Halloween Word Blocks - New Release

Halloween is one of my most favorite holidays to decorate for.  I love that for one holiday a year I can put away all the "cutest feel good decorations" and get out the spider webs, haunted houses, ghosts, ghouls, witches and goblins.   Even though these blocks do belong in the "cute" category, they do not have your standard Halloween words or phrases which makes them an acceptable Halloween decoration in my house. 

Visit my Etsy Shop to get your DIY printable . . .HERE!
an instruction sheet and complete supply list is included with this file.

I linked up at the the following sites: 

Children's Payday Punch Card - New Release

I have been in major need of a chore card system that worked for both me and my kids for a long time now.  I have tried and tried new ideas, but they all seem to fizzle out. 

One day when I was at one of my favorite sandwich shops for lunch, as I was pulling out my customer loyalty card  (you know the kind:  1 sandwich = 1 punch . . .10 punches = 1 FREE sandwich)  I got the idea for my current chore system.   My kids and I have been testing it out for months and it works like a charm. 

One reason it works so well, is that it is a self managed system.  When I come upon a job the kids can do, I write the chore on their "Chore To Do" card.  I give them a little shout out that they have a new chore to complete.  After they are done with their chore, they give themselves a punch on their "Payday Punch Card."  I try to average 2 chores a day so they can be paid weekly.  Once the kids have complete 12 chores, they get paid.  They hand me their completed card, I give them their money and then they start all over again.  Currently my kids earn $1 a card, but I love that I can increase their pay without changing one thing about the system. 

Another great aspect of this system is your kids decide when they get paid.  My son has opted out of his chore card a few time, but he has learned the hard way that if he does, he does get paid as fast as his sister.

This kit includes 6 "Payday Punch Card" designs (3 boy and 3 girls) with a cordinatng "Chore To Do" card and a cordinating blank card.  I love to use the blank card to leave little "love notes" for my kids. 

Once you purchase your file, all you have to do it print, trim and laminate (just the chore/blank cards) and you are ready to go. 

Visit my shop {HERE} to get your Payday Punch Card System!

I have linked up at the following: 

Another Back To School Printable

Don't forget about my A&W Root Beer printable, you can get HERE, if you need a quick and easy gift idea for your new teachers, neighbors, friends or family. 

Back To School Word Blocks - New Release

I don't know about you, but I am ready for school to start.  My kids are bored and it seems like we have run out of things to do at my house.  Since I live in Vegas, it is too hot to send my kids outside to play, go to the park or even take an evening bike ride - we would just melt.  So I always look forward to the new school year as it gets my kids active and doing something. 

To help get my kids ready and a bit more excited about the new school year, I decided to make some of my stackable word blocks.  They love them for all the other holidays, why not for a new school year?   Of course my daughter loved them.  The reading block is her favorite.  I am sure they will come in  handy for my annual back to school dinner.  They will look great as part of my tablescape.

They would also make a great gift to your new teacher this year.  What a fun display to have on their desk all year round. 

Visit my Etsy Shop to get your DIY printable . . .HERE!
an instruction sheet and complete supply list is included with this file.

I linked up at the following: 

Brown Sugar Bacon Wrapped Chicken

My sister in law was the first to PIN this recipe and treated my family to it at a barbeque a month or so ago.  I have since made it for my family a handful of times and even made it for family I was visiting a few weeks ago.  It has quickly become my hubby's favorite chicken recipe.  His mouth waters for it once I tell him it is on the dinner menu and my daughter LOVES it because it is wrapped in bacon. She believes that anything is better with bacon and she is only 7. 

Be sure to give this recipe a try - I am sure you will not be disappointed. 

 INGREDIENTS

4 chicken breasts cut in thirds (12 pieces)

Bacon slices

salt and pepper to taste

garlic powder

chili powder

brown sugar

DIRECTIONS

Cut each breast into 3 pieces, season all the chicken with the spices, then wrap a bacon slice around each piece, roll in brown sugar and place into a deep sided dish if grilling or a greased cookie sheet. 

Bake at 400 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and bacon is nice and brown and crispy.  Or Grill on a medium high heat until chicken is cook through.  ENJOY!

Teacher's Post-It Note Stand - FREEBIE

 The new school year is rapidly approaching and my little girl is starting to feel a bit nervous about entering the 2nd grade. She got her teacher assignment in the mail yesterday and she doesn't know her new teacher nor do I so her anxiety just bumped up a notch or two. 

To help get her excited for school and her new teacher, I put together a little gift for her to take to Ms Thompson on the first day of school and now I am GIVING it to you as well.  This gift is so simple to make and only cost me $2.00 to put together.  All you need to do is download my file (see below link), cut out the image, frame it in an acyclic frame and add Post-It Notes to the outside of the frame.  As my daughter would say "Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy!"  I bought the frame and Post-It Notes at Walmart for $1.00 each. 

        

I also created it in 4 different colors so you can coordinate sticky notes, mix and match for more color or maybe you could be lucky enough to put your school colors together. 

{Download HERE}

I linked up at the following sites:  Tatertots and Jello,  Six Sister's Stuff, Simply Designing,  The Grant Life,  Be Different Act Normal,  Craft Envy,  I am Only 1 Woman,  Miss Information,  Skip to My Lou,  Sumo's Sweet Stuff,  C.R.A.F.T,  Tip Junkie,  Todays Creative Blog,  Sugar Bee Crafts,  Lady Bug Blessings,  Someday Crafts,  Seven Thrity Three,  CSI Project

Chocolate Chip Muffin Bites

I am addicted to pinning recipes on Pintrest.  I'm sure I will never make most of the pinned recipes, but there are a select few that I just cannot resist trying.  I found this PIN yesterday and made these Chocolate Chip Muffing Bites this morning with the kiddos.  The kids LOVED them and they have put my chocolate cravings to rest for the day.   And the best part about these little bites . . .ONLY 3 ingredients.  Now, when you see the ingredient list, don't be scared.  The words "sugar free" and "canned pumpkin" are not what you expect when having a chocolaty treat, but trust me . . . they are YUMMY!!! 

INGREDIENTS

1 boxed sugar free chocolate cake mix

1 15 oz can of pumpkin puree

1/2 cup of mini chocolate chips + some extra regular size morsels for the top

INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Mix together cake mix and canned pumpkin with hand mixer. Mix for about 2 minutes to allow for a more fluffy muffin.  Fold in the chocolate chips.   Line mini muffin pan with liners and fill with batter almost to the top.  This batter is dense and does not rise much so they can be filled to the top.  Add a 3-4 chips to the top.

Bake for 10-11 min or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean!

Make 48 mini muffins

I linked up at the following:

Eighteen25,  Tatertots and Jello

Firecracker - FREEBIE

I received an e-mail from one of my readers a few weeks ago wondering if it would be possible to come up with some sort of 4th of July firecracker Mod Podge craft.  I thought it was a great idea and knew that they would look great on my tablescape.  I had seen a few ideas floating around Pintrest and wanted to come up with my own spin.  Since I used coordinating paper, these little guys match my 4th of July word block perfectly.  They were quick and easy to make - especially since I made them right along side word blocks.

Download FREEBIE and full instructions - click HERE!

As a side note - when I was trying to find a wooden dowel large enough for this project, Lowes was the only store that carried 1" or larger so you may want to look there first.  I used 1 1/8" size for my firecrackers. 


Linked up at the following . . .

Tatertots and Jello, 

4th of July Blocks - NEW RELEASE

I love the 4th of July.  I love the fireworks, the barbecues and all things red, white and blue.  Growing up, the 4th was all about the fireworks.  I hated waiting for dark to come because as a child, it never seemed to come fast enough. I loved snuggling on my blanket and watching the fireworks go off.  Now as an adult, I have a much deeper appreciation for the 4th.  It is more than just the fun holiday I remember as a kid.  I know that I am blessed to live in and be an American.  I am grateful for the liberty that I am afforded because I live in this great nation. 

I knew that I needed to add to my growing collection of word block with a 4th of July set.  I love the way they turned out.  They were a perfect addition to my 4th tablescape. 

Visit my Etsy Shop to get your 4th of July DIY printable . . .HERE!
an instruction sheet and complete supply list is included with this file.

While you are at my Etsy shop, you also might like to check out my Summertime Blocks - HERE. 

I have linked up at the following . . .

Be Different Act Normal,  Craft Envy,  I am Only 1 Woman,  Polly Want a Crafter, Six Sisters Stuff, Skip To My Lou,  Sumo's Sweet Stuff,  C.R.A.F.T,  Polly Want a Crafter,  Singing Three Little Birds,  Sew Can Do,  Making the World Cuter,  Today's Creative Blog, Ladybug Blessings,  Sugar Bee Crafts,  Tip Junkie,  My Girlish Whims,  Lil Luna,  Passionately Artistic,  Not Just a Housewife,  Funky Polkadot Giraffe,  Sew Much Ado, 

Easter Rabbit Wooden Block - FREEBIE

I have a FREEBIE to offer you today.  Isn't it so cute?!?!  I want you to see how easy it is to create my wooden blocks so give this one a try.  I designed the freebie to coordinate with my Easter Word Blocks.  They look really cute together or it can stand separate as I have on my April Table Scape.  A list of supplies and instructions come with this freebie download. 

Download your FREEBIE
HERE

Easter Word Blocks - NEW RELEASE

I am so excited that Easter is around the corner.  When growing up that meant that warm weather was around the corner.  However, I live in Vegas and we have already experienced some 80 degree weather days so I am not looking for better weather.  I am already enjoying it.  But because I live in a desert landscape, I miss seeing the new flowers blossom and.  So I needed to add a pop of color somehow to my home decor.  I loved my St Patty's Day blocks so much, I created some Easter ones.  The pop of color was just what my house needed. 
While the kids played outside for the afternoon, I enjoyed some "me time" creating my Easter Word blocks.   Honestly one of my favorite things about Easter is Starburst Jellybeans so knew I had to have a jellybean block to honor my favorite treat.  The Jellybean block is my favorite one. 

Visit my Etsy Shop to get your DIY printable . . .HERE!
an instruction sheet and complete supply list is included with this file.

I linked up at the following . . .

Someday Crafts, Seven Thirty Three,  Passionately Artistic,  Sew Much Ado, Somewhat Simple,  House of Hepworths, Kate's Nesting Spot, The Shabby Nest,  Fingerprints on the Fridge,  Simply Sweet Home,  Chic on a Shoe String Budget,  A Little Knick Knack,  Home is Where My Story Begins, Finding Fabulous,  Its A Hodge Podge Life,  Sassy Sites,  Simple Home Life,  Simply Designing, 

Our Leprechaun Trap is Set . . .

is yours?!?!

Holiday Flare

Some of you may have seen my tablescape over at my sister's blog - My Computer is My Canvas.  She was the one who inspired me to decorate for the holidays.  I am not the type to decorate the whole house for the holidays.  I just want a splash of holiday flare so I stick to decorating my dinning room table with a fun tablescape.  Throwing together some holiday flare is easy.  Here's what I like to do . . .

I love to decorate with food.  When I was looking for some St Patrick's Day decorations, there was not much to be found so I headed for the produce section of the grocery store where the limes caught my eye.  Since I was going for a green motif, limes were perfect.  Then I headed to the candy section and the Skittles wrapper caught my eye because of the rainbow.  These two items are not what you would normally think of when decorating for St Patty's Day, but because I was thinking outside the box I found some awesome additions to my tablescape. 

These little pots of gold are my favorite part of the tablescape.  They are actually cauldrons that I purchased during the Halloween season last year just for this purpose.  All I had to do was add some Rolos and some cute ribbon and the cauldrons were transformed.  I am always on the look out for some simple decorations that will make a fun addition to my tablescape all year round. 

I hope these tips will help you create a fun tablescape for your holiday flare.

St Patty's Day Word Blocks

Pin It

One of my favorite holiday decorations is a set of Halloween stackable word blocks.  I picked them up a few years ago and can't wait to get them out every Halloween.  I have always wanted a set for every holiday, but was never able to find anything similar.  So, while I was "pinning" one night, the thought popped into my mind to make my own.  I wished I would have thought of this years ago.  

This project was quick, easy and fun.  In fact it was so easy that I was able to complete my blocks while my 7 week old baby took a nap snugged up in his BABYBJORN sling.  All you need is some wooden blocks (bought and cut at the local Home Depot), paint, sand paper, Mod Podge and the DIY Printable available for purchase in my Etsy Shop. 

Visit my Etsy Shop to get your printable . . .HERE!
an instruction sheet and complete supply list is included with this file.

Linked up at . . .

Skip To My Lou, Sugar Bee Crafts,  Sumo's Sweet Stuff,  Today's Creative Blog,  Tip Junkie,  Funky Polkadot Giraffe,  Hope Studios,  Not Just A Housewife, Lil' Luna,  Blue Cricket Design,  Sew Much Ado,  Passionately Artistic, 

Arise and Shine Forth - LDS YW Printable

Pin It

I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and am lucky enough to be involved with the Young Women's program.  That means I get to spend my time with the 12 - 18 year old girls of the church.  Each year, there is a common theme that is used church wide for teaching the girls standards and values.  This year the theme is Arise and Shine Forth.  We, as YW leaders, wanted to give the girls something to keep with them through out the year to remember this theme and what's better than chapstick.  I love all the chapstick covers ideas from My Computer Is My Canvas so used them to create our own custom chapstick labels.  I didn't just stop there, I created a bookmark to give at a later date and a Subway Art Poster to hang on our bulletin board.  We are so excited for this years theme and to give the girls these fun handouts throughout the year. 

This free download includes chapstick labels, bookmarks and an 8x10 Subway Art Poster -
Download HERE!