Getting my mojo back....

If you noticed that I've been on hiatus from blogging for the past weeks (that turned into months).....then let me tell you I'm on my way back! :) 

I'm sure you all know how sometimes life just takes a little twist and we have give up some of the things that we love doing to take care of the tasks, work and chores that really matter.   The last few months have been very busy, but we've recently gotten back into a few little projects that I'll be sharing over the next few weeks.   It's sure nice to be back to improving our home -- and I'm SO excited to keep blogging about it! :)  What fun!

And thanks to Pinterest I've been coming up with lots of great ideas on decor and projects too -- LOVE that site!  It's like blog-hopping on speed! (click here to join me there).

I'm so grateful for all my fantastic followers and subscribers that have stuck around while I get back into the swing of things -- I've enjoyed reading all your comments and catching up on your blogs too! :)

 

Linking up to:

Mondays:Between Naps on the Porch ; C.R.A.F.T; Craft-O-Maniac; Keeping it Simple; Mad in Crafts; Making the World Cuter; The DIY Showoff; The Girl Creative Tuesdays:  All Thingz Related; House of Grace; I'm Topsy Turvy; Lucky Star Lane; Sugar Bee Craft Edition; The CSI Project; These Creative Juices; Today's Creative Blog Wednesdays:  Blue Cricket Design; Creations by Kara; Debbiedoos; Domestically Speaking; My Backyard Eden; Night Owl Crafting; Seven Thirty Three; Someday Crafts; The Thrifty Home; Trendy Treehouse Thursdays: Beyond the Picket Fence; Craftastical!; Fireflies & Jellybeans; House of Hepworths; Life as Lori; Somewhat Simple; The Shabby Chic Cottage Fridays:  Chic on a Shoestring; Finding Fabulous; Fingerprints on the Fridge; Frou Frou Decor; Frugal & Fabulous Design; It's a Hodge Podge Life; It's Fun to Craft!: Just a Girl; Remodelaholic; Simply Designing; The Shabby Nest; Tatertots & Jello Weekend:  A  Little Lovely; Be Different Act Normal; Funky Junk Interiors; House of Thrifty Decor; I Heart Naptime; Kuzak's Closet; Under the Table & Dreaming

A New Year! (And some new changes....)

First off I have to say a big fat thank you to you guys for puting up with my extended "leave" from the blogging world.  I hope you haven't missed me too much. :)  And another huge thank you for all the kind and concerned emails I've gotten from you wondering what's up over here at the Hand Me Down House.  I really do consider all of you gals my friends -- so I 100% appreciate your concern and kind words.

My absence started out as a short break during the start of the Holidays -- but the Holidays for us means a lot of Christmas shopping, and A LOT of Christmas Get-Togethers.  So I decided to stop blogging for the whole month of December.  There just wasn't a lot of time to fit everything in for my family and I, let alone doing projects to the house and keeping up with my blog.  But after a month long recess, I've decided I will be making some changes here for the next year.

This post is SO overdue -- I've been meaning to fill you all in sooner -- but I've really been dreading writing this. So, with that being said I will tell you I'm not quitting my blog.  I would never just give it up like that.  But, I will be blogging much less than my once  5 times a week schedule.  I'll update you on the house as we change it and I'll certainly post any fun projects I do.  But I plan to do projects and house updates a little bit less -- so don't be suprised to see a gap in posts.  And also for this reason I've decided to cut my advertising.  There is a lot of pressure that comes along with having sponsors; and it was making my blogging more of a job than enjoyable.  Blogging started out as an absolute LOVE of mine -- and I want to keep it that way.

Don't mistake this "cut back" in posts and projects for a dislike of blogging -- I still very much LOVE it!  It's so fun seeing my bloggy friends faces every day and see what's going on in their wold.   And as I'm writing this now after a month of "taking off" -- I'm remembering how good it feels to "talk" to you girls!  But my family is the most important thing in my life -- and I have to make them my priority.  That means maybe letting a project at the house sit for a few days so I can visit grandparents, or not stopping at the craft store for new materials so I can go home and see my hubby -- I'm sure you can all relate.  

I hope you can all understand how much I just love being apart of the blogging world -- I absolutely do!  But between family, work and just every day life; I had to cut back on some things that were taking my time away from the things that truly matter.  

Some bloggers decide to make their blogging a full time career, like John & Sherry at Young House Love -- and some decide to give it up completely for the sake of time, like Disney at Ruffles and Stuff.  Well I'm right in the middle -- I can't give it up completely -- but I can't maintain my crazy posting and crazy projects and still have the time I need for work and family. 

So -- I hope you can forgive me for the missing month of December -- and I hope you can still enjoy my posts in 2011!  We've got big plans and dreams for the house that we're hoping to accomplish -- and you guys will be included in the process!

 

A Surprise in my Mailbox

 I want to share with you a WONDERFUL surprise I found in my mailbox a few weeks ago....

It was from the spoon fanatic behind Village Boutique's Spoon Jewelry --- so of course -- you guessed it; it was a gorgeous spoon bracelet.

I LOVE my new treasure - and I've been wearing it everywhere, showing it off. :)

Do you love it??

Not only am I beyond thrilled that Village Boutique is my sponsor -- but then she sent me this beautiful bracelet, too -- words can't describe how lucky I feel! :)

Be sure to stop by Village Boutique and take a look at her awesome jewelry and charms!

Another Fun Week! :)

This week has been another fun one! (THANK YOU ALL!)

A SPECIAL "thank you"Shamble Ramble for their AWESOME giveaway!  If you haven't entered yet, you can enter here.

I would like to thank some wonderful blogs that featured some of my projects this week, too.  So a great big thank you to these fantastic ladies and their blogs:

Craft-O-Maniac

A Girl & A Gluegun

Moms By Heart

And I'd also like to thank my WONDERFUL sponsors -- these ladies have some awesome, awesome, jewelry -- and I'm just honored that they have chosen to be my sponsors!

Be sure to check them all out -- they all have such unique treasures -- perfect for yourself or for gifts!

The Week in Review

This week has been another fun one! (THANK YOU ALL!)

A SPECIAL "thank you" to Moen for their FANTASTIC giveaway of a gorgeous faucet!  And just a quick reminder that tomorrow is the last full day to enter the MOEN GIVEAWAY for your VERY own faucet!  Be sure to enter before it's over! :)

Enter Here

I would like to thank some wonderful blogs that featured some of my projects this week, too.  So a great big thank you to these fantastic ladies and their blogs:

I'm Topsy Turvy

Frugal with a Flourish

A Glimpse Inside

Someday Crafts

Tatertos and Jello

One Pretty Thing

And I'd also like to thank my WONDERFUL sponsors -- these ladies have some awesome, awesome, jewelry -- and I'm just honored that they have chosen to be my sponsors!

Be sure to check them all out -- they all have such unique treasures -- perfect for yourself or for gifts!

What a Week! :)

This last weekend I had intended to get all kinds of home improvement and home decor projects started, worked on, finished and then share them with you bloggers.  Oh boy, did I have BIG plans for some areas of our house.  Buuuut, I don't know if you noticed I only got one little project completed this weekend (my painted sheet drapes).  So I thought I would share with you where I've been (and an important realization I had).

I'm a "get-things-done/don't-have-time-for-to-sit" type of person.  Although I think I'm pretty efficient with my time, I also ALWAYS have something going on and something I'm doing.  I like life that way. :)  But this last weekend I decided my cleaning could wait, my house projects could sit and my to-do list could stand still for a few days.  I enjoyed my whole weekend spending time with my two fantastic sets of grandparents and having coffees and dinners with girlfriends.  That's it.  I traded in my projects and crafts for some quality time with my family and friends.  What a great reminder it was to me that things can wait and how important the relationships with those I love are.  I think it's important to sometimes let go of the to-do list and enjoy the company of family and friends.

That's my lesson of the week. :)  Just kidding.

I would like to thank some wonderful blogs that featured some of my projects this week, too.  So a great big thank you to these fantastic ladies and their blogs:

Keeping It Simple

Just a Girl

Creations by Kara

Tatertos and Jello

One Pretty Thing (thanks so much to Rachel for several of her features this week!!)

And I'd also like to thank my WONDERFUL sponsors -- these ladies have some awesome, awesome, jewelry -- and I'm just honored that they have chosen to be my sponsors!

Be sure to check them all out -- they all have such unique treasures -- perfect for yourself or for gifts!

Whew!!

Wowie!  It has been another wonderful week!  And I have SO many people to thank for it!

First -- a HUGE hug and thank you to Michelle at Someday Crafts -- she is so awesome -- and not JUST for letting me guest post on her blog this week. :)  I'm so flattered that she gave me the honor!  So thank you, thank you, Michelle! :)

And I'd also like to say "thanks a bunch" to some other folks who featured my projects as well:

One Pretty Thing (three times!) -- thanks so much, Rachel!!

Remodelaholic

Be Different, Act Normal

Crafts & Sutch

Delicious Ambiguity

I truly appreciate all the features and spotlights -- they make blogging SO fun -- and I'm so glad that I can share my crafts and projects with other people, too.

I'd also like to take a quick minute to thank my sponsors, too.  If you haven't stopped by these awesome jewelry spots -- be sure to -- you won't be disappointed!  They are all SO unique!

Village Boutique

Ramble Shamble -- and a special thanks for their awesome giveaway this week!!

Stella & Dot

What a fun week -- are you ready for the next one!?!  I've got some really fun things planned -- I think you'll all like!  :)

 

This post is sponsored by Stella & Dot

Another Wonderful Week

I just wanted to say a HUGE thank you to all the wonderful bloggers out there who shared my blog and projects with their readers this week.  It means SO much to me that you would feature my projects -- so THANKS A BUNCH!

Under the Table and Dreaming

Crazy Domestic

Seven One Six

One Pretty Thing

I'd also like to take this chance to thank all of my wonderful sponsors, too!  They are amazing ladies and have spectacular goodies and eye candy:

Village Boutique

Shamble Ramble

Stella and Dot

Thank Yous All Around

This last week has been INCREDIBLE!  I'm still amazed that people like my projects enough to feature them -- so here are some big hugs and thank you's to the wonderful blogs that gave me a pat on the back this week:

Beyond the Picket Fence

C.R.A.F.T.

Keeping it Simple

Under the Table & Dreaming

Bargain Shopper's Paradise

Ponytails & Fishscales

House of Hepworths

Better After

Thanks so much to ALL of you!  It completely makes my day when people love my crafts and projects as much as I do! :)


Hope you all have a WONDERFUL Labor Day Weekend!! 

It's nice to meet.....YOU

Over the past few months things have changed A LOT at this little blog.  When I first started out, I LOVED being able to visit all your blogs and see what you guys have been up to, too.  While I'm lov-ing the fact that there are just over 700 of you who want to read my blog and are interested in my weird ideas (it means the WORLD to me!) -- it also means that I'm not able to visit every single one of YOUR blogs.  I LOVE all you readers and followers -- and I've thoroughly enjoyed "getting to know" some of you.    And because I want to continue to get to know all of you, we're going to start a little something different over here at the Hand Me Down House.

Every week or so, I'd like to meet one of YOU (yes you!) and introduce you to everyone else around who here who follows along too.  

What does that mean, you ask!?

It means send me an email and introduce yourself to us! :)  Be sure to send me a link to your blog and links or pictures of what you've been up to lately -- projects, crafts -- anything you'd like to share with us. 

I can't wait to get your emails and get to know more of you out here in blogland!

Cleaning and Thank Yous

Be sure to enter Mandy's Yellow Corner Giveaway for your chance to win a personalize hand-stamped necklace!

First, I want to say thank you to all the wonderful blogs out there who featured my projects in the last two weeks (sorry -- I'm still a little behind from being out of town)  So here they are; the folks that made my day and shared my little crafts and improvements:

Remodelaholic

Fireflies & Jellybeans

Shanty 2 Chic

Tatertots & Jello

The CSI Project

Simpsonized Crafts

Cottage Instincts

House of Grace

And secondly, I got quite a few emails and comments yesterday asking about the Tupperware of homemade disinfecting wipes that I keep in fancy new "broom closet".

I'll give you the disclaimer first though. :)  This is a mixture made with Lysol -- I'm not promoting Lysol, nor do I think it's the BEST way to disinfect -- it's just one of the cheapest options I've found.  I decided to try this becuase I seriously was spending a small fortune on buying Clorox and Lysol wipes from the store every week and it was getting a little ridiculous -- but they are SO convenient that I couldn't give them up.  And I don't know that I'd recommend these homemade wipes for sticky fingers and faces -- I just use them for the counters and other places that the messes appear on.  So, all that being said, it's time for the run down on how to make these things.

What You'll Need:

Concentrated Lysol
Papertowels
Rubbermaid Containers
Boiling Water

Directions:

1.  Fold your paper towels.  There are two ways you can do this:  a) fold up about 70-80 paper towels (regular size or more if you are using make-a-size) into whatever size fits into your Rubbermaid container (it's an easy thing to do when you're on the phone or watching TV).  You may need to split this between two containers if yours isn't big enough -- that's what I do and then I split the liquid mixture in half too; 

or b) cut a roll of paper towels in half and put them into a cleaned out container (I've heard a left over Folger's Coffee container works really well).

2.  Bring two cups of water to a boil.

3.  Add 1/4 cup of concentrated Lysol and immediately remove from heat.

4.  Let the liquid cool slightly, and then pour over your paper towels. (if you're using the half roll method, take out the cardboard out when it's soggy and then pull your homemade wipes out starting at the center).

As I'm typing up these directions I'm thinking I should start doing the "half roll" method -- it seems a lot easier!  I'm going to have to find some sort of round container now! :)

Thank you! (and mystery solved)

It's that time again -- where I'd like to say a huge "THANK YOU" to the wonderful bloggers and their blogs who have been so kind as to feature me and my projects last week:


Keeping it Simple
Super Stinky Boys
Under the Table and Dreaming
Kara's Creations
Crazy Domestic
Someday Crafts
Craft Gossip
Craft-O-Maniac
Just Sew Sassy
and one more ..... Thrifty Decor Chick!! AHHHH! :)  She gave my blog some facebook love -- and I literally could not contain my excitement! :)

So if you remember, about a month ago I recovered my Gramma's handed down sewing bench (you can catch up here)

 This is the picture I had found inside while I was recovering it:

Now are you all ready for the much anticipated answer to who these kiddos are!?!?



They are the children of my Gramma's life long friend, Noreen.  They were friends growing up and went to high school together (where my Gramma met my Grampa) and then Noreen was in my Grandmparent's wedding.  Awwww.   My dad and his brothers and sisters played with these kids growing up.  My Grandma and Noreen are still friends to this day.   Not as exciting as a story as I was hoping for -- but it's the sweetest.

Don't forget to check back tomorrow -- I have another giveaway for you! :)

How Sweet!

There are SO many sweeties out in blog land that featured some of my projects this last week; and I'd like to say a huge "THANK YOU!" to all of them.  So here we go:

Bonnie at House of Grace
Stephanie Lynn at Under the Table and Dreaming
Michelle at Someday Crafts
Amanda at Home and Garden Craft Gossip (twice!!)
Leslie at Bargain Shopper's Paradise (twice!!)
Kara at Creations by Kara
Becky at Beyond the Picket Fence
Ginger at Super Stinky Boys
Valerie at Nettacow


My floors and socks also have a Thank You - to the Sisters at Kuzak's Closet - they had a WONDERFUL giveaway last week for a Swiffer Sweeper Vac - and I won!  All becuase I linked up to their fantastic weekly party, Sister Sister Sunday. (Stop over for a visit and link up - it's such a fun party!!)

Sister Sister Sunday

And can I just tell you HOW EXCITED I was that that I won?  Well I was.  Up until a few weeks ago I had my own lovely Swiffer that we used ALL the time.  And then, out of nowhere my Swiffer died.  Okay, it's not exactly out of nowhere - my hubby broke it.  And would you like to know HOW he broke it?  Well that's quite a story.....

He's been on this weird kick of taking kettle chips and sprinkiling them with seasonsings and then puting them in oven underneath the broiler.  Yes, it's weird -- or at least I think it is.  Apparently Champp's has some kind of chip like this?  I'm sure they don't make them like this, but whatever works, I guess.

He put his seasoned chips on a pan and put them under the broiler.  I suppose I should also tell you that I had moved the top rack ALL the way to the top while I was making room in there to bake my Mod Podge Lantern.  Do you see where this is going?  No, he did not move the rack, he placed his chips just inches away from the broiler, and walked away to make himself a sandwhich.  I was in the basement working at the time, when I heard stomping and running above me.   Before I knew it I heard, "Um! Can you HELP!?!"  As I go up the stairs I can see orange reflecting off of the walls -- I turn to see my sweet husband holding a pan of fire.  Seriously.  Flames everywhere.  We ended up taking it outside, but not before the smoke alarms started going off.  Also not before the smoke enveloped the rest of my house making it smell like an old cigar.  And also not before my dog ran out of the house and would not come back in for an hour because of the flames.

Anyhow, later on when I went back in the kitchen after everything was cleaned up, I saw my Swiffer in the trash.  I asked him how THAT happened (isn't a kitchen fire enough for one day?!?) and apparently in his mad dash to get the fire extinguisher (which was in a cardboard box that we couldn't get open - we've since removed the box in case there was a fire we needed it for) he somehow snapped the head off the Swiffer Sweeper.  I honestly can't figure out how one does this -- but he did.  So we were Swifferless.

According to him it's my Mod Podge Lantern that started the fire that broke the Swiffer Sweeper -- but I blame Champps.   Either way -- I'm SO happy I won that giveaway! :) 

A Buncha Thank Yous!

Last week was so much fun over here at The Hand Me Down House - and I have some people to thank for that! :)


First of all, there were some VERY sweet ladies who featured me and my projects on their own ridiculously amazing blogs.

The DIY Showoff

C.R.A.F.T

Bobbypins Boardwalk

Just a Girl

The CSI Project (twice!!) 

These blogs are some of my absolute FAVORITES - so I can't even tell you how honored I am that they shared one of my projects with their readers! 

Also - I have updated my Mod Podge Strikes Again post to include some details on the exact mixture of Mod Podge and food coloring I used.  And what's even better is I've given you the link to Autum's blog, Creative Little Daisy.  She is the brains behind baking the Mod Podge mixture (dumb me, I couldn't remember the name of her blog....sorry Autum!!)

Don't forget to enter our giveaway!  Tomorrow's the last day to get your entry in!!

A Blogging Award?!?!

I am honored to be recognized by Emily over at Decorchick! with the Versatile Blogger Award.   Isn't she sweet?  I LOVE following her blog and reading all her bubbly comments -- so THANK YOU Decorchick!

According to the terms of the award, I have to tell you seven random things about myself. Well, hmmmmm -- this may be harder than I thought.

1. I've lived in five houses my entire life and they're all within a 10 miles of where I live now.
2. In high school, I was voted "most likely to cry at graduation" (I'm not sure if that's good or bad).
3. I'm always disappointed when I pour my final cup of coffee for the morning.
4. I get to work with my mom and dad every day at our family business, Zell Plumbing.
5. I will never get tired of watching reruns of "Friends".
6. I love a seeing a basket of clean, folded laundry -- I almost don't want to put it away.
7. I met the love of my life in high school and he still makes me laugh every day.

And now I pass on the award to seven new blogs I have recently discovered.

1. Becca at One Girl, One Beautiful World
2. Brandi at Tales of a Domestic Goddess
3. Katie at On the Banks of Squaw Creek
4. Lisa at The Pursuit of Happiness
5. Christin at Pregnant with Powertools
6. Heather at The Traveling Thirfter
7. Elizabeth at Habitually Crafty



Happy Monday to everyone!