Is Anyone Still Out There?

I don't know what happened specifically but I obviously needed a long hiatus from blogging. We're still alive and doing well. I'm going to try re-launching the blog and over the next week or so I will be catching you up on everything that has been going on in our lives.

I'm still crafting but my crafting has changed directions a little bit. I'm card making, stamping, and any sort of paper crafting. Lately I have also gotten into swapping pocket letters. Never heard of pocket letters? Check out this link for more information.

Noah's doing great too! Updates are coming on him as well.

So stay tuned!

Find Your Voice Summer Workshop

The last couple of summers I have participated in a summer workshop. (You may remember the fun Creativity Boot Camp posts.) I've mentioned before summer is a rough time of year for us when Noah is out of school. I enjoy participating in these type of workshops because they force me to be creative at a time of year when scheduling time to be creative is hard. So I was excited to learn about the (free!) Find Your Voice Summer Workshop. 

The Find Your Voice Summer Workshop is a free eight week class that is all about embracing, finding and practicing with your storytelling voice taught by the talented Kristin and begins on Monday, June 24th, 2013. Each Monday morning lessons will be made available on the rukristin blog and in the Find Your Voice Facebook group. Each week's lesson will include thoughts on several topics pertaining to the theme of the week, a coordinating worksheet, and several creative prompts. There will be inspiration from contributing team members in each week's pdf as well more inspiration as in a follow up blog post each Wednesday.  I'll be participating in the class and then sharing my projects here as well as on the Coley's Corner Facebook page. I'm also excited that one of my besties, Monika, will be participating in the workshop as well! 

If you'd like to participate, you can find more information here. If you sign up, be sure to drop me a note and let me know! I'd love to come check out your projects! 

Weekend Wonders: Blog Planners

I was looking for a good blog planner to help me keep track of the multiple bloggers over at the BirthMom Buds blog which I manage and found some cute, free printable blog planners that I thought I'd share.

And Cutie.com Blog Planner

Basic Blog Planner at Organizing Home Life

Blog Planner Printables at My May Sunshine

Blog Planner at Portland Bloggers

Blog Planner at Home School Creations

Monthly Blog Planner at Confessions of a Homeschooler

Do you use a blog planner?

The Best of 2012

As the current year closes, I always take some time to reflect back on what all has happened in the year. I decided to do this on the blog with a Top 10 posts of 2012. These posts are a combination of my favorites and yours.

1. Pretty Purple Punch

2. Year End Teacher Gifts

3. Mamarazzi Defined

4. Tender Moments

5. Baby Onesies

6. Yarn Wrapped Vase and Votive Holder

7. Chevron Flag

8. JOY Prom

9. Glittery Candles

10. Clemson Quilt 

Coley's Corner.com!

Honestly, it doesn't really change anything for you my dear readers because I just re-directed the blog, but it's exciting to me so I thought I'd share: 

Coley's Corner is now on its own domain. 

You can access it anytime at www.coleyscorner.com. 

YAY!

Happy Easter!

I hope all of you have/had a great Easter!

This past week Noah has been on Spring Break which is why posting has been so sporadic. Hopefully this week after I play catch up on some things that I didn't do while Noahie was on break, things will get back to normal with the posting on the blog but this is my busy time of year with the BirthMom Buds retreat in less than a month so posting may be lacking a bit until after the retreat!

Guest Blogging at The CSI Project

I'm guest posting today at one of my favorite crafting blogs, The CSI Project. Each week, The CSI Project issues a different crafting challenge to bloggers. At the first of the week guest bloggers offer tutorials for the weekly challenge theme and then on Thursdays, bloggers link up their projects and they are judged by a guest judge. I've participated in many of their challenges and they are always fun!

This week's challenge is to create something useful from leftover Christmas items. I came up with turning Christmas tins into chalkboard activity tins for kiddos.

Go check out my post!

Guest Blogging at The Crafty Scientist

Yesterday and today I have been featured at The Crafty Scientist. Yesterday, Mel (a fellow Clemson fan!!) posted a crafty interview where I answered some fun, craft/blogging questions and then today I am sharing a tutorial on how to create my chalkboard ornaments.

Head on over to The Crafty Scientist and check them out!

Happy December!

November was a busy month here on the blog! I attempted to post every day for NaBloPoMo (National Blog Posting Month.) I have attempted this in the past and usually started out strong but then fizzled out mid month never successfully posting every single day. But I'm happy to report this go 'round - I did it! Yay! There was lots to post about though, with Thankful Thursdays, my first give away, and craft projects; so that made it easier!

December is going to be a busy month as well. Not only blog wise but life wise too! I love this time of the year! I love the colors, the decorations, the scents, the feelings,  etc. Our tree is up and almost finished. This season just gives me lots of warm fuzzies.

And as you know, I always change my desk top background at the first of the month. This month I chose a cute Christmas one from LeeLou Blogs.

Happy December friends! 

Goodbye October, Hello November!

October was a busy month that seemed to fly by. Like I did last year, I decided to make a collage of photos from the month of October. (Note to self: Do this for other months too and not just October!) 

And now it’s November. Holy Smokes! How did we get to November already? That means Christmas is in the near distance. But Thanksgiving comes first! And Thanksgiving is at our house for the second year in a row – holla!

I’m going to attempt to post every day in November as a part of NaBloPoMo (National Blog Posting Month) but we’ll see how that goes. I do have some posts in mind but there are some great writing prompts at Blog Her if I get stuck so maybe that will help me if I get writer’s block.

The start of a new month always means I change my desktop background. This month I used a lovely autumn background from Shabby Princess.

Happy November First! What do YOU have going on this month?

Guest Blogging at Someday Crafts

Today I am guest blogging at one of my favorite blogs, Someday Crafts. I am sharing how to make these adorable wine glass candle lamps. 

Go check it out! 

Fall Makeover

ll

I gave the blog a fall makeover today! Do you love it as much as I do?

I also created some new pages for the blog and you should see the tabs under the header.

Now the blog is ready for fall, hopefully the weather will follow suit!

September Days are Here Again

I'm excited for September this year! Lots of birthdays this month (yours truly included), the Miracle League fall season starts, and it means fall is a step closer! I'm so ready for the temps to be cooler, to pull out jeans, long sleeves, and fuzzy socks, and to cook soups in the crock pot.

Every month, I change the desktop background on the computer. I always look at a couple of different blogs and choose one. The one I chose this month features a back to school theme and is from Shabby Princess.

Happy September friends!

Guest Posting at The Gunny Sack

I'm sharing my Back to School Counter Downer over at The Gunny Sack today. Go check it out! 

Coley's Corner on Facebook

After reading multiple articles about blog networking on Facebook, I jumped on the bandwagon and created a Facebook page for Coley's Corner. Thought I'd share it with my readers so you can go check it out and better yet go "like" it! 

Friday Favorites # 10: The One with the Ruffle Lamp

Yay, it's Friday, which means it is time for another Friday Favorites. Below are some of my latest favorite finds via bloggy land. 

Crafts

Big Books Tote

I love this "I life big books and cannot lie" library tote created by Love Endures All Things. It makes me giggle.

Ruffle Lamp

This ruffley lamp Jen at Craft-O-Maniac made had me at hello. I love the color, the swirls, and the ruffles! 

Family Scrabble Wall Art

How cute is this Scrabble wall art featuring the names of all the family members over at Remodelaholic. 

Paint Chip Card

I love things made from paint chips and this card from Yearning to Create is no different.


Beachy Frame

I love this beachy frame from Pressed Down, Shaken Together. It's absolutely perfect for displaying beach vacation photos.

Recipes

(Mostly) Guilt Free Potato Salad

This is a yummy recipe brought to you by Rambley that would be great to make for summer family gatherings.

Misc.

Date Your Husband: Let me Start the Conversation for You

I love this post by Amy at The Idea Room. She shares some great conversation starters for couples so that on your next date night you talk about something besides the kids!


20 Ways to Improve Your Blog
Great blogging tips from Crystal and Co.


As for me, this week I shared my bulletin board makeover, a craft room round up and some pictures of my boy. 

Guest Posting at Fun on a Dime

I'm guest blogging and sharing my Banana Berry Smoothie recipe over at a Fun on a Dime today. Go check it out! :)

Friday Favorites #6: The One with Lots of Summer Stuff

School is out, it's H-O-T and I think summer is upon us, friends. There are summer projects everywhere in the blogosphere lately. 

Here's some of the things that caught my eye this week.

Crafts and DIY

Some of these directly relate to summer and some would just make great summer projects.

Summer Clutch

This summer clutch makeover by Scissors and a Spatula started off with a yard sale find: a one dollar brown patent leather clutch purse. But look at it now – so cute and summery! 

Spray Paint Party!!

I was super excited about this one. To kick off the spray painting summer season, Sarah over at Thrifty Décor Chick is hosting a spray painting link party. Sarah shares a cute silverware spray paint project as well as some awesome tips for spray paint and then there are HUNREDS of projects linked up all involving spray paint so get some inspiration and then get your spray on! 

Summer Button Necklace

This is a super cute and fun button necklace from Tater Tots and Jello. And it doesn’t look too terribly hard to make either. 

Scrabble Inspired Pillows

I absolutely love these adorable Scrabble inspired pillows from Delicate Construction that spell out “sit” just inviting someone onto the couch! 

Silhouette Necklace

I seem to be drawn to anything with silhouettes lately and this necklace from Less than Perfect Life of Bliss is no different.

Window Pane Picture Frame

I love this picture frame made by Natalie over at Johnny in a Dress. It’s made from an old window pane! I have a big blank spot in our bedroom that needs something and this could be just the thing. Now to find an old window pane....

Recipes

Grilled Pizza 

I've never tried grilled pizza before but I have always wanted too. This recipe from Living Locurto looks simple and you are controlling the ingredients so you could make it as healthy as you wanted to. And grilled food is a must for me in the summer time.

Lemon Cheesecake Yogurt Cups

This lemon cheesecake yogurt cup recipe from Gina's Skinny Recipes looks yummy. It's topped with fresh berries and just over 100 calories per a cup. They'd make a nice summer snack or desert, don't ya think? 

Summer Fun

Check out this "staycation" round up over at Daily Dwelling. There are many different cities listed an each list features free or inexpensive day trip type activities. 

Special Needs

Love Can Build a Bridge

I really identified and loved this post by another Mom of a kiddo with CP in a wheelchair posted over at 5 Minutes for Special Needs.

That's it for this week!

Friday Favorites # 5: The One with Canvas Picture Frames

It's time for another Friday Favorites.

Crafting

First up is some of the crafty posts I have seen around the blogosphere in the past couple of weeks. 

Canvas Picture Frames

I love these canvas picture frames created over at Heck Fridays. They are an inexpensive way to dress up photos and I like the multi textured, multi dimensional look that they have. 

These would make a great gift too for mothers, grandmothers, aunts, friends - anyone really! And you could personalize it even more by adding a quote or captions.

Popsicle Stick Bracelets

Suzy over at Suzy's Artsy Craftsy Sitcom made these bracelets  with popsicle sticks. Can you believe that?!?! Wowzers. I have a love affair with bracelets and these unique bracelets instantly caught my eye. She provides a great step by step tutorial if you want to give these a try.

Photo Garland

How sweet is this photo garland that Beth over at I Should be Folding Laundry created for her son's first birthday party? She used photos of her son over the first year of his life and commented that guests loved seeing how much he had grown over the year. I think this would also be sweet for an engagement party featuring photos of the couple over their courtship or with belly shots for a baby shower. Oh the possibilities are endless!

We Need S'more Teachers Life You Gift & Printable

This free printable tag over at Domesticated Lady is adorable for an end of the year teacher gift. Simply add some graham crackers, marshmallows, and a snack size hershey bar to a cello baggie, print the tag, and staple it on and you instantly have a cute, inexpensive, and unforgettable teacher gift. Besides who doesn't love s'mores?

Owl Bag

Are you noticing a trend with me featuring something with an owl each time I do a Friday Favorites? I adore all things owlie and while this probably isn't something I'd actually carry,  this adorable owl bag over at Pinkapotamus is certainly adorable!


Home Decor 
Book Shelves

I am so in love with these book shelves (literally) from Real Simple. And honestly, they don't look to difficult to assemble and install. But I'd prime and paint the brackets the same color as the wall so they blend better but still..... LOVE. How cute would these be in an office? 

Recipes

Pineapple Yogurt Dip

Summer is almost upon us, friends, and this pineapple yogurt dip from the Splenda website (I know, not technically a blog) would be great for summer get togethers. Love the idea of serving it in a pineapple too. 

Special Needs

Ty's World Series

I'm loving this new series that friend and fellow blogger Doni is writing at her blog, Mama Diaries, about her autistic son, Ty. It's very real, transparent, and  may just inspire me to do something similar. 

This is Just Cool

Birthmother's Day Post

I was browsing a blog I recently found called Holiday Snob when I came up on post for Birthmother's Day with a free printable for Birthmother's Day too. I was pleasantly surprised to see birthmothers being mentioned and remembered on this blog. Holla!


So, what favorite posts did you read this week?