Happy Wednesday friends!

It’s the second Wednesday of the month and that means it’s our Monthly DIY Challenge! For the past few years now, a few of my blogging friends and I do a monthly challenge where we create different things using the same product or theme. This month it was pillowcases and I have to say it had me stumped for a bit.

Some of my favorite challenges that we’ve done in the past are dollar store items…

last month’s 1X2s theme…

and using upcycled materials…

It’s always so fun to see what my friends come up with. These ladies are some of the most talented ladies in blogland and you’ll have to see all their amazing DIY’s at the end of my post. Anyway, on to this month’s theme…

If you’ve been wanting to make your own fabric garland for a gallery wall or some other place, I’d really encourage you to give it a try! This one was so fun to make and love that I didn’t spend anything at all!  I always check the fabric and lace at my favorite thrift store and buying it from there or using what you already have will really cut down on cost!

 Ever since making my first Fabric Garland for our daughter’s bedroom makeover, I’ve been hooked on this pretty DIY! Not only is it so simple to make, but I love that you can use any and all kinds of fabric to match it to any room or style.

I had made this one for above our bed but as I was sitting in our living room one evening enjoying an evening by our fireplace, I decided to hang it there and that’s where it’s stayed. I’m thinking I’ll have to make another one for our bedroom!

Since moving back into our home and unpacking a gazillion boxes all our boxes we’ve been purging and getting rid of stuff that we don’t need. One area that I really purged was our extra bedding. Seriously, how many extra sheets and pillows do we need? Before tossing these pillowcases out, I thought they’d be perfect to use for this month’s challenge. I used  a grey one, a white one and then 3 different kinds of lace.

I first decided how long I wanted the garland to be and then using my fabric scissors, I cut into the fabric just a little like shown in the above photo. I then tore it the rest of the way, because it’s so much easier to rip than cut and because it gives it that farmhouse, shabby chic look that I love!

My strips of lace and ribbon are approximately 12″ in length. I have to admit though that I totally eyeballed the whole thing and didn’t measure each one individually. And because I didn’t take photos of step by step directions, you can check out this great tutorial on how to loop the strips of fabric.

Repeat the looping with each strip of fabric and lace, sliding them close together, until you reach your desired  fullness. I didn’t follow any kind of pattern but rather just used the white, grey and lace randomly. And I absolutely love how it turned out!!

Now for the rest of the pillowcase DIYs…

 If you’re looking for a quick and easy dessert, these Lemon Bars are it! A delicious shortbread crust is topped with a tangy and creamy lemon filling.

There’s something about a lemon dessert that’s so refreshing and delicious. While I absolutely love chocolate, sometimes it’s the lighter and tangy flavour of lemons that I crave. After all, this Blueberry Citrus Cake is one I’ve made for my own birthday a couple of times. And then there’s this Lemon Poppy Seed Bundt Cake that gets made in our home time and again. Everyone loves both of these.

Sometimes when a recipe is super easy I wonder if I should share it or not. It almost seems to simple to make and share on my blog. But just recently, when I needed to make something at the last minute for our neighbors, I turned to these trustworthy Lemon Bars that I’ve made a hundred times.

And as I enjoyed the tantalizing flavors of lemon and buttery shortbread together in this delicious bar, I knew I wanted to share them with you on here. #youneedthisrecipeinyourlife 🙂

Lemon Bars {with a Shortbread Crust}

1. 1 1/2 cups flour
2. 2/3 cups icing sugar
3. 3/4 cup butter; softened
4. 3 eggs, lightly beaten
5. 1 1/2 cups sugar
6. 3 tbsp. flour
7. 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
8. additional icing sugar

1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. In a medium size bowl, combine flour, icing sugar and butter.
3. Pat into a greased 9X13″ pan.
4. Bake at 350F for 20 minutes or until lightly browned.
5. Meanwhile, using the same bowl, whisk eggs lightly.
6. Add sugar, flour and juice from lemons until frothy.
7. Pour over hot crust and bake for 20-25 minutes or until top is lightly brown.
8. Cool and using a sieve, dust lightly with icing sugar.

Joy in Our Home http://www.joyinourhome.com/ Although these bars freeze really well, I don’t think they’ll make it as far as your freezer! Let me know if you try them, friends!

Thanks so much for stopping by today,

Hello friends! Welcome back to another week of The Creative Corner! Whether you’re here to share what you’ve been creating or you’re here for some inspiration… I’m so glad you stopped by! Unfortunately, I missed last week’s party… when you lose a loved one, everything else gets put on hold. Pop over to my Instagram where I shared a little bit more.

The DIY Mommy
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And here’s what my friends and I have been up to…

Make A Unicorn Plush Pillow from The DIY Mommy

Get To Know The Circut Explore Air 2 from The Southern Couture

Console Table Decorated With Metallics For Spring from The Curly Crafty Mom

Dollar Store Apothecary Jars from Joy In Our Home

Chicken Wire Cloche DIY from Homestead 128

White Distressed Farmhouse Bench from Petticoat Junktion

Seasonal Simplicity Spring Home Tour from The Happy Housie

Ready to share what has been motivating you this past week?

• Limit three links per week and remember to link directly to your post, not your blog.
• Ready to share what has been motivating you this past week?Do not link stores, giveaways, or other link parties.
• Be sure to hop around some of the other posts that have been linked up to share the love and get motivated by what others have been up to.

Each week, your hosts will choose a post to feature from the previous week. If you want a chance at being featured, you must follow all of the hosts in someway. By linking up, you agree to let each host share your photo and link back to your site, as well as receive a weekly e-mail letting you know when the party is live. We will never give your e-mail or info to anyone, nor will we spam you! The Creative Corner link party goes live Sunday 7pm MST and ends Thursday at 4pm MST.

Can’t wait to see what you’ve been up to!!

 Hello y’all!

Today, I’d love to share the yummiest brownie recipe ever! Plain brownies just don’t cut it anymore… not after you have one of these! They are lip-smackin’ good, with a creamy caramel center. This is the recipe I turn to when I need  a sweet treat for a potluck, for after school snacks, camping trips and it’s a must for our Christmas baking!

Don’t let the three different layers intimidate you…. it really is easy and quick to whip up! I know you’ll love it!

First Layer:

2 cups sugar

4 eggs

2 tsp. vanilla

1 tsp. salt

1/2 cup cocoa

1 cup butter, softened

1 1/2 cups flour

Mix sugar and cocoa together. Stir in butter, eggs, and vanilla and beat well with an electric mixer. Add flour and salt and mix just until blended. Line a cookie sheet with greased parchment paper (you’ll thank me later, when it’s time to cut them and remove them from the pan!) and spread batter evenly on entire cookie sheet. Bake at 350F for 20 minutes.

Second Layer:

1 cup butter

4 tbsp. flour

2 tbsp. corn syrup

1 1/2 cups brown sugar

1 can sweetened condensed milk

Melt all ingredients in a pot on the stove. Bring to a small boil. Pour mixture over first layer while first layer is still hot. Bake at 350F for 10 minutes.

Third Layer:

Chocolate Icing

2-3 cups icing sugar

1/3 cup butter, softened

2 tsp. vanilla

2 tbsp. cocoa

2 tbsp. milk

Use electric beater and beat well. Spread on cooled brownies. These freeze really well!

I hope you give these a try! They would be perfect for summer picnics or just to have on hand in the freezer in case you need something sweet for visitors that pop in! Happy baking 🙂

Thanks for stopping by,

Kendra

Linking to: Do Tell Tuesday, Work it Wednesday, Inspire Me Please, Grace At Home, Link It or Lump It, Enchanting Inspiration, Crafty Blog Stalker, Fridays Unfolded

Happy Thursday Everyone!

Today is a very exciting day for me as I get to finally announce the new link up party I’m hosting with some fabulous bloggy friends!

Your Turn To Shine is the place to link up all your fabulous DIY, crafts, recipes, home décor or anything that you created! We’d love to have you share it with us!

I’d love to introduce you to the 4 ladies I’ll be co-hosting with. Please hop on over to their blogs too and say hi! They’re fabulously talented gals! Amy and Vicki blog at Canary Street Crafts, Jamie blogs at Anderson & grant and Nicole blogs at Meet the Bs.  When you link a post that you want to share on any one of our blogs, it’ll then appear on all FOUR of our blogs! Which means more exposure for you! We hope you come back every week to link up and share with us! It really is Your Turn To Shine!

anderson & grant

1857 Family Bible | Decorating with Pumpkins  | Baskets for Storage | 3 Photography Must Haves 

Canary Street Crafts 

$150 Gift Card Giveaway |  12 Halloween Party Ideas | Pumpkin Brownies | Rose & Hydrangea Wreath

Joy In Our Home

Pumpkins & Scrabble Frame // Our Journey in Refinishing Hardwood Floors//Triple Layer Brownies // Master Bedroom Makeover

Meet The B’s

Painted Canvas Sign || Succulent Planter || Wooden Crate Pet Bed

1. No Etsy stores, giveaways, or link parties.
2. Please link to a specific post on your blog, not your blog’s home page.
3. Link back to one of our blogs with a text link or party button.
4. By submitting a link, you’re giving us permission to feature your project on our blogs and on social media.  Proper credit and a link back to your post will always be given.  
5. Each week, a few of our favorites will be featured on all four of our blogs.  Features will also be pinned to our Pinterest Party Board for even more exposure!  If you were featured, be sure to grab a button!

We would love to connect with you on social media!
 

Jamie from anderson & grant  ||  Facebook  ||  Instagram  ||  Pinterest  ||  Twitter  

Vicki & Amy from Canary Street Crafts  ||  Facebook  ||  Instagram  ||  Pinterest  ||  Twitter  ||  Google+

Kendra from Joy In Our Home  ||  Facebook  ||  Instagram  ||  Pinterest 

Nicole from Meet The B’s  ||  Facebook  ||  Pinterest  ||  Twitter  ||  Google+

Happy Tuesday Friends!

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! It seems like summer’s arrived in our neck of the woods! We are enjoying some beautiful and sunny weather and am so excited for all-things summer!

Once a month, a few of my wonderful blogging friends and I do a One Ingredient Challenge. We all start out with the same ingredient and go to town with it! Make anything you want from it. In case you missed it, April was bacon and March was peanut butter.

 And this month, it’s lemons!

Lemons are something that go in our grocery cart every week. There’s some foods that don’t even go on my list because they’re staples in our home. Lemons are one of those. Whether we use them in our water bottles, to go along with fish, for strawberry lemonade, or even garnish, we love lemons! 

As soon as I heard the word lemons, I knew which recipe I’d share. This is hands-down my favorite cake.ever. I first tasted it about 7 or 8 years ago when one of my dearest friends had us over for my birthday and this is the cake she made. I fell so in love with it that the next year on my birthday I told my husband that I’m making it for my birthday. He wasn’t too impressed with the idea that I’d be making my own cake but I assured him I don’t mind, especially since it was my favorite. Well, that morning my friend called to wish me a happy birthday and she asked me what I was doing and when I told her and she said “Kendra! You’re not supposed to be making that cake! I’ve made you one again this year!” Needless to say, we had our fix of Blueberry Citrus Cake that week!

This cake is absolutely bursting with flavors… from the moist lemon cake, to the cream cheese icing that has just the right amounts of lemon and orange flavors, to the juicy and plump blueberries in the center. Trust me when I say this cake will make you ohhh and ahh! It always impresses when I serve it!

1. 1 package lemon cake mix
2. 3 eggs
3. 1 cup orange juice
4. 1/3 cup oil
5. 1 1/2 cups fresh blueberries
6. 1 tbsp. grated lemon peel
7. 1 tbsp. grated orange peel

1. 1 package (3 ounces) cream cheese, softened
2. 1/4 cup butter, softened
3. 3 cups icing sugar
4. 2 tbsp. orange juice
5. 2 tsp. grated orange peel
6. 1 tsp. grated lemon peel
7. 2 cups whipped topping

1. In a bowl, combine the cake mix, eggs, orange juice and oil.
2. Beat on low speed for 30 seconds and then continue to beat on medium for 2 minutes.
3. Fold in blueberries and peels.
4. Pour into two well greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans.
5. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
6. Cool for 20 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
7. For frosting, in a bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy.
8. Add icing sugar, orange juice and peels; beat until blended.
9. Fold in whipped topping.
10. Spread frosting between layers and over the top and sides of cake.
11. Refrigerate until serving.

1. You can also use frozen blueberries instead of fresh. Do not thaw but use them right from the freezer.

Joy in Our Home http://www.joyinourhome.com/

 My mouth is watering just looking at all the amazing lemon recipes below! Be sure to check out all the amazing recipes… and enjoy the rest of your week!

Recipe Adapted from: Taste of Home