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an etsy shop feature … ♥

Raising up Rubies7 Comments

even though there’s still 6 weeks of summer left here in upstate
school is about to start for others …
wow, can’t even believe that!

school supplies have not surfaced to the top of my thought pool as of yet
but those wheels sure were churnin’ a few months ago
when i stumbled upon a etsy shop that i just fell in love with …




my sweet friend Shannon from Hustle Mama 
makes all kinds of loveliness in her shop!
for a good chunk of time now, i’ve been on the look out for reusable snack & 
sandwich bags for my girls lunches … 
i really, really am all about re-usable/washable anything when it comes to boxes & bags 
and at the end of the last school year, i decided it was something i wanted to invest in
for the start of the new one

take a peek of some of the happy she has in her shop …


happy acrylic straws! to go with her mason jar tumblers…



Mega Pack Rainbow assortment 20 bags- Party favors - class gifts- birthday - FREE US SHIPPING
washable! reusable rainbow colored snack bags … 
it doesn’t get any happier than this




the insides of the snack bags are moisture resistant nylon 
food-safe… no BPAs, or lead
awesome




now these mason jar tumblers, i heart {♥} very much
i have this one with the rainbow chevron sleeve & love it so much!
Shannon get an thumbs up in the rainbow happiness department 🙂
(everything is so much better with rainbow)




there’s a coupon code in her shop from today until August 2nd, just for you guys!
perfect chance to check a few things for the start of the school year 🙂

use the code “RUBIES” 
for 20% of your total purchase at checkout

you can also find her on facebook here
and on instagram here
i love etsy…
i love the opportunity it holds for those with a creative outlet 
to be able to sell what they love using the gifts they’ve been given … 
and i can’t pass up the opportunity to share about products that i love
or other shops that i love … just can’t do it. 


but really my most favorite part of the whole etsy experience
 … is by far the relationships i’ve built with other sellers and buyers
that have formed into sweet friendships
hop on over there today and tell Shannon hello from Rubies ♥

much love today ♥
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game night! … in a bucket ♥

Raising up Rubies14 Comments


a few projects around the house are still in full swing this week!
but i wanted to stop and share this fun gift i put together 
for a wedding shower i was invited to.
see i’m not your typical go to the store print off the registry 
buy six towels & a matching soap dispenser kinda girl 🙂
i figure the happy couple-to-be will get enough of that old lady boring stuff
and instead they’d rather have something different & fun!
(well at least i’d rather get this gift)
(much more than the soap dispenser)

this is kinda along the same lines as the baby bath caddy that i made up a few months ago
cept this is a great gift idea, not only for newlyweds, but for a bunch of different events.

round up a few things to get this bucket-o-fun started…






air poppers are reasonably priced, 
and the popcorn tastes so much better than the fake microwave stuff right?!
(especially with all that healthy butter & salt)

i also took it right out of the box, so it would fit better
i’m not fond of boxes & bags when it comes to making a gift pretty
i almost always take everything out of it’s packaging 
before i pack it into an open gift like this
(i did tuck the manual and a gift receipt right behind everything once i was done)
(so don’t freak out)
(all you original box lovers out there)







there’s not much to explain when it comes to putting this together
all these supplies were found at Target
and the beverage tub was even clearanced out for the summer.






a few packs of card games would be neat to throw into the bucket too,
drink mixes … candy … anything you think you’d want to eat while playing games 🙂






on a side note, i have a special spot in my heart for the sunday comics. 
as in the funny papers.
when i was a kid i’d get so excited about getting sunday’s paper
because that was the paper that had the “color” comics … i’d read them once 
then come back and read them a couple more times … weird huh?
and now i like to use them for everything
 for wrapping Christmas presents and boxes that get sent in the mail
… i just know that someday i’m gonna think of an ingenious idea 
for my stash of funny papers
just you wait and see…

ok, back to the bucket.
crumple up some comic paper and add a few pieces to the bottom of the bucket 
this way everything has a little bit of height.






grab some ribbon and tie it around 
(i used a piece of masking tape to secure the ribbon on the underside of the bucket)
aaaand if you like my tag, it’s a free printable here for you to use!
🙂







just click on the image to download & save, then print on heavy card-stock






how cute to spend a fun evening home together as newlyweds 
popping popcorn and playing twister 😉 heehee


linking up here:
A Crafty Soiree ♥ Yesterday on Tuesday
Whatever you Want Wednesday ♥ Free Pretty Things for You
live laugh linky ♥ live laugh Rowe
Party Time ♥ the 36th Avenue
Weekend Wrap-Up Party ♥ Tatertots & Jello
Sundae Scoop ♥ i heart naptime
Party Junk ♥ Funky Junk Interiors
Junkin’ Joe ♥ the Cottage Market
Funky Junk ♥ Funky Junk’s Party Junk
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insta-friday … summer edition ♥

Raising up Rubies12 Comments
well hey all.
it’s been a bit since i was here … this past week has been full of stuff
thought i’d bring the blog up to speed with my instragram life 🙂
since i haven’t been crafting or decorating. boo.
lots goes on on instagram
follow me there… i’m: raisinguprubies




♥ still have about 6 weeks of summer here in upstate 
and we’ve picked up some great finds stopping at yard sales most thrusdays & fridays
so my sheet collection grows larger 🙂
♥ i busted up my knee when i was running. i was told i over pronate? 
so that means i have to have a pricey set of kicks to keep running. bummer.
♥ packing product from my store is like therapy. it’s my favorite part 🙂
♥ chocolate chip pancakes for dinner … oh yeah.




♥ does anyone project life?
i really want to get started as soon as i get some uh…spare time? is there such a thing?
♥ my biggest little loves horses, rides horses, and dreams about horses
she even gallops around the house like she’s on a horse twenty four seven. all. the. time.
♥ mommy daughter shopping trips are the best (daddy’s checkbook might not agree) heehee
♥ hobby lobby’s fabrics are awesome right now! it’s usually hit or miss for me there
but i got some of each of these … hmm looks like more hoop making has to happen





♥after hob lob we hit Goodwill …where i almost never go anymore.  
the prices are so outrageous
and it’s mostly junk …. unless you walk in and see this puppy. 
a vintage green heavy duty filing cabinet. 
and when i say heavy duty … i mean really heavy
yup. $40. and it’s in the trunk in 10 minutes
♥ here it is my craft room. it’s a little too dark green for me, 
not sure if i should paint if or not, so i’m letting it sit for a while so i can decide. 
♥ weekly sunday selfie 
♥ have you read Jesus Calling? by Sarah Young … awesome book




♥ how do you spend your 4th? we had a terrific view of the fireworks this year.
♥ i worry that one day i’ll only have the memories of my little girl sitting here 
at my vanity hiding and playing with my jewlery in her night gown ♥
♥ pompoms, chalkboard heart clothespins & colored doiles? yes please. all of the above.
thank you Michael’s dollar bins.




♥ i’ll be starting a new batch of hoops soon, 
had fun picking out different fabrics over the past few weeks. excited about some new ideas.
♥ taking my words & my thoughts captive is a daily struggle for me
sometimes it seems like progress is ridiculously slow… but it’s there. 
and some progress is better than none.
♥ happy mail on it’s way out! lots n lots of happy mail.
♥ thank you Joann’s for making every crafter on the planet giddy with excitement over patterned burlap 🙂




♥ do you like marshmallow fluff? it’s ok, but i love the container it comes in … 
always savin them to store fun things in
♥ oh hey. i’m jaime. and i love making hoops.
♥ my new necklace from my sweet friend Kate … you can check out her shop here
♥ aaaaaand i deemed the mess in this room as a “work of art” entitled “disaster” 🙂





♥ rummage sales are still in full swing on the weekends … this was a good one!
♥ the second pic is the loot i brought home 🙂 and yes, i find lots of globes everywhere i go
♥ this dessert was deadly … go now and get the recipe
♥ sunday selfie 🙂






♥ finally made our summer bucket list (some things were already accomplished, so we just checked em off right away)
♥ breakfast, lunch & snacks on the deck are the best
♥ i have a friend who has a beautiful pool, and she told us to come swim this week when it was like 114 degrees 
(kay it was really 92, but felt like 114) thank you friend 🙂
♥ aaaaand this is a picture of another mess.
this was a little project, that somehow turned big.
and i have no idea how???? (wink wink)
hopefully i’ll be done soon, and i’ll tell you all about it!




last but not least
on wednesday my hubby surprised me with an overnight anniversary trip 
to a charming little Bed & Breakfast right on the lake! 
he told me go pack … we’re leaving soon … ack!
it was so pretty there (so so hot) (but so pretty 🙂
and theeeeen… he took me to all these antique shops that were all mapped out on his gps.
yup.
that’s what i said
he’s a keeper.
heart him.

be back next week with progress & projects!
linking up with Jeannett!
life rearranged
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ten things … ♥ garlands & buntings

Raising up Rubies10 Comments


what?
didn’t hear what you said?
oh… it’s friday?!
ha.
must be summer. cause i actually thought it was wednesday yesterday.
🙂

happy friday peeps!
i’m just all about the garlands lately
and the pennant buntings … and the lights
all things hanging really. 
i feel the need to put some hanging stuff up everywhere in the house
after my over the kitchen sink party post the other day, 
i started hittin’ up pinterest to find the cutest garland ideas… 
all of which i would love to make
check ’em out 🙂
{oh and don’t forget! pin from the original sites please!}



i love this layout … across the span of two windows! genius.

{source}




this isn’t technically a garland. but it’s so so neat. so that’s close enough.

{source}




if it’s made with cupcake paper liners, i’m in.

{source}




i actually have a jar full of different color/size butterflies 
that i don’t have many ideas for. this is a great idea

{source}




i {heart} this one … now to score a deck of these playing cards

{source}



there is a general obsession with maps in all of blog land, yes. i know.
 but i have to say there’s something fun about them … i can’t resist, i must join the masses

{source}



my biggest little loves this idea 
thank you God for creating horses … all little girls love them so ♥

{source}



twinkle lights + doilies = awesomeness
{source}
another cute one for the little horse lover in your life 🙂

{source}
what about mini buntings? all over everywhere … in every little space … think small 

{source}



do you love garlands as much as me?
or do i have a slight problem … 🙂
happy friday & happy crafting!
go make some stuff.
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sugar cookie recipe and a little bit of kitchen love … ♥

Raising up Rubies39 Comments
the summer is already starting to fly by
every year i say the same thing…
i will not let summer fly by
i will not let summer fly by 
but sometimes it does anyways … 
even still, i’m determined to make a summer bucket list and complete at least half of it. 
our summer seems to start later here. weather wise and when school ends. 
school starts the first week of September … so i feel like i’m still sorta ahead of the game. sorta.

the past few tuesdays we’ve been making & taking cookies to daddy’s work
last week we tried this recipe for no-roll sugar cookies that i found via Pinterest
it was simple & quick
i’ve been feeling the weight of not doing enough for others
and pointing out to my girls, that contrary to what society tells us, 
the world does not revolve around them… or even around our family. 
there are kids we can sponsor, people who are sick that we can help, 
or dresses that can be made for those who don’t have clothes to wear.
or even just for our neighbors. is there something we can do for them? or bring to them?
are we paying attention? to what’s going on outside of our little box.
all around us. everyday.
that’s the only way. they only way something will be seen as different in us.



not to point towards religion.
religion is empty. it’s void.
not to point towards rules
what we should wear, or what type of music we should listen to 
… what version we should read.
rules are empty.
and they fall on the deaf ears of a world 
that has already pinned the Creator as next to non-existent.
no… i don’t want to point others towards rules

i want to point towards a Savior. 
the One who is meant to fill the void.
the One who sets us free.
free to live in His Truth & in His Grace…
and striving to find a good balance between the two.
anyways … that’s what’s been on my heart lately
and with all this baking goin on, i’m thinking about how thankful i am 
for our home, our kitchen ~ it’s spacious and comfy … 
so much revolves around this room.
my kitchen sink gets a lot of hours out of me 🙂
i love sprucing it up, adding little things that make it a fun area to spend time in
i found a little white pedestal dish at the thrift store, and put our hand soap & a bottle of lotion on it right near the sink
then i saw these lights on Pinterest and fell in love
and then decided to make a few strands of my own
i strung them over the sink and later found the aqua bird cage at hobby lobby 
threw that and some pom pom flowers into the mix
and now it’s like a little party 24/7 right over my kitchen sink 🙂
to make your own lights, all you need is a string of patio or Christmas lights 
(got these white ones at Target in the outdoor stuff) 
and some cupcake papers. snip a little hole in the base and fit over the bulb
then repeat. like a hundred times
but it’s worth it.
at night when we go to bed i turn off all the other lights and leave these on 🙂
they’re like night lights in the kitchen ♥
much love ♥
linking up here:
A Crafty Soiree ♥ Yesterday on Tuesday
Whatever you Want Wednesday ♥ Free Pretty Things for You
live laugh linky ♥ live laugh Rowe
Party Time ♥ the 36th Avenue
Weekend Wrap-Up Party ♥ Tatertots & Jello
Sundae Scoop ♥ i heart naptime
Party Junk ♥ Funky Junk Interiors
Junkin’ Joe ♥ the Cottage Market
Funky Junk ♥ Funky Junk’s Party Junk

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a little shop update and a winner … ♥

Raising up Rubies10 Comments
just here to announce a winner for the goody bag …
comment #8!
from Christina
“It’s hard to pick just one favorite! For vintage, I love Blissful Blooms 
https://www.etsy.com/shop/amysblissfulblooms
For handmade- I love yours! 
and also Lemonade Makin’ Mama (she’s on vacation right now)



Hope I win!”




well girl ya did!
look for an email from me!



if you follow me on Instagram these probably look familiar 🙂
i made these sunshine mason jar garlands for Whatever Craft Weekend a few weeks ago…
have you heard about this awesome weekend? 
Meg Duerksen hosts one weekend a month at her craft house 
and blesses 16 ladies to go and craft, eat, antique and just enjoy time together 
creating wonderful things… along with time to get away and renew their spirits
i think the whole thing is just the bomb.com … and you can go sign up!
go read about it all here
and make a cup of tea … you’ll be there a while 🙂





re-created the same rainbow garlands and they’re listed in my shop
14 garlands total are currently listed
but not sure if i’ll make more before the summer is out 
but look for other mason jar garlands to be added to the shop soon.




these oh happy days are still available to purchase here






i’ve got big plans for the shop this fall! hopefully i can pull it all off 🙂
happy 4th everyone!


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ten things for thursday … ♥ etsy fav's

Raising up Rubies33 Comments
just poppin in to share ten of my favorite recent etsy finds 🙂
i own a few items from some of these shops, and i cannot even tell you what a joy it is to receive handmade items that i did not have to make!
and all wrapped up in pretty packages right in my little mailbox ♥


1 ♥ amyj * delightful   2 ♥ hhappys   
3 ♥ Emily Ann’s Kloset   
4 ♥ G & G Patterns   5 ♥ Katy Girl Designs
1 ♥ Katrin Art   2 ♥ lemon tree studio   
3 ♥ Bluebird & Violet   
4 ♥ chirp & bloom   5 ♥ Craftsquatch

do you shop etsy? 
a lot? 
a little?
do you have a favorite shop? i want to know!
leave a link in the comments – i’ll pick name next week
and send you a surprise goody bag from my shop ♥
hmmmm … wonder what i’ll put in it 🙂

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dress up dolly kit … ♥

Raising up Rubies18 Comments

my littlest little had a birthday party to go to last week
this is our favorite go-to gift for a little girl (or even an older girl)
both my girls have a lot of fun when they get out the scrap bin in my craft room 
and start dressing up these dolls (there is a boy doll and a poodle… and a kitty too 🙂






print out the paper dolls from here
so gracious of her to share with everyone! love that … thank you 🙂
she already had the idea to put the dolls printed out in a little suitcase
with some supplies for gifting






we went to joanns and found this stack-able three-compartment tote
perfect for what we wanted to put in it






the three sections come apart and then snap back together
we put markers for coloring, scissors and glue in the top section






itty bitty yarn skeins (also from joanns) felt & ribbon scraps
and a couple little baggies filled with buttons & pompoms ♥






the bottom section had the dolls (which we cut down so they would fit)
and all the fabric remnants for making their clothes




my daughter made an “example dolly” to stick in there too 
so her buddy would know what to do 🙂






every-time they make one of these kits, they usually spend the next few days 
going back to the bin and making another batch of their own 🙂





summer is officially here …
we’re craftin – watchin tv – playing outside 
and roastin marshmallows over daddy’s new fire pit 🙂
wish summer could stay forever. ♥
(the little dress tags can be found in my shop … right here 🙂
linking up here:
A Crafty Soiree ♥ Yesterday on Tuesday
Whatever you Want Wednesday ♥ Free Pretty Things for You
live laugh linky ♥ live laugh Rowe
Party Time ♥ the 36th Avenue
Weekend Wrap-Up Party ♥ Tatertots & Jello
Sundae Scoop ♥ i heart naptime
Party Junk ♥ Funky Junk Interiors
Junkin’ Joe ♥ the Cottage Market

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summer in a jar … ♥

Raising up Rubies28 Comments


it’s officially summer here 🙂
school is over and we’re excited for some fun stuff ahead

last week i wanted to come up with a few small teacher gifts for the girls to bring on the last day of school … 
and i’ve been on a “gift in a jar” kick this year
so i figured i’d end the year with one more last hoo-rah 🙂

these were for teachers & school staff
but they can be for anyone!
a summer birthday party gift or a friend pick-me-up present






i tried to find things that were all the same color
the neon orange & pink together really made it look like a little bit of summer bottled up in there 🙂






i found everything at Target … mostly in the travel section 
except for the gum and the drink mixes
everything fit in there quite nicely…






with just enough room on top for the poofy bath thingy … whatever those are called






whipped up a little label and punched it out with a big round scalloped punch



which you can download and print here!






i put the hand sanitizers on the outside just because that pink was so pretty i didn’t want to hide it! 
and there ya go! sum. sum. summertime in a jar! 
heehee 🙂


linking up here:
A Crafty Soiree ♥ Yesterday on Tuesday
Whatever you Want Wednesday ♥ Free Pretty Things for You
live laugh linky ♥ live laugh Rowe
Party Time ♥ the 36th Avenue
Weekend Wrap-Up Party ♥ Tatertots & Jello
Sundae Scoop ♥ i heart naptime
Party Junk ♥ Funky Junk Interiors
Junkin’ Joe ♥ the Cottage Market