One Way Conversations Are Awkward!

Have you ever had a conversation with someone who won't keep the conversation going.  They just say "yes" or "no", or worse, just nod their head?  It's awkward.  When someone leaves me a comment that I can't reply to because they are a no reply blogger, it's like that in reverse.  It leaves me looking like that person who won't keep the conversation going.

Most people don't even realize they are a no reply blogger.  Blogger needs to fix this mess.  Many people changed their profile to Google+, and when they did that, became no reply bloggers because that is the default setting.  They don't even know it.

There is a way to fix it however.  There are two methods based on if you have a regular Blogger profile or a Google+ profile.  Rather than reinvent the wheel, I will send you to Robin at Fluster Buster.  She has an excellent tutorial on how to fix it.  Then you need to monitor it regularly, because it sounds like any changes made in Google+ reset it back to no reply.  Until Google decides to get their act together and fix this, we have to monitor it ourselves.

I really hate one way conversations, and want to reply to your comments.  Take a minute and go read Robin's post, then make the change...cause I like ya...and I don't want to be the silent conversationalist :(

I will be putting a link to this post in all my future party posts too.  Bloggers unite!  Let's tear down this glass wall that keeps us from conversing with one another!

What We Accomplished Wednesday #29

Want to be a pin-up girl?  Join the party, and if you are featured, I'll pin your project to my Green Willow Pond Features Board!



Another week has rolled around, and although I've been very busy, I don't have anything finished quite yet. It seems my free time gets pulled away, all for good things, but still my list doesn't get accomplished quickly enough. I need to get better about protecting some of my time I guess.  It's hard when others ask you to do things that they really need help with.  I have a hard time saying no.

Don't get me wrong, I love helping others, which is part of my problem.  This whole summer was mostly given away to others projects.  As much as I love helping others, I do need to get my projects done too, so we can stop living in chaos all the time.  The kids and I spent a solid couple of hours decluttering and cleaning Sunday afternoon in time for our parents to come over for Jared's birthday.  It's time to get back to our daily cleaning schedule to help keep up with chores!

Enough of my belly aching.  I will have time to finish a couple of things this week...right?  I must say no...must say no...must say NO!  Nicely of course :)

Thank you everyone who linked up to last weeks party.  As life is getting busier, and this party is getting bigger (yea!), I am not always able to comment on each link, but I do visit each and every one, and am grateful for every one of them!

This weeks top ten starts out with this amazing, gray stained dresser.  It has a surprise pop of bright pink inside.  How fun!  Check it out at Saleena Marie.

 Biljana, from Biljana Shabby made these beautiful door plaques.  I love this lavender one, but the others are are equally beautiful.

Isn't this pallet headboard awesome?  The vinyl birds on a wire just make it!  Check it out at Cathey With An E.

Simple and sweet, this little table was painted Paris Grey by Mimi, at Mimi's Vintage Charm.  Sometimes simple is all that is needed when the piece has this much character on it's own!

 Other pieces are pretty bland without some help.  Sayuri, from Vintage Breeze, helped this piece along with some pink paint and a stencil.  It went from ho-hum to stunning!

This pretty victorian shelf was hiding it's beautiful curves in dark stain until Terry, from Forever Decorating, gave it a fresh coat of white and some pretty new slippers!  Go take a peek at what she used.  

Here is another dresser that was blah before Lisa, from Create Inspire Me, got her hands on it.  You have to check out all that she did to create this stunning piece!

Tracy, from Modern Homesteaders, shared some very unique "poverty jelly" recipes.  The watermelon caught my taste buds!  Check out some of the other very intriguing recipes, including this wine jelly, pictured below.

I am a sucker for chocolate, so these dark chocolate cupcakes with buttercream frosting from Susanne, from Bebe and J Creations, looked incredibly delicious to me.

Next up...party time.  Please link up your amazing creations and accomplishments.  I love to see what you've been up to!

Da Simple and Easy Rules

1. Only projects you have made/accomplished pretty please. Items for sale are okay, as long as they are in tutorial form, and linked to your blog post.  No links to shops or Etsy stores, please.  Link up to 3 posts

2. Linking back to the party (text or button) within your post is very much appreciated . You can grab a button from the side bar if you like.

3. By linking up here, you are giving me permission to feature you here, on Facebook, Twitter, Google + and Pinterest.  I'll only use 1-2 pictures from your post and link back to you. Then people will be flocking to your blog to read all about it!!  Spreadin' the love around baby!    

*Note - After your first link-up, as a courtesy, I will email you each week to let you know when the party is up and running. If at any time you wish to be taken off the list, just shoot me an email with unsubscribe in the subject line. I use your email for this purpose only and never share it with anyone else.

What We Accomplished Wednesdays #28

Want to be a pin-up girl?  Join the party, and if you are featured, I'll pin your project to my Green Willow Pond Features Board!



Indian Summer seems to have arrived!  We have had some weeks of unseasonably cool weather, so this warmer weather is very welcome.  I am glad we invested in an air conditioner this year though!

I've been busy in my basement craft room, finally able to start work on it again.  It is coming along nicely.  I'll soon be sharing some progress with you soon.  My latest project involves the use of these two antique items:

 An antique cabinet that I've had for years.  It's been refinished since this picture.  It was in very rough shape.

These antique Kraft cheese boxes I bought a couple of years ago.  They were filthy, but I cleaned them thoroughly and they are ready to use.

I also posted my painted potholder that I painted and stamped last year, but never blogged about before.  You can read about that here.

Thank you everyone who linked up your fabulous projects!  As always, it was hard to select just ten.  You all inspire me so much!  Here are the Top Ten that I finally narrowed it down to:

Christina, from Little Brags, shares how to use a crate to create several different vignettes.  I loved them all, but this was my favorite.  Pay her a visit to see the others as well.

This beautiful china cupboard was painted by Susanne, from BebeandJ.  Didn't she do an awesome job on it? I love the scrolly details!

This flour sack is from a mill in Canada that Jennifer, from Thimbles, Bobbins, Paper and Ink, gets her flour from.  She added lace and a flower to dress it up.  It makes the perfect bread storage bag.  Isn't it cute?

 Aren't these chairs darling?  Terry, at Forever Decorating, painted just the seats and tops of the backs...love that!  The stencil she used on the seats is fun too.  Go check it out.

 Susan, from Must Love Junk, found this wooden tote at a garage sale...how lucky for her!  She filled it with lots of clay pots, lavender and more.  Isn't it great?

 For someone who doesn't usually do black and white, Kelsey, from White Cottage Botique, really nailed the look with this dining set.  She stained the top of the table, which, I think, was the perfect touch!

It may not be pretty, but how many times have you found a beautiful dresser, but the drawer runners were broken.  Raising my hand here.  Having no idea how to fix them, I passed them up.  Well, no more. Elisha, from Pneumatic Addict, gives a step-by-step tutorial on how to make them yourself.  Thank you Elisha!!

Laurel, at North End Loft, shares her potting bench that her husband made for her.  She has it decorated so cute.  Love the seed packet banner!

Looking for some inexpensive art with a lot of impact?  Check out this awesome wrapping paper art that Andrea, from Life. Love. Larson., created.  It is so perfect with her dramatic striped curtains!  Love this idea!

I am really trying to limit my sugar intake, but it is soooo hard!  I have a very strong sweet tooth.  So when Allison, from Allison's Skinny Jeans, shared this Banana Peanut butter icecream, my sweet tooth perked up!  I'm going to try this, and possibly a variation with cocoa powder too.  Yum!

It's your turn to share.  What have you accomplished this week, this month, or even this year?  Inquiring minds want to know!

Da Simple and Easy Rules

1. Only projects you have made/accomplished pretty please. Items for sale are okay, as long as they are in tutorial form, and linked to your blog post.  No links to shops or Etsy stores, please.  Link up to 3 posts

2. Linking back to the party (text or button) within your post is very much appreciated . You can grab a button from the side bar if you like.

3. By linking up here, you are giving me permission to feature you here, on Facebook, Twitter, Google + and Pinterest.  I'll only use 1-2 pictures from your post and link back to you. Then people will be flocking to your blog to read all about it!!  Spreadin' the love around baby!    

*Note - After your first link-up, as a courtesy, I will email you each week to let you know when the party is up and running. If at any time you wish to be taken off the list, just shoot me an email with unsubscribe in the subject line. I use your email for this purpose only and never share it with anyone else.

Painted Pot Holders

Have you looked at your pot holders recently?  Really looked?  Go on...go take a peek.  Are they faded, stained...a little crusty around the edges?   My old hot pads had seen better days.  I decided to replace them with something dark, that wouldn't show stains as badly.  I couldn't find what I wanted, so I picked up plain black hot pads at Dollar Tree.

One day, while I had my roller out for a project, with white paint still on the roller, I decided to jazz one up a bit.  First I taped off the squares one way, rolled on my paint and let it dry.  Then I pulled the tape up and taped off the rest, then rolled again.  I used ordinary latex wall paint.

I could have left it there. It was cute with a checkerboard pattern, but you know I can't leave good enough alone.

This fleur de lis stamp I'd picked up on sale was begging to be used.  

Using black StazOn Ink, I stamped each square.  I didn't even bother masking the partial squares along the edges.  The ink didn't even show on the black parts.

The paint had seeped in some places, so I used  permanent marker to touch up those areas.  It worked perfectly, and again, you couldn't even tell.

Although the paint was a little stiff at first, after a couple of washings, it became as soft as the rest of the hot pad.  It's been awhile since I did this, and the hot pad still washes up beautifully.  My other black pot holders are all jealous.  Next time I have a roller with white paint loaded, maybe I'll spiff them up too.

I've linked to these great parties:

Catch as Catch Can at My Repurposed Life
Shabbilicious Friday at Shabby Art Boutique

What We Accomplished Wednesday #27

Want to be a pin-up girl?  Join the party, and if you are featured, I'll pin your project to my Green Willow Pond Features Board!



I can't believe we've been partying together for half a year already!  As they say, time flies when you're having fun!  In celebration of a half a year of What We Accomplished Wednesday parties, I am excited to announce the winner of the beaded napkin rings.

Using Random.org the winning number is 11:

Ellya Brill from Curiositaellya.  Congratulations Ellya!  

Now on to the top ten for last weeks party.  First up is this gorgeous painted bed by Kadee Willow.  I love the carved details and the way Kadee highlighted them.

Patti, from Ivy and Elephants, came up with a couple of unique and beautiful ways to display her beaded collars.  In essence, she created art from her collection.

Isn't this coastal window display, by Diane at An Extraordinary Day, cool?  I love the pictures of lighthouses in each pane.

Do you have a nondescript, small mirror, but you want a large mirror that makes a statement?  Check out how Christy, of Confessions of a Serial Diyer, transformed this mirror!

How often have you seen these pressed back chairs at a flea market?  I have some myself, but they need some rungs repaired.  Look how Susanne, of Bebe&J, used paint and new fabric to update these. Aren't they pretty?

I love old wood hangers, especially these gracefully curved ones.  Betsy, from My Salvaged Treasures, used paint and stamps to create these beautiful hangers.  You also have to check out the others that she decoupaged with sewing patterns.

This is a great sign by Denise on a Whim.  My sentiments exactly :)  I love the color and the way she distressed it to make it look old.

Kelly, from Together We Groh, refinished the top of this table that she wasn't crazy about before.  I think it turned out awesome! Love the dark stain against the white base.

 Isn't this the sweetest little table!  I love it painted in white.  Cindy, from Cottage Instincts, did a great job, with just the right amount of distressing.

Finally, in the food catagory, my mouth is watering over this Oreo Trifle, made by Lori, from My Recipe Magic.  I think I know what I'm taking to the next church potluck!

Now it's time for your to link up your amazing accomplishments!  Show us what you've been up to.

Da Simple and Easy Rules

1. Only projects you have made/accomplished pretty please. Items for sale are okay, as long as they are in tutorial form, and linked to your blog post.  No links to shops or Etsy stores, please.  Link up to 3 posts

2. Linking back to the party (text or button) within your post is very much appreciated . You can grab a button from the side bar if you like.

3. By linking up here, you are giving me permission to feature you here, on Facebook, Twitter, Google + and Pinterest.  I'll only use 1-2 pictures from your post and link back to you. Then people will be flocking to your blog to read all about it!!  Spreadin' the love around baby!    

*Note - After your first link-up, as a courtesy, I will email you each week to let you know when the party is up and running. If at any time you wish to be taken off the list, just shoot me an email with unsubscribe in the subject line. I use your email for this purpose only and never share it with anyone else.

What We Accomplished # 26 - Half a Year Celebration & Giveaway

Want to be a pin-up girl?  Join the party, and if you are featured, I'll pin your project to my Green Willow Pond Features Board!



It's been 26 weeks...half a year...of What We Accomplished parties!  Woo Hoo!  I have been so blessed by all of your contributions.  They are a treasure trove of ideas, helpful tips, inspiration and recipes.  In the words of Sally Fields, "They like me, they really like me!"

To celebrate this milestone, I am going to giveaway a set of 4 napkin rings like I posted here.

There are several ways to be entered in the drawing.

1. Link up to three projects/accomplishments/recipes.  Each one gets an entry.  It must be something you did yourself, not a feature of someone else's project.

2. Leave me a comment telling me how you are following this blog.

3. Spread the word about the party and giveaway.  For every way that you share it, i.e. facebook, twitter, google +, etc.  leave a comment for an entry.

I'll use random.org to select the winner.  The numbers will start with the linky party, then continue on with the comments in the order they are made.  I will announce the winner at next weeks linky party!

Now on to the party!  

This weeks top ten start with this awesome organized pantry by Ingrid, at Now at Home Mom.  Love the jars and basket!

How cute are these chalk painted flower pots from Redesigned by M? I love the size of these.  

Kadee Willow used a found iron piece as part of a unusual and awesome window treatment.  

Isn't this little dresser sweet?  Mimi, from Vintage Charm by Mimi, used ASCP in Old White and Paris Grey.  I love the soft two-tone colors and the glass knobs.

Jenna, from Rain on a Tin Roof, posted a house tour that will knock your socks off!  You really must pay her a visit as this picture is just one of many.

Julie, from Less Than Perfect Life of Bliss, put together an adorable birthday party, and she did it without spending much by "shopping the house."

This dresser started out very basic, with glossy white paint and no knobs.  Check out what Mary, from Orphans With Makeup, did to it.  Love the color!

 Crates are so handy, not to mention very in vogue right now.  But they can be hard to find, especially in a size you want.  Why not do what Elisha, from Pneumatic Addict, did and make your own.  She has a complete tutorial on her blog!

I must confess, I am a get in and get out of the kitchen kind of gal.  I can cook, and I do it well according to friends and family, but I don't like it...at all.  So when I find an easy recipe like this Pesto Pasta from Ashley's Dandelion Wishes, I sit up and take notice.  I haven't had a chance to try it yet, but it sounds delicious!

Now having confessed that I don't like to cook, I have to add a caveat.  I do like to bake, and since I am trying eat and cook healthier meals, I just knew I had to try these zucchini muffins, from Nici, at Posed Perfection I know zucchini makes baked goods moist and yummy, and it might just be a way to sneak some green stuff down my family's very un-vegetarian throats!

How about you?  What's have you been accomplishing lately?  Please share...inquiring minds want to know!  And don't forget the giveaway :)

Da Simple and Easy Rules

1. Only projects you have made/accomplished pretty please. Items for sale are okay, as long as they are in tutorial form, and linked to your blog post.  No links to shops or Etsy stores, please.  Link up to 3 posts

2. Linking back to the party (text or button) within your post is very much appreciated . You can grab a button from the side bar if you like.

3. By linking up here, you are giving me permission to feature you here, on Facebook, Twitter, Google + and Pinterest.  I'll only use 1-2 pictures from your post and link back to you. Then people will be flocking to your blog to read all about it!!  Spreadin' the love around baby!    

*Note - After your first link-up, as a courtesy, I will email you each week to let you know when the party is up and running. If at any time you wish to be taken off the list, just shoot me an email with unsubscribe in the subject line. I use your email for this purpose only and never share it with anyone else.