Stats ~ More Than Just Numbers

For me stats are not about looking to get an ego boost, or more commonly in my experience, to be humbled ;-) they are about much more than that...

Without looking at my stat page I would have no idea what posts you all are enjoying or where my projects may have been featured.

Without my stats I would have never known that my post popular post on Pinterest has been my tea light wall art, or that it was featured on The Styleist Section of the Huffinton Post!!

Or that my hutch was featured on the HGTV Blog!! 

There have been times where I almost didn't hit the post button because I thought no one would care about the silly review or project I did and it turns out it is one of my biggest hits?! 

Who would have thought my Air Freshener Review would have been even read by one person, let alone be one of the top 3 posts I have done!? 

Of course stats can be disheartening when I hear the crickets chirp when I post something that turns out to be my favorite piece in our house, like my Wall Decor from a Hutch...

But that's okay...my stats don't rule my posts or what my home decor will look like.  I only post when I feel that I have something worthwhile to look at or to say, which you all know is not everyday ;-) 

I do however think it is a fabulous thing to have the opportunity to feel like I can get into a my reader's minds a bit by seeing what they like. 

Thank you to all of you who read my posts and surprise me by Pinning my projects!  I am amazed every single day of the kindness and loyalty you all have.  I never imagined in a million years that I would have even one follower, besides my mom ;-)

Dining Room Complete

I realized after showing you my table makeover that I haven't shown you my completed dining room...

I have given you the low down on every project in this room, but now you can get the completed look :)

First we have the tea light wall art that I paired with a photo that was taken from our wedding {lemon drop martinis YUM}

On the same wall I have my gate turned herb garden and I am so excited to show you this most recent picture because my herbs are growing!!

Here is the completed look...

A far cry from this!  The black table, green curtains and white walls are GONE!!  Whoo Hoo!!

This post will be featured at Mom's Fun Money this week.

I will be linking up to here...

Friday Funny #2

I saw this video on Facebook this week and just had to share it!  It may not be the funniest thing in the world but it is definitely the cutest and for sure cracks me up!  (You have to watch them all the way to the end).

This couple has been married for 62 years and watch what they do while waiting at the Dr...

Watch Christian Videos and Read the Online Bible at GodVine.com

I've only been married 7 1/2 years, but I pray that we could make it to 62 and still have this much fun together!

Crafty, Scrappy, Happy Link Party Favorites!!

Hi Everyone!  Can you believe there were over 400 LINKS!!

What a way for Jaime at Crafty, Scrappy, Happy to celebrate her one year Anniversary!!

I am honored to have been part of her celebration. 

I would like to share my favorites from the party (in no particular order).

The Woven Home shared her amazing playroom reveal!

It All Started With Paint shared her amazing entry!  I love every single detail about this!

I love this stenciled bathroom from Clean & Scentsible.  Not only the stenciling, but the colors and all the little details are fabulous!

Last, but definitely not least...Remodelaholic!  I love this framed out TV.  I have seen this before and it ran a pretty penny.  This version is much cheaper and even more beautiful in my opinion.  It completely changed the look of this room!

Desk Makeover Complete!

My desk makeover is finally complete! 

I have this desk that was my grandfather's and I have always loved it.  It is sturdy and has a very large working and storage space and of course for sentimental reasons it is something I love having around. However, it was in desperate need of a makeover...

This desk is the first step of our office makeover.  I wanted it to make a statement in the room and I was thrilled because it was my first shot at Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. 

Painting with the chalk paint was a definite learning curve for me. I painted the entire desk Olive and was completely underwhelmed :-(  It looked dull and boring and I just couldn't get the look I was going for.  I had already painted two coats and after waxing and distressing I was so discouraged. 

I decided to deviate from the original plan and go to my trusted can of Olympic in Creamy White that I have used for several projects, including my hutch made wall decor and my dresser with ribbon pulls.  This was exactly what it needed!

Then I painted the drawers with one more coat of Olive and that did the trick :-)  I think this desk was just especially stubborn.

I am very pleased with how it turned out and LOVE the chalk paint!  I also had some knobs from Anthropology that I got on clearance that I was itching to use.

What do you think? Are you a fan of the 2 tone look or not?

This post will be featured at Mom's Fun Money this week.

I will be linking up to the following parties...

http://www.myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/; http://thriftydecorchick.com ; http://abowlfulloflemons.blogspot.com/ http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/ ; http://goodbyecityhellosuburbs.blogspot.com/ ; http://www.lilluna.com/ ; http://polkadotsonparade.blogspot.com/ ; http://sewmuchado.blogspot.com/ ; http://733blog.blogspot.com/ ; http://tearosehome.blogspot.com/; http://www.somewhatsimple.com/ ; http://thriftydecorating-nikkiw.blogspot.com/ ; http://www.houseofhepworths.com/ ; http://rhinestonebeagle.blogspot.com/ ; http://www.brandyscrafts.blogspot.com/ ; http://alliemakes.blogspot.com/ ; http://www.thrifty101.blogspot.com/ ; http://www.fingerprintsonthefridge.com/

; http://whipperberry.com/ ; http://www.missmustardseed.com/ ; http://www.mysimplehomelife.com/ ; http://www.atthepicketfence.com/ ; http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/ ; http://www.stuff-and-nonsense.net/ ; http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/ ; http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/; http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/ ; http://niftythriftythings.blogspot.com/ ; http://morrowsunshine.blogspot.com/ ; http://www.bystephanielynn.com/ ; http://www.iheartnaptime.net/ ; http://www.flamingotoes.com/ ; http://sumossweetstuff.blogspot.com/

; http://sweetpeasandbb.blogspot.com/ ; http://www.laughloveandcraft.com/ ; http://www.thestuffofsuccess.com/ ; http://www.remodelaholic.com/ ; http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/; http://diyhshp.blogspot.com/ ; http://linesacrossmyface.blogspot.com; http://vanessascraftynest.blogspot.com ; http://kissedbyafrog.blogspot.com/ ; http://www.happyhourprojects.com/ ; http://www.homemakerinheels.com/ ; http://rocaandcompany.blogspot.com/; http://littlebighouseontheprairie1.blogspot.com/; http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/; http://theartsygirlconnection.blogspot.com; http://todayscreativeblog.net/;http://twenty-eight-0-five.blogspot.com/; http://www.thegunnysack.com; http://caribbeanmissionarywife.blogspot.com; http://athomewithk.blogspot.com/; http://debbie-debbiedoos.blogspot.com; http://space46.blogspot.com; http://www.itsoverflowing.com/; http://5minutesjustforme.blogspot.com/ ; http://everything-underthemoon.blogspot.com ; http://www.herecomesthesun-kelly.blogspot.com; http://www.tipjunkie.com; http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/; http://junkintheirtrunk.blogspot.com; http://findingmywayintexas.blogspot.com/; http://www.tipjunkie.com; http://howtonestforless.com; http://www.mom4realky.blogspot.com; http://ourdelightfulhome.blogspot.com/

Friday Funny #1

I know by the end of another exhausting week that there is nothing better than a good laugh.  I have decided to designate Fridays to provide us with just that.  Starting today I am going to share a funny, whether it be a photo, video, billboard or whatever else I may decide that you just must see!

Hope to bring a smile for you to start your weekend...

I know many of us can relate to these ;-)

via

via


If you want to see more funnys throughout the week, follow me on Pinterest.

HUGE Link Party is on!!

I am so honored to be part of Jaime's one year Blog Anniversary! Not only is she the sweetest ever, she has some amazing projects! If you haven't been to her fabulous blog you need to run, not walk you booty over there right now :-) 

This is going to be one huge party so get your link on!  Make sure you check back in with me to see who I feature!!

Feel free to link up anything and everything Crafty, Scrappy and/or Happy!  No giveaways or etsy shops please.Check out other links, be inspired and make some new friends!Grab a button if you would!And check Crafty Scrappy Happy for features all next week!!!!

<center><a href="http://jaimelyn11.blogspot.com"><img src="http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j449/jaimelyn11/button4.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></center>

Linky Followers Blog Hop!

As I mentioned yesterday I have added the Linky Followers tool to my site...Cheri from It's So Very Cheri started this awesome blog hop so we can all try to keep are GFC followers!

RULES:

1. you MUST have the LINKY FOLLOWERS tool on your site to participate.

{You can have both the LINKY FOLLOWERS & GFC on your site but you must have the LINKY FOLLOWERS to participate in this party hop.}

2. You MUST follow the person who has the party on their site as a thank you.

3.Just add your blog button to the LINKY PARTY below.

4.Then grab the BLOG HOP code

You will find the code right under the Linky Party where it says CLICK HERE TO ENTER–

just under that it says: WHAT IS A BLOG HOP? GET THE CODE HERE

Click on GET THE CODE HERE and enter it into a post on your site.

You can grab the party button code in the FOOTER at Its So Very Cheri

You can grab info from my post if it helps you with your post.

5. Then you follow other bloggers–(as many as you want)
–leave each one of the blogs that you follow a comment letting them know you are following them and ask them to follow you back.

If you want to add the BLOG HOP to your own site you will get lots of new followers–(see rule #2)

…So do ya want to go Cruisin’?

I plan on HOPPING from BLOG to BLOG to follow everyone who follows me.

Every Wednesday I will rotate the Linky Follower Party Hop and my PIN tag party here at Its So Very Cheri.
This is a Blog Hop!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Hello friends!  Happy Valentine's Day! 

I have been truly slacking in the Valentine craft arena.  I look around blogland and see all the amazing Valentine's projects and I haven't been inspired to do any.  I didn't want to force myself to do a project just so I had something to post about, so I have just been enjoying all the fabulous creations from all of you :)

I did however decide to make some special Valentine's for Charlee to take to school with her.  I have always been the mom that picks up some princess and superman Valentine's from Target and we are good to go.  This year, I wanted to do something different. 

I found this great idea at Making it Feel Like Home and thought it was the perfect thing!  Simple, cheap and fun!

So there you have it...my one and only Valentine craft and I can't even take credit for the idea ;-)  Hope you all have a great day full of LOVE!!

Linky Followers

Well I gave in and added the Linky Followers tool to my side bar. 

I am sure most of you have heard about Google getting rid of the Google Friend Connect option for non blogger platforms...I am with Blogger so I thought this was of no interest to me.

That was until I read the very in depth post from At the Picket Fence. 

I definitely think it is a wise move to add the Linky Followers tool, even if you are with Blogger.  Google Friends Connect may disappear on Blogger all together and if you are like me and may want to convert to Word Press in the future, you will lose all your followers at that time.

I hope you will consider following me on Linky.  Also - their reader is wonderful!  You can even categorize the blogs you read!

Just click on the Follow me button right over there ;-)

Sign Making 101

If you are like me and don't own a Circuit or other type of cutting machine it can be hard to imagine how to create a great sign without the perfect stencils...

If you have been following me on Facebook then you know that I just took the leap and opened a booth to sell some of my stuff at a local vendor -YIKES!

I really wanted to make a sign for my booth, but was at a complete loss of how to achieve the look that I wanted without a stencil or the slightest bit of artistic skills. 

That was until I stumbled upon this great tutorial on transferring letters!  I was so excited to try this out! 

 I will not go into too many details on the how to process because she does a very good job of breaking it down step by step.

I made my sign from a couple boards from an old pallet that I painted off white and then sanded heavily.

I then followed her method to the "T" :-)

Until my impatience got the best of me :(  I just couldn't handle waiting until the next day to peal off my papers and therefore I had a hot mess on  my hands!  My wet paper ended up sticking to my letters and picture. 

I used a razor blade and scraped off the sticky paper and was happy to see that most of my images transferred okay.

I picked up some craft paint and painted over the top of my images...

And then sanded over the top of them once again when everything dried. 

I tied my little signs together with twine to go with a more unique look (I seem to have an obsession with twine lately - see my posts here and here).  It is amazing how far one roll of twine will go!

Although, as usual, I made it a much longer process; I couldn't be more pleased with the end result! 

This post will be featured at Mom's Fun Money this week.

I will be linking up to the following parties...

http://www.myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/; http://thriftydecorchick.com ; http://abowlfulloflemons.blogspot.com/ http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/ ; http://goodbyecityhellosuburbs.blogspot.com/ ; http://www.lilluna.com/ ; http://polkadotsonparade.blogspot.com/ ; http://sewmuchado.blogspot.com/ ; http://733blog.blogspot.com/ ; http://tearosehome.blogspot.com/; http://www.somewhatsimple.com/ ; http://thriftydecorating-nikkiw.blogspot.com/ ; http://www.houseofhepworths.com/ ; http://rhinestonebeagle.blogspot.com/ ; http://www.brandyscrafts.blogspot.com/ ; http://alliemakes.blogspot.com/ ; http://www.thrifty101.blogspot.com/ ; http://www.fingerprintsonthefridge.com/

; http://whipperberry.com/ ; http://www.missmustardseed.com/ ; http://www.mysimplehomelife.com/ ; http://www.atthepicketfence.com/ ; http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/ ; http://www.stuff-and-nonsense.net/ ; http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/ ; http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/; http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/ ; http://niftythriftythings.blogspot.com/ ; http://morrowsunshine.blogspot.com/ ; http://www.bystephanielynn.com/ ; http://www.iheartnaptime.net/ ; http://www.flamingotoes.com/ ; http://sumossweetstuff.blogspot.com/

; http://sweetpeasandbb.blogspot.com/ ; http://www.laughloveandcraft.com/ ; http://www.thestuffofsuccess.com/ ; http://www.remodelaholic.com/ ; http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/; http://diyhshp.blogspot.com/ ; http://linesacrossmyface.blogspot.com; http://vanessascraftynest.blogspot.com ; http://kissedbyafrog.blogspot.com/ ; http://www.happyhourprojects.com/ ; http://www.homemakerinheels.com/ ; http://rocaandcompany.blogspot.com/; http://littlebighouseontheprairie1.blogspot.com/; http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/; http://theartsygirlconnection.blogspot.com; http://todayscreativeblog.net/;http://twenty-eight-0-five.blogspot.com/; http://www.thegunnysack.com; http://caribbeanmissionarywife.blogspot.com; http://athomewithk.blogspot.com/; http://debbie-debbiedoos.blogspot.com; http://space46.blogspot.com; http://www.itsoverflowing.com/; http://5minutesjustforme.blogspot.com/ ; http://everything-underthemoon.blogspot.com ; http://www.herecomesthesun-kelly.blogspot.com; http://www.tipjunkie.com; http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/; http://junkintheirtrunk.blogspot.com; http://findingmywayintexas.blogspot.com/; http://www.tipjunkie.com; http://howtonestforless.com; http://www.mom4realky.blogspot.com

Picking Colors Made Easy

Have you all used My Colortopia yet?

If you haven't, you definitely have to try it out! 

I am so excited because I finally found a local store that carries ASCP!  I got myself some beautiful Olive Chalk Paint to paint my office desk. 

This entire room is going to get a complete makeover, which is desperately needed {if you remember this post}

This is where My Colortopia comes in...

You can upload an image of your choice and then it will assist you in picking a color palette from there, or you can use one of their images as I did.

There are so many options - it is fabulous!

Can't wait to show you my progress soon :)

Superbowl Food Favorites

I am cooking away today making two of my favorite dips for a Superbowl party tonight and I don't want to be selfish and keep these fabulous recipes all to myself ;-)

The first is a dip that my sister has been making for years and I absolutely LOVE it! It is a Buffalo Chicken Dip  and it has been a huge hit at every get together...

The best part about this dip is that it is so simple and cheap to make!

My second favorite dip is Spinach Artichoke dip, which is usually loaded with calories.  That was until I found this Skinny Spinach Artichoke Dip!!  What can be better than this?!  I love to pair mine with chips and some good baguette bread YUM!   

How about you all?  Any favorite crowd pleasing recipes?

Gate Turned Herb Garden

Ever since my sad little herb garden bit the dust I have really been trying to find a good spot to try my green thumb again. 

Today I finally found my inspiration and made myself a gate herb garden {well the herbs aren't planted yet, so just humor me}.

While finally cleaning out our garage today I spied this old dog gate that was getting ready to be thrown out.  Even though it was old and dirty, something about it just screamed for a makeover.

I didn't want to change the look of it too much.  I lightly sanded it, applied one coat of white paint and followed it with one coat of stain.  I only let the stain sit for a minute and wiped it clean.  Then I sanded it again. 

I had some twine left over from the bathroom shelf, which proved to be the perfect thing to tie my little buckets on.

I didn't have to contemplate very long where this little beauty was going!  I recently finished my dining room table makeover and was looking for the perfect thing for one of the walls to  help me complete that space.  

I love the mix it brings to the room.  I needed something old and unique to complete this space and this is just the thing.  The best part about it is if my little herbs don't cooperate with me again, I don't even mind the look of the empty buckets :-)

I will be linking up to the following parties...

http://www.myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/; http://thriftydecorchick.com ; http://abowlfulloflemons.blogspot.com/ http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/ ; http://goodbyecityhellosuburbs.blogspot.com/ ; http://www.lilluna.com/ ; http://polkadotsonparade.blogspot.com/ ; http://sewmuchado.blogspot.com/ ; http://733blog.blogspot.com/ ; http://tearosehome.blogspot.com/; http://www.somewhatsimple.com/ ; http://thriftydecorating-nikkiw.blogspot.com/ ; http://www.houseofhepworths.com/ ; http://rhinestonebeagle.blogspot.com/ ; http://www.brandyscrafts.blogspot.com/ ; http://alliemakes.blogspot.com/ ; http://www.thrifty101.blogspot.com/ ; http://www.fingerprintsonthefridge.com/

; http://whipperberry.com/ ; http://www.missmustardseed.com/ ; http://www.mysimplehomelife.com/ ; http://www.atthepicketfence.com/ ; http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/ ; http://www.stuff-and-nonsense.net/ ; http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/ ; http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/; http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/ ; http://niftythriftythings.blogspot.com/ ; http://morrowsunshine.blogspot.com/ ; http://www.bystephanielynn.com/ ; http://www.iheartnaptime.net/ ; http://www.flamingotoes.com/ ; http://sumossweetstuff.blogspot.com/

; http://sweetpeasandbb.blogspot.com/ ; http://www.laughloveandcraft.com/ ; http://www.thestuffofsuccess.com/ ; http://www.remodelaholic.com/ ; http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/; http://diyhshp.blogspot.com/ ; http://linesacrossmyface.blogspot.com; http://vanessascraftynest.blogspot.com ; http://kissedbyafrog.blogspot.com/ ; http://www.happyhourprojects.com/ ; http://www.homemakerinheels.com/ ; http://rocaandcompany.blogspot.com/; http://littlebighouseontheprairie1.blogspot.com/; http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/; http://theartsygirlconnection.blogspot.com; http://todayscreativeblog.net/;http://twenty-eight-0-five.blogspot.com/; http://www.thegunnysack.com; http://caribbeanmissionarywife.blogspot.com; http://athomewithk.blogspot.com/; http://debbie-debbiedoos.blogspot.com; http://space46.blogspot.com; http://www.itsoverflowing.com/; http://5minutesjustforme.blogspot.com/ ; http://everything-underthemoon.blogspot.com ; http://www.herecomesthesun-kelly.blogspot.com; http://www.tipjunkie.com; http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/; http://junkintheirtrunk.blogspot.com; http://findingmywayintexas.blogspot.com/; http://www.tipjunkie.com; http://howtonestforless.com; http://www.mom4realky.blogspot.com