* THE COUNTRY CHIC COTTAGE (DIY, Home Decor, Crafts, Farmhouse)

Patriotic Burlap Yo-yo Candle Wraps

2013-06-19T05:57:00.000-05:00

Today we are playing with yo-yos for the 4th of July. Nope not those kind of yo-yos. Some great fabric yo-yos that are easy to make and make great embellishments for home decor and more. This tutorial was originally posted on Crafts Unleashed but here is the full version in case you missed it. Lets get started on some yo-yos and then I will show you how to add them to some great patriotic candle wraps.

How to Keep Bugs off Your Cabbage Plants #hg101 #ad

2013-06-18T05:53:00.002-05:00

I was recently sent some Sevin 5% Dust to try out from Pennington. Although Pennington sent me this product to try, it is actually something I have been using for years. It is my go to pest control for my garden during the summer months. So if you want to learn how to keep bugs off your cabbage plants...be sure to read on. Plus you don't want to miss the $25 gift card giveaway at the bottom of this post.

Mason Jar Utensil Carrier in 10 Minutes or Less

2013-06-17T14:00:00.000-05:00

Make this great mason jar utensil carrier in under 10 minutes. Want to learn how? Watch the great video below. We are doing live video crafting all week on Crafty Hangouts so y'all be sure to watch for lots of patriotic crafty fun! This week we are using items supplied by American Crafts for our crafty videos.

Mason Jar Firefly FREE Printable Art

2013-06-17T08:22:00.001-05:00

I have some great free printable art to offer y'all today. If you love mason jars and fireflies in the summertime, these printables are for you. Grab one or both of them to display in your home this summer or year round.

Patriotic Craft Videos Next Week -- don't miss em!

2013-06-15T07:00:00.000-05:00

We are doing crafty hangouts again next week via Google Plus. Join us for the fun next week on CraftyHangouts. You can follow along on Crafty Hangouts or on my Google Plus page so you don't miss a thing. Check the schedule below for hangouts you might want to tune in for. Miss a time? Don't worry they are always available on Crafty Hangouts to watch anytime.

Google Reader is going away -- learn how to follow blogs!

2013-06-14T08:59:00.000-05:00

If you all don't know the beloved Google Reader is going away on July 1st of this year. How do you follow your favorite blogs after the demise? Read on to find out. And don't forget to add The Country Chic Cottage to whichever method you choose.

The first option for you is Feedly. You can actually import all the blogs you currently follow on Google reader. It only takes a few minutes then you won't miss a beat at any if your favorite blogs. Great ways to organize and manage your feeds are just bonuses. This is my personal top pick for reader alternatives. The next option is Bloglovin. This is my personal favorite for reading blogs on my phone. You can also import your subscriptions from Google reader. However each of the blogs you follow must sign themselves up with Bloglovin so you could miss a few. The final option I have heard of is Old Reader. This one mimics Google Reader for you so it will feel like you never left. I have not personally used this one but my pals over at Uncommon Designs stated it was a little confusing to import your Google Reader feed. What are you using in place of Google Reader? Leave us some more options in the comments below!

Americana Centerpiece plus a Patriotic Blog Hop

2013-06-13T16:42:00.000-05:00

I am joining in with a super fun patriotic blog hop today that you all are going to love. First learn how to make my Americana Centerpiece then jump over to the other blogs at the bottom of this post for tons of 4th of July decor inspiration. If you are hopping along today you should be visiting here from A Sweet Berry's Blog. Want to start the hop from the beginning? Head on over to Laura Kelly Designs plus enter there to win some great prizes! Now lets get started on making this great 4th of July decor.

Patriotic Recipe Ideas -- over 30 ideas for your 4th of July Party!

2013-06-12T05:56:00.000-05:00

I don't know about y'all but it is a crazy time of year around here. I still love a good party and the 4th of July is creeping up on us. I thought I would throw together some patriotic recipe ideas for you to browse through today. Grab a few for the party you are hosting or make one of these to take to the potluck dinner. These red, white, and blue themed dishes will be a hit anywhere you take them.

Silhouette Mason Jar Wedding Vase Centerpiece

2013-06-11T06:37:00.001-05:00

It is June which means it is wedding season. I was inspired to create this fun silhouette mason jar wedding vase centerpiece that you will love. This idea started with a wreath form centerpiece made by my friend Cyn over at Creative Cynchronicity. I loved the kissing couple silhouette and could not stop until I made my own wedding craft with a couple silhouette. Of course my version had to involve jars but y'all knew that right?

Nautical Art from a Kitchen Towel

2013-06-10T10:38:00.001-05:00

Today I am sharing some quick and easy nautical art over at Do More for Less. Y'all don't want to miss this one as I transform a clearance picture with a kitchen towel. Say what? Oh yes! Head on over and get the full instructions now!

Crafts with Jars -- A new blog! Plus sign up for my newsletter!

2013-06-09T09:11:00.000-05:00

It has been busy around here lately y'all! I have started a new blog and have a new newsletter you can sign up for. Lets get to the new blog first cause I am excited about this one. I started Crafts with Jars to further share my love of all jar crafts and be able to feature jar crafts from all of you. So if you have crafts with jars and want to be featured....head on over and submit them to me! Browse around while you are there as there is tons of great content up already.

Now for my second bit of exciting news. I started a weekly newsletter. I know sometimes it is hard to keep up day to day around here so I came up with a way for you to get an email once a week with a summary of what has been happening here all week! Great right? So sign up for our newsletter today. That is all for my exciting news. Do you have any to share? Tell me what you have been up to!

Summer Activities for Kids -- the ultimate list of summer boredom busters!

2013-06-08T11:18:00.000-05:00

Have you been searching for activities for kids this summer? I have the ultimate list of summer boredom busters for you today! I have gathered over 200 ideas in one place. You can find everything from cheap, free, crafts, activities, outdoor games, learning activities, plus so much more. Pin this list so you can find it later cause you don't want to lose this one!

$500 Cash Giveaway -- Enter today!

2013-06-07T05:50:00.000-05:00

Here we go! I have an exciting giveaway for y'all today. Enter to win a $500 Visa gift card in the giveaway below. Who couldn't use some summer cash? Be sure to tell all of your friends to enter as well!

Emerald City Push Pop Cupcakes #disneyozmovie #ad

2013-06-06T07:00:00.001-05:00

Come explore the magical Land of Oz with me! I was sent an advanced copy of Oz the Great and Powerful on DVD and I was inspired to create these Emerald City Push Pop Cupcakes for my family. Learn how to make your own Emerald City below plus see even more Oz inspired crafts and recipes at the bottom of this post. Build your own Emerald City for a movie celebration or party at your home.

My Home Tour: 2013 Summer

2013-06-05T05:00:00.000-05:00

I announced that I am participating in the Parade of Homes with The Shabby Creek Cottage over the weekend and today is my day to show you around my home. If you are following along on the tour, you should have came here from The Pennington Point. Starting the tour here? No problem I will give you the links to get you all caught up at the bottom of this post. For now step up onto my front porch and make yourself at home.

Maybe sit a bit on my colorful porch before walking through the front door of my home. The front door currently sports my DIY neon pom pom wreath.

How to Make Curtains: A super simple straight line sewing tutorial

2013-06-04T06:42:00.001-05:00

I thought I would show y'all today a super simple how to make curtains tutorial. If you can sew a few straight lines you can make a valance that looks just like the one pictured. This quick and easy tutorial is for the beginner to the more accomplished seamstress that just wants new curtains. Come see how I make these fully lined curtains for the windows in my bathroom.

Home Decor: My Summer Mantel

2013-06-03T06:15:00.000-05:00

Do y'all need a little summer inspiration in your home decor? My summer mantel will be just the thing for you. Full of red, white, and blue inspiration this mantel is one of my favorites. The best part is that you can make almost everything on this mantel from the Pottery Barn knock off American flag to the other smaller items.

Parade of Homes Announcement

2013-06-02T08:59:00.000-05:00

I am joining up with a parade of homes this week and I am so excited. A fun way to peek inside the lives of your favorite bloggers. Join us for the 2013 Summer Tour of Homes! 26 Bloggers will be opening their real lived in homes to your prying eyes. Mark your calendars, grab your coffee, and join us next week. Gina from Shabby Creek Cottage is our hostess and you can read more about the tour here.

So who else is going to join us? Take a look below and you will see why you don't want to miss a minute of this parade of homes.

The Summer Tour of Homes Schedule:

Over 25 Handmade Gifts for Father's Day

2013-06-01T12:26:00.000-05:00

I have gathered up some great handmade gifts for Father's Day for you today. Get busy and make dad something he will love with these great gifts for men.

26 Home Decor Ideas Under $10

2013-05-31T06:21:00.000-05:00

Have y'all heard of Hometalk? It is a great place where you can share your home related projects and get inspired by others as well. I am over there today rounding up 26 home decor ideas under $10 for you. I tried to grab y'all some quick and easy projects that will look great in your home.

Head on over and view the projects. Be sure to browse Hometalk and sign up while you are there. I was not paid or perked in any way for this post. Hometalk is a wonderful way to do these great round up posts and I wanted to show them off a bit!

Gooey Dump Cake Recipe -- Quick and Easy Dessert

2013-05-30T06:03:00.001-05:00

Do you need a quick and easy dessert recipe? My gooey dump cake recipe will satisfy your sweet tooth and is so simple to make. Just 6 ingredients all dumped into a pan and baked together. You won't believe how good this is right out of the oven. Grab your ingredients and get to dumping!

Bug Magnet Kids Craft with Bottle Caps

2013-05-29T06:49:00.000-05:00

Need a quick craft this summer for the kids to make? This great bug magnet kids craft will help you to fight off that summer boredom. Grab a few bottle caps and some paint to get started.

Gifts for Men: Father's Day Embroidery Hoop Art

2013-05-28T06:28:00.001-05:00

Do you have a hard time getting gifts for the men in your life? I have a really great method to make some Father's Day embroidery hoop art for you today. This is a great simple project that older kids can make for dad. Pass on the art of embroidery and sewing to the next generation by starting them off early. This super simple project is a great place to begin.

Father's Day Cootie Catcher Free Printable

2013-05-27T16:04:00.000-05:00

I have a new cootie catcher free printable for Father's Day today. Y'all have loved my printable cootie catchers for Valentine's Day, Dr Seuss, and Mother's Day so I made one for Father's Day. A great way for the kids to have some fun and dad to get some love this Father's Day. A free gift for dad that will include hugs, kisses, snacks, and more.

Lady Bug Wreath plus more wreaths to enjoy!

2013-05-26T09:17:00.000-05:00

My final wreath for this week is a great lady bug wreath that is great for a kid's room or your front door this summer. This week was wreath week over at Crafty Hangouts and we have tons of great wreath inspiration. Scroll down to the bottom of this post for some links to some of the great content! You can find my vintage quilt flower wreath and gone fishing wreath as part of the fun. Now get ready to learn how to make my lady bug wreath.