Make a quick wooden frame.

 *Don't forget to hop by the recent giveaway where TWO lucky winners will get a Creativity for Kids Sparkle 3D paint activity set! Whoop to the whoop!*

Okay, so when I was all gung-ho (gungho?)...All excited about my summer mantel I had just the picture for it. My Ikea print from many a year ago that I didn't ever put up because apparently when you go to a store thee hours away and buy special sized prints it's totally natural to NOT buy the frames to fit said prints.

It's also normal to not buy them the next two times you go.

I digress.

So I wanted to use the prints and had no frame, you get where I'm going. I also decided to do this a few hours before I wanted to write the post. So I did what any average house wife would do and grabbed some scrap wood (from the board and batten project) ebony stain and a box saw. I had about 5 inches left over so I had just enough. Basically the heavens aligned and it was meant to be is what I'm getting at.

Now, this is in NO way the normal way to do things. Not at all, as I go along I'll tell you how to really do them, but I had a child who was not wanting to run to the store with me so I improvised, you'll see how, you might laugh too. It's okay, because you're laughing with me not at me right?

Yeah..

So I cut all the pieces at a 40 degree angle like so, you could just fix em up square and account for the different lengths, but that always seems like more work to me than mitering and it only takes a few extra minutes for me to do it this way so I did. Then because I didn't have any staples or wood glue I used my hot glue gun. I know, shield your eyes. It'll feel super flimsy and well that's because it is but we'll stabilize it in a few don't you worry.

I gave it a nice coat of Ebony stain, and dragged it on and off. If I missed a few spots I wasn't too worried. Remember, nothing is perfect in my house and I'm a-okay with that.

 Don't you love the dingy greige color? Total driftwood vibe to me.

Then because the frame was way too wobbly for my liking I just took the cardboard that came with the print and glued it right on the back. Awesome, right? I know. It's my own little brand of genius. Cardboard and glue. It's like we're in elementary again.

Then I just used some double sided tape and taped the picture that fit perfectly into the frame, right on the cardboard. Done and done.

So, if you're going to make a real frame, get some staples and staple it, or those fancy hooks that hook the two pieces of wood together. You could also seal it really well but for us it's just sitting up really high where no little hands will be touching it so I think we're safe. :) Also don't worry about any imperfections in the wood, it gives it character. :) Love love love it. And, for being free, I love it even more. So does my husbands wallet. :)

The end.

Sarah's before and after party

Creativity for Kids 3D Paint kit {giveaway}

I recently had the chance to try out a really cool paint kit with the girls. And, boy it was so cool! 

SPARKLING 3D PAINT

CREATIVITY FOR KITS ACTIVITY KIT 

Awarded the national parenting center seal of approval. 

You can make tons of cool window clings which were our favorite, but you can also make pretty trinket boxes and they give detailed instructions on how to make bracelets, flowers and 3D animals with googly eyes. So neat. 

 Source

Lots of art kits out there are pretty expensive and junky but not this one, it's really affordable (21.99) considering all the paints they offer and the plastic paper to help you make it is reusable, so if you use it more than once, which you will it's just a few dollars for hours of fun. :) It takes a lot to keep my kids entertained, and this worked wonders. 

My husband and I totally got into it too.

Today Creativity for Kids is giving away TWO lucky winners a chance to try out this kit.

So want to know how you can win? Let me tell you the ways! 

1.) Leave a comment telling me what your kids will be excited to make with this kit.

2.) Head on over to the Creativity for Kids facebook and follow, make sure you tell them who sent you!

3.) Blog/tweet/facebook this giveaway

Open to U.S residents only. Please leave a separate comment for each entry as this makes random.org's life so much easier. Contest open to FOTF followers only, so if you aren't following, now is a great time! :)

Happy Memorial Day

I hope you're having a wonderful Memorial Day friends. Filled with sunshine, BBQ, pools and smiles.

 Source

Source

And remember why we get to enjoy these things today.

Source

Source

Be back later for a family fun giveaway! Yay. See you then.

Feature yourself Friday!

{Big Time P.S! Guess who's posting over at The Brassy Apple blog? Me!

Go see how I keep my kids entertained during the summer.}

Happy almost Holiday weekend friends!

Source 

Any big plans this weekend? BBQs and pool time perhaps? It's rainy and about 50 here so I'm not setting my hopes too high for perfect weather in Michigan. ;) 

I feel like it's been forever since we had a FYF, but really it's just because there were so many posts in between! I think all the winners have been accounted for and set up with the shop owners to hook them up with their loot. However, for the Tinker B Boutique, I still haven't heard from #32 Helen, who didn't leave her email! And, #198 Dutch who also didn't leave an email won the Cap Creations giveaway.

So Helen and Dutch! Email me if you will so I can hook you up. I'd hate for you to lose out on it. 

{Sad stuff!}

But onto other things, it's time again for the pretty things!

Paint Chip Art

Place mat pillow? Yes please.

Love this end of the year teacher gift. With a free printable! yay

Giant ruler! {swoon}

Alright, your turn! Show me the goods.

Summer Mantel.

Because I love a good forewarning, there's some major storm clouds outside so my pictures are DARK dark. Sorry ahead of time, I promise I don't really live in a dark dungeon.. Maybe the sun will come out..tomorrow..tomorrow. ;)

While browsing my latest obsession I came across this photo.

{swoon}

Tis gorgeous isn't it? 

It just reminds me of that hot sticky summer where you can smell the salt in the air and you complain about how hot it is but in the winter this is what you crave Yup, that summer.

It's my favorite kind. 

So I wanted my summer mantel to somewhat show that. The tall grass, perfect blue, sand and drift wood. And what do you do at the beach? Read. At least I do, so it felt right to throw some books in the mix. Do what feels right people! :)

See that awesome frame there? Yep, made it about 15 minutes before I wrote this post. Tomorrow I'll share the easiest tutorial EVER on it. 

I shopped the house for all the items here except the faux grass which I picked up at Hob Lob for 2.50 a stem (50% off, woohoo!)

Dining room light switcheroo.

Once we slowly started to phase out the yellow in the dining room kitchen area I had one problem.

The yellow lighting.

Ick, it just ruined everything. It gave the new paint a definite yellow hue and it just wasn't us. I've been a big fan of seeded glass for a long time now. It's vintage and beachy and glamorous and isn't thick so it will let off the best amount of light possible. Which is something I want. I love me some light.

They're actually for fans but who's paying attention anyways right? All I know is they're 5.00 a piece and lovely. Look I finally, after YEARS fixed that light. I liked it lower, but to be honest my child likes to stand on the chairs and swing it, so it had to go up. Maybe one day we can lower it a tad but for now it works for our family and that's what really matters in design okay? Okay.

It also casts off the prettiest glow at night. And, I pinky swear I'm going to just make the first cut in those curtains and put them up this week. It's just hard, it's a lot of fabric and I go back and forth on it. :) But.. for now, I'm sure. So...I'm gonna do it ya'll. I'm gonna do it.

And it will be fabulous. Just like my pretty light.

Winner winner..LOTS OF WINNERS!

Whew! You guys are Amazing! You sure like your giveaways, don't ya?

Yes, yes you do. :)

But every good thing has to come to an end and the winners had to be chosen, so via random.org here they are!

Urban Frontiers

-Set of Invites and coordinating thank yous-

#37 Ashley Borysewich

Pick Fair

-Green Indoor/Outdoor pillow-

#93 DECOR8Rgirl

Sugar and Dots

-Family Tree print and Yellow rosette necklace-

#70 Kim, who didn't leave her email! 

So dear Kim, email me please!

Amanda Mays Design studio

-Blog design package-

#87 Emily 

Gussy Sews

-40.00 shop credit-

#328 Lesli

The Elephants Trunk

-15.00 shop credit-

#83 Lyndee

Felt So Cute

-25.00 Shop Credit-

#10 Jen who also didn't have a public blog or email! 

Jen, Email me! :) 

Something Diane Made

-Summer bundle-

 #41 Kathy

In His Grace

-20.00 Shop Credit-

#51 Meghann T

Tinker B Boutique

-Scrabble tile necklace-

#32 Helen

#87 Sarah

#4 Katy

#98 Ginger

Made By Meade

-5 design Bundle-

#69 TJ and Amy

#110 James

The Pleated Poppy

-25.00 Shop Credit-

#118 Jessica

Cap Creations

-40.00 Shop Credit-

#198 Dutch

Hippo Ink

-2 sets of crayons-

#95 KimmieKat

#26 Megan

#111 Mary

Little Miss Momma

-Mustache necklace-

#115 The Balch Bunch

Barn Owl Primitives

-You are my sunshine sign-

# 204 Lindsay

Whew. That's all I'll say about that. 
So, ladies check your emails for the info on collecting your prizes later today! 

The biggest thanks has to go to my AMAZING sponsors, without them the giveaway wouldn't have happened. They really made my birthday one to remember. It was like opening a new present every time I checked my mail to another sugary sweet comment. So thank you sponsors! Don't forget some have coupon codes that are still available so check under my giveaways column to use them up and go buy something *handmade* and lovely. 

Buy handmade, yo.

Birthday Giveaway Recap

  *Giveaway now closed*

Again thank you all SO much for making the Birthday Extravaganza a HIT. It was so much fun seeing everyone excited about it and I'm still going through all the comments, it's so fun seeing what everyone wants and what they say. Some are so silly, I love it.

I'll be keeping the giveaways open until Sunday night at Midnight. This is assuming that blogger is still running after the Rapture tomorrow.

*Winks*

So here you go, it's like a mini boutique and you can go through them all, tell everyone else about them and enter the ones you haven't yet. Fun stuff!

*Please make sure you comment on the post of the giveaway you wish to win to be entered correctly!*

Barn Owl Primitives Giveaway

  *Giveaway now closed*

Whew! We did it guys, we got through a WHOLE DAY of Giveaways! You have no idea how much fun this was for me. :) Since I loved every shop that was included in the giveaway I can't say that I saved the best for last but I definitely want it to go out with a bang.

Here's your bang.

You know who Barn Owl Primitives is right?

If you don't you are SERIOUSLY missing out. She has amazing signs. Like AH-MAZING.

You know how excited I was when she said she'd offer up something in the giveaway? Super excited.

Then, to make things even better she sent me a birthday present! Oh my goodness guys I had tears, a birthday gift from someone I've never met, across the united states. :) LOVE. love love.

 Camera phone pic, yes please. That's how excited I was, Vanna White photos to my husband when I got it.

It keeps moving around my house, so I'll show you a full picture when I know *for sure* where it will stay (it just goes with everything!) but for now, look at it, and love. 

Today she wants to give one of YOU a "You are my sunshine" Sign.

Yay! Some BOP for yourself, aren't you excited?!

Want to know how you can win? Let me tell you the ways!

These are all optional, you can do one or you can do all of them just be sure to leave separate comments letting me know each time so it's easier for random.org to choose a winner!

1.)Leave a comment, any comment.

2.) Head on over to BOP and let me know what your SECOND favorite sign is, right after the You are my sunshine of course. :)

3.) Check out BOP on facebook and follow along.

Little Miss Momma Giveaway

 *Giveaway now closed*

Why hello blogger superstar, how are you?

You all know Little Miss Momma right? I mean she's only got a bazillion followers and is super famous and all, not to mention has a shop with tons of delish items.

She's also super cute did you know that?

Told you.

I purchased her 'Stash necklace a while back and oh my goodness I love it. It's quirky it's fun, and I'm pretty sure no one else in Michigan has one. Holla. I do love me some unique necklaces and this is it, super cute.

I was channeling my inner Ashley here. Ignore the horrible lighting and well the few extra poundage and my hoodie. ;) Miss Rachelle likes comfort okay? :)

Today Ashley wants to giveaway a 'Stash necklace to one of you! Yay! We'll be twinsies.

Want to know how you can win? Let me tell you the ways!

These are all optional, you can do one or you can do all of them just be sure to leave separate comments letting me know each time so it's easier for random.org to choose a winner!

1.)Leave a comment, any comment.

2.) Head on over to Ashley's blog and follow along

3.)What's your SECOND favorite item after the mustache necklace of course. :)

Catching up? Hippo Ink

Next up..and Final..Barn Owl Primitives! Whoop whoop!