Blog-i-versary Giveaway: Happy Hour Projects

Welcome to my Blog-i-versary Celebration! 

I'm so glad that you have decided to join me this week.  It's going to be filled with great giveaways from wonderful bloggers.

First I wanted to share a little bit about my blogging journey with all of you.  If you go back through my archives, you may notice that I began this blog in 2010, not 2011.  When I started this blog, I intended to blog about my family.  Soon after, I discovered the world of craft blogs and I was hooked.  I don't remember the first blog that I "followed" but I remember that MY follower count stayed at 9 forever.  I found the blog Under the Table and Dreaming and was so amazed with it.   April 28, 2011 was the day that I linked up my first project to a link party.  It was my DIY Chalkboard and I linked it up to The Sunday Showcase at Under the Table and Dreaming.  It was this day that I realized that I could get people to notice my projects and my blog.  So, it is the day that I have chosen to be the "beginning" of my blogging adventure.  Yeah, I know today is April 30 but close enough, right? The very next project I linked up to the Sunday Showcase were my Mason Jar Luminaries and I got FEATURED.  I was so elated. Me, a newbie, featured on this amazing blog.  I could hardly believe it.  If I wasn't hooked on this blogging thing before, I sure was now. Enough about me for today.  I will share more about my blogging journey tomorrow.

GIVEAWAY TIME!!!

I know you all are excited to learn what the GIVEAWAY is.  What is a celebration without presents, right?  Adrianne from Happy Hour Projects is one of my blogging friends.  I first came in contact with her around Christmas when she was looking for people to guest post.  She has been so helpful to me in my blogging adventure.  She is always willing to help me out when I have a question about the "behind the scenes" portion of blogging. She's got great advice and is super sweet.  Her blog is filled with easy projects.  I also love the name!  In addition to her blog, she also makes amazing jewelry.  One of my lucky readers will win this beautiful piece.  

The necklace is made from silver plated wire and chips of garnet strung on a sterling silver ball chain.  It measures about 1 3/4 inches and has a $25 value.

Enter via Rafflecopter, below and Good Luck! 

Contests ends at midnight EST on Sunday, May 6.  Winner will be announced on May 7.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

GAK!

Here is something that the kids are gonna LOVE!  

It's a substance called GAK.  Have you heard of it?

Is it a liquid?  Is it a solid? It's stretchy and slightly gooey and oh so fun!

Want to know how to make it?  

INGREDIENTS

Glue (4 oz.) bottle

Borax

Food coloring

Water

DIRECTIONS

1. Place 1/2 cup water in a bowl.  Add the entire bottle of glue.  It helps if you just unscrew the cap and dump it all in. Mix together

2. Add your choice of food coloring and mix

3. In a separate container, add 1 cup hot water (microwave it for one minute).  Add 1 tbs. Borax and mix until dissolved.  Add an additional 1/2 tbs. Borax and mix.  Keep adding 1/2 tbs. until it no longer dissolves.

4. Pour the Borax mixture into the glue mixture. Stir until you get a clump in the middle and liquid around it.

Your "clump" in the middle will be more solid than this.  

I added too much water to this batch and it did not clump up like it should have.

5. Lift the clump out of the bowl and squeeze it in your hands until it solidifies a bit.  It will be really slimy at first but will solidify. Pour off the excess water.

Let your kids go crazy with it.  

                         My kids loved stretching it as far as it can go.

They also used it as some sort of wrist band that shoots lasers.  

Whatever! At least it kept them entertained for more than 5 minutes!

Fabulous Friday {23}

Happy Friday.  It's been a tough week around here, hence the lack of posts.  But I am gearing up for my Blog-i-versary Celebration next week so stay tuned for that. I hope you will join in on the fun. I've got a great line-up of giveaways for you! To get you into party mode, join me for Fabulous Friday!





First, some FABULOUS Features from last week's party.
Amanda at The Little Giggler made this adorable clutch.  I just love the colors.

Ashley at Ashley's Dandelion Wishes made a beauttiful butterfly wreath for her door.

Nicole at Shabby Beach Nest put together this amazing hummingbird feeder out of a plastic bottle and spoons.

Victoria at vixenMade put together this creative Medical Party. I love all the details and the colors are perfect!

Thanks so much to everyone who linked up.  I know there are TONS of link parties out there and I feel very honored that you choose to link your projects to my party.  I love the diversity of projects that are linked up and I love to do features on your fabulous work.
Grab a button from my sidebar if you were featured today!

On to this week's 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.

Blog-i-Versary!

Are you ready for a party?  I am celebrating my Blog-i-Versary on April 30.  That is only a week away!  I've got a great week of giveaways lined up! 

 All of these ladies have graciously donated an item for my party! 

Kelly at live.laugh.rowe

Adrianne at Happy Hour Projects

Debbie at Debbie Does Creations

Amy at One Artsy Mama

I am BEYOND excited about this party.  And it's extra special because I have just reached a milestone here at my blog of 200 GFC followers.  I'm looking forward to sharing a bit about my blogging journey with you in addition to the giveaways.  

Grab a button to put on your blog to get the word out {pretty please}

<a href="www.herecomesthesun-kelly.blogspot.com" target="blank"> <img src="http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb85/kellymaynard98/Blog%20buttons/Blog-i-versary_button.jpg"/> </a>

You won't want to miss this!

Soda Bottle Bird Feeder

HAPPY EARTH DAY!

In honor of Earth Day, we made this soda bottle bird feeder.  I am so glad that I get to teach my children about the importance of saving our planet.  By making this craft, we keep a plastic bottle out of the landfill. {We would normally recycle it anyway, though}. I first saw this craft here.  It was linked up to my weekly link party.

This is super easy and fun!

MATERIALS

Plastic bottle 

{I used a 20 oz. soda bottle}

Two wooden spoons

Sharpie marker

Craft knife

Scissors

Floral wire

DIRECTIONS

With a sharpie marker, draw a small circle on one side of the bottle about 4 inches from the bottom. Cut it out {using a craft knife} and make sure the end of the spoon fits snugly into the hole.

Directly opposite this hole, cut a slightly larger hole {using a craft knife and scissors}. Make sure the big end of the spoon can rest in the hole.


Repeat this process approximately 2 inches from the bottom of the soda bottle, but use the opposite sides of the bottle so your spoons are at a 90 degree angle to one another.

Fill the bottle with birdseed.
Make sure to do this in an area where you can sweep up the mess!

Make a hanger out of floral wire and secure to the top of the bottle.

Screw the top on and hang from your favorite place.

      

You can also see another type of bird feeder that we made last year, here.

How are you celebrating Earth Day?

Fabulous Friday {22}

Happy Friday!  I hope your week was good.  We have been filling ours with Earth Day activities gearing up for the celebration on Sunday!  

Speaking of celebrations, beginning on April 30, Here Comes the Sun is celebrating a Blog-i-versary!  I have several amazing giveaways lined up from some very special bloggy friends.  We will be partying all week long!  More details to come. You won't want to miss it! 

It's that time of the week where I get to share some of the amazing link-ups from last week's party.

Hayley at Welcome to the Mouse House made this adorable dress for her daughter.  I need to learn how to make dresses like this!

The Brady girls at Cookin' Up Good Times shared this yummy BLT.  The BLT is one of my fave sandwiches!

Rasha at My Champagne Taste  Beer Budget has a STUNNING living room/dining room transformation!  I love the turquoise color!

Jenny at The NY Melrose Family made these cute lollipop wash cloth centerpieces.  I now know what I'm making my friend for her new baby!

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

On to this week's 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.

Bubble Refill Container

Summer is rapidly approaching.  I don't know what the temperature is where you live, but it has been unseasonably warm for a while now.  I've got two kids at home with me all summer long.  EEEK!!!  We tried to get our daughter into the year-round school here but, the odds were just not in our favor.  My head is spinning about how to keep them entertained without breaking the bank.

I don't think there is anything like bubbles to keep your kids busy for a VERY.LONG.TIME.   The only problem...when the bubble solution spills out of those teeny tiny containers and the fun is cut short.  {cue the mom scream} NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!  I am here to help.  Here are a few tips to keep the bubble fun going for hours.

This is key.  I repeat...key.  I got this idea from my friend Laura, here.  I got the container at Target for about 5 bucks.  You may have one laying around if you are southerner and drink sweet tea. With this container, refilling the smaller bubble containers is a breeze.  The toddler crowd will probably think it is fun to open the spigot and leave it open.  You gotta watch them!  But it works for the older kids.  

BUBBLE SOLUTION RECIPE

Are you tired of running to the store every week during the summer for bubble solution?  I make my own solution. The recipe is very simple, found here.

1/4 cup glycerin (found in craft stores)
1 cup Dawn dish detergent
1 gallon hot water.

Let sit overnight for best results.

This is perfect for bigger bubble wands that don't fit into tiny containers.  It also works with the small wands too. Pour your bubble solution into a pyrex glass dish (or any heavy dish) and place on the ground.  Bubble fun for all and no one drops/spills the container.  Unless your two-year-old terror decides to tip it over and then ask for more bubble solution.  Now THAT is a great game!

But for the most part, it is pretty foolproof.  And any unused solution can be dumped back into the Bubble Refill Container when you are done.

Quick, get the camera. There is a moment where they are getting along!

I'm ready for summer!  Who's with me?

Beach Inspired Subway Art

I love Subway Art.  I also love the look of old wooden signs.  I combined the two and finally got around to making my own.  I love the way it turned out.

I scored some free wood the other day and was soooo excited.  I NEVER find free wood.  I was driving home from somewhere and saw a pile on the side of the road.  I did a quick u-turn and swiped some.  The square was the perfect size for my project.

First, I painted the wood white.  The white paint was left over from my entry table and my pallet art table.  That can of paint has gone a LONG way!

After the white paint dried, I used my Cricut to cut out vinyl letters.  I used the George and Basic shapes cartridge.  I placed them on the wood and made sure to press down hard along the edges to seal them.  I used the names of our favorite beaches on the Outer Banks.

Using aqua blue spray paint, I gave the wood one coat.  I had just enough left in the bottle since I had also used it for my Spring Frame, among other things.

When the blue paint was dry, I used tweezers to carefully peel the vinyl off.  There were some areas that weren't perfect but that is ok.  I used a fine grit sand paper to distress the wood.  I sanded it more on the edges and corners to give it that weathered look.

I love the way it turned out.  It's personal and reminds me of our favorite vacation spots. I hung it over the table in the entryway.

Have you made any subway art signs?

Fabulous Friday {21}

Happy Friday everyone!  This week, I enjoyed the last bit a Spring Break with the kids, hence my lack of posting.  BUT, I have gotten a few good project done this week that I will be sharing soon.  Today, we've got a party to go to!  And it's called Fabulous Friday!



There were some amazing link ups last week.  Here are a few that caught my eye.
I am LOVING this bag from JoAnn at Life at 2810.  I think I may even try to make one myself.

Delicious looking potato salad from Diane at Mamal Diane

More delicious-ness with Hawaiian Roll Ham Sandwiches from 

Danielle at Blissful and Domestic

Beautiful Spring decor from Sarah at Alderberry Hill

Easy t-shirt scarf from Kaysi at Keeping it Simple

Thanks for all the wonderful link-ups!
Grab a button from my sidebar if you were featured today!

On to this week's 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.

Sponsor Spotlight

I have been connecting with and meeting so many wonderful blogging friends lately.  I want to take this opportunity to introduce you to my April Sponsors. They have all put together a short post for you.

BLISSFUL AND DOMESTIC

I am Danielle. The lady behind Blissful and Domestic. I am a Mamma, a wife, a homeschooler, Mormon, crafting/sewing diva, and a chef in training. I kind of dapple in it all and love to blog about that. I try to make Blissful and Domestic a place where you can be inspired to create and make your house a home. I love to blog and share my projects and recipes. 

Oh and of course I love meeting new bloggy friends.

 I would love to get to know you all better. Stop by and say hi!

 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

SEVEN ALIVE ALL LIVIN' IN A DOUBLE WIDE

Hello there my name is Kadie and I blog at Seven Alive all Livin' in a Double Wide.  We like to have a lot of fun at the Double Wide.

Mostly I like to blog about my love of crafting, sewing, cooking, photography and my favorite crocheting.  There is a good bit about being a mother of 5 fantastic kiddos thrown in for good measure.  Here are a couple of my favorite posts. 

  How To Dry Fresh Herbs in Your Oven.

Summer Crocheting.

Cabochon Jewelry.

We would love to see you around the Double Wide sometime.  You can of course find me on face book and pinterest.  Have a great day.

OUR REFLECTION

I'm a full-time working mom of two beautiful daughters, a wife to an amazing encouraging husband. When I’m not working my 8-5 or being “mommy”, I’m a lifestyle photographer. I'm regrettable a bit addicted to social media. I have a constant connection with Facebook and Twitter. I heart Starbucks. I love the colors pink and yellow. I have a passion about mountain biking and I would LOVE to learn how to play the piano {on my bucket list}.

Laura

BEAR RABBIT BEAR

Hi, I'm Melanie from bear rabbit bear. I like to describe my blog as a blend of faith, family, crafts, and DIY. I'm an out-of-the-box minister's wife who secretly (or not so secretly) wants a DSLR camera so that I can take my own obsessive pictures of my crafts little one. I {heart} my readers and try to reward them as much as possible with easy ideas and lots of give-aways! Here are a few blog highlights:

• Things I've Done Thursday link party- a link party with two categories- a kids' section and anything section (you can even list your etsy shops and giveaways!)
• Faith based give-aways- I'm currently sponsored by a faith-based company that offers at least a couple faith based movies, CDs, and books to my readers every month!
• I have also began an ad swap campaign and a (super-duper-cheapo) ad campaign. Click {here} for more details!

I hope you'll join me on my blog, Twitter, or Facebook!


THANK YOU LADIES FOR BEING SPONSORS THIS MONTH.

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor of Here Comes the Sun for the month of May, you can get the details here.