I'm Baaacccckkkk!

Hello to all of you that are still with me.  During this small hiatus, I have received some really nice emails from some really nice and encouraging bloggers/people and I want you to know that each one has made my day.  Over the last month, I have thought hard about the future of this blog.  With my new full-time job added onto my plate of a mom, wife, "homemaker" and blogger, my time had really been stretched. With that said, something had to give and I had to give up blogging for awhile.

In my last post I said I would come back with a plan, so here it is in one word: Simplify. Thus a much simpler version of RoCa and Company.  Gone are the sponsors and ads.  Gone are the Pinterest, Facebook, and Twitter buttons. Gone are the pink and Tiffany blue backgrounds. Gone is most of the fru-fru from this blog.  Gone is the pressure to keep up with other bloggers. Gone is the sense of urgency to post "something" on a regular schedule of sorts.  Gone are the "You Rock Link Parties" and guest bloggers...at least for now.  I am still thinking hard about these last two. What do you think?

So welcome to a new and much simpler RoCa and Company.  I hope you like the changes and that you will continue with me on this journey to Make and Create.  I will post when I can and as often as I can.

It feels good to be back.

Carmen

You ROCK #12 Features

First the Bad News:  I am taking a break from the blog till January.  For those that are keeping track, I haven't posted much anything since early November. I went back to work full-time.  It was a great opportunity; one that could not be passed up. Because of this, the blog has been ignored except for the link party, features and guest bloggers on a weekly basis.  I want to do more than just this, I just need to figure out how. So please be patient with me; I will return with a plan. Until then, have a great holiday season and see you in 2012!

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Now the Good News...
here is the most viewed link-up that ROCKED IT last week....

This DIY CLAY STAR by Creative Chaos. These beautiful stars are simple to make even a child can make them...um, yeah, a kid made this...wow. 


Here are My favorite three projects in no particular order:

These MINI SNOWMAN CUPCAKES by Mrs. Fox's Sweets. How does that saying go again..."If they look too good to eat, they probably are..." Mmmmmm!  

Next is this DOILY BOOK PAGE WREATH  by Twigg Studio.  If you can roll a cone out of paper, you can make this...so shabby chic!

These PANCAKE DREIDELS by The Crumb Factory are super easy to make and I love how these were made for DINNER...talk about happy kids eating everything on their plate...

So there you have it...4 terrific projects from 4 very different crafters.  Thank you to all who linked up last week...make sure to come back this coming Friday.  We will continue to Make and Create together. If your project was featured, make sure to grab your button.

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You Rock #12

Every once in awhile, my lovely kids will sneak off with my cell phone and snap random photos of random things.  Here are two such examples
...my son the sticky-feet-door-frame-climber! 

and this great picture of Joshua making faces during a church service...

Never a dull moment ...
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So, are you ready to ROCK IT?!

Here are the very simple to follow rules:

1. Link up something that YOU made: sewing, craft, recipe, anything that you would like to share, etc…

2. Link up to the specific post; not your blog.

3. No linking giveaways or items for sale.

4. Visit and comment/encourage at least one fellow blogger friend.

5. Grab this button and post on your blog or post...just somewhere where others can come and link up as well.

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 And just a simple request, it's optional, only if you want, I'm not gonna make you, BUT it would be nice if you would follow RoCa and Company. 

So you ready to Party?! Let's ROCK this place!
Also, remember that the party will be open until Monday night. On Wednesday, I will feature the #1 link that ROCKS (the most viewed). I will also showcase my 3 favorites. And to entice you just a little more, the #1 link that ROCKS will also get to be a guest blogger at a future date (of course only if the winner wants too)...Sounds like fun, right?

Guest Blogger: Brandi from Don't Disturb This Groove

Remember this Pottery Barn Knock-off Pillow from Don't Disturb This Groove?  

Well, Today we have Brandi sharing another fun and simple tutorial. Her pillow was the top viewed link at one of our It's A Rockin' Party and therefore she gets to be a guest blogger today...so without further ado, here's Brandi...take it away girl... 

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Hello friends of RoCa and Company, my name is Brandi and I blog over at Don't Disturb This Groove.  I'm excited to be here to share a simple wreath I made in the Spring that could easily transition into a holiday wreath for your home!      

Source

I like saving money by finding bargains or making things to decorate my home with.  When I came across this bay leaf wreath from Pottery Barn I loved it!  This wreath is no longer available on their website.  I loved that wreath, but I was confident I could make my own.
 

To make my wreath, I purchased a pack of fresh bay leaves from my local farmer's market.

  For my wreath form, I used a picture mat that I had on hand.

Using a hole puncher, I made a hole in the mat to mark the spot where I would place twine to hang my wreath.

I glued the leaves in a desired position using my glue gun.

  To complete the look a made a bow out of twine and glued a single anise star to the center.

Voila!  So easy to make.  The leaves smell very pleasant and the anise star has a nice licorice-like smell.  A fantastic holiday scent!

Thank you again Carmen for inviting me to share with your readers today!

Happy Holidays! 

You Rock #11 Features

I am totally speechless...we hit one hundred and one links this past week....wow! You all have been super busy making and creating and it showed.  Every link was filled with inspiration galore...my Crafting/Sewing/Cooking/Baking to Do List just got longer...wish I had more time in my day...oh well. 

So, here is the most viewed link-up that ROCKED IT last week....

This DIY Cinnamon Candle Holder by Delightful Creations. What a beautiful way to highlight the warm and wonderful aroma of cinnamon...go check out the tutorial.


Here are My favorite three projects in no particular order:

These hand made Norwegian Stars by At Number 29 look complicated to make, but the tutorial that was used seems simple enough.  Gonna make these with the kids during our winter break. 

Next is this Cheesy Chicken Dorito Casserole by In this Crazy Life.  In my "recipe" book, anything made with Doritos is sure to be  a hit...

This Baby Name Sign by The Brown Eyes Have It is such a wonderful gift for any baby...big or small, and super easy to make...

And the link that had me saying, "She did WHAT to her wedding dress!" came from Threading My Way. All I can say is Wow...and to think that my beautiful white dress has been hanging out in my parent's house for 11 years...it's time to repurpose.

So there you have it...5 terrific projects from 5 very different crafters.  Thank you to all who linked up last week...make sure to come back this coming Friday.  We will continue to Make and Create together. If your project was featured, make sure to grab your button.

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