***Come link up your crafts to this week's party!***

Saturday, June 30, 2012

A Pinteresting Link Party - Week 46


Ok, so I realized that I did the features for this week's party on Thursday instead of doing last week's!
Whoops! So here are the features from Week 44, since I already gave you Week 45's features!
Don't forget to spread the word about the party!

A Pinteresting Link Party - Week 46

Olympic Event #4: Craft & A Giveaway

Welcome to Event #4 of the Bloggy Olympics! I hope you've enjoyed all the fantastic projects from the other Olympians over the last few weeks! Make sure to stop over to the other Events and check out the winners from each. Also, get your crafting supplies ready if you are planning to participate in this event. You can create a project from one of the three tutorials shared for this event, or make something all your own - as long as it's a craft!

I'm excited to show you my project, so here it is:

Craft:
Coupon Book


If you are going to participate in this even with me, you will need the following gear:
[This looks like a super long tutorial, but I promise it doesn't take too long. I just wanted to provide clear, detailed instructions.]


1. Chipboard or cardboard (a shoe box will do)
2. Envelopes
3. Scrapbook paper
4. Tacky Glue
5. Hot glue gun
6. Mod Podge
7. Scissors or paper cutter
8. Stickers/embellishments (optional)

Alright, let's start with the covers of the book. I used 4.5x6.5 inch chipboard for my covers. You can cut them out of cardboard if you don't have chipboard.

Lap #1: Covers


Step 1: Take the patterned paper you want for the cover, cut a piece large enough to fold over all sides of the chipboard, and then glue one side of the chipboard to the white side of the paper. [I used tacky glue here.]

Step 2: On the other side, fold and glue down two of the opposing sides. For the other two sides, fold down the corners [like wrapping a present].

Step 3: Glue the other two sides with the folded corners. [I used hot glue for this part, to make sure it stays.] Do this for both covers.

Step 4: Cut a piece of patterned paper to glue on the insides of the covers. This will cover up the chipboard and the folds.

Lap #2: Binding

Now on to the binding. I did an accordion-style binding for this, so there is room for stuffing coupons in the envelopes. I measured a piece of chipboard or cardboard to fit the height of the covers (4.5 inches), and 4 inches wide. Then, scored it every half inch and bent it to make the accordion.


Next, I used my hot glue gun to glue the covers to the outsides of the accordion.


To finish off the binding, I cut a piece of paper to wrap around the binding and glue to each cover.


This holds the accordion in so the book doesn't open too wide.

Lap #3: Envelopes

Now it's time to work on the envelopes.


I started by cutting the flaps off the envelopes. Then I glued some patterned paper to the inside of the envelopes -- for decoration and to reinforce them. After that, I used hot glue to fasten the envelopes to the accordion binding.


Now, decorate as you please. [I decorated the cover, and added label tabs to the envelops.] Once I was done decorating the covers, I brushed the front, back and binding with Mod Podge to protect it from the dangers it will face while inside the mysterious inner realm of the purse.

Lap #4: Sprint to the Finish

If you wanted, you could be done at this point. [I would recommend using a rubber band to hold the book together in your purse though.] But, I was not about to end this event without giving 100% of my crafting efforts. So, I persevered. [Only a few more steps, I promise.]


To add a built-in elastic band, I used my tiny hole puncher to create two small holes in the back cover. Then I used a skinny hair tie - that's right - and cut it so I had one long string, then threaded it through the holes. I tied knots on each end and hot glued the knots to the inside back cover. Then I glued a note pad to the back inside cover, which conveniently covered up the knots.

Finished!

After all of that, here's how I finished the event:


There you have it! I hope you enjoyed my detailed, albeit long, tutorial. Make sure to head over to C.W. Frosting and Freaking Craft to see how they performed in this event as well. And don't forget to link up your projects for this event on Thursday!

Now that you stuck around to the end of my tutorial, you will be rewarded with a chance to win...


A set of THREE washi tape to one lucky winner from Pretty Tape washi tape. Head over to her shop to take a look at all the fun types she offers! To be entered to win, all you have to do it leave a comment saying which type of tape you like the best in the shop! The giveaway will be open from today through the end of the Event #4 linky party on Friday. I will announce the winner on Saturday with the features from the party.

Thanks for playing along in the 2012 Bloggy Olympic Games!


Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Late Features!

Hey All! So I'm finally back home for a while and I'm really glad. I didn't have a chance to get a project together this week, since I was traveling for work...but I do have features from the party to share since I didn't have a chance to get those together on Saturday.

So, here are my favorites from last week's Pinteresting Link Party:


This State Nail Art from Decorating the Dorchester Way (our guest host) is lovely!



I love this Pallet Coffee Table from Our Pinteresting Family.



These Fruit Lovers Muffins from Pam's Party Planning look delicious!


Thanks so much for linking up to our party! Don't forget to grab the featured button - You deserve it!




Here's to Handy Andy
<div align="center"><a href="http://herestohandyandy.blogspot.com/search/label/Link%20Party" title="Here's to Handy Andy"><img src="http://i1201.photobucket.com/albums/bb359/eyoung919/7262842680_cf899af85f_m.jpg" alt="Here's to Handy Andy" style="border:none;" /></a></div>


ALSO - don't forget about Event #3 of the Bloggy Olympics - Paint! Head over to the host blogs to check out their tutorials and link up your paint projects!


Come back on Saturday too for my tutorial for Event #4 - Craft!

Have a good one!



Saturday, June 23, 2012

A Pinteresting Link Party - Week 45


Hey All! I'm traveling for work this week/weekend so that's why I 'm late with the party.
AND I have had no time to get features together. Sorry! I will post them when I get back!
Don't forget to spread the word about the party!

A Pinteresting Link Party - Week 45
Hosted by Tutus & Tea Parties & Here's to Handy Andy.
Guest Hosting this week is:
Angela from Decorating the Dorchester Way
{Hop on over and give her a welcome!

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Easy Black Bean Dip

Hey All! How did you guys do for Event #1 for the Olympics? Did you get your decorating mojo going? Good. Well now, it's time to get cracking on Event #2 - Kitchen. Head over to the hosts of this event to see what delicious recipes they shared: Let Birds Fly, Jane's Adventures in Dinner, and Shaken Together.

For this event I decided to go my own way...shocking, I know. I made this super easy black bean dip, that I sort of adapted from a Paula Deen recipe. Now, I don't really measure anything, so just add to your own taste.

Here's what you need:
1 can of Black Beans
1 Tomato, chopped
Green Onions, chopped
Hot Sauce
Salt & Pepper
Lime Juice

Put the chopped tomato and green onion in a food processor until chopped, then add the rest of the ingredients to the food processor and blend until smooth and you like the taste! I also garnished the dip with chopped tomatoes and green onions. Then serve with chips - yum!


This dip is so easy and has a really good flavor. Perfect for a summer party starter!

I hope you all are participating in the Kitchen event too. Don't forget to link up with the Event #2 hosts!


Saturday, June 16, 2012

A Pinteresting Link Party - Week 44


I am so impressed every week by all of your projects! 
Keep linking them up so I can fill my Pinterest boards!
Don't forget to spread the word about the party!

A Pinteresting Link Party - Week 44
Hosted by Tutus & Tea Parties & Here's to Handy Andy.
Guest Hosting this week is:
Morgan from Thnx Pinterest
{Hop on over and give her a welcome!

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Patriotic Jar Lanterns

Happy Thursday Everyone! I hope you've stopped over at Hating Martha and Delicate Construction to check out their tutorials for the Bloggy Olympics first Event! If you haven't -- GO NOW!

I decided to participate in this event by doing my own decor project. Well, actually I totally copied this from one of my new favorite blogs: Quinton Wench. Seriously, head over to her blog, you will love it!

Anyway, I few weeks ago Karen from Quinton Wench linked up these Pickle Jar Lanterns to A Pinteresting Link Party.


I absolutely loved them [this project was featured for the next Link Party too]. So, for the decorating event, I decided to try my hand at my own patriotic jar lanterns. I collect pretty much any jar I get, so I had plenty around.

Here's what I gathered:


1. Jars
2. Tissue paper - Red, White & Blue of course!
3. Mod Podge & Brush

First, I cut the tissue paper into smallish squares.


Then I brushed a layer of Mod Podge on the jar, and then layered the tissue paper squares all over, adding another coat on top of the paper as I went along.


That's it! Here's what I ended up with:


Add tea lights...


What I love about these is that they are so quick and easy, plus they cost me nothing because I had everything I needed already! This is a huge plus, because honestly, I'm not big on putting a lot of effort into seasonal decor (except Christmas). These would be great for table centerpieces, decorative accents, or add wire to the top and hang from trees - and they literally took me 20 minutes.

Thanks to Quinton Wench for the inspiration!

Have a great week!






Saturday, June 9, 2012

A Pinteresting Link Party - Week 43


Seriously, it is so hard for me to pick features every week - you guys are all amazing!
Don't forget to spread the word about the party!

A Pinteresting Link Party - Week 43
Hosted by Tutus & Tea Parties & Here's to Handy Andy.

Guest Hosting this week is: 
Susie from Earning My Cape
{Hop on over and give her a welcome!

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Let the Games Begin!

Welcome to the 2012 Bloggy Olympics Opening Ceremonies!


I am so excited to be participating in the Games during the Craft event, and I can't wait to see what all the other blogs bring to their events! I hope you're excited and I really hope that you'll participate in at least one of the events too!

Here's the deal, each week the three blogs participating in each event will provide a tutorial in the week's theme on Saturday. You can participate in the event by creating a project using one of the tutorials, or you can create your own project in that week's theme. Post your project to your blog during the week and then link up at the hosting blogs' linky party starting Thursday night. Each week's link party will last until Friday night, then event winners will be chosen from each hosting blog. Fun right?!

Here's the schedule again, in case you need a refresher:

Okay, so which event are you going to participate in? More than one? Perfect! I can't wait to see what you come up with! Don't forget to craft along with me the week of June 30th!
Since you are going to be in the Olympics too, grab the button and display it proudly on your blog somewhere AND link up below so we can know who will be playing along!
Hating Martha

Also, great news -- the giveaway for this super fun pillow is still open!


What are you waiting for? Go enter!

Saturday will be the start of Event 1 - Decorating. Janel from Hating Martha and Michelle from Delicate Construction will be rocking that event, so be sure to check out their tutorials then!

I can't wait for my event! I'm feeling pretty confident about it, so I will leave you with my "I've got this" face:


Try not to be intimidated...

Now...LINK UP!


Saturday, June 2, 2012

A Pinteresting Link Party - Week 42


You guys are so great! I have such a hard time every week picking features!
Don't forget to spread the word about the party!

A Pinteresting Link Party - Week 42