Time for a Spring Giveaway!

I have won so many giveaways this year, it's hard to believe.
 I want to pass some of that
 love 
around, so I've put together a little giveaway for you!

First up, we have this cute little canvas print from Kirklands.  Looking at it now, I kind of wish I bought one for myself!  (Note to self:  Go to Kirklands and buy one.)

Next, we have this wire cloche from Michael's. I love the gray finish on this.

Last, we have this sweet bird's nest from Pier 1. 

All three of these can be yours if you are the lucky winner of my
 Spring Giveaway!

Not many rules, but here goes:

The only thing I ask is that you please follow me/become a follower and leave me a comment letting me know you are.

If you would like, you can post about this giveaway on your blog, leave me a comment letting me know you did, and I will give you 2 additional entries!

Easy enough? 

This giveaway is limited to those in the United States and Canada only.

I will draw a winner on Monday, April 9th. 

Good luck to each of you!  I really do appreciate all your visits
and sweet comments here at Random Thoughts. 

The Newbie Reunion

Debbie, this one's for you!

Cue the Mary Tyler Moore Show music.

 

Who can turn the world on with her smile?

Who can take an unknown blog and suddenly make it all seem worthwhile?

Well it's you, Debbie, and you should know it,

With each post and every little comment you show it,

When Debbie is around there's no need to worry,

She helped us all out, go join her party and hurry,

We want to thank you after all,

♥  You know we love you after all.  ♥

As a proud graduate of Debbie's newie party, I couldn't possibly miss her newbie reunion.

I am so thankful for all that Debbie has done for me and all that she continues to do for so many of us.

I am proud to call her my friend!  Go on over and check out the reunion, right here. 

The Hunger Games

Like so many others, my daughter and I love The Hunger Games.  I became curious about the book last summer.  My daughter showed no interest in it at the time, so I went ahead and bought it for myself. 

At first, I was confused.  I kept thinking....what the heck am I reading?  What is going on here? 

But before I knew it, I couldn't put the darn book down!  I couldn't get to the store fast enough to buy the next books in the trilogy.  In time, my daughter decided to read them and became hooked.     

We saw The Hunger Games movie Friday night and might I just say....it was incredible!

At the start of the movie I was thinking, this is just not right....It's not dark enough...Katniss is smiling too much...they aren't going to be able to translate the rawness of the book to the big screen....how are they ever going to make us feel Katniss's emotions? 

In a short time, I was proven wrong.  They somehow managed to pull it off.  I think a great part of the success of this movie had to do with the genius casting choices.

 Jennifer Lawrence was amazing as Katniss.  I think she nailed the performance.

Woody Harrelson was the perfect Haymitch.

When I intially heard that Cinna was going to be played by Lenny Kravitz, I was wondering what the heck they were thinking.   After watching the movie, was Lenny Kravitz the correct choice?  Absolutely!   



Elizabeth Banks was spot on as Effie. 

I really enjoyed this movie.  However, if you see this movie and have not read the books, be prepared.  There is blood, there is gore and it is brutal at times.  It is by no means a light movie. 

That being said, I thought it was an excellent movie and yes, I did cry.  The whole part with Rue just sent me over the edge. (Yeah, go ahead and laugh.  I'm used to it.  My kids tease me all the time about crying at movies.) 

Please join me

Today, I'm being featured at Crayon Freckles as part of AndieJaye's in {her} shoes series. 

Andie is a sweetheart and an awesome mom as well.  She uses some of the most creative techniques for learning.  It kind of makes me wish my kids were little again so that I could steal all of her genius and pretend it was my mine.  LOL   

Anyway,  won't you come join me as I try to captivate you with my wisdom on parenting?     

Thanks! 

Spring Flower Candy Cups

I would like to share a quick and easy craft project with you.

Spring Flower Candy Cups

I used simple, basic supplies like:

Cardstock

Flower Template, found here

Scissors

Glue

Mini cupcake liners

Here's what I did:

I typed some random Spring and Easter words into my computer and printed them out onto cardstock. 

Then I just traced the flowers in various sizes onto the paper.    

I cut the flowers out, layered them and glued them together.  

I then glued the mini cupcake liner on top. 

I filled the cup with jelly beans (or you could use other candies.)   

And that, my friends, is that! 

See, I told you it was quick and  easy!    

I thought these would be cute sitting at each place setting for an Easter or Spring brunch.  

Mine are pretty basic, but I bet some of you really creative girls 

could run with this idea and turn them into something spectacular.    

Happy Weekend!  I am trying to get some work done around here!    

Sharing Dreams on 34th Street

The weather has been so beautiful here, I almost can't believe it's still March. 

Well my friends, I won another giveaway and I just have to share.  Lynne at Dreams on 34th Street had a giveaway for a Kate Spade tote bag.

First of all, when I opened the envelope, I pulled out this: 

As if that isn't pretty enough, see those tags? 

They opened to reveal this:

To say I was speechless, is an understatement.  Aren't they beautiful charms?  They are sterling silver with a Swarovski crystal and genuine seed pearl.  She even included one for my daughter, which really touched my heart. 

Here is the fabulous tote bag.  I had to include the tissue paper because my daughter thought it was so cool!  Lynne even included a bag of pretty little tags & cards. 

If you don't know Lynne at Dreams on 34th Street, you should pop over and take a look.  She has such a pretty blog and shares the most lovely, dreamy, images.   

Thank you again, Lynne, for your generosity and kindness.  Blogland is sweeter because you're in it! 

I'll be back with a giveaway of my own soon.  Until then, I hope you are enjoying beautiful Spring weather wherever you are!

Easter is Springing Up All Around

I really enjoy decorating for Spring & Easter.  I've had my Spring & Easter decor out probably a little earlier than I should have this year.  Ok, strike that, probably alot earlier than I should have.

This is what I came up with for the top of my vintage blue dresser.
 

Here are some close-ups...

A Nicol Sayre bunny atop a large urn.  I rested a little nest against the bottom.

Another Nicol Sayre bunny atop some old books.

I added this Vicki Smyers chick in an egg house, along with a pail of eggs and my tall bird clock.
My kids tell me that chick is scary.  He may be a little scary,  but in a cute way. 

I really appreciate your stopping by today.  The weather here has been unbelievable gorgeous and I hope it has been for you as well!

I'm sharing this at:

Tabletop Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life
Share Your Cup Thursday at Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olsen

A Great Spring'tacular Thank You

Thank you..........to all of you who have linked up to my craft portion of The Great Spring'tacular Link Party Parade.  I am truly honored that you joined me.  Being that this was my first party, and not being well known, I worried that I wouldn't get anyone to link up with me.  So, I very humbly thank each of you.

Thank you..........to those of you who weren't able to share a craft with me, but took the time to leave kind comments and/or visited the many blogs who linked up.

Thank you..........to the girls, Debbie, Shannon and Debbie.  It has been a pleasure working with you girls!

Thank you..........to Debbie of Debbiedoos for answering all our endless questions and for working with three girls who were new to all things link party related.   

Thank you..........to those of you who had to bear with me while I got my newbie linky issues taken care of.  Some of you may have had to link up again and yet again until I got it right.  I probably should thank Brent of Linky Tools as well.  The issues were all my own,  he was polite enough not to let me know that.  LOL

In other words, thank you, sweet friends, for making The Great Spring'tacular Link Party Parade a big success!

***My Craft Party link will remain open until Tuesday, March 20.  Click here to link up. 

Chicks & Bunnies Breakfast Tablescape

This is our final stop of  The Great Spring'tacular Link Party Parade!

Debbie of Refresh Restyle, or Debbie Fresh as we like to call her,  is hosting the Tablescape & Recipe party today and I know she is going to end our parade with a bang! 
  

Let's get on with it, shall we?



 
Details:
The polka dotted plates are from Christmas Tree Shop, set atop my everyday white Corelle dishes.  Napkins are from Bed, Bath & Beyond. 
Napkin Rings from Kohls, last year. 
Yellow flatware is by Cambridge purchased at Home Goods. 
Mugs and egg holders from Pier 1, last year. 

Such a cutie!

Little chick spreaders from Pier 1.

Bunny candleholders, given to me by my sister-in-law, from Pier 1. 

Please join me and link your Spring or Easter tablescape at ReFresh ReStyle as part of our Great Spring'tacular Party!   I love tablescapes, so I can't wait to see what everyone will be sharing. 

I will also be linking to:

Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch
Your Cozy Home Party at Cozy Home Scenes
Tip Toe thru Tuesday at Crayon Freckles


And....please don't forget, my Craft Party link is still open,  if you'd like to participate!

Spring'tacular Craft Link Party Parade!

I am so excited to be hosting this part of the Great Spring'tacular Link Party Parade!  I can't believe the day is finally here....today is my Craft Party!  It is an honor to have you join me!

I have made so many different crafts over the past few weeks, I had a hard time picking which one I wanted to share with you today.

I decided on an Easter wreath I made.

First, I gathered a few supplies...like a wire wreath & burlap.

I cut the burlap into strips, about 1 inch by 8 inches long.  No, the strips don't need to be perfect.  Take each strip and tie them on the wreath form.

Keep tying strips onto the wreath.  It'll start looking this this:

You want it to look nice & full when it's done, so you can really tie as many strips as you can fit.  I would say I used a good yard & half of burlap.  

I kind of liked the wreath in this plain form, but because this is a Spring/Easter party, adding a little of the season was the way to go.   I bought a square pail from Michaels & filled it with some Spring blooms.  I then tied the whole thing to the wreath with yellow gingham ribbon.

There she is....my Burlap Rag Easter Wreath!

Cute, huh? 

Oh yeah, it would be rude of me if I don't warn you.  This is a messy project.  The burlap fibers make quite a mess.  Nothing that a vacuum or a good sweeping can't cure, but I thought I should let you know beforehand. 

Now I am ready to get this party started!

***Please link up your Spring/Easter craft projects.
***Please be sure to add my link to your post so that others can party with us.

I so look forward to seeing what you've created and I really appreciate your joining me today for my very first party! 

Let's go!

Linking to:

Open House Party at No Minimalist Here
Time Travel Thursday at The Brambleberry Cottage
Thursdays are Your Days at 52 Mantels
Potpourri Friday at 2805
Party with My Peeps at How to Nest for Less