Fall Lentil Frames

I've never thought about using lentils to make some gorgeous picture frames, but Choose To Thrive did and they look AWESOME! The colors of the lentils are perfect fall colors. One other cool thing about these frames, they are made from cardboard. Inexpensive projects rock!

See the lentil fall picture frames.

Lollipop Shirts (2 Different Techniques)

Ruffles and Stuff is uber talented and makes the cutest things for herself and her daughter! These lollipop shirts are A.DOR.ABLE! She uses two different techniques to make them. (Swirly reverse applique and sewn scraps!) You have to see them in a bigger picture!

Check out the reverse applique and sewn scraps lollipop shirts.

Chalkboard Cookies and Music Cupcake Wrappers

Aren't these chalkboard cookies by The Sugar Turn Table the cutest cookies for back to school? Yes, they are!!!! Great for both the teachers and students.

See the chalkboard cookies.

I also like this idea from the Sugar Turn Table. She made cupcake wrappers out of sheets of music. How cool is that?



Get the downloadable music cupcake wrappers.

50+ Bloggers Recipe Book (100% Donation to American Red Cross)

It's here! It's here!

After literally MONTHS of creating, the "50+ Top Blogs All Time Favorite Recipes" cookbook is HERE!!! (And I am one of those 50+ bloggers). You may have seen a sneak peek of this gorgeous recipe book this past month. We hope you have been anxiously awaiting it. :) Now, until the end of August, it's available for purchase. But wait, scratch that, it's not a purchase. The best part is...

it's a donation!

100% of your donation will go to the American Red Cross to help the many people who have been affected by recent natural disasters around the world.

After seeing the devastation in Japan, several top blogs teamed together wanting to somehow make a difference. More than 50 blogs donated one of their favorite recipes to be complied into an incredible cookbook designed by chickabug (design talent was 100% donated as well). Basically, a lot of people worked really hard to make something extraordinary. Now, it's in your hands to make a difference.

This one-of-a-kind cookbook was originally only going to be offered as an E-book for a $10 donation. But after receiving feedback from readers, we realized that many of you want a physical copy. We approached our favorite publisher, Paper Coterie, who was willing to donate 100% of the supplies, and 100% of the cost of printing for this amazing cause. Are you feeling the warm tinglies yet?! We are!!! This started out as one person having an idea. Now over 50 blogs and an amazing publisher are involved and now it's YOUR turn.

Together we can will make a difference.

The E-book is for sale here for a $1o donation. If you have a computer in your kitchen or an electronic reader, (ipad, kindle,etc.) this is the copy for you. You can just click on the recipe you want from the table of contents and it will take you right there. It's sweet.

The hard cover cookbook is also available, (wait for it...) for only $10!

You will be amazed at the quality of this book. The only extra expense you will have will be for shipping ($4 or more depending on where you live and how many copies you order)

Thank you, thank you, thank you. You can smile knowing you made a difference to someone, somewhere. And you can smile because you will have a beautiful full color recipe book with gorgeous pictures and delicious recipes to try. We truly hope you love the cookbook. We think you will. You might just want to buy one for your mom, sister, and mother-in-law for Christmas. ;)

Please share this post with your friends and family on your blog, facebook, and twitter. Let's make this go VIRAL! How cool would that be?

Here is a button to put on your blog:

and the link:

http://recipestohelp.bigcartel.com/

Remember 100% of the proceeds will be benefiting the American Red Cross.

*The American Red Cross name is used with its permission, which in no way constitutes an endorsement, express or implied, of any product, service, company, individual or political position. For more information about the American Red Cross, please call 1-800-HELP NOW or email info@usa.redcross.org.

Sneak Peek of A Great Project!

A few months ago, I was contacted by the wonderful women at How Does She? and asked to participate in a something to benefit the people in the Japanese earthquake/tsunami. I gladly said I would love to be involved since I had seen videos of the devastation. Who wouldn't want to help if they could?

The idea was to make a cookbook of 50+bloggers and their favorite recipes in an e-book. Look at how beautiful this book is!!!!

I've seen the recipes and they look and sound delicious. They are worthy of kings and queens!!! I contributed a super tasty recipe myself that everyone loves!!!!

Do the title and pictures of these two recipes make your mouth start watering? They do mine!!!!

The best part about this recipe e-book is that ALL the proceeds to go The American Red Cross to help with the disaster in Japan and some of the other disasters (tornadoes and such) in America. 100% of proceeds will go to help others! I love causes like these!

In a couple of weeks (August 8-14), this e-book will go on sale for ONE WEEK ONLY. You can buy a copy and print it out as many times as you want for yourself, to give as gifts or just because you care! If you've seen all these disasters on TV or read about them in newspapers and wanted to do something to help....you have now found one way to assist!

Stay tuned so you can get this awesome recipe book AND contribute to helping those whose lives have been majorly interrupted by natural disasters!

Redneck Wine Glass (SO funny!)

I saw this "redneck wine glass" at White Water Crafting and started laughing so hard! Everybody needs a little bit of redneck in them. When our family hosts our next neighborhood"redneck" party, I will be making a few of these to show off. A mason jar and a dollarstore candleholder! Perfect!!!!!

See the "redneck wine glass."

Patriotic Ideas, VOTE and Thanks to my Sponsors

There are only a couple more days left until the Fourth of July, but many people leave their patriotic decor up for the whole month of July. Visit the Patriotic Categorically Crafting link party and get some awesome ideas or add a few of your own. There are over 100 fabulous ideas right now. I have a little crush on the following three.

Makoodle has the CUTEST display on patriotic decor at her house! These red, white and blue apothecary jars are only a few of them. Go visit her home today!!!!

Random Thoughts of a Supermom created a scrumptious flag using rice crispy treats! She can come to my bbq!!!

The Project Corner made this flag shirt using ricrac. It reminds me of the chevron print flags I have seen!

And DON'T Forget to vote for your favorite THREE (3) pillows at this month's Crafting For A Cause - PILLOWFIGHT -hosted by Ladybird Ln. The voting ends today and there are some fabulous prizes for the winners.

And THANKS to all of you who participated in this great cause of brightening children days when they are sick in the hospital by donating a pillowcase.

Since it is the end/beginning of a new month, I wanted to thank those businesses who sponsor my blog and keep this blog going. Visit my sponsors and see what they have to offer you!

Carved Fruit

Happy Father's Day! If you are looking for last minute gifts or ideas, head over to the Father's Day linky party!

If your going to hosting a BBQ, party of shower this summer, keep those awesome looking carved fruits in mind as a centerpiece! They will be a big hit. Suzy's Artsy Sitcom shows you how to carve a canteloupe! Love it!

See the carved canteloupe flower.

Whatever Goes Wednesday #70

Welcome to this crazy day of linky love and blog exploration! I love to see what is new out there in blog land. Get started clicking away to view everyone's creations!

WANTED: GUEST BLOGGERS For My Maternity Leave!

If you missed my post on Sunday evening, you will want to go back and read it. I am looking for talented bloggers to guest post on my site for the month of July! If you have sent me an email, I haven't returned it because I am still on vacation. I'll get back to you soon!

NEW SPONSOR

If you are looking for some amazing wickless scented candles you will want to contact TRACY at Scentsy to order some! I have some of these candles and they are so delish I almost want to eat them!!!! Great for gifts or pampering yourself!

GIVEAWAY

Pristine Photo is giving away a portrait session/package and CD release for one lucky winner. Family, baby, children or other portrait session of your choice! Check it out HERE!

MOST VIEWED LINK LAST WEEK!

A Turtle's Life For Me shows you how to make 46 freezer meals in a day. I can't believe the amazing deals on meat she finds! I NEED to do this to make my life easier! You will also want to read the follow-up post about her freezer meals!



BLOG TIP!

Head over to Somewhat Simple to learn how to load pictures into your blog LARGER than the default. I've been wondering this for a long time. Gonna have to try it out!!!!

CRAFTING FOR A CAUSE

<a href="http://www.somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/search/label/Crafting%20for%20a%20Cause" target="_blank"><img alt="Crafting for a Cause" src="http://i1137.photobucket.com/albums/n514/LadybirdLN/craftingforacause.png" /></a>

Don't forget about this month's Crafting for a Cause! PILLOW FIGHT! Let's see if we can donate 100 bright and colorful pillowcases to children's hospitals around the country to make sick kids a little happier and at home while staying in the hospital!!!!!

Don't forget to check out the Giveaway Directory tomorrow! It amazes me how few people enter giveaways. This is your chance at free stuff! FYI, this link is only open for two days. If you are going to do a giveaway and want to feature it here, make sure you link it up sometime on Thursday or Friday.

Check out all the great ideas for Father's Day and add your own to the Father's Day linky party started last week!

You know what to do. Enter your project (up to 4 links), tip, idea, recipe, whatever. Visit others. Leave comments. PLEASE NO ETSY SHOPS! Come back again in the next few days more projects are added throughout the week. Let the fun begin! (Because blogging is not my full-time job, I will not be able to visit every link. I apologize.)

2 Fun Food Presentations for Summer Treats!

I wanted to highlight a few fun ways to present healthy summertime treats!!!

What an astonishing summer party treat! My son would think this is the coolest thing because this watermelon is in the figure of a shark! Perfect for a birthday, bbq or any other get-together. Sun Scholars walk you through how to make a watermelon shark!

My kids would love eating these melon boats. Made from canteloupe, jello, applesauce and fresh fruit, it is the perfect treat for a hot summer day. The presentation makes it all the more attractive to kiddos! These were created by Green Acres Hobby Farm.