Crafty Texas Girls

5/7/12

Cowgirl Up #14

Welcome to Week 14 of

Cowgirl Up! Link Party . . .

the party with a cowgirl can-do spirit!

1 Party, 4 Blogs

Anita here, and oh how I love Cowgirl Up! Have I mentioned lately that ya'll rock? I have gotten so much inspiration from all of the wonderful ideas here. I just want to curl up with a cup of tea and my laptop on the sofa, and soak up all of the beauty and creativity. I'd throw in a little nap too, but not at the same time, because the tea would end up all over my laptop...

Remember to link back to Cowgirl Up in your post; that is a requirement to be featured. Sometimes I find a fabulous link, but sadly can't use it since it didn't include a link to Cowgirl Up.

But onto my fav's.

This dresser from LITTLE YELLOW BARN is adorable, and the story of Jourdan's first attempt was too funny.

SUMMER SOUL has the grain sack look in the bag so to speak, great chair too.

Looking for a romantic look for your table: QUIRKY VISTAS has it

Lisa at STUFF-N-SUCH BY LISA made this cute as a bug dress.

Mary at MARY'S MEANDERINGS made a lovely table skirt for her sewing table.

DOLLY IS COOKING enticed us with this yummy hummingbird cake.

DESIGN DREAMS BY ANNE transformed her dated box into shabby loveliness.

Andrea at KEEPING IT COZY put together a cozy party for her daughter.

Sonya at BEYOND THE SCREEN DOOR made another set of amazing curtain panels.

If you were featured here, grab a Featured button. Be sure to like our Facebook pages, since we also post many other favorites there too. If you got featured on Facebook, then feel free to grab a featured button also. (They can be found on my button page.)

Now about the party...

You link up on my blog and your link shows up on four blogs.

More exposure, less time.

We are looking for the latest and greatest projects, tutorials, ideas, crafts, recipes, decor, and inspiring stories. Anything that you are proud to show off.

Cowgirl Up! is the link party that saves you time and brings you inspiration. Doesn't get any easier than that!

What blogs will your link appear on? Check us out below!

Linsey with The Farmhouse Porch

Anita with Cedar Hill Ranch

Amanda with The Ivy Cottage Blog

Samantha with Crafty Texas Girls

The four of us are all Texas bloggers, but you don't have to be Texas, country, western, or own horses to participate in Cowgirl Up! You just need that "can-do", cowgirl spirit!

Cowgirl Up! Link Party Guidelines:

(Please read the guidelines before participating)

* When you link with Cowgirl Up!, your link will automatically show on four different blogs. Awesome!

* Please follow your host blog before linking up on GFC (and if you have a linkyfollow account, then please follow that way too.)

* You may link up decor, DIY, crafts, guest post, recipes, giveaways, sewing, inspiring stories, and anything that you feel related to the listed categories.

* You may link as many links as you want.

* Be sure to include the Cowgirl Up! Button or text link to Cowgirl Up in your linked post, (mine can be found on my sidebar.) Mandatory to be featured!!

* Be courteous and visit the two links before yours. Please LIKE your favorite links! Several projects will be featured each week!

* By linking up you are agreeing that we may use your photos to feature your project in a blog post, on Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter with a link back to your blog of course.

New Sponsor Welcome: Rubee Lane

I am so excited to welcome the newest sponsor of Crafty Texas Girls--- Rubee Lane!

Rubee Lane is a fabulous one stop shop for daily deals on all your favorite boutique items. Each day a new item will be featured for 3 days at a discounted price. These boutique items are hip, chic and unique. To make sure you don't miss out on the deals, stop by Rubee Lane now and sign up to receive the daily deals via email. The shop and the deals go live on June 4th.

And exclusively for Crafty Texas Girls followers, Rubee Lane will be offering an amazing Giveaway here on May 16th. Trust me, you won't to miss it!

So help me welcome Rubee Lane to "Crafty Texas Girls" and take a minute to stop by Rubee Lane and find her facebook.

Be sure to let her know a Crafty Girl sent you!

Interested in being a sponsor of Crafty Texas Girls too? Email me at craftytexasgirls@gmail.com for details!

5/4/12

A Friday Chat

Today my mind is scattered all over the place. So instead of a tutorial, my musings on motherhood, or a round-up of my latest finds on Pinterest, I thought I would just write about the photos I have saved to show you and the random thoughts floating around in my head. It will be like two friends chatting over our morning coffee.

Source: pinterestfreeguccibag.com via Samantha on Pinterest

This morning, I am off to meet with my production manager about a few new things for Samantha Conner Designs. I am quite excited about some new ideas that will coming out in the next few months. I am also getting to work on filling 4th of July orders, so if you haven't pre-ordered yet, make sure you do. Free shipping for those red, white, and blue accessories til May 20th!

Later I am heading over to pick-up my race packet for Heels and Hills. My running friends and I are doing the half marathon on Sunday. This has been my best training yet. I have felt great and the long runs have been fun. I got some new running gear, which I tried out on Wednesday. I am usually a 'nike' girl when it comes to shorts and tanks. But my hubby got me some UnderArmour and I am sold! On race day I am wearing these shorts in black with a hot pink tank. Comfy and cute!

Source: shop.nordstrom.com via Hannah on Pinterest

Soccer season is winding down for Afton. It has been a good season, but I can tell it is not her favorite activity. For now, her passion is tumbling. I am pretty proud, because honestly I can't even do a cart wheel! It is so interesting watching these little kids. Personalities, talents, emotions- they are all very real. I am trying my best to raise girls that will be good adults. And when you think about it that way, the little job of mothering seems 'oh so big'!

We bought some new art supplies at Target the other day. Glitter chalk from RoseArt and a new 'ring' of markers. Both have been huge hits. The glitter chalk is some serious stuff. Even a week after she decorated the driveway, the glitter is still there. Love it!

And Maisy and I are 'riding the potty train'. She is doing quite well and so am I! Of course it has been lots of laundry and some accidents. But I can tell it is the right time. Plus I bought her some big girl Rapunzel panties- so she is happily trying her best!

Finally we were recently at a friend's first birthday party and I snapped a few pictures because it was just the cutest thing. It was a "Vintage Circus" themed party for one year old twins! My friend Diana is all about the details, so the party was fun and adorable. She and I are hoping that Maisy will choose one of her boys to marry... do people still do 'betrothals' anymore? :) I would love to have one of these boys for my son-in-law!

Well I think we are all caught up now! Thanks for listening to my ramblings. I hope you have a great weekend. If you have a chance, leave me a comment... what things are floating around in your head today?

5/2/12

Crafty How To: "The Crafty Frame"

With Mother's Day and Teacher Appreciation on the horizon, my girl and I decided to get crafty. So with a little scrapbook paper, a wooden frame, and Mod Podge, we made some sweet, simple gifts.

Want to make your own Crafty Frames? Here is what you will need:
-Wooden frames ($1 each at Micheal's)
-Scrapbook paper
-Pen
-Scissors
-Mod Podge
-Paint Brush
-Embellishments (buttons, trim, ric rac, flowers etc)

First, trace the frame on the back of a piece of scrapbook paper. Then cut it out. Don't forget to cut out the center too.

Then paint on a thin layer of Mod Podge to the front of the frame. Place the scrapbook paper on the wet Mod Podge. Then press and smooth out the paper.

Now comes the fun part, add the embellishments! Small items can be attached using Mod Podge, you might want to use hot glue for the larger items.

Afton was so proud of her frame :) She used some scrap paper to write a sweet note to her teacher. Such sweet handwriting- I love her spelling of 'best'!

This idea works for teachers, moms, or any time you want to give a handmade gift.

I am happy to share the printable for your Mother's Day projects. You can click the image below and drag it onto your desktop, or simply download and print.

and I made this one for you too!

Download Printables Here:

-"Home is Where Your Mom Is"

-"School is Where Your Heart Is"

The frames were so fun and easy. I am going to share it with my MOPS group next week- I can't wait for all 60 of my MOPS friends to make their own frames too.

What are you crafting for the Moms and Teachers in your life?

-Linking up here: Too Much Time on My Hands, Home Stories A to Z , Tatertots and Jello, The 36th Avenue, Serenity Now, Under the Table and Dreaming, Be Different, Act Normal ,
It's Overflowing

4/30/12

Cowgirl Up #13

Welcome to Week 13 of