{Love Stitched}

little girl floral silhouette print {{giveaway}}

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany@Love Stitched) — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 10:58:00 +0000

I stumbled upon this darling print on Pinterest and fell in love right away

when I contacted the shop owner to tell her how much I loved this print, not only did she send me one, she agreed to giveaway TWO prints to you guys! 

Lucky You!

 So there will be two winners who get their choice of either the pink floral print girl silhouette or the green floral print girl silhouette!

are these not to die for?
I think they would be SO cute in a little girls room - BUT since I don't have a little girl they are going my craft room! 

Andrea's shop if full of unique and creative hand drawn art including:

Ready to win one of the darling girl silhouette prints?

The giveaway is simple : 

1.) leave a comment with where you would put your new print - mandatory 

2.) head over to PicsOAndrea on etsy and FAVORITE her shop

3.) Like Love Stitched on Facebook

4.) Be a public blog follower of Love Stitched

5.) Become a public blog follower of Andrea's blog

6.) Blog, FB, or tweet about this giveaway - one entry for each

Good Luck

Contest ends on Monday 10/24/11

Frankenstien and a Mummy {tutorial & Giveaway}

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany@Love Stitched) — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 11:00:00 +0000

I am honored to be featured on Love Stitched today! I have admired Brittany's blog from the beginning and love all of her talented tutorials along with great fashion posts. She has been so sweet and kind offering advice as I move forward with my blog. I am so pleased to share with you all my Halloween Block Monster Tutorials - Frankenstein and The Mummy. Enjoy!

Creating decor using wooden blocks has been all the craze lately.  I have seen different words spelled out using one block per letter, phrases created using several larger blocks and even designs that spread across the blocks.  In our garage, we have several pieces of scrap wood from previous projects so I knew they would be great for a project.  I thought about doing a HALLOWEEN sign using the scraps, but I wanted to try something unique.  While searching pinterest and fellow blogs for ideas, I started noticing Halloween monsters created out of different items - fabric/felt, tape around a juice box to create a mummy, monster decorated cookies, etc.  I thought that Halloween Creatures created out of wood would be a cute addition to any house for the holiday.  After brainstorming and sketching out several different monsters, I started creating.  I made two creatures, The Mummy and Frankenstein, to test out my ideas.  Listed below are the tutorials for both these ghoulish monsters...read on if you dare!

PREP : Cut two pieces of 6 inch 2X4's.

Step 2: Sand both blocks until smooth.

Step 3: Spray the blocks black.

TUTORIALS :

A. MATERIALS NEEDED - THE MUMMY

6" Piece of 2X4

Sand Paper

Black Spray Paint

Cream Acrylic Paint

Brown Acrylic Paint

Paint Brush (1 Large and 1 Small)

Burlap

Tacky Spray

2 Googly Eyes

Step 4A: Once the black paint has dried, paint cream acrylic paint over the entire block.

Step 5A: Once cream paint has dried, sand the edges to let the black seep through.

Step 6A: Cut the burlap fabric into 10 strips the length of the fabric, 1" wide.

Step 7A: Start applying the fabric to the block. Use the tacky spray on the block and apply 1 strip of fabric at a time. Wrap the fabric around the block in a criss-cross pattern leaving a spot open for the eyes towards the top.

Step 8A: Apply the burlap strips so that most of the front is covered. Once the first layer is on the block, insert the two googly eyes in the opening.

Step 9A: Glue the remaining strips to the block overlapping the existing fabric.

Step 10A: Using a small amount of brown acrylic paint, lightly coat the tip of a small paint brush and apply to one edge of each burlap strip on the block, alternating the top edge vs. the bottom edge per each strip.

DONE!

B. MATERIALS NEEDED - FRANKENSTEIN

6" Piece of 2X4

Sand Paper

Black Spray Paint

English Ivy Green Acrylic Paint

Black Acrylic Paint

White Acrylic Paint

Paint Brushes (1 large and 1 Small)

Pencil

Black Felt

Tacky Spray

2 Googly Eyes

2 - 2" Length Bolts

Step 4B: Once the black paint has dried, paint the block with english ivy green from "Plaid".

Step 5B: When the green paint has dried, sand the block focusing on the edges to let the black seep through.

Step 6B: Take the black felt and cut two pieces of hair - use a zig-zag pattern to cut alternating lengths.

Step 7B: Using the tacky spray, attach one of the hair pieces towards the top of the block 1" down from the top edge. Glue the second piece over the first aligning it with the top of the block.

Step 8B: Under the hair, apply the googly eyes to the center of the block.

Step 9B: Use a pencil to mark the stitches (above left eye) and the mouth. This will act as your guideline when applying the paint.

Step 10B: When your sketched lines are to your liking, put black acrylic paint on a small fine tip brush and trace the lines.

Step 11B: Go over the black paint 2 times to make sure a nice dark color appears. Use the edge of the brushes tip to create smooth edges on the mouth and stitches.

Step 12B: When the black has dried, apply a small amount of white acrylic paint to the small fine tip brush and create a tooth on the right side of the mouth.

Step 13B: To apply the bolts, measure 2.5" from the bottom of the block and 1/2" from the side to find the placement.

Step 14B: Using a drill and a 1/4 size drill bit, drill all the way into the side of the block. Repeat on the other side of the block.

Step 15B: Take the bolts and using a 9/16 size socket wrench secure them into the holes.

DONE!

There are so many other variations of other fun creatures that can be created to make this set of two into a set of 4 or even 6. Make a Witch, a Pumpkin, a Skeleton, or Dracula...the list goes on and on.

here is a full set I made....

 How Lucky were we to have Evanne here with us today and show us how to make these fun 2x4 faces! 

It gets even better though....she is giving away these two ghoulish creatures {mummy and Frankenstein} away to 1 lucky reader!! 

Since Halloween is right around the corner, this giveaway will end Sunday so don't miss your chance to enter!

To Enter:

1. Tell me your favorite thing about HALLOWEEN {mandatory} 

Follow Simply Fabulous (+1 entry)

Follow This blog Love Stitched (+1 entry)

4. Follow Evanne on twitter @evannesimplyfab (+1 entry)

5. Tweet, Blog, or FB about my giveaway (+1 entry for each)

Good Luck!

lace, little miss momma and Leaves {outfit post}

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany@Love Stitched) — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 11:17:00 +0000

When I was out in Cali I was lucky enough to be able to spend some time with one of my real life besties Ashley of Little Miss Momma....

She made me this DARLING necklace

and I made THIS necklace for her ;) 

We had so much fun doing a "pioneer party" and crafting together...I miss her SO much! 

I wore my darling necklace from her on my canyon drive last weekend!

Shirt - Chole K via nordstrom

Tank - BP nordstrom 

Pants - Vigoss via nordstrom

Shoes - Forever 21

Leather Bracelet - Target

Gold bracelet - vintage

Necklace - c/o Little Miss Momma

Check out all the beautiful leaf colors behind me!

And as a SPECIAL for all of YOU Ashley is offering 15% off to ALL of YOU!! 

Good towards ANYTHING in her shop! 

Click HERE to shop the Little Miss Momma Store now!

Linking up this outfit post to The Pleated Poppy and Momma Go Round

I have FALLen in LOVE

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany@Love Stitched) — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 10:33:00 +0000

I have FALLen in LOVE with FALL! :) 

Fall is my favorite time of year! 

I love....

the crisp air

the changing leaves

Crock pot meals 

the colors

the clothing options

(hello layering)

this last weekend my husband, me and 2 of our friends took a drive up provo canyon to look at all the FALL colors! 

aaaahhhh it was HEAVEN for me~! 

I loved being up in the crisp air with all those amazing colors and beautiful leaves and trees!

  check out these amazing colors.....

AND this was our wonderful view over looking Provo Utah

we stayed up the canyon for a little more than 6 hours and I was so glad we did because look at this gorgeous amazing sunset over Utah Lake we got to see.

Hope you guys all had a great weekend as well!

What is your favorite thing about FALL?
-----------------------

Do you know what else I love?

My camera charm necklace is featured on GROOPDEALZ today for only $6

(as soon on the famous Kristen Duke of Kristen Duke Photography)

click HERE to check out this amazing deal!

FEATURE FRIDAY - what i'm crushin on!

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany@Love Stitched) — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 10:28:00 +0000

I have been loving some things around blog land and pinterest lately and thought I would spotlight some of my favs!!! :) 

I would really love it if you would share a link to your favorite stuff/tutorial/things in the comment section below!  

Source: everyday-patricia.tumblr.com via Brittany on Pinterest

Source: lilblueboo.com via Brittany on Pinterest

use a glow stick to make spooky halloween decor! 

Source: birchandbird.com via Brittany on Pinterest

I'm pretty sure I WILL HAVE a candy bar at my next party :) 

Source: abutterflyinmyhair.blogspot.com via Brittany on Pinterest

LOVING these colors for fall! I already bought 2 of them!

Source: elle.com via Brittany on Pinterest

IF I am ever brave enough to go DARK this is what I want it to look like!

Source: nowmagazine.co.uk via Brittany on Pinterest

turquoise rain boots - does it get any cuter?

Source: cupcakesandcashmere.com via Brittany on Pinterest

ONE DAY when I have my DREAM HOME I will have a suitcase night stand! LOVE this idea SO much!

Source: webecoist.com via Brittany on Pinterest

elegant and easy fall/holiday candle display DIY!

SO what have you been LOVING lately?

add a link in the comment section!

rainy day blues {outfit post}

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany@Love Stitched) — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 11:09:00 +0000

Sometimes I DON'T LIKE rainy days,

it doesn't make it fun to run errands or drive anywhere...it kinda makes me blue

BUT

I do LOVE...

hearing the rain hit the roof

the cloudy skies making you want to cuddle up  in a blanket 

watching movies with the fireplace going

and the fresh scent from that FIRST rain storm!

We had our first hint of fall last week with a drop in temperatures and a rain storm...

I was able to break out my boots and sweaters and dream of FALL :) 

Sweater - American eagle
jeans - J brand via nordstrom
boots - target
watch - Michael kors via nordstrom
earrings - forever 21


 What's your FAVORITE thing about the rain?


did you notice my cute braid?
my cousin Caitlin of Cait + Create did it for me! she has a tutorial coming soon! 

WHAT was I thinking wednesday...

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany@Love Stitched) — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 10:55:00 +0000

I often like to sit back and reminisce of the "good ole days"

but sometimes that brings up some BAD memories that really make me think

"WHAT was I thinking???"

SUCH AS:

 that time I decided it would be a good idea to get my hair braided like Bo Derek


{me and my two brothers about 2002}

Only to have the aftermath look something like THIS...
 HORRID roots and a frizz ball from HELL! 


Yup exactly what you are thinking...I think now...
WHAT WAS I THINKING?


I think this should be a regular subject around here don't you?
 
So, tell me, WHAT is something you've looked back on and thought..
what was I thinking? 
{you could be asked to guest post with YOUR story next week} 

Jack-o-lantern hoop art {tutorial}

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany@Love Stitched) — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 10:39:00 +0000

Hi, I'm Gentri from Little LuLu's Nest

a place where my sister and I share

our latest projects, parties, and recipes

we are also having a blast creating

new Fall items in our shop

Brittany asked me to be here today

and share a little tutorial

so i thought i'd share

something having to do with

my favorite holiday

if you've seen our blog

you know that we love embroidery hoops

and since they're the perfect pumpkin shape

i thought why not decorate with them

for halloween

hoops come in all different sizes

i stuck to 1 med size

and 3 smaller sizes

(since our family has one big person and 3 smaller persons)

1. spray paint your hoops
(i did mine black, since they're for halloween)

2. cut out circles in the fabric you choose.
making sure you leave a bit hanging over
(you'll glue this fabric behind the hoop when you're all done)

here are my hoops
all ready for faces

3. cut out different felt shapes for jack-o-lantern faces
(i google imaged jack-o-lantern faces to get some ideas)
4. glue them on with fabric glue
or hot glue would work too.
5. then i did a simple hand-stitch around the shapes
or you can just leave it at step four

6. tuck your raw edges and glue behind the hoops

here's my little family of jack-o-lanterns!

this would also be an inexpensive neighbor/friend gift

for halloween

just toss in a bag of halloween candy

and you have an instant festive gift!

come stop by and say hello!

-----------------------------

They also have a darling etsy shop with the same name - Little Lulu's nest and are offering FREE SHIPPING to all love stitched readers with code : LOVELULUFREE

Thanks so much for sharing this darling tutorial with us all girls! Be sure to show them some love and LEAVE A COMMENT :)

"FALL" felt wreath tutorial

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany@Love Stitched) — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 10:37:00 +0000

I have been trying to clean out and organize my craft room lately 

and I stumbled upon all this felt...

not sure what I bought it for but since I have it I thought I better use it! 

And what better time for felt than FALL! 

FALL WREATH TUTORIAL

*scissors
*felt
*wreath
*twine {optional}
*old book page {optional}

1.) cut felt into one inch strips

2.) take your strips and tie them onto the wreath

3.) trim the long end and repeat with your next color

 Now you could leave it as is, or for an extra little pop you can add the "Fall" pennant banner like i did.

to do that.... 

take a strip of your twine and tie it to one side of your wreath

{it will hide in between the felt knots}

 repeat on the other side

{leave it slightly loose for a more natural look}

 using you old book page cut 4 small pennant banners

I stapled mine on for a unique look and to ensure they stay put

using a pen or marker, write your phrase such as FALL

and your done! 

a unique fun fall wreath that you can make any time of year in any color with any saying! so versatile!

 {linking up this tutorial HERE}

$30 shop credit GIVEAWAY from Peace Republic Clothing

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany@Love Stitched) — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 08:44:00 +0000

CONTEST CLOSED!
THANK YOU TO ALL WHO ENTERED! 

I have a wonderful new sponsor Candace of 

PEACE REPUBLIC CLOTHING

She has an etsy shop full of darling headbands and necklaces!
Here are some of my fav's : 

Maybe I shouldn't have shown you this one cause I think I might just HAVE to buy it! LOVE the colors and unique buttons!

and right now you can get FREE SHIPPING

  on any order using code

PRC4LIFE
OR
15% off any order using code

GIVEAWAY15

at checkout~!

Peace Republic Clothing is offering a $30 gift certificate to her shop for ONE lucky Love Stitched reader!
Her items are SO affordable you could easily get a headband and necklace with that certificate!

So are you ready to enter to win?

Here's how :

 {be sure to leave a separate comment for each thing you do} 

1.) Head over to Peace Republic and tell me your fav item {mandatory}

2.) Become a BLOG follower of Peace Republic
3.) Become a BLOG follower "lovely little rants"

4.) LIKE LS on Facebook

5.) LIKE Peace Republic on Facebook be sure to say HI from LS
6.) Follow PR on Twitter

7.) Blog - Facebook - Tweet about this giveaway

{one entry for each one you do}

GOOD LUCK!

Contest ends 10/13/11 at 11:59 mst

*to find out how you can become a sponsor of Love Stitched click HERE*

sometimes things just don't go right

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany@Love Stitched) — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 05:44:00 +0000

I hate when I have a "good idea" in my head and it turns out to be a big fat FAIL

That has happened to me A LOT lately :(

For instance, I was going to do a review on refashions using bleach BUT everything I tried to do with it turned out HORRIBLE!

Don't believe me?

Let me show you.......

attempt #1

silhouette keys using bleach

sounded simple enough in my head to me....dilute bleach in a water mixture, lay the keys on the pillow case, spray, let dry and done....NOPE! didn't work at all...didn't hardly even bleach the dang thing!

believe it or not this was AFTER spraying the bleach :-/

Attempt #2

stencil designs using bleach

same thing, get a onesie, lay out a stencil, use bleach mixture {but a little stronger this time}, let dry and done...NOPE bleached out the WHOLE onesie....uuugghhh!

so the moral is...

me and bleach aren't friends

I am just trying TOO hard and not creative enough right now

Either way I'm frustrated and feeling uninspired and not very creative right now!

HAVE YOU HAD ANY FAILS LATELY?

reminiscing...

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany@Love Stitched) — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 23:03:00 +0000

I was sitting back today going through some pictures and was reminiscing on my trip out to California to see my family! 

I know it wasn't that long ago, but we had SO much fun and I already miss them all so much! 

Here is a little sneak peek into a few things we did while I was there.....

my uber cute and hip lil sister lives out in Santa Monica and took me to her favorite little spot for latte's and breakfast

Thyme - Santa Monica California

my darling lil sister Courtney

After our yummy brunch we went down to the beach and rented bikes to ride around the pier and up and down the boardwalk!

uuuggghhh I just LOVE the beach!

uuummm just pretend that my shirt doesn't make me look like a triple XL in a midget body...mmmkay thanks :)

---------------------------------------------------------------

Then on another day I got to hang out in my pajamas with my LITTLEST sister and make homemade dog treats that she sold along with fresh lemonade on Labor day!


yes we both are TOTALLY rocking nerdy glasses sweatshirts and pj bottoms!

------------------------------------------------------

and one of my FAVORITE places in California...

SANTA BARBARA

we had a girls day with just my mom, sisters and my darling aunt

we went to a delicious breakfast

{Cailey, my mom, Courtney}

{me and my aunt Pam}

and then spent the day shopping main street!

WE ALL GOT TO TAKE HOME A LITTLE SOMETHING!

I MISS all my FAMILY already!

Did you miss the post's about my other California adventures?

no worries....

for the trip to the antique mart click HERE

my pioneer woman blogging party click HERE

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE THINGS TO DO WITH YOUR FAMILY?

It's finally here! Fall 2011 collection

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany@Love Stitched) — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 10:05:00 +0000

I am SO so So excited

FINALLY

launch my new

FALL 2011 COLLECTION!

I am SO in love with ALL my new items and have been dying to show you guys!

I had the wonderful Kim of Kim Orlandini Photography do all the photos for me and I couldn't be happier...

SSSSSQQQUUUEEEAAALLLL!

in case you can't tell I am just beaming from ear to ear with excitement!

So I know you are all dying to see it too....

HERE IT IS :

phase one of the new fall/winter collection

phase 2 home decor and phase 3 clothing
coming soon ;)

and there is still SO SO SO much more...

Go check it out on my site

WWW.LOVESTITCHED.ETSY.COM

and use code FALL20 to save 20% off your entire purchase

COUPON GOOD

FRIDAY AND SATURDAY ONLY!!

Hope you all have a great weekend!

xoxo

green pants round TWO {outfit post}

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany@Love Stitched) — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 11:46:00 +0000

I decided to give the GREEN PANTS another try...

I for sure liked them better this time with heels

{see the first time they appeared here}

 Pants - Target

Shirt - Chole K via  Nordstrom 

Shoes - forever 21

earrings - maddux couture boutique {provo, ut}

watch - micheal kors via nordstrom

BY THE WAY....

Did you notice my hair?

My cousin posted about it HERE and I had to be a copy cat ;)

so what do you think?

better this time around huh?

Is it bad to love FREE things?

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany@Love Stitched) — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 11:05:00 +0000

NOPE!
not if you ask me :)

So when I found out that CANVAS PEOPLE was doing an awesome promo for fall I HAD to share it with you!!

Canvas People is offering.....

a FREE 8x10 canvas

40% off any other size and FREE SHIPPING :)

I am SO excited, as most of you have or are getting ready to do, I just had my family pictures done and I am looking for fun ways to decorate my home with them!

Here are some fun ideas I found online for canvas pictures....

Source: brownpaper--packages.com via Karen on Pinterest

Source: thesassypepper.blogspot.com via Judy on Pinterest

Source: laurabrettphotography.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Source: treasuryofmemories.typepad.com via Sandra on Pinterest

Source: crib-tales.blogspot.com via Shanna on Pinterest

SUCH FUN IDEAS HUH?

Are you feeling inspired yet? :)

Now that you are totally excited to get your FREE canvas or 40% off with FREE shipping!?

I know I am ...

click HERE to get yours now :)

Vintage key glass bottle {{tutorial}}

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany@Love Stitched) — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 10:49:00 +0000

This seriously is the EASIEST tutorial ever...it doesn't really even need explaining

BUT I will tell you how I did it anyway :) 

I first saw this darling bottle at the antique mart...

{read about my trip here} 

I loved the dainty glass bottle and vintage keys! 

But for $30 I quickly looked the other way....I Looked right into my grandmas hands where she picked it up and bought it! 

GRANDMA - really? $30 for THAT! I could make one...and It'd probably be cuter!  

so...I guess this is to prove to my grandma that I can make one just as cute for a fraction of the cost - and now you can too!

Glass bottle

vintage keys

twine

* I found my vintage keys from

Here and HERE*

1.) cut your twine
{any length just depends how many times you want to wrap it around the bottle}
2.) Tie the twine to the neck of the bottle
3.) start wrapping the twine, after a few wraps add a key , continue wrapping
4.) when finished wrapping and adding keys tie off the twine in the back
5.) admire your darling new "vintage" key bottles!

Super fun and cute right?
I really LOVE them all!

* I will be linking up this tutorial HERE*

LOVE this DIY?
PIN it on Pinterest
:)

good intentions...

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany@Love Stitched) — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 14:34:00 +0000

I had the best of intentions on working on a few great crafts and recipes over the weekend to post for you this week...

but

i guess my body had other plans

I got the stomach flu :( 

and was sick in bed ALL weekend...

So today is my first day up and out of bed

and I promise I am going to be working the day away

So please bare with me and the lack of post the last few days and just know good thing are coming :)

Happy Monday everyone!

I hope you all had a better weekend than I did...I want to live vicariously through you...

So what did YOU do this weekend?

winners and some something NEW

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany@Love Stitched) — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 15:01:00 +0000

The winner of the 

Jamie B shop $40 shop credit is....

#46 - MEKEI

mekei said...: i like the little hearts. i want 11 though (9 kids i have stretch marks from and 2 crazy enough to marry in to the family). cute stuff. skeime at gmail; September 9, 2011 11:05 AM

Congrats Mekei, email me within 48 hours to claim your prize
Brittany@lovestitched.Com ------------------------------

and now on to something exciting....
As you know if you follow me on FACEBOOK I am getting ready to launch my new FALL LINE!
Squuuueeeeeaaaaallllll - SO excited !!!
and with my FALL LINE comes some fun new items
such as...
HOME DECOR
and
CLOTHING!!
Both will be very limited and most items will be one of a kind
BUT there is ONE home decor item I have had TONS of requests for
and I am happy to announce that it is available NOW!!! the
CHECK YOUR POCKETS
laundry room sign
available in the following colors :
Teal with black writing {as pictured}
Teal with white writing
Cream with black writing
Black with white writing
white with black or teal writing
*custom order colors will be accepted on a first come first serve basis while supplies last*
If you pre-order your "check your pockets laundry room sign" this week you will get it at a special intro price of $36
*shipping fee still applies unless you are in UT and want to do a pick up*
LIMITED QUANTITY AVAILABLE first come first serve basis!

to place your order please email Brittany@LoveStitched.Com and put SIGN ORDER as the subject line! *sign measures 18.5" high X 17.5" wide*

lace shirt, brown belt and chalk {outfit post}

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany@Love Stitched) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 13:31:00 +0000

I normally have a really weird thing about mixing black and brown together...

I CAN'T DO IT!

But I decided to try a lighter brown belt so it was just a touch of it!

I also would have normally just worn this shirt plain with out the belt so I am TRYING here....

Let me know what you think~

Shirt - Forever 21

Belt - Forever 21

Pants - Vigoss at nordstrom

Shoes - target

Watch - michael kors at nordstrom

Bracelet - vintage 

Camera necklace - Love Stitched {coming soon} 

sunglasses - from a fair :)

I had my cousin take these pics for me, after we took them I stayed and played with my "nephews" at the park - we had us a little chalk party :)

 Linking up to :

Momma Go Round

The Pleated Poppy

No Model Lady

decorating with portraits

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany@Love Stitched) — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 13:12:00 +0000

YOU CAN FIND ME OVER HERE TODAY!

AT KIRSTEN DUKE'S BLOG TALKING ABOUT HOW I DECORATE WITH PORTRAITS! 

A whole series every day in September....it's so fun to see how some of my fav bloggers decorate and to get some ideas! 

 head over and check it out - tell her you came by from LOVE STITCHED and tell me what you think of my portrait display! 

Spray Paint Glass with words {tutorial}

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany@Love Stitched) — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 11:28:00 +0000

I could NOT think of a great title for this tutorial...

everything I wrote sounded dumb. 

So for lack of better words

I spray painted glass jars

BUT

before I did it, I wrote words on them with my HOT GLUE gun!

I had found this idea on pinterest and thought I would give it a try!

 this couldn't be ANY easier of a tutorial

and you could do it with ANY saying and in ANY color on ANY jar or bottle :)

start with a bottle of your liking....then using your glue gun write out the word you want

Don't worry if you mess up...it peels off pretty easily once it cools

FINAL WORDING :

LOVE

then just remove the lid and spray paint it

easy as pie!

{although I NEVER got that saying since to me, baking a pie is NOT an easy thing...lol}

 I think I will make a few more with all different saying in different colors and size jars! It would be cute to do them in black and orange for halloween and say "boo" and "trick or treat", etc :) 

HAPPY CRAFTING FRIENDS! 

linking up HERE 

**update - after some emails asking - this bottle is from IKEA**

A little reminder - true beauty.....

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany@Love Stitched) — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 10:42:00 +0000

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.

For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.

For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.

For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day.

For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone.

People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed and redeemed; never throw out anyone.

Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of each of your arms.

As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries or the way she combs her hair.

The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.

The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mode but the true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives the passion that she shows. The beauty of a woman grows with the passing years.”
― Audrey Hepburn

line 'em up...2 WINNERS!

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany@Love Stitched) — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 17:08:00 +0000

I have TWO contest winners to announce today! 

Is today going to be your lucky day? :)

1.) LOXLY HOLLOW

winner of 3 prints of choice is....

Lora said...

I like Love Stitches on FB.

August 20, 2011 4:49 AM

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2.) MY FASHION FIXX

$40 nordstrom gift card is....

Courtney R said...    
  I liked them on FB  
   September 8, 2011 5:11 PM   CONGRATS LADIES!! PLEASE EMAIL ME WITHIN 48 HOURS TO CLAIM YOUR PRIZE :) Brittany@LoveStitched.Com

Thoughts on Motherhood from A happy Girl

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany@Love Stitched) — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 10:55:00 +0000

well, hello there lovestitched lovelies! i'm honored, happy, and immensely grateful to be guest posting here today.

first and foremost, can i tell you something about brittany? she is the real deal. no joke. several months ago, i attended a utah blogger meetup, all by my lonesome with my shy self. we were going around the circle, introducing ourselves and when it came to my turn, sharing my story in such a public manner moved me to get a little teary eyed. brittany promptly came over and gave me a big hug. we had never met, i had no idea she was going to be there that night, and i had only emailed her a few days prior about donating an item from the love stitched shop for a fundraiser. her kindness overwhelmed me; her heart is pure gold.

i am Tahnie from a happy girl.

i live with a chronic, incurable disease called Cystinosis that affects only about 500 people in the United States. basically, every cell, organ and tissue in my body is slowly crystallizing. i emphasize the living with, as opposed to suffering from; i live with pain most days, but i refuse to suffer in it. doctors told my parents that i would not live past 9 years old, but I had a life saving kidney transplant when i was 11 years old. i am a momma to an amazing little ball of light that is my 19 month old daughter. there are only a few others like her in the world, as there have only been 5 or so women with Cystinosis whom have been able to have children. (pregnancy with a transplanted kidney is a high risk situation, then add in the other complications of the disease and it was an incredibly scary and stressful road.) she beat the impossible odds up against her and i marvel at her existence every single day. below is a post i recently wrote about the winds of change of motherhood.

come celebrate life with me! xo.

**********

THE WINDS OF CHANGE OF MOTHERHOOD

these days the wind is quietly shuffling out summer and her hot rays, and in the same breeze, eagerly pushing in a softer warmth which is tinged with a crisp change. i am no longer momma, i have now become mommy. this little difference is an earthquake in my world, leaving ripples of aftershocks in her wake. her voice emphasizes the eee at the end and i shiver with delight each time it reaches my ears. i can't put my finger on why she has suddenly switched my title, because rory doesn't refer to me as mommy and i don't use it to refer to myself, but i welcome it. the same way i welcome the fact she is morphing into my little friend, as opposed to this little being i am responsible for. this little friend who conspires with me how to build the best fort possible, when we should be picking up and getting dinner ready. this little friend who i enjoy a frozen yogurt with on a sunny september afternoon. this little friend who makes me belly laugh and approach everything with the fascination of a toddler.

there are, in fact, advantages to being an extremely petite 4'11" momma; i am the only one at the park climbing on the play structures with my girl, counting down our descent from the top of the slides, holding her tight as we twist down the slippery slopes, her laughter exploding into the air promptly upon our arrival at the bottom.

i want to be the mommy that lets her jump on the bed, eat ice cream for breakfast, and teaches her how to feed her soul and see it grow to the breadth of its capacity, value her self worth over a boy's opinion, and knows how to stand up for herself in a way that is bold, and yet with rounded blurry edges that fade into kindness. you can be nice and at the same time not take anyone's bull; it is a fine, intricate, delicate balance.

i want to be the mommy that is there; every moment of every day, in every week of every month. the mommy that is present in each crack of a moment when you recognize it and poof...it starts to slip away.

the other night she was carrying around a photo from our trip to san francisco; she had scribbled on the backside of it with pen. for half a second i was ready to be frustrated over the fact she had ruined it. but she had this deep pride in her eyes when she held it up to my face, she was showing off her masterpiece, and she was utterly elated to be doing so. how could i be upset over that? i can print another photo any day, however i cannot recreate a moment so vital to her budding confidence.

she is saying more, owwie, and moon these days. my favorite thing right now is when she says something and i figure out what it is. she grins like the cheshire cat; message received. she gets so excited, her entire body shows her glee. communicating with her in this way is a new ballgame; one i am pumped to be a part of. is there anything better watching the little being you helped create, learning every day, yet completely extraordinary skills?

lately in the mornings when we wake up, i watch her smooth movements, her toddler body doing things that seem so mature, her eyes sparkling with possibility, her teeth set into a grin, ready for the adventures of a new day. i stare at her and wonder how someone so perfect could have come from a body such as mine, where so much is wrong.

it is really quite incredible.

still.

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Thank you so much Tahnie for sharing your story with us and your view of motherhood - your daughter is just as beautiful as you are!!

I am SO lucky I was able to meet Tahnie in person~   

I encourage you all to follow Tahnie and her adventures as a mommy

Her are all her links on how you can stay connected with her!

blog - a happy girl

facebook - http://www.facebook.com/ahappygirldotcom

twitter - https://twitter.com/ahappygirlcom

shop - http://stelladot.com/tahnie

(just a note, every single dollar she makes from her stella & dot shop goes toward her overwhelming medical expenses.)

A Little Antiquing

noreply@blogger.com (Brittany@Love Stitched) — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 21:41:00 +0000

While I was in California 

I was reminded by my friend Ashley how wonderful the antique mart is...

{you can read about her trip HERE} 

I knew I had to grab my mom and grandma and hit the shops!

{Me and my Mom above - Me and my Grandma below}

{I made my grandma come even though she wasn't ready for the day yet - wet hair and all}

I love walking up and down each isle of each store and swooning over all the beautiful pieces

window mirrors

vintage decor

antique keys

French kitchen decor

and SO much more....

My favorite "find" was this beautiful bedding and bed!
Love the burlap and white!

walking up and down into all these little antique stores, like the Bungalow and the Agoura Antique Mart,  really reminded me how fun it was to shop local and support small business'

they even had buttons laying around saying the same thing

It was just a fun day that brought back so many childhood memories for me!

Do you go antiquing?

Have you scored an amazing piece from a store like this...

tell me, I'd love to hear all about it!