Easter Egg Centerpiece - Feature of the Day

Are you ready for Easter?  I am not.  It is always harder for me to be prepared when Easter is in March.  I just bought some of the kids Easter candy today. The baskets and decorations are still in storage.  I am still a bit unsure if we are even  doing an Easter Egg Hunt this year since the youngest child is in middle school.   I do think though, that I would like to make an Easter Egg  centerpiece like Kathy from Life on Lakeshore Drive shared on Dare to Share. Using items she already had on hand, dollar store items and just a few other supplies, she put together this beautiful centerpiece that would look great on any Easter table. You can see her step by step tutorial on how to make one for your own here.  Thanks so much for linking up Kathy! 

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17 Last Minute St. Patrick's Day Ideas

I have rounded up some of my favorite St. Patrick's Day ideas from posts shared on Dare to Share, Pinterest, and favorite websites.  If you want to Pin them, be sure to go to to original post and link from their sites. Have a Happy St. Patrick's Day! 

Leprechauns 

Leprechaun Pops  by Pams Party and Practical Tips

Leprechaun Cookies by Phaedra's Adventures

Leprechaun Snack by With a Blast

Leprechaun Trap by The Classroom Creative

Leprechaun Lunch by Kitchen Fun with My 3 Sons

Leprechaun Hats by BettyCrocker.com

Rainbows/Pot of Gold 

Homemade Pot of Gold by Pams Party and Practical Tips

Rainbow Treats by Phaedra's Adventures 

Rainbow Bread by Not Just a Housewife

Pot of Gold by Make and Takes

Rainbow Breakfast by Kitchen Fun with my 3 Sons

Rainbow Sugar Cookie Bark by Mom on Timeout 

Pot of Gold Snack Mix by Pillsbury.com

Shamrocks 

Shamrock Cupcakes by Phaedra's Adventures

Irish Dirt Pudding by With a Blast

Shamrock Chips by Zakka Life

Paper Shamrocks by Hands On As We Grow

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Dare to Share #50

 

It is that time of the week again. It is time for another Dare to Share.  It's been another busy week here at our house.   Monday started out with another set of blood tests for my daughter. Normally the lab in the lower level of where our Dr. is located is not that busy..  This Monday was another story. We waited an hour to be seen instead of the normal 5-10 minutes. We got those results back, and even though they look better, they are still not what they should be.  This morning she woke up covered with hives. (sound familiar?) Since she has never had them before, I took her in to see the Dr.  We are not sure what is causing them.  There will be more tests and more appointments in the next few weeks..

Also this week some very good friend moved away.  We had a going away party for them, and their daughter who is a good friend of Kara's stayed with most of the weekend. (the streak continues, this is Kara's 6th friend since the 1st grade to move away) We are happy for them though.  They have been wanting to moved back closer to their family for several years, and everything fell into place this time. On Tuesday, another friend called and asked if I wanted to go to lunch. Since it has been a stressful few weeks, I jumped at the chance.  We spent a few hours just hanging out at Panera and Costco, having some friend therapy.  

On a crafty note, this week I was part of a Sharing is Caring, Easter Blog Hop with several other blogs.  We each shared an Easter post.  Since my Bunny Treat Boxes (pictured above) were such a big hit, I made some new boxes for Easter.  You can see my new Easter Treat Boxes, and other Easter links from the hop here.

Did you have a chance to see the Features of the Day. This week they are all fun and frugal Easter decorating ideas.
10 Easter Egg ideas by The Wilderness Wife
Frugal Easter Decorations by Rain on a Tin Roof
Bunny Wreath by Pinkie for Pink

I had planned on having a few more Features of the Day this week, but with everything going on it did not work out that way.  I do plan on writing a few round up posts before Easter, so keep an eye out for that, you still might be featured.  

Now it is time for this week's party.  I don't require that you follow me but I would love it if you did.   If you are chosen as the Dare to Share Feature of the Day, your post will be promoted on the blog, Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and G+.

Now have fun and Link Up! 

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Bunny Wreath Tutorial - Feature of the Day

Unintentionally I have had a theme for my Dare to Share Features  this week.  Each of the features have been frugal.  This bunny wreath tutorial by Nichole at Pinkie for Pink is no exception. Several pieces of this adorable wreath were only $1. She uses an item that I would never have thought to use.  There is still a few weeks until to Easter so if you would like to make one, be sure to check out Pinkie for Pink here.  Thank you for linking up Nichole! 

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It pays to use Ibotta

I have been using Ibotta for about 6 weeks, and  I am very excited about some promotions they are having right now.   Ibotta pays you  to shop.  The promoted products they offer each week are often products you were already buying anyway.  They are currently offering 16 brand new high value offers this week in addition to many more. They have also added many new stores to their participating list, so you are sure to find one near you.  This app is a great one to have on your phone, and it is FREE.  It works on both iPhone and Android.  Click on the banner to sign up.

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Easter Treat Boxes

I am part of the Sharing is caring Easter Blog Hop hosted by Life with Lovebugs . During this hop, several blogs will be sharing Easter crafts. I decided to share Easter Treat Boxes. Two years ago, I shared my Bunny Treat Boxes, which has been one of my most popular posts to date. Who knew that a craft using dollar store mini containers and craft supplies would be so well received.

Since then I have also made treat boxes for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

I thought it would be a good time to add some new Easter treat boxes to the collection. 

Disclosure: the link to the supplies  used in this post are  affiliate links. 

I used craft foam, pipe cleaners and google eyes to make the chick. I had hoped to use feathers as well, but wouldn't you know it, I could not find them anywhere when I need them. I used a circle mini box found in the container aisle at the dollar store. They come in a pack of 10. If you can not find them at your local dollar store you can find them here on Amazon.  I then used a hot glue to glue on the little chicks features.  

I tried a couple of different ways to make the lamb.  I thought I might use cotton balls, but I found they were a bit big for this size container.  I also experimented with covering the whole lid, but that did not look quite right to me either.  The mini pom poms were the perfect size.  I used craft foam for the ears and mouth.  

Easter treat boxes would be great for class parties, and Easter Egg hunts, and easy enough for kids to make (you can use regular glue as well) 

 Happy Easter! 

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Frugal Easter Decorations - Feature of the Day

I really like frugal crafts. It really makes you feel good when you can create something beautiful, for very little money.  Jenna from Rain on a Tin Roof, shared how to turn a Goodwill find, into something quite unique. You can see how she transformed her golden bunny centerpiece, and decorated the rest of her table on her blog here.  Thanks for linking up your Easter table  on Dare to Share Jenna! 

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10 Frugal Egg Decorating Ideas - Feature of the Day

I am loving all of the fun Easter egg decorating ideas shared by Sheryl,  The Wilderness Wife on this week's Dare to Share.  I am always looking for new ways to decorate our Easter Eggs and with Easter right around the corner, we will need to do it  soon.  You can see her round up of great ideas here. Thanks for linking up Sheryl! 

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Dare to Share #49

You may have noticed that I have been a bit quiet this week.   Well  you know that old saying when it rains, it pours.. well this week it is has been a typhoon.  In one week's time we found out several family members were having medical problems, some very serious.

On Monday my oldest daughter was complaining of pain and  tingling  on her sides.  She said that it felt like it was her kidneys even though where the pain was located was not where her kidneys are.  I took her in to be looked at.  Our Dr does not work on Monday's so we saw another one in the practice.  During the exam the Dr  found that my daughter's kidneys were actually tender. She thought it was maybe a kidney infection, so she had a sample sent to the lab.  Early Wed. morning her Dr called saying she was very concerned with the results. She said we would need some blood work and ultrasound done asap.  The results were showing  possible cysts on her kidneys. We had the blood work done that day, and the ultrasound Thursday morning. This afternoon I got another call.  The ultrasound is okay, but the blood work is not.  There is some definitely auto immune issue going on. We have to do more tests and might have to see a specialist.  They are not sure what is going on, but it was brought up that lupus was a possibility.

On Tuesday  I found out that one of my brothers has to have his gall bladder taken out, and my other brother was having a MRI that day because he had been having a lot of pain on one side.  Tests were done and they found something going on with his bone marrow, which is why he needed the MRI. He is still waiting for  the results.

On Thursday my step dad had to have some tests to check the arteries in his legs.  They  knew he had some blockage and they were going to try and put a stent in.  Well I guess it was too bad for a stent, and was told he will need to have by pass surgery. This is going to be major surgery!

So between my daughter, my 2 brothers and my step dad, it has been a bit of a week.  

On a lighter note, I did  actually write one post this week.  I shared how I made Chocolate Pots of Gold.

There is also the matter of the Woolzie Dryer Ball giveaway..  The winner has been chosen and it is ...
Alissa A.. whose winning entry was tweeting about the giveaway.. Congrats Alissa!

Did you have a chance to see the fabulous Features of the Day this week?   If you haven't, here they are again.

Best Ever Chocolate Chip Cookies by Butter and Jam
Spring Wreath with Burlap Flowers by Life on Lakeshore Drive
Cerusing a Nightstand by Turtles and Tails
Chalkboard Cupboard Door by Yearning to Create

Now onto this week's party.  I don't really have any rules.  You do not have to be a follower to link up, but I would love it if you did.  If you are chosen as the Feature of the Day, your post will be promoted on the blog, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and G+

Now link up and have FUN!

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Cupboard Door Chalkboard - Feature of the Day

I have a hard time throwing things out, and now seeing the idea Delle from Yearning to Create shared on Dare to Share, I might have an even harder time.  Her daughter recently got married, and she wanted to upcycle items they already had instead of buying new.  When she came across an old cupboard door she had a great idea.  Using that  re-purposed cupboard door she was able to make the perfect sign for the wedding entryway.   You can see more pictures of that upcycyled door and  entryway here. Thank you for linking up Delle!  

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Refinish a Nightstand - Feature of the Day

Have you ever come across an old piece of furniture that you knew would be great if  you only knew how to refinish it.  I know I have.   Barb from Turtles and Tails gives a great photo tutorial on how she turned the nightstand on the left, into the beautiful piece of furniture on the right.  Pretty impressive, huh.  Now I have the urge to go fix up some of my own furniture.  Thank you so much for linking up to Dare to Share Barb! 

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Chocolate Pots of Gold

Chocolate Pot of Gold 

I have several candy molds that I really do not use very often.  When I saw the chocolate bowl mold, it gave me an idea.  

The mold could make 6 bowls of 3 different sizes 

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Spring Wreath with Burlap Flowers - Feature of the Day

If you are living in the midwest today, you are being hit with yet another snow storm  It looks like the heavy snow will go to the south of where I live, so probably no more snow days for us.  We are more than ready for spring to come which is why I like the wreath that Kathy from Life on Lakeshore Drive  shared on Dare to Share,  The flowers and fun spring banner remind us that spring really will be here soon.   Thank you so much for linking up Kathy!

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