Friday, June 29, 2012

The Inspiration Board: link party spotlight ~56~

Happy Friday everyone! Are you in full summer mode?

Thank you so much to everyone who came by and shared their creativity on the Inspiration Board this week. I’m always amazed at all the wonderful ideas, recipes, home décor, crafts and more that are linked up. If you stopped by to visit, I hope you found some creative inspiration on the board.


Here are a few projects in the spotlight this week.
   
b A beautiful card by Sandy’s Space. I love the wood grain [faux bois] cardstock and the use of baker’s twine.

 
Anthro coat rack top Transformations from the Heart took a plain coat rack and created an Anthropoligie-inspired version. So unique! Note: the Anthro version sells for almost $1,000. 

 
img_7792bCheck out Hey Little Mother’s tutorial on how to print directly onto a drop cloth. Drop clothes are all the rage for using in home décor and crafting. I love the word art she created using just a regular printer.


bed wall 7Creatively Living shows us how to inexpensively create focal points on walls and decorate on a budget. Eye spy a branch, a door and so much more!

 
IMG_2132D – E – L – I – G – H – T …  Can you read the rest of this wonderful eye chart by Design Dining & Diapers? A great customizable décor piece or gift item.


Pink-Lemonade-Party-4_thumbWhat a sweet party by Cherished Bliss. A pink lemonade theme with lots of pink and lemony treats. Sweet!

 
bwooden-spoons-064logoI love the black and white take on these dipped spoons by Pleasure in Simple Things. The fun part is the dipped end is created using plastidip which creates a rubber coating. Functional and fun!

 
77 bd thread dogs dylan 043Soft and cuddly baby gifts by Oxford Impressions. Beautiful fabric choices make these gifts all the more special.

 
Star Spangled Gumdrops, Fourth of July Recipes, July 4th picnic food, treats, sweets, desserts, star shaped candy The Fourth of July is around the corner and these red, white and blue gumdrops by Hungry Happenings would be the perfect sugary explosion.
 
Features 56_CanadaWe can’t forget our friends in Canada! Canada Day falls on July 1st. Fun Canada Day bunting by Vixen Made. And Maple Leaf cookies by Crafting and Creativity. Happy Canada Day to all my Canadian friends.



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This week on the Inspiration Pinboard

Features 56
~ Vintage Inspiration ~
1. Vintage Downspout Planter – Reposhture   |   2. Red Garden Ladder – Cupcakes and Crinoline   |   3. Vintage Carnival Party – Lauren Rebecca


 
If you were in the spotlight, please feel free to grab a button.
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Thank you again to everyone who linked a project and to everyone who came to visit. I loved looking at all the projects and visiting your sites.



Carolyn
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Thursday, June 28, 2012

Celebrations: patriotic firecracker straws


If you’re pressed for time here’s a quick and easy way to add a touch of red, white and blue to your Fourth of July.



Firecracker straws will make any beverage more fun and exciting.



These are milk shake straws. They’re extra wide to help with those extra thick shakes.



For these fire cracker straws, I used white crepe paper and some red paper from my stash. Fringe the paper and wrap it around the top of the straw. Use some twine to tie it off.




Make an extra thick shake and enjoy!
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Thanks for visiting.
Carolyn

I link at the wonderful parties listed here and 
UndertheTableandDreaming Tip Junkie handmade projects Photobucket Photobucket Photobucket 

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Fresh Look: diy faux fenton hobnail milk glass



I love vintage milk glass. I wish I had a collection of hobnail milk glass to display in an open cabinet.


Blog Hobnail-001Vintage Fenton Milk Glass - Photo source

The photos in the collage above are some pieces of vintage Fenton Art Glass. Here’s a little history about the Fenton Art Glass Company:

Founded in 1905 by brothers Frank L. and John W. Fenton, the Fenton Art Glass Company ranks among the world's foremost producers of handmade art glass. Fenton is the largest manufacturer of handmade colored glass in the United States, and the company is renowned for innovative glass colors as well as handpainted decorations on pressed and blown glassware.

In 2005, the Fenton Art Glass Company celebrated its 100th anniversary. The firm is now led by third- and fourth-generation Fenton family members, who work side by side with over 100 employees, including skilled glassworkers and decorators, to create beautiful, handmade art glass in Williamstown, West Virginia.

 
Until I start my collection of vintage milk glass, I thought I’d try a diy version using a method I’ve seen many times on craft sites and blogs.

Blog Hobnail
To make the hobnails you need craft puffy paint. I bought this puffy paint almost a year ago with the intention of making this project and then forgot about it. I thought I bought white but apparently I grabbed glow in the dark puffy paint. My knock off Fenton will probably be glowing at night… oh well.

To make a faux hobnail vase, start with a clean piece of glass and dot on your puffy paint. The paint takes about 4 hours to dry but I let mine dry overnight. Once your puffy paint is dry, cover the entire glass with several light coats of white spray paint. Finish with a coat of gloss clear spray paint.



Now, I’m sure the artisans at Fenton would be laughing at my attempt at milk glass hobnail but I’m quite thrilled with it.



Add some pretty flowers that you borrowed from a neighbor…



and enjoy!



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Thanks for visiting.
Carolyn




I link at the wonderful parties listed here and 

The DIY Club

UndertheTableandDreaming Tip Junkie handmade projects Photobucket Photobucket Photobucket 
Fox Hollow Cottage

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Inspiration: dream vacation

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


Shell Inspiration
Have you planned your summer vacation yet? Vacations not only create lasting family memories but they’re a great way to rest, relax and refuel your creativity.

A favorite source of inspiration for me is the beach. Several of my projects {above} draw from shells and natural beachy elements. Since I live by the beach on the west coast, I could just plan a stay-cation but in order to really rest and relax, I need to get away.
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The vacation I’m dreaming about is a trip to Florida. The beaches in Florida are gorgeous – all 825 miles of them. That’s a lot of beach - I just need a tiny spot of sand and I’ll be happy.


Right now, VISIT FLORIDA  has an amazing giveaway for a dream vacation – actually 3 dream vacations in Florida’s Three for Free Giveaway.
VisitFloridaCopy.doc

When you enter the giveaway, you select 3 of the following vacation options:
1.         Swim with manatees
2.         Tennis lovers gourmet getaway
3.         Explore Natural Florida
4.         Family Adventure
5.         Be a space cowboy on Florida’s Space Coast
6.         Train dolphins with the pros at Miami Seaquarium
7.         The Breakers Palm Beach
8.         Ultimate Spa-cation
9.         Play on three championship golf courses
10.       Classic family beach vacation
11.       See Florida’s rich past come alive
12.       Chart a course for fantastic offshore fishing

One grand prize winner will win all 3 selected vacations and 9 additional winners will win one vacation. I entered and I’m already dreaming about my vacation.
Florida 1

The three vacations that I selected are; Explore Natural Florida at The Breakers Palm Beach, the Classic Family Beach Vacation at the TradeWinds Island Resorts and the Spa-cation at the PGA National Resort.

What are your vacation plans or dreams? Why not enter Florida’s Three for Free Giveawayfor a chance to win your dream vacation! The contest runs through June 30th and you can enter daily! You can also find more information on VISIT FLORIDA on Facebook.



Thanks for visiting.
Carolyn 



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The Inspiration Board: link party 56

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Happy Tuesday! Today is my favorite bloggy day of the week because it’s the Inspiration Board link party day. Thank you for stopping by and joining the fun. Whether you’re a regular linker, new to the party or just stopping by to visit – I’m so happy that you’re here.

Enjoy the party!  I’ll be going through the projects and featuring some in the spotlight on Friday.


A few rules:
  • Link up your own project - something you created, made, did, etc.
  • Link to a specific post, not your blog home page
  • No shops or giveaways –[I have a new Link Party just for giveaways – see the Giveaway Link Party tab at the top of the page.]
  • Grab a “homework” button and include it somewhere on the post you’re linking, on your home page or a page of link parties. Or, if you prefer, add a text link.
  • Follow homework.  You’ll find the “Follow via Google Friend Connect” gadget on the right sidebar.
  • Please visit the other links that intrigue you and make someone smile with a comment or two.

I’m ready to be inspired - don’t forget to add my button somewhere on your blog. Spreading the word helps bring more visitors to your linked project.


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Want to host your own link party? Click here to sign up for InLinkz