Spirit Of Giving

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Anniversary Trip to Mexico!

This free photo slideshow personalized with Smilebox

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Countdown To Valentine’s Thrifty for Kids

Now, I could have spend about $4 per kid on a box of premade Valentine’s or a Candy Valentine but lately I have been feeling kinda over the top crafty so when came up with a more cavity free alternative for the same price.Got to LOVE Keegstra’s Dollar Store in Hudsonville. I got this pack of 24 bubbles for $1!!!! Removed all of the birthday bubble labels. Pretty girly necklaces at 8/$1 Flame boy pencils at 12/$1 Well, this part could have been way cooler but we are a little on the cheap side over here when it comes to printer ink so we just have black. I make these to fit around the bubble jars, using the original one as a template. I have FedEx adhesive shipping labels so I printed them on that so they would stick. You could use regular paper and a bit of glue too. (or address labels?) Girls got these with a note on top!! (snack bags were $1 for 50 of them)

So…. I spent $8 ($4 per kids’ class) and a couple hours. I hope they enjoy passing them out!

Now, if you are up for it and want some inspiration or some free printables that look way better than mine – check out my Valentine’s Board on Pinterest.

Thursday, February 2, 2012

valentine’s Countdown :: Conversation Hearts

Who doesn’t just LOVE Valentine’s crafts??

I love to make things for the kids in my boys’ class. In preschool when the class size was more manageable I made Bags for each child out of a Tablecloth from Target and added felt letters to personalize.

Here are some more cute ideas from fellow Etsy Sellers!!

Felt Conversation Hearts

blog hearts6

Conversation Hearts - Valentine’s Soaps!!

blog hearts5

Such a cute Valentine’s Card.

blog hearts4

Stickers!! – so you can make your own cards – click the link to see some cute ideas!

blog hearts3

Boutique Hair Bow – who’s girl would not just LOVE to wear this to school on Valentine’s Day.

blog hearts2

Valentine’s Straw Cards - very tempted by these – a pdf to make your own - right up my alley!!!

Monday, January 30, 2012

Do you Kindle?

We got a Kindle for Christmas last year and I just LOVE it!Made myself a case last year and was asked to make some for a friend’s Mom and MIL.Double Layer of Flannel and Soft fabric on the inside to protect from scratches.Button/Elastic closure.Fits the regular size Kindle and the Kindle Fire as well. And I got to use some of my favorite pink fabric:)

Friday, January 27, 2012

Mother’s Day Gifts

OK, so I know I am way behind here but I am working on blogging all of my projects that I have worked on in the last year but was too busy to share!

FOUND: two pieces of leftover MDF Trim in the garage

HAD: tons of scrapbooking paper and stickers I never use anymore

BOUGHT: metal clips and thick wire

MADE: Mother’s Day Gift

Cut paper and mod-podged the background.

Used my circle punch to punch out enough circles for the letters.

Added Stickers to circles and cut out extra shapes and the heart and mod-podged them on as well.

Screwed on the metal clips and wrapped the wire for a holder and its the perfect grandma holder for all of the kids art work and treasures!

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Tressa is Four and I MADE A RUFFLE CAKE!

Tressa is FOUR and my last few cakes haven’t been that homemade!

Store bought frosting for Matthew’s birthday but I did attempt some decoration:)

And Michael’s birthday is New Year’s Eve and it being right after Christmas I am totally burned out in the baking department so Grandma came through with a cupcake and candle – Sorry Michael!

So, I got it together and used this tutorial (even has a video to watch) to make my first ruffle cake. Ended up being even easier than I thought and not too much time either!

And of course we had to put some Strawberry Shortcakes on top!

Yep – I got her her very own sewing machine!! She loves it!

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Christmas Dress

Two Separate Bridesmaid Dresses in the SAME color – one from my sister and one for $4.99 from Goodwill.

Ruffling all those strips. Found a really easy way to ruffle, turn your tension all the way up and your stitch length all the way up and wha – la = Ruffle!