BE MY GUEST: 10 Summer Projects by bliss bloom {blog}

Hi Everyone! I hope you're having a great week. I'm Melanie and I share craft and creative ideas at bliss bloom {blog}. A big "Thank You" to Carolyn for inviting me over! homework is one of my favorite creative blogs and I love all of the innovative ideas and beautifully crafted projects that are shared here.

Let's talk about Summer... I'm not sure if it's just me, but crafting in the Summer is sometimes a challenge. There are just a few holidays to craft around and, for me personally, with my kids out of school, my blog time is usually pre-empted by family time. Honestly though, this is a good thing because stepping away from routine usually gets the creative juices flowing. Right? So now is a great time to think outside the box and try out new materials and ideas.

Here's a Round-Up of some of my favorite Summer Projects--

photo vases | egg carton succulent + roses | lyrics stenciled pillow | milk jug water lilies + votives | fern coasters | alcohol ink vases | craft punch journals | stone trivet | flag table runner | water color banner card

The Inspiration Board: Spotlight 160 & Unique Ideas Inspiration

Hello friends. I’ve been in and out and now I’m on my way to Houston, Texas for my son’s big volleyball junior nationals. I’ll be back soon and have more great guest bloggers lined up to share their amazing projects with you. A huge thank you to all of you who visited, shared their projects on The Inspiration Board and giant hugs to my guest bloggers this past week.

If you didn’t get a chance to stop by, here’s what my guest bloggers shared.

Raspberry Coconut Lollies {Twigg Studios}  |  Poured Painted Vase {Little Red Window}  |  Diaper Babies {BeBetsy}

And now for the projects in the Spotlight this week.

BE MY GUEST: Diaper Babies by BeBetsy

Welcome today’s guest: BeBetsy, sharing these adorable diaper babies.

Diaper Babies make the cutest baby shower gift! We have a huge family with lots of babies, every first-time mom always gets a box of these cuties from Aubrie and me! They are easy to make and adorable.

They are also completely usable.

Those pictured are for girls but we have made cute boy Diaper Babies as well. You can find mini argyle socks or plaid baby socks that just make you laugh out loud when you see them. You can still do ribbon or shoelaces or.... be creative!

BE MY GUEST: Poured Paint Vase by Little Red Window

Hi everyone! I'm Cassie from Little Red Window, I am a former architect, craft addict, artist, Etsy shop owner and mom to one very busy preschooler. I was so excited when Carolyn asked me to guest post while she's on vacation and I thought I'd share one of my favorite projects with you today! It all started when I realized I had too many boring florist vases. You know, the free ones that come when you get sent flowers?


It's not that I get sent flowers a lot but after 15 years of living on my own (omg, that makes me feel old!) and some big life events like having a baby and a death in the family, we'd acquired quite a few and I got a little tired of looking at them. I can rarely leave anything be for too long in our house. So I tried a quick little spruce and now these simple (and free!) florist vases are some of my favorite things on my shelves!

The Inspiration Board: Creative Party 160 & A Grilled Asparagus Sandwich

FROM MY ARCHIVES | Grilled Asparagus Sandwich

Hello friends! I’m going to be away for awhile and busy getting ready. Laundry, packing and a million other details. I’m traveling with my son’s club volleyball team for Junior Olympics. Did I mention I was the team mom/chaperone? Yup, I’ll be taking care of a team of 18-year olds. This will be my last year traveling with the team as my son’s club volleyball career comes to an end. Wish me luck, it will be exhausting and a bit emotional.

I’m leaving you in good hands and have some wonderful guest posts lined up. I reached out to some of the most talented and creative bloggers who graciously are sharing here on homework. In fact, so many responded that even when I get back, I’ll still be sharing guest posts while I “recover” from my trip.
Now are you ready to share your amazing creativity?

BE MY GUEST: Raspberry Coconut Lollies by Twigg Studios

Hello Friends! I’m in and out traveling a lot lately. I was in Anaheim, CA the past three weekends (no, not at Disneyland), Irvine, CA two weeks ago at my son’s new college and this past weekend another three days in Anaheim (no, not at Disneyland – sad face). I’m barely going to have time to do laundry and then I’m heading to Houston, Texas for my son’s big Junior National competition. Seriously, I don’t know if I’m coming or going lately. In the meantime, I’ve lined up some of the most talented and creative bloggers to share their amazing projects with you.

First up is Aimee from Twigg Studios. To say I’m a fan of Aimee’s culinary skills is a huge understatement. Aimee creates amazing dishes and then presents them to us like beautiful artwork. She has a signature look and I can spot one of her creations easily.

Today Aimee is sharing these Raspberry Coconut Lollies with us. Enjoy!

Aimee is from Devon in England. She shares crafts and recipes at Twigg Studios which is her passion.

EXTRA CREDIT: Party Favor Ideas on Hometalk

Hello and happy weekend friends. I’m sneaking in an extra post this week because I curated this fun board on Hometalk. Have you heard of Hometalk? Most likely you have. Hometalk is the largest home and garden forum on the web. They receive millions and millions of page views a month. If you’re not a member, you should join. It’s a place where homeowners, bloggers and home professionals share ideas, ask questions and give advice. There are tons of tutorials relating to “anything” home.

The Inspiration Board: Spotlight 159 & Red White & Blue Inspiration

Welcome friends new and old! We did it. We made it through another week of crafty fun. I’m getting ready to head out of town next week but I have loads of fun things lined up for you while I’m away. How about you? Have you been busier than ever or are you on summer slow-down pace? Either way, I hope you’re having a great summer so far.  if you didn’t have a chance to swing by this week, here’s what I shared.

Birdseed Wedding Toss in Eggshells  |  Craft Supplies on Etsy  |  Dress Up a Plastic Pot by Martha Stewart Living

And now for the projects in the spotlight this week.

NOTIONS: Craft Supplies on Etsy

One of my favorite places to find inspiration and craft supplies is Etsy. It’s my go to place if I need a specific item or a small amount of something. Etsy has an entire craft supply category and it’s fantastic. Paper straws, no problem. You can find them in a rainbow of colors. I needed them for a project and didn’t want to run all over town so I ordered them from Etsy. The same with glassine bags. You can order these in bulk or source them from another store, but on Etsy I can pretty much find any size and any quantity I want.

I’ve rounded up a few of my favorite items. I’ve shopped at some of the stores that I’m featuring but not all of them. However, all the shops featured here today have hundreds if not thousands of positive reviews.

CELEBRATIONS: Wedding Birdseed in Eggshells

Hello friends! Wedding season is here and I have an easy wedding idea that is budget friendly but on-trend. Wedding Birdseed to toss at the bride and groom. Tossing rice at newlyweds comes from an ancient tradition. It symbolized abundance and fertility. In recent years it was rumored that the rice left on the ground was harmful to birds. I’ve heard that this isn’t true but birdseed has become a popular replacement and I’m sure it’s much better for the birds and critters that clean up our mess.

The Inspiration Board: Creative Party 159 and a Yarn Flower Sweater

FROM MY ARCHIVES | Yarn Flower Embellished Sweater

Hello everyone! Welcome to The Inspiration Board Creative Party. We’re a little more than halfway through June with the official start of summer very soon. I’m ready for some beach weather. Here in Southern California we have to suffer through what’s called June Gloom, these are overcast mornings with the sun peaking through in the afternoon. Are you in full summer-mode? Kid’s activities, lazy days, vacations? Or have you been busy sprinkling summer throughout your house? Starfish, buoys, and sand dollars? I can’t wait to see your summer inspiration.

HOMEWORK - READING: Martha Stewart Living

Hello friends! I’m always excited to share beautiful inspiration from Martha Steward Living. The June issue is brimming with beautiful summer ideas, décor and creativity.

The Inspiration Board: Spotlight 158 & Simple Pleasures Inspiration

Hello friends! Happy Friday the 13th. Are you superstitious? I’m not… today is going to be wonderful. After all, it’s Friday! Woo hoo. Thank you to everyone who stopped by this week. I can’t tell you how happy it makes me that you pop in here and visit me. In case you didn’t have a chance to visit, here’s what I shared this week.

Shooting Star Patriotic Napkin Rings  |  Pomegranate & Blueberry Ice  |  Mollie Makes Making It! Book Review & Giveaway

And now for the projects in the spotlight this week.

GOOD TASTE: Pomegranate Blueberry Ice | Pomegranate Ice Part 3

Hello friends! This is the third in my pomegranate series or pomegranate mania! You can see my Lemonade Pomegranate Ice here and my Pomegranate Mini Ice Cubes here. This one is my favorite and would be perfect for any upcoming patriotic festivities.

HOMEWORK - READING: Mollie Makes MAKING IT! Book Review

Hello friends. Chances are if you’re here visiting at homework, you like creative ideas and are most likely crafty in some way. Maybe it’s scrapbooking or sewing. Crocheting or knitting? Perhaps you have your own blog or are considering starting an Etsy Shop. And unless you are lucky enough to have a background in business, it’s often difficult to turn your passion into a successful money-making business.

The Inspiration Board: Creative Party 158 {and rice paper flower tacks}

FROM MY ARCHIVES | Rice Paper Flower Tacks

Hello friends! So happy to see you. Are you ready to share your amazing creativity? I know I’m ready to be inspired. So what have you been working on; weddings, Father’s Day cards and gifts, summer gardens, nautical décor or maybe a big room renovation? Whatever it is, I can’t wait to see it.

CELEBRATIONS: Patriotic Shooting Star Napkin Rings

I have such a fun project to share with you today – just in time for a Fourth of July celebration. These Patriotic Shooting Star Napkin Rings will add a touch of some red, white & blue to your table.

The Inspiration Board: Creative Party 157 Spotlight & Very Berry Inspiration

TGIF friends! Are you on summer vacation? Or should I say, are your kids on summer vacation? Yes, it’s that wonderful time of year when the kids are done with school. No more brown bag lunches to make, nagging about homework, carpool duties and dozens of calendars and schedules hanging on the refrigerator. High fives and fist bumps!

Thank you to all of you who stopped by this week to visit, comment or share projects. I appreciate each and every one of you! If you didn’t have a chance to drop in, here’s what I shared.

Pomegranate Mini Ice Cubes  |  Driftwood Inspiration Round Up  |  Father’s Day Sandpaper Gift Tags

And now for the projects featured in the Spotlight this week.

CELEBRATIONS: True Grit | Sandpaper Father’s Day Tags

Father’s Day is just around the corner and these super quick and easy sandpaper gift tags would be perfect for a handy dad.

AU NATURALE: Creative Ideas Using Driftwood

Hello friends! I live very close to the beach but one thing that I never see is driftwood. I would love to find a beach where driftwood was plentiful and I could bring home armloads of this beautiful naturally made goodie. Let me know if you know of any good beaches in Southern California where you can find driftwood. I’d love to make some of these projects that I’ve rounded up.

The Inspiration Board: Creative Party 157

FROM MY ARCHIVES  :   Save the Date in a Tube

Hello friends! Welcome to The Inspiration Board. June has arrived and wedding season is in full swing. It’s also officially time to break out the beach and coastal décor and all things summer. Are you as excited about summer as I am? I guess I’ll be able to tell by the projects that are linked up this week. I can’t wait to see what you’ve been up to. If you’re new to homework, leave me a comment and let me know. I love meeting new friends and visiting new sites.

GOOD TASTE: Pomegranate Mini Ice Cubes | Pomegranate Ice Part 2

Hello friends! Last week I shared some super refreshing pomegranate lemonade ice cubes and today in part 2 of my pomegranate series I’ve made some Pomegranate Mini Ice Cubes.