{Crafty Fabulous For July 4th}

This 4th of July we will be at our family reunion which is being hosted a few hours away. Which means I will not be decorating or hosting a party myself. That simple little detail isn't keeping me away from ogling the holiday craft section at Martha though. Passhaaw! It's just too much fun!

I have to admit, when I laid eyes on these silverware pockets I gasped! I really did! I love them! I love how they used coordinating fabric and it just looks so festive but still a little unexpected. Yes, I'm in love with a silverware pocket - who knew! Click here for all of the juicy "How To" details...

I think these patriotic fans are just too precious and would make a sweet addition to any table setting during your 4th of July celebration! To download the template for the fans just click here. Yeah, because I'm nice like that...

I love this garland. Not only is it pretty but it can be used for different occasions by just changing the color scheme. Wouldn't it be great for a birthday party? Just change the color combinations: you could do pink, orange & yellow for a little girl's birthday party. Or even baby blue, green and yellow for a baby shower...For the "How To" details on this pretty & patriotic garland just click here.
So I'm in the spirit to decorate but I'll just have to admire. If you're looking for some great 4th of July project ideas head on over to Martha Stewart. Also, my buddy Lorie at Be Different...Act Normal has been featuring some fabulous ideas too! Have a wonderful day!




Kacey R.

Father's Day Table

Father's day is here. Do you need an idea for a cute and easy table decoration. I came up with one after looking are the Better Homes and Gardens' website. They had taken beer bottles empty, using them to hold flowers, and had DAD written on them.

Well since my children are grown, we just took beer bottles out of the frig and used our PrintMaster program to get a Father's Day logo and print D A D out, cut them out and glued to the beer bottles.

We also found an old picture of the children, added roses from the garden, empty Mets beer cans and a baseball, dad favorite game.

We set the table around this centerpiece. Just a fun and easy way to decorate for Father's day with their favorite items. If you dad is more of a football fan, use a football and decorate around that. Any item that is dad favorite, use your imagination. Golfing, Fishing anything itemsthat says DAD would be fun. You can also use BBQ type napkins, plates if your having a big crowd.

Enjoy your Father's Day with your special DAD.

Expressively, Sofia

fun and yummy

remember that good old betty crocker? well, she is still rescuing momma's everywhere!!

frozen yogonana bites

they aren't just fun to say, but they are cute, healthy and super duper cute too!

1 to 2 containers {6 oz} of yoplait thick and creamy yogurt {flavor of your choosing}

3 to 4 cups of cheerios

4 firm, ripe bananas

straws

line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil. spoon yogurt into shallow dish.

pour cheerios into another dish.

cut peeled bananas into 6 pieces

insert straw into each banana piece

roll each banana piece in yogurt...then in cereal to coat.

place coated bananas on cookie sheet and freeze uncovered about an hour or until firm.

{bites are best when eaten the same day}

serve in a fun cup filled with cheerios in the bottom.

healthy and fun...and have the kids help!!!

danyele @ a thorn among roses

{father's day Gift Wrapping Idea}

I'm a presentation girl. I LOVE a good gift presentation and when I saw this on Martha I gasped! And it was just too cute not to share! For more fabulous Father's Day gift and craft ideas, hop on over to Martha Stewart. You know, she never lets a girl down! If you would like more information about these sweet bow ties just click here.

Have a fabulous day & feel free to visit me over at my place!

Kacey R.

{Outdoor Fabric Uses}

Outdoor fabric is a great way to update your outdoor space - recover cushions, add panels to create privacy or to simply add an element of interest. Our local fabric store recently had all of their outdoor fabric 50% off! So, it made me think...what could I do with that fabulous bargain of a deal???

If I had more time I'd love to use these beautiful spaces as my point of inspiration....

I could curl up for days on this sofa or kick my heels up in one of these chairs....the blue is so refreshing!

The black and white is so swanky - I love it! If it were at my house though it would have orange Popsicle all over it, but a girl can dream right? lol

This space couldn't get any cuter if it tried. Those chairs! That chandelier! That table setting! That swagged fabric! OH MY! I can taste the treats and fruit tea now!

{All photos from BHG.}

Kacey R.

easy straw-peasy jam

we love strawberry jam...who doesn't, but i need something super quick that i can whip up while the kids are napping. so freezer jam is perfect!

when strawberries are in season {{now}} you can grab a few quarts for about $1, so you can have fresh jam for less than $3 for a few jars...here's what i do...as stolen from grandma e:

rinse and crush 2 cups strawberries, fresh {of course}

4 cups of sugar

1 package of {sure jell} dry pectin

3/4 cup water

mix the sugar and crush strawberries and let sit to juice for about 10 minutes.

mix pectin and water in a saucepan and bring to a boil for a minute or so. {directions will be on the box of pectin you buy just in case}

pour boiling water mixture into the juiced strawberries.

let set for about 3 minutes before adding to freezer safe containers...no need to boil and seal jars here...i use the glad take and toss containers bc they fit great in the freezer.

put the lids on and let sit out for 24 hours before freezing.

keep frozen until using...

danyele @ a thorn among roses

{{pic from allrecipes...here}}

new fashioned window

crafty sewing alert...my tribute to cheapness and 30 minutes of fun!
{you have been warned}

this is the window over my kitchen sink that looks out in the back yard...my "check on the kids" window!
the thing about this window...its literally the first thing you see when you walk in my front door...bc the hallway funnels right to it...and it just didn't have enough pizazz...so i decided to change it.

so some hugely discounted fabric...texas shopping find with my SIL meg...and viola...the after!

it had to be fast and simple, bc, well, that's all i have time for, so i literally folded the fabric in half, hemmed each of the raw edges and sewed them in a rectangle. simple.

then the pizazz...the fringe...isn't it fabulous?
i pinned it on the front at the bottom and sewed directly over the top...thread color was close and you can't even tell! woo hooo!

final touch??? the cafe rod cover...ok, first, the cafe rod is from wal mart, used ont he initial window covering i made...it's a $2 cafe rod...ugly white with gold ends!!!
it had to be covered!

i took a scrap of the fabric from the curtain, sewed a tube and flipped it opposite of the curtain fabric.
the inside out fabric added the perfect touch of "different" and class to the window.

i bought a bag of black curtain clips {$4} and hung it up...and it's done.
{in way less than 30 minutes too}

you can do this...i promise. semi straight line sewing, no pattern...just go with it!
you never know what you can create until you try it!

danyele@ a thorn among roses