Crafty Texas Girls

8/20/12

Cowgirl Up #29

Welcome to Week 29 of

Cowgirl Up! Link Party . . .

the party with a cowgirl can-do spirit!

1 Party, 4 Blogs

Hosting the party this week is Linsey from The Farmhouse Porch

I'm hosting my first ever GIVEAWAY here at The Farmhouse Porch!!!
I will be giving away one of my original oil paintings (below)

•••Go HERE to enter the giveaway•••

Decorating Ideas Made Easy got a jump on her fall decor by creating this lovely fall wreath. It makes me want to say the word punkin'. I always pinch my mom on the cheek and call her that because she has beautiful hair that is a reddish color in a bob. I always call her my "pretty little punkin' head". Haha

Swedish Corner Down Under shared her wonderful collection of vintage cookie tins...

Jed and Ivy shared a sweet backyard "barnyard" themed party. Love the photo booth idea!

Twodaloo! Shame on you! For making me drool and crave this sinful looking strawberry concoction.

Clear Blue Sky scored this lovely dresser for $10! The classic lines and beautiful wood grain look perfect with the rich stain of the wood floors doncha think?

A Shabby Story used old garden edging to hold shabby platters above a doorway. What a great way to add a chic-unique look to the kitchen!

Fancy Frugal Life created adorable teacher gifts.

This feature is especially meaningful to me this week as I continue on my journey as an elementary art teacher at a new school in a new city. I am excited to make new friends (adult and child alike). I'd be thrilled to receive something like this from a parent!

Don't forget about the art, music, and P.E. teachers. Show us some love too! We may not see your child all day, everyday, but we usually see them for the 5 years they attend our elementary school and watch them grow up! We really do get to know them. I have had a few parents over the years who took the time to come check out the art room and maybe send me a little gift or note, it always makes my day. I like to think that maybe they once had a great art teacher ...♥Linsey

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

"READ MORE" of THIS POST, Click HERE

Giveaway: Kelly's Kids by Jennifer Anderson- NOW CLOSED

It's Monday, let's start the week

with a Giveaway!

My fabulous sponsor, Jennifer Anderson from Kelly's Kids, is giving away a

$35 gift certificate to Kelly's Kids.

And with school starting and the holidays just around the corner, now is the perfect time to shop.

You can use your $35 gift certificate towards any Kelly's Kids products like these:

Shop HERE Now

Giveaway Details

PRIZE: A $35 gift certificate from Kelly's Kids by Jennifer Anderson

FOR A CHANCE TO WIN:

1. "Like" the Kelly's Kids with Jennifer Anderson facebook page and leave a comment on her page.
2. Then, be a follower of Crafty Texas Girls and leave a comment here on this post telling me that you showed Kelly's Kids with Jennifer Anderson some 'facebook' love!

GIVEAWAY CLOSES: Sunday, August 26th at 8pm CST.

FINE PRINT: Winner will be chosen using random.org from the comments left on this post. Participants may enter this contest one time. Winner will be notified via email and in a new post here on Monday, August 27th. Please make sure I can contact you. Due to shipping restrictions, winner must live in the continental United States. Facebook assumes no responsibility or liability in this contest.

Thanks to: http://bloggiveawaydirectory.com/, http://www.online-sweepstakes.com/, http://freestuff.tipjunkie.com/ for listing this giveaway.

**The contest is now open! So pop on over to Kelly's Kids with Jennifer Anderson, come back here and then leave your comment. I can't wait to see who wins-- it could be YOU!

8/17/12

5 Things to Love about Fall

Fall feels like a distant dream right now. Warm weather, tank tops, and swimming will be around for a while. But I am starting to see hints that the seasons will change. On my morning run, I noticed that our local pumpkin farm has already planted the seeds for the Corn Maze. The seeds have sprouted and green shoots are peeking out of the ground.

The change in seasons always brings some excitement. Sometimes change can be good! Here are some things that I am looking forward to this Fall.

1. Autumn Recipes

Source: lickthebowlgood.blogspot.com via Samantha on Pinterest

Source: anediblemosaic.com via Samantha on Pinterest

2. Sweaters, Scarves, Layers

Source: zenlives.net via Samantha on Pinterest

Source: media-cache2.pinterest.com via Samantha on Pinterest

3. Burlap

Source: thehighheeledhostess.com via Samantha on Pinterest

Source: confessionsofaplateaddict.blogspot.com via Samantha on Pinterest

4. Football Parties

Source: thepartydress.net via Samantha on Pinterest

Source: skinnytaste.com via Samantha on Pinterest

5. Pumpkins

Source: google.com via Samantha on Pinterest

Source: goodhousekeeping.com via Samantha on Pinterest

Have you seen any signs of Autumn in your area? What are you looking forward to this Fall?

If you live in the state of Texas, shop Kelly's Kids tax free from Friday, August 17th to 10:59pm (CST) on Sunday, August 19th! Enter party #7169 at checkout!

www.kellyskids.com/
JenniferAnderson

8/15/12

Special Offer from Rodan+Fields Dermatologist

I am so excited to welcome my newest sponsor,

Rodan+Fields represented by Lesli Hirsh.

Lesli is so enthusiastic about Rodan+Fields.

Read on to find out more about the products,

opportunities for success and

a special offer just for "Crafty Texas Girls" readers

(hint: free product!!)

"READ MORE" of THIS POST, Click HERE

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.

"READ MORE" of THIS POST, Click HERE

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