Thirty-One Gifts Giveaway...

Hey Friends!!

I hope you all are having a fabulous week!! 

I apologize for being a little absent from the blog this week!! I am still a little under the weather & have been trying to get as much rest as possible! I am hoping by the start of next week I will be good as new & will be back to posting on a more routine basis!!

But for now, I would like to take the opportunity to introduce you to another one of my fabulous sponsors! Her name is Tara & she is an Independent Consultant for Thirty-One Gifts.

Are you all familiar with Thirty-One?!

The name Thirty-One comes from the verses of Proverbs 31. It is a faith- based company that makes beautiful, affordable, & stylish products for women. They have signature purses, totes, accessories, & even storage solutions to help organize your life.

Their mission:

"Our mission is a reflection of this philosophy: to celebrate, encourage and reward women by offering quality products and an outstanding opportunity to become successful business owners. We have seen this mission play out through the years in the individual lives of so many women who now have their own "Thirty-One story." Many work full-time jobs and use their Thirty-One income to help pay for those extras in life like vacations. Some of our Consultants had a dream to be debt-free and have paid off houses and cars. Others have seen Thirty-One become a lifeline to their families in difficult economic times. Despite all the bad news we hear today, our Consultants are selling at record rates." (Source)


Here is a little eye candy from their Spring 2012 Catalog....

CUTE, CUTE, CUTE!!!!

Am I right?!

And just when you thought it couldn't get any better, Thirty-One Gifts also offers custom embroidery to personalize your favorite purse, bag, or tote!! You can choose to personalize your item with a monogram, your name, or even your favorite phrase. To read more about their personalization guide, you can click HERE.

Now for today's giveaway.....

Tara is giving away a Organizing Utility Tote in the Harvest Floral print (a $25.00 value) to ONE Lucky Reader!! This utility tote is durable and has seven pockets on the outside to maximize your storage!! It is great as a diaper bag, cleaning bag, or just as an "anything" bag.

In addition to the tote, the winner will also receive a $25.00 Gift Certificate to use towards their next purchase of $50.00 or more. (Expires: April  30, 2012.)

To Enter This Giveaway:

(please leave a separate comment for each entry)

1. Leave me a comment telling me how you would use the Organizing Utility Tote if you were to win. (i.e. as a diaper bag, purse, etc.)

2.) Browse thru the Spring Catalog by clicking HERE and tell me how you would spend your $25.00 gift certificate.

3.) Share this giveaway on Facebook or Twitter and then leave me a comment letting me know that you did!

*Deadline for entries is Thursday, April 5th at midnight (CST)*

Interested in becoming a Thirty-One consultant?!

Contact Tara to find out more:

tarafalk (at) hotmail (dot)com

How To Make A Boxwood Wreath....

Hello Everyone!!

I'm back today with another spring project for the Door Decor Spring Fling Party
going on at Rhoda's today!

This was yet another project inspired from my Spring Mantel. I had made a small boxwood wreath for that project & I wanted a larger one for the door in my kitchen. I love the simplicity of boxwood wreaths & LOVE the touch of "spring" they can bring into a room just by adding pop of green!!

See what I mean?! 

Very Springy.....don't ya think?! :)

I started off with just this plain, 12" grapevine wreath that I got at JoAnn Fabric's. I think it was $3.99.

Then, I just went out to my backyard & started trimming my boxwoods to get the greenery I would need for the wreath. Between the front yard & the back, we have six boxwood bushes, so there is plenty to go around! :)

Then, I brought the greenery inside & got ready to go to work!

I just started working the boxwood clippings into the grapevine wreath little by little.

I would also reinforce  the clippings with a bit of hot glue from time to time...

At first, I didn't know what the hot glue would do to the boxwood clippings ( I thought that it might damage/kill them), but I did this same thing when making the smaller wreath for my mantel & a week later it is still looking green & pretty! 

You just continue to add the clippings all the way around the wreath until you are done. I tried to keep all the clippings going in the same direction to give it a more uniform look.

Once the grapevine wreath is covered in the boxwood clippings, you may have to give it a little haircut....I did mine!! I trimmed around the edges, just like I would if I were trimming a bush, making sure they were all even!

Once the wreath was complete, I cut out a piece of fabric to make a bow & hang it from my door. I like to just make a small cut in the fabric & then just rip it the rest of the way to give it a frayed look. You can do whatever you like! :) You could even skip using the fabric & opt for a ribbon instead.

Then I just hung it from my door!

This was such a simple & easy project! I think it literally took me a hour from start to finish! And I just love the way it looks hanging from my door! :)

 

I hope you all enjoyed this little tutorial and I hope I've inspired you to make one of your own!! 

Thanks for stopping by!!!

Welcome to The Sick House & Giveaway Winner....

We are sick.

Scratch that....

The kids & I are sick.

The husband (so far), has miraculously escaped this upper respiratory bug the rest of us have been fighting.

Call it a cold, call it allergies, call it.......MISERABLE!

We are a house full of fevers, snot, itchy/watery eyes, coughs & sneezes.

(*side note: coughs & sneezes are dangerous after having two kids....and even more dangerous after a couple cups of coffee or maybe a fountain soda....or two.)

We have been through 2 bottles of Motrin, 1 bottle of Tylenol, & 4 boxes of Kleenex in the last week.

Parker got sick last Monday, Griffin got sick last Thursday, and me......well, I got sick yesterday!

Since then, I have made myself very familiar with the couch, my blanket, the laptop, & the best social media invention of all.......Pinterest.

And let's not forget my new BFF.......Sudafed.

(speaking of which, I am due for another dose!)

Oh Sudafed....why do you last only 3 hours when the directions on the box say take every four?

This is ever so frustrating!!!


I have been in my p.j.'s for two days now.

I really want to craft, work on projects, & blog, but more than anything I just want to SLEEP!!

(Sleeping ain't easy with a 4 year old & 19 month old running around.....just sayin')

My head is full, my throat is sore, & my patience is GONE!


Dear Mr. Pollen,
I do believe you are the cause of our pain. Although your blooms are beautiful, you & your side effects are not! Please vacate my house.....you ARE NOT welcome here anymore!

Sincerely,
Tonya

The winner of the Gathered & Sown Wristlet Giveaway is......

Comment #2

Kimberly from Tiaras & Bow Ties-"Think Smink"

Congratulations Kimberly!! 

I will be in touch very soon!!!

Shay Designs Jewelry Giveaway

It's Friday Ya'll!!

And it's time to introduce you all to another one of my FABULOUS sponsors!!

Say Hello to Sharon!!!

Isn't she GORGEOUS?!

Sharon has an adorable little shop called Shay Designs Jewelry & Accessories....

Here's how Sharon describes herself & her shop.....

"I am a mom of three wonderful kids and blessed with a wonderful and supporting husband. I love spending time with my family in any way possible, but mostly we love to be on the water doing water sports. Being creative is a way of expression and relaxation for me. My greatest joy is seeing my creations bring a smile to others... truly. I love all things Shabby Chic, pastels, and girly. My faith is my stronghold and force that drives me to live a purposeful life, the way I was created, to passionately create all things Cute!!


 Shay Designs brings you personalized necklaces, glass pendant necklaces, and other cute accessories that are fun and casual for that shabby chic looking girl in you!"

 Now, I don't know about all of you....but I ADORE hand-stamped jewelry! So naturally, when I had a look at Sharon's shop, I immediately fell in LOVE!!

She has such a variety necklaces & other accessories in her shop to choose from.....there is seriously, something for everyone!
 
Here are a few of my faves.....

Stamped Faith Necklace with Vintage Key

Stamped Necklace Vintage Key

Stamped Initial Necklace with Vintage Key

Personalized Bronze Initial and Cluster Charm Necklace

Stamped Initial Necklace Scalloped

Stamped Heart Necklace SHAPED BY GRACE

Stamped Scripture Necklace on Dog Tag

Stamped Personalized Mommy Necklace

Stamped ADOPTION Heart Necklace

Gorgeous, right?!

In addition to all of her beautiful necklaces, she also has some rings & a few other fashion accessories.....

Rose Ring with Filigree Band

And because she is awesome like that.....

Sharon is giving away a $25.00 credit to her beautiful shop to one of my readers!!!

Here's what you need to do to enter.....

(please leave a separate comment for each entry)

1.) Visit Shay Designs HERE and come back & tell me what you would buy if you were to win the $25.00 credit. (mandatory)

2.  "Like" Shay Designs on Facebook by clicking HERE. 

3. Share this giveaway with your friends/readers on Facebook.

4. Tweet about the giveaway. You can copy & paste this tweet....

Love Of Family & Home: Shay Designs Jewelry Giveaway http://www.loveoffamilyandhome.net/2012/03/shay-designs-jewelry-giveaway.html

Deadline for entries is Thursday, March 29th at midnight (CST).

 Interested in becoming a sponsor & having your button displayed on my sidebar? 
Click HERE for advertising rates & details!

Don't Miss Out-DIY projects, home decorating, crafts & more by checking out my subscribe page

DIY Spring Birdhouses

Happy Thursday Everyone!!

Hope you all are having a fabulous week!! 

I don't know how many of you saw my Spring Mantel that I posted on Tuesday, but I had spruced up a little birdhouse on the mantel using a little paint, some Mod Podge, & some scrapbook paper. I liked it so well, I decided I was gonna make some more!! I wanted to use them to add a few more spring touches to our decor! :)

So I thought..... if I'm gonna make a few more of these things, 
"Why not share a little tutorial with all of you?"

I started off buy purchasing these unfinished wood birdhouses at JoAnn Fabrics. The two little ones were just $1.00 a piece & the larger one was $5.99. I did have a 40% off coupon for large one, so I paid a little less than that....

I painted the birdhouses with a cream colored paint, but left the front of them bare.

I bought this stack of scrapbook paper (also at JoAnn's) a few weeks back. I got it on sale for $10.00. Not too shabby for 180 sheets of paper!!

There are so many beautiful patterns inside this stack and in my opinion, they all scream "spring" but I decided on this color palette & a polka-dot pattern for all 3 birdhouses.

Then, I traced & cut-out the paper to fit the front of the birdhouses. This part was a little time consuming & if you have a teeny tiny pair of scissors....I would totally recommend using them! :)

After getting the paper all cut out, I broke out the Mod Podge to attach the paper to the front of the birdhouses. I used one coat to attach the paper & then went over the top of the paper with another coat.

Here's a close-up of each one when I was finished....

 Aqua...

Pink....

& Green....

And here they are all together again....

I just adore the way they turned out and I LOVE the color combination....So Very Spring!!!

So, that's it!! Pretty easy, Right?!

Go ahead....Go buy some birdhouses & get busy!!!

You know you want to!! :)

Linking up here....

 Weekend Wrap-Up Party at Tatertots & Jello

Overflowing with Creativitiy at It's Overflowing

Sunday Showcase Party at Under The Table & Dreaming
Tutorials & Tips Party at Home Stories A to Z
20 Below Thursdays at Christinas Adventures
Transformation Thursdays at The Shabby Creek Cottage

*Just a little side-note, my Baseball Bat Nightstand was featured over at Inspired By Family.  This  was a project that I did a while back!! I would LOVE if you hopped on over there to check it out, say hello, & browse through their great site!!

Stop & Smell The Roses- Week 4

Happy Wednesday Everyone!!

It's time for another Stop & Smell The Roses video!! 

Today, I am just sharing a few things that I'm loving this week...

p.s. Sorry for the poor lighting! I shot this at night when the kiddos went to bed with my iPhone. 

p.s.s. Artificial lighting is terrible & the iPhone video quality is not nearly as good as my Canon!!

You can find the Clinique Lash Doubling Mascara HERE and the Country Chic line of products via Bath & Body Works HERE if you're interested!!


The mascara is only $15.00, so NOT TOO BAD!! I just may have to splurge!! :)

Are there any products or new things in your life that are making you HAPPY?! Leave me a comment & tell me about them!!

Or.....if you are really ambitious, shoot a little video & head on over to House of Rose blog & link-up with us!!








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