Linking up with The Crafted Sparrow #9

Welcome to this weeks edition of 
Linking up with The Crafted Sparrow.  

We had some great things linked up last week, I can't wait to see what you all have to link up this week.  Let's get down to business and let me show you my Top Picks from last week.  Also don't forget to tell everyone there is a party happening here and I'd love for them to link up!

I love this DIY Planter Box that Claire from A Little Something in the Meantime...created.  So cute.  This would be perfect under a flat screen tv even in a larger version, or in a window in the kitchen with and herb garden planted.  

Mason Jar Planter Box

Check out this awesome garland idea from Trish over at Uncommon Designs.  I love it.

Tissue Paper Tassel Garland

Thanks to all of you that linked up there were some great ideas last week.  Can't wait to see what you all have in store this week.  We almost made it to 20 links.  If you were featured please feel free to grab a button from the home page and share the news. 

  

Now on to this week's party!  You know the rules...only link directly to your blog tutorials and ideas, no giveaway links please or etsy shops. 

10 Great Summer DIY Maxi Dress & Skirt Tutorials

Since one of this summer continued trends are Maxi dresses & skirts I thought I would share some DIY's from around blogland with you all.  From my understanding {since I don't usually sew clothing} this is a pretty easy piece of clothing to achieve.  So break out all that knit and get sewing.

DIY Maxi Skirt

Maxi Tank Dress

DIY Boho Maxi Dress

Little Girl Summer Maxi Dress

DIY Vintage Maxi Dress

Maxi Skirt

Bed Sheet turned Maxi Skirt

Haltered Drawstring Maxi Dress

Twisted Strap Maxi

Drawstring Tube Top Maxi Dress

J La La Hat Giveaway Winner Announced!!!

The winner of the J La La hat giveaway is

REBECCA TRESLER

Congratulations Rebecca!  

I hope you enjoy your new hat from J La La.  

Don't forget you guys can contact Jenna at J La La if your interested in having her make you your very own hat.  Also keep your eyes open for her Etsy shop re-opening and the new products she'll have available soon.  Thank you again to all who entered!  

15 - Tasty Summer Popsicle Recipes

Now that the temperatures are officially above the 100's here in Arizona I thought it would only be appropriate to start the summer off right with some delicious popsicle recipes.  You could really freeze anything from juice to carefully planned mixtures.  A popsicle is always a treat with my kids. 

Nutella Fudgesicles

Frozen Jello Pops

Rainbow Pudding Pops

Strawberry Banana Pops

Frozen Fruit & Yogurt Pops

Honeydew & Lime Popsicles

Orange Cream Pops

Macchiato Pops

Creamy Chocolate Fudgsicles

Samoa Popsicles

Firecracker Ice Pops

Watermelon Pops

Rootbeer Float Popsicles

Horchata Pops

Strawberry Lemonade Pops

And a clever way to let your kids eat those popsicles in a mess free way...

Hope you enjoy and have a tasty summer!

Summer Fun Checklist

I thought it would be fun to create a checklist of Summer Fun activities for my son this year.  I wanted to share it with all of you as well.  There are 31 activities that can be accomplished through out the course of summer break at your leisure.  Feel free to print out a copy for yourself and laminate it even so you can use it from year to year.  I thought I would include some of the websites that will help you with some of the items on the checklist, you can find a list of resources at the bottom of this page.  I hope you enjoy and have a wonderful Summer break with your kiddo's!

Click on the link below to print your copy.  It will print in 8.5" x 11" format.  You can copy and paste it as a picture to change the size if you want to frame it so you can use it with dry erase markers.  Laminating will allow you to use dry erase markers too.  

{p.s. it doesn't print this goofy line that you see here, I don't know why it's showing up here}

Summer Checklist Printable

Resources for having a fun summer:

* How to make spongeballs

* Write a letter to a soldier

* Homemade Gak recipe

* Bubble station

* Science experiments

* How to make ice cream in a bag

* DIY pvc sprinkler fun

* DIY Fort Kit

This post is linked up at:
Today's Creative Blog

Memorial Day ...

Happy Memorial Day!

While today is a fun day off of work for some, and a day where families get together to celebrate with bbq's and outdoor activities I hope you all take a moment today to lift up in prayer our countries Service Men & Women who are proudly and very bravely defending our country.  Take a moment and also pray for our Nation, the leadership of our Nation and those families who have suffered loss while their loved ones served this country.  

I am so thankful to all those who have served this country with honor.  I am thankful to my mom who so proudly served in the Army, and have numerous friends who are still serving and have served in these current wars.  My sincere thanks goes out to them all.  

I hope you all have a safe & incredibly blessed day with your families!

DIY Summer Tote Bag

The other day I posted the gift I made for Corbyn's teacher as an end of year thank you gift.  See Here.  I decided at the very last minute the other night to make my own tote bag since I couldn't find one that was inexpensive and cute.  I have to apologize greatly though for these photos you will see.  They are dark, some may be blurry since I was rushing and well I'm terrible at photography.  You'll at least get the general idea of how to make the tote, it's not hard at all.

Linking up with The Crafted Sparrow #8

It's Friday and school is out for Summer here!  Yay.  Well in about a week I might not be saying Yay so much, but for today...it's totally a Yay!  Not sure my kids will like that today is a cleaning day though!  I hope the rest of you have a beautiful Friday and weekend.  Now let's get to the party...

Here are my Top Picks from last weeks party:

My #1 Pick was this adorable valance made by Bethany over at Pitter & Glink.  Yes I already featured her craft room, but I was in love with this valance.  I love the scissors on it mixed with the fancy flourish stencil, such a great idea.  Yet another reason I need a Silhouette!  

Pitter & Glink

Next up is this really sweet dip dyed fabric garland from Uncommon Designs.  I've wanted to dip dye stuff for a while, Trish has a great tutorial.  

Uncommon Designs Online

And last but not least was this little 3 drawer organizer makeover at Shabby Sweet Tea.  I've seen these decorator drawers at Ross numerous times, and even though I love the bold colors they usually come in they don't match my decor.  This is a great way to update them to match any decor.

Shabby Sweet Tea

Thanks to all of you that linked up there were some great ideas last week.  Can't wait to see what you all have in store this week.  We almost made it to 20 links.  If you were featured please feel free to grab a button from the home page and share the news. 

  

Now on to this week's party!  You know the rules...only link directly to your blog tutorials and ideas, no giveaway links please or etsy shops. 

Last minute Teacher Gift for a year well done!

Today is Corbyn's last day of 2nd Grade!  Oh my!  Anyway I waited until yesterday to finalize a gift idea for his teacher.  I love to show my appreciation to his teachers.  So I decided to fill a tote with some summer goodies to get her summer started right!  

{Note:  These pictures are terrible since it's really 12am as I'm writing this post and took the pictures at 10pm}

First I picked up all the goodies to fill the tote bag with.  I bought a beach towel, flip flops, sunscreen, nail polish {coral}, a magazine, crystal light margarita mix, honey wheat pretzels, pina colada gum, and peach ring candy {mostly for her daughters}.  Next I went looking for an inexpensive tote bag to fill with the items, but couldn't find one that I liked for around $5.  So I decided to attempt it and make my own.  I've never made one before.  I used no pattern, just did it.  I had lucked out a couple weeks ago at Goodwill and found this twill fabric for a $1.99 and it was perfect.  I added some teal accent fabric to the straps to help add a pop of color.  I added some felt flowers on hair clips that can be switched out and attached them to the strap to give the tote an extra pop of color.  

I love how it turned out and I have to say that I did a great job with the tote.  Success in sewing is huge for me...mostly because I stink at sewing...but it seems my skills are slowly improving.

I will be sharing the tutorial for this tote bag on Friday.  So stay tuned.

J La La Hat Giveaway - EXTENDED!

After talking with Jenna from J La La we have decided to extend the giveaway for another week!  Sweet!  That means that you folks still have time to spread the word and enter!  Please help some girls out and let's get J La La's facebook page closer to her 1000 "like" goal.  And help me out, I'm only 3 GFC readers away from 400...obviously I'd love to surpass that number greatly but even if I hit 400 I'd feel super stoked!  You guys are awesome so I know we can count on you all to get the word out.  So here are all the details for the giveaway again...

Jenna Tamburrelli is the creator and owner of J La La.

Welcome to J La La, A Unique, Custom, Sometimes a bit Edgy, Accessory Design Studio!  

I started this business because I felt there were too many fashions out there that were all too much alike.  I wanted something different for myself and wanted to offer it to other fashion lovers!  All the items in my shop are handmade by me and have my heart, soul and passion for fashion in them.

Check out some of J La La's amazing hats!

Jenna has graciously offered to sponsor a giveaway for one of her new hat designs.  She is giving one lucky reader the new "Peace" hat in their choice of hat color and print color.  Here is a peak of all the print options for the hat.  

Want to be the lucky winner of one of J La La's hats?

You must complete all 5 possible entries to qualify!  

Here's what you need to do:

a Rafflecopter giveaway