Crafty Texas Girls

8/13/12

Cowgirl Up #28

Welcome to Week 28 of

Cowgirl Up! Link Party . . .

the party with a cowgirl can-do spirit!

1 Party, 4 Blogs

Hosting the party this week is Samantha from Crafty Texas Girls !

Hi Friends!

Can you tell I am missing the beach? After a nice, long vacation in Destin- I am in no hurry to get back to the 'hustle and bustle' of school. So around here, we are still holding on to the last few days of Summer. Swimming, popsicles, and sleeping in are going to be hard to give up!

And keeping with the spirit of Summer Fun, here are the posts that caught my eye this week.

1. "Have A Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson" shares her love of watermelon, including a great recipe for watermelon cookies (the seeds are chocolate chips!)

2. These colors make me think warm 'summer thoughts'. "Beyond the Screen Door" created this for her laundry room. I love her taste in fabric.

3. How about some sweet strawberry banana jam? Homemade of course! Shared by "21 Rosemary Lane".

4. Learn how to make your own graphic transfer and you can turn a plain box into a french crate! Perfect for carrying all those summer veggies- shared by "Charm Bracelet Diva".

5. Enjoy a cold summer beverage in these "Redneck Martini Glasses" by Crafty Misadventures, such a fun tutorial.

6. "Our Home Away from Home" revealed her 'spruced' up front porch, a great place to patiently way for fall-- while still enjoying summer.

7. Check out this beautiful butterfly cake shared by "Inspired By"- this would be the perfect for dessert for an outdoor party.

8. How does your garden grow? I wish my summer garden produced the kind of carrots grown by "I Gotta Try That".

9. Don't miss this living room reveal by "Mouse House" so many bright colors, tasteful accessories, and wonderful details.

10. Finally, take a break from that porch swing like "Dirty Hands, Beautiful Life" did and brighten up that backyard. I love the potted plants and her quick fix for handling weeds around the trees.

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.

Now about the party... link up by clicking on the 'read more' link below.

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Back to School- Free Printable

With school just around the corner, there is so much to do. New clothes to buy, lists of supplies to purchase, and new routines to get used to. My "Back to School" board on Pinterest is full of cute crafts to make for teachers and creative lunches to pack. We spent a good hour at Old Navy picking out the 'perfect' first day of school outfit.

And my dear Afton must have tried on about 12 different backpacks before deciding on the right one. Does this sound familiar to anyone else?

I have been running around town, buying, shopping and planning with the desire to make sure my child feels prepared. I want her to walk into school feeling confident, happy and ready for success. Maybe I can't go to school with her, but I desperately want to give her all the 'right' tools.

But looking at our pile of shopping bags, I felt like something is off. No matter how sparkly the shoes or how cute the clothes, I felt that there was something missing. So much effort put towards being prepared-- and then today I realized I was missing the big picture.

What does my child really need to succeed? What tools can I send her with that will help her when I am not by her side. When she is out in the big world, what can I possibly buy her that will help her make the right choices. When she is faced with a problem, will she know what to do?

And then it dawned on me, Target doesn't sell anything like that.

What my child, and your child, needs to succeed this year is simple. They need to know that they are loved. They need to know that they are unconditionally loved-by Him and you. Whether they choose right or wrong. Whether they make the perfect grades or shine on the field, they need to know He is behind them, that you are behind them. Let you child know that their identity is not defined by what they achieve. When they are faced with a difficult decision or their feelings are hurt, they need to know that when they come home, He will will always have their back, you will always have their back.

So this year, after all the supplies are bought and the clothes are chosen, after you have browsed Pinterest for hours to find that perfect 'first day of school' lunch, give your child the only thing that will really make a difference.

Give them love. Let them know that you care. Armed with this unconditional support, your child will fly higher than you could ever imagine and that love will radiate to everyone they meet.

Click Here to Print

Feel free to print, frame, or share these. A visual reminder of the most important tool your child needs to succeed--Love. The perfect 'Back to School' gift for little ones and those who are college bound too. (Click on link below the image to print.)

It's going to be a great year!

Are you ready for "Back to School"?

Inspiration for this post came from a sermon by Dr. John McKellar from Whites Chapel UMC. To learn more about Whites Chapel or hear sermons by Dr. McKellar, visit www.whiteschapelumc.com

Sharing here: Home Stories A to Z , Tatertots and Jello, The 36th Avenue, Serenity Now, Be Different, Act Normal, Positively Splendid

8/10/12

Simple Ideas: Preserve Your Photos

Love to Take Photos?

After our great vacation in Destin last week, I came home with 500 photos. Some on my iphone, some on my Canon Rebel, and a bunch of videos too. I love taking photos of my family and documenting our adventures. Maybe it is from my days on the high school newspaper, or maybe it runs in my blood. (You should see how many cameras my Dad has!) But whatever the reason, I love to capture our life on film. The only problem that can arise from digital photography, is what you do with those photos once you download them onto you computer?

Use Your Photos

Don't let those digital files find their final resting place on your hard drive! Preserve those photos with these simple ideas.

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8/8/12

New Sponsor Welcome: Kelly's Kids by Jennifer Anderson

I am so excited to welcome a new sponsor to Crafty Texas Girls!

Kelly's Kids by Jennifer Anderson

In her own words, Jennifer shares about Kelly's Kids...

This is my second season selling Kelly's Kids. I fell in love with the Fall 2011 Collection for my son and decided to become a sales rep when I found out that I was expecting baby #2. I love the traditional clothing and the ability to mix and match my son and daughter for Holidays, special occasions and family photos. I actually wore Kelly's Kids as a baby, toddler and little girl.

Kelly's Kids was started 30 years ago in Louisiana as an in-home business where the founder provided high quality clothes for moms who wanted to mix, match and coordinate the family. This is the core concept behind the Kelly's Kids brand.

Please visit Jennifer's Kelly's Kids website to mix, match, and coordinate your family this fall/winter season!

Find Kelly's Kids on Facebook too!

Jennifer is actually a sorority sister of mine from TCU. We were ZTA's together! Please help me welcome her to Crafty Texas Girls by stopping by her facebook page to say 'hello' and 'like' her page.

What is your favorite outfit from Kelly's Kids this season?

Want to see your business featured here? Reach the best customers on the web by advertising on Crafty Texas Girls. Email me at craftytexasgirls@gmail.com for details. Space is limited!

8/6/12

Cowgirl Up #27

Welcome to Week 27 of

Cowgirl Up! Link Party . . .

the party with a cowgirl can-do spirit!

1 Party, 4 Blogs

It's Anita from Cedar Hill Ranch here.

I just can't believe we have hit a milestone today. The Cowgirl Up party just hit it's first half-anniversary. How cool is that?

It's so much fun for me to co-host this party with such talented bloggers, and what a joy is is getting to make so many new blogging friends here. I am in awe of the talent we see each week, and find you to be a rockin' group of bloggers, with humor and a good bit of spunk. I know you've heard it before but it's true, the thing I love most about blogging are the friendships I've made. Thanks for joining us each week, and for making this corner of the world a brighter place.

On a personal note, I got a new sewing machine after my old one of 28 years broke. So now I have a brand new sewing machine, 42 yards of linen fabric, 40 yards of cording, 3 spools of new thread for a MAJOR sewing project coming up. This will be my biggest slipcover sewing challenge ever - 2 settees, 1 sofa, 1 ottoman, and 10 pillows. Pray for me!!

Also my daughter Evie is back from her many church trips, a little sun-burned, sleepy, more appreciative of home, and more serious about her faith. Here's a shout out to the many adult leaders that have made a difference in her life this summer.

We have some other things going on in our life right now, all good, that I will share with you later.

And now for what you really came here for... THE PARTY!

Here are the features I selected this week.

Simply Vintageous what a fab redo on this cupboard, you rocked it!

Keeping it Cozy with this cozy guest room

Confessions of a Plate Addict just scored a rare antique Spooner

Black Fox Homestead enticed us with the incredible roasted tomato pie

What Meegan Makes shared her stenciled rug, I didn't know you could do that!!

Shabby Story added some shabby chic awesomeness to her room

Creative Passage made map lampshades (I just inherited a ton of vintage maps, so I am looking for fab ideas like this one.)

Walnut and Vine had a very special delivery (Is that a smile already?)

A Rosie Sweet Home shared how to make a rosette necklace

Knick of Time artfully displayed her ironstone and silver spoons.

Maj Hoff Takes a Wife gave us some tips on buying a sewing machine (good points!!)

Now about the party... link up by clicking on the 'read more' link below.

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Vacation Destination: Destin, Florida

Take a Trip-- Destin, Florida

We just returned from nine days of rest and relaxation-- our annual trip to Destin, Florida. Growing up, my parents had taken me a few times. And then while we were living in New Orleans, we made several trips to the "Emerald Isle" with Afton. Now that we are living in North Texas and about 13 hours away, we still make the drive. Destin is like no other beach I know. So I thought I would share with you some of our photos, condo information, my favorite restaurants, and trip tips-- who knows you might just decide to take a trip there yourself!

The Drive

We always break up the drive a bit. 13 hours in the car is looooong, so we make the trek from Dallas to New Orleans. The eight hours in the car (along with the help of books, coloring, games, snacks, and movies) isn't really that bad. My husband likes to do the driving, so I get to read and keep the girls happy. After visiting friends and getting beignets at Cafe Du Monde, the last leg of the trip is an easy 4.5 hour drive.

Where to Stay

This was our first year to stay at the Corral Reef Club, but we will definitely be staying there again. Our condo was on the first floor with it's own 'yard' and just a short walk from the beach. This is especially important with little ones. Running back to the condo to grab a forgotten snack or toy was no big deal! And at nap time, I relaxed on the porch with a book while the girls rested inside.

Our condo was a one bedroom. It had a 'jack n jill' bath with a shower/tub. The girls shared bunk-beds in the hall. (This was a big hit!) There was a door separating the sleeping quarters from the family room/kitchen. Which was so nice in the evenings- we could close the door and watch tv and talk while the girls slept. The kitchen had everything we needed. And most importantly, there was a washer/dryer, which we used a lot!

The condo also came with wi-fi (which is how I kept blogging last week) and chair service. Chair service is one of my favorite features, I loved going down to the beach each morning and having a set of chairs and umbrella ready and waiting for us.

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8/3/12

How Many Summers do You Have Left?

As I was browsing around through my blog list the other day, catching up on craft ideas and home décor trends, I saw something that stopped me in my tracks. The blogger, known as The Nester, posed a simple question. “How many summers do you have left?”

Hmmm, how many summers does one have? Well for a summer to truely be a summer, kids must be involved. So I counted. My oldest daughter will be starting first grade in August. So with her, I will have 12 summers before she leaves home to go to college. And for my little one, well we still have a lot together, but when I counted, it came to 15.

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8/1/12

If You Are Potty Trained, Thank Your Mother

Seriously, call your Mother now! Everyone who has potty-trained a child deserves some kind of medal, trophy, or at least a Hallmark card congratulating them on their success.

I am currently in the throws of potty training now with my 2.5 year old. And all I can say is “Wow. Wow. WOW.”.

Now this isn’t my first time riding the ‘potty train’. Yes we call it the ‘potty train’; my daughter literally thinks there is some kind of potty train that will be pulling up to our house any day. Now that I think about it, wouldn’t that be fantastic?! Some kind of Polar Express train for two year olds? They would hop on one night in diapers and come back home the next day in underwear!

But back to reality…. I really do have a success story- my 6 year old is a fully functioning, potty-using kid. So I know I can do it, I have done it before! However, over the past 3 years, the memory of this potty business has faded.

And as it turns out that things that you need to know for potty training are actually pretty important life lessons as well. So if you are at that stage in life where you are up to your elbows in diapers or if you rode that potty train years ago, don’t worry. I will save you the time and trouble and share my insights with you.

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