Today Is Switch day… Win A Giveaway!

So today is my switch day, over to my self-hosted blog site!  I hope I am organized enough to pull this off smoothly… I’ve already had a cup of coffee and a couple chocolates… and I react to caffeine like it’s a drug, so I`m a little jittery and my brain’s a little dizzy!  LOL!  Maybe I should have waited to indulge after I figured this all out!!

Here is a recap of what I explained yesterday… if you read this yesterday though, please keep reading!  The giveaway announcement is next!

Why the change? Hosting my blog at wordpress.com has been fantastic, but there’s a few restrictions that weren’t really working for me.  One example is that I am in no way allowed to make $$ from my blog at wordpress.com.  Being a woman who can’t stand not making a little money for the family, I wasn’t really cool with this.  Another example is when I host a linky party, like I did the past couple Sundays, wordpress.com doesn’t accept Javascript, which allows all those who link up to show on my blog page, it has to be re-directed to an outside page…. just those sorts of things.

How is wordpress.org different for me? Here I have to self-host my blog site, and maintain everything about it.  A lot of geek-talk, but I do find it interesting and fun.  And I will be able to do the above without any problems.

What to expect with the change? I will have a new theme, which I think is very cute, and would love for you to check it out tomorrow!  There are still a few glitches, like a few broken links, missed pictures and so on, but nothing that really affects the blog, and it’s all being worked on!

Why I’m a little stressed and want to make sure you are on top of the change?  Because as far as all my research has shown, I cannot automatically transfer you as a follower over to the new blog.  I need you to sign up again! After the growth I’ve had since I began this blog 6 months ago, it makes me sad that I may lose some of you, even if it’s simply because some of you may not read my blog every day, so you may not realize this is all happening!

How will this all happen?

*For those who follow me by email:  today I can enter your email address as a new follower, but I still need you to confirm it.  At some point after this post , expect an email asking for your confirmation for subscription to my blog.  Just click on the link, and it will be done.

*For those who follow me by RSS Feed, you will need to subscribe again.

*For those who follow me through WordPress, I have no way to switch you over, and you will need to subscribe again.

*For those who follow me through Linky Followers, I am able to switch it over automatically, so the assumption is you have nothing to worry about.

*For those who follow me through Facebook, this too should happen automatically.

*How Can you find me??  the new address is www.becauseithinkican.com.  The old site will at some point begin automatically switching readers to the new site when they come to the old site

==============================

The Giveaway

So, what`s this about this Giveaway?? 

Here’s How You Can Enter The Giveaway:

Each of the following actions will give you an entry into the giveaway, increasing your chances of winning!  Please Note: You must leave a comment for each action, otherwise your action won’t be considered for the giveaway!!

*Follow my new blog site, AND leave me a comment on the new site, saying you are following.  (You can follow through email, linky followers, or RSS, just make sure you leave a comment!)  (As I mentioned, if you follow by email currently, you will receive an email after receiving this post, asking for your confirmation for subscription to www.becauseithinkican.com.  You will need to click the link to confirm, and then you will need to visit www.becauseithinkican.com to leave a comment saying you did so.)

*Follow me on Facebook AND leave a comment saying you are following

*If you already follow me on Facebook, then refer a friend to Facebook or my blog AND be sure they leave a comment that they are following AND that they leave your name (that will give each of you an entry!)

*Share my new blog site www.becauseithinkican.com on Facebook or Twitter, AND leave me a comment saying you did so.

What will you win??

Well, you know I’ve been crazy about making signs lately, and I want to share a little of that with you!!  This Giveaway will be open for 1 week, closing next Monday evening (March 5th) and the winner will be randomly chosen to win:

A package of Sharpie Paint Pens, in the colors showed (can be used on glass and wood!)

AND A Distress Ink in Walnut Stain!

(value of $40 CAD)

Thank you So much, and I really do hope to see you all at my new site.  It has been awesome to have so much support, comments, referrals and new friendships, and I hope this all continues!  🙂

Thanks for reading and having patience with me through all this chaos!!!

xo, Leanne

No-Sew Fleece Blanket

URL change tomorrow…

Please remember that tomorrow will be my URL change!  Whoohoo, I am very excited, it’s been a lot of work to create my self-hosted blog site, but I love the way this has turned out.

Why the change?  Hosting my blog at wordpress.com has been fantastic, but there’s a few restrictions that weren’t really working for me.  One example is that I am in no way allowed to make $$ from my blog at wordpress.com.  Being a woman who can’t stand not making a little money for the family, I wasn’t really cool with this.  Another example is when I host a linky party, like I did the past couple Sundays, wordpress.com doesn’t accept Javascript, which allows all those who link up to show on my blog page, it has to be re-directed to an outside page…. just those sorts of things.

How is wordpress.org different for me?  Here I have to self-host my blog site, and maintain everything about it.  A lot if geek-talk, but I do find it interesting and fun.  And I will be able to do the above without any problems.

What to expect with the change?  I will have a new theme, which I think is very cute, and would love for you to check it out tomorrow!  There are still a few glitches, like a few broken links, missed pictures and so on, but nothing that really affects the blog, and it’s all being worked on!

Why I’m a little stressed and want to make sure you are on top of the change?  Because as far as all my research has shown, I cannot automatically transfer you as a follower over to the new blog.  I need you to sign up again!  After the growth I’ve had since I began this blog 6 months ago, it makes me sad that I may lose some of you, even if it’s simply because some of you may not read my blog every day, so not realize this is all happening!

How will this all happen? 

*For those who follow me by email:  tomorrow I can enter your email address as a new follower, but I still need you to confirm it.  At some point after my post tomorrow , expect an email asking for your confirmation for subscription to my blog.  Just click on the link, and it will be done.

*For those who follow me by RSS Feed, you will need to subscribe again.

*For those who follow me through WordPress, I have no way to switch you over, and you will need to subscribe again.

*For those who follow me through Linky Followers, I am able to switch it over automatically, so the assumption is you have nothing to worry about.

*For those who follow me though Facebook, this too should happen automatically.

SO, watch for my post tomorrow, because I will be announcing my GIVEAWAY!!  All the “rules” will be posted tomorrow!!  Yay!  🙂

Birthday Day!!

That’s right, today, this gorgeous little man turned 8!!!

Where Does The TIme Go???

We celebrated with him this morning by spoiling him with a new hockey net and hockey stick!  He was so excited, he was outside by 8 am to play hockey on the driveway!

I even managed to bake his class cupcakes!  As you know, I’m really no good at baking, so I made sure to embellish them a bit, just in case!!

8th birthday cupcakes... with worms and frogs!!

A bunch of years back, I had watched an episode of Rachel Ray (whom I really can’t stand, but I was glad I caught this episode!)  and her guest showed how to make a “no-sew” blanket.  This stuck with me for a while, but eventually I forgot about it, until I read this post here.

Then this morning, while at the fabric store with my mom, I found this kit!

no-sew fleece blanket kit

At $16.50 for 2 patterns of fleece material, the price couldn’t be beat, so I bought it and whipped it up this afternoon…

first, lay the 2 fabrics on a flat surface, with "wrong" sides facing each other... then cut a 5 x 5 inch square from each corner... I used cardboard as a template...

I then marked the template for the cuts of fabric... each edge needed to be cut into 5" inch strips, each an inch wide...

...then tie each pair of strips into a double knot....

and ta-da!! the blanket is approximately 4ft x 3ft... perfect cuddle size!

it took me one episode of Toopee and Binou, and an episode of the Wiggles... so about an hour from start to finish!! Not too bad for a very cute blanket and lots of cuddles to follow!

What do you think?? Are you inspired to try to make one??

Thanks for reading!  (and please read my post tomorrow so you can keep following me!!)

xo, Leanne

Sleepy Sunday Linky Party Results!

I hope you are all having a fabulous Sunday!!  Today my hubby comes home!  Whoohoo!!

I’m announcing today the winner of last week’s linky party… I’ve decided not to participate in the blog hop for now, but Randee and Jenn are still keeping it going, so make sure you link up there!   I will probably continue a linky party in the next month or 2 on my new URL, so stay tuned!

Here’s the results from last week’s linky party:

The winner is AMANDA from School House Scraps AGAIN!!  She is one talented lady!!!     (I’ll be emailing you soon Amanda, to get your mailing address for your Distressed Inks!!)  Here are her wooden pictures!!

Ok…

Here are a few favorites this week!!

We LOVE this necklace over at ovojesivalamojamama

and OHHHH how we love the ideas that Mackenzie over at  Friday Date Night comes up with for free dates!

but who can resist Chai??  Vanessa over at

Nifty Thrifty Things has given us a delicious recipe!!!

Thanks so much to everyone for participating!  I have really enjoyed visiting every link, and finding a lot of great blogs through it!

Tomorrow is Jordan’s 8th birthday, so I have some cupcakes to bake, and then I get to go pick up the hubby!  He has been very missed here!

Thanks for reading!!  xo, Leanne

Sleepy Saturday!

A late night last night (spending waaayyyy too much time on the computer, and no hubby at home to say “let’s go to bed honey”), kids up at 6:30 this morning 😦  , raining outside again…. I’m feeling pretty lazy this morning!  It’s a sleepy Saturday for me….  I do have one of my beautiful nieces coming over this afternoon to watch my 2 older ones, while I go out to find a birthday gift for Jordan!  …. and maybe a few things for myself!  😉  How’s your weekend going so far??

In case you missed anything this week, here’s what happened!

Monday: Family Rules

Wednesday:  No More Ugly 70’s Brown

Thursday:  Happy Pinning!

Friday:  3 films In A 10 Day YOU Challenge:

I hope you have a fabulous weekend!!  Let me know what you are up to!

xo, Leanne

***PS, just another “disclaimer” to make sure you read my posts next Tuesday on my URL change!***

3 Films in a 10 Day YOU Challenge

It’s Friday!!  It’s a little strange-feeling around here today… Jordan’s home with a cold, Anna’s in preschool, Elissa is sleeping TONS so far today, it’s snowing outside, and my hubby is gone.  😦  It’s just one of those days when I’m not sure exactly what to do with myself, because everything is “wrong”.  Oh, well, I always have my blog!  So here I am to talk about my 3 films!

When I realized this morning my topic this week was 3 films, I panicked a little.  I NEVER remember the names of films, even the ones that have a large impact on me.  So I decided to make it easy on myself and do one film that makes me laugh, one that makes me cry, and one that’s great for the family.

(to read: my 10 secrets here, 9 loves here, 8 fears here, 7 wants here, 6 places here, 5 foods here, 4 books here.)

1.  One that makes me cry:  Philadelphia with Tom Hanks.  Tom Hanks is already my all time favorite actor.  It’s like I can see his soul in his eyes, and his emotions become my emotions.  I love every movie that guy is in.  The first time I saw Philadelphia, I was in my teens, and saw it with completely the wrong crowd, so I didn’t enjoy it the first time around, but I have watched it many times since.  This movie is not for everyone.  Tom Hanks plays a homosexual man with Aids, and his fired from his job because of it.  He takes them to court, and battles his ex-employees.  I don’t want to do a spoiler, so I won’t say anymore, but Tom Hanks is amazing and moving and emotional in this movie, and I can’t watch it without doing the ugly cry for him.

2.  One that makes me laugh:  The Wedding Singer with Adam Sandler.  Again, another guy who I love in everything he does.  And this movie makes me howl with laughter.  And the soundtrack is so much fun.  I once watched it with my dad though, and introduced it as “I LOVE this movie”.  Ya, bad idea.  AWKWARD!

3.  One that’s great for the family:  This is a tie between Tangled and How to Train Your Dragon.  Both have adorable and lovable characters, and a great plot.  And we have watched both many, many….many times.

And I know I’m not asked for it, but can I include my favorite TV series?  You may have already noticed I like movies/shows/books that create extreme emotions in me.  And I LOVE thrills, suspense, and the right amount of gore.  If you don’t like any of the 3 above, then you won’t appreciate this show at all, but if you love all of it, and amazing acting to go with it, you’ll love The Walking Dead.   We are addicted to this series, and we can’t get enough.  When hubby first introduced it to me, I was highly sceptical, I mean, come on, Zombies?!  But I was hooked from the start.  Try it!  Let me know if you do!

Thanks so much for reading!  Share with me your favorite movies!!!

xo, Leanne

***  Please remember my URL switch happens NEXT TUESDAY!!  Please watch my blog posts around that time for any instructions, and to find out about my GIVEAWAY!  🙂  ***

Happy Pinning!!

Well, as you can see, I’m still here!  We made the decision for just my hubby to fly out with his immediate family to attend his Grandpa’s funeral in Saskatchewan.  I’m here with the kids… first time ever being with the 3 kids and myself for more than a day!  Hopefully I’ll survive!!  😉

I also want to remind you that our Blog Hop Linky Party is still open till midnight tonight!!  If you have something to link up, please do!  And even if you don’t I would love for you to visit all those who linked up, and vote for your favorites by “liking” it!  as of now, no one has any votes yet!  Eeeks!  I’d really love to give away my 2 distressed inks to somebody!  Go ahead and visit at this link here.

Last night as I was spending a little too much time on Pinterest, I realized I haven’t done my Pinterest Wednesday for a while!!  So, today I’ll share some pinning… there’s just soooo much amazing and inspiring stuff out there.  Enjoy!!

Source: thekitchenmagpie.com via YummyMummyClub.ca on Pinterest

How can this cake not make you smile?!?! And drool a little bit too! With my son’s 8th birthday (8!!!) coming up on Monday, this, and the next picture, has my imagination going!

Source: Uploaded by user via YummyMummyClub.ca on Pinterest

Fun!!

I might need something like the following picture in my house here…. for all my crafting/painting supplies!! Since I’ve started this hobby, my supplies have multiplied!! Thank heavens for dollar stores and Michaels coupons and free scrap wood at Rona’s, or I wouldn’t be able to pull off all my projects!

Source: paintedhomedesigns.com via Donna on Pinterest

 

The following 3 pictures make me excited to get back into gardening. I usually love gardening, but it’s been awhile, because I hate it when I’m pregnant (I don’t know why that is but it’s happened 3 times now!)…. since I was pregnant last summer/fall, and new baby in the spring, I thank heavens for my hubby who is so great at it.

Source: finegardening.com via Leanne on Pinterest

Ladder of birdhouses…we love birdhouses here, and all the little birds they attract. I would love to add this to our backyard!

Source: pinandpaper.blogspot.com via Leanne on Pinterest

A lid can and fork, to label the veggies in the veggie garden – so cute!

Source: flickr.com via Leanne on Pinterest

recycled shutter displaying tools and plants. Adorable!

Source: weddings.theknot.com via Leanne on Pinterest

Stumps and wood planks for benches, would be so cute around the trampoline.

Source: countryhome.com via Leanne on Pinterest

An old bench/desk with a recycled gate painted to match, and use for tools and gardening. Love it!

And of course, some vintage furniture to drool over,

Source: houseofturquoise.com via Leanne on Pinterest

 

Source: theberry.com via Leanne on Pinterest

 

And lastly, some words to remember, when I’m having one of “those days”,

Source: oakridgerevival.blogspot.com via Leanne on Pinterest

 

You can find me on Pinterest here, and I hope you do if you haven’t already… I’d love to see what you are pinning!

Have you tried anything like these pins before… or are you planning to?  I’d love to hear about it!

Thanks for reading!

xo, Leanne

No More Ugly 70’s Brown!!

Hubby and I aren’t the kind to ask for help when it comes to projects around the house.  We love being able to do it all ourselves, and love the pride that comes along with it.  But when I make a post on the ugly 70’s brown in our Masterbedroom, and I know I won’t be getting around to it anytime soon, and my mom calls to say my dad has time to do it if he can come the next day (a REAL bonus to having a blog people!  You don’t have to ask for help, everyone already knows you need the help!!  LOL)… of course I’m going to say “YES!”

So, thanks to my fabulous parents, our Masterbedroon so longer sports the Ugly 70’2 Brown!!  Say hi to the Before and Afters!!

Example #1 Before

 

Example #1 After

 

example #2 Before

 

example #2 After

 

Example #3 Before

 

Example #3 After

 

Ahhh, how refreshing a couple coats of white paint can be!!

What have you painted lately??

Thanks for reading!

xo, Leanne

Family Rules

After seeing some pretty awesome Family Rules signs on Pinterest, I decided it was time to make my own. I picked some rules, made it up on Picnik.com, and printed it off. ….I have NO idea where all my “during” photos went, but I’ve been making enough signs lately, you probably know the drill!
(in the case you don’t, here are some examples: A Teacher’s Christmas Gift, Dream Big, Mustard Seed, Every Child Is An Artist, Owl Always Love You)

This is the almost final product!

I first painted the wood board in brown craft paint.  Then painted 2 coats of Martha Stewart’s Cornbread (I’ve been craving a little yellow in the house lately!  Home Depot had this color available in the sample size, for 4 or 5 dollars.)

After all the paint was dry, I gave it a coat of Annie Sloan Clear wax, gave it a good sanding, wipe down, another coat of clear wax, and a coat of dark wax.  I buffed off the wax real good with a clean cloth (which I actually get by ripping my old Spa bed sheets apart!!  The cotton is perfect for this sort of thing!)

And I ended up with this!  I really like everything about it… except for that it is way too small.  So I’m sure I’ll be making a new and huge one soon!!

What do you think??  You know I LOVE your feedback!!

… What kind of family rules does your family have??  I’d love to hear them, maybe I could use them for my next sign!!

Thanks so much for reading!!  I hope you have a great Monday!

Make sure to visit our entries into our Blog Hop Linky Party!!  And if you have something to enter, please do!!  It’s open til Midnight on Thursday!  http://www.linkytools.com/wordpress_list.aspx?id=128307&type=thumbnail

xo, Leanne

I’m partying here, and at

3rd Sleepy Sunday Linky Party!!

Here it is friends, our third and last Sleepy Sunday Blog Hop Linky Party!!  And this week I am Your Host!  I’m excited!!  I have a great giveaway for you this week… but first…

my co-hosts are:

Randee from Randee’s Organized Chaos & Jenn from Don’t Mess With My Tutus!!

Last week we had some awesome link ups!

A BIG congrats to

Holly from Full Circle Creations for her link up with with her Love Sign and receiving the most “likes”!

Some other favorites of mine this week were these Chocolate Sweetheart Cupcakes from The Weekly Sweet Experiment

These very cool Zipper Flowers from Schoolhouse Scraps

And this very Happy Entryway, which I would love to have!  What great style!  this is from Meeha Meeha.

The Giveaway This Week Will Be:

2 Distressed Inks!  1 in Walnut Stain, and the other in Tea Dye!

This stuff is awesome for distressing wood, furniture, paper… if you google it, you can find tons of examples.  Here are some examples of how I’ve used it:

Cool, right?!  Wouldn’t you love to win these?  🙂

So, for this weeks Blog Hop, here are the rules!

1.  Only link your original projects or recipes.

Please no giveaways, etsy shops, business or linky promotions, etc.

2.  Remember to link directly to your post, rather than to your whole blog.

3.  Please do us the kindness of linking back to one or more of us on your blog so others can come and party with us!  After all, the more the merrier!

4.  Please take a moment during the week to look around on the blog hop

and ‘like’ something (other than your own project – ha!)

5.  You can EARN ‘likes’ for yourself by becoming a follower of the hostess’s blogs, and leaving a comment to say you did so

OR

leaving a comment on our blogs  if you are already a follower.

5.  You can EARN additional ‘likes’ by following our facebook pages

AND leaving a comment!  We LOVE, LOVE, LOVE comments!  Don’t you?!

You can follow Jenn, Randee and myself here!

The party girl (or guy) with the most ‘likes’ by midnight on Thursday night will be winner! (** An FYI disclaimer – I may suddenly be out of town at this time, due to the passing of my husband’s Grandfather… in this case, I will announce the winner as soon as I come back, I promise! **)

Have fun!!

Here’s the party!!…

Powered by Linky Tools

Click here to enter your link and view this Linky Tools list…

Saturday Recap

It’s Saturday again!!  What do you have planned for today??

It’s another rainy day out here, and we have plans to help out at the church this morning, do some shopping, and then get Canucks Doughnuts from Tim Horton’s for game day!  (I don’t watch much hockey, but I do eat doughnuts 😉  Hubby watches the hockey!)  Aah, being Canadian!  🙂

And I have to tell you, I have a new crush… and it’s a woman!  hehe.  A woman named Alisha found me, and I visited her blog back, and love her.  Her blog is “Going G-Free” (Gluton Free, I thought at first maybe it was G-string free!  Ha ha!)  And she has started her own 10 Day YOU Challenge!  I’d love for you to go check out her 10 secrets, and I think you’ll love her too!

On a sadder note, my hubby’s grandfather passed away yesterday.  He and Grandma live in Saskatchewan (a 24 hour drive from here), so we are currently trying to decide if we/how many of us can make it out there for the funeral… which will most likely be happening on Jordan’s 8th birthday weekend.       😦  So, if I suddenly stop blogging for a few days, it may be because we’ve suddenly packed up and headed out east.

Anyhoo….  Here’s a recap on the week, in case you missed anything!

Monday:  Owl Always Love You

Tuesday:  Valentine’s Day

Wednesday: A Refinished Frame and Today I’m Visiting…

Thursday:  Open Till Midnight!

Friday:  4 Books in a 10 Day You Challenge

And remember…. tomorrow is our last Sleepy Sunday Blog Hop Linky Party, and this time I’m the host, and doing the Giveaway!!  Yay!

Thanks for reading!!

xo, Leanne