My Computer is My Canvas

Pebble-Potted Bulbs for Spring

2012-03-02T08:30:00.000-05:00

Some of you noticed my pebble-potted bulbs that I have displayed on my St. Patty's Day mantle (here), so I thought I'd show you how easy they are to make. All you need are pebbles (I got mine from the dollar store), glass jars (I got these from the dollar store as well - but they are AWESOME in mason jars too) and some bulbs. Bulbs of all varieties are widely available right now at home improvement stores, so pick your favorite ones. Some are big, some are small, some are expensive and some are cheap - so keep in mind both the size of your jar and the size of your budget when choosing. :)

All you need to do is fill your jar about half full of pebbles (floral marbles work great too), then set the bulb (root side down) into the pebbles. You'll need to shimmy the bulb down into the pebbles a bit, or fill in some pebbles on the sides. The stalks will grow very tall and the flowers will be heavy, so the bulb will need to be anchored down in the rocks pretty good. Finally, fill the jar with water... you'll want to keep it between the top of the rock line and the bottom of the bulb (or so). Don't over water them or they'll grow mold (YUCK), put them in a window sill and watch them grow!

Most bulbs, when forced indoors, will begin to grow pretty quickly and should be at full bloom within 3 to 4 weeks. I am addicted to these fun gems and love to give them away. I give them to friends, ladies I visit, teachers and will be giving them as shower favors next week. Be sure to keep a few for yourself to enjoy... if you get yours started now, they bloom in time for Easter!

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Shamrock Canvas Art Tutorial...

2012-02-28T22:00:00.000-05:00

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St. Patrick's Day is a tough one to decorate for. There really isn't much out there - and what is out there at the stores is a little blah (okay, it's alot blah). As I wondered Michael's looking for a project, I saw these darling scrapbook flowers and my wheels started turning!!

In all, I picked up the flower embellishments (which were on sale for $2.99), a 12x12 canvas and a package of brads. Using a brad poker (sorry, I don't know what it's really called.. but it pokes holes for you to make setting brads easier), I poked a hole so the brad would go through the canvas. I layered the flowers randomly, using both small and large gold and green brads.

In the end, I had a really clean, but totally fun and dimensional shamrock. I wish I'd have drawn it a little bit bigger and I might go back and enlarge it later, but I really do like how it turned out. I think I'll be heading back to the store for more flower embellishments and canvas boards though... just think of the fun possibilities! A flower for Spring, a red and blue star for July, a yellow and orange sun for August. Oh, boy. Don't EVEN get me started!

I've got boxes to pack, what am I doing?!!

Linking up with... http://lilluna.com/

St. Patty's Day Mantle & Subway Art

2012-02-27T09:29:00.000-05:00

March is only a few days away... so it's time to pull out your green!

St. Patty's is a super fun holiday for the kids and although it's probably one we tend to overlook when it comes to decorating... tossing a little green up is sure to get some happy giggles out of your little ones and might even help you survive those last weeks of Winter gloom. I haven't ever done too much decorating in green, but this year with my new Subway Art it set a fun tone for my mantle and I love it. So head to the dollar store to grab some gold coins, grab a bag of skittles for a hurricane jar and tie some green ribbon around white candles and you'll be set!

Today I'm giving away 200 16x20 Subway Art images of the print on the right... so hurry quick to grab yours! Once they are gone, the link will expire and you'll have to head to my Etsy Shop - no worries, just use "LUCKY20" to save 20% if you miss the freebie!

{FREEBIE LINK EXPIRED}

(Sorry you missed the freebie today!! Please visit my Etsy Shop to get one.)
I love PINS, comments and FB followers!! :)

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I've also bundled my St. Patty's Day banner, Countdown and Subway Package into one package HERE in case you want the whole collection. Enjoy!

Linking up with.... http://www.skiptomylou.org/ http://lilluna.com/

And my winners are...

2012-02-24T14:00:00.001-05:00

Congratulations, Ladies!!

After seeing all of these entries, I couldn't just pick 2 winners... I had to pick 3!!! Honestly, if I wasn't a busy mom with mounds of laundry to do, I'd have chosen more. :)

I've emailed each of winners the details for having their Baptism Subway Art done. I'm excited to design their art and hope they enjoy the print as much as I do!

If you didn't win... KEEP READING!!

Yesterday, I offered my FB Fans any one freebie printable from my Etsy Shop with the purchase of each Custom Baptism Subway Art Print - and it went over so well, that I'm going to make that a permanent offering! So... just because you didn't win, that doesn't mean you can't get one. :)

Be sure to head over to my shop, order yours {HERE} and pick a freebie!!

St. Patty's Day Countdown!

2012-02-22T22:17:00.000-05:00

Time to start putting away your pink and decorating with a splash of green!

Brand new to my shop today is another countdown to add to our collections! I was sad I never got around to making one last year, so I had to get it done early before time escaped me again. It's a fun switch-out from the pink of Valentine's and I love how all of my countdowns store easily within the same frame. I also love-love-love the gold foiled Rolos on this one!!

Although... what I loved more were my kids' faces when they got home from school today and saw all the green. I love how excited they get about holidays - it's a trait they definitely got from me!

175 Freebies... Link Expired
To hear about freebies and new printales become a FB Fan!

DID YOU MISS THIS FREEBIE?
Visit my shop to grab one... HERE

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Linking up with.... http://www.skiptomylou.org/

GIVEAWAY - Baptism Subway Art

2012-02-21T15:10:00.001-05:00

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I belong to the LDS church and getting baptized at age 8 is a huge, huge deal. We love to celebrate and mark such a big event with momentos and with my daughter's baptism coming up soon, I wanted to make her something special. Then I thought... why not make them for my other already baptised kiddos so they could have one to display in their room as well?

Then I thought... what a fun print to add to my shop!

I've made it available in two color schemes, bright and pastel. I'll personalize it for you with the child's full name, full date including year, Ward and city/state or country.

Visit my Etsy Shop {HERE} for more pics and details.

NOW FOR THE GIVEAWAY...

I'll be giving away 2 personalized prints!!

Instructions for entering are below, winners will be selected on Friday (2/24).

UPDATE: WINNERS ANNOUNCED HERE

~~Leave me a comment (with your email address) for your first entry.~~

~~For a bonus entry, PIN this post on Pinterest and leave a comment with your email address.~~

Good luck!!

Linking up with.... http://www.skiptomylou.org/

14 Must Have Valentine Fonts!

2012-02-14T09:32:00.000-05:00

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It's February 14th and I've got my 14 most favorite free Valentine fonts linked up for you! Sadly, my font addiction has gotten worse... I've now turned into a full-fledged font snob. It's an illness. I collect fonts, I need fonts, I love fonts. Trust me though... using the right fonts can take any digital project from drab to fab - so be sure to have an arsenal full of great ones!

The links below will take you to the free download:

2Peas Heart's Delight Love Letters Cupid de Locke Hole Hearted
Country Hearts Heartland Regular Fatty Heart Filled Vanessa Words of Love
Lover Boy Love & Passion Fondinerdotcom Luvable
Kinkee Sweetie Pie

New Valentine Printables!

2012-02-04T19:47:00.001-05:00

So much Valentine cuteness... I just can't take it. :)

Although I am a "Fun Dip" mom and won't be breaking my back making over 100 crafy-ish Valentine's for my kids to pass out in their classes... I will definitely spend some time making cute favors for ladies I visit, special girl friends I can't live without and a few other fabulous people in my life.

... and my kids would definitely never forgive me if I didn't surprise them with new festive lip balm. I think I've officially turned my girls into chapstick snobs.

As I've mentioned in the past - reading is a big deal at our house. I have a colorful mix of reading strengths in my home - top to bottom - and I love how something as simple as a cute, holiday-ish bookmark encourages them to keep reading. Plus... they are an easy, no-brainer favor if you need one so I always make up an extra sheet or two.

The 2" goodie tags, bookmarks and lipbalm labels all have 4 designs - my favorite being the, "I Toadally Love You" and "Owl Always Love You" ones. Also, new with this printable, I'm offering the option to purchase the individual JPEG images for those of you who just want one particular design. Enjoy!

{VISIT MY SHOP HERE}

Thanks to all of you who participated in all of my freebie give-aways this past week!

In all, I gave away over 1,000 printables from my shop! :) I love to share, but this printable will be exclusive to my shop only and will not be part of any give-aways.

Celebrating Valentines with Printables...

2012-02-01T14:52:00.001-05:00

Have I ever mentioned that I love decorating with printables? I love to get creative on my computer, hit print and then finish it into something fun. I love that paper crafting is easy and inexpensive - it stores well and is easy to change out from month to month. I have subway art images for almost every month and each one stores so nicely right inside the frame. It's like no brainer decorating as its best. And... I love-love-love pennant banners. Enough said. :)

My fetish with paper doesn't stop at my mantle... I love the easy change out each month of my Menu Planner and Clipboard Calendar as well. Just like my subway art, I store all of my menus inside the frame for an easy switch-a-roo and changing my calendar is easy as well. I've also been doing the same with my kids' countdowns. Most of the countdowns/advents I've sized as 8x10 prints - which makes them easy to print and even easier to store and switch. My kids think I'm a rockstar... but really, I'm just good at switching out paper.

I also got my hubby's love note quote cards ready this afternoon... another printable also available in my shop. I gave away over 200 yesterday and they disappeared in just over an hour. Wow... that's alot of love notes for alot of hubby's out there. I hope it makes everyone's holiday a little more lovey-dovey! {wink, wink!} :)

So - in the spirit of continuing my LIMITED freebies this week... below you'll find a link to download a 16x20 image of my Valentine Subway Art image.

{275 LIMITED freebies... LINK EXPIRED}

Did you miss this freebie? Be sure to follow me on FB to be the first to grab special freebie offers!

I've set the limit at 275 and once they are gone... you'll have to head over to my shop to pick one up. BUT... never fear, if you missed it you can use "BEMINE" to save 25% through tomorrow!

PS... All of the printables shown in this post are available in my Etsy Shop {HERE}

Love Note Quotes...

2012-01-31T09:30:00.000-05:00

Did you seen the "Love Note Quotes" I made last year?

So fun.

Each card is a lovey-dovey quote for your Valentine. Hide them all for him on Valentine's day or leave him one to find each day... attach a tiny treat it you like.

Nothing like sending your hubby off to work with a little bit of love (and a little bit of chocolate).

After my husband collected them all last year, I laminated each card and clipped them together with a metal ring to make it into a cute Love Quote book. The set includes 17 quote cards (I thought I'd do a few extra) as well as included a blank sheet to write your own notes on. The blank ones can be used as goodie tags, lunch box love notes, or just to write a sweet message to someone you love.

{200 freebies LINK EXPIRED}

Did you miss this freebie? Be sure to follow me on FB to be the first to grab special freebie offers!

This printable is now available in my Etsy Shop {HERE}

PS... I {heart} comments, pins, followers and FB fans... just sayin' ;)

As always... I created this printable using Scrapbook Max Software!

Kissable Countdown 2 Valentine's

2012-01-30T11:23:00.001-05:00

Valentine's is just around the corner... so it's time to get those "Kissable Countdowns" ready for your family! This is an 8x10 image, perfect for framing so you can use it year after year.

I display mine on a clipboard and have one for each kiddo (and one for me, too). I just tied a bunch of coordinating ribbon to the metal clasp to make it festive and use double sided tape to attach the kisses. Glue dots would work easily too.

To get spiral ringlets out of your ribbon, make sure it's wired and after you tie it just wrap it around a pen or pencil. Such a fun accent and the kids just love it! If you need a quicker solution, just print and hang on your fridge or on their doors. :)

Visit my Etsy Shop {HERE} to grab yours!

Use "COLETTE" at checkout to get 20% off..

{freebie link expired}

PS... I love pinners, comments, followers and FB fans!

An Easy Valentine Gift...

2012-01-24T08:00:00.000-05:00

Need an easy and inexpensive gift for grandma or daddy? I did this two years ago and it's one of my favorite framed pictures of my kids. It's displayed all year long in my bedroom (with the actual letters), but at Valentine's I love to put it out in our family room for all to see. Such cute faces, love them so much.

I bought cardboard letters from Michael's, spray painted them black, then ModPodged scrapbook paper on the front. You can get wood letters as well - sometimes they even come already painted white. I've also seen some DARLING glitter letters that would be fun - so you don't even have to pull out the ModPodge if you don't want to (or just some print off your computer). Walmart and Target have a great selection of inexpensive, multi picture frames... perfect for a project like this. If you have more or less than 4 kids, have them pose for more than one letter or choose a word that has the right number of letters for your family. Fun, easy and sentimental makes for my favorite kind of gifts or project.

Linking with....

My Valentine Mantle...

2012-01-23T08:00:00.000-05:00

Mantles are my fave. It's a super fun thing for me to put together each month - not only for myself, but my kids just love them too. I love to see the look on their faces when they come home from school and see new decorations that signal a new holiday celebration is right around the corner. I am also always SO excited and flattered to hear your comments and get your emails regarding my mantles. My most asked question is where I get all of my items and how I put them together, so I thought I'd do a post and go into a little bit more detail.

First... and probably my BEST tip is to find pieces that you can use each month, but coordinate it by changing ribbon, fillers and contents. For example - hurricane vases and glass containers are perfect for this. If you scroll back through my posts, you might notice I use alot of the same main pieces and just change out simple accents to change the way they look. This keeps your mantle change-outs fairly inexpensive as well. Even my subway art applies to this idea... I bought the frame once, but by changing the print each month... I modify the focal point of my mantle for about $5. White candles are also an easy trick. Just tie/wrap them in coordinating ribbon or wrap them in scrapbook paper. See the candle on the very right? I used the "accent" paper that comes with my banner... I simply just cut it, wrapped the candle and taped it in the back. Sneaky little trick, huh! Next month, I can just change the marbles and wrap it in St. Patrick's themed paper. Easy!

Second thing I think of when I'm putting my mantle together is texture and materials. The more materials you mix, the more interesting your design is. For example... I've got glass and marbles, iron/metal, a stick wreath, a woven vase, flowers, fabric, ribbon and paper. Each texture adds a cool element to the overall look. If it was all wire or all fabric it would be boring - so try to mix and match as many textures as you can. I'm no expert and certainly not a designer... these are just tips that appeal to me.

Where do I shop? When I lived in Salt Lake and Las Vegas, there were a MILLION AMAZING crafty, home stores to shop. Here in New Jersey, I do my best between Michael's and Target. I make an occasional trip to Home Goods and like to browse Pier 1 for inspiration. For this mantle, the plate, pink frame, hanging striped tin basket, white heart vase and heart wreath all came from Target. The glassware, Valentine string of rags & ribbons, the pink and white dogwood flowers and woven vase all came from Michael's. My favorite piece and one I use every month, the iron bird cage, came from Pier 1. My sister and I bought those together, so it reminds me of her. My husband works for the M&M guys - so it's always, always appropriate for me to have M&M's mixed in there somewhere! Last but not least... my Etsy Shop is also a big part of my mantle as well {wink, wink}!

If you don't have a mantle, never fear! You can use an entry table, a buffet table or install a large shelf somewhere in the heart of your home. These decorations set a fun tone in our home, I hope you enjoyed my tips and found something that inspired you!

Happy Decorating!

PS... Take a peak of my past mantles HERE.

Linking up with... http://www.everycreativeendeavor.com/

{Old & New} Valentine Banners

2012-01-21T10:05:00.000-05:00

I. LOVE. BANNERS.

They add such a whimsical element to any mantle or doorway. Although I still love the banner I made last year, I am loving the pennant style this year and had to make a new one. The first one comes with a full alpha, so you can spell anything with it. Interestingly enough, it's actually been used quite often for baby showers because of the color scheme. The new one comes with your basic Valentine's Day phrases like "Be My Valentine", "I {heart} U" and "XOXOXOXO". I debated whether or not to "retire" my original banner... but decided to keep them both. You can pick either one up in my shop anytime.

Even though I've used Scrapbook Max now for almost 5 years - and thought I was a pro - I've been like a kid in a candy store learning some "back door" tricks lately. I've been scouring the designers forums on their website and when I learned how to FINALLY make any paper element into a photo shape (like the pennant triangle), I've been twitterpated with it once again! Such an easy program, yet obviously there is still more for me to learn.

Which is easier/funner for you? To design your own or grab one that's already done?

Head to Scrapbook Max for Free Trial OR Head to My Shop to Grab a Banner!

Linking up with...

{NEW} Valentine Subway Art...

2012-01-20T10:39:00.002-05:00

I couldn't WAIT to get my Valentine Subway Art done and finally finished my mantle yesterday. This has been such a fun print for me to create each month, so I was excited to add this one to my collection.

Lots of Valentine Printables are already in my shop and LOTS more to come in the next week... so stay tuned and check back often!

MY ETSY SHOP: Valentine Subway Art

Linking up with... http://tidymom.net www.tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com

And the Winner is....

2012-01-16T13:00:00.003-05:00

The winner of my "My Memories Suite" software give-away is commenter #54... Cheryl Free!

If you didn't win - don't let that stop you from giving My Memories Suite a try.

It's not only easy to learn, it's very reasonably priced at $39.97 AND you can save $10 by using "STMMMS37341" at checkout, making it less than $30. As a bonus after you checkout, you'll also receive another coupon for $10 off in their kit gallery...

Plus... think how fun it will be to make your own printables and graphics just like me!

Visit their site {HERE} to get started!

Valentine Freebie & a My Memories Give-Away!

2012-01-13T08:25:00.000-05:00

I was recently contacted by the gals at "My Memories Suite" and was asked if I'd be interested in giving their digital scrapbooking software a test drive. I am a lover of all things digital and I'm always open to try something new... so I've been playing with it a bit and have had alot of fun!

Wanna see my first project?

I started by opening a new file and setting my paper size to 8.5x11. Easy. Liking it so far!

Next... I selected my background color. Wow. Easy again!

I added a couple of text boxes and I loved how the panel on the right side opened up and showed me all the fun options I had with my text! EASY!!

Of course, then I spent a few minutes adjusting fonts because I am a font crazed woman. All of my regular fonts were available and easy to choose from.

Next I added a heart shape and a handy little menu popped open on the right. I really like those menus on the sides. Very cool and very easy to navigate. I played on it all afternoon and learned tons of easy tricks by watching some tutorials on their YouTube channel {HERE}- such an easy program to learn and after only one afternoon, I feel like I got a great start!

And remember... just because it's "scrapbook" design software... that doesn't mean it's only meant for scrapbooking. You can create printables, tags, signs, your own subway art, blog graphics - ANYTHING and it's WAY easier than regular graphic design software.

NOW THE FUN PART...

They are letting me give away one "My Memories Suite" software away!! There are a few ways to enter; participate as much as you like! For each entry task you complete, please leave me a comment...

Visit their website {www.mymemories.com} and tell me the name of a digital kit you like
Visit their FB Fan page, "like" them and leave a comment that Colette sent you!
Follow them on Twitter {HERE} or follow their blog {HERE}
Keep reading this post and you'll find a bonus entry below...

You have until Sunday evening to enter... I'll announce my winner on Monday (1/16) morning!

I ALSO HAVE A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE!

First... if you don't win (or can't wait) and want to purchase "My Memories Suite" - use "STMMMS37341" at checkout and receive $10 off your order (which makes the software less than $30)! With that coupon, once you checkout, they'll also forward you another coupon for $10 off in their digital scrapbook gallery/store!

Second...

I made my first My Memories project into a freebie for everyone!

Tell me you downloaded your freebie for a bonus entry!

8x10 JPEG IMAGE or PDF File

Wouldn't it be fun to be able to create your own printables, in the colors you want, when you want it and with the ideas you have swirling around in your head?

It's such fun... I hope you'll give it a try!

My Memories Suite

UPDATE (1/16): WINNER ANNOUNCED {HERE}

Congrats to commenter #54 Cheryl Free!!

* My Memories provided me with a free My Memories Suite software download in order to try, review and to write my opinions in this post. The opinions contained in this post are based on my own experience with this product and I'm excited that I get to give one away as well!

Linking up with... http://www.everycreativeendeavor.com/ http://www.delicateconstruction.com/

http://www.fingerprintsonthefridge.com/ http://www.iheartnaptime.net/

Snowman Conversation Coasters

2012-01-12T13:12:00.000-05:00

I just can't stop with the snowmen... so cute!!

This printable can either be made up into 4x4 tile coasters (like my Thanksgiving & Christmas ones) - or can just be printed, laminated and used as pass around cards. Making the coasters is easy... just print the file, trim and using ModPodge adhere them to the tile. Once dry, apply a layer on top... then seal with acryllic spray. Not into ModPodge? No problem... just print, trim, laminate and attach the stack with a binder ring - then at dinner time, just use them like "pass around" cards. There are 12 unique questions in all - designed to spark meaningful conversation at dinner

I hope they add some sparkle to these long Winter days!.

Did I mention that I'm giving the first 50 sets away free?

Get your freebie file HERE...!!

{if you snag a freebie, please follow me on FB, become a blog follower or leave me a comment}

Once the freebies are gone... please visit my Etsy Shop below to grab yours!

Snowman Conversation Coasters

Linking up with... http://tidymom.net http://www.delicateconstruction.com/
http://www.fingerprintsonthefridge.com/ http://www.iheartnaptime.net/

Snowman LipBalm Labels...

2012-01-11T21:33:00.000-05:00

My girls fainted when I gave them their new snowman bookmarks and didn't have matching lipbalms to go with them. What on earth was I thinking?

So... I've added this page of lipbalm labels to the "Snowman Subway Art Bundle" that's already in my shop. If you've purchased it already, I'll be sending you an updated link so check your Etsy Convo Inbox tonight.

Have a good one & stay warm!

Linking up with... http://www.katiesnestingspot.com/ www.tidymom.net http://www.somewhatsimple.com/ http://www.everycreativeendeavor.com/ http://www.delicateconstruction.com/
http://www.fingerprintsonthefridge.com/ http://www.iheartnaptime.net/

I {heart} Snowmen Banner

2012-01-07T22:36:00.000-05:00

I am in love with my cute little "I {heart} Snowmen" banner.

Every time I walk into my family room it makes me smile.

Start to finish, it was a 20 minute project - and it was worth every minute!

Grab yours HERE.

{PS... and use "WINTER20" to save 20% on your order!}

New Winter Printables!

2012-01-05T22:48:00.001-05:00

I've NEVER decorated a Winter mantle before and had tons of fun shopping and creating a full set of coordinating printables to pull it all together. I kept my color scheme with blues, browns and white... inspiration I got from simply looking outside my window. Blue skies, bare trees and snow.

{Well... I dreamed up the snow in my head... we don't have any yet!}

Aside from my 16x20 subway print (which I love) - I added some easy and inexpensive accents that really helped me pull this together without spending too much. One of my favorites is the coordinating banner. I love snowmen - they just make me happy.

As I wondered the aisles at Michael's... I discovered that Styrofoam balls would make a great "snowball" vase filler! To coordinate them with my print and banner, I used my "accent" papers. I just cut them into strips and ModPodged them onto a couple of the balls. I used a skewer to hold the ball while I made a gooey mess. Love it!

For the word "SNOW" shown on my mantle, I just bought plain wood letters from Michael's, traced them onto one of the accent papers and ModPodged to attach. So easy and it matches perfectly! This would work with pre-made cardboard letters as well.

Here's a few more printable goodies now available in my shop... bookmarks, lipbalm labels & snowman soup tags. What more could you possibly need?! :)

It's just a regular Winter Wonderland around here!

{Freebie Link Expired... please visit my Etsy Shop!}

PS... I love comments, blog followers and FB Fans! {Hint, Hint!}

Linking up with... http://www.katiesnestingspot.com/ www.tidymom.net http://www.somewhatsimple.com/ http://www.delicateconstruction.com/ http://www.fingerprintsonthefridge.com/
http://www.iheartnaptime.net/

Manger Subway Art... Mod Podged!

2011-12-22T14:23:00.002-05:00

Doesn't that look awesome?! Laura purchased the Manger Subway Art from my Etsy Shop earlier this month and was excited to show me the finished product. She mod podged the 8x10 photo print to a wood plaque and I love-love-love it! I've never tried mod-podging an actual photo print before, so it was very fun for me to see how well it turned out. She applied a few layers, then sprayed with a clear acryllic sealer to finish it off. I know there are a million ways to craft up any printable, so I love it when you guys share your finished projects with me!

Thanks, Laura!

PS... My average order processing time is less than 4 hours... so if you need to pick up a last minute gift, printable game, favor or printable - jump on over to my shop. I'm lighting fast on processing time right now!

The BEST Christmas Tradition EVER...

2011-12-16T09:37:00.000-05:00

Five years ago, I convinced both my family and my husband's family to forgo a typical gift exchange at Christmas and instead... to exchange family scrapbook pages. Surprisingly, everyone was on board pretty quickly and we decided to each create a 2 page layout that depicted our family that year, then duplicate it for everyone and exchange. As you can imagine, we now all have an AMAZING family album... and with our 5th year approaching, it is becoming a true family treasure and heirloom.

If you add together both families... my husband and I have 9 siblings... and 9 families is tough to keep tabs on, especially when we live all over the country, literally. With us in New Jersey and siblings as far West as Washington, it's a challenge to stay connected. I haven't seen some of the sibling families for years, but every year... I am excited to get their pages and see how their kids have grown. I'm also excited to show them what our family has been up to as well. Anytime my kids want to see their cousins... we can pull out our album and it keeps them close.

Just last month, we attended a wedding and my brother-in-law got out his album to show his kids which cousins were coming to the wedding. Even though it had been more than 2 years since we had seen them, the kids knew each other immediately. It was awesome. :)

The first couple of years, I scrapbooked my pages with paper and after duplicating the same layout 12 times (1 each for the 9 sibling families, 1 for both sets of parents, plus a set for myself)... it became a near impossible (and expensive) task. That's when digital scrapbooking was born in my heart - I realized I only had to create the page once... then with a click of the mouse, ordering duplicates was easy and WAY inexpensive. With printing AND shipping, our family gift exchange on both sides together costs me less than $40 a year. It's not only brilliant from a budget perspective, it's creating a priceless album that we all love and cherish... far more than any game or sweater we might have gotten each other.

Like I said.... BEST. TRADITION. EVER.

Just like with all the printables you see on my blog and in my shop... I use a super easy scrapbook design program called Scrapbook Max. They are offering a free 30 day trial, so if you are even just curious about giving digital scrapbooking or digital art a try... you should give it a whirl! I have several tutorials (HERE) to help you get started and will be easy tasks to try out with your trial. Give it a try, I'm betting you'll be glad you did!

{LDS FREEBIE} 4 Primary...

2011-12-15T16:56:00.001-05:00

I serve as Primary President in my Ward (I belong to the LDS Church) and each month we have a new theme in Sharing Time. We use the "mailbox" system to invite children to participate each week and I just finished putting together a year's worth of Sharing Time Assignment cards for 2012! I don't share my "churchy" stuff too often (as there just isn't enough time in the day)... but I've decided to start at least sharing links to my collection on a new blog page (HERE). I try to submit most of my church related printables to SugarDoodle and will continue doing so - then will just index them on "My LDS Printables" page so you can peak there from time to time if you'd like.

Click HERE to Download the 2012 Sharing Time Cards

Click HERE to visit "My LDS Printables" Page

{I also added a new button to my side bar for easy future reference}

{FREEBIE} Candy Cane Legend

2011-12-08T09:29:00.001-05:00

Time for another freebie!!

One of my favorite followers (and best customers) had me work these up as a custom order for her... but they turned out so great I got her permission to share them with all of you! They are sized to be bookmarks (perfect for attaching a regular sized candy cane), but can be used as a tag too!

DOWNLOAD HERE

{PS... Be the first to hear about freebies! Become a subscriber, blog follower or FB Fan.}

If you like this printable... you'll love the ones in my Etsy Shop!

{enter "HOLLYJOLLY" at checkout to receive 30% off}

Linking up with... http://www.iheartnaptime.net/ http://www.skiptomylou.org/ www.tipjunkie.com

Winners, Announcement & a Discount!

2011-12-02T12:58:00.001-05:00

Just stopping in to announce my giveaway winners from earlier this week. Thanks to all of you who entered, but I was only able to choose 10 winners. I've already emailed my winners their files, so if your name is listed and your inbox is empty - email me so I can resend. :)

{names listed as they are in their comment profile}

Cheryl Free, Mason/Sam/Family, Heather Towle, arendje,

The Woodin’sdomain, Krista and Dustin, Erika, Alli, Alison, Valerie

I've got ya covered for a fun, holiday gift giving.

Click HERE to check out the details of my new gift certificates!

I made up a darling printable, that will be personalized with names... you simply print and give! Roll it up like a scroll and tie with coordinating ribbon or fold it nicely and wrap in a small gift box or gift bag. EASY!

Time to get some holiday decorating done AND get some gifts checked off your list at the same time! Just enter "HOLLYJOLLY" at checkout and receive 30% off your purchase!

{Code valid for single or bundled listings, not valid for "Pick" listings or gift certificates.}

Remember, printables make great gifts - especially if you are on a budget!

Purchase the file once, but print as much as you like to make up gifts!

Great Gift Ideas Include:

Menu Planners Calendar Bundle Nativity Art Bundle Luke 2 Nativity Tree Christmas Subway Art Bundle

{Christmas Carol Pictionary FREEBIE expired... please visit my shop HERE to purchase}

Happy Shopping!

{New Release} Christmas Manger Subway Art

2011-12-01T22:15:00.001-05:00

I love-love-love a muted Christmas mantle. No bells, no tinsel, no Santa Claus. I love the colors of the manger and although I did a really fun "Merry & Bright" bundle (HERE) that I love as well, this one I really made for myself... to express how I feel about Christmas.

I made two versions... one with straw, one without. I just couldn't decide which one I liked better, so I had them both printed up. I've changed it out twice this afternoon because I love them both. I may just need to go grab a second frame and put the other one in another room!

I didn't make any extras to go with these prints (which comes in both 8x10 JPEG, 16x20 JPEG for photo printing and 8x10 PDF for printing at home)... I just wanted them plain and simple. No bookmarks, no chapsticks, no fan fair... just the sweet and simpleness of the manger itself. I hope you love it as much as I do.

Visit my Etsy Shop {HERE}

Linking up with... http://www.skiptomylou.org/ http://www.tipjunkie.com http://wearethatfamily.com/ http://www.bluecricketdesign.net http://sewmuchado.blogspot.com/ http://thetrendytreehouse.blogspot.com/ http://www.iheartnaptime.net/

{New Release} Merry & Bright Subway Art

2011-12-01T21:17:00.001-05:00

Are you ready to deck your halls?!! I am!!

I had fully intended to get this done last week, but life with a busy family usually takes priority and I did my best. Anyway, I'm SOOOOO very excited about how this bundle turned out and am dying to share it with you!

This time of year, I need tags for things about every 5 minutes, so I decided to add a bonus sheet of them to the bundle. That's the great thing about printables... just print what you need, and print more if you run out!

And... if you have followed me for any length of time, you know I love bookmarks and festive chapsticks! I love them, my kids love them... and my friends love them. I have a few that are always asking if I have a new set done and I'm always happy to pass one along. Such an easy, sweet gesture or favor... and a very nice thing to have a pile of in case you need a quick little gift.

Hop on over to my shop for more info:

Merry & Bright Art Bundle {HERE}

If "Merry & Bright" isn't your preference... I also made a more muted, manger-y art as well. No bells or whistles with this one (just the art). You can check that one out HERE if you want to take a peak.

Linking up with... http://www.skiptomylou.org/ http://www.tipjunkie.com http://wearethatfamily.com/ http://www.bluecricketdesign.net http://sewmuchado.blogspot.com/ http://thetrendytreehouse.blogspot.com/ http://www.iheartnaptime.net/

{FREEBIE} Wise Men Still Seek Him

2011-12-01T14:06:00.001-05:00

It's December 1st and the beginning of my favorite time of the year!

What does that mean for you? Lots and lots of printables!!

I design prints and decorations for my home, design my own gifts, tags and favors and I'll be sharing them with you all month long. Some will be in my Etsy Shop, some will be freebies on this blog and other freebies you'll find on my Advent Blog!

For those of you patiently waiting... I will have my Christmas Subway Art BUNDLES (yes, that's plural - there's 2) available later today. For now, feel free to snag my "Wise Men Still Seek Him" freebie at the link below:

DOWNLOAD HERE

Want to read the post that goes with this freebie? Visit THIS LINK.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Printables Galore & a Give-AWAY!

2011-11-30T09:48:00.001-05:00

You'll find a couple of freebies up there and rest assured I'll be adding lots more throughout December. I have LOADS of new ideas on my project list this month so be sure to become a FB Fan, add my blog to your blog roll or become a follower for updates on what's new!

~~NOW IT'S GIVE-AWAY TIME!!!~~
Give-Away Expired... Winners announced in the post below:
http://mycomputerismycanvas.blogspot.com/2011/12/winners-announcement-discount.html

I also thought it would be fun to kick off the Season by doing a little give-away!! Leave a comment and tell me what your favorite Christmas Printable from my shop is... and on Friday, I'll choose 10 winners to email them the file they chose!

Happy Holidays!

Cyber Monday Special!

2011-11-27T20:01:00.001-05:00

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!

In case you were hoping for a Cyber Monday Special in my Etsy Shop... I thought I'd announce it early! Simply buy a Pick 3, Pick 4 or Pick 5 listing and in your notes to seller, tell me which one additional file you'd like for your upgrade. (For example... a Pick 3 would become a Pick 4 with your free file).

My "Pick" listings are already a great discounted deal, so this is your chance to add an extra freebie. Don't forget, you purchase a file once, but can print it as many times as you like to give as gifts. You'll want to be sure to check out my Nativity Tree Bundle, Nativity Art Bundle... perfect for gifts and holiday favors!

ENJOY now through Monday @ midnight!

VISIT MY ETSY SHOP HERE

{FREEBIE} Thanksgiving Day Menu Printable

2011-11-19T16:10:00.001-05:00

My sister is brilliant! She's not only my best friend, but she enjoys my printables more than anyone I know and I love it when she calls me with a fun idea. She suggested that I modify my November Menu Planner into a Thanksgiving Day Menu. HELLO!! Why didn't I think of that??!

Thank goodness for sisters!

If you are new to my blog or to my collection of printables... I recently designed a full year's worth of menu planners - a different one for each month. Above is a peak at what December's looks like. You just print - then either laminate or frame (in a document size frame, 8.5x11) and use it as a wipeable menu board. I prefer using "wet erase" markers for a crisper letter script, but dry erase works fine too. My menu collection (which includes all 12 months, plus a basic weekly planner and a special one for birthday week... and now a Thanksgiving FREEBIE) fits nicely into your kitchen decor and is a fun thing to switch out each month to keep your dinner ideas festive.

To start your menu collection... please visit my Etsy Shop HERE!

(and use "THANKSGIVING" at checkout to save 20%)

To grab your FREE Thanksgiving Menu printable... click HERE!

**To stay updated on freebies, giveaways & discount offers, become a follower or FB Fan!}

Linking up with... http://www.iheartnaptime.net/ www.orgjunkie.com http://www.skiptomylou.org/ http://www.tipjunkie.com http://www.nothingbutcountry.com/

As always... special thanks to Just so Scrappy. Her digital kits are AMAZING!

{New Release} Summer Menu Planner Set!

2011-11-18T10:11:00.001-05:00

YAY!!! I'm finally finished with this series!

I have had SO much fun designing this collection and hope you enjoy it as much as I do. The Summer Menu Planner Bundle is now available in my Etsy Shop and here's a full preview, including 2 additional bonus pages!

I have to tell you... designing the August page made me miss Summer already. It's getting VERY chilly in New Jersey and I'm not sure if I'm ready for Winter yet.

I also decided to include two additional bonus pages in this bundle!

The first one is meant to be used when it's birthday week at your house! Wouldn't it be fun to let the birthday girl or birthday boy help you plan the menu for that week? Just another fun way to celebrate those special little people and fun moments in our lives!

The second bonus page is more of a basic weekly planner. It can be used on it's own since it doesn't have a particular month or holiday attached to it. This may be a GREAT page to print for an inexpensive gift... you can give it by itself and have to only print one page. You might want to print and frame the full set for yourself, your sister and your mom... but maybe only this page for a girl friend, a sweet neighbor or someone you Visit Teach. :)

***These two freebie/bonus pages are only available with the purchase of the "Summer" bundle... which is my way to thank you for collecting them all.

I love that I can easily switch each one out in my frame for a fun (but totally functional) decor accent in my kitchen. I'm already excited for December's!

VISIT MY SHOP TO PURCHASE {HERE}

Enjoy!!

{PS... I love comments, FB Fans & Blog Followers!! Be a friend and make me smile!}

Linking up with... http://www.skiptomylou.org/

{SNEAK PEAK} Summer Menu Planner Collection

2011-11-16T12:05:00.001-05:00

I know it might be torture for some, but I can't help a little bit of innocent teasing. :)

I've got the 3rd and final Menu Planner set almost finished! At this point, the pages are done (as you can see from the sneak peak above). However, I usually like to sleep on my designs for a night and then complete any last minute polishing before I publish and put them in my Etsy Shop. Plus, it usually takes me a day or so to print, take photos, and edit images for my blog and shop. I'll email those who have asked and will announce it here and on my FB page the second they are available. For those of you who pre-purchased, I'll email the file automatically in the morning.

And... just a little bit of a clencher - for those of you who purchase the last set, you'll also receive 2 bonus planners!! One super fun one to display on the week of someone's birthday and the other will remain a surprise until I release the set, {wink, wink}!

See you tomorrow!

{FREEBIE} Thanksgiving Place/Food Cards

2011-11-14T13:31:00.001-05:00

Since I opened my Etsy Shop and started sharing my printables last year, my "Thanksgiving Conversation Coasters" have probably been one of my most popular files. It includes 12 4x4 tile images, each with its own question designed to spark meaningful conversation at your Thanksgiving Feast! All you do is print and mount on shower tiles to create festive and fun coasters for your table. Complete "how to" instructions are included in the file - but basically, by using ModPodge and a quick spray sealer, they'll be waterproof, durable and will become a tradition you can use for years to come. I've dropped my price this year... so if you don't have a set yet, definitely stop by and take a look...

"Thanksgiving Conversation Coasters"

To keep the tradition growing... this year I decided to add a fun coordinating freebie to match!

This freebie includes a sheet of coordinating tags that can be used as either food labels or place cards for your table...

Just print, fold and label!

FREE DOWNLOAD HERE

{Make it fun for me to keep doing freebies!!! Leave me a comment, become a blog follower or FB Fan!}

{New Release} SPRING Menu Planners!

2011-11-11T17:20:00.001-05:00

I've got the second of three Printable Menu Planner sets finished and added to my Etsy Shop! I have to tell you, it was weird designing Valentines and St. Patty's Day themes when I have a Thanksgiving Spice candle burning! Maybe that's why it took me so long to get them finished!

This set includes January, February, March and April... and for those of you dying to have a full set; I promise to have the final set of months completed before Thanksgiving. :) Giving a full set, framed for Christmas to a sister, friend or mother will be easy, inexpensive and perfect! Remember, when you buy a printable, you buy the actual file... so you can print it off as many times as you like!

I have just loved using my Menu Planners this Fall! They have helped me avoid the panic that sets in as soon as the kids' homework is done and our whole evening seems to run smoother. We don't stick to it 100% OF THE TIME, but when we do, our night goes much better. The images are slightly larger than 8x10, so I framed mine in a "document" sized frame (8.5x11) from Michaels and I keep each page inside so all I have to do is switch it around when a new month begins. Depending on your frame, you might also need to mount the planner page on coordinating card stock like I did and don't forget to attach a post-it pad for your shopping list!

One final tip... I prefer using "wet erase" markers on my glass. It writes more crisp and it doesn't smudge - yet it's easy to remove with a damp cloth or paper towel. You can get these markers at any office supply store, I found mine at Staples.

For those of you who already purchased the Fall Bundle (Sept/Oct/Nov/Dec), I emailed you a discount code so you can pick up the second set for less.

CLICK HERE TO GRAB YOUR SET!

{PS... Be a darling and leave me a comment, follow my blog or become a FB Fan!}

Linking up with... http://tatertotsandjello.com/

{Link Expired... Please visit my Etsy Shop HERE to purchase this printable)

{Tutorial} Thanksgiving Subway Art

2011-11-10T23:02:00.001-05:00

I love creating Subway Art... there are lots of styles out there and after you do a few of your own, you kindof develop your own technique. I just love switching out art like this in my home decor, so you can count on more art coming your way each month! (So, if you aren't into designing your own and just like the convenience of printing and hanging... I've got ya covered.) For those of you who want to give it a try - this post will cover a few basics to get you started.

TIP: Before you start... make sure you have a sweet collection of fonts. If you need help in that department, read THIS POST first. :)

1. Brainstorm descriptive words you want to use and make a list
2. Find some color inspiration!

For fellow Scrapbook Max users... I set my page settings to 8x10, 200 DPI and brought in 3 embellishments from one of my favorite Thankgsiving kits to give me some guidance with colors.

3. Start moving your words and phrases into place and begin playing with your fonts.

TIP: Use all caps for some lines, lower case for others. Mixing, matching and adding a bit of randomness to your design will help it turn out more visually appealing.

Scrapbook MAX users... I used the "caption" function with each phrase so I had the ability to stretch and manipulate each line as needed.

Now... it's a bit harder than it looks. I changed fonts for each line about 100 times until I loved it. So, give yourself some time to play around and don't expect it to come together immediately!

4. Once you have all of your phrases in place and you are mostly happy with your fonts... start playing with your colors! In my opinion, the colors you use are every bit as important as the words you choose and the fonts you display them in. My subway art is displayed on my family room mantle, so it becomes the inspiration behind my decorating.

Scrapbook Max users... To choose custom colors for your words, when you have your text box properties open, in the color drop down menu select "more colors" and your mouse will turn into a little medicine dropper. Simply move the dropper to pick up the color you want. For example, on my "Family & Friends" I moved the dropper to the red stripe on my inspiration paper to pick up a perfect match. Cool, huh!!

5. After I finished working with my colors, I added a muted background to finish it off!

I hope that inspires you to give it a try! It's a fun for me to design and is the mommy-therapy I need to stay sane during these busy days with little ones. If you'd like to see the finished product...

Please visit my Etsy Shop!

Scrapbook Max offers a 30 day free trial if you want to give it a whirl!

Click HERE for more info.

Linking up with... http://tatertotsandjello.com/ http://www.tipjunkie.com

{Recipe} Pumpkin Spice Cookies

2011-11-07T09:09:00.001-05:00

Don't those look yummy?!!

This is BY FAR, the yummiest Fall cookie recipe I have.

And you won't believe how easy they are to make!

Two ingredients... that's it!

All you need is a Spice cake mix and a 15 oz can of pumpkin!

Simply empty the dry mix into a bowl and stir in the pumpkin until it turns into a batter (it'll be a little bit lumpy, don't beat). No eggs, no oil... NOTHING else but pumpkin and the mix! Once the batter forms, drop spoonfuls on a greased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 for 15-18 minutes. Of course, they are perfect with cream cheese frosting and Fall sprinkles!

ENJOY!!

PS... I love comments, followers and FB fans - and especially love it when you stop by my Etsy Shop!

Linking with... http://www.skiptomylou.org/ http://alittleknickknack.blogspot.com/ http://tidymom.net/ http://tatertotsandjello.com/ http://www.tipjunkie.com

{New Release} Thanksgiving Subway ART Bundle!

2011-11-05T09:06:00.000-04:00

(Oooops! The misspelling of "pilgrim" shown above has been corrected on all printables! Phew!)

Can I just tell you how happy I was when I woke up this morning and saw that my modem had ALL GREEN lights FLASHING?!! After 7 days of no phone or Internet after that crazy storm, I was close to going looney!

So... we've got alot to catch up on!!

First things first, I wanted to give you a close-up of my new Thanksgiving Subway ART Bundle!

I made up 2 versions of the Subway Art, one full and one on a matte.

Then... of course, I just HAD to shrink the cuteness down to fun lip balm labels. There are 4 designs. I'm not sure who loves these more... me, my mom, my friends or my kids!

And... because we are big readers at my house, my kids are always excited for a new holiday bookmark. We were VERY ready to retire the Halloween ones I made last month. It's funny how a simple bookmark gets them excited about reading! I also "prettied" up a few for myself to give to friends. :)

With all of that now finished... I am offically ready and excited for Thankgsiving. I love decking my mantle and really feel like it sets the tone for the holiday at our house. My new banner gave it just the right touch... and I am just loving it! It's ready and listed for you in my shop (here).

Be sure to drop by again on Monday, I'll be sharing my favorite pumpkin cookie recipe!

Linking with... http://www.skiptomylou.org/ http://alittleknickknack.blogspot.com/ http://tidymom.net/ http://tatertotsandjello.com/ http://www.tipjunkie.com

{Link Expired... Please visit my Etsy Shop HERE to purchase this printable.}

Time for some Thanksgiving Printables!

2011-11-03T15:18:00.001-04:00

Oh, my goodness!! The weather in New Jersey has been BRUTAL! It stared with a MAJOR Winter storm on Saturday that all but ruined Halloween. Despite hundreds of thousands without power, somehow our lights managed to stay on (thank goodness)! We are, however, on day 6 with no phone, Internet or cable (I'm blogging from my friend Jenny's house right now). So, I decided to make the best of it and have spent the last few days getting some new Thanksgiving printables ready to go! I am LOVING my mantle!! What do you think?

I've updated my shop with a brand new Subway ART Bundle for Thanksgiving that you must see (HERE) and re-designed a new Thanksgiving banner for this year (HERE). I did decide to reopen my shop and am just asking for a couple of extra days to fill the orders. Thanks!

I've also got my other printables changed out and ready for November... including my menu planner (HERE).

... and my November ClipBoard Calendar (HERE).

Doesn't that look cold!? I hope to be back soon... I have lots more to share!

Linking up with.... http://tatertotsandjello.com http://www.skiptomylou.org/

http://alittleknickknack.blogspot.com/ http://tidymom.net/

My Halloween Wrap-Up!

2011-10-28T19:53:00.001-04:00

It's been a fun and busy month around here and you may be surprised to know I've actually been working on some SUPER fun new printables for November & Thankgsiving all week... but not to get ahead of myself here... I wanted to pop in for a quick wrap up of this month's spookiness before the big holiday arrives! I'll start posting all of my new stuff on Tuesday, so be sure to check back soon!

Linking with... http://tatertotsandjello.com/ "40SPECIAL"

{Getting Crafty} A Halloween Rag Wreath...

2011-10-19T12:21:00.000-04:00

First... to set the record straight, I did not just whip this up last night. It took me a week and I enlisted my mother to help me. She came from Utah to tend the kids while I went to Chicago, then stayed for another week when I got back. This was one of the projects we did while she was here and thankfully, she also helped me finish my 4th of July one too! Don't you just love crafting and chatting with your mom? Makes for great times and fun memories.

In the past, I have usually made my rag wreaths with a simple wire coat hanger - but it seems to end up smaller than I want and I always wish it was fuller. So this time I ditched the coat hanger and bought a large 4-wire wreath form at Michael's for about $3. I am giddy with how thick and full it turned out and smile every time I look at it! It did make for 4 times the fabric and 4 times the tieing, but it was well worth it!

I bought 1/4 yard of 12 prints which was just about the perfect amount for a wreath this size. I wanted tons of variety and color for Halloween - but to give you an idea... I already bought fabric for my Christmas one and instead of 12 fabrics, I only chose 6 fabrics, 1/2 yard each to keep the overall "busy-ness" a little bit more muted. For my strips, I ripped them to be 6 inches long and about an inch wide. Ripping is certainly not an exact science, so some strips ended up thicker than others, which is the point. If you are a perfectionist - this may be a tough project for you... it's all about the randomness, no patterns or symmetry here!

When I was done, the middle seemed empty. So, back to Michaels I went and found this foam/glitter web for $1 and due to my un-natural addiction to googlies... I had to add a few to the center to finish it off. I secured it with fishing line and made a monumental decision not to include printable art on this one. I know... miracles never cease.

A quick tip on your fabric... I chose 4 "holiday" prints (which tend to be more expensive, but are often times on sale), then complimented them with much more basic and less expensive calico prints. Then, if you can score a sale or a coupon on top of that, you'll be in great shape!

Linking with... http://www.theidearoom.net/

{Freebie} Getting Crafty with Googlie-Eyes!

2011-10-18T15:14:00.002-04:00

Please excuse me while I continue my love affair with googlie-eyes...

I started with 2 flat wood wreath forms that I found at Joann's for about $1 each. I spray painted them black, then just randomly glued eye balls to each one. Definitely buy your googlies at the dollar store - you'll get LOTS more for less than you can get at a craft store. I also just used regular old Elmer's Glue and it worked perfectly (and dried clear).

Of course, in my house... no craft is complete without incorporating some kind of printable art. I think the splash of green on the eyeball finished it off perfectly!

The thing I love about printable circles... is they can be used for ANYTHING! I found some spider web ribbon in my stash, wrapped it around the water bottles, attached the circles using double sided tape and now have a super cute addition to any treat delivery. Use them as treat bag tags or cupcake toppers, class parties or to spice up your table tonight!

What will you use yours for?

DOWNLOAD FILE HERE

Be the first to hear about freebies by following my blog or "liking" me on FaceBook!

Oh... and I love comments. The more I get, the more I want to create and share!

VISIT MY ETSY SHOP TO SEE MORE HALLOWEEN PRINTABLES

Linking with.... http://www.theidearoom.net/ http://printable.tipjunkie.com/

{Printable} Countdown to Fright Night!

2011-10-13T09:15:00.000-04:00

In less than a week, my "Countdown to Fright Night" advent begins!! This was not only one of my first printables... it's one of my favorites!

I've got my kisses, I've got a board ready for each kiddo (mounted on black card stock, laminated and ready to hang with ribbon) and it could not possibly be more torturous for my children...

I love it!!

This was THE VERY FIRST PRINTABLE listed in MY ETSY SHOP - which, thanks to all of you, is now full of fun printables for almost every occassion!

So - we must celebrate!!!

I'm giving away 150 of "Countdown to Fright Night" Printables!

Click HERE to get your special freebie...

Once 150 have been downloaded, the link will expire and you'll need to head to my Etsy Shop to pick one up. To hear about these fun giveaways, freebies and other new printables... please follow my blog or "like" me on FB and be the first to know!

ENJOY!

Linking up with... http://eighteen25.blogspot.com/ http://www.theidearoom.net/

{NEW RELEASE} Weekly Menu Planners!

2011-09-30T19:00:00.002-04:00

I hate the 5 o'clock "what's for dinner" panic and have been REALLY excited to get these done so I can be more motivated to plan ahead. Let's face it. If it's cute, I'm more likely to use it and so far I am LOVING this new printable... probably my favorite collection so far!

I've got my October one framed and already in use at my house and it's working like a charm! I've had a much smoother transition from the homework rush to dinner this week and I don't feel nearly as frazzled. I left room for dessert/snack suggestions - as well as designed a space for attaching a post-it note pad for your shopping list.

TIP: I don't really like dry erase markers on projects like this... they aren't very bright and they smudge easily. Whether you decide to frame your planners or laminate, I recommend using "wet erase" markers (I bought mine at Staples). They are crisper, almost like a Sharpie and it doesn't wipe off unless your cloth is damp. LOVE IT!!

For now, I'm releasing a Fall Bundle with Sept/Oct/Nov/Dec planners. I'll release a second set as we get closer to January. For super easy storage, just print them all off and keep them inside the frame... then just swap them out as the months go by!

CLICK HERE TO GET YOURS!

** Want to be the first to know about new printables? Be sure to either follow my blog or "like" me on my FB page!

Linking with... http://tatertotsandjello.com/ http://thirtyhandmadedays.com/ http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/ http://nv-craftenvy.blogspot.com/ http://www.iamonly1woman.blogspot.com/ http://iamalongfortheride.blogspot.com/ http://sixsistersstuff.blogspot.com/ http://www.iheartnaptime.net/ http://www.thegirlcreative.com/
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http://www.theidearoom.net/

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(Please visit my shop to purchase.)

{FREEBIE} WordArt for Your Kitchen...

2011-09-28T15:11:00.003-04:00

A good friend of mine gave me this quote yesterday and asked if I'd "work it up" for her daughter. I absolutely LOVE wordArt and was happy to do it. Whether you are a self-proclaimed "foodie", a recipe junkie, enjoy putting together a delicious meal for your family or you believe in enjoying it together (with the TV off)... you can easily fall in love with the meaning of this one.

I made it up in several colors... and hope it matches your kitchen too!

** Want to be the first to know about freebies? Be sure to either follow my blog or "like" me on my FB page!

Bon Appetit!

DOWNLOAD PDF File HERE!

(For Individual 8x10 Images for Photo Printing, just email me and I'll send them to you)

colette@mycomputerismycanvas.com

Linking with... http://tidymom.net/ http://whipperberry.com/ http://www.fingerprintsonthefridge.com/ http://tatertotsandjello.com/ http://thirtyhandmadedays.com/ http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/ http://nvcraftenvy.blogspot.com/http://www.iamonly1woman.blogspot.com/http://iamalongfortheride.blogspot.com/http://sixsistersstuff.blogspot.com/ http://www.iheartnaptime.net/ http://www.thegirlcreative.com/
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{FREEBIE} Halloween Tic Tac Toe

2011-09-27T12:13:00.003-04:00

I designed this printable last year for a class party - it's a spooky game of Tic/Tac/Toe that I'd love to share with you! It's a one page printable and comes with spooky-cute X's & O's. I laminated mine for durability - OR Mod Podge the game pieces to 1 inch glass baubles for an extra fun touch!

I've been trying to decide if I should spend the time creating a full game collection for Halloween parties... what do you think? Should I? Leave a comment or add a suggestion to help me decide... :)

Download Your Game HERE

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{FREEBIE} Boo'ed Sign + 4 Recipes!

2011-09-26T10:55:00.001-04:00

It's getting to be THAT time of year... so I'll be digging into my archives this week to share printables I have that will get you through that spooky month of tricks and treats. I love all the fun "We've Been BOOed" signs out there... but most of them are in color. Which, is cute... but not so cute when the receiving family tries to copy it to pass it along. I just couldn't sleep at night until there was a suitable black and white version on the free printable blog market; (the fun poem is also included with the printable).

I've also been busy "pinning" new treats I want to make this year to get our "Boo'ed" tradition started! Don't these look easy AND delish? Below are the links to the recipes:

Candy Corn Pretzels

Pumpkin Rice Krispy Treats

Candy Corn Bark

Candy Corn Marshmallow Pops

DOWNLOAD YOUR "Boo'ed" PRINTABLE HERE!

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FREEBIE - LDS YW Value Centerpieces

2011-09-21T22:50:00.001-04:00

Ever wonder where I get my ideas for printables? I get them from you!! Since I released my YW Quote Album last year, I've had a handful of requests to design larger images with the Value Statement and scripture. So, I finally made the time to design them and they are now available as a freebie! Use them as either art or centerpieces for lessons and activities.

Just download from the link below and enjoy!

YW Value Centerpieces PDF

YW Value Centerpieces IMAGES (redirect to SugarDoodle)

** Want to be the first to know about freebies? Be sure to either follow my blog or "like" me on my FB page!

Linking up with... http://www.theidearoom.net/ http://www.sugardoodle.net/ http://www.theideadoor.com/ http://www.delicateconstruction.blogspot.com/ http://tatertotsandjello.blogspot.comhttp://thirtyhandmadedays.com/ http://www.fingerprintsonthefridge.com/ http://alittleknickknack.blogspot.com/ http://whipperberry.com/ http://www.skiptomylou.org/ h ttp://sumossweetstuff.blogspot.com/ http://tatertotsandjello.com/ http://thirtyhandmadedays.com/ http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/ http://nv-craftenvy.blogspot.com/http://www.iamonly1woman.blogspot.com/http://iamalongfortheride.blogspot.com/http://sixsistersstuff.blogspot.com/
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A New BUNDLE of Halloween Spookiness!

2011-09-15T10:46:00.002-04:00

I'm trying to train myself to think ahead a little bit farther and had a goal this week to get some new printables done so I could spook up my mantle for Halloween. I know it's a little bit early, but when my kids got home yesterday and saw my orange Halloween tubs out, they cheered!

I was inspired to create these prints after I made the graphic for the post I did on Halloween fonts. I know there are lots of subway art images floating around out there... but I prefer subway art that is done with unique, whimsical fonts that speak to the holiday itself and this is what I came up with. I plan on creating more for all of the upcoming holidays and I love that you can just store them behind each other in the frame and switch them out; making storage a cinch!

I did both subway images in 8x10 and 16x20 - and I am loving my googley-eyed frame. I just bought a cheep black frame and glued eyeballs to it. My kids were drooling - and I was even generous enough to share my googlies with them to make their own frames.

I love to "bundle" up my printables with lots of goodies... so thanks to my sister's suggestion - I also made some lip balm labels. I like to print mine on sticker/label paper - it makes the task so quick and easy. Printing, trimming and sticking them on takes less than a few minutes and makes a darling gift, favor or something fun for yourself and the kids. See these four? They walked away this morning in my kids' pockets.

I also made up some spooky bookmarks that are included in the bundle as well. These make great classroom favors and are super fun for the kids. Tie a few pencils to them with cute ribbon and you've got an easy, inexpensive favor for Halloween.

To see more pics and details on this fun bundle...

STOP BY MY SHOP TO TAKE A PEAK!

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{FREEBIE} - "One Nation Under God"

2011-09-11T00:13:00.001-04:00

I have been so moved by all of the 9.11 coverage I've been watching, have you? I think it would have touched me no matter where I live... but now living only about an hour from the WTC itself has made this particular anniversary pierce my soul. Watching the national news is sobering enough, but when those programs end and the local NYC coverage begins, they cover an even more intimate portrayal of the survivors, the heroes and the lost. I've been emotional several times as I process the overall gravity of the event and my heart extends to the families and friends left to cope with such a tragic outcome. Even 10 years later, the wounds are still very deep here.

With this weighing heavily on my mind... I was inspired and touched by so many flags proudly displayed on bridges and overpasses as I headed towards the city for a meeting at my church. As I walked in, I was overcome with pride and gratitude... and this is the image that popped into my head. I believe in God and have always found solace and pride in the belief that we are a strong nation built under Him. We are flying our flag in remembrance today and I couldn't let a moment pass to create and share the image I saw so vividly in my mind. Please print, display, pass it along and remember.

"1 Nation Under God" Printable - DOWNLOAD HERE

God Bless...

Linking up with... http://www.thegirlcreative.com/ http://www.craftskeepmesane.blogspot.com/ http://madincrafts.blogspot.com/ http://craftomaniac.blogspot.com/ http://makingtheworldcuter.blogspot.com/ http://www.skiptomylou.org/ http://sumossweetstuff.blogspot.com/ http://sewcando.blogspot.com/ http://www.creatingreallyawesomefreethings.com/ www.tipjunkie.com www.ishareprintables.com http://www.fingerprintsonthefridge.com/

My 20 Most Favorite Halloween Fonts!

2011-09-09T13:38:00.001-04:00

I am a font addict on any normal day... but when a holiday comes around, I turn into a crazed FONT FREAK. It's unnatural, I know... but I can't contain myself. Some people collect stamps or coins, I collect fonts. If you are planning to create any type of Halloween craft, invite or handout... the following 21 fonts are MUST HAVES for your font collection. Each is free & below I've listed links so you can download them too! HAVE FUN!

{PS... I'm working on a SPOOKY Subway Art & October Menu Planner with these fonts & I can't wait to show you!}

Sketch Bones Ghoulish Head Hunter Pumpkins Along Came a Spider Horrible Squish Pumpkin Face Jackie O'Lantern Frankentoho Halloween Spider Belfry You Murderer Wild Wood Bleeding Freaks Nightmare Blood of Dracula Skullphabet Haunting Attraction Bloody Slime Jack-O-Lantern Wizards Magic

CLICK HERE TO VISIT MY SHOP
CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE HALLOWEEN POSTS & PRINTABLES

NEED HELP INSTALLING NEW FONTS?

Everyone's computer is different... but here's how I do it on mine, I'm a PC:

"Click" on the font you want and a download box will pop up. Click "Save" (I usually choose to save it directly to my desktop. That way, it doesn't get lost in the abyss of my C: drive).

Then, to "install" it, open and extract the zip file (point your cursor on the file, right click and choose "Extract File")

A new file folder (without a zipper) will appear on your desktop. Open that folder, then copy or "drag and drop" the actual “TrueType” font file into your Windows Font Folder. You should be able to find your font folder at: C:/Windows/Font

Once a font file is saved into your Windows Font folder... it is essentially, "installed" and should be available to use in any program on your computer! YIPPEEE!

Three "Pick 4" Winners... Did you win?

2011-09-04T23:20:00.000-04:00

Happy Sunday to you all!! I am so sorry for the delay in choosing a winner for my "Pick 4" Give-Away! Between Hurricane Irene and getting my 4 cute kiddos ready for school, I had just put this on a back burner. To make it up to everyone, I decided to pick 3 winners instead of just one!!

Shelly, "kdalomia" & Nicole... check your inboxes for an email with instructions to receive your 4 printables! Every body else... please enjoy a 30% off coupon in my shop, good until tomorrow at midnight (9/5). Just enter GIVEAWAY at checkout to receive your discount!

{PS... Using this discount on either my "Pick 3" or "Pick 4" listing will get you the MOST files for the least... especially if you pick BUNDLES!}

VISIT MY ETSY SHOP HERE!

New Release - Candy Corn Banner!

2011-09-02T17:25:00.014-04:00

I first must apologize for my mantle... I haven't exactly gotten my Halloween box out yet - but I've been picturing this banner in my head now for weeks and just had to get it designed, printed and hung. Plus, my shop hasn't been open long enough to have a big selection of Halloween goodies - so be on the lookout over the coming weeks for some really fun, coordinating printables!

A fun trick with this printable is to play with your print settings. If you select "Print 4 Per Page"... you get these tiny little pennants of yumminess. Perfect for a mini-banner to hang just about anywhere. Oh, and my model is a cutie too!

As always... you can get my printable in my ETSY SHOP!

CANDY CORN BANNER

Be sure to also check out my Halloween Advent:

COUNTDOWN TO FRIGHT NIGHT

{advent comes with a "Halloween Tags" freebie}

What would you like to see me design for Halloween? Leave a comment, I'd love to hear your suggestions! Enjoy!

A Free Printable & a Sneak Peak!

2011-09-01T22:10:00.016-04:00

I love to throw a party and have recently hosted a couple of baby showers for great friends. It may actually surprise you, but I don't get into a printable frenzy. Although, I think party printables are FAB and can add an awesome design element to a tablescape... sometimes I think it's overkill to label EVERYTHING on the table. I mean, really. I think everyone knows what a cookie is... right?

Here's how we served fruit this time... in waffle cones! Everyone loved how they were displayed and eating the sweet cone was just a bonus.

With that said... I do think having at least one label on the table is nice, because let's be honest... they may be annoying, but they are DANG cute when it's not overdone and when it's used on the right treat. I used my favorite "Safe to Serve" Raw Cookie Dough recipe (HERE) and my "Cookie Dough Shots" were a hit! Plus, they looked FANTASTIC lined up on the table. Guests were drooling... as a happy hostess, I was in heaven.

Other than one fun labeled treat... I ALWAYS label the water bottles. It's too easy not to and after a party I am always parched, so I love sending a "thank you for coming" water home with each guest. White Chocolate Popcorn is also a crowd favorite (which is just that, melted white chocolate drizzled over popcorn). This time, my partner in crime, Jen created popcorn cones out of 12x12 scrapbook paper and tied them with a coordinating bow. So cute!

There's that White Chocolate Popcorn again at another shower I hosted. It was the ONLY food item we labeled other than...

... the water bottles of course.

With no baby showers on my calendar for a while, it's time to turn my sights to Halloween! Hurricane Irene took the humidity with her when she left, so the recent chill in the air has got me craving Candy Corns. I couldn't help myself - here's a sneak peak of my newest printable - you'll have to plan to stop by tomorrow for more pictures and to pick it up in my shop!

{UPDATE: I posted about my new banner HERE}

As far as the tags and water bottle labels I used above... I know they aren't complete party collections or anything - so I thought I'd just share them as a freebie. They aren't even "baby" specific - so you could use them for any occasion. You can download them at the link below:

FREE DOWNLOAD: Party Tags & Water Bottle Labels

{PS... If you download, I'd be flattered if you'd either follow my blog or "like" me on FB. Thanks!}

http://www.theidearoom.net/ http://tidymom.net/

Hurricane Irene...

2011-08-27T01:36:00.004-04:00

I'm signing off for a few days while I prepare my family and ride out Hurricane Irene. In New Jersey, I'm not so much worried about the storm itself... but the aftermath of flooding and power outages is more of what I am personally concerned about. We've had a record breaking month of rain, so the 10" of rain this storm is forecasted to drop on us has no where to go! Wish us luck!!

I'll announce the winner to the "Pick 4" give-away and re-open my Etsy Shop when I return.

Be safe!

"Pick 4" Give-Away!!!

2011-08-22T15:10:00.004-04:00

I haven't done a Give-Away in FOREVER!! Let's go for a "Pick 4" valued at $18.50!

Winner will receive her choice of any 4 printables from my shop!

4 ways to enter.... please leave a comment for each entry you want counted!

1 - "Like" me on FaceBook (link to my fan page HERE)

2 - Add a link to your favorite printable in my shop in your FB Status

3 - Become a friend/member of my blog

4 - Subscribe to my newsletter HERE

Be sure to include your email address so I can get in touch with you if you win!!

Winner chosen/announced on Friday!

FAQ's for my Subway Art TO DO Chart

2011-08-11T19:25:00.011-04:00

I've gotten such a fun response (and tons of questions) since I release my "Subway Art TO DO Chart" Printable that I thought I should post some additional info and ideas...

(You can read the original post HERE and can see the printable in my shop HERE.)

Below are some answers to my most asked questions:

Where can I get a 12x12 magnetic board/tile?

Any home improvement store (Lowe's has them for $5.97 each, precut) or online HERE

How do I attach the word art to the magnet board?

First of all, whatever you do, do not ModPodge the word art! It'll leave an icky, runny, bubbly mess. What I did was trim and laminate each one first. Then, I coated the back of each one really well with a glue stick and stuck them on. The printable comes together just like a 12x12 puzzle (see above image for the pattern).

How do you track chores with the board?

See the 5 colored bubbles next to the "Chores" label? Each time they complete a chore, they move a magnet to one of them. Blank coordinating cards are included in the printable - they can be used as either idea cards for each activity or can be used as chore cards. Just trim, laminate and write on them with a Sharpie.

How do you track behavior with the board?

Easy. The "Strike Zone" has 3 strike bubbles and I threaten to move a marble onto a strike if they are naughty or don't listen. I don't know yet what would happen if they got 3 strikes - my kiddos are pretty good and steer clear of them at all costs!

The magnet board is sharp!

Yikes... yes it is!! I framed my boards with a 12x12 scrapbook page frame to hide those sharp edges. I got them at Michaels for 40% off which made them less than $5 each.

Did you make one for the entire family or one for each child?

I made a board for each kiddo and used the letter tiles on page 4 of the printable to customize them. The name space on the board allows for up to a 7 letter name and has some blank, accent ones for shorter names.

Is this just a boredom buster for the summer or do you use it year round?

It has certainly been an AWESOME boredom buster this summer, but I plan to continue using our boards year round. They will be a great way for the kids to recap their days to me when they get home. As they show me their work, their art projects and talk about their day, I'm going to let them mark off the activities they've completed.

As a completely non-intended benefit... our boards have added great flavor and meaning to our dinner conversation each night. When my husband gets home and quickly glances at the boards (ours are displayed in the kitchen), he's able to ask them all kinds of direct questions about their day. In an instant, he can see whose done chores, who has strikes and who has done a variety of activities throughout the day to talk about. All the other benefits set aside... I'd have to say that is the single best reason for adapting it to your family!

Don't have yours yet? Click the link below to pick yours up!

Subway Art TO DO Chart 4 Kids PRINTABLE

Enjoy!

Come See These Updated Printables!

2011-08-04T17:42:00.003-04:00

One of the most popular printables in my shop is my "Annual Birthday Calendar & Date Organizer". To be honest, I never really loved the cover sheet I made for it and have been dying to freshen it up... So - it now includes a new cover sheet AND a coordinating label for the spine of your binder! Then, of course, it also includes a cute page for each month to record all of your birthdays, anniversaries and other important annual dates. For more details and pictures, you can view them HERE.

(PS... If you have EVER purchased this file from me and want the "updated" version, just email me and I'm happy to email it to you!)

Another fan favorite in my shop is my "Clipboard Calendar" - I've been selling 2011's and knew at some point I'd need to update it to include 2012. The listing now includes both! AND... if you've purchased the 2011 version from me within the last 60 days (or so) and want the 2012 pages, just email me and I'll send them along to you at no charge. If you haven't seen this calendar before, it's a fun addition to your office or kitchen. You just print out each month, clip it on a clipboard and change out the ribbon to coordinate. I've got mine updated for August!

You can see more pictures of this printable HERE!

Linking up with... http://tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com/

Christmas in July SALE!

2011-07-27T23:08:00.001-04:00

Get started on your Christmas crafting EARLY this year with an EARLY BIRD discount!

Just enter

"HOLLYJOLLYJULY"

at checkout to save 40% on any of my Christmas printables!

You'll find Christmas Carol Pictionary, a Holly Jolly Advent Countdown, Nativity Art, the Luke 2 Nativity Story as a Tree (my favorite), Christmas Conversation Cards/Coasters, a Christmas Bulb Banner and more!

Click HERE to see my Christmas Selection!

Subway Art "TO DO" Chart for Kids - PRINTABLE!

2011-07-25T10:10:00.025-04:00

I've been off the map for WEEKS and am SO READY to jump back into regular life. I've been lucky enough to travel and have some summer fun with my family, but I've also had a crazy episode with Skin Cancer! YIKES!! I'm not even a sun bather, either!! After several procedures, stitches, lots of bandaids and neosporin AND alot of pathology reports - I'm happy and lucky to say it's finally all gone!! It'll take me another month to heal completely, but I'm okay with that. It could have been so much worse!

(Switching now to a much funner discussion...)

So... I've had this printable done for quite a while -

And, it is BY FAR - MY. MOST. FAVORITE. PRINTABLE. EVER!

Simply put, this is a Subway Art "To Do" Chart for your kids! It not only gives your kids ideas of how to spend their time, it encourages thoughtfulness, manners, tracks chores and even has a "Strike Zone" to manage bad behavior! To make one, you'll need my printable, a 12x12 magnetic board(found at a home improvement store or online here), magnets and fun, colorful floral marbles like the ones shown above.

Don't you just love those colors? I found these marbles at Michaels, in fact... they were the original color inspiration for the boards. I just used a hot glue gun to attach the magnets - you'll need to make about 20 magnets for each board.

To Make the Board... Trim and laminate each word art strip. Evenly spread LOTS of glue stick on each piece and adhere to your magnet board (if you follow the pattern shown on the first graphic, it'll fit perfectly like a puzzle on your 12x12 surface). Let dry overnight and they'll be stuck forever. Do NOT use ModPodge (no matter how bad you want to). The red ink will run and you'll have a big bubbly, runny mess on your hands!

To Implement the Board at your House... We use our boards as a daily time management system and it's almost become a game to see how many magnets they can complete and mark on their boards. They are proud and excited each evening to discuss with dad what they've done and it makes it easy for my husband to ask good questions. If he sees they've got a magnet on "Something Artistic" he can easily ask to see what they created. I don't pay my kids for earning magnets, they actually earn TV time for working well on their boards. You can certainly choose any type of reward to motivate them, just use their boards to track it. At our house, each activity has to last 20-30 minutes to be counted... no cheating! :)

My main intent isn't for them to fill their boards, my intent is to direct them to their board when they don't have anything to do. It has completely KILLED the "I'm bored" scenarios, has encouraged self-management & independence (which is a bonus for me) and has helped them develop some amazing habits that I love. Imagine one of your kids disappearing into their bedroom for an hour to read... without being asked!! If we head out for a Slurpee... they can mark "Something Together" or "Something Fun". What I love about this system, is it "prompts" them with a general idea, but gives them the freedom, variety and flexibility to choose what to do. No one is bored or even tempted to be a trouble maker at our house... and if they are, they know they'll get a magnet in the "Strike Zone"!

This printable is 4 pages and includes a coordinating sheet of blank cards to use as either idea cards or even as chore cards. The last page has a full alphabet of letter tiles so you can customize each board with your kiddos' names. To grab your printable, stop by MY SHOP (HERE)!

UPDATE: I've written a follow-up post to address the most commonly asked questions about this printable... click HERE to read.

Another Freebie for DADS!

2011-06-17T11:08:00.003-04:00

I work with all the cute kiddos at my church and wanted to make something simple they could give to their Dad's this year... a "Father's Day Favor" we'll call it! The chocolate flowers I did for the mom's were a big hit, so I couldn't show up without something great for the Dad's too! Luckily in the craft realm of blog country, there were so many ideas to inspire me! When I bumped into this one on Nothing But Country... I knew it would be easy to do and kind to our tiny budget.

I created my tag to use with 3" zip bags (from a craft store) and used one large bag of Reese's Pieces from Sam's ($6.88) to fill 45 bags. Happy Father's Day!

For more fun printables, please visit my Etsy Shop!

For this FREE DOWNLOAD, click HERE!

(If you download, be a friend and "like" me on FB or become a blog follower, thanks!)

Linking with... http://tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com/