DIY and a Giveaway with Furrow & Feather

Today I am so excited to share about the cutest new etsy shop, Furrow & Feather! Katie Egbert the incredible artist behind these adorable shadowbox framed vinyl hand lettered quotes is just the sweetest and she sent me two to DIY for my home! I had such fun deciding where to put them and what to use as the background for each. They come with a chip board background perfect for personalizing and so I used some vintage fabric and some spray adhesive to brighten up the wall in Josie and Zeb's nursery. I love how the Hello Sunshine one turned out!

For the Home Sweet Home frame I used a piece of the Orla Kiely wallpaper I had saved from our old home as a little memento and put it on a shelf in my kitchen. These frames are so fun and unique and are a perfect addition to any photo wall. They would also make a great gift idea for anyone special in your life!

Katie is so generously offering a Shadowbox frame to one lucky reader too and I couldn't be more excited! Thank you so much friend for sharing your beautiful work it's truly lovely and unique! Check out Furrow & Feather HERE and Katie's incredible website HERE enter below for a chance to win! a Rafflecopter giveaway

sponsor spotlight :: an interview with Brachel Boulevard + etsy giftcard giveaway!

I am so excited to welcome Rachel from Brachel Boulevard here today and to introduce you to her darling blog! She is a mother of two living abroad with her sweet husband Brandon, currently in Barcelona. She writes about their adventures together and shares fun recipes and craft ideas with lots of pictures of her adorable kids! I did a little interview with Rachel so that we could get to know her a bit more...and make sure to check out the fun giveaway at the bottom. Rachel is generously offering one reader a $25 gift card to Etsy. There are just about a million things I could think of to buy with one of those! OK without further ado, here is miss Rachel:

1. What is the name of your blog and the passion behind why you write it?

Our blog name is Brachel Boulevard. The term "Brachel", our self-proclaimed "celebrity couple" name, started as a joke. (Brandon + Rachel=Brachel) 4 years, 2 children and 14 countries later, it has come to represent all of the amazing things we have done together as a couple.

Our blog is our journal. We write about our travels, our ups & downs, our lives as a whole. I am a history major so I am passionate about preservation. Our blog is the way we reserve our memories. 

2. Tell us a bit about yourself and your family

I'm a twenty something bookworm with a wanderlust that will never be fulfilled. Luckily, my husband has been infected with that same wanderlust. Brandon is a numbers guys, a cancer survivor and amputee. He is an inspiration to me and our children. Corbin is three and loves all things super heroes. Elizabeth is our little princess that is very attached to her Mommy (which I love most of the time). 

3. A favorite date night memory with your sweetie

Brandon found a new exhibit at a museum that played music and had the words of the songs rotate around the room. We went on a date to the museum, spent the majority of the time looking at beautiful paintings and then he brought me into this music exhibit room, and started slow dancing with me.  We were the only ones in the room, and it was super romantic. He has yet to top that date! 

4. A favorite indulgence

Some of you are gonna laugh at this but it's totally Regency novels! Ha ha I can sit down start reading a Regency novel & forget to make dinner! When I read, I indulge, I don't stop until it's done. 

5. What countries have you lived in and which one is your favorite/why?

We have lived in the US, Belgium, & are currently living in Spain. The US will always be home but I must say Spain is making it's way up the ranks! 

6. One thing you are looking forward to this Fall?

The sound of crunching leaves under my feet. It's the simple things like that that make me smile! :) 

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So fun to get to know you a bit Rachel - that date night sounds pretty dreamy for sure! Thank you so much for being here today it's a joy to find new blog friends!

Here are a few of Rachel's current favorites on etsy - for a chance to win a $25 gift card enter the giveaway below it will be open until October 3rd. And don't forget to stop by and say hello to Rachel too!

one. two. three. four. five.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Back to School with JCPenney

I just have to stop for a second to marvel at these two boys right here - how in the heck am I so lucky to be their Mom? And how did they get to be so grown up? It feels like just yesterday that they looked like this...making me all crazy and tired and afraid that I was going to mess them up or something. 

Levi is entering Kindergarten this year and Simon will be a big second grader. I have had such deep nerves about sending my second born into school even just starting with a half day program. He is wildly shy and introspective (like his Mama) and I am anxious for him and also excited as he makes the transition. But when I look at the photos of these two absolutely beautiful goofballs inside and out I know that it's gonna be all right. These two have mad love for each other - what a gift that they will be in school together (I am totally crying right now as I write this just so you know...blubbering actually).

As the first day approaches I have been thinking about back to school shopping and supplies and such and was so incredibly honored when JCPenney approached me about collaborating on a first day look for each of the boys. We are so very blessed but funds are always always tight in our home and a provision of new clothes and shoes for the boys was an incredible gift to our family! JCP sent us gift cards and these two got to do a little shopping spree at the mall!

We hadn't been shopping in ages for clothes for the boys and so I was super surprised and pleased at the selections we found at JCP. And almost everything we got was on sale. This entire stack of shirts, some long sleeve some short, none of them were more than ten bucks! Each of the boys picked out a pair of jeans too, my red lover got his dream of a pair of red Arizona jeans and Simon went classic. We also bought them each a new hoodie and a new pair of shoes and socks and all of this was just over $200. A great value to get us set for back to school. When we were checking out they also gave us fun pencil bags filled with tapes and stickers and goodies!

After dinner the other night the boys decided they wanted to do a little impromptu fashion show of their first day looks so they both styled their own clothes and Simon even went into the bathroom for a bit to get his hair just right. Chris and I were cracking up at him! We snapped a few photos in the evening light. It was such fun moments for me with them Levi especially shocked me at how excited and into it he was. I don't think he is as nervous as I am for the first day I know he is ready - it just goes so fast this process of growing up (blubbering again :)). A very very special thank you to JCPenney for helping us get ready for back to school. Seriously JCP did send us gift cards to go shopping but I am allowed to give my honest feedback and opinion and would definitely recommend checking out some of their adorable stuff as you get ready for school - we found high quality for a great price!!

OK deep breath Mama...I can see that high school is going to come way too fast!

Sponsor Welcome and Giveaway with Linkel Designs (CLOSED)

I am so thrilled and honored to introduce you to one of my new sponsors today, Linkel Designs. The  shop is full of fun and affordable baubles - lots of bright pops of red, gold and blue perfect for gifting this holiday season or for a little something to wear to all the festive parties happening this time of year.

Kelly, the amazing woman behind Linkel Designs is an artist, musician and Mom to two little boys. She writes an adorable blog, The Pretty Bee  takes beautiful photographs and is all around inspiring. I am loving her blog right now, full of beauty, truth, recipes, and crafts...it's a good one you should definitely check it out!

Kelly is offering a $30 gift certificate to one lucky reader for her shop this holiday season. To enter leave a comment below, a second entry if you like her on facebook or google friend connect just leave a separate comment letting me know you did so.

What would you buy if you won? Personally these peppermint vintage earrings are calling my name. Use coupon code SUNSHINE to save an extra 10% on your order this month, thanks so much Kelly it's a joy to have you!!

{the giveaway will be open until next Wednesday December 12th}

sponsor a bit of sunshine - super sale!!

If you have been wanting to try out advertising for your shop or blog this is the perfect opportunity! I would love to partner with you for the Summer to help get the word out about your little neck of the woods online. For a limited time I am offering $15 Large ad spaces which include both July and August!! I will keep the sale going through the end of next week at least. If your interested email me I would love to work with you!!!

And congratulations to Jenny you won the Shabby Apple gift card giveaway - I got pretty excited when I saw your name pop up!!!

Happy Friday everyone I hope you have a super wonderful weekend!

a special present from Pinhole Press

While I was still in the hospital I received the most beautiful package from Pinhole Press. This custom mothers day journal I got to design with ten of my favorite photos inside. It is absolutely gorgeous and so special to me especially since I was missing my kids terribly. On the inside cover a reminder to rejoice in each day as a gift from God!

Pinhole Press is a really special company that makes really special things. It's not your average put a picture on a mug shop. They sell gorgeously made products. This journal is beautifully bound and the pictures are of the highest quality. Perfect for gifting, thank you presents (I have quite a few of these to make after the past month), birth announcements or something really special for yourself.

My kids have loved looking through the photos in my journal and I absolutely treasure it as the perfect spot to document my more personal mommy thoughts during this very full season of life. 

A very special and heartfelt thank you to Pinhole Press for this generous and thoughtful gift I know I will cherish it forever. Check out all of the amazing things you can make with your photos too HERE!

easter bunny in the grass vase and a giveaway! (*closed*)

The girls at Oh My Crafts were so sweet and sent me a little package of fun things recently. My most favorite was the Martha Stewart fringe scissors. I could not wait to get my hands on them and instantly wanted to cut everything in sight into the perfect fringy mess.

I have a few fun projects in mind with these but couldn't help but whip together this silly and whimsical Easter project using a recycled soup can and simple tissue paper. I thought these would be a great way to present a friend or your kids teachers with some pretty flowers this Spring. 

Ingredients:

1. soup can

2. pipe cleaners

3. tissue paper

4. fabric stripes

5. fringe scissors 

6. double sided tape

7. packing tape

8. doily or other decorations

9. flowers

Make some little bunny ears using two pipe cleaners and then tie a knot at the bottom with the fabric scraps and wrap up the entire length of the ears covering the entire thing.

Next measure out a folded piece of tissue paper to fit around your can and using the fringe (or other) scissors cut fringe along the top to make the grass.

Tape the tissue paper down and then add a bow with more fabric scraps or a doily and bow like I did in the finished project.

Lastly I taped the bunny ears inside the can with some heavy packing tape to keep them secure and protect them a bit from the water.

Fill the can carefully with some water and pretty Spring flowers and your all set. Could be a cute center piece for an Easter brunch too - just a silly little Easter craft to get your juices flowing today.


And as an added bonus Oh My Crafts also sent me a $25 gift certificate for one lucky reader to purchase some fun crafting supplies too. To enter you need to "like" the Oh My Crafts facebook page HERE and sign your name in the comments below. Extra entries given to fans of A Bit of Sunshine so let me know in a separate comment if you "like" my page too or if you follow via google friend connect or reader. Contest will be open through the end of the week and a winner chosen and announced on Sunday April 1st! Good luck everyone and happy Spring!

Oh My Crafts Site, Facebook page, Blog

Sponsor Spotlight :: A Full Day

This month I have the honor and privilege of introducing you guys to one of the sweetest women I have met online. Joii Cooper is the author of A Full Day, a blog about living each day to the fullest. I have truly been so blessed by Joii. Her heart and passion for marriage, women and a deep love and commitment to God.

She is a woman of her word - whenever she emails me or leaves me a note in the comment section she truly encourages and makes me smile. And if she says she is praying I know she means it! I got a chance to interview Joii and learn a little bit more about her, I know you will all love her too! Without further ado here is Joii:

1. What is the name of your blog and the passion behind why you write it?

My blog name is A Full Day.  The blog is dedicated to my mama.  She's enjoying heaven now, but while she was here she had an email signature that read, "Live Each Day To The Fullest".  You can read about her here.  In addition to that, the Amplified version of the bible says in John 10:10 "...I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)."  My passion is for women to live full godly lives.  The Lord is all for it!  I'm passionate about people understanding that Jesus is the only way to live a full life.  He provides so much.  From salvation to a great pedicure, God's got it covered.  The heart behind my blog is to point people to Christ.  I love sharing the bible in a practical light.  God's Word is alive and affects every part of life, if we let it.

2. A favorite date night memory with your sweetie?

Aw man!  What a question!  There are so many.  One day Shuga Sweetness and I went to a local park and conducted our own photo shoot.  We armed ourselves with our camera and clicked away.  We took tons of pictures of each other.  We've got some awesome pictures from that day.  We were like two little kids.  It was so much fun.  And...IT WAS A FREE DATE.  Who doesn't like free?  :-)

3. A favorite indulgence?

I'd say it's a toss up between great food and shopping.  I love to cook.  I like pretty dishes.  Food presentation takes eating to another level :-) I just recently made pan-roasted brussel sprouts for the first time.  Let the choir sing, "Hallelujah".  Oh my...they were sooooo tasty.  Yum!  On the other hand, I love to shop for pretty things, clothes, shoes, etc.  I like being surrounded by beauty.  That can be done with flowers, candles, or a big warm sweater.  I'll take it all.

4. One way that helps you stay "Joii-full"? 

 

In order for me to be "Joii-full", I must be "Bible-full".  Without God's Word, I'm pretty much a mess.  Consistency is the key. Sometimes it's quite a challenge, but I'm determined to take a daily dose of the word of God.  It works!  I've proven it!

5. What is one thing you are striving to do in the new year?

I'm striving to make the promises of God that are found in His word so big in my life, that nothing else is visible.  I will plant the seed of God's Word in my heart and watch it grow.

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You can visit Joii at her blog, A Full Day HERE I especially loved this video she did with her sweetie about keys to a great marriage! Thanks Joii it is always a joy!! :)

cyber monday giveaway!

Happy Monday everybody. Did you have a wonderful holiday weekend? Ours was nice and full as per usual and we most certainly felt so blessed to be able to spend Thanksgiving with loved ones.

I have a fun little sponsor giveaway for you guys today just in time for cyber monday. Three little goodies up for grabs to one lucky reader!

First up is this super adorable advent pendant banner kit from the amazing Lisa at the True Vine.

The kit includes everything you need to create this gorgeous folk inspired advent calendar and includes 25 hand-lettered mini cards paraphrasing the story of Jesus' birth with Scripture references. Such a fun tradition to add to your holidays!

Lisa is an incredible Mom of ten who blogs over at The True Vine check her out HERE!

Next we have this adorable red satin and feather headband from Lexi Lou for the sweet little girl in your life. So cute I want one for Josie I love the feathers! Lexi Lou has tons of fun and affordable hair accessories check out Lydia's shop HERE!

And lastly I am super excited to include a copy of the brand new e-licious e-cookbook from Jenna over at Newlyweds. Tons of delicious and easy recipes including crock-pot meals, weeknight ideas and date night recipes too. I am paying close attention to that last one since it's about time I got back to dinner at eight over here isn't it :)!

Jenna is also offering a coupon code for %20 off at checkout just use the code ELICIOUS20. You can also sign up for updates via Jenna's facebook page HERE!

Just a few little goodies to get you into the cyber monday mood. To enter simply leave me a comment here and I will post the winner of all three prizes on wednesday november 30th!

I hope you all have a wonderful day today. I will be wrapping up the capturing our blessings project with Kristen this week and have a few fun crafts to share plus some other exciting updates your not going to want to miss!

(UPDATE!!! Through the end of today, tuesday november 29th Jenna is offering her e-cookbook for only .99 cents with the code CYBER99 - get it while it's hot!!)

Noonday Collection + Amazing Love and a Giveaway

Good morning friends and happy Thanksgiving week! I can hardly stand the anticipation as the holidays get into full swing!

And yesterday after getting the sweetest surprise visit from my bestie Claire when she heard I was sick at home and not at church (she raced over with pumpkin spice :)) I got to sit with my gorgeous sister in laws and mother in law too and sip peppermint mocha's and plan some of our holiday festivities (and had major girl bonding) it was such a gift and now I am feeling all warm and cozy and hopeful for the deep blessing that is the holiday season!

Today I am so honored to start off a week of fun giveaways with the incredible story of Noonday Collection. Whitney is my feature sponsor this month and let me tell you this woman is incredible. She has such a beautiful heart and works as an ambassador spreading hope and changing lives through the sales of fair trade goods handmade by women around the world. Empowering them to change their lives and the lives of their families and communities by way of working with their hands creating the most gorgeous jewelry, accessories and home goods.

I know that I will be purchasing several gifts this holiday season through Whitney and I am thrilled to know that the gifts I give will not only bless the recipient but deeply bless the woman who crafted them!

Whitney is offering a $50 gift certificate to one bit of sunshine reader this week to get you started on your Christmas shopping but I encourage you, please take a look at Noonday Collection. Put these items on your own wish lists and consider purchasing something through Whitney to give this holiday season. It will change lives and the stuff is adorable too so it's a win win!

This giveaway will be open through Friday November 25th simply leave a comment here letting me know what you would purchase with your prize. Extra entries will go to those who "like" Whitney's facebook page HERE as well as those who follow a bit of sunshine too...leave separate comments for each entry letting me know ok!

Happy Monday everyone may your week leading up to Thanksgiving be wonderful and may you truly be able to meditate on the deep blessings in your own life! xoxo

(all images courtesy of Noonday Collection - check out Whitney's blog HERE and her Noonday page HERE...thank you Whitney your an inspiration!)