PINTEREST WIN: "GIVE THANKS" BLOCKS

I wasn't planning on sharing this project on the blog, but I received so many questions and engagement when I posted it on my personal Facebook page, I thought I better!

A few weeks ago I hosted a craft night with some new gal pals. I needed to do something fairly easy but have it also be something we could actually use. I had pinned this project from Crystal and Co. quite a while ago. You can find the full directions here. She makes the project super easy because she provides the printables for free! There were no stencils to use or vinyl to cut. The most work was actually done by my husband who helped me cut the wood into blocks and I sanded down the edges.

The one thing I will warn you about is make sure not to use too much Mod Podge underneath the printables, otherwise you'll get bad bubbles. You just need a thin coat underneath and on top to adhere them onto the blocks.

I have my blocks on the mantle and love it! Another one of the ladies has them on a side table in her entryway and it looks great. Such a nice greeting for guests!

There is still time to give it a try. Happy Thanksgiving!

PRINTABLE FANG TREAT BAGS

If you follow me on Facebook or Twitter you know I love me some free printables! And there have been some great ones for Halloween. This one from Curbly is one of my favorites. Find the free printable and directions here.

FREE DOWNLOAD: HEALTH FOOD TAGS

Health awareness is so prevalent these days--especially if you're hosting a party. My daughter has many food allergies, so I ask guests to make me aware of any allergies they have right on the invitation. That way I can make sure to have food options ready for them. Even preparing meals for teacher luncheons we are asked to provide one gluten free option.

To make it easy for guests to identify foods at a party, FoodPackagingLabels.net has a great set of food labels you can download instantly for FREE HERE.  From sugar free to gluten free, their set (shown above) covers a wide variety of options. You can also use the labels to organize your fridge and pantry. The website also generously shares free printables for the weekly meal planning and special events. With Easter right around the corner, you might want to check out the Easter labels here.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

My husband and I are pretty low-key when it comes to Valentine's Day. I'm not big on jewelry and I don't like the crowded pre-fixe menus restaurants serve. But, since Valentine's Day does fall on a Saturday night this year, I am content enough to just share and enjoy a bottle of vino or bubbly after the kids go to bed. I shared these printables from All For the Memories on Facebook yesterday but thought it was worth re-sharing here if you need a quick idea for your special someone.

I hope your day is filled with love tomorrow--whatever form that might come in or however you choose to enjoy it!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Jumping in to say Happy Halloween! I hope you have a fun and safe Halloween - and for those who are having parties tonight - good luck! I know it's always exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time when you're hosting a party.  In fact, I'm hosting a 60's themed party Saturday night which I'm a little nervous about because I feel a bit behind. But I'm hoping it all comes together. Fingers crossed!

And don't you love these BOO glasses?! Download the template from Leo Le Pirate here. I printed the template onto orange cardstock and drew in the polka dots.

Happy Halloween!

SOFTBALL / BASEBALL COACH GIFT IDEA WITH FREE PRINTABLE

Saturday was Renee's last day of softball–and it was a looong day, with 3 games in 90+ degree heat!  But, I have to say the coaches made it fun for them, with a water balloon fight and pizza party in between the games.  They were great coaches and we wanted to make sure we showed our appreciation for the time and effort they made throughout the season. We went to Party City and found a bunch of softball/baseball themed candy and bucket to put something cute together. I put the candy in a craft ornament I happen to have. We also included a baseball ornament we found at Hobby Lobby.  (Yes, can you believe the Christmas ornaments are already out at Hobby Lobby?!?!)

A cute ball tag was the finishing touch: "It was a BALL having you as a coach!  Thanks for everything!"

They loved the baskets! If any of your kids play softball or baseball, feel free to use the tag I made.

You can download the FREE PRINTABLE HERE

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FAVORITE 4TH OF JULY PINS

Since the 4th lands on a Friday this year, we might take off for the long weekend, but that doesn't stop me from pinning some cute ideas to my Red, White and Blue Pinterest board.  Here are a few of my favorite ideas that are very simple to do.

Sources:
Mini bunting HAPPY 4TH free printable from Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mommy
Fireworks drink stirrers from HOMEY oh my
Lawn stars from Better Homes & Gardens
Confetti launcher from piikea street

PRINTABLE LEMONADE PARTY FAVORS

My girls love doing some sort of "stand" over the summer. We did a snow cone stand last year. This year they shared a small candy stand with friends during a garage sale the neighborhood had.  This little idea from design, eat, repeat would add a fun item to any lemonade stand or favor for any summer party.  If you can't find chicklets, you can use hard yellow candies available at party stores. The printable is provided free! Find it and the original post here.

TAKE NOTE OF THIS TEACHER GIFT

I can't really believe it, but today is my kids' last full day of school! Tomorrow is just a half day and then the year is over–I will have two third graders. The last couple of months especially went by really fast. Not sure if I'm entirely ready for the summer, but here we go!

Although the class gave the teachers a nice gift over appreciation week just a few weeks ago, I always like to give one last end of year gift, too. When Renee's teacher gave her a thank you note written on loose-leaf paper I knew what I was going to get her!  I found this cute pack of 50 notecards at Target. Colorful and blank, so the teachers can use them for a thank you or just a note to a parent.  This is certainly not an original idea.  In fact, I found the perfect free gift tag printable at The Teacher Mama.  I always try to give something useful.  Are you planning any teacher gifts?

EASTER LINK PARTY FAVORITES

It's been so much fun looking at all the projects being shared on the Easter Link Party! If you haven't linked up your projects, there is still plenty of time.  The link party closes Saturday, April 5.  Each of the participating bloggers is picking their favorites.  It was hard to choose, but here are my top three.  Thanks to all of you who participated!

Super adorable "Chillin' With My Peeps" T-shirt from Sugar Bee Crafts

Festive Bunny Wreath from Daisy Mae Belle

Free Bunny Cups Printable from Kiki & Company

FREE PRINTABLES FOR ST. PATRICK'S DAY

St. Patrick's Day is Monday but a lot of parades and celebrations are happening this weekend.  If you're looking for a quick treat to make for the festivities, use these free printables to get them done. Links are all below.

Pot of Gold boxes from Design Eat Repeat.
You Sham Rock tags from Bloom Designs
Beer Labels from Benign Objects
Jar Label from Detail-Oriented Diva
Cootie Catcher from Bird's Party

My kids are off tomorrow because of a teacher conference day so I'm taking a long weekend.  Be back Monday. Have a great and safe weekend!

YOU STILL HAVE TIME FOR THESE VALENTINE'S DAY IDEAS

If the week has slipped by you, but you still want to do a little something for your someone special, here are a few ideas you can still get done today in time for Valentine's Day.

HEART LOVE NOTES FROM DESIGN DAZZLE: Adorn a bedroom door, bathroom mirror or the inside of the car of a special someone with all the little things you love about that person.

DONUT FORGET THAT I LOVE YOU FREE PRINTABLE FROM THE SPARKLE COLLECTIVE: Sneak a doughnut in the hubby's bag or a small doughnut hole in your child's lunch with this sweet free printable. It's guaranteed to put a smile on their face!

DIY BANANA VALENTINE FROM THE SWEETEST OCCASION: If you're looking for something less in calories, this is a really cute way to give a Valentine's Day message. Another fun message they suggest: "I'm bananas for you!"

OPEN WHEN LETTERS FROM LIFE LOVE LAUREN: A series of letters that can be opened at the recipient's whim.  "Open when you need a pep talk"... "Open when you are bored."  It's a very thoughtful gift that can be done for an adult or child.

Enjoy!

TRENDY VALENTINES FOR BOY AND GIRL (FREE PRINTABLES)

The Valentines cards and candy are out on store shelves which makes me immediately start to think about classroom Valentines.  I don't know about your world, but in my world Rainbow Loom is the biggest thing with my girls and their friends.  They come back from school with new bracelets on their wrists and the bands are a big gift item. (And yes, I realize there are plenty of boys that like Rainbow Loom bracelets too! I'm including them as well.) My nephews are way into Minecraft!  In fact, I gave them Minecraft foam toys as part of their Christmas gifts this year.  So, with that said---I thought these were very fitting classroom Valentines for kids to hand out this year that I wanted to share.

I actually found two free printables for Rainbow Loom bracelet Valentines:

This one from The Suburban Mom:

And this one from Thirty Handmade Days:

If it's too much for your child to make enough bracelets for the entire class, then attach a small cellophane bag of loom bands instead.

Here are some cute Minecraft Valentines for the boys from Over the Big Moon:

What are you and your child planning on giving out this Valentine's Day??

SNOWBALL FIGHT CUPCAKES

Not only can I not believe Christmas is a week from Wednesday, but this is the kids' last week of school before break! (My stress barometer just went up!) If you're in the midst of planning how you're going to occupy your kids over break, consider a fun, light-hearted snowball fight party or playdate. Even if you live in a warmer climate there are lots of fun ideas on how to make fake snowballs, or snowball playdough on Pinterest and around the Internet. These adorable cupcakes from Hungry Happenings are the perfect treat for such an occasion.  Find the how-to here. She even provides you with a free download of the cupcake wrapper!

FREE PRINTABLE SANTA ADVENT CALENDAR

I really love advent calendars–so much so that I've dedicated a Pinterest board to them.  It's a fun way to ease the anticipation of Christmas and come up with different ways to enjoy the season by featuring activities over candy.  Here's a really cute advent calendar from pysselbolaget that uses toilet paper rolls and free printables they provide.  Their adorable Santa designs make a great setting on your mantle or table.  Find the free downloads and tutorial here.

FLEECE THROW GIFT IDEA + FREE PRINTABLE GIFT TAGS

Last year, after the holidays, I found these fleece throws on clearance at Walmart.  I literally paid just over $1 for each one.  I snatched about 10 of them, knowing they would make a good teacher, staff or neighbor gift this year. Walmart is carrying them again this year for about $5 each if you're interested in getting them.  They have really cute patterns, and who couldn't use another blanket?!

Well, I pulled them out of storage and designed a couple of gift tags to go along with them that I am offering to you as a FREE DOWNLOAD! I'm not sure which one I'm using--it will all depend who we give them to.  But, I do love this gift idea, because it is totally useful and will probably be more welcomed than another tray of cookies! Click the link below after the photo for your free download.

CLICK HERE FOR YOUR FREE DOWNLOAD

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FREE HALLOWEEN PRINTABLE: CARE FOR A BITE?

C'mon, you know you chuckled when you saw that! How fun to sneek that into your husband's lunch, briefcase, kid's lunchbox or just have it out on Halloween morning?  This cute idea is from Dixie Delights and you can find the free printable here.

CUSTOM HALLOWEEN BANNER USING FREE PRINTABLES

I mentioned that I was part of a committee putting together a "Spooktacular Soups and Stews" luncheon for our school's teachers last week.  I so wish I had a photo of the finished room. The committee did such a great job! Unfortunately I had to leave before the room was done, otherwise I would have tried getting a photo myself.  In any case, my contribution to the decor was this custom banner: "THANK YOU SPOOKTACULAR TEACHERS."  I thought it was worth sharing to let you know that you can easily make your own with free Halloween printables found at The Cottage Market. So generous, she includes the alphabet and numbers. Perfect last minute addition to your Halloween festivities.

OUR REPURPOSED HALLOWEEN MANTLE

I finally managed to get some Halloween decorations up over the weekend.  I had some stuff from old Halloween projects and I just repurposed them for the mantle.  You'll find out where everything came from, including the free printables, after the photos. I thought this would serve as a good reminder of past Halloween projects I've featured.

Starting from left to right on the mantle shelf:

- The yellow ghost mason jar is from this old project.  Paint a variety of them like we did, insert battery operated tea lights and they look really cute outside at night.
- The spooky tree is from a Halloween party I did a while back, that you can see here.
- The glittered haunted house is the only thing I purchased this year.  It was $6 (on sale) at Michaels.
- The Halloween ornaments in the apothecary jar were purchased on clearance last year at Target
- The skull with glittered bow is a free printable from Persia Lou.
- The bat garland is a free printable from Party Planning Center.
- The painted craft pumpkins are from this project, which is still a popular post.

Did you get your Halloween decorations up yet??

FREE PRINTABLE: LALALOOPSY THANK YOU CARD

This past June, I had a Lalaloopsy themed birthday party for my girls.  It was a lot of fun!  If you missed it you can see it here and here.  I shared the invitations for free here.  Since I've been seeing "Lalaloopsy free printables" at the top of my keyword search, I am sharing the thank you card as well. So, now those of you who do use them, have a matching set!

You can download the free Lalaloopsy Thank You Card here