VintageMama

Come visit me at my new home!

August 13, 2019 by VintageMama Leave a Comment

Wow, it’s a lot of work moving from one corner of the blogosphere to another! With the help of my dear friend, Theresa Begin of Shoestring Elegance, we also moved the RUBY blog to a new home where it seems to be a bit more user-friendly. Since making that move, I decided to update my personal blog here at Vintage Mama’s Cottage, and now I’ve got almost everything relocated. There are still lots of little things I want to do over there, but the main stuff is ready.

If you’ve ever moved your whole blog, you know what I’m talking about! You have to learn a whole new system and platform set-up, and then figure out how to upload the images and fix up everything just the way you want it. I’ve been on WordPress for several years, and I’ve been pretty comfortable with it, but it just seems like it has gotten a lot more complicated lately. I’ve been assured that Blogger is much easier to use, and so far so good.

Of course, there are a few things that I really like about my WordPress theme that are not available over on my Blogger site . . . . like the scrolling images at the top, for one. But I think that might be why it is getting rather complicated around here! My new blog is pretty simple and straightforward. I have several pages for different things, like my “About” page, my “Shop” page, and the “RUBY” page – but so far I haven’t figured out how to put a menu bar at the top with individual links the the separate pages.

So for now, if you come on over and visit me at the NEW Vintage Mama’s Cottage, you will find blog posts and linked images on my sidebar. Perhaps it is good to get back to the simpler days of blogging when we were actually talking to one another and not trying to sell stuff to everyone who happens to pop in for a visit. That reminds me of times in the past when I thought I was inviting a friend in for a cup of tea and a chat – only to discover that their REAL intention in visiting me was to sell me something. And I remember how that felt, so I don’t want to do that to my friends out here in the blogosphere.

Of course, I do have my “Shop” page where you can check out if you WANT to buy something from my little online shops. And I have a “RUBY” page where you can read the latest issue of RUBY magazine and even purchase a print publication if you want. There’s also Vintage Mama’s Book Shoppe if you are looking for a family-friendly book, devotional, Bible, cook book or craft book. But if you come to my little corner of the blogosphere for a visit, that’s what we’ll do . . . we’ll visit!

You can read about what’s going on in my little world, or click through one of the weekly blog hops / linky parties that I join, or check out the latest giveaway sponsored by Katherine’s Corner, or get caught up on what I’m cooking (if I ever cook again!) – but mostly I try to find creative ideas to share with you for your home and family. Come on over for a visit and you’ll see what I mean! Hope to see you soon over at my NEW Vintage Mama’s Cottage!

Healthy Habits Giveaway Sponsored by Katherine’s Corner

August 10, 2019 by VintageMama 2 Comments

Hello! Here’s another great opportunity for you! Thinking about the end of summer activities and the approaching cooler weather, it’s time to re-evaluate and focus on getting healthy . . . I’m joining Katherine, from Katherines Corner for her Healthy Habits Giveaway!

Please remember to follow Katherine, her sponsor and all of her hostesses so you can earn all of your entry opportunities.

Katherine – Katherines Corner

Lisa- Casa Bouquet

Nina – Vintage Mamas Cottage

Karren – Oh My Heartsie Girl

Laura – Everyday Edits

Disclaimer -from Katherines Corner-Some of Katherines giveaways may have sponsors
and/or reviews included. Katherines Corner may receive compensation for reviews and
advertising provided through a sponsored giveaway. However, no compensation will
influence the outcome of any review or giveaway win. Katherines Corner provides reviews to
readers in order to provide an informed decision before the purchase. Katherines Corner and
its affiliate Bobskatie Enterprises reserves the right to not publish a review of a product or
products that do not meet the specified instructions provided to product submission
companies or individuals. Reviews are posted in the appropriate section at Katherines
Corner and may also be posted on Amazon.com ( subject to products availability) . This
disclaimer is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides
Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

To enter please log into the entry form using your email address. Have fun and Good Luck in the Giveaway!

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Birthday Party Ideas Unique and Fun + HM #245

August 8, 2019 by VintageMama 3 Comments

Since it has been a minute or two since I had to plan a birthday party for one of my kiddos, this week’s theme of birthday party ideas for the Home Matters Linky Party #245 got me cruising down memory lane. It was fun to think about how simple birthday parties used to be . . . at least in our family. It was pretty spontaneous, inexpensive, and lots of fun for the kids.

When my big kids were little it was a matter of buying a package of birthday invitations from the Five & Dime down on Main Street, writing in the information, and handing them out at school. Even with our younger girls, birthday parties have been mostly family affairs. There have been a few birthday celebrations where we gathered up five or six friends and went to the local swimming pool before cake, ice cream, balloons, and presents. But that was then . . . . and this is now. #BirthdayParty #BirthdayPartyIdeas #HomeMattersParty

As a Vintage Mama, I have years and years of birthday party memories (including the super simple birthday parties when I was a kid!), so I decided to include some vintage birthday party ideas and cards. The first one that brought back lots of memories that I found was the Strawberry Shortcake theme birthday party. I also found some sweet vintage birthday party invitations as well as a birthday card.

Back in the “old days” we didn’t do all the elaborate things that parents do nowadays like a visiting zoo with real wild animals, or trips to a game arcade, princess or other Disney character themed parties. We were good with a homemade cake that usually had candles that tipped sideways a bit, “Happy Birthday” written in mama’s handwriting if she had time, and if we were really creative, the frosting actually matched the cake!

So here’s to the “good ol’ days” when birthday parties were much less elaborate than they are today, and if you want to do a “throw back” vintage birthday party, here is a bit of inspiration for you. Hope you can join us for this week’s Home Matters Linky Party!

Vintage Strawberry Shortcake Birthday Party from PopSugar

Vintage Birthday Card via Pinterest

Vintage Birthday Party Invitation from WaggaPoultryClub

Vintage Birthday Party Invitation from PicClick

Vintage Party via Pinterest

Welcome to the weekly Home Matters Linky Party. A great place to come, share your blog posts, and make new friends.

We would love to have you visit our blogs and follow us on social media!

Hosts

Lorelai @ Life With Lorelai — Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Donna @ Modern On Monticello — Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Co-hosts

Sahana @ Vikalpah — Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Emily @ Domestic Deadline — Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Nina @ Vintage Mama’s Cottage — Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Check out more posts from the Hosts and Co-Hosts on our
NEW Pinterest Board, All Things Home Matters!
And, please do follow…

Follow All Things Home Matters Board on Pinterest.

Each week, we like to feature some of the awesome posts shared at last week’s party. We hope you will be inspired by these creative and talented bloggers who share their best recipes, DIY projects, crafts, home decor, organization ideas, and more. Enjoy!

Check out this week’s features below.

Pineapple Malibu Slushie Recipe from Ann @ Ann’s Entitled Life

PIN here

How to Repurpose a Piano into a Bar / Drinks Cabinet from Anita @ Unique Creations by Anita

PIN here

Back to School Organization and Time Management Printables from Susan @ Crafting a Family

PIN here

Gluten Free Slow Cooker Tangy Turkey Meatballs from Kristy @ Kristy Still

PIN here

Salted Dark Chocolate Dipped Peanut Butter Cookies from Tracey @ The Kitchen Is My Playground

PIN here

Thank you to all who linked up at last week’s party. We look forward to seeing what you will be sharing with us this week!

Remember that every feature is shared on all Host’s and Co-Host’s blogs, as well as on the Home Matters Linky Party Pinterest Board! Don’t forget to follow…

Follow Home Matters Linky Party Board on Pinterest.

If you were featured this week, Please Grab our Featured Button to display proudly on your blog post, featured page, or sidebar! Share the joy…

<br />
<div align="center"><a href="https://lifewithlorelai.com/" title="Featured at Home Matters Linky Party" target="_blank"><img src="https://lifewithlorelai.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/HMLP-I-Was-Featured-200x214.png" alt="Featured at Home Matters Linky Party" style="border:none;" /></div>
<p>

Are you ready to Party?

The linky party starts when Friday begins and closes when Monday ends, EST.

We at Home Matters love meeting new people and discovering new blogs. Help us grow this party by sharing a link on your post or grabbing our party button for your sidebar or party page.

<br />
<div align="center"><a href="https://lifewithlorelai.com/" title="Home Matters Linky Party - Grab Button" target="_blank"><img src="https://lifewithlorelai.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/HMLP-Grab-Button-Sidebar-2015-200x200.jpg" alt="Home Matters Linky Party - Grab Button" style="border:none;" /></div>
<p>

Stop by and VISIT as many OTHER BLOGGERS as you can. Leave them a message, and share their talents on social media.

Be sure to Please USE our Registered Hashtag…

Home Matters Linky Party Guidelines:

We are thrilled that you came by to link up today! Here are a few rules that hosts and co-hosts of the Home Matters Party follow, and we ask that you follow them, as well.

Please link up no more than THREE posts each week–try to make sure that they are new links that you have not shared here previously. (Exception: Holiday/Seasonal specific posts may be shared once per year.)

Please take some time to poke around and visit some of the other links.

Please take some time to check out your hosts and co-hosts on social media.

We appreciate the variety of blogs on the www; however, the Home Matters Party is for links on matters of the HOME. Please link accordingly.

We ask that you do not add other Linky Parties, Blog Hops, or Giveaways–unless you begin the party with a new project, recipe or post.

On the same note, please do not add links of an extremist, political or strong controversial nature. (The hosts and co-hosts read each and every blog post linked and will contact you directly if you have linked something that does not fit into the realm of the party.)

With your help, we can continue to grow the Home Matters Party! Thank you!

Find unique, fun birthday party ideas for every age. Linkup @ Home Matters - recipes, DIY, decor, more. #BirthdayParty #BirthdayPartyIdeas #HomeMattersParty Click To Tweet

We are looking for Co-Hosts. Help us Rock this party!
If you are interested, please

Click Here for DETAILS!

Link Up!

By joining the Home Matters Linky Party you are giving permission for all hosts and co-hosts to use and share any part of your post, including pictures, for party promotion, as featured posts, in party photo collages, on blogs, and across social media, etc. All credits will be given to the original source. Also, you will receive a weekly email reminder regarding the new week’s Home Matters Linky Party.

Thank you for joining in the fun and excitement at the Home Matters Linky Party. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do. We look forward to chatting with you in the comments.

Don’t have a blog, but want to Remember to Party With Us each week?
Forgot to leave your email while linking up your post?
You can still sign up for our Email Party Reminders. Click below for a form…

Are you ready for Back-to-School?

August 8, 2019 by VintageMama 2 Comments

I’ll be honest . . . . I am so NOT ready for my girls to go back to school. I’ve never, ever been ready for my kids to go back to school. We’ve considered homeschooling many times, but our experience with public school has been, for the most part, very positive. We have many friends and family members who homeschool and several whose children have attended private schools. Perhaps it is because I have such positive memories of my own experiences in public school that I want my children to have the good parts of school. But I really love having them home during the summer months, and I always feel a bit of sadness when it is time for them to return at the end of summer.

Of course, one day they all eventually grow up and go on their own way, even after their school days. I think I will finally be ready when the last one walks across the stage for her high school graduation diploma. But I’m not sure. For now, we still have one in high school and one who will be starting her college adventure in the next few weeks. She will be living at home (well, that will save a LOT of $$$!) so we’re in the process of planning lunch menus so that they can both be ready to zip out the door early in the morning with something yummy and nutritious in their school bags.

Here are a few ideas we came across that we are planning to try over the next few days to be ready for the first day of back-to-school!

Blueberry French Toast Sticks from Busy Moms Helper

Fruit and Yogurt Breakfast Parfaits from Iowa Girl Eats

Lunch Box Mini Pizzas from Taste of Home

Mini Biscuit Pot Pies from Busy Moms Helper

Fruity Peanut Butter Pita Pockets from Taste of Home

Turkey Taco Salad from Taste of Home

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Welcome to this week’s Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop and Linky Party!

Remember you can add three links until midnight on Saturday. One each day or all at once. Please invite your blog friends and social network to join us. It’s time to party my sweet bloggy friends. You can add three links until midnight on Saturday. One each day or all at once. Please invite your blog friends and social network to join us. – Inlinkz has implemented a new policy when you add your link to the list you need to click the little square boxes about their policies on the bottom right.

Please subscribe to ALL of your hostesses blogs

Katherine-Katherines Corner

Nina-Vintage Mamas Cottage

Marilyn-Marilyns Treats

Bev-Eclectic Red Barn

Amber- Follow the Yellow Brick Home

Theresa- Shoestring Elegance

Linda- Crafts a la Mode

Pam- An Artful Mom

A note about the new link up format:

You may have noticed that several link party hosts are now using a new version of the link up that looks a little different than before. If this is your first time linking up to the new format, you may be prompted to register your email to create an account. This is the same as before when you entered your email each time you linked up with the old format. You do not have to have a personal inlinkz account or membership to link up, everything is the same as with the previous link up procedure. After your first time linking up you will not need to create an account each time and you will just be able to link up. If you have any questions or need help, feel free to ask!

Blogging Basics: Grammar 101

August 6, 2019 by VintageMama 1 Comment

Are you a writer? Of course you are . . . you are reading a blog post about blogging, so if you are a blogger then you are a writer! Pretty simple, but I’m thinking that lots of “bloggers” don’t see themselves as REAL “writers.” You know what I mean?

I’ve been blogging for a really long time. And, since I am also a writing instructor, and English teacher, and an editor for several published authors, I notice things that other people might not see. That’s my job. But that doesn’t mean that everything I read gets my “nit-picking” attention. I don’t sit in lectures or sermons and count all the times the speaker uses a split infinitive (well, we all do that) or leaves a modifier dangling (whatever that means exactly . . . ) But since I’m pretty good at what I do, I’ve had the opportunity to share a few tips with other writers on simple ways to make your blogging / writing more reader friendly.

I realize that since I’m a “Vintage Mama” that my blogging subjects might not typically be all that interesting to 20-somethings, or moms of toddlers, or even families with kids in middle school – even though I’ve had kids those ages for a really long time so I know something about those kinds of topics . . . but even so, it is not the subject matter so much as it is the presentation of whatever you feel is on your heart to share in a blog post.

Whatever YOU are writing about, take a few minutes to make sure that when you send it out there into the blogosphere that it looks professional (even if you are writing about potty training your little one) and eye-catching.

Here are a few tips that might be of interest to you:

Check your capitalization!

This might seem rather simple, but making sure that you capitalize when you should and don’t capitalize when you shouldn’t will help your writing to have a much tidier look and easier to read. The rules for capitalization are pretty simple: common nouns and proper nouns. That’s it! So for instance, if I am writing about “The girl who visited Outlandia,” then I DON’T capitalize “girl” (because that could be any ol’ girl), but I DO capitalize “Outlandia” (because that is a specific place in someone’s imagination). BUT, if I wanted to write: “Lorinda, the lavender lady from over the sea,” well, then I WOULD capitalize “Lorinda,” because that is a specific, particular girl, but I WOULDN’T capitalize “over the sea” (unless Over the Sea is the name of a particular country in an imaginary universe.)

So just take a minute to re-read your blog post before you send it out for the whole world to see. Watch for sentences like this one: “Yesterday, I planted Roses in my garden, and the Bugs ate all the leaves Overnight.” Or, how about this . . . . “My Family and I were waiting for the Dog to come Home.” Even though “family” is a specific “family” (your family), unless you are writing “the Jones family . . . ” you don’t ever need to capitalize the word “family” (well, unless it is the name of a singing group like, “Come out on Sunday night to hear The Singing Jones Family). But that is a different blog post for another day, I guess.

Also, you don’t need to capitalize the word “dog” even though it is YOUR dog. But if you are writing about your dog Tilly, then you capitalize your dog’s name. See what I mean? And then the word “home.” Again, you don’t need to capitalize the word “home” even though it is a specific home (your home), unless you are writing about “The Cinderella Home” or “The Sleeping Beauty Home” at Disney World. Make sense?

Is that a sentence?

Here’s something that is as important as using capitalization correctly. Since I teach a writing class for a local university, I often see sentences that aren’t, actually, sentences. What’s that mean? Well, again the basic principle is pretty simple: a subject and a predicate. Those are just kind of fancy words for “what you are talking about” and “what happened to that someone or something.” So, for instance: “My big brown dog Rover ran across the dirt road into the cornfield.” Simplified, this is ABOUT “dog” and WHAT HAPPENED is “ran.” All the rest of the words give more information, but without those two main words, you don’t actually have a sentence.

It is really easy to get going on putting your thoughts down in writing, especially when you are expressing a rather complex idea or concept, and forget where you started the sentence. So you just STOP writing. And what you have is not a complete sentence. Like this: In the morning, right after breakfast. WHAT? WHO did WHAT in the morning right after breakfast? For a sentence to be a complete sentence, it has to have both the subject and the part that tells us something about the subject.

Did you proofread?

Another way to improve your blogging / writing is to be sure you proofread, preferably out loud. That way you will not only SEE the words and sentences, but you will HEAR them and that will help you realize when you have an incomplete sentence. Take a few minutes to check your spelling as well as your sentence structure to make sure that your writing is easy to read. This might be a good time to check to make sure that you used the words you really meant to use! Especially if you have spell check on your computer, you will want to double check to make sure that it didn’t automatically change a word from what you actually meant to say to something that could be funny, or ridiculous, or just plain confusing.

Nothing to see here!

For a blog reader, it always makes for a more interesting post if you add pictures / images to your writing. Gone are the days when most people read books, all in black and white. Now if you still read books (that would be me, but not everyone does that on a regular basis), perhaps you would read a long blog post that is all just text. Line after line of text with nothing to capture your visual curiosity will often cause a reader to STOP reading. Even though I read a lot of old-fashioned books, somehow when I’m reading something on a computer or other device screen, my eyes have a hard time focusing for extended paragraphs of words only. Add a few images to keep your reader . . . . reading!

Here’s another word of encouragement – if you promote your blog posts on social media, NEVER just post a link without any images or title to intrigue a reader. If there is just a link, potentially interested readers won’t have any idea what the blog post is about, so more than likely they will just scroll right on by. People are very visual and beautiful images will draw a reader in and if they click on through to YOUR blog post, make sure that you give them something worth reading.

I have a few more tips for bloggers that I will be sharing next week, so be sure to stop back to discover ideas for making your blog reader-friendly!

RUBY has a new look and a new home!

August 2, 2019 by VintageMama Leave a Comment

Well . . . Vintage Mama’s Cottage isn’t the only corner of the blogosphere that is taking up residence in a new neighborhood! Thanks to Theresa Begin over at Shoestring Elegance, I’ve learned a lot about the “behind the scenes” functions of blogging, and she has helped me created a brand new blog for RUBY over on Blogger, as well as my new Vintage Mama’s Cottage blog. I hope to have my new bloggy home ready to reveal in the next week or so.

For now, however, the brand new beautiful RUBY blog is live! Stop by and visit me over there to read daily inspirational articles, short stories, poetry, crafts, recipes, book reviews, and even kids’ stories and activities.

It is a lot of work moving a whole blog so it takes some time, but with Theresa’s help we’ve been able to get things moved and almost all set up. We still have some things we want to update and add, but it is looking really pretty! I hope you will stop by . . . .

Back-to-School Head Start + HM #240

August 1, 2019 by VintageMama 2 Comments

We’ve been in the whirlwind of “back-to-school” busyness for the past several weeks, even though school doesn’t actually start for a few MORE weeks. That’s because we have a college student this year, and that means a whole bunch of other stuff that we haven’t had to do before. With one still in high school, and one getting ready to head off to college, it’s been rather tricky making sure that all the bases are covered. This week’s theme of back-to-school for the Home Matters Linky Party #244 gave me the perfect opportunity to get a bit more organized. #BacktoSchool #Back2School #HomeMattersParty

I thought that, as long as I’m looking for back-to-school ideas for organization, study routines, supplies and accessories, and food . . . why not ask my high schooler what she would like to see us working on to get ready for the big adventure that is just around the corner. Here are a few ideas that she came up with – well, she came up with a whole bunch more, but I could only fit a few into this blog post!

If you have an tried and true back-to-school ideas that have worked for you, sent them my way. I think my brain is all worn out after doing this for so many years. New ideas are welcome! See you at the party . . . . .

DIY Laptop Bag from DIY Projects for Teens

Pretzel Dogs from Let the Baking Begin

Embellished Binder Clips from DIY Projects for Teens

Apple Cheese Wraps from Weelicious

DIY Chunky Tassel Bookmarks from DIY Projects for Teens

Welcome to the weekly Home Matters Linky Party. A great place to come, share your blog posts, and make new friends.

We would love to have you visit our blogs and follow us on social media!

Hosts

Lorelai @ Life With Lorelai — Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Donna @ Modern On Monticello — Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Co-hosts

Sahana @ Vikalpah — Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Emily @ Domestic Deadline — Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Nina @ Vintage Mama’s Cottage — Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Check out more posts from the Hosts and Co-Hosts on our
NEW Pinterest Board, All Things Home Matters!
And, please do follow…

Follow All Things Home Matters Board on Pinterest.

Check out this week’s features below.

Industrial DIY Printer Table from Ashley @ Simply Designing

PIN here

Tiramisu Recipe – Kid Friendly from Muna @ Munaty Cooking

PIN here

Succulent Place Card Holders from Linda @ It All Started With Paint

PIN here

How to Make a Tire Swing from Michele @ The Scrap Shoppe Blog

PIN here

Make Quilt Block Coasters with Pyrography from Julie @ The Sum of Their Stories

PIN here

Thank you to all who linked up at last week’s party. We look forward to seeing what you will be sharing with us this week!

Remember that every feature is shared on all Host’s and Co-Host’s blogs, as well as on the Home Matters Linky Party Pinterest Board! Don’t forget to follow…

Follow Home Matters Linky Party Board on Pinterest.

If you were featured this week, Please Grab our Featured Button to display proudly on your blog post, featured page, or sidebar! Share the joy…

<br />
<div align="center"><a href="https://lifewithlorelai.com/" title="Featured at Home Matters Linky Party" target="_blank"><img src="https://lifewithlorelai.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/HMLP-I-Was-Featured-200x214.png" alt="Featured at Home Matters Linky Party" style="border:none;" /></div>
<p>

Are you ready to Party?

The linky party starts when Friday begins and closes when Monday ends, EST.

We at Home Matters love meeting new people and discovering new blogs. Help us grow this party by sharing a link on your post or grabbing our party button for your sidebar or party page.

<br />
<div align="center"><a href="https://lifewithlorelai.com/" title="Home Matters Linky Party - Grab Button" target="_blank"><img src="https://lifewithlorelai.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/HMLP-Grab-Button-Sidebar-2015-200x200.jpg" alt="Home Matters Linky Party - Grab Button" style="border:none;" /></div>
<p>

Stop by and VISIT as many OTHER BLOGGERS as you can. Leave them a message, and share their talents on social media.

Be sure to Please USE our Registered Hashtag…

Home Matters Linky Party Guidelines:

We are thrilled that you came by to link up today! Here are a few rules that hosts and co-hosts of the Home Matters Party follow, and we ask that you follow them, as well.

Please link up no more than THREE posts each week–try to make sure that they are new links that you have not shared here previously. (Exception: Holiday/Seasonal specific posts may be shared once per year.)

Please take some time to poke around and visit some of the other links.

Please take some time to check out your hosts and co-hosts on social media.

We appreciate the variety of blogs on the www; however, the Home Matters Party is for links on matters of the HOME. Please link accordingly.

We ask that you do not add other Linky Parties, Blog Hops, or Giveaways–unless you begin the party with a new project, recipe or post.

On the same note, please do not add links of an extremist, political or strong controversial nature. (The hosts and co-hosts read each and every blog post linked and will contact you directly if you have linked something that does not fit into the realm of the party.)

With your help, we can continue to grow the Home Matters Party! Thank you!

We're giving you a head start on Back-to-School tips and ideas for a fab school year! Linkup @ Home Matters. #BacktoSchool #Back2School #HomeMattersParty Click To Tweet

We are looking for Co-Hosts. Help us Rock this party!
If you are interested, please

Click Here for DETAILS!

Link Up!

Thank you for joining in the fun and excitement at the Home Matters Linky Party. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do. We look forward to chatting with you in the comments.

RUBY magazine August 2019

August 1, 2019 by VintageMama 2 Comments

RUBY magazine August 2019

The August issue of RUBY magazine features inspirational articles, short stories, poetry, book reviews, recipes, and free printable. You don’t want to miss the Kids’ Korner with a short story as well as a fun activity page for the young people in your family. You will also read the story behind the hymn, “Blessed Assurance” by Fanny Crosby as well as daily devotionals, all written by the RUBY Writers’ Team for you and your family.

I’ve been so busy updating and moving the RUBY blog along with Vintage Mama’s Cottage to a new platform that I haven’t accomplished anything else for the past week. I’ll do my best to get party features up again for next week’s TFT party . . . . on my new Vintage Mama’s Cottage blog! In the meantime please pop on over to the NEW and updated, beautiful RUBY magazine blog at www.rubymagazine.net

And don’t forget to join us for this week’s Favorite Things Blog Hop and Linky Party! See you there . . . .

***************************

Welcome to this week’s Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop and Linky Party!

Please subscribe to ALL of your hostesses blogs

Katherine-Katherines Corner

Nina-Vintage Mamas Cottage

Marilyn-Marilyns Treats

Bev-Eclectic Red Barn

Amber- Follow the Yellow Brick Home

Theresa- Shoestring Elegance

Linda- Crafts a la Mode

Pam- An Artful Mom

A note about the new link up format:

I’m moving to a new neighborhood!

July 30, 2019 by VintageMama 2 Comments

Every once in a while it is time to change things up a bit . . . . and that’s just what I’ve been working on here at Vintage Mama’s Cottage. In just a couple of weeks I will be moving to my NEW home in the blogosphere; it will still be Vintage Mama’s Cottage, but we will be over on the Blogger platform where it seems a bit more “user friendly” to me. Here is a sneak peek at the design we are working on – I love the fresh green and white theme – but I am hoping to be able to switch up my themes seasonally to match all of the fun stuff that we post for different holidays. For now, tell me what you think of my pretty new green and white theme! Can’t wait to show you the brand new Vintage Mama’s Cottage blog . . . .

Stencil Crafts Ideas and Inspiration + HM #243

July 25, 2019 by VintageMama 2 Comments

Many years ago (and I mean MANY years ago!), shortly after I learned how to quilt, I came across the idea of stenciling on fabric to make quilt blocks and then quilting around the stenciled image. That was back in the day when stenciling on walls and everything else was the home decor trend of the time. So now you know how long ago that really was! I think it was when I had a newborn or was expecting one of my older children that I decided to make a stenciled teddy bear quilt in shades of green and ivory (you know, that was when green was a really popular color for home decor, too), I think because I might not have known if the next baby would be a boy or a girl. So green seemed like a good choice. Of course, that was back in the day when we had no idea if we were having a boy or a girl before the baby’s actual arrival day. None of these awesome “gender reveal” parties for us. Just wait and see! So when this week’s theme of stencil crafts for the Home Matters Linky Party #243 came along, it brought back some fun memories of making that stenciled / quilted baby blanket. #StencilCrafts #stencils #HomeMattersParty

Every week when we do these mini-roundups, I always look for ideas that I might really do some day, and this week it was no different. The first post I came across in my search for stencil craft ideas was “How to Make Stencils” from sandandsisal. I have a few stencils already from back in the day and I can use one of them to design some pillows for our living room this autumn, or make a welcome sign for our entry . . . . but this blog post shows you how to create your own stencil design using images printed from a royalty-free website. Right. We couldn’t do that back then, so I had to buy a few stencils cut from the lightweight translucent plastic. They work great, but I love the idea of being able to make a stencil myself from any image that I find that I might want to use.

I was also looking for ideas for stenciling on Mason jars – I know, I know, there are a million and one things to do with Mason jars, but I’ve been reorganizing our pantry this week and I’m using some Mason jars to store a few things like noodles, macaroni, and spaghetti noodles (and a few other things like powdered sugar and marshmallows), and I would like to label some of them. Partly motivated by the fact that I thought I was buying four clear Mason jars in a wrapped package, but when I got them home and opened the package I discovered that they are actually amber colored. They are really pretty but I can’t tell what is inside of them unless I label them. So when I came across the post about making salt and pepper shakers on stenciled Mason jars from LandeeLu I decided to take a look at how she did it. Now this project is on my To Do list for this autumn after the girls go back to school.

When I discovered the blog post about stenciling on linen from DIY All I thought that would be a really beautiful idea for making a wall hanging and coordinating pillows for our living room. The neutral colors will be perfect and both of these projects are quick and easy. It would also make a gorgeous tote bag for fall using taupe or gray linen with white stenciling. Check out the post HERE at DIY All for the directions for stenciling on linen.

And then . . . these stenciled pillows! How adorable are these turquoise, red, and white bicycle design pillows? In our entryway where we painted the walls a light gray and the trim a soft white, there is a coat closet with the folding doors removed. We painted the inside of the closet a beautiful turquoise and the shelf and trim is the same soft white as the entryway. My sweet hubby made a bench that is black on the top with wooden legs where the kids can sit to put on their boots in the winter and their tennis shoes the rest of the year. I have a cute bicycle wall hanging on the back wall that is in shades of turquoise and white . . . . so one of these sweet little stenciled pillows would be perfect on that little bench! Stop over to find the tutorial at The 36th Avenue blog and you’ll see just how she made them. I’m on my way to follow the directions, because I love those little pennant flags she added to her pillows.

I hope you are having a good week and that you enjoy the weekend. The weather here has been gorgeous for the past couple of days, which has been nice after last week’s stifling heat. The midwest occasionally gets it just right and this week has been one of those times. Beautiful blue skies with a few fluffy white clouds drifting overhead, warm but not scorching hot, a gentle breeze but not a wild wind, and low humidity. Perfect for getting outside and enjoying our newly painted deck. We’ll be out there tonight, burgers on the grill, and time with our little family. Wish you were here to join us! See you at the party!

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Panera Bread Mac and Cheese Copycat Recipe from Lois @ Walking on Sunshine

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Cute DIY Felt Rainbow Cloud Pencil Topper Craft from Keri Lyn @ She Saved

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Hello! Here’s another great opportunity for you! Thinking about the end of summer activities and the approaching cooler weather, it’s time to re-evaluate and focus on getting healthy . . . I’m joining Katherine, from Katherines Corner for her Healthy Habits Giveaway!

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RUBY magazine August 2019

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Welcome to this week’s Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop and Linky Party!

A note about the new link up format:

Hosts

Co-hosts

Check out this week’s features below.

Are you ready to Party?

The linky party starts when Friday begins and closes when Monday ends, EST.

Home Matters Linky Party Guidelines:

Link Up!

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