WW link party and a subsription to FOLK magazine GIVEAWAY!!

Today's Whatever Wednesday is a special one! It's dedicated to FOLK magazine. The editor , himself, has graciously offered my readers (That means YOU!) a chance to win a full years subscription to FOLK magazine ..... FREE!!!

!!!GIVEAWAY IS BEING HELD ON MY FACEBOOK PAGE!!!click for details

What is FOLK you ask?

Directly from FOLK's blog:

'FOLK magazine is devoted to presenting a fresh and youthful interpretation of simple country lifestyles, while focusing on the stories that make America our collective home sweet home. This down to Earth magazine fills a unique niche in the shelter publication landscape: content is part lifestyle, part editorial, all heart.
 
The pages of FOLK are filled with abundant inspiration in photos, how-to articles, features, shared stories, and even beautiful advertisements. Contributors include writers, columnists, photographers, designers, chefs, bloggers, and business owners from across the USA, Canada, and Internationally, giving the magazine a voice that is all-inclusive and wide in scope.

FOLK seeks to be the definitive guide to living a new kind of simple country lifestyle for readers of many backgrounds, ages, and interests. Readers find their own photos, stories, and memory submissions within each issue, making them a vital component of living the FOLK life. The magazine reaches across the many representations of American Country style to unite our country, celebrating personal expression in our homes and lives. Featuring elements of decor from primitive and rustic to farm-fresh and industrial, with a nod to mid-century modernism and nostalgic kitcsh, every style is FOLKstyle. 

Each bi-monthly issue brings a fresh approach to lifestyle inspiration, including:

• 
  
  

  • Shopping and Collecting antique, vintage, handmade and artisan original wares
  • Decorating and Entertaining while expressing personal style, not trends
  • Gardening and Cooking with a focus on local markets and farms
  • Home Remodeling and Restoration using reclaimed and repurposed materials
  • Fashion that celebrates individual expression of vintage style
  • Travel, exploration of nature and local attractions, and enjoying a shared history
  • Support and Promotion of independent main street businesses, artisans, events, and shops 
    

  FOLK is a rapidly growing lifestyle magazine, available in print with additional content offered online. It is published by CHANDLERclark, LLC, dba FOLK.
  
  The magazine is available by subscription from the publisher and via single-copy sales at independent retailers. Circulation has more than quadrupled since its premiere in September, 2011. FOLK is currently available in 49 of 50 states, in 6 countries, and on 5 continents. Expansion via International distribution to newsstands in bookstore and grocery chains is underway for 2012.
  
  Advertising rates in FOLK magazine are conducive to the magazine's goal of supporting local merchants and independent businesses across the country.
  
  The FOLK brand has already expanded beyond the magazine to include: 
  
  FOLK store on Main Street in Beaver Dam, Kentucky.
  FOLKlabel brand licensed artisan products include specialty food and decorative accessories, sold on etsy and in the FOLK store.  
  The shopLOCALeveryday campaign launched in 2012.
  Ben Ashby, Editor-in-Chief
  P.O.Box 195 Beaver Dam, Kentucky 42320 USA
  editor.folk@gmail.com '

  
  
  
   Do you want a chance to WIN a years subscription?! Be sure to join the giveaway on my 
  Facebook page!!
  Upon arrival you will see a note labeled 
  '1 year subscription to FOLK magazine GIVEAWAY!!' 
  Click for further details. 
  
  
  FOLK on Facebook 
  FOLK's website
  FOLK's blog
  This week on WhateverWednesday , instead of featuring the most viewed, I want to feature some of my favorite FOLK style links from last week.
  
  
  
  My Vintage Bliss linked up this vintage style Union Jack art
  
  
  
  

The Creviston Nest shared this great piece

 

Shabby Love shared her GREAT vintage ironstone jackpot

 

If you were featured , please feel free to grab a featured button on the left side bar! 

Don't forget to stop over and join in on the GIVEAWAY!!

{{giveaway ends  Friday March 2nd and will be announced on my FB page}}

What have you been doing this week?

Frugal Friday : Mini quiche recipe

Having so much to do today I knew I needed a hearty breakfast . These scrum-didily-umptious mini-quiche were perfect! I love quiche. Sooo time consuming though. Not these!

 Using pre-made pie crust

 (with a cup )cut out circular shapes,

 plop them in a muffin tin. 

baked at 375 until firm (approx. 5 min.)

Remove from oven, set aside.

 mix up a mixture of 6 eggs,1 TSP salt,1/4 TSP pepper,1/4 TSP paprika, and 1/4 TSP garlic powder and onion powder.

pour mixture into the muffin tin (with baked pie crust) 

place small pieces  of broccoli and bacon and top with a big helping a sharp chedder cheese

place back in the oven and bake until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown. (approx. 20 min.) 

Me and my family have challenged ourselves to not eat out for 30 days. The convenience of fast food has taken over our meal time. We decided it had to stop. I love to cook, it's my passion. It's time to find it again and keep my family healthy and save some money while were at it! 

Have you been whipping up some yummy recipes? Crafts? 

Share your frugal-ness here!

Now, show me your frugal ideas!

FRUGAL PROJECTS ONLY 

fru·gal/ˈfro͞ogəl/

Adjective:

1. Sparing or economical with regard to money or food.

2. Simple and plain and costing little: "a frugal meal".

WhateverWednesday link party and some BIG NEWS!!!

It's Wednesday already?! How did that happen? Well, it's here and it's a beautiful day outside. I'm in serious need of some sunshine lately because I have been feeling so yucky and nasty for the past few weeks.....blah. But, it's all for a good reason...

because..... 

 We're going to have a new addition around this crazy house of ours.... 

We're prego!!

That's why there has been a lack of projects here lately on the blog.  I'm still in my first trimester . Which means I'm sluggish, tired, and totally unmotivated. Hopefully I will get back on track soon!

Even though I'm unproductive , you guys are keeping me busy by sharing all of your projects.

Last week Carolina Country Living was a big hit when she shared her flannel pajama pants

Then Stardust- Decor & Style shared these great room make-overs

 

I was totally intrigued by this tiny little dresser from Crafty in Canada 

What do you have for me this week?

Frugal Friday : Make your own slipcovered sofa

For today's Frugal Friday I wanted to do a quick blast from the past : 

Enjoy! 

Okay, now let me tell you:

first, It's not as bad as it looks.

Second, I knew I wanted a large camel back sofa.

Third, This couch was only $20!

The sofa originally was all scratched up on the back...They had a little yippie dog that liked to sit on the back .

too small to jump; he climbed.

Nice, huh?

I removed all the damaged fabric  . Then, realizing I didn't have a before picture.

This is why it looked so badly.

I replaced the ratty looking torn fabric  with some fresh clean fabric to hold all the stuffing in place.

Doing this , I [very] simply tacked the fabric  along the back and stuffed the bottom portion down underneath the foam. It wasn't going to be seen , so I didn't worry about how it looked.

However, that said, If it were a piece I was going to sell; I would do a much more professional job.

But, it wasn't. So, I didn't.

Now, I have had so many of you wanting to know HOW I made my slip cover.

I am the type of person that gets something in my mind and just jumps in and does it. With out thinking.

I'm not going to give a tutorial because it would be horrible and uninteresting.

BUT! I will send you to {slipcover heaven}

This woman, if you haven't heard of her yet, is genius.

Her slip covers are amazing .

Conveniently, she has a how-to guide to get you through your slip covering endeavour.

(which, I highly recommend-don't take me for an example and do it on your own)

Pink and Polka Dot

and

Guide to making a slip cover E-book

(by Pink and Polka Dot)

go.

now.

Stop reading

(be sure to come back!I haven't revealed my after for goodness sake.)

and go take a look at her blog!

Great, huh?

She was the inspiration behind wanting to jump (head first) into the world of slip covering.

do you have a hideous piece of furniture

(like mine. Famously named "drug behind a truck")

Cover it up! I promise, when you do, you will not be disappointed.

Although, time consuming, it will be worth it in the end.

Then....You'll turn this:

into THIS:

HAPPY SLIP COVERING!!

To read the original post go: HERE 

 After re-reading this oldie , I must say I really miss my old house. It was significantly smaller . But, I don't know how much longer I can handle all this renovation and living in an unfinished house.  

Do you have some FRUGAL ideas or projects?

Now, show me your frugal ideas!

FRUGAL PROJECTS ONLY 

fru·gal/ˈfro͞ogəl/

Adjective:

1. Sparing or economical with regard to money or food.

2. Simple and plain and costing little: "a frugal meal".

 

WhateverWednesday link party

I have to agree with you all . Last weeks favorite link

21 Rosemary Lane: Beautiful paper wreath 

 

Then Shabby Cottage Collectibles shared these fun planter ideas

 

and this is so cute, not only the project but the little story behind it ...so sweet. Thank you Petites Passions for sharing!

What have you been up to? Share it here!

Living room update

I am so excited to announce we are actually talking about doing something to the living room!! 

Not what you were expecting , right?

Well , Let's see....6 months ago we moved into this house. 

Only one month ago I broke down, cleaned our nasty carpet, removed the wall paper and  started using our living room. 

Which means we've been living in our bedroom, basically for 5 months! It's been driving me crazy. It also means that our living room is still a disaster and we are using the space!

Remove wall paper : check!

Today we are moving all the furniture back out and were primer-ing and preparing the walls for paint!

Guess what comes after paint....carpet!! I'm so excited to finally get carpet for this space. 

Notice the "..." on the todo list. I have pretty big plans for this space. Which, is why it's taking so long. Big plans mean big money. 

I know I'm Miss Frugal. But, I truly believe if you spend money  (Not lots of money, just what's necessary ) on the bones of a space ( walls , doors/windows, carpet/flooring ,etc.)  The rest of the space will come together nicely and you  can save money on the decor.

...I'll keep you updated!

Hop over to my Pinterest living room inspiration board to see some of my living room ideas.

Old crusty windows become art

I wanted to link up to Funky Junk Interiors themed link party today. But, I quickly realized I didn't have a post dedicated to today's theme: windows. So, here it is! 

When I used to have my booth at the Ghost  in the Attic Antique Mall I would create all sorts of fun window displays and projects. One of my favorite was this chalkboard window. 

Using chalk board paint, after cleaning the window, I applied right over the glass. This was actually a newer window so the glass was good and secure. 

This is a perfect project for all those windows left over from renovating a house!

Just leaving windows as they are is a fun way to add architectural charm to a space. This would look much cuter in a home as apposed to a pegboard wall. 

This window actually used to be a screen door that I cut down. I liked it better as a window. 

This would be super easy to recreate using wood as well. 

What do  you do with your old windows?

 

In other fun news, My bathroom make-over was featured on RoadKill Rescue today. Go over and see! 

 

Linked this post to 

Frugal Friday : Create your own birthday cake

Birthday cakes can be expensive. Especially when you get into custom order cakes. All those cute little decorations are awfully cute. 

But, why pay so much for them?

My youngest son had his second birthday recently . Wanting a small family get together , I didn't intend on spending a lot of money .

With two boxes of cake mix , I prepared and then laid one of them down into the toss-able pan.  I took the second cake, cut it into three pieces, and arranged them in a "hill." 

 

Mud (chocolate frosting,)dirt (crumbled oreo cookies,) and grass (green sprinkles) work perfectly for the base of this cake. I found the cars and construction scene set at the Dollar General store for $5 !

For around $11 I had a fun , perfect for the occasion, cake that will feed a crowd. ...frugal-icious !!

So, are you reconsidering buying that expensive cake this year?

Do you have some FRUGAL ideas or projects?

Now, show me your frugal ideas!

FRUGAL PROJECTS ONLY 

(Please link everything else to WhateverWednesday link party)

You MUST be a follower of Mommahen's Frugal life to participate.
LINK BACK here to this party (feel free to use my Frugal Friday button)

fru·gal/ˈfro͞ogəl/

Adjective:

1. Sparing or economical with regard to money or food.

2. Simple and plain and costing little: "a frugal meal".

WhateverWednesday link party

Last weeks WhateverWednesday fabulousness :

In First place Decorating Insanity

In Second place from A to Being

 

In third: Primed Pondered and Perfect pantry make-over

Today We have had what seems like our only snow day this Winter, the kiddos are sick, and I feel so uninspired and lazy. I don't think I will be getting much done today. So, please show me what you've been working on and get me up and movin'! 

Rules:

-link up whatever you want

-use my BUTTON and link back here NOTICE: This linky requires you to link back here before you can link up! Grab a button and place at the end of your post to be able to participate :) Thank you!

-You must be a follower of MommaHen

-Please be nice and visit others. This is all about being inspired. Each week there are some amazing entries, you will love!

If you love Link parties be sure to stop over to my Frugal Friday link party and link up your frugal projects.

a poor man's donut recipe

I woke up this morning craving donuts. But, not just any donuts. 

The most amazing , crispy on the outside, soft and warm on the inside donuts. Donuts that will keep you going back for more...which , probably, isn't a good thing. 

My greatest memories of my childhood were of my time spent at my Grandmas house

My greatest meals were always at the same place, my grandmas. This recipe is one that my grandma used to make for me and I still enjoy to this day.

Using a can of cheap-o biscuits 

take each biscuit and poke a hole in the center using your thumb. With a little twirl of your your hand , widen the hole.

Heat oil in a pan to 375 deg. and drop in "donuts"

Donuts should almost immediately come to the top of the oil. As they start to firm and puff up turn them over. 

Fry until both sides are golden brown.

Remove from pan , drain on paper towels, drizzle sugar glaze over the top and enjoy!

Ingredients:

refrigerated biscuits

50/50 mixture powdered sugar and water

oil for frying

directions:

Heat oil to 375 degrees F

Remove biscuits from container 

Using your thumb puncture a hold in the center of each biscuit , gently pulling to create a large donut size hole

place donut shaped biscuits into hot oil , careful not to crowd the pan

After the top starts to firm and puff up , turn them over. 

Allow both sides to turn a golden brown.

Remove cooked donuts from pan and set out on paper towels to blot away the excess grease

wisk together equal parts powdered sugar and water (1tbsp water 1 tbsp powdered sugar) 

drizzle sugar over warm donuts

optional: After donuts have cooled sprinkle more powdered sugar over the top . 

...enjoy!

Frugal Friday custom his and her artwork

In your bedroom, I believe, is the best space to display photos of your favorite people. Think about it. When you go to bed they are the last people you see and think about . When you wake up they are the first people you see and think about. 

I love gallery walls and knew it's what I wanted in my bedroom. I chose the frames and photos using a "theme" I didn't want all photos and I wanted photos that were going to remind me of things without being really specific. For example : This is a photo that I took at my Grandmas farm. It's a really pretty photo and reminds me of my grandma without being a photo of my actual Grandma.

This is a photo that my mom drew of me when I was little. It not only reminds me of my childhood . But, it reminds me of my mommy too.

Then I chose a color theme: I wanted muted soft colors, black and white, and colors of nature and gold. 

all of my frames are from flea markets, thrift stores, or the really cheap frames at Wal-mart. Frames can be really expensive. I really recommend checking out your local flea markets. I am constantly coming across different styles of frames. Too dingy for your taste? Paint them! You wouldn't believe the difference. Too big? create your own mat by cutting your custom size from posterboard or foam board.

My favorite frame was my most troubling frame. I couldn't figure out what photos to display in it. 

I started with maps. 

 boring.

Then I tried to make silhouettes of me and my husband.

Terrible! 

I ended up looking like a big chinned , snooty woman . My husband looks like he's 800 pounds. 

Yesterday I mentioned on Facebook how I bought the most hideous curtains of all time at Goodwill. I was strangely attracted to them and was determined to incorporate  them into our bedroom.

Adding these fun , quarky, bold curtains into this space made me think of a fun idea for some art to place into my favorite frame.

I love the fun quarky feel they bring to the room. Why deer? My husband is a hunter and really enjoys hunting for a hobby. This is a good way to make the space feel like our space, rather than just mine.

Using a really heavy paper I did a quick sketch of a buck and doe silhouette that I found on Google images and filled in the lines with a paint marker.

In about 5 minutes I had custom art. You could just ask easily print these out , if you have a printer.

Now, show me your frugal ideas!

FRUGAL PROJECTS ONLY 

(Please link everything else to WhateverWednesday link party)

You MUST be a follower of Mommahen's Frugal life to participate.
LINK BACK here to this party (feel free to use my Frugal Friday button)

fru·gal/ˈfro͞ogəl/

Adjective:

1. Sparing or economical with regard to money or food.

2. Simple and plain and costing little: "a frugal meal".