Freebie Friday

Hey all!  Friday is almost gone and I'm running short on time, racing to get all my little ducks in a row for the Sidney Farmer's Market in the morning.  However, I didn't want to miss the chance to share a freebie with you.   These are the leftovers from the rehearsal dinner that my family hosted for my brother's wedding.

 

SO SIMPLE! Step one: Find an irresistible jar or vase.  Step two: Pluck some weeds from the field.  If you are super lucky you will find a nice pretty sunflower too! Step three: Combine the two and add water.  Walah!

  

I love me a good theme party!  These were perfect for our down-home, country theme.  

 

I whipped up this lovely Photoshop masterpiece.  It served as the cover to the invitations and really helped set the mood, and its another freebie!!!  As a half-host there wasn't much time to play photographer but there was a delicious spread of fried chicken, corn-on-the-cob, red skin potatoes, and garden fresh salads.  To top it all off, homemade pies, apple, cherry, peach, and old fashion sugar cream...YUM! Go ahead, be jealous.

 
 

Little Miss played to part of Laura Ingles running through the meadow. Can't you just here the Little House on the Prairie theme song??  Da dum da da da da de da... no, wait, that's Young and the Restless.  Nevermind!

 

I know this one means nothing to most of you, but its a very rare photo that almost makes me cry (which should say a lot but in my very hormonal condition is actually quite easy to do.)  The first handsome fella with the strange look on his face is my youngest brother, Ian.  He made it home just in time for all the wedding festivities and had to leave the day after.  He headed back to Texas where he is stationed until he is deployed to Iraq next month.  Next, is my brother Caleb, the groom.  I couldn't be more proud of the man he has become.  The short squatty one is Dad.  Dad, the word alone says it all!

Thanks all for visiting!  Come back soon to check out wedding pictures and the recently finished basement project!  Hope to see you all tomorrow at the Sidney Farmer's Market!

 

Free Bees?

Well, as with most things, I'm two weeks behind on "Free Bee Fridays."  Maybe this idea was doomed for failure when I spelled freebies wrong. Just to clear things up, I am not giving away bees each Friday and there will be no running bee theme to my Friday crafting. How embarrassing!! I have decided to more appropriately rename the the day "Freebie Fridays."

Now that I've got that issue taken care of, let's move on to my tardiness.  Anyone who knows me can testify that I'm not super timely.  A terrible habit, I know.  From here forth I resolve to TRY to be a more timely blogger.   I'm sure my crazy long list of followers (16 in all, and I think I count for one or two:) will understand. 

To make up for my shortcomings, I present to you a special issue of the new and improved "Freebie Fridays," brought to you on this, a very special day, Monday.

 

  I found this project at Someday Crafts. Fun and FREE!

Here's what you need:

9 paint sticks (I must always forget to stir my paint because I have so many of these laying around.)

red, white and blue craft paint

old stain or ink... something to give it a weathered look

wood glue

string

Start with nine old paint sticks.  I know there are only seven shown, two come in later.

 

On the first 3 sticks draw a vertical line 3" in from the left side.  This will mark where the blue goes. 

Using any old craft paint start to fill in your color making the first stick red.

 

Next, use a piece of sandpaper to rough up the edges and rub off a bit of the paint. To complete the weathered look, use some old stain and a paper towel.  Add just the smallest amount of stain to each stick.  If it gets to be too much you can always sand it off.

 

Once the stain has dried assembly can begin.  Cut the last two paint sticks the width of the flag.  Apply a generous amount of wood glue and assemble your flag as shown.  I placed some heavy books on top while it was drying to help hold everything together.

 

To finish the flag, drill two small holes in the top corners.  Poke your string through the back and knot it on the front side.  You could hot glue it to the back if that would be easier.

 

 The creative lady at Someday Crafts added a starfish on top of the blue, but I was fresh out of starfish.  I think you get the idea anyways. 

 Ta Da! A free project to help celebrate the Fourth.

Happy Independence Day everybody!

FREE BEE Friday!

Of course, Friday has always meant the end of another work week, WHOOP! and the beginning of the weekend, WHOOP WHOOP!! This is reason enough to love Fridays, but then throw in a  little "baby takes nice long nap" mixed with "husband is home from work on time," and a dash of  "meatloaf, only homemade meal this week"  and you have a perfect day.  Why do you love Fridays??

Well, here is one more reason...

I'm working on a project that will add some spice to my Fridays here in blogland, and it goes by the name of "FREE BEE Friday."  For awhile I've been collecting projects that you can make at home with things you already own or can collect for free (or at least close to it.)  Free projects, you say?? YES! Just one more reason to love Fridays! This is sure to be your latest obsession!! Here is the first installment of "FREE BEE Fridays...

 

Make over your table with a new table runner and a fresh arrangement.

 

I made this runner from scrap fabric.  If you don't have a freakishly large supply of unused fabrics, like me,  you could use old dress shirts, blankets, or table clothes, just to name a few. 

 

I sewed my runner with stripes because the bits of burlap I had were small, and what's a good project without

some burlap?? The lining had a former life as a curtain, now the back of my table runner, which helps keep the burlap from fraying and makes everything look nice and neat.

 

Finally, my favorite part, a fresh arrangement picked from my yard.  The green is from a random, nameless bush out back and the purple is from my lavender patch.  I arranged the assortment in an old glass vase with a spare piece of ribbon and PRESTO, a FREE table makeover! 

Enjoy!

BTW, If you are free in the morning you should come out to the Sidney Farmer's Market.  I'll be near the northwest corner selling all the things you can't live without.  Need a little extra incentive? My 

soon-to-be-sister-in-law will be selling her incredible cupcakes... YUM!

Check her out...http://cakebiz.wordpress.com/

Say NO to Auto!

If I had to choose another profession for my life I'd choose... hum.... well... AHHHH! I couldn't choose!  Let's be serious, some days I feel like I haven't even decided on a first profession.  I have far too many interests to decide what I like to do the most.  However, I can say with certainty that photography would definitely be near the top of the list. 

 Recently, I came across this tutorial at Little Miss Momma, written by guest blogger and photographer Kellie Larsen.  She gives some great tips to help you take your camera off auto and understand a variety of different settings. It was very helpful and much easier to read than a camera's owner's manual.  My camera wasn't inexpensive but it is nowhere near professional.  With the tips from this tutorial, two very patient individuals, and some very BASIC Photoshop magic here's what I did (and you can, too!)...

    

 

 

 

 

 

Farmer's Market

It has taken a long time and more encouragement than any one person should be so lucky to get, but I'm finally doing it!  I'm taking my crafting to the next level... Watch out Farmer's Markets, here I come!  I can't think of a better way for you to spend your Saturday morning than to come stroll around the courthouse in Sidney.  http://www.downtownsidney.com/farmersmarket.asp Here's some of what you can expect to see at BOOTH 236!!! 

 

 

 

 

There will be much more to see at the market tomorrow, but if anything catches your eye and you can't make it out, I'm always happy to take orders. Thanks for visiting and I hope to see you all in the A.M.