I love you because...

I love you because....

I think this is such a cute idea! A Content Housewife gives an easy tutorial to make this little message board. How sweet to leave messages to your hubby or kids, and for them to leave one back to you!

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Make Your Own Newspaper Gift Bags

Gift bags can be so expensive, so when I came across a tutorial on how to make my own out of newspaper, I was super excited!

When I was a kid, we had a family friend who would always wrap presents with the funnies section of the newspaper, and we all loved it. Not only did we get the gift, but we got a couple of laughs too! You could vary what part of the newspaper you use according to what the occasion is... the real estate section for a house warming gift, the funnies for kids, etc.

Of course, if you need a smaller bag you could always use scrapbook paper! :0)

Get the full tutorial over at What About Orange!

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Pinwheel Embellishments

I have wanted to make little pinwheels to put on my cards and scrapbook pages, especially with summer coming up. So I decided to play with it, and let me tell you, they are super easy to make!

Start off will a little square of paper… it can be any size you want. I used a 3x3 here, but I think if I’m using them for cards I would actually want to make it a little smaller.

Double sided paper works best, but if the paper has a plain white backing, that will work too as you can see from the picture.

To start, cut halfway from each corner to the center point.

Next. place a small amount of adhesive in a corner and bring it to the center, pressing it into place. I like to use a little bit of the roll adhesive (I highly doubt that is the technical term, but you can see what I'm talking about in the pic), with a dab of glue on top. The roll adhesive will hold it in place while the glue dries.

For the center you can either cut a small slit using an Exacto knife, and add a brad like I did, or you could glue on a button, flower, rhinestone, etc.

If you are using the pinwheel on a scrapbook page or card, you could hide a small pop dot under the fold, and this will help it to keep its shape after it is place in your book, or envelope.

And there you have it… a cute little pinwheel embellishment.

McLinky Parties:

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Bird Cage Lanterns

These bird cage latterns are so beautiful! I found them when I was randomly bouncing from one blog to another. I luckily stumbled upon The Bride's Cafe!

While I'm not getting married (I don't think my husband would appreciate that!), there are so many gorgeous ideas that could be used in my home, or for special occasions. I think I'm going to make some of these latterns for my daughter's room.

The list of projects I want to do just keeps growing, and growing!!

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Paper Fortune Cookies

These paper fortune cookies from For the Love of Paper are so cute! How fun would it be to have containers placed around the room for a party? Talk about great conversation starters!

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Unique Book Art

One of my favorite blogs is Dude Craft.... he finds some of the coolest art! I keep going back and looking at this book origami done by Isaac Salazar.

I really want a book done like this for my living room. It's so unique and unexpected! We have a painting of the ocean above one of the couches, and I think it would be awesome to find a hard cover copy of something like Moby Dick, and do a nautical word. Hmmm, maybe one day...

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Cupcake Toppers

I found the beautiful toppers you see above at a great blog called A Little Lovely. If you have a party or celebration coming up, this is a really easy, really cute way to personalize cupcakes for any occasion.

This would be great if your child is like mine, and they pick birthday party themes that are not available at the party store. You could print a themed picture for the center of the topper instead of words.
Hop on over to A Little Lovely for a very simple step by step tutorial.

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Memo Board with Rose Magnets

Oh, I love this! Maybe I would actually look at my calender/memo board if it was this pretty! You can get the complete tutorial over at On My Side of the Room.

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Adorable Little Purses

So in case you haven't been able to tell, we have been REALLY busy around here, doing events and making new products for you! So, needless to say I have not had much of a chance to browse around my favorite blogs. Since there are so many great posts out there that I haven't read yet, it didn't take me long to come across this great one over at Little Birdie Secrets! Aren't these little purses absolutely adorable??? I love them!

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Board Book Makeover

I found this great idea over at Sisters With Flair. What a great way to use those old board books that the kids have outgrown!

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Spring Blocks

You know it's going to be a good day when you come across a great new blog (well new to me), and you find an adorable, easy project like this. Inspiring Creations has a complete tutorial on how to make these bright and cheery Spring Blocks.

I actually have the perfect place already picked out for them, right next to my pretty flowers. I know it's completely off topic, but I have to tell you... I bought some beautiful pink gerberas at the grocery store three weeks ago, and they are still perfect! Actually, they are still drinking the water... who would have thought?

Anyways, back to the blocks... you could easily change these to match any holiday or season. I am not big on St. Patrick's Day, but no matter how big the holiday you could make a set to put out and always look a little festive.

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Family Meal Planner

I was perusing some of my favorite blogs this morning, and I came across this great meal planner at Brown Paper Packages. I am definitely one of those people that has a bazillion magazines and recipe books that I scan through everytime I plan my shopping list. This would be perfect, considering I only use a couple out of each book... though lately I have been expanding my repertoire.

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Recipe Box Redo

Hi All... I know it has been too long since my last post, but I'm here!!! You know how life gets super crazy and the next thing you know, it's two weeks later? Well, that has pretty much been my last two weeks. Busy is good though, right?

My son started Little League, and I volunteered to be "Team Mom"... what was I thinking???? Actually, I think it is going to be a lot of fun, but it definitely entails a lot more than I realized! One of those things is a gift basket auction... each team donates a gift basket, and the team mom (me) is responsible for getting the donations and putting it all together. So in case you were wondering why I am telling you all this.... we need donations!!!! If you have an online business you would like to promote (or if you have a business that happens to be in San Diego) and you would like to donate an item or gift certificate, email me and let me know!

Ok, now on to the fun stuff...

I found this great recipe box remake over at How Does She. Let me tell you, I definitely need one of these!

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A Valentine Gift For Him

So, I guess if my hubby reads this it kind of spoils any surprise!! Oh well, what I won't do for y'all! Actually, he will probably get this when he gets home... and hopefully he will share. =o)

I have the same problem every year when I try to think of a Valentine's Day gift for him... everything is geared toward women and is super girlie! I know for a fact that my husband does not want a cute little stuffed teddy bear! There is one thing that he does like though, and that is candy. So when I saw this heart-shaped box of butter cups, I had an idea... to turn this girlie box into a mantastic one!

First, print a diamond plate pattern on a white piece of cardstock. We have a great diamond plate digital paper in our Metal Digital Paper Set which you can get in our shop! Make sure that you set the left and right margin space to "0.25" so that you will get the max printable space.

Trace the top of the box on the backside of your cardstock, and cut it out.

Cover the top of the box with Mod Podge and put the cardstock in place.

By inking the edges of the heart, it not only adds detail, but it helps to cover if your cardstock does not line up perfectly. Next, decorate the box how you want. Remember to keep it masculine! Unless your man is a landscaper, or has a true affection for flowers, try to refrain. I used simple hearts, and words. I actually wanted to cut the letters out of newspaper, but we don't get the newspaper anymore, so that wasn't exactly possible. After I decorated it, I covered the entire thing with another layer of glossy Mod Podge, and it turned out like this............

I think it turned out great... definitely mantastic! =o)

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Faux Tile Picture Frame

I am absolutely in love with this frame I found at Miss Fancy Pants!! I mean, what is there not to love?? This is such a great way to use scraps of your favorite papers. If you are like me, you have those little pieces tucked away for just such a project. Visit Miss Fancy Pants (I love that name!) for the tutorial.

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Mod Podged Books

I love the look of these books! The very creative and crafty ladies over at Drab to Fab came up with a great new way to display books for decorating. You can get the complete tutorial by visiting them here.

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Pretty New Cover

So, I needed a new mileage log, but they are not pretty, and something that I am going to be using almost every day has to be pretty right? Of course it does! So, I decided to pretty mine up! I know that not everyone needs a mileage log, but this would work for a pocket calendar, or any little thing that has a cover stapled on. It's very easy....

Remove the cover by taking out the staples in the center of the book. Measure the cover and cut a new one out of your desired cardstock or paper.... if using paper, make sure to give yourself a little bit of an overlap so you can trim to the exact size of the cover.

If you are using a cardstock, simply score the piece down the middle and decorate it. Now, just restaple it to the book and you're done!

If you want to use a paper like I did, there are a couple of extra steps. Paint over the cover with a white acrylic paint. This gives you a "primer" coat so the writing and graphics do not show through your paper. (You may need 2 coats.)

After the paint is dry, apply a thin layer of Mod Podge over the entire surface and adhere your paper to the cover. Turn it over, and using an exacto knife, trim away the excess paper.

Now, you can decorate it to your heart's delight. When you are done, fold it along the existing crease in the cover, and restaple it to the book. Voila! A new pretty mileage log... calendar... etc.

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Tea Bag Holder Cards

Unfortunately, my husband had to start back to work this morning after a great 2 week leave period. =o( So, I am up, at 5:30am and have been up for an hour already. I can't complain though, since the poor guy has to get up at 3:30am every morning.... I at least get the extra hour. Anyhoo, since I am up way before the kids are, and the house is quiet, I'm sitting here with my cup of coffee reading through my favorite blogs. You're probably wondering what this has to do with the super cute picture above, so I'll get to it.

I was reading a blog that I love called Lolly Chops. She has this adorable tutorial for Tea Bag Holder Cards. (I personally like her title better "The Mad Tatter's Teabag Template", but since I don't have a Mad Tatter in my family it wouldn't work.) These cards would be great for so many different things! Valentine's Day, a Just Thinking of You Card, Mother's Day... Father's Day. You could even use them as a money holder card for a birthday, or adjust the size a little for a gift card holder. Anyways, go here to check it out!

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