Happy Easter!

So what better way to celebrate Easter than with some fun family photos??  Over the past week or so, I have been able to hang out with some of my sweet nieces and nephews, and since I have gotten my new lens, I feel like I have been dragging my camera around just about every where I go! Below are a few shots from this week's family time. Happy Easter everyone - enjoy!

www.creativecottagephotography.com

My Top 10 FREE Fonts

As a graphic designer, I design SO many different things on a daily basis and I strive to make each design look unique and different. I not only want the design to be unique, but I also want my fonts to stand out as well. I am always looking to expand my font archives and finding free fonts online are ALWAYS a good thing! Today I have accumulated my top 10 favorite FREE fonts and where you can find them. I hope you enjoy my little graphic for the day. Feel free to share the love and pin your heart away to share my FREE finds!

1. Return to Sender  2. Ostrich Sans  3. Hooverville  4. Weston Free  5. Lemondrop  6. Honey Script  7. Budmo  8. Matchbook  9. Neoretrodraw  10. Intro Free

I hope you enjoy these as much as I have! 

And just a quick reminder that Google Friend Connect will be GOING AWAY on July 1st, so please please please follow along with Bloglovin. It is SUCH a great blog reader, and I even like it better than GFC! Who knew?? Anyways, you can follow along from the link below, or see my sidebar to click on the button. It took me 2 seconds to sign up for FREE and it literally transferred ALL of my blogs over in about 30 seconds. Can't get much better than that, right??

:: Follow my blog with Bloglovin ::

Who I'm linking up with:

Beyond The Picket Fence

House of Hepworths

The 36th Avenue

Shabby Creek Cottage

504 Main

French Country Cottage

Common Ground

Pieced Pastimes

Serenity You

Charlee's Newborn Session

Yesterday I got to take newborn photos for one of my closest friends from college, Andi and her husband Casey. They just welcomed this little angel into their lives two short weeks ago and I was so happy to get to finally meet her! I also got to use some of my props that I made over the weekend. I think my favorite was the little crown that I paired with the pink tu tu:)

Check out www.creativecottagephotography.com if you would like to schedule a session!

And just a quick reminder that Google Friend Connect will be GOING AWAY on July 1st, so please please please follow along with Bloglovin. It is SUCH a great blog reader, and I even like it better than GFC! Who knew?? Anyways, you can follow along from the link below, or see my sidebar to click on the button. It took me 2 seconds to sign up for FREE and it literally transferred ALL of my blogs over in about 30 seconds. Can't get much better than that, right??

:: Follow my blog with Bloglovin ::

Who I'm linking up with:

Shabby Creek Cottage

The 36th Avenue

504 Main

French Country Cottage

Common Ground

Pieced Pastimes

Serenity You

DIY Vintage Photography Props

Today I want to share with you some DIY photography props that I have been making lately. They might look rather complicated, but I promise you, they aren't! 

I finally got my new lens for my camera and I am SO excited to use it on my newborn session I have coming up on Sunday. In my excitement, I have been looking into different props to prepare for the shoot. I have been very inspired by vintage props lately and wanted to bring in some of that in my upcoming session. Specifically, vintage headpieces. After looking at some Etsy options, I quickly realized that this DIYer could TOTALLY make them on her own. So what did I do? Made a Joanns trip of course! 

I was anticipating these projects to be much more time intensive, but thankfully they weren't. When I walked into the store, I basically just walked around for an hour looking for anything vintage looking. I picked up a few hair clips from the jewelry isle, picked up a few flower clips from the "fake flower" isle, went to the "mask making" isle to find some nice feathers, and what do ya know? By the end of the trip I ended up with enough materials to make multiple hair pieces. My favorite find was the vintage inspired tule I used for the headpiece (seen above). Since most of the pieces I found already had clips attached, I didn't even have to use any glue to piece these together. And the best part?? I can mix and match as well. Another favorite find was the lace I used to create a little princess crown. I might have to use some fabric hardener to stiffen the lace a bit, but so far the lace stands up rather straight on its own. Can't wait to test out some of these pieces at my next photo shoot! Wish me luck:)

To check out my photography site, visit {{ www.creativecottagephotography.com }}

:: Follow my blog with Bloglovin ::

Who I'm linking up with:

French Country Cottage
Shabby Nest Friday
Tater Tots & Jello
504 Main
Common Ground
Pieced Pastimes

Front Porch Item List

Today I want to share with you where I found my items from my recent front porch makeover. Thankfully since the space is relatively small, I didn't have to buy too much. I even got to use some of my items from our old house! Below is my list of items. Enjoy!

Red Rocking Chairs

Target, $150 for the Pair

You can find them online {here}

Green Rug 5x7

Garden Ridge, $25 on sale

Red Wreathe 
Target, $30

Yellow Ikat Pillows 
Garden Ridge, $9.99 per pillow
(These are indoor pillows that I have used outside since it's a covered space)

Beige Outdoor Trellis Pillows 
Garden Ridge, $9.99 per pillow

Green Outdoor Solid Pillow
Garden Ridge, $9.99 per pillow

2 Navy & White Stripped Ottomans
Marshalls, $19 Each

If there was something I didn't list, it is most likely an antique or from a specialty shop. Other than that, I hope this helps you in your front porch decorating. Spring is right around the corner everyone, so get on out there and decorate!

Front Porch Reveal

I am so excited to finally share my recent front porch makeover with you all! I have always dreamed of having a cozy little front porch, and the time has finally come. Since we are currently renting our house, I am unable to fix up the home exterior like I might with my own. So that means I needed to make the front porch really pop!

If you have a front porch, it is the first impression when people walk up to your home. Don't you want to make it just as inviting as the inside of your home? I know I do! And besides, its a great excuse to design an extra room;) Especially as Spring approaches - its such a peaceful space to sit outside and enjoy a beautiful sunset. And maybe a glass of wine too!

And now for the fun part... Eye candy!

So what do you all think?? It sure makes me smile, so I guess that's what really matters! To find a list of where I found my items, click {here}

I've also been considering starting up a weekly linky party, so please leave comments HERE if you think would link up!

Who I'm linking up with:

Common Ground

French Country Cottage
Pinterest Party at Fox Hollow Cottage
Tatertots & Jello
DIY Showoff
Be Different Act Normal
Sweet Little Gals
Twelve O Eight
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Coastal Charm
Not Just a Housewife
Elizabeth & Co.
House of Hepworths
I Gotta Create
No Minimalist Here
Shabby Creek Cottage
All Things With Purpose
Shabby Nest
504 Main
Designer in Teal

HELP! I need y'alls opinions!!!

Ok guys, so I'm approaching my 1 year bloggy anniversary next month and I've been thinking of ways for my blog to grow. Lately I've been toying with the thought of hosting a weekly linky party. I understand I don't have a billion followers or anything, which is why I've hesitated with the idea, but I do think it could be a ton of fun! I enjoy so much getting to link up every week with my projects on other blogs, so wouldn't it be fun for me to finally host my own??

This is where I need to get some feedback from you guys. Would you all link up?? The idea would be to open it up to literally ALL things creative. Whether it's a DIY project, a recipe you have just tried, or a craft project you recently finished up. I don't want to restrict it to JUST home decor, because I love looking at ALL things creative. Here is a list of things I would love to see:

1.  Home Decor
2.  DIY Projects
3.  Craft Projects
4.  Furniture Makeovers
5.  Sewing Projects
6.  Upholstery Projects
7.  Room Makeovers
8.  Photography
9.  Beauty Tips & How-To's
10.  Jewelry Making
11.  Art
12.  Fashion Tips

I'm sure there are so many creative posts that I'm not even thinking of, but you get the idea! If I do make the leap, I would need y'alls help:):) I would love for you all to link up and to spread the word! This is still a work in progress, so we'll see if I decide to move forward.

Happy Tuesday!

Who I'm linking up with:

An East Texas Photo Shoot

Over the weekend, Graham and I spent our time in good ole Grapeland, Texas to celebrate his dad's birthday. We typically go about twice a year and enjoy a nice weekend of family time, no TV, antique shopping, comfort food, and {this weekend} a fun impromptu photo session. Here are some of the pictures I took of my brother and sister-n-law and their sweet kiddos.

To view more from The Creative Cottage {Photography}, please visit:
www.creativecottagephotography.com

Hope y'all enjoy!

I will soon be posting about my recent porch makeover! Spring isn't even here yet, but the hubby and I have already been able to enjoy the porch in this beautiful Texas weather. Can't wait to share it with y'all:)

Who I'm linking up with:

Sumo's Sweet Stuff

Making the World Cuter

Keeping it Simple

Be Different Act Normal

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Not Just a Housewife

DIY by Design

Elizabeth & Co.

Homemaker on a Dime