Bloggy Friends

Bloggy Friends are the best and I've made so many great friends along this blogging journey.  

This one girl in particular, Em, at And Nothing Else Matters has really touched my heart.  

I actually might one day in real life get to meet her because she lives in Australia in NSW.  She is super cute, and is always there with an encouraging comment.

She had a giveaway not long ago for a handmade key rack she made, and I won!.  I was SO shocked when I won - this was the first giveaway i've ever won.

My package came in the mail the other day and inside was this:

Check out that sweet sweet card.  How thoughtful and considerate is that?!

She also included that lovely handmade broach as a special surprise.  

I hung it right away

I love it and it couldn't  be more perfect.  

Thanks SO much Em - i'm so glad we are bloggy BFF's and you have really truly touched my heart :)

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See that candlestick?.  It's very plain and very white....i'm considering spraying it, and now that i've got this beautiful key rack up and it has that beautiful pop of pink, should I spray it pink?  Any suggestions?

Winner & I'm partyin' elsewhere today

And we have a winner.....

 Cat said...

I tweeted


frustrated.ambition@gmail.com

The winner was chosen by Random Org and I for the life of me can't figure out how to get it to work on my blog!.  It picked number 42.  I did get it on my blog but when I look at preview the numbers aren't there.  Grrrrr.
Congratulations to Cat for winning this beautiful headband & set of hairclips made by none other than Momma Rake herself!

Please contact Marissa at Momma Rake to claim your prize :)

I have met so many beautiful, sweet, considerate, passionate bloggers, and today I have the privilege of guest posting on this girls blog.

So head on over there for your chance to win a YoYo necklace made by moi!

Tuesday Ten - Link Party

I've been contemplating having my own Link Party for a while now and i'm finally going to try it out this week and see what the response is.  I'd love to get to know you all better, and what a better way than to have a link party to all your lovely blogs.

I've posted quite a few Tuesday Ten posts - Heres a few so you can check em' out:

Ten People I want to Lunch With

Ten Things I want Right Now

Ten Random Musings

Ten Fears

Ten Favorite Foods

So the jist is to post Ten of anything.  Like my posts were, you can post ten random things, Ten favorite pins on Pinterest, Ten favorite foods, and so on.  

Rules of the Link Party is to only link up specific Tuesday Ten Posts, and please add my button below to your post so others can join in and we can meet other bloggers :)

Today i'm going to post ten DIY pins that i'm dying to try that I have pinned on Pinterest:



What a great idea!.  Paint samples cut out and made into pretty garland

Great Mothers Day idea!

Cute Valentines Day idea for classmates.  So easy!

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Fabric wrapped Bangles



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These are dollar store frames and scrapbook paper.  Cheap and easy.

I need to make one of these at Christmas time.  I love handmade Christmas crafts



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I love this idea as take home treats for a birthday party

Link it up peeps :)



<center><a href="http://miss-mommy.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Miss Mommy" src="http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee206/mrsparrott/missmommytuesday2.jpg"/></a></center>

Slowing down by Casey Wiegand

Casey Wiegand


I might stalk her just a little wee bit.  


I love Casey and I LOVE the post she's posting here today.  I struggle to slow down ALL the time.  I spend my days wondering how am I going to fit everything in.  I should be spending my time listening to the girls talk and play instead of wondering when they're going to remain busy enough that I can spend a few minutes at the computer or making a list.  


Casey Wiegand has an inspiration as such that it brings tears to my eyes when I read some of her posts.  She inspires me to be better, to be a better parent and to slow down and embrace the little things.  


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My name is Casey Wiegand, I am a freelance artist, wife and mama. 

I love painting and sharing our life through my blog...where you can expect pieces of my perspective on life, faith, kids, marriage, with touches of art, creative inspiration, projects and things I love along the way. I have two little ones in the hopes of lots more and am married to the love of my life!

Slowing down.

On my birthday when Chris and I had the day to ourselves I took a lot of time to read.reflect.think.

I was thinking about life and how we all (or atleast I) seem to be rushing through it. Are we just throwing it all away? What am I missing?

I was thinking about all of the things that make me happy....the interesting thing is it is mostly the little things...

opening a fresh tube of paint

hearing my feet pound the pavement on a jog

watching Aiden learn something for the first time

picking a fresh piece of fruit off a tree and eating it

playing the stereo loud as we clean the kitchen

Ainsleigh's giggles

the smell of my kiddos when they are out of the bath and in their jammies

the way the floors creek in the middle of the night

the way Christopher smiles at me

are we missing out on those as we "rush" through our days?

I came away thinking I just need to slllllooowwwww down. I am moving way too fast. 

It's okay to say "no" more and to not get everything done. 

Notice the little things. 

Give thanks.

Once a day I thank God for my sight. I am not joking........ something so small that we probably all take for granted.....Can you imagine? Not being able to SEE?

You know when we better ourselves it is a gift to our spouses and kids. We are better friends. 

You know choosing the gospel is dying to who we were before. 

There absolutely should be a transformation.

Something that has helped me in areas I struggle in is to just PAUSE. If Aiden is in the middle of a full blown meltdown, instead of just reacting...I will freeze time for a moment in my mind. 

In 20 minutes how will I wish that I reacted?

Fruit of the spirit here....gentleness, patience....

Okay, unfreeze.

It helps.

Then I imagine after years of doing this in all situations, it starts to become who we truly are. 

It gets easier. I think?

It didn't begin like this

My blog didn't start out like this.
The intention wasn't for it to turn into what it is now.
I never in a million years dreamt of getting this many followers and making this many new online friends.

Actually, my initial blog name was "So far from home".
It was intended to be the one place all my family could come to and see updates and pictures of us.

Then my blog started evolving into my outlet.  My place to be me, and try different fashions, and meet new people.  It became the one thing that I had for me.  The one thing that kids can't touch.  The one thing that I could turn to whenever I wanted.  I have gotten SO much support from my bloggy friends - and that has really gotten me through hard times.  Read this post if you're new here to get familiar with my "hard times".  It's given me a purpose.

I'm happy that it has turned in what it is now though.  It has evolved me and made me try different things.
Some people don't like it, and have expressed their opinion, but I say it's my blog and if they don't like it - don't read it!.  Simple as that.  If you don't like what it has turned into, than you have the choice not to read it.   That's the great thing about blogs, you get to pick and choose which ones you want to read and which ones you like and don't like.

I'm here to stay and the blog isn't going anywhere.  My true "followers" and "likers" will stick by me and support me and my journey.....and they're the ones that in the end will matter.

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If you haven't yet entered my current Momma Rake giveaway, you can do so HERE

Perceptions

I've had a few people ask me lately "how do you do it all?".  "How do you fit it all in"

Honestly, I don't know the answer to that.  I just do.  I try my very best to make time for everything and everyone.  I honestly answer every e-mail and comment that comes in my inbox.  I really do read every single one.  

The things is - I don't always have it put together.  As much as it may seem that I always have nice clothes on and my hair is always done - the reality is this....

(I didn't have the guts to post the pic with my face in it because I'd like you guys to stick around instead of getting too scared and not reading anymore)

I wear track pants and sweat shirts ALL the time.  The minute I get home from work, the work clothes come off and I put my pajamas track pants on.  

Today Lilah had a about 6 melt downs and 3 time outs before we left the house at 8:30 am.  So as much all people like to think I have everything all together - I too have melt downs and often wear track pants, tank tops and have my hair in a bun with no make-up.  

You might even catch me down the street doing my grocery shopping like that too ;)

I am real, I'm a mom and I do wear track pants.  Things aren't always how you perceive them.  

Giveaway, Guest Poster, Photo Wreath Tutorial & A Winner!

I have another ah-mazing bloggy BFF here today.  But before we get to her craft tutorial & giveaway, I want to announce the winner of Lisa from Organized Chaos' handmade necklace & bird ring.

The winner is:

True Random Number Generator


Min: 1

Max: 94

Result:

32
(I can't figure out how to get the actual widget on here...sorry guys)

Congrats.....

 

Mom2MemphisAndRuby said...

I'm following both of your on twitter!



For those of you who entered - thank you!.  You have another chance to win something oh so sweet and cute and perfectly handmade by Momma Rake today! 

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Hi friends! I am so excited to be here with you all today! I was thrilled when Nicole asked me to guest post on her awesome blog! 

So let me tell you a little bit about  myself... My name is Marissa and I am here from my blog Momma Rake.

Over at my blog you can check out my views on all of my fav "F" words... Faith, Family, Fashion, and Food. (Come on... what did you think I was gonna say!!) Hehe... 

So today I am going to give you a little tutorial on how to make one of these little babies:

I found inspiration for this project here and here and here. 

I LOVE incorporating photos into my crafts because I can never seem to print out photos, frame them and put them up.  This is great way to enjoy a fun, simple project while getting some of those cherished "kodak moments" you have had hanging out on your memory card forever, up on the wall!

So wanna make one?? Here is what you will need:

Styrofoam wreath

Scrapbook paper

Black & White or Sepia Photos

Your fav Ribbon

Embellishments of your choice

Push Pins

Start out by wrapping your wreath with your ribbon. I just used a push pin and tuck it through the ribbon in the back of the wreath and started wrapping. 

I learned very quickly that I needed to put a push pin every few inches because the ribbon was satiny and slipped easily.

Here she is all wrapped up.

Then I cut circles out of my scrap book paper. I just traced the bottom of a large cup. I placed the circles around the wreath and used a push pin to keep them in place. (The circles like to move all over the place so once you have them placed the way you like them, pin those suckers!)

Next, find an object that is slightly smaller then your paper circles. I used the bottom of a smaller glass. I suggest using a clear class so you can see your photo!! :)

I used hot glue to glue my photos on the paper circles.

Then I added my embellishments... The butterflies don't really scream fall but they matched my gold scrap book paper, they were 3-D, and I was in love with them...

Pretty Autumn Flowers...

Cute little fall acorns...

Then I tied a huge bow with my ribbon.

I pinned the bottom of the bow to the back of my wreath (obviously at the top).

And there you have it! You can do so many different things with this project!! How about a new wreath for every holiday? Yes please! 

Now, for the GIVE AWAY:

I am stocking my etsy shop with a ton of goodies and will be launching it VERY SOON, but until then  I am offering some of my latest creations for free today!!

The first item I will be giving away is an adorable head band made out of super soft nylon with an adorable vintage inspired over sized flower. The flower is on an alligator clip and can be removed from the headband if you have older girls or if you want to wear it yourself!

And of course I am not about to leave out the mommas!! I am also including a set of four vintage inspired bobby pins just begging to be worn!!

I love the vintage colors of this fabric!

  So much so that I sport mine all the time!!

So how do you enter??

Be a public follower of Momma Rake & Miss Mommy

EXTRA ENTRIES:

"Like" Miss Mommy & Momma Rake on Facebook

"Follow" Miss Mommy & Momma Rake on Twitter

Tweet and/or Facebook about this giveaway

Good luck and I look forward to reading all of your comments!! 

Blessings,

Marissa

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Pssst.....I'm over at Momma Rake today posting a YUMMY Taco Soup recipe AND giving away a necklace and ring made by me!.  So after your finished entering to win all Momma Rakes goodness - click HERE to read my post and enter my giveaway!

OH - and don't forget about your chance to win The Pioneer Woman Cook book that i'm giving away as well hosted over at Lisa's blog Organized Choas.  Click HERE to enter.  Only a few more days to enter!

People I want to lunch with

Do you ever think "oh that person would be so cool to hang with"....I do that a lot. 

These next 10 people are people that I wanna hang out with.  I want to spend the day with them, go on adventures, and have lunch with them. These are just 10 out of MANY MANY MANY people I want to hang with.  Of course I want to hand lunch with ALL my bloggy friends :) 

Julian McMahon. 

 I want to spend the rest of my life with this man just so I can look at him everyday!.  He is gorgeous and I have watched every single episode of Nip Tuck.  Anyone who knows me in real life knows of my obsession with Julian. 

Rachel McAdams

She's a Canadian thats from a town not far from where I lived.  She seems so personable and down to earth. 

Who wouldn't want to spend the day with Jamie Oliver?.  I want him to come over and cook with me. 

I think I may have a slight obsession with Jamie!

Ashley from Little Miss Momma

Ashley has been such an inspiration to me, and is SOOO nice.  I'd love to hang with her in her beautiful craft room, and make a super delicious yummy dinner together while Baby W and my girls sit and play.  How nice would that be??!!

Jennifer Garner

She seems like such a hands on mom, and down to earth.  She is gorgeous but I usually see her in photos with her kids, dressed casual, and running errands.  She would be super cool to spend the day with perusing the markets.

Need I explain?!

Giada De Laurentiis

I love her show and love her food.  I want to cook with her.

Michelle Duggar

I want to just ask her how she stays so calm and how she manages all her kiddos!

Ellen Degeneres

I just want to dance with her

The Pioneer Woman

How cool would it be to meet Ree?