4th of July Inpsiration

Leave it to Martha to corner the market on beautiful and inspiring ideas for the 4th of July. While browsing her site looking for instructions on how to make pinwheels, I got sidetracked by these gorgeous photos. Makes me want to have a party just so I can decorate with all of her simply genius ideas! My absolute favorite is this centerpiece of paper fireworks stuck in mason jars full of sand.

I want to pack up and move into this picturesque gazebo.



Simple elegance!

These metal drink buckets would be super easy to make with my cricut and some white vinyl. I love the idea of flipping one over and stacking them to give it some height.

Reduce, reuse, and recycle all those cans you would otherwise throw away. Slap some cute scrapbook or wrapping paper on them and you have custom made partyware, sure to impress.

I want to build a picket fence just so I can hang this flag garland on it! Somehow, I don't think my husband is gonna go for that.

Layers of colored sand lend a splash of patriotic color to these simple votive candles.

And finally, I found a tute on how to make these adorable pinwheels. I made mine with 12 inch squares instead of these 5 inch ones, and attached them to dowels instead of clothespins. I plan to stick them in flower pots on the front porch. Unfortunately, we had bad weather today and zero good light to take pictures, so you'll have to come back tomorrow and see them. They are really big and super cute!

Over the Hill Birthday Gift Idea....{and giveaway winner!}

Thanks to everyone who supported this wonderful giveaway. And to those who took it a step further and made a purchase from Cindy's etsy shop....your contribution is greatly appreciated!

The winner of the Buttons of Hope giveaway is

Comment #17, Kellie.

CONGRATS and ENJOY your cute, cute button jewelry, Kellie!

Ok....I think this might be the funnest gift idea ever for all your "Over the Hill" friends. I saw a variation on this idea recently and I am kicking myself that I didn't make note of where (maybe Tip Junkie?) If anyone knows, please e-mail me so that I can give credit where credit is due. Anyway, when I saw these "flippin 40 flip flops" I immediately knew I had to make them. Last weekend, I was invited to a surprise party for a friend of mine turning 40....much to her dismay! And I was so excited I finally had the chance to make a set of my own to give.

Aside from being a funny gift, I also wanted it to be something she would actually like and use. Not just a plain jane pair of rubber flip flips for the pool. I found a really cute and affordable pair at Walmart and added some of my shabby {no sew} rosettes. I am loving this fabric I found at Hobby Lobby too....very funky chic!

If you missed my tutorial on how to make these cute rosettes, you can click here to read all about it!





I hope my old codger, over the hill, 40-something friends can take a joke! It is out of sheer love from me and utter torture for them that I give these. Am I a great friend or what???

A Fantastic Giveaway for a Worthy Cause!!!

Today I want to celebrate the life of a sweet little girl named Sirri. In 2008 she was diagnosed with cancer after they found a potato sized tumor in her tiny chest squeezed between her heart and lungs. Two years later she is healthy and cancer free! It is truly a miracle and act of God that she is alive today. In an effort to give back and hope other families can have the outcome they now enjoy, all of the ladies in Sirri's family and some close friends have chosen to participate in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life this summer. They have all come up with their own way of raising funds, with a goal of $5000.....and they are halfway there! Sirri's Aunt Cindy started an etsy shop called Button of Hope, selling the most adorable hair pins, earrings, and necklaces....with 100% of the proceeds going to the cause! To help her get the word out and try and meet their goal, we are having a giveaway. Cindy has so graciously offered one lucky winner a pair of earrings, a set of hair pins, and a necklace from her etsy shop! Here is just a sampling of the absolutely adorable items from her shop..........

My dear readers, I would be so honored for you to help support this family and the worthy cause they're involved in. I have been so touched by this sweet little girl and her family and their story of survival. What a gift they have been given. I just had to share with you what Cindy had to say on her blog about her neice and their experience......

"Our family feels so blessed to have Sirri with us today. For me personally, she is one of the lights and joys of my life. She is my "little squish" and someone I can't imagine life without. She is a healthy and thriving 6 year old who is constantly making us laugh, loves her first grade class, playing with her friends, performing for her family, and painting her fingernails.
With your help, more families will be able to enjoy the outcome we now, so gratefully enjoy."

Please be sure to stop by Cindy's etsy shop, Button of Hope. What a wonderful way to support other families dealing with the heartbreak of cancer. Now, to enter the giveaway, you can do one or all of the following things, with a chance to have your name in the drawing 3 times! Please leave a seperate comment for each thing you do to enter the giveaway. We will close it at noon on Monday the 28th and choose the winner using random.org...........

1. Comment on this post

2. Blog, Facebook, or Tweet about the giveaway

3. Make a purchase from Button of Hope

GOOD LUCK!

Mod Podge Fabric Mouse Pad

It all started with this cute scrap of fabric I found in my craft drawer. I pulled it out hoping it was big enough for the project I had in mind.

See......I have this nasty gross mousepad in my cute little desk area.....it just doesn't fit in. And it definitely does not play nice with my trendy office supplies. Don't get me wrong, I love the flag...we are a very patriotic family. But this sad little mousepad had seen better days. This flag didn't deserve to be man-handled by my brood of 6 every.single.day. It needed a makeover!

I read about this really cool technique using mod podge on fabric last week and I've been dying to try it ever since. My friend Amy @ Mod Podge Rocks made an uber adorable mod podged fabric covered canvas....she was my inspiration. Her tutorial is way better than mine, so just bear with me, kay? I start by brushing on a good layer of mod podge directly onto my fabric. When that is really dry, you cut your fabric piece to fit whatever you're covering. The layer of mod podge will prevent it from fraying when you cut (that was my favorite part...I was anxious to see if it really worked...and it did)!

Next I coated the back of the fabric and the top of the mousepad with mod podge and adhered the two together. When that was dry, I was able to trim any excess that was hanging off the sides. I gave it another good coat of mod podge and let it dry. I decided to spray on a clear acrylic sealer on top to prevent it from getting sticky. Remember, I do live in the deep south and we have some wicked humidity here! I'm hoping this will help prolong the life of my mod podged fabric.

I really love the way it turned out! It was just the element of "cute" that my desktop needed. Although, I am a bit nervous that when my man gets home from scout camp that he will be offended that I covered old glory with cutesie pootsie fabric. Oh, who am I kidding? I doubt he will even notice. Until he reads this post, of course. Sorry babe.....it really needed a makeover! Forgive me?????

Adorable Felt Hair Clips

Are these little felt clips not THE cutest? I am giving a turorial on how to make your own tomorrow over at The CSI Project. I'd love for you to stop by and check it out!

I was totally inspired by this precious flower my cousin made and sent to us. I immediately called her and she gave me a quick tutorial over the phone.

We are all ready for the 4th of July now.

Cute dress.....check!

Adorable hair accessory.....check!

Happy baby girl.....check!

Quatrefoil Art Restyle

Last week over at The CSI Project, I introduced the theme for our current challenge....."Frames, Art, and Wall Decor". Since writing that post, it seems to be all I can think about. So in honor of our challenge, I decided to take the quatrefoil art I stenciled a few weeks back and kick it up a notch. I used my cricut and sure cuts alot to cut this fun little scene out of chocolate brown vinyl to match my walls.

It's a little whimsy and a bit quirky, but I really love the fun element it brings into the room.

The beauty of vinyl is that when I get tired of it and want something a bit more classic, I can simply peel it right off and I get a completely different look! It's nice to give yourself options and not label your style. It's ok to have fun with your decor. Go ahead and give yourself permission to relax, have some fun, and think outside the box!





What have you done lately to kick your decor up a notch???

BIG BEAUTIFUL FRAMES @ teeny tiny prices

The other night while on a hot date with my honey at Big Lots, I scored a killer deal on these beautiful silver frames. They almost look like mirror or silver leaf...they are so gorgeous! The beaded detail really makes them extra special. I have priced similar frames to these and I would say they are $40 - $50 frames, especially since they are matted as well.




Can you believe $7 for these huge 11 x 14 frames???? I seriously thought they had mismarked them and that when I went to checkout they would discover their mistake and mark them up. I grabbed all they had, which just so happened to be the exact number I needed. I'm printing an 8 x 10 of each of my four children in black and white to hang in these beautiful silver frames! I cannot wait to get them up on the wall!

Isn't it gorgeous? I may have to stalk Big Lots now, so that I can find just one more of these frames. I am loving how it looks, paired with my mercury glass candle sticks on the buffet in my kitchen!

Ok.....am I the only weirdo that gets excited to go on a date with my hubby to Big Lots??? It is seriously one of our favorite places to go together. He scored a bunch of great stuff for boy scout camp, while I drooled over these frames. We were both in heaven......I guess there really is a lid for every pot!!!

Are we sick to death of chalkboard paint yet???

I know, I know....chalkboard paint and chalkboards are everywhere lately. And just when I thought I was done with them....I found these cutie patootie flower shapes from Dollar Tree tucked away in my craft drawer. They were screaming to be made into chalkboards and I just couldn't resist....I had to do it!

I slapped on two coats of chalkboard paint, added an adorable ribbon hanger....and I think I might have the cutest chalkboards on the planet.

Wouldn't this be perfect on a shop door, posting their business hours?

I think I'll use this one on my bedroom door when I need some "quiet time". Although, I have a feeling it may not be too well recieved!

This one is going to hang to the side of my front door. We have some really sweet pre-teen girls in our neighborhood that like to come over and play with my little girls. They always seem to come at nap time though, and ring the doorbell 18 times or bang rather loudly. I'm hoping this will be a nice reminder for them.

This one is dedicated to my 9 and 11 year old boys who think they are way too old to still kiss their mom. Sorry boys........you're not getting off that easily. I expect kisses for the rest of my life. Deal with it!!

Make Your Own Funky-Modern Lightswitch Covers

Anthropologie gets me every single time. I know better than to look, because every time I do, I fall in love and lust after whatever item it is that currently has me hooked. Right now my obsession is this adorable, over-priced owl lightswitch cover. I'm sorry but I just cannot justify spending $24 on one itty bitty teeny tiny cover for my humble little lightswitch. So to satisfy my craving for lovely over priced items I absolutely do not need.....I turned to my old friend, Mod Podge. It's been a few months and I really needed a fix anyway.

How fun are these? The giraffe print is for my aqua and brown bathroom and the funky paisley with the bird is for my chocolate brown living room. I am loving these fun colors against the dark chocolate walls! It definitely adds some personality to the room.

This is an extremely easy project that anyone can do. I'm sure you don't need a tutorial, but I'm gonna give you a quick run down of how I did it, anyway! I started by tracing the cover onto my scrapbook paper. I used a paper trimmer to cut it out so that the edges would be nice and straight.



Glue the paper onto to the top of the switchplate with mod podge. When that is dry, give the top 2-3 coats of mod podge (with drying time in between).



When the mod podge is good and dry, you're ready to cut your holes for the switches. I used an exacto knife and ran it along the inside edges of the openings. You'll need to push down hard enough to cut through those layers of dried mod podge.

Then I used a paper piercing tool to poke through the holes for the screws. I added a quick coat of clear acrylic spray to seal the mod podge and I was done. See, I told you..............super easy and fun. I even had two toddlers crawling all over me while doing this and they still turned out great.

Now I have some cuteness to hang on my walls to cover those ugly naked light switches!

1960's TV Trays Get a Makeover

It's been almost a year since I bought these old tv trays at a yard sale. While on vacation in Utah last summer, I just had to see what their yard sale scene had to offer. I was definitely not disappointed. Unfortunately, I had to be selective about what I got since I'd have to pack it all in my suitcase. These 25 cent trays were my favorite purchase of the day! I knew that with a little tlc, they could be fabulous. The problem was that I kept changing my mind about what I wanted to do to them. Last week I finally settled on THE idea.

A can of Krylon Ocean Breeze spray paint totally transformed them from old and tacky to fun and modern .

I used my Cricut and Sure Cuts a Lot software to cut out the place setting in white vinyl. It is from the font "good company" by Lettering Delights.





My 4 year old thinks these trays make for a perfect tea party! My older boys are constantly begging me to let them eat in the living room while they watch tv. Now that I have these fun trays, I might just let them do that every now and then!

Fireflies & Jellybeans - http://firefliesandjellybeans.blogspot.com/


The Shabby Chic Cottage - http://www.theshabbychiccottage.net/


House of Hepworths - http://www.houseofhepworths.com/