Oh, So, Snowy - Loafin' Around Loafer Roundup

I'm so very excited that it is snowing here and since it's lovely beautiful white outside I thought I'd make a long overdue roundup. Lately I've been so incredibly into the crafting that I've totally neglected this awesome genre of post. I'm rectifying that situation immediately with a bunch of crazy cute loafers I would love to have gracing my cold little tootsies.

But first, a little story about snow when I was a kid... We always went to New Mexico during the snowy season when I was growing up and often spent Christmas in Ruidoso. What I remember most is the neighbor's dog at the house we stayed at and my little loom I got for Christmas that had me  making potholders like you wouldn't believe for years. It's amazing what the mind remembers, isn't it?

My mother love, love, loved tubing. The premise is simple, you blow up an inner tube, carry it up a hill and slide down on the snow while sitting, laying or being awesome on it. Oh, and it's is fast, really, really fast. Here is the general premise  of snow tubing.

Click to read more ...

Doodle Tea Mug Valentine Gift & Tea Lovers Roundup

This Valentine's Day I decided to make a really easy, personalized and cheap gift for a tea lover. The idea struck when I realized how many cute sayings could have "tea" swapped out with them and be uber cute. "You are my sweet tea". "You fit me to a tea".  My little tea gift set DIY is hanging out over at Mom Spark for you to check out. 

If you're not in the market to start DIYing, you still have plenty of time to purchase a premade gift set. I've taken this opportunity to make a roundup of my favorite tea gift sets, perfect for your tea lovin' honey!

Click to read more ...

Vintage Valentine Love & Homemade Cards at Mom Spark!

Is there anything in this world cuter than a Vintage Valentine? Maybe babies, kittens and puppies but not a whole lot else that I can think of. Often they are punny and sometimes they are a little strange, but they are always awesome! Check out some awesome resources I have found online. They are available for use in your craft projects unless otherwise noted. Be sure to check the info on the site in case it happens to change. 

Click to read more ...

Reusable Calendar DIY + Freebie Calendar Roundup!

Make a Reusable Monthly Calendar at Mom Spark (by yours truly :)

Happy 2013 out there! Hopefully you had a fantastic New Year's Eve with lots of fun and smooches and wake up to the new year with as litle hangover as possible (or as a bottle of children's nausea medication says: "overindulgence of food or drink").

I have rung in the new year exactly the same as I have every year as an adult... while being sick. Never have I stayed up to watch the ball drop or gone out and had an extravagant time. My NYE tradition is to ball up with a box of tissues and a bottle of Nyquil and zonk out around 10 pm. I sincerely hope that you had a much better time than me!!!

Click to read more ...

Give out Smiles for Christmas with Fun Gifts

---

Not gonna lie, I'm one of those people that LIKES getting socks for Christmas. 'Cause guess what... everybody needs socks and I don't like spending my hard earned money on the mundane when I could instead buy a pound of rhinestones!

There are two categories I try to look into when Christmas shopping - what do they need? what would make them smile? Today I'm sharing with you gifts that may be silly, unnecessary and just plain odd, but providing joy is one of the most important things in the world we can do for the ones we love. And don't forget... just because a gift is funny it doesn't mean that it has to be totally useless, either.

Not to brag too much, but when it comes to fun gifts, "I'm kind of a big deal". Check out my top of the charts for Christmas 2012!!!

Click to read more ...

2012 DIY Holiday Gift Guide!

Looking for a fun name tag? Shape the recipient's name out of pipe cleaners!

A couple of years ago before I was laid off, I first had my hours cut by half. I went from full time, to part-time to no time within a year. My family has always been very generous when it comes to Christmas. I felt like dirt because it just wasn't in my budget to buy everyone nice gifts even though no one was expecting it. 

That year I decided that I was going to DIY it. Perhaps they weren't as nice as the presents I had given in years past, but they were made with a lot of thought, effort and love.

I convinced my family to do a homemade Christmas two years and it was a riot. Mimmie decided to do whatever the heck she wanted because she always does whatever the heck she wants to. Jen tried to pass off some store bought divinity she transferred into tin boxes as homemade :) My dad even got into the act and made me a pirate gun! 

We don't do homemade Christmas anymore but I still do it as an individual. In my opinion, the best gifts are the gifts that took effort. Not simply cash. Here is my list of 100 dreamy homemade Christmas gifts from all over the internet. Each one has an easy to follow tutorial. I encourage you to check them all out!

Click to read more ...