Lucky for me, I saw a glimmer of goodness yesterday. I received Amy Anderson’s new book, Mod Podge Rocks! If you haven’t had a chance to ever visit her lovely blog, you should head on over now. Seriously. Go check it out and I’ll wait here.

Amazing, right? I happen to know Amy pretty well {on the internet at least (: } and after meeting her at Snap, my suspicions were confirmed, she is awesome!

As for the book, it doesn’t disappoint either. It’s cleanly laid-out with very easy-to-follow directions and I love the great pictures that accompany each project. Speaking of the projects, there are over 40 brand spankin’ new tutorials to follow that are separated into manageable categories.

I can’t wait to dig in and get started testing out some of these sweet ideas that Amy and her contributors have put together!

Now for the best part! I have a copy of Mod Podge Rocks to give to one lucky Sweet Rose Studio reader!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Well folks, what started out as a runny nose and unhappy daughter yesterday after nap time, has morphed into a full blown yucky cough, clogged nose, super clingy, and really unhappy Reagan today.

Today should be interesting as it’s Luke’s last day of school as well and we’re scheduled to go into his class for a party. Like I said, interesting. Fingers crossed that I’ll be back tomorrow sharing more of the projects and recipes that I’ve got lined up!

This past Saturday was no exception.

I think that the combination of extreme heat happening around here (I’m talking 108 degrees here people) and dealing with the chaos that comes with the end of a school year, the kids and I needed a break. And if I’m being honest, Momma couldn’t handle anymore Octonauts or Doc McStuffins while breaking up fights over broken Happy Meal toys; you know what I’m talking about.

On this particular Saturday, I found inspiration as I was trying to stretch our excursion out for every possible extra second by walking down the scrapbook aisle for the fifth time since we’d entered the store. Here is what I came up with:

Sweet, right? She’s actually super simple to re-create on your own, cross my heart!

Here’s what brought on the brain storm:

I’m a true sucker for all things girly, vintage-y, and glittered. This pack of paper (DCWV The Spring Fling Stack) encompasses all of those things and there was absolutely no way to not put it in my cart. It just spoke to me…if paper could do that. I also knew that I had these amazing Berry Container Dies from Lifestyle Crafts. Hello! Marriage made in craft heaven, if I do say so myself.

Materials:

Epic 6 * Berry Container Die

Weave Border Die * patterned paper

Glue stick * tissue paper

pop-up glue spots

To create your own Berry Gift Basket, start by using the Epic 6, the Berry Container Die, and the Weave Border Die to cut out your pieces. I chose to cut the border in a contrasting color, but it’s totally up to you. Using the glue stick, glue the bases of the berry box die-cuts like the #1 picture. Take the border piece and glue the center of it to one side of the berry container. You’ll end up using the border to glue the rest of the the sides of the berry container together. Cut one sheet of the tissue paper into strips to serve as the filler. The other nice part about the paper stack is that it had a couple sheets of cute tags. I cut one out and added the glue spots to the back so the tag stands out a little.

Done! I’m using this as an End-Of-The-Year Teacher gift, but you can use this super cute gift basket for just about anything. How fabulous would this be stuffed with some fun flowers or a gift card? So many ideas!

Don’t forget, you can always get 20% off your Lifestyle Crafts purchases by using the coupon code SWEET!

Linking Here:

Sumo’s Sweet Stuff * Skip to My Lou * Oopsey Daisy

For this installment of Father’s Day printables, I’ve put together a set of cupcake toppers and banner panels perfect for a celebration of the amazing dads in your life. Without further ado, here they are!

Father’s Day Cupcake Toppers

Father’s Day Banner Panels

(Available to spell out Dad or Daddy)

You can click the link to be taken to the download. Don’t forget that I also have the matching print available for download too!

Father’s Day Gift Print

I hope you enjoy these and I’d love to see any pictures of them in use. I love getting those emails!

Linking Here:

Sumo’s Sweet Stuff * Skip to My Lou * Oopsey Daisy

Sure, there are those days moments when things aren’t always sunshine and pretty flowers; life has tough moments too. Even on days when I feel like the Husband might come home to a bald wife due to me pulling all of my hair out, I realize that I am incredibly lucky to have these two.

Life just seems to be richer, more full, and more colorful since that day just over 4 years ago when I first became a momma. Sure, I’ve always had meaning and purpose in my life, but now that I’m responsible for the lives of my two babies, I work harder, try harder, and love harder than I ever thought imaginable.

So many things to smile about.

What made you smile this week?

I stumbled across this lovely quote and knew immediately I needed to do something with it. Isn’t it so simple, but totally powerful?

It’s sized to fit an 8×10 frame. Click either the image above or HERE to be taken to the download. Enjoy!

I present to you the No-Sew Sassy Summer Wreath! What do you think? Super cute, right? Keep reading to get the full details after the jump!

Materials:

Covered Wreath Form {tutorial here} * 3 sheets of 9″x12″ colored felt

coordinating ribbon * hot glue * permanent double-sided tape

Cut each of the sheets of felt to create 4.5″x12″ strips. Run a thin line of hot glue along the long side of the felt. Fold the other side over and press close. Let the glue dry for a few minutes. Cut thin fringe strips into the unglued side of the felt. 

When all of the felt strips are glued and fringed, lay them out underneath the covered wreath form so you can figure out correct placement. Because I wanted to be able to use the wreath form again another time, I used permanent double-sided tape. It isn’t actually permanent on the felt, but it does have a strong hold. Use the tape to stik the fringed pieces into place. I overlapped my fringe pieces just enough to cover the bottom of the previous piece. There is very little white showing through.

Once the fringe pieces are in place, use the tape to attach the ribbon to the back of the wreath and begin wrapping tightly. When the space between the two sets of fringe pieces is completely covered, set the ribbon in place with another piece of the tape.

To create the top bow for hanging, cut a long length of ribbon and lay it across the top of the wreath form {no tape!}. Secure another piece of ribbon to the back of the wreath and begin wrapping it around the form tightly. When you’ve wrapped the ribbon around the form 4-5 times, tape the end of the ribbon to the back of the form. Tie a bow with the original piece of ribbon that was laid across the top of the wreath.

For a little extra punch of fun, I added a Scalloped Posie from the Nest of Posies shop. I love Kellie’s work and this pretty posie was the perfect addition to this sassy summer wreath!

Here she is! I love LOVE how it turned out!

Linking Here:

Sumo’s Sweet Stuff * Skip to My Lou * Oopsey Daisy

For as much as I’m involved with social media on a daily basis, I’ve never owned a mobile device, with the exception of my 17″ laptop computer. No smart phone, no tablet, nothing.

Until today.

See, my 30th birthday is coming up very quickly and the husband surprised me today with my very first ever smart phone! I am a proud new owner of a Verizon Samsung Galaxy Nexus, whatever that means. I had no idea that this was coming and did absolutely no research for it. I’m just enjoying every second that I can get it away from the Husband.

But here’s the thing: I need your help! What kind of Apps do I need to get?

Please know that Instagram was the absolute first thing that I downloaded and I’m loving it! {You can follow me here.} What apps do you use to make the collages or write words on your pictures? What other apps are a must-have?

And if that wasn’t awesome enough, I was also notified tonight that I won an iPad courtesy of U-Printing! Crazy, right?!? It came from a giveaway at SNAP, the gift that keeps on giving!

So now I need to know what I need to download to an iPad too! Are there different apps that are available on an iPad versus my new phone? Any and all advice is super greatly appreciated!

There’s still more…

My mom and I on my first birthday.

Now that I am a mother myself, this day means even more. I fully understand the gravity of the job that I’ve been entrusted with and cherish every moment with my own kidlets.

The day we brought Luke home from the hospital.

My kids are the light of my life and definitely keep things interesting on this journey of Motherhood. I’ve learned more, loved more, and grown more as a person in these four short years than I had ever dreamed possible.

Minutes after Reagan made her grand entrance.

Reagan and my mother-in-law, Jeanne.

I also have to send a special shout-out to the mother of my amazing husband. She helped shape him into the man he is today and for that {and for being an awesome Nonna}, I am forever grateful.

Happy Mother’s Day to all those out there celebrating today!