Adorable Little Nail Polish Gift Favor

This craft honestly feels a good ways out of my normal. Nail polish and boys... makes sense I'd say so, eh?! I'm actually not even particularly big on painting my own nails, or maybe at being able to keep them looking pretty at least...

But, I recently needed a small gift that I could hand out easily and without too much detail. I had found a box of these adorable, tiny little nail polish bottles and paper crafted these simple favors. Thought I'd share a short tutorial in case they might be of use to anyone hosting a party or needing a small, basic gift as well :)

Simple 80's Style Bracelet Made With Duck® Tape

This last little while I've been getting ready to go to SNAP! Conference this weekend- a chance to connect with other bloggers and just have a little break while learning in the process :) One night of the event is an 80's dance party sponsored by Duck® Tape.

You might've already known, but my husband is ten years older than I am. He was graduating high school when I was in the second grade! Weird when you think of it in those time frames, eh? It's a good thing in our case, since I'm still more mature than he is- ha! ;)

Anyhow, he was a crazy teenager during the 80's...

Ha, ha! (and, believe it or not, my brother-in-law is also in this picture!). Anyhow, it goes without saying that he has the ability to give me some good (or maybe it's NOT so good) style prompts to get ready for the 80's shindig at SNAP. Crazy, but he says he really doesn't remember a lot of neon, and that everyone actually wore a lot of black. We've been searching for some inspiration photos and had some good laughs.

Double Stuffed Lemon Garlic Chicken with Kraft Fresh Take

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I've had the thought to share this recipe for quite awhile- it's a surprisingly easy favorite that's great for average nights or special occasions both. This time around I tried out a Kraft Fresh Take meal kit that honestly made it even more simple (I'll never complain about that)! 

Growing up, Sunday dinner was a pretty big deal around our house. It was the nicest meal of the week. I love the idea up continuing that tradition for my own family... but, in truth, Sunday seems to fall more toward smorgasbord for us. We get home from Church and gather around our kitchen island to a spread of leftovers, finger foods and easy options. I actually really like this way of things too :)

But for special Sundays like Easter, that simply won't do- it's a perfect time to prepare something more special to acknowledge the holiday. I love creating fun table spreads, but being surrounded by boys who really don't care at all about the centerpiece, and just want to mow down the food already, means I gotta take whatever opportunity I can get to make a meal special! :)

For Easter, we usually get together with my whole family- that's us above (a blast from Easter weekend past)! We have a great potluck meal and some fun Easter egg hunts around the yard. This was the first year my Mom and Dad starting hiding eggs for us adults- that's been a fun new tradition!

Anyhow... a Spring gathering of your favorite people, like Easter always is for us, would be a great time to concoct a yummy, seemingly involved but actually simple dish like this Double Stuffed Lemon Garlic Chicken. Like I mentioned, this time I tried Kraft Fresh Take that I picked up at Walmart:

I bought my chicken with a Fresh Take coupon that gave me a $1.00 off! Through April, or as long as the prints last, you can save when you buy the two together- perfect, since, ya know, you kinda need both :)

Colorful, Random Gifts of Kindness with Starburst and Skittles

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This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper amplification for Collective Bias and its advertiser.

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I love secret, random gift giving.

(I love gift giving in general!)

I know... you already knew it ;)

I had the chance to use colorful Skittles and Starburst to create a gift for some very important people and my creative process went straight to random acts of kindness. So, today I'm sharing a free printable that can turn the Skittles & Starburst 30 Pack from Sam's Club into an actual memorable, heart warming activity for your family too.

This package is perfect for creating with because there are so many candies and a nice variety. I found it in a candy area of Sam's Club, bordering the bakery.

I gotta interject- oh my goodness, I love this picture of my little Ryder! Both of the boys were SO excited about this box of candy, and wanted me to open and dip into it well before I was ready. I really loved the actual gift delivering part of this project, but putting it together with my little guy is a very close second. Candy and color put together- perfect combo for happy kiddos :)

Fast and Easy Gifts with Paper Pumpkin {and a giveaway!}

Are there certain things that you just pretty much always seem to be inspired by? Maybe those are kinda what we call our "style," I guess :) Like I always seem to draw towards things that are rustic, bohemian, bright or bold colors. Or stamp projects! I'm taken with the look of paper crafts that have been created with stamps involved. I haven't spent much time at all stamping myself over the years for some strange reason, though. Bummer- I wish I was a much better stamper!

I recently got connected with Paper Pumpkin, a division of Stampin' Up, and felt like they really spoke to my "style." Paper Pumpkin is a monthly subscription service- they send a fun box full of everything you need to sit and create a great paper craft project or homemade card set, really just to have an easy dose of creativity. For the next couple of months, I'll be sharing how you can take your Paper Pumpkin box and quickly create a small gift! Plus, today I get to giveaway a box to one of you! 

Simple Bib Clips and more DIY Baby Ideas

What a full week it's been already- kinda exciting! And it's not over yet ;) Today I'm joining some of my favorite bloggers again- this month we've each got a baby project to share :)  My simple little number above is actually an idea I shared a long time ago at my friend Ginger's blog but actually never did post here. It's still one of my favorite baby tools ever! The easiest thing ever to make- an instant bib clip!

First here's a look at the other projects for you to check out today too...

Diaper Cake Gift Card Holder from Happy Go Lucky

Easy Minky Tag Blanket from Happy Hour Projects

Knitted Baby Bib from 4 You With Love

Diaper Trike from One Dog Woof

DIY Tag Toy from One Artsy Mama

Keep Calm Baby Onesie from Suburble

First Birthday Photo Prop from It Happens in a Blink

DIVERGENT Inspired Dauntless Bracelet and More

Remember yesterday I mentioned that there would be more Divergent inspiration around here today?! Two of my blogger friends are also fans of the book and excited for the movie, so we decided to each do a creative project and share them together...

See them all at the bottom of this post! But first...

So, it goes without saying that this boy mama isn't so much a jewelry maker. But I have dabbled in it very little and do actually enjoy it, especially when what I try actually turns out! At the risk of proving that I really am a silly fan girl, I have to share the specific inspiration for this bracelet before we go any further...

Simple Circle Pinwheels for SPRING!

This post has me wanting to jump and down! So much good stuff that I really love involved- the idea of Spring coming, pretty paper, taking photos outside, and pinwheels! Not to mention, a few of #myfavoritebloggers sharing their goodness too :)

From top down, left to right:

Stamped "Bloom" Necklace from One Artsy Mama, 

Spring Centerpiece from Happy Go Lucky, 

Washi Tape Popsicle Stick Flowers from The Benson Street, 

Simple Circle Pinwheels from me, obviously :)

Semi Homemade Strawberry Shortcake from Seven Alive

Five Minute Hair Pins from It Happens in a Blink and Suburble

Kool-Aid Dyed  Yarn in Your Microwave from 4 You with Love

Color-able Free Printable Spring Banner from Do Small Things with Love,

Fairy Guesthouse from Happy Hour Projects,

and Geometric Print Vase from Pitter and Glink  

This is the first time I've crafted pinwheels that actually spin- so fun! It's also the first time I've made them using a circle piece of paper instead of a square. I LOVE the more curvy result!

Adorable, Simple Drawstring Backpacks

Recently I shared this tutorial over at The Ribbon Retreat and thought I'd share it with you here today! These cute, simple drawstring backpacks for kids have really been a go-to for gifts for me.

I once sewed one literally right before we walked out of the door for our niece's birthday party. Also whipped them up by the midnight oil one night when my friend had a baby and I was watching her boy's while they were at the hospital. I LOVE this awesome fabric and ribbon I got to make these ones with too! :)

For the ones I made for this tutorial, I chose:

Hot Pink and White small chevron by Riley Blake

Rainbow Hexi Print by Riley Blake (I LOVED this fabric when I first saw it- cutest thing ever!)

Lime and Pink polka dot ribbon, 7/8"

Blue Cars and Blue Dots from Scenic Route by Riley Blake

Orange and white striped ribbon, 7/8"

Top Posts of 2013!

Just for the fun of it, I thought I'd share the most popular posts from this past year here in one quick spot on this last day of 2013! It's actually been really interesting to figure out just what brings people here the most... and realize that, indeed, the things we put the most effort into give us the most return, seemingly regardless of what they are specifically. This year I've been able to focus more on this blog than ever before, and it shows. Some ways good and surely some ways bad-ha! No matter what, thank you for being here and making this little space something that still brings me happiness, and especially allows me to share it :)

Mason Jar Wine Glasses: Christmas Style

Earlier this year, I took a page from the Robertson family themselves and made my own mason jar wine glasses. I think they might just be one of my favorite things I've ever made! We've loved them, from using just because to adding a bit of flair to a meal or get together with friends. I wish I had about three times as many of them! What's stopping me... who knows! Just stuff, like always! :) 

Anyhow, I saw them awhile back sitting on my counter together and had the thought that they could make a neat Christmas gift. So, I tried adding a little bit of holiday cheer to them and thought I'd share!

You can first find the full tutorial for how to make them HERE. A case of jars is about $8 and the candlesticks used for the base you can find at the dollar store. It takes 24 hours for the silicone that holds the two together to really set good, but surely within 8 or 12 you'd be able to work on getting your gift together is you were super low on time. These could make a really easy, inexpensive last minute DIY gift...

Rustic Thanksgiving Centerpiece

  

Time again for another dose of pretty projects from this pretty pair ;) This last month Emily from The Benson Street and I went to Michaels. We decided this time around to buy the same sorts of things rather than the exact same items, but still create the same thing- a Thanksgiving centerpiece. We both brought home a charger plate and some fall floral stems to create with- well under our $10 limit, with the intention to make up the difference with stuff we had at home.

Simple Upcycled, No-Sew Kids Quiver

  

I recently shared this post over at The Ribbon Retreat Blog and wanted to share it with you here too!

The first things you think of when you think of the Fall season? Around our house, Fall doesn't just mean falling leaves and colder temps. It means caramel apple making. And Halloween. And, oh ya, hunting season! Being surrounded by country boys, that really should've been my first thought ;)

You've heard me talk before about how I really enjoy shooting archery with the boys. I'm excited for the years to come when our whole family is old enough that we can get into some leagues and such.

Shabby Flower Headband and Giveaway

Recently, I was sent a fat quarter of fabric and a few segments of ribbon as part of a new monthly Fat Quarter Challenge. Jesse's site is brand new and I wanted to be part of helping spread the word. I always really enjoy exchanges and swaps and such, so I thought this would be fun too.

With my pieces, I decided to make a shabby flower headband. I'd recently seen a flower that I really liked and wanted to try and replicate. I love that this is flat- for some reason I just feel kinda weird when my hair stuff sticks off my head too far. I know, I'm goofy. :)

DIY Skylanders Tree Rex Costume

  

Anyone could've probably guessed that when I asked my little guys

what they wanted to be for Halloween this year,

they chose Skylanders!

They went the rounds trying to think of which character they wanted a costume of most, with some strong guidance from me- I'm no miracle worker! Ryder was thinking Tree Rex and I figured that was one I could manage. I figured people would likely recognize this one more too- Tree Rex is kinda the "logo" guy for Skylanders Giants. We did find this version available for sale on-line:

... and totally laughed! Really? This just doesn't look right- even a terrible DIY would be better! I knew I could upcycle and create something that would be at least more successful than that. :)

I think Ryder looks kinda pained in these pictures- be it from the sun, or being distracted, or whatever. But he really did say over and over, "I love this costume, Mom!" while we were taking pictures. Getting him all dressed up early also helped me to see what I need to improve for Halloween night!

I'm just gonna show pics of each part of the costume and how it was made. I've really tried not to get carried away with detail pics here- none of this costume was difficult and the pieces are not expensive or even new.

Super Fast and Easy Puffy Pumpkins

Oh my goodness, I just love how fun these little guys turned out!

Aren't these puffy pumpkins cute, cute, cute?!

And, that's right- you can honestly make two of them in five minutes! No exaggeration. I had a small window of time to make all six of these while I was waiting to go pick up Cooper from school and couldn't believe how fast it was! Love when a project honestly turns out really good and doesn't take too much time. This would be an amazing project for a youth group or craft time with kids involved :)