It's Christmas in July you guys!!
I just got word that Cricut is giving away a NEW Cricut Explore One machine!
If you've been eyeing this amazing cutting tool I highly encourage you to enter the giveaway they have going on this week!!

Not only do you win a Cricut Explore One but you'll also receive a $100 gift card to Jo-Ann's and an awesome prize pack filled with all sorts of Cricut tools and goodies!!

HERE'S HOW TO ENTER:
Click on the "Summer Love" tab on the Official Cricut Facebook page !!
You have until Friday at noon MST to enter.

There are SO many fun things you can create using a Cricut Explore One! The lower price point makes it even more accessible to all of the DIYer's out there!!

I hope you'll ENTER TO WIN - I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!!

I know the people at Cricut® LOVE seeing the projects you've created using their awesome cutting machine so when you post on social media be sure to tag @officialcricut and use the hashtag #CricutSummer to get their attention!!

All of these projects you see here were created using images from the Summer Love Cricut® cartridge which you can have free access to when you sign up for a Cricut® Subscription.

And did you know there's a Cricut® Design Space™ App now too for using with with the Cricut Explore Air - another version of the Cricut Explore with built-in Bluetooth® for wireless cutting.

I hope you're excited and will take the time to ENTER!
If this isn't for you but you have a friend or two that would be head-over-heels to win...be sure to share this with them.

KEEPiNG iT REAL
I didn't even tell you about all of the new cutting materials Cricut® has released -  distressed craft foam too, Washi Sheets, and lots of fun bright vinyl colors - like this lime green color you see in all of the projects in this post!!

BOOK CLUB | June Selection :: "Find Your Happy" Book + Giveaway

June's PNPF Book Club selection, "Find Your Happy", was inspired by the fact that the month of June marks the 1/2 way point of the year. Yeah. Can you believe we are almost there?

Anyway...I really felt like this would be the perfect book to kind of get re-motivated about the goals + dreams we were all gung ho about at the beginning of the year.

"The path you're on this very moment is going somewhere good."

This book is filled with powerful, thought-provoking words that are sure to energize us and motivate us.

And let's face it...
isn't that the ultimate goal for us all...to "Find your Happy"?

You can order the Find Your Happy book by M.H. Clark right now to make sure you have it by June 1st. OR...you can take your chances and win a copy here on the blog!!

That's right, the wonderful folks at Compendium are offering up three copies to three lucky PNPF readers this month. Enter below.

Points = entries. More points = more entries.
Choose only one option or choose ALL of the options to earn points. The more options you select the more number of times your name goes into the hat!! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Winners will be notified via email + names announced on the widget above when selected.

I hope you are enjoying the book selection for May!
It's a beautiful little book and something you can keep out on the coffee table too!

If you are new to the PNPF Book Club read all about how you can jump right in any time and the inspiration behind the easy-read, inspirational selections each month.

Have a beautiful weekend, friends.
See you back here next week!

KEEPiNG iT REAL
The exterior of our home is being painted as I type this blog post.
It looks SO different already and it's only been primed with some of the trim work painted.
Looking forward to sharing the before and after pictures.

GIVEAWAY | Keep It Simple Book by Atlanta Bartlett

A photo posted by Jessica Kirkland (@pnpflowers) on Mar 20, 2015 at 6:23am PDT

After posting my April book selection for the PNPF Book Club earlier this week, the publishing company, Ryland, Peters + Small reached out to me yesterday to offer up THREE FREE copies of Keep It Simple to my readers and fans. Yay!!!

With that, although I had intended on NOT opening the book until April 1st - the official "start-reading-the-book-date"- I just HAD to with three free copies up for grabs! The quick lookie was so I could take a few photos of the images from inside the pages. (and yes, I love having that as an excuse for a preview). *wink*

I promise I didn't look TOO closely at the pages although I was pleasantly surprised to see a couple of captions that caught my eye as I was flipping through. I have to say with conviction this book is going to provide much more inspiration than I had originally anticipated.

If you are looking for ways to simplify your life and your home decor...you're really going to want this!

Since the giveaway was a last minute idea, I'm hosting the actual giveaway on Instagram to make it quick and simple. I'll be picking a winner at some point this weekend and making the announcement on Monday. That means if you don't have an IG account, you have time to create one...if you want. Here are quick and easy instructions for creating an Instagram account.

If you are wary of Instagram, I have to tell you it's my very favorite social media site.
I've never been a big fan of Facebook and honestly, Twitter,  for me is "okay" but my experience with Instagram has been really positive. I've found it to be a community of very supportive and positive people and I've discovered some incredibly talented people over there that I'm continually inspired by from simply searching different hashtags. (there really is a rhyme and a reason for those things). *wink*

So...if you want to enter the giveaway, head over to my Instagram account and follow the instructions. 

Oh! And Hey!! 
While you are over there you may as well enter to win the 
$500 GIFT CARD to West Elm. Yep! That's right.
I've teamed up with 6 other Instagram friends to make someone's day!!
The giveaway was announced a few days ago and will end on Tuesday, March 24th!
Just one more reason to create an Instagram account!!

Enjoy your weekend friends!!

KEEPiNG iT REAL
I could really use that West Elm gift card myself... *wink*

For those of you wondering...the new shingles are officially on the roof! (and I love them).
Still trying to decide on paint color and I REALLY need to do a blog post about this whole process so I can keep you guys in the loop. Seriously!!

GIVEAWAY | May You Live a Life You Love Books + Note Card Sets :: Instagram

It's time for what I'm calling the "Share the Love" @pnpflowers #instagiveaway • I've got 6 sets of this inspiring "May You Live the Life You Love" book AND matching note card set! I'll pick 6 winners here on IG and I'll ship this darling duo right out to ya! Here's all you need to do: (1) Follow @pnpflowers (2) Re-post this pic in your IG feed and tag me so I'm notified (3) Leave a comment on this post and tag someone you know who would LOVE to win this too!! That's it! Winners will be picked and announced on Tuesday, February 10th at 9:30pm Thanks for playing along everyone!! #instalove #pnpflowersBOOKCLUB

A photo posted by Jessica Kirkland (@pnpflowers) on Feb 8, 2015 at 6:40pm PST

Just in case you missed it... The SECOND ROUND OF GIVEAWAYS I mentioned I would be doing for the May You Live a Life You Love book and note card set was officially posted last evening on my Instagram feed. You've got until 9:30 tonight to enter! Check out THIS POST to enter!

KEEPiNG iT REAL
Ella is home with an earache today.
So...after a trip to the doctor and pharmacy...
we stopped at the grocery store for some essentials for Valentine's treats this week!

FUN | Dreams Are Like Sprinkles Art Print + Giveaway Winner

I've got two fun things to share with you today!!
First up is this adorable "Dreams Are Like Sprinkles" Art Print I designed for The Cake Blog this month. If you love it, you can head on over to download the FREE 8x10 right now. Although it's perfect for the kitchen, I can see this charming print displayed pretty much anywhere in your home.

The second fun thing is the announcement of the winner from the "May You Live A Life You Love" giveaway that included these inspirational books + note card set by Compendium.

You can find out who the winner is by visiting the Book Club - February Pick post...
The winner's name is posted on the Rafflecopter widget at the bottom of the post!!
I appreciate all of the entries and positive feedback about the start of the book club!
Check out the post announcing the PNPF Book Club and how it will work if you happened to miss the post.

If you will be participating in the PNPF Book Club starting February 1st, you can grab your copy of "May You Live A Life You Love" by MH Clark on Amazon or at your local book store. I'm not sure if you can snag this one from the library or not but it's worth checking into. Although I really think this book will become a treasure you'll want to keep around your house for a long time...like as in forever. *wink*

KEEPiNG iT REAL
Is it weird for me to be excited about packaging up these lovelies?
The idea of sending off a box of inspiration to someone totally lights my fire!!
And hey...that totally has everything to do with helping me to use my One Little Word, SHINE, this year! *wink*

GIVEAWAY | Photography Prize Pack :: The Cake Blog

Holy "Photography Giveaway Batman"!!

I shared on my Facebook page yesterday that The Cake Blog just launched a brand new online photography class for those of you looking to improve your "Cake" photography.

Well now today…there's an AWESOME giveaway going on over at The Cake Blog website and I'm sooo wanting to enter to win this myself!!  I figured if I wanted to enter it you totally would want to as well so that's why I'm sharing!!

Hello!?? A fab Nikon camera, a pretty camera strap, an amazing photography backdrop and a gorgeous cake stand, created to withstand tiered cakes, all. up. for. grabs!! Who doesn't want every bit of that?

One person will win it all.

If you bake cakes either as a business or even on the side…you should totally enter to win this.

And guess what…even if you don't bake cakes you should STILL enter to win because who couldn't use an awesome new Nikon camera,  (the camera brand I use personally), and that awesome loot to go with it?

You should totally tell all of your cake baking friends about the class and this giveaway. If they win they'll SO owe you at least a couple of FREE cakes….right?

Go to The Cake Blog to enter to win…and good luck!!

KEEPiNG iT REAL

I never know what the proper etiquette is when it comes to having friends that do fabulous giveaways.

I always want to enter the giveaways but then I'd feel really guilty if I won - like I'd taken the prize from someone else who might then think my friend just wanted to give the prize to me because…well...we're friends. (which all of my blogging friends are way too honest to do that anyway so I don't know why I even worry about that). BUT still. That would put them in a weird position if my name happened to be drawn because technically I would be the winner…but who really wants to announce to the world, "Yay! My friend won instead of all of you readers out there." I've actually considered entering to win using a bogus name so that neither my friend OR anyone else knows it's me that's entering. BUT…what happens when the prizes have to be shipped to me? Yeah. Awkward. Ha!! Just keeping it real folks... just keeping it real…*wink*

GIVEAWAY | Cricut Explore® Cutting Machine :: Win It

You guys!!! You've heard me talking all about the amazing Cricut Explore® - sharing with you the fun projects I’ve been making over the last couple of months using this incredible personal cutting machine!! If you've been inspired and are now itching to get your hands on one you are going to LOVE what I'm about to say...

My team and I would like to GIVE ONE AWAY!!!

All you have to do is fill out the form at the bottom of the post to enter.

It’s THAT easy!!

Wait! Before you do that, I would love it if you would take a moment to vote for the Top 10 Finalists of Round Three!  One of my teammates, Amy from Ameroonie Designs was chosen for the top 10 with her AWESOME Custom Word Art (shown below) and she needs your vote!

Custom Word Art by Ameroonie Designs

Yay Amy! Congratuations!!

Head on over to the Official Cricut Page to vote for your favorite project!

While I'm at it…I want to share the rest of the amazing things my teammates created for our "Floral Woodland" themed projects this month: 

Paper Floral Bouquet by Happy Scraps

Paper Floral Chandelier by Artzy Creations

Instagram Table Number Art by Bree Johnson

Rustic Wedding Invitation by 733 Blog

Wood Monogram Gift Tags by Pencil Shavings Studio

Faux Wood Candle Pillars by Everyday Party Magazine

Wooden Menu Chargers +Place Setting + Floral Garland by Sparrow Soirees

Fun Photo Booth Props by Brewed Together

Floral Woodland Crown by Pen N' Paper Flowers

Aren't all of the projects just beautiful together? 

I LOVE how our team came together to create everything you need to put together a beautiful Floral Woodland themed celebration!! Yay Design Team 14!!

Now…go enter to win yourself the Cricut Explore® Cutting Machine…

On a mobile device or having issues seeing the form, click here to enter!

KEEPiNG iT REAL

Yes…I'm bummed not to have been selected as one of the Top 10…

but have you seen all of the amazing bloggers and crafters out there creating fun things using the Cricut Explore® - and not just the ones on my team! Go be inspired!! This machine is the bomb!!

INSPIRE | Ideas Become Things

A week or so ago I received a knock on the door about 7 o'clock in the evening as I was in the kitchen doing the wretched dinner dishes. The day had been somewhat of struggle that day and I certainly wasn't expecting a visitor so I begrudgingly prepared myself for a visit from the neighborhood social committee. However, when I flipped the front porch light on to see who it was…no one was there.

Instead, I heard the roar of the UPS engine start up which caused me to instinctively look on the ground for a package. And there it was. A simple brown cardboard box stickered with the familiar bright orange "Live Inspired" insignia. Instantly it became a good day. I opened the package to find this…

A beautiful new book from Compendium, my favorite Inspirational Gift Company.  The book entitled "What Do You Do With An Idea?" by Kobi Yamada is a story about what happens to an idea when it's nurtured and given love and attention.

"This is a story for anyone, at any age, who's ever had an idea that seemed a little too big, too odd, too difficult. It's a story to inspire you to welcome that idea, to give it some space to grow, and to see what happens next. Because your idea isn't going anywhere. In fact, it's just getting started."  Powerful words, right?

Not only is the story beautiful, the illustrations took my breath away. I've been fixated on watercolor lately so these gorgeous illustrations by Mae Besom really had me lost in the pages of the book. I LOVE how the book starts off mainly black and white and shifts into full blown color. I also love how the "idea" is represented by the image of an "egg". It plays on the whole "hatch an idea" mindset.

The book is truly empowering. It's simple enough for Ella to enjoy and understand and yet it contains a powerful message Clara and Ema (and myself) can appreciate and be moved by.

And I was really moved by this book. To make things even more special…this was inscribed on the inside of my book: Jessica & Ella - Remember, ideas become things. - Kobi Yamada

"Ideas become things." - I love that Kobi Yamada. Perfect.

However…the inspiration really began with the notecard that came with the book.
The words punched me right in the gut because they were just what I needed to hear on that otherwise deflated day:

…although it's technically a children's title, I think it takes time to learn to believe in your dreams. Your blog and all that you've accomplished are a true testament to the magical things that happen when you let your ideas grow."  Angeline, thank you so much for your simple note that came at just the right time and was just what I needed to hear.

Would you like to win a copy of this gorgeous book?
I've got 3 up for grabs - thanks to the generous folks at Compendium.
Use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter.

You can choose ONE or ALL of the different entry methods for earning points.

The more points you have the better your chances of being selected.

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

KEEPiNG iT REAL

I think sometimes my problem is that I have SO MANY ideas I don't know how to tame, nurture, love, care for all of them at the same time. Maybe there could be a follow up book entitled: "Guide to Parenting Your Ideas: What To Do With All of Those Children Ideas Screaming for your Attention and Love" - Ha! 

WIN IT | Core'dinations Giveaway

You guys KNOW how much I LOVE PAPER CRAFTING so when I heard about this awesome giveaway sponsored by Core'dinations I just had to share it with you!

There are 3 different awesome prizes up for grabs and all you need to do is take THIS brief survey about shopping for paper crafting supplies and you'll be entered to win. That's all there is to it.

I already took the survey myself and I think there were only 14 easy questions to answer. I'm all about giving my opinions and feedback if it's going to make a difference in products and items made available in the stores I shop in. And heck yes! I'd love the opportunity to win something just for participating!

Here are the THREE prizes up for grabs for the THREE winners that will be randomly selected:
1st prize: A basket filled with $500 worth of paper crafts
2nd prize:  $100 Jo-Ann's gift card
3rd prize: $50 Jo-Ann's gift card

Here are the rules:
*Winners must be 18 years or older to be eligible to win. Winners will receive a paper crafting basket worth $500, a $100 Jo-Ann’s gift card or a $50 Jo-Ann’s gift card. No substitutions. No purchase necessary. This giveaway ends February 16th, 2014 Midnight EST. Winners will be chosen randomly and notified via email address provided in entry form, by 2/18/14.

GO HERE TO ENTER TO WIN!

KEEPiNG iT REAL
I really do love giving my opinion on things that matter to me. And paper crafting happens to me one of my favorite things. Taking this survey was a no brainer for me!

POPCORN | Popcorn Cupcake Recipe, Kernel Season's Giveaway + TRYditions

I've got POPCORN on the brain this week - for several different reasons.

It all started with posting the Restyled Chalkboard Popcorn Bar last week. I received so many emails about how much you all loved the new edition to the original Rustic Popcorn Bar I styled - sweet, sweet emails from brides asking for tips on incorporating this idea into their wedding. I even gave out 3 FREE SETS of the new Chalkboard Style Popcorn Bar printables here on the blog!

All of this popcorn talk reminded me of a recipe I'd been wanting to make. I discovered the recipe in the September issue of Food Network Magazine. There was actually an entire section dedicated to "Fun Popcorn Treats" and the Golden Butter Popcorn Cupcakes recipe was what caught my eye and made me purchase the magazine. Not to mention the cute Kids Mini Mag inside. (there were some ideas in the mini mag I was going to use for Ella's 5th birthday party but I ended up not having time to execute the ideas - a recurring theme in my life).

Needless to say I was very intrigued by the thought of a Popcorn Cupcake! So just last week, after posting the long-awaited Restyled Popcorn Bar - I knew it was time to finally try out the cupcake recipe.

Golden Butter Popcorn Cupcakes

If you'd like to try out the recipe HERE'S THE LINK.
Also, here are some of my recommendations

TIPS:
1. The popcorn topping I used on these Golden Butter Popcorn Cupcakes was made using Kernel Season's Popping Corn and it popped perfectly!

2. I did not crush up the white chocolate covered popcorn to incorporate into the whipped topping as recommended. I didn't think it would look as pretty when I piped it onto the cupcake and honestly, I didn't see any chunks in the photo of the cupcake shown in the magazine. The chocolate covered popcorn was a little on the chewy side for my tastes. I would've liked it to be more crunchy. (Which is another reason I didn't add it to the whipped topping).

3. I think I would wait to add the popcorn topping just before serving. Like I mentioned above, the popcorn tasted a little chewy to me so I'm not sure if it was because of sitting in the whipped topping or if it's just from the white chocolate coating?

4. I personally would add a little fleur de sel to the popcorn topping - maybe just after you've added it to the cupcake just before serving?  I prefer the salty & sweet combination. In fact, I'm thinking instead of adding a white chocolate coated popcorn topping, I'd probably prefer to add some kettle corn instead. (See this recipe) That would satisfy both my salty & sweet craving along with giving it more crunch.

Now that you've got a fun Popcorn Cupcake recipe to try out…it's time for more POPCORN fun!

How about a FUN GIVEAWAY sponsored by the awesome people at Kernel Season's! After posting the Restyled Chalkboard Popcorn Bar last week, Kernel Season's reached out to me to extend a FUN offer to my PNPF blog readers! 

Would you like to be one of FOUR WINNERS 

to receive one of these adorable Party Popcorn Gift Sets?

Kernel Season's is generously offering up TWO of these...

 8 Seasoning Gift Baskets

and TWO of these…

Popcorn Party Packs

Here's a peek at what's inside the 8 Seasoning Gift Baskets
8 bottles of seasonings + 2 bags of microwave popcorn 
packaged in an ADORABLE OVERSIZED POPCORN BOX!

And here's a closer look at the Popcorn Party Packs
3 mini bottles of popcorn seasoning, 1 popcorn spritzer + 1 bag of popping corn
Those MINI seasoning bottles are so adorable!! LOVE them!!

These party packs will be perfect for the popcorn we'll be popping on New Year's Eve!
If you'd like to win one of these Popcorn Party Packs or Gift Baskets

use the Rafflecopter app below to enter.
Each task has a certain number of points associated with it.
Each point represents your name "in the hat". Do one task or do ALL of them. You choose!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

And here's one more reason to LOVE Kernel Season's…

Buy any Gift Pack in December and they will send one to our troops overseas!

I just LOVE that!!! I'll be purchasing a couple myself knowing my purchases will allow a couple of packs to be sent to those who sacrifice so much for us!!

Good luck to everyone who enters the giveaway!

And thank you to Kernel Season's for offering up such a fun treat to PNPF blog readers and fans!

One final thought on popcorn…

Ema has requested we do our annual "TRYdition" of stringing cranberry and popcorn. I call it a "try"dition because there are some family traditions I've started over the years that we LOVE doing (or maybe it's just me that loves doing them?) but sometimes we just aren't able to squeeze in every year. So I guess since these traditions don't actually occur every. single. year.  they can't truly be considered a tradition in the authentic sense of the word. So I just made up the word "TRYdition" - anyone else have some tryditions of your own you'd like to share? (because I'm curious and also because I'm looking to eliminate some of the guilt I feel for not being able to follow through on every single brilliant, cute, fun tradition I've ever started - which would be absolutely impossible, by the way). *wink*

KEEPiNG iT REAL

I was really hesitant about what the turnout would be when making the Golden Butter Popcorn Cupcakes. I brought 8 of them to a church activity and let some of our church friends taste-test them.

They all gave them a thumbs up and agreed a little fleur de sel might be a good addition otherwise they had great flavor and the "cake" part was nice and moist.

INSPIRE | Promise Me - May, June & July Surprise Winners

This is MY kind of book...
The pretty cover by Katie Daisy draws me to it...
The title piques my interest...
It's compact size makes me love it...
The inspiration to do one good deed a day lures me in...
and the word "journal" mentioned at the bottom seals the deal...

One Good Deed A Day - A Journal

A sweet and darling little book filled with 

opportunities to experience MONUMENTAL moments!

Daily inspirational prompts encouraging the act of doing something good for someone else.

Most of the suggestions are super simple.

Some take a little more planning and thought.

I love that you can go in any order you want...

selecting the deed you have time for!

No guilt-ridden time constraints to follow.

Just go with the flow...

and journal your experience.

I'm choosing THREE winners today to receive a copy of this delightful, inspiring book.

The three people I'm choosing are participants in the Promise ME adventure we started in February.

Congratulations Andrea, Maria and Kori!

You were all chosen for very different reasons...

but ultimately you were selected to help keep you inspired along your journey!!

I hope you'll be inspired by this beautiful little book

and that you'll continue to give us updates on the Promise ME page!

(Please email me your shipping address: pnpflowersinc AT gmail DOT com)

All unofficial and official "Promise Me" participants...

KEEP GOING!

Put your promises on your calendars...

Make them a priority!

Make YOU a priority.

We are at our HALF WAY mark!

Re-evaluate where you are and make the necessary adjustments to MAKE. THINGS. HAPPEN!

Pin the inspiration you need to help you keep your promises HERE!

Give updates on your progress by commenting on the Promise Me page!

We CAN do this!!

For those of you who want the One Good Deed A Day Book...

either for yourself or as a gift for a friend...

you can order it HERE!

I LOVE it!!!

KEEPiNG iT REAL

I'm really bringing to life the "Surprise" aspect of the Monthly Surprise Winners, aren't I?

I mean you just NEVER know when I'm going to announce the Monthly Winners, do you?

Even though I already had the 2 copies of the One Good Deed A Day Books to give away for May & June...the last couple of months just flew right by me!

So...I thought it best I get caught up...

especially since today is the last day of July already!

I figured I may as well get ahead of the game and go ahead and announce July's winner too!

I hope you are down with that?

Ella has my cold now. *sniffle*