Guest Post -- Crafty Goodies

Hi Everyone~ I'm so excited to be on The Country Chic Cottage to share what I love. You can ALWAYS find me in one of two places, either in my craft room creating or junkin'!! I am a crafty girl who loves to create with a vintage flair. What is junk to someone else is a diamond in the rough to me. I love crafting with and re-purposing old things among other paper crafts. As always, I love to share creativity with others and invite you to visit me at Crafty Goodies.

I took legal size note pads and had them cut into thirds and decorated them with Jenni Bowlin Studio's paper and embellishments.

 Here is a close up of the toppers.  You can go here for more details.

A card using the same Jenni Bowlin pattern papers. 

One of my features, on my blog, is"Try it Tuesdays" where I share something totally out of the ordinary and show you how to create a treasure of your own. I also have my "Remember This" posts at least once a month in which I share a goody I have wandered across and re-purposed. I also post pictures of my junkin' finds right along side my crafts.  I so hope you've enjoyed my post and have come away inspired and once again I extend an invitation  for you to visit me at Crafty Goodies.

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Strawberry Freezer Jam

It is that time of year y'all!  The strawberries are in season.  I make freezer jam every year.  I just buy the mix made by Ball and follow the instructions.  It is super simple.  Plus with strawberries being so cheap, it is economical as well.

About a month ago, I ran out of my homemade freezer jam from last year.  The kids were REALLY wanting a PB&J so I picked up some preserves from the store.  The kids HATED it.  Really, really hated it.  They have been eating my homemade jam so long that we can't turn back now.  So they were thrilled when this year's batch was complete.

You can comment if you wish...but I already know you are not **supposed** to freeze jam in the glass jars.  I leave LOTS of head space and room for expansion and have never, ever had any trouble.  Feel free to disagree. 

So have y'all picked up any strawberries?  Anyone that makes freezer jam?
~Thanks for stopping by!~
~Angie~

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Porch Phase II -- Surprises

So I blogged all about our porch demo and when I last showed it we had something like this....

So if you read that post, one of the reasons we removed the porch was because it was not to code.  Plus (being not to code) it was causing damage to our home.  Well...time for surprises.  The damage was much more than we expected....

Yes ladies and gents that is some major issues.  I am happy to report that all issues have been fixed and the siding has been repaired.  Hubby did it all himself too...meaning we are only out about $200 at this phase in the project.  Pretty good considering the **surprise** that awaited us....huh?

So, today the view looks a little like this.  A blank, empty slate just waiting on some final plans...then it is ON! 

I will keep y'all posted....as always!

~Thanks for stopping by!~

~Angie~

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Easy Ways to Start Scrapbooking

Today I’m participating in the Ultimate Blog Swap. You’ll find me posting over at My Life's a Treasure about my blog, and I’m excited to welcome Jennifer from Simple Scrapper to The Country Chic Cottage:

Before I started scrapbooking, I thought it was a hobby that required serious dedication and the purchase of a lot of stuff to even try. I had a specific notion in my head that these scrapbookers were a serious bunch and to jump in you had to go all-in.
Times have changed and modern memory keeping looks a lot different than moms packing crop rooms on Friday nights. Scrapbooking now offers options for any design style, stage of life and budget. The
scrapbooker of today probably looks a lot different than you might imagine and it is easier than ever to get started.


Four Ways to Try Scrapbooking

At its heart, scrapbooking is about adding words and, in some cases decoration, to your photos. It can be as simple as that or quite a bit more. These strategies can help you get your feet wet and see if the scrapbooking of today works for you.


1. Share Photos Online - Scrapbooking is a way to share more of your life with friends and family. The easiest way to get started sharing the photos you take is with Facebook or other online services like Flickr  or Instagram. You can even adjust privacy settings to control who can see your images.

2. Start a Journal - Documenting your stories with words no longer requires pencil and paper. You can use services like OhLife to prompt you with an email or capture your daily thoughts with apps like Momento.
If you still crave the touch and feel of a real journal, try a Memory Logbook, which is a journal for
scrapbookers.

3. Create a Photo Book - The most straight forward method for combining words and decoration with your photos is a photo book. These are hard- or soft-bound books where you can upload your photos and drag-and-drop them on pre-made pages. One of the most popular services for easily creating photo books is Shutterfly, but many of your major stores like Walmart will even let you create photo books too.

4. Utilize Shortcuts - Many scrapbook or craft stores carry page kits that just require your photos and acid-free adhesive. Purchasing page kits can minimize the up-front investment since everything is cut for you. For the latest on-trend products and help coordinating products, you can order kits online from clubs like Studio Calico or Cocoa Daisy. These supplies, however, will also require a paper trimmer.

Scrapbookers today, especially those who are involved online, embrace a wide variety of techniques to capture their most important stories.  Whether you decide to create embellished pages or simply share your photos on the Internet, to a modern memory keeper it all counts!

Jennifer S. Wilson is a scrapbooker, writer and creative entrepreneur living in the heart of the midwest with a husband, two stepkids and a sweet baby girl. She is passionate about helping people find more time for creativity, especially documenting life's stories through words and photos. You can get more practical ideas for scrapbooking at Simple Scrapper.

Visit Life Your Way to see all of the Ultimate Blog Swap participants!

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Hunger Games Love Quote Sign -- Hanging It Up

Remember my Hunger Games Love Quote Sign?  I finally got around to hanging it up!

Now I love it even more.  I get to see it last thing before I get into bed at night and first thing when I get up in the morning.

It has actually been about 2 weeks but I am just now getting around to telling y'all.  I will say that the sign still makes me swoon.  I am just that much in love with this project. 

It is the perfect addition to our bedroom.  Now to get around to reading that last book in the Hunger Games series.  Have you read all three yet? 

~Thanks for stopping by!~
~Angie~

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Patriotic Art {Image Transfer to Canvas}

The approaching end of May has me dreaming of summer.  Patriotic crafts float around in my head as well as on my Pinterest boards.  I looked around on The Graphics Fairy a bit for some further inspiration and found a gorgeous Liberty Bell graphic.  I decided right then and there that I had to do something with it.  

I googled around on image transfer methods.  There are lots of tutorials on using inkjet transfer paper to transfer images to wood.  So it certainly should work on a canvas.  I decided to give it a try.

I printed my image on the transfer paper.  The image does have some words, so I inverted the image before printing.

I then trimmed the excess away and was left with just the image on the transfer paper.

I was going to be ironing the image to the canvas so I needed to have something solid under the canvas.  I dug through and found a book that fit almost perfectly inside the back of the canvas.

I then turned over my image on the transfer paper and began to iron according to the package directions.  (No steam and high heat.)

I then lifted and MAGIC!!

Well almost magic.  The edges were a lifted slightly in places.

I grabbed some Mod Podge and sealed around the edges.

I then painted the edges of the canvas red and grabbed some patriotic ribbon.

I cut the ribbon to the length and width of the canvas.  I adhered the ribbon with Mod Podge.

The ribbon wrapped around the edges of the canvas slightly but not enough to cover the entire side of the canvas.  That is why I painted before putting the ribbon on.

I love the way the details of the canvas show through the image using this method.  Plus this method allows me to make anything I want at home -- without having to go to a copy store for a toner based copy.

I set this one up here for a little photo shoot.  I will be using it for my summer mantle....stay tuned!

 The perfect little project to get you in the mood for summer.

Break out your transfer sheets and make your own art tonight!

I am linking this one up to The Graphics Fairy Brag Monday -- y'all come join us!

~Thanks for stopping by!~

~Angie~

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Tonight is the night....

After tonight it will be official.  My oldest daughter will be a high school graduate.  Wish me luck.  Think positive thoughts so I don't bawl my eyes out.  I will be back another day with pictures for y'all...cause I am sure I will feel the need to show her off!  For now, let the hats fly! 

Only a few short months and we will be moving her into a dorm room.  Y'all might have to hold my hand for that one too. 

~Thanks for stopping by!~

~Angie~

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Simple way to dress up plastic containers

Yesterday I posted about my Sports Themed Birthday Party.  I wanted to show you an easy way to customize plastic containers for your party.

This is actually one of those plastic Easter tubs. 

I just came up with a sports design using my PSA Essentials stamps.

Then I literally just taped them around my cheapo plastic bucket!  I made this one a "smores kit" for our bonfire party!

So simple and so cute!
PSA Essentials provides me with stamps as part of their design team.  All opinions and projects are my own.
~Thanks for stopping by!~
~Angie~

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Sports Themed Birthday Party

Time for all of the details on the Sports Themed Birthday Party I threw for my son.  He wanted to have an outdoor bonfire -- which is great when it comes to boys!  It rained about an hour before the party.  I ended up decorating inside AND outside cause I was afraid it wasn't going to stop!  That is why you will see shots from both inside and outside.  We ended up being able to stay outside the entire time.   

I made long green table runners for the tables.  I striped them with white duct tape and added paper numbers.  It rained on these before I could get them up.  :(

They still looked cute just a little "black" instead of green.  :)

I took Dollar Tree footballs and added them to the top of wide mouth mason jars.  Tags stamped with PSA Essentials stamps adorn the front of those.

I used my Silhouette to cut football shapes.  I used these on smaller mason jars to hold tea light candles.

I used that same football shape to make a banner.  The letters and white banner pieces were also cut using the Silhouette. 

Again the stamps are from PSA Essentials.  I based my party around those stamps.  The banner hung on the end of an old wagon that held the food.

The stamps feature various sports as well as an "all star" ring around the outside.

I made clear treat bags tied with football ribbon that I found at Walmart.

I also added handmade flags to some cheer cones found at the Dollar Tree.

Details for making the sports party flags can be found on this post.

I also took some dowel rods and made a goal post.  It is stuck into an upside down terra cotta pot for a base.  The "7" is cut from cardboard with scrapbook paper mod podged to the outside.  My son still has this one in his room he loved it so much!

Each element ties into one another with the stamps and the colors used.  It was simple yet fun.  Most of the things I bought can be used by my son as a toy or in his room.  Most everything I made was from materials around my home.  A great way to throw a great party on a budget!

If y'all think I am the only crafty one in the family, think again!  My hubby MADE this hay trailer for my son to pull behind his pedal tractor.  He made it from scrap metal and welded it together.  I then painted it with Krylon.  We made the hay bales using hay, saran wrap, and twine.

The wagon was most definitely the hit of the party!

Now for the food!  You can find all the details on how to make a football cake on my blog.

Plus if you want to add another festive touch, wrap your juice boxes with brown paper and add a white cutout.  Instant party decor!

I also put up a post detailing the football cupcakes I made for my son to carry to school.

All in all we had a great birthday party!  And this little guy was oh so happy!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! :)

PSA Essentials supplies me with stamps for participation in their design team.  All projects and opinions are my own.
~Thanks for stopping by!~
~Angie~

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