Features – A Diamond in the Stuff

8 DIY Concrete Projects

Courtney Carmean — Tue, 23 Feb 2016 14:00:40 +0000

Lately I have been seeing more and more concrete projects and items popping up all over the place. And I’m kinda crushing on it! It’s such a simple medium, it can be used endlessly on some many different kinds of projects. I love it’s industrial feel but it can be softened depending on how you use it. So I rounded up 8 really awesome DIY Concrete Projects you totally have to try!

Check out these GEOMETRIC CONCRETE BOOKENDS! Think about all the cool shapes you could make!

This CONCRETE LETTER and AMPERSAND could be endless as well! Make any letter using their tutorial!

I’m crushing pretty hard on these DIY Concrete Planters! I think these may be on my list!

Have a table top beyond repair? Why not make a DIY Concrete Table?

Need a pendant light and don’t want to spend a ton of money? Make your own DIY Concrete Pendant Lights!

This is one of my faves! You could make this DIY Concrete Picture Frame any size you need!

I love these Concrete Vases for many reasons; but one reason is you can’t see the stems of your flowers when they are in the vase (weird pet peeve, sorry).

Concrete Counter Top! This little baby is getting filed away in my brain for sure!

So what do you think about the concrete trend? Love it or leave it? I’m kinda diggin it right now! I may have to try my hand a a couple of these babies!!!

Linking up to these great link parties!!!

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Love the industrial look? Check out this Industrial Spool Table….

End of School Ideas

Courtney Carmean — Thu, 22 May 2014 10:00:58 +0000

Today is the last day of school for my kiddos. Seriously how can that be possible??? This school year is a blur. My youngest graduated from Kindergarten this year and I’m feeling very…..proud and a bit sad. I feel like this school year needs to be celebrated, the kids achieved so much this year!

Here are some awesome ways to celebrate the end of the school year and the beginning of summer….

“Run through” beginning of summer banner from The Poe Fam.

End of year class favors by The Crafted Sparrow.

Last day of school signs from Chickabug.

The Crafting Chicks created this Summer fun list ideas.

Super cute first and last day of school photos by How Does She.

Summer schedule for kids by Somewhat Simple.

Do you have any awesome end of school celebration ideas? Tell me what you and your kids do celebrate summer…….

Linking up to these great link parties!!!

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Need some ideas for teacher gifts?

Happy summer!!!

Five Friday Faves

Courtney Carmean — Fri, 25 Apr 2014 13:59:16 +0000

Alright it’s FRIDAY!!! And it’s time for my Five Friday Faves. It’s that time of the week where I share what I’m currently loving right now. I’d love to hear what you think about the items on my list and maybe some of what you’re loving right now!

First up is the super delicious looking 3 Ingredient Nutella Croissants! I have been in a nutella mood lately and when I ran across these my mouth watered. Must. Try. These. 3 Ingredients? I can handle that.

Summer is quickly approaching and so is our backyard makeover. These DIY Garden Stones may be the perfect activity to do with the kids this summer and make some beautiful things for the backyard in the process. I think I’ll pick up some cheap pan from the dollar store to use. Can’t wait!

One great thing about being a part of the military community is the support you receive during the different ups and downs of life. I have brought and received many meals to celebrate babies being born and to help during rough times. I absolutely love this post from Peanut Blossom about 30 Days of Mommy Meals. It has great ideas for meals (recipes included) and great tips to make sure that meal delivery goes smoothly! I know I will be referring to it in the future when the time comes to bring a family meals.

Ok so I’m going to do a little confessing here. During both my pregnancies I developed some pretty bad stretch marks. I have accepted them as badges of honor….but to be honest there are times when I hate them, especially those easier to see ones during the hot summer months. So I went on a hunt for something I could use to cover them up when I needed to. I found Dermablend recently and I think this is the answer I was looking for. It covers really well and it’s made specially for using it on your body. I’m excited to have an option this summer so I can feel more confident in my summer clothes!

Lastly, I am sure that I am probably the last person out there to give Jamberry a try. I finally tried them this week and I love them! I will need to perfect the process and I learned a lot during my first go at it. Although I have to say….they are pretty easy to put on. I am the worst at having my nails painted, but the end of the day they are already chipped. So I’m hoping this will be the way I can actually have cute nails! They have so many cute designs and endless combinations!

Alright that’s it this week! I hope you’ve enjoyed my Five Friday Faves this week! Are you going to give any of these a try?

Linking up to these great link parties!!!

DIY Teacher Appreciation Gifts

Courtney Carmean — Wed, 23 Apr 2014 10:00:09 +0000

Easter is over and before we know it school will be out. Then we will truly appreciate the role teachers play in our kids life, all summer long we will appreciate them. Towards the end of the school year there is always a time to thank the teachers in our lives. Either during Teacher Appreciation Week or just an end of the school year gift. I wanted to create something special for the kiddos teacher’s this year because I think they have both been amazing to my kids, especially with their transition into a new school and a new way of doing things.

I created these block sayings for the teacher’s desks. I just love the saying! I used a 2×8 board and cut it to a 6in length. I used my Silhouette to cut a file from their store out of vinyl. Then I use the vinyl as a stencil to paint the block. Check out my technique HERE.

I put a pretty polka dot bow around the block to finish it off. I think they turned out adorable and I sure hope that my kid’s teachers know how much they are appreciated!

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I rounded up some other awesome ideas for Teacher Appreciation gifts that I found to inspire you as well……

Teacher’s Clipboard Gift & Tutorial

Printable Thanks “a latte” Gift Card Holder

Teacher Appreciation Gift Ideas in a Mason Jar

Teacher Cups and Printables

Flower Pot Teacher’s Gift and Free Printable

Vintage Ball Jar Teacher Gift Idea

Which idea do you love best? Do you have an awesome Teacher Appreciation Gift idea? Please share your idea in the comments below!!!

Linking up to these great link parties!!!

Five Friday Faves

Courtney Carmean — Fri, 18 Apr 2014 10:00:13 +0000

Ready for another edition of Five Friday Faves? I love being able to share what I’m loving at the moment with y’all! This round I’m sharing some current faves and a couple confessions!!!

My hubby and I are getting ready to tackle our boring backyard this Spring. We’ve already planned everything out and now all that’s left is the actual doing. I stumbled across this tip for an “easy way to edge a lawn”. This looks like a much easier way then the “traditional” way. I figured that this time of year there are probably tons of you why will be doing some yard work yourself….and who would mind something that makes life easier???

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This week I spotted this Vintage Window Galvanized Memo Board found at Infarrantly Creative. Not only do I love the project but she also shared how she aged her galvanized metal to make it look old. An awesome project and an awesome tip in one!

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Don’t you just love when you’re watching what you’re eating and then you stumble across something like this Funfetti Milkshake? I mean. Really? How can I resist that? I think I may have to eat veggies all day long but I will be making this delicious looking treat! I have a feeling it will be worth it!

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Ok confession time. I know I JUST said I’ve been watching what I’m eating. But these things only come around ONCE a year. So I had to indulge and pick up a pack of Reese’s Eggs. I mean…..as long as I exercise some self control and don’t consume the whole pack in one day then it’s ok right? Right? Oh they are SO good!

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Next confession. I love The Real Housewives. Honestly it can be the real housewives of (fill in the blank) and I probably love it. There’s been a few not-so-great moments (D.C. ahem). But I seriously love them all. I know it’s just a bunch of crazy rich people drama….but I love it. Like watch it every week plus Watch What Happens Live, love it! I’ve been watching since day one of Orange County (probably because that’s where I’m from so I had to watch it) and now I’m hooked. I’m really hoping I’m not alone on this one.

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Alright! That’s it for the week! Some tips, some projects, some tasty goodness, and some guilty pleasures! That about wraps things up! Let me know what you think about this week’s Five Friday Faves and tell what you’re loving right now!

Have a great weekend y’all!!!

Linking up to these great parties!!!

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Earlier this week I posted my front door makeover. I used vinyl to create my Faux Etched Glass Front Door.

10 Awesome DIY Moss Projects

Courtney Carmean — Fri, 28 Mar 2014 12:00:38 +0000

I am a self proclaimed moss addict. Okay maybe not an addict but I love love moss. It’s earthy yet can be so modern. I love moss year round really but Spring is really the best time for great moss projects. This time of year you are bound to see some of this earthy green mossyness floating around Pinterest and blogland.

I decided to round up 10 Awesome DIY Moss Projects to share with you today. I’m sharing some of my own mossy creations and some other fantastic moss project that I’ve spotted around. Hope you enjoy…..

Spring Moss & Glitter Glass Banner

Moss Birdhouses

Moss Wreath

Junk into Topiaries

Moss Monogram from The Humble Home

Spring Moss Bulleton Board by The Pretty Bee

Moss Covered Easter Eggs by Love Grows Wild

Moss Coasters by Sincerely, Kinsey

DIY Moss Pitcher Vase by Upcycled Treasures

DIY Moss Frames by Ruffled

Wow right? If you didn’t love moss before, I bet you do now! So have you made any amazing moss projects of your own? I’d love to see them, link um up in the comments!!!

Linking up to these great link parties!!!

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Earlier this week I shared my Vintage Drop Leaf Kitchen Table transformation. Amazing what a little paint can do!!