Much Ado About Monday {No. 75} & a Media Console Transformation

Happy Sunday, y'all!

I hope you're having a great Labor Day weekend! We're relaxing from our first week of Kindergarten. Who knew it was just as exhausting for the mommas? I'm happy to report that Miss Ella has done an amazing job and even earned a special hooray calling out her good behavior. 

I meant to post about the media console that my husband and I redid this week, but it just didn't happen with our busy schedules. So I'm going to give you a look-see before our Much Ado About Monday link party. 

We've been searching for a dresser/cabinet suitable for an entertainment center makeover, and I finally found the perfect candidate. Even though it's kind of hard to imagine, this piece is actually an Ethan Allen hard wood buffet. I'm sure it had it's day, but when we got it, it was in desperate need of a makeover. 

My husband distressed the top and stained it a Kona brown. I absolutely love how it turned out! He refinished the top media space with dividers and a new board as the base. We lost the spikes on the bottom, and chalk painted it with Sherwin Williams Wheatgrass. After a few coats dried, we sanded it to give distressing and applied some dark wax, giving it a warmer feel. It turned out so awesome and looks perfect in our space! Now we just need to find a few baskets to fill in the shelves. 

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If you haven't already, be sure to check out Emily's Rustic Wedding Favor Ideas {Round Up} and Jamie's adorable Crochet Ghost Knot Hat {Contributor Post} over at From G2B.Who can resist the cutest chubby-cheeked baby in a little ghost hat? 

Thank you everyone who joined us last week for Much Ado About Monday. We had so many great links and had lots of fun visiting all of your blogs! Although you guys made it hard to choose, here are our features from last week's party:

Jill's pick: Washi Tape Light Switch via This Silly Girl's life
Emily's pick: How We Killed the Smurf (Little Girl's Bedroom Makeover) via The Heathered Nest
Lydia's pick: Shibori Print Dress via Vintage Zest
Jamie's pick: Carmel Apple Crisp via Swanky Recipes

And our most viewed link:

Infused Spa Water Ice Cubes via Miss Alchemist

Congrats to all of you who were featured! Make sure to grab our 'I Was Featured' button to display proudly on your blog.

And now to the main event, the party!!  

The Rules:

*We love our followers, and always follow back. Please follow us on GFC as well as BlogLovin:

*You can also find us at these favorite social media sites: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, and Google+

* Please link back to us in your post. Whether it be through a text link or by posting our super cute button somewhere in your post. We appreciate it!

* If you do NOT link back to us in your post, you will NOT be Featured on Much Ado About Monday. So, link back! You'll thank us later. :)

*Features posts will be pinned on Pinterest and promoted on Facebook and Google+

* Feel free to link up decorating tips, DIY projects, recipes, organizational ideas, sewing and crochet creations or anything else crafty or that you find inspirational.

* Please do not link up giveaways, Etsy shops, or projects that were not made by you.

* You may link up to three posts a week!

* If your post has been featured, please do not link it up again.

* Remember to visit, visit, visit! That's the point of a party, right? Have fun!

Thanks for joining us this week!

An InLinkz Link-up

Rustic Wedding Favor Ideas {Round-up}

As most of you know, my youngest sister was recently married. (You can check out her rustic bridal shower and rustic photo display, if you'd like!) She and her husband planned a beautiful, rustic wedding reception, which was held in (what else?!) a barn. The location, the ambience, everything was absolutely perfect.



One of the things I helped out with were the favors. I posted a picture of their fun s'mores favors on our Facebook page a week ago. They were a hit with our readers, so I thought I'd share a fun round-up of different Rustic Wedding Favor Ideas.

{Be sure to pin from the original source if you like any of these wonderful ideas!}

S'mores Printable Tags via TheLoveBirdPress

Burlap and Lace Wrapped Soaps via BelleSavonVT

Chalkboard Mason Jars via SassyMouth

Birdseed Hearts via Green Bride Guide

Succulents in Mini Pails via The Succulent Shoppe

Rustic Heart Magnets via HandyHappyHearts

Spread the Love Printable Tags via He Saw Sparks

Lucky Horse Shoe via LuluSugar

Burlap Mint Favors via BabyEssentialsByMel

Honey Jars via Occasion House

Which one is your favorite? I'm loving the honey jars and the chalkboard mason jars. So cute!

Enjoy your Labor Day weekend, friends. We certainly will! :)

Linking Up Here:

Show and Tell

The Wednesday Round-Up

Inspire Me Wednesday

Crochet Ghost Knot Hat {Contributor Post}

Hi everyone!

Can you believe that Fall is all ready here? The kids are back in school and I have a bit more time to crochet these days. :) I've come up with an adorable Crochet Ghost Knot Hat that will look perfect on your little spooky one this Halloween! I've included complete instructions, so you should go and check it out to learn how to make own of your very own!

I'd love for you to head on over to From G2B for the full tutorial!

Happy Haunting!

Sharing at these lovely parties:

Showcase Your Talent Thursday

Inspire Us Thursday

Wonderful Wednesday

Hookin On Humpday

A Little Bird Told Me...

Wow Me Wednesday

Show and Tell

Inspire Me Wednesday

 

Much Ado About Monday {No. 74}

Hello, my lovelies! 

Thanks for joining us for another week of 

Much Ado About Monday!

This past week we had Grandma come and visit us and the kids had such a great time. We mostly played at the house {since it's gotten pretty unbearable outside now} but we took a quick trip to the Houston Museum of Natural Science at Sugar Land. This museum is pretty great for the younger kids; it's not too crowded, a lot of hands on activities and best of all---a dino dig pit!! All three of my kids loved digging in the "dirt" {it is actually kiddie mulch} for bones and it will definitely be a museum that we visit again!

This week on the blog, we shared the cutest pencil bow tutorial and are part of a great Back to School giveaway {be sure to swing by and enter if you haven't already--one more day to enter!!}. Jill posted about her daughter's Frozen-inspired bedroom with the awesome silver polka dot accent wall. 

Our features this week are another amazing collection:

Jamie's Pick: Creamy, Dreamy Frozen Watermelon Dessert via I Dig Pinterest 

 Jill's Pick: Butterfly Pretzels via Pam's Party & Practical Tips
Lydia's Pick: Homemade Corn Dogs via Ten at the Table

Emily's Pick: Fall Mason Jar Vases via Anything & Everything
And our most viewed link from last week was the Kitchen Cart Turned Gardening Station via Hawthorne and Main. 

Congrats to all of you who were featured! Make sure to grab our 'I Was Featured' button to display proudly on your blog.

<a href="http://www.huckleberrylove.com/"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiixVNENkTznT_QebliwrX2_RRCIKXGslYGH4nKjuqZWuFJZoW9OsePxJ5zj-xZg3aAnrH6zaptLmu7r0tJIqZjQSsV-5044F4yK8IaIK8K1T_ukpGwCOyNYmU2YZgU8r738EbyUkhcaM2e/s1600/grabbuttonfeatured.png" width="150" height="150" border="0" And now to the main event, the party!!  

The Rules:

*We love our followers, and always follow back. Please follow us on GFC as well as BlogLovin:

*You can also find us at these favorite social media sites: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, and Google+

* Please link back to us in your post. Whether it be through a text link or by posting our super cute button somewhere in your post. We appreciate it!

* If you do NOT link back to us in your post, you will NOT be Featured on Much Ado About Monday. So, link back! You'll thank us later. :)
*Features posts will be pinned on Pinterest and promoted on Facebook and Google+

* Feel free to link up decorating tips, DIY projects, recipes, organizational ideas, sewing and crochet creations or anything else crafty or that you find inspirational.

* Please do not link up giveaways, Etsy shops, or projects that were not made by you.

* You may link up to three posts a week!

* If your post has been featured, please do not link it up again.

* Remember to visit, visit, visit! That's the point of a party, right? Have fun!

Thanks for joining us this week!

An InLinkz Link-up

Polka Dot Statement Wall {DIY}

Hey y'all! Check out this super cute Polka Dot Statement wall we made for little miss Ella's room!

So my oldest daughter just turned 5. I am freaking out a little bit inside, and am super anxious about the first day of Kindergarten fast approaching. I know she'll do great, but I'm still struggling. Suddenly I am searching for more time with my little girl! What better of an activity than planning a mini room makeover for her birthday! And what is almost every 5 year old girl obsessed with? 

Frozen, of course! It all started when I snagged a poster for her room. Then came the decals, and we just had to get rid of the pink walls. I'm very aware that she'll grow out of this phase, but everything we have done to her room can be changed in a matter of minutes. If she just hates it, then she'll just be stuck with a purple, aqua, and gray room. Not so bad, right? One thing I know she wont grow out of is the super cute polka dot statement wall. She absolutely loves it, and the coolest part is how the stainless steel look reflects all different colors in her room. 
 

Want to make one yourself? Here's the tutorial:

Supplies:

Circle cutter

Self healing mat

Stainless Steel contact paper

Tape measure



Here's the contact paper you're looking for. Stainless steel contact paper, who knew!

I started by rolling out my contact paper and making sure to avoid forming bubbles. 

I tried cutting circles on the contact paper, straight off of the roll. After many frustrating attempts, and not so perfect circles, I decided on cutting the contact paper into 5" strips. This worked like a charm, and I was able to get enough 4" circles out of one roll of contact paper to cover the wall.

Once you've got your 4" circles cut, it's time to map the wall out. I placed two circles on the side of the wall, in what looked like a good distance apart. I then took that measurement and divided it by two, to get the distance until the next column of dots (or how much they would be offset). 

After I had my first three dots placed, I had my super helpful husband measure the same distance (in rows & columns) and mark the wall with a sharpie. To make sure it was completely perfect, I had my husband cut a piece of wood to the 21" length and placed a level on top for each space. 

We just continued on, placing dots, until the whole wall was covered! 

And voila,  her Frozen was room complete! I even bought her Elsa sheets for her birthday. 

Her name from her birthday banner looks awesome over the dresser! 

We even broke into the Christmas decorations and hung up these snowflakes above her beanbag in the reading nook.  She's in love! And can't wait to show every friend that comes over. It was so fun to do along side my big 5 year old :-) I've even saved a few projects for her room once school starts, so we can have some more fun crafting together. 

Pencil Hair Bow Tutorial {20+ Back to School Ideas & Giveaway}

 Featured:

Now that school is rapidly approaching, we are starting to gear up for that first day, making sure we have backpacks organized and ready, lunchboxes cleaned and prepped, and beginning to think about that all important First Day of School Outfit. You know, the one that will be in all the photos you take as your little one heads off to school, some of them for the first time.

Since we all have little girls, we thought it would be adorable to make back-to-school themed bows that look like pencils.

They turned out so much cuter than we anticipated and our little girls just loved them!

 They were really simple to make, too. So, please clear your desk, and let's get started!



Materials:

- 1" ribbon in yellow {patterned if you like or solid}, black, pink, and cream
- 1/4" ribbon in metallic silver
- Glue gun
- Glue sticks
- Fray Check {or lighter, if you live on the wild side}
- Hair clip
- Embroidery Thread
- Scissors or rotary cutter

1. First, cut your yellow ribbon 13 inches long. {After every cut, be sure to either use your lighter or Fray Check to seal the edges and prevent unraveling.}

2. Next, fold your ribbon like the letter N, adjusting the ends if you prefer a longer tail for your bow. This is a basic pinwheel bow.

3. Then, using a metal hair clip {can be purchased at your local Sally's or at this affiliate link through Amazon}, find the middle of the ribbon and clip it.

4. Using your embroidery thread, slip the ends through the clip and around your ribbon. Pull it tight and tie it in a strong knot. 

 

 5. Now to turn your yellow bow into a pencil bow! Cut your pink ribbon 1 1/2" in length. Glue half of the pink ribbon down, fold it over and glue it down to the other side. This gives you a nice, finished look.

 

 6. Cut your metallic ribbon 2 1/4" and fold it around the bottom of the pink ribbon, gluing as you go.

7. Cut your black ribbon into a 1 inch square and then, starting at the 1/2" mark, cut on an angle upwards to form a point. Do this to both sides.

 8. Cut your cream ribbon into a 1 inch square as well.

9. Using your scissors {or rotary cutter}, cut little triangles out of the top of the ribbon, cutting down about half way.

10.  Glue the cream ribbon over the black you cut out and line up the edges. Trim if necessary.

11. Attach the pencil tip to the bow, using more glue.

12. Cut the black ribbon about 5 inches long, fold in half {glue if needed} and then tie in a knot. Attach this knot to the center of the bow. Be sure to use enough glue and pull the ends tight and underneath the bow, trimming the ends of the black ribbon if necessary.

13. Glue to a hair clip and you are done!

Our little girls think these bows are the cutest things ever.

And we have to say that we agree with them wholeheartedly!

They are looking forward to wearing them the first day of school and probably many subsequent days after that, too!

Don't forget to add this adorable little pencil bow to your Back to School supply list! Your little girl will be sure to get an A+ in cuteness. {Sorry...I will stop with the school humor before I get sent to the principal's office.}

Sharing at these spectacular parties:

Pioneer Momma
Made By You Monday 
Craftastic Monday 
Bloggers Brags

Inspire Us Thursday
Hookin On Humpday
A Little Bird Told Me
Moonlight and Mason Jars
Show and Share Wednesday
The Kids Co-Op
Party In Your PJ's

If you liked this tutorial, be sure to check out the incredible projects listed below too! And don't forget to enter the Back To School Giveaway!

An InLinkz Link-up

Along with this great compilation of over 20 back to school recipes, crafts and organization ideas, we are also giving one of you awesome readers a chance to win $350 in cash!! Because who couldn't use a little bit extra to buy all those school supplies and first day of school clothes? And, just because we love you all so much we're adding a little spice to this cash giveaway by including 4 spice packs from Urban Accents. Urban Accents creates custom spice packs that you can not only order online, but can buy in grocery stores as well! In fact, Crate & Barrel, Sur La Table, and World Market all sell specialty spice packs that Urban Accents created specifically for them! Thank you very much Meghan Swint for donating these 4 packs to this fun giveaway. :) All you need to do is use the raffle copter below to enter.


Disclaimer: The participating bloggers were not compensated for this post. We are not associated with any of the companies named above. No purchase is necessary to enter. One entrant per household. Void where prohibited by law. The odds of winning are based on the number of entries received. Confirmed Winner(s) (by Random.org) will be contacted by email. Winner(s) have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen. Huckleberrylove.com will be responsible for product shipment/delivery to winner(s) of this sweepstakes. Other blog participants are not responsible for product shipment/delivery. This event is in no way administered, sponsored, or endorsed by, or associated with, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest or any other social media outlets. This disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.