Sharing Saturday - Pinterest....the good and the bad

Pinterest.  Not long ago it wasn't even a term.  Now it's huge.  Pinterest has made a massive impact on the blogging world.  I thought it would be fun to have a little discussion about it with all of you.  What's your take on Pinterest?

I'll get the conversation started.  Here are my immediate thoughts.

the GOOD:

1) Traffic.  Obviously traffic is good for everyone with a blog or web site.  People are finding your blog when they might never have before.  That rocks.

2) Giving the smaller blogs a good launch pad.  When I first started blogging I looked at those big blogs and wondered how I'd ever be seen.  I think Pinterest gives you a shot you might never have had.  A really great project can get spread like wildfire.

3) It's just plain fun.  Who doesn't love looking over their pretty little pin board or sifting through gorgeous images of clothing, beaches, or adorable baby animals?

4) A plethora of ideas.  It's so awesome to be able to look for inspiration there.  It's like someone sifted out most of the ugly, weird stuff you'd find doing a search on google because everything on Pinterest has been pinned because someone really liked it.  It makes for a pretty amazing search engine.

the BAD:

Git 'Er Done - Day Four AND Link Party

Alright!  Today is the day to show me what YOU have been doing this week to git 'er done.  I can't wait to see what you've been tackling working on.

For my last project I cleaned out my closet and took a load to D.I.  I tried to get rid of things I haven't worn in a year, forcing myself to be more honest about what I really need to keep.

Git 'Er Done - Day Three

So, as I mentioned last week, this week will be "Git 'Er Done Week."  That means I'm going to tackle a lot of things I'm been meaning to do for a while.  They aren't glamorous, but sometimes you just gotta git 'er done.  

Another confession.  I don't know how to clean my sewing machine.  Correction.  I didn't know until I found THIS TUTORIAL from Dog Named Banjo and pinned it.

So I followed the tutorial step by step and guess what?

Wake Up Wednesday

Before we get started there are two things I wanted to mention.

1) Today is the last day to take advantage of the Silhouette deal.  Read about it HERE.  Us the code "ROAR."

2) Thank you all SO MUCH all you kind people from Indianapolis who chimed in to help my sister learn about the area.  You made it sound so good that you made me want to move there!  If I didn't respond to your email personally, I'm sorry.  I DID forward them all to my sister though.  If she didn't respond to each one it's because she has a 2 week old baby and is a bit tied up.  She has really appreciated your help though.

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Last week's challenge was to celebrate someone else's accomplishments.  My sweet mother-in-law officially retired last week, so we threw her a surprise party.  She actually was really surprised, which was pretty fun.  She is an amazing lady and we all had a good time celebrating her.  I just wish I had taken more picture of the event.

[Source]

This week's challenge goes right along with git 'er done week.  Do something you've been putting off.  That's it.  As I mentioned yesterday, we'll have a link party on Friday so you can all show off what you've been working on.  It feels so good to get things done!

Alright.  That's it for today!  See you tomorrow with another thing I've put off for a while.  Thanks for reading.

Git 'Er Done - Day Two

So, as I mentioned last week, this week will be "Git 'Er Done Week."  That means I'm going to tackle a lot of things I'm been meaning to do for a while.  They aren't glamorous, but sometimes you just gotta git 'er done.  

Our garage is kind of nasty.  I know, that's what most garages are like.  However there's a wooden stairway into the house that I vowed to paint as soon as we moved into the house.  That, my friends, was three and a half years ago.  Well, yesterday was the day.  Yesterday we had some bad weather.  It was cold and it snowed.  I thought about waiting for a sunny day when the kids could play outside while I painted.  Then I thought, "It's now or never Cherdog.  Suck it up."  I have to be a little forceful with myself.  It is git 'er done week, you know.

So here are the disgusting before shots.

 

Git 'Er Done - Day One

So, as I mentioned last week, this week will be "Git 'Er Done Week."  That means I'm going to tackle a lot of things I'm been meaning to do for a while.  They aren't glamorous, but sometimes you just gotta git 'er done.  

We had a little family party this weekend, which was a great way to kick off git 'er done week.  Why?  Because nothing gives you the nudge to clean up like having people over.  Am I right?  Yeah.  So, here's what I've done so far.

Sunshine Sunday - motherhood my style

I've been a mother now for almost five years.  It has stretched me in a billion different ways.  I think it takes a while to figure the whole motherhood thing out, and while I'm definitely still learning and have a long way to go I feel like in the last year I've kind of gotten a better grasp on it.

You see, there are a lot of different ways to do one thing.  Did you know there are even multiple ways to eat a banana?

At first you kind of think there are these set rules of how to do things properly.  And I happen to be a rule-following person.

Soapbox Saturday - Cassie's House for Sale

So you know how I've showed you my sister's cute remodeled home?  Well, I have wonderful and horrible news.  She's moving.  Yup.  That IS the wonderful and horrible news.  Her husband got a great new job far, far away and they have to sell their adorable home.  I thought I'd post it here before the sign goes up, just to see if they could possibly sell it themselves.  I know you guys loved the series on her home and I thought maybe one of you or someone you know might be looking of a home in Sandy, UT.

Also, we need your help.  Do any of you live in Indianapolis and know the area well?  How about Carmel specifically?  If you do could you PLEASE drop me an email?  That would be awesome.  You'll be the hero of my day.

Okay, so back to the house.  Remember it?  The family room....

....the kitchen....

Feature Friday - lace painted mason jars

I have had more craft fails this week than ever.  Really.  I tried to make myself a skirt this week and it was the most unflattering thing I've ever put on.  I spent a couple of hours on it, too.  Bummer.  So, for my second attempt at Feature Friday I opted for a really simple project that I couldn't screw up. 

 I pinned this cool jar HERE on Pinterest a while ago.  The original source is HERE.

The Grass is Always Greener Sign and a Silhouette Promo

Before I show you the project for the day I wanted to tell you about a Silhouette promotion going on from now until March 28th.  Here's the deal:

You get 1 Silhouette CAMEO and 1 Silhouette Studio Designer Edition Software for  $269.99 (MSRP $350)!  Click the picture to go to the deal and use the promo code "ROAR."    OR, if you already own the Cameo, you can buy the software for 50% off!

Features of the Design Edition Software:

Silhouette Studio® Designer Edition contains all the same functionality as Silhouette Studio® plus the following designer features:

• Ability to open, manipulate, and cut .svg files
• Rhinestone tools to convert designs into rhinestone templates and create your own rhinestone designs
• Sketch tools to convert designs into several styles of sketchable art
• Creative knife tools to allow you to clip designs using different patterns
• Enhanced eraser set to modify designs with more precision
• Built-in ruler and guide lines for precise alignment and drawing

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Today I wanted to show you a project I just used my Cameo to create.  Remember the quote you guys shared with me on Saturday?  I liked it so much I made a sign.  (There were a few different versions of the quote, so I went with this one.)

Wake Up Wednesday

Last week's challenge was to do something you don't naturally enjoy doing for someone else.  Well, honestly I don't enjoy cooking so I made dinner for my sister who's still recovering from having her baby. She always has to have C-sections, so her recovery is long and slow.  I dropped off some enchiladas.  She couldn't handle Mexican food while pregnant, but now she's back :)

[Source - eighteen25]

This week's challenge is to celebrate someone else's accomplishments.  They may be small or big ones, but let's find a way to congratulate someone.  Maybe your niece got a great report card.  Maybe a co-worker got a promotion.  Maybe your child learned something new.  Find the good and celebrate it.  

So, did anyone do something they don't enjoy for someone else?  Let's hear about it.  Wake Up Wednesday comments are always my very favorite ones to read.  Thanks for joining in!

Candle Makeover

My mom always taught me that you can paint anything.  As I've been redoing the front room I ended up painting it as well.  After repainting it the candles I had in there didn't match.  

I looked for new ones, but I didn't want to drop $25 on new candles that I technically never burn, so I went home and painted the existing ones.  Perfect match and free.  I like free.

Alphabet Scavenger Hunt

A couple of weeks ago I had my nephew over and I was trying to come up with some fun activities for them to do outside.  I think it's really important to get some fresh air, but sometimes it can be hard to think of things to do outside before the weather's actually nice.  

So, I made up a little scavenger hunt for them.  This is super easy to do and it kept them busy and happy for a while. I drew the whole alphabet on the cement with chalk.  

Sunshine Sunday - squinkies, nieces, and you

1-3) Rex has been obsessed with Squinkies lately.  They are these squishy little figurines and he has the super hero pack.  He takes them everywhere and just loves them.  There's a small hole on the bottom of them and he figured out how to get them to stick to his finger like a suction cup.  Well, it didn't take too long until he realized he could get one to stick to his chin.  He sported a sweet Squinkie-hickie this week and it made me giggle every time I saw him.

Soapbox Saturday - The Grass is Pretty Green Right Here

Today I wanted to talk about something that's been rolling around my head a lot.  It has nothing to do with crafting.  It's about something bigger than that.  It's about an idea.  I think we tend to learn the same lessons in life over and over, but each time it seems to be on a deeper level.

I've been thinking a lot about the phrase, "The grass is always greener on the other side."  Wow.  I feel like I've really been able to understand that idea a lot deeper lately.  I have come to see how easy it is to rob ourselves of true happiness.

[Source]

Feature Friday - magnetic pin dish

Yesterday I was taking a little look through Pinterest and I came upon this Magnetic Pin Plate from the Mother Huddle.  I thought it was quite clever.

Yesterday I set off to make my own.  

The Scribble Challenge

I was given the following items as part of the "Scribble Challenge."  The Scribble Shop is an online store full of crafty goodness.  This is what I received in the box.  There was also a blue pack of felt (just like the brown) and 16 of the fabric squares.  (I got a little excited and started working before I took the picture.)

glitter brads, Martha Stewart glitter, chalkboard paint, feathers, blue charm pack, turquoise roving, brown roving

And here are two things I made from the package.

Wake Up Wednesday

Last week's challenge was to use one of your talent's to bless someone else.  I got to take some pictures of my new little niece. (I posted a few HERE if you missed them.)  I also tried to take a lot of random shots, in hopes of turning it into a cool black and white journal for my sister.  I like to remember the small details.  It's those little things that take me back and remind me of the moment.

Painted Mail Bags

Today I'm going to show you how to make some fun, polkadot mail bags.  They are a quick and easy fun project.

Background info: So about a year ago I learned something cool.  You can send mail in cute little bags with tags on them.  My mother-in-law started sending fun packages to the boys in these draw string bags and I was floored.  How did I not know about this?  It's way more fun than an envelope and you can use them again and again.  (If you're looking for some just google "cloth mailing mag" or "drawstring mailing bag."  They'd be easy to make as well.)

Who wouldn't like to get a fun package like this in the mail?

Framed Objects Wall

Back in the last craft room I had a wall of frames with a quote in them.  I wanted to reuse the frames in the new area, so I sprayed them all yellow and gray.  I decided to go for a bolder, more interesting layout this time around and I added objects.  Here's how it turned out.

Sunshine Sunday - New life

On Friday my sister Cassie had her baby girl, Millee.  It has been so fun to visit her and hold her.  She is perfect.  I forgot how amazing it is to see a tiny, brand new baby.  I had fun snapping some pictures, too.

Soapbox Saturday - Image 3D

Do remember playing with one of these when you were a kid?  I remember loving them.  We were recently given this viewer from Image 3D along with a reel that we got to create.

Feature Friday - Head Scarf

I saw this little head scarf tutorial on interest a while back and thought it was so cute.  You can find the tutorial HERE on Keiko Lynn.

So, I found this cute scarf at Target and I've been rocking the head scarf lately.  I think it's especially fun for spring.  It's so easy to use and wear and it makes a boring messy hairdo fun.

Vintage Projector Lamp

Back when I purchased THESE nesting tables, the girl who sold them to me asked if I wanted to buy an old projector she had as well.  I thought it was really cool and so I took the tables and the projector home. 

I thought it would look pretty in my craft area and then a couple months later my sister found this lamp on the Anthropologie web site.  Their price?  $598 (horrid choking noise)

I was enthralled with the idea, though.  My projector HAD to become a lamp.  It had a destiny.  Here is mine now.  (It's currently missing one reel due to my cute boys, but I think it'll turn up soon :)

Wake Up Wednesday

Last week my sister gave us a challenge to do something out of the ordinary for your neighbor.  I didn't bake any treats or do anything extravagant, but I did make a phone call that was a little out of my comfort zone to someone who I thought needed some help.  It's funny how sometimes to get the idea to do something and then try to talk yourself out of it.  Then you do it and wonder what hindered you in the first place because you're so glad you did it.  I'm kind of babbling, but hopefully you know what I mean.

[Source]

This week's challenge is to use one of your talents to bless someone else.  Maybe you're a great baker, singer, hair stylist, listener, photographer, or teacher.  Take inventory of what you've been given and plan a way to help someone out with it this week.  This challenge is pretty broad, but I'm excited to hear all your interpretations of it.

So, did any of you get the chance to do something out of the ordinary for your neighbor?  I love hearing about your experiences.  They make my Wednesday.  Thanks for reading.

Double Dipped Glitter Skirt

My sister will be having her first little girl this week, which gives me the opportunity to use a bit of glitter in my crafting.  I made her this tiny glitter outfit, with a little salute to her superhero-loving brothers.

The Cruise Review - Our First Family Vacation

I hope you don't mind me sharing our trip with you.  We'll be back to regular crafting tomorrow.

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On Sunday morning we loaded up everything and put the boys in the car.  Before we even pulled out of the garage Baden said, "When are we going to be there?"  Jeff and I laughed pretty hard about that and wondered if we would survive the day.

I took a LOT of ideas from you guys to make the 10 hour drive easier for the kids.  We made a dollar store run and I even wrapped our purchases like presents.  Plus, my mother-in-law made bags for them to open in each state.  We used her bags one way and the dollar store stuff the other way.  The glow sticks were fun at night, too.  Thanks again for your help!

The boys did way better than I thought they would in the car.  They didn't nap at all, but they were pretty patient.  We hardly used the DVD player.

Sunshine Sunday - space, overcoming, and my man

Well, we're back from our trip.  I'll give you the full recap tomorrow, but it definitely made me very thankful for certain things.  I am grateful that we don't all sleep together in one tiny room.  

One thing I really enjoyed this week was helping Baden overcome some fears.  Baden is naturally afraid of many things.  See how he has my husband's face clutched in his hands?  He doesn't like being up high.  He got the chance to overcome a lot of things this week and it was fun to watch.

Soapbox Saturday - Leadership and Self-Deception

We just got back late last night from our little trip.  I'll tell you more about that later.  This is Soapbox Saturday, so I wanted to tell you about this book I just finished.  It's called "Leadership and Self-Deception: Getting Out of the Box" and it was an AWESOME book.  I can't stop thinking about it.

I don't want to tell you too much about it because I might either not explain it well enough or ruin it for you.  It has a lot of basic ideas and concepts that you've thought of before but it puts a lot of things into a totally different perspective than you every thought of before.  If you feel the desire to improve any communication you have with anyone in your life, I highly recommend this book.  It will change the way you think.

It's also written as a story, which makes it really easy to read and relate to.  It will help you look deep inside of yourself and questions your true motives and thoughts.

Okay.  That's all I'm going to say.  You can find it HERE on Amazon or it's probably at your local library.  I'm not being paid to write about this and I'm not even a person who spends hours on end reading.  I was, however, extremely impressed by this book and I think you will be too.

Thanks for stopping by.

Feature Friday - Lego bins

I am sure you will agree that these are the BEST and the worst toys ever! I am so sick of finding them all over the carpet, bedroom, and even the kitchen! My last straw was when I found a Lego guy inside my fridge! That's it....we need a place to put these "lovely" things!!!!

Cassie's house - the mudroom

While I'm out of town this week, my sweet sister is taking over and showing you the rest of her awesome home makeover.  Her name is Cassie and she'll be with you this week.  She'll check the comments, so feel free to leave her a note there.

This has to be one of my favorite rooms in our whole house....the mud room! I know you would think of quite a  few more before this but I LOVE that my house of boys can actually put their stuff away and if not I can close the door! The other reason is that my Dad and I did this one together.

Here's the before....

And here's the after....