cute...seems easy too!

3.Berry Bliss Rocket Pops - Umm....these look amazingly delish. Refreshing on a hot 4th of July {keep your fingers crossed :)}

4. Red White and Blue Star Sidewalk Chalk - Super cute, super easy....fun for the kidders at your party!

5. Lawn Stars - What a great idea for a walkway to the fun!

6. Pinwheels - Who doesn't love pinwheels...right?!

7. American Flag Bunting Banner - The link to this one is actually an Etsy shop...but I think I can make that pretty easy.

Do you have any Pinspiration for the 4th of July? Are you doing anything special?

p.s. Head on over to The Life of an "Ordinary" Housewife's Facebook page...when I reach 20 likes, I will do a giveaway from my Etsy Store! Stop over to the Shop's page too while you're at it. Actually, if either page gets 20 likes I will do a giveaway!!

instafriday-6.22.12

Holy Moly another week down. This year is flying by...don't ya think? I would just like to slow summer down a little bit. Here is my week in Instas...

Fortunately for us, friends of the family have a pool that we can hang out by all summer....bring on the tan! :)

We took my dad to a trials competition in Toronto, Ohio for Father's Day. It was HOT, but it was so much FUN!

My Quincey Cat waits patiently every morning for his special treat of turkey from dad!

Work shenanigans.

It's so stinkin' hot here in Ohio...air conditioner blowin'

 So, the above picture is where I have to get ready every morning...the dining room table. Our bathroom has been under contruction for several months now because we're doing all the work ourselves. -> Here sits our vanity covered with dust and stuff for the bathroom...sigh...hopefully soon! :)

My latest project...I can't wait to show you the finished product. It's PINSPIRATION, so you know it will be lovely!

Do you have any plans for the weekend? I am going to my very first 31 Party! {I'm so excited}

Linking up here....

Current Crush Thursday-6.21.12

Here is my current crush....Metal Lawn Chairs!{eeep} So, my husband said to me the other day. "honey, you know you're getting old when you are OBSESSED with lawn furniture." Ok. Ok. I know. I know. It's a little dorky but I can't get enough. The unfortunate part is ones like these {see below} are EXPENSIVE. I don't mean a little expensive....I mean outrageous! Don't judge me! :)

These ones are my favorite...don't they look like something out of a Barbie house? Ok...I would paint them a different color but they are just so perfect...especially for our backyard BBQ. I am going for a more rustic feel so the pink and turquoise definitely wouldn't go but imagine these in dark blue?! LOVE.

Side crush....GNOMES! I know they are a little creepy but c'mon...they are cute!! NO?!?