Tuesday, April 29, 2014

What We Accomplished Wednesday #52

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 a bit of a rushed week for me.  After dealing with the flu for three days, I worked Thursday night, then we left to go downstate to take our daughter's furniture down and to visit Ferris State University with our oldest son.  We got to spend the night with some dear friends the first night and then with our wonderful nephew's family the next night.

It was a whirlwind weekend, but we got a lot accomplished and had so much fun.  Although I  answered some emails while I was sick, I didn't get much else done, especially on the blog.  Have you heard crickets chirping?

While I was away, you've been busy beavers linking up all your wonderful creations.  I included a couple extra features this week because I just couldn't decide!

I really love this shade of blue, similar to duck egg blue, that Darielle from DD's Cottage and Design, painted. She added the appliques too, which add so much to the piece.  Isn't it pretty with it's curvy shape?


Terry, from Forever Decorating, painted this huge china cabinet gray with white trim. I love the color and style of this piece!


Cindy, from Cottage Instincts, needed something really big to fill above her brick fireplace.  Check out this treatment made from an old pallet!  Love that!


When Mindi, from My Love 2 Create, told her sister she would help her create a new laundry room, she didn't even have a concrete plan.  You won't believe what she came up with.  You've got to check out the hidden storage!


Think these succulents are real?  Look again!  Tammy, from One More Time Events, created this centerpiece with galvanized trays and faux succulents.  I love it!


I am tall.  5'10" to be exact.  So when I saw this post by Crystelle, of Crystelle Boutique, I had to share it for all my tall friends. She will be posting an outfit weekly, telling where she got it and if any alterations were made. I will definitely be tuning in! (This is her beautiful, and also tall, daughter.)


Don't these pretty little tarts make your mouth water?  I love the fat raspberry on each one.  Joy, from Yesterfood, shares the recipe.


Here is another fool the eye succulent.  I thought these were real too.  They are actually cupcakes!  Aimee, from Twigg Studios shows how she made them.  Awesome!


Now it's your turn.  Show us what you've accomplished.  Can't wait to see what you've been up to!

The 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, or round-up posts of others projects please.  Link up to 3 posts - please link posts new to this party.

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/or 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!
Most importantly, go visit some of the links because otherwise it wouldn't be a party would it? 

I am no longer automatically adding you to my email list to send out reminders about the party. If you want a reminder each week, just use the little sign up form below. You will only be signing up for party notifications. I will not use this list for anything else, nor will I ever share it with anyone. ever. period.

 




Tuesday, April 22, 2014

What We Accomplished Wednesday #51

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!



Last week I had the privilege co-host Robin's party, Fluster's Creative Muster at Fluster Buster.  She and I were both amazed at the number of linkups!  Because our parties are on the same day, I just replaced my usual party with hers.  I am still doing my features as usual though.

I am typing this as I get over a bout of flu, so if I make some mistakes, please forgive me.  My stomach is still a little queasy, my head is pounding, and I feel like I've been run over by a truck! So I am going to just launch right into the features.

Celestina Maria, from Southern DayDreams, shared how she created a boxwood wreath for a lot less than store bought.  I love how she displayed it on this old window and created a little "window box" below it.


This beautiful peony wreath is actually made from dyed coffee filters!  Marci, from Stone Cottage Adventures, shares how to make your own.


I am a sucker for white painted furniture with dark stained tops.  This night stand and bedroom set painted by Melanie, from Lost and Found Decor, turned out beautifully!


Michelle, from That Mommy Blog, created a functional and beautiful entry for her kitchen mudroom. I love the combination of a gallery wall and big baskets for organization.


Every now and then a girl needs a little sparkle in her life.  This beautiful, Easter tablescape, by
Alma from The Tablescaper, has plenty of sparkle and shine.


This lemon honey tart, made by Suzanne of Simply Suzanne's at Home, had my mouth watering the instant I saw it!


Now it's your turn.  Show us what you've accomplished.  Can't wait to see what you've been up to!

The 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, or round-up posts of others projects please.  Link up to 3 posts - please link posts new to this party.

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/or 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!
Most importantly, go visit some of the links because otherwise it wouldn't be a party would it? 

I am no longer automatically adding you to my email list to send out reminders about the party. If you want a reminder each week, just use the little sign up form below. You will only be signing up for party notifications. I will not use this list for anything else, nor will I ever share it with anyone. ever. period.

 




Sunday, April 20, 2014

Easter Isn't About Bunnies and Eggs


Easter is a wonderful day filled with the delight of children discovering their Easter Baskets, Easter egg hunts and Easter bunnies.  I don't have a problem with any of that and in fact I still give my grown children an Easter basket each year...at least until they are married and on their own ;)

But Easter is so much more.  In fact bunnies, eggs and candy filled baskets have nothing to do with Easter. I don't often share my personal life and beliefs on this blog.  I hope you will bear with me as I do so today.  I am unashamedly a Christian. It is not something that I claim in my own pride. It is a priceless gift that I am honored to be called and so unworthy of.

What Christ went through for me is unthinkable. He knew ahead of time all the screw-ups, let downs and outright sins I would commit. He did it anyway.  He could have said one word and stopped all the suffering he went through.  He did it anyway.  He could have spoken the word, and his tormenters would have been dead on the ground.  He did it anyway.

Whether you chose to believe or not, He did it anyway...for you, for me, for every human who ever lived or ever will live. Such love is unfathomable.  Whether you choose to believe or not, you need to know that Someone loves you that much.  Amazing.

I've embedded a clip from the Passion of Christ starring Mel Gibson.  It is extremely graphic and very upsetting.  If you have a weak stomach, you may not wish to view it.  I had to turn away at times.  I cried. But it is the truth of what Easter is really all about.  The crucifixion was horrifying, but Easter is about the Ressurection.

Jesus didn't stay in the grave.  He rose again.  Because of that, if we choose to believe in him, turn from our sin and accept his free gift of Salvation, we too will rise again.  Forever is a long time. Never ending. How you will spend it depends on one decision.  Will you follow him or not?  For me, the alternative is unimaginable. We tend to think of hell more as a swear word than an actual place.  Hell will be unbearable, and yet many will have to bear it...forever. Never ending. But it doesn't have to be that way.  Jesus gave us all a way out. But we have to accept it.

If you think you can't because you don't deserve it, you are right.  None of us do.  "But," you say, "my sin is too great, God will never love me."  He does anyway. He gave up his only Son because he loved you so much, no matter what you've done.

You say you don't want to be lumped in with a pack of hypocrites who go to church on Sunday and turn around on Monday and go right on sinning. There will always be hypocrites.  There were plenty in Jesus time and there are plenty now.  It doesn't matter.  It isn't about them.  It's about you and Him and your eternal life.

You say you don't want to be a part of so called Christians who act all holier than thou.  Then don't be holier than thou.  Yes there are so called Christians like that, but there are also many who are not.  They realize we are just sinners saved by Grace.  And we still screw-up sometimes, because we're human.

Don't let false Christians turn you off to the One who truly loves you.  In the end it doesn't matter about them. What matters is whether you have accepted Him or not.

If you dare, watch this video and think about the sacrifice this Man made for you. Whether you choose to believe or not, you at least need to know what He did for you. You need to know how very much He loves you.



If you made it this far, thanks for listening. You, my readers mean so much to me.  I am not here to judge you whether you believe or not. I just wanted to share this greatest of love with you, and let you know I love you too.

Blessings,

Saturday, April 19, 2014

Spring Vignettes

Easter vignette

I'm a little slow on the giddy up and go, but I finally put together a couple of Easter spring vignettes.  I'm considering them spring vignettes, so I can keep them out longer...like probably Christmas, snort! When there is so much "big" stuff to do on the house, it's hard to focus on the little stuff, like pretty spring vignettes.

My boys just roll their eyes when I start shoving things around, growling about their crap stuff laying around because mama wants to decorate. Truth be told, I have as much or more crap stuff laying around as they do.  Okay fess, up people.  Please tell me you do this.


I'm going to miss that big honkin' recliner when she gets the boot for something smaller and so much prettier. I"m going to lose my hiding spot!

On to much prettier things. Tux photo bombed every one of these pictures. I didn't have the heart to make him move.


 It needs a little something more. I have an idea, but no time to do it before Easter. It will be a spring something anyway.


Is it my imagination, or does bunny look a little nervous? He's keeping a close eye on Tux!  


 I wanted a little pink this Easter.  I love pink, but in small doses. I created a little pink nest with some pink raffia from Dollar Tree and laid it atop some spanish moss, then added the green moss around the edges. The ribbons were in my stash that I am trying to downsize. A single perfect white egg will "hatch" into some wrapped Easter candy on Sunday morning. Maybe it will become a Cadbury egg!


The vase of flowers was quickly thrown together, but I think I will seperate these two. Like I said, I love pink, but I think I will spread it around a little more.


Okay, I cropped Tux out of this one. Sorry Tux, you are just a little picture hog.


Happy Easter! May your cats sleep and the Easter bunny be safe. 




I've joined these fabulous parties:
Share it One More Time at One More Time Events
Fluster's Creative Muster at Fluster Buster
Project Inspired at An Extraordinary Day
What's it Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants
LouLou Girls Fabulous Party
Saturday Sparks at Pieced Pastimes


Tuesday, April 15, 2014

What We Accomplished Wednesday #50

Taxes are behind us.  Can I get an amen?  Now we can just relax and have a little fun.  This week I had a wonderful surprise. Robin from Fluster Buster, featured my dropcloth curtains and invited me to cohost her weekly party, Fluster's Creative Muster. I am honored and thrilled to team up with Robin for this weeks party.

 Since both our parties run the same day, I am just replacing my usual party with this one. It will work the same way as usual, just link up your projects below, but this time your projects will be seen by both hers and my readers! How fun is that?

I am also expanding my features this week to ten...yes ten features! You wonderful people are so creative and I wanted to feature as many as I could this week. So here goes!

This stunning armoire was painted by Kelsey at White Cottage Boutique.  It will house a TV in her bedroom...lucky TV!


Easter eggs are usually colored bright or pastel colors, which is always pretty, but these kraft and lace eggs made by Cassie at Little Red Window, caught my eye.  Aren't they cute?  She even made the little nest out of paper shopping bags.


Melanie, from Lost and Found Decor, turned this old waterfall dresser into a work of art by handpainting the design on the front.


Ramon, from Row House, shared several floral arrangements he created for classes where he works. I think this bunny arrangement is so pretty.  Also check out the bicycle arrangement he did!


I have a similar sideboard to this one that Mary, at Orphans With Makeup, painted.  I love the details and color on this piece.


Doreen, from Altered Artworks is replacing her plastic storage bins in her craft room with fun vintage storage options. I love these lockers she painted to replace plastic rolling storage drawers.


Look at the yummy carved detail on this mirror that Peggy, from PJH Designs, transformed. Someone had painted it an ugly glossy brown, but now it is gorgeous!


Allie, from Craftiest Allie, shared a great tutorial on how to age new fabric with coffee...yes coffee! It's a real eye opener ;)

These Coconut Chocolate Ganache Macaroons were love at first sight. And they are gluten free...yeah me!  Bev, from Electric Red Barn, shares the recipe.


If you have a blog and are on Pinterest, you will love this post on optimizing for Pinterest, shared by Leslie from Lamberts Lately.  It is hands down the best article I've ever seen on the subject.


Okay it's time to party!  Please join Robin and myself in this special cohosted party this week.  


Fluster's #CreativeMuster Linky Party #67
Fluster's #CreativeMuster Linky Party #67

Fluster's #CreativeMuster Linky Party #67
Fluster's #CreativeMuster Linky Party #67

I've been considering using dropcloths for my living room curtains. I've seen a lot of tutorials on how to make them but they all looked so plain. I was afraid that they would look like I just hung dropcloths from the curtain rods. However, Deborah from Green Willow Pond came up with a wonderful solution, Ruffled Dropcloth Curtains, they don't look like dropcloths at all.

Fluster's #CreativeMuster Linky Party #67
By linking to this party you are giving Fluster Buster and co-hosts permission to use your images in featured posts.

Host
Fluster's #CreativeMuster Linky Party #67

Co-Host
Fluster's #CreativeMuster Linky Party #67

Fluster Buster


If you're feeling a little nostalgic or looking for more inspiration you might want to check out last years  #CreativeMuster Party #16


Monday, April 14, 2014

Craft Booth Set Up

Well the craft show is behind me and I am whipped!  I didn't have high hopes for sales going in and it was a good thing.  None of the crafters did very well.  The venue included crafters, vendors and garage sale booths.  It was also a first annual.

However, it was at my old grade school, it was the perfect way to get my feet wet without being overwhelmed, and it only cost $15.  I did make some sales, had lots of compliments on my booth and products and lots of people took my card.  I was also invited to another art and craft show later this summer by someone who helps run it.  She really liked my products and said they didn't have anything like it in their show.  She also quoted me a handsome figure that she made at the show in a previous year.  That was exciting!

I had a really fun time and enjoyed the show despite low sales.  Will I do another?  Yes, I think I will.  I learned a lot and overall enjoyed the experience.  Here are some shots of my booth set up from the show.  I will post more detailed pictures of the products later.

Craft Booth Set Up: Green Willow Pond #craft booth #craft fair booth









It's late and this girl is going to bed!
Blessings,



I've linked this post to these awesome parties:

Project Inspired at Cupcakes and Crinoline
Handmade Projects at Tip Junkie
Be Inspired at Elizabeth and Company
Brag About It at VMG 206
From Dream to Reality at The DIY Dreamer
Share Your Cup Thursday at Have a Daily Cup Of Mrs. Olson

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