Wednesday's Words of Wisdom #4

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom #3

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom #2

Inspiration Point

“Creativity is contagious. Pass it on.” — Albert Einstein

What inspires you to create? I spend quite a bit of time each week reading blogs and viewing Pinterest. I find much of my inspiration from these. As Albert Einstein wisely put it, creativity is meant to be passed on. I've decided that each week I'll post what I've found that inspires me. I hope you will be inspire too.

Redo 101

I recently stumbled across this blog. I was taking a look at blog rolls on some of the blogs I follow and discovered Mary's blog. Mary loves thrift store/yard sale shopping, vintage items and sewing. I spent quite a bit of time reading her blog and found several things that are now on my DYI project list. Here are three of them.

Americana Wreath

What a great way to use up some of those fabric scraps! I've seen other wreaths made from fabric scraps, but it never occurred to me to create a patriotic one like this.

Burlap Table Runner

Can't wait to get to Joann's for some burlap. I think this will be the perfect runner for my fall tablescape on my dining room table.

Mod Podge Table Redo

I have a small little table my mother picked up for me years ago that I never did anything with. I'm now using it in a kitchen playarea I made for my granddaughter. Hmmm.....wouldn't some vintage recipes look good decoupaged on a table?

Scrapping With Liz

This is one of my favorite digital scrapbooking sites. Liz has some great ideas to share about scrapbooking. You can purchase templates from her site, but she also has great freebies. If you are new to digital scrap booking you will find her tutorials easy to understand and very helpful.

Recipe Book Templates

This has been on my list of things to do for quite some time. I just purchased this set and I'm anxious to get started on creating a book of family favorites. I love that this template set came in an 8.5 x 11 size that will fit into a three ring binder. What a great way to also organize all those recipes that have been clipped from magazine or printed from the web.

Alphabet and Number Flashcards

I think I purchased these even before I had grandchildren. I just knew this would be a great idea. I'm working on these now and hope to have them completed before my granddaughter's third birthday in January. Each card can be personalized with photos of people or things the children is familiar with.

God Bless America

We Will Remember

Give Away

I was asked to review My Memories Suite. If you are like me life is busy and there never seems to be enough time to scrapbook our memories. This digital scrapbooking software just might be the solution for you. I was able to create a couple of pages within a few minutes. It's as easy as a click of the button. Just drag and drop your photos and page elements such as embellishments, backgrounds, and layouts.



You can scrap a page rather quickly using this digital scrapbooking software. You can create an entire album using a variety of templates that are provided or you can create your own. My Memories Suite allows you to print pages as a traditional scrapbook or you can have it professionally printed as a hardbound book. My Memories Suite also allows you to create a movie to watch on a DVD or to view on an iPOD. You will also have the capibility to post a movie of your scrapbook on your Facebook page.

My Memories is going to give 1 of you a FREE copy of their software. Yea!!!

This is what you need to do to enter the contest:

1. Check out their software and tell me what you like most about the software or choose your favorite layout from the gallery. Leave your comment here.
2. Mention this give away on your blog for a second chance to win.
3. You have until September15th at midnight to enter the contest. I'll announce the winner on next Friday's (September 16) blog post.

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom #1

Come and Sit a Spell

When we made the decision to build our home, a front porch was a must. A cozy front porch says come on up and sit a while. We were lucky enough to find a floor plan we liked with a front porch big enough to encourage neighborhood friends to stop and visit. It has also proven to be a great place to play with the grandkids. It's also a favorite place to enjoy a good book and a cool drink. After our house was finished then we had to make decisions on how this spot would be decorated. Here are some photos that provided some inspiration:

Picture taken at local Parade of Homes

Love the black rockers against the white siding.

Between Naps on the Porch

All decked out for the 4th of July

Country Glamour Home

Can't you see yourself sitting here sipping your ice tea or lemonade?

Primitive Pond Homestead

Love all the primitive accents.

At Home With Amy

Love the black wicker and red accents.

Yesterday Once More

Inviting Front Door. Love the red.

Censational Girl

All ready for fall. Love the rustic bench.

So what did we end up with? We actually purchased some black rockers, but once they were assembled they didn't prove to be very comfortable. It seems the floor models were from last year and this year's chairs were slightly different. So they were loaded back in the truck and returned. We ended up choosing these Adirondack chairs. They are very sturdy, easy to clean, and very comfortable. Since they are made from poly-lumber we won't have to worry about painting them every year. The table in between the chairs was actually from a previous patio set, but has proven to be quite handy. There is enough room to hold flowers and candles and also our drinks and books. I'm thinking about spray painting it to match the chairs. What do you think?



Come on up and sit a spell.



Hmmm....going to have to make some pillows for these chairs.

I've had this bench forever, but I think it needs a makeover. I think it's going to end up being painted my favorite county cranberry red. I've added a few primitive accesories and flowers. The galvanized watering can is quite old. It belonged to my husband's grandmother.





It won't be long until mums and pumpkins replace the summer flowers.

Do you feel it?

After several days of intense heat and humidity finally behind us, it was nice to wake up to some cool, crisp air. I love everything about fall. It sort of rejuvenates me. I feel like getting out more and being more active. It also puts me in the mood to do some crafting. Here are a few projects I have on my list:

Fall is in the Air@

The Painted Quilt

Funky Pinkwheel Table Runner@

Pleasant Home

Pumpkin Sampler@

Create and Decorate

Fabric Pumkins@

Creation Corner

Wooden Pumpkins@

Crafty Chic Mommy

Spooky Time@

Lizzie Kate

Inspiration Point #3

I may not have been keeping up with my own blogging, but that hasn't stopped me from reading other blogs.
There are many creative people out there in blogland. Inspiration for a new project is just a click away. I guess that's why I spend so much time at my computer. Here are three sites I enjoy: 

Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom

Jaime is a stay at home mom. She has posted some great craft and sewing projects, craft projects for kids, and recipes.

Tiered Pillowcase Dress

Isn't this cute? What a great way to use up some of your scraps from other projects.

Meadowbrook Farm

Beautiful flowers and beautiful photography

(Inspiration for me to learn how to take better pictures.)

Twelve Days of Creative Fall@

Deck the Halls of Home with Joy

Starting September 1 Brenda will be sharing creative fall inspirations.

Since fall is my favorite season

 I will be following along daily. I hope you will too.

Reeses Pieces Peanut Butter Cookies

I must admit I don't do much baking in the summer, but as soon as there's a hint of fall in the air I feel like getting in the kitchen and doing some baking. My husband's favorite snack is cookies. I found this recipe at Hershey's Recipes. 

Ingredients:

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine, softened

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup packed light brown sugar

1/2 cup Reese's Creamy Peanut Butter

1 egg

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup Reese's Pieces Candy

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, peanut butter, egg and vanilla in large bowl until fluffy. Stir together flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to butter mixture, beating until well blended. Stir in candies. Drop by heaping teaspoons onto ungreased cookie sheet.
3. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until edges are lightly browned; remove from oven. Cool slightly; remove from pan to wire rack. Cool completely. Makes about 2-1/2 dozen cookies.

If you are a fan of peanut butter then this is the recipe for you. I think they would taste good with a cup of hot apple cider.

Vacation Time in Vacation Land

We made our annual trek to Maine in July. We had a wonderful and relaxing time in Bar Harbor, Maine. Acadia National Park is located here. We've been going here for the last 20 years. People often ask us why we go to the same place every year. I think the pictures speak for themselves. We love it's natural beauty. We find real peace here. If you get off the beaten path, you can explore this park without the normal congestion of tourists that you might experience elsewhere. I particularly like it because of its cooler summer temperatures and low humidity.

View From Top of Cadillac Mountain. This is the highest point along the Atlantic Coast.

Shore line in Acadia National Park

Harbor view on Mt. Dessert Island

Bar Harbor Inn is our home for the week. Our room looks out over Frenchman's Bay. The balcony is the perfect place to read, relax, and soak in the beauty of this place.

One of the stone bridges in Acadia National Park.

One of the carriage roads in Acadia National Park. There are 45 miles of carriage roads in this park. These roads are reserved for walkers, bicyclists and horse back riders.

Another cobblestone bridge. There are 17 unique cobblestone bridges in Acadia National Park.