A Little Thanksgiving Crafting with GiGi

A few days ago I had a little help making some things for 
our Thanksgiving table . . .

The plan was to make harvest corn.  We started with 
yellow, orange and white paint.



Then we dipped legos and duplos into the paint and stamped a file folder.

This process was done in between Disney t.v. shows.
But we had to let the paint dry.  


The finished product will be cute to add to these other element...

The paper bag turkey my DIL made last year.  
A few weeks ago my grandson made the foam kit cornucopia's.

Our fun kid friendly Thanksgiving table is coming together.  

What should we make next?  

Do you have any ideas?

Linking at The Fabulous Fall Party. And my regular party places.  Visit my parties page for links.

I'd would love for you to visit me Thanksgiving Day or over the weekend for the 1st annual book reviewers Christmas Present suggestions.  The party is over here.
Come and get some ideas or link your suggestions!
                                    

   

My Friday post on Saturday--Last Minute July 4th Decorations

A little late.  But worth the wait.  Sharing some of my favorite 
July 4th ideas/decoration posts. 

                                             Enjoy 

             
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A few great ideas.  I hope your inspired to have a festive 4th!

I'd love to read your comments.  Blogger/Google has taken my comments option away.  Please visit my poll on the sidebar! 

                                Happy July 4th

Patriotic Animals

Welcome to my annual Saturday Patriotic Critters.  Ever year 
around the 4th I search for the cutest festively dressed Critters around.  

Here are a few of my favorites . . . 

                            
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           Have a safe and Happy 4th
Linking with Eileen's Camera Critters,  Camera Critters, Wordless Wednesday,  Blue Monday
and Create With Joy

               Please take my poll at the top of the page

Blogger and Google have been messing with my mind lately.  If the option to leave a comment doesn't show up on this post you might try clicking the tiny Goolge+ icon it will take you over to my Google+ page.  
Or you can email me Slegan@yahoo.com.
I'd love to know you came by! 

Desserts For The 4th

Whether your planning an outdoor party or picnic or something 
indoors I've got a few ideas to share. 

Let's get started! 

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Starting with the super simple.  No need really even for a recipe. 
But check out Michelle's blog her photo tutorial is great.  A fun place to visit. 

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Jodie at Mum's the Word came up with the recipe for these
fun and festive cookies.  Using red hot oil and a cake mix.
Read her post she shares her experience developing this recipe.
   
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Cherry Cola Slab Pie . . . 
Doesn't it sound and look just yummy.  Heather at Sugar Dish Me
suggests Sweet Cream Apple Butter Ice Cream as a topping. 


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I can't believe I've never made one of these.  I need one of those gorgeous bowls!  Do you have one?  There's still time to search one out to make this super simple and pretty dessert.  

Do you have Brownie lovers among your party guests?

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Here's one more idea.  Super fun not so simple but worth the effort I think . . . 
                                 
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                              I know our silly boy will love these!

Thanks for stopping in. I hope you've seen some fun new ideas to make your 4th fun, festive and memorable!  

I'd would love for you to comment but Blogger has removed that option some how.  I've tried to fix it and I'm still working on it. 
I think you can click on Google+ and you can leave a comment there.  

Or send me an email.  I'd love to hear from you. 
                                Slegan@yahoo.com

Joining a new linky part at Clebrate Your Story and linking at a few regular parties.  Check my list on my parties page.

Tweekin' With A Little Red, White and Blue

                     Happy Memorial Day
               
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Over the weekend I played around and added some Red, White and Blue to the cottage . . . 
                        
I set the table and decorated the mantle.  This is stage one I'm sure I'll tweek it a few more times before July.  I did move the wagon in from the patio.  You can barely see the handle and a few books. 
I'll share more on another post.  
I guess the room wasn't really photo ready because I didn't tidy the wingback chair.  My slinky throw and my sparkly throw which I love are kinda jumbled up.  On the edge is the quilt for outside I'm working on.  
Let's see the rest of the 'real' tweekin' . . . 

Here's a little close up of the mantle.  The little bunting I made last year from UFO quilt blocks.  Hung it on twine and added some ribbons to the ends.  
The scarf in the middle is really a chiffon (type) scarf from Dollar Tree.  I think I'll go back and get a couple more. It was perfect for this display.  

A close up of the table settings.  The new glass has stars on it!  So excited I was to find a set for $7.00.  You can't buy plastic for that!  A couple were broken.  But I didn't need a complete set anyway.
I'll tell you more about the rest of the table setting in another post.

I have more new things to share . . . 

I was inspired at Christmas to do a Hot Chocolate station. I've carried the theme over and now set up a beverage station. 
See my new glasses.  I added the flags from Big Lots.  The star in the middle was from Dollar Tree.  There are more on the mantle.
I chose some red drinks.  A Mexican Strawberry soda tested by our grandson and given a thumbs up.  I'll have to go buy more.  And I tested the faux Strawberry Daiquiri it s fizzy and yummy. 

A little closer shot with my festive paper lanterns.  They are 3 years old from Dollar Tree.  They live in my laundry room during the year and come out for Red, White and Blue themes.

A little close up of the mantle area.  The red vase is years and years old.  Bought waaaaay back in the day at Big Lots.  I have to strategically set it on display.  The back side which is really the front side has a pretty Christmas Tree on it.  For years I packed it away after Christmas.  And then a few years ago when I began the Valentine's Dinner Dates I had an inspiration.  It stays out year round now using for all my red themed decorating! 

And I have one more last sneak peek . . . 
 
My WIP Patriotic Quilt.  I really don't plan to reveal it till the 4th
but I wanted to give you a sneak peek.  I still have some hand work to do this week.  The angel needs some hair. He. He. And I need to lay it out baste and quilt it.  I'm planning on simple straight or wavy lines. Super fast!  

I did take a few other shots and a couple of the counter that divides the kitchen from living area . . .         

So that's a little peek.  But before you go check out the giveaway starting on the 1st to celebrate my new Book Blog.  Go over and follow and come back and enter!

The Giveaway is here.  The blog is here.

Linking with Blue Monday, Mosaic Monday,  The Art of Homemaking
Tweek It Tuesday, Yankee Doodle Party,  No Place Like Home Share Your Cup

Thrifty Tree Trimming

                                          
                                        Merry Christmas. 
                           I hope your having a Fabulous week. 
                     
                I've been adding bling and sparkle to the Cottage

The cocoa is simmering on the stove. Come on over to the cocoa
bar and grab a cup!
                 
Little plastic cups from Walgreen's (cheap) for the kids.  
And really, really cheap thrift Mugs from Kirklands after Christmas
70% off!  I paid $4.00 for a set in a really cool hat box!  They sat waiting in the back of my kitchen cabinet till Christmas!
The spoons I think I got at Walmart. I love the plastic handle decorative spoons for parties.  
                                Love the polka dots! 

Isn't that cocoa wonderful?  I know it's a little warm here today but 
we can pretend there is beautiful snow outside. 
               It's Christmas time.  Christmas is magical . . . 

                   Source Available at Etsy
Oh did you see the neighbor children have built a snow man.
Let's take our mugs out to the patio for a bit . . . 

       Oh please sit down.  Just move Marvin over!  He's been waving at the neighbors and just had to sit for a few minutes!


The Cowboy does enjoy decorating the patio.  We have  a new woodland theme this year.  It started when I settled into the chair covered up with the moose/cabin throw.  

                 We had a woodland theme on our mind.  
               
   Daisy and I have been collecting pine cones on our walk
The Cowboy and I went thrifting a couple weeks ago and everywhere we turned we saw Moose's.  Marvin was stalking us so we had to bring him home.  Along with all his friends! 
           We've been adding more friends every week! 
        
All of our patio decorations were thrifted.  We didn't pay more than $4.00 for any.  Marvin was marked $10.00 but he was half price.
                He has a tag from Cracker Barrel.  

My cocoa is cooling!  Let's go in and see the Snowman tree!

     Yes your right!  That is the the Elephant tree from last year!
                                                 Click Here
Our daughter loved being surprised with finding all her Elephants from storage.  They are now proudly displayed all over their little apartment.  

I enjoyed the tree so much that I decided I wanted another one this year.  I really wasn't too happy with the Snowman collection last year. 
 I know seriously tacky!  Look at all those cords. That idea didn't come together!
                               I knew I could do better!
                  
My collection of snowmen proudly decorate one little tree.
My collection includes some store bought, gifted and crafted.  Each one has a story . . . 

              
Painted by my father.  Daddy and Mother sold crafts at the 
Opryland Country Christmas for 15 years.  A lot of my ornaments were bought from other vendors.  Mother can never pass up buying an ornament.  And helping a fellow-vendor!           
Another Kirklands find . . . $2.50 after Christmas.  It's actually a candle holder.  See the star cutouts?  I just stuck the branches through the openings to hang it.  
The glass ornament above came from Pier One years ago.  
                                  Of course on sale!  

Love this sign.  It used to hang on our door.  But it was really too small.  He is perfect on the tree.  He was purchased at my favorite local shop.  Golightly's Gallery.  A lovely shop and tea room.
Over to the left is a snowman doll my DIL made.  She is talented.
Did you see my Blue Monday post?  She made me a cake!
                    
                                             Blue Monday post Click Here


Our daughter also has a collection of Snow Babies.  This one ended up in with my ornies.  (insert wink)


The tree is standing in a thrifted wagon.  I put lights in the bottom and covered with tule to display a few Snowmen that I couldn't put on the tree.  This was a gift from a friend when we lived in Missouri.  It brings back special memories.  Come by Wednesday for my Wit and Wisdom post.

I have no idea where we got this vintage Snowman.  He actually smokes his pipe!  It's wooden.  The Cowboy and I have had him for forever! 
               
I love this little guy.  I love hat boxes!  He is so cute.  I was glad I could put him the collection sitting in the wagon. Do you remember the story from last year?  The Cowboy found the wagon on the side of the road!
He passed it at about 8:00 that evening.  Silently he prayed that when he got off work at ten it would still be there!  It was in fact they had added another one! Two free vintage wagons!  The didn't have wheels and the axles were broken but the Cowboy found wheels on line and fixed them!   
    What a guy!  He sure does make me happy with all his finds!  
                      Do you have a thrifty husband?
                       
Gosh I know it's been a long tour.  I know you have other visits to make!   I'd love you to come over again.

Tomorrow we can sit by the fire and I'll tell you all about the Santa's! 
                                            Come over anytime I'll be here all day!

Bling came from 
Here,  Here ,  Here , Here  and Here

Linking with:
The Art of Homemaking, Busy Monday, Amaze Me Monday, Metamorphis Monday
Make It Pretty Monday, Show and Share, Tuesdays @ Our House, Party In Your PJ's