Craft Ideas to Make with Cricut

(3D Hot Air Balloons Mobile)

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. 

Okay guys, now that you’re more familiar with Cricut Explore One™, Cricut Explore Air™ and Cricut Design Space™, it’s time to chat about some of the really neat things you can create when you put it all together. 

As you’re getting familiar with your Cricut machine, it’s a great idea to take advantage of the free Make it Now™  projects and images that you get with Cricut Design Space™. 

For example, check out this adorable 3D Hot Air Balloons Mobile as seen above. It’s a fun, easy starter project and makes for the perfect baby shower or toddler’s birthday gift (and can you believe it's made with felt?). And what’s a gift without a card? Cricut has an incredible selection of card examples made with Cricut Explore machines. There’s even a whole selection dedicated to everything baby, which is where I came across this cute baby shower card. 

Birthday
What better way to tell someone how special they are than with a hand/Cricut-made card and gift? This super fun shaker card is perfect for a 21+ birthday. And even if you purchase a gift, you can always use your Cricut Explore machine to personalize it. For example, if you bought a friend a purse or a wallet, you could use your machine to monogram it with their initials. Or if you bought them a plain shirt or sweater, you could customize it with a fun image or statement. 

I love this sparkly pineapple t-shirt. All you need is a blank shirt, a roll of Cricut Iron-on, and images from the Cricut® Summer Love image set. 

Engagement/Wedding
Make your own beautiful table decorations, banners, party favor boxes, cards, and more for the happy couple in just a few minutes! You’ll find some really impressive ideas in Cricut’s Design Space, such as this lovely Mr. & Mrs. card. 

There are an unbelievable number of project examples in the Design Space, which are categorized by type (e.g. baby, holidays, home décor, school, food, etc.) and by level (easy, moderate, and advanced). You can also find a ton of great ideas for projects on Cricut's Blog and Pinterest page. 

The summer season is a perfect time to get your very own Cricut machine and familiarize yourself with Design Space and all the incredible projects you can create. Try out a few projects each month and you’ll be amazed at how easy it is. By the time the holiday season rolls around, you’ll be a Cricut pro and will wow your friends and family with your stunning crafting skills!  I hope that you have enjoyed these tips and ideas and get your craft on!

Happy crafting! 

Cricut Design Space

*This post contains affiliate links and may be compensated if a purchase is made after clicking it, thank you for your support.

When I first began crafting, I tried my best to create projects that were easy for all to do.  I used free hand to cut my designs, while many other crafters used machines for cutting and designing their projects.

I was bummed out knowing that their projects turned out so perfect and mine had imperfections. I wondered, how did they achieve perfect cutting and design?  After much research, I discovered Cricut.  I have mentioned Cricut in a few posts here on the blog, only because I want those of you who have a hard time achieving certain crafts to be creative without the hard work of design and cutting.  Cricut offers two awesome machines that do the work for you.

Not only that, but what bridges the gap between the creative ideas in your head and the Cricut machine is the Cricut Design Space™. 

Cricut’s Design Space™ is software for PC, Mac®, iPhone® and iPad® that you get for free with your Cricut machine of choice. 

Instead of trying to figure out how to make your project, Design Space gives you the ability to focus on what you want to make. Your Cricut machine takes it from there and brings it to life. 

With Design Space, you can start designing from scratch on your computer, iPhone® or iPad®, or you can use a pre-designed, Make It Now™ project. These ready-to-make projects are created by professional artists and include everything from home décor to fashion to paper crafting, and even a variety of FREE projects. 

If you want to use one of Cricut’s 50K+ images, you can try them out in the Design Space to see which will look best in your project before you commit to purchasing it. 

Uploading Images 

When you’re ready to start designing, you can either use one of Cricut’s 50K+ images or easily upload your own using the “Upload Images” tool in Design Space. You can upload and cut .svg, .jpg, .png, .bmp, .gif, and .dxf files absolutely FREE. You can even use fonts already installed on your computer. 

Cut What You Want® tool 

The Design Space’s Cut What You Want® tool makes it easy to convert your design into a cuttable image in just a few clicks! 

The Cricut Design Space™ app for iPad® and iPhone® 

Cricut’s easy-to-use app for the iPad® and iPhone® makes it possible for you can design anytime and anywhere inspiration strikes you.

It also allows you to access all the project’s that you’ve personally designed, whether on your iOs device or your PC or Mac, and gives you access to all the Make-it-Now projects. 

With this app, you can start a project while at the beach, enhance it at the ice-cream shop, add some embellishments while cozying up on your couch, and then cut it on the Cricut Explore in your craft room. Plus, it’s cloud-based, so your projects are always synced across all your devices. 

P.S. Cricut is working on an Android™ app right now, so don’t feel left out if you don’t have an iPad or iPhone. 

In a nutshell, Cricut Design Space™ gives you the creative freedom to design just about anything! Make party invitations, decorations, and favors. Create seasonal home décor or personalize wedding gifts. Add embellishments to your favorite photo memories. 

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg! That’s why sometime next week, we will focus on some really fun and interesting projects that people have created using their Cricut machine and the Cricut Design Space. 

So Stay tuned! 

Sharing Creative Inspirations

*This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links.

Over the past few weeks I've been sharing how and why Blurb is such an incredible source for
telling your story—whether it includes photos, words, or both. I realize that not everyone has the
desire to write a novel or sell a book of their photos. Some people just want to commemorate a 
trip, an event, your own blog, or a special occasion. Others may want to visually capture a 
business concept or life experience. Whatever the inclination, Blurb makes it easy and affordable 
to realize it. 

Chances are you already have an idea for the kind of book you want to create. But in case you 
need a little inspiration, here are a few ways people have used Blurb to create their own creative 
and useful books: 

Gifts
A beautiful, custom-made book is one of the most thoughtful, meaningful gifts you can give. 
With Father’s Day, graduation, and wedding season just around the corner, this type of book 
can make the perfect gift that keeps on giving. And with Blurb’s cutting-edge book-making 
tools, you can add photos, words, stories, drawings—anything you want—and make 
something that’s truly one-of-a-kind. Ideas include: a favorite recipes book, a baby’s first 
year book, a book of poems, a senior year book, etc. 

Memoirs
You have a story to tell. Okay, so you may not have hiked across the Sahara or been on 
Broadway, but that doesn't mean that you haven’t impacted lives or had interesting life 
experiences. And it certainly doesn't mean that you don’t have valuable insights to 
impart. Even if you have no interest in sharing your memoir with anyone, the process of 
reflecting on your life and writing down some of your thoughts and experiences can be 
incredibly eye-opening and cathartic.  In my experience creating my own book with Blurb, 
I've captured simple everyday memories that I can look back to.

Pet Books
What better way to showcase your best friend than with their very own book. It could be 
something as simple as pictures and quips of trips to the park, naps on the couch, playing 
with a favorite toy, or basking in the sun, to a more in-depth life story book about your pet. 
These can be shared as gifts, sold to fellow pet-lovers, or just kept for your own personal 
enjoyment. 

Non-Profit Fundraising Books
With Blurb, non-profits can share their story with compelling words and images and 
then sell them via Blurb’s Sell & Distribute option to fundraise for their organization. 
For example, Gerrit Greve’s Hearts for Healing book showcases how kids interpret a 
giving heart through art. It also chronicles how Greve’s students gained new confidence 
in themselves and their abilities knowing that their art could make a difference in someone’s 
life and health. This beautiful book is an example of how Blurb’s platforms can be used to 
support a cause that’s important to you. 

These are just a few ways that you can use Blurb to share your story or promote a purpose, 
but know that there are many, many others. Get creative! Honestly, the most important part 
is just clicking on the “Get Started” link on Blurb.com. As you start the process of creating 
your own book, you’ll be surprised at how quickly the creativity floodgates open!  

And when it does and you've created your own book, be sure to tell me about it—if you’re 
okay with me doing so, I’d love to promote it to other readers. Who knows? You may inspire
someone else to create a book of their own! 

Just In!
Exciting news! Starting today, you have to check out the Blurb Flash Sale! You can get 35% off now through Monday, May 18th, when you use code MAYFLASH35. That is right - 35% off any Blurb book you make! I'm talking photo books, cookbooks, trade books, magazines ... whatever type of book your inspiration calls for! Here are the details: 

Offer: 35% off at Blurb, five days only!
Valid: 5/14 - 5/18
Code: MAYFLASH35

So hurry on over to Blurb and start creating! This offer ends soon!

What You Should Know About Blurb

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links.

So last week I shared a bit of the Blurb story and how they came to unleash the power of self-publishing. But Blurb is actually way more than a self-publishing platform. They are really a tour de force of creativity that strives to help give your story – your inspiration – a stage.  And they provide some really incredible tools to make that possible. 

Here are a few of my faves:

1. Free book making tools – This one may be obvious, but there’s more here than meets the eye. Blurb offers multiple easy-to-use bookmaking tools and templates to give you complete creative control and customization:
   BookWright: The only desktop publishing software built for creating professional-looking print books, magazines, and ebooks. It’s super simple to use, which means you won't need to hire a fancy designer, know a line of code, or buy expensive software. BookSmart: A user-friendly book-making tool that allows you to create beautiful, professional-quality photo books, notebooks, and planners.
   Adobe InDesign Plug-In: If you use Adobe® InDesign® then this Blurb plug-in is for you. It lets you create and lay out books and magazines directly within InDesign and output in both print and digital formats. It also includes free professionally designed starter templates for photo books, cookbooks, portfolios, and magazines.
   Adobe Lightroom: This book creation tool is fully integrated into Lightroom, so users can make a gorgeous photography book without needing to leave the Lightroom workflow. It also includes 5 paper choices, including high-end photo-quality paper from Mohawk Fine Papers®.
2. Online photo books – With this tool, you can create your very own online photo book in less than an hour. The online templates and layouts are gorgeous. All you have to do is drag & drop your photos from your computer, Facebook, and Instagram accounts.
   Instagram Photo Book: Blurb allows you to make a little 7 x7 book that’s as unique as your Instagram feed. You can start with up to 60 images and go up to 240 pages! It’s like a tiny museum devoted to your style!
   Facebook Photo Book: Now you can turn those favorite socially-shared memories into a book-store quality book! You just curate your photos and any Facebook comments you want to include and voilà! You’ve got a beautiful 60-page book of shared experiences.
3. Step-by-step Tutorials & Webinars – If you ever get stuck on how to do something or just need some creative inspiration, you’ll definitely appreciate Blurb’s interesting and informative Webinars and Tips and Tutorials sections. So helpful.
4. Free Tools to Use - Not sure what size book you want? Blurb shows you what a 10 x 8 book would look like versus a 13 x 11 with their creation and layout tools. You can also see what different paper types would look like, such as Premium Matte or Proline Uncoated and what makes them different.
5. Pricing Tool – Blurb’s Pricing Calculator will save you from pricing surprises. You just select your book type, number of pages, type of cover, and paper you want and this tool calculates what your book will cost. They also have special pricing on large orders (e.g. 300+ books).

I encourage you to take some creative time for yourself and explore Blurb’s unique and valuable book-making tools. And remember that from now through 4/30 you can get 20% off any book you create, just use code: APRILLIGHTS! If you are thinking of self-publishing or starting a fundraiser use code: BIGAPRIL and get 20% off 20 or more books! 

What are your favorite Blurb tools? 

An Intro To Blurb

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links.

I really enjoy Blurb and the quality of their books, and yes I know that there are other companies out there that do the same, if not similar work.  But having seen other books, Blurb tops them all. 

 I want to share with you Blurb's story.  

Like many great companies before it, Blurb was actually started by accident.  In the early 2000s, Eileen Gittins, Blurbs' Founder, rekindled a passion for photography while trying to figure out her next career gig. 

She wanted to compile her photos into a nice coffee table photo book, but she only wanted to print a handful of copies. The conundrum was that every publisher was quoting her hundreds of dollars for each book! She found this curious – and frustrating.  So she asked herself, are there other people like me who want to affordably create their own high-quality book from their photos? The answer, of course, was yes, and it changed her life – and book publishing – forever. 

In 2006, Eileen launched Blurb, a simple book-designing platform and a publishing process that could quickly produce beautifully made books at game-changing price. 

Everyone from award-winning photographers, to couples wanting to commemorate the birth of their child started using Blurb – and they continue to do so today. Even after almost a decade, people are still blown away by Blurb’s user-friendliness, quality, and affordability. People trust Blurb to create every kind of book imaginable, including:

• Cookbooks
• Photo books
• Yearbooks
• Ebooks
• Magazines, and more

Blurb doesn’t just help people make books and magazines, they also help market them by providing publishers with their own dedicated sales page. Blurb’s dedicated sales pages allows authors to:

• Make their book or magazine available to the public or by invitation-only
• Write a compelling book description
• Customize a preview of their book
• Share their book with others on social media

Blurb also created their publishing platform to work seamlessly with Amazon and Apple iBooks Store so authors would have even more options for how they sell their books. 

There are so many remarkable things to share about Blurb – too much for just one post! So keep an eye out for next week’s post, because I’ll be sharing some of my favorite Blurb tools and tips -- which, if you’re like me, will leave you thinking … “I didn’t know Blurb could do all that!” 

Oh! And I almost forgot to mention that now through 4/28 you can get 20% off any book you create! 
Can’t wait to see what kind of book you create! 

Words Matter Letterpress

Aren't these wooden letter blocks cool?  They have a simplicity to them and yet have a big
impact on any home decor when put to good use.  My favorites are the numbers on the
front of the home and the Est. sign as well.  You can find these over at DaySpring by clicking the images.

DaySpring is currently offering these lovely letterpress blocks so that you can create
your own words for your decorating needs.  Drop by their site and view some of the decorative ideas that they have available.

What is your favorite?

*(This post contains affiliate links and may be compensated if you make a purchase.  
   Thank you so much for your support.)

Big Savings Just in Time for the Holidays:Blurb

(This post contains affiliate links and may be compensated if you make a purchase after you click the links.)

I've been making little adjustments to this holiday's decor.  It gets simpler every year, so the only thing I have been decorating is our tree and well that's it.  Not to mention a wreath on our front door. 
I usually add little something here and there as the week progresses, but I'll just have to wait and see.

With the Holidays rushing through and with so much to do, I wanted to let you know that Blurb has added an extra promotion to make sure you can still save big on your gift books.  Make your gift giving easier this year.  Now we have the time to gather our photos and make a gift book.

Save 30% off print book orders $175+ with code:BLURB30% or 25% off print book orders $150+ with code: LARGEGIFTS through 12/9. Now's the perfect time to create those gifts!

Save with Blurb's Black Friday Sale

(This post contains affiliate links and may be compensated if you make a purchase after you click my links, thank you.)

I have been thinking about gifts this year and what do you give someone who doesn't need anything?I've got it!  How about a book created especially for that person on Blurb!  I am thinking of creating a book with fun memories of past times with photos, family stories and poems for a beloved relative such a grandparent.

Some of the best gifts we've ever received have been books made by our family and friends. With Blurb, you can create your own present for someone special to you. You could make a photo book with memories that last a lifetime. Another idea is to create a book filled with your child's artwork or make a cookbook consisting of old family recipes. The gift-giving possibilities are endless at Blurb.

Since it's Black Friday, you can get 20% off print book orders with code: CYBER20 from 11/26 through 12/1. Now's the perfect time to create those gifts!

Publishing & Selling Books in the Blurb Bookstore

(This post contains affiliate links and may be compensated if you make a purchase after you click my links, thank you)

Many bloggers out there have worked hard on their blogs and even use the means to promote 
a business or their personal stories.  Today I want to help you take a step further and show you 
a way to create your own book and sell it to your readers. 

If you have an idea for a book, but don't know how to get it published you are in the right place. 
Self-publishing tools like Blurb BookWright are helping independent publishers just like you 
become successful authors. If you’ve been working on a novel, cookbook, craft book, 
or your blog, now’s the time to finally publish it!  

Publishing couldn’t be easier with Blurb BookWright. Not only can you easily publish your 
book, you can sell in the Blurb Bookstore with the help of Blurb Direct Sell. Through it, 
your book will get its own page in the Blurb Bookstore and you can use the Personal 
Storefront widget to promote your book to your readers. You can even sell your book on 
Amazon when publishing with BookWright. Self-publishing a book has never been easier! 
If you're ready to try it and sell your book, download BookWright.
I hope that this helps you get started! 

Sweet Gift Making Inspiration From Paul Lowe

(This post contains affiliate links and will compensated only if you make a purchase after clicking my links.)


This fall, Blurb is highlighting makers all over the world. They will be focusing on each person's
craft, on their culture, on their traditions, and on their favorite moments. One of those people 
is Paul Lowe, creator of Sweet Paul magazine. 

Sweet Paul magazine features spectacular food photography, scrumptious recipes, and 
inspired crafts. His work is truly amazing! In Blurb's interview with Paul, he discusses 
his childhood in Norway and provides a delicious recipe. You'll love Paul's stories of gnomes, 
trees (and tree-related disasters), food, family, and memories. At the end of the interview, 
Blurb features great gift books reminiscent of Sweet Paul. Read the interview here, 
I hope that you enjoy it as much as I did!

Save 20% on photo books with code OCT20%, which is great news if you're planning 
to make a holiday gift. This deal ends October 31st. 

Shop News: Mini Chalkboard Necklace is Back!

Oh me, oh my, look at what's back at the shop!  I made chalkboard necklaces this year in the color gold.  They are going fast and are not all completely in the shop.  I have one in the shop now, so grab it before it's gone too!
They are certainly a conversational piece.  You may write whatever message you like using a chalk, chalk pencil or ink chalk.

I decided to make a few this year before the Holidays, since I still had a few supplies left. Unfortunately I can't say the same for the glass magnets.  To be honest, my wholesaler has increased prices and it doesn't make sense to sell them at a higher price, so dear magnets lovers, I'm not sure if they will be in the shop this year.  I guess we'll have to see, don't lose hope just yet.

The pendant itself measures 1 inch in diameter and you have the choice of either getting the chain link featured in the image or a gold colored ball chain.  Drop by the shop for more information.
Share with your friends incase they are looking for something different.  Enjoy your day and thank you for visiting!

Photo Book Design Secrets from the Pros, Compliments of Blurb

This post contains affiliate links and will compensated only if you make a purchase after clicking my links. Hey friends!  Have you been taken plenty of photographs the last few months, years? I'm pretty sure that your photos are stunning, because you snapped them.  Your photo galleries are sublime. You've spent hours sorting and editing your shots  into individual masterpieces, and are now ready to take the next step— publishing them into a printed collection of your art. 
Before you jump online and start pouring your pictures  onto the blank pages of a photo book, take a look at this video from Blurb.  In this video,  learn graphic design secrets to create a clean, high quality photo book—such as how  to avoid falling into the "gutter".  Blurb will help you turn your photography into the  magnum opus that graces your coffee table, as opposed to just another book of pictures. 

Ready to start publishing? Save 20% on photo books with code OCT20%, which is  great news if you're thinking ahead to the holidays and making your work of art  into a gift to send.  Special offer for new customers only—save 25% on photo books  with code OCT25%… even better for those of you who are new to Blurb books.  Just don't wait because these deals end October 31st, so get going. I hope that you enjoy these tips as much as I did.   What photos will you include in your photo book?

15% off Valentine's Day Gifts at Layla Grayce!

One of the lovely items that I love about Layla Grayce are their aprons.  They seem to look almost like dresses don't they?  I have some news for you, I know that we have just entered into January, but you know how fast time flies, soon we will be approaching Valentine's Day in February, and it is time to start picking out a perfect gift!  I have some lovely ideas here and more inspirations here on the blog and I also want to let you know that now through January 31st, Layla Grayce is offering  15% off Valentine's Day Gifts with promo code LOVE15. Don't miss your chance to shop and save on aprons, fashion accessories and more. Happy Shopping!

Homemade Holiday Gift Ideas (2)

Hello friends, today I have gathered a few homemade gift ideas for the Holidays ahead. If you have not viewed my previous ideas, drop by this post to gather more inspirations for gift giving.  Nothing beats a gift more than a homemade one.  Think of treats and dishes too!

1. My first suggestion is a heartwarming gift bucket with goodies.  Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix with a bag of marshmallows and peppermint candy canes.
2. Homemade bath salts.
3. I love this one!  A homemade chalkboard planter with a delightful Holiday message. Add a beautiful small evergreen or rosemary plant to make it extra special.
4. This is perfect for this time of year when dry skin is a problem, Homemade Body Butter.
5. Another Holiday hit is these lovely Homemade Chalkboard Cups.  They are super easy to make & add anything inside and make it merry.
6. Framed print with verse, this is another hit for gifts.  Print out your artwork and frame it to give for the Holidays.

I hope that you enjoy these inspirational gift ideas. Do you have any of your own you'd like to share?  Link it up to the comment section and share it with us here.  If you prefer to buy homemade gifts instead, visit my little shop or other great handmade shops on Etsy.
Have a happy week!

For the Love of Magnets & 10% SALE

I just finished making these beautiful magnets for my shop.

I think that perhaps they are my favorite, yet I say that about 

all of them because they are truly beautiful.  You have to see them in person.

Drop by the Inspirations by D shop and tell me which is your favorite.

You Can't Go Wrong With Flowers

I love flowers, don’t you?  There is no excuse when trying to decide a gift when one remembers how happy people get when they receive a gift of flowers. Ask any woman and she can probably describe in detail the flowers, arrangement and date of the last flowers she received! The hard decision may not be in what gift to choose, but which flowers and in what arrangement! Fortunately, florists are ready to help and offer suggestions with any decision.

Red roses have long signified passionate love, but couples are not the only ones who delight in a gift of flowers. With the many choices of flowers available today, and throughout most seasons, any flower or combination of flowers can be sent and received as a communication of thoughtful consideration that truly touch the recipient's heart. Almost any occasion is an opportunity to send flowers. The convenience of shopping online can send a thoughtful gift to anyone, anywhere, with a simple click! For example your recipient lives in Australia; sites, such as freshflowers.com.au are set up to make the process easy with a vast array of flowers for any occasion.

Just imagine the delight on your mum's face when she opens the door to a delivery person holding an arrangement of Mother's Day flowers or a birthday bouquet. Fathers are equally pleased with a floral arrival on Father's Day. Fresh flowers to celebrate a newborn's birth, as a holiday gift and to commemorate a new home are other events appropriate for sending flowers. Flowers also make a thank you more special and sincere. Choosing a flower arrangement as a hostess gift is more personable and longer lasting sentiment than some other choices. 

A special occasion isn't necessary to send flowers. Most people can remember picking flowers for their mothers while playing outside. My son’s face lights up when he gives me flowers and it touches my heart at the thought that he knows how much I love them. It is a sure way to make someone's ordinary day transform into a special day. In fact, for many days after their arrival, the presence of fresh flowers will make those days festive. 

Flowers do not have to have to be a right size or color. There is no worry in duplicating a present and no registry is needed. They are always appreciated and always create instant smiles and pleasure. They are the perfect gift.

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of freshflowers . All opinions are 100% mine.

Designer Handbags 15% Off at Layla Grayce

image: Layla Grayce

Hello friends!  It has been a busy week for us at home and it continues on until next week.  All these 
events have kept me away from my unfinished projects. Around these parts we have been busy with birthdays, graduations, end of school year coming up next week and more on the way.  I have been 
trying to find gifts for teachers, graduates, and birthdays. 
For my gift shopping needs, I have been spending a lot of time over at Layla Grayce.  I don't know 
if you have been hanging around Layla Grayce lately, but have you seen their handbags?  Pretty!

I'm excited to share with you that for a limited time, Layla Grayce is offering 
15% off Designer Handbags with promo code NEWPURSE.  Stay fashion forward this summer 
and shop beautiful bags like the Botkier Lucy Sea Glass Shoulder Bag or the 
Botkier Lucy Powder Cross Body Bag.  A fun and flirty option is the Be&D Parker Teal Combo Bag, it is perfect for a night out on the town.  Don't miss your chance to shop this fabulous sale!

I hope that you'll visit them and check out all their collections enjoy your weekend and Happy Shopping!

Recovery and Magnets

This week has been tough.  Do you remember when I told you my little guy was sick on this "post"?

Guess who caught what he had?  Yep, yours truly.  I've been in bed for days, what an

awful thing to have and to think that my munchkin had this.  

My poor little angel, thankfully he is well now.  I am slowly recovering.

Since I've been out of the loop for a while, I haven't gotten anything done.

I did manage to get an order out today.  

I love receiving well packaged items don't' you?  My latest gift to myself came from this gal.

I love her packaging, it's like getting a gift from a friend.

When I send out my items,I make sure it is ready for gift giving.
Whether it's for the buyer or another recipient.

That's just me!  

Now, graduation and Mother's Day are next month and I have only a few items left y'all.

These blue magnets are perfect for such an occasion.  The photos do no justice, none.

They are so beautiful in person.  I wish I could just reach out your screen and show them to you.

Stop by the shop and show your love.  Hope that you have a wonderful day!

Dabbling on Valentine's Gifts & Crayon Hearts

What's all this you say?  This is what I have been working on for Valentine's Day.
I have not decorated my home for Valentine's Day except with a couple of prints
and a handmade garland.  I'm not much of a decorator outside of Christmas,
but for my son's sake,we'll craft something together that reminds us of the upcoming
holiday, in this case Valentine's Day.

I have also been restocking my little shop with new magnets in blue and green colors.
Perhaps you may want to drop by and check it out for gift giving.
With Valentine's Day, Birthdays and Easter approaching you may want to get some before
they are gone.  Remember, I will not be making any push pins until possibly the summer.
 

We have also prepared little gifts for his classmates and teacher.  This year his teacher
is getting this "Love is Patient Printable" and perhaps magnets to go along with it.
His classmates will receive homemade heart shaped crayons and other little treats.
Below are some photos of the Heart Shaped Crayons we made.

1. My son chose to make them in different colors.
2. We took off the crayons wrappers.
3. Placed the crayons inside the silicone heart mold & let it melt in
the oven at 325 degrees for about 13 minutes or so.
4. After they melted, we placed them in the refrigerator to cool
and they were harden in minutes, they were easy to pop out with
the silicone mold.  You should try it!

The kids will love these along with small toys and heart shaped lollipops.

Hope that you enjoy!

Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix in a Bucket

I have a sweet gift idea recipe for you guys today.  I have made this yummy

Hot Cocoa recipe, tried it and loved it!  It's perfect for neighbors, teachers, co workers and more.

To make this Hot Cocoa Recipe Mix you will need the following:

• 4 cups of instant dry milk
• 1 1/2 to 2 cups sugar, if you like it super sweet you may add more to your mix.
• 1 cup powered creamer
• 2/3 cups unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 package of instant store bought chocolate or vanilla mix pudding (optional)
• chocolate chips (will melt and make the cocoa taste like melted candy bars)
• (optional) add cinnamon to mix about a tablespoon or so, it makes it delicious

   Steps 1 - 4.  Mix all the ingredients into a dry large bowl; the dry milk, sugar, powdered creamer...

   Step 5.  This is optional, but I grinded my chocolate chips and added it to the mix.  

   You may keep your chips whole if you wish.

   Step 7.  This is also optional, add your pudding mix to the ingredients, I had vanilla on hand.  

   This just makes the cocoa creamier and rich in flavor.

   Step 8.  Add your cocoa powder.

Use a whisk to stir everything together, if the cocoa mix clumps, just smash the little balls with a fork.

When everything is evenly distributed, transfer into a clean mason jar, sealed canister or coffee can.

This recipe makes about 15 cups of Hot Cocoa.

Decorate your mason jar or coffee can as you wish and add marshmallows.

Add instructions on how to make the cocoa.  

For this recipe the instructions should read:

Add 1/3 cup of mix to mug and add Hot water 

or hot milk, top with marshmallows if desired.  Enjoy!
Psst!  For extra rich flavor, add brown sugar and enjoy.

You may add one or two mugs to your gift or place it in a basket for gift giving.
Get creative and use your imagination.

The way I love to make my cocoa is by warming up the milk in a sauce pan
and add my cocoa mix to the milk stirring it for a minute, then I pour it into my
mug and top it off with marshmallows, cinnamon and whip cream, oh how yummy!
  I hope that you enjoy it.