The Year in Review 2012- Part 1

Hi my dear, sweet friends!

 

I took a much longer break from blogging
than I anticipated and in the process,

I missed all of you so much!

I thought it would be fun to have a Year in Review
here on the old blog.  It's snowing like crazy
right now, so I may as well hunker down
and blog some. 

I think I'll split this post into parts so it doesn't get too long.
I'll also add links in case you want to check something out further.

In January 2012,

 

I was so excited to learn how to make paper snowflakes

 that weren't a square shape (lol),  

that I just had to share a tutorial with all of you. 

I also shared my Winter Mantel in January.

 

The exciting part of this mantel is that it is currently

being featured at HGTV.com! 

You can read about that here.

In February 2012,

I spent some time hand stitching

these hearts for Valentine's Day. 

Of course, I've had many tablescapes
scattered throughout the months,

 

  but I loved this one that I named Cupid's Arrow.

In March 2012,

 

I joined up with some of my sweet bloggy friends

and hosted my very first Linky party...

The Great Spring'tacular Link Party Parade!

 

I made the burlap Easter wreath for the party.

 

In April 2012,

 

 

I made this cute button egg topiary.

 

We started the first of many home projects.

We were thrilled to finally get new windows

for the dining room...ones that actally opened without
the strength of Hercules!

April also brought a fun opportunity.

 

I joined up with my Spring'tacular Link Party Parade girls,

for the Newbie Spot of the Week.

The Spotlight is no longer, but

it was fun finding newbie bloggers to spotlight

each week.

 

I think I'll stop the Year in Review right here.

More to come so please stay tuned!

 

 
 

Cherry Blossoms Wall Mural (in the Spotlight)

This is shaping up to be one crazy week!   My niece is getting married in October.  She's here from Texas for her bridal shower & we've been running around trying to get so much done for both the shower & wedding.  Not to mention, both my kids have a number of doctor/dentist appointments before going back to school in September.  It's always everything at once!

Anyway....

It's time for another Newbie Spotlight of the Week. 

It's been awhile since I shared a spotlight with you, so here goes.  

The Newbie Spotlight shines on:

Leanne from The Burlap Cottage! 

Leanne painted this fantastic wall mural for her daughter's room.

I love it and wish I had the talent (and patience) to paint like this!

So please, go take a look around at Leanne's blog, The Burlap Cottage.

While I was hanging around The Burlap Cottage,

I found this photo of Leanne's porch.

Don't you just want to sit in that chair & rock away a few hours

of a sunny Summer or Fall day?  

I know I do. 

Leanne,

please grab your Newbie Spotlight button:

<br><a border="0" href="http://randomthoughtsfromanincoherentmind.blogspot.com/"; target="_blank"><img src="http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u87/auntdoi/newbie_spotlight.png"; /></a><br>

For other Newbie Spotlights this week,  please see:

Debbiedoos

Fox Hollow Cottage

Refresh Restyle

See you soon, my lovelies!

Kitchen Word Art (in the Spotlight)

Happy Wednesday!   Time for another Newbie Spotlight of the Week...but first,

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♥♥♥ I would like to thank each and every one of you who left a sweet comment for my daughter, Olivia.  She is doing better each day and I really appreciate all the well wishes you've sent.  You ladies are the best!  ♥♥♥
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Ok, now it's time to shine Debbiedoo's Newbie Spotlight...

on...

Jeanette & Leigh of Crafty in Crosby!

I think this kitchen word art is just so cute, and funny too.

I love the vintage look that it has.

This mother & daughter team were even nice enough

to share the freebie download with us! 

Go on over to Crafty in Crosby and take a look around. 

Jeanette & Leigh, congratulations to both of you!! 
Here is a button for you to display:

<br><a border="0" href="http://randomthoughtsfromanincoherentmind.blogspot.com/"; target="_blank"><img src="http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u87/auntdoi/newbie_spotlight.png"; /></a><br>

For other Newbie picks this week, stop by and visit:

Debbie at Debbiedoos
Shannon at Fox Hollow Cottage
Debbie at Refresh Restyle

Go USA decorations (in the Spotlight)

I don't know about you, but I love the Olympics. 

Now I'm sure you're asking,

 "What does the Olympics have to do with the

Newbie Spotlight of the Week, Gina?"    

You shall soon see, my pretties.

This week, I am giving the Gold Medal spotlight to:

Emily at

 Entirely Emily!

When I spotted Emily's USA related decor, I knew I had found another 

patriotic,Olympics-loving, kindred spirit! 

Go on over to Entirely Emily and take a look at these
fun & fantastic decorations.  (How incredible is that USA cutout?)

While you're there, find Emily's posts in her "Funny Friday" category. 
If you are in need a laugh, Emily is your girl.

Congratulations Emily
and
here is your button to display:

<br><a border="0" href="http://randomthoughtsfromanincoherentmind.blogspot.com/"; target="_blank"><img src="http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u87/auntdoi/newbie_spotlight.png"; /></a><br>

For other Spotlights of the Week, check out the girls at:

Debbiedoos
(the founder of this party & Champion for Newbies everywhere)

Fox Hollow Cottage

Refresh Restyle

See you next week for another Newbie Spotlight of the Week!
(and could someone please turn off the heat!)

Stained Table (in the Spotlight)

Here I am, bringing you another great Newbie Spotlight of the Week!

Here's a recap:

Every week,  Debbie at Debbiedoos hosts a Newbie Party. 

Click the link below to see this week's party. 

Debbiedoos Newbie Party

Debbie has put together a tag team of fellow bloggers

who search the link party each week and scout out new talent to spotlight. 

This week I would like to shine the spotlight on:

Melanie from

My Rags 2 Riches!

She took an ordinary table (the kind we've all seen before) and

with some elbow grease & TLC turned it into something fantastic!

Pop on over to My Rags 2 Riches to see the before picture. 

Melanie, please grab your Spotlight button and a big congratulations! 

 

<br><a border="0" href="http://randomthoughtsfromanincoherentmind.blogspot.com/"; target="_blank"><img src="http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u87/auntdoi/newbie_spotlight.png"; /></a><br>

For other Spotlights of the Week, please see:

Debbiedoos

Fox Hollow Cottage

Refresh Restyle 

No Cost Curtain Tie Backs (in the Spotlight)

Newbie Spotlight time again!

This week, I have chosen to feature

Theresa

at

Shoestring Elegance!

Theresa shared a no cost curtain tie back solution for

Debbiedoo's Newbie Party. 

It's a clothespin that she painted & embellished! 

I think her blog name, Shoestring Elegance, fits the bill on this one,
don't you think?

In all honesty, I have used a clothespin to tie my curtains back before.

I wanted to get them out of the way of the window air conditioner.

I was just not as clever as Theresa to make them look pretty like this though.

So there you have it my friends, another super Newbie blogger to check out!

Congratulations Theresa!!

Here is a button for you to display:

<br><a border="0" href="http://randomthoughtsfromanincoherentmind.blogspot.com/"; target="_blank"><img src="http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u87/auntdoi/newbie_spotlight.png"; /></a><br>

For more fantastic Newbies in the Spotlight, please visit my girls:

Debbie at Debbiedoos

Shannon at Fox Hollow Cottage

Debbie at Refresh Restyle

 

Pesto Tortellini Salad (in the Spotlight)

It's about that time.

Time for another Newbie Spotlight of the Week!

This week, the Spotlight shines on:

Katie's Cucina!

Katie shared this delicious looking Pesto Tortellini Salad

 at Debbiedoo's Newbie Party.

Doesn't that look mouth watering?

And just because I wasn't drooling enough,

I started looking around Katie's blog.

That's were I found this:

Mexican Roast Chicken with Carrots

Oh yeah and this:

Puff Pastry with Strawberries & Cream

I don't know about you, but I'm kind of wishing

for an invite to Katie's house for dinner!  lol

So go on over and visit this culinary Newbie

and bring a napkin with you just in case!

Katie, here is a button for you:

 <br><a border="0" href="http://randomthoughtsfromanincoherentmind.blogspot.com/"; target="_blank"><img src="http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u87/auntdoi/newbie_spotlight.png"; /></a><br>

To see the other Spotlights of the Week, check out:

Debbiedoos

Fox Hollow Cottage

Refresh Restyle

Many thanks for your visit!

Chalkboard Plant Sticks (in the Spotlight)

Another week gone by,

only 7 days of school left,

and time for the Newbie Spotlight of the Week!

Debbiedoo's Newbie Party can be found here.

This week the spotlight shines on:

Angela from Number Fifty-Three!

Angela made these cute chalkboard plant sticks

 from a craft (popsicle) stick!

I love how simple they are and especially how fantastic they look.

Such a smart idea.

Take a look at Angela's fab living room, too.

Awesome, isn't it?

Looks like another talented Newbie is on the block! 

Go ahead and explore 

Number Fifty-Three.

(While you're there,

take a look at her Mom's amazing Americana house tour.)

Angela, here is a Spotlight button for your sidebar.

 

<br><a border="0" href="http://randomthoughtsfromanincoherentmind.blogspot.com/"; target="_blank"><img src="http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u87/auntdoi/newbie_spotlight.png"; /></a><br>

To see the others who have been spotlighted this week,

please go to:

Debbiedoos

Fox Hollow Cottage

Refresh Restyle

 

Nautical Wall Gallery (in the Spotlight)

Another new week, another Newbie Spotlight

found at Debbiedoo's Newbie Party! 

This week, the Newbie Spotlight of the Week goes to:

Katie at something to be found.

Katie shared this fantastic nautical gallery wall in her son's room.  

Being that I am crazy for all things nautical (always have been),

 I just couldn't resist sharing this with you. 

Tell me that isn't just the sweetest gallery wall ever?

I love the colors, I love the textures and of course, those

adorable photos!

Most of the items used here did not originally look

like this.  Katie has a talent for reinventing things to fit her own style and

tastes.   Got to love a girl who can take something

and make it her own!

Go on over & take a look at something to be found,

and after that,

go on over & take a look at the other Newbie Spotlights of the Week at:

Debbiedoos

Fox Hollow Cottage

Refresh Restyle

Katie, congratulations to you!   Here is a button for you to display.

<br><a border="0" href="http://randomthoughtsfromanincoherentmind.blogspot.com/"; target="_blank"><img src="http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u87/auntdoi/newbie_spotlight.png"; /></a><br>

Happy Wednesday!  We're halfway to another weekend!