Life Inspired Link Party #6

Hump Daaaaay! C'mon, you know the commercial. How's your week going? I'm feeling less flustered than last week (slightly... I also just had 2 glasses of wine) and ready to be inspired. Here are my faves from last week.

Table Makeover with Mod Podge and Wrapping Paper from Rain on a Tin Roof

Annie Sloan Chalk Painted Bed Take 2 from The Lilly Pad Cottage

Fireplace Update from Storypiece

And, here are what some of my lovely fellow hostesses are up to...

1. Microwaved Brown Sugar Acorn Squash - Poofy Cheeks

2. Color Blocked Metallic Terra Cotta Flower Pot from Balancing Home

3. DIY Painted Drink Dispenser from Sew Woodsy

4. 4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Chocolate Cookies from Sweet C's Designs

Now I'm hungry and I want to paint something. Get to linking!

Let's be friends!

How to Make a Duck Tape Pencil Case

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Walmart for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

It's here! First day of school. Kaley, my oldest, is heading to kindergarten in the coming days. She's so excited she's asked to wear her backpack of school supplies around the house almost every day this week. I've resorted to hiding them for fear there will be no glue sticks left. We bought the supplies a few weeks ago on a special "big girl" trip to Walmart. She was so happy to fight her way through the frenzie of kids swarming the #2 pencils... validation that she's finally one of the big kids. To send her off in style, we came up with a quick craft. After all, she'd need someplace to keep all those pencils. So,this is how to make Duck Tape® pencil case.

Since we were already at Walmart, we picked up all of our Duck Tape® there. It's cheap and they have 5 million options. Seriously, had no idea how far they had evolved from the grey stuff my dad had in the garage when I was a kid.




Supplies:

• Duck Tape® - As many rolls and colors as you'd like (you'll need at least one roll of the small size for the edges) 
• Fabric scrap - About 10" x 10" 
• Velcro dots - or anything you'd like to use to close your case 
• Scissors 
• Ruler 

​

Step 1: Cut a piece of fabric 10" x about 10". I just measured the 10" one direction, then made sure it was wide enough to fit a pencil the other direction.


Step 2: Stick your Duck Tape® to the wrong side of the fabric. Go crazy with the pattern. It's up to you.


Keep sticking until the fabric is covered and smooth out the bubbles.




Step 3: Flip over your fabric and trim the tape.




This is what you should have now.


Step 4: Fold your fabric up about 4" so the Duck Tape® faces out. This will give you a 4" pencil case with a 2" flap to close it.


Step 5: Tape the sides using Ducklings (yes, that's what they are called... how cute is that?!) or smaller size roll of tape.




When you get to the flap, just cut a tiny slit to make it fold over neatly.


Step 6: Box your corners. To make the case look a little more like a case, and less like an envelope, I smooshed my bottom corners in with my scissors like this.


Then I pulled from the inside and flatted from the outside, until they looked neat and even.




Step 7: Finish taping the rest of the raw edges and the two side seams on the inside.




Step 8: Add a closure and you're done. I didn't trust that the velcro would stay stuck so I put a few stiches in. I also glued a button to the front for decoration.




It turned out so cute and was so easy... it kind of looks like a little clutch purse. Oh, la la. Won't she be fancy in kindergarten? Love that I can just cut the Duck Tape® and not have to worry about anything fraying like with sewing. Makes it really simple. Duck Tape® projects are really good for kids too... almost no mess. We also jazzed up some of her notebooks in about 3 seconds with the leftover tape. Extremely simple and now she'll be able to tell her notebooks apart from the rest of the class. Love that.






So there's still time! Go buy Duck Tape at Walmart and whip something up. If you want more ideas, follow @theduckbrand on Twitter or /ducktape on facebook. Happy first day of school!

Let's be friends!

Ravin' about Haven 2013

Yesterday I mentioned I attended Haven this past weekend in Atlanta. Haven is a DIY and home blogger conference held once a year. Honestly, before Haven, I really didn't know what Haven was or what a blogger would get out of attending it (or any conference). Just call me Debbie Downer. My friend Katie, from Sew Woodsy, told me about it a few times since she attended last year, but I still didn't really get it.  ("So, you stay at a hotel and talk to bloggers?") Then Creating with the Stars happened in March and I got a bunch of one-on-one time with Sarah, Thrifty Decor Chick. Sarah is one of the "Ladies of Haven". AKA, one of the founders. She really gave me the kick in the pants that made me realize Haven would be a good idea for me and my blossoming blog. And a good idea it was.

L- Sarah: Thrifty Decor Chick. R- Sarah: Me!

Now let's be honest. Almost 4 days alone, in a 4-star hotel, with no kids? Seriously, the alone time in the air port and on the plane was enough for me, the conference was a bonus! So I was off! I arrived in Atlanta behind schedule because my flight was delayed and consequently had to dash though the humid streets sweating glowing profusely when I hit check-in. The lobby was FULL of bloggers chatting and laughing loudly. Intimidation set it.

I ran to my room, already late for the welcome reception, and did my best to combat the "glow" my rushing in August in Atlanta had caused. (Yes, deodorant was reapplied in full force... on it!) From my room I could see the patio below full of Haven Mavens. I donned my cutest dress, re-shuuushed the hair, and grabbed a stack of business cards. Time to mingle.

As soon as I hit the reception, intimidation was gone! Everyone was extremely warm (literally and figuratively) and talkative. I even finally got to meet up with fellow Central Florida bloggers.

Photo credit: The Thinking Closet

L to R: Me, Rachel: Lines Across, Laren: The Thinking Closet, and Katie: Sew Woodsy

After the initial reception, Haven was a whirlwind of information, inspiration, and connections. The opening keynote was given by Ana White. The main thing I took away from that: Be really good at something, be good enough at everything else. That hit me. As a busy, working, blogging, mom of two, I am in a constant state of flustered. I need to realize that it's going to kill me to try and be good at everything. Time to slow down, focus, and be really good at something... good enough at everything else.

Sessions

The first day I took a class taught by Brooke from All Things Thrifty and Court from The Blog Builders. This class taught a bunch about how blogs and search engines work behind the scenes, and what I need to do so you guys can find me! Loved it!

After that it was on to Bloggers and Brands with Ashley representing Shaw Floors, Crystal from Izea Media, and Allison representing Frog Tape. They gave us the lowdown on how bloggers and brands are brought together. After all, wouldn't you rather hear about a really cool product from a "real" person  (aka, me, the blogger) than a commercial? I'm gonna tell you like it is! :)

I also took a couple sessions on advertising with Beckie Farrant, the goddess of ad networks. You guys, what struck me most about these women, was their business sense and knowledge. Incredibly impressed with what they know and what they've built for themselves and their families. You go girls. Official fan club member here... boy band style.

Here's when I got to learn how to install crown molding and trim with Sandra from Sawdust Girl and Tiffany from Pretty Handy Girl. (iPhone no flash fail) I cannot wait to get my hands on some more Ryobi tools! That cordless nailer of their's has my name written all over it. (I swear I've been good Santa!)

Fun

So yes, the entire conference was fun (and exhausting... but in a good way) but I'm talking about silly fun... and a little crazy fun.

There's me snuggling the most perfect fabric in the world from Online Fabric Store. If I were to become a fabric, this is it. And of course Katie and I just hanging out in the Moen shower. AND, the DIY shuffle. Did I mention this conference is fun?

I also met some really great bloggers who turned out to be awesome people too! Love when that happens. Of course there are my Central Florida friends. But Ashley from Domestic Imperfection is pretty awesome (no pics... booo), Emily from Two Purple Couches was so nice, and Geralin can work a dance floor like nobody's business from Managing Modern Life (yes, that Geralin, from Hoarders... seriously, I'll have to tell you about my obsession one day... I might have been a little more excited than I should have been to meet Geralin). Then there's these two...

Chelsea from Two Twenty One and Allison from House of Hepworths.

Chelsea and I had quite the evening at the party Ryobi threw for the conference ('nuff said). And, over dinner, Allison and I figured out (living in different states and never meeting) that our husbands are good friends with the same person. So weird! 

What will I be taking away from Haven? Well, swag of course.  Seriously, these vendors were generous. Thank goodness Katie and Jon from Sew Woodsy drove it back for me! Delta would not have been excited to see a mitre saw in my carry-on. Also, empowerment. These are some kick-butt bloggers that know their stuff and stand their ground. And shoot, if they can do it, I can!  Friendships. Can't wait to return next year to see these girls.  Connections. Haven can open up doors like nothing else can! So until next year, I'll just sort my swag and build some stuff!

Let's be friends!

Life Inspired Link Party #5

Wednesday already?! Not gonna lie, this week kicked my booty. I spent almost 4 days attending the Haven conference in Atlanta and I can't wait to tell you about it. Right now it's a fog of business cards, swag, new friends, power tools, and wine! You know, the usual. However, I also can't wait to see what gets linked up today. But, before we get to sharing our stuff, here's a few of my favorites from last week.

 Build Your Own Tabletop Flower Box from First Home Love Life

 Play Room / Guest Room from Suburbs Mama

 Teacher Gift Basket with Printable from My Sister's Suitcase

Watermelon Slice Garland from Shaken Together Life

And, here are a few more projects the other hosts have been up to.

1. Kids Construction Paper Activities from Poofy Cheeks

2. 4 Ingredient Chocolate Zucchini Bread from Sweet C's Designs

3. 27 Awesome School Printables from Balancing Home

4. Revamped Wood Outdoor Table from Sew Woodsy

Let's be friends!

Life Inspired Link Party #4 + Home Depot and Martha Stewart Living Giveaway

It's that time again. Life Inspired link party #4, plus an awesome giveaway from the Home Depot and Martha Stewart Living! Before we get to that, check out some of my favorites from last week in no particular order.

Two Tone "French Invoice" Parlor Table from Art is Beauty.

Watermelon Cupcakes from Sugar Kissed.

DIY Entertainment Unit from The Questionalable Homesteader.

And, if you're wondering what the rest of the girls have been up to this week, head on over to their blogs and check them out.

1. Strawberry Citrus Punch

Sweet C's Designs

2. How to Tuft and Upholster an Ornate Headboard

Sew Woodsy

3. Home Command Center

Poofy Cheeks

4. Chalkboard Toy Bin Labels

Balancing Home

So here's the deal! Martha Stewart Living at The Home Depot Pinterest Inspired Workshop

If you are in the New Jersey area this Thursday, August 1 The Home Depot and Martha Stewart Living are helping families get organized before the kids go back to school with a free in-store Workshop. Martha Stewart Living designer, Anduin Havens, will co-host the Pinterest-inspired Do-It-Herself Workshop at the Union/Vauxhall The Home Depot store where women will learn how to create a custom chore chart. The first 50 attendees will receive a July/August issue of Martha Stewart Living magazine signed by Martha Stewart!

The event is part of a series of free monthly Do-It-Herself Workshops aimed at helping women tackle popular home décor and design projects. This event is a sneak peek at the nationwide Home Depot Do-It-Herself Workshop presented by Martha Stewart Living that will take place August 15th at The Home Depot stores across the country. Attendees will leave the Workshop having learned how to select the right materials and tools for creating a chore chart and how to decorate and personalize their chore chart to be functional for their homes and families. Space is limited, so advance online registration is encouraged at workshops.homedepot.com.

If you aren't in the New Jersey area, there are still ways to join in on the fun! Join Martha Stewart Living and The Home Depot on August 1 at 8:00 PM EST where you can follow along and engage during the hour-long Twitter party by using the hashtag #DIHWorkshop. Be sure to RSVP here if you plan to attend. 

In honor of the Pinterest Inspired Workshop we are giving away the following:

•   $50 The Home Depot Gift Card

•   Martha Stewart Living Paint Finish Tool Kit

•   Martha Stewart Living Silver Shimmer Glitter Project Paint

•   Martha Stewart Living Thundercloud Metallic Project Paint

•   Martha Stewart Living Gold Dust Glitter Project Paint

All you have to do is leave a comment in the Rafflecopter widget below (and you can earn some extra entries with some "likes" if you want). Contest ends 8/6 at 11:59pm EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Now get to linking and grab a button! I can't wait to see what you come up with this week :)

Grab a button.

        

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Let's be friends!