You won't believe this giveaway...

I am so excited for this week's giveaway.

Really, really, crazy excited.

Last October I was the lucky recipient of a 

blog makeover from Penny Lane Designs.

I remember the jump up and down excitement

that I felt when I realized that I was the winner.

Marina, my brilliant designer is preparing for the

birth of her baby boy.  

I can just imagine his birth announcements!

I came across Kelly's blog through Marina's.

They are both super cute Texans, who I want to be

best friends and shop at Sam Moon with.

I pretty much want to live in Kelly's house

and steal her stinking adorable dog.

Her style is beautiful, glamourous,

truly, simply fabulous.

Don't even get me started on her stunning 

photography.  I pretty much could get rid of

all of my home magazines and just 

read her blog for inspiration.

When Kelly offered to give one of you a

blog makeover I freaked out a little bit!

(She even offered to write the post for me as 

I lay around moaning about my summer head cold.)

Are you freaking out too?

So here she is:

Hey there!  Kelly here...

You {might} know me from my blog Fabulous K 

or my blog design site Fabulous K Creative.  

I am so excited to announce what 

I hope you'll think is an exciting giveaway. 

Here it is...

That's right...

I am giving away a blog design 

right here on one of my favorite blogs, 

Joy's Hope!

One lucky winner will receive an 

ULTIMATE

blog design package 

{a $55 value}

includes:

custom blog header

matching wallpaper or color coordination for sides

color coordination of links

name signature for the bottom of posts

(up to 7) custom sidebar titles

How to Enter:

(Remember to leave a separate comment for every entry.)

1. Visit my site here.  

Come back and tell us what your favorite design is in my portfolio.

2. Make yourself a follower on the Fab K Creative main page.

3. Make yourself a follower on the Fab K Creative design blog.

4.  Make yourself a follower on my Fabulous K blog.

5. Follow me on Twitter here.

That's Five ways to enter.  

Five times the fabulous.

Good luck!

Contest will run until noon pacific time

Friday, July 17th.

{please note: this giveaway is only valid on blogs hosted on the blogger platform.}

Ribbon storage with super cool guest blogger Kristin

I first met Kristin at a boutique last fall.

She amazes me with each and every thing she makes

and I can't visit her blog without learning something new.

I want pretty much one (or many) of each item in her shop as well.

I asked her to share this brilliant tutorial that will help bring a bit of organization into your craft space.  I know my current ribbon system isn't working and I can't wait to have it finally under control.

I have so much ribbon for making the bows and clips I sell that I was having a seriously hard time figuring out where to store it all and how to keep it organized. I have seen a few different ribbon organizing boxes and storage systems at Joanns, Walmart, etc. but I was never convinced that they would take up less room or work very well. Then I saw an idea on some blog about wrapping ribbon around clothes pins, securing them with a pin and storing them in clear boxes or jars. Instantly I was sold and set out to buy the goods and start unraveling.

This is what my ribbon looked like before I implemented this new organizing solution. Messy, tangled and CRAZY!

And after. Neat, clean, organized.

Scroll down for instructions on how to organize your ribbon too!

Materials: Wooden Doll Pins (I got mine at Joanns and Michaels) and small glass head sewing pins (can find at Walmart or any craft store in the sewing section)

Step 1: Insert one end of the ribbon in the slit of the clothes pin

Step 2: Wrap the ribbon around the base of the clothes pin so it comes over the little piece of ribbon you just inserted. This will keep the ribbon from unraveling so make sure it is nice and tight

Step 3: Start wrapping the ribbon down the length of the clothes pin at an angle. Try to keep the distance between each wrap equal so the ribbon will lay flat and be distributed equally.Once you reach the end of the clothes pin...

Step 4: Turn the clothes pin over and continue to wrap the ribbon down the length of the clothes pin at an opposing angle. Try to make sure the ribbon is wrapped fairly tight so it won't come off the clothes pin when in storage.

Step 5: Keep wrapping..and wrapping the ribbon up and down the length of the clothes pin until you have gone through your entire length of ribbon

Step 6: Secure the end of the ribbon with a glass sewing pin and admire your work!

Now put your newly spooled ribbon into clear boxes or jars (I organized mine by color) and label so you can easily find what you need when you need it.

So much better! And it takes up SOOO much less room! 

Feel free to leave me a comment if you have any questions :)

Thanks Kristin!

After you finish organizing your ribbon, 

visit her blog and leave some comment love,

and look for a giveaway from her shop in

the next few weeks.

Hooray!

what do you get

when you put

a five year old,

a four year old,

two

three year olds,

a two year old,

a one year old,

and two

six month olds

plus six adults 

and two dogs

in a two bedroom cabin?

noisy, happy, crazy memories.

four happy winners.

technical difficulties was just my paranoid,

keep the robbers away code for...

"oops, I planned a giveaway to 

end while I was on vacation."

But now we are home.

The robbers stayed away.

Want to know who random.org decided to hook up?

Rebecca

is the winner of Simona's awesome chalkboard.

Lynette

is the winner of the brilliant Blush undershirt.

Garilyn

is the winner of a gorgeous apron from Bubsie's Boutique.

Kayla

is the winner of the fabric necklace from little old me.

If you are one of the happy four, please email me.

Now I am off to unpack and attack a mountain of laundry fresh from the mountains.

due to...

technical difficulties,

winners will be chosen tomorrow.

Happy Sunday.

Four for the Fourth.

Happy Fourth of July weekend!

How about a giveaway?

How about four?

Let's celebrate.

Meet Simona from

SMW Custom creations. 

"I am a full time nanny to 7 year old triplets (plus my daughter), mommy, wife, daughter, sister, aunt and like a lot of moms moonlight as a chef, cab driver, organizer, scrapbooker, crafter and photographer.  I have always wanted to find a hobby but, unlike my husband who has no problem finding hobbies, I struggled to find something I enjoyed or had the time for. I realized about a year ago that I’d like to try and sell what I already love to do.  In January a friend convinced me to try out a craft fair where I received some custom orders. Since that day I realized how much I really enjoy it, not just because it gives me the opportunity to be creative and be a part of an amazing community of talented women, but also the gratification I get from the positive feedback of those who have purchased and love my products.  My daughter enters kindergarten this coming fall and I am looking forward to diving into my new found hobby and keeping myself artistically challenged while she’s in school. So here goes nothing. I am launching my ETSY shop and I couldn't think of a better way to get started. "

I am happy to help launch her shop!

Simona is giving away this fun custom chalkboard clipboard.

How smart is the little chalk holder/ eraser?

Think of the fun notes you or your little ones could write.

Super handy for long car rides as well.

Second, meet Blush.

The topless undershirt.

When I came across the Blush website within minutes had filled up my cart.

They are simple and smart.

Useful and brilliant.

Just like it sounds, they are an undershirt without a top or straps.

Just enough of the softest coziest fabric you can imagine to give you the extra coverage under your clothes.  

I am long waisted and hate constantly tugging on my shirts to properly cover my waist and it's post baby awesomeness.

Now I don't even think about it.

Plus, it is an absolute must have for nursing moms.

No more flashing tummies.

One winner will receive their choice of Blush undershirt.

It will change your life.

Meet Jeanne

from Bubsies Boutique

"It all started when I was a little girl… My love for fabrics and sewing came from my mom who used to hand make everything from cross-stitch pictures, to knitted blankets, to sweet frilly dresses for Christmas. She always had some sort of needle, thread or basket of fabric around for me to play with. From there, I started learning simple crafts to give as gifts when I was in high school…any excuse to pinch a penny! I always knew that a homemade gift was personal and hopefully a bit cherished by my loved one.

After years of sewing on my mom’s sewing machine, she finally bought me one for my 30^th birthday a few years ago. Once I got it up and running, my fingers haven’t stopped! I began making baby onesies, bibs, and what-not, and have now added some gift ideas for the moms and women in our lives. I kid you not, every time I enter a fabric store, my heart starts beating really fast because I’m so excited to get to work! 

So here we are today…my little business is small, but mighty (I like to say). I have been married for over 5 years to my sweet Dave (a high school teacher) and am a stay-at-home mom (like so many of you amazing mothers out there). My main job is raising and hangin’ with my little man, Simon. He’s 3 years old and a lil’ firecracker like his mama. But we are quite the team…he sits across from me with play dough in hand, or plays his drums while I have fabric sprawled across my living room floor. It works…we get to be together, so that’s all that matters. 

The future?…I’ll probably ALWAYS be working with fabric like my mom. “It’s in the blood,” she says. The best part is that my mom is going to leave a legacy to us girls, and to all her grandchildren. She’s made hundreds of quilts for people…family, children, strangers, and even for the homeless in local shelters. I hope to leave the same for those I love. Thanks, mama!"

For the first time I am hosting a giveaway for one of my friends.

So fun!

Jeanne is amazing, sweet and so talented.

She has the biggest heart and is such an encourager.

In fact she invited me to participate in my first boutique that gave me the confidence to start my own Etsy shop.

One winner will get to choose their choice of apron from her shop.

Imagine how cute you will look while cooking.

Lastly, meet me.

(actually, giveaway number four rescheduled, 

so I wanted to join in on the fun.)

One winner will be the new owner of this 

Easier Than Amy Butler necklace that I made for yesterday's tutorial.  

I was having so much fun I actually made two and want to share the love.

So, how do you win?

This week you have four chances to enter.

(Remember to leave a separate comment for each entry.)

1.  Visit Simona's shop.

Come back here and let me know your favorite item.

2.  Visit her blog and leave some comment love.

3.  Visit Jeanne's blog/ shop.

Leave some comment love on your favorite item.

Then come back and tell me what it is.

4.  Write someone a sweet note.

Not an email.

A real note.

With a pen

and paper.

Bringing old school back.

Then come back here and leave a comment with the word "note".

I will randomly choose four winners on Monday July 6th at noon pacific time.

Now go light some fireworks for me.

Sadly they are illegal here and I miss them!!!

Happy Fourth of July.

Easier fabric necklace

I often wonder if pattern designers sit in their offices and plot against me.

Is it their intention to make steps more complicated and confusing than they need to be?

Do they secretly hope that I overbuy and waste precious fabric?

Because that is not cool.

Last week I followed this pattern, 

wasted a ton of time, 

pulled out my hair and 

needlessly cut TONS of fabric.  

(Make bias strips?  Really?  For what?)

Let me save you from the same fate.

Meet the much easier,

fabric conserving,

time saving,

chunky fabric necklace.

This is a really easy and inexpensive project.

The fabric combinations are limitless and it is a great use for scraps.

Supplies:

1 inch wood beads

(I found mine at Michaels.  They can have holes or no holes, it doesn't matter.

12-20 depending on the length you want the necklace to be.)

Three to five different fabrics

(you will need five 4 x 18 strips of fabric.)

Coordinating thread

Cut your fabric into 4 x 18 inch strips.

You need five total.

Sew all of the short ends together in your desired pattern

using a 1/2 inch seam allowance.

You can snip the threads and press the seams, but I'm too lazy.

That's how I roll.

On one end fold down the fabric 1/2 inch and sew.

Fold in half right sides together.

Sew down entire length using a 1/2 inch seam allowance.

Feel free to pin sides together if this is too scary.

Once again, I'm too lazy.

Stick a big old safety pin on one end and turn it inside out.

These next steps are boring, so I usually watch something mindless on the Tivo.

Today it was The Fashion Show.

Which is awful.

Project Runway, please come back quickly!

 

Find the center of the long fabric snake and tie a knot.

Push a bead through the tube until it hits the knot.

Tie another knot. 

Repeat on both sides until necklace is desired length.

I used 18 beads on mine and it fits easily over my head.

Here is how I finished it.

I tucked one side into itself,

then clipped off the extra length off of the polka dot side.

Then I stuffed the polka dot side into the other side, 

pinned it and did my best attempt at hand sewing.

It came out crazy and bunchy, but then again, 

it looks as though a bead is in that part of the necklace too.

If you want a shorter necklace, instead of sewing both sides together, 

sew a ribbon on each end so you can tie and untie the cuteness.

My assistant has taken on a part time job in the Quality Control department.

It passed her very stringent standards.

selfishness.

It's in all of us, 

whether we like to admit it or not.

It is one of the traits that I personally like the least.

It breaks my heart to see it displayed.

It is even harder when I see it in my own life.

Sweet Halley wants to give her hair to 

Locks of Love.

She has been asking for months.

I keep hoping she will forget or change her mind.

All because of my selfishness.

She is five,

and has never had a haircut.

Hair does not come easy to my girls

and the thought of cutting off her 

sweet curls and baby blonde is 

really more than I can take.

But then I think back to when I worked at a salon.

Each time a client came in to donate their hair I cried.

Amazed by their loving hearts.

For the person whose life would change 

through the simple sacrifice of hair.

Hair that grows back.

For someone who has none.

In a week or so I am going to say goodbye to

my kind and sensitive hearted daughter's hair.

Then mail it off to be made into something wonderful.

Life changing.

I will probably never regret it.

Just thankful for the extraordinary 

lesson that Halley is teaching me.

Her example is changing my selfish heart.

a peek inside my brain

what is it...

crazy people don't know they are crazy?

so if I know I'm crazy, than I'm not, right?

let me take you on a tour of a typical night for me and my crazy brain.

It's 10:30.  

Jason's not home.  

All of the girls are sleeping.

My projects are done.

The house is picked up.

I just started a new book. 

(I haven't read a book since Twilight and that, well...)

I turn off the lights and head to my room for a few hours of reading.

But then I pass by the computer.

Maybe I'll just read a few blogs.

I set a ten minute limit.

Visit Kelly.

See this post.

Click on this tutorial.

Think, well my new book does need a bookmark.

Turn back on the lights.

Go the garage to collect supplies.

Set everything up.

Make a bookmark.

Think, well everything is out I might as well make a couple.

Soon one dozen bookmarks are sewn.

Then I have to trim them, 

so I might as well watch something on the Tivo.

How is it 3am?

Turn off the lights.

Go to bed and read.

One page in, I am falling asleep.

Save my place with cute bookmark.

Nite nite.

Who are these bookmarks for?

Make a purchase during my stroller sale and you just might find out.