Remember how I told you I have had this old window sitting in my garage for over a year? I am so excited that it has finally been put to good use!

I really liked the rustic look of the old window and how it was distressed, but for this particular project I decided to freshen it up by spray painting it. I taped around the window panes and then covered them with paper so they would not get painted. I sprayed primer first, then white satin spray paint.


Then I painted one of the window panes with chalkboard paint. Michaels carries a chalkboard spray paint that makes it super quick and easy!


I made over another pane into a corkboard. You can buy cork in different sizes at Michaels or you can buy a large roll of it and cut it to fit whatever size you need. Since the window pane was so large, that was the option I went for. I measured it and cut it with an x-acto knife (well actually my husband Kevin did it for me!) I did two layers of it onto the pane so the cork would be thick enough to tack items onto it. I adhered the cork onto the window with my trusty E6000 glue. I am sure you could also use a hot glue gun or different adhesive tapes.



I made the last pane into a faux whiteboard. I just stuck a piece of white posterboard to the back of the pane and so it has a white background and I can write with dry erase markers right on the glass!

I use this whiteboard section for remembering things that are going on during the week, or messages that I want to write to my family as reminders or love notes.


This project was such a fun project and I will get a lot of use of it in my home now. There are always so many things to keep track of in our family and with this message board I can stay on top of it all!

If you are looking for more ideas on how to re-purpose old windows, check out our altered window frame tutorial and our altered window message board.


Don't forget to check out the Michaels Lookbook for more inspiration for your own re-love and re-purpose projects!

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April is Earth month and Michaels gave me a challenge to find something that I have at home that I can re-purpose into something I love again! Re-love! 

I know many of us have items sitting around our house that we just don't love anymore (or have never loved) and want to do something to spiff them up and make them into something we can use and love. It is a great way to get creative and feel happy that you aren't throwing something in the trash, but actually get something that you love out of it!

So join me this month in finding something in your home to re-purpose and re-love. Here is a sneak peak of a project I am working on this week....

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We all know firsthand that crafting can get pretty pricey! Yet we do it anyway...because we love it! Well, what if I told you there was a site that can help you save big on crafting supplies? Exciting!

There's a site called Massdrop and they organize groupbuys for different online communities. The way a groupbuy works is that a bunch of people vote on what they want to buy, and then Massdrop negotiates with the company and orders it in bulk. They then pass on the discounts to the group. The best part is that the more people that join the buy, the bigger the discount gets!

I think this groupbuy concept is pretty cool and think we could probably set up some really neat products on Massdrop in the future. There's one deal on the site right now for something I use practically every day...Japanese Washi Tape! I think if we can get enough crafters on board we can get a great group buy going!


Massdrop is starting to run a few different craft products, and they've sponsored a giveaway for us! The giveaway is for their "scrapbookers starter bundle", which is made up of the Scotch ATG, Honey Bee Scissors and Tweezer bee tweezers.


Normally this would cost around $40, but they're on the site right now for $25 with free shipping! We're giving away THREE of these bundles so sign up below! Also if you register for an account on Massdrop (it's free, and you can use your Facebook account), you'll get a second entry. Enter using the widget below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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I love when I find a great party supply store. Shindigz is just that. Buy over 34,000 online party supplies, party tableware, party favors, decorations, and more! They also have really great products that can be personalized for any party!


I also love all the party ideas and kits that Shindigz has. Planning a party is a lot of work and I love when a lot of the thinking and planning is simplified by an easy kit that has everything you need!

I recently received some fabulous party supplies from Shindigz--just in time for Easter! I love all the supplies!


I especially love this Easter banner. I could have customized it any way I wanted! I chose a simple Happy Easter, but for a different occasion a banner with a birthday boy or girls name would be really fun.
Shindigz has everything you need for any occasion/party. You really just need to check them out! I was so pleased with the fast shipment of my supplies and I think the products are high quality.

Today, Shindigz is offering one of our readers the chance to win a $50 gift certificate to the site! To enter, visit Shindigz and look around. Find an item or theme you would love to try and then come back and leave a comment with what that is. For a second entry you can share about this giveaway on Facebook or Twitter (leave a link in the comments!). This giveaway will end on Thursday, April 4th at 11:59pm PT. Good luck!

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The Plaid Barn is a fabulous site that has daily deals on craft supplies, diy kits and more! I love it because craft supplies can get expensive, but with daily deals from The Plaid Barn, I can stock up on the supplies I need for much less!

Each weekday (Monday-Friday) starting at 8am EST, there will be an awesome item and an amazing price, but there will only be a limited number available! So you want to make sure you sign up for the emails! If you go to The Plaid Barn and enter your email address then the daily deals will start coming to your inbox. You don't want to miss anything; look what they have for a deal today...


These adorable daisy lids are just $3.99 for a set of 6! How perfect are these for summer picnics and BBQs? Your guests will love them!


There have been so many fabulous deals lately, take a peak at some examples of things you could snag over at The Plaid Barn each day.


Today, The Plaid Barn is giving one of our readers the chance to win a $50 goodie box filled with various items from their site. Follow the rafflecopter link below to enter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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I hate public speaking. HATE it. In fact I told my husband we can never move again because every time we move they ask us to speak in church. Which turns out to be 15 minutes of me bawling and blowing snot bubbles from the pulpit while everyone in the congregation looks on, horrified. So imagine my dread when I was asked to be on camera not once but TWICE in the same week. And I presume I was supposed to be excited to be asked. I was honored, but not happy. Terrified. Mortified. The very thought of my speaking in front of a camera makes my stomach churn. But I'm also a people pleaser and I have an extremely difficult time turning down anything that has to do with crafting, so as a result here is video one of two (two will be seen on mycraftchannel.com sometime next month).

This is a video I made for JoAnn Fabrics' YouTube campaign to promote Creativity Made Simple. I made this wrapping paper and ribbon organizer for my craft room (which is currently under construction). I think it will look nice on my wall and get some of my supplies out of the closet. Several other craft bloggers have also teamed up with JoAnn to show you simple but creative projects on JoAnn's YouTube channel, so check them out, too. Oh yeah, and the blogger with the most video views will win a $100 JoAnn gift card for their self AND for one of their readers! So watch it for a chance to win, but don't judge. My awkwardness is hard to watch, but hopefully the information is helpful. Hey, I never said I was a movie star!

Thanks for watching! Here's a 40% coupon for JoAnn for you to use through the end of the month. Enjoy!

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Happy Spring! This time of year I always love seeing all the buds coming up out of the ground and look forward to pulling out my bright colors to wear!


Brighthouse Baubles is a great shop that offers bright, beautiful, and affordable fashion jewelry which makes the perfect addition to any wardrobe! All items are priced under $50 and there is always FREE shipping within the USA!

Take a look at some of these fabulous designs...

So many items to love!! Today, Brighthouse Baubles is giving one of our readers the chance to win any item of their choice from the store! To enter, visit the Brighthouse Baubles store and find your favorite item, then leave a comment with what that is. For a second entry visit the Brighthouse Baubles blog and become a follower. For a third entry, like Brighthouse Baubles on Facebook. This giveaway will end on Tuesday, March 26th at 11:59pm PT.

SPECIAL OFFER: Brighthouse Baubles is giving our readers 30% off any order through Friday, March 29th! Just use the code LITTLEBIRDIE.

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Lilly Lou Finds is a brand new online market bringing you daily deals on amazing finds! It's a refreshing and bright virtual spot to find shopping opportunities on fabulous jewelry, striking apparel for women and kids, party decor, chalkboard accessories and much more! All at discount prices too good to pass up. The calendar is already full with these amazing finds and more. They only last a few days so you won't want to miss out!

Make sure to sign up for the newsletter to receive more information about the Grand Opening! The early spring launch is just around the corner and sure to be spectacular! Look for Lilly Lou Finds on Instagram, follow on Pinterest and like them on Facebook so you won't miss out on anything.

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As parents, we know that reading with and to our children is extremely important. I have always known that reading was important- in my own life and in the lives of my children- but now that my boys are in school, I see what a push there is from the teachers to read to them every day! I think it is an integral part of any good curriculum plan. Reading is not important only as its own subject, but it really helps in all other aspects of education as well! There is no way I could have succeeded in my college courses if I had not been a strong reader.

Studies show that the more children read, the better readers they become. In one study, children who read 20 or more minutes per day scored in or above the 90th percentile; those who read less than 10 minutes scored below the 75th percentile. I am so grateful that the school my children attend, pay such attention to this. They have a program each year where the kids get a chart and if they read 20 minutes per day at the end of the month they get a prize. It has really helped to draw my attention to how much reading we do.

In honor of Reading Month, LeapFrog is donating $2 million of books to America’s schools, and you can help! Go to Facebook and share the “Read 20 Minutes a Day”pledge, and LeapFrog will donate 5 books for every pledge! Also be sure to visit LeapFrog's Reading Month page where you can get all sorts of tips, videos, activities, and printables to help your own children get engaged in reading! It is such an important part of our children's learning and we all need to get involved and get kids reading each day.


LeapFrog is offering special deals on reading products all through March, in honor of Reading Month, including $3 off of Tag and Tag Junior books. Here’s the link to print/redeem this offer.

I love the Tag products. My son loves using them and I love that he can just tap the pen onto a word and he can learn what it is! It really helps him learn new words and helps him become a stronger reader.

LeapFrog is offering a giveaway of one Leapfrog prize pack ($50 approximate value) to one of our U.S. readers! Leave a comment on this post letting us know what you do to incorporate reading into your children's day/routine. For a second entry, you can share this giveaway on Twitter or Facebook (leave us a link!). This giveaway will end on March 21st, at 11:59pm PT.

I was selected for this opportunity by Clever Girls Collective but content and opinions expressed here are my own. To take the LeapFrog Reading Month pledge, please visit their Facebook page.

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I finally got a little hope this weekend that Spring might actually be coming! I ran 6 miles on the trail (instead of on the treadmill) and it was glorious. I am so ready to get outside again!

I told you at Valentine's that my chairs looked naked after the Christmas wreaths were off the backs of my bar stools, so when I bought my Valentine's wreaths I also picked up these spring wreaths to use for the Easter season. (Please try not to notice the piles of mail, etc. on the counter--I was too lazy to clean it up!) They make my kitchen feel so much sunnier!

I was determined to use a ribbon I had on hand (I have a bit of a ribbon hoarding problem), so I picked this green and white gingham. I wanted pink, but it just didn't feel right with my other decor. The green is a nice pop of spring, I think.


Adding a wreath to the backs of dining chairs or bar stools is such a quick and easy way to decorate for the seasons. These make me smile every time I walk into the kitchen!

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I am still relatively furniture-less (why am I so indecisive?), so I have been relying on my kitchen table to satisfy my need to decorate with seasonal tablescapes. (Love that word, by the way, if it really is a word. Sometimes I make things up.) Anyway, here are a few ideas to get your creative "tablescaping" juices flowing (now I know I made that word up).

Instead of a tablecloth, which might have fought with the display, I used a long piece of kraft wrapping paper as a table runner. This is one of my favorite ways to dress up a tablescape because it doesn't matter if it gets dirty, and it's waaay cheaper than a good tablecloth!

Next, pull out all those apothecary jars you have left over from that candy centerpiece you did for your last birthday party or shower. I love using these for every season--just fill it with something colorful or symbolic of the time of year. Depending on how many you have, that could be your centerpiece right there. I filled this one with Robin Eggs candy. Dangerous, I know, but so colorful and cute!

I "filled" this apothecary jar with a decorative bird's nest with the sweetest blue robins eggs in it (non-candy variety). I stacked it on a few books to give it some height.


And, since I"m completely incapable of simplicity, I added a few embellishments, like yellow pom-pom trim. . .
Ta-da!

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