~mini lemon loaf cakes~

We are going to a lot of potlucks this Fourth Of July, so I am getting prepared and making things I can freeze. If you make these and freeze them, add the glaze after they have thawed.

These are so good and I love lemon when it's hot out, so refreshing!

I picked up the little mini loaf pans and flags at my local craft store.

~enjoy~

xoxo

~apple of my eye sign & pattern~

Today I am going to show you how to make this cute sign!

First off you need a piece of MDF {medium density fiberboard}

These come in large sheets for around $7.00, I got mine at Home Depot.

Cut it down to 15" x 24"

For the frame you will need 1x2's. I chose cedar, again, purchased at Home Depot.

You need to cut these at a 45 degree angle.

They should be skinny side up when sitting on your saw.

Cut them to fit the outside edge of your MDF.

Once your pieces are cut, sand any rough edges off.

Then stain your frame pieces. 

I used weathered gray wood stain by Varathane.

Again, I purchased this at Home Depot.

I applied it with a paper towel, wiped it on, and wiped it right back off.

Next you will need to paint 2 coats of satin or eggshell paint onto your MDF.

I used Swiss Coffee Behr.

While all that is drying you can print out your pattern.

This is the pattern below. 

Enlarge it at a copy center, or on your home printer if you have a scanner.

You can always piece it together if it won't print all on one page.

Then use this technique to transfer the pattern on to your painted MDF.

Paint in the wording and the apple, let dry, then sand lightly for a distressed look.

I finished mine off with a coat of clear wax, but this is optional.

Now it's time to put your frame together. 

Line up the edges and use a nail gun to attach together. You can always use wood glue and clamps if you don't have a nail gun.

The four little pieces in the corners and just scraps used to hold it all together.

Then if you measured everything correctly you should just be able to pop in your sign and again, nail in place, or use wood glue on those supporting pieces.

~happy crafting~

xoxo

~tic tac toe diy~{thrifty thursday a day late}

My friends over at The Handmade Home made a  fabulous patriotic tic tac toe board.

So fabulous.

Everything they do is fabulous.

Just. Fabulous.

Anyway, you can check it out here.

They cut each star and circle themselves.

That's really time consuming.

I decided I wanted to make one with less time involved.

So here is my version which I am calling the lazy mans tic tac toe board.

I started out in search of a square wood tray to use but couldn't find one anywhere.

Then I stumbled upon this shadowbox frame at the craft store and voila!

It was on sale as well, so that was a bonus.

The craft store I was at didn't have cutout wooden stars and circles, so I improvised and used these paper mache ones.

For the bottom I used a piece of MDF cut to size.

For the dividers I simply cut up some 1x2 pieces of cedar I had.

I painted everything individually before putting it together.

It was way easier this way.

Once everything was assembled I spackled all the nail holes and edges.

After the spackle was dry I sanded it down, this gave it a distressed look as well.

To finish it off I added additional 1x2's cut on  45 degree angles around the outside edge, and then added a bottom piece using MDF.

I used "antique gold" by Delta Ceramcoat on the stars….

And Behr Oarsman Blue on the circles.

Then I striped them with warm white by Americana.

Play time!

I think this will be a fun summer game to play outdoors, or even in. 

Thank you to The Handmade Home for yet another inspiring idea!

The winner of the Shop Joyworks flag tank top is the writer of the blog,
preparing for two.

xoxo

~doing a little living room rearranging~

Every now and then, ok, about once a week, I get in the mood to change things up.

Sometimes it's little things like bringing in fresh flowers and cleaning out the cupboards.

Other times it's rearranging furniture or tackling a major project.

This week I switched things up in the living room a little bit.

As many of you know, I sanded the green paint off our coffee table.

I know a lot of you liked the green, and I did too, just not in here.

And if I ever do want it green again, I'll just paint it!

I'm loving the look of the raw wood.

The photo below shows the main changes, even though they are small. I removed the glass front cabinet from the left of the fireplace and stacked it on top of the other matching one, on the right.

{you can't see the bottom one in this pic}

Then I moved the leather chair to the corner to create a cozy little spot.

Sorry for all the sun glares. 

It rained all day and when I went to take photos, the sun came out.

Not complaining though!

I didn't have any fresh flowers so I cut a couple branches off some trees in the yard.

I also brought back my stump table and put all my favorite back issues of Cottage Living Magazine on it. I could read them over and over and over.

Of course when I sacked these two cabinets, the artwork was too big, so I changed that up too.

Some sources for this space:

Lamps on table- Homegoods, similar here

Sectional- Pottery Barn {in twill cream}

Euro pillows on couch from here 

Frames on wall from Ikea

Shutters, glass bottle, and tray on console table, various antique stores

Stacked cabinets {old} Fred Meyer

Floor lamp-Homegoods, similar here

Metal pitcher- Joss and Main

Leather chair {color whisky} -Pottery Barn

Blanket on chair- World Market

Pillow on chair- Pottery Barn

Coffee table- family heirloom

Wall color-swiss coffee by Benjamin Moore

Ticking pillow on couch from my friend here

xoxo

~patriotic sign re-do~

I love making signs, and especially for the holidays.

So when I saw this, I knew I had to recreate it in my own "neutral" way!

Here is how it turned out:

And here is the before:

A $6.99 thrift store sign/clock thing.

This just goes to show you don't need to find the prettiest things while out thrifting, just things with good bones.

I didn't have to do a thing to the frame, and I simply painted the whole piece white and added the black lettering.

Side by side comparison:

Much better!

I am way behind on my holiday decorating.

Not that I usually do a ton for the fourth, but usually more than this!

I do have a good reason though.

We have been super busy working on a BIG project that I will be sharing here on July 3rd.

You won't want to miss this one!

xoxo

~a new {to me} website for home decor

I love finding new home decor websites and when I found Heritage Lace I knew I had to get a few goodies for myself!

First up, this adorable Mode Crochet Basket Set:

So many uses for these. I got the charcoal color and think I will use the large one in my bathroom for odds and ends and the smaller ones for plants.

How great are these Ruffled Luxury Placemats?

This Stripe Apron  reminds me of vintage grain sack material, love, love, love it.

And to go with the placemats, I got the matching Ruffled Luxury Runner.

The neutral color will go with any season and I can't wait to use it!

Happy shopping!

xoxo

~American flag tank giveaway~

One of My Sweet Savannah's new sponsors, Shop Joyworks,  is generously giving away this adorable American flag tank to one lucky reader!

All you have to do is follow Shop Joyworks on instagram to be entered. Once you have followed, head on over to my instagram and comment that you've done so on the picture that matches one of the above.

If you do not have a instagram account, commenting on this post here will count as an entry.

I will choose a random winner on Friday.

Good luck!

xoxo

~dollar store flag banner~

This is a project I did last year, but thought I'd share it again as the Fourth of July is right upon us!

It's an easy no sew project that can be done in a matter of minutes.

Start out with as many flags as you want.

I purchased mine at the dollar store.

They were on sticks which I discarded.

You will also need ribbon or bias tape, and fabric glue.

Find a long flat surface to lay your flags on.

I weighted mine down because I was outside and the wind was blowing that day.

Glue the bias tape or ribbon on and then tape down until dry.

When it's dry you are ready to hang!

What are your plans for the Fourth of July?

xoxo