Craft It: Eleven Handmade Gifts for Mother's Day

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Mother's Day is coming! And nothing makes you appreciate your mom more than having kids of your own! My sweet mom has raised four children (my brother Charles, me, my sister Amanda, and my sister Becka). And since I only have 2 kiddos-- I am constantly wondering "how did she do it?!".

With Mother's Day on Sunday, May 10th, I wanted to do something special for all our 'mothers'.  So, I am dedicating this week's posts to "Moms"!

 I am kicking off "Mom Week at Crafty Texas Girls" with lots of crafty ideas and then throughout the week, I will be back with two exciting jewelry giveaways. All in the name of mom! The jewelry is a necklace from Lisa Leonard Designs and earrings from Blue Nile. Two days of giveaways- two chances to win!

The Scoop #64 with "Katherin'es Corner"

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Welcome Back to The Scoop! 

The weekly link party, that features The Scoop on the best posts from around the web. 

As always, add your link right here to my blog and  it automatically shows up on 5 amazing blogs! More exposure, less time.

We are...

Kelli and Kristi LollyJane

Anita Cedar Hill Ranch Linsey Farmhouse Porch

Samantha Crafty Texas Girls

This week our guest host is Katherine from Katherine's Corner. 

The Lil' Chevron Chair {Cherish the Children}

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I am in love with this little chair. It is bubblegum pink with black&white chevron. 

Girly, playful and fun.

                                             
I made the chair to support Dallas CASA- an organization that is near and dear to my heart. The chair will be among the collection of chairs auctioned to at the annual "Cherish the Children" luncheon Wednesday, May 15 at the Ritz-Carlton, Dallas. The event will benefit Dallas CASA, by raising funds to recruit and support volunteer advocates who help abused children find safe, permanent and loving homes. (And yes-- tickets to the Luncheon are still available for purchase! Click here to get yours!) 

Build It: Tin Accent Wall

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After making a list and deciding to add a more 'Industrial Chic' look to our backyard, my husband was ready to get started. (See my post about our backyard decor plan here.) That's the good thing about having a 'handy man' for a hubby. I get to dream up crazy ideas and he executes them for me! The first  thing we tackled was the 'tin wall'.

Trend Spotting: Industrial Chic

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We've been working on our backyard. Trying to add a little more of our personality and decor style to it. Really, our backyard is like a second living room, so it only makes sense that we would treat it that way decor-wise. I had seen some really cool photos on Houzz of beautiful 'industrial chic' backyards.

I knew I couldn't replicate them exactly (ha!), but there were a few elements I wanted to bring to backyard. And after looking at all the photos together, I made a list of exactly what I liked about the spaces.

The Scoop Link Party #63 with 'Sweet Rose Studio'

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Welcome Back to The Scoop!

Stop by every Tuesday to link up and browse through the posts. 

You’ll always find great inspiration for projects and discover some new blog friends, too (: 

As always, add your link to our blog and it automatically shows up on 5 amazing blogs. 

 More exposure + less time = win win!

We are Linsey from Farmhouse Porch, Anita from Cedar Hill Ranch, 

Samantha from Crafty Texas Girls and Kelli & Kristi from Lolly Jane. 

Each week we highlight one of our favorite bloggers 

as a special guest host.

This week, please welcome Katie from Sweet Rose Studio:

I'm Katie: a wife to my high school sweetheart, momma to my two little crazies, an Oreo and Chapstick addict, and an all-around crafty type of girl. I have been friends with Kristi & Kelli since junior high and am happy to be guesting as this weeks host for The Scoop party! 

In fact, parties are kind of my forte.

I design and offer party printables to my readers like these pink & turquoise Cupcake Party tags created for my daughter's 3rd birthday.

My Week {In Photos}

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I probably take too many pictures, 

but there are worse habits right? :) 

The ease of my iphone camera coupled with Instagram make it so easy- how could I resist?! 

Sunday-"Sharpie Swim Suits" 
The end of 'Barbie Skinny Dipping' in our hot tub. Draw a suit on every doll-- especially Ken!

Craft It: "Buzz Lightyear" Inspired Chair

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Handmade Charlotte stencils

I wrote this post as part of a sponsored campaign with Plaid and The Blueprint Social. All opinions in this post are my own.

Finally- something for the boys!

I was chosen to be part of the "Plaid Street Team" which basically means I get to try out awesome new craft products and then share what I have made with you! This month, I was sent a box of Folk Art paints, brushes and these adorable stencils from "Handmade Charlotte". My stencil kit was 'out of this world' :) lots of stars, planets, and rockets.

Texas Day Trip: Old Red Lumber Yard Market

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It has been a stressful week. Monday my youngest knocked a table over on her hand, breaking her middle finger and cutting the other so badly it required three stitches.  We came home from the ER just as news was breaking about the Boston Marathon. As a runner, my heart ached for the joyous moment that was stolen away from those athletes and families. As a mother, my mind was full of all the 'what-ifs' in life, how at anytime, something horrible could happen. What has become of the world? How do we face a dark tomorrow?

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 My only answer is with light. So as I cling to my faith, I am looking for light. Light in a dark world. Let us fill our hearts with prayers for all those affected by Boston, prayers that we might see the light in dark times, prayers that we might be the light for others.

Today, I thought I would share with you a little light from our weekend...I hope that you do the same, take a moment to share your joys and spread some light for all to see.

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Saturday morning we woke up a bit earlier than we usually do on a weekend and headed out to the Old Red Lumber Yard in McKinney. We have been redecorating the back patio-- moving to a more 'industrial chic' look with accents of turquoise and tin. Our new patio is in need of new lighting, a vintage chandelier to add a feminine touch to the hard scape. After a quick stop at Starbucks for coffee, muffins and donuts- we were set to pick treasures. 

The "ORLY" as it is called is a cozy outdoor market full of vintage goods arranged in the most adorable vignettes and pairings.

 

The Scoop Link Party #62 with "Fresh Eggs Daily"

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Welcome to The Scoop! 

The weekly link party that features the scoop on the best posts from around the web. 

Stop by every Tuesday, link up and browse through the posts. 

You'll always find great inspiration for projects and discover some new blog friends too. 

As always, add your link right here to my blog and
 it automatically shows up on 5 amazing blogs!
More exposure, less time.

Anita Cedar Hill Ranch

Samantha Crafty Texas Girls

Linsey Farmhouse Porch

Kelli and Kristi LollyJane

Each week we highlight one of our favorite bloggers as a special Guest Host.

And now I'd like to introduce our guest host this week, Lisa Steele from "Fresh Eggs Daily"!
•••

I have been a huge fan of these four blogs for some time now so I was thrilled to be invited to guest host this week's The Scoop party!

I blog about raising chickens and ducks over at Fresh Eggs Daily, and also share information and photos on my Facebook page Fresh Eggs Daily , which is the largest natural chicken keeping page on Facebook.  I indulge my other passions as well on my blog which include re purposing vintage or farm items, crafting, DIY projects, making natural household products and baking using our fresh eggs.  

Crafty How-To: Cabinet Door Chalkboards, TWO Ways

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Ever have a decor problem? Well I did-- and after posting about it on my Crafty Texas Girls facebook page, I found a solution! Thank you to everyone who gave me ideas. Seriously, I loved all of your suggestions and was quite impressed that there were several men who shared great ideas too!

If you missed the facebook post, here is a quick recap. Basically we have this island with three drawers.  The drawers have glass fronts, with a little section that is separate from the rest of the drawer. It is about 2.5 inches wide. When we bought the house, the glass portion was filled with tri-colored pasta. Unfortunately, it got buggy. So after thoroughly cleaning it all out, I left the 'display portion' of the drawers empty, for over a year! I kept thinking I would find something to put in there, but I didn't want the bugs to return. My sweet facebook readers had a ton of suggestions. They reminded me-- I didn't have to fill the drawers with food!

Craft It: 11 Ideas for Using Pallets in Your Home

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Got a pallet? 
My husband brought me home this one and I can't wait to turn it into something awesome. Here a few ideas I have been gathering for inspiration.

1. Make a Pallet Headboard

Source

Everything's Bigger in Texas: Spring Mega-Giveaway (NOW CLOSED)

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It's Spring---finally, it's here! 
After months of cold weather and gray days, Spring is here.
To welcome in the warm weather, I have teamed up with some of my favorite Texas bloggers to celebrate the arrival of Spring with a fabulous giveaway. 

But this isn't just any giveaway-- no! 
Because we Texas bloggers know that our readers are the best, 
we want to show our appreciation for all your support in a big way.  
So we put together a big ‘ol Texas-sized THANKS, Y’ALL, 
with the ultimate Spring Giveaway. 

Check it out! 

"Everything's Bigger in Texas" Spring Mega-Giveaway! 

(Wow that's a mouthful! And of course- this contest is open to everyone- not just Texans!) 

I am happy to be included among these lovely hostesses- 
who are all from the great state of Texas!

Your hostesses are:

Emily from 52 Mantels

Aimee from It's Overflowing

Kristen from Capturing Joy

Abbie from Five days…5 ways

Samantha from Crafty Texas Girls

Holly from Holly Mathis Interiors

Lisa from The Pennington Point
Kelley from The Grant Life

Lindsay from Makely School for Girls

Jamie from C.R.A.F.T.

……………………………………………………

And have we got some incredible prizes for you!

They come in two packages:

GRAND PRIZE

A $100 gift card to Anthropologie:

{WHY, oh why, can’t I enter this giveaway???}

$100 to Lisa Leonard Designs

The Scoop #61 with "Capturing Joy"

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Welcome Back to The Scoop! 

The weekly link party, that features the scoop on the best posts from around the web. 

Stop by every Tuesday, link up and browse through the posts. 

You'll always find great inspiration for projects and discover some new blog friends too. 

As always, add your link right here to my blog and
 it automatically shows up on 5 amazing blogs!
More exposure, less time.

Anita Cedar Hill Ranch

Samantha Crafty Texas Girls

Linsey Farmhouse Porch

Kelli and Kristi LollyJane

Each week we highlight one of our favorite bloggers as a special Guest Host.

Our Guest Host this week is Kristen Duke from "Capturing Joy"

I am so happy to be here today! I know half of these cute girls in real life, and I love the joint party they throw each week! They told me to introduce myself and my blog with some pictures, so that I did! My name is Kristen Duke, and I blog over at Capturing Joy. I started my blog quite a while ago as a portrait photographer just sharing sneak peeks to my clients of their photo sessions. About 3 years ago I was introduced to the DIY world when I began sharing photo tips on another blog weekly, then I became hooked!

Design has Gone to the Dogs

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Things in our house have a changed a bit since February. After our big trip to Disney World with the girls, we decided to add another member to our family. Those of you following along via Instagram might have noticed her... Meet Coco "Puffs" Conner. She is a Jack Russell Terrier.

Are you Instagram too? -- Find me @craftytexasgirl

Real Parties: Crafty Birthday

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Ever thrown together a last minute birthday party?

I usually like to plan, pin, and prepare months ahead of time. This year for Afton's birthday we decided that we would skip the whole 'birthday party' thing. (Note to self for the future: there is no such thing as skipping a birthday party with my girls.) We went to Disney in February and got a new dog that month too. My husband and I declared those were for 'her birthday' and that no celebrations would be held. We would do a family dinner, but that was it.

The Scoop Link Party #60 with "On Sutton Place"

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Welcome Back to The Scoop! 

The weekly link party, that features the scoop on the best posts from around the web. 

As always, add your link right here to my blog and  it automatically shows up on 5 amazing blogs!

More exposure, less time.

We are...

Kelli and Kristi LollyJane

Anita Cedar Hill Ranch Linsey Farmhouse Porch

Samantha Crafty Texas Girls

This week our talented guest host is Ann from On Sutton Place.  

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Hello...I'm Ann. My blog, On Sutton Place, chronicles my life and it's where I share my constantly changing home decor, gardening, my love of vintage fabric and collectibles plus my new favorite type of post...recipes.

Family Easter & Shop SALE

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I hope you all had a Happy Easter. I was a little slow on the 'bunny' preparations this year, so I ended up at Target on Saturday night. Let me tell you, if you find yourself at Target on the night before Easter, be flexible. All the plastic eggs were gone, there were no stuffed bunnies to be found, and I scored the very last bag of whopper eggs by rummaging in the 'return basket'. A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do right?!

Easter was a day filled with rejoicing at church, having fun with family, and eating waaaaay to much candy.

We dyed about 3 dozen eggs in under 30 minutes. Two 3 year olds and one 7 year old-- gotta move fast!