Southern Craft Academy/ Sponsorship Opportunites



Hi y'all.

Just a quick update on our Southern Craft Academy weekend.

As you know our camp sold out in minutes and that in itself just blew our team away.

Thank you.

So how can you take part in this epic event?



If you have an Esty or online shop and would like to promote via swag bag or partnerships with our craft weekend take a look at this "flyer".

You can contact us via email at

southerncraftyacademy@gmail.com

xo Susie and SCA team

My getaway weekend

For four years I have chatted it up with this sweet girl.

We made plans to meet at a Beth Moore event.

I bought my ticket.... then chickened out.    I did.

Fast forward 4 years and many blog post and one special event later...

I found myself knee deep in TN.

It's called  Pearls and Grace.

You may be wondering.. just what is this pearls and grace?

I can tell you that it is not a blogging convention, nor teaches you how to grow a blog.

It doesn't sell jewelry nor teaches you how to string pearls.

Plain and simple... it's a place where women come together and share their stories.

Say what?

That was just what I was thinking until I read more about it.

Why on Earth would I drive 8 hours to listen to 4 ladies share their story?

Because sometimes girls...

You just need to step out of your shiny pumps and wear someones dusty sandals.

I can tell you that my life will never be the same.

I will no longer judge a friend nor passing stranger by the shoes they wear.

You just have no idea their journey they had to travel.

And to be honest, my shoes are kinda dusty too.

If I may, I will back up a bit and introduce Sibi.

She traveled a bumpy road and along the way, her story was being formed..

FOR US.

She shared her sweet story like only Sibi could do and it just moves you.

Sharing your story isn't always easy.

Cha Cha and Rachel shared their stories with grace and humility.

love them..

And this beautiful girl below is Cherish.

 I started reading her blog just a few weeks ago and I fell in love with ...

her house, her front porch, adorable fur babies, her love for Lilly and everything coastal..

her hair, her southern charm... her perfectness.

But I didn't know her heart. Her story. Her journey.

Like so many of us bloggers, we see that perfect image and long for that perfect package.

She shared her story and friends, I can now say I love her heart.

Her heart for Jesus and what He has done through her.

I won't share much more than that because it's not my story to share but...

I can tell you that her story touched my heart deeply and she blessed my socks off.

There's just something so special in hearing about ones walk.

It amazes me how the Lord can take trials, pain, brokenness and turn it to His glory.

I am so blessed that I they shared something so precious with me.

I'm forever changed.

After the event I headed back to my room to rest up.

I am in love with this state y'all!!!

It is beautiful.

Even with its misty rain and cooler temps..

We didn't let that stop us!

Cha Cha and I hit the streets and soaked up Nashville's finest.

Barn Sales.. that is.

to be cont.

xo Susie

Fear not...

I knew I wanted to go right from the start.

BUT I.

(Funny how you can let yourself stand in the way)

I allowed myself to find every fear and doubt known to mankind.

For every door I hid behind.... He opened two.

They must be sold out by now. I'm sure it's too late......I won 2 tickets!

The hotels are booked I'm sure... I found a great rate!

Our God never gives up!

As I started to pack, fear found its way back in.

Wouldn't you know,

I received the sweetest email from one of the speakers that just so happens to be a

 blog friend.

Her words to me..

"so have no fear"

So it looks like this girl will be heading to "Pearls and Grace"  tomorrow.

It will be held Friday in Nashville, Tennessee.

Now before you start hiding behind that door, I'm sure they have a ticket left for you.

And before you start worrying about who you will sit next to, find me.

If He's tuggin' at your heart, give in.

xo YOU!

"Bayou Cream Pies" in a jar

I dusted off my cook books and this girl got her bake on!

OK.. not really.

I didn't  use a cook book and I didn't really bake all that much.

But hey..

I did make the kitchen smell good and my cake stand is pretty.

That counts for something...right?

"Bayou Cream" pies in a jar.

So easy it only takes minutes.

You start with one French Vanilla cake mix.

I baked it in a large shallow square cake pan.

You want your cake to be thin.

I mixed up 2 boxes of pudding.

Not shown here but I also used one jar of chocolate cake frosting.

(frosting needs to be microwaved for about 45 seconds to soften)

You will also need a dozen of half pint jars.

After my cake was cooled, I used a small glass to cut 2" circles.

I covered the bottom of my jar with a layer of pudding.

I then placed my thin layer of cake followed by a layer of melted frosting.

You repeat this pattern until your jar is full.

These are perfect deserts when you need to plan ahead.

You just cover them and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Before serving, I topped mine with a dollop of cool whip.

A fun desert for Mother's Day....

don't mind if I do :)

xo Susie

"The Little's" Big House

I'm not "big" on reality shows..

 no pun intended but when it comes to these guys...

They just melt my heart.

They seem real. Human. Normal.

And I guess that's why I enjoy their show so much.

It was no surprise that I loved their home too.

Oh my, where do I begin?

The floors, the wall color, the furniture....

I love the cool beachy feel without looking too "beach rental"

Have Mercy!!

I think I love every single thing in this space.

From the soft walls to the fun colorful pillows.

And just when I thought I could not love it more...

I looked up!

I love her touch of "not too much"

Not long ago they announced they were adopting a "little boy".

He is so precious and a Little too.

And they didn't stop there...

They are adopting a little girl as well.

I think those 2 adorable kiddo's are just what this huge house needs.

Are you "Little Couple" fan?

To see more of their new family you can visit TLC.

xoxox Susie

Blue Beauties

Oh how I love thee...

I have a few antique blue jars that I have found over the years and adore them.

I was always afraid to do anything with them from fear of breaking one.

So when I heard of Ball's 100 year commemorative jars, I had to help myself!

Now I won't be afraid to try my hand at few DIY's.

I'm so crushing on this one below.

She sells her blue beauties here on her Etsy.

And while I'm on the subject of "blue jars"..

I thought I would share these lil darlings.

My friend Sasha makes them and you can find them here.

I just ordered one and can't wait to see it.

I have been crushing on these for sometime now but she sells them as fast as she can make them.

So far I have used my pretties for flower vases and utensils holders.

And when I'm not putting these guys to work...

They are showing off in my cabinet.

I found my jars here.

I have also heard that they are now at Kmart as well.

I have two cases and I just can't wait to DIY up a few.

You can bet I will be sharing soon.

xoxo Susie

Easy...DIY Nest Necklace

Let me start by saying...

I am no jewelry maker.

I have never made jewelry before

till now.

Wouldn't these make adorable Mothers Day gifts?

Everything I found was at Wal Mart.

No special tools of any kind.

You will need 24 gauge wire.

I picked up these glass pearls because I loved the colors.

Any bead with a hole will work though.

And a pack of split rings or jump rings will work fine too.

They are like a mini key holder ;)

You will need to cut your wire about 4ft in length.

I learn more from looking at pictures so I will let them do most of the talking..

I picked 2 pink and one blue for my kiddies.

Still with me?

Ok. once you get your pearls pushed back about 2" take your wire and twist it.

You will then take your long piece of wire and just wrap it around the pearls.

Around and around you will go....

It will look like this at first.

I think I went around about 7 or 8 times.

You can make your nest as large or small depending on how long your wire is.

This size looked good to me.

With your long piece go into your nest between the bead.

Your wire will come out in the bottom of your nest.

Take it around the top again and go through the bottom once more.

So pretty much you loop 2 times.

You will make the 2 loop between each bead.

I have 3 below.

This just secures all of your wire.

Now you are going to want to put a bottom on your nest.

You don't have to but I like the effect.

You just use your finger and spin round an round until the hole closes in..

You see here above how I just made circles under the beads.

Once you cover them, you do the 2 loop wrap like before.

Above is your finished bottom.

I took my 2 loose ends, twisted them together and tucked them back into the nest.

Now to add your jump ring or split ring...

It's pretty much like adding a new key on your key ring.

Simple.

You don't need the fancy lil pliers like I have.

A finger nail can work the same magic.

I just happened to have a pair.

This is my very first nest...Ever!

I just wanted  you to see that you don't have to be a pro.

I added a chain that I had here but plan on finding a few at Hobby Lobby.

If you don't have a Hobby Lobby near, Wal Mart sells the chains as well.

This project was oh so fun and easy!

Xoxo Susie