Personalizing Fake Pumpkin For Fall Decorating #TBCcrafters

I was so excited to hear that The Blogger Connection was doing this awesome weekly Blog Hop for craft lovers.    I'm not what you would call a "hard core" crafter at all.   I love to putz around with small, easy home decor kinda things.    So for the first week of this blog hop we are going with all of the above.   

I'm not going to get into some long tutorial because as you can tell it's super simple to do.   

First I started with  fake foam pumpkins from Walmart, Mambi Stickers from Michaels, polka dot ribbon and raffia.   For my bigger pumpkin I used the numbers for my home address and put the pumpkin outside in the flower box with some mums.   

For my next project I used the littler pumpkins as personalized place settings at a brunch with my high school girlfriends.  I even found black and white polka dot napkins to complete the whole look.  If I really wanted to be O.C.D., I could have brought a matching tablecloth with me too.  All the girls were excited to take home their little personalized pumpkins.    I figured they would be cute on their desks at work.        

See, I don't think cute crafts and home decor projects need to be involved to make a big impact.   

Do you have a Thrilling Thursday craft you'd like to share?   All you have to do is put the link to your blog post in the linky below AFTER commenting on this post.  Then make sure you add the button somewhere in your post.  

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Wordless Wednesday...Happy Halloween

Relax... It's Lees Carpet

While at BlogHer12 in August, I was invited to the "Relax, It's.. Lees Spill & Chill Spa Party"   I was excited, my first BlogHer party ever!!   Unfortunately, due to a mix up as to what floor/room the party was in, I didn't find right place until they were just cleaning up.   BUMMER, right?   Nope, they ladies were very sweet and took pity on me and my new buddy Diane and invited us in.   We got the "quick" version of what had gone down earlier.   First we met Julie Edelman "The Accidental Housewife"  OMG, she is a rip.  I loved her from first site, with the rubber gloves and martini in hand!    She gave a demonstration of how totally awesome this carpet is.  (This was filmed earlier during the actual party)

The carpets came in so many styles and colors to choose from.

Here are the features that make Lees Carpet durable and great for any home with high traffic, kids and pets.
* EverTex™ fiber technology offers permanent stain resistance without any topical treatment.

* EverTex™ flexible yarn system creates softness that allows toes to sink in even if stains can’t.

* ExtraLoc^® backing uses double the density of woven support strands for a super-tough carpet that stands up to heavy traffic. 

I was offered to choose a color and style of carpet to try out in my own home.  I picked a lighter color, thinking I was going to be getting some new couches.  That didn't pan out, so  I figured I would put this carpet to the ultimate test!  My 19 year old son's dorm room!  Scary!  

This picture was taken after it had been in his dorm room for about 2 months.    He lives in a 3 bedroom suite with 5 other boys.    So you KNOW this gets it's fair share of wear and tear.   (yuck, I don't even want to know) 

But there it is... it looks just as new as the day we put it in.    AMAZING!  

I plan on using this rug in my living room when he is home for the summer.   

If your looking to replace your flooring, I suggest you check out a Carpet One retailer near you.  Also, you can check them out on Facebook and Twitter 

Disclosure:  I received a rug to review, opinions are all my own

Wordless Wednesday

Bulls Bridge Kent, Connecticut 

I get a pit in my stomach everytime I have to go through this bridge while driving the back roads to my friend's house in New York

Hanging Out With Friends From McDonalds, Newman's Own, Green Mountain and Oh Yeah.. There's Free Coffee For A Year!

***Closed*** 

Giveaway:  Free Coffee once a week for a year!

Only valid in New England & Albany, NY 

(except Fairfield County, CT)

Last Monday I was invited to participate in a chat about one of my favorite beverages, COFFEE!  

Not just any coffee, but Newman's Own Organic Coffee that is served only at McDonald's here in New England.   

The live virtual coffee tasting/chat featured Nell Newman, President of Newman’s Own Organics along with local McDonald’s Owner/Operator Wayne LeBrun and Green Mountain Coffee experts

*  The history of Newman’s Own Organics coffee with McDonald’s in New England

*  Behind-the-scenes info and tour of the Green Mountain roasting plant in Vermont

* Roasting process and taste of Newman’s Own Organics McDonald’s blend

At 9:50am I made myself a cup of Newman's Own Organics coffee (light and sweet) in my Keurig and sat at my computer for the event.     You can check it out for yourself  here.

 I had a lot of fun chatting with everyone and learning all about the process.   I have to say I was so impressed with how serious they all were about making sure we get the BEST cup of coffee when hittin' MickeyD's.    They are so passionate about their jobs and coffee,  I guess that's why they are all very successful. 

Now for the BEST part of this whole post. THE GIVEAWAY!  

My great friends at McDonald's have given me, not 1, not 2 but 3 punch cards for  free coffee at McDonald's for a year!  You will receive one free small Newman's Own Organics Hot Coffee each week for a year!  Yup, that's 52 free cups of coffee!  Awesome, right?  

I'm going to make this easy and quick because I want you to get your card ASAP, so you can start using it right away!     Remember, this giveaway is only valid in New England & Albany, NY (except Fairfield County, CT) 

Rules:    * Leave me a comment telling me how you take your coffee?   (Mandatory)
              (Make sure you leave your email address so I can let you know if you win!)  
              *Extra entry, Follow me on Twitter @DecoratingDork (leave a comment telling me followed and your Twitter handle)
              *Extra entry, "Like" my Facebook page The Decorating Dork
The giveaway will end on Thursday Oct. 4th at 11:59pm.   I will choose the winners on Friday Oct. 5th using Random.org.

GOOD LUCK!  

Disclosure:  I was given a Keurig machine and coffee for participating.  

Crafting with Beer Cans

In my family we make a big deal out of birthdays, even the adults birthdays.  

My brother James'  birthday is Sept. 11th.  A horrible day to have to celebrate your birthday, right?  

James not only has to share his birthday with one of the most horrific days in our country's history but in 1984 just 2 days before his 16th birthday our oldest brother was killed in a car accident.    So needless to say ever since then he really has a hard time around his birthday.  He actually hates it.  

My mother, sister and I always try to make his birthday extra special.   Every year we make him some sort of goofy kid-like cake just to make him smile.

Last year I made him a cake with a Bud Light beer can on it.

This year I decided to make him a cake using actual beer cans!  Of course I first got the idea from Pinterest. (where else?)  I mean what was the purpose of life before we had Pinterest?  Really?

First I got all the supplies...
* Cheap plastic tray from Goodwill for $1 to use as the base
* Elmer's foam board
* X-acto knife
* Clear packing tape
* Ribbon
* Beer.. lets NOT forget the main ingredient in this cake! (44 cans to be exact, it's his 44th birthday after all and I'm all dorky like that)

 It was  so simple and way fun to do.  I just know my brother is going to LOVE it.  How could he NOT?   I wouldn't mind getting one of these for my birthday. 

                              FIY:  44 beer cans, yeah that was the HEAVIEST cake I ever had to carry.

The only thing I would do next time is.... USE MORE TAPE!  I mistakenly thought the cans would miraculously just stay together with that pretty sheer ribbon wrapped around them.   Not-so-much.
The first turn out of my driveway and the whole thing tipped over and came apart in the back of my truck.

Beer Can Cake  FAIL.....

One can exploded all over and I  prayed the whole way to my mom's house that I didn't get pulled over.  

My car stunk like booze, big time!   When I got to my mom's we fixed it all back up like new and even took a beer can from her fridge so there were still 44 all together.   Wouldn't want to jinx his B-day in any way!  Duh

I wish I had gotten a pic of his face when I brought the cake/present out and put in front of him.  His smile was worth it all! 

Now I'm sure you're wondering what's in the cute cake carrier marked "Celebrate."  Well, that is James' actual birthday cake that I made.   It was a Long Island Ice Tea cake.  I know, I know... that must sound weird, but like I said we try to make my brother's birthdays "extra special."   The long story short of it is, that while on our Family Cruise in July my brother drank Long Island Ice Teas from sunrise to sunset and let's just say even though he is a BIG guy, those suckers got him, shall we say, a little tipsy.  (ps. you can also find anything and everything with a quick Google search)      

Do you make adult birthdays extra special?  What's the funniest/ most unusual cake or gift you've ever made?   

September 16th... Wife Appreciation Day?

Did you know that today, September 16th is known as National Wife Appreciation Day?
Yeah, neither did I.
I happen to catch a post on Facebook this morning by Duncan Hines mentioning it.    Of course I had to check out Google to see if it was a "real thing."   Why? I don't know!  It's not like anything about the day would change if it was, but when ya gotta know, you gotta know!

The first website I found was DaysOfTheYear.com  their definition was... "There are few cultural cliche's quite as entrenched as the supportive, caring, considerate wife. But believe it or not, it’s not all a big con; the bond between husband and wife runs deep, and it’s important to recognise that level of commitment and dedication to a partner. Wife Appreciation Day encourages husbands and partners to surprise their wives with gifts, recognition and above all, appreciation."   

I've been stressed-out and not feeling too great lately. So I decided I was going to celebrate the day and appreciate myself!  Hell,  if I don't who the hell else will?
While out on my weekly pilgrimage to the store for the Sunday newspapers (coupons, coupons, coupons) I grabbed myself a bouquet of flowers.   I went home put them in a vase, made myself a cocktail and put my feet up. (for 5 mins... then it was time to start dinner)   *Sigh*

Did you know what today was?  Did you know there is something to "celebrate" everyday?   Like Wednesday is "Talk like a Pirate Day?"  or that  Friday is "Miniature Golf Day?"  I'm going to try to celebrate more in the future.  Why not?