i should be mopping the floor: July 2014
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Homemade Instant Oatmeal Packets

These Homemade Instant Oatmeal Packets make 
busy school mornings easy, tasty and healthy!

As we get close to the start of school, I'm starting to put together simple breakfast ideas that are simple for the rush that comes with those mornings. These Homemade Instant Oatmeal Packets are budget-friendly and healthy, too {no chemicals or preservatives}! And there's matching free printables with directions below, too.

Awesome Ideas for Back to School Fun

Can you believe it? We're approaching that Back to School season and getting ready for the kiddos to hit the books again! Whether your kids go to public, private or homeschool, there are fun ideas for everyone here.  



This week's Inspiration Monday party was packed with a boatload of ideas for Back to School fun! I added a few of my own favorites to these as well>>>

Ultimate Lego Storage

For awhile, we've battled the mess of the bricks.
I'm loving this new system we now have in place: the Ultimate Lego Storage! 
 A few months back, we had a desk in this space. It was a bit small and my older son never used it for its intended purpose. It was a catch all. And all of the Legos remained on the floor. Errrrrry-where. See how we finally cleaned it all up below>>>

Inspiration Monday

It's an end of the month #InspirationMonday party! That means we have guest hosts AND a super fun giveaway! We're so happy you are joining us today. This week, your links are seen simultaneously on all SEVEN blogs at the same time, all you need to do is link up to ONE of our sites.

And if you're linking up via our guest hosts, The Crafty Lumberjacks, WELCOME! And hello to all of you linking up from any of our sites! We just {heart} partying with you every week!




We love to feature your projects during the duration of the party via social media.
To search for features, use #InspirationMonday. 
Feel free to follow along via our blogs below:
I Should Be Mopping the Floor | Refresh Restyle

Free Lego Printables

Do you have a Lego lover in your home? These free printables are perfect for that kiddo {or adult...whatevs}! These Free Lego Printables are perfect to display in a play room, kids' room or at a Lego party! Build on, friends.
I'm super excited! My kids are at the g-parents for a couple of days and we're surprising them with a {very organized} Lego station when they get home tomorrow. I created these printables to hang on the wall above our station. I thought you might enjoy them, too. Download yours below>>>

Southern Butter Pecan Banana Muffins


Combining the classic butter pecan flavor with banana in a delightful muffin is a mouthful of delicious. These are perfect for breakfast...or anytime! And they're the perfect way to share delight. Make a bunch and share some!
#IDelight

Around this time of the year, I go into muffin-making-momma-mode. I love to freeze them for both school lunches and school morning breakfasts. They're such fantastic time savers...and still delicious homemade treats. And, they're also great to give to others. Whenever a new neighbor moves in, my freezer is stocked with muffins, ready to share. Check out the recipe below>>>

DIY Drink Station

This post for a Drink Station contains affiliate links. I make a small portion when these links are used, at no additional cost to you.

This simple, build-it-yourself Drink Station was a fun upcycle from a thrift store side table. It was a project that took less than an afternoon to complete and will function for us for years to come. Plus, it's just a CUTE little addition to our back patio. See how this project came together below.

DIY Drink Station

I had really been itching for something attractive and vintage-y to hold drinks for guests on our porch (even if it's just juice boxes for our tiny guests, right?). I originally planned to build something, but then stumbled onto a great side table at Goodwill. And I realized that this is a piece that could be easily created by a number of old side tables, nightstands, or similar pieces anyone could find. So, I thought a tutorial would be helpful. 

See the transformation below>>>

Kristi's Paintbrush is Live!

Today's the day! 
My second blog is live with a fun post about patina and my pantry door.


Around March, I started to mull over the idea of adding a second blog to my life...one that would purely encompass something I love dearly: PAINT!

Then, in April, I went to the SNAP conference and chatted with several of my close bloggy friends about my idea of starting a second blog. I wanted to find out if they all thought it was nuts {let's face it, it's kind of is}. Everyone was so kind with advice and ideas. And here we are at day one! 

My second blog, Kristi's Paintbrush, has its first post and is all ready for its big roll out. It's a place purely devoted to all things paint and my love of it. And...{eek}, I'm using Wordpress over there. Yes, breaking out of my comfy blogger world and using WP for it. Who knows? I may make the leap over here, too. It's not nearly as scary as I thought it would be {although, I still have a lot to learn}!
I will still post over here five days a week, just like usual.
I will post over there on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Tuesday, I will post a new project of my own every week. Thursday, I will be highlighting posts from my favorite bloggers who love paint just as much as I do. Let me know if you have a project you'd like featured there!

Today, I'm sharing how I transformed my pantry door with a very cool metal paint that has a funky blue patina layered on top of it. 

Check it out here.

Happy Painting! 






Craft Supplies Galore Giveaway

I'm joining some of my fellow bloggers to party-hearty for 
Kimbo's birthday {she's the girl behind A Girl and Her Glue Gun}.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KIMBO! Live it up, girlfran! 
In celebration, we're going to give away The Great Craft Stash!
You can win a whole heck of a lot of craft supplies {like...a bunch}.
One winner. A floppity jillion craft supplies.
I hope it's YOU!

the great craft stash giveaway 1
38 AWESOME bloggers have all joined forces to give you the GREAT craft Stash GIVEAWAY! Each blogger has picked one of their favorite crafting tools to give to ONE lucky winner (AND IT COULD BE YOU!!!!) WE have everything from washi tape, to chalk paint, to baker's twine, to sharpies! Everything a crafter's heart could desire!!!

Enter to win below>>>

Inspiration Monday

Hey, friends! We're so happy you're here.
It's the place to come for inspiration and leave some of your own!
#InspirationMonday


All six hostesses simultaneously host this party at the same time. Link up on one and be seen on all! During the week, we love to feature lots of your links on our social media outlets, using the hashtag #InspirationMonday. 

Feel free to follow us on social media below to check out all of the ongoing #InspirationMonday fun>>>

Free Printable RAOK Notes

These Free Printable RAOK Notes are the perfect way to
brighten someone's day!

 Have you ever done a RAOK {Random Act Of Kindness}?!? Or had one done to you? They're so much fun and bring a smile to everyones' face! Here's a fun way to spread some RAOK love. Download these notes below>>>

Special Occasion Cakes

These special occasion cakes are
perfect for your next celebration or get together! 

This past #InspirationMonday was full of sweet deliciousness! I'm just loving all of these cakes...they're perfect for a birthday party or any special day! Or, just because! Check them all out below>>>

Mason Jar Pin Cushion

This post for a Mason Jar Pin Cushion contains affiliate links. I make a small portion when these links are used, at no additional cost to you.

This Mason Jar Pin Cushion is the perfect craft for less than $5. They're easy to make and fun to give! See how simple these are to put together below.

Mason Jar Pin Cushion
My creative monthly blogger group I'm in had a cool challenge this month of crafts that are under $5 each. I thought this pin cushion would be the perfect craft. Check out the easy tutorial below>>>

Honey Lemon Poke Cake with Ricotta Frosting

I'm definitely on a poke cake recipe kick lately.
This Honey Lemon Poke Cake with Ricotta Frosting is quite possibly my newest favorite. The flavor combinations are deliciously over the top. 

I just can't quit with the poke cakes. And you guys...this one is to die for! I really stepped a bit out on a limb with the different flavors, but they came together beautifully in the end. I liked it so much I gave myself a sugar-overdose headache on my last cheat day. I won't even divulge exactly how much of this cake it will take to get there...but it was one of those "sometimes I just want to be fat and happy" kind of days. And that day, I was deliriously happy. Check out the recipe below>>>

Easy Backyard Bash Ideas


This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. For more ideas on how to create your own #BackyardBash, check out the tumblr page at www.drpepperbash.com


Hosting outdoor parties doesn't have to be stressful. Here are some Easy Backyard Bash Ideas to make your next backyard bash a breeze. #BackyardBash #CollectiveBias

Around these parts, having a party that centers around the {unofficial} state drink of Texas is not uncommon at all. Because in Texas, we're all Peppers. There's not many refrigerators without a spot for Dr. Pepper in Texas. It's our thang, y'all.

Check out some fun ideas below to create your own backyard bash...
and they're all stress-free and simple to put together.

Inspiration Monday

Hey, friends! We're so happy you're here.
It's the place to come for inspiration and leave some of your own!
#InspirationMonday

All six hostesses simultaneously host this party at the same time. Link up on one and be seen on all! During the week, we love to feature lots of your links on our social media outlets, using the hashtag #InspirationMonday. Feel free to follow us on social media below to check out all of the ongoing  #InspirationMonday fun>>> 

At the Foot of the Cross Free Printable

I just love, love, love Kari Jobe's song, At the Foot of the Cross.
I just had to create a free printable with it.

Kari Jobe's song, At the Foot of the Cross, is on my favorite playlist. I listen to it every morning as I watch the sunrise on my walk. It's incredible. And humbling. And just...well, awesome! This is my favorite part of the song...the chorus. I created this printable so I can see the song hanging in my home every day. 
Download one for yourself below>>>

Peanut Butter Jelly Bellies

Peanut Butter & Jelly on a bed of yeasty goodness...
does it get any better?
Check out these yummy Peanut Butter Jelly Bellies!



I'm hanging out over with my friends at the Rhodes Bake-N-Serv blog today!
Click here to pop by and see the recipe for these Peanut Butter & Jelly Bellies.
They're so yummy, y'all!





Fishtail Loom Bracelet Tutorial with Free Printable Card

Today, I'm thrilled to be sharing 101+ Birthday Gift Ideas for your Friends, including my Fishtail Loom Bracelet Tutorial with Free Printable Card. I was excited to be invited by Kristen Duke to take part in her Birthday Celebration Week along with over 100 talented bloggers sharing lots of inexpensive ideas and free printables! All week long, Kristen is sharing birthday tips and giveaways so be sure to check out her Party. Since we're in loom-mayhem these days, I just knew I had to share a fun fishtail bracelet tutorial along with a free printable to match it! And I have a bracelet printable for everyday or just because, as well.
Check out my video tutorial {and all of the other AWESOMESAUCE projects} below>>>

S'mores Bar Ideas and Fun

Put together a simple backyard S'mores Bar!
Here are a few ideas and fun things to get the party started.
#brightstarkids


Sometimes planning a gathering can be overwhelming. We often live in a state of striving for perfection when it comes to these kind of things {I am guilty!}. Putting something super-simple together to gather a few friends can be just as memorable and fun as an elaborate, stress-the-hostess-out kind of thing {been there, done that, bought the t-shirt}. This s'mores bar {along with a few other simple ideas} is a great way to have all the fun without all the work! Check out the details below>>>

Inspiration Monday | Nautical Inspiration

Hey, hey, hey, party people! Hoping you all had a lovely weekend {a holiday weekend for lots of us}! We're ready to kick off July with another inspiring party full of your fabulousness!


We're so glad you're here to party with us! During the week, we love to feature lots of your links on our social media outlets, using the hashtag #InspirationMonday. Feel free to follow us on social media below to check out all of the ongoing  #InspirationMonday fun>>> 

And today, we're featuring some nautical fabulousness linked up at last week's party. 
This week's features were selected by Kristi from I Should Be Mopping the Floor.
1. Vintage Anchor Nautical Coastal Dresser Makeover 
from Art is Beauty
2. DIY Beach Decor Ideas for Fishing Net
from Fine Craft Guild
3. Nautical Inspired Summer Mantel: Anchor Art
from Capturing Joy with Kristen Duke
4. Anchors Away Pillowcases
from Sew Sweet Vintage
5. Baking Soda Sea Art
from My Pinterventures
6. DIY Arrow Striped Distressed Nautical Stool
from The Happy Housie
7. Expanding Nautical Tote Bag Pattern
from So Sew Easy
8. Juice Box Boats
from I Dig Pinterest



Pineapple Cucumber Salad from Mom on Timeout

NOW, LET'S GET THIS PARTY STARTED!
Please keep in mind:
- Be sure to mingle with other party guests (It’s always fun to click on a few other links to see what fellow bloggers are up to.)
– Link up all of your creative fun, including recipes, crafts, printables, DIY projects and other fabulous things you’ve been up to on YOUR blog.
– Please do not link Etsy stores, giveaways, or other link parties.
– By linking up to Inspiration Monday you are giving the six blogs,listed above, permission to feature your project and/or photos on our social media outlets and blogs.







Christmas in July $500 Cash Giveaway

What, what?!? Who wants to win FIVE HUNDRED big ones?
It's our annual Christmas in July giveaway! Enter to win some cold, hard cash below!

I'm super excited to be teaming up with a bunch of awesomesauce bloggers to once again bring you Christmas in July. Because, let's face it...it's about the time of year we could all use a little something fun! Thank you again to Claire for inviting me to join in.

Sponsored by: A Little Claireification | At The Picket Fence | Chase The Star |
Cooking On The Front Burner | Cooking With Curls | C.R.A.F.T. | Dear Crissy |
Debbie Doos | Five Heart Home | I Should Be Mopping The Floor | Katie's Cucina |
Little Miss Celebration | Live Laugh Rowe | Love Bakes Good Cakes |
Mod Podge Rocks |Mom On Timeout | Mom's Test Kitchen |
Ms. Toody Goo Shoes | Sew Woodsy |Tatertots & Jello |
That's What Che SaidThe 36th Avenue | The Weary Chef |
What's Cooking Love | Yummy, Healthy, Easy
Enter through Rafflecopter for your chance to win BIG>>>
 






13 Free Swirly Fonts

These 13 free swirly fonts are kind of beautiful, y'all. You see, I have a love affair with twirly and swirly fonts and just can't seem to get enough of them. The below ones are my favorite twirliest and swirliest...and, they always bring a smile to my face! Download your favorite free swirly fonts below.

Free Swirly Fonts

If you love typography as much as I do, you'll love these fun and free twirly fonts thatI've gathered together. You can use them in crafting, vinyl projects, printables, and so much more. The possibilities with these pretties are endless. Download your faves (and mine!) below.


The Yummiest Blueberry Recipes

Blueberry recipes and summer go hand in hand.
Here's a blueberry recipe collection of the best ones out there!

This week's Inspiration Monday party was packed with blueberry yumminess.
Check out some of the deliciousness below>>>
{link up your own awesomeness here}

Patriotic Popcorn Munch

Looking for the perfect {read: EASY} patriotic snack?
This Patriotic Popcorn Munch is perfect to pack along to the fireworks.

Whip this sweet snack up in a matter of minutes!
Recipe below>>