Fancy House Numbers

How is your summer going??? Ours is in full swing.  The kids are home and we are trying to stay busy.  In between all the crazy I have been working on a few projects.  Here is one I think you will like.  I was talking with a friend of mine about my front porch. I have no clue what to do about it.  She told me about a show that shares tips for making your house appealing. From the outside.  (No cable at this house. Just digital rabbit ears for basic local stations).  On one of the episodes they mentioned 3 things to make you house look inviting from the outside. 
1. Paint your door a fun bright color.
2. Add Shutters
3. Have a fun way to display your house numbers.

So after contemplating each of them I decided that #3 was the way for me.

Here is my supply list:
1 lenght of Pine.  2x8
long rectangel brackets to secure boards together
screws
Paint colors of choice
numbers for my house
picture frame
chalkboard vinyl

I started with 1 length of pine. I cut it into lengths of 18 inches.  I ended up with 5 lengths with a few inches left. 

Next I spray painted my numbers black.  And sprayed my boards my color of choice.  I went with turquoise, burnt orange and white. I did a light coat, to let the wood grain show through a bit.

Sand your boards just a bit, if you like for a bit of a weathered look. 

Lay your dry boards together how you want them.  Flip them over and screw your bracket into place.

Once my brackets were secure I flipped my boards back over.  I placed my numbers where I waanted them and screwed them into place.

I added this frame so I could leave messages for visitors coming in.  Sleeping baby please knock, Leave packages at the door or Welcome friends.  Lots of options for this little frame.

So I found the frame at TJMaxx.  I sprayed it my favorite color (Turquoise) and took out the glass.  I cut a piece of chalk board vinyl I got from Pick Your Plum and placed it inside the frame.  I added the glass behind it and a piece of card board.  Took the back of the frame off.  It had a back with a stand on it that you could see if was on. 
I used 4 nails ot hang the frame on and keep it from moving. 

Hang your numbers outside your door and enjoy. I love the pop of color it adds to my front porch.

Do you see the nest on my front door wreath?  I made the wreath and hung it back in April.  Within 2 days a cute little Mama Robin began building her nest. She worked on it for a week. Then abandoned it because there was so much traffic.  Everyone askes me where I got the nest.  They can't believe a bird built it.  Someday I will take it down and save it for someplace special.

  

Thanks for sharing your Free Time with me.  Have a great week.

Guest Post at The Brassy Apple

Hi every one today I will be guest posting over a the Brassy Apple for the SOS summer series.

 Head over and check out my fun 4th of July Firecrackers for your table center piece. 

  Lots of things to see and do over at the Brassy Apple.  Go take a look.  I'll be back tomorrow with a fun outdoor project for your home! Make sure you find a little Free Time and come take a look.

Adding Google Analytics to your blog

In blogging I have had to learn a lot of new things.  So many details and sometimes not enough information to get it done quick and easy.  (I am all about easy.) I learned about google analytics from a friend. It is a better wat to see how many views your blog is receiving and how long your visitors stay. Many ad companies want to know this information before they will place ads on your blog. It seems that adding new things to your blog can be frustrating. It took me and hour to figure out Google analytics. And my simple answer came in a chat board. After reading this little one line chat I was done. It took me 5 minutes. So I am going to share.

Go sign up for Google analytics. Set up an account. This will give you a Google analytics ID
When it askes you to add this code to your HTML, do this instead.
Go to Blogger Dashboard >
 Settings >
 Other >
 Scroll down and you will see "Google Analytics" , under that add your Google Analytics tracking ID Your tracking code can be found on your Standard reporting page. Copy and paste it into the little box and presto its done.
 Quick easy and painless.

{Pin}tastic Friday- Must have Maxi Dress

I found this pin a few weeks ago and finally got the time to make one for my Little Miss.  Simple Simon & Co. Made this adorable Maxi dress from a T-shirt and Knit fabric. 

(Source)

So I thought I would give it a try.  My Little Miss has been begging me for a Zebra Dress. So with a little zebra print and a cute hot pink shirt I went to town to make one of these with a twist. Here is my take on the Must have Summer Maxi.

 I added a flower to the front and a little clip in the back to take it in.  I made this with a size 5 t shirt and it was a little big.  So I added a little length to let her grow. She loved wearing it to church and wants to wear it all the time.  I make have to make a few more to get us through the summer.
The best part about this dress.  It took me 30 minutes to make.  {Bonus} Perfect for summer! Now go make a few for your little miss!

Patriotic Pinwheels {Washi} style

I have been racking my brain at what I wanted to do for my 4th of July Mantel.  I have had a few things in mind but it needed some finishing touches. I was blog hoping the other day and found 52 Mantels.  I saw Emily's all paper mantel and loved her flowers on the wall.  It totally gave me the idea why not use pinwheels. So I started looking for paper.  When I couldn't find what I wanted I thought "I have all this washi tape.  What if I ..." and there it was. Just what I needed to finish my Mantel.  Washi Tape Pinwheels. So here you go.

4th of July Mantel

4th of July Mantel

Its time again for a new Mantel.  I started a summer mantel but didn't get it finished. So I figured I would do my 4th of July Mantel and use it for most of the summer. Here are a few features on my Mantel. I decided to go with an Uncle Sam Kind of theme.

Uncle Sam print.  I used the tutorial (Here) to make the print.  My Uncle Sam is 11x14. The little Uncle Sam hat was made from a pattern from The Quilted Fish.  (Here) The Small Fire crackers tutorial is Here.

Simple striped bunting with felt star. I have them stuck to the shelf with poster putty.

Washi Tape Pin wheels. Who needs fancy paper when you have washi and plain paper. 

 I used my 4th of July Printable here for the framed subway art.

So there it is my 4th of July Mantel.  It looks amazing on my shelf.  So fun and Patriotic.  Come back tomorrow or a Tutorial on the Washi Tape Pinwheels.  They are super easy and fun to make in with the kids in your Free Time.  Thanks for visiting.

Little Bo Peep Costume Inspiration

Since I found out I was having a little girl.  I wanted to make her a Little Bo Peep Costume. She is finally the ripe old age of 4 so I thought I had better get the costume done before she starts wanting to think of her own costumes. I found this beautiful Little Bo Peep Costume on Etsy one day (Pinned it) and decided it was what my Little Miss was going to be for Halloween.

                                     

(Photo from Etsy store Mom2rtk)

She makes lots of beautiful costumes year round in her shop.

Isn't is beautiful??  I just loved the colors and the style.  Perfect for my Little Miss. She has these beautiful natural blond curls and a sweet little smile, to go with the outfit. The price was a little out of my budget.  So off I went to make my own with a little twist.

I found a lamb at the end of the Easter season for $3. I made a bonnet instead of a fabric cap out of Tim Tex, fabric and ribbon. And I used an old outdoor candy cane from Christmas as her crook wrapped in ribbon and fabric flowers. It was the perfect size for her.  I used my own peasant styled shirt pattern and made a basic skirt and bloomer pattern.  For the vest I used a simple tutorial from Make it - Love it and added the hip plumes myself. Here is how it turned out.

My Little Bo Peep.

{Pin}tastic Friday- Ham & Cheese Sliders

Do you love to cook? Bake?  I do.  I love to bake anything. Especially desserts.  In the winter I love to make soups with fresh baked wheat bread.  I love to make yummy food but in the summer I want fast and easy. (As little effort as possible.)  I found my next little find at the Girl Who Ate Anything. Don't you just love the name.  It sounds so Brave! (I myself are not so adventurous) I worried at first about this little dish because I do not like mustard.  But I will know eat the mustard on these yummy little sandwiches. 

Ham and Cheese Sliders

(Photo Source)

These little babies are tasty on a hot summers day. I popped them  in my toaster oven for a few minutes add a salad on the side and voila dinner is served.   My kids even liked them. Definitely a dish we will keep in the family cook book.(I have a home made cook book of favorite family recipes.  Some day my kiddos will ask to take a copy to college or something.  I keep family favorite recipes from when I was a kid and add new ones every know and then.) Some day I will share. Until then.  Check this one out over at the Girl Who Ate Anything and stay a while she has some wonderful recipes you can try with your own family. 

Please pin from the source.  She has been working hard for great recipes she totally deserves the credit. 

I you would like to follow me on Pintrest click the "P" to the right or click HERE. Thanks for spending your Free Time with Me. Happy Pinning and have a Great Weekend.