It's A Girl Thing!!

JiNgLe ALL ThE wAy!!

2010-12-05T10:49:00.000-08:00

In the mood for some JINGLE BELLS?? This is SUCH a dah-ling idea that Shanade posted on her blog....

She was even kind enough to explain HOW she did it!

If you make this....be sure to leave her some LOVE!! These jingle bells remind me of the one(s) on Polar Express! LOVE THAT MOVIE!!

Christmas Cards & Shutters?!?

2010-12-05T08:49:00.000-08:00

They TOTALLY go together!! :)

I haven't quite found a way (that I absolutely LOVE) to display all of the Christmas Cards we get from our friends and family. I once saw a wire wreath that was ADORABLE....that you place the cards in...unfortunately I didn't snap a pic!

This idea is pretty awesome!

A Christmas Card Shutter Display

The gals at howdoesshe.com are pretty creative!

Click HERE for the tutorial.

This MIGHT be the winning idea for us this year...

Homemade Ornaments...

2010-12-02T10:52:00.000-08:00

Last year, Heartland Paper posted about these adorable homemade ornaments! I thought the star one would look AWESOME as decor on top of a present! They even gave us instructions....LOVELY, huh! Here are the links for the ribbon candy & vintage ball.

The Dating Divas Blog

2010-10-18T16:40:00.000-07:00

I know, I know....I have been MIA forever. *sigh* The bad news is....I am probably not comin' back! I get on these "kicks" where I am SUPER passionate about something until something ELSE takes over! {lol} Has that ever happened to you?? Don't get me wrong - I am still SUCH a craft-a-holic!! Big time! I am just channeling those creative juices in a different direction....towards my NEW blog - The Dating Divas. It's a blog I do with eleven of my friends.....and it's ALL about dating our husbands!

You know how some wives like to complain about their men? Well, we are the complete opposite! We like to DATE our men.....and keep the romance alive! We love coming up with FUN and NEW ways to do that and we share ALL of our ideas with our readers! Come on over and check it out! ....even if you're not married, you can still pick up great date ideas! :)

Dah-ling Temple Block

2010-07-15T14:37:00.000-07:00

What a FUN and easy temple picture!! The talented gal who made this has a few other temples on her blog and is letting anyone download them for free. WHAT a doll! You can find it HERE. Make sure to leave her some "comment love"!

Father's Day DUCT-TAPE Card!

2010-06-16T15:24:00.000-07:00

I thought this was HILARIOUS!!

Make the man in your life a DUCT-TAPE card! Tee, hee...

Super cute, huh! Heartland Paper was the creator of this gem! Even though we have moved to another state...I STILL love that scrapbooking store! I sooooOOoooo *heart* them!

Love Notes....for the LOVE of Your Life!

2010-05-07T19:47:00.000-07:00

My cute cuz, Kristin just posted a GREAT idea over on our dating blog! She wanted a way to remind her to leave cute little love notes for her hubby....and THIS is what she came up with:

Check out her tutorial HERE!

P.S. She included a FREE download, too! :)

They Say It's Your Birthday....

2010-04-22T09:36:00.000-07:00

...da-da-da-dah-dah!

Holy CUPCAKES!!! Now that we live pretty far away from ALL of our family members....we have got to be "on-the-ball" with sending B-Day cards....thus my mass production of 'de cupcake cards....in ALL colors!

Yep - pretty much something for EvErYoNe!

Ummm....Holly...no peeking!! :)

Baby 'O Mine

2010-04-20T18:47:00.000-07:00

Wanna see the CUTEST baby pictures EVER!?!? Head over to Peekaboo Photography!! The pictures she just took of her newborn are to DIE FOR!

Thanks Kristen for telling me about her!

You've Got Mail...AGAIN!!

2010-04-18T08:49:00.000-07:00

SoooOOOoo....you have something you need to mail off to a loved one that is a little fragile, you go to the Post Office...pick out a padded envelope to put the item in (that costs a TON), get in line....wait forever, and then mail off your package.

{Pause for Dramatic Effect...tee, hee...}

Now - ONE of those steps can be eliminated!!

Sew Sweet Stitches came up with a way to create your OWN padded package....that is actually CUTE! This caught my eye because I am needing to mail off some items....and this is JUST what I was looking for! :)

Are You Prepared?

2010-04-14T17:52:00.000-07:00

My husband and I are trying to get a little more prepared in case of an emergency. Nowadays...you can NEVER be "too prepared" and I think it's smart to make sure we all take precautions ahead of time! The Creative Homemaker recently had a post on a whole LIST of great blogs and websites that can help you get prepared for any emergency. I love her list....thus I am linking up. I hope this helps some of you, too!

This ToTaLLy Says SPRING!

2010-04-10T09:22:00.000-07:00

Isn't this card precious!?! Little Birdie Secrets has a video tutorial showing how to make the paper roses. We recently had our Spring Break and I mass-produced Birthday Cards to last us all year....so my appreciation for other homemade cards has gone up in just a week! LOL

Click HERE to be sent to that post.

Mucho Maternity Makeover...

2010-04-06T09:17:00.000-07:00

K....this post is prob more for ME....but we are getting to that point where we are thinking a li'l one would be a nice addition to the fam...

...we aren't preggers... ;)

...yet...

BUT - I just HAD to "bookmark" this link for future reference. :)

I found a ToN of cute maternity "makeovers" on clothes....HERE!

Check it out...hopefully it helps some of YOU also!

You've Got Mail!

2010-04-02T07:44:00.000-07:00

I have been searching for the PERFECT way to keep our mail from cluttering up the counter space. Wa-lah! How Does She featured an idea back in January that I stumbled across and would LOVE to try. This means breaking down and purchasing the power tools that I dream about.....

....Husband, Dear?!?

Check it out HERE!

I love how the sides are open so it can fit any size of mail. In her post, she talks about how a friend wanted one of the boxes to read, "Coupons"....me, too! I would do: MAIL, OUT BOX, & COUPONS.

...but that's just me! :)

Takin' The BUNNY Outta Easter....

2010-03-28T23:05:00.000-07:00

I don't know about you....but I feel that the true meaning of Easter is completely lost when all we heard about is Easter Bunnies and colored eggs. I know this is my craft blog....but it's also the place where I store ALL of the crafts or ideas that I would like to try myself.

....AND with there only being a week before Easter is here....I wanted to share an idea that a gal is doing that I think a LOT of your families might benefit from!

SugarDoodle is a great resource for ALL people, especially if you are LDS. She has lesson "helps" for Primary, Relief Society, YM, YW, etc. Even if you aren't LDS....there are ALL sorts of wonderful things that you can use/download/learn. She also recently added both this blog and my "Dating Divas" blog to her blogroll...AND featured the dating one on her Facebook page! :)

I was exploring her website and she explained how she REALLY wanted her children to experience the true meaning of Easter so she created a week of family activities. Each night they will have a short lesson accompanied by pictures, treats, activities, etc. to help the children further understand why we celebrate Easter. She has some really cute things posted as well as things that will touch you!

Don't get me wrong....my husband and I LOVE our Cadbury mini-eggs.....{WINK}....but we love the Lord even more and when we have children of our own - we both want to make sure they know the real meaning of Easter.

Click HERE to check out SugarDoodle's "Week of Easter."

...HURRY...it starts tomorrow...

Shoe Fetish...Startin' NOW!!

2010-03-26T07:37:00.000-07:00

I guess I am a little extreme when it comes to shoes....

...either I like my HEELS or I am in flip-flops!!

Flat shoes have just never been my thing....but that might all change 'cuz I saw the following pics!

Sarah at For The Love turned THIS...

...into THIS:

Lovin' it, girly!!

How Stinkin' Cute!

2010-03-25T07:05:00.000-07:00

OMG...how cute is this?!? I found this here on this crafty l'il blog and pretty much fell in love with the polka dots!!

...seriously....

Edited To Say: As I was browsing the Internet...in search of a cute homemade Easter gift for the hubby....I stumbled across THIS! A tutorial that looks pretty much like the basket above! :)

Technical Difficulties...FIXED!!

2010-03-24T17:29:00.000-07:00

LADIES:

The "Grab A Button" on my sidebar is currently not working...

...give me a day and I will get 'er up and running...so don't "grab" it quite yet! :)

Edited To Say: All fixed! Wahoo! I just learned a TON about Blog Buttons...kinda a crash course!
Feel free to GRAB it now! :)

Sassy Sandals

2010-03-24T06:49:00.000-07:00

I haven't been checking my fav blogs for quite some time now...I have been SO busy having fun working on my NEW blog....

SO - I JUST looked at Make It and Love It's blog...and thought THIS was an ingenious idea!

Interchangeable Flip-Flops

Here are all of the diferent styles she created...

I LOVE the black ruffly ones! OoooHHHHHOOOOoooo!

It's already SO Spring-y here....might have to break out the sewing machine!

Click HERE for her tutorial!

Quote Of The Day!

2010-03-22T08:53:00.000-07:00

"If you sometimes get discouraged, consider this fellow. He dropped out of grade school. Ran a country store. Went broke. Took 15 years to pay off his bills. Took a wife. Unhappy marriage. Ran for House. Lost twice. Ran for Senate. Lost twice. Delivered speech that became a classic. Audience indifferent. Attacked daily by the press and despised by half the country. Despite all this, imagine how many people all over the world have been inspired by this awkward, rumpled, brooding man who signed his name simply, A. Lincoln." (Wall Street Journal.) 'It is important to know, when you feel down, that many others do also and that their circumstances are generally much worse than yours. And it's important to know that when one of us is down, it becomes the obligation of his friends to give him a lift. I hope that each of us will cultivate a sensitivity toward the feelings of others, and when encouragement is needed, make an effort to extend it. Be a friend, and you will have a friend. God be thanked for wonderful friends.'

(Gordon B. Hinckley, "Strengthening Each Other," Ensign, Feb. 1985, 3)

Even BABIES Need Tents!!

2010-03-21T09:26:00.000-07:00

So....I have seen these adorable "tents" everywhere...and finally decided to "file" the idea for when we finally have kiddos! The Creative Crate posted about the following two pics.

The TOP pic is from Scraps N' Strings and she even includes a tutorial.

I absolutely LOVE this next one for a little girl!! Little Monkeys created this "tent." I love the "look" of ribbons to tie it on!

I also LOVE the embroidered name....I just don't know if I would want to do that since we are planning on having 10-12 kids and this just wouldn't work for "hand-me-downs".....

KIDDING!!

Definition of BOYZ...

2010-03-20T08:11:00.000-07:00

Here is a cute craft that was sent in to The Creative Crate....BUT...my FAV part is the definition at the bottom!!

Tee, hee! Isn't that too cute!? I grew up with five other siblings...and the two youngest were BOYZ so I totally agree! :)

This gal also created the adorable craft below. Just LOOK at the bunny!

Punkin Seed Productions is the creator of these blocks.

If we ever have boyz....I am TOTALLY putting that saying in my house! :)

I'm IN LOVE!!

2010-03-19T07:49:00.000-07:00

Hmmmmm....do you think I should tell my husband about this?? Tee....hee...

Seriously, Stacie at The Creative Crate ROCKS!!!

I am LOVIN' this photo display she made with CUPBOARDS!! No kidding!

Auuggghhh!!! Just look how AWESOME it looks against the brown background! She gives a GREAT tutorial and if you are wondering where she GOT the cupboards...she answers that question in her comments.

Check it out HERE!

The "Funky Town" Date

2010-03-18T22:26:00.000-07:00

I posted another date on my other blog, The Dating Divas....check it out HERE!

...and NOPE...this is not normally how we dress! Tee, hee...

"Lucky You....To Be Married To ME!!"

2010-03-16T22:14:00.000-07:00

I found this CUTE idea HERE....and decided this was the PERFECT gift to place in my husband's car in the morning...

Download sign HERE!

(There's a front & a back....I cut them out and glued them together.)

I found a smaller paint can at Michael's for only $2.99...and filled it with some of Jamie's FAVORITE treats...that were St. Patrick's Day colors, of course!!

A CLOSER look at the YUMMY treats...

I had some scrapbooking paper left over from my "Luck Blocks" and I quickly decorated the top...

....and I am FULLY expecting a HU-MONG-O kiss for this!! {WINK}

Have a WoNdErFuL St. Patrick's Day!!

Rag-a-WHAT??

2010-03-14T20:41:00.000-07:00

...A RAG QUILT!!

(My husband and I LOVE that commercial where the baby says, "Milk-a-WHAT?" ...it cracks us up everytime.. Have any of you seen that one??)

ANYWAY - I have recently fallen in LOVE with the website:

www.kevinandamanda.com

...Which is where I went for a LOT of help on my blog makeover AND where I found her helpful pics and instructions on how to make a rag quilt.

Here is the first quilt she made...with PICS of her and her honey on it!

Here's her second one...

I have seen these everywhere and it's usually for babies....such as baby shower presents....BUT Amanda made one for her living room and I'm liking that idea!!

The blanket WE curl up under when we watch movies...is pretty hideous! It was a homemade wedding present...made with love.....and SUPER comfy which is why we have kept it.....but ummm....it's just SO not pleasant to look at!! :)

Click HERE to get her FAB pics, hints, and directions.

Ah-Hmmmm...PuLEEZE Excuse The Mess...

2010-03-07T20:41:00.000-08:00

I am currently giving this blog a makeover....SUPER sorry if it looks kinda crazy when you are visiting! :)

The price of beauty...

Hopefully I will have everything done in a few days...I am SUCH a perfectionist so it's probably going to take me longer than all of those pros out there!!

The new look is kinda "busy" but I absolutely LOVE this lime green color....I hope you do too!

Potty Trainin' Chart....OH and HELP NEEDED!

2010-03-06T10:02:00.000-08:00

My cuz, Charlene made the CUTEST Potty Training Chart for her little girl....and I just HAD to showcase it!! Isn't it adorable!?!

Another look at it...I love the "Growing Up" sign!!

My cuz has SUCH an eye for things! Thanks Char for letting me post this!!

NOW - here's where the "help needed" part comes in. {LOL}

She is at a loss for what actually WORKS!! She found three great books about Potty Training in a Day....but she doesn't know which one to use or what would help her to help her l'il girl.

I know there are some AMAZING moms who read this blog and I am hoping you guys might have some FAB suggestions that I can pass along to her. What worked for you??

Peanut Butter?? Not just for PBJ's....

2010-02-16T22:04:00.000-08:00

I made homemade potpourri this year as part of our Christmas present to all of the married couples in our families. I bought a few spices at Trader Joe's and I LOVED the shape & style of the jars!! They were the perfect size for storing some of my scrapbooking supplies....BUT they all had labels on them!

I soaked them in hot water, and a lot of the paper came off....but not the sticky stuff...

I then washed them multiple times in the dishwater....

NOPE!

Finally, I googled it...and found ALL SORTS OF IDEAS!!

The only supply we actually had (outta the MULTIPLE great ideas) was peanut butter!

....SooooOOOooo....I smeared it all over the jars......

...my husband was in awe....

Actually, his exact words were, "I hope this works...that could make a LOT of peanut butter sandwiches!"

{Sigh.....MEN!}

I let it sit for two days...JUST in case....cuz, ya know, I was at my WITS end!

....and WA-LAH....

No more stickiness!!

Now, I need to get them decorated and then FILL them with my scrapbooking supplies!!

The Valentine Date

2010-02-14T22:46:00.000-08:00

I posted my FIRST date on "The Dating Divas" blog....a place where my friends and I share the creative dates we take our hottie husbands on! :)

Click here for the date I surprised my husband with...

The SURPRISE Is Revealed!!

2010-02-07T13:26:00.000-08:00

Ok...ok....so I can FINALLY tell ya all what my girlz and I have been working on!

After marriage....we all think that since we MARRIED our Prince Charming....than of course we are all going to live HAPPILY ever after...RIGHT!!

Things get crazy and life never seems to slow down! I found that although I love my husband even MORE than when we got married (...if that is even possible...) we were slacking in the dating department!!

I came up with a plan...and got a bunch of my amazing friends to join in.....and we created a blog called:

We will be posting a BRAND new creative date every week! We are all taking turns....and we will also be sharing fun gift ideas we do, success stories, marriage tips, etc. I also gathered all of our love stories together and I will be highlighting a love story each month.

OH - and I am also super proud of this project because I really wanted this blog to reflect a FUN girly vibe...and I couldn't find a blog layout that I LOVED.....so I decided to learn HOW to create a blog layout...and I actually designed it myself! I feel like I have been to a website design school for the past three weeks...but it's definitely worth it!

This craft blog and my personal blog will be getting makeovers next! :)

Click HERE to go to our "Date Blog."

My FIRST Freebie.....JUST 'Cuz I Luv Ya!!

2010-01-30T12:49:00.000-08:00

As my friends & I have been working on our FABULOUS secret project...the suspense is KILLIN' ya, huh......one of them told me about the awesome blog called, "Love, Actually."

Where have I been and WHY did I not know about this gal?? I checked out her stuff and discovered a darling Valentine Countdown she did for her hubby! I loved the cute little ideas that she thought up as the "daily activities, etc."....so I quickly whipped up my OWN Countdown....and then I decided to email my pdf files out to all my girly friends who decided to help me out with my NEW secret project. I THEN thought....why not share it with all of my loyal readers?? So....wa-lah! There you have it!

Here's the FINAL project....after everything was assembled....and on the wall. Our wall is not gray...it's actually TAN....ya think I need a new camera?? {WINK} It's basically a countdown of CUTE things we will do together or for each other that day.

Someone was WATCHING me as I designed all of this on Photoshop!

Materials Needed:

-My downloads (See Below...)
-A cutting board (or scissors)

-Adhesive (I used Scrapbooking Tape)

-A hole punch

-Some pink or white ribbon
-Seven white envelopes (not the long ones) SIZED: 3 5/8 x 6 ½
-A cute puppy that will try to steal your ribbon….

He has to be in the middle of everything!!

Seal the envelopes & cut them in half like you see above...

I cut a tiny white border around my sign... (see the first pic)

Download Sign HERE!

Cut out the number cards...that you will be attaching to the front of the envelopes...

Download Number Cards HERE!

I made the cards that will go inside the envelopes....but since the gal from "Love, Actually" is selling her cards, I didn't feel right about offering that part for free. SO - you have three options:

#1) Go to her blog and purchase her darling cards for a great price HERE.

#2) Download my pdf file and then you can write on them - HERE.

#3) Download my word doc and then you can type in your stuff in word - HERE.

P.S. If you choose to download the word document...so you can type in your own "daily to-do's" here are some HINTS! After opening the document, click on Insert (at the top) and then text box. Sometimes an annoying box automatically appears on your page, ignore it and draw a bow on the first blank card. (You do this by right-clicking on the mouse and then holding it down as you size your box.) NOW - here's the hint ...you will find that the box is white and it covers up the lovely design of the card...you can fix that by right-clicking on the box (it has to be on the line), when a new screen appears, click on Format Text Box. On THAT screen under the subtitle, "Fill" you will see the word, "Transparency"....and a slider bar next to it. Click on that bar and slide it ALL the way to the right. NOW - you will be able to see the design. Oh - and don't forget to change your LINE...to "No Line." Click OK to save everything. Good Luck!

Cut out the cards, punch holes in the top, and tie the ribbon on. You are ALMOST done!! All you have left to do is TAPE it on your wall (I put it in our bedroom) and surprise your honey!!

Oh yeah...I LOVED Ms. Love Actually's cards...so I just typed up her ideas on my cards. One of them involves a word search....and of COURSE I had to "cute-si-fy" it...so here's the download for that:

Valentine Word Search - click HERE!

Enjoy!! I am hoping to be posting about our SURPRISE on another week....check back the MONDAY before Valentine's Day.....

Ummm...TOO Cute NOT To Post...

2010-01-26T08:27:00.000-08:00

Yeah....so I am trying NOT to post cuz I am busy working on my secret project....BUT my cuz posted about this adorable shadow box and I LOVED IT!! I gave in and decided to hurry and store it in my "idea file" A.K.A. blog. By the way, my cute cuz started up her own "inspirational" place to store the ideas she likes. Check her out here.

K...about the adorable shadow box!! The Mama Dramalogues posted a mini-tutorial on how to make it. Maybe I am drawn in because it's PINK and for some reason, I am just becoming more and more in love with that color! ...and I'm lovin' the black accent pieces.

....alrighty now...back to work on my project!! :)

My NEW "Secret" Project...

2010-01-21T16:08:00.000-08:00

I have been M.I.A. again....and it's because I am onto ANOTHER project. But THIS one is going to be a secret until it's ready to be revealed.....

I am SOOOO excited about this.

It's not a craft, but it's definately something that I think the majority of you will be interested in!

I recruited a BUNCH of my friends...and it will be "revealed" in three more weeks....JUST in time for Valentine's Day! You are all DYING to know what it is, huh!! Well....

...the picture above is the only hint I am going to leave you with....

...until then...

Lotsa Luv, Tara

Ring Around The Rose-ies...

2010-01-13T08:26:00.000-08:00

...Pocket Full Of Posies...

I found this GREAT l'il blog that helps with meal planning!!

Hint: Click on the name above...not the cool graphic below....

...two sister-in-laws...and BFF's....joined forces to create a meal-planning system that I just may have to try. PLUS....they have a YUMMY fudge recipe that my husband happened to see as I was browsing thru the blog....and now he is craving fudge! :)

Check those gals OUT!!

Our FAV Present We Did This Year!

2010-01-12T07:56:00.000-08:00

Homemade Christmas Post #8:

Jamie & I wanted to do something really special for our parents for Christmas this year...and we were SO pleased with the results! I got the idea from another blogger....which I highlighted HERE. We made these presents from SCRATCH!!

We decided to spell "Mother" and "Father" for my parents....since there are SIX kids (six letters...) and "Mom" and "Dad" for his parents since they have three kids in their family.

We purchased the letters at Michael's...and made (with cardboard and spray paint) the letters they didn't have in stock. Then - over the Thanksgiving Break...we took pics of our brothers & sisters with the letters...

My brothers & sisters...

We then found a local guy who has a wood-working shop & had him cut some boards for us and cut out a design around the edges. (One day, I would LOVE to own all of those tools that he had!! For now....good 'ole Mike will be our "wood guy".)

I photoshopped the pics...with my ever-expanding photoshopping skills...(if you are a pro - do NOT laugh!!) and printed the final products at Costco.

We painted, sanded, and stained the boards....and then modge-podged the picture....

Here is my mom with hers...

My dad with his....

LOVED how the "mom" & "dad" turned out!! These are Jamie's siblings.

(We put the spouses in....of course!!)

Final products....do I need a NEW camera or what?? They look YELLOW!!

Jamie's parents with their presents. This was our FIFTH pic of them...they kept laughing and his dad kept covering his face...

They seriously looked amazing and when we are done with OUR family....I am SO doing this for Jamie!

HINT: If you do this...make sure NO ONE is wearing white! That is our only regret....but we still loved it!

A Present for My Dreamer...

2010-01-11T08:31:00.000-08:00

Homemade Christmas Post #7:

Those of you who have been faithful readers....know that my hubby decided to go back to school to become a Teaching Golf Pro. We moved from the four seasons of Utah to Sin City VEGAS...so he can go thru UNLV's Golf Program. We gave up our friends, family, beautiful home (that we built together), huge yard, awesome neighborhood & neighbors, and amazing ward so he could follow his dreams.

...and ya know...I would do it ALL over again!!

I knew early on that my passion was to teach....and I was able to accomplish those goals long ago. It was HIS turn and although I want more than anything to be a stay-at-home mom....I am glad I am able to work right now to support his decision to go back to school and I am SOOOOO proud of him!

We had this GREAT picture frame (that I found a KILLER deal on, of course...) and I had the BEST idea on what to do for Jamie for Christmas...

I searched for meaningful quotes on following your dreams....and I found the perfect one!

I was SOOOOOO excited to give it to him! I seriously get MORE excited about giving people presents than I do about receiving them!

It's now hanging in our bedroom as a reminder that dreams CAN come true!

LOVE you, babe!

Perfect RM Present...

2010-01-10T07:54:00.000-08:00

Homemade Christmas Post #6:

The youngest in my family, my brother - Brady, recently returned home from his two-year church mission to Mexico. I am the ONLY one (out of six kids) in our family who DIDN'T serve a mission. Crazy, huh! I think Brady was the most faithful "letter-writer" out of all the siblings! He diligently wrote a letter home EVERY single week!

His letters became a little more difficult to read as he learned Spanish....and started mixing up his English and Spanish...while writing these letters. We often had to try to guess on what he was trying to say. :)

Jamie & I decided to put all of his letters into Word format, add the date, fix all of the mistakes, put all of the letters in sheet protectors.....and present it to him as a Christmas present. Since he shared a TON of amazing experiences in his letters....it's kinda like a journal.

I scrapbooked a cover and the title for the spine...

Jamie (my husband) was SUCH a great help when it came to helping with editing the letters...and getting them organized into the correct order...

He loved it....and WE loved rereading all of his humorous and spiritually uplifting stories! Win-win situation!!

P.S. He is ALSO single....and attending BYU in Provo, UT. You can tell yer l'il sistas & family members about HIM as well. {WINK}

Blocks For My "Teacher" Sis...

2010-01-09T08:02:00.000-08:00

Homemade Christmas Post #5:

My l'il sis, Ashley, is a school counselor & I thought it would be fun to help her decorate her office!! They turned out adorable! There is supposed to be vinyl on the black block that says, "...is cool!!" AND there will be vinyl that says "No.2" on the pencil...but I ordered it from my fav vinyl gal....and it wasn't the right size. (My bad!!)

Here are some UP-CLOSE pics of the letters....

My CUTE l'il sis after opening them....

I have a set for myself, too!! I need to get on it! My classroom is needing that extra touch!

MORE Fab Frames!

2010-01-08T08:59:00.000-08:00

Homemade Christmas Post #4:

THIS was one of my favorite presents! I wanted to keep it! (I know, I know...that thought only lasted for a moment....or two....)

Jamie's sister, Jen, was married a year after us, and I had her send us the "color scheme" of their home....and this is what I came up with...

I have made a few of these before.....but I LOVED the dark inking around the edges of the cream frame....I have to give the credit to Jamie! He thought it needed to be a little more dramatic...and he was right!

An "up-close & personal" of the scrapbooked section...

The couple themselves!

PiCtUrEs GaLoRe...

2010-01-07T08:44:00.000-08:00

Homemade Christmas Post #3:

Jamie & I found KILLER deals on some frames at Michael's during their "Black Friday" sale...and they were PERFECT for what we wanted to do for his brother, Josh, and one of my little brothers - Shaylor!

Originally we wanted to have the quotes on vellum paper on top of the pictures....but it was REALLY hard to see the pics, so I ended up "scrapbooking" the quotes above and below each of the pictures and they turned out great.

Here is Josh with the picture of Christ.....and a quote that Jamie picked out.

My l'il...er....younger brother, Shaylor, is the MOST adventurous person in our family! He is becoming QUITE the avid rock climber....OH....and he's single (and at BYU-Idaho)...tell all of your little sisters!

We thought a picture of him rock climbing...combined with one of his favorite quotes....would be a GREAT present. (Quote: "People who say it cannot be done, should not interrupt those who are doing it.")

Here he is with his present.....isn't he a CUTIE!! He's pretty tall, too....spread the word to the l'il sistas! Oh - and he's a RM!! :)

Totally RAD Tile!

2010-01-06T08:36:00.000-08:00

Homemade Christmas Post #2:

I have a HUGE tile like this in our bedroom...and my sis-in-law, Holly, admired it out loud one day. ...she doesn't seem to remember that....but she did! :) I decided to make this their Christmas present. When you get married....you only get ONE present! :) Darn, huh!

My older bro, Jerek & his bride. Thanks for being such GOOD sports & taking this pic! We crashed at their place in Boise, and we kept them up late (playing games) almost every night! Go "Bean" Game...."I'll trade you two chili beans for your cocoa bean..."

Why I Have Been MIA!?!

2010-01-04T19:55:00.000-08:00

Weeeellllll.......the long story short IS....it was a completely HOMEMADE Christmas this year!! Now that my hubby is back in school...and I am his "sugar mama"...finances are tighter than what we have been used to. Thus - we decided to create gifts from the heart...and so I have been furiously scrambling to finish up all of our MANY projects....which I can now showcase!!

Ohh laa laa!!

First up would be the box of CARDS that I gave to my older sis. My friend, Melissa did this for her mother...and ever since, I have wanted to do it for one of MY fam members. My sis, Erica, is so thoughtful when it comes to stuff like cards....so she was the perfect recipient!

Homemade Christmas Post #1:

I made six cards of each....and kept one for myself (so I can duplicate them in the future).

The above cards were my last batch...I was pretty exhausted by then...so they were the most simple!

I L.O.V.E. how my above "Thank You" cards turned out! AaauugghhH!!!

These would have looked even BETTER if I had time to ink the edges...but they were still darling!

SUCH a simple design, yet so cute!

The above card...my "design" from a Card Swap I did earlier in the year...I had enough to give Erica five of them!

My cute sis after opening the present...

A handful of the cards! A HUGE success!

I will be posting about our MILLION other little projects during the next few days! Hope you all had as FABULOUS a Christmas as we did! LOVE this time of year!

Ribbon Christmas Tree.....CaRd!

2009-12-03T22:56:00.000-08:00

Love, LOVE, lOvE the ribbon idea on this card! It just looks so simple. Found on Deck the Halls of Home with Joy.

"Family Movie Night" Gift...

2009-12-02T20:20:00.000-08:00

I used to put together baskets like this as "Date Baskets" for Bridal Showers...it's not a NEW idea....but I liked her ideas...found on this blog.

She bought the popcorn bowls at Tai Pan Trading (in UT) and then filled them with supplies from the Dollar Store for a family movie night. She liked the idea of a gift that this gift let the family spend time together during such a busy time of year.

Supplies:

Large bowl/container

2 boxes of movie candy

Box of microwave popcorn

Old classic type movie (or you could do a Blockbuster Gift Card)cellophane

Ribbon

Tags with personal message

Newspaper to stuff the bottom of the bowl with so that the goodies stand out

Total cost: Approx $10 (can be done for considerably less with a different container)

Doncha Just LOVE the SMELL of Christmas??

2009-12-01T19:54:00.000-08:00

Crazy Crafty Cousins posted about how to make HOMEMADE potpourri! Ooooohhhhh!!

Here's what they said:

This makes a great neighbor gift! Just add 2 slices of each a lemon, a lime, an orange, add 4-5 cinnamon sticks and a palm full of whole cloves. Once you put it on your stove, add water and it will fill your house with wonderful Christmas scents!

Attach a card that has these instructions on it:

Christmas Potpourri

1. Place ingredients in pot.

2. Fill Pot with water, covering potpourri mix.

3. Bring to a boil and turn down to low.

4. Let simmer & continue to add water as needed.

* potpourri will last approx. one week.

Oh... SO Sassy!!

2009-11-21T19:08:00.001-08:00

OK...so maybe I just want this whole outfit for MYSELF, boots and all! How ADORABLE!! This is exactly how I would be dressing my l'il girl...if I had one!! In the meantime, I am spreading the love....so YOU can shower yer girl with this cuteness!!

I first saw this etsy shop "Oh So Sassy" on the blog, "Seriously So Blessed" when she was doing a giveaway....and FELL. IN. LOVE. These are my two fav outfits....and I am dying over the poses that the two girlies are strutting!!
Check out this shop...and if you actually order one...tell her you saw that I advertised for her...and that I will be wanting to order the above dresses in...OH....say...four years...and that she should totally give me a discount! Tee, hee.

NO! This is not an announcement, I am not preggers......yet....

"So Fresh & So Clean, CLEAN!!"

2009-11-04T11:06:00.000-08:00

NannyGoat came up with a way to miraculously CLEAN her gas stove top grates. I am ALWAYS looking for ways/ideas to make life easier....and this SIMPLE way to clean 'de grates was one to bookmark!

The BEFORE & AFTER pics speak for themselves!! HOW did she do it?? So simple! She put them in a ziplocked baggie, sprayed some ammonia in there, sealed it, and let it sit overnight.

WA-LAAAHHH!! Gor-geous grates! This will come in handy since we now have a gas stove!

A Frilly Frock....TOP!!

2009-11-02T21:45:00.000-08:00

I TOLD you that Make It & Love It was one of my fav places to go to check out new ideas!! Just LOOK at what she created below!! She saw a JCREW shirt....and instead of drooling and wishing that she had the money to purchase it...she just MADE it for less than half the cost!

'De girlz got some TALENT!! Here is the link to check out her FAB tutorial on how she made the lovely shirt...
One of my friends completely despises the color brown....but I happen to LIKE it....thus, this shirt caught my eye! Tee, hee! Heaven forbid that she reads THIS post!! :)

Awwwww...AWARDS!!

2009-10-18T11:21:00.000-07:00

Seriously flattered!! I am trying to keep sane juggling my new life in Vegas...thus my posting has become a little more sporatic....YET I am STILL feeling the love from you "love-lies" readers!! Thank you SOOOO much!!

Heidi from Craft Monkey gave me the "Honest Scrap" Award above. She is quite the do-it-yerself gal! Check out her blog..and THANKS, Heidi!!

Rules for the "Honest Scrap" Award:

1. Say "THANKS" & give a link to the presenter of the award.

2. Share "10 Honest Things" about myself.

3. Present this award to 5 others whose blogs I find brilliant in content and/or design, or those who have encouraged me.

4. Tell those 5 people they've been awarded the "HONEST SCRAP" and inform them of these guidelines in receiving the award.

OooooOOO!! Are you SURE you want to keep reading?? Ummmm...this COULD get a little embarrassing!! {WINK!}

Here goes...

"10 Honest Things About Me"

1. I am deathly afraid of chiropractors!! No joke! It all

stems back to my FIRST trip to a chiropractic office...when I was still in Elementary School. It was an EMBARRASSING experience and only my mom, my BFF - Kiirst, and my husband will ever know what occurred during that visit....but I swear my face stayed red for at least a DAY afterwards!! :) ...sorry, that's as honest I can be about this one....

2. WHY did I have to go to a chiropractor in 5th grade?? Well, I used to play basketball when I was younger and during one game, as I was jumping in the air (pulling my Michael Jordan moves) going for my two-pointer....a large and very MEAN girl body-slammed me!! She hit me so hard that she dislocated a disc in my back AND temporarily paralyzed me. That was one of the most terrifying experiences of my life! My coach & my mom carried me into the hallway and while my coach ran back inside the gym to calm the team down....my mom sat with me while the feeling returned to my legs. I still remember the pain as I had to do physical therapy each night to relieve the pain in my back. I still have back problems to this day!

3. I have a little bit of a rebellious streak in me! In college, some friends and I snuck into a HUGE lodge and camped out over a weekend. Some guys we knew had found the lodge while camping during the summer....and when we heard about it....we decided to turn it into a trip one SNOWY winter weekend. (We later found out that it was a retreat lodge for Girl's Camp...) What crazy things we do when we first leave home!! But, I still remember it as one of my most FAVORITE college memories! ...sliding down the hill on make-shift sleds, playing sardines in the dark, watching a scary movie with the projector we brought, cooking pancakes & bacon in the morning, jumping on all the mattresses, playing steamroller.....

4. I am SUCH a klutz!! I have a new bruise every day...and I can never remember where they came from!! Just last week, I was talking to my friend on the phone as I was walking thru our living room....instead of going around the coffee table...my foot decided to go into it!! I ended up with a purple & black jammed toe!!

5. We are thinking about starting our family soon and I am SOOOO nervous about having to work during the first few years of our kiddos lives....until Jamie finishes school! My amazing friend, Lisa, is a trooper...and now she has TWO little ones that she had to leave behind while she heads off to work. I am sure she will be my inspiration....I just hope I have enough energy, strength, and love to go around when my time comes...since I will have to share it with 28+ children during the day...and then my OWN at night!

6. I used to dance in college. I clogged and did ballroom! THEN - I learned how to country swing and line dance. LOOOOVVVEEE swing dancing!! I started going weekly when I graduated from college, my gal pals and I would all go. I loved it SO much that I began teaching my students a few of the moves. When my principal heard about what I was doing - she approached me about starting an afterschool dance program for the 5th & 6th graders. I was in charge of that program for the next three years until I married Jamie and moved a little further North.

7. I really, really, really, really don't like grading papers!! I think it is the LEAST fun thing about my job!! I cannot imagine being a High School English teacher OR worse...a College English Professor! Can you imagine reading AND grading all of those essays, stories, papers, etc?? YOu would have to LOVE editing!! I LOOOOVVVEEE teaching, but I don't like grading!

8. I am an utterly HOPELESS romantic!! I love all of those sappy chick flicks that make people cry! I love to listen to love songs, I love to dance with my sweetie, I love to read books that have happy endings, I love to date my husband, I am a sucker for flowers and love notes and poems, and I love to be SWEPT off my feet....by JAMIE!!:)

9. I WISH animals lived longer!! I adore our pets, Tanja - our gorgeous half tabby/half tortoise-shell cat & Jaxston - our playful & cuddly Yorkie Terrier. I BAWLED while watching the movie, "Marley & Me".....and I thought of our own dog while watching it! I just wish they lived as long as people!!

10. I am still scared of the dark! I have gotten a little better since I married Jamie...but I have witnessed a few freaky things in past years....and I just don't feel safe when I am alone...and in the dark. If I am ever at home at night...by myself....Jamie will return to find that I have turned just about EVERY light in the house on! :) LOL! I would rather have a higher electric bill than have less lights on!

Passing This Award On To:

(If you have already received this award...don't worry about passing it on again, just BASK in knowing that you were chosen AGAIN!!)

1. NieNie - if you have not heard about her...check out her blog! She has greatly inspired me! I don't care if she doesn't pass the award on....I just want her to know that she is ONE amazing lady and she has touched my life!

2. So Lovely Creations - she is a dah-ling and extremely crafty do-it-yerself-er!!

3. Wonderfully Wordy - LOVE her personality and she has a GREAT vinyl business!

4. FlipFlops & Applesauce - LOVE her story of the process of adopting their adorable twin girls!

5. Trey & Lucy - I think she is the CUTEST gal with the CUTEST personality...it doesn't hurt that she's also quite crafty!!

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

I was given the "Kreativ Blogger" Award by Two Hearts Together. Thanks, girly!! I am so glad she gave this to me because now I know about her blog!!

Rules:

1. Thank the person who nominated you for this award.

2. Copy the logo and place it on your blog.

3. Link to the person who nominated you for this award.

4. Name 7 things about yourself that people may not know.

5. Nominate 7 Kreativ Bloggers.

6. Post links to the 7 blogs you nominate.

7. Leave a comment on each of the blogs letting them know they’ve been nominated.

Seven things about myself that YOU may not know…as if I didn't already share TOO much above!!

1. I used to want 6 kids....now I think I will settle for 5! :)

2. I am SOOOOO addicted to chocolate.

3. I took a Hunter's Safety course when I was younger...and I USED to be decent at shooting a gun, but I am still afraid of them.

4. I am a terrible driver.....SHHhhhh.....don't let my husband know that I finally admitted it!

5. My classroom at school is SUPER-DUPER organized....but for some reason, I just CAN'T seem to hang up my clothes when I come home and change!?!

6. I am SOOOOO attracted to my husband...I fall in love with him MORE...the longer we are married!

7. I am terrible at returning phone calls! I am REALLY good at texting! :)

HERE are 7 AMAZING KREATIV BLOGGERS that I am awarding (in no specific order)!

(If you have already received this award...don't worry about passing it on again, just BASK in knowing that you were chosen AGAIN!!)

1. Mrs D. Lightful - she is a little bit of everything...food, fun, crafts, motherhood...

2. Be Different...Act Normal - LOVE the things she comes across and finds! I have pointed you in her direction several times before!

3. Little Miss Crafty Pants - this gal is SUPER talented! She's not only good at crafts, but she's a digi-scrapbooker, AND she has her own vinyl company. She is also SUPER knowledgeable about little gadgets that you can put on your blog!! In fact - she is designing a FUN "signature" for me to sign off with! Speaking of...I need to email her back!! :)

4. Design Dazzle - when I need to decorate a baby's room or need ideas for an upcoming shower....THIS is the blog I will go to! She has SOOOO many fun ideas!! Lovin' her blog!

5. Crafting Chicks - a few friends got together to create a blog where they share all of their AMAZING talents with the rest of us. LOVE their blog!!

6. Make It & Love It - another one of my fav spots to check when I need inspiration! Super crafty!

7. The Creative Crate - love her crafts AND she is located in Boise, Id...where I grew up!!

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Gwen from The Evans Family gave me the "One Lovely Blog" Award. I am SUCH a slacker since she gave this to me quite a while ago...but I am still extremely humbled! I totally spaced passing it along...and then getting the two awards above....helped me to remember to pass THIS one along! Thanks again, Gwen!!

Rules for THIS award...a little simpler than the ones above...I need to pass this along to TEN other bloggers whom I have "newly discovered"....hmmmm.....

That will be a little tricky since I haven't been devoting as much time lately to blog browsing...but I am SURE I can think of a few of my more recent finds!

I would like to pass the award on to:

(If you have already received this award...don't worry about passing it on again, just BASK in knowing that you were chosen AGAIN!!)

1. Homemaking Fun - not a NEW find...but one that I need to send all of YOU to more often..she's GREAT!!

2. Ashley's Blog Layouts - this girlie creates blog layouts and SHARES them with us! How sweet!!

3. Fun & Creative Finds - she collects ideas....just like me...and has stumbled across a few that I haven't seen. FUN!

....uuummmm....those are the only NEW finds I have...so I will have to "bow out gracefully" and only pass this award onto those three bloggers.

THANKS AGAIN for all the love!!! I SOOOOO appreciate it!

A Notebook For Any Occasion...

2009-10-17T18:23:00.000-07:00

Capture the Moment is UNREAL when it comes to her scrapbookin' talents. Lovin' the mini-notebook that she posted about....AND all of the ideas/ways in which you can use it.

A PEEK inside...

It's pretty simple to make, she includes a couple downloads - including one that will enclose a thicker notebook pad....see pic below.....and with Christmas around the corner....this is a cute idea for homemade gifts!! Totally thinkin' neighbors or fellow teachers!!

Click HERE or HERE for her downloads....

THEN - her fellow scrappers came up with the following alternate ideas...

Ooohhhhh.....and that's NOT all.....and there are even MORE ideas on her website!

Check them out HERE!!

Fabric Flowers!

2009-09-27T09:12:00.000-07:00

Design Dazzle highlighted a blog that posted a tutorial on how to make the love-ly fabric flower below. I can TOTALLY see this in a plethora of different colors on a headband on a little girl! (Big word, huh! Did I use it correctly? Oh...I'm the teacher?!? Hey....I teach Elementary.....)

But, hey! If you don't want to put it in your little girl's hair OR on your sweater OR on a FUN winter beanie...you can alway use it as an embellishment on a pillow.

This pillow looks so dreamy to me!!

SOOOOO Stinkin' Cute!!

2009-09-26T08:25:00.000-07:00

...OOoohhhhhoooo...and I mean STINKIN'!!

Seriously...these invites make me want to throw a Halloween Party...JUST so I can make them!! Luckily...one of our new friends in our new town has already taken on the role of hosting a FUN Halloween party....so I can't add making these cards onto my already ENDLESS "To Do" list! (But...they would be worth it, huh!)

Heartland Paper posted this invite on their blog...WITH....drumroll please........

DIRECTIONS & A PATTERN!!

Wait...Is Father's Day OVER??

2009-09-25T10:22:00.000-07:00

Bakerella did an adorable post on mini-burgers for Father's Day....that I posted about....and as I was browsing through Crafting Chick's blog...ya know...since I am STILL trying to catch up from my TWO-month break....I found that they had found another version:

How cute is the scrapbooked package, huh!! Click HERE to get her directions on how she made the ones above.

MY Kind of Quiet Book....

2009-09-24T09:03:00.000-07:00

WHY?? You may ask....cuz it's freakin' CUTE!!!! That's why! One day...when I make MY Quiet Book...I am definately looking back at HER blog for my ideas!

SERIOUSLY!! Check out the farm animal finger puppets! SUPER CUTE!!

I am just LOVIN' the button-ed on flowers...this SO reminds me of the one my mom made for us when we were little!

Is that pig not to DIE for!!

Click HERE, HERE, or HERE for her three posts on it....she ALSO lists a bunch of other links where you can get even MORE ideas!

Jumbo Crayons....with a TWIST!!

2009-09-23T09:49:00.000-07:00

Looks SOOOO good...you could almost EAT them!! Oh, WAIT....you CAN eat them! Brooke over at Crafting Chicks posted about the edible crayons she made as a Back-to-School treat for her kiddos. I LOVE that she Photoshopped the wrappers with her kid's names on them! The lady's got talent! She used the instructions from THIS website.

Old Lamp...NEW Lamp....

2009-09-22T08:22:00.000-07:00

One Fish....TWO fish...

Oops...that just kinda reminded me of a Dr. Suess book.... :)

SO - I found a tutorial on HOW to recover a lampshade. Now, the lampshade SHE recovered was a tube shape....I am still on the hunt for one that is more like the "normal" lampshade....CUZ that's what I need to to know for MY lamp makeover!! OR - would this tutorial work for the "norm" lamp??

Anywho....here's HER re-covered lamp with some CUTE fabric on it:

....and HERE is her tutorial!

Scripture Tote....Anyone??

2009-09-20T08:05:00.000-07:00

I thought this was appropriate for SUNDAY!! My hubby makes fun of MY scripture case....and rightly so! My grandmother gave it to me when I graduated from High School....this is the SAME Grandma who gave my l'il sis BRIGHT turquoise SCRIPTURES!! Yep, I am DUE to get/make a new scripture case!

Love The Creative Crate!! She stumbled across these adorable totes.....and since I am SUCH a girly-girl...I had to smile with GLEE when I saw the flowers!

She found the tutorial HERE...and then gave us MORE links to other totes...HERE and HERE!!

Make sure you give Ms. Creative Crate some LOVE for finding these!

Personal Blog...Is now pRiVaTe...

2009-09-18T13:22:00.000-07:00

Hello Fellow Craft-sters!!

My Personal Blog is now private.....I know there were a few of you gals who asked to be added to the list of "ViEwErS".....but you forgot to leave your email addresses....THUS.....I could not add you! You can leave a comment below - WITH your email address...if ya still want "IN." Ya know...since it's SUCH a fab blog and all! Tee, hee.

I am hoping to update FIRST - my personal blog....and then SECOND - THIS craft blog....within the next week. Seriously, you think you have life all figured out....and then you get thrown a NEW curve ball!! I was thrown a HUGE one just yesterday....which might delay my blogging efforts, but I know every trial in our lives will only make us stronger! I better be freakin' SHE-RAH by the end of this year!! :)

Hopefully, I will have some FUN posts for you all soon!! Laters, Tara

CrEaTiVe cRaTeS...

2009-09-08T17:53:00.001-07:00

I should NOT be posting right now....in fact...I REALLY should be typing up my lesson plans for the rest of the week! Aaaauuugghhh!! I wasn't going to post for another week...we haven't even finished unpacking our house...but I just HAD to wander onto a few other craft blogs....and U Create had posted this DAH-LING idea that she found on Laura Gunn's blog. I don't think ANYONE could even guess how many of these crates I own! It's shameful! But, hey! My excuse is that I am a school teacher......it's a pretty valid one!!

Wouldn't you just LOVE to know how to turn a NORMAL & BORING crate into something FUN like the one below??

Click HERE to get her FABULOUS tutorial! Yeeeaaaaahhhh.....it feels GOOD to be back! BUT.....now I need to get on those lesson plans....and unpack a few more boxes....OH....and make dinner?? Nahh......just the first two! Tee, hee!!

Moving On.....

2009-07-22T07:10:00.000-07:00

Hello Ladies!!

I will not have time to post for at least the next MONTH! We are in the process of moving...and I just have SO many things Iam trying to juggle right now, that my beloved blogging will have to take a back seat for a while. I attribute my sporatic blogging lately to the STRESS of everything that was leading up to this move. But - everything is pretty much set into motion and now the REAL fun begins..which is tackling our lovely home....cleaning it out, selling HALF of it, and packing up the remaining items. My darling husband has decided to return to school...which means we are downsizing from our beloved home that we built....to a smaller townhome....AND moving to another state to attend the university of his choice. What does this mean? Well, we have a lot of items for sale. If you are interested...click HERE...to be sent to my personal blog. We put a lot of our BIG items up for sale in a post for our friends & family to see. If you live in Utah...and would like any of the remaining items...just let me know in the comments & we will get in touch. OH!! ...and our house is still for sale...if you are interested in buying our HOME....it's in the Bountiful/Woods Cross area. Whoever buys our home....will LOVE it here!! We have the BEST neighbors in the WHOLE world! We are so sad to be leaving....but we are excited for our new adventure!

**EDITED TO SAY: My Personal Blog is now private...and I am happy to say....we SOLD everything...and there is an OFFER on our house! Just PRAY that it goes through and that they are SUPER cool people so our friends in our old neighborhood will still love us and come visit us in VEGAS!! :)

Another Scrapbooked Picture Frame...

2009-07-09T11:32:00.000-07:00

My sister's birthday was in June...and I had her pick out the colors....and I made her a scrapbooked picture frame....all she needs to do is insert a picture!! I have two of these in my home...they look completely different and company always comments on them! Super easy projects that you can custom-make to fit your home!!

My Latest 4th of July Craft...

2009-07-07T22:33:00.000-07:00

So - my posting will be pretty sporatic during July & August....with my schedule being SO crazy!! But - I thought I would post one of my last crafts...my Star Trio! I have about FOUR others that I will snap pics of and get posted...for now, here is THIS one!

ChOrE cHaRtS....

2009-07-02T10:00:00.000-07:00

Controlling My Chaos created these darling chore charts. Click HERE to go to her blog and she gives a hint on how to "download" her charts. She also goes over the chores that her girls have.

I originally found the charts on Nanny Goat...and I liked some of the things SHE said about chores as well!! Click HERE for that post.

Un-BEAR-ably CUTE!!

2009-07-01T13:00:00.000-07:00

Would you like to be able to MAKE this adorable creature!?! Well, you are in LUCK!! Sunny Stampin' just happens to have a pdf download that you can print and follow. She is VERY detailed with lots and lots of pics!! Click HERE to go to that post of hers.

Sweet Hair Thangs...

2009-06-30T10:17:00.000-07:00

Little Birdie Secrets recently had a giveaway from an etsy shop called Cherry Blossom Shop. SUCH cute accessories for l'il girlies hair!! A few of them reminded me of scrapbooking items that I already have!

{SQUEAL!} I adore the one above!!

This last one was a clip.

A few CUTE Cards...

2009-06-29T13:07:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple of cute cards from Heartland Paper....I love how SIMPLE they are!!

Unique PaPeR Flower...

2009-06-29T13:00:00.000-07:00

Heartland Paper has these flowers on display in their store and they were kind enough to provide the link to a great tutorial on HOW to make them! Since this is something I know my students would love, I am "bookmarking" this!

Click HERE for the tutorial.

Another Neat QUIET Book...

2009-06-28T13:10:00.000-07:00

I have posted about Quiet Books before...but I really liked this one as well. PLUS - it reminded me of the one MY mom made for us when I was a kid! U Create found this post on Naptime Journal's blog about where she found this inspiration for her book. A lot of her ideas came from coloring books that she already had. Check out her blog for even MORE details!

What easy fun for the little ones to stay busy!

THESE pages look JUST like the one's I used to do when I was little!!

Inspiration FOR Cards..

2009-06-27T10:41:00.000-07:00

Capture the Moment has TONS of ideas for fun cards....in case you are in need of some homemade inspiration. Like I have said earlier...I am not a "Stampin' It Up" gal...I have too many interests to spend a lot of money on stamps....BUT I love to gather ideas from the fabulous cards these gals come up with! Enjoy the sampling today:

A MeMoRy Tray

2009-06-26T13:32:00.000-07:00

An Altered State of Mind came up with this "Memory Tray." She is a VERY crafty gal and I love her take on scrapbooking. This would look DARLING on a shelf in her little girl's room!! I LOVE the "K" and the swirls around it! One day...I will be duplicating this!!

Party of ALL Parties!!

2009-06-25T13:39:00.000-07:00

Tip Junkie posted about a party that ADULTS threw...and it sounded like SOOO much fun! It was a "grown-up" scavenger hunt!! My husband's birthday is next month and this got me SOOO excited to plan something like this!! A few of the activities included sliding down concrete slides on cardboard...

...they collected a NEW clue at each stop...

...and it all ended in a HUGE "Color Fight."

SOOOO much fun!!

**EDITED TO SAY: A reader brought to my attention that Holi Colors (which is what they used in the color fight above) is bad for both our skin AND the environment. I checked it out...and she's right! I had never even heard of Holi Colors until I read about the above scavenger hunt on Tip Junkie. SO - here are some alternative solutions! There are ways to make your OWN environmentally safe Holi Colors - from plants....there are recipes all over the Internet. They used to make it naturally, but eventually companies started adding harmful chemicals in. OR - when I was in High School....for an activity before one of the dances....we all put on white T-Shirts & we each had a super soaker filled with a different color of water.....and we had a COLORED water fight! It was SOOOOO much fun and we had pretty cool tie-dyed shirts to wear! Warning - it may also dye your skin! Tee, hee!

Cards for The ONES Who Teach Your L'il Ones...

2009-06-24T14:15:00.000-07:00

Pursuit of Craftyness had a TON of ideas for cards & gifts for teachers. Here is a sampling of some of the lovely cards she had.

DAH-ling, huh!!

Dazzle Design?? No Kidding!!

2009-06-23T22:05:00.000-07:00

Tip Junkie recently featured Design Dazzle in one of her posts...and I am LOVING their ideas!! They have an online store and a blog. They are all about decorating ideas for kids and teens.

What an ADORABLE diaper cake....found on the blog. She was showcasing other blogger's ideas!!

To DIE for cookies!! Seriously, this is one of my NEW favorites! Baby Showers will be a CINCH from now on with all of these ideas!!

SuPeR Cute Baby Blanket....Awww...

2009-06-22T13:04:00.000-07:00

U Create found this BEAUTIFUL tutorial on how to make a baby blanket....

It's on Moda Bake Shop's website...and OHHHH...how I LOVE to sew straight lines! I am still leery of graduating from that stage!! (Oh, but it HAS been done before!!)

Just LOOK at her pics! They seem SO easy to follow...and the result is fantastic!!

This reminds me of another quilt that I made LONG ago.....remember THIS post..

BUT - this one is MUCH cuter! It reminds me of an antique. AND - imagine the cuddly baby that will be nestled inside! SQUEAL!!

Decor for America's B-Day!!

2009-06-21T13:27:00.000-07:00

Be Different, Act Normal found this tutorial on how to make this FESTIVE garland for the upcoming 4th of July! I love the sharp, crisp colors!! I read thru the directions and it doesn't seem too tricky. Click HERE for the tutorial from good 'ole Martha.

CaRdS GaLoRe!!

2009-06-21T11:02:00.000-07:00

Here are some recent cards from Sunny Stampin' that I really liked!! I love the simple ones that I can easily recreate with scrapbooking paper, embellishments, and colors that I have. Great Inspiration!!

fLoWeR cArD...

2009-06-20T13:00:00.000-07:00

"GREAT!!" You say....a flowerpot! Hmmmm...what's so neat about that!?! Well, just LOOK at the next picture!!

HOW flippin' cute is that!! I love it! I already have a TON of flowers precut with my nifty silhouette machine...just waiting to be put into a bouquet! I will be using bright pinks, yellows, lime greens, and blues!!

Sunny Stampin' came up with this one! Click HERE for more directions...she even has a download to help you out with the flower pot!

MORE Shirt Cards for Father's Day

2009-06-19T18:21:00.000-07:00

Martha had a little tutorial on how to make THESE cards for Father's Day. I liked that they had sleeves....but I am not lovin' the ties. (One Pretty Thing found this idea, by the way.) I actually MADE this card above! Super cute! I found it on One Day When I Have Time. It doesn't have the sleeves...but who cares!! It's flippin' adorable!! The tutorial for this is HERE.

...and here is the one I made....

...ERRR...the THREE I made...

...maybe next time I will combine the two ideas...so I have a cute tie AND sleeves! :)

STILL Need Father's Day Ideas??

2009-06-19T10:47:00.000-07:00

If you STILL don't know what you would like to do for Father's Day...then Tip Junkie usually comes to the rescue. I picked out my FAVORITE ideas from her post...to keep in mind for FUTURE years for ME!! I hope this helps! I love the above photo montage...there is an even CUTER "Dad" one she put together HERE.
An EXPLOSION Box...unfortunately, they are charging for this "kit"....but I found a GREAT tutorial HERE.

OOohhh!! Isn't this card CUTE!! I love the shirt! The step-by-step tutorial on HOW to make this shirt is HERE.

...and then for the "WORKING MAN"...here is another idea for a crad. The tutorial is not a detailed, but HEY...we are just glad she shared some of her secrets! Here is a brief explanation of how she made the card above and HERE is a little bit more in depth look at HOW she did it.

This one is a CUTE toolbox with a card that goes with it for the "Hands-On" guy. Go HERE for some more info on this one.

And last of all...the gifts that come from the heart!! You can find these free print outs on Executive Homemaker. Make the man in your life a Coupon Book! He will LOVE it!

Teacher's STAMP of Approval...

2009-06-18T13:48:00.000-07:00

This gift...found by U Create...on No Fuss Fabulous...has MY "Teacher Stamp of Approval." It's cute, creative, and simple. I know school is out for all the traditional schools, but for Year-Round schools...this could be a fun end-of-the year present for your student's teacher.

Other gifts that I think have been wonderful in the past: Gift Cards to Barnes & Noble, CHOCOLATE, anything date-related (I think those are SUPER thoughtful)...such as gift cards to a movie rental place or a movie theater. One parent put together a "Date Basket" for me...including the drinks, yummy junk food, popcorn, tubberware bowls & cups, games, and a movie!! AWWWW!! It was one of my favorite presents!! Teachers do NOT make a whole lotta money...so when we are given something that has some thought put into it...I love it even MORE!!
Here's the cute download that goes with the Pencil Bouquet above. If you want to make your OWN card....you can easily download cute fonts like the one above (made to look like a handwriting book) from the Internet for FREE! Just Google it!

Custom Basket Liner??!? I'm In!

2009-06-17T17:00:00.000-07:00

I LOVE this post from Make It & Love It!! She showcased a tutorial on how to make EASY (key word) basket liners! I think this caught my eye because I just "jazzed up" basket that are on a shelf above my washer & dryer. What can't a girl do with spray paint and a sewing machine?? Oh, and modge podge, and paint, and a glue gun, and a SAW.....

A Kiddo ART Table!!

2009-06-17T13:00:00.000-07:00

Design Dazzle found this idea on Martha's website on how to turn a regular kid's table into an ART table...complete with a mounted paper roll!! LOVE this idea! My family had those HUGE paper rolls growing up and we loved to write on them....but THIS idea makes it SOOO much easier!!

Personalize YOUR Yahtzee!!

2009-06-16T12:28:00.000-07:00

I laughed when I saw this idea!! First of all, Jamie (my husband)...and his family are DIE-HARD Yahtzee-lovers! They introduced me to the game and now I love it!! I can't imagine "tossing" these huge cubes, though! I think it's a spectacular idea...but one that I would probably modify to make the cubes/dice smaller. SUPER creative!! U Create found this idea on The Thrify Chick. She has a GREAT tutorial and the link to download the actual Yahtzee Score Cards are HERE!

BUT - be sure to go to The Thrify Chick's blog to check out how she put this all together. I was impressed after I read over it!! Have fun! I MAY just have to make this for his family for Christmas!!

Gardening 101

2009-06-16T10:12:00.000-07:00

Mrs. D. Lightful used the ABOVE book as her "bible" to create...

This lovely garden!!

She walked you thru how they put this together...this is GREAT for those of you who want to work on your "Green Thumbs"...yet don't have a large space outside. Check out her post for more details!

Father's Day CARD...and L'il Somethin'...

2009-06-15T12:34:00.000-07:00

Lovin' all these Father's Day Gift ideas!! U Create came up with another one that she found at Creative Itch! I think it's adorable!! Go HERE for the tutorial!! Hopefully the link for the tutorial works for you!! It was having issues today!

OooHhhhh!! Adorable Father's Day Treat!!

2009-06-14T15:12:00.001-07:00

Seriously!?! I mean, SERIOUSLY!!! How adorable is this?? The "hamburgers" are made out of cupcakes & brownies & the fries are sugar cookies! I would LOVE to make this for Father's Day!! I might need to recruit some friends since this would be QUITE the undertaking for me!! Wow!

I am SURE you can guess where I found this...Bakerella's blog! She is the QUEEN of baking!

Check out her blog for MORE pics & the downloads for the paper goods. Have FUN!!

MORE Teacher Gift Ideas...

2009-06-14T10:21:00.000-07:00

LOVE The Creative Homemaker's Blog!! She posted a couple of FAB teacher gift ideas...starting with the above pic & gift card. Hmmmm....I wonder if you can figure out what the gift card is for!?!

THEN - she found this idea on Everything Is Pink. I have seen this idea circulating around and in fact, a teacher I work with actually got THIS as a gift this year! Who wouldn't LOVE money!?! BUT - I think the best part of it...is the writing that goes inside....check out THIS link (scroll down a little) for more details on WHAT it is and how to make it. THIS gal also made this gift and she REALLY goes into detail on how to make it! I loved her ideas!!

Oooohhhh!! A little look inside!

Another "take" on how to dress up the outside!

Scratch-Off Card For Dad!!

2009-06-13T14:25:00.000-07:00

SOOO fun!! Design Dazzle gave a tutorial on HOW to make a "scratch-off" card for Father's Day!! She even gives links so that you can download the front AND inside!
What a CUTE idea! This is something your chilluns could help out with!!

Does HE Want A Clean Car??

2009-06-13T12:15:00.000-07:00

I rested for a WEEK...and now I am ready to jump back into "filing" great ideas!! U Create found this EASY Father's Day gift on The Children's Nest's blog. This would be PERFECT for MY hubby...but we don't have any chilluns quite yet.....but HOPEFULLY this helps out some of YOU!!

Yep...I am STILL alive!!

2009-06-05T14:01:00.000-07:00

...BUT barely!!

The picture above pretty much sums up my last few weeks. I am EXHAUSTED!! Today was my LAST day with this group of students.....and they have used up every last ounce of strength I had. It was a rough year - LOTS of naughty children!! As the kids were walking out the door, one of my sweet kiddos made the comment, "Mrs. C., you are handling this pretty well! Last year, at my last school, my teacher was bawling!" I just smiled and hugged him good-bye. Little did he know that I ALSO cried last year....it was my FAVORITE group ever....this would be the first year I haven't cried...there IS a first for everything!

Add to that the fact that our school is getting a complete make-over this summer...which means that all of the teachers had to box up their ENTIRE classrooms....I brought all my personal stuff home (I don't want my stuff to get beat up during the renovation process) and my husband was sweet enough to let me fill up our third car garage with all my stuff!! I have spent HOURS afterschool packing, organizing, throwing away stuff, boxing, taping, labeling, hauling, moving, etc. Like I said, it's been an exhausting few weeks!!

SO...now that it is SuMmEr, I will have more time to do what I LOVE...which is crafts!

Birthday CARD Organizer....

2009-05-20T09:57:00.001-07:00

Are you a "Birthday-FoRgEtTeR"???? (...yes...that is a MADE-up word...)

Well - I am!! I have seen SO many fabulous ways to organize your birthday cards...and Nanny Goat had this idea. I thought I would book-mark it...just in case it's the one I finally decide upon!

She gives a GREAT tutorial HERE!

Free Digi-Scrapbookin' Download!

2009-05-18T09:34:00.000-07:00

Ya LIKE!?! Little Miss Crafty Pants created the FREE...yep, i said FREE digi-scrapbook layouts & embellishments for all of us to download! What a sweetheart. She's calling it a "belated present"...since Mother's Day WAS a week ago......so be sure to take advantage of her wonderful present..and click on her name above. Make sure to write her a SWEET comment...thanking her! I love it when people are so willing to share with others...and I think they should KNOW how much we all appreciate it!

Seriously...I am LOVIN' digi-scrapbooking! I was rather hesitant about getting into it...because I thought the learning curve would take ME forever! Here's what I did...Shabby Princess is a WONDERFUL site that has free tutorials! I just opened up my Adobe Photoshop Elements program....opened up the right Shabby Princess tutorial...and flipped back & forth....and I LEARNED in ONE HOUR!! Yes...ladies & gentlemen...it CAN be done! Good luck...and may you ALL fall in love with online scrapbookin'....just as I did!

Father's Day Card

2009-05-17T11:00:00.000-07:00

Skip To My Lou found the tutorial to make these adorable cards for Father's Day! I loved this idea because it's simple enough for my 5th graders to do for THEIR dads!

Click HERE for the instructions. Have FUN!!

FUN Father's Day Presents...

2009-05-16T10:00:00.000-07:00

Tip Junkie highlighted a few ideas for Father's Day...I was completely impressed with this book above! She gives a mini-tutorial here.

This one above was my ALL time favorite!! Over the Tipsy Top suggests a "Plan A Date With Dad" Gift Basket. You have each of your kids pick their favorite place to eat, activity to do, or place to go. THEN...you get a gift certificate to that place and the two of them can use it together. I showed my hubby and he totally approves!! Awwwww!! Dates with DAD! Soooo Fun!!

This card is pretty clever...

She used three envelopes as the base...attached them together to make an accordion-style card...and slipped memorable pictures inside.

Isn't it cute!? She also hooks us all up with a VERY detailed tutorial! I just might attempt this...I don't have the "Stamp It Up" sets that she used....but my handy-dandy computer sure does WONDERS when it comes to fancy fonts...and it's MUCH more cost-effective in my mind. (Don't shoot me...all you "Stamp It Up" fans...I just don't scrapbook with paper enough to invest.) Here's the tutorial.

Let's Pack a LUNCH!!

2009-05-13T12:32:00.000-07:00

Ok....THIS caught my eye for a FEW reasons! (Little Birdie Secrets made a denim picnic blanket...) #1...I have actually made a patchwork JEAN quilt before! Oh yes...the non-sewing Tara did indeed attempt this seemingly impossible task....

I was in college and OH so in love with my college boyfriend...at the time. I was determined to make him a gift he would NEVER forget. I hit upon the idea of a JEAN quilt! The call went out to our apartment complex that I was in need of jeans...and before you knew it....jeans were being left on our front doorstep EVERY night!

One of our TALL friends donated a pair of his and I was able to make the WHOLE middle section with his pants alone!! Oh....did I mention I decided to make a KING-sized jean quilt??

As I was making it....and it took a LONG time (I even tied it)...my mom & dad joked around that if my boyfriend & I ever broke up....that I would HAVE to demand that he give this quilt back!! Of course, ME...the "oh-so-wise" youngster...knowing that this true love would always last... laughed off their teasing.

He LOVED his present....said it was the BEST present anyone had ever given him. He was very touched!

....we broke up later that year.

...he still has the quilt...

....but HEY...I met & married my PRINCE Charming!!

So, I guess we all ended up living happily ever after!!
...which is WHY I would be willing to tackle a NEW quilt for this man-o-mine....one that we could take on PICNICS!! Little Birdie Secrets hooks us up with great step-by-step instructions....see her posts below!

Intro
Part I
Part II
Part III
Part IV

P.S. Don't EVER make a king-sized Levi Quilt!! That sucker was HEAVY!!
P.S.S. The pictures are ALL from Little Birdie Secrets....can't take the credit there....but doesn't it look fun!

Patches of CoLoR!!

2009-05-12T18:29:00.000-07:00

What a darling patchwork skirt! This MIGHT be something I could actually do. One Pretty Thing posted about this colorful attire...which they found on THIS website.

Walk A Mile In A L'il Shoe...

2009-05-08T13:00:00.000-07:00

Crazy Crafty Cousins stumbled across this FUN Mary Jane Shoe party favor for a Baby Shower. You can get the template HERE.

Clean MuCh??

2009-05-07T13:00:00.000-07:00

OK...so I am not a mom yet...BUT I have heard enough horror stories from friends & family about the things your precious darlings can do to homes.....that I thought I better make sure I KNOW what takes crayon off couches, syrup out of carpet, stains outta clothing, and so forth BEFORE they arrive. (Or at least get a head start!) Crazy Crafty Cousins posted about the cleaning product above...and now swears by it. Read her story HERE.

(P.S. Someone else who reads her blog did an Internet search and supposedly you can find this product at ACE Hardware, Albertsons, Rite Aid and Bed, Bath & Beyond.)

Funky FloWeRs...

2009-05-06T12:39:00.000-07:00

Good 'Ole Martha Stewart does come thru every once in a while with a fun craft. She had this lady on her show who is WAY into 60's vintage flowers...and created the masterpiece above. Click HERE to get directions and even watch a tutorial.