Crafty Sasse Wednesday Link Party 27

How is everyone's week so far?

I'm so excited to have announced the opening of my new shop Loved.

 If you missed the post about it, you can read it here.  I hope you get a chance to check it out, my friends.  I'm excited about this new project.

AND one more thing,

Have you checked out this giveaway from Simply Spray.

You don't want to miss it, I promise.

Okay, okay.. now to Crafty Sasse Wednesday.

Features from last week:

Inspired By Family Magazine's Cream Cheese Pound Cake.

Crafting in the Rain's Dyed Clothespin Frame.

Cherished Bliss' Fabric Lined Dresser.

Thanks for everyone who linked up last week.  You all are so inspiring!

 If you were featured, please grab a button here.

                               You have also been pinned on my Pinterest here.

You know the rules.

 

Loved

Do you remember the day you received your engagement ring?  Every girl does, right?  It is supposed to be a very memorable day in any girl's life. 

November 15th, 2008 was that day for me.

The day started off with work.  Afterwards, a co-worker and I went out to grab a bite to eat.  I can remember the exact restaurant we were at and where we were sitting.  She was telling me the story of how her boyfriend committed suicide.  Not knowing anyone who committed suicide before, I sat and listened to her story.  I was completely sadden how someone so young would take their life and how many lives that one person affected.  My aunt called when she was telling me about her boyfriend.  I didn't want to be rude since she was telling me such a sensitive story.  I can always call her later.

I remember going home and taking a nap.  I remember my husband came home and woke me up right away with excitement.  He had the most beautiful ring. 

My first reaction was to send my family a picture.  I knew they wouldn't see the picture until the next day since they were three hours behind.

The next day, I woke to a message on my cell phone from my mother. I was waiting to hear a message of excitement from her. Instead, the message wasn't excitement at all.

I remember calling my mom and no answer. So I called my grandma because I was a little worried about the message my mom had sent me. Not to mention, I also sent the picture to my grandma. My grandma picked up the phone crying.

Then she told me the news.. my aunt was dead. All she told me was that her heart had stopped.  I couldn't believe it.  I dropped to the floor in horror. She just called me yesterday! I remember crying to my husband that my aunt was dead.

 I ran into our room and locked myself in there.
 I didn't want to talk to anyone.
 Completely helpless and 2,000 miles away from my family.

I called my cousin. I knew I had nothing to say about her mother's death. I was just hoping she would tell me that it was all a lie. Instead all she said to me was: "She killed herself, Kimmy, she killed herself". Wait.. what?! All grandma told me was the her heart stopped. We sat there in silence. So many questions to ask, but no one is answering. There were no answers.

How could this be so? She just called me yesterday! But I ignored her call, because I thought I could just call her tomorrow.  Talk about taking things for granted.. because I never thought that tomorrow would never come. I didn't even check the message she left me because I could call her tomorrow.

She left me a message to say goodbye.

I didn't even listen to the message until after I knew she was already gone.

It was her goodbye. It wasn't fair. I never got to say goodbye. All I did was ignore her phone call. And she was calling to say goodbye. Goodbye forever.

I would be lying if I told you I didn't keep coming back to this post, debating on whether to delete it or not.  Or that I didn't cry once writing this. I posted something similar to this before but pulled it.  It was too personal.  With the opening of my new shop, I needed to get personal.  I needed to tell my story and how suicide has affected my life.

Loved is the name of the new shop.  We all need to be reminded that we are loved.

With every purchase from the shop, 20% will be donated to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. 

Let's help make a difference.

There are other answers than suicide.

In Loving Memory of HAC.
11/16/62 - 11/15/08

Simply Spray Giveaway

I am so excited to introduce another sponsor of mine.  Have you ever heard of Simply Spray?

If you haven't, here is some information on them.

Simply Spray®, the only non-toxic, non-flammable aerosol

fabric paint, has added five new colors to its line of specialty Upholstery Fabric Paint. Home décor enthusiasts and do-it-yourselfers have fresh color options for updating home accents and furnishings. Upholstery Fabric Paint is now available in Camel, Caribbean Blue, Charcoal Grey, Lavender and Sage Green; those colors are in addition to Brite Red, Burgundy, Burnt Orange, Hunter Green, Midnight Black, Navy Blue, Periwinkle, Plum and Saddle Brown.

A versatile and easy-to-use tool for those looking to modernize, refresh or embellish pillows, linens, lampshades, upholstered pieces, furniture covers etc., Upholstery Fabric Paint has been featured on NBC’s Today Show and in home projects in the pages of the New York Times and Country Living and All You magazines. With a patented nitrogen-propelled can design, Simply Spray is an eco-friendly, non-toxic option to traditionally harsh smelling and sometimes hazardous paints. The water-based paints will not harm the environment when discarded, unlike most dyes and aerosols, and is safe to use indoors and with children.

Upholstery Fabric Paint stays soft to the touch, a drastic difference from traditional spray paints that harden and stiffen soft fabrics such as cotton, linen or canvas. The paint can be used on all absorbent materials and is both permanent and fade resistant; it will not rub off once dry (72 hours). One can of Upholstery Fabric Paint evenly covers approximately 17 square feet.

The full line of Simply Spray’s Upholstery Fabric Paint are available online at

www.spraypaint4fabric.com; select colors are also available at Hobby Lobby and Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores nationwide. Made in the USA, all Simply Spray paints are non-toxic, non-flammable and emit virtually no fumes. MSRP $12.99/can. For product demo videos visit www.simplyspray.com.

The possibilities are endless.  Here is a cute little tutorial on how to make a chevron place mat with Simply Spray.

 Materials needed: plain place mat (ours is from IKEA), scissors, thin painters tape, a ruler, and Simply Spray Upholstery Paint in Caribbean Blue.

  We used a piece of painters tape as a place holder to create consistent, even lines.

We repeated the pattern many times.

We sprayed three light coats, waiting about an hour in between each coat. We also blotted the paint where it pooled on the tape to make sure the paint didn't run.

Tutorial done by Simply Spray.

Simply Spray just introduced 5 new colors!

You can check out all their colors they offer here.

Now for the exciting part, they are giving you a chance to win 3 cans of paint from their 5 new colors --- Camel, Caribbean Blue, Charcoal Grey, Lavender & Sage Green.

Choose three different colors or just two of one and one of another.  It's your choice!

Also, you have a chance to win $50 Visa gift card too! Stop by Simply Spray's Facebook to enter.  Contest ends February 29th.  What are you waiting for?  Hurry up over there!

What will you make with Simply Spray?

Click here to enter the giveaway!

Sunday Social

How to participate:

1.  Follow your hosts (The Kurtz Corner & The Sasse Life).
2. Follow the Featured blog. (An Artful Mom)

3.  Link up your blog's home page -- not a specific link or you will be deleted!
4. Visit at least 2 other blogs and make some friends!
5. Let your friends know by posting this button. The more, the merrier!

<center><a href="http://www.thesasselife.com"><img border="0" src="http://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/l611/thesasselife/Sunday-001.jpg"></a></center>

Featured Blog:
Pam from An Artful Mom

Hi all! I'm Pam from An Artful Mom, and I'm a mish mosh composite of many things, including a wife, mom to two pretty much grown-up, terrific, kids, and a thankful child of God. I love to read, blog, and do crafty things (especially paper arts and crafts like cardmaking, calligraphy, and art journals), and I'm a preschool teacher and/or art teacher in my heart (only.) I'm also extremely obsessed with photography. I love meeting other bloggers, and blogging has been such a wonderful way to meet a huge variety of people. My blog is an eclectic composite too, so I write about home, food, crafts, pets, DIY, photography-- and a little bit of everything.  I hope you'll come by and visit often!

 Here are 5 things about me:
1. I have a strange propensity for falling and getting a concussion. (The most memorable of those falls was the time I was carried off in an ambulance from an ice rink with my then 7 and 10 year old kids, all the while saying, "Mom's just fine," while I was actually wondering if I was going to die!)

 2. I've become semi obsessed with our little Yorkie, since we adopted her two years ago. (She's really my daughter's dog, but somehow she figured out I'm the mom.)

 3. My favorite food is cake. Yes, cake, one of the unhealthiest foods on the planet. I don't eat it often, but when I do, it's bliss.

 4. I was on swim team in high school, and (literally) won the award for "funniest looking toes." It was deserved. (I was a really fast swimmer too, though!)

 5. My cat can talk. Well, sort of. She does respond when we talk to her (and, I'm not kidding, they are actual words!) She is the best cat, ever.

Let's get social!

The Shine Project

Do you all know Ashley from The Shine Project?

Well, she has been working on a secret Shine Project that is being announced today!

I'm very excited to share this with you.

Pass It Forward was designed to get people to do little things, everyday, that makes an impact on the community around them. Pass it Forward is designed around a card (read card that I've attached now so you understand). Each card is given a unique ID number. Lets say we're at McDonalds, and I decide to pay for the person behind me in the drive through. I'd give the cashier the card, and tell them to pass it along to the next car when the give them the food that has been paid for. I then go home and log into the website that was on the card, and find my unique ID number. I log into it, and add my information... My first name, city, and a description of what I did....

Let's say the person behind me was you, you would pass it forward to someone else, and then would go home and do the same thing. From the very beginning, you will be able to track where your card goes, and how many people you affect just by doing one simple act of kindness.

Here is what the card looks like:

So the real question is..

What are you going to do for you card?

P.S. The Dallas Shine Event is tomorrow.  Who is excited?!  I hope I get to meet some of you there :)

Sponsor Spotlight: W.A.I.S.T.ed Spaces

Looking to spice up your blog a little?  

Well, my friends, let me introduce you to W.A.I.S.T.ed Space Designs!

AND she is having a sale right now? 

So what you waiting for?!

If you are looking for a new design for your blog you can't pass up this great sale. She has two packages that are on sale listed below.

Blogger Sale $25

• Header
• Background
• Menu bar
• Blog button with grab code
• Post divider
• Signature
• Sidebar title design
• Footer message (ex: Thank You For Visiting)
• Social Icons
• 2 columns (left or right sidebar column placement)
• 3 columns (2 columns right or left OR split with 1 column on each side)
• 4 columns (left or right sidebar column placement)

This includes only a basic Menu Bar, if you want a drop down menu it will cost $10 extra.

This package doesn’t include any digital images/kit fees.

 

Wordpress.org Sale $45

• Header
• Background
• Blog Button
• Signature
• Social icons
• Theme Used: Lifestyle, Prose, or Magazine from StudioPress

This package doesn’t include any digital images/kit fees.

Right now is a great time to get a new design! Please fill out this form if you are interested in this package. This sale ends on 3/30/2012

Check out the rest of her portfolio.

Her Links:

Blog.

Facebook.

Twitter.

Crafty Sasse Wednesday Link Party 26

Features from last week:

Pandora's Craftbox's Reupholstered Chair

Too Much Time On My Hand's Drop Cloth Wreath

 

 The Andrews Update's Beginners Artwork

Thanks for everyone who linked up last week.  You all are so inspiring!

 If you were featured, please grab a button here.

                               You have also been pinned on my Pinterest here.

 

<a border="0" href="http://thesasselife.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i40.tinypic.com/1z4kgmb.jpg" /></a>

You know the rules.

Would love your vote.  Just click the picture below to vote.  Thank you!

 
Let's Party! 

Clothespin Pot

I'm so excited to be participating in Pinkapotamus' Crafterbowl!  Our secret ingredient was clothespin.  So this is what I came up with.

Supplies:

Clothespins

Glue gun

Faux Grass

Seems pretty easy, right?  Well, it is!

First, break the clothes pin apart so you have 2 wood halves and 1 metal piece.

I started to glue the halves together like so.

I kept going around using the faux grass for measurement.

I glued some clothespin inside to hold up the faux grass.

Click here to vote in this round!

Here is the end result.

Thanks for Amie for hosting Crafterbowl!  Hope you all enjoyed.

Linking up HERE!

Sunday Social

How to participate:

1.  Follow your hosts (The Kurtz Corner & The Sasse Life).
2. Follow the Featured blog. (The Stuff Of Success)

3.  Link up your blog's home page -- not a specific link or you will be deleted!
4. Visit at least 2 other blogs and make some friends!
5. Let your friends know by posting this button. The more, the merrier!

<center><a href="http://www.thesasselife.com"><img border="0" src="http://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/l611/thesasselife/Sunday-001.jpg"></a></center>

Featured Blog:

Athena from The Stuff Of Success

I am Athena and I am so pleased to be here at The Sasse Life!  I am married to a great guy and we have three kids (he also has two older sons) and two giant breed "puppies"!  My blog is the pride and joy of my kids and I! The Stuff Of Success is dedicated to living life well, inexpensively. Our blog was developed to help prove that success is not the result of wealth. We focus on crafts, family, repurposing/recycling, cheap or free deals, with a bit of life's humor along the way. As an added bonus - every now and then my children do a "solo" project specifically for the blog. Another aspect of our blog is that my children are all adopted with special needs. As a result, many projects are adaptations or solutions to everyday difficulties that may be helpful to families with similar situations.

Five Silly Facts:
I have a piano, two keyboards, 4 acoustic guitars, 1 acoustic/electric guitar, 1 bass guitar, 4 amps, 1 bass amp, 1 digital drum set - AND I CAN'T PLAY ONE OF THEM!  I used to play a little but in twenty years I forgot it all.  But they look impressive!  If you have seen my craft room you can easily see how this could have happened.
I published an eBook "just because" - checked it off my bucket list (available for Kindle on Amazon if you are interested - Consumerism Guide - Your All In One Guide to Coupons, Deals and Freebies)
I like Diet Coke but I LOVE Diet Coke from the fountains at McDonald's.  Can someone please tell me why theirs has such a unique taste?
I was born French/Irish with a Greek First name and married into a Jewish last name AND my kids are Polish.
I am a compulsive note taker and list maker.  I always have something to write down.

Let's get social!

Crafty Sasse Wednesday Link Party 25

Happy Valentine's Day!

I thought I would feature some awesome Valentine's Day ideas you all linked up.

Features from last week:

Something Swanky's Red Velvet Cheesecake Pudding Mousse

The Crafty Scientist's Interchangeable Valentine's Day Wreath

Rae Gun Rambling's Love Pillow Case

Mom On Timeout's Valentine's Day Critters

Thanks for everyone who linked up last week.  You all are so inspiring!

 If you were featured, please grab a button here.

You have also been pinned on my Pinterest here.

You know the rules.

So let's get this party started.

<a border="0" href="http://thesasselife.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i40.tinypic.com/1z4kgmb.jpg" /></a>

Would love your vote.  Just click the picture below to vote.  Thank you!

Let's Party!

Sunday Social

How to participate:

1.  Follow your hosts (The Kurtz Corner & The Sasse Life) via Google Friend Connect.
2. Follow the Featured blog. (And I Thought I Loved You Then)

3.  Link up your blog's home page -- not a specific link or you will be deleted!
4. Visit at least 2 other blogs and make some friends!
5. Let your friends know by posting this button. The more, the merrier!

<center><a href="http://www.thesasselife.com"><img border="0" src="http://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/l611/thesasselife/Sunday-001.jpg"></a></center>


The winner of the $10 credit to House129 is...
Sharisse.


Featured Blog:
Kalyn from I Thought I Loved You Then

I am 27 years old, I have been married for almost 3 years and have a 1 year old daughter named Eliza. I was born and raised in Michigan but I am ready for a change out of the snow! I am a stay at home mom and I started blogging as a way to remember all of the things Eliza does, and a creative outlet for my crafts. I love to dance, sing, craft, take photos, and be with my family. I started my wreath business after everyone loved the wreaths I would make for my home. I now sell them on etsy and they are also in a boutique in a city near me.

5 Silly Facts:

1. I can't frown, and yes I try and practice. My husband thinks it is the funniest thing in the world. I guess that just shows how happy I am!!
2. I can walk on the tips of my toes like in Titanic, I could do it before her though!
3. I cloth diaper...hey some people think that is silly!
4. I want to have 4 little girls...maybe that is more crazy then silly.
5. I can't get enough of the Real Housewives! I think being from a small town makes me in awe that people are actually like that.

Make sure to stop by Kalyn's shop, Hangin Around.  She has a special treat for you all! For 2012, she is giving a 12% discount for her amazing wreaths.  Just type in "SundaySocial" to get your discount.  

Let's get social!

Crafty Sasse Wednesday Link Party 24

Features from last week:

 Something Swanky's Football Field Fudge

 Just Call Me Maria's Homemade Pierogies

 Raising Oranges' New Workspace

Thanks for everyone who shared their projects. If you were featured, please grab a button here.

You have also been pinned on my Pinterest here.

You know the rules.

So let's get this party started.

<a border="0" href="http://thesasselife.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i40.tinypic.com/1z4kgmb.jpg" /></a>  

Sunday Social

How to participate:

1.  Follow your hosts (The Kurtz Corner & The Sasse Life) via Google Friend Connect.
2. Follow the Featured blog. (live.laugh.rowe)

2.  Link up your blog's home page -- not a specific link or you will be deleted!
3. Visit at least 2 other blogs and make some friends!
4. Let your friends know by posting this button. The more, the merrier!

<center><a href="http://www.thesasselife.com"><img border="0" src="http://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/l611/thesasselife/Sunday-001.jpg"></a></center>

Featured Blog:

Kelly from live.laugh.rowe

I'm currently a stay at home wife.  My bloggy home is over at live.laugh.rowe where I share my journey with you -- one that includes crafting, cooking, my furry friends, incredible husband and my faith.  Prior to my blogging adventures, I was a Director of Admissions in Higher Education.  I {loved} my job, but the stress wasn't contributing to any quality of life.  So, for the time being, here I am blogging.  I started blogging in 2010 basically to keep long distant friends up to date on our lives, but in the past six months decided to pursue it a little more passionately.  I am loving every minute of it and truly enjoy making so many new virtual friends.  In September, I opened an Etsy store called House 129 and have found that to be an additional creative outlet.  My most recent adventure is spear heading a "Grow Your Blog" Series that starts on February 12th.  Be sure to come check it out {smile}!

Random {Silly} Fun Facts

1) I'm an identical mirror twin.  Sooo, I'm right handed and my sis is left handed.  I'm left brained, she's right brained.  Etc. Etc. Pretty cool, huh?

2) Pet peeve.  I hate very much dislike the font Times New Roman.  No offense, but it's boring and has absolutely no personality. When I was working, my secretaries knew to never type anything in that font.  It was a big fat no-no. 

3) Do any of you watch The Housewives of New Jersey?  Caroline's husband, Albert, owns the Brownstone in Paterson, NJ.  I got married there!  Cool, right? It's a pretty big deal amongst my circle of friends. 

4) My husband and I call each other Goombah.  It's a word that means companion.  You'll rarely hear 'babe' or 'honey' around our house.  You'll hear a gazillion different uses of the word Goombah, such as Gooms, Goombalicious, etc.  {Smile}  I love this little quirky-fun of ours.  Most people look at us like, "What did you say?"  We just laugh because it's our thing.

5) I'm a PK.  Meaning Pastors Kid, not Perfect Kid (unfortunately).  I was raised in an incredible home by thee most amazing parents.  Thankfully I never did live up to the reputation of most Pastors Kids (rebellious/wild).  As Eliza Doolittle once said in My Fair Lady, "I'm a good girl, I am."  

Kelly has a special treat for you all!  She is giving away a $10 credit to her shop, House129.

That's all!  If you don't want to wait, you can get 15% by using the discount code "sundaysocial"

Winner will be announced next Sunday Social.

Good luck!
Click here for the giveaway and Sunday Social.

14 Days of Love

Hi all! I was so excited when Ashley asked me to participate in the 14 Days of Love.  

If you missed yesterday, stop by Ladybird Ln to see what they made.

Also, don't forget to stop by Liberty Original to see what she has made.

Let's start with what I made.

I got this picture from Salvation Army for $1

Supplies:

Frame

Yarn

Wire

Felt Hearts

I have seen these yarn covered wire floating around Pinterest.  I just love how they look so I decided to make mine own with a little spin.

I didn't take a picture of all the steps.

I wrapped the frame with yarn

Add some felt hearts.

Then I formed the wire to say love.

Wrap that in yarn.

This is the end result.

Linking HERE!

Enjoy!

 Thanks you so much, Ashley!  Be sure to check back in with Cherished Bliss for a link party and amazing giveaways on February 7th!

This event is sponsored by…