Thank you so much for taking the time to visit my blog! Please look around and see what my blog has to offer, from party inspiration, DIY craft tutorials, yummy treat ideas, and so much more! And make sure to pin on Pinterest! If you click on the Free Printables tab on the top of this page, you will find all of my posts with free printables. Also, if you would like to stay up-to-date with all of my new posts, subscribe by email (enter it on the right margin of this page) or like my Facebook page HERE. Have a blessed day!

Thursday, May 31, 2012

Tutorial - DIY Luau Snack Cups


I recently threw a luau-themed party that I can't wait to share with you!  In the meantime, I wanted to give you a peek at these cute little snack cups that I used for the dessert table.  These were perfect for the kids to grab and they are super easy to make, so I wanted to share the tutorial with my lovely readers!

Supplies Needed:
- 3 oz. Plastic Cups
- Cardstock Paper
- Small Gems (found in craft stores with flat backs)
- Hot Glue Gun


Here are the easy steps:


1.  Use the hydrangea paper punch and heavy cardstock to punch out as many flowers as you'll need (you will need 2 flowers per cup).

2.  Take 2 hydrangeas and bend each petal upward to create dimension.

3.  Use the hot glue gun to glue one hydrangea on top of the other, placing the petals so they are not directly on top of each other.  Be very careful not to burn your fingers!!

4. Use the hot glue gun to glue a small gem onto the center of your your flower.  Once again, be very careful not to burn yourself!  You need just the smallest dot of glue so that the glue doesn't overflow over the gem.

5.  Glue the finished flower onto a plastic cup and you will have a simple, yet beautiful embellished snack cup.


My little girl Skylar was even able to help me with this project - she loves to craft!  Have your little ones help you by punching out the individual flowers. 

Have fun!


Linking Up:




Saturday, May 26, 2012

Celebrating 10 Years

On August 9, 1993, I wrote in my diary:

Met and saw Chris Metel for the first time in band camp. What a cutie!

We met as high school freshman, became good friends, and finally started dating right around our senior graduation...


Chris officially asked me to be his girlfriend in Cancun, Mexico, where we went for our senior trip - the summer of '97.


We dated for 5 years (never broke up, not even once!)


And on May 26, 2002, I became the luckiest girl alive when I married the man of my dreams.



Ten years have gone by so fast!  I am so grateful to be married to my best friend and to have two precious children together.  Happy Anniversary, Chris!  I love you so much!


Sunday, May 13, 2012

Happy Mother's Day!


Happy Mother's Day to all of the moms out there!  I hope you have a fabulous day!
I especially want to send my love to the amazing moms in my life - my mom, Sally and mother-in-law, Halina.  
I love you both so much!

Friday, May 11, 2012

Free Printable - Teacher Appreciation - "Thanks a Latte"


For Day #5 of Teacher Appreciation Week, Brody is giving his teachers a Dunkin Donuts gift card attached to a 5x7 greeting card that says, "Thanks a latte for all that you do!"  This printable was inspired by this project on Eighteen25 that I absolutely adored!  But since I didn't have all of the supplies to make their version, I decided to make my own version.

Download your own free printable by clicking the image below or HERE.


Print the file on white heavy cardstock and cut out each card.  To attach the gift card and gift card holder, simply place it onto the card and when it is in the right place, punch two holes using a hole puncher (make sure you are not cutting through the actual gift card inside!)


Then use a ribbon in a coordinating color, I chose orange, and tie a pretty bow.


And now you have a cute gift to somebody who loves coffee!  I made this for Teacher Appreciation week, but don't forget that Mother's Day is right around the corner.  This gift is sure to make any mommy smile!  

Here's my sweet Brody holding his gift...


Linking Up:





Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Free Printable - Teacher Appreciation - "One Smart Cookie"


For Day #4 of Teacher Appreciation Week, Brody is giving his teachers some homemade chocolate chip cookies inside an embellished white gable box (purchased from Oriental Trading).  Of course I had to add a personal touch, so I created mini notecards that say, "Thanks for making me one smart cookie".

If you would like your own mini notecards, download your free printable by clicking on the image below or HERE!


Don't forget to add a personal message inside!  Brody signed the card, but this time I also wrote a personal message thanking his teachers for all they have done this year.


Linking Up:




Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Free Printable - Teacher Appreciation - "Berry Nice Teacher"


For Day #3 of Teacher Appreciation Week, Brody is giving his teachers some berry hand soap and bubble bath.  I embellished a plain white gift bag with a 5x7 flat card that I created that says, "Thanks for being a berry nice teacher!"


What's great is that I purchased all of the items (the hand soap, bubble bath, and gift bags) from Dollar Tree!  And with a free printable that you can download from clicking on the image below or HERE, you can create these gifts on a small budget too!


Have a berry nice day!


Linking Up:




Monday, May 7, 2012

Free Printable - Teacher Appreciation - "Note to Say Thanks"


For Day #2 of Teacher Appreciation Week, Brody is giving his teachers a special note and a goody bag filled with notecards, pencils, and a USB flash drive.

Brody's note says, "Dropping a note to say... THANKS!" and inside he wrote a personal message.


Download your free printable note cards by clicking the image below or HERE:


You can use these mini notecards to thank the teachers in your life, or to anybody you would like to thank.  A simple note like this is sure to brighten someone's day!


Linking Up:




Friday, May 4, 2012

Free Printable - Teacher Appreciation Gift - "Sweet Teacher"


Teacher Appreciation Week starts on Monday, May 7th.  Brody and I are excited to show all of his teachers how much we appreciate them for all of their hard work and dedication!

For the first day, we wanted to start the week with something "sweet" and simple.  Especially since Brody will have PE on Monday, and with 4 PE teachers, in addition to his 2 kindergarten teachers, we needed to keep the gift affordable.

Who doesn't love chocolate?  We filled 6 snack sized bags with various Hershey chocolates and topped them with a personalized label that says, "Thanks for being such a sweet teacher! From: Brody".

You can get your free printable by clicking on the image below or HERE:


Once the labels are printed, cut them out and have your child write his/her name on them.

Fill some snack or sandwich bags with chocolates (or anything sweet like other candies, cookies, brownies and other baked goods), fold the labels in half and staple them onto the bags, and you have some "sweet" gifts to give to your "sweet" teachers!


Enjoy!



Linking Up: