Sometimes it's ok to be a follower

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Wake Up Wednesday Linky Party


               Welcome to the 9th week of 

 Wake Up Wednesday "Linky" 

11 Blogs  -  1 Party
 Giveaway


We are so excited to have you all party with us.
Thank you so much to all those who participate in our party.
Last week we had  269 awesome linkups!   

 Wake Up and be happy, get excited and have fun with us! 
We want to be inspired, entertained, laugh and have a good time!
 The hop is hosted and posted on 11 different blogs

Interested in Co-Hosting Wake Up Wednesday?
Fill out this form and Angel will be in touch with you?

This weeks 
Featured Bloggers
(click to see All Featured Bloggers)
All Featured Bloggers will be pinned each week. 

What is your favorite flavor?  How about raspberry icing with multi-colored sprinkles?  Or chocolate frosted with multicolored sprinkles.  My favorite?  Vanilla frosted with caramel sprinkles!



It is so nice when you can find encouragement and uplifting thoughts from so many sources that cross your path.
always bring encouragement  I am so grateful for the many people and places around me that give me a smile or words that help my soul to soar.  I have had depths of pain, but  have found so many more mountains of happiness all around



A couple weeks ago, my hubby and I had the opportunity to celebrate the birthday of Texas with a old time celebration on Windmill Square in our hometown of Pecos, Texas.   We were invited to demonstrate some old cowboy style Dutch Oven Cooking by making enough Peach Cobblers to serve about 100 people!  
What a fun challenge!! 
Long live Texas!!!




I've been thinking about ways to grow UP since I have limited space in the garden at the moment.  I'm definitely going to ask my hubby to build a tomato wall since we have all of the materials on hand.



L'Oreal Youth Code Texture Perfector
from The Beauty Section
Skin can be rough, uneven, have large pores, or fine lines, but this serum concentrate takes even your most difficult skin and turns it baby soft.  We've all washed our face and afterwards had the softest skin, but did it stay that way? With the Texture Perfector you rub it on your entire face and it really seeps into your skin actually giving you a whole new texture to your face, not just temporarily.

When I'm feeling low, I need to get busy. And there's nothing more therapeutic than baking cookies!


These scrumptious little babies are a tribute to the delectable French pastry Chausson aux Pommes, which are delicate buttery "slippers" filled with a tender apple compote.
. They are beautiful little purses of baked goodness, filled with tender apples cooked in butter, cinnamon and brown sugar. Drizzled with a brown sugar glaze...

oops sorry, I drooled a little on my keyboard.

-------------------------------------------------------- 
You can enter our Rafflecopter to Win ad space on 
all these awesome blogs





Link up your funny stories, DIY posts, crafts, decorating, fashion, makeup, health & fitness, recipes, mommy moments -- anything at all, as long as it is family-friendly.

Please visit some other bloggers and make some new friends and say hello to old friends..
  • Please leave me a comment , I love to hear from you.
  • Please Link to your post and not to your blog home page
  • I'd love for you to grab my party button for your blog party site but it's totally optional
  • Please No adult content blogs
  • Please do not add links to shops or selling websites (they will be deleted from the party)
  • Giveaways are always welcome.. Add your giveaways to Sew Crafty Angel's Pinterest Community Giveaway Board too.  
Adding your link to this blog hop gives Sew Crafty Angel permission to share your posts and pictures via social media and as features on Sew Crafty Angel And Co-Hosts.  Note- All features on Sew Crafty Angel And Co-Hosts will be linked back to the original source .Social media features are linked back to the linky party.
Angel


Saturday, March 22, 2014

Stronger Today



I've been a little MIA with my blogging the past few days. Honestly, I've sat at my computer multiple times to write a post but I never got it done. I've been super stressed and have just been having a difficult couple of days.

 Last week, at a decently crowded store, I got assaulted. I left the incident physically unharmed but it shook me emotionally. It scared me to be honest. The woman kept trying to reach around me and grab at my son. It was so unreal and unusual. The attack came out of nowhere, I was not prepared for someone to be right on top of me. And I've spent the last week trying to deal with what happened.

At first I was just scared altogether. I was super over protective with my child. I felt the need to be close to him every second. It took a few days for me to realize that I handled the situation well and my son is safe so everything will be okay. After that realization I had to let go of my fear, so I drove back up to the store and walked every isle. I purchased nothing, I just wanted to be rid the fear that was now attached to one of my favorite stores. It was difficult. I kept expecting someone to jump out at me in every isle.

Feeling stronger with the decision to take my life back; I looked up some empowering inspirational quotes and made a beautiful girl in my art journal. Art truly is wonderful therapy.


 I wanted a strong head shot. Something that spoke to my heart over the entire situation. 
Something that reminded me that I am strong.
Strength Cuddlebug Cuties
Strength Cuddlebug Cuties

  
Strength Cuddlebug Cuties
Enjoy coloring and crafting with Strength but please give me, Anna Stillwell at Cuddlebug Cuties, credit for drawing her. And feel free to link back your projects, I love seeing what others create with my images.

Have a wonderful day everyone.
Hugs,
Anna

Thursday, March 20, 2014

Spit & Sparkles 1 Year Giveaway



Spit and Sparkles is celebrating one year of blogging.
and giving away a HUGE bundle of prizes to one lucky person.


Several of my blogging friends have signed on to help me promote this giveaway, and I cannot thank them enough for all of the hard work they're putting in. I welcome everyone visiting from their blogs or social media pages. Thanks for checking us out! And be sure to check all of them out. My wonderful sponsors can be found in my sidebar and below. Now, on to what you could win!

Everyone is a winner with this 
promo code: xxx for 10 percent off your purchase to Reagan's Toy Chest. 
The company sells educational toys, personalized gifts, furniture and more.

One lucky Spit and Sparkles fan will win the following:

Ad space from six bloggers
Spit and Sparkles,

Shop credits to four adorable shops
$20 to Adelaide's Attic 

There's still more... 
one winner will also receive
 a pair of baby/toddler leggings 
from Sweet Lucy Jack
a Goosewaddle gift set, 
an 8x10 canvas print from Printcopia,
 a FunBites food cutting set, 
a Nuby mealtime package,
which includes a WackyWare bowl and 
a pair of Easy Grip Flex Straw cups.

Were you counting? That's a whopping 15 prizes, with a value of more than $325!
Once you pick your jaw up off of the floor, go ENTER! Good luck!

This giveaway is hosted through Rafflecopter and will run for ten days. One winner will be chosen at random. Be sure to check back on March 30th to find out if you won! (Terms and Conditions below.)

Disclaimer: Prize to be distributed by Spit and Sparkles
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Wake Up Wednesday Linky Party


               Welcome to the 7th week of 

 Wake Up Wednesday "Linky" 

11 Blogs  -  1 Party
 Giveaway


We are so excited to have you all party with us.
Thank you so much to all those who participate in our party.
Last week we had  248 awesome linkups!   

 Wake Up and be happy, get excited and have fun with us! 
We want to be inspired, entertained, laugh and have a good time!
 The hop is hosted and posted on 11 different blogs

Interested in Co-Hosting Wake Up Wednesday?
Fill out this form and Angel will be in touch with you?

This weeks 
Featured Bloggers
(click to see All Featured Bloggers)
All Featured Bloggers will be pinned each week. 

Whenever I used to hear about a child who was sick before I became a mother it would make me sad. I would be sad for a little while, but never was I affected the way I am today when I hear about a child who is sick. Now that I am a mother it is a whole new story. When I hear about a child who is hurting or who is ill it hits me hard. It takes my breath away. I look at my baby and think “what if” what if that was my baby? What would I do? Just the thought is enough to bring me to tears.


So Next week Malika's Nursery has this Bake sale that its profit will be going to one NGO working for kids with special need. What happen is each parent bring something to sell and buy from another parent so we all participate and teach the kids about charity work

I was thinking a lot and decided to make my amazing Brownies and was thinking of doing another thing that can be delicious and easy and, I remembered seeing a recipe bout pecan pie truffles that I liked. It had lots of ingredients that I always have at home and seemed easy enough.


Welcome to the inside of our new greenhouse!   The outside is not completely finished yet, but I hope to show you it later next week!


Lovely Vanilla Cupcakes from playinghomemademum
I love cake. Simple as that. I have a ridiculously sweet tooth and these delicious cupcakes tick all the boxes.
And the best thing is, they are easy to make. The traditional recipe can easily be scaled up or down according to how many cakes you need to make. Basically, for each egg, use 50g of flour, butter and sugar.
A word on vanilla; I use vanilla pods, as it really does take the cakes to another level. However they are expensive,it is definitely cheaper to buy them online rather than in the supermarket. You can of course use extract/paste if you would rather, but from my own experimentations, vanilla pods give a superior flavour.



Vive La Difference! Boys Vs. Girls from Diamonds in the Rough
Today, I want to share a new TOP TEN LIST. Ten ways I have found raising girls & boys poles apart. Ten observations I've personally made. Some will sound serious. Some tongue in cheek. And even though I do indeedy know that there is a wide spectrum of males & females (my sister & I are like night & day; so different yet both created unique & special!) I cannot get over how much I find solace in those oh-so frustrating moments (Boys! Boys! Will you stop climbing the furniture...nope, I already said no 'cops/robbers' today. Quiet Mommy said...quiet....) that I am not alone.


February Favorites by Skin Stuff by Katy

Shea Body Butter from The Body Shop. This is one of their really big tubs of body butter that they carry in my store. There are only a few scents in this larger size, but the Shea in particular keeps my skin so hydrated in this nasty, cold weather. We've had snowstorm after snowstorm here, and it's been freezing cold at night, therefore my skin has been a dry, crackly mess! I slather this stuff on after I take a shower. It goes on my arms, legs, stomach, and I even have my husband get my back for me. I've never had dry skin like this before, but I don't need a lot of this, so I'm hoping the massive tub lasts me a while!


Mexican Style Hot Dogs with Spicy Tomato Onion Relish 
from This Silly Girls Life
It’s no secret I live in Florida. And, being a Floridian (or FlorIDIOT as my Dad likes to say, *eye roll*) we have been seeing a large fluctuation in climate lately. One day it’s rainy, one day it’s in the low 40′s (hey! That’s cold to us, aight?!) and other days it is just GORGEOUS. Like today… jealous? Hehehe, sorry guys I am just loving this! Yesterday started off a little rainy but in the afternoon the sun was shining, birds were chirping! Ahhh, just like I like it! So, I knew I wanted to have an extra special lunch for us today! I ran out to Walmart, it’s super close to my house and I shop there all the time anyways and grabbed everything I needed for a mini Summer cook out! YAY, and here is what I made us for lunch:

-------------------------------------------------------- 
You can enter our Rafflecopter to Win ad space on 
all these awesome blogs





Link up your funny stories, DIY posts, crafts, decorating, fashion, makeup, health & fitness, recipes, mommy moments -- anything at all, as long as it is family-friendly.

Please visit some other bloggers and make some new friends and say hello to old friends..
  • Please leave me a comment , I love to hear from you.
  • Please Link to your post and not to your blog home page
  • I'd love for you to grab my party button for your blog party site but it's totally optional
  • Please No adult content blogs
  • Please do not add links to shops or selling websites (they will be deleted from the party)
  • Giveaways are always welcome.. Add your giveaways to Sew Crafty Angel's Pinterest Community Giveaway Board too.  
Adding your link to this blog hop gives Sew Crafty Angel permission to share your posts and pictures via social media and as features on Sew Crafty Angel And Co-Hosts.  Note- All features on Sew Crafty Angel And Co-Hosts will be linked back to the original source .Social media features are linked back to the linky party.
Angel


Friday, March 14, 2014

Coffee Date, Come Enjoy a Cup and Lets Catch Up



Coffee anyone?
I'm really starting to enjoy doing coffee dates.
It's such a great way to catch everyone up on everything.
It's just a fun way to share.
Plus, taking photos of bright spring dishes
is just an extra added bonus.
And I'm ready for spring, for beautiful bright colors, and for warm sun shiny days.

It's been a whirlwind of a week. My husband has been away on a work trip so it's been just me and my little guy. And it has been a totally amazing week. 24/7 just the two of us. Loved it. I tried to hold my breath and savor every moment. They were so fleeting and passed by much to quickly. These sweet moments of loving bigger than you ever imagined are so wondrous. We spent warm days just lounging in the backyard. At one point the two of us just sat on the back step staring at the yard. No words were spoken, just us holding hands and relaxing. I realized at that very moment that this was all I ever wanted. 
To be a mother, to have a best friend, and to enjoy our time together.

Everyday is full of trials. Some harder than others, but in a full view of my life I am so grateful and happy. I feel very blessed.

Being full time mommie left little me time. I really thought that would be something that I would miss, but it truly didn't bother me at all. 
When my son would start to play by himself I would enjoy a cup of coffee and usually pick up a car to play with him. I didn't really jump at the chance for alone time. I was having way to much fun bonding.

Now my hubby is back and it's nice having our whole family back together again. The boys are enjoying guy time in the afternoons so I have started drawing again. I have several pictures still in the works. I'm just kinda adding to each one here and there as I go. Production has been slow recently, lol; but I'm getting back to it again.

Here's a few previews of what's coming soon.

Cuddlebug Cuties Coming Soon
This little cutie is my favorite. Just tons of hair and layers and layers of dress.

Cuddlebug Cuties Coming Soon
This is my Easter girl. She's still in the works and I want to add an bunny to the illustration. I have it all worked out in my head now I just need to get it on paper.

Cuddlebug Cuties Coming Soon


 This one is still in such a bare sketch stage I have no idea where I'm going with her. She might just be a pretty face that I save for later.

Well, that's it with me recently. I hope you enjoyed your coffee break. It's been a pleasure.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone.
Hugs,
Anna

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Wake Up Wednesday Linky Party


               Welcome to the 7th week of 

 Wake Up Wednesday "Linky" 

11 Blogs  -  1 Party
 Giveaway


We are so excited to have you all party with us.
Thank you so much to all those who participate in our party.
Last week we had  248 awesome linkups!   

 Wake Up and be happy, get excited and have fun with us! 
We want to be inspired, entertained, laugh and have a good time!
 The hop is hosted and posted on 11 different blogs

Interested in Co-Hosting Wake Up Wednesday?
Fill out this form and Angel will be in touch with you?

This weeks 
Featured Bloggers
(click to see All Featured Bloggers)
All Featured Bloggers will be pinned each week. 

Whenever I used to hear about a child who was sick before I became a mother it would make me sad. I would be sad for a little while, but never was I affected the way I am today when I hear about a child who is sick. Now that I am a mother it is a whole new story. When I hear about a child who is hurting or who is ill it hits me hard. It takes my breath away. I look at my baby and think “what if” what if that was my baby? What would I do? Just the thought is enough to bring me to tears.


So Next week Malika's Nursery has this Bake sale that its profit will be going to one NGO working for kids with special need. What happen is each parent bring something to sell and buy from another parent so we all participate and teach the kids about charity work

I was thinking a lot and decided to make my amazing Brownies and was thinking of doing another thing that can be delicious and easy and, I remembered seeing a recipe bout pecan pie truffles that I liked. It had lots of ingredients that I always have at home and seemed easy enough.


Welcome to the inside of our new greenhouse!   The outside is not completely finished yet, but I hope to show you it later next week!


Lovely Vanilla Cupcakes from playinghomemademum
I love cake. Simple as that. I have a ridiculously sweet tooth and these delicious cupcakes tick all the boxes.
And the best thing is, they are easy to make. The traditional recipe can easily be scaled up or down according to how many cakes you need to make. Basically, for each egg, use 50g of flour, butter and sugar.
A word on vanilla; I use vanilla pods, as it really does take the cakes to another level. However they are expensive,it is definitely cheaper to buy them online rather than in the supermarket. You can of course use extract/paste if you would rather, but from my own experimentations, vanilla pods give a superior flavour.



Vive La Difference! Boys Vs. Girls from Diamonds in the Rough
Today, I want to share a new TOP TEN LIST. Ten ways I have found raising girls & boys poles apart. Ten observations I've personally made. Some will sound serious. Some tongue in cheek. And even though I do indeedy know that there is a wide spectrum of males & females (my sister & I are like night & day; so different yet both created unique & special!) I cannot get over how much I find solace in those oh-so frustrating moments (Boys! Boys! Will you stop climbing the furniture...nope, I already said no 'cops/robbers' today. Quiet Mommy said...quiet....) that I am not alone.


February Favorites by Skin Stuff by Katy

Shea Body Butter from The Body Shop. This is one of their really big tubs of body butter that they carry in my store. There are only a few scents in this larger size, but the Shea in particular keeps my skin so hydrated in this nasty, cold weather. We've had snowstorm after snowstorm here, and it's been freezing cold at night, therefore my skin has been a dry, crackly mess! I slather this stuff on after I take a shower. It goes on my arms, legs, stomach, and I even have my husband get my back for me. I've never had dry skin like this before, but I don't need a lot of this, so I'm hoping the massive tub lasts me a while!


Mexican Style Hot Dogs with Spicy Tomato Onion Relish 
from This Silly Girls Life
It’s no secret I live in Florida. And, being a Floridian (or FlorIDIOT as my Dad likes to say, *eye roll*) we have been seeing a large fluctuation in climate lately. One day it’s rainy, one day it’s in the low 40′s (hey! That’s cold to us, aight?!) and other days it is just GORGEOUS. Like today… jealous? Hehehe, sorry guys I am just loving this! Yesterday started off a little rainy but in the afternoon the sun was shining, birds were chirping! Ahhh, just like I like it! So, I knew I wanted to have an extra special lunch for us today! I ran out to Walmart, it’s super close to my house and I shop there all the time anyways and grabbed everything I needed for a mini Summer cook out! YAY, and here is what I made us for lunch:

-------------------------------------------------------- 
You can enter our Rafflecopter to Win ad space on 
all these awesome blogs





Link up your funny stories, DIY posts, crafts, decorating, fashion, makeup, health & fitness, recipes, mommy moments -- anything at all, as long as it is family-friendly.

Please visit some other bloggers and make some new friends and say hello to old friends..
  • Please leave me a comment , I love to hear from you.
  • Please Link to your post and not to your blog home page
  • I'd love for you to grab my party button for your blog party site but it's totally optional
  • Please No adult content blogs
  • Please do not add links to shops or selling websites (they will be deleted from the party)
  • Giveaways are always welcome.. Add your giveaways to Sew Crafty Angel's Pinterest Community Giveaway Board too.  
Adding your link to this blog hop gives Sew Crafty Angel permission to share your posts and pictures via social media and as features on Sew Crafty Angel And Co-Hosts.  Note- All features on Sew Crafty Angel And Co-Hosts will be linked back to the original source .Social media features are linked back to the linky party.
Angel


Monday, March 10, 2014

The March 2014 Climb

 
God’s Growing Garden
 
WELCOME!
It's the month long Networking Blog Hop 
With our fifth CLIMB GIVEAWAY!
Here's how it works - the co-hosts from the previous month's CLIMB will have the opportunity to participate in a Giveaway during the next CLIMB - that gives co-hosts 2 months in a row of blog growing fun!! 
Please enter below -one person will win:
(you must have a blog to enter & be 18 years or older) (this Giveaway is now worldwide - EXCEPT for the "Cork Earrings" prize.  Due to postage prices - if the winner does not live in the lower 48 of the USA then the "Cork Earrings" become a second place prize)
TOTAL PRIZE PACK VALUED AT $115!!!
- 1 Ad Space on A Peek Into My Paradise for 30 days - $30 value
- 1 Medium Ad Space on Cuddlebug Cuties - $10value
- 1 Thirty Day Ad Space on H2O Bungalow - $15 value
- 1 Sidebar Ad Space on Heidi's Wanderings - $10 value
- 1 Bottom of Post Ad Space for 1 month on Sew Crafty Angel - $20 value
- 1 Month Ad Space on God's Growing Garden - $15 value
- gorgeous Pink flower Cork Earrings  by Crystal Make It Easy Crafts - $20 value
 photo champagneflowerearrings_zps037f95f0.jpg
THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO ENTER!
CLIMB Giveaway Rules & Conditions: 
\  as mentioned above - this is open worldwide HOWEVER if you win and are not living in the USA -then due to shipping costs the "Cork Earrings" will become a second place prize & will be given to somebody living in the lower 48 of the USA
- You MUST have a blog to enter
- This Giveaway is open from March 1st, 2014 until March 30th, 2014
- Winner must respond within 48 hours or a different winner will be chosen
- Giveaway Hosts & Co-hosts can NOT enter this Giveaway!, however - March CLIMB blog hop co-hosts MAY enter this Giveaway (provided they are not also part of the Giveaway)
- correspondence is done through email and the winner's email addresses will only be used to deliver or set-up e-prizes.  Email addresses will NEVER be sold or shared.
- a shipping address will be requested should you win the earrings.
- if you have any questions or concerns about this Giveaway please email one of the hosts:
 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Now onto the CLIMB (blog hop):

 
 photo ClimbIntro_zpse33b3737.jpg



 photo ClimbFollow_zps7d1a2ebf.jpg


 photo ClimbRules_zps84f341fc.jpg
 
By participating in this blog hop your understand that your link might be promoted on social media.  Also, by participating in this blog hop your email address will be added to our CLIMB list & you will be sent an email reminder next month. 
 
Networking means helping each other grow!! 
If you want to promote a CLIMB link then use #ChainLinkyCLIMB on Twitter or Google+ so that we can all help each other grow!
 
CLIMB by Angie Ouellette-Tower for godsgrowinggarden.com photo ClimbLink_zpsf527c076.jpg


Remember - Now if you co-host you will receive a free Weekly Sidebar Ad and your blog button will appear on both Angie's blog & Angel's blog!!


(The Ad will run live a few weeks after you have co-hosted)

CLIMB by Angie Ouellette-Tower for godsgrowinggarden.com photo ClimbCo-host_zpseca2ac09.jpg