{Friday Faves} Spring!

I can't help it... spring is on my brain!  And with the first official day of spring coming up next week, I thought it best to round up my favorite spring "to-make" projects! 

Love Aesthetic Nest's Ribbon Dishtowels - Simple and Sweet

photo credit: Aesthetic Nest

If your table needs dressing, how about Piece N Quilt's Simple Spring Table Runner?

photo credit: Piece N Quilt

Clare's Craftroom has an easy tutorial for these Easter Egg placemats

photo credit: Clare's Craftroom

And finally, pretty up your sitting space with some Scrappy Spring Pillows!  From Annalea Hart.  (Dig those pink curtains!)

photo credit: Annalea Hart

Aren't you ready now to get some fresh, spring colors in your home?  I am... and I'm hoping to show you some this weekend!  Dh is at the lake with the chickies so I've got the whole place to all of my crafty self!  Project number one began last night... here's a hint: it involves Mod Podge!

Have a fantastic Friday!

Is it Easter yet?

I know Saint Patty's Day is tomorrow and it's probably bah-humbug for me to be passing it over in my home, but I'm ready to get my Easter on.  I've started pulling out some of my decorations and I've got some other things up my crafty sleeve that I'll be sharing with you soon.  I've also found some great little DIY ideas that require minimal effort but have a great end result.  Enjoy!

Martha Stewart definitely has a good thing with her Crepe Paper Carrots

photo credit: Martha Stewart Living

Country Living has the most perfect Paper Mache Nest... aren't they pretty?

photo credit: Country Living

Or maybe some little pom pom chicks?  Again, from the domestic goddess herself, Martha.

photo credit: Martha Stewart Living

Looks like I'll be a busy chick (pun intended) pretty soon.

Givin' It Up for Lent

It's my favorite time of year.  Spring is around the corner, birds are chirping outside, buds and sprouts are a symbol of life renewed, and we celebrate the Lenten season before Easter.  Since I was a girl in a Catholic school, I've been giving up something for Lent, a tradition of abstaining from something you love before Christ's ultimate sacrifice.

This year, I'm giving up clothes-buying.  Ouch, right?  It's a reminder for me to think less of self and more of others, and also one that, by default, will force me to make do and mend and possibly refashion some things...

Here are some ideas inspiring me to alter what's already in my closet:

Made by Lex's Anthro Pratia Top Tutorial

Love this Ruffled Skirt from Ruffles and Roses

I'm looking forward to seeing what I can come up with this spring season!  Do you know of any great tutorials or knockoffs??

Belated {Friday Faves}!: Saint Patty's Edition

I'm finally recovering from this respiratory/sinus crap that has had me under the weather for the past three weeks... and although a day late, there is a roundup of some of my fave tutorials for March 17th!  Enjoy - be creative this gorgeous weekend!

This St. Patty's Bandanna Dress tutorial is easy and adorable!  Thanks Momtastic!

photo credit: Momtastic

Flamingo Toes has this great Lucky Clover Specimen Art for you!

photo credit: Flamingo Toes

icandy has a tutorial for this adorable Scrappy Shamrock tee shirt!

photo credit: icandy

And finally, in case you're hungry... how about some Shamrock Pretzels?  These treats from Hoosier Homemade look yummy in my tummy!

photo credit: Hoosier Homemade

Have you been getting a little green for Saint Patty's Day?

Have an issue? Here's a tissue!

I have been fighting off a nasty cold/sinus infection ever since we returned from Mexico, so pardon my absence on ye ole' blog.  I've been going to bed early, living on Sudafed, and blowing my nose... sounds exciting, right?!  In lieu of an exciting post, here's a little Etsy tribute to cute lil' tissue holders... I'd call it Etsy Nose Candy, but that just sounds wrong people.

Enjoy!

This is a two-in-one... holds your hankies and your powder for your nose!  I'm in love with the teeny hedgehogs too.  *cute*  It's from Etsy seller givegift. 

Tissues and hand sanitizer?!  You make an infection control nurse's heart flutter!  By itsthesmallthings.

I soooo have to have this.  A whale tissue box??  Shut.  Up!  From gnomesweeeetgnome.

This sewing pattern covers your tissues and adds pockets for extras, like lozenges... chapstick... chocolate.  You know, the essentials.  Hee.  From flowergirldesign.

And finally... for those runny noses who have some runnin' around to do!  This visor tissue holder is from nstitches4u.

Hope this post finds you sneeze-free and feeling well... but if not, you know where to go to hide your hankies!  Have a great week!

***  all photo credits to the original Etsy artists

{Friday Faves} Mardi Gras!

Since Mardi Gras is right around the corner, I thought I'd round up some of my favorite Mardi Gras themed posts... enjoy!!

I can't get enough of these Mardi Gras cookies from Sweetopia!  They're almost too pretty to eat...

What Mardi Gras celebration would be complete without a king cake?!  None, I tell ya!  This recipe is from Skip to my Lou:



Or perhaps you'd like to try out their printable Mardi Gras mask instead?

If you're at a loss on Mardi Gras decor, how about a snazzy little wreath?  This one is from Deep Fried Kudzu - now if that ain't southern, I don't know what is!

And last, but not least, my super fave of all:  these Mardi Gras cupcakes from Sweet Tooth are so fun! 

Have a great week and happy Mardi Gras!  Laissez les bon temps rouler!!

The Paxton Project

Right now, my church is in the middle of a series called The Ripple Effect - the ultimate goal is to invest in the children's ministry of our church, but the message is that God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things for His glory.  Alissa from Rags to Stitches is one of those people doing extraordinary things this week through the Paxton Project.  Her friends, the Millers, are yearning to grow their family by adopting another child, but the expense of the adoption is hindering this from happening.  Alissa has put together a fundraising raffle, full of fantastic prize packages from various talented handmade businesses. 


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Each $5 donation earns you an entry into a drawing for a prize basket.  Want to win them all?  Donate more for more chances!  All of the donations will go directly to the Millers to help them bring Paxton home.  Here are the three prize packages:

For Your Little One

For Your Home

For the Fabulous Woman

Each prize basket is valued at $300 - that's $300 of cool stuff for you for helping a great family.

What would you do if you knew you could change this family's life forever?  Donate now!