Fabric Samples and a Winner

I ordered some samples of fabric for my kitchen window.

I have a small bay window with two inch blinds right now. I thought with all the white paint and light colored walls a little bit of color on the windows would be nice. I might get bamboo blinds but the privacy and light adjustment I get with the old blinds is nice.

Here are some of the samples.

 

I really liked the size of the samples that Fabric.com sent.

The two smaller samples came from OnlineFabricStore.net.

Both have really good prices and a much bigger selection than what I can find around here.

Here are some ideas of what I’m thinking about for the windows.

Something soft and swoopy. Swoopy is word.

They will look like roman blinds but really they'll be just a valance. 

Source: BHG.com

Source: BHG.com

Why didn't I take those stupid stickers off? Geesh!

 

I love them all. And if I could buy them all I would. Because I am a fabric hoarder.

There, I said it.

Now you know.

I. love. fabric.

Oh yes, a winner. Ha, I almost forgot.

I got distracted by all the fabric.

The winner is….

Katrina, who was a little undecided between the blue and the white.

I’ll be emailing you!

Let me know which fabric were your favorites. I’d love to know.

Road Trip Time and Giveaway Reminder

We’re going on a little road trip to see this guy.

Last weekend he popped in and surprised us with a visit. With his laundry.

This weekend it’s parents weekend at FSU. So we’re going to see how clean that dorm room is.

Yeah. That might be a little scary.

I just wanted to pop in and remind you to enter my giveaway if you haven’t already.

You won’t want to miss out out on these cute bucket bags from Sailor Bags.

And, if anyone might know what this is, please let me know.

I really like it. It’s hanging over my fence.

Okay, need to run.

Don’t forget the GIVEAWAY!

Sailor Bags Giveaway!

When Sailor Bags contacted me about a new product and asked if I would I like to show it off on my blog, of course I said YES!

I loved the stockings that were sent to me for last years giveaway and I love this new bucket bag just as much. 

Maybe even more! It has so many uses.

I first showed you a glimpse of it when I was out in the garden picking the green beans.

Did you notice it?

It’s great to hold craft supplies, books, magazines or fill it with your Halloween candy.

Hang it in your bathroom.

 

No one will know what you have inside!

Sailor Bags uses genuine sailcloth for their products. They are made so well that they come with a lifetime guarantee. 

And shipping is only 2.99. That’s a great deal! They make totes, duffles, cooler bags and a lot more. 

They will even embroider them.

I am giving one of these babies away so you can see for yourself how great products from Sailor Bags are. I’ll even let you choose which color. Red, White or Blue. Because they are all so cute.

Leave me a comment and tell me which is your favorite for a chance to win. And if you like Sailor Bags on facebook, let me know for another chance to win. Just leave me a separate comment. Makes it easier to keep track with my fancy little numbered comments. Please make sure your email is available in your profile or leave it in the comment. If I can't contact you I will choose another winner.

You will have until Monday October 15.

Now how cute would this look with some Christmas poinsettias in it?

Christmas is just around the corner!

GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED

FOLK Giveaway Winner

Sorry for the wait! I did not forget about the FOLK magazine subscription giveaway.

I’ve just been up to my ears in white paint this weekend and have had no time.

The kitchen is coming along nicely. I’ll be glad when it is finished!

Here’s a peak. Just the primer.

 

It’s already looking lighter in there though. And as you can see, the toe kick went white.

Thank you to all who took the time to enter. I had asked you guys to let me know some simple ideas that you do around your home. Here a few ideas that were mentioned.

Bringing the outdoors in with branches, flowers and bits of nature. That’s a no cost winner. 

Cooking extra to have items ready for quick meals. Especially great in the summer. 

Lots of you love adding flowers to mason jars and spreading them around the house. One of my favs. Keeping things simple and uncluttered. Something I’m always trying to achieve.

So many great ideas!

Okay, now for the winner.

Linda @ Coastal Charm!

she said: Simple ideas at my home are...working in the yard as a family and decorating our home with thrifty items. Thanks for the giveaway...sounds like a wonderful magazine.

and it is!

Congrats Linda!

Back to painting. :)

I still need to pick a wall color.

Giveaway Reminder and Toe Kick Advice

Don’t forget about the FOLK magazine giveaway I have going on.

You have until Friday night to enter!

LOOK!

I went outside this morning to check on my garden and was surprised to see these little guys.

My first sugar peas!

and this…

Zucchini blossoms!

The garden is coming along nicely. I'm really looking forward to the green beans and tomatoes. 

My carrot seeds even seem to be coming up. I'll be shocked if I get actual carrots!

The rest of the day was not so much fun.

I’ve scrubbing down cabinets and taking off hardware. So my kitchen looks like this now.

(Whoa, that is a little blurry! These were all taken with my iphone. 

I think I was just too tired to hold it still for that last shot!)

It was disgusting just how dirty they were. I know some people don’t like white cabinets because they will show the dirt more. Well, I think I’d rather see the dirt right away so I can wipe it down then for it to hide and build up like it did. 

ICK!

Both pairs of my rubber gloves were ripped so I spent all day with may hands in bucket after bucket of water. They now feel like paper.

I am off to fill some holes so I can add new hardware later.

Hope to start the priming tomorrow.

Oh hey, see that toe kick down there below the cabinets? I'm thinking they should be white too.

What say you? There is something in a vinyl I could put down there. Anyone have that?

Okay, everyone go look at their toe kicks and get back to me.

I'll be waiting.

FOLK magazine: a Review and a Giveaway

 I have mentioned FOLK magazine before.

It’s a wonderful, relatively new magazine that is focused on living a simple life.

Folk has really taken off and it is now going national this May.

They are about to release issue V and I had the opportunity to review it!

Yes, I got to flip through all of the gorgeous pages a little early.
You too can see a little preview yourself. Just go HERE.

Here is a little description from the folks at FOLK themselves:

FOLK MAGAZINE IS....

Devoted to presenting a fresh and youthful interpretation of simple country lifestyles. We focus on the stories that make America our collective home sweet home. FOLK reaches across the many representations of American Country style to celebrate personal expression in our homes, businesses, and lives.

Folk has some contributors that you might recognize.

    

Donna, Michael and soon to be, Anne.

FOLK brings me back in time a bit.
Reminds me to enjoy the simple things and not to sweat the small stuff.
Life is too short. Enjoy it now!

Some of the simple things that I love:
jars with fresh flowers, swinging on the hammock, key lime pie, working in my garden,
walks along the beach, time spent with family

And the best part is, FOLK would like to give away a subscription!

But of course if you can’t wait you can go HERE to buy a subscription or a single issue for yourself.
Also, Issue V will be on news stands in the middle of May.

If you would like to enter to win a subscription to FOLK here's what I’d like you to do.

1. Leave me a comment and tell me what simple ideas you love around your home.

for a second try,

              2. Like FOLK on facebook and tell them Hi for me. Then let me know that you did.

Feel free to spread the word!

We'll wrap it up at the end of the week. I'll randomly pick a winner late Friday night.

I think you will love the magazine as much as I do.

ps. Some of you just might recognize a few photos in Issue V.
I am soooo excited!
:)

GOOD LUCK!!

Rudolph’s Stand In and Giveaway Reminder

Just in case Rudolph is not up to the trip Henry has volunteered his services.

It did take a little coaxing and he’s a little unsure but I’m sure he’ll do fine.

I think he’d rather spend his time snoozing on his bed.

 

Tomorrow is the last day for the giveaway from Sailor Bags.

So hurry up and go here if you’d like to win these.

Linking up with:

Tracy’s Trinkets and Treasures: Pet Party

Have a great week!

Another Giveaway! Ho Ho Ho!

I still haven’t gotten a Christmas tree but we will be getting one this weekend. 

I am ready to get my ornaments out and take some pictures of the lights.

I have put some other decorations out including some more stockings.

I was sent a couple of of these cute stockings from Sailor Bags.

I love the zig zag stitching on them!

They asked if I could incorporate them into my holiday decor and I said sure!

I used the blue one on my front door. What I love about these stockings is that they are made of real sail cloth and that means they can take being outside. I filled a little baggie with some stones to give it some weight since it would be top heavy without it.

I stitched up this little starfish out of some blue ticking then added a real one along with it.

I didn't have a tree trimming yet, so I went out back and picked some magnolia branches and some pine. I then added just a few things from around the house like a piece of driftwood, a shell, some feathers and a few pine cones. I used some rope to hang it from my door knocker and frayed the end.

I like that it fits between my front door and the storm door.

The red one I hung on the french door to the pool.

I used the same greens from the yard.

I had another star out of the ticking but then I added a metal snowflake and some ribbon.

I also had this cute bird in a nest.

I think they came out pretty cute. What do you think?

Would you like a chance to win a couple of these cute stocking for yourself?

Sailor Bags is offering to send someone their own set. 

You can decorate them to suit your own style or use them just as is and let Santa fill them up!

Just leave me a comment down below.

If you want a second chance then you can like Sailor Bags on Facebook. 

Then leave me a another message telling me you did. 

They happen to be running a lot of specials right now on facebook and on their site.

 Like free embroidery thru the 13th. They also have great totes, duffels, backpacks and more.

Oh and one more thing, please make sure I can access your profile or leave me your email.

You have until Monday Dec. 12.

That is it!

GOOD LUCK!!


Linking up with:
French Country Cottage: Feathered Nest Friday

Funky Junk Interiors: SNS 111 Stockings

Picture the Holiday and a Winner!

Okay, this week is already zipping by. I need to get my lists in order so I can check things off and I will feel like I’m accomplishing something. Right now, not so much. 

I thought I’d show you a few pictures from a project I started.

I’ve been participating in a photo group called Picture the Holidays. 

It’s was put together by Tracy Clark and Paper Coterier. 

Every day for the month of December we will get a prompt to help guide us for our photos.

Day 5 was The View from Here.

The photo above was my view tonight while outside hanging lights. 

Yes, I’m a little behind.

Day 6 was Every Little Thing. (It’s a JUNIOR mint! And it’s very refreshing!)

It’s definitely been a challenge for me. But I will do as much as I can and hope to improve along the way.

Okay, now for the winner of the FOLK magazine and the mini stockings!

Number 2 is Allison! Allison doesn’t have a blog but she really should.

She is the sweetest person and leaves me the loveliest comments.

So Yay Allison! Email me your address and I will get those out to you soon!

Fear not, I will be having another giveaway soon. 

I have Christmas stockings of another kind to giveaway this time. 

I hope you will come back and try again!

One more picture before I go from Day 4 You Hold the Key.

The key to helping me refocus is the sand, sea and salty air.

Have a great week everyone!