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Monthly Archives: February 2014

Craft Weekend Sponsors

February 10, 2014 Filed in craft weekend,Uncategorized

Each Craft Weekend we have many RAD sponsors who send our guests their products!
SO generous and lovely of each one of these companies.
Go shop through their stores & enjoy the discounts they are offering.
They each sell wonderful gift items… for a friend or just a gift to yourself!

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Use code  WCW2014  for  20%  off your order at Jenntage.
i love this shop… it is creative, happy and FUN!

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Use the code Whatever15 for a 15% discount at KatyGirl Designs.
i love so many of Katy’s designs!

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Use the code  whatever  for a 20% discount at Sorta Southern Boutique.
there is a matching necklace you can get to go with these earrings too!!

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Cindy Kurr

sent Mary Kay for our guests!
you can use the code craftsnmk20 for a 20%  discount at Mary Kay!!

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Use the code MEG20 for a 20% discount off your order at Ike & Co.
these are my current favorite earrings that i have been wearing non stop!  🙂

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Use the code  MEGD15  for a 15% discount on your purchase at 31Bits good through Feb 28.
All of their jewelry is handmade by women in uganda.
Go read their blog and learn how your purchase is changing lives!

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Dayspring

has all of their Boxed Card Sets buy two, get one free!!
you can find all kinds of encouraging and uplifting cards, journals, books and gifts at Dayspring.

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Use the code  cw20  for a 20% discount at Lisa Leonard Designs good through march 31.
i love all of Lisa’s personalized jewelry.
every piece of mine is so special to me.

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Use the code  CRAFT25  for a  25% discount at Jennifer Dahl Designs.
I love wearing this necklace.
i feel understood…. she gets me.  Ha ha ha!

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Use the code WHATEVER for 20% off your purchase at Gabriel’s Good Tidings.
These are Clip-On Lip Balm Holders for your key chain!
GENIUS!

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 Shop for beautiful prints & cards of Karla Dorancher’s paintings.
Her shop is on vacation for a few weeks but when she reopens you can use the code CRAFT20 for 20% off your purchase.

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THANKS to each our truly generous and AWESOME sponsors!
thanks for the swag and for the great the discounts!

we appreciate you so much!!

add a comment

misty - I want to send swag for your next craft weekend!!
let me know how I can do that! 🙂 🙂 🙂

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kiwi crate valentines

February 7, 2014 Filed in crafts & art

Kiwi Crate sent us their Handmade Valentines crate to review!
my girls love crafting!  (and i think their mom does too…just a little bit )
Kiwi Crate is such an easy way to help them nurture that.
we have been enjoying our monthly boxes for over a year now!
IMG_2638annie reads her instructions when she starts her kiwi crate projects and then gets busy.
the Valentine Crate was filled with pop up cards!
And she was able to learn how to make her own pop card designs too.

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i have posted about Kiwi Crate before.
we enjoy all the creative ideas that arrive on our door step each month!
the kit projects are made specifically for a child’s skill level allowing them to be able to work independently.
i love crafting with my kids but i also love seeing them get creative on their own.
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annie went out on her own and made jeweled hearts to include in a special valentine with the extra stickers.

IMG_2666You can order a Handmade Valentines Crate today and still have time to make them for V Day at your house.

the Valentine Kit is sold separately from the monthly subscriptions.
on the Kiwi Crate  site you can order just about anything to help your kids create masterpieces.
there are extra kits, supplies, and even Party Favors so everyone can make the same fun projects your did!

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when you  subscribe to Kiwi Crate you receive a box of goodies in the mail each month.
it is a great surprise each time.
we have LOVED receiving these crates of creativity!

the kit include everything needed to complete the projects inside with very clear kid-friendly instructions.
i am always so impressed with what they send!
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sometimes there will be paint and mini canvases… sometimes markers and scotch tape… sometimes oil pastels and glue sticks… they even made their own xylophone once!
My kids love getting “their own” glue stick or markers that came in “their kit”.
and i say the more art supplies around our house the better!

i want little artists who are confidently creating whenever the mood strikes.

and i am a busy mom!
i appreciate that the work is done for me!
the idea & the supplies are ready and done and i can sit back and encourage them to CREATE!

Right now you can get $10 OFF A KIWI CRATE SUBSCRIPTION!!!  Woo-hoo!!
That is a great deal!

CLICK HERE for Kiwi Crate and receive your discount when you check out.

add a comment

Rebecca Torzewski - That looks really fun and I am interested. Does the $10 off apply to just one month of the monthly subscription or is it $10 off each month? Thanks!

brooke - We subscribed to Kiwi some time ago thanks to a review you did on your blog. It has been a HUGE hit with my daughter. She flips when the coveted green box appears on our doorstep, and we have accumulated many, many precious hours of memories working on fun (and quality!) projects. We LOVE the Kiwi Crates!

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snow day and a recipe

February 5, 2014 Filed in family fun,food,recipes,Uncategorized

i have had times where i dread a snow day but i was actually excited about this one.
it was as if we had the time for a break.
that is kind of sad but it is true.  I was caught up enough that i was excited for a snow day.

first off… we made hot chocolate donuts.
snow6this was our recipe….  a boxed cake mix we had in the cabinet.  Two mixes actually.  the marshmallow frosting comes in the box.  and we have a donut pan.   AND a few weeks ago my little girls BEGGED for the Mallow Bits so it was perfectly meant to be on our snow day!donutIMG_3215we each just watched it snow all day long while still in our jammies.  snow3oh these dogs.  they LOVE this stuff!IMG_2680IMG_2707we finally ventured out of the house at 4:00.  it was so beautiful!IMG_2701IMG_2693IMG_2692IMG_2690IMG_2686IMG_2709snow7IMG_2743“HEY MOM!!! I”M CLEANING THE FENCE FOR YOU!”
thanks sweetie.  it had really been bothering me how “messy” it was.   ha ha haIMG_2674IMG_2684
IMG_2729IMG_2721IMG_2756snow1doesn’t he look like bigfoot combined with the abominable snowman?!IMG_2753IMG_2750IMG_3284snow4snow2we wore this guy OUT!

for dinner i looked through my computer for something yummy to make.
and looked.
and looked.
snow8snow9between a bunch of different recipes… i threw this soup together and it was YUMMY!!!
we made bread to dip in it too.
seriously…SO GOOD.
ALL of my kids ate their whole bowl….  WITH VEGETABLES IN IT!

you could add broccoli too or other veggies.
i didn’t put the peas in since i knew i pushing it big time with the celery AND carrots in one pot.
but maybe next time they can handle it.

it was delicious comfort food after playing out in the snow.

add a comment

katey - Oh the snow looks wonderful!!! We are keeping our fingers crossed that Alabama will get at least one snow this year. And the soup looks great!! Will have to try that one because the family can only take Chili and Veggie Beef so many times in one winter. Thanks.

Mindy - What wonderful fun topped off by homemade soup – the best!

Shelby Shreck-Beck - Looking through the pictures makes me smile and I so wish I had your skills for taking pictures! Your girls are beautiful, your boys are handsome and your dogs are so stinkin cute!!! Thank you for putting a smile on my face! Oh, I love snow days too!

Deb Meyers - i just knew you’d buy the green-lidded tin at Target (seen in picture with Sean). 🙂

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Lisa - Great pictures! We got a lot of snow today but no snow day… boo! 😉 And that soup looks so yummy!

Andrea - What a great snow day. Your dogs had as much or more fun than all of you! that Waffle looked like he was in heaven!

Kimber-Leigh - what a gorgeous snow day! and that soup sounds delicious!

Tiffany - You create such stunning pictures of every-day life. I love it. I’m amazed by your winters down there. Weren’t you out taking pics without jackets and no snow on the ground at you last CW, and now this much snow?! I guess MN is so different. Once it snows it stays for a good 5 months. Plus there is no way we would be out without jackets. (-10 degrees air temp as I type.)

PS- That recipe sounds so yummy! I’m going to have to try that one. Hummm… maybe tonight. I think I have everything. What would be the chances of that?!

Heather - You take the best pictures!

kim - i havvvvvvvve to be honest. i’m super jealous of this snow day.
as much as i am enjoying our wintersummer, this looked all kinds of magical. what i wouldn’t give to be cooped up in my house for a full day or two, enjoying cocoa and donuts. 🙂

thrilled to see you guys making the most of it, and the pups too. i can’t get enough of them!

Michelle K. - Love seeing all your pics, especially of the ones with the dogs playing…they are absolutely adorable.
Now a question for you, do you do anything to protect your camera when taking pictures in the snow? I love taking outside pictures, but have been afraid since my camera once malfunctioned because of snow/water getting into it.

Kim Barlow - I love the pic of Annie by the big tree. It’s so sweet.

danielle - Looks like a perfect snow day! We are a little farther south than you I only dream of that much snow. Thanks for the yummy looking recipe! I am cold right now and that looks really good!

ira lee - those donuts look so yummy!! as does the soup!!! and you are right, it was beautiful in that snow!!

Suzette - Meg, I love you and I love your blog! Don’t ever change!

Penny - Oh, that sweet Waffle! He is perfect! The new little guy is pretty cute, too. We love snow days and have had our share. 7 so far! I work at the local middle school, so snow days are days off for me! I love how you captured these great memories for your kids! I wish I had pictures of times like that when I was young!

Julie - That looks like a lot of snow and a lot of cold. I think I would love to be able to experience playing outside in the snow like that at least once in my life. I am very much a summer girl though. Those dogs of your look like they are having an absolute ball. Keep warm.

Pamela Gordon - Wow, you had a great snow day there. It looks beautiful and I loved seeing the pics of the kids and the dogs out playing in the snow. Fun! The soup looks delicious and easy. Pamela

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right back at it…

February 3, 2014 Filed in craft weekend

Craft Weekend started back up for 2014.
i missed it!
it was so much fun to get going again…. to make things again!

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stanley was my “helper” the day before CW and the day of.
i about lost my mind… he is such a puppy.
sadly many foam paint brushes lost their lives when i would be doing anything other than watching his every move.  i was so happy when Mr. Duerksen came to pick him after work on friday.IMG_3002IMG_2464IMG_2495IMG_2828IMG_2482IMG_2484IMG_2833crafting with a big group is such a cool thing.
we all have the same example & directions and EVERY project turns out different and unique.
i notice at each weekend most everybody works within their own favorite color palette and that is unique too!
cw21Gi tried to dream up where i could fit that GIGANTIC cupboard that was at Bearly Makin’ It.  🙂
on saturday of CW we take our guests on an antiqueing adventure to my favorite places in Marion, KS.
i hadn’t been there in several months and it was so good to be back!
cw21Hrusty lockers? yes please.      greyhound statues? ummmm… no thanks.  i’m good.     HA!cw21Jcw21Othe perfect amount of rust and chippy paint.cw21Ii meant to ask about the rainbow chair and i got distracted! i forgot!
i love that chair.
cw21KIMG_2895usually when we get back from our shopping trip we do a little show-and-tell in the dining room.
it’s fun because people find things half of us never even saw!
and everyone is ohhhing and awwwing over everyone’s finds.
it’s so fun.
i came home with vintage sheets again….swoony aren’t they?  IMG_2632cw21Pwe made a FUN embroidery hoop project this time!
the idea came straight from Jenn Baker!  She is the genius behind these adorable hoops.
she sells them in her etsy shop!
you can follow her on instagram too @jenntage.
THANK YOU for sharing your inspiration with us Jenn!
IMG_2928IMG_2927cw21Ethe aprons are always the favorite.
they are a tough and long project but so satisfying for EVERYONE when they are complete!IMG_2514cw21DIMG_2510we made these a year ago with Lindsey and i LOVED making one again.
my girls want to make one at home too!
i think it is a relaxing project… sitting still and filling in the spaces… with your favorite colors.
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don’t you want to go paint now?cw21FIMG_2509IMG_2628IMG_2582roomie photos!IMG_2578IMG_2572IMG_2570IMG_2933kimberlee and i had super helpers… our friends Sara Jane and Jenny.
our helpers work hard all weekend helping our guests feel pampered.
they kept catching our ladies trying to clear their plates or clean up after themselves and they made sure they went back to relaxing immediately!  🙂IMG_2561preparing for our group photo… how do you like that “mural” wallpapered up on our porch?
the previous owners put that up there.
it is funny to me.   people either love it or hate it.
i meant to take it down but we so rarely use the front door that i never think about it until we come out for our group photo every month.
definitely not on the top of my list (for the last 8 years).IMG_2564cw21Nwe had three pregnant ladies… and they were ALL NAMED JESSICA?!!
how random is that?!
that is the highest prego number we’ve had yet.
i can’t imagine beating that record.cw21Lcw21MIMG_2942we have a pretty great thing going here.
so many blessings in our job.
thanks Kimberlee for making awesome meals, organizing the 5000 details that go into each weekend and not thinking i am a crazy person.

Craft Weekend 21 was fabulous.
but we knew it would be…

If you would like information on how to come to Craft Weekend click on the Craft Weekend button at the top of the blog.
read the INFORMATION post first… then get yourself on the wait list!   🙂

And if this looks perfect for your friends… you can host your own by renting out the Craft House all to yourself!
you can find out all that information in the Craft House button up at the top of the blog.
so far every group has LOVED it and wants to come back again!
you should be one of those groups too!

add a comment

Bethany - I’m dying over your vintage sheets because it looks like our linen closet when I was little. I see a few that were sheets on my parents’ bed and one that was a set for my bed.

Danielle - Hey Meg,

How long is the waitlist? I feel like I’ve been on it for forever. I keep waiting to get my email! My sister in law and I are both on there in hopes we’ll get chosen. It is still the lottery?

Diane Baucke - Someday I want to make it to your craft weekend!! Love seeing the fun time you all have. I do have a question for you…what camera do you use for all of your wonderful pics????

Valerie - I LOVE that mural! On our first ever overseas holiday to Europe we visited the Sistine Chapel and the tour was amazing! You Must do the tour if you go, anyway, that is the part in the mural where God gives man a soul! The tour made me cry it was just so awesome! Don’t get rid of it, please!

Laura H - Lovely pictures, and oh the fun you must have! You look fabulous!

Jenn - You are most welcome!! I LOVE the pictures!!!

lara sheriff - i want your sweater!!!!!!!!! where did you get that so cute!!!!

Valerie @ Chateau A La Mode - Looks like so much fun. I might be a wee bit jealous cuz I wanna come someday 😉 Your mural on the front porch makes me giggle cuz it reminds me of Modern Family. Do you ever watch it? It looks like the mural in Lilly’s room.

Julie - Another fabulous colour filled weekend. I don’t know how you don’t come home with a truck filled with antiques and collectibles from visiting that shop. WOW!

Michelle Whitlow - So much fun!! Can’t wait to come in April 🙂

sarajane - Pretty sure the loss of foam brushes into Stanley’s mouth was…ahem…my fault. HA!

beth larson - Meg, do you and your hubbie own the craft house? Did you used to live there and now are renting a farm instead? Always wondered, finally am asking! : )

xo

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