Support Blog for Moms of BOYS!

Permenant Hold for a Bit

2011-08-22T17:46:00.000-05:00

Hey folks, I realy hate to do this and ave been trying to sqeeuze by without, but SSB is going to have to go an permenant hold until further notice.

This is for several reasons...

1. I have two jobs and two kids...I have NO extra time to blog...let alone sew, paint or craft.

2. I don't have a camera. So even if I could by crafty, I couldn't really share it with you all.

3. I am trying to spend as much of the little spare time I have with my husband and children.

4. We are on a rigorous budget and have NO extra funds for craft supplies, paints, fabric, and all that other fun stuff. Even our much wanted room re-do's may have to be put on hold.

5. Blogging is not fun for me right now. Without time, funds or even the true desire to create right now, whats the point in blogging? Nearly 100% of my mental capacity right now is working, raising my kids and trying to run this household.

I hope you all understand and I do hope this break is super short and that we can get back on track as quick;y as possible. Thank yo all in advance for your support, thoughts and prayers thru this difficult time.

I promise to try and at least post to keep you updated on the status of the blog; when I might return, whats going on with the family...things like that. But Mad Skills, Feature Friday, etc, will not have regular posts.

Thank you all again and God Bless!

xoxo

Ginger

Damask Bedroom

2011-08-18T08:15:00.001-05:00

So my udea for our bedroom re-do is white and green damask...

saw the bedding I want at Garden Ridge...a full bedding set, Queen size...$39!

Here are some inspiration pics, randomly selected from google images.

The bedding looks similar to this.

Love that Alphonse Mucha was incorporated here.

I'm excited!! Ready to get started...

xoxo

Ginger

Whatever Wednesday #36

2011-08-17T08:15:00.000-05:00

So we'are getting ready to re-decorate our entire house...

we have BIG plans for the kitchen, master bath, guest bath, master bedroom, living room and even plan on enclosing our backporch into a sun room! Super excited but its gonna take a lot of savings.

Here are some inspiration pics I have collected for our living room...

ps-I have no idea what websites they came from, just googled on web images.

What do you think...

Love the sea foam green with the flashy yellow chair...

I like all the colorful pillows in this one.

I'm admiring the couch in this one...

I like the unique coffee table in this one and the bright curtains.

In LOVE with this.

Love the bright blue and the tight floral fabrics...not to mention the picture windows.

I like the airy feel to this one and the beautiful art on the wall.

Kinda digg'n on the peach chair too.

Hope you enjoyed!

xoxo

Ginger

Nighty Night, Sleep Tight Playlist

2011-08-16T08:15:00.000-05:00

So I have been working on a lullaby CD for a friend who is having a little girl...

and I decided to make a play list of it and share with you all!!

Click here to drift into dream land!

Mad Skills Monday #67

2011-08-14T21:23:00.000-05:00

Hey folks, Happy Monday! Hope ur beat'n the heat!

Pray for RAIN and cooler temps...

On to Mad Skills, here are some favs from last week...

Digg'n this awesome school bus cake from Craft, Interrupted

Cannot wait to try this! Micro bead pendents from The Crafty Scientist!!

go check out all the beautiful ones she's made!!!

Yummy smore cupcakes from Chef in Training

And this cute cradle re-do from The Old Block House

Great work everyone! Loved checking everything out this week!

Due to time constraints, I was not able to post comments to each and every link. I will try my very best in future parties to post to every link, but may not be able to.

If you were featured today, please feel free to snag the featured button for your blog!

1. Link up something crafty, creative, or fun that you wanna share!

2. Please link to the blog post and not your main page.

3. No shopping pages please. An offer to buy your item at the end of a tut is welcomed!

4. Snag the Mad Skills button and include it on your tut post so others can see where you've linked!

5. PLEASE VISIT AT LEAST 2 OTHER LINKS IN THE PARTY AND LEAVE SOME COMMENT LOVE!

This linky party will end on Friday the 19th at midnight!

Alphonse Mucha Inspired Tattoo

2011-08-11T08:15:00.000-05:00

So I've been itch'n for a new tatto but never could decide on what I wanted, and now I think I'll go for something inspired by one of my fav artists.

Google Alphonse Mucha and you'll find a lot of art you'd recognize such as various wine advertisement prints.

Isn't she beautiful?

Love it, can't wait and I'm saving my pennies, custom work this this will be pricy but worth it!

xoxo
Ginger

Whatever Wednesday #35

2011-08-10T08:15:00.000-05:00

So I watched Tangled the other night for the first time...what a cute movie?!

I've always loved Disney movies and someone I worked with told it was adorab;le but I finally rented it for a movie night with the kids.

They could not have been less interested; however, I LOVED IT!!!

Can't wait to purchase on DVD...even I'll be the only one watching it :)

Look at that face! Hehe!

xoxo

Ginger

Boats and Bubbles

2011-08-09T08:15:00.000-05:00

Hey folks, I have another cool kids craft idea from our #1 fav teacher (my kids teacher)...she has such cool ideas.

Anyhoo, they made Styrofoam boats, let them float and used straws to blow bubbles and "steer" them!

Jack was so proud of his!

Sammy was gett'n the hang of it!

Enjoy!

xoxo

Ginger

Mad Skills Monday #66

2011-08-07T20:04:00.000-05:00

Hi all! Happy Monday and ready for Mad Skills???

Here are the show stoppers from last week...

Love this Perry the Platypus cake from Imagine

My kids love this show!

Cute posie pins from Freckles and Fun

Super cute alien doll from KooKoo Craft! Isn't she sweet?

And totally digg'n this Chevron frame and free printable from The Crafty Scientist

Love this yellow...planning on re-doing my bedroom with this yellow!

Great work everyone! Loved checking everything out this week!

Due to time constraints, I was not able to post comments to each and every link. I will try my very best in future parties to post to every link, but may not be able to.

If you were featured today, please feel free to snag the featured button for your blog!

1. Link up something crafty, creative, or fun that you wanna share!

2. Please link to the blog post and not your main page.

3. No shopping pages please. An offer to buy your item at the end of a tut is welcomed!

4. Snag the Mad Skills button and include it on your tut post so others can see where you've linked! (PS- this button was designed from my sons art work....if you are interested in a custom button, please contact me!)

5. PLEASE VISIT AT LEAST 2 OTHER LINKS IN THE PARTY AND LEAVE SOME COMMENT LOVE!

This linky party will end on Friday the 12th at midnight!

Through my "I"s for Feature Friday

2011-08-05T08:15:00.000-05:00

Hi all! Welcome to Feature Friday, I have another good one for you!

Say hi to Alicia from Through My "I"'s

A fun new blog with fun crafts and more!!

Here is what Alicia has to say...

"I am a crafty Catholic mom of 3 boys who is now also a book reviewer! I blog because I love to share my ideas with other people. I don't have many real life friends because we live in a rural area. I love making online friends and I am an avid blog reader!"

check out her awesome drink caddy!

"My blog is not very new but I am just getting it where I want it and really want more exposure! I love to make christian or cheap crafts and I also have started reviewing Christian books. I am Catholic but I cater to all Christian moms. I try to post as many "boy" crafts as possible because I know how hard it is to find ideas! Please check me out!"

Check out this fun "David and Goliath" craft!

So stop by today and say hi to Alicia at Trough my "I"s!

Thanks for stopping by SSB and if you wanna be featured on Feature Friday, email me!

Jump up and Dance!

2011-08-02T08:15:00.001-05:00

I've been in a JUMP'N MOOD LATELY!

Check out my playlist and jam if you can...

Can you dig it?

xoxo

Ginger

Mad Skills Monday #65

2011-08-01T18:49:00.000-05:00

Hey folks, a little late, I know.

Here are my favs from last, last week!

Love these cute skirts from The Crafty Blog Stalker

Check out a cool room re-do from A Daily Dose of Del Signore

Love this DAD art from The Crafty Scientist

Great work everyone! Loved checking everything out this week!

Due to time constraints, I was not able to post comments to each and every link. I will try my very best in future parties to post to every link, but may not be able to.

If you were featured today, please feel free to snag the featured button for your blog!

1. Link up something crafty, creative, or fun that you wanna share!

2. Please link to the blog post and not your main page.

3. No shopping pages please. An offer to buy your item at the end of a tut is welcomed!

4. Snag the Mad Skills button and include it on your tut post so others can see where you've linked! (PS- this button was designed from my sons art work....if you are interested in a custom button, please contact me!)

5. PLEASE VISIT AT LEAST 2 OTHER LINKS IN THE PARTY AND LEAVE SOME COMMENT LOVE!

This linky party will end on Friday the 5th at midnight.

Puree Away for Feature Friday

2011-07-29T08:15:00.003-05:00

Hi folks! I know I'm "vacation"...whatever, just tired!

But...I wanted to introduce, a-hem...

Kelley from Puree Away!

Here is a little about Kelley...

"My name is Kelley and I blog because I have to get it out. I'm really terrible at keeping a journal, but I can keep up on a blog (for some reason). Puree Away is like my millionth blog, but the one I've kept up on the best. I blog about our family and our journey through international adoption. I also blog about arts and crafts and my neuroses. Occasionally one of our kids will add their two cents and my husband will also post if he has something really important to say."

"Our blog really is our family blog. Mike and I blended our families together in 2007. In 2010 we decided to add more kiddos through adoption and we are anxiously awaiting a referral!"

Pop on over and say hi, lend support on their adoption adventure, or to feel inspired!

Thanks to Kelley from Puree Away!

xoxo

Ginger

Tak'n a Quick Breather

2011-07-25T18:24:00.000-05:00

Hey folks! Hope you had a great weekend and well, I need to recover from mine!

I'll be back next Monday with Mad Skills and more!

See ya!

xoxo

Ginger

Goodwill Hunting for Feature Friday

2011-07-22T08:15:00.001-05:00

Hi all and happy Friday!

My husband made me a deal last night...once we are caught up on a few bills, I can buy a new camera!! Whoo hoo!

On to Feature Friday...its a good one!!!! Say hi to Amy from Goodwill Hunting!

She's got such a sweet blog with lots of love and fun stuff to share!

Here is a little of what Amy has to say...

"Hey there!! I have a relatively new blog and would love some more people to know about it!

I enjoy thrifting, sewing, gardening, decorating, and being with my family-I sound like a beauty contestant! haha. And I want world peace!"

"A little about myself...a mother of two boys-one 14 months, one fourteen yrs. old! Wife to an amazing guy who is a talented blacksmith/artist. Living the country life in the rolling hills of Tennessee! I love everything creative and enjoy doing it all without spending a lot of cash-basically, I'm cheap and it allows me to be more creative!"

Man, she's got it all over there! Heart and soul and CRAFTS!

Be sure to check out her dining room makeover!

I love this...drooling.

And check out this totally cool idea for a sand and water table!!

Cutie-pie!

Stop by and tell her SSB sent ya!

If you are interested in being featured at SSB for Feature Friday, please email me today!

Also looking for Guest Bloggers...since I don't have a camera to share my own crafts :(

xoxo

Ginger

Whatever Wednesday #34

2011-07-20T18:06:00.001-05:00

The kids got stuck into a sticky situation...

not really, just a sticky project!

Another awesome activity from our #1 teacher, Ms Weeks!

She taped some contact paper down (sticky side up) and gave then all kinds of sensory do-dads to create a sticky work of art!

Looks like fun! Thx Ms Weeks!

xoxo

Ginger

My blog is disappointing...I know

2011-07-19T08:15:00.000-05:00

Hey folks, thanks so much for sticking in there while I've had no camera...sniff sniff.

But I HAVE been craftin gup a storm and have tons of new, great projects to share..

I'm wheeling them out by the ton and I am praying that I can afford a camera soon and will be able to finally share them all!

BTW, I think I figured out what happened to my camera...I discovered it missing during/after Jacks birthday party. I had snapped a few pics of the decorations and such and then got down to party business.

The next day I couldn't find the camera OR MY WEDDING RING!!!

I think we had a thief in our midst.

Bummer. I loved my ring (it was a beautiful pearl)...trying to find a pretty but inexpensive replacement. My husband and I worked out a deal, that for our tenth, he'll get me another real one.

xoxo

Ginger

Mad Skills Monday #64

2011-07-18T09:00:00.000-05:00

Hi all, hope you had a great weekend, I am home with the kids today..whoo hoo! Anyhoo, here are some favs from last week!

Digg'n these mini works of art at Homespun with Love

And this cute felt play mat from No Business Like Sew Business

And this carrot cake from Jam Hands looks divine!

And I LOVE these cool Harry Potter Wand treats from Rae Gun Ramblings

Great work everyone! Loved checking everything out this week!

Due to time constraints, I was not able to post comments to each and every link. I will try my very best in future parties to post to every link, but may not be able to.

If you were featured today, please feel free to snag the featured button for your blog!

1. Link up something crafty, creative, or fun that you wanna share!

2. Please link to the blog post and not your main page.

3. No shopping pages please. An offer to buy your item at the end of a tut is welcomed!

4. Snag the Mad Skills button and include it on your tut post so others can see where you've linked! (PS- this button was designed from my sons art work....if you are interested in a custom button, please contact me!)

5. PLEASE VISIT AT LEAST 2 OTHER LINKS IN THE PARTY AND LEAVE SOME COMMENT LOVE!

This linky party will end on Friday the 22nd at midnight.

The Unworking Mom for Feature Friday

2011-07-15T08:15:00.001-05:00

Happy Friday all and I have a great feature for you!

Say hi to Jackie from The Unworking Mom!

She's got a great little blog aith lots to share...here is what Jackie has to say...

"Hi, my name is Jackie Koll and I am a stay-at-home mom to my two little boys (who are 2 1/2 and 1 1/2). My husband and I have been married for 10 years (as of August 4th!) - we met on-line through a Christian Matchmaking site and were married less than a year later. We were married for 7 years before we surprised everyone, including our doctor, and found out miracle # 1 was on the way. After 17 weeks of bed rest, he arrived safely. Than, 18 months later miracle # 2 was born! Yes, we have lots of fun."

"I love to read, scrapbook, plan piano, cook and . . play with my boys! Staying home was a choice we made despite the many sacrifices we have had to deal with - it's so worth it! My blog, "The Unworking Mom" was started after reading a blog about a little girl who drowned. I realized how much simple words can impact others and wanted to share my wisdom (HA!) too! I chose the title because everyone knows . . . if you stay home, you don't work ;-) (Actually - I work harder now than I ever did even supervising 20 people at a financial institution or taking care of a class of 30 5th graders!!)

Check out all the fab stuff Jackie has to offer, like her Book Lists

or some of her fun crafts like this Fathers Day Gift

" I also do a weekly post called "Too Cute Not to Toot" where I share all of the things I find throughout the week that I want to make, wish I could make, (but I'm not that good!) or just make me scratch my head."

Sp go on by The Unworking Mom and check out all she has to offer!

Thanks for stopping by and have a GREAT weekend!!

xoxo

Ginger

Spelunking in the Living Room!

2011-07-12T08:15:00.002-05:00

Have a giant box?

Go cave exploring then!

Grab your flashlight and explore for "buried treasure"!

This fun idea from my kid's teacher. Way to go Miss Weeks!

xoxo

Ginger

Mad Skills Monday #63

2011-07-10T21:00:00.000-05:00

Hi all! Hope you are having a fab weekend!

I am taking a well-deserved break from chores right now. Phew!

Here are the show stoppers from last week. Enjoy!

Love this totally cute stuffed apple from Stubbornly Crafty...I mean I think everyone needs one.

Don't you?

And these way cute earrings from It's a Koo Koo World!

I love those red and white flowered ones...cute!

Great work everyone! Loved checking everything out this week!

Due to time constraints, I was not able to post comments to each and every link. I will try my very best in future parties to post to every link, but may not be able to.

If you were featured today, please feel free to snag the featured button for your blog!

1. Link up something crafty, creative, or fun that you wanna share!

2. Please link to the blog post and not your main page.

3. No shopping pages please. An offer to buy your item at the end of a tut is welcomed!

4. Snag the Mad Skills button and include it on your tut post so others can see where you've linked! (PS- this button was designed from my sons art work....if you are interested in a custom button, please contact me!)

5. PLEASE VISIT AT LEAST 2 OTHER LINKS IN THE PARTY AND LEAVE SOME COMMENT LOVE!

This linky party will end on Friday the 15th at midnight.

I need more Features for Feature Friday!!!

2011-07-08T18:28:00.000-05:00

Happy Friday all!

No Feature Friday today!

That is almost as sad as this puppy pic...

Well, maybe not but sad for me anyways.

If you are interested in being featured at SSB for Feature Friday, please email me today!

Hope to hear from a ton of you super soon!!

xoxo

Ginger

More Mad Skill Favs

2011-07-07T08:15:00.000-05:00

So last week had a TON of way cool crafts! I knew I wanted to showcase a bunch of red, white and blue crafts for this weeks Mad Skills, but here are some more that I just HAD to share...

Check out this totally awesome metal-like "B" from Gardners to Bergers

These silhouettes are way cute, but my main squeeze from Shabby Love is the jars filled with toys!

Loving this tut of painting laminate from DIY Kinda Girl!

This girly car cozy from The Domesticated Momma is just too cute!

Dig this end table re-do from It's Always Craft Time!!

I've got me a few end tables I'm getting ready to re-do!

And these so sweet baby gifts from Creative Passage

Head to these super cool blogs and share the love!!

xoxo

Ginger

Whatever Wednesday #33

2011-07-06T08:15:00.000-05:00

I guess it was silly face day...?

Look at little handsome here...

You just gotta love em!

xoxo

Ginger

Mad Skills Monday #62

2011-07-05T19:10:00.000-05:00

Hey folks, yup I know I'm a little late. Just been having way too much fun this 4th of July!!

So lets move on to Mad Skills Monday and in honor of the holiday,

here are my personal favs from last week...

Check out the awesome 4th of July projects!!

This awesome patriotic accordion style pic frame from J&M's Eye Candy

Loving this ruffle flag pillow from Dragonfly Designs

Digg'n this 4th of July table setting at Lady Behind the Curtain

This is too cute...a flag in a frame at little lulu's nest

and my fav!

These awesome 4th of July cupcakes from Eat Cake for Dinner

Hope you all had a fab 4th!!

Great work everyone! Loved checking everything out this week!

Due to time constraints, I was not able to post comments to each and every link. I will try my very best in future parties to post to every link, but may not be able to.

If you were featured today, please feel free to snag the featured button for your blog!

Now its your turn!

1. Link up something crafty, creative, or fun that you wanna share!

2. Please link to the blog post and not your main page.

3. No shopping pages please. An offer to buy your item at the end of a tut is welcomed!

4. Snag the Mad Skills button and include it on your tut post so others can see where you've linked! (PS- this button was designed from my sons art work....if you are interested in a custom button, please contact me!)

5. PLEASE VISIT AT LEAST 2 OTHER LINKS IN THE PARTY AND LEAVE SOME COMMENT LOVE!

This linky party will end on Friday the 8th at midnight.

East Coast Mommy for Feature Friday

2011-07-01T08:15:00.003-05:00

Happy Friday everyone! Hope you're ready for Feature Friday and its a good one!

Say hi to Gina from East Coast Mommy! She's got a fun little blog with tips, tuts and more! Here is what Gina has to say...

"I am a mom of three stinky boys! I started my blog just over two months ago!

My blog is about Supporting, Promoting, and {hopefully} Inspiring Moms!"

(boys and dirt...story of my life)

"Through sharing my experiences as a SAHM mom of three small boys {which I had in 3 1/2 years!}, I provide: craft tutorials, organizational tips, ideas for kids activities, and more!!"

Stop by East Coast Mommy and check out her cool no sew super hero cape tut...which I think I am going to give a try!! My son has been asking for one... :)

Isn't he cute in that cool cape?! Stop by and say hi to Gina today!!

If you are interested in being featured on Feature Friday, please email me today! Look'n to guest blog, check it out here!

Dino-Rama!

2011-06-30T08:15:00.000-05:00

Hey folks! Sorry I've been a little AWAL this week...a lot going on and still...no camera :(

But hey! I came across this thanks to Paisley Cupcake and I am in love with this tut!!!

Please give a round for the Little Black Teapot and her too cute soft dino tut!

Aren't they adorable!? My cousin is having her first baby and guess what...she's decorating in dino's! I'ne already started a few of these, but I'll be darned if I'm not out of stuffing!!!

Oh well.

Stop by an check out this little blog!

xoxo

Ginger

Mad Skills Monday #61

2011-06-26T19:41:00.000-05:00

Hey folks!!

Time for Mad Skills! Here are some favs from last week...

Love this photo box from Creating a Family Home

And this cute tote from Adventures In Mommyland

Great work everyone! Loved checking everything out this week!

Due to time constraints, I was not able to post comments to each and every link. I will try my very best in future parties to post to every link, but may not be able to.

If you were featured today, please feel free to snag the featured button for your blog!

Now its your turn!

1. Link up something crafty, creative, or fun that you wanna share!

2. Please link to the blog post and not your main page.

3. No shopping pages please. An offer to buy your item at the end of a tut is welcomed!

4. Snag the Mad Skills button and include it on your tut post so others can see where you've linked! (PS- this button was designed from my sons art work....if you are interested in a custom button, please contact me!)

5. PLEASE VISIT AT LEAST 2 OTHER LINKS IN THE PARTY AND LEAVE SOME COMMENT LOVE!

This linky party will end on Friday the 1st at midnight.

The Toasted Coconut for Feature Friday!

2011-06-25T08:15:00.000-05:00

Hi all, I have a great Feature Friday for you today!

Say hi to Emily from The Toasted Coconut!

She got an awesome little blog full of it all!

Here is what Emily has to say...

"My name is Emily and I will be 24 in a few weeks! I have been married for 4 1/2 years and we have two little boys. I just graduated college and my hubby finally gets to start GRAD school this fall!"

Such a cute blog and she has a hot little Etsy shop too!

Go and visit her shop, she has the most adorable do-dads!!!

"I have been obsessed with vintage things since high school...and my love for vintage only grows more each day. I try to include a variety of things on my blog: some crafts, recipes, randomness, etc.
I love everything girly, and being in a house full of boys, my blog and shop are my girly outlets!"

Well, thanks so much Emily! Wow, such great style and LOVE all the vintage...me being in a house of boys too. Hey all, go an visit Emily today and tell her SSB sent ya!

If you are interested in being featured on Feature Friday, please email me today! Look'n to guest blog, check it out here!

xoxo

Ginger

Soul Tunes

2011-06-23T08:15:00.000-05:00

Ever feel like just wanting to float away? Or drifting into outer space?

Ever had an out of body experience? Honestly, I have them all the time.

My mother says that my grandmother had them all the time too, who knows why.

They are very relaxing. So here's some soul tunes for you to float away to...go in peace!

Ginger

xoxo

PS- I was feeling really deep when I wrote this post.

Summer Fun in the Sun!

2011-06-22T08:15:00.000-05:00

One of the greatest pleasures a kiddo has in the world...

is playing with cups of water?

Yup. Forget a pony, just a cooler of water and a cup.

Have fun outside this summer!!!

Ginger

xoxo

Lil Monster Birthday for Sam!

2011-06-20T08:15:00.000-05:00

Hi all! So Sam's 2nd birthday (hold back a sniffle...my little baby is 2!) is this Saturday and we are having a Lil Monster themed birthday party for him.

I got the plates, cups, etc. at Target but cannot seem to find a web pic of the stuff to show you..grr.

I'm looking for some cute and cheap DIY monster themed decorations for his party...

Any ideas?

I like the googly eyes on stuff and the paper foot-prints on the wall like here.

But I want more!

Mad Skills Monday #60

2011-06-19T20:00:00.010-05:00

Hi folks, still cannot find my camera, but I'm saving up to buy a new ine. Until then, I'm just going to have to bore the crap outta with nonsense and jibberish posts including things like...my hopes, dreams...and whatever.

Doesn't sound too bad, huh? Man, I missed blogging.

Okay, on to Mad Skills! Here are the tops from last, last week...

Lov'n this awesome art work from hello lovely

Love this beautiful display from Shabby Love

And check out this awesome tut for giving your rpints and "oil" finish at from Garners to Bergers

Great work everyone! Loved checking everything out this week!

Due to time constraints, I was not able to post comments to each and every link. I will try my very best in future parties to post to every link, but may not be able to.

If you were featured today, please feel free to snag the featured button for your blog!

Button is located in the side bar!

Now its your turn!

1. Link up something crafty, creative, or fun that you wanna share!

2. Please link to the blog post and not your main page.

3. No shopping pages please. An offer to buy your item at the end of a tut is welcomed!

4. Snag the Mad Skills button and include it on your tut post so others can see where you've linked! (PS- this button was designed from my sons art work....if you are interested in a custom button, please contact me!)

5. PLEASE VISIT AT LEAST 2 OTHER LINKS IN THE PARTY AND LEAVE SOME COMMENT LOVE!

This linky party will end on Friday the 24th at midnight.

This week I'm sharing NOTHING! Cuz I did NOTHING all week.

SSB is tak'n abreak!

2011-06-12T20:47:00.000-05:00

Hey folks, I'm sorry to do this again, but I'm gonna have to take a breather...

I just started a second job (we are now a four income household as my husband has a second job as well) and things are just so stressful right now.

Not to mention, what fun is it to blog with no camera to take pics of the stuff you wanna blog about?!

So don't forget about me...I'm sure my camera will turn tup soon, or else I'm gonna bite the bullet and just go buy another one.

I'll "see" you all next week for another Mad Skills Monday!

Wish me luck!

xoxo

Ginger

Whatever Wednesday #32

2011-06-08T08:15:00.000-05:00

Na na na na... Na na na na...

BATMAN!

HA!

This is Jack dressed as Batman at the sitters house...I thought it was hilarious!

She said he wore it all day, singing the Batman theme song.

Probably heard it from his father...

xoxo

Ginger

My camera walked off...

2011-06-07T19:47:00.000-05:00

Hey folks...

well, its happened...

My camera ran away from home! Either that or its just lost.

Point is, I can't find it.

And I had a bunch of stuff to share with you all...

in the meantime, I'll share what I have.

So hang in there with me until I find that darned thing!!!

xoxo

Ginger

ps-that is not what my camera looks like, I just thought the pic looked cool...just in case you were wonder'n :)

Mad Skills Monday #59

2011-06-05T19:12:00.000-05:00

Hi folks! Hope you all had a great weekend. I for one, had an awesome weekend with my husband for our 6th wedding anniversary!

Here are the top picks from last week!

Love'n these no sew I Spy bags from Six Sisters!

I am IN LOVE with this stenciled table from Before Meets After!

I have been wanting to try this but no room for any extra furniture... :(

And lastly, check out these dyed re-usable bags from Cottage Country Charms!

Great work everyone! Loved checking everything out this week!

Due to time constraints, I was not able to post comments to each and every link. I will try my very best in future parties to post to every link, but may not be able to.

If you were featured today, please feel free to snag the featured button for your blog!

This week, I am sharing my backyard make over!

Now its your turn!

1. Link up something crafty, creative, or fun that you wanna share!

2. Please link to the blog post and not your main page.

3. No shopping pages please. An offer to buy your item at the end of a tut is welcomed!

4. Snag the Mad Skills button and include it on your tut post so others can see where you've linked! (PS- this button was designed from my sons art work....if you are interested in a custom button, please contact me!)

5. PLEASE VISIT AT LEAST 2 OTHER LINKS IN THE PARTY AND LEAVE SOME COMMENT LOVE!

This linky party will end on Friday the 10th at midnight.

Thrift 101 for Feature Friday

2011-06-03T08:15:00.002-05:00

Hi all! I'm glad to get back to Feature Friday...things were a bit crazy last weekend with Jack's 4th birthday and all...

I've got a GREAT feature for you today. Say hi to Michelle from Thrifty 101!
She's totally awesome with a blog to match...here's a little of what she has for us!

"Hi everyone, I'm Michelle from Thrifty 101 and and I'm so happy to share my blog with you today! I LOVE finding ways to save money so I started Thrifty 101 to share money saving ideas like; DIY projects, budget crafts, furniture makeover, vacation planning on a budget, and how to get the most out of coupons and internet deals. Basically, if you can save money doing it, I blog about it." :)

Check out some of these awesome posts from Thrifty 101:

DIY Garden Boxes

DIY Glitter Toes

Well thanks Michelle, happy to have you share Thrifty 101 with us!

Be sure to stop by Thrifty 101 and tell her SSB sent ya! If you are interested in being featured on Feature Friday or being a Guest Blogger, please email me today!

xoxo

Ginger

Whatever Wednesday #31

2011-06-01T08:15:00.008-05:00

TODAY IS MY 29TH BIRTHDAY!!!! Go me...

Anyhoo, so I'm not the only one totally digg'n the new garden!

The cat loves it too!!!

xoxo

Ginger

DIY Backyard Oasis

2011-05-31T08:15:00.000-05:00

So I have been planning a backyard renovation for sometime now...there is an area in our yard that NO grass would grow...nothing but dust! And our dogs and any breeze would just stir it all up and my porch was constantly COVERED in dirt!

I mean, I never wanted to be out there because I'd be disgusted by the way it looked! Which in turn meant my kids could never play outside.

Well, I had had ENOUGH! And I planned a beautiful patio garden on a budget.

A $200 budget.

And here it is...

We had a great time and I REALLY REALLY LOVE IT!!!

It really is an oasis to sit around the flowers with the candles going and watch the kiddo's play in the backyard.

Plus, it was super cheap and we did it all in 2 days!

First, you start out with a few land scape timbers. You could use any kind of border you want, but we snagged these suckers for free so that's what we went with. We got a few 8" nails, pre-drilled the holes and staked them to the ground to keep em from rolling around.

So plan where you want it and how big you want it and pull up the turf (or in our case, lack there of). Then level the ground. We went the extra mile and really loosened the dirt to make it easy to level the stones, that way we could save a little $$$ and not have to buy bags of leveling sand.

Then, place your stones. We made it easy on ourselves and used a 2x4 to space them. No measuring! So laying them down was super quick. We used 1x1 concrete pavers in the "sand stone color". Not the most glamorous choice in stone, but economical at $1.27 a piece. We did 40 pavers in 5 rows of eight.

I used some chairs I already had and used it to make sure everything was level.

The mulch was the only thing I splurged on...I wanted cedar.

I then planned where I wanted the flowers. When you go to get flowers...check out the sales! There are usually good sales on annuals at the beginning of the season.

I also went super cheap on pots. I wanted ceramic (I already had one), but hey plastic will do. I snagged a bunch at the Dollar Tree, some in that horrible, fake terra cotta color. No problem, I spray painted them green. I filled in the corners of the garden with flowers as well.

Then, to spruce it up even more, I did some DIY garden spheres from my decor ball tut.

Just spray paint a dowel rod and you know the rest. I LOVE how they turned out! I plan on making more...

I added some things I already had on hand such as some plant stands, the chairs and the fire pit and I got a backyard oasis...and the grand total with tax for everything from the glass beads and Styrofoam balls to the cedar mulch and pavers was only $189.85.

I plan on adding more and more flowers a little at a time, as well as a few more pavers leading to the gate. But the next big step for the garden will be a DIY pergola!

xoxo

Ginger

Mad Skills Monday #58

2011-05-30T09:47:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone!

Happy Memorial Day!

Sorry for the be-lated post for Mad Skills but we were busy celebrating the holiday yesterday with family.

Here are the show stoppers from last week...

Digg'n these marshmallow shooters from Mom's Crafty Place!

I am in LOVE with these too cute Mickey and Minnie Onsies from Stubbornly Crafty!

Aren't they stink'n adorable!!!

Checkout this awesome damask stencil tut from Simply Sadie Jane!

Check back at her blog for day 2 of the tut!

And just look at this lovely spring wreath from Creative Passage!

Love all the mixed media..

Great work everyone! Loved checking everything out this week!

Due to time constraints, I was not able to post comments to each and every link. I will try my very best in future parties to post to every link, but may not be able to.

If you were featured today, please feel free to snag the featured button for your blog!

This week, I'm sharing my DIY decor jars!

Now its your turn!

1. Link up something crafty, creative, or fun that you wanna share!

2. Please link to the blog post and not your main page.

3. No shopping pages please. An offer to buy your item at the end of a tut is welcomed!

4. Snag the Mad Skills button and include it on your tut post so others can see where you've linked! (PS- this button was designed from my sons art work....if you are interested in a custom button, please contact me!)

5. PLEASE VISIT AT LEAST 2 OTHER LINKS IN THE PARTY AND LEAVE SOME COMMENT LOVE!

This linky party will end on Friday the 3rd at midnight.

Jack's MONSTER JAM 4th Birthday Party!

2011-05-27T21:13:00.002-05:00

So the little young'n turned 4...so I think by now, we've made up our mind to go ahead and keep him.

Just kidding :)

Man,we had a great time! Total and complete MAYHEM in my tiny house, but who knew 40 bodies could fit in my living room!?

So since my dad took all the boys to go see Monster Jam (aka monster truck show) a few weeks ago, we had to do a moster truck theme...

and I'll just be damned if the Dollar Tree didn't have a whole cute little line of Monster Truck themed b-day supplies!!The b-day gods were smiling on me :)

(I forgot to take a pic of everything set up, but you get the idea)

But check out the cake...of course, my dad did it.

You've seen his work here, here, and here!

Look how huge it is compared to Jack!

In case you wondering, the cake box is actually a little "stadium". (my dad's a packaging designer and can make anything out of corrugated). The cake is decorated like a dirt track and we bought a bunch of mini monster trucks from Wal-Mart and stuck em on! Best of all, he still has the stadium and plays "monster truck show" all the time.

And of course, Jack loved all his presents. Check out all the loot!

And birthday games...nah. Who's wants to do that?

I just turned on the funky sprinkler and put out the kiddie pool...the kids were satisfied with that.

(you can't really see the sprinkler, but that's what my dog is so interested at in the pic above; she's so dumb :)

I got all the plates, decor, napkins, streamers, even Mylar balloons from the Dollar Tree...not bad.
I think the total for decorations and party supplies was like $40. Throw in some hot dogs, chips, and popsicles...maybe another $20. And we kept it light on the presents from us since we have such a huge family...he got TONS of new toys. I only spent $30-40 on his presents.
That's an entire 4th birthday for under $100.

He had a great time! Happy 4th kiddo!

Ginger

xoxo

Recycle and Upcycle your Recyclables!

2011-05-26T08:15:00.001-05:00

Huh? That's right...recycle your recyclables into vases or candle holders!

Make a beautiful vase or candle holder with your glass recyclable jars.

First, clean the gook off the sides from the labels.

Now they stand pretty...

Get you an assortment of glass decor beads and warm up your hot glue gun.

Then, just start gluing away...or do a pattern?

All done? Dress it up even more by wrapping ribbon or jute around the opening.

Place a candle and have a custom candle holder or use as a vase.

Either way, its a win, win!

Enjoy!

xoxo

Ginger

Whatever Wednesday #30

2011-05-25T08:15:00.000-05:00

This weeks Whatever Wednesday is a fun activity the kids did at school and I thought I'd share it!

Very practical and easy...I'm sure many of you have already done this in one way or another.

Sink or Float?

Get a bin and fill with water. Let the kiddo's run around gathering things they think will either sink or float...an educational guessing game!

Jackie certainly enjoys it. Way to go Mrs. Weeks! Another keeper.

Enjoy the day peeps!

xoxo

Ginger

Red and Toile'n!

2011-05-24T08:15:00.002-05:00

So remember my mommy's Mothers Day Gift?

Well, turns out mom ~~is super picky~~ has a keen design taste and would absolutely love to see a shadow box with red silver ware in it.

And why not?

I got another little wooden tray and some silver ware from...you guessed it, the Dollar Tree.

I spray painted a spoon and fork red and let dry. I also spray painted the tray the same light coat of off-white and let dry.

Once dry, I then did the same technique in applying the toile contact paper to the inside of the box, hot glued my silverware into place and glued some jute around the edge and ta da!

Love it!

xoxo

Ginger

Mad Skills Monday #57

2011-05-23T18:31:00.000-05:00

Hi all! Sorry for the delay in posting Mad Skills but I have been sick sick SICK

with a sinus infection...plus, this past Saturday was Jackie's 4th birthday party!!!

I'll share more about that in a later post, but for now...Mad Skills!

Last weeks show stoppers are...

this too cute wood organizer re-do from At Home with Michelle

Lov'n this totally adorable B-B-Q table setting from Lady Behind the Curtain

Easy and awesome t-shirt re-do from Sew What's Happening?

And drooling over this DIY antiqued mirror from Salvage Savvy

Great work everyone! Loved checking everything out this week!

Due to time constraints, I was not able to post comments to each and every link. I will try my very best in future parties to post to every link, but may not be able to.

If you were featured today, please feel free to snag the featured button for your blog!

This week I am sharing my magazine charms

Now its your turn!

1. Link up something crafty, creative, or fun that you wanna share!

2. Please link to the blog post and not your main page.

3. No shopping pages please. An offer to buy your item at the end of a tut is welcomed!

4. Snag the Mad Skills button and include it on your tut post so others can see where you've linked! (PS- this button was designed from my sons art work....if you are interested in a custom button, please contact me!)

5. PLEASE VISIT AT LEAST 2 OTHER LINKS IN THE PARTY AND LEAVE SOME COMMENT LOVE!

This linky party will end on Friday the 27th at midnight.

Lil Bit of Us for Feature Friday

2011-05-20T08:15:00.000-05:00

Happy Friday everyone!

I have another great Feature Friday for you today...

Say hi to Mary from Lil Bit of Us!

This is what Mary has to say...

"My name is Mary and I am the mommy to an awesome little boy named Luke. He will be three in June! I love to craft and I am a bit obsessed with photo's and photography."

Check out her awesome photo star!!!

And this fun road wall art in her son's room!

"I love being a mommy and I love to write about our life. Some day I would love to own a DSLR camera and take my photography to the next level!"

"I post photo's, crafts that I make and also crafts that I've found on the web that I like and I do reviews and giveaways too!"

Wow! Check out that star...totally neat. Thanks Mary!!

Be sure to stop by Lil Bit of Us and tell her SSB sent ya! Don't forget to ask her about a review or a giveaway!

If you would like to be featured on Feature Fridays, please email me today!

xoxo

Ginger

Make-Your-Own Decor Ball

2011-05-19T08:15:00.004-05:00

Pretty huh?

My original plan was to make a decorative garden sphere on a stake, but this worked out too!

And everything was found at the dollar store!

What you need:

styrofoam balls (any diameter larger than 3" works best)

spray paint in any color

clear glass decor beads

hot glue gun

wire clothes hanger

First, cut some pieces of wire the length of the hanger and poke it into the ball. Then, spray paint the ball your desired color. I chose the green you saw here.

Second, stick the hanger into the ground so your ball can dry.

( I didn't document these steps with pics since its pretty straight forward.)

Third, warm up the glue gun and start gluing your glass beads down starting at the wire and working your way out.

And continue until the ball is covered.

Fill in any "bald" spots with a dab of hot glue to fill it in.

(I forgot to take a pic of that part...oops)

Lastly, give it a liberal coat with a clear glaze and let dry. I used Krylon Triple thick clear glaze.

Now, if you had a wood dowel and used that rather than hanger wire, poke that puppy into the ground and you've got a garden ornament on a stake!

The glass beads make the ball really heavy, and sadly a hanger just won't cut it...the ball will just droop over. :( So I just pulled the hanger out, but I still have an awesome decor ball!

Maybe I'll just set it in a potted plant? Hmmm... there are possibilities!

xoxo

Ginger

I'm linking at these awesome parties!

Keepsake Magazine Charms

2011-05-18T08:15:00.002-05:00

I saw these charms here and I have been wanting to make a keepsake necklace that would keep the boys close to my heart ~literally~ and I finally got around to doing it and it was really easy and so inexpensive.

What you need:

tray charms

a magazine

a product called Glossy Accents (you can find it in the scrapbook section of the craft store)

chain, jump rings, jewelry pliers, etc.

First, cut out your designs from a magazine, book pages, whatever...the sky is the limit on that one.

Cut your little image to size.

Place your design in the tray charm...I used a tiny bit of the Glossy Accents to glue the images together and keep them from moving around.

Only $6! Sorry my pic is fuzzy...?

Fill the trays liberally with the goop above. Set level and let it cure for at least 48 hours.

When the charms are thoroughly hardened...that is important, go ahead and assemble the necklace. Don't get too eager like me and get a finger print in there!

Use a chain you have, a pre-made chain with a clasp, or build your own like I did. I wanted a certain length so I bought a 60" chain, cut it to size and attached a clasp.

I LOVE how it turned out!

And my favorite part, telling folks what each pic is and why!!

A little cute giraffe and the letter "S" for Sammy.

Fruit loops and the letter "J" for Jackie.

A pale pink rosebud and turquoise butterfly for me.

xoxo

Ginger

I'm linking to these awesome parties!

The Mossy Wooded Bird

2011-05-17T08:15:00.001-05:00

So, I have been slowly collecting decor for my new soon-to-be-gett'n-started-on-it-kitchen and I snagged this little birdy at the Dollar Tree.

Not bad as is, but I knew I could dress him up a little bit...

I added a little reindeer moss and a brown satin bow.

Now he's the little Mossy Wooded Bird...

That moss just added a little something...don't you think?

xoxo

Ginger

I'm linking to these awesome parties!

Mad Skills Monday #56

2011-05-15T18:38:00.001-05:00

Hi all! Hope you have a great week!

Here are a few favs from last week...

Lov'n these cute charms by Anngela's Pretty Little Things

This summer corn fettuccine from The Kitchen of Mrs. Betty Rocker looks yummy!

How fun is this dandelion discover time at 4 kids, 2 guinea pigs, One Happy Family!

And these too cute name block and spelling game from In My Spare Time

Great work everyone! Loved checking everything out this week!

Due to time constraints, I was not able to post comments to each and every link. I will try my very best in future parties to post to every link, but may not be able to.

If you were featured today, please feel free to snag the featured button for your blog!

This week, I'm sharing my Sea Shell Shadow Box!

Now its your turn!

1. Link up something crafty, creative, or fun that you wanna share!

2. Please link to the blog post and not your main page.

3. No shopping pages please. An offer to buy your item at the end of a tut is welcomed!

4. Snag the Mad Skills button and include it on your tut post so others can see where you've linked! (PS- this button was designed from my sons art work....if you are interested in a custom button, please contact me!)

5. PLEASE VISIT AT LEAST 2 OTHER LINKS IN THE PARTY AND LEAVE SOME COMMENT LOVE!

This linky party will end on Friday the 20th at midnight.

Time Well Spent for Feature Friday

2011-05-13T08:15:00.004-05:00

Happy Friday the 13th everyone! I have another good one for ya...

Say hello to Suze from Time Well Spent!

She's got the cutest tutu's around! Here's a little about Suze and her blog!

"My name is Suze and I have two kids, a boy (3 years old) and a girl (20 months old) , I make

tutu's for all occasions!"

"Bows for all occasions!"

"...and all things girly! Check out my Etsy shop here!"

"I am originally from Haiti and I learned to make all these things when my daughter was born (I was told I was going to have a boy)!"

Thank you so much :)

So that was Suze from Time Well Spent! Stop by and let her know if you wish to make a custom order!

If you would like to be featured of Feature Friday, please email today to get your blog on the waiting list!

xoxo

Ginger

Whatever Wednesday #29

2011-05-11T08:15:00.001-05:00

Duck Tails!

Check them out...

I LOVE his hair! Those cute duck tails right over his ears...so sweet!

And the blonde hair...cutie pie!

Love all my boys!

xoxo

Ginger

Teacher's Appreciation "Wreath"

2011-05-10T08:15:00.002-05:00

So I was in the shower the other night, thinking about all the really awesome teacher's appreciation gifts I've seen in bloggy-land when I realized...

I didn't do anything for my sons' daycare teacher...who happens to be one of the most awesome people I've ever met. Ahhh!
I totally gapped it.

So I went to work on this...

I love how it turned out and it was so simple!

I took one of my new wreath's from my craft shopping spree and spray painted it a cute apple green.

I then cut out an apple from a cereal box...so it would be a little sturdy.

I then took a little red scrap fabric and hot glued it over the apple cut-out.

(I cut out another piece of scrap to cover the back but forgot to take a pic)

Then I cut out some leaves from some scrap green fabric, glued them on the apple and added a cute green button for extra.

Then I hot glued it onto the painted wreath.

I added some bright yellow ribbon to hang it with and a cute little bow for charm!

And that's it! So cute and it took me about 20 minutes!

I know she'll love it!

Thanks for everything Mrs. Weeks!

You're our #1 Teacher!

xoxo

Ginger

Kreativ Blogger Award! I WON!

2011-05-09T08:15:00.013-05:00

Wow!

Michelle...the totally awesome babe over at Thrifty 101, was so kind to bestow me

the Kreativ Blogger Award!

As part of this award, I am suppose to share 10 Things About Myself. yikes.

1. I hardly ever tweeze my brows

2. I buy food thru Angel Food

3. I am extremely practical

4. I read to my children every night

5. I hate the mall

6. I LOVE THRIFT STORES!

7. I cut my son's hair myself...yup, thrifty...and practical

8. I ~heart~ the Dollar Tree

9. I ~heart~ blogging

10. I ~heart~ all you BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE!!!

Alrighty! Who are my lucky nominee's?

1. Never a Dull Day

2. Nothing But Country

3. Pink Stitches

4. Life in Rehab

5. Small Fine Print

6. Condo Blues

7. Just Another Hang Up

8. JAQS Studio

9. Boxers, Cleats and Me

10. Lady Behind the Curtain

Congrats ladies! Now pay it foward to 10 awesome bloggers.

Looking for Mad Skills Monday???

Also, if you would like to be featured on Feature Friday, please email me today. Thanks!

xoxo

Ginger

Mad Skills Monday #55

2011-05-08T21:00:00.002-05:00

Hey folks! Welcome back to Mad Skills Monday!

Here are the show stoppers for last week...

Floating away with this cute Kite Party at The Lady Behind the Curtain

Yum...Cherry Shortbread Cookies from Jam Hands

Love this beautiful wedding cake at Will Cook for Smiles

Check out these awesome Alpha Eggs at Rub Some Dirt on It

And love this one...the Pamper Mom party from The Busy Budgeting Mommy

Great work everyone! Loved checking everything out this week!

Due to time constraints, I was not able to post comments to each and every link. I will try my very best in future parties to post to every link, but may not be able to.

If you were featured today, please feel free to snag the featured button for your blog!

This week, I'm sharing my Spring-y Green Cross!

Now its your turn!

1. Link up something crafty, creative, or fun that you wanna share!

2. Please link to the blog post and not your main page.

3. No shopping pages please. An offer to buy your item at the end of a tut is welcomed!

4. Snag the Mad Skills button and include it on your tut post so others can see where you've linked! (PS- this button was designed from my sons art work....if you are interested in a custom button, please contact me!)

5. PLEASE VISIT AT LEAST 2 OTHER LINKS IN THE PARTY AND LEAVE SOME COMMENT LOVE!

This linky party will end on Friday the 13th (yikes) at midnight.

Happy Mother's Day!

2011-05-07T12:44:00.002-05:00

Hi all you lovely mother's out there! Congrats on a job well done.

Being a mother is the hardest job God created.

And my mom is one of the best!

Check out what I made my mommy...

It was super easy to make and I got all the supplies at the Dollar Tree!

I started with a plain-jane wooden tray.

I gave it a light coat of ivory spray paint.

(btw, Lays Stax cans make great spray paint stands!)

I then measured a templet for the inside of the tray with notebook paper and then cut some toile contact paper to match.

Then, apply the contact paper and smooth it out using a credit card or something.

And this is the result.

Not bad but I'm not stopp'n there! I spray painted some sea shells the same ivory.

Then hot glued them inside the tray.

Then I wrapped some jute around the outside, hot gluing it into place as I went.

And then added a jute bow on top!

And this cute little tray already had hanging hardware attached. Sweetness.

All wrapped for mom and ready to go in a simple brown box with a jute bow!

Hope she loves it! I know I do...I want one for myself now.

Happy Mother's Day mom :)

xoxo

Ginger

I'm linking to these awesome parties!

God Bless the Dollar Tree...

2011-05-06T22:21:00.001-05:00

So I went to the Dollar Tree to pick up some mouth wash and flip flops.

Yup. You heard right.

Flip flops for Jack because they are the only shoes he can put on all by himself and God forbid anyone help him with anything! And mouthwash because I'm out.

But...I didn't walk out with just flip flops and mouthwash.

Check out my loot!!!

Let's see...

2 sheets of decal letters

a ball pf twine

a roll of beautilful French toile contact paper

a bag of floral moss

2 straw wreaths

5 rolls of ribbon

2 baskets of sea shells

2 bags of decor glass beads

and a little wooden tray

I have so many ideas stirring! Eek!

And yes, we did get plenty of flip flops...

Grey, brown, and black with flames...guess which Jack picked out.

And for only a $1!!!

Like I said...

God Bless the Dollar Tree...

Can I get an Amen?

xoxo

Ginger

Life in Rehab for Feature Friday

2011-05-06T08:15:00.000-05:00

Hey folks! I've got a good one for you this Friday...

meet Sunny at Life in Rehab. One of the coolest chicks in the blogoshere!

She's got more comic relief and DIY's then I could EVER come up with and she's here to share some of both. Here's what Sunny's got to say...

"Hi, I'm Sunny Pritchard, a bad girl turned middle aged mom. I'm a newly wed of 20 years with three teenaged Minions, enough cats that I should be single and making hats out of aluminum foil, two dogs with attachment issues and my mother, all under the roof of a house that caught on fire in August 2009."

(yikes)

"We've torn our house completely apart!"
Check it out here.

"We're determined to bring the old historic girl back to life economically (fine, cheaply) with teamwork and DIY, and we're actually having a blast doing it. Throw in some personal musings, recipes, and unsolicited parenting advice, and you have Life in Rehab. We'll try anything once. If it works out, we'll admit it."

"And of course we made over most of the furniture."

See this here with other great re-do's!

"We made lots of new possessions out of some of the least likely things."

Check all this DIY, up-cycling goodness here!

"We've proven we're not normal. No one has argued with us." -Sunny

And who is normal these day s anyways?!

Thanks so much for sharing with us Sunny!

If you would like to be featured on Feature Friday, email me today!

xoxo

Ginger

Have you featured me???

2011-05-05T22:05:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone!

Listen, if any of you fab peeps have featured SSB and I do not have your totally awesome button on my sidebar...please let me know!

Post a comment with the link so I can snag your button, purdy please!

I wanna make sure I'm doing my due diligence and making sure that everyone who was sweet enough to feature whatever I blogged about gets a spot on my sidebar!

Thanks bunches!

xoxo

Ginger

Robots Done!

2011-05-05T08:15:00.001-05:00

Finally. It's only been three months...but hey, it's done right?

I roughly outlined everything in black and left the edges choppy and some corners/ends open (meaning I didn't connect the lines).

The result is a Dr. Seuss-y type look...in my opinion, anyways.

Yippe! One step closer to shortening my every-growing project list!

xoxo

Ginger

I'm linking at these awesome parties!

Whatever Wednesday #28

2011-05-04T08:15:00.002-05:00

If you are a mom...do you ever have pics of yourself?

I mean, I'll go thru tons of our family pics and I am in hardly any of them! I asked my husband this very question and he maintained that it's because I am always the one taking the pics.

I guess he has a point.

Well, if I've got the camera...I'll just take pics of myself then!

(sam moved...)

Now I got some "me and the boys" pictures. Finally!

And...I snapped a few "feel pretty" ones...

Now can you believe that I took these pics? Hard to tell, huh?

Sneaky trick to be in some family photo's!

xoxo

Ginger

Spring-y Green Cross

2011-05-03T08:15:00.002-05:00

I enjoyed my Ivory Squirrel so much that I decided to do a similar project!

Again...in stocking up for new decor things for my soon-to-be-redone kitchen, I snagged this pretty cross from the Dollar Tree...

Not too bad as is. Good color and I loved the scroll detail in the center, but not a fan of the gold trim. Plus, I already have some other ivory details going into the kitchen.

So I picked up a can of Krylon "Ivy Leaf"

(sorry a little fuzzy)

And now...

Love this color! And I love spray paint...

xoxo

Ginger

I'm linking at these awesome parties!

Mad Skills Monday #54

2011-05-01T21:00:00.009-05:00

Welcome to another Mad Skills Monday!
Hope yer hav'n a great week!

Here are the show stoppers from last week...

Check out this cute lollipop flower arrangement from Nothing But Country

Lov'n this free table re-do at Boxers, Cleats, and Me

In LOVE with this argyle changing table re-do from Never a Dull Day

And this eclair cake from Rae Gun Ramblings looks dee-lish!

Great work everyone! Loved checking everything out this week!

Due to time constraints, I was not able to post comments to each and every link. I will try my very best in future parties to post to every link, but may not be able to.

If you were featured today, please feel free to snag the featured button for your blog!

This week, I'm sharing my "Ivory Squirrel"!

Now its your turn!

1. Link up something crafty, creative, or fun that you wanna share!

2. Please link to the blog post and not your main page.

3. No shopping pages please. An offer to buy your item at the end of a tut is welcomed!

4. Snag the Mad Skills button and include it on your tut post so others can see where you've linked! (PS- this button was designed from my sons art work....if you are interested in a custom button, please contact me!)

5. PLEASE VISIT AT LEAST 2 OTHER LINKS IN THE PARTY AND LEAVE SOME COMMENT LOVE!

This linky party will end on Friday the 6th at midnight.

Creative Contentment for Feature Fridays

2011-04-29T08:15:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone! If you want to participate in Feature Fridays, please email me TODAY! As of now, I have no one for next Friday. We wanna keep this whole free PR thing going, right?

One to the feature...say hello to Becky from Creative Contentment!

Here's a little about what Becky has to say:

"Hi my name is Becky and I live in the far west corner of the Country of Turkey.

My husband and I have lived in Turkey for 6 years and have three kiddos, full of lots ‘o energy and fun.

Living here in Turkey has put my life in perspective and I am very glad at times for not having everything at my finger tips

it is good to live simply and 'use what I have'.

There are no big, nice, absolutely fun craft or fabric stores over here so instead of always wishing for something else (which I did for a awhile)

I started using what I had and that has become

my theme for this season:

"Honor God, live simply, use what you have and give the rest away".

That is why the name for my blog Creative Contentment fits me like a glove right now, I have honestly found Contentment in creating ‘with what I have’."

Well this is what I created ... with what I had on hand. Enjoy.

Thanks Becky!

And check out some other goodies from her blog...

this cute little Easter Rock (fun for kids)

And this up-cycled skirt!

Go visit Becky at Creative Contentment!

xoxo

Ginger

Whatever Wednesday #27

2011-04-27T08:15:00.003-05:00

Too cute to pass up...

Jackie's says the Buzz Lightyear is a "Big Foot"

LOL! He stuck Buzz's feet in a pair of Sam's shoes.

Such a cutie!

xoxo

Ginger

Ivory Squirrel

2011-04-26T08:15:00.002-05:00

So I'm slowly picking up some new decor things for when I get to re-do my kitchen and I came across this little guy at the Dollar Tree.

He's so cute but so dark...

He needs to lighten up!

So I picked up some new spray paint...

Krylon "Ivory"

And gave him a little make over...

Isn't he cute? I gave him a light coat so that a little of the brown showed thru a bit.

See that great detail around the eye and acorn?

And such an easy change, just a quick spray and all done!

xoxo

Ginger

I'm linking at these awesome parties!

Mad Skills Monday #53

2011-04-24T19:16:00.001-05:00

Happy Easter!!!

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

John 3:16

Hope everyone had a great holiday!

Here are the show stoppers from last week!

Check out these cute scrap fabric paper dolls from Serving Pink Lemonade

And this awesome up-cycled kids kitchen from The Toasted Coconut

Lov'n these amazing hurricanes from Life in Rehab

(I have got to make me some of those...)

And check out this cute little guy from Skook's Playground

(isn't he sweet?)

And in love with these sun glasses pouch from Pink Stitches

Great work everyone! Loved checking everything out this week!

Due to time constraints, I was not able to post comments to each and every link. I will try my very best in future parties to post to every link, but may not be able to.

If you were featured today, please feel free to snag the featured button for your blog!

This week I'm sharing my "Funky Nature" painting!

Now its your turn!

1. Link up something crafty, creative, or fun that you wanna share!

2. Please link to the blog post and not your main page.

3. No shopping pages please. An offer to buy your item at the end of a tut is welcomed!

4. Snag the Mad Skills button and include it on your tut post so others can see where you've linked! (PS- this button was designed from my sons art work....if you are interested in a custom button, please contact me!)

5. PLEASE VISIT AT LEAST 2 OTHER LINKS IN THE PARTY AND LEAVE SOME COMMENT LOVE!

This linky party will end on Friday the 29th at midnight.

Tales of a Trophy Wife for Feature Friday

2011-04-22T08:15:00.002-05:00

Today's Feature Friday is spot-lighting Tara from

Tales of a Trophy Wife!

Check out her blog full of creative DIY's and tell her you're visiting from SSB!

Here is what Tara has to say...

"I started up my craft blog a few months ago. We moved across country last summer and my youngest started school. This left me with more free time and a complete inability to make new friends. Apparently, I'd been relying a little too heavily on playgroups and park days to form my circle of friends. So I started this blog to show-off my projects to those friends that live far away and hopefully as a way to make some more."

Check out this cute bathroom decor...

Love it.

And her kiddo's wall of fame...

And what else is Tara working on?

"I'm currently working on a book list for boys, that I hope to post soon. Although, my boys would rather fight the evil forces of the Empire or throw a ball around, there are a few books that they've actually enjoyed. Thanks so much!"

Thanks Tara for all the inspiration!

Ginger

SSB

Funky Nature

2011-04-21T08:15:00.002-05:00

I was missing my husband the other night (he has a night job as well as a day) so I wanted to stay up to see him when he got home.

What better way to kick the sleep fog but to crank up the music (not too loud...kiddo's in bed)

and paint whatever pops into my head.

This is my result.

I call it "Funky Nature".

I was feeling very surreal at the moment; I was listening to a lot of my fav tunes, a storm was ROLLING outside, and I was thinking of all the things I love about my husband.

I think the bird best symbolizes the heightened relationship of an angelic woman and her husband. So much to adore in your struggles...creates a doorway to a strong marriage!

There are some days where I could not feel more free...

xoxo

Ginger

I'm linking at these awesome parties!

Whatever Wednesday #26

2011-04-20T08:15:00.002-05:00

A simple Whatever Wednesday today...

the kids had a little BBQ at school the other day and I received these cute pics!

Sam loves him a hotdog.

My sweet Jackie!

xoxo

Ginger

PS-I am still in need of folks to feature for Feature Fridays! I need some of you ladies to step up for this one!! FREE PR ladies... email me today to get on the list!

PSS-I also am wanting to host some guest bloggers! Email me and show me whatcha got!

I've Hit 300 Followers!

2011-04-19T20:06:00.001-05:00

Thanks everyone!!!

...it sure does mean a lot!

And to show my appreciation,

here's a smacker!

xoxoxo!

Ginger

SSB

I've won the Versitile Blogger Award again! Yipee!

2011-04-19T08:15:00.000-05:00

So sweet...Tara over at Tales from a Trophy Wife gave me the Versatile Blogger Award!

(I think this means I may have to hand out a "Craftiest Crafter" award soon...)

Thanks bunches Tara!

Rules:

Thank the person that gave it to you. Done.

List 7 things about your self...okay.

1. just started a new job...lik'n it so far

2. Nelson licked my hand at the zoo...eew

3. I sleep with three pillows

4. I love making jewelery but hardly ever wear it...why is that?

5. I really don't care for shopping, unless it's thrift store shopping

6. not much of a phone person...I have one that makes/receives calls. That's it.

7. I have been told that I look like Taylor Swift...I don't see it.

Pass the award on to other new blogs you've discovered...hmmmm.

1. Little Lovlies

2. Eisy Morgan

3. Come Together Kids

4. Increasingly Domestic

5. 20 Something

6. Okla-HOME-la

7. Fine and Handy

8. Ask Anna

9. It's Always Craft Time

10. Mom's Crafty Space

Spread the love folks!

xoxo

Ginger

Mad Skills Monday #52

2011-04-17T21:00:00.001-05:00

So bummer...this past Mad Skills was kinda weak.

But I'm not sure what the deal was with the linky party??? Hmm... it's a mystery.

Hears to FREE furniture. Nothin' wrong with that!

Check out this desk re-do from Sew Ronimo

And I love this sweet hand towel from Liberty Original

Great work everyone! Loved checking everything out this week!

Due to time constraints, I was not able to post comments to each and every link. I will try my very best in future parties to post to every link, but may not be able to.

If you were featured today, please feel free to snag the featured button for your blog!

This week I'm sharing my son's Robot Room!

Now its your turn!

1. Link up something crafty, creative, or fun that you wanna share!

2. Please link to the blog post and not your main page.

3. No shopping pages please. An offer to buy your item at the end of a tut is welcomed!

4. Snag the Mad Skills button and include it on your tut post so others can see where you've linked! (PS- this button was designed from my sons art work....if you are interested in a custom button, please contact me!)

5. PLEASE VISIT AT LEAST 2 OTHER LINKS IN THE PARTY AND LEAVE SOME COMMENT LOVE!

This linky party will end on Friday the 22nd at midnight.

Little Lovelies for Feature Friday

2011-04-15T08:15:00.002-05:00

So its SSB's very first Feature Friday! Take a minute to hang out with Allison from Little Lovelies!

A fab-tastic new blog that I've been excited to visit. So be sure to visit her and tell her you're stopping by from SSB!

Here is a little about Allison and her blog, Little Lovelies...\

"I blog because I need something to do that is totally for me. I know it sounds selfish, but I am a full time working mommy and everything I do all day is for someone else. Which is fine and great and the way I believe things should be. That is life and that is what being a good mom and employee is all about. But I think crafting and blogging keeps me tethered to the "me" I was before I was a mommy, wife, employee, and a thousand other titles. I can retreat into myself while I craft and then reach back outside of myself and share my love for creating with others. I have only been blogging for less than two months, but I have found something that I love!"

"My blog is called little lovelies and it is a blog mostly about crafts, with some stuff about being a mommy thrown in here and there. My tagline is "cards, jewelry, crafts, and other little lovelies". I like to share tutorials, but I also want to share some photography, shopping finds (who doesn't like to drool over shopping?!), and whatever else I think will inspire or brighten someone else's day. I would love for you to take a look at my blog, and I really hope you like it!"

(I'm drooling over her craft room, which she linked up here)

And her beautiful jewelry!

Well thanks Allison for participating in Feature Fridays at SSB!

Feel free to visit back again to link up, post a comment, or guest blog!

Ginger

SSB

Spring Wreath

2011-04-14T08:15:00.003-05:00

So I tried my hand at a wreath the other day! For my first attempt, I am really loving it!

Started out with these things:

Got 'em all at the Dollar Tree!!

and flowers, of course (also from the Dollar Tree).

Got my glue gun warmed up and got to it.

I love the twig wreath so I knew I didn't want to cover a lot of it up.

I started by cutting pieces of the moss roll up and gluing in a random pattern.

I took apart the flowers stems and placed the pieces where I wanted them.

I put as much on as I wanted, using different pieces here and there until it was "just enough".

To hang, I cut a length of brown satin ribbon and hot glued it onto the wreath.

All done! I love it and can't wait to put it in my soon-to-be re-done kitchen!

Yup, re-doing the kitchen.

Lovely...

Ginger

SSB

I'm linking to these great parties!

Whatever Wednesday #25

2011-04-13T08:15:00.000-05:00

Finally...a Whatever Wednesday with something cool to post.

We took the kids to the Frank Buck Zoo in Gainesville, TX on Saturday! Yeah!

Its a smaller zoo then that of the Dallas or Fort Worth Zoo's, but still a lot of fun for the kids. And I have to say I REALLY enjoyed it too!

Its pretty inexpensive and because it's not way HUGE, we were able to see everything and be home in time for nap.

We got there just in time for the giraffe feeding.

Meet Nelson.

Here is hubby feeding Nelson.

Sam wasn't too impressed...

Jack had a great time!

Here are a few pics of some of the animals we saw!

We also fed some goats in the petting zoo.

Hope you plan a trip to the zoo soon!

Ginger

SSB

Robot Room! It's coming along...

2011-04-12T21:02:00.001-05:00

So I have been ~~barely working on~~ hard at work on the boys room. Really! I have!

Okay, I slacked a little. Can you blame me?

I actually got a lot of this done weeks ago, but have just now got around to posting about it.

Check out my robots!

Aren't they cute? They still need some detail work..and...looks like that little guy in the middle needs some legs. And a neck.

Anyhoo.

I got the idea for these guys right from the fabric I used for the curtains!

I decided on valances because...honestly it was less fabric I had to buy and sew. Yeah. That's right! I'm lazy...didn't wanna sew entire panels. And anyways, it really brightens the room!

I lengthened them by adding a 3 inch trim on the bottom of a coordinating color. Cuteness!

But I think my fav part so far about this work-in-progress is this beauty!

Isn't this thing fab! Snagged it at a thrift store!

Perfect color! (looks great against the green wall color huh?)

That awesome 50's look...the price?

$14.00...but wait, I had a 50% off coupon. Yup.

I hope to have a finished room for you soon!

Ginger

SSB

I'm linking to these great parties!

Mad Skills Monday #51

2011-04-10T22:58:00.003-05:00

Oops...sorry about that "phantom" linky party...silly me.

Hey folks! Hope everyone had a great weekend! We took the kids to the zoo...tons of fun! I'll be posting pics of all that a little later.

On to Mad Skills...

I have been kinda "in" to refinishing furniture lately...and you'll see more of it here soon.

So you know why I had to mention this dresser re-do from Fine & Handy

And these nightstands from Okla-HOME-a

I also love this DIY board book from Utah County Mom

And check out these beautiful cards from Time Well Spent

Great work everyone! Loved checking everything out this week!

Due to time constraints, I was not able to post comments to each and every link. I will try my very best in future parties to post to every link, but may not be able to.

If you were featured today, please feel free to snag the featured button for your blog!

This week I am sharing my new (well...new to me) Coffee Table!

Now its your turn!

1. Link up something crafty, creative, or fun that you wanna share!

2. Please link to the blog post and not your main page.

3. No shopping pages please. An offer to buy your item at the end of a tut is welcomed!

4. Snag the Mad Skills button and include it on your tut post so others can see where you've linked! (PS- this button was designed from my sons art work....if you are interested in a custom button, please contact me!)

5. PLEASE VISIT AT LEAST 2 OTHER LINKS IN THE PARTY AND LEAVE SOME COMMENT LOVE!

This linky party will end on Friday the 15th at midnight.

Quick Tip for DIY Manicures

2011-04-07T08:15:00.000-05:00

So I have been REALLY into doing my own manicures lately.

Seriously, like every 2 or 3 days, I do my nails and always in a different color. I have blue, purple, pink...even white nail polish!

It is actually relaxing...I'll put in an old, feel-good movie and do my nails!

However, I am not particularly good at it.

I am EXTREMELY right-handed and not a very steady hand either.

I always slip up and get polish everywhere. A Q-tip dipped in polish remover can get big glops off without smearing your nail, but its not very helpful when trying to get into those hard places, like under/around your nail or in the cuticles.

Solution?

A quick tip I found was to take a toothpick, dip in nail polish remover, and touch up in those little bitty places!

I also found that roughing up the end a little bit helps the toothpick to absorb the polish remover.

So now I don't have to be a nail technician to have a good-looking manicure.

Who knew?

Ginger

SSB

Whatever Wednesday #24

2011-04-06T08:15:00.000-05:00

Todays Whatever Wednesday is a fun pic I took of all my boys the other day...

the kids decided to dog pile on Daddy and I just happened to have the camera in hand.

Hehehe! Love being able to catch moments like this...

Ginger

SSB

Put Together Tuesdays on hold... :(

2011-04-05T08:15:00.000-05:00

Well shucks folks...looks like something else going on hold for a bit.

Turns out after hubby gets home late from his second job that we need to make ends meet around here, the last thing he feels like doing is taking pics of me modeling outfits for SSB.

And I can't say I blame him, since I primarily feel like a fool when doing so.

So anyways, I'll pick it back up when I can have him take pics on a weekend or something and just schedule the post.

(just figured that out recently and I LOVE IT! I've only been blogging for over a year now...geez)

Ginger

SSB

Coffee Table Re-do REVEALED!

2011-04-04T08:15:00.005-05:00

Alright...don't forget to email me about Feature Fridays...I need some more interested folks to keep this thing going! Email me today about being featured!!!

And on to my coffee table... I know I had mentioned it before, but things have been crazy and I didn

t get a chance to finish it until this weekend!!!

And here it is!! Ta-da!

Here how you do it:

I bought this table for $8 at a garage sale.

First sand and paint a base coat of white.

I then gave it two coats of some beautiful green paint that I had ON HAND! Left over from Jack's nursery.

Once dry, mix your glaze. I mixed a dark chocolate brown I had again ON HAND and worked in small areas.

I used a foam brush because it soaks up a lot of glaze and you're able to work it really well into all the little crevices...so you're glaze color will show up beautifully!

PS-coffee cans make excellent glaze and paint storage containers!

Apply a generous amount of glaze and then lightly wipe off with a papertowel.

See how that nice chocolate brown comes out against the green? Eek! I love it!

When I came across the drawers, I noticed they weren't as banged up as I would like. No problem!

Randomly beat the heck out of them with the butt of a screw driver and you're set.

Check out the finished look!

I was going to buy new knobs, but I decided to save a little doe and spray paint the existing ones white. I liked the chic look, plus they stand out against the green!

I love the way this turned out! And my husband loves it!

Not bad for an $8 table and a $12 can of glaze. Everything else I already had.

I plan on glazing the new dresser too.

And I think I may tackle my old bedroom furniture and give our space some new life!!

Ginger

SSB

I'm linking to these awesome parties!

Mad Skills Monday #50

2011-04-03T17:09:00.000-05:00

Wow! We've hit Mad Skills Monday no. 50! Time flies when you're having fun, I guess.

Speaking of fun, check out last weeks show stoppers!

Check out this cool dragon spoon from Bug, Boo, and Bean

In LOVE with this craft room at Little Lovlies

And these too cute quiet book pages from Back to Basics

Great work everyone! Loved checking everything out this week!

Due to time constraints, I was not able to post comments to each and every link. I will try my very best in future parties to post to every link, but may not be able to.

If you were featured today, please feel free to snag the featured button for your blog!

This week I'm sharing my art by accident.

Now its your turn!

1. Link up something crafty, creative, or fun that you wanna share!

2. Please link to the blog post and not your main page.

3. No shopping pages please. An offer to buy your item at the end of a tut is welcomed!

4. Snag the Mad Skills button and include it on your tut post so others can see where you've linked! (PS- this button was designed from my sons art work....if you are interested in a custom button, please contact me!)

5. PLEASE VISIT AT LEAST 2 OTHER LINKS IN THE PARTY AND LEAVE SOME COMMENT LOVE!

This linky party will end on Friday the 8th at midnight.