Linky Followers Blog Hop

GOOGLE FRIEND CONNECT is being discontinued Feb 29 for anyone that is not with blogspot, and rumor has it that it is being completely phased out for everyone soon BUT...

There is a NEW awesome tool–Linky Followers

In honor of the new Linky Follower craze, Cheri from It's So Very Cheri is hosting a LINKY FOLLOWER PARTY HOP.

Here are the RULES:

 1. You MUST have the LINKY FOLLOWERS tool on your site to participate.

 If you see that your link has been deleted you need to add the LINKY FOLLOWER tool to your site and then come back over and re-enter your link

{You can have both the LINKY FOLLOWERS & GFC on your site but you must have the LINKY FOLLOWERS tool to participate in this party hop.}

2. You MUST follow the person who has the party on their site as a thank you.

3. Just add your blog button to the LINKY PARTY below.

4.Then grab the BLOG HOP code if you want to put it on your site.

5. Then you follow other bloggers–(as many as you want)

You will find the code right under the Linky Party where it says CLICK HERE TO ENTER–just under that it says: WHAT IS A BLOG HOP? GET THE CODE HERE. Click on GET THE CODE HERE and enter it into a post on your site.  Leave each one of the blogs that you follow a comment letting them know you are following them and ask them to follow you back.

Spring Pennant Banner

Spring is almost here so I whipped up a cheap and easy pennant banner to use for my spring and St. Patrick's Day decor.  This is probably one of the quickest and easiest home decor projects I have made.  

Here is what you will need:

MATERIALS

Placemat 

(I got mine from the Dollar store)

Ribbon

Coordinating thread

DIRECTIONS

Print out a triangle template. 

I used Microsoft Word but you can also freehand one.  

I'm not the best when it comes to free handing.

Trace your template onto the back side of the placemat.  

I was able to get 10 triangles to fit.

 Cut out the triangles.

Sew around two sides of each triangle using a zig-zag stitch. 

Pin the ribbon to the top of each triangle and sew using a zig-zag stitch. 

I pinned one triangle at a time and just eyeballed the spacing along the ribbon.

Hang up to complete your spring decor!  

I like the fact that this is plain so I can use it for both St. Patrick's Day and spring.

So simple and the only thing I had to purchase was the placemat so this cost me just one dollar!

How are you decorating for spring?

Linking to these parties

American Crafter Auditions

I have entered my DIY Crib Rail Protector in the American Crafter Auditions at Nap Time Crafters.



Please stop by and check it out and click on my project.  I think link views will be factored into the judges decision for the final 15 contestants. I've never entered one of these contests before so I will be really excited if I get chosen.

Here is a pic of the project that I entered.

Sunday Blog Hop with Blissful and Domestic

Hello everyone.  I'm very excited to announce that Danielle from Blissful and Domestic asked me to co-host her Sunday Blog Hop. 

Everyone.... meet Danielle

Hi I am Danielle and I blog at Blissful and Domestic. I am having a fully Homemade year. Yep everything from food to clothes. It is being handmade. I would love for you to come join in the fun. I LOVE meeting new Bloggy friends.

Here is a recap of last week's Blog Hop on Blissful and Domestic..

Happy Sunday all!

Last week was such a success. I am beyond excited! I wasn't sure if anyone would link up, but you came and you did. We had 51 links! It was so fun getting to know my old friends better and I got to meet a few new friends as well.

 Let's get our Blog Hop on!

 
<center><a href="http://blissfulanddomestic.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc500/Blissful_and_Domestic/blogger%20buttons%20and%20banner/sundaybloghopbutton-1.jpg"/></a></center>

Here are the rules.....

I promise they're simple:)




Follow Blissful and Domestic Blog, twitter, or on Facebook
Leave Danielle a comment telling her you did, so she can return the favor 

Please also follow me here at Here Comes the Sun or on Facebook.Leave me a comment so I can return the favor

Grab a button if you wish to share this blog hop on your page.
Link up your blog, twitter page, or facebook pageBe social!
Visit a few other blogs and
share the bloggy love.

Sound good?

Alright lets get to it!
 


If you would like to be a co-host for Blissful and Domestic's Sunday Blog Hop shoot Danielle an e-mail. She would love to have you! Her info is below.

Follow me on Facebook Follow me on Twitter Browse my Pinterest 

Follow me with BlogLovin Send Me an E-mail Link up at My Party

Thanks so much for inviting me to co-host today, Danielle!  I can't wait to meet more blogging friends.

Water Bead Play

Have you seen these things called  Aqua Gems? 

They are more commonly known to the preschool crowd as water beads.  

You can find them in your local craft store in the aisle with the vase fillers. They are used for vase fillers and they release water over time and are useful for watering flowers if you go on vacation.  But... today we are not using them as vase fillers.  We are using them for sensory play!

They come in two forms: hydrated and dehydrated.  The dehydrated ones (shown above) are less expensive.  I picked up a pack for a couple bucks.  The package says that it makes ONE GALLON of water beads.   To hydrate the beads, I used 2 liters of water and half the pack of beads.  You need to let them sit for 4-6 hours.  This is neat to let the kids watch how they grow over time. Once they are hydrated, the sky is the limit for play.  We currently use them on our light table.

My son loves the texture of these beads and he loves letting them squash through his hands. At first, he wasn't too sure about them.

But then he started exploring

He likes to pour the beads from one container to another and bounce them on the table.

He has taken his sister's dinosaur hostage and  likes to put the water beads in the dinosaur's mouth. 

I have even overheard him saying "Evil Dr. Porkchop" at times.  {We are going through a Toy Story phase in our house}.  I always wonder what kinds of scenarios he is making up in his head.

A warning, however....supervise at all times!  Do not let your child put these in their mouth.  They are non-toxic but obviously a choking hazard. My son is past the "I put everything in my mouth" stage but I still supervise him while he is playing with these.

How much fun would it be to fill a baby pool with these?  I can't wait to try that this summer!

Have you tried water beads yet for sensory play?

Linking to these parties

Fabulous Friday {14}

Is this REALLY the 14th edition of my Fabulous Friday Link Party?  Thank you all for partying with me each week.  It is a great way to kick off the weekend!

Here are some features from last week's party

5  Budget Friendly Party Tips

{Inspired by Family Magazine}

Spaghetti and Smoked Mozzarella Meatballs
{Tales of the T's}

Little Black Book of Recipes
{Ladybird Ln.}

Diaper Bag
{Snug as a Bug Baby}

Down to Earth Bag
{DK's Craft Cafe}

Grab a button from my sidebar if you were featured today!

1. Please become a follower of my blog if you would like to link up.

2. Feel free to link up as many projects as you like but please link to your specific post and not your entire blog.

3. Please no linking to Etsy shops, giveaways or businesses.

4. Visit at least 2 links and leave some comments.  Everyone wants to feel loved!

5. Please link back to my blog using either a text link or my button.

Come Follow Me: Saying Goodbye to GFC

Come Follow Me

I posted about this earlier, but it deserves its own post.  As of March 1, Google Friend Connect will no longer be available for non-Blogger blogs.  Here Comes the Sun is hosted on Blogger so the change will not affect me right away but sooner or later, GFC will probably be phased out on Blogger as well.

In order to keep in touch with all my wonderful followers, I have installed Linky Followers on my blog.  It's right over there on my sidebar.  Please consider following me through Linky Followers.

If Linky Followers is just not your cup of tea, you can also subscribe via email or RSS feed.  You can find these options on my sidebar as well.  In the near future, I will have those stylish social media buttons at the top of my sidebar, but for now, they are located underneath the GFC Followers.

I don't want to lose any of you!  My readers are a very important part of my blogging journey.  I cherish each one of you and hope that you will continue on with me.

St. Patrick's Day Printables {FREE}

Now that love is no longer in the air Valentine's Day is history, it is time for the blog-world to move on to the.....

  NEXT HOLIDAY

That's how it works, right?  The day after Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine's Day etc., the current decor gets taken down and the next holiday goes up :)

I've been having fun making printables with picnik before it goes away.  Here are a few that I made for St. Patrick's Day.

 Click here to download 

Click here to download

 This is the only St. Patrick's Day decor that I have up right now because honestly, I have never decorated for this holiday before so I don't have a stash yet.  I will definitely be hitting up the dollar store and the craft stores soon!  I hope you enjoy these.


These printables are for your personal use only.  If you would like to feature these on your blog, please link back to this post for users to download files.  Thanks.


                                                              Linking to these parties

DIY Crib Rail Protector

I had this post all ready to go last week.  Then on Thursday, I put my little man down for a nap in his crib.  After a few hours, I heard a big ruckus coming from his room.  I went to get him up and as I opened the door, there he was standing at the door to greet me.  The little daredevil had climbed right out of the crib! Thankfully he was not hurt.  I knew is was coming but I guess I was in denial and thought I still had another couple months.  But alas, the crib will be converted into a toddler bed tomorrow and I will have no need for this craft that I am about to share with you. *Sigh*  I literally completed this project 2 or 3 weeks ago but I enjoyed making it and hope that the tutorial is useful for you all that have babies.

I am in the process of turning my little guy's room into a "big boy" room.  He has become fascinated with airplanes over the past 9 months or so. I have transformed his room into every little pilot's dream.  My mom is an avid quilter and made a fabulous quilt for his crib/bed. I'll show the full quilt when I do the full reveal as soon as everything is in place. She sent some of the extra fabric to me and I used it to make a crib rail protector.  During his baby stage, he was quite the little beaver and completely destroyed the crib rail.  He doesn't bite it anymore so this is mainly for cosmetic purposes. This was a super easy process and even a beginner can handle this.  I am quite the beginner myself so if I can do this, you can too!

MATERIALS

Fabric

Quilted batting 

(I'm not sure this is the proper term but I have a picture of it below)

Coordinating ribbon

Coordinating thread

DIRECTIONS

Measure the length of your crib rail and add a few inches to account for seam allowances. I used an existing crib rail protector as my guide so I don't have exact measurements for you but I my son's crib rail is approximately 50 inches long.

Determine how wide you want your crib rail protector to be.  This will vary depending upon the type of crib that you have.  You want enough fabric to wrap around the rail with some excess.

Cut your fabric and quilted batting to size.  I trimmed the extra batting sticking out on the left side, below so it was not included in the width measurement. I did not have enough of my airplane pattern fabric to cover the entire length that I needed, so I inserted some coordinating red fabric to make it long enough.

Cut your ribbon approximately 8 inches long.  I cut 16 strips (8 sets).

Evenly space your sets of ribbon along the right-side of the quilted batting. 

Place the fabric on top of the quilted batting, right sides together, and pin in place, making sure to pin through the ribbon.

Sew along three sides of your fabric, leaving one of the short sides open. I used 1/4 inch seam allowances. Turn fabric right-side out, pin the open end together, and either machine sew or hand sew the end closed. 

You now have a customized crib rail protector! Hopefully you will get to use it for longer than I did!

Linking to these parties

Fabulous Friday {13}

Welcome to Fabulous Friday!

Before we get to the features and party, I just want to direct you attention to the new Linky Followers in my sidebar.  GFC will be going away on March 1st for non-blogger blogs and who knows how long it will stick around on Blogger.  So, please follow me via Linky Followers!

Also, Here Comes the Sun now has a Facebook page.  I'm in the process of getting a stylish new button for it but in the meantime, just click on the link above and go "like" me!  And tell your friends to "like" me too :)                

Now that we have that business out of the way, on to the fun!

I had such a great time going through all the link-ups this week.  

Check out these fabulous features...

Shelf Tutorial

{At Home in the Northwest}

Cheerios Play Placemat

{Repeat Crafter Me}

Family Rules Canvas with Printable

{Happy Go Lucky}

Fork and Spoon Fence Post Wall Art

{Snug as a Bug Baby}

Make your own Cutting Board

{Mom 4 Real}

Grab a button from my sidebar if you were featured today!

Let's kick off this weekend with a PAR-TAY!

1. Please become a follower of my blog if you would like to link up.

2. Feel free to link up as many projects as you like but please link to your specific post and not your entire blog.

3. Please no linking to Etsy shops, giveaways or businesses.

4. Visit at least 2 links and leave some comments.  Everyone wants to feel loved!

5. Please link back to my blog using either a text link or my button.

HairStays Giveaway Winner!

Thank you to all that entered the HairStays Giveaway.

The winner is:

Debra

I will be contacting you shortly!

Guest Post: Christina Johnson

Let me introduce you to my guest poster, Christina Johnson.  She works for Elliman Prudential in the New York City Apartments and Rentals market. She is using her journalism major to combine what she loves most, writing and career. Her specialties include home decor design and DIY home improvement projects.  Today, she has some tips on how to freshen up your house without breaking the bank....info that I KNOW all of us DIY'ers will appreciate.

Kitchen

To keep this area efficient while adding an updated cosmetic touch, pick out several of your kitchen cabinets and add some glass inserts to them where you can show off your best dishware or knick knacks. Select a type of glass that goes along with your existing design for that rich custom look. Some samples of glass to choose from include clear, frosted or colored glass. 

Source

Dining Room

If your dining room has its own room or you would like to differentiate your dining area from the remainder of the kitchen, a great task to undertake would be to refurbish or add a chandelier over your existing table. 

Apartment Therapy

Remove the dated chandelier that’s hanging there and clean it up. With painter’s tape, protect your sockets that house the light bulbs. Select a spray can of paint that brings color and brightness to your original décor. The sprayer should be held approximately 6” from the surface spraying in a back and forth motion. Try not to spray a certain area for too long. The paint should be allowed to dry for an hour before the final coat goes on. If painting the existing chandelier isn’t for you, find an inexpensive lighting fixture that stands out and adds warmth and brilliance to your room.

Bedroom

An easy way to alter your bedroom is with the addition of a striking headboard. There are a plethora of options to select from. Some ideas include designing a headboard that is padded and choosing a pattern or dramatic print of fabric. 

Design Sponge

Another option is to hang an ornate mirror, work of art or colossal piece of architecture that would stand out and be the center of attention above your bed.  Hanging a piece of lace or some kind of patterned fabric over an existing headboard gives the room an exotic look for very little cost and effort.

Bathroom

A fast way to give your bathroom a fresh look is to modernize your vanity. You can alter the look by giving it new hardware with something eccentric like door knockers. 

Source

You can also change the look of your vanity by painting it a vibrant color. The vanity is such a simple piece to make over by taking apart the old hardware and replacing it with new more modern features, filling any holes with wood filler and then painting it a jazzy color. Pick out accessories, dried flower and other assorted knick knacks that complement the color of the vanity and place them around it for additional flare and style. 

Living Room

If you are in the market for a coffee table for your living room area, look around for an old antique wooden trunk or chest. You can sand and re-stain it to give it a more modernized feel to it. It will not only serve the purpose as being a strong table for beverages to be set on, but you can also place things inside 

it. 

French Larkspur

Look around for kitchen cabinets that are no longer being used for extra trunk storage. You can remodel the cabinets to accent the existing furnishings in your living room. The additional cabinet space is a great area to conceal toys, dvds or books.

Leidi Bird

Thank you, Christina for the great tips!

All You Need is Love Free Printable

Happy Valentine's Day.  Here are some free printables for you. Lyrics from one of the greatest bands of all time. All are 8x10. Enjoy.

 Click to download

Click to download

Click to download

  

Fabulous Friday Features

As promised..here are some features from last week's party.

Quilted Heart Shaped Coasters

{Happy Hour Projects}

Yellow Felt Flower Scarf

{The Crafty Blog Stalker}

Moveable Measuring Stick

{Over the Big Moon}

Foyer Reveal

{Home Happy Home}

Bedroom Reveal

{Creatively Living}

Grab a button from my sidebar if you were featured today.

Be sure to check out this week's party and giveaway to link up your projects and enter to win a customized headband.  Party is open until midnight on Wednesday.

Have a great weekend.