Cool Treat for Hot Summer Days (& A Giveaway)

I don't know about you, but we are having a major heat wave in NC this week. I have been trying to keep the twins entertained indoors, but we are getting a little stir crazy over here. I was given the opportunity to try out the new Ball book of Canning & Preserving and found an amazing recipe that combines the twin's two favorite summer fruits...Watermelon and Blackberries. They of course loved it and were signing "more".

And...because today is International Can It Forward Day I used a couple of my jars to serve the Watermelon-Blackberry Granita.

If you love canning, mason jar crafts, gifts or decorating with these beauties you can follow Ball  for giveaways and LIVE demonstrations going on throughout the day. You can see that all happening HERE (Facebook Live) starting at 10:00am EST. 
*Also, if you participate by asking questions, liking a recipe or make a pledge, a $1 donation will be made to charity. So it's a #winwin for all! 
*Have a question!? Use Twitter with hashtag #canitforward from 10am-5pm ET on July 22nd.  

That's Not All my friends! Ball is also giving ONE of my lucky readers the amazing goodies below!! 

 The All New Ball Book of Canning and Preserving: From the makers of the iconic Ball® jars and Ball® canning products comes the first truly comprehensive canning guide created for today's home cooks. This modern handbook boasts more than 200 brand new recipes ranging from jams and jellies to pickles, salsas, and more. (Retail value: $22.95)

Case of Collection Elite Wide Mouth Pint Jars: For the first time, the Ball® brand has introduced a line of never-before released blue colored jars.  (Retail value: $8.99/case)

One $5 off coupon to be used on FreshPreservingStore.com

Follow the Rafflecopter below to enter! (U.S. Residents Only Please) Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


**A HUGE Thank you to Ball Jars for sending the above products for review and giveaway. As always all of the opinions are mine and only mine. **

{DIY} Colorful Umbrellas

This post is just perfect to start this raining week here in NC! We are literally going to see rain everyday. I am not very excited about that, but it will help me stay inside and get some projects finished.

I have seen some great umbrella inspiration around the web lately.

photo 1-Originial photo taken by Studio DIY for ScotchBlue

photo 2, photo 3

It got my wheels turning and I decided to try my hand at painting a couple of umbrellas using ScotchBlue TM Original Painter's Tape. Studio DIY for ScotchBlue had a great tutorial on how to paint her fruit umbrellas, so I used their ideas and expanded a bit to create my own.

Supplies Needed:
*Umbrellas (I got mine at Target)
*ScotchBlue TM Originial Painter's Tape
*Acrylic Paint
*Textile Medium
*Foam Brushes

Strawberry Umbrella Steps:
* Start by taping off the green stems of the strawberry with ScotchBlue TM Painter's Tape.
*Mix one part textile medium to two parts green paint.
*Using your foam brush, paint green stem. (Because my green paint seemed a little thin, I had to paint three coats.)
*Using a small paint brush or Q-tip add the yellow seeds sporadically around the umbrella.
*Peel the ScotchBlue TM Painter's Tape off the umbrella and WHA-LA!

Lime Umbrella Steps:
***I used the same directions for Studio DIY's Lemon Umbrella. It was a bit time consuming, but I think it turned out better than the strawberry!

What do you all think? Wouldn't these be a fun Pinterest party project? So glad I finished these little beauties, so I can actually use them in the monsoon we are having today! Happy Monday All! 

**ScotchBlue TM Painter's Tape sent me the tape to complete this project. However, all opinions are my own and additional products used in this project were selected by me.**

Outdoor Dinner for Two (+ A Giveaway)

We have had some unbelievable weather here in NC over the past week. The humidity has been minimal and the bugs have seemed to disappear. So I decided that it was time to move our dinners back out on the patio. And because today is International Can-It-Forward Day, I used some of the limited addition ball jars last evening to help me create a romantic yet relaxed dinner for two.

If you love canning, mason jar crafts, gifts or decorating with these beauties you can follow Ball  for giveaways and LIVE demonstrations going on throughout the day. You can see that all happening HERE starting at 10:00am EST.

• Schedule of events:
• 10:00am - Pepper Jelly demonstration by Chef Sara featuring the FreshTECH Automatic Jam & Jelly Maker
• 10:45am - Tips on urban gardening & herb preservation
• 11:00am - Peach Siracha Jam demonstration by Marisa McClellan of Food in Jars
• 11:30am - Crafting in Ball jars with staff from Martha Stewart Living
• 11:45am - Hugh Acheson Preserving and Mixology demonstrations
• 1:15pm - Special Mixology demonstration with local mixologists
• 1:30pm - Salsa Verde demonstration by Chef Sarah featuring the FreshTECH Automatic Home Canning System

That's Not All my friends! Ball is also giving ONE of my lucky readers all the goodies you see below! I am so in love with my green ball jars and can't wait to start using them more around the house. I also can't wait to try out their new herb products like the Fresh Herb Keeper and Herb Scissors. Who knew they created more than just jars!?

What you will win:

1. 1 case (6) of Quart Sized Vintage Style Spring Green Ball Jars

2. 1 case (6) of Pint Sized Vintage Style Spring Green Ball Jars

3. 1- Five Blade Herb Scissors

4. 1 box (4) Dry Herb Jars with Lids

5. 1 Fresh Herb Keeper

6. 1 box (2) Frozen Herb Starters

Follow the Rafflecopter below to enter! (U.S. Residents Only Please) Good Luck! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway



**A HUGE Thank you to Ball Jars for sending the above products for review and giveaway. As always all of the opinions are mine and only mine. **

Tuesday Treats #12 {Ideas and Inspiration from around the web}

Today I am preparing for visitors! I love when family and friends roll into town for a few days. So I am off cleaning and organizing before they get here late tonight. Do you have any tips or tricks that save time getting ready for guests? {I would love to hear...leave a message in the comments!}


I love when websites and blogs inspire me. I enjoy seeing fresh new ideas and this week's links don't disappoint people! Enjoy!


#1. Floral & Polka Dot Covered Eggs:
It is that time of year! Easter is this coming weekend. Do you usually dye Easter eggs? It use to be a fun tradition with my family, but I haven't gotten into it over the past few years. Kristen came up with this adorable idea....covering eggs with adorable flower paper by using a glue/water mixture while using a sharpie to create dalmatian dots on the opposite eggs. So creative I tell ya! Tutorial Here.

source

#2. New Bud Vases from Arrow & Sage:

I am sure most of you remember the talented Anna from Arrow & Sage. She did a giveaway a little while back. Well she is back at it again...creating the most amazing pottery for amazing prices! I love her new little Terra bud vases she has in the shop for only $22.00! And how about the pair of cylinder vases for $30.00! She is amazing that girl!

#3. 6th Street Design School: The Story of A Room
Kirsten from the blog 6th Street Design School is such a talented designer/decorator. She recently did a series where she told the story of how she goes about helping her clients design a room that they will love. You can start HERE and then go back to the beginning reading from day one to the final install. It is really an amazing transformation. You can see a couple of the final pictures below.

#4. Barbara Huber Designs: New Napa Valley Picnic Tote
Did you all know that my mother-in law is a talented sewer and designer? She designs patterns for Quilt Woman and her new Picnic Tote is amazing! How fun would this beauty be to take on summer picnics or to the beach? You can visit the rest of her patterns Here and check out her blog Here. She often has free patterns you can follow and such great sewing tips and tricks.

#5. Art By Michelle: Last Chance!!!

Don't forget that you can get 10% off any Art By Michelle custom house portrait or print through Thursday, April 17th!!! Use Code: EATSLEEPDECORATE at checkout!! These would make amazing mother's day and father's day gifts!! You can see what she designed for me Here. 

Have a great rest of your day sweets! See you back here tomorrow for my front porch update!