The Cozy Season has arrived!

I absolutely LOVE fall!!!  All of the fall activities, like apple picking, pumpkin patches, hay rides, trick or treating and my Birthday at the end of October.  I love that October ends in my birthday and then kicks off the holiday season.  I have been on pintrest looking at some fall pics today and felt inspired to share some of them.

This Winter Bounty Wreath is for sale at Plow Hearth.

I added a link to the page if you are interested.

These yummy apples were photographed at Murray Family Farms.

This is about 15 minutes from our home and is always a really fun place to visit.

A beautiful Autumn stroll.

This Fall Bucket List is from the High Heeled Hostess.

I added a link to the picture, you really should check out her great blog.

A bridge into fall.

Fall Yumminess

This is a link to a recipe for Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins 

by Tracey's Culinary Adventures.

This adorable "Welcome Change Print"

is for sale on Etsy by Papermoth.

I have added a link to the Etsy store.

This incredible Fall Sampler is also an Etsy find.

I have added a link to the DAWNSPAINTING store.

This yummy tablescape is from Country Living.

Click the picture to be taken to the Fall Table section of their website.

Running into Fall!

I just found this picture inspiring.

I added a link to the site it came from.  She has some really great shots.

I hope these pictures inspire you to enjoy this wonderful cozy season.

What's Cooking Wednesday

I am on a mission to try at least one new recipe each week.  Then, if it is worth while, I will share it with you on Wednesday.  My family is embarking on a new adventure in eating.  We have joined The Daniel Plan with the congregation of Saddleback Church in Southern California.  We do not live in the Los Angeles area, but we have joined on-line.  On this adventure we are attempting to be more health conscious and aware of what we put into our bodies.  If you are curious about The Daniel Plan, I added a link to their website to the name.  Their website is a wealth of information on health and wellness.

So, for this weeks recipe.

Black Bean Tostadas!!!!

It was REALLY GOOD!  Some of the steps were a bit labor intensive and there was a bit of chopping, but it was so worth it.  I found this recipe on a great food blog called Dana Treat.  If you would like to check it out, you can click the picture, or HERE.

Etsy Cocktail Umbrella Lantern

Yesterday I was looking around on Etsy, the BEST place to shop for and sell handmade treasures.  I have never noticed it before, but I came across the How-Tuesday section on the Etsy Blog.  LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!  This week they featured this Cocktail Umbrella Lantern by Allison Patrick from Zipper8 Lighting.  I just have to say, she has some AMAZINGLY cool and beautiful things in her Etsy store.

Here is the awesome Vlog!



There is something that is just irresistible about Cocktail Umbrellas.  They're tiny, adorable, bright and even functional!  So, of course today when I saw a paper lantern on clearance at Michaels, I couldn't resist.  After an additional trip to the party store to purchase the Cocktail Umbrellas, I jumped right in the project.

Here are my supplies

Here is my lantern after gluing all of the Cocktail umbrellas on.  Isn't it fun?

In order to cover the whole lantern I had to overlap the umbrellas and covered up part of the opening.

Just as she said in the Video, it was very easy to trim the umbrellas around the opening.

Here it is!  

Hanging in my dining room and bringing a smile to my heart.

Make sure you check out the Etsy Blog and do a little shopping while you're there.

Here are the link parties that I frequently join.  I may not add every project to every party, but all are worthy of noting each time to get the word out about them.

Kuzak’s Closet,   Marvelously Messy,   Under the Table and Dreaming,   The Tattered Tag,   Flamingo Toes,   Lamb Around,   Cherished Treasures,  Petite Hermine,   Nifty Thrifty Things,  Skip to my Lou,   Sumo’s Sweet Stuff,  Making the World Cuter,   The Girl Creative,   Singing Three Little Birds,   Mad in Crafts,   11th Heaven’s Homemaking Haven,   Craftomaniac,   Creating My Way to Success,   Sew Can Do,   Embellishing Life,   C.R.A.F.T.,   It’s a Blog Party,   Me Making Do,   Sarahndipities,   The DIY Home Sweet Home Project,   Funky Polka Dot Giraffe,   Today’s Creative Blog,   Hope Studios,         Ladybug Blessings,   Tip Junkie,   A Silly Little Sparrow,   Giggles Glitz & Glam,   Not JUST a Housewife,   Reason’s to Skip the Housework,   Little Birdie Blog,   The Blackberry Vine,   Blue Cricket,   The Trendy Treehouse,   Lil’ Luna,   The Thrifty Home,   Seven Thirty Three,   Sew Much Ado,   Handyman Craftywoman,   Sweet Craft Cakes,   Tea Rose Home,    Twin Dragonfly Designs,   Elements Interiors,   Fun to Craft,   The Shabby Chic Cottage,    House of Hepworth’s,   Somewhat Simple,   Rhinestone Beagle,   Yesterday on Tuesday,   Kojo Designs,   While He Was Napping,   Tatertots and Jello,   Bubbly Nature Creations,   Funky Junk Interiors,   Creation Corner,    A Few of my Favorite Things,   It’s a Hodgepodge Life,   My Romantic Home,   The Shabby Nest,    Frugal and Fabulous Design,   Sun Scholars,      Whipperberry,   At the Picket Fence,  Fingerprints on the Fridge,   Home Sweet Farm,   Young & Crafty,   Freckled Laundry,   Iron Violet Designs,   Fireflies & Jellybeans,   Be Different Act Normal,    Craft Envy,    Along for the Ride,   A Vision to Remember,    Saturday Mornings,   It’s a Crafty Life,   Childmade,     Sew Can Do,  

Thrift-Store Chair Upcycle

Hello my friends!  I'm so sorry that I have been away so long.  I have been enjoying my summer with my beautiful daughter and haven't had much time for crafting.

But, last week I popped in a thrift store downtown and found this chair for $2.97. 

 I have been wanted to paint something lately and was so happy to get a sturdy chair for less than $3.  Wow!!!!  I really need to drop into thrift stores more often.

So, I went to Walmart and bought some Enamel Paint in Alluring Bermuda Bay Blue.  

Since I was using an enamel paint, I decided not to go to great lengths to sand it.  I just took off the shine, that was left, with a 180 fine grit sanding block.  

After three good coats of paint, I am in love with this cute little chair.

Now I just need to decide if I am going to use it inside or out.

I LOVE painted furniture!

I know how much fun it is, yet every time I paint something and bring it back to life, I still feel surprised at the difference a can of paint makes.  I hope you find something fabulous to paint this summer too!

These are the Link Parties that I frequent.  I may not post to every one every week, but just incase I do, here they are:

Kuzak’s Closet,   Marvelously Messy,   Under the Table and Dreaming,   The Tattered Tag,   Flamingo Toes,   Lamb Around,   Cherished Treasures,  Petite Hermine,   Nifty Thrifty Things,  Skip to my Lou,   Sumo’s Sweet Stuff,  Making the World Cuter,   The Girl Creative,   Singing Three Little Birds,   Mad in Crafts,   11th Heaven’s Homemaking Haven,   Craftomaniac,   Creating My Way to Success,   Sew Can Do,   Embellishing Life,   C.R.A.F.T.,   It’s a Blog Party,   Me Making Do,   Sarahndipities,   The DIY Home Sweet Home Project,   Funky Polka Dot Giraffe,   Today’s Creative Blog,   Hope Studios,         Ladybug Blessings,   Tip Junkie,   A Silly Little Sparrow,   Giggles Glitz & Glam,   Not JUST a Housewife,   Reason’s to Skip the Housework,   Little Birdie Blog,   The Blackberry Vine,   Blue Cricket,   The Trendy Treehouse,   Lil’ Luna,   The Thrifty Home,   Seven Thirty Three,   Sew Much Ado,   Handyman Craftywoman,   Sweet Craft Cakes,   Tea Rose Home,    Twin Dragonfly Designs,   Elements Interiors,   Fun to Craft,   The Shabby Chic Cottage,    House of Hepworth’s,   Somewhat Simple,   Rhinestone Beagle,   Yesterday on Tuesday,   Kojo Designs,   While He Was Napping,   Tatertots and Jello,   Bubbly Nature Creations,   Funky Junk Interiors,   Creation Corner,    A Few of my Favorite Things,   It’s a Hodgepodge Life,   My Romantic Home,   The Shabby Nest,    Frugal and Fabulous Design,   Sun Scholars,      Whipperberry,   At the Picket Fence,  Fingerprints on the Fridge,   Home Sweet Farm,   Young & Crafty,   Freckled Laundry,   Iron Violet Designs,   Fireflies & Jellybeans,   Be Different Act Normal,    Craft Envy,    Along for the Ride,   A Vision to Remember,    Saturday Mornings,   It’s a Crafty Life,   Childmade,     Sew Can Do,  

Blissfully Meandering through Vacation

Hi Friends!
I am so sorry that I have been missing.  It was the end of the school year and then we jumped in the car and headed for vacation.  I am going to share some of our pics with you.  Since I am not crafting on vacation, I will share what I have.

Here is a trail in Dunsmuir California that leads to Mossbrea Falls!

Here is Mossbrea Falls

This is my handsome hubby and my beautiful daughter. 

Sacramento River

Here we are sticking our feet in the FREEZING water.  I think it is melted snow from Mt. Shasta.   We could only put our feet in for a few seconds and it would send a cramp up our legs.  Brrrrrr.  But it was fun.

Just down the road from Mossbrea Falls is Hedge Creek Falls.

My daughter said the her friend the wind was blowing and making her cheeks cold.

Hedge Creek Falls

This is the view from behind the falls.  It was really cool to go behind a waterfall.

We continued on our vacation to Oregon.

Here's a little deer on the side of the road.  May not be a big deal to everyone, but it's something we don't see very often in Central California. 

We finally made it to our home for the week, in beautiful Sunriver, Oregon.  If you are ever in central Oregon, the very best way to enjoy the beauty is to rent a house in Sunriver through Sunray Vacation Rentals.  

We went with cousins to visit a kids salon called Sprouts in Bend, Oregon.  My beautiful daughter got feathers and glitter put in her hair.

And her first Manicure!

Here is the view from my husband's Aunt's back porch in Bend, Oregon.

As we have more adventures this week, I will post again.

Monday Meandering #8

I'm back!!!!  I have been crazy busy with end of the school year stuff and filling Etsy orders.  I have also been wondering if doing a Monday Meandering post is worth the time.  It generally has much less traffic than the tutorial posts.  But, since I have a few friends who do not peruse blog land, and therefore miss some amazing things, I will continue. (As time permits)  I have been told that some friends check on Monday's to see what I found over the weekend.  Awwww, thanks girls.

So, here it goes.  The first thing that I fell in love with is Chocolate Covered Oreos by It's Always a Party at the Parker's.  OMG, I never thought that Oreos could be improved upon.  But, they not only added chocolate, but a beautiful design as well.  Someday this summer, I am so trying to make these!

I just love this You are my Sunshine Art Canvas by Beyond the Screen Door.  When I was a little girl, my mom used to sing this song to me all the time.  Now that I have a little girl, my mom and I both sing it to her.  So, when I saw this piece, I immediately clicked. :)

These Painted Canning Jars are actually the link that I followed over to Beyond the Screen Door.  Aren't they awesome?  I have always loved canning jars. I love to use them whenever I can, even though I have never canned anything.  BTW, Iced Tea tastes at least 10 times better from a mason jar (and as a bonus, it reminds me of my Aunt Nita) the sweeter the better.

 Of course those of you who have read my previous posts, know of my affinity for paint chips.  I have found, yet another, reason to collect them when I go to Walmart or Lowes.  Ali Lilly made these adorable Paint Chip Wreaths.

Since Summer Break is almost upon us, I have been looking for things to do and make with my beautiful daughter.  This weekend, I came across these awesome Homemade Superballs by Making Memories with your kids.  My daughter is going to be so excited on the day we make these.

Lastly, I fell in love with this adorable little bag.  This Layla Handbag was found at Artfully Caroline.  I love the ruffles!!!!

I hope you love these finds as much as I did!  Thanks for stopping by.

Fridge Frame

Hello friends!  I'm sorry for the silence here.  For those of you who don't know, I am a Teacher.  I have been caught up in the craziness that is the end of the school year.  But, I did find some time to make a frame to make my daughter's artwork even more special.

Please excuse the crookedness.  

I started with a plain old wooden frame.  The glass had broken, so I decided to give it a new purpose.  First I painted it pink with acrylic paint.  I hung it outside on my garden crook, so it would dry faster.  (Just incase your wondering why it is hanging in the garden).  If you look closely, you will see that I added just a touch of iridescent glitter.  Because, I am a firm believer that everything is better with glitter.

While the paint was drying, I gathered my buttons and magnet roll.  I have to admit, that once it was done, the magnet roll was NOT strong enough to hold the frame and it kept sliding down.  So, I went to the craft store and got stronger magnets.  They worked like a champ.

Once the paint was dry, I hot glued some buttons around the frame.  

Here is the picture of my first attempt with the magnet roll.

I'm so sorry, I didn't take a pic after I changed the magnets.   But, I got stronger round magnets.  I hot glued 8 of them on.  One on each corner and then one in the middle of each side.

Now my daughter's artwork will be displayed in style.  She was so happy!