Thursday, July 31, 2014

Link Party Feature!

Features just make a blogger's day, don't they?!  ;-)  My post about how
 
 
 
is being featured today at The Rhinestone Beagle! 

Rhinestone Beagle
 
 Thank you, Kelly and Anita!

;-)  -Marci


Sew Our Stash {July} Vintage Baseball T

If you’re new to my blog, one of my 20 Wishes is to sew one thing for myself each month so I can participate in Sew Our Stash!  It is the brain child of Marissa at Rae Gun Ramblings and Bev at Flamingo Toes.  They share what they have made for themselves the last Thursday of every month. It started because they wanted to sew more wearables and needed some accountability.  While I'm certainly not at their level yet, hopefully, my skill sets will be stretched!

That's the total point of 20 Wishes.  Making time for what I WANT to do and Wish #12 was halfway followed on this project!  Let me explain!  
 
 
This creation begins with purchasing The Trifecta Top pattern from Kitchy Coo.  I love this pattern!  It's all over the web right now.  The moment I saw it, I immediately thought Vintage Baseball T!  The soft, creamy knit fabric was found at Hancock's, but there wasn't anything for the sleeves that felt quite right.
 
 
So the back of my closet was searched and this old olive T was found and used for the sleeves!  The collar was carefully picked so it could be used, too!

 
Here is the finished shirt!  I liked it, but felt it needed a little something...  Like maybe an old screen print.

 
33 happens to be my basketball / softball number from way back in the day.  After cruising Pinterest for just the right technique, I think it is the PERFECT addition.  We will definitely be talking more about how that little 33 happened!
 
With football season just around the corner, I think this will be a great top for parties on game days!

(Click HERE to see my January Project and THERE for my February Project.  May's Project can be found RIGHT HERE.  Click THERE for June)

What do you think?  Did you get to sew anything in July?

;-)  -Marci

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

LINK PARTY! 20 Wishes {July Update} or Begin Now!

It's FINALLY here! Time to link up your July update or get started and share your Twenty Wishes for 2014!  (Here's my original list of  Twenty Wishes 2014 and Twenty Wishes 2013!)


You can read more on why we started this project back in 2013 here, but the gist is that life is too short. Too short to not really strive for those things you really wish to do or wish would happen. SO this year we're all going to make a real effort to mark those wishes off our lists! First you'll write and then link up your list of Twenty Wishes here. In doing so you're entered in this month's giveaway! (There will be a new one each month.) Then you'll work on those wishes throughout this year coming back here the last Wednesday of every month to link up and share your progress. Here's a button to add to your side bar to remind you to come back and link monthly, and to serve as a little encouragement to work on marking off your wishes!!
Truly Lovely
This year we are doing things a little differently. Mostly in an effort to be more organized than last year... But again, the link up will be the last Wednesday of every month. Each month one or two of our ten hostesses will offer a little something as a giveaway for those that link with us. So, allow me to introduce your hostesses for the 2014 Twenty Wishes project...

Kassi & Kayli @ Truly Lovely
Sarah @ SaturDIY
Kristine @ The Foley Fam

We aren't requiring you to follow anyone, the only mandatory entry is linking up to this party with your list of 20 wishes. BUT the more you do the more entries you'll receive and I can personally promise you if you do follow, like, etc andyof these awesome ladies you WILL NOT be disappointed!

So, link your wishes and enter the giveaway through the Rafflecopter form below! 
 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

I hope you win!
 
Now, link up your 20 Wishes!
 
 ;-)  -Marci

20 Wishes {July Update}


1.  Celebrate 28 years of marriage!  We had a great time and I've written about it five times!  LOL!  My first post about it is Right HereAnd here is my Second PostThere were actually two posts in April.  HERE and THERE.  The last of the photos are right HERE.

2.  Vacation in Colorado.  Yep!  It was wonderful and I've only just begun to publish the pictures PLUS there was a cool sewing project related to the trip!   Check out my  Colorado T-Shirt Makeover!  There's a fun post about Murphy and WindmillsDo you like birds?  At Garden of the Gods, we photographed this Mexican Jay and some Magpies.



3.  Attend concerts.  We saw Blake Shelton, The Band Perry, Dan + Shay AND Neil McCoy in Little Rock!  It was a GREAT concert!

Fitness Goals - Last year, one of my 20 Wishes led me to a Cross Fit gym.  Working out has taken on a whole new meaning for me and I am usually in the gym five days a week.  Since beginning Cross Fit, I've gone from a size 12 to a size 6, almost to my goal size!!  For the most part, I've worked with two trainers, Chip and Gil.  They deserve a HUGE amount of credit, teaching me the movements as well as motivating me daily and encouraging me to stick with it.  There had to have been some days where they beat their heads against a wall after I left!  ;-)  Thanks, guys!  I couldn't have come this far without you!

This quote sums up my feelings for workouts.  Tenacity is the most valuable tool I bring to the gym.


4.  I want to be a size 4 by May 1 and maintain it thru the rest of the year my life.  'Not there yet.

5.  Run four 5ks, one in each quarter of the year.  This just isn't going to happen.

 
6.  Complete an entire workout with REAL Handstand Pushups, no modifications.  Progress continues.  I can hold a handstand for 1 minute now!  Yay, me!

7.  Complete an entire workout with REAL Pull Ups, no modifications.  Slow Progress is better than no progress, right?  ;-)

8.  Complete an entire workout with REAL Toes to Bar, no modifications.  I keep trying and am getting really close!

9.  Get stretchy enough that I can do the splits again, both sides.  (You might be asking "Why?" on this one.  I have absolutely no idea.  'Just want to.)  It's going to happen!




If those get accomplished:  Bonus Goals are Double Unders and Ring Dips.  Oh, and I'd like to know how many grandmothers across our great nation are choosing Cross Fit goals?  ;-)  I'm going to need lots of support and a whole lot of tenacity.  Those are going to be tough to achieve!  If you have any quotes, tips or advice, please send them my way!

Sewing Goals

10.  Complete a quilt for each of my children.  One down!  You can see it HERE!

11.  Inspired by Marissa at Rae Gun Ramblings, sew something for myself monthly and join the fun at "Sew Our Stash"  This has been a GREAT goal for me!  I am gaining so much confidence in the sewing department!  I've made a Maxi Skirt!  Raglan Sleeve Top!  3 of The Ojai Wrap! and a couple of Commuter Cowls!  This Easy Pink T is getting lots of wear.  I love it!








12.  Inspired from Adventures in Dressmaking,  follow Susannah's Sewing Resolutions.  Basically, I should fuss and worry over my pattern and fabric choices for ME just as much as when I am sewing for someone else.  Well, DUH!  ;-)  This wish ROCKS!  Here's a fun little post about Why I Sew.



These goals are being brought forward from my 2013 list!

13.  Take a photography class.

14.  Learn photo shop.

15.  Make my own herbal salad dressing.  I've been goofing around with this one, but not ready to post anything yet.

16.  Create and write down 3 recipes for artisan cheese.  Cheese and yogurt making seems to be something I like to do in the fall.

17.  Re-Vamp my "Herbs:  A Place to Begin" presentation into a one hour program.  Done, twice actually!

18.  Learn more bloggy techy things.  Hmmm...  Surely I've learned something?

19.  Monetize and grow my blog.  I've been working on a Pinterest Board.  My humble little blog continues to pick up new followers here and there, and I *LOVE* meeting new people from around the world!

20.  Read and blog about 26 books.  Definitely on track and I love the monthly Literary Junkies parties!  If you like to read, please join the fun!

Whew!  So, what have you been doing?  

;-)  -Marci

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

LINK PARTY! Tuesdays with a Twist #69

Welcome to Tuesdays with a Twist!

Back to the Basics
 
 
We're your co-hosts:
 
Each co-host will be sharing her own picks for Features. This gives everyone a better chance of being featured.  Be sure to check all of our blogs!
 
 My feature this week is...  (drum roll please) 

These beautiful Black Goose Jelly (blackberry + gooseberry jelly)

Making jelly with homemade pectin

  from Vickie at Making Our Sustainable Life !  We have blackberries and gooseberries, but I never thought to put them together!
 
If you've been featured we'd love for you to grab a button.
 
 
We all love comments!  Please hop around and show some love!

The party starts every Tuesday at 7am EST and will continue until Friday at 11:59pm.  Feel free to stop back any time and "like" your favorites.  Please visit other blogs if you have a moment. 

Share older posts as well as new ones.  No limit on links!
*Pictures should be your own* 
By linking up you give us permission to use these photos
 (with proper link backs) in our features. 
And now for the party!

;-)  -Marci 
 
Follow on Bloglovin

 

Monday, July 28, 2014

*HOO*HOO* Loves a Free Pattern?

This adorable FREE PATTERN has been seen on my blog before.  Click HERE to check out my first project where I was sewing owls for the sweet kiddos in our life.

 
These are actually for me!  ;-) 


 
The body for each owl is made with drop cloth fabric.  For accents, I upcycled scraps from beat down work pants (Do you remember my Basic Inter Changeable Wreath Form  ?)

 
and from an old pair of jeans!  I am so pleased with the results, but haven't decided where to place them just yet.
 
 
'Sending a big "Thank You" to Lisa at Stubbornly Crafty for this darling pattern!  I hope you'll visit her site and see her amazing skills!  WOW!  You will be impressed!
 
If these darling little owls lived at your house, where would they sit?
 
;-)  -Marci

Saturday, July 26, 2014

Shopping with Bloggers

 
 
This post is seriously overdue!  Yep, about a year late!  Pictured in the photo above from left to right:
 Me,
Laura, who writes Harvest Lane Cottage,
Danni, author of Silo Hill Farm,
and Ciree who really needs to start a blog!
 
Last September, I had the opportunity to hang with these delightful gals at Sandstone Gardens in Joplin.  If you've never been there, it is a shopping extravaganza!  You can find stunning items for your home as well as old world statuary for your garden.  There's also a lovely little bistro onsite.  I actually met Danni there before and posted about it right HERE!

 
It's so great to shop with crafty, sewing, clever girls because together, we can figure out how to make just about anything!  You should have seen us touching every last item in the store.  Turning it, considering the construction.  I really think I can make this tree.  Isn't it cute?  That's Ciree's hand in the photo!

 
You might be wondering what came home with me.  I actually chose only gardening items, with the plan to sew, whittle and hot glue everything else I wanted!  ;-)
 
 
These darling bunnies and a little frog are so sweet.  Both are currently sitting in my butterfly garden!


We need to plan another crafty, sewing, clever girl retreat to this amazing destination! 
 
Who's with me?
 
;-)  -Marci
 


Thursday, July 24, 2014

COOKBOOK Giveaway!

We have a very special giveaway today.  Heather @ Cook It Up Paleo has published COOKBOOK!!!  You can find it on Amazon.
You also have a chance to WIN an e-version.

Monday, I posted my review of Chopped Broccoli Salad with Parsley Dressing.  Yesterday, we tried the recipe for No Bake Cookies.  Oh, my!  We were so busy gobbling them, I didn't get a photo.  'Sorry!  Let me tell you about them, though.  These cookies that are chocolate, almond, and coconut!  I know!  'Can't wait to try other recipes!  So far, we are loving this cookbook!

Recipes that are easy, out-of-this-world delicious, and paleo-friendly? Absolutely!
 Written by popular blogger Heather Resler of Cook It Up PaleoGrain-Free Family Favorites  is packed with real food recipes even non-paleo eaters will love! You can bring the dishes to potlucks and parties, serve them to company, or make them for your family to show them that paleo food is amazing! With picky-eater approved recipes like Banana Bread Pancakes, Savory Dilled Crackers, Batter Rolls, Bacon-Wrapped Steaks, and Chocolate Thumbprint Macaroons, your family will always be nourished, fed, and happy!
 
 Includes: 70+ paleo-approved recipes
 Tips for transitioning a family to paleo
 Tips for eating paleo on a budget
 Full-color photos of every recipe
 Quick dinner recipes
 Lunchbox-friendly recipes
 Desserts so delicious you won't believe they're paleo!

 About The Author: Heather is a teenage paleo nutrition nerd and enthusiastic chef.  She is the brain behind the blog Cook It Up Paleo. She believes that real food is not only healthy, but delicious, and that cooking is not only essential for good health, but a fun way to express creativity.

The Grain-Free Family Favorites giveaway is open to everyone and ends 8/3/2014

a Rafflecopter giveaway


The Great Blog Train Blog Hop Results {July}

God’s Growing Garden
 
The 19th GREAT BLOG TRAIN was a blast! - We all safely reached our destination: DALLAS, TEXAS. It was a wonderful trip with 43 boxcars!! We (the Engineers) would like to thank all of you for travelling with us and we hope that you all had a wonderful time!
 
The Giveaway Winner is: J.O.
(I have contacted the winner by email)
Congrats!!!

 
W   A   N   T   E   D  :

The Great Blog Train by Angie Ouellette-Tower for godsgrowinggarden.com photo BlogTrainDestination_zps2925d251.jpg

(Being a "Destination Cohost" means that you get to pick our next destination!!  It also means that you will post The Great Blog Train on your blog on the first Wednesday of whatever month you will be cohosting (1 different cohost per month).  We (the engineers or hosts) will provide you with the html code for the blog hop & for the Giveaway - all you will have to do is add into that post some information on the destination that you picked (like population, known for, location etc - basic family friendly facts) and add a few pictures.  Also, if you cohost we ask that you promote it on your social media sites) (We are now scheduling for November 2014).

If you are interested in being a Co-host for the Great Blog Train then please click HERE and fill out the form (THANK YOU!!)
We are now featuring the top 3 Boxcars!  (These are the links that received the most clicks)

 
Ceddar Cheese Beer Bread - Easy Life Meal & Party Planning - This is the easiest bread in the world to make and it is so melt in your mouth good!

24 plants slugs wont eat

Please join us for the AUGUST Great Blog Train
on August 6th, 2014!


 
;-)  -Marci

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Link Party Feature!

Features make me absolutely giddy!  My Tote Bag for Summer
 
 
is being featured at Wake Up Wednesday's Linky!
 
 
I am sending a big THANK YOU to the Wake Up Wednesday team!
 
 
Thank you!
 
;-)  -Marci

LINK PARTY! Tuesdays with a Twist #68

Welcome to Tuesdays with a Twist!

Back to the Basics
 
 
We're your co-hosts:
 
Each co-host will be sharing her own picks for Features. This gives everyone a better chance of being featured.  Be sure to check all of our blogs!
 
 My feature this week is...  (drum roll please) 

These lovely Polka Dot Butterflies greeting cards 



  from Linda at Paper Seedlings !  Aren't they pretty?
 
If you've been featured we'd love for you to grab a button.
 
 
We all love comments!  Please hop around and show some love!

The party starts every Tuesday at 7am EST and will continue until Friday at 11:59pm.  Feel free to stop back any time and "like" your favorites.  Please visit other blogs if you have a moment. 

Share older posts as well as new ones.  No limit on links!
*Pictures should be your own* 
By linking up you give us permission to use these photos
 (with proper link backs) in our features. 
And now for the party!

;-)  -Marci 
 
Follow on Bloglovin

Monday, July 21, 2014

Chopped Broccoli Salad with Parsley Dressing


Disclaimer:  I was given a free copy of Heather's Grain Free Family Favorites Cookbook in exchange for an honest review.  It is written by popular blogger Heather Resler of Cook It Up Paleo, 
 
The recipe we tried was Chopped Broccoli Salad with Parsley Dressing.

 
How pretty is this salad?!  ;-) 
 
First the Parsley Dressing was prepared.  It suggests oregano, but mine died during our crazy winter so fresh marjoram was used as a substitute.  Also, I put garlic in EVERYTHING, so it was added, too, even though it's not listed as an ingredient.  After mixing, it seemed a bit 'tame' for us.  Handsome Husband prefers bold flavors.  After a couple of hours in the fridge, the dressing was GREAT.  Let it hang out just a bit before using.
 
The Chopped Broccoli Salad was prepped quickly.  Since we are harvesting lots of goodies from our garden right now, yellow squash and a bell pepper were tossed in with the rest of ingredients.  I think there are all kinds of fresh vegetables that could come and go in this salad and still be tasty.
 
This was a lovely summer harvest treat!  'Definitely making this recipe again!
 
I hope you'll come back Thursday for another recipe review AND a giveaway!

;-)  -Marci


Sunday, July 20, 2014

Take Time for the Little Things


Frequently, my garden posts feature
 
Therese Bugnet rosebud
 
 the big, flashy numbers around the flower beds.

Native Columbine
Today I'd like to invite you to pause for just a moment,
 
Wood Hyacinth in Blue
 
and see the sweet, little things in my garden.

Native Yellow Trumpet Honeysuckle

Especially the early morning cutie wearing her pajamas!
 
 
She loves being in the garden!


Me, too!
 
;-)  -Marci