Skip To My Lou

Tips for Traveling with Kids

cindylouh — Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

TravelingMom, asked if I would be interested in watching a screening of Open Season 3 which is realeased on DVD on January 25th. I thought this would be a great time to share something about me you probably don't know! I love to travel. We were fortunate to live overseas for 5 years. We tried our hardest to use this time to its fullest and visited 21 different countries! We were always on the go! We did thousands of miles of traveling with a toddler and elementary child in tow. Traveling with kids is often daunting. Making sure everything is packed and keeping kids entertained in an unfamiliar environment can be a monumetal feet, but the rewards are tremendous.

A Trick

We carried a special bag in our back pack with a few very small toys and activities that we traded out frequently. The only time we used this was at dinner time. We quickly found that many countries have a much slower paced meal time that was difficult for small children. This little bag of tricks kept them entertained so we could savor the meal. I also can't say enough for having children have their own pocket sketch book! Even a toddler can be encouraged to"sketch" their experiences!

Our Attitude

We quickly learned the more open minded we as parents were and how eagerly we met new experiences the better our children reacted to new situations.

Preserving travel memories

From the first step off the plane we saw that the "need" for souviners would be great! We decided to choose one thing for each of us to collect. This was probably the best decison we ever made!

Pens

One son collected ink pens. Usually the kind filled with water and moving objects. These at the time were readily available all over the world. The only requirement for the pen was that it said the place we were visiting. My brother has built my son the most amazing display case to show off all of the pens.

Postcards

My other son, whom was a toddler at the time, we collected postcards. We were worried that he would not remember most of these experiences, so for each place we visited we wrote a little about the day and mailed it home to ourselvs. This was a simple way to keep a journal, with a built in picture and time stamp! As he got older we would have him write about the day, something we have continued into his teen years.

Plates

For my husband and myself, we collected plates. Beautifully decorated ceramic plates. Our wall of plates is now a focal point in our home. A simple walk through the room and a glance at the plates triggers a flood of wonderful memories!

DIY Giant Bubbles {Guest Post}

cindylouh — Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Hi everyone! My name is Cindy and I blog at Skip to my Lou. I blog about simple crafts, sewing, crochet and recipes. I hope you will come visit me if you are looking for more fun crafts and activities. We are having a blast at our house with these giant bubbles. They are super easy to make! You probably have all the supplies in your kitchen right now! Be patient with this mix though...the more you play the better it gets! First make your own homemade bubble wand with some string and straws. It does work best to have straws without the bendable section at the end of the straw. Cut about two yards of string. We had great luck with thick bakers twine. Thread the straws onto the string and fasten the ends of the string with a knot. Move the knot around until it is hidden inside one of the straws. Now it is time to mix up your own awesome homemade giant bubble solution. Giant Bubble Recipe 3 Cups water 1/2 Cup Dawn Dishwashing Liquid 1/4 Cup corn starch 1 Tablespoon Baking Powder 1 Tablespoon Corn Syrup Mix together water, Dawn liquid detergent, corn starch, baking powder and corn syrup. Place bubble mixture in a container large enough for the straws to fit inside. We used a dish tub. Dip the bubble wand into the solution and gently bring it out of the solution one side at a time. It will take quite a few tries until the mixture will start making bubbles. Be patient, it will be worth it. Slowly pull the string apart, allowing the bubble solution to stretch across the string. Slowly walk backwards allowing giant bubbles to form. SO FUN! Look at these giant bubbles! We found it took some time to get the bubbles to work. The motion of our hands in the solution seemed to make it better and better. Once it started working it was amazing. We found a few days later the solution didn't work well.

Pancakes In A Jar {Guest Post}

cindylouh — Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Hello everyone! My name is Cindy Hopper and I blog at Skip to my Lou. I love making homemade gifts! and this pancake mix in a jar makes a delicious and useful gift! Give it to someone who is sick, a friend or just for fun! If you are looking for more handmade gifts please come visit my Handmade Gift Guide!

Cinnamon Shake & Pour Pancakes Mix In A Jar

In a large bowl mix:

3 cups all-purpose flour

4 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

3 tablespoons white sugar

2 tablespoons baking powder

1 1/4 teaspoons salt

1/3 cup dry powdered milk

1 1/2 teaspoons powdered egg replacer

Once completely mixed place 1 1/4 cups in a pint canning jar. You will be able to fill three 1 pint jars. There will be extra space in each jar so 1 cup water can be added.

Download free printable Cinnamon Shake & Pour Pancake Labels. Print on a solid sheet of label/sticker paper. This sticky label paper can be purchased by the sheet at a copy center like Office Max.

Free Printable Cinnamon Shake & Pour Pancake Labels.

Cut out labels and place on jar.

The gift recipient is sure to love having a simple breakfast on hand this busy holiday season!

Notes: Since the milk is non-fat this mix does not yield a super fluffy pancake.....but the flavors make up for any missing fluff!

Jar gifts are especially helpful gifts and the recipient can use them as needed! You might also like these yummy edible gifts. Just click the picture to find the recipe.

Need breakfast fast? These make ahead breakfast recipes will make having a hot breakfast easy! Lets keep in touch! Sign up to get crafty ideas, recipes, sewing tutorials and more delivered right to your inbox. Follow Skip to My Lou on FB and Google+ to find out the latest news! Join me at Pinterest and Instagram for an extra dose of fun!

One Pot Spaghetti Dinner

cindylouh — Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Slow Cooker Thai Pork

cindylouh — Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Slow Cooker Thai Pork

2 pound boned pork loin, trimmed of all fat and cut into 1 inch cubes 2 cups red bell pepper, cut into about 1" X 1/4" pieces 1/4 cup teriyaki sauce 2 tablespoons seasoned rice vinegar 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper 4 cloves garlic, pressed with garlic press 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter Hot rice Garnish:chopped green onions, chopped dry roasted peanuts Place pork, red bell pepper, teriyaki sauce, seasoned rice vinegar, crushed red pepper and garlic into the slow cooker. Cook on low heat for about 8 hours. When finished stir in peanut butter. Serve over hot rice and garnish with chopped green onions and chopped peanuts.

cindylouh — Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

The Center Piece

I love a to use fresh flowers in my Easter Centerpiece. It's a perfect simple way to bring a little spring indoors.

Add a caption

The Table

Plan whether you are going casual (we normally do) or fancy pull out the good china. Consider setting the table the night before. This way you know if you something is missing or not clean. It also reduces a lot of stress the day of. I even like to lay out the serving bowls and serving pieces with labels so I know item goes with what.

The Kids Table

Don't skip over the kids table! Keeping kids entertained will make everything more fun. I prepared a cute favor (with crayons) on each kids plate. The table cloth is kraft paper perfect for drawing and coloring on. You can also find great printable coloring sheets for easter on my site.

How to Make Bunny Rolls @skiptomylou.org

The Meal

We like to pot luck and I highly suggest the same idea when you have a large group. I provide the ham and rolls and assign out salads, sides and desserts. With plenty of people sharing this job, it makes the food preparation easy and leaves times for visiting and enjoying the day together.

Add a caption

Serving the Meal

We always serve buffet style, like I said we prefer casual. We have a lot of guests and people are seated in multiple rooms. Choose a central area and create a buffet. You might even use these tiered plate stackers to allow more room and add height to your spread. If the weather allows we like to serve this meal outdoors. Kids can run around and we don't have to worry about having enough room or messes! Be sure to visit out my collection on Spring Decorations! Get your house feeling spring like for Easter. Also check out my other guides on how to dye easter eggs, how to get curls that last, how to organize your fridge, and even how to store fruit the longest!

cindylouh — Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Here are some last minute Easter Breakfast Ideas! With very little planning you can make a fun Easter themed breakfast that will thrill your kids or easily serve guests!

Show your Appreciation Giveaway

cindylouh — Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Teacher appreciation week is the first full week in May. I have teamed up with the most creative bloggers to share a month the best teacher appreciation gift ideas. Don't miss a day of these fun and clever ideas. From teacher gifts with clever sayings to printable gift card holders.

We love our teachers and YOU so much we are giving you a chance to win the most amazing prize package. Yes, you will win TWO of everything....one for you and one for your favorite teacher.

Show your Appreciation Giveaway

{1 for you and 1 for your favorite teacher}!

One lucky winner and their favorite teacher will receive...

2 101 Kids Activity Books filled with tutorials and crafts kids will love!
2 Silhouette CAMEOS Machines (one for you, one for your teacher). The creative possibilities with the new Silhouette CAMEO® are endless.

Michaels gift cards $500 each, you read that right! That is a total of $1,000 in gift cards. Can you imagine?

Don't forget to tell your teacher they can get 15% off every day at Michaels with their special teacher discount! It is easy to enter simply wait for rafflecopter to load and enter there. a Rafflecopter giveaway Remember to follow the entire series because you can get a new entry each day by visiting the featured blogger! You won't want to miss a day of the best teacher gift ideas! Thank you to our sponsors, for this generous giveaway and for supporting teacher appreciation.

Oven Mitt Teacher Gift {AlphaMom}

cindylouh — Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Teacher Appreciation Week is the first full week in May. I love thinking of 'puntastic' gifts. You know, those clever play on words paired with a little gift. I especially like it when the gift is useful. I think this oven mitt filled with fun gadgets is just that. It doesn't need to be just kitchen gadgets. How about one filled with needed school supplies. Oven Mitt Teacher Gift Supplies 1 fabric oven mitt (these can be found at the dollar store) Elmer's Painters Selection of kitchen gadgets or school supplies scissors printable I must ad'mitt' you are the best teacher gift tag Let your child personalize the oven mitt in their own special way. These Elmer's Painters work great! Print out the tag, cut and tie onto the oven mitt for ad'mitt'edly the best teacher gift.

Footer for Teacher Appreciation Series

cindylouh — Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Ways to Clean with Baking Soda

cindylouh — Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Clean your Sink

It's easy to get a sparkling clean stainless steel sink. First you clean and rinse the sink. Sprinkle baking soda evenly over the entire sink.. Scrub, especially the corners. Go heavy on the drain. Drains can get really stinky. Baking soda will naturally help refresh a stinky drain.

Unclog a Drain

Stubborn drain clogs can be frustrating! Before you call the plumber! Try this! Pour about a 1/2 box of baking soda in the drain. Then pour in about a cup of white vinegar. Let this mixture sit in the drain for about 15 minutes. After 15 minutes pour about 4 quarts of hot or boiling water down the drain. This should do the trick. If not, plunge a few times (yes a toilet plunger really works). If that doesn’t loosen try a second cup of baking soda followed by pouring another 1-2 cups of vinegar down the drain. Run the disposal and water as well, it should be working. Rinse with cool water.

Clean an Oven

Ditch the strong chemicals and strong fumes for a more natural cleaning method. Recipe 5T of baking soda 4T vinegar 3 drops Blue Dawn. Mix into a paste and spread onto oven, let sit for 15 minutes then wipe clean. You may need to double the recipe for a larger oven.

Clean A Shower Head

In the ziploc bag, add 2 TBSP of Baking Soda and add 4-5 drops of blue dawn dish soap. Place the bag around the faucet/shower head. Secure with a rubber band. Add 1/2 cup vinegar. This will cause ingredients to foam and bubble. Soak for an hour.

Clean your Dishwasher

Use it to wash your dishwasher. After washing with vinegar, some baking soda will freshen it up and remove stains. I hate a stinky dishwasher!

Clean Grimy Baking Sheets

Put about 1/4 cup of baking soda in a small bowl and squirt in hydrogen peroxide until it makes a nice paste. Scrub dirt/stain/grease spots on your pan. If it doesn’t come off try letting it sit on the stain for an hour then it should come right off. Your pan should be like new!

Check out my other guides! From how to get your curls to last all day, organizing your pantry, even some dieting hacks! Have you ever wondered how to get your fruit to last longer? I got you covered! You can store things and make fruit last twice as long! For more cleaning tips, check out my guide on how to clean with windex.

DIY Summer Hacks You can Make

cindylouh — Sun, 07 Jun 2015 12:00:00 +0000

Here a few summer hacks that caught my eye this week in Made by you Monday. Summer is a great time to get outside and do some projects. Have you ever seen my DIY Adirondack chair tutorial? It takes some time to build these chairs, but with my plan, you can make beautiful chairs for your summer patio! My kids also love making ice cream in a bag. It's a fun activity to keep kids busy for afternoon, and the pay off is very sweet. This is a great idea to refresh plastic patio furniture! DIY Homemade Weed Killer Make your own sidewalk chalk. Turn a towel into a beach bag with this easy tutorial. Summer is hot! Here are five easy ways to stay hydrated this summer. 10 Ways to Naturally Lighten you hair. Make your grill non stick with a onion! Do you have any great summer tips? If so tell me below in the comments. Be sure to stop by tomorrow and link up for another Made by You Monday.

Fourth of July Pinwheels {30 Handmade Days}

cindylouh — Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Hi everyone! My name is Cindy and I blog at Skip to my Lou. I blog about handmade gift ideas, sewing, crochet and teacher appreciation ideas. I hope you will come visit me if you are looking for more free printables and fun crafts and activities. I am thrilled to be here sharing a fun holiday craft!

Patriotic Pinwheels

Celebrate the Fourth with these festive pinwheels. Just print, cut and assemble for the perfect holiday decoration! Download the Fourth of July Pinwheel Printable here, print in color on cardstock. You will need a pencil, thumbtack, hole punch and scissors.

{Printable Fourth of July Pinwheel}

Cut out the pinwheel. Punch a hole in the center. It helps to lightly fold the pinwheel in half and only punch halfway in. Punch a hole in each of the four corners. Place the holes, stacking them one by one onto the thumbtack. Push the thumbtack into the eraser of the pencil. Adjust so that the pinwheel does not hit the pencil as it turns. Now you can spin away! Lets keep in touch! Sign up to get crafty ideas, recipes, sewing tutorials and more delivered right to your inbox. Follow Skip to My Lou on FB and Google+ to find out the latest news! Join me at Pinterest and Instagram for an extra dose of fun!

cindylouh — Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

This craft can be done in a afternoon and is perfect for kids of all ages. It is perfect to do for birthday parties, camp craft activities or at home with your kids. If you have ever tried to tie dye a shirt you will find that there is some skill involved. Anyone can throw some rubber bands around a t-shirt and put it in a dye but it doesn't always look great. Here is a few tips to getting the perfect spiral tie dye...

Step 1

Get a simple white cotton t-shirt. It is best to wash it first and make sure it won't shrink. There are sorts of types of shirts you can purchase, just pick your favorite. I prefer a shirt cut for a girl over a boxy mens style. To make a spiral tie dye shirt a fork is a really handy tool. Place the fork in the center middle of the shirt. Press down firmly (without going through the fabric) and begin twisting. Twist until the entire shirt is in a spiral.

Step 2

Tightly wrap rubber bands around the shirt.

Step 3

These tulip kits are super easy to use and include everything you need, even gloves! Just add water and you are ready to go. Place dye in each section between the rubber bands. Make sure to really saturate the fabric. Allow to sit for about six hours. Follow manufacturer instructions for washing and caring for the shirt.

Let your shirt dry completely before washing. Now you have an amazing tie dye shirt. Making matching shirts is perfect for family reunions, camp get togethers, and especially birthday parties. Experiment with color combinations and try tie dying sweatshirts, pants, and even tote bags.

Learn more about fun craft ideas and check out my favorite kids crafts collection. For more tips, ideas and recipes don't miss my other guides. I have shared tips from how to make your own easter egg dye, a secret to making curls last. Looking for a great read this summer, visit my guide on my must read books!

God's Eye {Make and Takes Guest Post}

cindylouh — Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Hi everyone! My name is Cindy and you can find me over at Skip to my Lou. I blog about crafts, sewing, crochet and recipes. I hope you will come visit me if you are looking for more fun crafts and activities. The yarn God's Eye is a popular kids craft. It is called God's eye for Eye of God. In Spanish, Ojo de Dios. It is a weaving typically made with wood and many different colors of yarn. My daughter came home from summer camp thrilled to show me how to make them. I also remember loving to make them when I was younger. They are the perfect mess free craft!

Supplies for God's Eye

All you need is yarn and two wooded sticks the same length. We used tree branches, but popsicle sticks or dowel rods would also work.

God's Eye Tutorial

To make it easier to start weaving, fasten sticks together with a rubber band. Sticks could also be fastened hot glue. Hold the end of the yarn on top of the wood and wrap yarn around the stick catching the end. Wrap all the way around the stick then move under the next stick. Wrap all the way around that stick then move to the next stick. Always bring the yarn under the stick before wrapping around. When you want to change colors simply cut the yarn and tie on a new color and begin wrapping again. When finished tie the end of the yarn to the stick where you ended. Push any end pieces where two colors were tied together to the back. You might even like to add tassels to the God's Eye!

{How to make tassels}

This God's Eye a great boredom buster. It is easy to keep the simple supplies on hand so they could be made at any time! You might like to browse this list of 50 Boredom busters crafts and activities to also keep kids busy and engaged. Lets keep in touch! Sign up to get crafty ideas, recipes, sewing tutorials and more delivered right to your inbox. Follow Skip to My Lou on FB and Google+ to find out the latest news! Join me at Pinterest and Instagram for an extra dose of fun!

Apple Cider Recipe

cindylouh — Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

This time of year we love to pick apples! We also love baking with apples. I have many apple recipes, my favorite thing to do is make apple pie filling and can it. It's so nice to have on hand for apple crisp, apple pie, etc. You can make all sorts of things with apples. For more apple tips check out my guide on how to keep apples from turning brown. I have also shared this easy apple toffee dip here on ebay. This apple dip is the perfect party dip and can be made in just a few easy steps! It also makes the perfect after school snack.

Here is what you need...

Ingredients 6 cups apple cider 1/4 cup real maple syrup 2 cinnamon sticks 6 whole cloves 6 whole allspice berries 1 orange peel, cut into strips 1 lemon peel, cut into strips

Here is how to make it...

Pour the apple cider and maple syrup into a large saucepan. Place the cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice berries, orange peel and lemon peel in the center of a washed square of cheesecloth; fold up the sides of the cheesecloth to enclose the bundle, then tie it up with a length of kitchen string. Drop bundle into the cider mixture. Place the saucepan over moderate heat for 5 to 10 minutes, or until the cider is very hot but not boiling. Remove the cider from the heat. Discard the spice bundle. Ladle the cider into big cups or mugs, adding a fresh cinnamon stick and apple slices to each serving, if desired.

This apple cider recipe whips up quickly. I love using a crock pot (slow cooker) to keep apple cider warm. You can make up a large batch and then pour it in the a crock pot to serve a crowd. We often have several crock pots set up. We love to serve it on Halloween with donuts for kids out trick or treating, it can be cold on halloween here in Kansas. It has become well known and kids come flocking for this homemade treat. Just note you should know the home you let you kids have homemade treats (we know most of our neighbors well).

If you love apples check out my collection on all things apple full of tools, recipe books and more. Don't miss my other guides with recipes, tips like winter hacks, and crafts! Here are a few you might like below...

7 of the Scariest Halloween Decorations (Ebay)

cindylouh — Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

My kids are always begging to decorate for holidays but no holiday gets more excitement for decorating than Halloween! They love a good scare but only when they are the one doing the scaring. Here are some "scare your pants off" ideas that will make decorating for Halloween fun, and easy! I have to admit I don't have a ton of time to decorate and it's easier for me to buy stuff and let my kids set it up. I think you will find a great list below...

Hanging Skeletons

Spook your visitors with a surprise hanging skeleton. Dress it up in creepy clothes and hang it in a unsuspecting spot!

Escaping Skeletons

My kids always envy a home in our neighborhood that decorates their lawn with these creepy guys escaping their graves!

Skeleton Pets

If you have a creepy cat in your neighborhood this little spook will top that! What is scarier than a skeleton pet haunting your neighborhood?

Halloween Ground Breaking Zombies

Zombies are pretty classic when it comes to halloween decor. How about alternate ground breaking skeletons with this creepy ground breaking zombie!

Severed Finger

This has got to be the grossest prop ever! A severed finger will make any one scream. Attach it to your door bell or door knob this Halloween!

Creepy Head in a Jar

Take the mad scientist to the next level with this realistic zombie head in a jar experiment. I guarantee you will get some screams from this one.... maybe even yours.

Life size Yard Coffin

A coffin is almost an essential part of scary decorating. Nothing says death as much as a coffin! Think of the scary things you could hide in coffins. Set your craziest things inside or near the coffins to really freak people out, like a fog machine or scary music. How about a creaking noise like the coffin is opening and a scream? Sounds effects are pretty fun to play with.

These tricks and pranks collection is full of Halloween fun! Your kids will love those ideas. For more tips, recipes, crafts and ideas be sure to check out my other guides from Tips on how to get your curls to last or make this Brown Sugar and Toffee apple dip, don't miss these helpful Winter Hack ideas-- you won't believe the things you can make yourself to save money and time this winter! If you like crafting make this DIY Washi Tape Light switch cover.

$899 Sew Amazing Giveaway

cindylouh — Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Today I’m over at Skip to My Lou as part of the Bake Craft Sew & Decorate series. I am sharing a Big Bow Ear Warmer Tutorial , these are quick to whip up for holiday gift giving. In fact, you won’t want to miss all the handmade gift ideas! I have joined over 100 bloggers to share some amazing homemade gift ideas……..Plus I get to be part of an amazing sewing giveaway too. See Below… This is one is sew AMAZING! She is a gem and her name is Rachel.

One lucky winner will receive this beautiful…

Baby Lock Sewing Machine ($799 Value) and $100 Worth of Fabric from Riley Blake Designs.

Ready to take your sewing to the next level? The Baby Lock Rachel is the star of any sewing class, and she's here to help you. This computerized sewing machine is equipped with 50 stitches and push-button features to make every project easier. The value is $799. Click here for more details.

Riley Blake Designs colorful fabrics include cottons, flannels, sparkle cottons, organic cotton, knits, dreamy, and laminates in a range of designer and basic prints. You will love this beautiful fabric.

Wait for rafflecopter to load and enter there...

<a Rafflecopter giveaway

Recycled Shirt Sleeve Pouch {Guest Post}

cindylouh — Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Hi everyone! My name is Cindy and you can find me over at Skip to my Lou. I blog about crafts, sewing, crochet and beautiful handmade gift ideas. I also love celebrating teachers and have hundreds of teacher appreciation gift ideas. I hope you will come visit me if you are looking for more fun crafts and activities. This recycled shirt cuff pouch is the perfect way to wrap up something small and makes a useful handmade gift. Fill these clever button pouches with a gift card, money, jewelry or a small surprise. The best part these little pouches can be made in minutes. If you have a shirt that you can no longer wear this is the perfect way to recycle it. All cuffs vary in size so if you are using it for a gift card holder make sure the cuff is big enough. Cut the cuff from the sleeve leaving about 1/2 inch of the shirt on the cuff. If you like the shirt can be trimmed even with the cuff. Press the extra sleeve fabric to the back (wrong side). With wrong side facing up fold the bottom up and the top down. Make sure it buttons. You can make it so it can be adjustable making either button useable (red plaid cuff) or just choose the top button (red and white check pouch). Open the top flap back out. Stitch with matching thread from the top of the flap down to the bottom on each side. It makes the perfect little pouch for small things! Lets keep in touch! Sign up to get crafty ideas, recipes, sewing tutorials and more delivered right to your inbox. Follow Skip to My Lou on FB and Google+ to find out the latest news! Join me at Pinterest and Instagram for an extra dose of fun!

Chocolate Reindeer Sugar Cookies

cindylouh — Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Reindeer Sugar Cookies Supplies

Wilton Royal Icing Mix Performance Color System (brown, yellow, red) 2- tip #3 2 pastry bags 2 plastic couplers gingerbread man cookie cutter cutter Sprinkle holiday mix (green trees) Red nonpareils royal icing eyes needle tool sugar cookie dough Wilton pastry bag clips

Crock Pot Lentil Soup

cindylouh — Wed, 07 Jan 2015 13:00:07 +0000

This crock pot lentil soup might not be pretty but it is pretty dang delicious. It is one of my go to soups. It is easy to throw together and when we get home we have a really hearty meal. Lentils are a powerhouse of nutrition. One cup of cooked lentils has 16 grams of fiber and 18 grams of protein. They are also packed with potassium, calcium, zinc, niacin and vitamin K, folate and iron. Another great thing is that this legume is one of the simplest to prepare since they don't require a lengthy soaking time like other beans.

Crock pot Lentil Soup

1 - 2 pounds ham shanks (there is more meat on the shank) 8 cups chicken broth 16 ounces dried lentils (about 2 1/4 cups), sorted and rinsed 4 stalks celery, chopped (about 2 cups) 4 carrots, chopped (about 2 cups) 3 Tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (or 1 Tablespoon dried) 3 cloves garlic, pressed or very finely chopped Mix all ingredients in a 4 - 6 quart crock pot. Cover and cook on low for 8-9 hours or until lentils are tender. Before serving, remove ham shanks from the crock pot. Remove meat and discard the bones and skin. Stir ham into the soup. YUM!

DIY Wooden Bird Feeder

cindylouh — Thu, 01 Jan 2015 11:00:48 +0000

DIY Window Bird Feeder Supplies

1 - 3/8 X 2 X 5 1/2 craft wood 1 - 3/8 X 2 X 4 1/2 craft wood 2 - 3/8 X 2 X 1 1/2 craft wood 8" tall X 5 1/5 inch piece of craft wood piece of metal roof flashing 8" X 3" 1 suction cup 1 eyelet screw glue 4 - screws

How to make a wooden bird feeder

Place screw in back piece of bird feeder. Screw on sides. Screw on bottom. Drill hole in back piece. Glue on front piece. Glue on roof. Screw eye hook on back and hang on window.

Free printable 2015 Calendars

cindylouh — Fri, 02 Jan 2015 13:00:31 +0000

Looking for free printable 2015 calendars this year? I noticed many other talented bloggers sharing their own calendars! Print one for every room, or as gifts for friends! You can never have too many beautiful calendars! If you want to review last year, print out my year in review coloring sheet for kids! You will love seeing what your kids remember from last year!

2015 Calendars

2015 Skip to my Lou Calendar DIY Whiteboard Calendar Free clipboard calendar Sweet Calendar Confetti Calendar Colorful Calendars Watercolor Calendar 2015 Mini Calendar Desk Calendar 2015 Clear Colors Calendar

Best Fitness Apps

cindylouh — Sat, 03 Jan 2015 13:00:51 +0000

Have you tried using fitness apps on your smart phone or computer? I love to set goals and New Years is a great time to hit reset. Last year I got a fit bit (which I love). I have been trying out several fitness apps to help keep me on track and motivate me. Here are a few of my favorites. Let me know your favorite fitness apps in the comments!

Best Fitness Apps

Weight bot This app strictly tracks your weight but it's a great way to keep track of progress and set goals.

Fit bit

This is one of my favorite tools! I've had it a long time. It helps motivate you to keep moving, set goals and even compete with friends. You can get a fit bit here.

Map my walk

I recently completed the couch to 5k with this app. I love listening to my music or my audio book while exercising and the coaching will play in the background and keep you on track.

My fitness pal This app is probably the most popular one because it's one the best in the market. You can count calories, track exercise and interact and motivate friends. I love how many meals it has saved for easy meal planning!

Run Keeper This app tracks distance, pace, and calorie burns for any athletic activity. Plus it can sync to a heart rate monitor.

Don't have a smart phone? Most of these apps are available to use from any computer!

This post contains a affiliate link.

Easy Chicken Meals

cindylouh — Sun, 04 Jan 2015 13:00:51 +0000

Here are some easy chicken meals that caught my eye this week! Check out made by you monday for more recipes, crafts, and diy ideas. I am always looking for new recipes to add to my routine. Many of these meals look easy enough for my husband to cook! Don't miss George's famous chili recipe, it is very good!

Easy Chicken Meals

Skinny Polynesian Chicken Salad 4 Minute ChickenTaco Rice Bowls Ginger Pineapple Chicken Chicken Artichoke Bites Coffee rubbed chicken Be sure to stop by next week for another Made by you Monday.

Made by you Monday

cindylouh — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 13:00:23 +0000

It's Monday show us what you've got. It is time to link up your crafty goodness! Please don't forget to link back! --- a text link at the bottom of your post, or link somewhere on your blog is okay! [blog_button button_size=large] Don't miss a thing! Sign up to get crafty ideas, recipes, sewing tutorials and more delivered right to your inbox. Follow Skip to My Lou on FB and Google+ to find out the latest news! Join me at Pinterest and Instagram for an extra dose of fun!

Free Crochet Cowl Pattern

cindylouh — Tue, 06 Jan 2015 13:00:19 +0000

Is it cold where you live right now? This free crochet cowl pattern will keep you warm. It uses thick yarn so it stitches up super quick! Plus it looks great. Look at how cute my super sweet friend Jen Hadfield looks wearing the crochet cowl!

Crochet Cowl Supplies

Size N hook I have made this with both Michael's Loops & Threads Coy Wool Yarn, or Lion Brand Thick & Quick Yarn. Any thicker yarn will work. ABBREVIATIONS Approx = Approximately Beg = Begin(ning) Ch = Chain(s) Dc = Double crochet Rep = Repeat Rnd = Round(s) Sl st = Slip stitch Sp = Space MEASUREMENTS: Approx 9" wide x 25½ " around. GAUGE: 7 sc and 7 rows = 4"

Free Crochet Cowl Pattern

Ch 44. Join with sl st to form ring, being careful not to twist ch. 1st rnd: Ch 3 (counts as dc). (1 dc. Ch 1. 2 dc) in first ch. Skip next 3 ch. *(2 dc. Ch 1. 2 dc) in next ch. Skip next 3 ch. Rep from * around. Join with sl st to top of beg ch-3. 2nd rnd: Sl st in next dc and next ch-1 sp. Ch 3 (counts as dc). (1 dc. Ch 1. 2 dc) in same ch-1 sp. *(2 dc. Ch 1. 2 dc) in next ch-1 sp. Rep from * around. Join with sl st to top of beg ch-3. Rep 2nd rnd until work from beg measures approx 9" . Next rnd: Sl st in next dc and ch-1 sp. Ch 3. *Sl st in next ch-1 sp. Ch 3. Rep from * around. Join with sl st to first ch-1 sp. Fasten off. Pattern from Michael's Arts & Crafts Loops & Threads Design Team

10 Must Read Books

Laura Reese — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 13:00:02 +0000

Are you looking for must read books? I have asked Laura to share some new favorites, I can't wait to read! I love a book that grabs you immediately and you can't put it down. I have listened to several this year that I can't stand to stop reading. I usually listen to book on my phone while driving or out walking. Each of these books is very different but you will find yourself up late, sneaking a break to get another chapter in, and quickly finishing several books. Gone Girl This book is now a movie! Gone girl opens up with Nick finding his wife missing! Quick and fast paced you quickly see the marriage was far from perfect! There are a lot of twists that will surprise you, you won't see this one coming. The Secret Life Of CeeCee Wilkes An unsolved murder. A missing child. A lifetime of deception. I loved this book because it didn't take long to "hook" you and it kept me guessing and very interested the entire time! I read it in just two days! The story opens where you meet CeCe a naive vulnerable girl who has spent her life needing love. How she gets caught up in a crime and deals with the aftermath is totally enthralling! What Alice Forgot I read this book in just about a day. The story begins as a women has a fall and wakes up missing 10 years of her life. The story grabs you immediately and while it has a chick lit feel- it works. I found the story thought provoking on many levels. Unbroken Amazing true story of survival that kept me on the edge of my seat! The strength, courage, and most importantly the optimism of the men involved reveals just how much can be endured and overcome while somehow remaining Unbroken.

And the Mountains Echoed

If you enjoyed the Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns you will like his third novel. In this tale revolving around not just parents and children but brothers and sisters, cousins and caretakers, Hosseini explores the many ways in which families nurture, wound, betray, honor, and sacrifice for one another; and how often we are surprised by the actions of those closest to us, at the times that matter most.

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

I am a little late finding this classic novel! This will become one of my all time favorite books. It has amazing insight into the human heart and what motivates people to act the way they do. The story just came alive for me and by the end I missed every character so much!

Before I Go To Sleep

Memories define us. So what if you lost your memories each night when you went to sleep? You don't remember who you are, you name, your age, even the people you love — all forgotten overnight. And the one person you trust may only be telling you half the story. Welcome to Christine's life. I literally could not put this story down either. Language warning.

The Fault In Our Stars

This young adult novel was surprisingly interesting and compelling. A story of two teens struggling with cancer. The issues they face and their sweet love story was a fast and easy read. You will cry.

The False Prince

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I never wanted to put it down and didn't want it to end - I'm so glad it's part of a trilogy! This is easily a book you could read with your children it has action, adventure and mystery! Five stars.

Unwind

This book is about kids who are unwanted teens. Lost in a system which has no value for them, alive. This is a society where unwanted teens are salvaged for their body parts, called "unwinding". You are taken on a journey where these teens discover themselves while fighting to stay alive. What makes us alive? When does life begin? This book was a fast paced, gripping novel.

One more from Cindy

The Go Giver

This is truly one of my favorite books. I have given to everyone I love and it's required reading for my kids! The business story about giving, is not only inspiring it will change your life!

What are your favorite books? Tell me in the comments?

This post contains affiliate links.

Paleo Brownies {Grain Free Recipe}

cindylouh — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 13:00:15 +0000

Are you grain free? These paleo brownies are for you. For almost two years now I have been eating paleo. You can read why I made this choice and see one of my favorite make ahead breakfasts here. It has made a tremendous difference in the way I feel. I do indulge in non paleo foods, but about 90% of the time I am eating paleo. These brownies are fluffy, moist and cake like. Now, depending on where you are at in your paleo journey...they might not be sweet enough. Once your palate has adjusted to whole foods and natural sweets these brownies will be a perfect treat. I will be up front and let you know that my kids informed me their palates have not adjusted to these LOL. I on the other hand ate five! No, they don't taste like a box mix of gooey sugary sweet brownies. These paleo brownies are nourishing with a a nutty almond flavor and are not overly sweet.

Paleo Brownies

1 cup almond butter (I look for one that is only almonds, no added oil or cane sugars) (other nut butters could be substituted) 2 eggs 1/2 cup plus 2 Tablespoons honey 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce I really wanted to add in a 1/2 cup of dark chocolate chips but I didn't have any. Preheat oven to 325 Degrees F Mix almond butter, applesauce and eggs together to make a smooth batter. Mix in the honey and vanilla. Next add the salt, baking soda, and then slowly add in the cocoa powder. Grease (I also line my pan with parchment paper) a 9 X 9 or 8 x 8 inch baking dish with cooking spray ( I actually have a 6 1/2 X 9 1/2 casserole dish that I use). Bake for 20-35 minutes or until a toothpick is inserted and comes out clean. Do you have a favorite brownie recipe? I would love to try out some more!

Tissue Paper Flowers {Idea Room}

cindylouh — Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Hi everyone! My name is Cindy and I blog at Skip to my Lou. I blog about crafts, sewing, crochet and recipes. I hope you will come visit me if you are looking for more fun crafts and activities. These tissue papers flowers are fun and cheery craft for summer. They are super easy and make a beautiful display!

Tissue Paper Flowers Supplies

6 sheets of tissue paper thin wire scissors chenille stem Stack 6 sheets of tissue paper on top of each other. Cut the stack in half. Make one stack, sorting the colors together. Trim the center color of the flower (top 4 sheets) about two inches on each side. Give each side a zig zag edge. Accordion fold the tissue paper. Round off each end with scissors. Twist a piece of wire around the center of the folded tissue paper. Open up the tissue paper. Starting with the top layer of tissue paper, carefully bring each layer to the center. Place a chenille stem around the middle and twist to make a stem. Beautiful flowers in minutes! Lets keep in touch! Sign up to get crafty ideas, recipes, sewing tutorials and more delivered right to your inbox. Follow Skip to My Lou on FB and Google+ to find out the latest news! Join me at Pinterest and Instagram for an extra dose of fun!

Beef Enchilada Soup Recipe- from freezer to crockpot, and a visit to a Flint Hills Ranch

cindylouh — Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Megan here, Cindy's niece. I want to share an easy and delicious Beef Enchilada Soup recipe with you all today. The best part is that it can be prepared ahead of time, frozen and then made in the crock pot when you’re ready. Recently, Skip to my Lou was part of a three day tour of Kansas farms with other regional bloggers. Check out the full tour here. We wrapped up our farm food tour with a visit to White City, Kansas and the ranch of Debbie Lyons-Blythe. Debbie writes kids, cows, and grass and is truly a kind soul that brought such a fun energy- and lots of knowledge- to the 3 day tour. Visiting her ranch in the Flint Hills of Kansas was absolutely the best way to end our trip. Her mother, sister, and dear girlfriends met us in her pasture all decked out in their ranch gear. It was easy to see the love that Debbie has for her land in the flint hills as she showed us the different native grasses and her certified black angus cows. We enjoyed this delicious crock pot enchilada soup that you simply must try on a cold day! The original recipe from Debbie’s site: Beef Enchilada Soup 4 lbs ground beef, browned & drained 1 large can tomatoes (crushed, diced or sauce--whichever you prefer) 1 can black beans 1 can kidney beans 1 can sweet corn 1 small can green chilis 1 can enchilada sauce (we prefer mild, but any can be used) 2 cans beef broth 2 envelopes taco seasoning Put ingredients into crockpot on low for the day, or on high for a couple of hours. It can also be cooked on the stovetop. The key is to heat through and allow flavors to meld....it will also make your house smell wonderful and drive the family nuts! Top with sliced flour tortillas--this is important! They act like noodles and are delicious. Also offer shredded cheese, avocado, cilantro, sour cream, additional seasoning,...anything that sounds good! Enjoy!

Hilarous and Clever White Elephant Gift Ideas

cindylouh — Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

It's that time of year full of Christmas parties. Office parties, neighborhood parties, and church get togethers are sure to be on your list! If I am guessing right, one or more will be a white elephant party! Don't fret this post will help you find a clever gift to give that will have everyone laughing or at least make people smile!

Bacon Toothpaste

For the bacon lovers of the world this over the top bacon flavored tooth paste is a funny and somewhat gross way to celebrate a love for bacon! It will be sure to get everyone laughing.

Pick your Nose Cups

These pick your nose cups! They are pretty realistic. When sippers tip thier heads to take a drink, it appears they've grown a different nose and sometimes even a mustache.

Bald Man's Comb

I can see the bald man's comb being the perfect gift to give the right person! A curved comb made just for that special person!

Mistletoe Headband

Tis' the season! Someone can seal the deal with this no so subtle mistletoe headband! It is sure to create a stir being passed around a party!

Cold Hard Cash

Freeze some money in a ice chunk for a funny play off words, just make sure it is in a ziplock bag!

Gift not included

Play off the whole batteries not included with a set of double AA batteries with a note that says, "gift not included".

Slide to Unlock Magnet

This slide to unlock magnet is pretty fun to stick on someone's car! Makes a clever gift, especially for the tech savvy.

Hush Coffee Lover Mug

This mug gives appropriate warning for the coffee addicted!

Dust Mop Slippers

Help them accomplish two things with these dust mop slippers, keep their feet warm while cleaning the floors! Watch out dust bunnies.

Toilet Golf

For the avid golfer, because who wouldn't want to play golf on the toilet. Perfect Gag gift!

How to Host a White Elephant party!

If you are the one hosting a white elephant party here are some important and easy tips to help make it successful! 1. Set up simple rules. Are gifts meant to used only. Funny gifts? A little of both? Do you need to set a price limit. Be clear with what is expected with gifts. Not everyone knows. 2. Let everyone know to wrap and keep their gifts secret. Gifts can be labeled for gender if needed. 3. The Game! How to exchange the gifts... Write out numbers on paper. Make numbers for however many people are participating in the gift exchange. For example, if there are 15 people participating, write out the numbers 1 through 15 on small pieces of paper, fold them once or twice, and throw them into a small bowl or bag. Have everyone draw a number. The number will signify the order in which they choose a gift. Begin with the person who draws #1. The first person chooses any wrapped gift in the gift box and opens it. The turn ends. The next person can choose to steal the previously opened gift or choose an opened gift from the pile. A person who has his/her gift stolen from them gets to either steal a gift from someone else or choose a replacement gift from the pile. You cannot immediately steal back a gift that was stolen from you. You must wait at least one round before stealing back a gift that was once in your possession. A gift cannot be stolen more than once in a turn. Repeat in order number. The person with the next highest number again either chooses from the pile or can steal a gift from someone else that has not been stolen that round. Looking for more recipes, tips or crafts? Check out a few of my guides below. Also check out my collection on the best board games, they make great gifts families.

Have the next person choose whether they want to steal a previously-opened gift or choose an unopened gift from the gift box.

A person who has his/her gift stolen from them gets to either steal a gift from someone else or choose a replacement gift from the gift box.
You cannot immediately steal back the gift that was stolen from you. You must wait at least one round before stealing back a gift that was once in your possession.
A gift cannot be stolen more than once a turn.

Snowman Marshmallows for Hot Chocolate

cindylouh — Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Hot Chocolate In A Jar

cindylouh — Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

It is cold here in Kansas! We love hot chocolate at our house. If it's cold outside you can often see everyone in our family cuddled up drinking hot cocoa. There are many ways to enjoy this family favorite. We often use a quick pre made mix but when we have more time we make this easy recipe (see below). It is perfect to mix up ahead of time and store. Even swiss miss packets can be made in minutes and are enjoyed quite frequently around here.

Need a last minute gift? This is so easy to make and gift. Every one loves hot chocolate. Make it extra special with peppermint (crushed candy canes) chocolate chips, and marshmallows. Layer it in a mason jar.

Start with your favorite hot chocolate mix or hot chocolate recipe (see my recipe below). Add 1 1/2 Hot Chocolate mix , Layer 1 Cup mini marshmallows, 1/2 cup chocolate chips, and 1/2 crushed candy canes. I tied a tag on with red bakers twine.

Make a similar recipe printable and attach the tag to your jar. For extra creamy hot chocolate, try subbing in milk.

We had some fun and made these snowman skewers (all you need is mini marshmallows, rolos, and fruit rolls. We used a edible marker to make our face. I love these white mugs. Enjoy.

Hot Chocolate Mix Recipe

1 cup cocoa 2 1/2 cups powdered milk 1 teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons cornstarch 1 pinch cayenne pepper (to taste)

Make your hot chocolate extra special with a few of these amazing ideas.

Homemade marshmallows

Toasted marshmallow creme

Cinnamon and Cayenne Pepper

Churros

Whole Milk (mixing whole milk instead of water creates a richer experience)

Cookies ( a good cookie for dipping)

Add Nutella

Hang a candy cane over the side for a perfect way to stir your drink.

Toasted coconut, consider adding coconut milk in place of water.

Crushed Oreos

Homemade whipped creme

Smores toppings. Consider topping your hot chocolate with smores ingredients.

Make it mint. A little bit of peppermint extract makes a minty delight

Make it salted caramel (recipes are everyone online)

Consider adding international delight flavors, like pumpkin, hazelnut etc...

Check out my these gift ideas for the chef! You are sure to find something clever to gift the person who loves to work in the kitchen. If you have a reader on your list. These books are all favorites. For more recipes, tips. and craft ideas check out my other guides here on ebay. Here are a few you may like below...

The Best Egg Nog Recipe

cindylouh — Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

It has taken us some time to find the best recipe for Egg Nog but I can safely say we will never buy store bough egg nog again! Before this recipe we did not much care for egg nog, this recipe changed my mind. It is the best recipe. It is easy to make and it is also easy to add a little rum to it for the adults in the crowd.

The Best Egg Nog Recipe

Ingredients you need... 4 cups milk 5 whole cloves 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 12 egg yolks 1 1/2 cups sugar 2 1/2 cups light rum 4 cups light cream 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg Directions Combine milk, cloves, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, and cinnamon in a saucepan, and heat over lowest setting for 5 minutes. Slowly bring milk mixture to a boil. In a large bowl, combine egg yolks and sugar. Whisk together until fluffy. Whisk hot milk mixture slowly into the eggs. Pour mixture into saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly for 3 minutes, or until thick. Do not allow mixture to boil. Strain to remove cloves, and let cool for about an hour. Stir in rum, cream, 2 teaspoon vanilla, and nutmeg. Refrigerate overnight before serving.

Christmas Eve Traditions...

Drive and look at Christmas lights and find the best ones. You can often find people who synchronize their lights to the radio!

Light candle bags along your walkway, to light santa's way to your house.

Do a random act of kindness to someone special on Christmas eve. This is the true spirit of Christmas.

Open Christmas Pajamas. It is so fun to get a new pair of pajamas on Christmas and get excited for Christmas morning. We always read something religious around the fire with a cup of egg nog on Christmas Eve. If you prefer less religious idea, The Night Before Christmas is a great story to read kids right before they head up to bed. Another idea... Stand in a circle with candles. We light the candle next to the person next to you and say why you love them. At the end we talk about the circle of light and love that our family has together. You can use battery powered candles or assist younger children. Be careful with fire and children. For more fun ideas check out these holiday kitchen gadgets! You might also like some of these guides below filled with crafts, recipes, tips and more...

Gift Guide for the Tool Lover

cindylouh — Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Do you have a tool lover in your home? Do you struggle know what to buy him for holidays like Christmas, Birthdays, and Father's Day. This list may help you out and make it easier to see what the top tools are on the market... I have done a little research for you.

Kreg Jig K4 Master System

We received this told Kreg Jig K4 Master System set and tried it out last year. Not only does it make building furniture possible but it is easier than any other tool on the market. This is a must have for anyone.

18-Volt ONE+ AirStrike Brad Nailer Kit

This little gadget will make life easier for anyone who love to DIY. Best of all you don't need a air compressor to use it.

Ryobi 18V One Plus Cordless Lithium-Ion Drill Kit

This drill is the mother of all drills. I thought our old drill was good enough till I tried this out. Cordless is where is at. Suddenly you will able to do all sorts of projects!

HomeRight Finish Max Sprayer

This tool is amazing and will change the way you paint anything. The best part is you can use latex paint, stain and even chalk paint and get the perfect job evert sing time! It features... Adjustable spray control enhances precision for improved outcomes Adjusts to three different spray patterns horizontal, vertical, and circular - choose the right one for the job. Leaves a finish that the pros would envy. Sprays coatings on evenly and without brush marks.

Ryobi Compound Miter Saw

This big boy is a amazing tool! You will love it. Features... Heavy-duty 14 amp motor handles the tough jobs with ease. Electric brake stops the blade in seconds Spindle lock and single wrench blade changing system make blade swaps safe and easy Dual view bevel scale is easily visible from both sides of saw for accurate cutting action. Integrated laser provide enhanced cutting accuracy. Maximum mitre cut angle at 45 degrees left and right with stops at 0, 15, 22.5, 30 and 45 degrees.

For more tool ideas check out my collection of tools for the tool lover. I also have a collection of gift ideas for $10 and under. Looking for more ideas? I love writing for ebay. I enjoy sharing recipes, tips, crafts, and more. You can even find few more gift guides like this one. Here are some guides you might be interested in reading below...

Pork Meatball Appetizer Recipe

cindylouh — Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

We always love a good appetizer recipe around the holidays! Earlier this year, Skip to my Lou participated in the Kansas #FarmFoodTour taking a 3 day trip around Kansas visiting farms and ranches. On the first day of the trip the group was treated to the MOST delicious pork meatballs prepared at the home on Craig and Amy Good on their farm. You simply must try this recipe! Thanks to Amy Good for sharing her recipe with us: Ground Pork Meatballs with Gorgonzola on Greens 1 lb. ground pork 2 T ranch dip mix 2 T grated parmesan cheese 1 large egg 2 T chopped fresh chives (extra for garnish if desired) 2 T fresh lemon zest 1/4 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs 1/2 cup ranch dressing 1 cup plain panko crumbs 1 T grapeseed oil (can substitute extra virgin olive oil) 2 cups fresh baby spinach leaves 2 T crumbled gorgonzola, divided Lemon slices for garnish Directions: Preheat oven to 425 F. With your hands, mix the pork, ranch dip mix, parmesan, egg, chives, lemon zest, and Italian bread crumbs. Form into 8 even meatballs. Roll the meatballs in the ranch dressing and then the panko crumbs, drizzle with oil and bake 25 min. Place 1/4 cup spinach on each plate. Top with two meatballs. Crumble a small amount of gorgonzola over each plate and garnish with fresh chives and a lemon slice.

New Year's Eve Party Ideas for Kids

cindylouh — Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Kids love to celebrate a New Year as much as anyone. Let them join the party with these fun ideas for kids. Consider having them celebrate at 10pm (which is eastern time for us). Or simply set your clock a little earlier, depending on their age. Count Down Goodie Bags Before the night begins load goodie bags with things to be opened and played with every hour. A fun set of crayons (to go with year in review). A noise maker, the possibilities are endless. Year in Review Let them fill out and color a year in review sheet. It is fun seeing what they will write and record from year to year. You can several of these free printables on the internet, or get this one on my site Skip to my Lou (I update it every year). Games There are many kid oriented games that adults and kids can play together. Gather a good selection and bring everyone together on the fun. A few of our family favorites are: Monopoly Deal Telestrations Apples to Apples Jr. Pie Face For even more game ideas check out this collection of our favorite family games. Count Down Balloons Simply Blow up enough Balloons to count down and pop every hour. Label them with the hour that you will be popping. Kids have tons of fun popping the designated balloons on the hour. Time Capsule One fun activity or craft for kids is to sit down and let them create a time capsule to open next year. Consider using a soda bottle for easy storage. You can even spray paint it a fun color beforehand. Here are a few more ideas you might want to try... DIY Balloon Drop Silly String Fireworks ( adults should handle these) Pots and Pans to bang Decorate noise poppers with washi tape for a easy craft Fill helium balloons with confetti (watch out for the mess) Paper plate shakers (simple decorate two paper plates, add beads or noodles for noise and staple them together) Make your own party hats or headbands Make a photo booth Share new years resolutions I enjoy writing for ebay and have been sharing crafts, recipes, tips and simple ideas and more for a little over a year. Don't miss my other guides on ebay. Full of more tips, recipes and great ideas. Here are a few you may like to read below...

5 minute to win it game ideas

cindylouh — Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Got a group of adults and children? Minute to win it is a high energy game you can play with adults and children of almost all ages. It is perfect for any party because it is easy to create and have fun with! There are so many ideas for games be sure to search the internet for even more. Most of the ones below we have tried and had great success (so I share them with you). Most of the challenges work best with 2-3 players at once.

Here is a list of supplies you will need for these five games below... Cookies (store bought work best for stacking)

Straws (we love the fun striped ones pictured below)

Pennies

ping pong balls

red cups

m&m's

bowl

It is also fun to have snacks or appetizers available and other things to do for those waiting for their turn. Games like uno, facecards, and even monopoly deal are fun to have on hand to keep everyone playing and having fun. We also love this portable bose blue tooth speaker, it has good sounds and holds it charge forever.

Cookie Face

This game is harder than it sounds but a total classic for this game. Simple place a cookie on their forehead, and the goal is to get the cookie into your mouth using only your facial muscles in under 1 minute. No hands!

Stack it Up

Each player must stack as many pennies as they can in under a minute using only one hand.

Suck them up

Players place a straw in their mouth and suck them up to transfer a pile of 25 M&M’s from one plate to another in under one minute. Only one hand may be used to hold the straw.

Stack Attack

Players Stack a pile of 21 Cups then place them back into a single stack in under a minute. Two players can compete at a time.

Scoop it up

Using only a spoon in your mouth, transfer 6 ping pong balls from one bowl to another in less than a minute. No hands! You can use your hands are only allowed if you drop the ping pong ball, and then they can be used to place the ball back into the original bowl for another transfer attempt.

If you are looking for more fun gather these winter kids craft supplies and spend a day crafting. Check out my other guides here on ebay below...

5 Easy Ways to Update Your Family Room

cindylouh — Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Does you family room need a update? It is very possible to update a room with five simple changes. No need to get new furniture or actually changing anything expensive. These five ideas are sure ways to refresh almost any room!

Fire Place

The fireplace is a easy way to make things look great. It is often the center piece of the room. Simply painting the brick (I love a white fire place) can make it look brand new. There are many tutorials on white washing a fire place or painting it. Also consider spray painting a old fireplace insert if you have a old brass one. A change of the hardware can also update things easily. Even purchasing a fire place screen, is a simple way to make things look new.

Area Rug

Old carpet can make things look bad. A large area rug can do a lot for any room. Add a bold pattern, cover dirty carpet. Remember area rugs look best when anchored on furniture, get a big enough rug to allow furniture to sit on it and look proportionate to your room.

Throw Pillows

Updating throw pillows can make a huge difference in any room. Pillows get old and used looking fast. Decide on a coordinating color scheme and get new pillows. I am loving bold colors with geometric prints right now.

Curtains

Just like pillows a fun curtains or drapes can help tie in your colors and add interest to your room. Updating your curtains will make a big difference. They usually serve a functional purpose too.

Gallery Wall

I love a good gallery wall. Consider removing all old pictures and updating. Then create a fun new gallery wall. The easiest way to do this is to lay out all the pictures and create a collage. Searching the internet for lay out ideas has been very helpful to me.

There is a lot more you can do to update your room but these five ideas will create the biggest bang for you buck. Once you have your colors and theme decided it will be easy to find accessories and other ideas over time. Like throw blankets, lamps, and even new furniture. Looking for a natural cleaners for cleaning? This collection of natural cleaners has some of my favorite products. Check out the other guides I have written on ebay with crafts, recipes and tips. Here are few you might like below...

Kids Artwork Note Cards

cindylouh — Sat, 10 Jan 2015 13:00:12 +0000

Make these kids artwork note cards! This is such a fun creative idea to keep kids busy and creative this winter! For a few other art related projects for kids check out my child's art calendar, it makes a fun gift.

Hi! I'm Kimbo! I blog over at a girl and a glue gun

I have three cute kiddos...that color and draw like crazy (makes my momma heart proud!) But my art wall gets overtaken with pictures!!!! I usually save my favorites and the rest get thrown away while the kids are school (deep down in the trash so no one will find them!)

But the other day I had all these fun watercolor pictures that I just couldn't throw away! They were so fun and bright and I knew that they needed a second life!

so I made some fun notecards out of them!

How to make kids artwork

note cards:

They are so easy. I just made some white blank cards with cardstock (you can actually buy a huge pack of notecards

(Canvas Corp CDS1041 50 Count Note Cards with Envelopes, 4 by 5.5-Inch, White)

and then cut up the pictures and glued them to the front! Your kids can even help you! They look GREAT just as is...but you can embellish them with stamps, buttons, scrapbook paper...

You can even have kids cut out some fun shapes and glue on!

These are the perfect thing to send to all those relatives and grandparents!

You could even have them cut out the painted parts and create a new picture!

so get creative!!! and send someone a card! We love snail mail!!!

You can also go here to get a free thank you card printable for kids to color!!! Perfect to show some appreciation for all those holiday gifts your kids got spoiled with!

agirlandagluegun.com II twitter II facebook II bloglovin II instagram

6 Skinny Dessert Recipes

cindylouh — Sun, 11 Jan 2015 13:00:57 +0000

Skinny Dessert Recipes are a perfect way to satisfy your sweet tooth with a little less calories. With a few tweaks many of your favorite recipes can be lighter, and slightly healthier! I have found subbing in apple sauce, reducing sugar is the perfect way to make your own skinny desert recipes. I have been eating Paleo, these paleo brownies I shared this week are a perfect way to get some chocolate in your Paleo diet!

Skinny Dessert Recipes

Skinny Tiramisu

Low carb Blueberry Scones

Banana Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies

Berry Cream Cheese Bites

Chocolate Zucchini Muffins

Sugar Free Banana Bread

Be sure to link up tomorrow for another Made by you Monday!

Made by you Monday

cindylouh — Mon, 12 Jan 2015 13:00:42 +0000

RumChata Fruit Dip

cindylouh — Tue, 13 Jan 2015 13:00:25 +0000

Have you tried RumChata? It is a cream liquor made of a blend of rum, cream, cinnamon, vanilla and other secret ingredients. It is delicious. I was thinking the flavors of RumChata would be perfect for fruit! You might also like RumChata in your coffee. I do! If you are looking for some other dip recipes don't miss my chocolate chip cheesecake dip it's pretty amazing too!

RumChata Fruit Dip

1 - 8 ounce package of cream cheese 1/3 Cup RumChata 1 Tablespoon brown sugar 1 Tablespoon half and half, milk or more RumChata to get desired consistency cinnamon for sprinkling on top of dip With an electric mixer beat together cream cheese, RumChata and brown sugar until smooth and creamy. Sprinkle cinnamon on top of tip and serve with fresh fruit.

Origami Heart Sucker Covers

cindylouh — Wed, 14 Jan 2015 13:00:03 +0000

Share a little love with these origami heart sucker covers. They are super simple to make...but super cute. I have a few other ways to gift a sucker for Valentine's Day. You might like these printable 'beary' special lollipop covers or these printable sucker for love lollipop wraps. If you like to pair a cute saying with a small gift I have 100 printable Valentine ideas for you to browse.

Origami Heart Sucker Covers Supplies

For each origami heart cover you need 1 triangle cut from a 7 inch square of scrapbooking paper, a sticker, and a flat sucker.

How to make origami heart sucker covers

Cut a 7 inch square from scrapbooking paper. Cut the square in half to make two triangle. One triangle makes one sucker cover. With wrong side of paper facing up fold top corner of triangle to bottom edge. Write a little note inside if you like! Fold up right edge of triangle to center. Repeat, folding left edge of triangle to center. Flip paper over. Fold top points down. Flip paper back over and slightly open to insert sucker. Fold back up and place a sticker where the two sides meet. Flip over and fold down the top and side edges on both sides. A sweet treat for someone special. These origami heart sucker covers are a great project for kids to make for their friends. They are perfect for classroom Valentines.

Organized Crafting On The Go

cindylouh — Thu, 15 Jan 2015 16:11:30 +0000

Michaels's challenged me to show where I craft! While I have a craft room it is more like a supply room. I really never ever craft there. I realized I normally craft on the go. I always have a little project (usually crochet) to take along with me to work on while I wait for kids, meetings or watching TV. I normally shove everything haphazardly into a tote. It isn't convenient and I usually have to drag everything out to find my supplies to work on my project. I found this cute little crafter's purse at Michael's and it has helped me get my projects on the go organized. Look right at my finger tips everything I need. No digging involved! It even comes with a zippered pouch to keep extra supplies organized. So whether on the go or cozy at home everything for my crochet project is neatly organized! With everything organized and ready to go I am working on a crochet heart garland for my daughter's bedroom. These crochet hearts work up super quick! The crochet heart also makes a darling embellishment for this crochet coffee cozy. I also craft where the light is best so I can get good photos of my projects. I found this little tote that keeps supplies handy and ready to carry around my house! No more looking for the items I use most! These clever totes are how I am keeping organized! Thats organized crafting!

An InLinkz Link-up

Meals in Minutes: Easy Dinner Recipes

cindylouh — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 13:00:31 +0000

Weeknights are busy nights! We are running between work and sports and then there is homework, often dinner becomes an after thought at my house! We are in need of easy dinner recipes. With some planning I think we can do a bit better. Many times I need my husband and kids to help with dinner prep and these recipes are so easy they can make the whole meal! Here is a collection of recipes I love, and many I have found to add to our new dinner routine. How do you make meal times work at your house? I would love to hear in the comments.

Easy Dinner Recipes

Five Minute Marinara Creamy Spinach and Green Chili Enchiladas Crock Pot Baked Potatoes Cheesesteak Sandwiches Garlic Cheddar Chicken Strips Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Nachos One Pan Lemon Chicken and Broccoli & Rice Chicken Pot Pie Pan Roasted Herbed Pork Tenderloin George's Famous Chili Chicken Parmasen Stuffed Shells Easy Chili Mac Chicken Enchiladas Slow Cooker BBQ Ribs Crock Pot Lasagna Taco Bake Easy Chicken and Rice Recipe Penne with Cream Sauce Macaroni and Cheese Southwestern Summer Salad

Peppermint Heart Fudge

summer scraps — Sat, 17 Jan 2015 13:00:23 +0000

Hi Everyone, this is Summer from Summer Scraps and I am so excited to be sharing a recipe on Skip To My Lou with you today. I love to make little treats for the holidays and with Valentine's Day coming up I thought it would be the perfect time to share my Peppermint Heart Fudge. This fudge recipe is rather simple and comes together so nicely – just be sure to follow the directions so you don’t end up with burnt fudge.

Pepperming Heart Fudge

Ingredients needed

1 Stick of Butter
4 Cups Sugar
1 Large Can Evaporated Milk
2 packages of peppermint Andes pieces (1 package for fudge and 1 package for top of fudge)
2 packages of Chocolate Chips (I use milk but just use your favorite)
1 large chocolate bar (again I use milk because it is my favorite)
1 Jar of Marshmellow Creme

Before you start cooking you want to get everything prepped and ready. Open all the packages so you can quickly add things as you need them. Next I prepare a cookie sheet and line with tinfoil. Also lightly spray the pan with pam - this makes it easier to pull the fudge out. After that is done put in your butter, sugar and the can of evaporated milk in a sauce pan. Turn the heat on medium – I pretty much keep it here the entire time. Start mixing the three ingredients together and slowly they will all dislove into each other. Keep a slow stir while things get heating up. What you want to do is keep stirring and when the sugar mixture begins to boil start a timer for 6 and 1/2 minutes. Keep stirring for the entire time. If you stop stirring then it can easily burn. Once the 6 1/2 minutes are up remove the pan from the heat and immediately and the marshmallow creme. TIP: Dip a spoon into the hot mixture and use that spoon to get the marshmallow cream out of the jar. The heat from the spoon helps get it out much quicker. Begin stirring the marshmallow cream into the sauce while you stir in the bowl of chocolate. Now keep stirring until everything is nicely incorporated. You should stir until there is no more white from the Marshmallow cream. Pour into your pan then take the other package of peppermint pieces and sprinkle over the top of the fudge. Now you need to let this cool. You can do it slowly on the counter, faster in the fridge or a lot faster in the freezer. TIP: If you cool it off super quick (like in the freezer) it can sometimes cause the chocolate to become a bit dull in color. Once everything is cool it is easy to pull the fudge out of the pan – just pull it out by the tinfoil and then lay the tinfoil down for easy cutting. You could cut the fudge into squares or have a lot of fun and use cookie cutters to make fun shapes. I love using hearts for Valentine's Day. The cookie cutters work so nicely with this fudge So creamy, delicious and minty! If you like this recipe be sure to stop by my Blog Summer Scraps and check out my Blueberry Cream Cheese Pastries or my Snicker Pretzel Bites You can also follow me on Pinterest and Facebook!

Sweet Valentine's Treats

cindylouh — Sun, 18 Jan 2015 13:00:28 +0000

Make Valentine's Day fun and festive with these Sweet Valentine's Treats! These red and white themed desserts make the perfect statement for your desserts, all month long! Which one is your favorite? Host a Valentine party with a red and white theme. For more sweet treats try my RumChata dip, it's pretty amazing! I love to make homemade Valentines! For the best classroom valentine ideas check out my 100 Printable Valentines! You will be sure to find the a great idea there.

Sweet Valentine's Treats

Cupid Floats Valentine Muddy Buddies Easy Valentine Bark Layered Valentine Jello Cherry Coke Cupcakes

Made by you Monday

cindylouh — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 13:00:23 +0000

Valentine Printable Bookmarks

cindylouh — Tue, 20 Jan 2015 13:00:09 +0000

These printable bookmarks share a cute saying for Valentine's day. They also are a fun way to promote reading. Your child might even like to sew a bookmark to gift to their friends. If you like special bookmarks as much as we do check out these fun bookmark tutorials: DIY Fabric Flower Bookmark, Cute Popsicle Stick Bookmarks, Covered Button Bookmarks, Elastic Bookmark. There are so many ways to make beautiful handmade bookmarks. But, if you are looking for something that is quick and easy these printable valentine bookmarks are darling!

Valentine Printable Bookmarks

Download bookmarks. Print in color on white card-stock. Valentine Bookmarks Cut apart Valentines. Punch a hole at the top of the bookmark and add a ribbon if you like. So fun to have such a clever bookmark. These printable Valentines would also make cute Valentines! If you are looking for more fun ways to celebrate Valentine's Day here are over 100 printable Valentine cards with cute sayings, even more printable Valentines and some cute Valentine's Day crafts for kids.

Valentine Lunch Box Jokes

cindylouh — Wed, 21 Jan 2015 13:00:13 +0000

Share a smile in your child's lunch with these Valentine lunch box jokes! I love putting little notes in my daughters lunch or in a pocket for her to find. I keep a stack in my kitchen drawer ready to go when I pack her lunch. You might like these super cute Valentine lunch box jokes. You will be able to keep your child giggling all month long.

Printable Lunch Box Jokes For Valentine's Day

Download Valentine jokes. Print in color on white cardstock. Valentine Lunch Box Jokes Cut the little notes apart and you are ready to brighten your child's day with a silly little joke.

Printable Lunch Box Notes

For more lunch box notes click on the image below to find all the free printables. Make the fruit in your child's lunch with these clever lunch tags.

Printable Airplane Valentines

cindylouh — Thu, 22 Jan 2015 13:00:58 +0000

These printable airplane valentines are quick, easy and CUTE! Perfect for boys or girls! These interactive Valentines will be a hit with friends. Valentine's Day is just around the corner. You might like browsing these printable Valentine cards and these printable classroom Valentines. They each have cute saying paired with a tiny gift or treat. Here is a list of cute sayings for Valentines if you would like to come up with your own ideas.

Printable Airplane Valentines for boys or girls

Dowload airplane Valentines. Print in color on white cardstock. Printable Airplane Valentines Cut apart the valentines into individual cards and give to special friends! Now friends can cut out and fold up a super cute airplane! Such a fun Valentine!

Top 10 Soup Recipes

cindylouh — Fri, 23 Jan 2015 13:00:35 +0000

I love a good soup recipe! Here are some of my top 10 soup recipes I have collected, many of them are my favorites and some I just can't wait to try. I love a warm hearty soup recipe and most of these are easy to throw together. I love to set it up in my crock pot before I leave in the morning and have a homemade meal in the evening. This homemade noodle recipe will make any soup totally amazing!

Top 10 Soup Recipes

Broccoli Cheese Soup Crock Pot Lentil Soup Lemon Chicken Stew Slow Cooker Tuscan Soup Slow Cooker Chili Creamy Tomato and Tortellini Soup Tomato Basil Soup Loaded Baked Potato Soup Zuppa Toscana Cheddar Corn Chowder

Ultimate DIY Bundle

cindylouh — Fri, 23 Jan 2015 06:15:28 +0000

I have a very cool thing to announce to you today. I am working with a bunch of other bloggers to offer an amazing DIY E-book Bundle. It includes 76 e-books and e-courses on topics from furniture refinishing, mod podge, beauty recipes, canning, photography, and scrapbooking. If you want to learn to do it from the best this set is for you! One Complete Package of eBooks and eCourses dedicated to your DIY & crafting needs! The Ultimate DIY Bundle is your instant go-to library for a whole range of practical, satisfying and fun ways to decorate, repair and create.

✔ Decorate the perfect space for your family
✔ Make your own skincare products
✔ Take beautiful photos
✔ Create gifts from scratch
✔ Nurture your creativity

With authors like Thrifty Decor Chick, The Nester, Mod Podge Rocks, Amy Locurto, Curbly and My Blessed Life (plus a many more) you know this bundle is going to be awesome. The total for this collection is only $34.95. It will be worth every penny. I have gotten to read several of the books and it definitely worth it. Check it out here!

Click here to get instant access for just $34.95!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.

Rocky Road Bites

girl who ate everything — Sat, 24 Jan 2015 13:00:53 +0000

Hi guys! I'm Christy from the blog The Girl Who Ate Everything. If you're not familiar with my blog, I'm a self-proclaimed foodaholic who loves to run! I'm excited to be here today sharing these Rocky Road Bites with you. From experience, the best treats are those that can be made off the top of your head and this is one of our favorites. My husband's go-to ice cream flavor is Rocky Road and any treat that has the same flavors, he goes crazy for.

In a large bowl mix your melting chocolate, marshmallows, and chopped pecans. Spread it all out on wax paper, parchment paper, or aluminum foil and sprinkle it with a little sea salt to bring out the flavors. Let it set and then break into pieces and enjoy!

Rocky Road Bites: 2 lbs melting chocolate 1 (10.5-oz) bag mini marshmallows 1 cup chopped pecans (optional) sea salt Melt chocolate according to package directions. In a large bowl stir in melted chocolate, marshmallows, and pecans until coated well. Spread evenly on wax paper or parchment lined baking sheet. Sprinkle with sea salt to bring out the flavors even more. Let mixture set for at least an hour. You can speed this up by placing it in the refrigerator. Break into pieces and enjoy! With five hungry kids, a husband in the NFL, and her own insatiable appetite, Christy Denney has plenty of mouths to feed. Her blog, The Girl Who Ate Everything, is filled with family-friendly favorites that will make your mouth water. If you're looking for simple, delicious, and easy dishes the whole family will love, she's your girl.

Follow Christy on:

Facebook | Pinterest | Twitter | Instagram

If you liked this recipe you might like these: http://www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com/2011/06/smores-cookies.html http://www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com/2014/09/salted-caramel-apple-cups.html http://www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com/2014/10/monster-cookies.html

FREE Hotel Stay from Wyndham Rewards

cindylouh — Sun, 25 Jan 2015 13:00:53 +0000

Everyone deserves a little undisturbed time. Do you need a Vacation? Now through March 13th, Wyndham is giving fans the chance to win a complimentary 7-night stay for two at any of Wyndham Hotels and Resorts’ properties around the world – more than 180 to choose from, including top destinations like Orlando, Hawaii, Philadelphia, Istanbul and more – plus 100,000 United Airlines MileagePlus® Award miles to get you there, and $1,000 cash for living it up on your dream vacation. With only one lucky grand-prize winner, eight (8) weekly winners (one per week) will also receive 25,000 United Airlines MileagePlus miles each to get away from it all! Enter by filling out the form @ www.facebook.com/wyndhamhotels, then spread the fun to family and friends by creating and sharing your own ‘Do Not Disturb’ door tag that details what you’d rather be doing on your vacation. In addition to entering the giveaways, travelers can also take advantage of special promotions available through Wyndham Hotel Group’s free-to-join Wyndham Rewards loyalty program. You don't want to miss the opportunity to earn free or discounted stays!

Exclusive Skip to my Lou Reader Giveaway

To make things even more fun I have the opportunity to giveaway 50,000 Wyndham Reward Points!

Here is your chance to win a free stay in a beautiful hotel!

Participating hotels- Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, Dream Hotels, Ramada Worldwide, Night Hotels, Knights Inn, Howard Johnson, Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham, Wingate by Wyndham, Microtel by Wyndham, Baymont Inn & Suites, Days Inn, Super 8, Travelodge, and TRYP by Wyndham.

Simply wait for rafflecopter to load and enter there! a Rafflecopter giveaway

Made by you Monday

cindylouh — Mon, 26 Jan 2015 13:00:58 +0000

I am writing a bit over at ebay! Come check out this post on 5 secret tips to getting curls that last all day! It's Monday show us what you've got. It is time to link up your crafty goodness! Please don't forget to link back! --- a text link at the bottom of your post, or link somewhere on your blog is okay! [blog_button button_size=large] Don't miss a thing! Sign up to get crafty ideas, recipes, sewing tutorials and more delivered right to your inbox. Follow Skip to My Lou on FB and Google+ to find out the latest news! Join me at Pinterest and Instagram for an extra dose of fun!

Valentine Printable {Love You Oodles of Noodles}

delineate your dwelling — Tue, 27 Jan 2015 13:00:33 +0000

I love this sweet little Valentine printable paired with the cutest noodle necklace. We have fun at our house planning the perfect Valentines. If you are looking for loads of ideas before to check out these amazing Valentines. I have teamed up with some of the most creative bloggers to share the cutest Valentines imaginable. Each day you will be amazed with their cleverness! Don't miss a day! Hope to see you tomorrow. Please welcome Amy! Hello, Skip to My Lou readers! It's Amy from Delineate Your Dwelling, a creative DIY blog. I am so excited to be here today starting off Cindy's Valentine's Day printable series. I am sharing a simple DIY craft you can do with your kiddos and a free Valentine Printable, Love You Oodles of Noodles to go with it.

Noodle Necklace Supplies:

A box of noodles Acrylic Paints in assorted colors Paint Brushes Baker's Twine

How to make a noodle necklace

Be sure to cover your table with paper or a cloth, as this can be a messy activity.

First, set out noodles and let your kids go wild painting them! I wanted two different color schemes, so I set out a plate of paints in pinks, reds and oranges and then after all those noodles were painted, I set them aside. And then got out a plate of blues and greens. I love the marbled texture of the painted noodles! Next, simply measure out the length of the necklace and cut the baker's twine to size.

Valentine Printable

Now you need a fun tag to make your noodle necklace the best Valentine ever! Download the tag, print in color on white cardstock. Cut out tag, punch a hole at the top and slip onto the noodle necklace. You can download the free PDF printable HERE. <<<< Valentine Printable Oodles of Noodles These are a simple Valentine's Day craft that you can have your children's help with and they can be worn long after Valentine's Day, too! My kids have been wearing them every day since we made them. If you enjoyed this Valentine's Day printable, you might like a few of my other Valentine's Day projects. I created a heart shaped Valentine's Day wreath, a Leather Cuffed Glass for upcoming love themed parties and a Cookie Dish!

Hello, I'm Amy! Delineate Your Dwelling a place where I share creative DIY projects from my home. You can see more of Delineate Your Dwelling on Pinterest | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter.

Valentine Doodled Hearts DIY {printable}

whimsy studios — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 13:00:41 +0000

This Valentine door is amazing, can you believe it is made with a Valentine printable? If you are looking for some Valentine Crafting consider this Love you Oodles and Noodles Necklace, pair it with the free printable for the perfect gift. If you are looking for loads of ideas before to check out these amazing Valentines. I have teamed up with some of the most creative bloggers to share the cutest Valentines imaginable. Each day you will be amazed with their cleverness! Don’t miss a day! Hope to see you tomorrow.

Please Welcome Lori,

Hi there, friends! My name is Lori McDonough and I'm from Fresh Picked Whimsy. Today I’m sharing with you a fun Valentine’s DIY with a really high WOW factor!

Every February I cover my front door with these sweet hand-drawn hearts.

Valentine Doodled Hearts DIY {printable}

When Cindy asked me to participate in this Valentine printable roundup, I created these free printables so that anyone could add a little doodled love to their door or window. {No doodling skills required!}

How to make a Valentine Doodled Hearts Door

Here’s a very short list of what you will need…

A white medium point WATER-BASED sharpie marker. {I found mine at Michael’s}

Scotch tape

heart doodle printables (there are three pages): one, two & three

Make sure your door or window is clean and then tape the printables onto the surface.

You will be working on the other side of the window or door.

Simply, trace the hearts and patterns with the sharpie. Look at you!!! You're a doodler!

Move the printables around on the window and repeat until the window is covered to your liking. You'll be a heart-drawing pro in no time!

No worries if you don’t have a full glass storm door like mine…try painting your hearts on a sliding glass door, front door sidelights, a shower door (paint the outside!) or even a classroom door window.

After Valentine’s Day, windex and some paper towels will leave your glass surface crystal clear again!

I’m an illustrator and you might also enjoy my free printable illustrated Valentines , or the DIY jumbo poster board window hearts I made for my studio. I love to paint hand lettered signs and illustrations, too! Be sure to check out my etsy store! Fresh Picked Whimsy is where I share the happy chaos that comes from the fusion of my life as a busy mom and my life as an illustrator at whimsy studios!

Let’s be friends! You can find Lori McDonough on facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and twitter

Bugs and Kisses Valentine Printables

pitter and glink — Fri, 30 Jan 2015 13:00:45 +0000

Bugs and Kisses Valentine Printables make the perfect Valentine for any little boy or bug loving girl! If you want to gift a sweet treat these Sweet Valentine Printables make them extra special. If you are looking for loads of ideas before to check out these amazing Valentines. I have teamed up with some of the most creative bloggers to share the cutest Valentines imaginable. Each day you will be amazed with their cleverness! Don’t miss a day! Hope to see you tomorrow. Welcome Bethany! Hey, y'all! I'm Bethany from Pitter and Glink, and I'm so excited to be here today at Skip to My Lou to share a fun free Valentine printable with you: my "Bugs and Kisses" Valentines. I've noticed that so many free Valentine printables on the web are very girly. I myself have shared several girly printables on my blog like my Printable Valentine Bookmarks and my "Punny" Kitten Valentines. But I designed these non-girly printables perfect for the little guys in your life or the little girls in your life who aren't the pink and ruffly type. To create your little bug Valentines, all you need are some plastic bugs (I bought mine from the party favor section at Walmart), twine, a hole punch, and the printable "Bugs and Kisses" Tags that you can download HERE. Simply print the tags, cut them out, and punch a hole in them. Attach them to the plastic bugs with twine. To create the "Bugs and Kisses" Valentine gift bags, you need the same plastic bugs (or even some type of gummy bug candy), a plastic bag, a stapler and the printable bag toppers that you can download HERE. Print the bag toppers and cut them out. Fill the bags with bugs or candy. Fold over the top of the bags and attach the bag topper over the top of the bag with staples. These Valentines are the perfect non-candy Valentines, and the little boys or tomboys in your life are sure to love them! Bethany lives in sunny South Carolina with her husband and two "dog-ters." She's an English teacher by day and a crafter and want-to-be decorator by night. She blogs about her creative adventures at Pitter and Glink, where she shares jewelry tutorials, free printables, furniture revamps, and other makeovers. You can also find her on Bloglovin', Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.

Sweet Valentine Printable Tag

crafted by lindy — Thu, 29 Jan 2015 13:00:04 +0000

This Sweet Valentine Printable is perfect for giving sweet treat for anyone! Plus You can really wow your friends with the most Amazing Valentine door, can you believe it was made with a valentine printable? If you are looking for loads of ideas before to check out these amazing Valentines. I have teamed up with some of the most creative bloggers to share the cutest Valentines imaginable. Each day you will be amazed with their cleverness! Don’t miss a day! Hope to see you tomorrow. Welcome Lindy Hello! My name is Lindy from the blog Crafted by Lindy and I'm thrilled to be sharing a Valentine Printable with you today as part of Skip to my Lou's Valentine's Day printable series! I'm a busy mom of 3 kids. I run a blog, an Etsy shop and have a part time job. With all that going on I'm all about simple which is the perfect way to describe these fun valentine gift tags.

Sweet Valentine Printable

Print the tags out onto some white card stock, cut them out and attach them to whatever sweet treat you prefer. I chose to make up a little package complete with a heart cookie cutter and sprinkles but these tags are very versatile and could be included with baked goods, store bought candy or whatever your Valentine's favourite treat might be. The simplicity of these tags make them great for giving to teachers, neighbours, friends, relatives, kids, parents, the list goes on! Have fun spreading some Valentine cheer around this year! There are 2 files to choose from. One is shown above and includes 3 different versions of the tags. The other download is a simpler version of the tags that just says "You're Sweet". You can download both by clicking on the links below. You're Sweet Variety You're Sweet You can find more valentine printables on my blog such as Valentine Postcards, You Float My Boat Tags and You're My Cup of Tea Cards. When I'm not busy sharing printables, recipes and event decor ideas on my blog Crafted by Lindy you can find me designing stationery for my Etsy Shop under the same name. I live in Calgary Canada with my husband and three kids. Find me on Pinterest / Instagram / Facebook / Twitter.

Candy Bar Printable Wrappers

blooming homestead — Sun, 01 Feb 2015 13:00:01 +0000

Looking for a last minute or easy Valentine gift? These candy bar printable wrappers are so easy to dress up chocolate1 Everyone will love them. Warm up Valentine's Day with a hot cocoa printable! Don't miss these amazing Valentines. I have teamed up with some of the most creative bloggers to share the cutest Valentines imaginable. Each day you will be amazed with their cleverness! Don’t miss a day! Hope to see you tomorrow. Welcome Blooming Homestead, Hello Friends! I am so excited to be here at Skip to My Lou today to share these adorable Valentines Candy Bar Wrapper Printables. I'm always looking for cute and easy ways to celebrate Valentine's Day and I've really been loving the bold look of black and white. These candy bar wrappers are such a fun and easy way to create personalized valentines. Supplies:

printable wrappers
candy bars
tape
scissors

To start, download and print the wrappers on bright white paper. Now you'll cut them to fit the candy bars you are covering. Trim them as needed. Use tape to wrap them around the candy bars and secure on the backside. And that's it! A super cute and modern valentine. You can download the printable wrappers here: Heart Candy Bar Wrapper Love Candy Bar Wrapper XOXO Candy Bar Wrapper I'd love for you to stop by Blooming Homestead and check out some of my latest projects. I've got lots of DIY's and you might want to check out my latest Valentine Wreath, Chalkboard Valentine Printable, and Valentine's Tablescape.

Hot Chocolate Valentines with Printables

amy is the party — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 13:00:30 +0000

Hot Chocolate Valentines are such a fun way to warm up this Valentine's Day! Everyone will love them. For a gender neutral valentine try these bugs and kisses valentines! If you are looking for loads of ideas before to check out these amazing Valentines. I have teamed up with some of the most creative bloggers to share the cutest Valentines imaginable. Each day you will be amazed with their cleverness! Don’t miss a day! Hope to see you tomorrow. Welcome Amy, Hello! I’m Amy from amy is the party, back again this year with another Valentine printable. This year, I decided to make hot cocoa Valentines - something warm and sweet to drink while the weather is still chilly. Since there is more than one way to make hot chocolate, I included 2 different gift ideas that you can use conjunction with the printable I designed. Enjoy! Hot Chocolate Spoon Supplies

Disposable Spoons (Wooden spoons can be purchased at party or craft stores.)
Melted Chocolate Chips
Crushed Candy Cane, Valentine Sprinkles, and/or Mini Marshmallows (The tiny marshmallows I used are Kraft Jet-Puffed Mallow Bits.)
Waxed Paper
Twine
Clear, Glassine, or other food safe favor bags
Hot Cocoa Printable Tags (PDF)

Hot Chocolate Spoon Directions Melt a small bag of semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips in a small saucepan on your stove top, on medium-low heat. Stir the chocolate chips until thoroughly melted. Hold the wooden spoon by the handle and dip the spoon part into the chocolate, covering bother the front and backside of the spoon. Set the chocolate covered spoon on a piece of waxed paper, so that the chocolate doesn’t stick when it hardens. While the chocolate is still wet, sprinkle on a bit of crushed candy, sprinkles, or marshmallow bits. Repeat until you have made the desired amount of chocolate spoons. Package in small favor bags. Tie on a Valentine tag with a bit of twine or ribbon. Instruct the recipient to place one spoon in a cup of hot milk or coffee. Stir until all the chocolate melts, then enjoy! Hot Cocoa Kit Supplies

Mason Jars
Hot Cocoa Mix
Marshmallows (I used mini marshmallows and peppermint mini marshmallows.)
Twine
Hot Cocoa Printable Tags (PDF)
Optional: Wooden Scoops, Spoons, Paper Straws & Basket

Hot Cocoa Kit Directions Fill one mason jar with hot cocoa mix, and 1-2 jars with marshmallows. Attach a Valentine tags to each jar with twine. Optional: Place the jars in a festive gift basket. You can add a scoop for the hot chocolate, spoons for string, decorative straws, or even a mug. Amy Cluck-McAlister is a web designer with a passion for parties, decor, and desserts. You can find more of Amy’s DIY projects and printables at amy is the party – a party and dessert styling blog, featuring DIY projects, entertaining ideas, and inspiration for creative living. If you liked this project, you might also like: You are a “Catch” Candy Fishbowl Valentine DIY & Printable I have a CRUSH on you DIY Valentine with Printable I Chews You Gumball Machine Valentine & I Like You A Latte Coffee Card Valentine Follow amy is the party: Website: www.amyistheparty.com Facebook: amyistheparty Twitter: @amyistheparty Google: +amyistheparty Pinterest: amyistheparty Instagram: amyistheparty

"You Are a Hit with Me!" Valentines

just a girl — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 13:00:42 +0000

You are a hit with me! Valentines are perfect for any girl or boy! I love that they are a non candy idea (they get such a load of candy these days) and kids will love them! If you are looking for something to give a friend try these Can't be beat Valentines! Don’t miss these amazing Valentines. I have teamed up with some of the most creative bloggers to share the cutest Valentines imaginable. Each day you will be amazed with their cleverness! Don’t miss a day! Hope to see you tomorrow. Welcome Just A Girl, Hi there, Skip to My Lou readers! I'm Abby from Just a Girl and Her Blog, where I write about organization, home decor, all things creative and crafty, and random happy thoughts. :) I am so delighted that Cindy has asked me to be part of her Valentine's Day printables series! I love printables of all types, but printable Valentines are extra special to me because of a little tradition I have with my six-year-old son, Connor. For the past couple of years, he and I hit the craft store a few weeks before Valentine's Day in search of the perfect materials to create his Valentines. We don't go in with any ideas in mind. We just walk up and down the aisles until he sees something that catches his eye. It is then my job to take whatever he has picked and create a fun Valentine out of it for his friends! Fortunately, he's made great picks so far, and all of his gifts for his classmates have turned out really well. This year as he was perusing his options, some packages of colorful paddle ball sets jumped out at him and the challenge was on! Here's what we used to create

You are a hit with me! Valentines

"You Are a Hit with Me!" printable {provided below}
Small paddle ball sets {We found these in the party favor section at Michael's.}
Paper cutter and/or scissors
Hole Punch
Ribbon or twine

Putting these Valentine's together was a cinch. First you'll need to print out the little cards. I used several different color combinations and tried to include some options that weren't too girly-- I do live with all boys, after all!

{Click here to download FREE printable Valentine tags!}

Once they were printed, I used my paper cutter to slice them apart, and I punched a small hole in the corner of each one so I could tie them to the paddle ball sets.

Then all that was left to do was tie them together, and we were done-- so easy!

Connor couldn't wait to sign his name and get them ready to give out to his classmates. I think they'll be a hit! ;)

If you're looking for even more printable Valentines, I'd love to have you over for a visit to Just a Girl and Her Blog! Today I'm sharing my younger son Caleb's "I Only Have Eyes for You!" cards or you can check out our cute monster Valentines from last year. And if organizational printables are more your thing, you won't want to miss my home binder tour, which is full of printables from my new eBook Simplify: 25+ Printables to Help You Organize Your Life! You can also find me all over social media on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter, and Google+.

Thank you again for Cindy for having me today, and thank YOU for reading! Have a wonderful week!

Sunflower Lollipop Printable

cindylouh — Thu, 29 Jan 2015 06:21:07 +0000

Celebrate Kansas Day with a sunflower printable lollipop! January 29th is Kansas Day. Each year we try to think of something fun to do to celebrate the great state of Kansas! We have made edible sunflower cupcake toppers, sunflower cupcakes, fondant sunflower cupcake toppers and made a Twinkie sunflower cake. We don't just celebrate with edible goodness... check out my crochet sunflower and sunflower wool pins! Download the sunflower printable. Print in color on white cardstock and cut out. Sunflower Lollipop Printable Poke a hole in the center of the flower and put in a chocolate tootsie pop! Happy Kansas Day!

Made by you Monday

cindylouh — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 13:00:44 +0000

Come check out this post on how to make the perfect hard boiled eggs (easy peel trick)! It's Monday show us what you've got. It is time to link up your crafty goodness! Please don't forget to link back! --- a text link at the bottom of your post, or link somewhere on your blog is okay! [blog_button button_size=large] Don't miss a thing! Sign up to get crafty ideas, recipes, sewing tutorials and more delivered right to your inbox. Follow Skip to My Lou on FB and Google+ to find out the latest news! Join me at Pinterest and Instagram for an extra dose of fun!

Butterfly Printable Valentine

cindylouh — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 01:26:09 +0000

I have updated the butterfly printable Valentine. If you don't want to decorate the first version of the printable butterfly, this one is decorated for you. I love printable Valentines! It is fun to give something unique! Her are over 100 printable Valentines and loads of cute sayings for Valentines Day for inspiration.

Butterfly Printable Valentine

There are two versions. One is blank and one says, "You make my heart all fluttery." Download your favorite one. Print in color on white cardstock. Cut out butterflies. Butterfly Printable Valentine Butterfly Printable Valentine "You make my heart all fluttery." Fold butterfly in half and make slits for the sucker to slide into it. Slip in a tootsie pop sucker. Glue wiggly eyes to the top front of the sucker. These make great classroom Valentines!

Lollipop Flower Valentine Printable

cindylouh — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 17:00:13 +0000

This lollipop flower Valentine printable is a new and updated version of my lollipop lily. This little flower makes a darling Valentine. Don't miss these 100 printable Valentines and cute sayings for Valentines Day for inspiration.

Lollipop Flower Valentine Printable

Download the lollipop flower and print in color on white cardstock. Lollipop Flower Valentine Cut out flowers. Poke a hole in the center of the flower and stick in a tootsie pop. Now you have a simple but cute Valentine.

Can't Be Beat - Easy Valentine Gift

tried and true blog — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 13:00:38 +0000

This Can't Be Beat- Easy Valentine gift is the perfect way to brighten a teachers day or gift a friend this Valentines Day. You don't want to miss these Love Candy Bar Wrappers because Chocolate makes the perfect Valentines gift! Don’t miss these amazing Valentines. I have teamed up with some of the most creative bloggers to share the cutest Valentines imaginable. Each day you will be amazed with their cleverness! Don’t miss a day! Hope to see you tomorrow. Welcome Vanessa, Hello, Lovely Skip To My Lou Readers! My name is Vanessa Brady (Tried & True) and I'm so happy to be sharing this easy Valentine gift with you all. I don't know about you guys but even with the best intentions, I'm always running behind when it comes to Valentine's Day. Quick and easy is my motto for the holiday and this "Can't Be Beat" gift totally fits the bill! I used a miniature whisk I had left over from Christmas gifts but feel free to use the label with any size. Hope you enjoy!

Can't Be Beat - Easy Valentine Gift

This post may contain affiliate links for your convenience and to assist in the maintenance of my site.

Materials:

Step One. Print and cut the "Can't Be Beat" Free Printable Label. I've designed it four to a page for your convenience. Step Two. Use a 1/16" hole punch to thread a piece of baker's twine through the front card. Apply glue to the back and stick in place over background paper. Step Three. Fill miniature beater with the small cinnamon candies (or any other small candy of choice!) and wrap a small piece of cellophane around it. Secure in place with baker's twine.

So super easy, right? I'm definitely planning on gifting this to a few of my favorite foodies! You could even use a regular sized whisk with this card attached to the top if you want (although I'm quite partial to these super cute little whisks!) Thank you, Cindy, for letting me guest post and I hope everyone has a great Valentine's Day!

Download "Can't Be Beat" Easy Valentine Gift Label

Stop by Tried & True to check out some of my other Valentine’s Day crafts, including a Valentine Tumble Game, Valentine’s Day Tote, and my personal favorite, the “I Love Everything About You” Coloring Page!

I’d love to keep in touch with you through the following links!

About Vanessa

Vanessa Brady is the mother of two small boys and a lifelong craft junkie. Vanessa’s craft tutorials can be found at numerous blogs, publications, and her mother’s brag book. Visit Tried & True for more original projects and free printables!

DIY pop-up Valentine's card

liagriffith — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 13:00:26 +0000

Looking for a fun Valentine project? This DIY Pop- Up Valentine's card comes together quickly! Simply print and cut out the pieces, kids will love making giving or receiving it. If you are looking for a fun classroom valentine for kids consider this You are a hit with me idea! Don’t miss these amazing Valentines. I have teamed up with some of the most creative bloggers to share the cutest Valentines imaginable. Each day you will be amazed with their cleverness! Don’t miss these fabulous ideas. Welcome Lia Griffith, I was so pleased to be asked by Cindy to create a new Valentine's project for her readers. This Valentine has been all about animals for me - I've made animal candy huggers, printable Valentine cards and cute heart hugging teddy bears. This pop-up card is the ultimate in Valentine's cuteness - fluffy clouds, big red and pink heart balloons and a couple of gorgeous kitties! Pop on over to LiaGriffith.com to download the templates then follow the simple step by step instructions below to create your very own pop-up Valentine's card. Have fun! 1. You will need the templates and printables from liagriffith.com, scissors, craft knife, glue gun, ruler and twine. 2. Trim and score the flaps of your envelope using your scissors and a ruler. 3. Fold the left, right and bottom flaps in towards each other and glue together. 4. Trim the back and front of your card, the two balloon hearts and the bunting letters. 5. Using your craft knife, cut around the top outline of each cloud and around each balloon leaving a 1 inch hinge at the left edge of the pink heart and the right edge of the red heart. Bend them all out a little so that they "pop-up". 6. Cut out your second pink and red heart and score down the middle with your ruler and scissors. 7. Glue your little "hugs" letters to a length of twine to create the bunting. Glue either end to the bottom of each heart balloon. 8. Glue along the fold of your second pink and red hearts and stick them in place on your card. 9. Glue the polka dot backing onto the card. About Lia Handcrafted lifestyle is what Lia Griffith knows best. With a background in graphic design, Lia is a daily DIYer, photographer, stylist, paper craft designer and big dreamer. She launched her handcrafted lifestyle blog liagriffith.com in the Spring of 2013, offering daily projects, printables and inspiration.

Non Candy Valentines with Bubbles

live laugh rowe — Fri, 06 Feb 2015 13:00:32 +0000

Looking for a classroom Valentine? Those Non Candy Valentine with bubbles if perfect for almost any age. Spend a day making a Valentine project with this DIY Valentine Pop Up Card . Don’t miss these amazing Valentines. I have teamed up with some of the most creative bloggers to share the cutest Valentines imaginable. Each day you will be amazed with their cleverness! Don’t miss these fabulous ideas. Welcome Kelly, Hello! I'm Kelly of Live Laugh Rowe, a creative lifestyle blog. It's a place where we celebrate life, creativity and food! I am tickled silly to be here today. While I may not have children, I love creating valentines every year to share on the web! Valentine's Day is so much and it seems to be that the creative possibilities are endless, don't you agree? Today I'm sharing with you some Non Candy Valentines in an assortment of colors and using BUBBLES! Supplies: Bubbles (I purchased mine at Walmart) Printed Valentines Scissors Hole Puncher Bakers Twine or String There's really no 'tutorial' per say, you'll simply print them out and cut them to size (note: there is a faint gray line border around them to assist you in cutting). Once you've cut them out, punch your hole and attach with bakers twine. Ta-dah! These non candy valentines are perfect for boys and girls and can provide them with some great entertainment. Bubbles still make me happy! After photographing, I went out on my deck and became a kid again {smile}. I put together three printable options, just in case! Everyone has different preferences, so I have a sheet for Boys, a sheet for Girls and a one sheet is in a variety of colors. Each sheet has 12 tags sized at a 2"x 2".

*Please Note: All printables and downloads designed by Live Laugh Rowe are for PERSONAL USE ONLY. Please do not alter the file or claim it as your own. This file is not intended for resale, nor are the printed versions of this file.

CLICK TO PRINT or SAVE GIRLS COLORS CLICK TO PRINT or SAVE BOYS COLORS CLICK TO PRINT or SAVE VARIETY COLORS

Are you more of the sweet tooth person? Swing over to Live Laugh Rowe to snatch up this Bubble Gum Valentines Printable I'm sharing on the blog:

Did you catch the bubbles theme? A little bit of fun for everyone.

I'd love nothing more than to stay connected! You can also find me hanging out here: Facebook | Twitter |Instagram | Pinterest |Google+

Kelly Rowe is an East Coast Girl at heart, who currently lives in St. Louis with her husband and two fur-babies! Kelly can be found in one of three spots around the home -- the kitchen whipping up a recipe or two, her shabby chic work room crafting the day away or the garage tinkering with power tools, paint and stains! Be sure to visit Live Laugh Rowe for more free printables and creative inspiration!

EOS Lip Balm Valentine Printable

cindylouh — Fri, 06 Feb 2015 00:32:21 +0000

Have your tried these round lip balms? This little EOS lip balm Valentine printable is the perfect way to gift one for Valentine's Day! Printable Valentines make celebrating a snap. Don't miss over 100 printable Valentine cards with clever sayings. Just print them off, pair with a little treat and you are done! Here is a great round-up of classroom Valentines. Download the EOS Lip Balm Valentine printable. Print in color on white cardstock. EOS Lip Balm Valentine Printable

EOS Lip Balm Valentine

Use a circle punch to cut out a hole for the lip balm.

The punch I think is listed as being 1 1/2 inches. I think it measure closer to 1 1/4 inch. It works perfect. I also tried a 1 1/2 inch plain circle punch. It works but is slightly bigger than it needs to be. The EOS lip balms can be found next to other lip balms at Target, Wal-Mart and grocery stores or on amazon . I used the Eos Summer Fruit, but Pomegranate Raspberry would work too!

Place the lip balm in the hole. Replace the cap and you are ready to let your Valentine know they are super sweet! Place the entire card if a cello bag and tie with a ribbon if you like. I think these Monster EOS gifts are too cute! Here's an EOS Christmas gift you might also like! This Santa, Reindeer , Snowman EOS designs are a fun way to gift EOS.

Punny Sock Valentine

bumble bree blog — Sun, 08 Feb 2015 13:00:19 +0000

This punny sock valentine is a cute idea for anyone! Who doesn't need socks? Grab a few and gift your friends, husband and kids! If you would prefer to write a note these Love Note Valentines are just for you! Don’t miss these amazing Valentines. I have teamed up with some of the most creative bloggers to share the cutest Valentines imaginable. Each day you will be amazed with their cleverness! Don’t miss these fabulous ideas. Welcome Bree, Hello! My name is Bree and I blog over at bumblebreeblog where I share gift ideas, home decor tutorials, and my DIY crafts. I love holidays and giving gifts to my friends and family. Valentine's Day is one of my favorites, so I wanted to share this Punny Sock Valentine with you! I am even going to share a free printable with you so that you can make your own Punny Sock Valentines to give out to love ones. They are super cute and great for last minute gifts.

What would Valentine's day be without silly puns and phrases? In my opinion, all valentines should have puns on them! That is why I created 5 different sock puns which are sure to amuse anyone from 3 to 103!

Punny Sock Valentines

Things You Need

Silly Socks (I got mine from the dollar bin at Target)
Punny Sock Valentines Printable
Paper Cutter
Washi Tape

Step 1

Buy some super cute Valentine silly socks. The more fun and bright, the better! As I said before, I got mine at Target in the dollar bin. Sweet! Five pairs of socks for $5 - that is my type of gift. The ones that I choose are each unique in their own way, like the friends who I was giving them to.

Step 2

Print out Punny Sock Valentines on regular printer paper. Since this valentine requires a simple wrap, regular printer paper works perfect. This allows you to keep the cost low and you don't have to send it some where special to have it printed. Perfect for the last minute valentine.

Step 3

Cut your Punny Valentines using a paper cutter, that way your valentines will be straight and fit on your socks correctly. The frames on these printable are really close to the edge so there is not a lot of room for error.

Step 4

Now its time to create your valentine. Fold the top and bottom of the socks towards the middle, then flip the socks over. Place the printable around the bundle of socks and attache the back using a piece of washi tape.

That is it! A super easy and quick valentine that is perfect for anyone in your life. I hope that you enjoyed my free printable! It was definitely a labor of love. If you want more details on how I created this printable feel free to contact me and I can give you all the details.

I hope you enjoyed my simple punny sock valentine! Who do you know that would love to receive this valentine? I hope you will visit me over at bumblebreeblog. I have a tutorial on DIY Gold Glitter Pills and all the details on how to create our own Canvas Art. You should check them out and leave me so love. I also love hanging out on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, and G+. Let's Connect!!

Printable Valentine Mini Envelopes and Cards

clementine creative — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 13:00:30 +0000

These darling free printable Valentine Mini Envelopes and Cards are the perfect way to write a special note to someone this Valentine's day! A sweet note is sure to brighten someones day and often means more than candy etc. If you are looking for classroom Valentine ideas, this bubble idea is perfect! Don’t miss these amazing Valentines. I have teamed up with some of the most creative bloggers to share the cutest Valentines imaginable. Each day you will be amazed with their cleverness! Don’t miss these fabulous ideas. Here are some great Valentine cards for kids. Welcome Carmia, Hello everyone! My name is Carmia from Clementine Creative and I'm excited to share these cute and colorful mini envelopes and note cards with you today. Thank you for having me, Cindy!

How To Make Printable Valentine Mini Envelopes and Cards

This set consists of four envelopes with different patterns as well as matching 8 matching note cards to put into your envelopes. There's a black polka dot pattern, cute feathers, hearts and arrows. It's pretty straight-forward to make the envelopes, but instructions are included on the PDFs. Print out the envelopes on regular weight paper and the note cards on thicker card stock. These little notes and envelopes are great to give to friends, teachers or your partner! If you would like a blank mini envelope template, you can download one here. After including your note, close the envelope by sticking some washi tape on it. DOWNLOAD THIS SET HERE Save the file to your computer before printing out. If you're interested in more free printables like these, check out my blog for more! Plus, I'm offering a free exclusive printable every month to my newsletter subscribers. Click here to subscribe. I’m a graphic designer from sunny South Africa and the owner of Clementine Creative where you will find cute printable paper goods like planners, calendars, greeting cards and wedding stationery. You can follow me on Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Etsy | Bloglovin

Nacho Libre Valentine's Day Card

carissa miss blog — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 13:00:47 +0000

This Nacho Libre Valentine's Day Card is a perfect Valentine for anyone! I love notes better than almost any gift. If you more valentines stationary don't miss these Valentine Love Notes.

Don’t miss these amazing Valentines. I have teamed up with some of the most creative bloggers to share the cutest Valentines imaginable. Each day you will be amazed with their cleverness! Don’t miss these fabulous ideas. Welcome Carissa,

Thanks Cindy for hosting this fun Valentine's printable series. I'm not good at keeping surprises a secret, but this Valentine's Day I'm surprising my husband, even if it kills me. I booked a hotel, got a babysitter, made a dinner reservation, and figured out how to get him to meet me without suspecting anything! Even though I made all this effort, it doesn't seem complete without something to give him. Since he's not really into flowers or chocolates, I designed a Valentine's Day card with one of his favorite movie quotes from Nacho Libre: "hug hug, kiss kiss, hug hug, big kiss, little hug, big kiss, kiss kiss, little kiss".

DOWNLOAD HERE

I added a little glitter envelope and wrote him a sweet love note, which I did NOT photograph;)

Hopefully he loves my surprise!

Check out another creative Valentine to my hubby, a printable of our "song": You and Me Printable. I'm Carissa, the face of Carissa Miss and I love figuring out how to DIY, especially when it comes to interior and fashion design! I also just released my first Paleo 30 Day Meal Plan and love sharing my tips on staying healthy. Come follow me on my blog where you'll find Ikea hacks, design inspiration, and tons of sewing tutorials while I make my house my home.

Made by you Monday

cindylouh — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 13:00:55 +0000

Valentine Party Decorations

cindylouh — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 14:00:54 +0000

These Valentine party decorations are simple and inexpensive. We hosted my son's friends for dinner before their Winter Formal last weekend. I made special pillow box favors for each of their plates and hung hearts from the ceiling. I wanted to not break the bank but yet have a fun table for their dinner. I was able to make these decorations from packages of cute paper I found at Walmart. These packages from Creative Collection™ by Neenah Papers are a quick and easy way to personalize your Valentine’s Day! I wanted each guest to feel extra special with a little gift. So on each plate I placed these pillow boxes filled with chocolates.

Pillow box party favors supplies

Each pillow box uses one sheet of cardstock and premium paper for embellishments. For the papers I used Creative Collection™ Valentine’s packs available Walmart. A tape roller makes these boxes go together in a snap. Pillow Box Template

How to make a pillow box

Download the pillow box template. Print template on colored cardstock and cut out. Lightly score dotted lines with a dull knife. There only needs to be an indention along the dotted lines, not a cut in the paper. Fold on dotted lines (fold dotted lines to inside of pillow box). Fold in the flap and place adhesive along the edge of the flap. Fold box together. Open up the top flap on each end of the box. Glue a 1 1/2 inch strip to the top of the box. Trim strip at each end, following the curve of the box. Fold back in the flaps. Now you are ready to embellish the pillow box with a paper medallion. It is hard to see in the photo but for the band I chose one of the papers in the package that had a metallic finish. So pretty!

Paper medallion supplies

2- 1 1/2 X 11 inch strips of patterned paper (I used Creative Collection™ Valentine’s packs from Walmart) 2 - 2 inch scalloped circles 1 - 1 1/2 inch circle hot glue gun dimensional sticker tape roller Accordion fold the two strips of paper. With the tape roller glue the ends together to make a circle. Place a large dot of hot glue on one of the 2 inch scalloped circles. Press the accordion folded circle down into the glue. Hold down until glue cools slightly and paper is securely fastened. Next layer the second 2 inch scalloped circle, then the 1 1/2 inch circle and then finish off with a dimensional sticker. Use a drop of hot glue between each layer. Hot glue the medallion to the top of the pillow box. Make your party even more festive by hanging hearts from the ceiling. These pre-cut heart shapes also from the Creative Collection™ Valentine’s packs from Wal-Mart made it super easy. I used fishing line to hang them so they would look like they were floating. I think the kids had a great time! Make sure to explore the vibrant world of Astrobrights Papers, also from the makers of Creative Collection™. I use these papers all the time for colorful crafts! For ideas and inspiration go to colorize.tumblr.com I partnered with Creative Collection™ by Neenah Papers to bring you this post. As always all opinions and ideas are my own. I only share items that I use in my everyday life!

Free Printable Valentine's Day Game for Kids

paisley petal events — Wed, 11 Feb 2015 13:00:47 +0000

This cute Valentine's day game for kids is the perfect thing to bring along to a class party or to even gift a friend! You will also like these cute kids sock valentines, everyone needs a new pair of socks! Don’t miss these amazing Valentines. I have teamed up with some of the most creative bloggers to share the cutest Valentines imaginable. Each day you will be amazed with their cleverness! Don’t miss these fabulous ideas. Welcome Holly, Hello everyone! I'm Holly from Paisley Petal Events and I'm honored to be here at Skip To My Lou sharing a fun & free printable Valentine's Day game for kids! So I have a couple of kids in elementary school and it seems that I always get volunteered to be the room mom and/or help with those classroom parties for the holidays. Because of that I'm always looking for new games and activities to keep the kids busy for that hour of the party. All my kids just LOVE the game "Don't Eat Pete" so I decided to make my own fun version for Valentine's Day - "Don't Eat Val" with trendy little fox graphics.

Here's a quick run-down of how to play, in case you haven't played before. First you place candy or other little treats on each square of the board game. Then choose someone to go out of the room or just far away that they can't see or hear what's going on around the game board. Everyone else chooses which square is going to be "Val" and keeps it secret. Tell the person to come back and then that person starts taking the candy off of the game board one square at a time (and eating it if they want). When they choose the candy covering the square that's "Val" everyone yells "Don't Eat Val!" Then it is the next player's turn and you continue in the same way until everyone's had a turn and time runs out.

You can print this fun little game at home on your color printer, or download the PDF file and run it to Staples or Office Depot/Max to have them print it. I had mine laminated as well so I could re-use it for other years.

I also have JPEG files available in an 8x10 & 11x14 to print at Costco or another photo center.

CLICK HERE FOR THE 8X10 JPEG

CLICK HERE FOR THE 11X14 JPEG

CLICK HERE FOR THE 8.5X11 PDF

Tip: For the JPEG's, once the image downloads and opens in a new window, simply right click and save to your computer. Then you can upload it to a photo lab. Thanks so much for having me Cindy to share this quick Valentine's Day activity for the kids, I hope some of you can use it for your parties this week! Stop by Paisley Petal Events for cute Valentine's Day art prints, more school Valentine's Day classroom activities, and a yummy Valentine's Day donut tree! I'd love for you to come hang out with me on Instagram (my fave!), Pinterest or visit my new little online shop, Paper Crush.

My Favorite Thing Tags

kori clark — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 13:00:22 +0000

I simply adore these, My Favorite Thing Tags! Perfect way to wrap up something special for Valentine's Day or any time of year. Here is a last minute Valentine game if you are helping in the classroom or just want to have some fun! Don’t miss these amazing Valentines. I have teamed up with some of the most creative bloggers to share the cutest Valentines imaginable. Each day you will be amazed with their cleverness! Don’t miss these fabulous ideas. Welcome Kori, With Valentine's Day right around the corner, it's time to finish up those gifts, cards, and sentiments! The best way I have found to get things looking adorable without a lot of time, is by using printables! I have created a handful of valentine printables over the years including some others posted here on Skip To My Lou! For some of my Free Valentine Printables, you can click here! When using a printable, you can simply download a design, print it at home, and turn your gift into something extra cute and creative in minutes! I decided to share some free printable gift tags with you this year that would be perfect for that awesome friend, husband, or the kids!

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD YOUR WATERCOLOR GIFT TAGS

Working with watercolor paints is one of my favorite things to do, so when I was thinking Valentine, I couldn't help but to do some watercolor lettering! I created a watercolor print that says, "You are My Favorite Thing...Ever" and then made it into gift tags! It's something I tell my kids on a regular basis and I am so excited about how they turned out. I hope you love them as much as I do! After downloading your tags, I suggest printing them from home on white #110 card stock. You can cut them into squares using a straight edge first if you please, but I was happy just cutting out the tags with scissors.

I hope you can find a way to tell someone that they are your favorite thing this Valentine's Day!

If you enjoyed my post and my designs, I would love for you to swing by my website and blog www.koriclark.com! I do illustration, watercolor and design, and I am always sharing free printables on the blog, HERE! Aside from being an illustrator, I am a mommy & wife, optimist, lover of dogs, the sun & smiles. I offer commission work on graphic sets, home portraits, and pet portraits!

For behind the scenes of art and life, come hang out with me on Instagram : @koriclarkdesign

Valentine's Day Card Printable

little house on the corner — Sat, 14 Feb 2015 13:00:20 +0000

Happy Valentine's Day! This Valentine's Day Card Printable is designed to used last minute, like in today! Think of someone who needs a note! Send it there way! Here is a fun Valentines game you can play today too! This Favorite things tag is also perfect last minute! Don’t miss these amazing Valentines. I have teamed up with some of the most creative bloggers to share the cutest Valentines imaginable. Each day you will be amazed with their cleverness! Don’t miss these fabulous ideas. Welcome Christine, Hello & Happy Valentines Day! It’s Christine from Little House On The Corner. I'm so excited to be here today sharing our last minute Valentine’s Day printable with you all! There’s nothing better than receiving a note from a loved one and today of all days it’s important to show people you care. So why not start spreading the love with our free printable Valentine’s Day card. It’s perfect if you've forgotten to get a card for a loved one and it really couldn't be easier to make. All you have to do is download the free printable here: Valentine's Day Card Printable Then choose the design that you like best and print it onto some card or thick paper. Finally cut out the card and fold it in half. Done. In all there are three different designs to choose from, so why not print them all and spread the love. The whole project shouldn't take more than 5 minutes to complete - so no excuses if you've forgotten to get a card for a loved one. And for those of you that don’t even have an envelope handy, we've included a pretty stripy printable for one, too! Thank you so much to Cindy for letting us share our free printable here. Hope you all have a fantastic Valentine’s Day! If you’d like to see more of our crafty projects, home improvement efforts or DIY disasters, you can visit us at Little House On The Corner. And if you enjoyed this Valentine’s Day printable, you may also like some of our other free printables like our DIY Whiteboard Calendar, 2015 Calendar and DIY Notepad. If we’re not busy taking our house to pieces or blogging, you can also find us on: Pinterest / Instagram / Facebook & Twitter.

Watercolor Gift Tags

dancing with my father — Fri, 13 Feb 2015 13:00:24 +0000

Print these watercolor gift tags for a last minute valentine gift! Here is a sweet Valentine game if you are helping in the classroom or just want to have some fun! Don’t miss these amazing Valentines. I have teamed up with some of the most creative bloggers to share the cutest Valentines imaginable. Each day you will be amazed with their cleverness! Don’t miss these fabulous ideas. Welcome Angela, Hi everyone! I'm Angela, and I'm so excited to be sharing with you all! Although I usually put my artistic focus on my writing, my photography, and my food, I do love giving sweet personalized gifts. Lately, I've been enjoying passing the winter days with my kiddos, lighting a cinnamon candle and hitting "play" on our favorite tunes, and painting up a watercolor storm. This project was super simple, and it gave the kids a chance to personalize a gift that looks so pretty! Start by swishing on watercolor in colored streaks onto an 8-1/2x11 sheet of watercolor paper. (Messy is just fine here! If you want more soft or blended colors, just add a bit more water and blend away! We had a larger paper size, so we just cut it to size.) Set aside your painting to dry while you decide on your gift. I made these paleo, allergy-friendly dessert cups to give as Valentine's gifts, but you could do these any time, with just about any gift. What about an individually wrapped cupcake? Once your paper has dried, load your paper into your printer. Open up this free printable on your computer and print it onto your watercolor. Tear out the individual "drawings" and punch a hole randomly near an edge. The watercolor paper makes such pretty edges - and a different look whether you tear from front-to-back or back-to-front. Tie a ribbon gently through the tag to attach it and you have the prettiest little hand-made artwork. If you want to get really fancy, you can glue your tag onto an additional piece of scrapbooking paper and hand-tear it as well. Looking for an even faster last-minute gift for your sweets? This post has a beautiful and heart-melty quote that you can print out and throw in an inexpensive frame, and maybe win someone's heart for life. Would you like to see more recipes and ideas for family time, along with heart-thoughts shared regularly? Visit my blog, Dancing With My Father. I'd love to interact with you on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter as well, so come by and say "hi!"

DIY House Projects (Furniture Make Over Hacks)

cindylouh — Sun, 15 Feb 2015 13:00:57 +0000

I love easy DIY House Projects! Here are several DIY projects or Furniture make over hacks to get you started! Check out a few of my favorite DIY's. DIY Adirondack Chairs or make a DIY bird house, perfect for spring! Now to check out your projects, isn't that faux wall amazing?

DIY House Projects

DIY Faux Stone Wall Dresser Make Over DIY Furniture makeover DIY Faux Medal Initial DIY Floating Sideboard (Ikea Hack) DIY Cubby Storage Come link up tomorrow for another Made by you Monday!

Thieves All Purpose Cleaner {printable labels}

cindylouh — Fri, 20 Feb 2015 13:00:40 +0000

I am excited to share my love for Thieves All Purpose Cleaner and give you some free printable labels. I have teamed up with eight bloggers to share some of our favorite natural cleaners. with essential oils. I have always been interested in natural cleaners. I have shared stainless steel cleaner, shower cleaner and drain cleaner. So it is fun to explore cleaning with essential oils! From Dryer Sheets to Disinfecting Spray these girls are sharing their favorite ways to use essential oils.

Sweet Dream Spray from Princess Pinky Girl DIY All Purpose Cleaner from The Seasoned Momma Citrus Cleaning Spray from Coffee Cups and Crayons DIY Dryer Sheet from Made to be a Momma Glass Cleaner from PinkWhen How to Clean a Shower Head from The NY Melrose Family Citrus Kitchen Cleaner & Free Printables from Tatertos & Jello Thieves Household Clean & Free Printables from Skip to my Lou Disinfecting Spray from Kids Activities Blog

I have been using Thieves Household Cleaner and it is the best! I mix it 1 part cleaner to 30 parts water (Yes, it goes along way). I use this on counters, floors, bathrooms, windows and mirrors with a microfiber cloth. It smells great and I know I am getting my house clean! There is no need for a lot of different cleaners.... this one is truly multi-purpose.

Thieves All Purpose Cleaner Printable Labels

I made some labels to put on my bottle with printable sticker paper and clear packing tape. Free Printable Thieves All Purpose Cleaner Labels Download and print the labels on the sticker paper. Be sure to choose speciality paper and best quality. Before cutting out, cover the label with the clear packing tape. This will protect the ink. Cut out the labels. This cleaner might loose it's punch if left in the light, so choose an opaque bottle. I also make sure I keep it in a dark cabinet when I am not using. If I were to add a citrus essential oil to this cleaner I would choose a glass bottle in case the citrus could leach chemicals from the plastic. In November I started using Young Living essential oils daily. We diffuse them in our home, us them for everything from headaches to colds. The uses are countless and we are all feeling better than ever. If you would like to give the essential oils a try I have a great deal to share with you. You can get 11 bottles of essential oils, a diffuser, a reference guide on how to use each oil and some other educational materials. It really is a great deal...over $300 value for $150. Just click Young Living Oils to learn more.

Made by you Monday

cindylouh — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 13:00:59 +0000

DIY Denim Cross Body Bag

cindylouh — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 16:00:31 +0000

You won't believe what I used to make this DIY denim cross body bag. Michaels has named denim the craft trend of 2015! Denim has always been a wardrobe staple and now it’s emerging in crafts and home décor. I was challenged to make something with all the new supplies now at Michaels. My little girl's wardrobe consists mainly of pocketless pants. This poses a problem if she goes somewhere and needs a few dollars, lip gloss or tissues to carry along. This cross body pouch is the perfect solution.

Denim Cross Body Bag Supplies

You won't believe it but this little zippered pouch was made from a denim pocket garland and roll of denim. 1 roll of Ashland Denim 2 Denim pockets from a package of Denim Garland 1 zipper scissors sewing machine

How to make a denim cross body bag

First lets start with the strap. Measure how long the strap needs to be. Cut the roll of denim in half to the desired length. Press strip in half. Open back up and press each side to the middle. Next, fold in half. Stitch along the edge.

How to put in a zipper

Lay one pocket right side up along the zipper. Sew along the zipper. On the second denim pocket pin the strap ends to the top edges on the wrong side. Place the second pocket right side up along the other side of the zipper and stitch along the zipper. Bring wrong sides of pockets together lining up the edges. Sew down one side, along the bottom and back up the other side. Trim zipper and trim of pocket even with the edge. TaDah! How easy was that! These little denim pockets also make trendy zippered pouches, just leave off the strap. If you’re looking for some spring project inspiration, take a look at Michaels’ new Make Market line for DIY project and home décor ideas – all made with simple, on-trend surfaces and textures like chalk, denim, galvanized, burlap and cork. Michaels Makers readers are getting the inside scoop on an upcoming craft contest that will send one lucky participant on the trip of a lifetime to Paris. Check back on my blog March 2 to get all the details on how to enter. Check out how my friends are crafting with denim.

An InLinkz Link-up

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Gingerbread Pancake Recipe

cindylouh — Tue, 17 Feb 2015 13:00:14 +0000

This Gingerbread Pancake recipe is a great way to celebrate pancake day! Shrove Tuesday (known in some countries as Pancake Day) is a day in February or March, preceding Ash Wednesday(the first day of Lent), which is celebrated in some countries by consuming pancakes. Well at our house we love to consume pancakes. Here are some of our favorite pancake recipes: Healthy Whole Wheat and Flax Pancakes, Chocolate Pancakes, Cinnamon Shake and Pour Pancakes and Buttermilk Shake and pour pancakes. We especially like making smiley face pancakes!

Gingerbread Pancake Recipe

1 cup flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 tsp salt 1 tablespoon sugar 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves 1 large egg, lightly beaten 1 cup buttermilk 3 tablespoons butter, melted 1 tablespoon molasses Mix dry ingredients together in a large bowl. Make a well in the center of the mixture. Add wet ingredients to the well and stir just until moistened. Spoon batter onto a greased skillet. Cook pancakes until tops are covered with bubbles and edges look cooked. Turn and cook other side. Recipe makes about a dozen pancakes. Breakfast can be a busy time. Check out these make ahead breakfast recipes.

The Best Margaritas Recipe

cindylouh — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 13:00:46 +0000

Drinking the best margaritas the perfect way to celebrate National Margarita Day on February 22. These margaritas are yummy. They are the perfect mix of tart and sweet with a refreshing fizz! I have also heard these called beer margaritas. For a easy appetizer recipe, that is perfect for any party try this warm basil pesto cream cheese spread. The ingredients are easy to keep on hand!

The Best Margaritas

1 can frozen limeade concentrate, thawed 1 Corona Beer 1 can of Sprite or 7-up (or fill the empty can of limeade up with the Sprite) Tequila (fill the empty can of limeade up with the tequila for the perfect amount) Mix all the ingredients together in a pitcher. Server over ice with a wedge of lime. So easy and so delicious!

Snow Ice Cream

cindylouh — Tue, 24 Feb 2015 13:00:56 +0000

When life gives you snow make snow ice cream! It is super simple and a fun kids activity! This snow ice cream is made with items I am sure you already have in your pantry. It is the perfect inside activity to do when it's too cold to be outside! Here are a few more of our favorite boredom busting activities. Kids will love to try making homemade stickers! Did you know you can make your own slime? I have also shared free sewing sheets (sewing is always great) perfect for teaching kids (or anyone) to sew!

Snow Ice Cream

1/4 cup powdered sugar 1/4 cup milk 1/4 teaspoon vanilla 3 cups snow In bowl mix powdered sugar, milk and vanilla together. Add in three cups of snow until you reach your desired consistency. Our snow was light an fluffy, but that might not always be the case. Top with sprinkles if you like!

The Best Nutella Recipes

cindylouh — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 13:00:25 +0000

Have you discovered Nutella yet? I could eat nutella by the jar or spread it on toast every morning! But there is so much more nutella an do! Have you see nutella cookies, etc? Here are a few of some of the best nutella recipes I have found! If you love chocolate too try my magic shell ice cream topping or my chocolate chip cheesecake dip!

Best Nutella Recipes

Nutella Smores Pizza Chocolate Strawberry Nutella Cake Braided Nutella Bread Crepes with Nutella Creme Nutella Hot Chocolate Salted Caramel Double Chocolate Nutella Stuffed Cookies

Chunky Broccoli Cheddar Soup : Easy Family Dinner Ideas

Guest Poster — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 13:00:28 +0000

Hello my friends!!!! I'm Gina & I blog at Kleinworth & Co. where I share projects for the home, crafts with my kids, a whole lot of recipes & the occasional photography tutorial. I am so THRILLED to be here with you today. I love coming up with Easy Family Dinner Ideas & hearty soups top my list this time of year. Whether it be creamy, chunky or packed full of pasta - soups are my "go-to" meal. I love how easy they are to make- especially when I can toss all the ingredients in the crock pot & let it go for the day. I say it a lot on my blog- in our house easy is king & I try to keep 99.9% of my recipes as easy as possible.

This recipe came about because I was craving broccoli cheddar soup. However I wanted something a little more hearty & filling so we could eliminate the need for my very hungry family to have something additional on the side like a sandwich. So I decided to add a little ground sausage to the soup during the last 30 minutes of cooking. It was a great decision. My family loved the change & they ate the whole pot.

Thick, hearty & packed full of flavor your family will love!

Ingredients 2 cups chicken broth 1/2 cup water 1/2 tsp minced garlic 1 tsp salt 1 tsp pepper 8 oz bag frozen broccoli florets 1 tsp onion powder 2 tsp minced onions 1 lb ground sausage 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese 6 oz evaporated milk Directions Add all ingredients except sausage, cheese & evaporated milk to crock pot. Cook on low 5-6 hours About 35-40 minutes before you are ready to serve, use an immersion blender to break up your broccoli to your desired size Brown your sausage & add to the soup Stir in cheese & evaporated milk Turn your crock pot up to high & cook an additional 30 minutes Enjoy!

Looking for more Easy Family Dinner Ideas?

Salsa Pulled Pork Tacos

Gourmet Hot Dog Ideas

Gina is the author & photographer behind Kleinworth & Co. She is a homeschooling mom to 3 and devoted wife with a passion for all things creative. Gina lives in Northern Idaho but is a So Cal native & spent 12 years living in various parts of the Nevada desert. Kleinworth & Co is a creative blog where Gina shares recipes, gift ideas, crafts, simple & cost effective ways to decorate your home, creative & fun projects for the kids & photography tips. Come visit to learn, share & get inspired on a budget.

Dessert Recipes You Can't Pass Up

cindylouh — Sun, 22 Feb 2015 13:00:35 +0000

I love trying out new dessert recipes! Here is a great round up of dessert recipes from Made by you Monday (this week). I am excited about trying to try them all, but the apple cinnamon donuts look amazing. I have shared a variety of tried and true dessert recipes you don't want to miss. My toll house pie is easy and delicious. For a fast party dip try my chocolate chip cheesecake dip! Apple Cinnamon Mini Donuts Cake Mix Cobbler Strawberry Caramel Yogurt Parfait French Silk Pie Orange Microwave Fudge Lemon Cream Cheese Bars Nutella Chocolate Chunk Cookies Raspberry Cheesecake Be sure to link up tomorrow for another Made by you Monday!

Easy Pinecone Fire Starters

cindylouh — Mon, 23 Feb 2015 15:00:32 +0000

I wrote this post as part of a paid campaign with Yahoo! and Blueprint Social. The opinions in this post are my own.

These easy pinecone fire starters make starting a fire a cinch! It is cold here in Kansas and we are trying to take the chill out but, sometimes starting a fire can be a laborious task. I found a tutorial for making these pinecone fire starters on Yahoo Makers! If you haven't visited you will be amazed by all the DIY content and crafty inspiration. The detailed easy pinecone fire starters video and photo tutorial gives all the steps! The video is super cute! Katie Brown shares the most clever way to light and store the matches for lighting the pinecones. You will never guess where she hides sand paper to strike the matches on! A simple wrapping of the wick and then you are ready to dip. Make sure you melt the wax in a container that has been placed in a pan of water. Wax can be highly flammable so be careful. I purchased an opaque looking paraffin from the craft store. A more clear looking paraffin can be used (like what you might find in the canning section of the grocery store). It will not turn white but rather give the pinecones a gloss. The pinecones can be dipped as much as you like! I did several layers to make them look snow covered. Place the pinecone fire starters in a bucket and make sure you use Katie's clever trick for the sand paper and matches!

For more DIY ideas be sure to visit Yahoo Makers. Thanks Yahoo for sponsoring this post! I now have found a resource I can use for inspiration and step by step tutorials! All opinions are my own!

Made by you Monday

cindylouh — Mon, 23 Feb 2015 13:00:36 +0000

St Patrick's Day Coloring Page

cindylouh — Wed, 25 Feb 2015 12:50:00 +0000

This festive St Patrick's Day coloring page should cause a giggle! My daughter loves to color and this coloring page is a bit more fun than the standard coloring book! It has a little twist on the traditional Irish blessing. For more St. Patricks fun try my green candied popcorn recipe or make your own shamrock shake! Kids will always have some fun making your own blarney stones! To print this free coloring page first download St Patrick's Day Coloring Page. Print in black and white on plain copy paper. Get set color!

Coloring Page for St Patrick's Day

cindylouh — Thu, 26 Feb 2015 13:00:12 +0000

Who's looking over a four leaf clover? This coloring page for St Patrick's Day is perfect for the little ones. It is easy to search out the fourth leaf clovers. It makes for a fun St Patrick's Day activity. Older kids might like this more detailed St Patrick's Day coloring page. How do you celebrate St Patrick's Day? How about making some green candied popcorn recipe or a delicious shamrock shake! Kids will have some fun making blarney stones!

Print your free coloring page for St Patrick's Day

To print this free coloring page first download St Patrick’s Day Coloring Page. Print in black and white on plain copy paper.

30 Minutes or Less: Italian Dinner Recipes

cindylouh — Fri, 27 Feb 2015 13:00:49 +0000

Looking for a quick and easy meal? These instant italian dinner recipes will have a delicious meal on the table in 30 minutes or less! These meals are also great to teach teens to cook, having a few recipes that are simple and quick from start to finish is a skill every kids should know! You will love having them be able to prepare dinner in a pinch!

30 Minutes or Less: Italian Dinner Recipes

Spaghetti Carbonara Recipe

30 Minute Cheesy Pasta Bake

Sun-dried Tomatoes and Chicken Penne Pasta

30 minute Fettuccine Alfredo

One Pot Cheesy Pasta and Sausage

French Bread Pizza

One Skillet Baked Ziti

30 minute Spaghetti with Marinara Sauce

Skillet Lasagna

Skillet Penne with Cream Sauce

Bunny Hugs Easter Craft

Guest Poster — Sat, 28 Feb 2015 13:00:26 +0000

Hi everyone. I'm Mary Beth from Cupcakes and Crinoline and I'm here today to share a fun kids craft that will be perfect for Easter.

I was at a craft store recently and found these small water bottles and immediately thought that they could be used for something crafty. I wasn't exactly sure what but I bought them anyway and left them next to my desk where I stared at them (again and again and again) and had some ideas but nothing I was totally happy with. Then, while I was getting ready to go to sleep the other night it finally came to me. Bunnies! So I came up with this bunny hugs easter craft!

I started by taking the bottles apart and washing and drying them thoroughly. I then proceeded to just paint!

How to make Bunny Hugs Easter Craft

Supplies: Colorful plastic water bottles Craft paint in white, black and pink Various paint brushes

When I say I started painting I mean just that. Have FUN! I used a stencil brush to dab on white paint in a circle-ish shape. I chose the stencil brush so that the effect was that of fur and not something smooth. I didn't paint a perfect circle but that's okay ~ bunnies aren't perfectly round. ;) I also stippled a smaller circle to one side of the bunny for his little cotton tail.

Once the circle (body) was dry I used black paint and a very fine tipped paintbrush with long bristles to make outlines for ears, to paint on the eyes, the nose, the mouth, two little feet and I outlined the cotton tail. I found the best eyes were those that were set far apart. It gives the bunny a happier face. Once the black paint was dry I painted some white inside the ears. When the white paint dried I added a small amount of pink paint to the inside of the ears. This isn't something that needs to be perfect. All the little bunnies will be unique just like the little bunnies you'll be giving these to.

When everything is dry put the water bottles back together and give them to the little ones in your life!

When I was getting ready to paint the bottles I went into my garage and saw a box of Hugs drinks and at that point realized that they matched the water bottles PERFECTLY. That being the case I thought these would be perfect together for an Easter party.

Here are a few of my favorite posts and hopefully you'll like them as well. If you're like me and can hardly wait to start working in the garden you can make my favorite hand scrub with coconut oil and used coffee grounds ~ your hands will be clean and feel so soft and you'll have another use for all your used coffee grounds. Cleaning is one of my loves and I have an easy way to clean your microwave in just minutes that will leave your microwave sparkling with no scrubbing and if baking is your passion but you have hard and lumpy brown sugar I have a 20-second way to soften that brown sugar that will blow you away!

I’d love for you to stop by my space on the web, Cupcakes and Crinoline, where I share everything from homemaking tips to recipes to crafts to DIYs and just about anything else you can think of. I love all things home and my blog is the only part of my world where I can be girlie {I have all boys}! You can connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterst, G+, Instagram, YouTube and Bloglovin’.

St. Patricks Mint Recipes

cindylouh — Sun, 01 Mar 2015 13:00:44 +0000

Happy March! St. Patricks Day reminds me of green and mint recipes! I've got mint on my mind, the girls scouts are delivering their cookies and mint is signature of St. Patricks day! You can't go wrong with a good mint brownie, or mint treat! Here are a few that caught my eye from Made by you Monday! If you love a minty shake try my copycat shamrock shake recipe!

St. Patricks Mint Recipes

Rainbow Mint Truffles Mint Chocolate Fudge Thin Mint Chocolate Donuts This recipe isn't mint but is perfect for St. Patricks Day! White Chocolate Rainbow Bars

Made by you Monday

cindylouh — Mon, 02 Mar 2015 13:00:49 +0000

It's Monday show us what you've got. It is time to link up your crafty goodness! Please don't forget to link back! --- a text link at the bottom of your post, or link somewhere on your blog is okay! [blog_button button_size=large] ; Don't miss a thing! Sign up to get crafty ideas, recipes, sewing tutorials and more delivered right to your inbox. Follow Skip to My Lou on FB and Google+ to find out the latest news! Join me at Pinterest and Instagram for an extra dose of fun!

Easy Banana Bread

cindylouh — Tue, 03 Mar 2015 13:00:48 +0000

This quick and easy banana bread starts with a cake mix! It is oh so moist and delicious. Cake mixes can be the perfect start to so many yummy treats. Some of my favorite cake mix recipes are these snickerdoodle cookies, this lemon cake or try making the easiest sugar cookies you will ever make!

Easy Banana Bread

1 yellow cake mix without pudding 1 (3.4 ounce) box of instant banana pudding 1 cup water 4 eggs 1/4 cup vegetable oil 3 ripe bananas, mashed 1 teaspoon vanilla In a mixing bowl beat eggs with a mixer until pale and thick. Add in cake mix, pudding, oil and water and mix well. Fold in mashed bananas. Pour batter into two medium sized loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 - 60 mins or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

How To Make Macarons

cindylouh — Mon, 02 Mar 2015 15:59:53 +0000

Learn how to make macarons with these easy tips. These are the famous French cookie, not the American style coconut macaROON. I love Paris and especially love a macaron from Laudree, a beautiful macaron shop in Paris. I have always wanted to learn how to make macarons but found them very intimidating. I am sharing my first attempt at making macarons. Make sure you scroll to the bottom to see how you can win a trip to Paris! You will be able to try the real thing! I have listed the weighed amounts for each ingredient. These delicate cookies can be tricky and need precise amounts of each ingredient so weighing is best. While we can get close with cup measurements of the dry ingredients the varying size of eggs is more difficult.

Chocolate Macarons With Caramel Filling

50 grams sugar 200 grams powdered sugar 110 grams almond meal 100 grams egg whites 45 grams unsweetened cocoa powder Caramel Frosting Preheat oven to 285 degrees F (140 degrees C).

How to make Macarons

My macarons will get better with practice I am sure. Here are macaron making tips I found most helpful! A large baking sheet is helpful. Only bake one pan of cookies at a time. Recipes call for placing cookie batter in large pastry bag fitted with a 1/2 plain round tip. Wilton has a "Perfect Fill" tip that I thought worked wonderfully. It helped me dispense equal amounts. Line baking sheet with parchment paper. I first made a template by drawing 1 1/2 inch circles on a sheet of parchment. I then placed this under my clean parchment for a guide to perfect sized circles. Beat egg whites in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment until whites are foamy; beat in white sugar and continue beating until egg whites are glossy, fluffy, and hold soft peaks. Sift confectioners' sugar and ground almonds in a separate bowl. Don't skip this step. The sifting will eliminate some of the larger almond pieces in the almond meal. Fold the almond mixture into the egg whites. Don't over mix. Test the batter by spooning a small amount onto the prepared baking sheet. If the disk of batter holds a peak instead of flattening immediately, gently fold the batter a few more times and retest. Place batter into a pastry bag fitted with a plain round tip. Pipe the batter onto the baking sheet in rounds, leaving space between the disks. Lift the pan and tap on the counter a few times to release any air bubble in the cookies. Let the piped cookies stand out at room temperature until they form a hard skin on top, at least 20 mins up to an hour. Bake cookies until set but not browned, about 15 minutes; let cookies cool completely before filling. Make caramel frosting. Fill pastry bag fitted with 1/2 wide round pastry tip. Flip meringues over and pipe caramel frosting. Place another meringue on top to make a sandwich. Delicious macarons! They make the perfect edible gift! My friend Lia Griffith has beautiful free printable gift tags for macarons!

Would you love to go to Paris?

Now it’s your turn! That’s right, you can enter to win the trip of a lifetime to Paris too. How? By creating your own Parisian-inspired art, floral, baking or paper crafting project and uploading a photo to www.paris.michaels.com through March 31. You can also share your project on social using #SpringtimeInParis #Contest

What do you win?

A trip of a lifetime! You could win a four-night trip for two to Paris, 1,000 euros, a VIP tour of the Louvre, private classes including sketching, floral arranging, baking and more!

If you need a little Paris inspiration to get you started, take a look at some of the Springtime in Paris projects on Michaels.com.

See how my friends are inspired by Paris!

An InLinkz Link-up

Free St Patrick's Day Crochet Patterns

cindylouh — Wed, 04 Mar 2015 13:00:50 +0000

Do you like to crochet? I love finding new patterns! Here are some darling Free St Patrick's Day Crochet Patterns I came across today! You will love making these fun ideas! If you are looking for more free patterns I have shared quite a few! Some of my favorites are this crochet cowl, it is easy to make and very warm! I also love making this coffee cozy is makes the perfect handmade gift!

Free St. Patrick's Day Crochet Patterns

The perfect way to decorate your door for St Paddy's with a beautiful Crochet Rainbow Wreath. (photo credit) Feeling lucky? Share a bit 'o luck with these crochet four leaf clovers! Open Four Leaf Clover Four Leaf Clover You will be wearing a bit of green with this darling St Patrick's Day Fascinator! Here is a fun costume idea! This Crochet Beard and Hat will turn you into a leprechaun! The crochet pattern is for multiple sizes. Crochet St Patrick's Day Top Hat Crochet Shamrock Garland Lucky Shamrock Hair Clip If you love to crochet please come visit my free crochet patterns data base. You will find hundreds of beautiful crochet patterns. You can even upload your own crochet patterns!

Lets keep in touch! Sign up to get crafty ideas, recipes, sewing tutorials and more delivered right to your inbox. Follow Skip to My Lou on FB and Google+ to find out the latest news! Join me at Pinterest and Instagram for an extra dose of fun!

Best Sugar Cookie Frosting Ever

cindylouh — Thu, 05 Mar 2015 13:00:10 +0000

Here is my most favorite sugar cookie frosting. It is smooth creamy and so delicious! This frosting is great to spread on nice and thick with a knife on cake mix sugar cookies It can also be piped on my favorite cut out sugar cookie recipe. It is a versatile frosting.

Sugar Cookie Frosting

2/3 Cups Butter ½ Cup Milk 2 lbs. Powder Sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla I often add 1/2 teaspoon creme bouquet (gives the frosting amazing flavor) Beat with electric mixer until smooth. If you love cookies as much as my family you might try these super quick cake mix snickerdoodles or these yummy butterscotch gingerbread cookies. Do you like cookie dough? Here is a round up of the best cookie dough desserts.

Rainbow Cupcakes {St Patrick's Day}

cindylouh — Tue, 10 Mar 2015 12:00:08 +0000

These rainbow cupcakes with a pot of gold are the perfect St Patrick's Day cupcakes! I love to celebrate holidays and have shared some great stuff here at Skip to my Lou for St. Patrick's Day! Check out my St. Patrick's Day Printables or this recipe for green popcorn, it's perfect to munch on!

Rainbow Cupcakes with Pot of Gold

Frost cupcakes with blue frosting. Pipe on white frosting with a 1/4 to 1/2 inch plain round pastry tip. Cut AirHead Extremes in half and place the ends into the white frosting. Add more white frosting if you want more "clouds". Pipe white frosting on the bottom of a Rolo candy. Dip the frosting in gold coarse sugar. Place the candy pop of gold at the end of the rainbow.

Junior Mints Brownies

cindylouh — Thu, 12 Mar 2015 12:00:10 +0000

These Junior Mint Brownies are a minty treat. They are a bit lighter using less fat than most traditional brownies. If you like a minty flavor don't miss these delicious mint dessert recipes. I even have a recipe for peppermint brownies in a jar that make a great gift. Looking for a rich decadent brownie, this brownie recipe is the best!

Junior Mints Brownies

1/4 cup butter 4 ounce box of Junior Mints 1 cup all purpose flour 1/4 teaspoon baking soda 1/8 teaspoon salt 2/3 cups sugar 1/3 cup cocoa 2 eggs Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare 8 X 8" or similar sized pan with cooking spray. Combine mints and butter in microwave safe bowl and heat for about 30 seconds or until soft. Do not cook, only heat. Stir until smooth. In another bowl mix together eggs, cocoa, vanilla and sugar. Next add in flour, baking soda and salt stir until just blended. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake for about 20 mins or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool before cutting.

St. Patrick's Day Free Printables

cindylouh — Fri, 06 Mar 2015 17:13:54 +0000

St. Patricks Days is such a fun holiday to get creative with! Look at these darling ideas all made with these St. Patrick's Day Free printables. I rounded up some of my favorite ideas for you to celebrate! If you are looking for some fun for younger kids try my Shamrock Coloring sheet or this St. Patricks Day coloring sheet, they are sure to love to them! Whip of some sweet fun with my copycat shamrock shake recipe! Shamrock Cupcake Topper and Rainbow Cupcake Wrappers Printable Lucky Banner I am “CEREAL”-sly lucky to be your Mom! Shamrock Soda Over the Rainbow Printables Anti Pinch Polish Taste The Rainbow Tic Tacs! Lucky to Know You St Patrick's Day Treasure Hunt Pinch Proof Badges

How to Keep Apples from Browning

cindylouh — Sat, 07 Mar 2015 13:00:29 +0000

If you are packing lunches, serving apples for a party or making my homemade apple pie filling you need to start with crisp fresh apples. Nothing is more unappetizing that brown apples. Here are few quick and easy tips on how to keep apples from browning! If you are looking for a great apple dip to make try my homemade brown sugar apple dip!

How to keep apples from browning

A great trick for keeping the apples from browning is to place them in a bowl of cold water along with three to five vitamin C tablets ( 500mg) that have been crushed. This is perfect to keep them from browning while you peel a large amount for a recipe. Another method that works well for sliced Apples for snaking is to use citric acid. Simply sprinkle ball citric acid lightly on the fruit. It also has directions to do it on a large amount of fruit at once. I love to do a huge batch of apples and keep them in fridge for snacking or for packing lunches! You can also put lemon juice or any citrus juice on apples to prevent browning. This is a natural way to keep apples from browning. Keep in mind that it does add a slight tart taste in the process! This post contains affiliate links. Don't miss a thing! Sign up to get crafty ideas, recipes, sewing tutorials and more delivered right to your inbox. Follow Skip to My Lou on FB and Google+ to find out the latest news! Join me at Pinterest and Instagram for an extra dose of fun!

Perfect Pastry Recipes

cindylouh — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 12:00:31 +0000

Here are some perfect pastry recipes I am excited to try! I love to serve brunch and these recipes would be amazing on any brunch table! I would love to serve them with my quiche recipe or these cinnamon sugar pancakes! Do you like breakfast but don't have a lot of time? Try these make ahead breakfast favorites.

Perfect Pastry Recipes

Coffee Cake Cupcakes Apple Puffs Recipe Two Ingredient Chocolate Turn Overs Blueberry Croissant Puff Pumpkin Cheesecake Monkey Bread Cinnamon Sugar Crumb Banana Bread Come link up tomorrow for another Made by you Monday.

Made by you Monday

cindylouh — Mon, 09 Mar 2015 12:00:34 +0000

I am writing over at ebay, check out my guide on how to Dye Bright Easter Eggs at home without a kit! It's Monday show us what you've got. It is time to link up your crafty goodness! Please don't forget to link back! --- a text link at the bottom of your post, or link somewhere on your blog is okay! [blog_button button_size=large] Don't miss a thing! Sign up to get crafty ideas, recipes, sewing tutorials and more delivered right to your inbox. Follow Skip to My Lou on FB and Google+ to find out the latest news! Join me at Pinterest and Instagram for an extra dose of fun!

Picture This Spring Giveaway

cindylouh — Tue, 10 Mar 2015 20:30:00 +0000

Giveaway time! Spring is right around the corner and we are so excited for it to happen!

We decided to strike up the band and get a giveaway going to celebrate.

GIVEAWAY

WIN A

CANON ESO REBEL T5 DSLR

A BACKYARD CEDAR WOODEN SWING SET

It's super easy to enter. Go...our fingers are crossed for you. PS. Thanks for being amazing readers. We are so grateful for you and hope this helps to show we really care for you.

St. Patrick's Day Recipes

cindylouh — Fri, 13 Mar 2015 12:00:59 +0000

Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with these St. Patrick's Day Recipes. From Rainbows, minty green desserts or even a special cake there are so many options. I've shared a few fun st patrick's day crafts and other ideas. Try my green popcorn, or my diy blarney stones.

St. Patrick's Day Recipes

These rainbow cupcakes are really easy make and turn out very cute! Make this Copycat Shamrock Shake Recipe at home. Try this favorite in a cupcake! Shamrock Shake Cupcakes... For some minty fun try these Junior Mint Brownies This look dreamy Chocolate Mint Cupcakes! Aren't they cute in a jar? Here is something green to snack on St Patrick's Day Chex Mix Recipe. For another fun idea make a St. Patrick's Day T-shirt!

Cute Easter Buckets with FREE Printables

Guest Poster — Sat, 14 Mar 2015 12:00:56 +0000

Hi everyone! I'm Erin from Strawberry Mommycakes and I'm showing you how to create these EASY and Cute Easter Buckets (plus, I've included some FREE Printables!) I'm always excited for Easter because we have a big break from holidays after Christmas. Don't get me wrong...it's a much needed break, but I still love preparing for each holiday and Easter is no exception! I think this is going to be the year of the chic Easter basket because gold is popping up EVERYWHERE! I decided to join in on the trend with these cute buckets! The printables are very versatile, so you don't have to stick to the trend ;) To make these, you'll need:

My FREE Printables, for personal use only
Galvanized buckets (I found them at Target in the dollar section)
Easter grass (also at Target!)
Card Stock
Scissors
2" hole punch (optional)
3" hole punch (optional)
Hot glue or tape
Ribbon
Paper straws
Easter candy of your choice ( I used gold eggs to match!)

First download and print the printables. Cut out the bunnies with scissors and the circle tags with hole punches, then attach them to matching paper straws with glue or tape. The buckets I got had ribbon tied to them. I took off their ribbon and tied bows on the sides. Then, fill the buckets with Easter grass and candy and stick the straws into the buckets. You can also print out the large Easter tag and stick it to the front of the buckets. Either way, they're adorable! These are super easy, right?? They only took me minutes to put together, and that's including design time...so I pretty much cut your Easter preparation in half. You're welcome :) Make sure you check out my blog for more Easter crafts, like my popular Mr. and Mrs. Egghead Printables and my Dapper Easter Printables! Erin runs the blog Strawberry Mommycakes and is a mom to the three cutest kids ever, and the wife to the most patient and supportive man ever…okay, he’s pretty cute, too! When she's not designing or watching her kids, she's probably cleaning, cooking, reading, playing on Pinterest, or going for a drive and drinking a Pepsi…because Pepsi is awesome. You can follow her on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram!

Irish Drink Recipes

cindylouh — Sun, 15 Mar 2015 12:00:58 +0000

It's almost St. Patrick's Day! Here a few Irish drink recipes that are perfect to celebrate the holiday this week! Do you like to trap a leprechaun or make a irish meal? How about make a St. Patrick's day t-shirt? For another amazing drink try my easy margaritas! You might also like my Irish Coffee Recipe.

Irish Drink Recipes

Drunken Leprechaun Milkshake Irish Buck White Leprechaun Grasshopper Cocktails Blackberry Irish Whiskey Sour These are perfect to serve your St. Patrick's Day Drinks St.Patrick's Day Glasses Link up for another Made by you Monday tomorrow! I love to see what you are creating. Don't miss a thing! Sign up to get crafty ideas, recipes, sewing tutorials and more delivered right to your inbox. Follow Skip to My Lou on FB and Google+ to find out the latest news! Join me at Pinterest and Instagram for an extra dose of fun!

Bunny Sucker Holders

cindylouh — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 12:14:37 +0000

These bunny sucker holders are so cute for Easter! They come together in just a few easy steps. I like to send these to my local copy shop for printing but you can also print these at home. If you are looking for more fun lolly pop holders try my chick sucker holders, they look very cute as a pair. If you are going for a bunny theme I have a tutorial to make a very cute bunny cupcake as well!

Supplies for Bunny Sucker Holders

Bunny Sucker Holders Printable Glue Dots Ribbon Scissors two sizes white pom poms

How to make bunny sucker holders

Download Bunny Sucker Holders and print in color on white regular copy paper. Use a hole punch or sharp end of scissors to make holes where marked. Tie a bow around the base of the sucker. Bunny Sucker Holders Printable Feed the sucker stick through the holes. Place a glue dot on the top of the sucker as fasten to the bunny feet. Use glue dots to fasten small white pom poms on front and a large pom pom on the back. In no time at all you can have a fluffle of bunnies! Don't miss the Chick Sucker Holders.

Chick Sucker Holders

cindylouh — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 12:00:33 +0000

These darling chick sucker holders are a fun little Easter craft and make cute favors! They are simple to put together, with my free printable. We love to make things for holidays! Check out my Easter Bunny Cupcakes. If you like to crochet try my free Easter egg garland pattern now is the perfect time to start making it.

How to make chick sucker holders

Grab some Dum Dum suckers, yellow feathers, ribbon, scissors and glue dots and you are ready to make these super cute chick sucker holders. Download the Chick Sucker Holder . Print in color on regular copy paper and cut out. Use a hole punch or the end of the scissors to make a hole where marked. Tie a small bow around the base of the sucker. Feed the sucker through the holes. Place a glue dot on the bottom of the sucker and stick it to the feet of the check. Use another glue dot to attach a small piece of feather to the head. TaDa..... a cute little chick for Easter! You might like to make a Bunny Sucker Holder to go with your chick.

Made by you Monday

cindylouh — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 12:00:25 +0000

Coconut Oil Whipped Body Butter {with printable labels}

cindylouh — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 11:00:56 +0000

My coconut oil whipped body butter makes a wonderful Mother's Day gift! I even have free printable labels to make the jar extra special. I love giving homemade gifts! Have you tried my DIY Bath bomb recipe? You will love making them and using them! For a bit younger kids these free printable mothers day coupons make the perfect gift idea too!

How to make Coconut Oil Whipped Body Butter

This whipped body butter couldn't be any easier! It only has two ingredients. So grab some coconut oil from the grocery store and some essential oils and you are ready to whip up a wonderful body lotion! I love to use coconut oil as a moisturizer, but don't like how hard it gets making it impossible to get from the jar. Whipping the coconut oil makes it a great consistency. Scoop the coconut oil into a mixing bowl. Do not melt! You need it to be solid to whip. Whip a few minutes then add in about 20 drops of your favorite essential oil. I love lavender. Sometimes I also add in 5 drops each of lemon and frankincense along with the lavender. Adjust the oil for your personal tastes. You might start with only 10 drops of lavender and go from there. Continue whipping the coconut oil until it is fluffy. Place the whipped coconut oil into a jar (I found mine at the grocery store) and add the label. Print the label on sticker paper in color. Attach to the jar and cover label with clear packing tape to protect it. Coconut Whipped Body Butter Printable Label Check out these other amazing, homemade Mothers' Day Gift Ideas: Beautiful Bath Bombs from The NY Melrose Family Whipped Body Butter from Skip to my Lou Lavender Bath Soak from Princess Pinky Girl Lip Balm from The Seasoned Momma Coconut Lime Sea Salt Scrub from Coffee Cups and Crayons Lavender Lotion Bar from Made to be a Momma Moisturizing Body Butter Recipe from PinkWhen Mini Bath Bombs & Free Printables from Tatertots & Jello

* * * * *

If you want to give essential oils a try I have an amazing deal! Besides making lovely bath items they have so many daily benefits. Here are just a few ways to use the oils. Click this link to learn more about my essential oil deal.

Free Easter Card Tutorial from The Vintage Workshop

Guest Poster — Thu, 19 Mar 2015 12:00:35 +0000

Here is a free Easter Card you can print and use for your easter celebrations! If you love free printables try my bunny sucker holders or these easter basket cupcake wrappers. Materials Needed:

Easter Image of your choice, we used the free image Easter Greetings Girl
High quality inkjet paper, matte finish
Spraymount adhesive
Decorative papers such as scrapbook paper in several coordinating colors
Pinking shears
Glue stick
Small colored grommets & grommet tool
Tools that will help - craft knife, metal ruler with cork back & cutting mat

Assembly Instructions:

Print the FREE image Easter Greetings Girl with Chicks onto inkjet paper, following manufacturer's instructions so the image measure about 5-1/2" wide. Trim the image close to the edge. Using spraymount adhesive, adhere the image to a sheet of decorative paper, applying slight pressure to secure in place. Using a ruler, measure out from the edge of the image 3/16" and mark with a pencil. Trim along pencil lines to create a border with the decorative paper.
Using spraymount, adhere the image to another sheet of decorative paper in a contrasting color applying slight pressure to secure in place. Trim around the image with pinking shears to create a second border.
Using spraymount, adhere the image to a third sheet of decorative paper, applying slight pressure to secure in place. Using a ruler, measure out from the edge of the second border about 1/8" and mark with a pencil. Trim along the pencil lines to create the last outer border.
Cut a sheet of decorative paper to 6-3/8" x 6-5/8" edge (for back of card). Measure in 2-1/4" and mark with a pencil. Score along the pencil lines to create a fold. For best results, lay a ruler flat along pencil lines. Run craft knife lightly along the edge of the ruler to create a crisp fold. Fold the bottom corners of the paper in towards center to create a pocket.
Add small grommets at corner points of pocket edge, following the manufacturer's directions to secure the pocket. Using a glue stick, attach the card back to the card front along the top scored edge making sure the "pocket" side is inside the card. Finish by adding grommets to the four corners of the card front (note: top grommets will go through the front & back of the card while the bottom grommets will only go through the front of the card).
Fill your card pocket with notes, gift cards or other treats for your Easter recipient.

Here are some additional Easter projects that can be found at The Vintage Workshop website: Lion & Lamb Door Hangers Easter Centerpiece Basket Easter Pillow Easter Puzzles The Vintage Workshop features 1000's of vintage images including a FREE image posted every single day, free projects & lots of holiday graphics for free or purchase. Visit our website today to browse all of our Easter imagery and our entire vintage image library that includes categories such as holiday, wedding, patriotic, vintage photos, sports, sewing/needlecraft, school, cooking/kitchen and so much more. Be sure to sign up for newsletter to stay up to date on promotions, projects & free images!

Spring Rice Krispie Treat Nests

cindylouh — Sat, 21 Mar 2015 12:00:07 +0000

It's Ruthie from Cooking with Ruthie and I'm so happy to be here with you to share one of my very favorite rice krispie treat recipes.

Lets Celebrate Spring with these adorable Spring Rice Krispie Treat Nests!

I am SO excited to be getting some warmer weather these days! Spring could not have come fast enough for me this year...

How to Make Spring Rice Krispie Treat Nests

Author: Ruthie

Prep time: 5 mins

Cook time: 5 mins

Total time: 10 mins

Serves: 12

Ingredients

1 Tbsp butter
1 (16oz) package mini marshmallows
8 C rice krispie cereal
1 C sweetened coconut
3-4 drops green food coloring
36 mini cadbury eggs

Instructions

Spray a muffin tin with cooking spray.
Set aside.
Pour coconut in small mixing bowl, add green food coloring drops; mix well.
Set aside.
In a large plastic microwaveable bowl place butter and mini marshmallows, microwave 1 minute, stir, microwave 30 seconds, stir well.
If not completely melted microwave 15 seconds more.
Stir in half rice krispies; mix well.
Stir in remaining rice krispies; mix well.
Spray hands with cooking spray, divide batter between 12 muffin cups, lightly press center with a cookie scoop to hollow out and shape nest.
Fill center of nests with coconut.
Allow to cool completely.
Place 3 mini cadbury eggs on each nest.
Enjoy!

Spring Rice Krispie Treat Nests will bring a smile to every face that tastes them :)

Here are a couple of other fun Spring-time treats that you'll enjoy baking and eating too:

Cadbury Chocolate Chip Cookies

Homemade Strawberry Pie

Baked Carrot Cake Doughnuts with Orange Cream Cheese Frosting

Thanks for having me~ I've loved coming to share some of my kitchen creations with all of you.

You're more than welcome to come by my place anytime... catch me at www.cookingwithruthie.com or connect with me on Pinterest, Google+, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram !

xoxo~ Ruthie

How to dye eggs with food coloring

cindylouh — Tue, 31 Mar 2015 12:00:23 +0000

Did you know you can dye easter eggs with food coloring? No need to run to the store and buy an expensive egg dying kit! With a few ingredients, already in your cupboard, you have all you need to make bright Easter eggs! For more decorating ideas, check out this post on creative ways to decorate Easter eggs. All you need is: Water Food Coloring White Vinegar Hard Boiled Eggs (learn how to make the perfect hard boiled eggs with these tips) Whisk (optional)

Homemade Easter Egg Dye Place 1/2 cup tap water in containers. Place 20 drops of food coloring (I used 40 drops and 1 cup) Mix this well. Add in 1 tablespoon white vinegar and stir. To create new colors follow the guide on the back of the box. Warning food coloring is safe, but will stain clothing. Quick and easy tip for dying eggs with kids and toddlers. Have you ever tried putting your eggs inside a whisk? This simple idea makes dying eggs a lot easier for kids and toddlers! Egg stays put and is easy to retrieve! Just place the egg inside the whisk and dip inside the desired color. No more mess! Be sure to leave eggs in the dye longer than you think to get those bright colors! Also have children wear old clothes or protective clothing and cover the table! If the weather is nice, we have a lot of success, dying eggs outside! This unique idea will teach you how to make chalkboard easter eggs. Kids love coloring their eggs (over and over).

Carrot Cake Dessert Recipes

cindylouh — Sun, 22 Mar 2015 12:00:27 +0000

Easter is around the corner? Do you like carrot cake? I love it, and I crave it this time of year. There are so many ways to make this dessert. Here are some great recipes, that are a little more creative. Get the flavors you love in a whole new way. For another great Easter dessert try these birds nest no bake cookies, they are fun to make with kids and come together quickly.

Carrot Cake Recipes

The Best Carrot Cake Recipe Cupcakes Cookies Donuts Pudding Cups Brown Sugar Crepes Be sure to stop by tomorrow for another Made by you Monday!

Made by you Monday

cindylouh — Mon, 23 Mar 2015 12:00:56 +0000

Easter Meal Ideas

cindylouh — Wed, 25 Mar 2015 12:00:37 +0000

Easter comes early this year, don't let it sneak up on you! We always get together with family for the holiday and I bet you do too! Big or small it's a great time to gather together and visit! At our house Easter sometimes is a more casual meal with bunny ham sandwiches as the star. These yummy rolls are filled with juicy Honey Baked Ham and their delicious Honey Mustard Mayonnaise. A simple meal that is festive, delicious and loved by all! The bread dough can be made up to four days ahead and shaped rolls can be baked the day before so the big day is stress free. Just pull your ham out of the refrigerator. Honey Baked Hams come ready to go! Make a buffet of sandwiches fixings and sides (they have these too) and you are ready to go! I have a complete tutorial to show you how to make these bunny rolls. I think they make the cutest ham sandwiches. Here are some more ways to make the Easter Meal extra special! You might like to print off my Easter Dinner Conversation Starters to keep the conversation flowing! Consider the table... Here are few ideas for the perfect set up. Go with a easy center piece! I love using fresh flowers from the garden and this fresh flower center piece (by Where is the Mama) leaves a elegant statement. Set the table the night before (by this Mama Knows) will save time and stress. This is the time to pull out use the good china if you are going fancy! We are more casual, so we go with paper plates, but you wouldn't believe what is available in paper, so plan ahead. Don't be afraid of color on your table. A beautiful table can be easy when you choose a color that pops (by Liz Adventures). These bunny place cards would take minutes to make (By the Play Party Pin)! Try something new and use cloth napkins! These bunny napkins (by Happenings at the Harper Household) are festive and fun and provide simple decor for any table! Don't forget the kids table. Have fun and teach the kids to make origami bunnies (By Mom Always Finds Out) and keep the kids busy with these Printable Activity Mats perfect for kids (by The Nerds Wife). This little bunny favor will mean a special treat for all the little ones! Let the kids draw on the kids tables, these fabulous ideas(by craving some creativity) are useful and darling! Go buffet style, especially if you are serving a crowd. Take the guess work out of the process with this easy tip from 3 Little Greenwoods, it's a huge time saver is to pre-plan what food is going into which dish. Check out how she does it! Honey baked Ham is a easy way to serve a delicious but easy meal. You won't be slaving away in the kitchen on this one. We love to get one every single year. You can serve it in sandwiches, like us, or go more fancy, it is up to you!

This is what you need to know about the HoneyBaked Ham or Turkey for your dinner!

It needs to be refrigerated, and the Ham will stay fresh for 7 to 10 days. You can freeze unused ham portions up to 6 weeks.
The HoneyBaked Ham (and Turkey Breast) are fully cooked and ready to enjoy at room temperature. No need to heat as it may cause them to dry out and lose flavor!
The Turkey Breast is pre-sliced.
Here's how to section your Ham:
- Using a knife, cut around the bone of the Ham. Cut along the natural muscle line to remove the top section of slices. Cut straight down from the base of the bone to release the remaining sections.

Check out these simple sides... For something special, try this gluten free berry trifle it looks amazing (by sprouted roots), don't forget the classic deviled eggs. Every one loves them and it's a great way to use up the hard boiled eggs you might have. My family always clears me out. Roasted Asparagus makes a easy side, it is perfect this time of year (by The Mama Report). These Egg Salad Crescents (by a spark of creativity) are so cute and can be made ahead (kids will love them)! Broccoli Bacon Bliss is a cold salad that comes ready to serve and will wow your crowd (by Fake Ginger). Little Greenwoods tried the rice casserole as well! Dress up your drinks with this fun fruit rose (by My Fashion Juice). If you are looking for a completely stress free grab and go thing, they have that too. This no bake ham is ready to serve (by Sew Let's Cook)! Looking for simple sides and no work at all, here you will find some great ideas (by Fake Ginger). Serving a crowd? Be sure to use this, 5 Easy Easter Dinner tips for Big Families (by lillepunkin). Don't skip dessert! HoneyBaked Ham has all sorts of choices for dessert. Quick, easy and yummy! My favorite is their carrot cake. But this decadent red velvet cake looks amazing! Just let them thaw and serve them up on a cake plate! Don't skip a chocolate option, chocoholics will thank you (by Joy Troupe). For a variety a cheesecake sampler may be just what you need (by the adventures of jman and miller bug). if you are feeling creative and want to make something yourself this birds nest cheesecake (by My Urban Oven) looks darling on the Easter table.

HoneyBaked Ham Coupon

A big thanks to HoneyBaked Ham for sponsoring this post and great Easter Meal Ideas and providing this coupon for our readers: Offer valid 3/14/15 – 4/4/15. Must present coupon at time of purchase to receive offer. May not be combined with any other offer. One coupon per person at participating retail store locations. While supplies last. Click to save on your family Easter celebration!

How To Make Bunny Rolls

cindylouh — Tue, 24 Mar 2015 12:00:07 +0000

These Bunny Rolls will make your Easter dinner extra special. They are great as is or if you are going for a more casual meal slice them open for the cutest sandwiches ever! For more bread recipes try my no knead bread or my bread in a bag recipe, it's perfect to make with kids. First make some dough. I used this versatile bread dough recipe.

Bread Dough Recipe

1 package active dry yeast 1 cup warm water 2 Tablespoons sugar 2 Tablespoons butter 1 large egg 1 teaspoon Kosher salt 3 – 3 1/2 cups all purpose flour (I usually only ever use 3 cups) Combine yeast, warm water and sugar. Let stand five minutes. Combine yeast mixture, butter, egg, salt, and half the flour: beat with mixer or food processor just until mixed and smooth. Gradually add in flour to make a soft dough. I use a food processor with dough blade and mix for 45 seconds or mixer with dough attachment for 2 minute, until soft ball is formed. Place dough in a well oiled bowl, turn to grease the top of dough. Cover in warm area for about an hour until dough rises and almost doubles in size. You can also at this point put dough in an oiled zip-loc bag and keep in the refrigerator for up to four days. I put dough in refrigerator because I like to roll dough out while it is cold. If not refrigerating, punch dough down, turn out onto floured surfaced, and kneed a couple of times.

How to make bunny rolls

I use a 1 1/2 tablespoon scoop to portion out the dough. Each bunny roll takes two dough balls. This recipe will make about 1 dozen bunny rolls. Take one of the dough balls and tear off a pea sized piece for the bunny nose. Cut the rest of the dough ball in half. Place the cut halves (cut side up) at the top of the second dough ball. Place the small piece in the middle of the dough ball for the nose. Cut a raisin in half and push it into the dough for eyes. Take a sharp knife and cut into the dough to make whiskers and a mouth. Beat 1 egg with about 1 tablespoon of water to make an egg wash. Use this to lightly and evenly paint onto the bread dough. Cover bunnies with a piece of plastic wrap sprayed well with cookie spray. Loosely cover the bunnies. Allow to rise for about 30-40 mins. If dough was cold they might need to rise about an hour. They should get puffy. Before baking push in any eyes that might have popped out. Slits can also be made more prominent with a well oiled knife (dough will be sticky). Bake at 400 degrees for about 10 mins or until golden brown.

Easter Coloring Page {Free Printable}

cindylouh — Thu, 26 Mar 2015 12:00:16 +0000

Today I am sharing a Free Printable coloring page! It is perfect for Easter. It is a great way to keep kids happy and entertained at the kids table. For more creative ideas for the kids table, make this easter egg crayon holder, and have some fun decorating the table with these free printable napkin rings! Bella had fun coloring this page. It is perfect for the classroom, the kids table on Easter, or hand it out at your Easter get together. Follow the link below...

Free Printable Easter Coloring Page

You can print from your home computer just click link below to get your free printable: Easter Coloring Page

10 Simple Easter Treats

cindylouh — Fri, 27 Mar 2015 12:00:46 +0000

Looking for something fun to whip up for Easter? These simple Easter treats all come together quickly, have few ingredients and turn out absolutely darling! Most are easy enough for kids to make! For more great Easter Ideas check out my bunny pops or this fun crochet egg garland. I also love to set the table with these easter grapevine wreaths, they make a Easter favor.

10 Simple Easter Treats

Peeps Pops Bunny Tails Popcorn 4 Ingredient Oreo Easter Egg Truffles Peanut Butter Buttons Flower Pretzel Bites Easter Carrot Rice Krispie Treats Layered Peeps Spring Confetti Bars Peanut Butter Birds Nest Cookies Bunny Cupcakes

8 Ways to Entertain Kids on a Road Trip

Guest Poster — Sat, 28 Mar 2015 12:00:35 +0000

Hey everyone! My name is Steph from A Grande Life and I am so happy to be sharing some of my travel tips with you today! As a matter of fact, I am sharing this post with you as I am traveling with my family. Since our little family started over six years, we have been on the go. Whether it's traveling to visit family and friends or quick road trips to explore our home town, we have logged quite the mileage. When you travel frequently with kids, you learn a thing or two. Not only do you learn what works, you learn what doesn't! Let me help you for your next road trip with the kids. Here are my go-to ways to entertain the kids on a road trip. Plus, I have a fun, free printable for you!

8 Ways to Entertain Kids on a Road Trip

Prizes I will admit it. I am not above bribing my kids on really long car trips. I hit the dollar store before packing up the car. I grab little toys, books, coloring books, and snacks. Throughout the trip, the kids are surprised with a new trinket. The key is to not talk about the prizes and to reward them for good behavior. Glow Sticks Another thing you can pick up at the dollar store that will provide a lot of entertainment are glow sticks. These are a lot of fun if you will be traveling at night. Books It is so easy to rely on electronics and movies to keep the kids entertained on long car rides. But you don't have to! Hit the local library before you leave. Let the kids pick out a few books so they will be excited to read them in the car. Pipe Cleaners Just because you are stuck in the car doesn't mean you can't be crafty. Hand the kids a package of pipe cleaners and let them go to town. They will enjoy creating animals, flowers, letters, shapes, even glasses out of the pipe cleaners. Have a contest for who can be the most creative! Track Your Trip If you want to cut down on the "Are we there yets?", visually track your trip! Simply print out a car, have them decorate it, cut a slit on either side of the car, and string it in your car where the kids can see. As you make progress to your destination, slide the car along. When it reaches the other side of the car, you have arrived at your destination! Take Breaks Taking breaks from driving is not only important the driver but for the kids too. While you are resting, the kids have a chance to burn off some energy. Find pitstops along your route, some even have play areas! Make sure to plan a stop at least once every few hours. Play Games And I'm not talking about the electronic kind! Go old school with games like I Spy or the Alphabet Game. Of course, there a few apps out there that will help you keep track, especially when playing the License Plate Game. If your kids are anything like mine, they will be engaged for a while trying to cross off all the States on the list. Capture the Road Trip Hand the camera over to the kids and let them document their trip. Whether they use a kid tough camera or you give them a disposal camera, let them go to town! It will be fun to see the trip through their eyes. At the end of your trip, print out the pictures and have them place it in this trip journal. Print the pages out of the travel journal for each road trip. Keep the completed pages in a binder so your kids can look back on their travel memories. Looking for more travel advice? I've got you covered! Check out How to Survive a Road Trip with Kids, Your Must Have Products for Family Entertaining on a Road Trip, and the 10 Best Family Travel Apps. Follow us on Instagram to join in our traveling adventures!

10 Creative Ideas for Easter Eggs

cindylouh — Sun, 29 Mar 2015 12:00:58 +0000

Take your Easter eggs to a new level with these creative ideas for Easter Eggs! Many of these products can be found in your cupboard and produce a unique and interesting look! Need some help boiling eggs? Check out this post on how to make the perfect hard boiled egg. Did you know, you can ditch the kit and still get bright easter eggs? Here is a Easter egg dye recipe you can make at home.

10 Creative Ideas for Easter Eggs

DIY Shaving Cream Easter Eggs I had never heard of this method! This looks really easy and it turns out very cool! Glitter Dipped Easter Eggs This is a fun idea, and because it's not edible, you can use them year after year! Cool Whip Dyed Eggs These look similar to the shaving cream, but it's nice to use what you have on hand or try both and see how they turn out! Marbleizing Eggs with Nail Polish Very Unique results! Silk Tie Dyed Easter Eggs You actually use fabric to dye these Easter eggs, the result is so fun and totally unusual. Metallic Easter Eggs This is a fun way to make the kit dye a bit more creative, very easy too! Easter Egg Lunch Notes I love these idea! Throw a high protein snack in with a surprise message! Chalkboard Easter Eggs Glitter and Gold Easter Eggs Have you ever blown out an egg, this idea will allow you to create a collection you can use every year! Glow in The Dark Egg Hunt This idea is for the Easter Hunt! Bring your egg hunt to a whole new level with glow in the dark easter eggs! We have to try this one. Be sure to stop by tomorrow for another Made by you Monday.

Made by you Monday

cindylouh — Mon, 30 Mar 2015 12:00:55 +0000

Easter Coloring Pages

cindylouh — Wed, 01 Apr 2015 12:00:01 +0000

Keep the kids entertained with Easter Coloring Pages. This funny little riddle will be a hit at the kid's dinner table. Make your kids table the yet with these free printable egg holders or this cute egg crayon holder! Just download, print and color. Here's the link for the Easter Coloring Page You might also like this free coloring sheet for Easter.

Easter Egg Craft

cindylouh — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 12:00:51 +0000

This little Easter egg craft turns eggs into cute little animals. This cute Easter craft will keep kids entertained for Easter or make them ahead for the most darling favors on each plate for your Easter dinner. For more ideas for your kids table try these printable egg holders or this felt easter egg crayon holder. Print out my Easter conversation starters to keep the conversation going during your Easter dinner. Download the Easter egg craft printables. Print in color on white cardstock. Each page will make three animals. Chick Easter Egg Pig Easter Egg Bunny Easter Egg Cut out the pieces and grab some plastic eggs (don't forget to fill them). You will also need a tape roller, glue stick or glue. I like to use a tape roller.

How to make a chick Easter Egg

Cut sliits along the long strip where marked. Glue the strip together to make a circle just large enough for the egg to sit in. Glue on wings, beak and googley eyes. A sharpie maker can also be used for eyes.

How to make an pig Easter egg

Glue four feet pieces to the egg. Using a pencil curl the tail piece. Glue head and tail to egg.

How to make a bunny Easter egg

Glue strip into a circle for egg to sit on. Glue on ears and bow tie. Add googley eyes and pom pom nose if you like. A sharpie marker can also add these details.

How to Make The Best Hard Boiled Eggs

cindylouh — Fri, 03 Apr 2015 12:00:38 +0000

Are you dying Easter Eggs this week? You will need this tip on how to make the best hard boiled eggs! This method works every time! Save some time and money and make your own egg dye! This recipe makes bright easter eggs with a few ingredients you already have in the cupboard!

How to Make the Best Hard Boiled Eggs

Don't Use Fresh Eggs

Yes you read that right! Fresh eggs make the hardest to peel eggs. For easy to peel eggs you must use eggs that are at least ten days old (or more)! So plan ahead!

Don't over boil the eggs

Add large eggs in saucepan and add submerge with cold water. (at least two inches)
Add salt (1 tablespoon).
Place the pan over high heat until it reaches a boil.
Turn off heat, cover and let it sit for 13 minutes.
After exactly 13 minutes, remove the eggs from the pan and place them in an ice-water bath and let them cool for five minutes.

Easy Peel Eggs

Carefully crack the eggs shells (making sure the majority of the shell is cracked). Gently begin removing the shells. The ice-water will have loosened the membrane in between the egg-white and the egg shell, allowing you to peel it off in nearly one piece. Rinse with water to remove small shells.

Easter Breakfast Recipes

cindylouh — Sat, 04 Apr 2015 12:00:02 +0000

Here are some Easter Breakfast Recipes! All quick and easy you could easily serve a crowd, or make cute themed breakfast in a flash! If you are looking for more fun Easter ideas simple print out my free dinner conversation starter questions!

Easter Breakfast Recipes

Go all out with these Bunny Pancakes! Hop Hop. Wow this Bunny Head Fruit Platter is totally amazing! What a creative way to serve fruit! These Scrambled Egg and Bacon Bunnies are easy to put together, and turn out really cute. These Easter Egg Donuts will be the hit of the breakfast table! These bunny pancakes are perfect for spring and fun for your kids! Bunny Buns a festive way to serve cinnamon rolls! The Easiest Bunny Pancake even kids can help make this one! Bunny Tail Buns are sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar and the perfect amount of sweet! Easter Rainbow Pancakes make a colorful addition! Fill these Bunny Rolls with Eggs and Ham for the best breakfast sandwich!

DIY Easter Chick Card

cindylouh — Sun, 05 Apr 2015 12:00:41 +0000

Have you ever wanted to know how to make a pop-up card? This DIY Easter Chick Card video will show you how in just a few steps. A super simple way to make your own greeting card. Make this darling DIY Easter Chick card today! In just a few minutes you have a cute card! Kids will love making this during Easter festivities. For more fun last minute Easter ideas make my birds nest cookies or try this easy tutorial and make a bunny cupcake! You can also print these fun printable coloring sheets for the kids table!

Make DIY Easter Chick Card

Just three Supplies: Paper Markers Scissors Looking for more Easter Crafts? Here are 40 Easter Crafts & Ideas to keep you busy!

Made by you Monday

cindylouh — Mon, 06 Apr 2015 12:00:25 +0000

Caramel Apple Popcorn

Guest Poster — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 12:00:57 +0000

Teacher Appreciation Week is coming up the first full week in May. I am excited to share some amazing ideas from some of the most wonderful bloggers for my Teacher Appreciation Gift Ideas series! Stay tuned for the entire month of April. It’s a great month! You will be totally prepared with ideas to thank your teachers! This Ex’STRAW’dinary Teacher Gift is a simple idea to let your teacher know they are special! Want to send a simple treat, these teacher appreciation treat boxes are perfect for almost any occasion. Hi! I am Leigh Anne from Your Homebased Mom. I am excited to be here today as part of Skip to My Lou's Teacher Appreciation Series. My baby girl is graduating from college this month and it will be the first time in 26 years we won't have anyone in school. With four kids and that many years of school, that's a lot of teachers. We were lucky that the vast majority of those teachers were really good teachers. So thankful for good teachers. Today I've got a quick and easy idea if you'd like to give your children's teachers a little thank you to show your appreciation. I used my very favorite caramel corn recipe and dressed it up a bit. This recipe is the best. The best part is, it is done in the microwave. You can find my step by step tutorial for microwave caramel corn here. To make it more "teacher friendly" I added in some powdered apple cider mix and some dried apple slices. It gives it a yummy flavor and some fun texture in with the popcorn. I am a big fan of caramel apples in any shape or form. Last year, as part of Cindy's Teacher Appreciation Series, I shared a fun way to dress up a store bought caramel apple for your teachers. Just make the caramel corn according to the directions and add in 1 1/2 Tbsp of powdered apple cider mix with all the ingredients before microwaving it. Then after you spread the caramel corn out on the baking sheet sprinkle it with the apple slices. That's it! So simple. I found these little round cellophane bags at Michaels and added a little red and green ribbon and it is all set to go. A nice handwritten note from you or your child expressing your appreciation to the teacher would be the final touch. I have to say it was a good thing I didn't have to save any of this caramel apple popcorn to give to teachers because I had a hard time not eating it all!

Caramel Apple Popcorn

Recipe Type: Dessert

Author: LeighAnne Wilkes

Prep time: 5 mins

Cook time: 10 mins

Total time: 15 mins

Serves: 16 Cups

Ingredients

16 cups popped corn (I used my air popper) or 2 bags of microwave popcorn
1 C brown sugar
¼ C light corn syrup
½ C butter
½ tsp baking soda
½-1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 Tbsp powdered apple cider mix
1 2.5 oz. bag of dried apple chips, lightly crushed

Instructions

Cook sugar, syrup, apple cider mix and butter in a glass bowl in microwave on high for one minute
Stir and repeat for a total of five minutes
Should be hot and bubble
Add baking soda, vanilla
Mix until foamy
Put popped corn into a brown grocery bag
Pour syrup into bag
Stir to coat
Fold bag over
Place in microwave and microwave for one minute and shake
Repeat
Microwave 30 seconds and shake
Repeat
Pour popcorn out to cool on a baking sheet
Sprinkle with apple chips.

3.2.2925

I hope you'll take a few minutes to come over and visit me at Your Homebased Mom where you will find hundreds of delicious family friendly recipes and alot of fun party, entertaining and fashion ideas and tips too! Check out some of my most popular posts here: 30 Minute Rolls The Best Lemon Bars 30+ Easy, Delicious Family Friendly Slow Cooker Meals Stop by Your Homebased Mom today for more crafty inspiration and to enter the Show your Appreciation giveaway today (you get a new entry each time your visit our guest blogger)! We are giving $1,500 in prizes! You won’t want to miss this!

Ex'STRAW'dinary Teacher Gift

Guest Poster — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 12:00:13 +0000

Teacher Appreciation Week is the first full week in May. Through all of April I am excited to share some amazing ideas from some of the most wonderful bloggers for my Teacher Appreciation Gift Ideas series! It’s a great month! You will be totally prepared with ideas to thank your teachers! Hi! I'm Mariah from Giggles Galore where we believe in making the ordinary Extraordinary one creative idea at a time! I'm so excited to be a part of Skip to My Lou's Teacher Appreciation series, I'm a big fan of thanking our teachers for all of their hard work and dedication. And, because I think our teachers are Extraordinary I'm sharing a quick and easy Ex'STRAW'dinary Teacher Gift your favorite teachers will love. Both my parents and sister are teachers and I frequently ask them what types of gifts are their favorite to receive. It never fails that favorite treats and drinks are among the top requested gifts for teacher appreciation, who couldn't use a little pick me up when wrangling 20+ 6 year old kiddos all day?! This simple gift is a fun way to make giving your teacher their favorite soda a little more extraordinary.

How to make a Ex'STRAW'dinary Teacher Gift

Supplies:

Striped Paper Straws
Cellophane Bag
Teachers Favorite Drink
Free Ex'STRAW'dinary Teacher Tag Printable from Giggles Galore
Full Sheet Label Paper
White Berry Basket and Basket Filler (optional)

Putting this teacher appreciation gift together is as easy as 1-2-3. First, put your striped paper straws in a clear cellophane bag and seal. Next, download and print out the Ex'STRAW'dinary Teacher Tag on full sheet label paper and cut out. Attach the label to the cellophane bag with your striped paper straws. Finally, pair your striped paper straws with your teachers favorite drink for an Ex'STRAW'dinary gift they will love. I hope you'll stop by and visit me at Giggles Galore where you'll find recipes, parties and crafts to help you turn the ordinary into Extraordinary one creative idea at a time. You'll also find lots of great teacher appreciation ideas and free printables to help you shower your extraordinary teachers with creative gifts, including these popular posts: Thanks for Helping My Grow Teachers Lead in the 'Write' Direction Berry Sweet Teacher Appreciation Gift Stop by Gigges Galore today for more crafty inspiration and to enter the Show your Appreciation giveaway today (you get a new entry each time your visit our guest blogger)! We are giving $1,500 in prizes! You won’t want to miss this!

Teacher Appreciation Treat Holders

Guest Poster — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 12:00:16 +0000

Teacher Appreciation Week is the first full week in May. I am excited to share some amazing ideas from some of the most wonderful bloggers for my Teacher Appreciation Gift Ideas series! Stay tuned for the entire month of April. It’s a great month! You will be totally prepared with ideas to thank your teachers! This Ex’STRAW’dinary Teacher Gift is a simple idea to let your teacher know they are special!

Hi everyone! I'm Kiki from Kiki and Company and am so excited to be here again to share a fun idea and printable for Teacher Appreciation day next month. I don't know about you, but I've got 5 little kiddos. When I think of pulling together a bunch of gifts for teachers, I get exhausted. I SO appreciate every single teacher my kiddos have and want to let them know. With this in mind, I tried to come up with something cute, fun and SUPER easy to pull together. These Teacher Appreciation Treat Holders will do the trick!

I had a really fun time coming up with these little treat holders. There are so many fun things you could add to these little packages, but I will give you one idea today!

How to make:

Teacher Appreciation Treat Holders

SUPPLIES:

-Free printables at end of post

-scissors

-hot glue

-Hershey's Kisses

DIRECTIONS:

-To make simply download and print out the freebies at the bottom of this post.

-Cut them out

-Glue the sides together (so you have a tube)

-Glue one end together

-Glue little circles on the bottom of Hershey's Kisses

-Use the kisses to fill the treat holders up

- Close and glue the other end shut the opposite way as the bottom. (see pic)

-You are done..give to your teacher and let them know how much you appreciate them!

I made 4 different holders for you. I'm kind of obsessed with the cookie and donut ones!

Except these pencils are about the cutest things ever as well!

You can't go wrong with any of them.

To download these freebies, click on the link below:

Teacher Appreciation Treat Holders

Thanks for having me,Cindy!

I'd love to have you over to Kiki and Company or get to know you on any of my social media...

Instagram / Facebook / Pinterest / Shop

.....

To see more free printables I offer:

Teachers are Treasures:

You are the Apple of our Eye

For printables from all of the holidays, you can check out this mega post!

Stop by Kiki Comin today for more crafty inspiration and to enter the Show your Appreciation giveaway today (you get a new entry each time your visit our guest blogger)! We are giving $1,500 in prizes! You won’t want to miss this!

10 PVC Pipe Toys for Kids

cindylouh — Fri, 10 Apr 2015 12:00:28 +0000

Have you seen the amazing toys you can create at home? PVC Pips Toys for kids are a easy way to diy some really cool things! I love making things at home. As you plant your garden this spring make these DIY stepping stones . For a gorgeous backyard space make this DIY backyard Chairs! They turn out stunning, and you will love that you made them yourself.

10 PVC Pipe Toys for Kids

DIY PVC Bow and Arrow PVC Water Shooting Toy PVC Sling Shot DIY Toddler Chairs DIY Ball Pit DIY PVC Fort Kit PVC Bike Rack DIY PVC Pipe Rocket Launcher DIY PVC Soccer Goal DIY PVC Pipe Sprinkler Many of these ideas make great party favors and party games. You might also like to see some fun birthday cakes for boys.

Printable Teacher Appreciation Gift Tags

cindylouh — Sun, 12 Apr 2015 17:08:46 +0000

Looking for clever ways to thank your favorite teachers? These printable teacher appreciation gift tags will do the trick and make gift giving super easy! Here are 20 of the cutest printable teacher appreciation gift tags! Just print, cut and attach to a small give to show your teacher how much you appreciate their hard work! From a beautiful scented candle.... a candy jar filled with sweet treats.... fun decorative scissors.... beautiful notecards... to colored pencils to let your teacher know that they are JUST write! I hope I have made it super easy for you to let your teacher know how much you appreciate the extra they do in their day to teach and love our children! You will find tags for books, markers, notecards, candles, pencils, flowers(plants), candles, candy, scissors, duct tape or stickers, oven mitt, coffee, tea, tote bag, calculator or math game, picture frame, flashlight, highlighters and Sharpie markers. Get the 20 Printable Teacher Appreciation Gift Tags as an immediate download for $4.99 or you can sign up for my monthly newsletter and receive the gift tags for free!

Teacher Appreciation Gift Card Holders

Guest Poster — Sat, 11 Apr 2015 12:00:26 +0000

Teacher Appreciation Week is the first full week in May. Get prepared with some amazing ideas from some of the most wonderful bloggers for my Teacher Appreciation Gift Ideas series! All April we will be featuring great ideas. It’s a great month! You will be totally prepared with ideas to thank your teachers! This Caramel Apple Popcorn is delicious and wraps up to the perfect gift! Want to send a simple treat, these teacher appreciation treat boxes are perfect for almost any occasion. Hi everyone! This is Amber from Crazy Little Projects stopping by to share some Teacher Appreciation Inspiration. I love teacher appreciation because I feel like they work so hard throughout the school year and deserve a little love as the year comes to a close. Today I am SO excited to share with you some fun Teacher Appreciation Gift Card Holders, because we all know that teachers are going to love getting gift cards! These are so simple for you to use! All you will need to do is print out the template, buy a gift card and attach it! I made several versions for you to choose from:

Teacher Appreciation Gift Card Holders:

Here's each gift card and the printable template for you to use. I used glue dots to attach the gift card and then added some baker's twine just to make it look cute. Print them at a 4 x 6 inch size and they will work perfectly with your gift cards. First, a basic one that will work with any gift card you might want to give your teacher. Right click and save this image and then open it on your computer to print: Next up, how about a gift card to somewhere sweet? This one will work perfectly: And here is the printable: Want to go the food route? (Cause who doesn't love a restaurant gift card?!) Try this: Here's the printable: And last, who doesn't love a fun drink? And the printable: Have fun with these! I hope your teachers love them!

Join me over at Crazy Little Projects for more fun Teacher Appreciation Ideas along with sewing, baking, and more crazy fun ideas! You can also find me on Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook.

Stop by Crazy Little Projects today for more crafty inspiration and to enter the Show your Appreciation giveaway today (you get a new entry each time your visit our guest blogger)! We are giving $1,500 in prizes! You won’t want to miss this!

Just add Berries: Spring Berry Dessert Recipes

cindylouh — Sun, 12 Apr 2015 12:00:07 +0000

Spring is in the air! I love the blooms and warmer weather and I love fresh fruit! This time of year I love baking desserts with fruit, especially berries! They are usually pretty simple to make and always taste great. Here are some berry dessert recipes that caught my eye this week from Made by you Monday! My lemon cake recipe makes the perfect spring dessert! I also love this strawberry jam recipe! Homemade jam is the best!

Berry Dessert Recipes

Strawberry Fruit Dip Berry Cheesecake Trifle Lemon Raspberry Coffee Cake No bake Strawberry Chiffon Cake Skinny Strawberry Monkey Bread Sabja Seed Berry Pudding

Made by You Monday

cindylouh — Mon, 13 Apr 2015 12:00:05 +0000

Printable Teacher Appreciation Sharpie Labels

Guest Poster — Fri, 17 Apr 2015 12:00:53 +0000

Printable Teacher Appreciation Sharpie Labels

To start, I should probably let you know that not only was I a teacher in my before-kids life, we are also absolutely smitten with my son's first grade teacher this year (she is seriously the best). Because of that little combination, we have serious plans for teacher appreciation week! We are already making a chalkboard journal, and I'd love to put together a teacher tote if time allows. And since I've never met a teacher that wasn't over the moon for Sharpies, that's where we are going to start this year. I even whipped up a cheeky label to affix to the front (you download the free printable teacher appreciation sharpie labels here). Teacher Appreciation Week, we're coming for you! A few other fun ideas that would work as Teacher Appreciation gifts from our blog kojodesigns? These DIY metallic alphabet magnets, this simple leather tote, or this grapefruit rosemary sugar scrub would all make great gifts! Happy teacher appreciating, friends! Stop by Kojo Designs today for more crafty inspiration and to enter the Show your Appreciation giveaway today (you get a new entry each time your visit our guest blogger)! We are giving $1,500 in prizes! You won’t want to miss this!

Printable Teacher Appreciation Ideas and Tags

cindylouh — Tue, 14 Apr 2015 17:25:15 +0000

Teacher appreciation is the first full week in May (check your local school). The entire month of April I have gathered the most talented bloggers each creating teacher appreciation printables with fabulous ideas for you! Each gift idea will be all ready to go. If you are looking for more clever ways to thank your favorite teachers? These printable teacher appreciation gift tags will do the trick and make gift giving super easy! Here are 20 of the cutest printable teacher appreciation gift tags! Just print, cut and attach to a small give to show your teacher how much you appreciate their hard work! From a beautiful scented candle.... a candy jar filled with sweet treats.... fun decorative scissors.... beautiful notecards... to colored pencils to let your teacher know that they are JUST write! I hope I have made it super easy for you to let your teacher know how much you appreciate the extra they do in their day to teach and love our children! You will find tags for books, markers, notecards, candles, pencils, flowers(plants), candles, candy, scissors, duct tape or stickers, oven mitt, coffee, tea, tote bag, calculator or math game, picture frame, flashlight, highlighters and Sharpie markers. Get the 20 Printable Teacher Appreciation Gift Tags as an immediate download for $4.99

Violets are Blue + Free Teacher Appreciation Printable

Guest Poster — Wed, 15 Apr 2015 12:00:37 +0000

Teacher Appreciation Week is coming up quickly (it is the first full week of May). Get prepared with these creative ideas from some of the most creative and talented bloggers for my Teacher Appreciation Gift Ideas series! All April we will be featuring great ideas. It’s a great month! You will be totally prepared with ideas to thank your teachers! Gift cards make a the perfect gift (teachers say they top their list) these free printable gift card holders make quick and easy gift giving. Hey Skip to My Lou readers! I am Brooke from allthingsthrifty.com and I am so excited to be back for another round of teacher appreciation ideas!! Teacher Appreciation is in full swing around these parts and so we wanted to put together something fun AND useful for the amazing teachers in our lives! {Not to mention easy! ;) } This was really fun to shop for and you can totally put your own spin on it!! So, without further adieu...

Violets are Blue + Free

Teacher Appreciation Printable

You guys! There were so many options when it came to blue! I had a hard time deciding what to get. Some of the things we included were: - Blue Pens - Blue post-its - Cute Blue cup with straw {this and the basket were from All-a-Dollar!} - Disinfecting Wipes - Board Markers - Chocolate - Blue Raspberry Beverage - Gum Easy peasy right?? And to make it even easier for you, here's the FREE printable to go along with your fun basket of goodies!!! Thanks so much for having me today! All Things Thrifty is a fun conglomeration of the never-ending projects cluttering up our garage. I’m a Mom of four crazy kids and my husband Dan can build anything that I can dream up! Grab a Diet Coke {and add some coconut syrup} and stay awhile. Click around and check out our past posts. I hope you visit often to stay in touch with what we’re up to! xoxo, Brooke

Watch Teacher Gift

Guest Poster — Thu, 16 Apr 2015 12:00:23 +0000

Teacher Appreciation Week is the first full week of May. Get prepared with these creative ideas from some of the most creative and talented bloggers for my Teacher Appreciation Gift Ideas series! All month long we will be featuring great ideas. I can't wait to see what they share. You will be totally prepared with ideas to thank your teachers! Give a gift with a theme this Violets are Blue with free printable makes a unique and clever gift idea! Hi Skip to My Lou readers! It's Nikkala from The Crafting Chicks here to share a teacher appreciation gift. I love to give gifts, especially practical/functional gifts. I've found the best gifts for me to give are those that 1. come together quickly 2. don't cost a fortune 3. are a little clever 4. something the teacher will use. This is all 4!

How to Make this Watch Teacher Gift

I picked this watch band and face up at Michael's, they have an assortment of band styles and colors as well as watch different watch faces to choose from. To assemble, you simply take it out of the packaging and snap the face into place. It seriously takes no time at all! Click the button below to download the tag on our site. Thank you for letting me share today! Here are a few other teacher appreciation gift ideas:

Simply The Best

"Tote"-ally Amazing Tags

With You in Charge (there's a beginning and end of year option)

Stop by The Crafting Chicks today for more crafty inspiration and to enter the Show your Appreciation giveaway today (you get a new entry each time your visit our guest blogger)! We are giving $1,500 in prizes! You won’t want to miss this!

Bee's Knees Teacher Gift

Guest Poster — Sat, 18 Apr 2015 12:00:53 +0000

Teacher Appreciation Week is coming up the first week in May. Get creative with these ideas from some of the most talented bloggers for my Teacher Appreciation Gift Ideas series! All April we will be featuring great ideas. I can’t wait to see what they share. You will be totally prepared with ideas to thank your teachers! Teacher's love Sharpie's this gift is a cute way to restock their supply! Hi there Skip to My Lou Friends!! I'm Kristyn from Lil' Luna, and I'm so happy to be here today! I love Cindy, and I love teachers and was excited to share with you a cute and simple gift idea for this FUN series. Today's Teacher Appreciation Gift was inspired by some of my favorite products - Burt's Bees! I have always loved their fun lotions and creams and thought I would make a cute gift with them. From start to finish, the whole thing took less than 10 minutes of work and I think it turned out so cute! I love coming up with PUNS for these gifts and thought a "You're the Bee's Knees" gift fit well. ;) If you'd like to make one of these cute gifts for your teacher, here is what you'll need:

SUPPLIES:

- Quart Jar - Spray Paint if you want to paint the lid - Paper Grass/Filler - Burt's Bees Products (I ordered mine from Amazon but you can get them at the store too) - Twine/Ribbon - Printable Tags

DIRECTIONS:

1. Begin by spray painting your lid. I used a gold spray paint and applied 1 layer. Let dry. I also added a thin layer of Spray Polyurethane to help seal it, but that's totally up to you. ;)

2. Add paper grass or any other type of filler to your jar. Fill with Burt's Bees Products. I ordered a little kit from Amazon, but they are also at Target (saw the same one for $7.99).

3. Download your Printable tags by going HERE. Print and cut out. Hole punch at the top and attach with ribbon or twine.

And that's it! Easy peasy!!

What teacher wouldn't love this gift?! It's cute and easy! For more great teacher ideas head on over to Lil' Luna. And be sure to come on over for loads of inspiration for crafts, recipes, decor ideas and more. Thanks for having me here today, Cindy. :) XO - Kristyn Stop by Lil' Luna today for more crafty inspiration and to enter the Show your Appreciation giveaway today (you get a new entry each time your visit our guest blogger)! We are giving $1,500 in prizes! You won’t want to miss this!

DIY Tote Bags Ideas

cindylouh — Sun, 19 Apr 2015 12:00:55 +0000

I love making bags! You can use them for everything and you can never have enough (maybe that is just me). Here are some cute patterns of DIY tote bags I came across this week on Made by You Monday! Whip them up for a easy sewing project and even a useful gift! I love easy sewing projects! For more ideas, try my pleated pouch tutorial. For Teacher Appreciation consider this clever Tote-ally Awesome Teacher Gift, the tag would work with any of these projects!

DIY Tote Bags

This darling Owl Totebag makes a cute gift! This Crochet Fat Bottom Bag is amazing! This Bucket Bag is both functional and cute! This DIY Nautical Beach Tote would be a fun project to make with kids! I've shared a few tote bags you don't want to miss... DIY denim cross body bag Reversible Tote Bag Drawstring Backpack

Made by you Monday

cindylouh — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 12:00:13 +0000

Thank You For Being So Sweet Teacher Appreciation Printable

Guest Poster — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 12:00:06 +0000

Hello Skip to My Lou readers! I'm Megan from Coffee Cups and Crayons and I'm so excited to be here today with a sweet thank you printable for Teacher Appreciation Week!

We love doing acts of kindness for our teachers throughout the year and can't wait for Teacher Appreciation Week in May to spoil them even more.

My kids adore bringing cookies and other treats for their teachers. It's such a simple way to show your teacher, school secretary, or anyone just how much you care!

This sweet treat teacher gift is super simple to make. We used a container of store bought chocolate chip cookies and the Thanks for being so sweet! free printable tag and had it together in less than a minute.

Just print and cut out the teacher appreciation printable tag and attach it to a container of cookies with washi tape--that's it!

DOWNLOAD HERE--> Thanks for being so sweet! printable tag

You can make a batch of homemade chocolate chip cookies too to make the treat even sweeter.

Anything you can do to show your teachers or support personnel how much they are appreciated is perfect!

If you are looking for another simple Teacher Appreciation gift idea you may also like our Summer Relaxation Buckets!

But that's not all! Stop by Coffee Cups and Crayons to enter an awesome teacher appreciation giveaway. Cindy is giving away 2 $500 gift cards, 2 Silhouette Cameos, and 2 activity books--one for you and one for a teacher!

Megan is the creator of Coffee Cups and Crayons, a blog that shares fun and useful ideas for modern parents. She loves doing fun kids activities (like cool science experiments) and kids crafts and acts of kindness with her kids.

Orange You Glad Gift Basket Teacher Gift

somewhat simple — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 12:00:02 +0000

Hi guys! I am Stephanie from Somewhat Simple and I am excited to share with you a fun (but EASY!) Teacher Appreciation Gift Basket--- with a free printable gift tag!

I came up with idea while listening to my 8 year old tell that orange/banana knock-knock joke- you know the one, right? (Please don't make me repeat it- we will be here all day!)

I hit the dollar store and Walmart in search of anything orange I think my kid's teachers would enjoy, and here are several variations I came up with:

Make Your

Orange You Glad Gift Basket Teacher Gift

Orange tumbler filled with orange candies & an Amazon gift card
Magazine with orange candle and nail polish
Orange bowl filled with orange treats
Orange beach towel and sunscreen

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FREE GIFT TAG

What do you think???

I'd love to have you stop by Somewhat Simple and see what else we have going on!

Here are a few more Teacher Appreciation Ideas you might enjoy:

Bag of Summer Goodies // I must ad-MITT // It's o-FISH-al

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Stop by Somewhat Simple today for more crafty inspiration and to enter the Show your Appreciation giveaway today (you get a new entry each time your visit our guest blogger)! We are giving $1,500 in prizes! You won’t want to miss this!

Free Printable Teacher Appreciation Notes by Chickabug

Guest Poster — Sun, 26 Apr 2015 12:00:46 +0000

Teacher Appreciation Week is coming up the first week in May. Get creative with these ideas from some of the most talented bloggers during my Teacher Appreciation Gift Ideas series! All April we will be featuring great ideas. I can’t wait to see what they share. You will be totally prepared with ideas to thank your teachers! Fresh Flowers are always appreciated, this Rose Bud Teacher Gift is the perfect way to give this gift. Get the kids involved and have them make this edible fruit bouquet! Hi guys! I’m Heather from Chickabug, and I’m thrilled to be participating in Skip to My Lou's Teacher Appreciation series again this year! Here’s a little about me: I design and sell personalized paper goods and DIY party printables in the Chickabug shop, and I also blog about all things party (and share a lot of free printables on my blog, too). As much as I enjoy funny gifts, I think the only thing that's even better than a good laugh is a handwritten note from the heart. Letting a teacher know how special they are – and why – would be a present to be cherished long after food gifts have been eaten and the tchotchkes have been put aside. So, this year I've designed some notecards that will be special keepsakes for your children's teachers. These "Thanks To You, I Learned..." notes have a chalkboard background, faux washi tape, and a generous space for writing a note (or drawing a picture!). The washi tape looks pretty darn real, don't you think? Super cute. Making a "Thanks To You" card only takes minutes, and it's sure to be a gift that your kids' teachers will love. Click here to download the free printable Teacher Appreciation Notes! PS. Don’t forget to visit me at Chickabug Blog, where I have loads of other free printables for you to download and enjoy! Please be in touch so you can always hear about my latest free printables! • Facebook • Instagram • Pinterest • Twitter

Heather Dalton is the owner of Chickabug, an online boutique specializing in high-quality invitations, stickers, water labels, and DIY printables for parties. When I’m not designing something new for the shop, blogging, or indulging my obsession with Instagram, I love doing yoga, baking anything that involves chocolate, and spending every minute with my incredibly loyal rescue dog, Charlotte.

Stop by Chickabug today for more crafty inspiration and to enter the Show your Appreciation giveaway today (you get a new entry each time your visit our guest blogger)! We are giving $1,500 in prizes! You won’t want to miss this!

Rose Bud Teacher Appreciation Printable

Guest Poster — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 12:00:47 +0000

Rose Bud Teacher Appreciation Printable

My daughter was so excited to give it to her teacher and I had to stop her from carrying it around so the rose wouldn't be destroyed. If you don't have access to a fresh rose, any stemmed flower will do! Carnation, daisy, or even tulip, though you'll need to punch the hole bigger to accommodate the stem. Don't have access to a fresh flower? No problem! I looove these paper flowers and they never wilt! Download JPG by right clicking and save-as. It will print as a 3x4 image. If you'd like a PDF version, stop by my blog and subscribe to my blog by email and access this and lots more other free printables.

If you liked this printable, you'll love

Birthday Celebration Invitation

Thanks for Helping me Sparkle Teacher Appreciation

Thanks for having me Cindy! Stop by Carissa Miss today for more crafty inspiration and to enter the Show your Appreciation giveaway today (you get a new entry each time your visit our guest blogger)! We are giving $1,500 in prizes! You won’t want to miss this! If you are looking a quick and simple ways to thank your teacher you might enjoy the cutest printable teacher appreciation gift tags (many work for non-teachers too!) Just print, cut and attach to a small give to show your teacher how much you appreciate their hard work! See more of the printable tags here.

Puntastic Teacher Gifts Ideas

cindylouh — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 22:03:07 +0000

I love celebrating teachers! These puntastic teacher gifts ideas are a simple way to say thank you! Just pair the clever saying with a little gift and you are done! You might also like these clever sayings for teacher gifts or my huge list of the best teacher ideas! We have been pinning so fun ideas around the web too so be sure to follow our Teacher Appreciation Pin Board. So fun! Let’s celebrate teachers! In fact many of these clever gift ideas would be perfect for friends too. You can find notepads, containers, candles and so many goodies at a craft store, specialty gift shop and many major retailers.

Puntastic Gift Ideas

Just download the tag. Print on white cardstock. Cut out the tag and attach to the gift. Take Note Printable Gift Tag You Are Just Right Printable Gift Tag Thanks For Being Sweet Printable Gift Tag You Are A Cut Above Printable Gift Tag You Are 'Scent'sational Printable Gift Tag Want more? I have 15 more printable tags. Regularly $4.99 you can have 15 more for $2.99. Yay! Gift giving has never been so easy!

Make an Edible Chocolate Strawberry Bouquet ~ The Perfect Teacher Appreciation Gift

Guest Poster — Thu, 23 Apr 2015 12:00:23 +0000

To Make Your Own Edible Strawberry Bouquet You Will Need:

fresh strawberries
wooden skewers
your favorite chocolate (about 200 grams was enough for our bouquet)
gift wrapping paper

How To Make Your Own Edible Strawberry Bouquet:

1. Wash and dry strawberries. 2.Melt chocolate in the bowl over hot water. 3. Carefully put strawberries on skewers. 4. Dip strawberries in warm melted chocolate sauce while turning to let the access chocolate drip. Kids would love to do this, it's a great way to involve them into making this teacher gift. 5. Place the skewers (with chocolate dipped strawberries on top) in a cup and leave it in the fridge for 15-20 min. 6. We left some strawberries without chocolate so our bouquet would be more colorful. 7. Meanwhile prepare bouquet wrapping paper, by folding paper like harmonica. We made 4 of these using regular size papers. 8. After the chocolate hardens on the strawberries, take them out of the fridge and secure the bunch by tying it with the ribbon. 9. Wrap the bouquet with folded paper pieces and secure with the ribbon again. I absolutely adore this edible bouquet. Now the only thing is to keep away from the kids until you give it to the teacher! Stop by Kids Activities Blog today for more crafty inspiration and to enter the Show your Appreciation giveaway today (you get a new entry each time your visit our guest blogger)! We are giving $1,500 in prizes! You won’t want to miss this!

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cindylouh — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 16:51:07 +0000

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Made by you Monday

cindylouh — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 12:00:19 +0000

If you are looking a quick and simple ways to thank your teacher you might enjoy the cutest printable teacher appreciation gift tags (many work for non-teachers too!) Just print, cut and attach to a small give to show your teacher how much you appreciate their hard work! See more of the printable tags here. It's Monday show us what you've got. It is time to link up your crafty goodness! Please don't forget to link back! --- a text link at the bottom of your post, or link somewhere on your blog is okay! [blog_button button_size=large] Don't miss a thing! Sign up to get crafty ideas, recipes, sewing tutorials and more delivered right to your inbox. Follow Skip to My Lou on FB and Google+ to find out the latest news! Join me at Pinterest and Instagram for an extra dose of fun!

Pencil Sharpener Charm Bracelet DIY

Guest Poster — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 12:00:07 +0000

How to Make a Pencil Sharpener Charm Bracelet

Ready to get started? Here's your Materials List:

15" of beads - mix or match your colors or sizes
3 Jump rings - these should be just a little smaller than your largest beads
3 charms - you can mix up these too!
Stretch Cording
Fabric Scrap
Jewelry Glue (optional)
Scissors

Usually charms come with a little ring at the top. Add each of these rings to a large jump ring. Lay out your beads and decide what order you'd like them in for each bracelet. Try to keep your larger beads in the center of your bracelet and the smaller beads out towards the sides. Cut a 10" length of stretch cording. Feed your largest bead onto the cording and the jump ring for your largest charm. Add another large bead to the cording. Add a smaller charm on each side of the beads, and a bead on each side of those smaller charms. Continue adding beads to the bracelet until it is just over 7" long. (Adjust if you need to make your bracelet larger or smaller). Bring the ends of the cording together and tie a knot in it. Pull the cording up so that the beads all touch, but the cording isn't stretched. You can add a little dot of jewelry glue to secure the knot if you want. Repeat for a second bracelet, using similar color beads. Line up the knots in the bracelets and tie a small scrap of fabric around the back of the bracelet. Knot the fabric and cut the ends in a cute triangle. Now you have a cute bracelet set that makes a perfect gift! I'd love to see a photo if you make one up!

I'd love for you to come visit me at Flamingo Toes - here are some of my favorite projects! And they are great Teacher gift ideas too! No Sew US Map Hoop Art Hello Embroidered Necklace Kate Spade Knockoff Tote Thanks so much for having me Cindy! Stop by Flamingo Toes today for more crafty inspiration and to enter the Show your Appreciation giveaway today (you get a new entry each time your visit our guest blogger)! We are giving $1,500 in prizes! You won’t want to miss this!

Teacher Appreciation Card and Gift Tag Set

100 directions — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 12:00:58 +0000

Teacher Appreciation Week is coming up next week (the first week of May). Get creative with these ideas from some of the most talented bloggers during my Teacher Appreciation Gift Ideas series! All April we will be featuring great ideas. I can’t wait to see what they share. You will be totally prepared with ideas to thank your teachers! This Pencil Sharpener Charm Bracelet is the perfect way to give a handmade gift. Give a gift card with these colorful teacher appreciation gift card holder. Hi! I’m Jen from 100 Directions. I’m excited to share with you another Teacher Appreciation gift idea! I always struggle with gift ideas. At our school, the classes collect money at the beginning of the year and then use that throughout the year to buy various class gifts for the teachers. We also have little questionnaires all the teachers fill out to things like their favorite snacks, colors, activities, etc. But even then, it's hard for me to decide. So in our house, we really focus on encouraging the kids to share a little note, draw a picture or make treats. So today I have a free printable card kit and gift tag you can use to accompany any gift you choose. The kids can help assemble the card and tag and even share a note if they'd like [caption id="attachment_47853" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Teacher Appreciation Card kit designed by Jen Goode[/caption] Make a Teacher Appreciation Card This Printable card kit comes with all the pieces you need to create your own gift card holder as well as a layered gift tag. You can pair this handmade card with your favorite gift ideas. Package up some home made treats and tie the gift tag on, or find that perfect bunch of daisies and add in a the card. Just the little touch of a handmade card to say thank you can mean the world to our teachers! Materials you'll need to make this card:

Free Printable Teacher Appreciation Thank You Card kit by Jen Goode
Printer
Scissors
Adhesive
Twine (for the gift tag)

To make your own card:

Print and cut out all the pieces to create your own card. You can use scissors to make rounded corners or use a rounded corner punch.
To create a gift card pocket inside your card, cut out the inside message and apply glue to three sides, left, right and bottom. Adhere in place at the top inside of the card. Allow to dry.
Choose the greeting message you'd like to use, cut it out and adhere however you like.

That's it! [caption id="attachment_47854" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Make a gift card holder inside your card[/caption] The front of the card features a little painted red apple with a heart in the middle. There's a handwritten script message that says "thank you for all you do". This card was originally hand painted by me using watercolor paints and then converted to digital art so I could share it with you. [caption id="attachment_47855" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Printable Teacher Appreciation Card designed by Jen Goode[/caption] To make the gift tag:

Cut out the two circle gift tag pieces from the printable kit. You can use a circle punch or just cut them out by hand.
Layer the apple design circle on top of the plaid and adhere in place.
Punch at a hole near the top of the tag, tie a piece of twine through it.
Attach to your gift however you like.

Tadah! [caption id="attachment_47856" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Teacher Appreciation Gift Tag[/caption] The kit also comes with a basic envelope you can use or grab a standard greeting card envelope. You can also use the gift card as an embellishment for your envelope! [caption id="attachment_47857" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Teacher Appreciation Card kit by Jen Goode[/caption] That's all there is to it. You can make your own custom card, have the kids help, and even include a gift card if you'd like. You can add your own additional paper layers for more customizing. Personalize with a note... and maybe a little glitter! Grab your own copy of this free teacher appreciation card printable! More Teacher Appreciation gift ideas and printables I've created.

More about Me. I'm Jen Goode (yes, it's pronounced goodie). I’m an Illustrator and owner at JGoode Designs, a Denver based art studio. I LOVE all things creative. I spend my days creating all kinds of art and craft projects but especially love to doodle art on to anything I can get my hands on - paper, fabric, recycled stuffs... you name it! I also enjoy creating project concepts and art with a variety of brands including Cricut, HP and World Market.I hope this project has inspired you to get creative! Find more of creative ideas at 100 Directions. Find me on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest. Happy Creating! Stop by 100 Directions for more crafty inspiration and to enter the Teacher Appreciation giveaway today (you get a new entry each time you visit our guest blogger)! We are giving $1,000 from Michaels! You won’t want to miss this!

Free Printable Teacher Appreciation Gift Card Holder

Guest Poster — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 12:00:58 +0000

Free Printable Teacher Appreciation Gift Card Holder

Even though my son is now in high school, I still like to send a small gift of thanks. Sadly, those poor high school teachers don't get much in the way of thanks and I know it makes their day when something special is delivered. This free printable can be used as a gift tag, post card, or fold it for a gift card holder. It also comes in a variety of colors. What you'll need:

Inkjet Printer
White 8.5 x 11 cardstock
Paper trimmer or scissors
Washi Tape or Stapler

Download and print out the desired color.
Trim each card
Fold in half and secure with washi tape or staples. If you're not slipping it into another card, be sure to secure the sides so the card doesn't fall out.
Using for a tag? Use a hole punch to punch a hole in the corner and tie with bakers twine or ribbon.

Teachers at this level are much easier to buy for. Baked goods (like my cake mix chocolate chip cookies) or gift cards usually do the trick. Actually that pretty much works for all teachers, but I did get more creative with the gift giving when my son was little. This Gift Card Holder is easy for my son to deliver without unwanted attention from his peers.....yes, they worry about that kind of stuff. But believe me, they don't want you delivering it! I will often just drop it off at the office to save us both. My printable contributor on Today's Creative Blog first made these for me last year and I just loved them! Click Here are more Printable Gift Card styles. Another great way is add it to your gift as a gift tag or post card. I love these cardboard pillow boxes for quick gift wrapping. Just place your gift inside, wrap with cute ribbon and attach the printable tag. No stress gift giving is my specialty! Download all or just the color you love! For more Creative Inspiration, Recipes, and DIY come see me at Today's Creative Blog. Stop by Today's Creative Blog today for more crafty inspiration and to enter the Show your Appreciation giveaway today (you get a new entry each time your visit our guest blogger)! We are giving $1,500 in prizes! You won’t want to miss this!

Teacher Appreciation Candy Bar Covers

cindylouh — Sat, 02 May 2015 05:00:12 +0000

These Teacher Appreciation Candy Bar Covers are the perfect way to tell your teacher that they are the best teacher bar none! It is a super easy way to celebrate Teacher Appreciation Day! If you are looking for more ideas to celebrate teachers here are 50 cute sayings for teacher appreciation! Get your Teacher Appreciation Candy Bar Covers here: Candy Bar Wrapper Teacher Appreciation 1 Candy Bar Wrapper Teacher Appreciation 2 Simply download the cute candy bar wrapper (above), print on regular copy paper in color and cover your favorite candy bar. The cover comes in two sizes perfect for a regular Hershey bar and a larger King size Hershey Bar or Symphony candy bar.

Thanks so much for reading Skip to my Lou!

You might also like these Teacher Gift Ideas! You will find hundreds of ideas to celebrate your teacher.

15 of the Best Teacher Gift Ideas

cindylouh — Fri, 01 May 2015 12:00:22 +0000

Teacher Appreciation kicks off next week around here! It is usually the first full week of May! These teacher appreciation ideas will make your gift giving easy and thoughtful! Tell your teacher they are the best teacher bar none with this easy printable candy bar wrapper!

Teacher Gift Ideas

Free printable Starbuck's coffee sleeve :

Free printable teacher thank you note cards :

Divided box full of teacher's favorite things :

Free printable "pop quiz" gift tag to attach to a favorite soda:

Colored pencil vase:

School supply cake:

Free printable "funtastic" gift tag to attach to any gift:

Free printable Target gift card holder:

Free printable Amazon gift card holder:

How to make candy pencils with mentos or rolos and chocolate kisses:

How to make candy coated apple pretzels:

Free printable to pair with a flower: "Thanks for helping X Bloom":

How to dress up a mason jar to look like an apple. Fill with a treat:

Free printable Apple gift card holder:

Free printable gift tag to pair with nail polish and file:

Teacher Appreciation Gift Idea - Summer Tote & Free Printable!

Guest Poster — Sun, 03 May 2015 12:00:16 +0000

Teacher Appreciation Week is coming up this week (the first week of May). Get creative with these ideas from some of the most talented bloggers during my Teacher Appreciation Gift Ideas series! All April we will be featuring great ideas. I can’t wait to see what they share. You will be totally prepared with ideas to thank your teachers! This Pencil Sharpener Charm Bracelet is the perfect way to give a handmade gift. Give a gift card with these colorful teacher appreciation gift card holder. Hi! I'm Jen Hadfield from Tatertots & Jello, and I'm sharing a fun teacher appreciation gift idea today! With four kids, I've seen firsthand the power of a great teacher — and I don't think we can thank our teachers enough for all they do. I love to find ways to support them! As the year ends, it's a great chance to share thanks one more time with our children's teachers. So here's a fun summer tote idea, complete with free printable! This is so easy and fun to do. I don't want to give my kids' teachers more food (although I'm happy to bring cookies and other snacks to the teachers lounge during parent teacher conferences!) — but I do want them to feel appreciated. So here's all you need to put this together: I popped down to my local variety store and picked up a cute black and white tote, along with a beach towel, insulated tumbler, flip flops, a couple of snacks and a gift card (you don't need to include the gift card). Include whatever you think your child's teacher might enjoy during the summer — even a novel or a magazine! Then just print out the free printable tags below, choose the color you like best, and have your child sign his or her name on the back! Here are the printables! Just right-click this link or the image below and choose "save link as" to download the printable PDF!

This a great way to make sure your teachers know you "totes" appreciate them!

* * * * *

Check out some other fun teacher appreciation gift ideas:

Come and visit for some DIY and decor inspiration!

Tatertots & Jello

Tatertots & Jello on Pinterest

Tatertots & Jello on Instagram

Tatertots & Jello on Facebook

xoxo

Stop by Tatertots and Jello for more crafty inspiration and to enter the Teacher Appreciation giveaway today (you get a new entry each time you visit our guest blogger)! We are giving $1,000 from Michaels! You won’t want to miss this!

Made by you Monday

cindylouh — Mon, 04 May 2015 12:00:33 +0000

Extra Special Teacher Gift

cindylouh — Tue, 05 May 2015 12:21:31 +0000

This extra special teacher gift is a super last minute way to brighten your teacher's day. If you are looking for more ways to thank a teacher don't miss these teacher appreciation ideas. Here are 100 great ways to thank a teacher and 50 cute sayings for Teacher Appreciation. Download and print the cards in color on white card stock. Cut out the cards. Tape or glue a package of gum to the card. You can dress of the gum with a bow before attaching to the card if you like. Finished. This little token should make your teacher feel special. Extra Special Teacher Gift Printable If you are looking for more quick and simple ways to thank your teacher you might enjoy the cutest printable teacher appreciation gift tags (many work for non-teachers too!) Just print, cut and attach to a small give to show your teacher how much you appreciate their hard work! See more of the printable tags here.

Free Printable Bag Toppers for Teacher Appreciation

Guest Poster — Wed, 06 May 2015 12:00:25 +0000

Teacher Appreciation Week is coming up this week (the first week of May). Get creative with these ideas from some of the most talented bloggers during my Teacher Appreciation Gift Ideas series! All April we will be featuring great ideas. I can’t wait to see what they share. You will be totally prepared with ideas to thank your teachers! Make your teacher a perfect gift for summer with this Have a Totes Awesome Summer Printable Tag! Need a last minute gift? Give a gift card with these colorful teacher appreciation gift card holder. Maureen Anders of Anders Ruff here to share a FREE Printable Bag topper that is perfect for Teacher Appreciation Week! Adria (Ruff) loves this teacher quote that says “The influence of a good teacher can never be erased” and thought it would be perfect to incorporate either pencils or erasers. Instead, she went for a more colorful approach and went with dry erase markers! This is quote hits home for me because I have countless memories and inspiration from my youngest years as a student. All teachers need Dry Erase Markers and of course there is no way to make them cuter than to add a by gluing on poms… it makes the markers festive, yet practical when used. Wrap them up in a clear cello bag, add the Free Printable Bag Topper (which you can download from Anders Ruff) and you have the perfect Teacher Appreciation Gift!

How to make Free Printable Bag Toppers for Teacher Appreciation

Supplies needed: - Download and print the Free Printable Bag Topper from Anders Ruff - Dry Erase Neon Markers - Coordinating poms - Hot Glue - Tape/Scissors - Clear Cello Bags (We use Nashville Wraps) Instructions: 1) Print the bag toppers and trim along the outside edges. Fold in half. 2) Fill the cello bag with dry erase markers (You can hot glue the poms to the lids!) 3) Fold the bag topper over the cellophane bag and staple shut or tape shut. These printable bag toppers could also be used to top of bags of pencil erasers, chalk markers, or even just chalk! I love the way they are packaged and coordinated with the bright colors. Be sure to come check out our other Teacher Appreciation Ideas at Anders Ruff and also our free printables! MAUREEN ANDERS is the co-founder and creative director of Anders Ruff Custom Designs, the ”go to” shop for unique and stylish printable invitations, decor and party accessories. Anders Ruff equips the modern hostess with the beautiful details needed to make their events memorable. They also offer inspiration for the entire party planning process via their daily blog. Anders Ruff loves pulling together themed party ideas on their Pinterest boards. Be sure to keep up with their latest projects and sales at their facebook and twitter page. Shop all of their holiday and party themes here.

One Pot Pizza Pasta

cindylouh — Tue, 12 May 2015 12:00:13 +0000

This one pot pizza pasta is a delicious easy dinner. It was a super hit with my kids. I love one pot meals because they are quick to prepare, easy to clean up and don't have a lot of ingredients. They are the perfect meal when you are on the go! Have dinner on the table in less than 30 minutes! For more easy dinner ideas try my easy skillet lasagna or skillet chili mac.

One Pot Pizza Pasta

16 ounces uncooked rotini 1 pound sausage or lean ground beef (I use sausage) 1 onion, chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 cup sliced pepperoni sausage ( 6 ounce bag) 2 - 15 ounce canned pizza sauce (I used Chef Boyardee Pizza Sauce With Cheese) 2 1/4 cups water 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (or more) In a medium skillet over medium-high heat, brown the sausage with the onion, garlic. Stir in the uncooked noodles, pepperoni, pizza sauce and water. Cover and cook stirring frequently for 10-15 mins until pasta is ready. Done and delicious!

One Pot Fettuccine Alfredo

cindylouh — Wed, 13 May 2015 12:00:29 +0000

This One Pot Fettuccine Alfredo will be one of the easiest and tastiest meals you can make this week! With very little time you can serve a hot meal that everyone will love! I admit to not always having a lot of time to plan and prepare our meals, these one pot meals are a practical way to make sure we have dinner on the table. Don't miss my one pot pizza pasta I shared yesterday.

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons olive oil

4 cloves garlic, finely minced

1 lb raw chicken tenders cut into pieces

1 lb uncooked Fettuchini noodles

2 - 14 ounce cans chicken broth

2 cups half and half

1/4 cup butter

8 ounces grated real parmesan cheese (2 cups)

salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

In a large skillet or pot, cook the chicken and garlic in 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add in chicken broth, half and half, butter and uncooked noodles. Simmer for 10-15 mins until noodles are cooked. Stir in 2 cups of grated parmesan cheese. Serve and enjoy!

Graduation Party Ideas

cindylouh — Sat, 09 May 2015 14:04:06 +0000

I honestly can't believe I am writing a graduation party ideas post. Where did the time go? While I am proud beyond measure of this amazing kid and thrilled with his accomplishments and excited to see what the future holds........I am so very sad. I would certainly ask for just a few more years to spend with him. I can't imagine not seeing that smile everyday! All these mixed feelings can add a bit of anxiety to this whole process! As with weddings, baby showers and most special occasions the party planning has gotten quite elaborate! I can't tell you how relieved I have been having a secret weapon in my back pocket. This post is sponsored by Pear Tree greetings and I used Pear Tree Greetings to help me create the perfect party details! It has made the planning go perfectly smooth! His announcements are beautiful. I love the mix of old and new photos all printed on heavyweight card-stock.

Easy Graduation Party Ideas

How fun to have custom cupcake toppers. All printed on sticker paper and ready to go. Just peel off the back and wrap around a stick. Such an fun and festive display! Thinking up and creating decorations can be time consuming, so how fantastic to have printed a photo bunting! The one thing that just thinking about stressed me out was the senior collage. These can become quite involved and I worried I could never pull it off. Thankfully, I only needed to reminisce over pictures and upload them to their site! They did the rest! It turned out wonderfully! All his special pictures printed on a tear resistant banner! Our party came together so easily and beautifully! If you want to give them a try, Pear Tree Greetings will give us each a $20.00 credit and also Caring Bridge. That is a win+win+win! Just click here.

Thank you Pear Tree for making this occasion extra special! This is a sponsored post, but I only share products I use in my everyday life. This for sure is one of those! I couldn't have done it without them! I would love to help one of my readers out! See my giveaway below!

Exclusive Skip to my Lou Reader Giveaway

One lucky reader will get $100 Credit to Pear Tree Greeting, Plus free shipping. Just enter on the rafflecopter below! a Rafflecopter giveaway

One Pot Macaroni and Cheese

cindylouh — Thu, 14 May 2015 12:00:29 +0000

This time of year is very busy and we have been making one pot meals almost every night. This one pot macaroni and cheese is easy enough I can have my son make it for the family! It will be a good meal he can share, as he heads off to college next year. For the other one pot meals I have shared this week try my one pot pizza pasta or my one pot alfredo. These are all easy recipes your family will love!

One Pot Macaroni and Cheese

16 ounces uncooked macaroni 1 - 14 ounce can chicken broth 1 can of evaporated milk 1 1/2 cups water 1/4 cup butter 1/2 tsp salt 3 cups grated cheddar cheese (I use sharp cheddar) In large pot, heat evaporated milk, chicken broth, water, butter, uncooked macaroni and salt to boiling over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-high; cook 6 minutes, stirring frequently. Reduce heat; simmer uncovered about 5 - 8 minutes until macaroni is soft, stirring frequently; do not drain. Remove from heat; stir in cheese.

Graduation Cap Gift Card Holder

cindylouh — Thu, 07 May 2015 12:06:27 +0000

This DIY graduation cap gift card holder is a clever way to give that ever popular gift card. Just a few easy steps and you can make a memorable graduation gift!

Graduation Cap Gift Card Holder Supplies

ASTROBRIGHTS® cardstock in your choice of color graduation cap gift card holder template metal brad embroidery floss x-acto knife scissors glue spots (optional) Use the printable graduation cap gift card holder template as a guide to cut out the cardstock. Fold the top edge over. Open the card up and make two slits that will hold the gift card. Lay your gift card down first and mark where the slits will go. Make sure you make the cuts on a cutting board or mat. Place the gift card inside. Now you are ready for the tassel.

How to make a tassel

Place a brad in the center of the hat. Slip the tassel under the brad then securely fasten. Place a glue dot in the right corner to keep the card closed. One festive graduation gift card holder in minutes! How about making a graduation cap in your grad's school color! ASTROBRIGHTS® Papers is a line of vibrant color paper. Look at all the beautiful colors.

You can find more inspiration and ideas to COLORIZE your life at COLORIZE.tumblr.com

This is a sponsored post. I only share products I use in my everyday life....and this paper is just one of those products. All opinions and ideas are my own.

Mother's Day Coloring Pages

cindylouh — Fri, 08 May 2015 11:40:44 +0000

You are going to love these darling Mother's Day coloring pages! They make the perfect present for Mom. She will love finding out how old she is and what she keeps in her purse (hehe). I was surprised my daughter knew my age. I loved that she says I always say, "I love you no 'mader' what!" If you are looking for more ways to celebrate mom you might like this free printable coupon book for mom. If you mom likes scarves this beautiful handmade scarf if made from vintage hankies. This handprint flower magnet couldn't be any cuter for a little one to make. For a mom that sews this DIY Magnetic Pin Holder is a beautiful and useful gift! The best part is that any of these gifts can be made in not time at all! Here are two fun styles of these all about mom coloring sheets. Just download, print, color and give to a special mom. Free Printable My Mother Coloring Page Free Printable Best Mom Ever Coloring Page

Made by you Monday

cindylouh — Mon, 11 May 2015 12:00:02 +0000

Mother's Day Printables

cindylouh — Sun, 10 May 2015 12:00:45 +0000

Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms out there! I hope you know how loved and appreciated you are today! Here are few last minute Mother's Day Printables, if you are looking for something fun to do today! This mother's day coupon book is simple to print and fun to give! This Mother's Day Printable coloring sheet is fun to print and use. You will love seeing your kids answers! I adore this Kids Made Free printable Mother's Day Book. Print it out and let your kids make on this afternoon! World Best Mom Printable. This is fun way to get creative for Mom! Hershey Bar Printable Candy Bar Wrappers! It doesn't get any cuter than these, and every Mom loves chocolate!

Easy Girls Hair Style Pony Tail Climbers

cindylouh — Sat, 16 May 2015 12:00:23 +0000

I am always looking for easy girls hair styles. My name is Laura and I have three girls, enough said. Summer presents a bigger challenge for keeping hair up and out of the face and in place. This easy hair style, pony tail climbers is perfect for swimming. It stays in place and keeps hair out of the face. For more fun hair styles try check out this post on top ten hair braids . This hair style is so simple you almost don't need a tutorial. But here goes. Start with clean, damp hair. Separate and part into a pony tail. I like to do pony tails for this style. Simply put in in rubber bands two inches apart all the way down. I like to use goody rubber bands because they stay in place and don't slide around. This style is very forgiving, slide the rubber bands around to make even on both sides. To prevent chlorine damage (we have blonde hair) you can even coat the hair in conditioner before a swim.

Easy Graduation Gift Ideas

cindylouh — Fri, 15 May 2015 12:00:39 +0000

My son is graduating this year! I can't believe it. When he was little someone once told me, " the days are long but the years are short" how true that has turned out to be! Here is a free printable laundry cheat sheet I made my son to take off to college! We are having a graduation party this weekend. I love to give thoughtful gifts for all occasions, I think a homemade gift, is the best gift. Here are a few easy graduation gift ideas that caught my eye.

Easy Graduation Gift Ideas

Graduation Cap Gift Card Holder Fill this Graduation Cap Mason Jar with money, college supplies or even candy! This water bottle filled with quarters is the perfect way to send the graduate with laundry money! This Awesome Acomplishment Gift Idea is easy to very clever. The dessert table will mean a little more with these Money Cupcake Toppers. Here a quick last minute gift, this creative gift wrap features candy and money! What graduate won't appreciate that? For more graduation ideas don't miss these ideas... Graduation Hat Cookies Graduation Party Ideas Five Ways to Celebrate your Graduate

Made by you Monday

cindylouh — Mon, 18 May 2015 12:00:25 +0000

New Cookie Recipes

cindylouh — Sun, 17 May 2015 12:00:32 +0000

I love finding new cookie recipes! Here are a few that caught my eye this week that I want to try! You don't want to miss some of these! If you like chocolate chip cookies try my chocolate chip cookie recipe, or even better bake in it in a pie! This Toll House Pie recipe is so easy and so amazing!

New Cookie Recipes

Whoopie Pie Recipe Homemade Biscoff Cookies Mickey's Churro Cookies Triple Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies Twix Cookies Here are two cookie recipes I have shared you don't want to miss... Cake Mix Sugar Cookies or bake up these cookies and make homemade ice cream sandwiches! Be sure to link up tomorrow for another Made by you Monday!

Easy 3 Ingredient Appetizer

cindylouh — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 20:38:09 +0000

It doesn't get easier (or more delicious) than this easy three ingredient appetizer. Actually, why wait for a party it is a yummy anytime snack. Sweet fig jam is sandwiched between smooth creamy brie cheese topped with coarsely chopped Marcona almonds and placed on a crunchy Triscuit cracker. A beautiful marriage of salty and sweet and smooth and crunchy. It is easy to have these items on hand for unexpected guests, a perfectly planned party or just plain old anytime snacking! I love snacking on things that remind me of our time living abroad. We loved the amazing array of cheeses that we could enjoy! Brie is one of my favorites! It only takes 3 simple ingredients found right at your local grocery store to create an amazing treat.

Easy 3 Ingredient Appetizer

Fig Spread
Brie Cheese
Marcona Almonds

Cut the brie in half and spread a layer of the fig spread on one side. Replace the top making a fig and brie sandwich. The brie will cut best when it is straight from the refrigerator. Cut a wedge of the brie and place it on top of a Triscuit cracker and sprinkle coarsely chopped almonds on top. YUM! Triscuit believes in simple things coming together to create something more. Whether it’s just three ingredients on a Triscuit or about life, we believe that you (and Triscuit) are “Made for More”. Triscuit sponsored this blog post. The opinions and text are all mine.

End of school year printable sign

cindylouh — Tue, 19 May 2015 12:00:24 +0000

School is ending around here! Mark the occasion with this free printable End of School Year printable sign. It's a fun way to compare the changes from the beginning of the school year to the end! Take a minute to jot down a few notes about things they have learned, what friend they have had etc... it will be so much fun to compare as they get older! If you are looking for a last minute teacher gift idea, this end of school year teacher gift is the perfect way to give a sweet treat! Download file, print on cardstock and trim edges. Now you are ready to take a picture of your cutie! Last Day Of School Printable Sign 2014 - 2015 I love seeing the changes from the first to the last day of school! Just a bit more mature for sure!

One Pot Beef Stroganoff

cindylouh — Wed, 20 May 2015 12:00:57 +0000

One Pot Beef Stroganoff is perfect for those busy weeknights! I love one pot meals when I am pressed for time! Our family loves one pot pizza pasta and one pot creamy chicken fettuccine alfredo. This one pot macaroni and cheese recipe is easy enough for kids to make!

One Pot Beef Stroganoff

1 lb lean (at least 80%) ground beef 1 onion, chopped 1/2 teaspoon salt 4 cloves garlic, finely minced 2 packages (8 oz each) sliced button mushrooms 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk 2 - 14 ounce cans of beef broth 1 lb uncooked medium egg noodles 1 container (16 oz) sour cream In large pot, cook beef,onion and garlic, stirring frequently, until brown. Do not drain. Add mushrooms and salt. Cook about 5 minutes or until browned. Add evaporated milk, 2 cans beef broth and the noodles. Noodles will not be completely covered at first. Heat to boiling over high heat. Reduce heat; simmer uncovered 7 to 8 minutes, stirring frequently, just until noodles are tender. Remove from heat; do not drain; stir in sour cream. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Last Minute Teacher Gift Ideas

cindylouh — Fri, 22 May 2015 12:00:49 +0000

The end of the school year is upon us! Here are several clever and even meaningful ways to tell a teacher, Thank you! Don't let this chance pass to show your appreciation. These last minute teacher gift ideas are both useful and appreciated by teachers (I did ask). Whatever you do, do something! It doesn't need to cost much money, a heartfelt note is always cherished.

Gift Card

In my opinion gift cards are the number one gift you can give a teacher! No matter how much "stuff" they receive everyone can always use a gift card! You can make it cute with a free printable card holder like this ice cream cone gift card holder.

You are TOTE-ally Awesome

Fill a tote bag with summer essentials and attach this cute TOTE-ally Awesome tag! Every teacher will love getting a cute tote bag filled with summer fun!

Chocolate!

Most teachers love chocolate. This treat is simple to give and perfect for even high school and middle school teachers (since you probably have a lot to give). Simply print these Teacher Appreciation Candy Bar Wrappers and wrap it up!

Plant or Flowers

It's the perfect time of year to give a plant or flower! Simply stick a pic inside with a sweet printable flower pick!

You Take The Cake

This easy last minute gift will be a favorite of every one you give it to! Think of office workers, aides etc... Simply buy or make a cake and use my free printable you take the cake tag.

Write a Note

Be sure to take a minute to have your child write a simple note of appreciation to their teacher ( you should too)! This will likely be of more value than any gift, treat or clever idea. Teachers love hearing how they have helped each of your children and how they are making a difference!

Looking for clever ways to thank your favorite teachers? These printable teacher appreciation gift tags will do the trick and make gift giving super easy!

Easy Outdoor Floral Centerpiece

cindylouh — Thu, 21 May 2015 12:19:26 +0000

I love having fresh flowers and candles on my tables. This easy outdoor floral centerpiece is the best of both worlds. It can be put together in about 15 minutes and then you have a beautiful display all summer long!

Easy Outdoor Centerpiece Supplies

I found all my supplies at Lowe's. Potting soil Terracotta bowl glass candle holder flowers (choose flowers for your location and amount of sunlight)

How to make an easy outdoor floral centerpiece

Place a few rocks in the bottom of the terracotta bowl to cover the drain hole. This will keep the soil from coming out of the bottom of the pot. Fill the bowl with a bit of potting soil. Plant the flowers around the edge of the bowl. Leave an open space in the center for the glass candle holder to sit. Nestle the glass candle holder in the dirt. A super simple way to have a beautiful centerpiece all summer long..... day and night!

How to Keep Avocados from Browning

cindylouh — Sat, 23 May 2015 12:00:25 +0000

Here are a few helpful tips on how to keep avocados from browning. There is no method that can completely keep a avocado from browning because when avocados come in contact with air, they turn brown. Turning brown doesn't affect the flavor but it sure makes it looks gross. For more tips and tricks try my trick how to make your grill non stick or my tip on how to keep apples from browning.

How to Keep Avocados from Browning

The method I prefer is to slice the avocado length wise and use the side without the pit. Simply place the pit side of the avocado in a ziplock baggie and suck out all the air around it. This method looked pretty good after 24 hours, don't expect it to work longer than that. I have heard you can do a similar method with guacamole (place the put inside the guac) but I haven't tried it. Do you have any tips or secrets to share? Let me know in the comments below.

Made by you Monday

cindylouh — Mon, 25 May 2015 12:00:53 +0000

Easy Grilling Recipes

cindylouh — Sun, 24 May 2015 12:00:09 +0000

If you are pulling out the grill this weekend you don't want to miss these easy grilling recipes. I love grilling in spring and summer, it keeps the house cool and tastes so good. Here are few recipes that caught my eye this week. Have you tried my how to make your grill non stick? Also this marinade recipe makes the best meat!

Easy Grilling Recipes

Grilled Guava Shrimp Peach BBQ Sauce Spicy BBQ Sauce Pizza Burgers Here are 35 more Summer Grilling Recipes you don't want to miss! Be sure to stop by tomorrow and link up for another Made by you Monday!

Easy Lighted Marquee Sign

cindylouh — Tue, 26 May 2015 12:10:55 +0000

This easy lighted marquee sign was a show stopping decoration at my son's graduation party. I was surprised how quickly these lighted marquee numbers went together and how amazing they looked using inexpensive materials.

Easy Lighted Marquee Sign Supplies

poster board cut into 3 inch strips 1 sheet of 3/16 inch foam board for each marquee number or letter (found at local craft store) drill drill bit scroll or band saw hot glue gun and glue string lights (we used two sets for our four marquee numbers

How to make a lighted marquee sign

Using a scroll saw cut the number out of 3/16 inch foam board. Our numbers were about 28 inches tall. I used jiggler font blown up to the size we needed as a template. A local copy shop can do this for you on 24 x 36 inch paper. Using a drill, drill holes around the number. We placed the holes about every three inches. Our lights had a candelabra base so a 5/8 inch drill bit worked perfectly. Check the base of the string lights to get the right size hole. The base of the light needs to fit securely. Place hot glue around the edge of the foam board number a little at a time. Stick the 3 inch strip of posterboard in the hot glue as you go around the number. Lightly scoring or folding the poster board will make corners nice and sharp, plan this out before starting to glue. Slightly overlap strips of poster board to add a new strip. Continue this process for each marquee number or letter. Spray paint the marquee number. Use several thin coats building up the paint. This helps to keep the poster board from bending. Place the sockets of the lights into the back of the marquee number. Then from the front screw in the light bulb. If you need to back track to go around the entire number, place sockets every other hole so you can come back to get the the next number. We strung all four numbers together, taking out the bulb and leaving a blank socket in between each number. To make hanging easier we attached the marquee numbers to a thin board then suspended the board from the ceiling.

Fun In The Sun End Of Year Teacher Gift

cindylouh — Wed, 27 May 2015 12:00:39 +0000

Here is a fun in the sun end of year teacher gift. This summer beach tote filled with goodies is the perfect way to say thank you to your child's teacher for a year of hard work. Grab a cute summer tote and fill with fun things to take to the pool or beach!

End Of Year Teacher Gift

Download the free printable gift tag. Print on colored card stock to match your tote. Cut it out and attach.

{End Of Year Teacher Gift Printable Gift Tag}

Your teacher will know that you appreciate their hard work and hope they enjoy a relaxing summer! You might also like this printable ice cream cone that can hold a gift card to a local ice cream shop. It is a sweet way to say thanks!

{Thanks for making this year scoops of fun printable}

Paper Plate Kids Craft

Guest Poster — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 11:33:56 +0000

This paper plate hedge hog is darling! It is a fun kids activity to keep kids entertained this summer. If you are looking for more boredom busting ideas check out all our summer crafts and activities ideas to keep creative and having fun this summer. The best craft bloggers are sharing fun kids crafts! From making a kid friendly Blueberry Mango Popsicle recipe to this Splish Splash water maze fun you will find great ideas for your summer break. Hi Skip to my Lou Readers! I'm Kim from seven thirty three, where I share tons of fun kids craft ideas, free printables, party ideas and more! If you're looking for fun things to keep your kids occupied this summer, stop on by! You'll find things like Painting with Ice, Plastic Bag Parachutes, and Paper Plate Hedgehogs, which I'm going to share with you today! Supplies Needed: Paper Plate Markers Clothespins Pom Pom Google Eyes Scissors Glue Instructions: Draw the shape of your hedgehog onto your paper plate. Carefully cut out with scissors. Glue on the pom-pom nose and google eye. Color the hedgehog and set aside. Color the clothespins and attach to the back of the hedgehog, sit back and admire your work! Easy as pie! Hope you and your children enjoy! Now tell me, what have YOU made with paper plates? And don't forget to stop by seven thirty three! I have lots more fun ideas to share with you over there.

How To Make Aromatherapy Play Dough

cindylouh — Thu, 28 May 2015 12:00:05 +0000

This aromatherapy play dough is a great way to potentially change a little one's mood. From energizing to relaxing each essential oil has it very own properties that you can give to the play dough. If you like essential oils, try my homemade Coconut Oil Whipped Body Butter, it comes together in two simple steps! Please welcome my friend Stephanie of Garden Therapy to tell you exactly how this delightfully smelling play dough is made! Don't miss a special offer for essential oils at the bottom! Hi, I’m Stephanie from Garden Therapy! You will usually find me crafting up something in the garden but today I’m happy to pop by and share a recipe for no-bake aromatherapy play dough that I made for my son. You see, when I’m feeling a little overwhelmed from busy days and too much technology, I head out to the garden. That’s where I get to center myself, breathe in the fresh air, and dig my hands into the soil. My little guy loves it too, but sometimes you just can’t garden with a toddler, like when it’s snowing, or raining. Or when you are out a restaurant and he’s screaming “gardening!”(which has happened more than once). These are the times I have to resort to something a bit more portable to breathe in and dig your hands into. And so aromatherapy play dough is born! Just adding a few drops of essential oils to the dough can really make all of the difference to a little one’s state of mind. I’ve made up a few versions with different oils to use depending on what the environment is and what mood my son is in. I coordinated the color to the scent and chose each of the oil for its properties:

Green – peppermint – energizing/focus

Blue – basil – balancing

Purple – lavender – relaxation/calming

Orange – orange – relaxation/positive emotions

A note on essential oils and children: all of these oils are presumed safe on children 2 years of age and older; however please consult your health care practitioner before using essential oils on people of any age. On a completely non-scientific note: many children have played with this play dough recipe and have enjoyed it thoroughly! My favorite is the lavender as it always sends me into a dreamy state.

How To Make Aromatherapy Play dough

Aromatherapy Play Dough Recipe 2.5 cups flour 1 cup salt ¾ cup warm water 1.5 tablespoons vegetable oil Food coloring (red, yellow, blue) Essential oils 2 drops each of basil, lavender, peppermint, orange Directions In a large bowl, mix the flour and salt together. Set up three smaller bowls (that could easily hold at least two cups of play dough) and add ¼ cup of water to each one. Add food coloring to each of the bowls:

10 drops blue for basil play dough 10 drops of green for peppermint play dough 3 drops red and 7 drops yellow for orange play dough 5 drops red and 5 drops blue for purple lavender play dough Add ½ tablespoon of a non-scented vegetable oil to each of the bowls. I like sunflower oil but anything that isn’t strongly scented will do.

Add 2 drops of essential oil per bowl. More than that and it will be overpowering to little people. Stir the color, oils, and water together. Add one cup of the flour/salt mixture to each of the three smaller bowls and stir well. Dust a hard surface with a bit of the remaining flour/salt mixture and knead it with your hands until it is combined and a nice soft texture. Knead in a bit more water to soften the play dough, add a bit more flour/salt to make it firmer. Package the play dough in plastic bags and store in the fridge when not in use.

About the Author

Stephanie Rose is the creator of the popular gardening and craft blog, Garden Therapy; and the author of the upcoming book, Garden Made. When she is not writing, she can be found out in garden of her Vancouver, BC, home that she shares with her husband, son, and tiny dog, Meatball.

Visit Stephanie at Garden Therapy, home to garden-related DIY projects, yummy recipes, and crafty goodness. With over 500 quick, stylish projects to tackle she hopes to make gardening interesting and accessible to everyone, no matter what color their thumbs are.

Don't miss this special offer for 11 bottles of essential oils, diffuser and much more. Valued at over $300 for only $150. The best part it comes with loads of educational materials so you know what to do with each essential oil!

{Essential Oil Deal}

10 Beautiful Bundt Cake Recipes

cindylouh — Fri, 29 May 2015 12:00:29 +0000

These sweet and indulgent bundt cake recipes are perfect for spring! So easy, so pretty, and soo good. Keep reading to find your new favorite! If you love baking, like I do, try my peanut butter cup blondies or this caramel frosting recipe!

Pink Lemonade Swirl Bundt Cake

A lemon cake mix is combined with Duncan Hines Pink Lemonade Frosting Creations to create an explosion of pink lemonade flavor and color!

Chocolate Strawberry Bundt Cake

This luscious strawberry bundt cake with white chocolate glance is indulgent and sweet!

Messy Bundt Cake

This is amazing cake no matter what time of year.

Kahlua Bundt Cake

It is super moist and since it starts with a cake mix it goes together quickly! You won’t be disappointed!

Mini Chocolate Bundt Cake

These mini bundt cakes make the perfect gift!

Lemon Bundt Cake Recipe

It is so simple and so delicious. If you are like me I like the ease of starting with a cake mix.

Red Velvet Bundt Cake

Red Velvet really shows off in this recipe!

Pineapple Coconut Bundt Cake

It may not be as good as a trip to Hawaii, but this cake is the next best thing! It is so moist and flavorful you'll forget your just in your kitchen!

Butterscotch Banana Bundt Cake

This cake is amazing and the butterscotch glaze that goes on top is to die for.

Peanut Butter Banana Bundt Cake

If you love peanut butter and banana together try this cake.

Walking Tacos Recipe

cindylouh — Sat, 30 May 2015 12:00:17 +0000

Walking tacos are a family favorite around here. They are perfect for serving a crowd, in fact we make them for a lot of parties! They come together quickly and are easy to potluck the ingredients. If you like tacos, try my homemade taco seasoning, you will never buy taco seasoning again!

How to make Walking Tacos

You need doritos or frito lunch size bags. Make your favorite taco recipe and add the toppings in the chip bag. Crush up the chips, layer in meat, cheese, tomatoes, and sour cream! Serve with a fork! Enjoy.

Made by you Monday

cindylouh — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 12:00:51 +0000

Easy Pasta Salad Recipes

cindylouh — Sun, 31 May 2015 12:00:50 +0000

Summer is the perfect time to prepare pasta salad, it is a family favorite around here. Here are few fabulous recipes that caught my eye this week. If you are planning a family bbq to go with these try my watermelon salad. This layered fourth of july drink is perfect for holiday celebrations this summer too. Creamy Italian Skroddle Salad Pesto Zucchini Spaghetti Cucumber and Tomato Pasta Salad Sesame Chicken Pasta Salad Be sure to stop by tomorrow for another Made by you Monday! I love seeing what you are up to.

Blueberry Mango Popsicles

Guest Poster — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 12:00:58 +0000

Making Blueberry Mango Popsicles is a great way to spend an summer afternoon! It is a fun kids activity your children (even boys) will love making and especially enjoying. If you are looking for more boredom busting ideas check out all our summer crafts and activities ideas to keep kids active and entertained this summer! The best craft bloggers are sharing fun kids crafts! From making a Recycled Sharpie Sun Catcher to Splish Splash water maze fun you will find fun creative ideas to do this summer! I am excited to be participating in Skip to My Lou's Summer craft camp for the 6th year in a row (that makes me feel oddly old!). I decided to change things up a bit this year, and instead of sharing a craft like in year's past, I'm sharing my newest kid-and-summer-and-diet-friendly-recipe obsession: homemade whole-fruit popsicles. In years past, my kids (and I *cough*) have consumed a ton of those sugar-and-food-coloring popsicles. When it's hot outside, they just feel SO GOOD. I almost bought a box of them for this summer until I remembered that I had a bunch of fruit at home, a blender, some popsicle sticks, and a ton of those tiny Dixie cups. I had everything I needed to make the kind of popsicles I want to encourage my kids to eat - the healthy, go-ahead-and-eat-two kind of popsicles. I have already made two homemade popsicle varieties: watermelon-berry popsicles and piña colada popsicles. And this week, after scoring the best deal on mangoes I've seen in ages (and buying 6 of them), I made a third popsicle variety. And this might possibly be the best flavor yet. Have I mentioned yet how simple homemade popsicles are to make? All you have to do is puree fresh fruits together (and sometimes some ice cubes or yogurt) and then freeze to enjoy later. You can't find a snack that satisfies the sweet tooth better than this while still being so good for you.

Blueberry-Mango Popsicles

Ingredients:

1 ripe mango, cut into chunks (size doesn't matter too much, since we're going to blending everything together soon)
1/3 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
1 container of Greek Yogurt (I used blueberry yogurt)
6 ice cubes
3 ounce paper cups
Popsicle sticks

Instructions:

Cut mangoes into chunks. Add mangoes chunks, blueberries, yogurt, and ice cubes into blender and puree.
Pour pureed fruit-yogurt mixture into 3 ounce paper cups and place in the freezer. After about 30 minutes, add popsicle sticks and return to freezer until frozen through (about 2 hours).
When ready to eat, simply rip paper cup off. If any of the paper cup sticks to the popsicle, rinse under cold water for a couple of seconds to remove paper.

Makes about 7 paper cup popsicles. My kids and I are totally hooked and we can't wait to try even more varieties and combinations of fruits. I love that they are so easy to make - easy enough for kids to do with minimal help from parents - and so much better than the stuff I used to buy! About the Author: Laura (aka Lolli) is the mother of five (between the ages of 10 and 18) living in the Washington DC area. She has been blogging full-time at Better in Bulk since 2007 and loves to spend her time cooking, traveling and enjoying the occasional book....and driving her kids to all of their activities after school. You can find her on the social networks: Twitter (@1momof5) | Facebook | Pinterest (1momof5) | Yummly | Instagram (1momof5) . Check out her recipes and kid-friendly crafts and projects and stop over to say hello while you're there.

DIY Kids Rock Collection Kit

Guest Poster — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 12:00:09 +0000

This DIY Kids Rock Collection Kit is a great way to entertain kids and get them outside! It is a fun kids activity to keep kids busy this summer. If you are looking for more boredom busting ideas check out all our summer crafts and activities ideas to keep creative and having fun this summer. The best craft bloggers are sharing fun kids crafts! From making a kid friendly Blueberry Mango Popsicle recipe to this Splish Splash water maze fun you will find great ideas for your summer vacation. Hey friends! I am Pam from Over the Big Moon and I am excited to be hear with you all today to share this awesome DIY Kids Rock Collection Kit! I blog with my good friend, Lisa, and we are two Moms who are over the moon for all things home and family. We share free printables, recipes, DIY crafts, and so much more! Now for the tutorial on how to make this awesome kids rock collection kit! This rock collection kit will provide your kids hours of exploring and collecting this summer!!

Supplies Needed:

- Art/Utility/Loom Container (these are called 100 different things, you can find them at any craft store) - Lashing Strap (1" wide) - (2) 10-32x1/2 Flat Slotted Screw with Nut (found at any hardware store) - (2) #10 Flat Washers

Directions:

Follow the step by step instructions below. 1) Find a drill bit that is the same size as the end of your screw. 2) Take the bit you found, and drill holes evenly on each side of the handle. It should look like the above picture, when you're done drilling. 3) Take your lashing strap and cut it about 4" from the latch. 4) Take a sharp knife and poke a hole in it about 1/2" in from where you cut it. 5) To prevent fraying, take a lighter and burn the edge of the strap. Then take a washer and the machine flat slotted screw and push it through the hole of the strap. 6) Then push the screw through the hole of the kit that you drilled. 7) Put a nut on the back end of the screw and tighten it. 8) Take the other end of the strap and measure it to the length that fits your child and cut it. Then repeat the previous steps to attach it to your kit. 9) Connect the two ends of straps and by sliding the strap through the latch and adjust if necessary. 10) Download the Box of Rocks Kit Label and have your little one color it and then attach it to the front of their kit!

DOWNLOAD LABEL HERE

11) Have your little enjoy it for hours and hours and hours! Thanks friends for reading along today! We hope you will come visit us at Over the Big Moon soon! Be sure to check out our:

60 Days of Summer Fun | Industrial Pipe Shelves | Lemonade Stand Printables | Strawberry Mango Salsa

Summer Color Scavenger Hunt- Free Printable

Guest Poster — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 12:00:18 +0000

This Summer Color Scavenger Hunt is a perfect way to reinforce colors while exploring outside! It is a fun kids activity. If you are looking for more boredom busting ideas check out all our summer crafts and activities ideas to keep creative and having fun this summer. The best craft bloggers are sharing fun kids crafts! From making a Paper Plate Hedge Hog or this kid friendly blueberry mango popsicle recipe you will find great ideas to fill your summer break. Welcome Vanessa... Hey everyone, Vanessa here from Our Thrifty Ideas. I'm so excited to be here guest posting at Skip to my Lou's Summer Craft Camp. Over at the Barker house, we are going on our 3rd week of Summer, and although we are loving being out of school, there's only so long that we can go without hearing the dreaded "I'm bored" phrase. I've started compiling and creating a bunch of fun activities that my kids can pull out once I start hearing those words come out of them. I thought I would share a fun Scavenger Hunt with you today. I don't know about your family, but we all tend to be a little competitive; so a little game to create some competition as well as get my kids outdoors is just what we need. I created this color scavenger hunt which is perfect for kids of any age. This is something that my 3 year old can play or something that we could do on a date night! The idea behind the game is for each kid to have their paper on a clipboard and start in the same place. Then after determining a set amount of time to go look, they will all run off (of course keep an eye on the little ones) around the neighborhood trying to find as many things of each letter as possible. I have a feeling that the greens, blues, and browns will be easy to find as they are a part of nature. But colors like purple, pink and orange might be a little more tricky. It'll be fun to see what some kids find and what colors surprise me at being easy. Click HERE to download the scavenger hunt printable

I would love for you to check out some other fun Summertime ideas over on my blog:

Alphabet Scavenger Hunt Free Printable

HEALTHY 3 Ingredient Blueberry Pineapple Popsicles

Lemon White Chocolate Popcorn

Unique Front Door Wreath Idea

How to get your backyard party ready

cindylouh — Wed, 20 May 2015 12:00:56 +0000

We are planning for a backyard graduation party and many other summer gatherings so we are working hard to get things in order. If you love backyard entertaining like we do you can follow these super simple tips for a party ready space! Make a plan and budget

Backyard projects can easily get out of hand so make a budget and set priorities. Ask yourself what is already working in your yard and what is not. What plants are doing well and which ones might need to be moved.

Address any lawn and landscape problems

Add grass seed to get any bare spots growing.
Add fertilizer to the rest of the lawn to make it lush!
Feed plants with proper fertilizer to get them blooming and thriving. Many flowering shrubs like roses and azaleas will flourish with this extra nourishment.
Prune bushes and trees. This little tip right here will do wonders to freshen up a backyard.

Clean all walking paths and decks

Check walkways and paths to make sure they are free of debris and clear for guests
Check deck for loose boards. It might be time to give the deck and patio a good power wash.

Add color and interest by planting container gardens

Planting container gardens will brighten up any yard and add continuous color all summer long!

{How to plant flowering container gardens}

Add lighting

To create a festive mood add string lights. I think nothing adds a more festive feel than string lighting!
Install lights along dark walkways to brighten the area and take away tripping hazards.

Decorate

Adding items of special interest like pillows and candles will make the area come together. Try making these flowering hurricane centerpieces that will last all summer and provide a warm glow in the evening!

{How to make a lighted flowering centerpiece}

Marquee lighting can make a great party decoration.

{How to make a lighted marquee sign}

Seating

Make sure your have plenty of seating. I was thrilled to find customizable patio furniture online at Lowes. You choose the frame and the fabric for the cushions. This stuff is sturdy but easy to move around to make different seating configurations as needed.

Plan for pests!

Give the yard a coat of Bug B Gon or similar product to keep guests comfortable!
Citronella candles and torches will keep flying pests away!

Back up plan

Be prepared for bad weather. We experienced a downpour, receiving over three inches of rain during our graduation party. We had spent so much time preparing the patio and yard I couldn't throw in the towel and move the party inside. Thankfully Lowe's does have EVERYTHING to make a party a success. We purchased huge tarps and hung them from our roof then over our deck. We stayed dry underneath late into the night!

Enjoy!

Relax and visit with your guests!

This is a sponsored post by Lowes. All opinions and ideas are my own. I only share things I use in my everyday life. Because of Lowes we enjoy hours of fun in our backyard!

Made by you Monday

cindylouh — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 12:00:57 +0000

Made by you Monday

cindylouh — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 12:00:01 +0000

13 Kids Activities For Summer

cindylouh — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 15:40:29 +0000

Celebrate your child's creative streak make and your own fun this summer with these easy and almost free kids crafts! They are sure to provide hours of entertainment. Keep your kids busy all summer with 50 crafts and activities for kids! Homemade Bouncy Balls! Make a bouncy ball in about five minutes, crazy fun! Kid Made Puppets If you too would like to bring your children’s drawings to life all you need is some cardboard, a hole punch, craft knife, glue and split pins. Candy Ink The latest fun is edible ink. It is super easy to create – and has a definite “Wow” factor for the kiddos!! It is tasty. Pretty. Fun!! DIY Rubberband Rings I love simple activities! Once your kids get the hang of it they can make these anywhere at any time! And they will swap buckets of them with their pals! Color Spray This science/art experiment was so simple that my preschoolers were able to replicate it at home easily, and so enthralling that it kept my text-addicted high school students away from their phones for a whole hour! Custom Stamps Would you believe you can create your own custom stamp from supplies found at your local hardware store? DIY Embossed Pendant This little DIY Embossed pendant along with many more was a snap to make. Bottle Camp Necklace Make an easy bottle cap necklace. Homemade Shrinky Dinks Make your own shrinky dinks! Homemade Stickers Yes, you can make homemade lick and stick stickers. Homemade Slime We had a few days of rain around here so we made some slime to occupy our time inside. Just two ingredients and you will be able to really impress your kids! Marbelize Paper The possibilities of what to do with your paper are endless—- cover pencils, a book or a box, make note-cards, book marks or a picture frame etc. Homemade Side Walk Chalk These were easy to make! Perfect outside activity for spring.

Homemade Ice Cream Toppings

cindylouh — Sun, 14 Jun 2015 12:00:42 +0000

I love ice cream in the summer! We love to make homemade ice cream. Have you ever made your own ice cream toppings? If not you are missing out, homemade toppings taste better. Have an ice cream sundae bar at your next get together with these amazing recipes.

Hard Shell Ice Cream topping is like magic! Our family loves the ice cream topping that goes on liquid and then immediately hardens to make a hard yummy chocolate shell. It is so amazing!

This Microwave Raspberry Sauce Recipe is perfect on ice cream!

Homemade Strawberry Sauce

This amazing homemade strawberry topping sauce is perfect for the days in the summer that scream for some lively fruit flavor on top of creamy vanilla ice cream!

Homemade Butterscotch Magic Shell Topping

Butterscotch flavor just can’t compare to anything you get from a bottle or jar at the store.

Homemade Caramel Sauce

I love caramel, whether it’s by itself, sprinkled with sea salt, covered in peanuts, enrobed with nougat…well you get point you can't have a ice cream sundae without out!

Homemade Marshmallow Fluff

Did you know you can make your own Marshmallow Fluff -- for the ultimate Marshmallow Treat Sundae? It's sooo good, too! Nothing store-bought even compares.

Homemade Whipped Cream

Top of your Sundae with this! Using homemade whipped cream in your desserts transforms them from good to unbelievable.

Homemade Salted Caramel Sauce

The BEST salted caramel sauce! It's easy to make and is great drizzled over ice cream!

Homemade Hot Fudge

An Easy Recipe for Hot Fudge. No Sundae is perfect without the perfect Hot Fudge!

Homemade Dark Chocolate Sauce

If you are dark chocolate fan, this sauce is for you!

Peanut Butter Sauce

If you like peanuts on your ice cream this peanut sauce is for you!

Pipe Cleaner Crowns for Kids

Guest Poster — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 12:00:58 +0000

Pipe Cleaner Crowns are the perfect way to entertain your little princess loving child! It is a fun kids activity that is fun to make and play with. If you are looking for more boredom busting ideas check out all our summer crafts and activities ideas to keep kids active and entertained this summer! The best craft bloggers are sharing fun kids crafts! From making a Blueberry Mango Popsicles to Paper plate hedge hogs you will find fun creative ideas that inspire and encourage imaginative play this summer! My family loves anything to do with pipe cleaners. The kids will take a pipe cleaner and make bracelets, little charms, and even animals. Sometimes the pipe cleaner looks like a blob to me, but to them, it's something absolutely wonderful. To spark a little imaginative play, I took a few minutes to make quick pipe cleaner crowns for both of my children and I watched as they transformed into knights and princesses. It's amazing how a little craft can turn into something that is so much fun! I think my favorite part about this project was that it took me minutes to assemble. This is a perfect craft that not only looks cute, but can inspire play all day long!

What You Need to Make 1 Pipe Cleaner Crown

2 Pipe Cleaners for the points + 2 Pipe Cleaners for the base + 2 different colored Pipe Cleaners to wrap around the entire base = 6 Pipe Cleaners for one crown You can watch the video below to see how to make the crowns. [embed width="640" height="390"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQBOrWSDb7c[/embed]

How to Make Pipe Cleaner Crowns

First, you'll make the peaks from 2 of the pipe cleaners. I bent the pipe cleaners up and down over and over and then stretched them out a little bit to see those nice triangles. Then, you'll attach the next two pipe cleaners as the base of the crown. Connect the pipe cleaner base to the end of the triangular pipe cleaners that you just stretched out slightly. Wrap the base around each point that is "down." So, you'll see one point that is point upwards, don't attach the base to that point, but attach it to the next point that is downwards. This will make the triangular point for the crown shape. Skip the up, wrap the down, skip the up, wrap the down, and so on...this will take two pipe cleaners to complete. Then, take your last two pipe cleaners and wrap them around the base. Put them through the triangle, then wrap the same "downward" point that you wrapped in the previous step. Then, put it through the next triangle and wrap the "downward" point again. You are twisting these last two pipe cleaners around the crown to make a solid base for your child's head. If it's confusing, watch the video above and re-read the tutorial!

Katie Joiner is a happy-at-home Mom who is the writer and creator at Happilyevermom.com. She's got a 5 year old little dancer and a 2 year-old animal lover.

When she's not busy saving her cats from the kids and trying to figure out what's for dinner, she can be found admiring, dreaming, and playing the day away with her family.

Come over and say hi on her FB page, @Happilyevermom, or Pinterest.

Coconut Lime Sugar Scrub {printable tag}

Guest Poster — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 12:00:59 +0000

We are filling our summer with loads of fun crafts and activities. Don't be board! There are so many creative activities to keep kids thinking and learning all summer long. You might like this long list of boredom buster ideas. We have been having fun making homemade play dough and homemade stickers. How are you keeping busy? Kids love mixing and making concoctions. What better than something they can really use! They will love to make their very own Coconut Lime Sugar Scrub. Sugar scrubs made with coconut oil are my new favorite. The best thing about this scrub is that it only uses FOUR ingredients, and it smells amazing. All you need is coconut oil, sugar, lime essential oil, and a lime to make the scrub. I adore that sugar scrubs are easy to make, package adorably and are good for your skin! Homemade scrubs make the best gifts. Other fun sugar scrubs to try are my Lemon Sugar Scrub and my Coffee Sugar Scrub! This is one of the easiest sugar scrub recipes I've made. It's also the least oily because it uses coconut oil rather than olive oil, smells incredible and is just plain fabulous. I love that sugar scrubs can be used on the hands, feet and body. I like to use sugar scrubs in the shower because they are such great exfoliators and the hot water dissolves the sugar crystals before they can be too abrasive.

Coconut Lime Sugar Scrub Recipe

Mix Together {this recipe makes about 1 1/4 cups prepared}

1 cup white sugar
1/4 cup coconut oil (you do not need to melt the coconut oil)
4-5 drops of lime essential oil
the zest of a lime

Add Printable and Decorate Jar

Once you've put the Coconut Lime Sugar Scrub in your jar (s), embellish them as you'd like and then print out the free tags found below to either put on the lid of the jar or use as a gift tag. To embellish my jars, I just wrapped a piece of bakers twine around the rim. The "Coconut Sugar Scrub" tag can be downloaded for free below! The sugar scrub was super easy to make and the whole project took me a total of 20 minutes including slapping on the printable! It's THAT easy. The Coconut Lime Sugar Scrub Label comes in two sizes. A smaller circle for a regular sized jar (I like to use a 4 oz. jar) or a larger circle for wide mouth jar.

Download Printable Coconut Sugar Scrub Tag!

That's it! The Coconut Lime Sugar Scrub is read to use or give as a gift!

Other Sugar Scrub Recipes from SCS:

Angie Lee is editor of Seven Clown Circus. Visit her blog for crafty goodness daily. Connect with her socially on Pinterest, Instagram, G+, Twitter and Facebook. She’d love that.

Tropical Pineapple Mango Smoothie Recipe

Guest Poster — Sat, 13 Jun 2015 13:10:21 +0000

Hi I'm Ashley from Simply Designing and I am thrilled to be here! I love to write about crafts, DIY and yummy recipes! Today I am really excited to share a tasty recipe I came up with for a delicious summer smoothie! This Tropical Pineapple Mango Smoothie recipe is perfectly for breakfast or a snack and is a great way to stay cool this summer! Make sure to check out my recipe and then pin it for later!

Tropical Pineapple Mango Smoothie Recipe

Ingredients:

2.5 cups milk
2 cups pineapple chunks
1 cup mango
1 banana
1 teaspoon vanilla
Ice if desired

My favorite thing about making smoothies is that they are so easy to make and you can modify the recipe to suit your preferences or to what you have on hand! And if you have enough ripe fruit in the smoothie, you do not need to add sugar to it which keeps smoothie healthy. Smoothies are a great way to use over-ripe bananas because they will add a touch of sweetness to this smoothie naturally! You can use fresh ingredients or frozen for this recipe. If you use frozen you should not need to add any ice to the recipe. But if you use fresh, you might want to add a handful of ice to make your smoothie a delicious cool treat! I usually just throw all my ingredients into my blender and let it blend until it is really smooth. My kids don't like smoothies with bits of fruit in them (and who does!?) so I make sure to blend it really well before serving. You can garnish your smoothie with a slice of pineapple, mango, banana or another tropical fruit like I did with this lime! It just looks pretty with the line doesn't it!? The options are truly endless though! We love making smoothies at our house! Here are a few of our other favorites: Frozen Limeade (ok this isn't a healthy smoothie but it is amazingly delicious!) Strawberry Pineapple Banana Smoothie Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Shake And I also really love this Strawberry Vanilla Smoothie and this Banana Jungle Smoothie! Can you tell we are addicted to smoothies!? Thanks so much for letting me stop by! I would love to have you subscribe to my blog HERE. But you can also find me at my Blog | Email | Facebook | Pinterest | Google+ | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube

DIY I Spy Activity Bag

cindylouh — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 12:54:34 +0000

Keeping kids busy on the go can be a bit tricky! This DIY I Spy activity bag will keep the kids entertained and engaged! This two in one bag has room for books, toys, crayons and then right on the front a clever I SPY patch. Too fun! Turn of the screen and fill your child's moments with creative activities. What about starting them sewing? These sewing practice sheets are a great way to start. Crochet is another fun lifetime activity. This flower crochet headband is a good beginner project.

I feel like Summer is go, go, go. We're always headed somewhere, running out the door, or in between fun activities. Marissa from Rae Gun Ramblings here and I'm excited to share with you an easy Activity Bag Tutorial. It's extra fun because it has an I Spy Patch right on the outside of the bag and is big enough to throw in coloring stuff, a book or two, and even some toys.

Whether you drag the bag along to keep the kiddos entertained in the car or have it on hand to combat the inevitable cries of "I'm bored" this bag will be great to have around.

How to make a DIY I Spy activity bag

DIY I Spy activity bag supplies

Bottom Fabric 2 pieces 10x22 inches
Top Fabric 2 pieces 6 x22 inches
Ribbon 20 inches long
Clear Vinyl 6x6 inches
Safety Pin
Clear Beads (like Poly Pellets)
I Spy trinkets (I like various buttons but you can use anything)
Washi Tape (or any tape)

What to Do

Start by folding the bottom pieces in half and then position the vinyl square on the center of one side (the fold should be to the bottom).
Sew the vinyl square around 3 sides attaching it to the fabric. I like to use washi tape to help keep the vinyl in place while I sew.
Fill will beads and trinkets.
Sew the final side closed.
With right sides together sew down the two sides of each bottom piece. The fold should be at the bottom and there should be an opening at the top.
Turn the piece with the I Spy Patch right side out and slide the other piece into it.
Now with right sides together sew one long edge of the top fabrics together.
Turn right side out and iron. Fold in half lengthwise and arrange above the bottom pieces. Cut off any excess fabric leaving just about 1/2 an inch past the bottom (this is for your seam allowance.
Open up the top fabric match the seam line and on each side mark a 1 inch pace in the middle. Sew to that space making sure to back stitch at both ends and then past it over the seam and to your other mark. And then down the end. This is so there will be a hole to put your ribbon through.
Press the seam open and fold in half.
You should see a little hole.
Sew a line joining both fabrics above and below the hole.
Now with the raw edges of all the fabrics touching sew together. Make sure that the top fabric is on top of the right side of the bottom fabric. Finish the edge with a serger or zig zag stitch.
Flip the top part up and you should have a bag.
Finally thread the ribbon through the casing and knot and you are good to go!

This is a fun project because you can have your little ones pick out the little trinkets to go in the I Spy Patch. Send them around the house looking for little gems or let them pick out buttons. They will have a blast finding the perfect items to add in.

I hope you like this project. It's pretty simple sewing-wise just a few straight lines so it should come together fast I think most people could do this in under an hour. I'd love you to stop buy and visit some time and before I go here are some of my favorite projects and bookish posts.

Harry Potter Non-Alcoholic Butterbeer | How to Easily Alter Kid Clothes | 100+ Books for Divergent Fans | Popcorn Pudding Cups

Marissa’s a huge Harry Potter fan, lover of fried food, Instagram addict, and mama to 3 month old Teddy. She spends her days sewing baby clothes for her shop Rae Gun and blogs over at Rae Gun Ramblings where she loves to share her favorite recipes, creative tutorials, and book recommendations. Stop by her blog to see more and say hi!

Let’s connect! You can also find me hanging out here.

Travel Game - 20 Would You Rather...? Questions for Summer

Guest Poster — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 16:19:28 +0000

It's summer and we're on the go!

Would You Rather is one of the conversation games we play while driving in a car, waiting in line or chatting at dinner. Many of the questions will prompt more talking and imagining as players explain their answers. Tuck a few of these away for the next time you have the chance and learn a little more about your kids. Enjoy!

You may download a free printable version of these questions here.

Summer Edition - Would You Rather:

live in a tree house or a castle?
be able to sing beautifully or dance beautifully?
ride a horse or a camel?
know a fairy or a unicorn?
have a backyard that was a huge bounce house or a huge ball pit?
travel or stay home?
be able to fly or be able to breathe under water?
know where you're going or have it be a surprise?
be on a boat or on an airplane?
be able to see in the dark or be able to never get tired?
go on a vacation to the beach or to the mountains?
have picnics in the forest or in the park?
swim in the ocean or swim in a pool?
be a dolphin or a cheetah?
be able to make people laugh or be able to make people trust you?
be surprised by a present or be able to pick what you get?
eat popsicles or watermelon?
go camping or stay in a hotel?
do art or read?
experience an epic waterslide or an epic zip line?

How about you - do you have a favorite game to play when you travel? Would you rather play Would You Rather or play I-Spy? ;)

Alissa Marquess if the founder of Creative With Kids blog where she helps parents raise kids they'll want to be friends with as adults. She's the creator of 100 Ways to be Kind to Your Child and 64 Positive Things to Say to Kids.

DIY Craft Stick Harmonica {Kids Activity}

cindylouh — Fri, 12 Jun 2015 12:33:33 +0000

We are sharing loads of fun Kids Crafts and Activities this summer here on Skip to my Lou. There is no reason to be board! Just check out this boredom buster idea list for inspiration. Ashley is here to share another fun idea to entertain the kids! Hi guys, it's Ashley from Make It and Love It....and I'm so happy to be here for Craft Camp 2015! My kiddos have been out of school, enjoying their summer break for about 3 weeks now. And at first, we were spending lots of time outside on bikes, at the park, in the backyard, etc. But it has really heated up, so I realized we needed more indoor activities to do during the hottest times of the day, because woweeee, this Oklahoma heat that we're living in is really kicking in! :) So, I gathered up some really simple craft supplies that I already had on hand and let them create these darling little DIY craft stick harmonicas that I have seen in several places around the web....but tweaked them a bit. And let me tell you --- these were a HIT! And maybe that's because children like anything that makes noise.....haha! But actually, they're not bad at all! They only require a few supplies and decorating is completely optional......but that was my kiddos' favorite part! And then --- the fun began. Blowing on their little harmonicas took a little trial and error to find the sweet spot....but once they found it, these little suckers actually worked! All 3 of my older kids (ages 4-8) were able to master it and had so much fun! You can blow hard and soft, which changes the pitch of the sound and you can squeeze the ends of the sticks, which also adds variation to the sound. Pretty cool concept! And believe it or not.....it's just two craft sticks, a toothpick, some rubber bands, and a strip of paper in between the two sticks, which helps to create the sound. HOWEVER, we ditched the paper idea (which is what most people were using around the web), because it would get slightly wet from saliva....and then the paper would rip. Bummer. So, I found a simple solution, which I'll share down below. And in case you're doubting they actually work, just think --- the concept is just like placing a blade of grass between your fingers and blowing. (Did you ever do that as a kid?? Same idea.) But they really do create sound.....and I was pleasantly surprised! These harmonicas are such a great way to beat the heat in the hot afternoons this summer and create something that the kiddos will actually enjoy making. I know mine did! Want to make a few with your kids this summer? Of course you do! :)

DIY Craft Stick Harmonica Supplies:

wide craft sticks
toothpicks
strips of paper (but I'll explain below that granola bar wrappers are a great waterproof alternative)
rubber bands
stickers or other decor (optional)

First of all, gather up your supplies.

How to make DIY Craft Stick Harmonicas

However, after trying these with regular paper, we realized that inevitably, the paper would get slightly wet from little mouths blowing hot air at it......and the paper would get soggy and tear. Such a bummer for the kids. So, I started thinking about what I could use that was waterproof but was also really thin and would vibrate really well with air being blown at it. Then, I unwrapped a granola bar and gave the thin wrapper a try. And YES, it worked REALLY WELL! :) You can still make these with strips of paper, especially if you just want to give it a try......but if you want them to last, give the wrapper a try (or something similar). Cut the wrapper into thin strips that were slightly more narrow than the width of the craft sticks. However, be sure that the strips are nice and flat. Don't use pieces that are crumpled or bent or the air won't be able to pass through it when you blow air through. Then cut the strip so that it's a bit shorter than the length of the craft stick. Cut your toothpick in half and place at the two ends of the stick, making sure to place the toothpick on top of each end of the strip of wrapper. Place your other craft stick on top. Then wrap a rubber band around each end, holding the toothpick in place and also keeping the sticks firmly together. I actually found the best spot to add the rubber band was equally on both sides of the toothpick. Now, you can either stop here....or you can let the kids have a little more fun with it and let them decorate their harmonicas. And that's it! Time to start experimenting with blowing through the sticks, where to put your mouth, and how to hold the harmonica. Now, some sticks are a little uneven so they might be bowed and not let enough air between the two sticks. If that's the case, pinch the ends of the sticks just slightly to let in a tiny bit more air. If you pinch too hard at the very ends of the sticks, your gap will be way too wide (like the image below). So just pinch it ever so slightly and experiment with it! Or maybe the gap is too wide in the middle.....and if that's the case, pinch on the inner side of the rubber bands to tighten the gap and blow to try it out. Just play around with it and let the kiddos see if they can figure out what creates the sound, why it works, and how to change it up. And enjoy! -Ashley

Tissue Paper Color Transfer Wall Art

Guest Poster — Tue, 16 Jun 2015 12:00:10 +0000

Tissue Paper Color Transfer Wall Art is a fun summer craft idea. It is a fun kids activity that is fun to make and decorate with. It makes the perfect gift. If you are looking for more boredom busting ideas check out all our summer crafts and activities ideas to keep kids active and entertained this summer! The best craft bloggers are sharing fun kids crafts! From making a Pineapple Mango Smoothies to a DIY Craft Stick Harmonica you will find fun creative ideas that inspire and encourage imaginative play this summer! Hello Skip To My Lou loyal readers! I'm thrilled to be here again, and I think you're going to LOVE this simple and fun craft idea that is great for kids or adults! I'm Kim from Today's Creative Life (formally Today's Creative Blog), where I share all things creative! Recipes, Home DIY, Crafting, Home Decorating. A little of everything. This easy creative project, Tissue Paper Color Transfer Wall Art will have your head swimming with ideas!

Tissue Paper Color Transfer Wall Art

This project caught my eye over on the Fiskar's site. I was instantly drawn to the color and of course the hexagons! Don't we love all things hexagon? I couldn't believe that making a beautiful piece of wall art could be done with tissue paper and I had to try it! Supplies Needed:

Bleeding Art Tissue Paper
Canvas
Paper punch
Water
Foam brush

I'm not sure if regular tissue paper will work. You want a tissue paper that will bleed the color. I had a heck of a time finding it, until the nice folks at Michaels told me this would work. I thought I'd try the hexagon paper punch, but you can certainly just cut any design you want to work with.

How to Make a Tissue Color Transfer Wall Art Canvas

Tissue Cut outs

Since I had decided to try the punch, I cut several colors and pieces. Do yourself a favor and cut out more than you think you'll need.

Spritz, Place, Spritz

Once you have your tissue ready, spritz your canvas with water, then paint the water across to evenly distribute. While the canvas is wet, start placing your tissue pieces where ever you want them. Since I'm kind of a "fly by the seat of my pants" kind of girl, I didn't pre-plan my design, but you may want to. Once I had all my pieces laid out, I gave them a fine mist spritz of water so they were all evenly wet.

Dry

I placed it outside to dry, which didn't take long at all. In fact, all my tissue pieces had blown off, showing my stained canvas. The colors of course weren't as vibrant as the actual tissue, but it certainly stained the canvas, leaving a fun piece of wall art that adults or children of all ages could create! Isn't that fun? I can't wait to try it again, using strips, circles, or maybe even cover the entire canvas. For more creative inspiration from Today's Creative Life!

Easy DIY Patriotic 4th of July Table Decor

DIY Tabletop Fire Bowl

Slow Cooker Blackberry Cobbler

Find Kim and all her creative antics on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram.

Paper Plate Crab

Guest Poster — Fri, 19 Jun 2015 12:00:35 +0000

paper plate
scissors
2 wiggly eyes
red washi tape
red pipe cleaner
red washable paint
paint brush
crab arm template
1 piece of red construction paper

Fold the paper plate in 1/2. Open the paper plate and cut on the line. This deep groove makes it easier to cut straight on the line, perfect for those beginning cutting skills. I buy packs of these thin, cheapie paper plates at the dollar store. They are perfect for kid's crafts! If you buy the thicker paper plates they can be more challenging for little hands to try to cut. Paint one 1/2 of the paper plate red and set the other 1/2 aside for a future project. This is an excellent opportunity to talk about filling in all the white space, a skill they will need for coloring neatly. The sharp contrast between the red paint and the white paper plate makes it very easy for them to see where they still need to fill in. While the paint is drying, print out a copy of the crab arm template {click on the picture above and print}, and cut out the template. Trace the crab arm template twice on the red construction paper and cut out the crab arms. Tape the arms to the back side of the bottom sides of the paper plate half. Fold the red pipe cleaner into a V shape. Attach the wiggly eyes to each end of the pipe cleaner with washi tape. Tape the bottom of the V to the back of the paper plate and you have your Paper Plate Crab! Hmm....something is missing! Grab a black marker and give this Paper Plate Crab a smile! Let's get to know each other a little bit better...

I live in the Seattle-ish area with my husband and three, crazy fun boys. I am all about creating creative quality time with them so much so that my husband and I spend most of our date nights in our garage (we lovingly call them our Garage Date Nights). I have the BEST conversations with my boys while we are doing something creative together and I love sharing ways that you can spend some creative time with your kiddos.

Here's 3 fabulous places to start if you haven't visited me over at Dolen Diaries before:

PB Inspired Wooden Buoys

DIY Outdoor Marquee Light

Pallet Lemonade Stand

Make some DIY Jewelry For Summer Style - Painted Pasta Necklace

Guest Poster — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 12:00:37 +0000

Making DIY Jewelry is classic summer craft fun. It is a fun kids activity that is fun to make and fun to wear. If you are looking for more boredom busting ideas check out all our summer crafts and activities ideas to keep kids active and entertained this summer! The best craft bloggers are sharing fun kids crafts! From making Tissue Paper Wall Art or whipping up a tropical pineapple mango smoothie (yum) you will find fun creative ideas that inspire and encourage imaginative play this summer! Invite your kids to make some DIY Jewelry for some added glamor on vacation this summer with Skip To My Lou and MollyMooCrafts. Hello Skip to My Lou readers! I am delighted to be back with you again this year for more Summer Camp fun. I'm Michelle from MollyMooCrafts, where I blog about crafts for kids and crafts for parents to make with and for their kids. Last year I shared how to make a fun DIY take along game of tic tac toe, today I am sharing a fun and quick DIY jewelry pasta art and craft project that will keep your kiddos engaged before, during and after the holidays! There are so many ways to color pasta, such as dying it naturally, but in the interest of speed we painted ours using acrylic paints. We recently make some cute macaroni cat necklaces and macaroni marshmallow necklaces so as you can see we'll a little obsessed with pasta crafts of late! Here's all you need to make - Large dried pasta tubes - Paint & brushes - Mini pom poms - String The process is very straightforward and quick, let's get started..... First gather your dried pasta tubes, 6 of 7 pieces should do it. Then string the tubes along a wooden spoon or paint brush handle to hold them steady while you paint the base color. When the white is dry paint on your designs in a second bright and contrasting color, invite the kids to 'get creative' with their designs xx - And finish your necklace by threading the painted pasta and pom poms on the string. How cool! Told you this was quick and easy :) Want to make a few with your kids this summer? Of course you do! happy making, happy wearing, happy summer xx Michelle More creative inspiration from MollyMooCrafts.com Some of my post popular posts include over 20 craft tutorials for Toilet Roll Crafts, a Cardboard Camera, Pom Pom Hedgehogs Birds and Puppies, Popsicle Stick Bracelets, Dreamcatchers, Paper Plate Desk Tidy, Cardboard Box Pirate Ship and so much more.

- Daily Creative Inspiration….

Like these ideas? You can always find other fun craft ideas for kids on Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram. Or subscribe for email updates so you don’t miss out any of the fun. Michelle is also the author of Happy Handmade Crafts ebook - 115pages of unique and colorful crafts to make with and for your children. Available for instant download here

Tic Tac Toe Toss Game

Guest Poster — Sat, 20 Jun 2015 12:00:49 +0000

This Paper Plate crab is a simple craft that even very young kids can make. It is a fun kids activity you can make in just a few minutes. If you are looking for more boredom busting ideas check out all our summer crafts and activities ideas to keep kids active and entertained this summer! The best craft bloggers are sharing fun kids crafts! For younger kids this paper plate crab is easy and fast or try creating this DIY jewlery painted pasta necklace you will find fun creative ideas that inspire and encourage imaginative play this summer! The outdoors is a great place to be during the summer. This super simple tic tac toe toss game is great for doing just that. They aren't that large and can be tossed in a bag or in the car for a ride to the park or to a neighbors home. Besides tic tac toe - these pieces can be use for tossing on a bull's eye mark, into buckets, measure how far you can throw... the ideas are endless when the kids are involved! We haul ours around with a piece of chalk. The game boards can easily be drawn and the chalk dust on the pieces won't harm them. They simply brush right off. Materials Needed: Fabric: 12-- 6" X 6" squares * 3-4 colors of fabric We used yellow, red and grey (the backs of the toss pieces are all the same fabric. You could choose to do 2 different colors for 4 color options if you'd like) 12-- 6" X 6" muslin fabric (used for the weight lining) rice, wheat, sand or whatever you prefer for weighting the toss pieces with

Tic Tac Toe Game Instructions:

1) Find a plate or something round to use for your template 5" Circle. 2) Cut out 3 yellow, 3 red, 6 gray , 12 muslin using your template 3) Place together 2 muslin circles 4) Sew with a 1/2” seam all the way around leaving a 2” opening– do not turn! 5) Fill generously with poly pellets 6) Sew opening closed 7) Place color on one side and one gray on either side of filled muslin circles- right sides facing outward 8) Sew all the way around the circle with a 1/4” seam 9) Sew a second seam all the way around the circle Outsides will have raw edges. You can leave them alone or use pinking shears to control the fraying. 10) Repeat with other game pieces until you have 3 of each color

This project would be a great little one for making for a birthday party or a neighborhood get together. Let the kids come up with their own toss games....there are a whole bunch of games to play with these! What's fun about them too is if it is a yucky day and you are stuck inside, you can play indoors too. Patchwork Posse is -Online quilt group, community and blog featuring talented designers, product resources and quilting tutorials for all levels of sewers. It’s a place to Learn. Create. Share.

On the blog- we share tutorials, hints and tips for sewing, quilting, crochet, embroidery, and apparel. In the Quilt group- membership community. We focus on exclusive patterns, featured designers, block of the month, swaps, challenges, giveaways.

You can connect with use here: Facebook, Pinterest, Youtube, and our Quilt Group.

If you are looking for more sewing projects for kids, The Kids Sewing Series and sewing projects for day camps are a great place to start! They are never to young to pick up a fun new hobby.

Father's Day Coloring Page

cindylouh — Fri, 19 Jun 2015 21:29:55 +0000

This free printable Father's Day Coloring Page is for the best dad! So fun to see how a child fills it out! When Bella made a Mother's Day Coloring Page for me I loved that she said that I always say, "I love you no madder what." Coloring is all the rage don't miss all the fun coloring pages. We will try to add a new one every few week! If you need a super last minute but heartfelt gift this printable Father's Day Coupon Book will be a useful gift dad can enjoy all year long. It also doesn't take long to make personalized grill tools for dad.

The Best Father's Day Card!

Just download, print and color!

{Free Printable Father's Day Coloring Sheet}

Free Printable Father's Day Coupon Book

cindylouh — Sun, 21 Jun 2015 12:00:24 +0000

This printable Father's Day coupon book will be a much appreciated gift! This DIY coupon book is super easy to assemble so you can give Dad just what he needs for Father's Day! For a few more last minute Father's day gift giving ideas... Give Dad a special treat with this free printable candy bar wrapper. Kids will also love coloring this free printable Father's Day coloring sheet and answering questions about Dad.

Now let's make this Father's Day Coupon Book

Simply download the Father's Day coupon book and assemble. It take just a few minutes and then you have a nice gift with great coupons for Dad. Happy Father's Day to all the Dad's out there, thank you for all your do!

Made by you Monday

cindylouh — Mon, 22 Jun 2015 12:32:01 +0000

Upcycled Kid Art Garland

Guest Poster — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 04:01:10 +0000

This Upcycled Kid Art Garland is creative way to display and create art with your kids. It is a fun kids activity you can make in just a few minutes. If you are looking for more boredom busting ideas check out all our summer crafts and activities ideas to keep kids active and entertained this summer! The best craft bloggers are sharing fun kids crafts! For younger kids this paper plate crab is easy and fast or try creating this DIY tic tac toe game keep checking back and you will find fun creative ideas that inspire and encourage imaginative play this summer! Kid art, beloved for all its color and character, can pose a problem for parents when it piles up into unreasonable quantities. Is there really enough room for every marker drawing and finger painted craft on the fridge? Probably not. And while every piece is special milestone or memory, after a few months in a box, or piling up in a cubby at school, they are suitable to move onward into a another life. Let them live it up in a second creative adventure! Ready to upcycle? Let's make a kid art garland. This garland craft is decorative, festive, easy to make, no-cost from stuff you probably already own, and the process to make it is fast and kid-friendly. You can hang it at a birthday party or special occasion, or let the kids hang it in their bedroom year-round. They are going to love seeing their work displayed in a new and exciting way, especially when everyone who sees it will say, “WOW! Did YOU make that?” Materials Paper-based artwork Yarn, ribbon or heavy string Scissors Stapler (you can also use a glue stick or double-sided tape, but I find the stapler is the fastest) Instructions Slice strips in pieces, roughly 3” x8” long. Most letter-size paper can be easily into four equal stops of this size. Don’t worry if some pieces are longer or skinnier than others, it will add variation and look great in the end! Side note: not all children will want to see their drawings being cut up like this, so it might be a good idea to go through the pile with them and set aside a few favorites for archival purposes first. After cutting your yarn to the desired length, fold each paper strip in half and insert the yarn down the middle. Staple 1” below the fold, creating a channel for the yarn to slide through. If your art work is on lightweight paper and curls at the edges, you may also want to add a second staple toward the bottom. You can also use glue or tape instead of staples, but this process will be fastest and the most secure. Repeat, repeat, repeat until all your paper strips are on the yarn and ready to go. Hang up the garland and admire your work! You could choose to a create a pattern by alternating the colors, but I like a random jumble best of all. Depending on the age of the crafter and the length of the garland, you can complete a room-length-sized garland in under an hour. Thanks so much to Cindy and al lot you Skip to My Lou readers for letting me stop over and play. Feel free to drop by my place anytime! Peaches is the artist and author behind Aunt Peaches, dubbed “the Citizen Kane of craft blogs” by the Huffington Post. Always on the lookout for clever ideas, Peaches shares creative and inexpensive how-to projects for those who love where they live. When she isn’t busy making, styling or photographing handmade goods for magazines and design sites, she is busy removing cat hair and glitter from her lint trap. Looking for other nifty crafty ideas on ways to use children's art? Start here; Party Luminarias, Children's Art Vases, Plush Toys Made From Drawings.

Paint Swatch Scavenger Hunt for Kids

Guest Poster — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 10:00:44 +0000

This Paint Swatch Scavenger Hunt for Kids is creative way to spend a summer day. It is a fun kids activity that a group of kids. If you are looking for more boredom busting ideas check out all our summer crafts and activities ideas to keep kids active and entertained this summer! The best craft bloggers are sharing fun kids crafts! Display kids art with this upcycled kids banner or try creating this DIY tic tac toe game keep checking back and you will find fun creative ideas that inspire and encourage imaginative play this summer!

Explore nature with this free color scavenger hunt you can find at your local hardware store.

Hey Skip To My Lou readers; Sydney from Tastefully Frugal here today to share with you the easiest summer activity you will ever do with your kids! I have a few different scavenger hunt ideas on my 52 Days of Summer Bucket List and I was most excited about doing our color scavenger hunt. Being a mom of two active boys I am always looking for ways to keep them busy without spending a lot of money or time to setup; kids don't like to wait to do things (especially when it's hot outside). This project cost absolutely nothing to make and took zero time to prepare.

All you need are paint swatches from your local hardware store. I was at Lowe's picking up materials for a mommy project and picked up a few paint swatches in every color of the rainbow. I didn't know how into this idea my boys would be so I didn't want to get a ton of different swatches that would just get thrown away; you've got to help save the trees any way you can right?!

Give your kids the swatches and ask them to find things around them that match the color on the swatch. My boys are two and three and they have so much fun doing this! We take these swatches everywhere and they love pointing things out on walks, in the car and even in the grocery store. They definitely enjoy finding things in nature the most and it has been a great motivator for me to get up and on our morning walks early before it gets too hot out. Not only are my boys having fun but they are learning too! I can't wait to go back and get more swatches so we can match colors even closer.

What do you do to help your kids learn but still have fun during summer?

If you like this activity you may also like:

40 Free Summer Fun Activities

52 Days of Summer FREE Printables

Pool Noodle Light Sabers

Juggling Chickens

cupcakes and crinoline — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 12:00:07 +0000

This Juggling Chickens game for Kids is fun little game to play this summer. It is a fun kids activity that a group of kids of all ages will have fun doing. If you are looking for more boredom busting ideas check out all our summer crafts and activities ideas to keep kids active and entertained this summer! The best craft bloggers are sharing fun kids crafts! Display kids art with this upcycled kids banner or try creating this Paint Swatch Scavenger Hunt keep checking back and you will find fun creative ideas that inspire and encourage imaginative play this summer! Hello Skip to my Lou readers ~ I'm Mary Beth from Cupcakes and Crinoline and today I am sharing a cute kids craft with you. You can make this craft for your kids but it would also be a great way to teach them some sewing basics. As a matter of fact as I was making these my youngest son expressed a desire to learn how to sew so we will be making more of these, plus some other crafts, this summer. These are fun to learn to juggle with or just throw back and forth ~ think Hot Potato! Supplies: Larger scraps of fabric Rice or beans for stuffing the chickens Needle and thread or sewing machine Sharpie Felt Cut rectangles of fabric 4 inches by 8 inches ~ fold in half right sides together. Cut out beaks and hair ~ freehand cut them so that each little chicken is unique. Place hair and beaks in between the layers of fabric as shown. Stitch around all sides leaving a small opening to turn right side out...... Stuff with rice and hand sew the small opening shut and add eyes with a black Sharpie. Now PLAY! Here are a few of my favorite posts and hopefully you’ll like them as well. My kids love peanut butter and these peanut butter bars with a fluffy frosting are one of their favorite desserts. If you have extra t-shirts laying around that the kids have grown out of make them some fun pillowcases in 5 minutes. Also, here's an easy DIY bird feeder to make with the kids ~ mine had so much fun watching the birds eat from their feeders and they look forward to making them every year. I'm so happy to have been here today with you and I’d love for you to stop by Cupcakes and Crinoline where I share everything from homemaking tips to recipes to crafts to DIYs and just about anything else you can think of. I love all things home and my blog is the only part of my world where I can be girlie {I have all boys}! You can connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, G+, Instagram, YouTube and Bloglovin’.

Potato Pets

Guest Poster — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 12:00:00 +0000

Hi! I'm Ali from Dream Crafter and this is my first time guest posting for Skip to My Lou and I. Am. Thrilled! Today i'm gonna show ya how to make Potato Pets. One day, when my boys were desperate for a creative outlet, I got this crazy idea to use potatoes to make a craft. Call it desperation at its finest. This is something we've done several times and my boys have gotten more and more creative each time. So... here's what you'll need: SUPPLIES: Potatoes (preferably ones that were about to go bad anyway...we don't want to waste food.) Pipe Cleaners Toothpicks Sharpies Elmer's glue Googly eyes Start by making sure your potatoes are clean and DRY. Next, get creative! We ended up using the toothpicks for legs (mostly) and did some fancy work with the pipe cleaners. *Hint: Put your googly eyes on last. Once they are dry, give them a home! We decided to put ours on a little patch of grass (turf sample from Home Depot). I even tried my hand at making a cat...turned out more like a mouse. :) But I had fun. My son made an elephant which turned out much more life-like than my cat/mouse... My 4 year old got really into it and this kept him occupied for over an hour. Mwahaha. (Insert evil mommy smile.) He even made a duck. Welp, I guess thats all! A simple craft for an easy afternoon craft session! Enjoy your summer! If you'd like to keep hangin' with some cool kids, hip cat daddy-os and motor-bike riders you can find me (and all those cool people) over at Dream Crafter! Here's a little about me: I'm a momma to three boys and a wife to superman, (don't tell him I revealed his secret identity.) I'm too big of a spaz to stick to any one thing, (which is why I love craft blogging). I can eat an entire can of frosting in one sitting (yes its a skill) and I am a mormon. I try not to take myself too seriously and I love trying anything new! Check out some of my other summer crafts and shenanigans. Maybe you'll like a few and stay a while. :) -Ali Listening Ocean Bingo/ DIY Garden Markers/Superhero Bedroom/Donut Sugar Cookies

Squirt Gun Tie Dye

Guest Poster — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 12:00:00 +0000

Squirt Gun Tie Dye is a fun kids activity that kids of all ages will love making! If you are looking for more boredom busting ideas check out all our summer crafts and activities ideas to keep kids active and entertained this summer! The best craft bloggers are sharing fun kids crafts! Gather some kids and create this fun mini travel journal or try creating this summer finger painting idea. Be sure to keep checking back and you will find fun creative ideas that inspire and encourage imaginative play this summer! Hello again, Skip to my Lou readers! I'm Jill from Create.Craft.Love and I am so excited to be back this summer with another fun kids activity for the Summer Craft Camp series. Last year I shared these Bubble Wand Flowers which were a big hit! A couple of weeks ago, I was racking my brain trying to come up with something fun and different. My son has been asking to try tie dye but I wanted to make it fun and silly. We decided to use Kool-Aid and water guns to make these Squirt Gun Tie Dye t-shirts! Here's what you need to make: Kool-aid packs Plastic cups and water (to mix Kool-Aid) Squirt guns White t-shirt Cardboard (to protect your worldly belongings) I went to Dollar Tree and picked up a couple of three packs of water guns. Then we grabbed the brightest Kool-Aid flavors we could find. We used watermelon, blue raspberry, cherry, green apple and orange. I was worried that the yellow would be too light so we skipped it. We filled those plastic cups to half with water and then mixed in the Kool-Aid. Carefully fill the water guns. I used plastic baggies and clipped the corner off to act as a tiny funnel. Lay the white t-shirt on the cardboard or use clothespins to hold to the cardboard. Place in an area where you can manage easy clean up and let the kids go at it! My son was cackling and giggling the whole time! Once you are finished creating your masterpiece, allow to dry out in the sun. Not only do they have a fun shirt to run around in, but it smells good too! The color barely faded when we washed it! Be sure to stop by Create.Craft.Love for more fun summer craft ideas!

Cupcake Liner Lei

Or check out my Summer Hacks! All of my summer favorites in one convenient spot!

A huge thanks to Cindy and all of you fabulous readers for letting me stop by today! I would love if you popped over to my corner of blogland! You can follow along with me on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter or Instagram!

Summer Finger Painting

Guest Poster — Fri, 26 Jun 2015 12:00:27 +0000

This Summer finger painting idea is a perfect way to create artwork this summer. It is a fun kids activity that a group of kids of all ages will love. If you are looking for more boredom busting ideas check out all our summer crafts and activities ideas to keep kids active and entertained this summer! The best craft bloggers are sharing fun kids crafts! Gather some kids and create this juggling chickens game or try creating this Paint Swatch Scavenger Hunt. Be sure to keep checking back and you will find fun creative ideas that inspire and encourage imaginative play this summer! Hello! I am McKenzie from the lifestyle and beauty blog, Girl Loves Glam! I love to share simple beauty tutorials, home decor, and easy activities you can do with your kids. Now that summer is officially upon us, kids seem to think they need to be busy all of the time! My daughter is 3 years old and even though she isn't on a summer break from a normal school routine like a lot of kids are, she still seems to get the summer boredom. That is so hard on moms! I love to let her play outside, but sometimes it is too hot to play outside. I like to have a few backup activities that can be done inside on the days that are too hot to go outside. One of these activities is finger painting! I feel like finger painting is something that children of many ages can enjoy. It brings a whole new level of creativity for kids when they can get their hands dirty! To stick with a summer theme, I came up with two different summer finger paint pictures your kids can create. We just used traditional finger paint for these, but there are several homemade finger paint recipes online that you could use as well. You could also take this opportunity to teach your child about mixing colors to create new colors as well! The first one I will show you is the butterfly finger paint picture. To make this, have your child dip their entire hand in the paint and put their hand print on the paper. Dip the hand in again (or do the opposite hand) and put another hand print next to the other one, about 2 inches apart. Turn the paper upside down and repeat the steps with hand prints going the other direction to create the butterfly's wings. Paint the body on by dipping the fingers in a different color and painting streaks in between the hand print wings. You can then go back and decorate the wings with different colors. To finish it off, draw the butterfly antennas on the top. Let it dry, then display it for the summer! The other design we came up with is a fun summer scene with flowers and the sunshine. For this one, she made a few hand "tulips" and a big flower. The original plan was to just do a bunch of hand "tulips", but she really wanted to make a big flower too. I love how her flower turned out! That is the beauty of art. It allows kids to be creative and come up with their own ideas! For the hand print tulips, dip the entire hand in the finger paint and do this until you have enough tulips on the page. You can go back and add the stems now, but we waited and did the grass and stems at the very end. For the big flower, she dipped her hand in the paint several times and she stamped it over and over again until she made a circular shape out of her hands. She went back with some yellow in the middle of it. I think it is just adorable! She dipped her entire hand in the yellow paint and stamped it into the corner a few times to make a little sunshine and we drew some clouds with our fingers with the blue paint. The last step is to draw the stems and the grass with the green paint. It is a perfect little summer scene and as it hangs on my fridge, it totally cheers up my kitchen! I love to have a little time each day that I can dedicate to giving my daughter an opportunity to be creative. The summertime is the perfect time to do it with your kids too! Make sure to check out these other great summertime activities to keep your kids busy! 0 How do you keep your kids busy on the really hot days of summer?

How To Plant Beautiful Container Gardens

cindylouh — Sat, 27 Jun 2015 15:25:06 +0000

Beautiful container gardens are a wonderful way to add color, beauty and interest to your yard. Especially in areas where flowers are hard to keep growing through the entire summer a small container garden is the way to go. I use containers around my home to add visual interest and color since keeping flowers blooming in my yard can become difficult in the hot Kansas sun. I also planted some containers this year and put a glass hurricane in the middle for the perfect outdoor flowering centerpiece.

Tips for Beautiful Container Gardens

Pick an interesting planter. I found this cool bowl at Lowes. I love the texture and the unsual shape for a container garden.

Choose plants that grow well in your area and for the location you are sitting the container garden. This is really important!
Choose a good potting soil. I like a light weight soil that has additives to help retain moisture.
Build a perfect design. Choose a thriller, a spiller and a filler for your pot. You might have more than one of these for each pot, just make sure you have one of each in your pot.

A thriller is a plant that is going to be the focal point. It can be something tall or a plant with an amazing colorful bloom.

A spiller will spill over the side of the container softening the look. I love sweet potato vine!

A filler will make the container look full and abundant.

How to plant beautiful container gardens

Before planting cover the drain hole with a coffee filter or a few rocks. Water needs to drain from the pot, but you don't want the potting soil to escape. Fill the pot with soil, leaving just enough room for the plants. I water the soil in the pot before placing plants. The soil will settle down into the pot with the water and I want to make sure the plants are at the top of the container. After watering you might need to fill the pot with more soil before placing the plants. Be sure to lightly cut the roots to stimulate growth before placing in the pot. Using these simple tips will ensure beautiful container gardens all summer long! With proper care the containers get better and better as the flowers bloom and the plants spill over the edge. I can't wait to see this one in a month! What a great way to add some color to your home.

Patriotic Party Ideas

cindylouh — Sun, 28 Jun 2015 12:00:11 +0000

Fourth of July is around the corner! If you are hosting a party or even a casual get together, these Patriotic Party Ideas are easy and fun We love to celebrate around here, check out the floats we have made over the years. This red, white and blue drink is a festive way to celebrate, and kids sure love making and drinking them. Star Spangled Fruit Skewers Summer Glow Stick Printables Colored Rice Jars Red White and Blue Italian Ice Champagne Floats Dollar Store Patriotic Lanterns DIY Star Coasters Link up tomorrow for another Made by you Monday! I love seeing what you are creating.

Made by you Monday

cindylouh — Mon, 29 Jun 2015 12:00:42 +0000

Fruit and Yogurt Popsicles

Guest Poster — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 12:00:57 +0000

Making Fruit and Yogurt Popsicles is a way too teach kids about cooking and give them a treat. It would be a fun kids activity that kids of all ages will love making! If you are looking for more boredom busting ideas check out all our summer crafts and activities ideas to keep kids active and entertained this summer! The best craft bloggers are sharing fun kids crafts! Gather some kids and create this fun mini travel journal or try creating this squirt bottle tie dye tutorial. Be sure to keep checking back and you will find fun creative ideas that inspire and encourage imaginative play this summer! Hi friends! My name is Brittany and I blog over at bebe a la mode designs. I love to make quick, easy and tasty creations in the kitchen and since my hubby and 3 crazy kids like to eat, it works out pretty well. I'm super excited to be blogging here today and I have a cool and yummy treat to share with you! These Fruit and Yogurt Popsicles are perfect for your 4th of July BBQ and the best part...they only require 4 ingredients, are quick to throw together and easy for kids to help with. This is a small batch recipe, but can easily be doubled or tripled. Let's start with the red (strawberry) layer. Add 1 cup of hulled, quartered strawberries to a food processor fitted with a steel blade. Add 1 Tablespoon of sugar and blend until pureed. Pour into small bowl and set aside. For the blue (blueberry) layer, add 1 cup of blueberries to the same food processor (you don't even need to wash it out) ;) and 1 Tablespoon of sugar. Blend until pureed. For the white (yogurt) layer, in a small bowl mix 1/2 cup of plain Greek Yogurt (I use non-fat) with 1 Tablespoon of sugar. Stir well. Now it's time for the assembly. Using a 3 ounce popsicle mold (I used these with wooden popsicle sticks), layer the strawberry puree, yogurt and blueberry puree in equal amounts. Insert popsicle sticks and place in freezer for a minimum of 3 hours. Make 4 popsicles. Have a safe and fun Independence Day! Looking for more 4th of July recipes and crafts? Check these out: Printable Straw Flags Lemonade Flag Cake 4th of July Recipe Roundup Hop on over to my blog for more recipes and stay in touch over on Facebook and Google+ and Pinterest!

Hand Bound Mini Journals

Guest Poster — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 12:00:59 +0000

These Hand Bound Mini Journals are such a fun creative activity to get kids writing this summer. It is a fun kids activity that a group of kids of all ages will love. If you are looking for more boredom busting ideas check out all our summer crafts and activities ideas to keep kids active and entertained this summer! The best craft bloggers are sharing fun kids crafts! Gather some kids and create this juggling chickens game or try creating this summer finger painting idea. Be sure to keep checking back and you will find fun creative ideas that inspire and encourage imaginative play this summer! Hello, I'm Emily from The Benson Street. I am so excited to be here sharing a fun summer craft for kids (and adults). Summer is a time to have fun and get out, enjoy a good book and make some memories. Don't let the kids forget all these great memories. Help them to create their own hand bound mini journals. Keep track of reading, bucket lists, and even photos in the adorable journals that don't take much effort to whip up. What you will need:

1 piece of cardstock paper cut to journal size (for the cover so pick out something cute)
6 to 10 sheets graph paper, lined paper or plain white computer paper cut to journal size (for the journal pages)
waxed thread (find it at craft stores or even Walmart)
a larger needle

1. To begin determine the book size. For an Instagram style photo book cut out covers and pages to 10 inches by 5 inches. For a smaller journal cut out a cover and pages to 6 inches by 4 inches. Fold the cover and pages in half and hold together like a book. 2. Poke four holes (with the needle) through the cover and journal pages like the top right photo above. 3. Start by threading needle, but do not tie it off at the end like you would for a sewing project. 4. Insert needle into the second hole going from left to right. Pull almost all the way through leaving a small tail for tying off at the end of the binding process. 5. On the outside cover insert the needle into the third hole and pull all the way through. 6. It should look like photo four above. 7.Insert needle in the fourth hole on the inside of the book and pull all the way through. 8. So far the inside should look like photo six. 9. Insert needle in the third hole on the outside and pull through and tight. 10.Insert the needle in the second hole on the inside and pull through and tight. 11.Insert needle in the first hole on the outside and pull all the way through. 12. The outside of the journal should all have one binding in between the holes. 13. Insert needle into the second hole on the inside and pull through until tight. 14. Insert needle into the third hole on the outside and pull through until tight. 15. Insert needle into the fourth hole on the inside and pull through until tight. 16. Insert needle into the third hole on the outside and pull through until tight. 17.Insert needle into the second hole on the inside and pull through until tight. 18. Insert needle into the first hole on the outside and pull through until tight. 19. Tie off the beginning tail and the excess thread into a knot. 20.Tie a double knot and trim of the ends. Be sure the inside of the binding matches this photo. 21. All done, inspect your outside binding as well. Leave closed journals under a heavy item to help them stay closed. Now it is time to start making memories. Create journals for trips, summer reading, lists and more. Make different sizes for different purposes. Create a 5 inch by 5 inch book (the pink one) and print off 4 inch by 4 inch Instagram photos to make an album. Have fun embellishing with washi tape and adding notes about the photos. What a fun way to store cute photos! Find scrapbook paper that fits the purpose of your mini journal. My "adventure" mini journal is to record all my fun summer travels. Don't forget summer reading lists. Keep track of books to read, notes about what you are reading and check off any books you've read during the summer. This is perfect for kids to track their progress. I am in love with these adorable mini journals and I hope you are too. If you loved this idea, I'm sure you will love these:

Kids Summer Activity Jar

Road Trip Activity Book

Camping Survival Kit

Hey, I'm Emily. I am a wife to an amazing, crazy, and fun husband who keeps me on my toes. I love to craft, celebrate, cook, thrift, read, shop, and decorate. I enjoy working on projects and finding ways to share them. I hope you enjoy my simple ideas and are inspired to create along with me. When I'm not blogging, I'm normally reading a good book or out shopping.

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Ham Buns Recipe

cindylouh — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 17:56:30 +0000

If you are wanting to easily feed a group of friends this holiday this King’s Hawaiian® Ham Buns recipe is perfect. This recipe is from my sister-in-law's mother. Everyone in the family has been making them for years with crowd pleasing results! It is what we serve for the Fourth of July at my home! By the time the Fourth of July rolls around our friends and family are tired of the normal grilling fare! We mix it up with these delicious ham buns. This recipe can be grilled or even cooked on a campfire and makes for a portable meal perfect for dinner on the boat or around a campfire. I especially love that these ham buns can be made in advance and even frozen. That makes one less thing to do the day of your party and allows you time to sit back and relax! From King’s Hawaiian® Rolls to chips and paper goods, Walmart made shopping for my party a breeze. Grab your supplies, prepare your food and decorate for a festive and fun party! Load up on the red, white and blue for sure! Each year I collect a few more cloth buntings (found by the flags at Walmart). This bunting makes my party festive and gets everyone into the spirit! When you are picking up your ham buns ingredients you will want to also get:

red, white and blue decorations ( I am partial to the pleated fans! I think they make such a festive display)
bug spray
sun screen
paper plates and napkins
plastic cutlery and cups
plenty of drinks to keep guest hydrated

King Hawaiian Ham Buns Recipe

Sauce 2 Sticks (1 Cup) Butter, room temperature 2 Tablespoons poppy seeds 5 Tablespoons yellow mustard 1 large white or yellow onion, finely chopped Filling 1½ pounds shredded Swiss cheese 3 pounds shaved ham 48 King Hawaiian Butter Rolls (4 packages) Stir together butter, poppy seeds, yellow mustard and chopped onion to make the mustard sauce. In a separate bowl mix together ham and swiss. It is easiest to mix with your hands. Remove rolls from package. Be sure to keep the oven safe tray the rolls come in. Keeping rolls together slice rolls in half. King Hawaiian Rolls are moist and delicious and make this recipe supper yummy and easy! Divide mustard sauce into fourths and spread evenly onto the top side of each of the four rolls. Evenly divide ham mixture between the four roll bottoms. It will be a generous amount. Yum! Replace the roll tops and place the ham and swiss rolls back into the oven proof tray the rolls came in. Wrap the rolls in their tray in heavy duty aluminum foil. Once wrapped, they can then be frozen or heated right away while wrapped in foil. Now if you don't want to heat up your house throw the foil wrapped buns onto your grill over indirect heat. Heat them slowly for about 30 minutes. They only need to be warmed so butter and cheese melt. They can also be baked at 350 degrees in an oven for about 30 minutes. If you like to be outside at the lake as much as we do, warm them on a camp fire lakeside....just keep them away from a direct flame. Place the foil wrapped buns in a cast iron dutch oven. Turn the buns frequently to keep them from burning. After about 20 minutes depending on your fire the buns should be warm and gooey! Once heated through and cheese has fully melted remove from the foil. Use a serrated knife to cut apart the sandwiches. For large groups, figure about 1½ ham buns per person. Serve hot! What an easy way to feed a crowd! I believe like King’s Hawaiian® that sharing remarkable food and laughter with family and friends makes life sweeter. If you are ready to enjoy your friends and serve a great meal head to Wal-Mart to grab all your supplies to have an extraordinary party. So you can treat your guests to a wonderful party please enjoy this coupon for King’s Hawaiian® rolls and buns. You can Save $1 on TWO (2) KING’S HAWAIIAN® Hamburger, Deluxe Hamburger, Hot Dog Buns, Mini Sub Rolls, or 12pk Dinner Rolls for your 4^th of July BBQ. Click here for the coupon. We are also huge fans of the King Hawaiian Hot Dog Buns! Man they are good! We love to fix them up like a Chicago dog. This is another easy party meal. Make your party festive by serving a red white and blue layered drink. Be sure to dress the part with red white and blue ponytail holders and a DIY flag shirt. Make your tables sparkle with a star Fourth of July centerpiece. Help guest keep hold of their napkin and cutlery with a red white and blue treat sack. Printable pinwheels are an easy way to dress up potted plants in your yard. Red white and blue cupcakes with candy star cupcake toppers are the perfect dessert. The day wouldn't be complete without a parade! Check out our Fourth of July Parade floats.

This post was sponsored by KING’S HAWAIIAN® and I was compensated to write it. Regardless, what I have written is my own opinion and experience, and I hope you find it of use.

Don't forget to grab your coupon!

Pom Pom Flip Flops

Guest Poster — Sat, 04 Jul 2015 12:00:44 +0000

This DIY Pom pom Flip Flops can be made in just a afternoon! This is a fun kids activity perfect for parties or lazy summer days. If you are looking for more boredom busting ideas check out all our summer crafts and activities ideas that will kids active and entertained this summer! I have gathered the best craft bloggers to share fun kids crafts! Gather some kids and make these life preserver donuts or try creating this squirt bottle tie dye tutorial. Be sure to keep checking back and you will find fun creative ideas that inspire and encourage imaginative play this summer! I'm Randi from Dukes and Duchesses! I'm a mom to five kids and I love doing crafty projects and making things my kids will enjoy. These colorful pom pom flip flops are simple enough that my five year old could even make them with just a little bit of help ... and the final result is fluffy cuteness just perfect for summer! They even help hide the dirty toenails of an outdoor-loving nine year old {or at least they help distract}. To make these fun flip flops, you'll need flips flops in your child's size {you can find cheap flip flops at most stores this time of year} and scrap yarn. I used different colors and different textures of yarn but one color would also make a really great monochromatic look. To get started, you'll need to make a pile of pom poms. My pom poms are about two inches wide and I needed nine to cover each flip flop. I used a storebought pom pom maker but you could also use the fork method if you don't have one. If you're not sure what I mean by the fork method, check pinterest for piles of tutorials. When tying the center string around each pom pom, leave the ends long. You'll use these to attach the pom poms to the flip flops. Starting at the center, tie each pom pom around the top of the flip flop, tying a tight knot. To keep the knot from untying or unraveling, I like to add a drop of hot glue to each one. That's all there is to it! Fluffy pom pom flip flops will be all the rage this summer and your child can have a pair in every color! Looking for more ways to entertain the kids this summer? Be sure to check out my tutorial for homemade chalk paint ... ... DIY bubble wands ... ... and fun and easy bathtub paints! And be sure to follow Dukes and Duchesses on facebook and instagram to keep up with all the fun!

Make Your Very Own Life Preserver Donuts

Guest Poster — Fri, 03 Jul 2015 12:00:57 +0000

Make Life Preserver Donuts and thrill your kids this summer. This clever and fun kids activity is so easy kids can even make them on their own. If you are looking for more boredom busting ideas check out all our summer crafts and activities ideas that will kids active and entertained this summer! I have gathered the best craft bloggers to share fun kids crafts! Gather some kids and make these fruit and yogurt popsicles or try creating this squirt bottle tie dye tutorial. Be sure to keep checking back and you will find fun creative ideas that inspire and encourage imaginative play this summer! It's that time of year when we can't get enough of the pool at my house. We are swimming all day, but sometimes we swim in the morning, too-- and that means we need a pool themed breakfast! I am totally loving these life preserver donuts. Aren't they totally adorable? They're super easy to make since they use pre-packaged donuts, too. I usually let the kids make them all on their own.

What You Need To Make Life Preserver Donuts:

Hostess Mini Powdered Donuts
Wilton Red Decorating Gel

How To Make Life Preserver Donuts:

Remove donuts from package and lay onto parchment paper or a paper towel.
Firmly press on the red decorating gel tube and draw a line of red decorating gel across the donut. You want to make an X but leave the middle of the donut open. Don't apply gel to the middle of the donut.
Allow the gel to dry before placing into a container or bag.
Serve and Enjoy!

And, if you're going for a whole nautical themed party, I love these lifesaver necklaces!

Fourth of July Coloring Pages

cindylouh — Sat, 04 Jul 2015 16:21:32 +0000

It is a busy day but if the kids need a down moment these coloring pages can help entertain and relax. Download, print and let them color away. Coloring pages are a great activity for kids! For more last minute ideas to use today try my red, white and blue layered drink or these red, white and blue cake mix cookies!

Get your Fourth of July Coloring Pages below

{Fourth of July Coloring Page}

This Coloring Page is perfect for dog lovers!

{Fourth of July Coloring Page For Dog Lovers}

Kid Friendly Snacks Perfect for Summer

cindylouh — Sun, 05 Jul 2015 12:00:47 +0000

Here are a few kid friendly snacks perfect for summer! I don't know about your house but with my kids home and hungry I am constantly filling the pantry. I love this fun and creative ideas, most of which I picked because kids will enjoy making all by themselves. They are the perfect way to spend a summer afternoon. Looking for an easy dinner that won't hear up your kitchen this summer? Try my crock pot lasagna or my crock pot baked potatoes. These recipes are perfect for busy days, simply prepare in the crock pot in the morning and come home to a dinner that is all ready and prepared. Mini Smores Tortes Life Preserver Donuts Sea Monster Hot dogs Homemade Gummy Candy Five minute Suckers Blueberry Mango Popsicles Frozen 2 Ingredient Mini Pizzas Smoked Turkey and Cucumber Sandwiches

Made by you Monday

cindylouh — Mon, 06 Jul 2015 12:01:58 +0000

Minion Party Ideas {free printables}

cindylouh — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 02:25:26 +0000

We love the Minions at our house and threw and amazing backyard bash with these easy Minion party ideas. My daughter and her friends can't wait for the new movie coming out July 10th so were so excited when Universal Pictures asked us to host a party in honor of the movie's opening. We hear that Kevin, Bob and Stuart embark upon a thrilling journey that ultimately leads them to their next potential master, Scarlet Overkill (Academy Award® winner Sandra Bullock), the world’s first-ever female super-villain. They travel from frigid Antarctica to 1960s New York City, ending in mod London, where they must face their biggest challenge to date: saving all of Minionkind...from annihilation. It should be an amazing adventure.... reason enough for us to party! We kept our party super simple with chips, hot dogs, Minion twinkies and of course bananas! By just adding printable stickers our twinkies were turned into the cutest Minions! These were a party hit! You can easily make your own. Just click the link for the printables.

{free printable Minion stickers for twinkies)

We also "dressed" the yellow party cups with goggles! These little details made the party extra festive.

{free printable Minion goggles for drinking cups}

The kids kept busy splashing in the pool, playing freeze tag with water guns and playing feeding the Minion. Yellow poster board and some printables turned a cardboard box into a banana loving Minion.

{free printables for Minion toss game}

Of course we sat Minions everywhere. What is a Minion party without loads of Minions! We printed, cut, taped them to upside down cups and sat them everywhere!

{free printable Minions}

This July, go back to where it all began. ‪#‎Minions is in theaters July 10. Thanks Universal Pictures for helping us host an amazing backyard bash!

Papier Mache Shorebirds

Guest Poster — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 16:51:45 +0000

Papier Mache Shorebirds is a fabulous paper mach project, and my kids love paper mach. This fun kids activity is great for both girls and boys. If you are looking for more boredom busting ideas check out all our summer crafts and activities ideas that will kids active and entertained this summer! I have gathered the best craft bloggers to share fun kids crafts! Gather some kids and make these fruit and yogurt popsicles or try creating this squirt bottle tie dye tutorial. Be sure to keep checking back and you will find fun creative ideas that inspire and encourage imaginative play this summer! Hi everyone. It's Gail from that artist woman. I'm an art educator and spend my days teaching kids about art. One of my favourite art projects to do with kids is papier mache. My birds are always a hit at school and with my own kids. Today I thought I would put a summer spin on things and do shorebirds. Nothing says summer to me than hanging out by the ocean and watching the sandpipers race up and down the beach. So let's get started. Take a piece of newspaper and crumple it into a pear shape. For a sandpiper you want a long pear shape. Use masking tape and wrap it on your shape to secure. Now it's time to get messy. I use cut up paper towel for my strips. They work better than newspaper strips, easier to paint (it's white) and it soaks in all that mache mix so it's less messy. My mache mix is glue and water (50/50). It dries very hard so your creations will last a long time. Dip the paper towel strips into the mix and start wrapping. The birds are small so you only need about 2 coats. We want to add a long beak so take a strip or 2, dip in the mix, and twist into the beak shape. Secure on the head with a few strips. At this point I like to let them dry out a bit. At school I don't always have the luxury of time so my students might add the tail and wings at this point.(I'll talk about that in a minute) Once the bird bodies have dried you'll want to add some legs. Cut some wire, I use 22 gauge, you need 2 pieces about 10 inches long. Fold in half. Starting at the fold bend in 3 toes and the twist the ends together to form the legs. Trim at the top. I use an awl to poke to holes into the bird body but you can also use a knitting needle. Put a bead of hot glue on the hole. (adult supervision required) and then push wire leg in. Add extra glue if needed. Once the legs are on you can add the tail. Cut out a tail shape from some recycled cardboard. For the sandpipers we did not add wings as they keep them tight to body when zipping up and down the beach. If you want to add wings just use the same cardboard method. Then attach with…you guessed it…more papier mache. Just a few strips will do ya. You can also wrap a strip or two around the leg where you glued it. This will hide the hot glue and make your bird look more realistic. Set aside to dry. When the bird is dry it's time to paint. I give my kids/students pictures and bird books to use for reference but they are also free to paint it any way they want. We use acrylic but you can also use liquid tempera. My youngest loves making these birds. We have them all over the house! If you want you can wrap the legs with some embroidery floss. This makes them look more realistic. Just knot it on, wrap several times and then knot it off. Finally you can add a coat of Mod Podge or sealer to the bird. This will preserve it, give it a nice shiny finish, and protect it from getting picked up by every person who visits your house. ('Really, you made that!') That's it. If you liked this project and want more…..come visit me over at that artist woman. I have lots of art and craft projects you can do all summer. Gail

S'mores Pizookie Recipe

cindylouh — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 12:00:43 +0000

Hi Skip To My Lou readers, I'm Becky from Bite of Delight, and I'm so excited to be sharing with you today! I'm slightly obsessed with all things food and eating, and I can't wait to share this amazing s'mores dessert that I've come up with for you! This S'mores Pizookie is out-of-this-world! The first time I made it was for my son's birthday party. We offered it to the parents when they came to pick up their kids, and they all wanted some! If it had been regular birthday cake, I can't help but think there would have been less enthusiastic sampling. They all LOVED it! Maybe it's just my family, but we're really not big cake eaters. This however, I could eat every day. It's rich and gooey and decadent, which probably makes it a little dangerous! Top it with ice cream, or eat it as is...no matter how you do it, you're going to love it!

The cookie base is a slightly modified version of my Congo Squares recipe. Since I'm a big proponent of freezing extra batches of cookie dough, and it was a little tricky to halve, I just left it at full-batch measurements. Because honestly, it's always a good idea to have cookie dough in the freezer.

S'mores Pizookie

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup coconut oil
2 1/4 cups brown sugar
3 eggs
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 Tbsp cornstarch
1 tsp salt
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
35 Rolos, unwrapped
about 10 square Marshmallows, cut in half crosswise (like a hamburger bun)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350.
Cream the butter, coconut oil and sugar.
Add eggs one at a time, beating until incorporated.
Add the flour, baking powder, cornstarch & salt and combine.
Stir in chocolate chips.
Divide dough in half. (freeze one half for later use, or make 2 pizookies.)
Oil a 12-inch skillet and press dough evenly to the edges.
Bake 20-25 minutes, or until lightly browned on top.
Remove from oven and turn on the broiler.
Place Rolos on the hot pizookie.
Top with marshmallow halves.
Return pan to oven to toast the marshmallows under the broiler. Watch carefully, it will take less than a minute. The marshmallows will burn very quickly if left too long.
Cool and cut into slices.

Notes:

I slide mine out of the pan prior to cutting it, it's much easier than trying to cut it in the skillet (which I've also done).
Any size and shape marshmallows will work, just use enough to cover the cookie. Cut large marshmallows in half crosswise.

Becky blogs over at Bite of Delight. She is wife to one, mama to four, and spends a ridiculous amount of time cleaning her kitchen...where she spends most of her time cooking up something new! When she's not cooking (or doing dishes), you can find her running, reading, or trying to keep up with her kids. For a few more of her summertime favorites, be sure to check out: {dairy-free} strawberries & cream popsicles // {dairy-free} pineapple mango pops // {dairy-free} 5 minute blender lemon curd // {dairy-free} thin mint s'mores

Follow Becky on Pinterest // Facebook // Instagram // Twitter

Minion Banana Bites

Guest Poster — Sat, 11 Jul 2015 12:00:29 +0000

Hi Everyone! I am Brittanie and I blog over at Simplistically Living and I am so excited to be here sharing a fun recipe with you today. I love being creative and trying new things. Those "things" are even better when they are simple yet fun to create so of course I have something that is both for you today! As you all may know, Minions was released yesterday in theaters and with all the excitement I thought it was the perfect time to make a Minions themed treat and these Minion Banana Bites are exactly what I had in mind! They are everything sweet and so easy to make, your little one's will be begging you to make more! As I mentioned, this recipe is quite easy. It only requires a few ingredients and your children can even get in on the action and help make them! As soon as these were done, they were gone so fast you wouldn't have even known they were there! I sure hope you will give them a try!

Supplies Needed to Make Minion Banana Bites:

Bananas, sliced into rounds
Wilton Royal Blue Candy Melts
Wilton Candy Eyeballs
Wilton Black Sparkle Gel
Parchment Paper
Cookie Sheet
Butter Knife
Spoon
Microwave Safe Bowl

How to Make Minion Banana Bites:

Peel and cut your banana into rounds about half of an inch thick. Place onto a plate and place into the freezer for about 10 minutes.
In the meantime, prepare an area to place your dipped bananas on. The easiest way is to cover a cookie sheet with parchment paper (wax side up).
Place your candy melts into a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 30 seconds. Remove from microwave, stir, and repeat until the candy is melted.
Take your bananas out of the freezer and use a butter knife to carefully smear some of the melted blue candy melts onto the bottom half of each banana. Work quickly as the chocolate will begin to harden and the bananas will defrost causing the chocolate to not stick.
Place dipped bananas onto cookie sheet.
Place bananas back into freezer for another 5-10 minutes.
Remove bananas from freezer and now it's time to add the final details. First, I used the black sparkle gel to draw a line across the top of the banana.
I then added the candy eyeballs on top. I put 1 eyeball on some and 2 on others. You can make each Minion Banana different which makes it fun!
If you have room on the banana you can also add a mouth but some of my pieces were so small I couldn't.
There you have it! You now have some tasty Minion Banana Bites!

If you happen to be looking for more Minion crafts and recipes, you can check out my Minion Munch Mix, Minion Bookmark, and even Minion Glow Stick Necklace over on my site, Simplistically Living!

Easy DIY Toddler Pops

Guest Poster — Fri, 10 Jul 2015 12:00:15 +0000

Hi! I'm Tina from Mother's Niche. Since I'm soon-to-be mother of 3 kids ages four and under, I thought I would post something for the little people today! It's summer time and it's hot, which might mean lots of popsicles at your house (it does at mine). However, toddlers really don't need a full popsicle, and if you give them one, it GETS EVERYWHERE! So here's a simple little recipe for Easy DIY Toddler Pops these homemade popsicles that are toddler-sized! Hint: they are super easy. Supplies

Plastic Shot Glasses
Toothpicks, or cupcake toppers (I got mine from Dollar Tree in the Baby Shower isle)
Yogurt, Juice, or whatever you want your popsicles to be made out of

Directions Line your plastic shot glasses onto a cookie sheet. Fill them 3/4 of the way full. Throw them into the freezer and wait for them to start to set up, but not be frozen solid. This is when you will insert your picks (about 15-20 after you put them in the freezer). If you want two different layers of two colors (I did orange and pink), you will just repeat those directions. Pour in the first color and wait for it to firm up, then add the pick, then add your second color and put back in the freezer. Once they are done, you can throw them into a giant baggie for easy access! So easy! For more toddler activities, ideas for family fun, or cheap ideas for summer, swing by Mother's Niche sometime and introduce yourself! You can also find me on Facebook, Pinterest & instagram! Here's my most recent post below:

Amazing Summer Drinks

cindylouh — Sun, 12 Jul 2015 12:00:32 +0000

Summer time is a perfect time to a host a party of get together, and I love to have special drinks! Here are some great drink recipes that caught my eye this week on Made by you Monday. If you are look for another easy recipe try my easy margarita recipe, it is the best I have ever tried, and it always a crowd pleaser! Another great party recipe is my watermelon lemonade which is perfect to make a special drink for the kids at your get together.

Summer Drinks perfect for any party.

Sparkling Summertime Sangria Recipe Fresh Watermelon Mojitos Easy Sangria Recipe Sparkling Limoncello Cooler Malibu Summer Fun

Washi Tape Light Switch Cover

cindylouh — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 12:00:52 +0000

I love making handmade gifts and so does my daughter! This Washi Tape Light Switch Cover is a quick and easy no mess idea that costs less than a couple of dollars to make. Children will have fun making these decorative light switch covers for all their friend's rooms. For more kids crafts check out this diy invisible ink tutorial. All you need is a light switch cover, washi tape, foam brush and mod podge. Have your child check out their friend's room on the sly to know if they need a light switch cover for one, two or more switch openings. Also have them notice the colors of their friend's room so you can get the perfect colors of washi tape. Our light switch covers get a good deal of wear so a coat Mod Podge for durability is a good idea. My friend Amy, will tell you what is Mod Podge! She is an expert! Remove screws from light switch cover and begin covering the cover with the washi tape. Make sure tape overlaps to the back. Cover entire light switch plate. It is okay to cover the hole. With scissors or an xacto knife make a slit in the hole and fold the washi tape the back of the cover. Take the screw and punch through the screw holes. Give the the washi tape covered light switch plate a coat of mod podge. Once completely dry you are ready to wrap it up and give! Be sure to make one for yourself. Lets keep in touch! Sign up to get crafty ideas, recipes, sewing tutorials and more delivered right to your inbox. Follow Skip to My Lou on FB and Google+ to find out the latest news! Join me at Pinterest and Instagram for an extra dose of fun!

DIY Invisible Ink

cindylouh — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 16:48:55 +0000

This DIY Invisible Ink is a great way to entertain your kids and have fun with household science. Kids will love making it and watching it disapear! It's so simple you probably have all the ingredients already in your cupboard! For more summer kids crafts check out my tutorials on how to make oobleck. Let's get started!

DIY Invisible Ink Supplies

Baking soda Water Grape Juice Concentrate Paper Paint Brush

How to make invisible ink

Mix equal parts baking soda and water. Stir well. Dip your paint brush in the solution and write your secret message. Use grape juice concentrate and paint your paper, your secret message will be revealed! Here is a video so you can see how it works... Don't miss my 50 Summer Boredom Busters, full of kids crafts you can do all summer long!

Made by you Monday

cindylouh — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 12:00:22 +0000

Made by You Monday

cindylouh — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 12:00:11 +0000

SanDisk iXpand {$50 off coupon}

cindylouh — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 01:02:18 +0000

I have been struggling with my phone for quite awhile. I should have gotten more memory, but the jump in price seemed too much! It is a decision I have regretted. This is what I constantly see on my phone.It leaves me scrambling to delete pictures, videos, games....... GOOD NEWS I couldn't be more thrilled! My problems have been easily solved! This little device, the sandisk, has saved the day. I no longer have to miss those picture perfect moments. I can quickly give my phone more memory and keep on taking photos. I also never have to worry about loosing photos! If you have a lot of music you can even play directly from the iXpand. Download the app and you are ready to go. It was easy to understand and use. How happy I am to not see the "cannot take photo" image on my phone! It is also easy to sinc to my computer. This little guy is amazing and has given me eight times the memory! YAY Want to get your hands on a IXpand for yourself?! Use this e-coupon for $50 off (over 45% off) your purchase! *This is a limited offer Not ready to purchase yet? Drop in your name here to get our latest offers. This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of SanDisk. The opinions and text are all mine.

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

Guest Poster — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 12:00:41 +0000

Hi! I'm Ruthie from Cooking with Ruthie and I'm here to share one of our families very favorite recipes with all of you~ Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins they're a delicious and healthier snack for the whole family.

We love these banana muffins so much. The original recipe came from my Grandma, over the years I've made a few changes to make them healthier- like reducing the fat by adding applesauce and replacing whole eggs with egg whites to reduce fat and cholesterol. I promise you'll never be able to tell the difference at all!

Then I don't feel quite so guilty about adding in the chocolate chips... totally kidding! The banana muffins are very good all on their own but those chocolate chips take them right over the top :)

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

Recipe Type: Breakfast

Author: Ruthie

Prep time: 15 mins

Cook time: 22 mins

Total time: 37 mins

Serves: 24

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup applesauce
3/4 cup sugar
2 whole eggs and 4 egg whites, room temperature (for lower fat/cholesterol or 4 whole eggs)
2 2/3 cup flour
2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (about 1/2 a lemon)
2 teaspoon baking soda
4 overripe bananas (approx 2 cups)
1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Line muffins with paper liners or spray with cooking spray.
In a large mixing bowl combine butter and sugar; mix 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy.
Add eggs one at a time; mixing and scraping with each addition.
Add applesauce, banana's, lemon juice; mix until smooth.
Add flour and baking soda; mix until 80% incorporated (do not over mix- a few lumps are fine)
Gently fold in chocolate chips using a wooden spoon.
Divide batter evenly into paper liners.
Bake 18-22 minutes or until inserted toothpick removes clean.
Remove from pan and cool on racks.
Enjoy!

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins will be a must have around your house and if you happen to have a few left hanging around, just toss them in a zip lock freezer bag and into the freezer. They'll keep great for 4-6 weeks plus then they're right ready to go anytime!

Here some of our other favorite banana recipes for you to enjoy too...

Orange Banana Drop Cookies

Banana Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Thanks so much for having me over to visit… I love coming and sharing some of the love from my kitchen with all of you.

You’re more than welcome to come by my place anytime… catch me atwww.cookingwithruthie.com or connect with me on Pinterest, Google+, Facebook, Twitter andInstagram !

xoxo~ Ruthie

Fun with Foam Beads

Guest Poster — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 12:00:45 +0000

Hi Skip to My Lou readers--I'm Steph from Crafting in the Rain and I'm so happy to be here today with a craft camp post! This craft, Fun with Foam Beads is perfect for kids of all ages, and the supplies are super cheap.

All you need is pipe cleaners and foam beads (found the dollar store.) You may need to show small children how to thread the beads onto the pipe cleaner, but other than that, let imagination take over!

Creation possibilities include a bracelet,

a bookmark,

which doubles as a magic wand,

or a colorful frame.

What will your kids make? Of course here on Skip to My Lou you'll find all kinds of great kids crafts. A couple more of mine you might like:

Kids Initial Art

and Balloon Boppers

I hope you'll try one of them. Thanks for having me Cindy!

Keep up with more of my crafty adventures on Instagram and Facebook.

~Steph

Summer Campfire Snacks by Inspiration for Moms

Guest Poster — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 12:00:25 +0000

Hi there! It's Laura from Inspiration for Moms. I am so happy to be here visiting on Skip to my Lou today. Let's face it, making all these fabulous kids crafts can make little ones hungry. I have the perfect snack to compliment any project. My Summer Campfire Snacks are sure to be hit with campers from young to old! The great thing about these snacks is every one wins. Moms love it because it's healthy and kids love it because it's an awesome campfire! Plus this wholesome treat only takes minutes to make. First, gather your supplies. Some crackers (represents the ground), grapes (for the stones), pretzel sticks (for the wood), and cheese (for the fire flame). Next it's time to build the fire pit. Cut your grapes in half and place in a ring along the outer edge of your cracker. Next it's time to add the fire. Take a piece of cheese and cut flames on one end. Then place in the middle of your stones aka the grapes. :) And lastly, it's time for our wood. Now you may have wondered why I didn't add the pretzels before the cheese. I think it's easier to get the cheese to stand up with the pretzels giving it a little more support. So, break your pretzels in half and pile them on the campfire to finish the snack. And that my friends, is how you build a campfire snack! My son has been loving snack time at our house lately and I think you can see why. ;) If you love these snacks, you should check out my Peanut Butter Super Buddies. Visit Inspiration for Moms to see how I made these super cute edible puppies. Thank you so much for letting me visit with you. I'd love for you to stop by Inspiration for Moms and say Hi anytime! You can also chat with me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and see what I've been pinning on Pinterest. Wishing you all a wonderful summer with your little happy campers! :)

Painted Basket Wall Art

Guest Poster — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 13:00:09 +0000

Greetings Everyone! This is Jessica from scrumdilly-do! bringing you a swanky take on diy wall decor. I love to create and make things but sometimes find that I do not have the time I wish I had to create. Here is a kiddo friendly project that can be take as little as thirty minutes to create but has big impact on your wall, especially when grouped together in a happy jumble. Instead of paper, why not paint on shallow baskets that can be found at your local thrift store? Materials:

shallow handleless baskets
white acrylic paint
acrylic paint in three other colors
washi/masking tape (optional)

1. Gather ye baskets! If you are lucky enough to live in a town where thrift stores actually have thrift store prices you can probably find a handful of shallow baskets for a dollar or two. You may even find one for mere pennies, I find that there appears to be an endless supply of baskets floating out there in the world. In my classroom we use baskets to corral art supplies, play dough toys, jewels, and whatever else catches our fancy. My favorite type of basket are the flat wicker trays made to hold paper plates. Round in shape they are often found in a set of 4-8 for small change and make excellent canvases for this project. 2. Assemble supplies. Acrylic paint will work best for this project, a little will go a long way so small bottles are all you need. Paintbrushes can be found in all sorts of size, you will want to have one that is flat and at least an inch wide and maybe two or three others with varying widths. Make sure you have white paint to prime your basket with. In a pinch, Mom or Dad can spray paint the baskets with a matte floral paint to have a pile of baskets ready for your kiddos to art up. If using spray paint, use a matte paint not a glossy. The glossy paint tends to dry with a bit of sticky and the shine really isn't very pretty. 3. Prime the bottom of the basket with white paint. A wider brush makes for quicker work and the paint will dry in 10 to 15 minutes. The wicker is quite porous and absorbs a lot of the paint. Painting your color directly onto the wicker will leave it a little faint and lackluster. The white will help your paint pop and adds a nice background. 4. See? It's almost pretty enough as is. Let it dry before you add your color. 5. Don't forget to rinse your brush for the next round! 6. If you want to color block your basket with clean lines, use washi or masking tape to tape of a few areas. 7. Limit your color palette to keep things from getting muddy. Also, having a palette that everyone uses will make for a cohesive cluster of art. They will each look different but will all go together. 8. Small canning jars and shallow bowls are nifty to use for holding your rinse water and paint. Work with one color at a time and see if your kiddos can determine a design idea. Sometimes sketching the idea onto a piece of paper helps. I have done this with 4 year-olds and it works! 9. After you finish with each color, rinse out your paint dish and rinse water so that everything is fresh and your new color will not get muddied. Keep adding your colors to your designs. Allow 5-10 minutes between each color so that the previous color may set. How many different ways can you paint a basket bottom? 10. If you used tape. Wait until the entire basket is dry before removing your tape. Use small nails, thumbtacks, or wall putty (if the baskets are light) to hang on your wall. Such a happy cluster of fun! Have each member of the family paint one up to hang or get goofy and instead of a design paint self portraits! There are all sorts of possibilities, most importantly have fun! Jessica blogs at scrumdilly-do! and scrumdillydilly. She works as a preschool teacher on California's central coast and just may have a problem with collecting children's books. You can find her both on Pinterest and Instagram.

Guilt Free Summer Soda Recipes

Guest Poster — Sat, 18 Jul 2015 12:00:55 +0000

Hello everyone! Jes here from Mommy Envy and I am sharing my very favorite way to feel fancy during the summer. These guilt free summer soda recipes are my realistic alternative to kicking my feet up and eating bonbons all day. I am a stay at home mom and I've enjoyed it very much. I love watching my kids discover new things. And although I love creating activities and getting down on their level to play, this picture of a perfect day of play and learning doesn't always exist. Sometimes I can make it happen for about 15 minutes and then my toddler is on to his next mess. That really wears on you! I've been pretty good at keeping my emotions and frustrations in check. I do this by taking a moment to take inventory. When was the last time either of us slept? Ate? One of these two missing for either of us is sure to cause tears and chaos. So, while I've set up coloring time at the table for the toddler and Cheerios in the high chair for the baby, I set up myself with one of these fun summer drink recipes. They are so easy to make and they are sugar free! I sit at the table with the kiddos sipping on my drink and feeling fancy. This is my little break for the day. And sometimes we take 2 or 3 breaks, who is counting? In the summer I feel like I drink way too much soda at parties. I always feel guilty after because my stomach isn't a big fan. These guilt free summer soda recipes are light on calories and I can drink as little or as much as I want. Here's how they are made: Black Cherry Grapefruit Summer Soda Recipe

Black Cherry Sparkling Water, I buy these in the 1 liter bottles but you can find them in cans too
1/2 grapefruit, If I had grapefruit for breakfast I just save some of the extra juice. Or I squeeze a half of a grapefruit for as much or as little juice as I want.

Lemon Lime Summer Soda Recipe

Lemon Lime Sparkling Water
1 slice of lime and 1 slice of lemon, squeeze into the soda

If you want your drinks a little on the sweeter side I add a little Stevia to my soda. These recipes might seem simple but they are so good. The Black Cherry Grapefruit is a little sweet and a little sour and the Lemon Lime is an extra kick of a classic flavor. Now go and kick your feet up for a moment, reflect and feel fancy! The mess can be picked up later. Hello, my name is Jes and I blog at Mommy Envy. My dream has always been to be a writer. After years of being a Career Coach for others, I took a leap and decided to go after my dream. I write about my journey of being a mom and exploring my talents. I think it is so important to explore talents (even the ones you don't think you have) because you can learn and grow in so many ways! Some of my favorite posts include: Caramel Kisses No-Churn Ice Cream Our Daily Schedule and How I Keep Up with it All First Birthday Cake Smash Photos

Summer DIY Projects

cindylouh — Fri, 17 Jul 2015 18:57:53 +0000

I love these DIY Projects. I love reclaiming old things and making them look new . Here a few amazing ideas that stood out this week on Made by you Monday! For a few of my own DIY Project ideas, try making your own stepping stools or if you are looking for a bigger project, make your own patio chairs! IKEA Vittsjo Hack DIY Paint your refrigerator! Custom Built Wood Desk Make Over a Folding Chair Makeover a Tv Stand I had to throw this one in, it is darling! Looks so easy to make too! Easy Caftan Dress Be sure to stop by Monday for another Made by you Monday and share what you have been doing!

3Doodler {Giveaway}

cindylouh — Sun, 19 Jul 2015 18:28:47 +0000

I have a fun little giveaway today! The 3Doodler 2.0 is a 3D printing pen. The pen draws dimensional figures and structures by extruding heated plastic that quickly cools and solidifies strong and stable. You can build a variety of dimensional artwork, toys, jewelry, sculptures, vertical drawings and more. It is much more affordable than a 3D printer - you have to check it out! Watch this amazing video here! We plugged it in and starting making right away. We placed a piece of tape on our paper to make it easier for the plastic to stick. It works just like a pen. As you move the pen plastic flows out just like ink. However, it gets hard and can make so many things. We made a little flower for a ring. First starting with pink, then yellow and finishing off with an orange center. To turn our flower into a ring we purchase ring blanks and all purpose adhesive from Michaels. Glue the plastic dimensional flower to the ring base and you have a darling ring. We are off to make matching earrings! Want to give it a try? I have one of these 3Doodlers up for grabs! Wait for the rafflecopter to load and enter. The lucky winner could be YOU! a Rafflecopter giveaway

wood chip necklace

Guest Poster — Sat, 25 Jul 2015 12:00:24 +0000

I've got a cute little craft that is fun for all ages (even age 33!) Wood chip necklaces!Here's what you need to make your own: Wood chips something to drill a hole in the wood chip Paint necklace or keychain You can find a bag of wood chips at Walmart or Joanns. There are a variety of sizes--some are a little too big for necklaces or keychains. (but I'm already working on something fun to do with those!) You will need to drill a hole in the top to add your keychain or necklace.... I use my husband's drill and it makes it go real fast! Make sure to get close to the top so you can add a jump ring or keychain...but not too close or it will break! There are tons of ways to decorate--Just grab some paint and let them go! (you could use markers if you aren't a paint fan!) I thought this would be a great camping craft--and if you have mad skills with a saw you could even make your own wood chips--then use leaves or flowers as stencils! and...you can make them reversible!! Then add chains....or rope or twine with beads or a even a keychain! You could also do fun friendship bracelets and add these as charms! They turned out super fun and we all wanted to make about a dozen! Here are the ones my kids made: (my oldest two are using them on their backpacks as zipper pulls)Make sure to check out some other fun Kids craft ideas HERE

Summer Memory Booklets

Guest Poster — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 12:00:33 +0000

Hi everyone, it's Vanessa from Tried & True and I know I'm not the only one who can't believe it's time to start thinking about school starting back up again next month? It seems like just yesterday we were making teacher appreciation gifts! Oh well, all good things must end and soon Summer will, unfortunately, go the way of Spring. I thought it would be fun to have my son document some of the things he did during his break with these little Summer Memory Booklets. They're super easy to make (all you need is a normal printer paper and some scissors!) and if you keep them in a safe place, would be tons of fun to pull out years from now and see what your kids were into!

Summer Memory Booklets

Materials:

Summer Memory Booklets Free Printables
Scissors

Step One. Depending on the age of your child, all these steps are easy enough for even my five year old to do on his own. Don't worry if they don't make it absolutely perfectly, adds to the charm! Fold the Summer Memory Booklets Free Printable in half and cut along the dotted line in the center. Step Two. Continue folding the page until you have a panel 1/8 the size of your original sheet. Step Three. Open up the sheet and lay flat. Pinch the middle crease upward. Step Four. Maneuver sheet into an "x" shape and making sure the front and back cover are in the right position, press to create booklet. Step Five. You have officially made a Summer Memory Booklet! Step Six. Have your child enter in all their best Summer memories!

Precious Memories

Even though Summer isn't over yet, my son was so eager to start filling out the movie booklet, I couldn't say "no!" Once he's filled all of the booklets out, I'm totally planning on storing them somewhere safe for the many Summers to come. I'm even wondering if these will fit on a scrapbook page? It'll be so sweet to look back on these 15 years from now and see that his favorite movie of 2015 was Minions! Hope you guys enjoy these booklets and have a great rest of the Summer! Stop by Tried & True to check out some of my other Back-To-School crafts, including Ice Breaker Mint Gift, Vegetarian Lunch Box Ideas, and my personal favorite, Neon Sharpie Teacher's Gift!

I’d love to keep in touch with you through the following links!

About Vanessa

Naturally Homemade Watercolor Paints

Guest Poster — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 12:00:20 +0000

Hello Skip to My Lou readers! I'm Ashley Pahl from She Makes a Home. I'm a work-at-home mom with two girls: one will be entering first grade in the fall, and the other is just starting kindergarten. We're home together in the summer, and rarely does a week go by without finding fruit-stained shirts in the wash. It was the day I watched my girls snacking on sweet cherries with red lips and fingertips that I wondered - what would it be like to paint with berries?

Let's make Naturally Homemade Watercolor Paints!

I know what you're thinking: isn't it easier to just buy a watercolor palette and stick to that? We do our fair share of painting in my house, so I wanted to do something a little different. We experimented with many different plants, from fruits to root vegetables, leaves, and flowers. Making your own natural watercolor palette is not just a fun way for parents and children to spend time together; it's a fantastic opportunity to see how art connects with nature. At the end of this post, I will include some science and nature-based questions to increase the education value of this little art project. You will need:

5 Tablespoons white vinegar
6 Tablespoons corn starch
6 Tablespoons baking soda
3 Tablespoons corn syrup
an assortment of plant material, from flowers to berries, tomatoes, citrus, leafy greens, beets, carrots, etc. Collect items for nature, or use what you have in your fridge, pantry, or freezer
a juicer; alternatively, a masher and/or fine grater; muslin cloth or a very fine sieve
a paint palette, ice cube tray, or clean egg carton
glass mixing bowl

Directions Begin by mixing together the vinegar, baking soda, corn starch, and corn syrup. A small glass bowl or glass measuring cup works well. Whisk together until completely smooth and free of lumps. Pour into paint palette compartments until half full; or, if using an ice cube tray, fill each "cube" with about a tablespoon of the mixture. Next, extract the juice from your plants. To make the coloring for the paint, we want undiluted liquid from these plants, and as little plant material as possible. If you have a juicer, you are in luck! Juice each type of plant separately. If, like me, you do not have a juicer, follow these steps: Use a hand-held food processor or a potato masher to mush plants such as strawberries, blueberries, cherries, raspberries, black berries, tomatoes, etc. This will work for any juicy plant with a thin skin. Move the mushed material into muslin cloth and squeeze juice through it like a filter. Allow juice to collect in a small container. Alternatively, you can use a fine sieve like those used for steeping tea or a reusable coffee filter. For root vegetables such as carrots and beets, use a fine grater to create a mushy pile of root material. Grated root material can have its juice squeezed through muslin cloth or pushed through a fine sieve with a blunt object, such as the end handle of a wooden spoon or a beater (as pictured). For leafy material, such as spinach, tree leaves, and flower petals rip them up slightly, and very firmly squeeze and massage them in the muslin cloth until the juice drips through the cloth and into a container. If using the fine sieve, a wooden spoon handle will work wonders. Now that you have your pure plant juices, add 1/4 of a teaspoon or less of the juice. Stir the juice well into the corn starch mixture. Allow to dry completely, up to two days. Because these paints use natural juices, they should only keep for 1-2 weeks, refrigerated. If you have leftover juices, don't let them go to waste! You can start painting with them right away. Dip a wet paint brush into a juice and get started. Learning Together After painting, talk with your children about the project. The questions below are geared more towards older children, but they can certainly be simplified for younger children. There are three main learning components to this project: art, science, and nature. The Nature Component: how many natural colors could you find? How many shades of green? How many colors can they find in their own back yard or local park? Did the colors turn out as they expected? Were there any surprises? Which plant had the most vibrantly color juice? Which plant was the dullest? Which plants were the most difficult to extract color from? The Science Component: what gives different plants their coloring? Why are some plants green, some flowers purple, and some berries red? Why don't blueberries stay blue? How do eyes perceive different colors? The Art Component: what exactly is pigment? Research together how artists used to make their own paints. What were they made from? Which artists were associated with which medium? After painting with your own paints, keep an eye on the dried paints. Do any of the paint colors change over time? I hope you enjoy this project. While it can be a bit labor intensive, it really is all about the process and learning together. You might also enjoy: Fruit & Herb Infused Ice Cubes | Painted Polka Dot Magnets | The Best Homemade Blueberry Pie Ashley Pahl is a Michigan-based painter, stationery designer, and blogger at She Makes a Home. Perhaps best known for her paper goods shop on Etsy, she was a Featured Seller in 2012 and sells her paper art in independent stores and galleries around the world. Ashley lives near Lansing with her husband, two children, and two rambunctious cats. For more art and nature inspiration, follow Ashley on Instagram and Pinterest!

Pancakes and Sausage on a Stick

cindylouh — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 12:00:59 +0000

I was asked to try out Jimmy Dean Pancakes & Sausage on a Stick. My kids have never been cereal eaters and I prefer they head out the door with a bit of protein. While most mornings they like eggs..... some mornings we can't get it all together. So I was anxious to give this quick and hassle free breakfast a try. With school just around the corner I need to get prepared! In about a minute I was able to produce a yummy breakfast with protein. They are a good blend of savory and sweet! My daughter loved them. We tried the Jimmy Dean Pancakes & Sausage on a Stick original flavor but will soon give the blueberry a try. YUM!

If you want a laugh watch Jimmy Dean Breakfast Tales. You'll want to see pancake and sausage reunited. The story continues with pancake and sausage at the gym.

Pancake and sausage have more fun for you over at Find More Fun. You will find some silly jokes and games. Be sure to check Jimmy Dean Pancakes & Sausage on a Stick in the freezer section of the grocery store. A delicious breakfast idea that will streamline your mornings!

Ultimate Hammock Giveaway

cindylouh — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 23:11:43 +0000

We've had a great week sharing awesome ideas for camp crafts, books, treats and more! Nothing helps you appreciate the great outdoors like camping and we are hoping to help make your camping adventures even sweeter! Today we have the best camping week giveaway...a hammock from Ultimate Hammocks. We will have 2 winners! Each winner will get to choose their color of hammock and will also receive the ultimate hammock straps. Where would you hang up your hammock? Enter Below! Good luck to all of our readers! 2 Ultimate Hammocks and Strap Sets

Made by you Monday

cindylouh — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 12:00:52 +0000

Summer is in full swing, have you tried any of these summer hacks? The baby powder one really works! If you are getting ready to go on a cruise this year these tips for packing tips are a must! It's Monday show us what you've got. It is time to link up your crafty goodness! Please don't forget to link back! --- a text link at the bottom of your post, or link somewhere on your blog is okay! [blog_button button_size=large] Don't miss a thing! Sign up to get crafty ideas, recipes, sewing tutorials and more delivered right to your inbox. Follow Skip to My Lou on FB and Google+ to find out the latest news! Join me at Pinterest and Instagram for an extra dose of fun!

Five Fabulous Treats

cindylouh — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 12:00:02 +0000

Here are five fabulous treats to make this summer! Gooey, sweet and perfect to share for potlucks, bbq's and backyard get togethers. I can't wait to try them. Another perfect party treat is my monster cookie dip, everyone loves it. If you are looking for something a bit more healthy this watermelon salad is so good! Fresh Cherry Frozen Custard Pie Cheesecake Brownies Birthday Sugar Cookie Cake No Churn Mint Chip Ice Cream DIY Devils Food Cake Mix My toll house pie recipe is out of this world, save this one for a quick last minute dessert when guests surprise you! Stop by for another Made by you Monday tomorrow!

Yard Yahtzee

Guest Poster — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 12:00:04 +0000

My kiddos love games. The bigger they get, the bigger they want their games! We were getting ready for a family event and I thought it would be super fun to create a DIY Yard Yahtzee game with large dice for the family to enjoy!

This is a great way to gather everyone together for a little fun this summer. The dice are super easy to make, I whipped up 2 sets in a couple of hours. They are simple 4x4x4 blocks of wood that are faux stained with BB Frösch Chalk Paint. When they aren't being used to play games, they make great decor for your home.

Here's your materials list...

12 4x4x4 blocks ( I bought a 4x4x10 board at Home Depot and cut it into 4x4x4 blocks.)

8 oz. BB Frösch Chalk Paint - Brown

(You can select whatever color you like, I've used Mink from Benjamin Moore mixed with BB Frösch Chalk Paint Powder. You can just grab a sample pot of paint at Home Depot in your favorite color and mix it with BB Frösch. You can even ask them for Mink, they have it in their system even thought they don't carry Ben Moore products.)

8 oz. BB Frösch Chalk Paint - White

BB Frösch Premium Finishing Wax - Clear & Dark

Paint Brush

Wax Brush

Round sponge

Directions

Make sure you sand your blocks once they are cut, you don't want any rough edges. Dust them off and get your space ready for a quick paint session. CLICK HERE for a quick video tutorial on how to make these cute dice.

This video is about Large Dice for Yard Yahtzee from WhipperBerry & BB Frösch Chalk Paint

It's really just that simple. A little paint & wax and you're good to go. This is a great painting technique for furniture and all kinds of stuff... It's not just for dice!

Now, all you need to do is gather the troops and PLAY!!

If you're new to Yahtzee, here's a link to the rules of the game that you can print if needed.

I've also created a fun printable that you can download over at WhipperBerry...

Click HERE to go to WhipperBerry to download Yahtzee Score Card

Now all you have to do is grab the troops and have a ball!!

DIY Shadow Puppets {Free Printable}

cindylouh — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 12:00:29 +0000

These Shadow puppets would make the perfect camping activity. Can you imagine flashing these animals on the side of your tent? How about a late night game in your child's room with a flash light? Kids will have hours of fun! For more kid inspired fun try making your own stickers or DIY Slime. These shadow puppets are super simple to make. Download the animal silhouettes. Print on cardstock. Gather some skewers, tape, scissors and a flashlight.

{Animal Silhouettes} Cut out the silhouettes and tape them to skewers.

Once it is dark take the flashlight and shine it on the paper silhouette. You will see the silhouette displayed on the wall. The further away the bigger it gets. A fun way to keep kids entertained once the sun goes down! It is easy to keep these simple supplies on hand so they could be made at any time. What a perfect sleepover activity too! You might like to browse this list of 50 Boredom busters crafts and activities to also keep kids busy and engaged. Lets keep in touch! Sign up to get crafty ideas, recipes, sewing tutorials and more delivered right to your inbox. Follow Skip to My Lou on FB and Google+ to find out the latest news! Join me at Pinterest and Instagram for an extra dose of fun!

DIY Wall Art

Guest Poster — Fri, 31 Jul 2015 12:00:49 +0000

Hi there! I'm Joy from CreativeMamma.com and I am super excited to share this DIY Wall Art it is a fun summer art project that's great for both kids and grown ups! Supplies:

Canvas
Acrylic paint
White acrylic paint
Reposition-able vinyl letters
Brushes, cars, toys, whatever you want to use to paint with (we also used various kitchen tools)

Step one: Choose your saying or quote and position the letters onto your canvas. Make sure to press the letters down firmly, so they don't come off when you start painting. Step Two: Get your paints, brushes and toys/tools and start painting. Watch a little bit of our process. Step Three: After you get some great coverage on the canvas, set the canvas aside to dry for about an hour. Make sure that the acrylic paint is only semi dry around the letters, so you can easily peel the letters off. Step Four: Peel the letters off the canvas and touch up the letters with white acrylic paint if needed. Step Five: Place proudly around your home! I hope you enjoy making this art project as much as we did! After a carer in elementary education (nine splendid years of teaching art!) I now work as an illustrator and surface designer. Throughout the day and in the wee hours of the morning (I'm a mom to two wonderful boys), you can find me drawing and painting flowers. Connect with me on Instagram, find free printables on CreativeMamma, and check out my paintings on hiJoyTing.com

Back to School Party Favor

Guest Poster — Sat, 01 Aug 2015 17:44:37 +0000

It seems like just yesterday we were celebrating the end of the school year, yet my Facebook feed is already filled with back-to-school posts. While I'd like another month or two of summer, I am excited to start planning my annual back-to-school mom bash! Today I am sharing a fun back to school party favor that I will be giving the other ladies as they leave the party.

Back-to-School Party Favors

Nothing says back-to-school more than a bright, polished apple and so I am running with an apple theme this year. I could have just given everyone an apple and some caramel, but it seemed so predictable. I went with more of a sweet treat. To make these party favors you will need the following supplies:

Baby food jars or mini Mason jars
Cupcake liners
Ribbon
Adhesive
Thank you printable
Candy

I had about a dozen baby food jars on hand that I knew would be perfect for this project. I picked them up for free, but you can purchase them online for CHEAP. I filled the baby food jars with Sixlets. I love the rainbow of colors you can purchase. I used apple green and red. Once the jars were filled, I screwed on the lid and added a tiny bit of adhesive to the top. I love my Scotch ATG gun - it's perfect for something like this. I set the cupcake liner down on top of the adhesive. (These super-cute liners are actually from Cindy's shop.) I also used my ATG gun to run a bit of adhesive on the back of the ribbon before tying it around the cupcake liners and jar. The ribbon is from one of American Craft's value ribbon packs. I love to have them on hand, because of all the amazing price and all the great colors. Once the ribbon was tied I printed out my little thank you printables and attached them with a mini clothespin (because everything mini is wonderful). DOWNLOAD THANK YOU PRINTABLE. That's it. I made 12 favors for less than $10. If you liked this post, you might also like...

An "APP"le for Teacher Printable Card

Teacher Survival Jar

Thanks for letting me visit Skip to My Lou readers! I'd love to have you stop by my blog where I share fun gift ideas and party favors and I'd love to have you check out my conference for bloggers and creative entrepreneurs!

Summer Berry Recipes

cindylouh — Sun, 09 Aug 2015 12:00:14 +0000

Summer is a great time to serve fresh berries. I love warm berry desserts. These summer berry recipes are top of my list. I love fresh baked desserts. For more great summer recipes try my watermelon lemonade or this layered taco salad. It is perfect to serve on those hot summer nights!

Summer Berry Recipes

Peach Blueberry Pizza Blueberry Bran Muffins Mini Mixed Berry Loaves Blueberry Lemon Coffee Cake Strawberry Basil Lemonade Blackberry Syrup Bursting with Blueberry Muffins Stop by next week for another Made by you monday!

Made by you Monday

cindylouh — Mon, 03 Aug 2015 10:19:24 +0000

Keep your A/C humming with these three tips, one would have saved my air conditioner. Also these tips make the best french toast. It's Monday show us what you've got. It is time to link up your crafty goodness! Please don't forget to link back! --- a text link at the bottom of your post, or link somewhere on your blog is okay! [blog_button button_size=large] Don't miss a thing! Sign up to get crafty ideas, recipes, sewing tutorials and more delivered right to your inbox. Follow Skip to My Lou on FB and Google+ to find out the latest news! Join me at Pinterest and Instagram for an extra dose of fun!

Can-It-Forward Day {Giveaway}

cindylouh — Sat, 01 Aug 2015 19:01:58 +0000

As most of you know I love canning! I have the sweetest giveaway for you so scroll to the bottom to see the goods! If you want to learn more about canning you can watch the fifth annual Can-It-Forward Day, live broadcast online at FreshPreserving.com. This is an event celebrating the joys of fresh preserving. Can-It-Forward Day encourages gardeners & food enthusiasts across the country to celebrate what “Made From Here” means to them by fresh preserving their favorite local ingredients in peak season. New this year, you can ask questions in real time and there will be an exciting celebrity mason jar auction unveiled during the webcast! If you can't tune in the video will be available the next day. I am thrilled to show off the FreshTECH Electric Water Bath Canner + Multi-Cooker. It is a plug-in, countertop appliance that eliminates the need for stove top heating. This removes the concerns of ceramic-glass stove top owners and makes it more convenient to handle than traditional water bath canning pots. Let me tell you it makes canning way more convenient! I loved the spigot on the side to drain the hot water! You also don't need to monitor boiling water or move the pot to fill and drain. I love it and you get the chance to win one! You can easily make all your canned favorites! I love making homemade apple pie filling and homemade strawberry jam! What are your favorites? We are getting ready to make pickles! I can't wait. If you want to give the FreshTECH Electric Water Bath Canner + Multi-Cooker a try be sure to enter for the chance to win one! You will also win the Ball Blue Book Guide to Preserving. It is the most trusted resource in home canning for over 100 years and includes 75 new recipes, and pictorial step by step guides. To get you started you will also get a case of regular mouth pint jars. Wait for the rafflecopter to load and be sure to enter. Let's get canning! a Rafflecopter giveaway

Creativebug {Free Classes}

cindylouh — Mon, 03 Aug 2015 15:00:25 +0000

I got to kick off the year by meeting all of my fellow Michaels Makers from all over at the Michaels Makers Summit last week! We enjoyed three lovely days in Sonoma! Everything was spectacular and no detail overlooked! We took four amazing classes all taught by Michaels education partner, Creativebug!

Creativebug Classes

Watercolor was one of my favorites! It was shocking to see how easy it was. With just the right supplies........ and a few tips and techniques........... we were painting leaves...... and flowers! So much fun! We also learned to weave. We now can make stunning tissue paper flowers (and you can too) ! With just the right instructions we were all creating amazing flowers. Look at what Ashley and I made! I was amazed at all the different techniques to transfer images. I had no idea you can transfer magazine images with clear packing tape and that a blender pen will transfer a photocopy to wood. So cool! Great News! Each of the classes are available online for FREE on Michaels.com until 8/22 (you can re-create one or all of our summit projects)! In case you haven't met all 50 of this year’s Makers, check out each of our blogs and bios here! Follow along throughout the year and feel free to create projects with us by sharing on Instagram using #MadeWithMichaels.

An InLinkz Link-up

Printable First Day of School Signs 2015-16

cindylouh — Tue, 04 Aug 2015 12:00:12 +0000

School is starting in some places (a few have let me know). These printable first day of school signs 2015-16 are ready to print and use. They make the perfect photo prop and it's a handy way to mark the year in the photo album. I can't wait to collage the last few years to see how Bella has grown (though it is pretty sad). I don't know how I am sending my baby to fifth grade and another to college? For another back to school idea don't miss this first day of school teacher gift. It is a great way to let your teacher know you are willing to lend a hand when school starts.

Printable First Day of School Signs 2015-16

Simple download and print them out. I often send them to my copy shop to save on ink. Printable First Day of School Signs 2015-16 Start the year off right with 18 cute ideas to welcome your teacher back to school.

Peanut Butter Play Dough

Guest Poster — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 08:00:58 +0000

I am excited to be sharing one of my kids favorite play dough recipes with all of you here at Skip To My Lou. Cindy is one of my very favorite people. It is an honor to be here sharing with all of you. My name is Amy and I can normally be found blogging and sharing ideas over at The Idea Room.

Today I am sharing with you a fun activity for the kids...and for grown ups...Edible Peanut Butter Play Dough. This is the recipe that my own mom used to make for us when we were kids. It brings back a lot of great memories and my kids enjoy it just as much as I used too. Make sure your surfaces and kids hands are clean before using! The recipe takes just a few minutes to make and can last up to a few days in an air tight container as long as it is handled properly. Edible Peanut Butter Play Dough *printable recipe 1/2 cup Smooth Peanut Butter 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup Flour 2 Tablespoons Honey Directions:

In medium bowl, stir peanut butter and honey.
Add flour gradually to desired consistency, switching to hand kneading as it thickens.
Store in an air-tight container for up to a couple of days.

The recipe makes enough for one child to play with. You can let the kids throw in some pretzels, chocolate chips or raisins, etc. when they are playing with the play dough. My kids feel like they are really making some great culinary creations! It actually tastes pretty good too! Thanks for letting me share with you! Would love for you to stop by and see what else I have to share!

DIY Pool Tote

cindylouh — Sat, 08 Aug 2015 12:00:39 +0000

Hi there! I'm Jessica from Mom 4 Real, and I'm so excited to share these super fun kid's totes with you! My daughter Kate made them for herself and her sweet cousin to take to the pool, but they can also be used to corral toys or as a fun tote for the school year too! We started with a few basic supplies for these totes! We used Elmer's Craft Bond Fabric and Paper Glue, Elmer's Craft Bond Spray Adhesive and my favorite Elmer's Painters. We also used some silk flowers and some fabric letters and plastic totes that we found at Michaels Craft Store. We started by applying spray adhesive to the backs of the letters, then press them onto the front of the plastic totes. We cut the stems of the flowers off and added fabric glue to the backs of them, then pressed them onto the totes, allowing for plenty of drying time. You will want to lay the totes on their sides so that the flowers and glue don't slide down before drying. Now for the un part! Add #BFF or whatever fun sayings or doodles you like to the tote using the painters! You could even let the kiddos decorate the back of the totes with fun pictures and drawings! Aren't they super cute? These would make great birthday gifts stuffed with a beach towel and some fun pool toys too! You can also totally make these bor boys! Just leave off the flowers!

Be sure to pin the photo below to your favorite Pinterest board too so you can look it up later!

Thanks so much for having me over here at Skip To My Lou! Happy summer, y'all!

Made by you Monday

cindylouh — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 17:59:37 +0000

It's Monday show us what you've got. It is time to link up your crafty goodness! Please don't forget to link back! --- a text link at the bottom of your post, or link somewhere on your blog is okay! Don't miss a thing! Sign up to get crafty ideas, recipes, sewing tutorials and more delivered right to your inbox. Follow Skip to My Lou on FB and Google+ to find out the latest news! Join me at Pinterest and Instagram for an extra dose of fun!

What is in a name?

cindylouh — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 22:25:25 +0000

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Name.Kitchen. All opinions are my own. When I opened my baking supply store we named it Sweet!. We wanted it to be a play on words but meaning "Sweeeeeet!" when said to mean "cool!" As we expanded from baking supplies to also cooking supplies our name felt a bit limiting since our domain was SweetBakingSupply.

Choosing the perfect name can be difficult. As you well know often finding the perfect domain name can be even more difficult. The domain name might be already taken and you can't have a ridiculously long url. I was amazed to learn now there are way more options when creating your digital identity. I have teamed up with Name.Kitchen to let you know about all these new options.

Now you can get creative with your website address, thanks to hundreds of new “not-com” domains. This expanded choice can give you a brand boost for sure! Can you imagine being able to seize 'dot-coffee '(.coffee) if you had a coffee shop or 'dot-guru' (.guru) to really set you apart in your field? What if I had had the opportunity to have 'dot-kitchen' (.kitchen)? These ‘not-com’ options have obvious benefits, including memorability, meaning and creativity. Choices like .PIZZA, .FLORIST and .COFFEE immediately conjure images to the consumer where .com simply does not. You will be amazed at all the options available. Click here for an expanding list of new 'not-coms' now available and those coming soon so you can be first in line. Name.Kitchen, powered by Donuts Inc., provides a kitchen atmosphere around the subject of name creation. It is geared toward entrepreneurs like you the 'business chef' scratching your head for ideas. Name.Kitchen offers up inspiration for cooking up that perfect brand identity — including the one you take online. There serve up plenty of food for thought when choosing your name.

Tools and tips for crafting the perfect name
Inspiration from other entrepreneurs
Advice from brand and naming experts
Domain name (URL) naming guidance
Humor and trends around names

As these not-com names choices are new, the very best names are still available to be registered so you can choose a memorable name for your business or project. Name.Kitchen can help you out with tips, advice and inspiration to help you jump-start the name brainstorm. Discover these tools, tips and more at http://name.kitchen/naming-tools. If you are ready to get cooking with Name.Kitchen, laim your name here http://name.kitchen/claim-your-name.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Name.Kitchen. All opinions are my own.

Simple Pine Cone Bird Feeder

Guest Poster — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 12:00:26 +0000

Hi everyone!

I’m Allison and I blog over at A Glimpse Inside. I am thrilled to be here at Skip to my Lou today!

We are a military family and recently moved from CO to WI and our new house has so many more bushes and trees than our last house had, which also means more wild life around!

My girls are 3 and 21 months so they are still very excited about birds and seeing other creatures in our yard so I thought I would create and share something that I remember doing when I was little and in school.

Best part, it is fast and EASY!

It is so easy that you can have kids of many ages do it.

Here's how you can make your own.

Supplies:

-Pine cones (found outside or store bought)

-Bird Seed

-Paper Plates

-Twine or string

-Peanut Butter

-Knife for spreading

Scissors

To begin, tie some twine or string around the top of the pine cone.

I also recommend tapping the pine cone on the ground (if found outside) to knock out any little bugs that may be making your pine cone home, especially if you are doing this inside with your kids.

Using a knife, smear peanut butter all over the pine cone, making sure to go up and under each piece of the cone.

I did this step since my girls are so young but if your kids are older you can let them do this step.

Then it is time to cover the peanut butter with the bird seeds. Perfect job for little hands!

After they had it mostly covered, I just doubled checked that the peanut butter was completely covered with the seed before we hung them.

Totally covered in seed and ready to hang.

We hung both pine cones in our willow tree that we can see from our kitchen window so we can keep an eye on them.

See! So fast and easy and now you can just sit back and see what they attract.

Disclaimer...

If you do have squirrels in your area, they will probably find this before the birds and they will do anything to get it!

See it! Crazy talented squirrel! I guess I'm glad someone enjoyed it! lol

Thanks for having me!!

Here are some other ideas you can find on A Glimpse Inside.

DIY Play Tent

Glammed-up Halloween Treat Bucket

Felt Turkey Advent Calendar

Hi! I’m Allison! I am the author of the blog, A Glimpse Inside. I am an Army wife and momma to two little girls and I love to keep sane by getting my craft on! I love to craft, scrapbook, paint, take photos, go thrift shopping, and more! I write about my our military adventures (we’ve moved A LOT), my crafty endeavors, and our everyday life. I would love for you to come check out my corner of the bloggy woods and hang out with me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram as well!

EOS Back to School Gift

cindylouh — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 16:25:06 +0000

We are back to school tomorrow and I have a cute little back to school gift for a teacher or special friend! So grab your favorite flavor of EOS lip balm and you can make a super cute gift. I think these EOS gifts are so clever and make a useful gift! Remember the EOS Christmas gift and the EOS Valentine Gift? Download the free EOS Printable, grab a circle punch,scissors and an EOS lip balm. The EOS lip balms can be found next to other lip balms at Target, Wal-Mart and grocery stores or on amazon . EOS Lip Balm Printable Gift Punch out the circle. The punch I think is listed as being 1 1/2 inches. I think it measures closer to 1 1/4 inch. It works perfect. I also tried a 1 1/2 inch plain circle punch. It works but is slightly bigger than it needs to be. Put in the lip balm and then give to your friend!

Back to School Teacher Gift Tags

cindylouh — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 19:32:14 +0000

These Back to School Teacher Gift Tags are a simple way to start the year off right! Each little gift tag can be paired with a little gift for a "Pun-tastic gift! We love celebrating our teachers. You might like some of these teacher appreciation ideas too. Here is another back to school gift idea for hand soap. I think this one is a perfect way to let your teacher know that you are willing to lend a helping hand this year! What a great way to open the lines of communication! I particularly love this back to school teacher gift because it is useful! What teacher couldn't use an extra set of Sharpie markers. Grab a package of markers, scissors, ribbon and hole punch. Download the gift tag. Print on cardstock and cut out. Back to School Teacher Gift Tag for Sharpie Markers Tie the tag to a set of markers and you have a "pun-tastic" gift . If you would like more tags I have packaged 30 tags together to make gift giving super easy. Each tag comes along with ideas for what to pair it with to make it totally "pun-tastic." You can purchase the tags for an immediate download. I have given you one free to show you how cute they are. If you would like more you may download the tags now for $3.99

Five Fresh French Toast Recipes

cindylouh — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 12:00:42 +0000

French toast is a classic breakfast favorite, make it special with these new french toast recipes! I love recipes you can make ahead or make extra special for guests with a little planning! I can't wait to try these. For more breakfast favorites try my make ahead breakfast recipe round up, it is a life saver for back to school! Mascarpone French Toast with Orange Caramel Banana French Toast Bacon Fried Crunchy Coated French Toast [caption id="attachment_49640" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Bacon Fried Crunchy Coated Pumpkin French Toast recipe at TidyMom.net[/caption] French Toast Bake Puffed French Toast Be sure to stop by tomorrow for another Made by you Monday!

Made by you Monday

cindylouh — Mon, 17 Aug 2015 12:00:14 +0000

It's Monday show us what you've got. It is time to link up your crafty goodness! Please don't forget to link back! --- a text link at the bottom of your post, or link somewhere on your blog is okay! Don't miss a thing! Sign up to get crafty ideas, recipes, sewing tutorials and more delivered right to your inbox. Follow Skip to My Lou on FB and Google+ to find out the latest news! Join me at Pinterest and Instagram for an extra dose of fun!

EOS Apple For The Teacher Gift

cindylouh — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 12:00:11 +0000

If you want to give your teacher an apple.... give this Apple EOS lip balm printable! I think these EOS gifts are so clever and make a useful gift! If you want to let your teacher know this year will be a ball this cute EOS printable gift will do the trick. Remember the EOS Christmas gift and the EOS Valentine Gift? To give your teacher an EOS "apple" you will need a hole punch, red EOS lip balm, scissors and the free "An Apple For the Teacher Printable." The EOS lip balms can be found next to other lip balms at Target, Wal-Mart and grocery stores or on amazon . Download the printable. Print in color on white card stock. An Apple For the Teacher Printable Punch out the circle. The punch I think is listed as being 1 1/2 inches. I think it measures closer to 1 1/4 inch. It works perfect. I also tried a 1 1/2 inch plain circle punch. It works but is slightly bigger than it needs to be. Put in the lip balm and then give to your teacher!

Simple Teacher Gift

cindylouh — Wed, 19 Aug 2015 12:00:09 +0000

Okay just one more simple teacher gift? I hope I haven't driven you crazy but I do think these EOS gifts are so fun! Need to give your teacher an apple? Turn an EOS lip balm into a clever way to give your teacher an apple! If you want to let your teacher know this year will be a ball this cute EOS printable gift will do the trick. Remember they aren't just for teachers you might like to see this cute EOS Christmas gift and the EOS Valentine Gift so many ways to turn these popular lip balms into a gift! Download the "I have the best teacher in the world" printable. Print in color on white cardstock. Cut out the individual cards. You will also need a circle punch, scissors and an EOS lip balm. The EOS lip balms can be found next to other lip balms at Target, Wal-Mart and grocery stores or on amazon . "I have the best teacher in the world" printable Punch out the circle. The punch I think is listed as being 1 1/2 inches. I think it measures closer to 1 1/4 inch. It works perfect. I also tried a 1 1/2 inch plain circle punch. It works but is slightly bigger than it needs to be. Put in the lip balm and then give to your teacher!

Moscow Mule Recipe

cindylouh — Thu, 20 Aug 2015 12:00:47 +0000

A Moscow Mule is one of my favorite cocktail recipes. It is a light and refreshing citrus drink. If you love lime, vodka and a hint of ginger you will love a Moscow Mule. They are typically served in a copper mug. The copper mug gives them flair and I think keeps them super cold.

Moscow Mule Recipe

1 half lime 2 ounces vodka 4 to 6 ounces ginger beer, Goslings or Cock'n Bull Fill copper mug with ice. Pour in about 2 ounces of vodka.Squeeze in half of lime and then drop it in mug. Fill the mug up with the ginger beer. I typically use 1/2 the can of ginger beer if using Goslings (these are the small cans). Cock'n Bull are larger bottles. Give it a stir and enjoy!

Homemade Twinkies

cindylouh — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 12:00:43 +0000

Who doesn't love a Twinkie? Yes, they are back in stores now, but you can also make your own homemade twinkies! For more copy cat recipes try my Diy Magic Shell Ice Cream Topping or this Olive garden soup recipe. Let's get started...

Homemade Twinkies

These little golden cakes can be made with a few ingredients you might already have in your pantry.

They even make a special pan so they look like the real deal.

First make the batter for the cake recipe

1 yellow cake mix

2 eggs

2 cups of milk

1 small pkg of instant vanilla pudding

Mix cake mix, eggs, milk and pudding together. Fill the canoe wells 1/2 full and bake about 15 minutes or until toothpick inserted into cake comes out clean. Cakes will be golden brown. Bake at 350 degrees.

Cream Filling

2 teaspoons very hot water

1/4 teaspoon salt

7 ounce jar of National brand marshmallow cream (2 cups)

1/2 cup butter (softened)

1/3 cup powder sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Combine salt with water and stir until salt is disolved. Set aside to let cool.

Mix marshmallow cream, butter, powder sugar and vanilla with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Mix in salt water.

Once the cakes are cool whip up this divine filling!

It is time to fill. Place filling in syringe (included with the pan) or fill mixture into a pastry bag fitted with a bismark tip. Stick syringe or tip into cake and squeeze until you see the cake slightly expand. Make sure you fill in three places, just like the real thing. My daughter loved filling the cakes.

No pan no worries, you can always make cupcakes and fill with the yummy mixture!

They look just like you went to the store!

Break them open and they are perfectly filled! Enjoy.

Adventure Awaits Printable in Four Colors

Guest Poster — Sat, 22 Aug 2015 12:00:02 +0000

This Adventure Awaits Printable is available in four colors. It's the perfect accent to your decor for any season...because there's always an adventure awaiting, right? I'm super happy to be here today, friends! As we end the summer and start on the adventure of a new school year, I thought this would be a fun, kind of vintage-y printable to share with you today. We're in the middle of re-doing my tween's room and this is kind of the decor we're going with...adventure. We've got a big map and vintage looking furniture...it's starting to come together. I thought this printable would be a fun addition to the mix. I created this in four colors. They're all 8x10 sizes, ready to print on a letter-sized paper for trimming and framing. Click here for the green printable. Click here for the red printable. Click here for the blue printable. Click here for the yellow printable. I think this is great for a kids' room or even a family room or kitchen. And how fun would it be to display them all together, kind of Warhol-ish, right? Again, I'm so delighted to be here today! I'm Kristi and I've been blogging at ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com for over four years. I was a professional graphic designer for years, so this was a fun way to transition it into a blogging job. My main posts are printables, of course. I have hundreds of free printables over at my place. Click here to see them all. Thank you BUNCHES for having me here today!!

14 Got an A, Great Day: Cookie Recipes

cindylouh — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 12:00:12 +0000

I love cookie recipes! There is nothing like sitting together at the table with cookies and milk and talking with your child! Celebrate a great school day with these celebratory and sweet cookie recipes! For more back to school ideas try my EOS printable teacher gift ideas!

Jello Cookies

These Jello playdough cookies are a blast to make and eat! Kids of any age will be thrilled!

Worlds Best Chocolate Chip Cookies

These are super soft and chewy…just the way a chocolate chip cookie should be.

Peanut Blossom Cookies

I grew up eating these, they are a classic cookie that all kids memories are meant to be made of!

Caramel Oatmeal Cookies

Oatmeal cookies are always a favorite, add a little caramel and you have a masterpiece!

Super Simple Sugar Cookies

With very little time and effort you can have a simple and delicious sugar cookie!

Monster Cookies

It's hard to celebrate without these fabulous cookies. They are full of kid favorite ingredients and they make a great treat.

Easy Snickerdoodles

This snickerdoodle recipe is super simple and quick because it is made from a cake mix. You can whip it up in not time at all!

Gingerbread Butterscotch Cookies

This is a fabulous recipe and a bit different from the classics you get bored with. Perfect for fall!

Lowfat Oatmeal Cookie Recipe

If you are looking for something a little more healthy but still sweet this oatmeal cookie recipe is for you!

No Bake Cookies

Your kids will beg to make these and they take no time at all!

Glazed Lemon Cookies

These cookies are soft and buttery with a hint of lemon. The lemon glaze adds a sweet and tart finish to these cheery cookies.

Best Ever Chocolate Chip Cookies

The search for the absolute best chocolate chip cookie recipe has ended these are the best ever!

Smores Kiss Cookies

If you love the combination of the graham cracker, marshmallow and chocolate then there is just nothing better than these cookies!

Nutella Sandwich Cookie

Take two dark chocolate crispy oat cookies and smear a little Nutella between the two, with a dusting of sea salt and you’ve got yourself one heck of a good after school sandwich.

Made by you Monday

cindylouh — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 12:00:12 +0000

It's Monday show us what you've got. It is time to link up your crafty goodness! Please don't forget to link back! --- a text link at the bottom of your post, or link somewhere on your blog is okay! Don't miss a thing! Sign up to get crafty ideas, recipes, sewing tutorials and more delivered right to your inbox. Follow Skip to My Lou on FB and Google+ to find out the latest news! Join me at Pinterest and Instagram for an extra dose of fun!

DIY Projects in Minutes

cindylouh — Sun, 23 Aug 2015 12:00:44 +0000

Looking for a few good DIY projects? These just takes minutes. These little ideas are useful and easy to put together! I love them all. Be sure to check out Made by you Monday for more ideas and recipes. Don't miss my EOS back to school gift ideas, tell teacher you are excited to be in their class! Make a Duct Tape Phone Charger Case How to Fix a Broken Necklace Make a Washi Tape Dispenser from a box Moldable Play Sand Recipe Tips for creating a routine for kids Stop by tomorrow for another Made by you Monday!

Homemade Tomato Sauce

cindylouh — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 12:03:16 +0000

What do you do when your garden is overflowing with tomatoes? You make homemade tomato sauce! I love to can food. I love to see all the jars lined up! If you like canning you might like these delicious canning recipes: Homemade Apple Pie Filling and Knock of Harry & David Pepper Relish. Now, I must admit making canned tomato sauce was a bit of work! So be prepared!

How to make homemade tomato sauce

First pick your tomatoes! You will need 22 1/2 pounds! Yes, it is alot!

Homemade Tomato Sauce Recipe

Yield – 7 - 10 pints (depends on how thick you cook down the sauce) 22 1/2 pounds tomatoes 3 cups chopped onions 6 cloves of garlic 1/4 cup olive oil 1 tablespoons oregano 2 teaspoons dried basil 2 teaspoons dried marjoram 3 piece bay leaves 1 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1 tablespoons sugar 2 tablespoons salt 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper (1 teaspoon if you like it slightly spicy) 1/4 cup red wine Bottled lemon juice, 1 tablespoon per pint jar Wash tomatoes under cold water and drain. Remove core and blossom ends. Cut into quarters; set aside. Sauté onions and garlic in olive oil in a large stock pot. The pot needs to be big enough for all the tomatoes so I actually used the stock pot for our turkey fryer. Add tomatoes, oregano, basil, marjoram, bay leaves, black pepper, salt, crushed red pepper and sugar. Bring to a simmer then simmer 20 minutes, stirring, it may take some time for the tomatoes to reach a simmering temperature. Go slow so you don't burn the bottom. Remove bay leaves. Pureé tomatoes using a food mill to remove peels and seeds. Place puree into a large pot and cook uncovered over medium heat until reduced by about half and sauce has thickened. Stir often to keep puree from sticking and burning. It took me about 8 hours for my sauce to reduce. Sterilize jars Remove from water. Add 1 tbsp bottled lemon juice to each pint jar. Fill hot jars with the hot tomato sauce leaving 1/2 inch space at the top. Wipe rims of jars and place on lids and adjust rings to fingertip- tight. Place jars on a rack in pot with water. Water needs to cover jars by 1 inch. I used the new Ball Waterbath Canner. Process jars in boiling water for 35 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes. Remove from jars. Do not tighten bands. Allow jars to cool for 12 hours. You should hear pinging as the jars seal. After 12 hours test seals. Label and store jars. I am so excited about how I made the labels! I will share on Thursday!

Make your own cool stickers for kids!

cindylouh — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 12:00:35 +0000

This is a sponsored post, all opinions and ideas are my own.

Put that sharpie marker away and instead label all your kid's supplies with these cool stickers! They can even be customized with your child's name! I have a new toy and I am totally hooked. Read to the end of this post for a chance to win one for yourself! The folks from Xyron asked me to give the new 9 Inch Creative Station a try and I love it. I don't know if you notice but I make ALOT of photo copies on 1-Up label paper! From Minion party stickers, Christmas gift tags to Halloween bottle labels. While the label paper is a great solution the stickers aren't always durable. The Creative Station has options for creating laminated permanent stickers and also repositionable stickers. I can't wait to show you the canning labels I made tomorrow! Did I mention no heat, batteries or electricity needed? You can use both 5in and 9in Creative Station cartridges to add adhesive, magnet or laminate to your projects. It is not just for paper! You can add adhesive to burlap, fabric, felt, wood and so much more. Imagine the possibilities. I have these cool stickers for you!

{Custom Sticker Download}

Open the file and type in your child's name. If you like the font I used you can download it for free here. Print a copy in color on regular copy paper. The 9in Creative Station comes ready to use! Open the tray and feed in the paper. Crank the lever until the paper comes all the way out the other side. Trim with the built in cutter. Remove the plastic protective film. Cut out the stickers. Peel off the protective backing and stick away! a Rafflecopter giveaway

Free Canning Labels For Homemade Tomato Sauce

cindylouh — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 13:23:56 +0000

I am having so much fun making my own labels. Today I am sharing these free canning labels for my homemade tomato sauce. If you love labeling things and making them pretty don't miss the cool labels for kids I shared you yesterday. One again my handy dandy machine helped me make the best labels. Look at the end of this post for a chance to win a 9in Creative Station! In the past I have printed my canning labels on 1-UP label paper from the copy shop. You can check out how I do this on my Homemade Apple Pie Filling. This works to make them sticky but the labels aren't durable. Now my labels are laminated so damp hands and moisture doesn't ruin them! Download the free canning labels for seasoned tomato sauce. If you have a Creative Station print file in color on regular copy paper. These labels can also be printed on 1-UP label paper if you don't have this machine. {....make sure you enter to win one!} Place the paper face up through the 9in Creative Station. Use the crank to send it through. It will come out perfectly laminated on the top and have a permanent sticky back. Trim the labels with scissors. Peel off the protective back and place on the jars. So fun to have such professional looking labels for my homemade seasoned tomato sauce! Win your own Xyron Creative Station! Simply wait for rafflecopter to load and enter there. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Spaghetti Pie Recipe {Gluten Free}

cindylouh — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 12:00:26 +0000

I love recipes that do double duty! This Spaghetti Pie recipe make two pies. One for you and one for a friend in need. This recipe freezes well so you can always pop it in the freezer for a later date! Just thaw and bake. More good recipes to take to a friend are Chicken Pot Pie or Chicken and Rice Casserole. This creamy chicken and rice casserole doesn't use any soup!

Spaghetti Pie Recipe

12 ounces spaghetti (I used Barilla Gluten Free Spaghetti. It is great!) 4 Tablespoons margarine 1 cup grated parmesan cheese 4 eggs, well beaten 2 cups cottage cheese 1 pound hamburger 1/2 cup chopped onion 1/2 cup chopped green pepper 1 jar spaghetti sauce (24 ounces) 1 cup shredded mozzarella Cook , hamburger, onion and green pepper until meat is browned. Drain off fat. Stir in spaghetti sauce. Cook spaghetti and drain. Stir butter into hot spaghetti. Next stir in parmesan cheese and eggs. Divide spaghetti mixture into two deep 9 inch pie plates. Spread 1 cup cottage cheese on each spaghetti crust. Pour meat sauce over cottage cheese. Sprinkle each pie with mozzarella. Bake at 350, uncovered for about 20 mins. Should be bubbly. Let set about 10 minutes before slicing.

Skinny Slow Cooker Recipes

cindylouh — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 12:00:15 +0000

If you love the convenience of the slow cooker but not all the fat. Try these fresh and delicious Skinny Slow cooker Recipes, not a casserole in sight! For more low fat recipes try my low fat pumpkin muffins for a sweet treat try these low fat oatmeal raisinet cookies. Did you know you can make strawberry jam with less sugar and it only take three ingredients!

Fat Free Slow Cooker Refried Beans These fat-free beans are guiltless and not packed with tons of sodium like most refried beans are. This recipe is freezer-friendly so you can easily always have this enticing side dish on hand.

Bleu Cheese Crusted Buffalo Drumsticks Bleu cheese crusted buffalo drumsticks! In the crock pot! It's like, tasty, easy, delicious, party food overload! Slow Cooker Italian Sloppy Joe Turkey sausage, peppers and onions slow cooked in the crock pot with crushed tomatoes and spices for an easy weeknight meal. Serve this on a roll with baby spinach and melted cheese if desired for a sloppy yet delicious sandwich. Slow Cooker Poached Salmon Recipes Fish is a healthy dinner idea, I bet you never thought you could make it in the slow cooker. Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers Make this a crowd pleasing meal by serving it on warm French rolls with cheese or on top of a bed of rice. You really can’t go wrong with hot Italian sausage! Slow Cooker Beef Tostadas The best thing about this dish, though, truly is the hands off nature of the dish... what any good slow cooker dish should be. You simply add everything, walk away... and 5 hours later have this warm, subtly spicy beef to mound over tostadas (or pile in tacos or nachos... you choose) and top with your favorite goodies.

Savory Slow Cooker Citrus Chicken

This easy citrus chicken is big on taste and low on fat and calories.

Healthy Crock Pot Beef and Broccoli Beef and broccoli is one of those things that is always a crowd pleaser. It's certainly one of my favorite asian dishes! That being said, it's likely that a serving of it at your favorite local restaurant will cost you a good 600+ calories, a lot of sugar, and even more sodium. Yikes! Slow Cooker Tex Mex Chicken Lettuce Wraps This chicken variation is a bit lighter and healthier than the beef tacos {but still delicious!}. And to lighten things up even more, the spicy chicken mixture is all wrapped up nice and neat in a big ol’ lettuce leaf.

Skinny Taco Soup This "skinny" slow cooker taco soup recipe can be prepared in minutes and is full of (healthier!) taco soup deliciousness!

Crock Pot Savory Asian Meatballs These Asian-inspired meatballs combine a traditional meatball, with scallions, ginger, and Chinese five-spice powder. This recipe is truly hearty, perfect for cooler evenings. Skinny Vegetarian Mexican Chili Using beans to replace meat in this chili pumps up the fiber, and at under 300 calories per serving, you have a little wiggle room for reduced-fat sour cream and reduced-fat Mexican cheese on top! Tri Tip Tacos Did you know you can make tri tip in the slow cooker?

Crock Pot Chicken Enchilda Soup

Everything your love about chicken enchiladas... in a bowl! I love turning classic meals into soups lately, it's an easy (maybe even lazy) way to make a meal and it doesn't require dirtying too many pots.

Skinny Veggie Crock Pot Lasagna Layers of veggies, sauce, cheese, and thick wavy noodles. Yum!

Slow Cooker Skinny Cheesy Cauliflower Soup This simple and healthy recipe is packed with cauliflower, veggies, lowfat dairy, and just enough cheddar to really taste rich. Leave out the flour to make a gluten free, Paleo, or low carb version.

Skinny Slow Cooker Chicken Pot Pie

Your family may be confused when you tell them it’s “pie,” but it’s a great substitute, and they’ll fall in love with this new kind of pie after one bite! I eat this without the biscuit to get the same taste, but with fewer carbs and calories!

DIY Hot Glue Sequin Pillow

cindylouh — Sat, 29 Aug 2015 12:00:17 +0000

Hi! I'm Kimbo from A girl and a glue gun and I have a super fun and easy way to embellish a pillow! I do know how to sew...but sequins are a bit out of my skill zone. And I knew I wanted a cute DIY Hot Glue Sequin Pillow for my cat obsessed daughter..So I turned to hot glue!!! Sketch out your basic design. If you aren't artsy...you could print this out on a paper and place underneath your fabric and trace...

You can go here and see the video of me hot gluing it! But work in about inch sections...So the glue doesn't have time to harden before you get your sequins in place. Lay a string of glue and place your sequins along the lines that you have drawn.

(There are a couple other adhesives that work with fabric that you could use...but I AM a girl and a glue gun! and I love that hot glue dries fast! )

Quick hot glue tip: Hit your project with your blow dryer and it will make those "glue gun hairs" disappear!

After it was done I sewed on a back (tough decision between the plaid and polka dots)

I love that I can flip it over for a completely different look!

And let's be real--You could totally add a fun embellishment to a store bought pillow!It's a perfect addition to my daughters room!

agirlandagluegun.com II twitter II facebook II bloglovin II instagram

Caribbean Dinner Recipes

cindylouh — Sun, 30 Aug 2015 12:00:33 +0000

School is back in session and we are busy running around. I still love to have a hot dinner as often as possible. These fun unique Caribbean dinner recipes caught my eye this week on Made by you Monday. I love trying new recipes and flavors with my family. I also love skillet meals, for a quick and easy dinner try my skillet lasagna or my skillet ziti recipe. Honey Jerk BBQ Salmon Sweet and Spicy Caribbean Chicken

Hawaiian Hot Dogs with Grilled Pineapple Mango Salsa

Hawaiian Chicken Sliders Island Pork Chops Be sure to link up tomorrow for Made by you Monday!

Made by you Monday

cindylouh — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 12:00:09 +0000

It's Monday show us what you've got. It is time to link up your crafty goodness! Please don't forget to link back! --- a text link at the bottom of your post, or link somewhere on your blog is okay! Don't miss a thing! Sign up to get crafty ideas, recipes, sewing tutorials and more delivered right to your inbox. Follow Skip to My Lou on FB and Google+ to find out the latest news! Join me at Pinterest and Instagram for an extra dose of fun!

Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake

cindylouh — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 12:00:06 +0000

If you love pumpkin pie and sugar cookies this Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake is for you. It is a delicious pumpkin pie like filling over a cookie crust! As soon as I start to see the pumpkins at the grocery store I start thinking of pumpkin recipes! If you like pumpkin you might also like my Pumpkin Cake Roll. It is a show stopping dessert that freezes beautifully. Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cookies and 3 Ingredient Pumpkin Muffins make for yummy snacks! This amazing Pumpkin Bread recipe is so versatile it can be made into a loaf or muffins. If you need an easy dessert this Pumpkin Sheet Cake would make a tasty dessert for a fall meal.

Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake

Crust 1 (18 1/4-ounce) package yellow cake mix 1 egg 1 stick butter (1/2 cup), melted Filling 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened 1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin (not pie filling) 3 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 stick butter (1/2 cup), melted 1 (16-ounce) box of powdered sugar 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Mix together with electric mixer the cake mix, egg, and butter. Pat mixture into the bottom of a lightly greased 13 by 9-inch baking pan. For the filling beat cream cheese and pumpkin until smooth with an electric mixer. Add in the eggs, vanilla, and butter, and mix together. Slowly add the powdered sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg mixing well. Spread the pumpkin mixture over the unbaked crust and bake for 40 to 50 minutes. Don't overbake. The center should be a little gooey. You can see I over did mine and the crust was a little overdone. The cake was much easier to cut after refrigerating. Serve with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon. This recipe is from our sweet friend Jeanne who passed away last year at 89. I love making recipes that bring back so many wonderful memories. I think that is what they mean when they say cooking is love made visible!

College Checklist

cindylouh — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 19:12:52 +0000

Getting ready for college can be a fun yet scary task. There are so many details to think about and items needed. There are tons of lists online, but some were so extensive it was overwhelming. While we wanted our son to be prepared we knew that for some things he would just need to get there and actually see what was needed, so we opted for a basic college checklist. Really (if you have a boy) most things can be purchased easily (and quickly). We were able to get almost everything in one stop at Walmart.

College Checklist for Dorm Living

Use this checklist to make sure you have everything you need. These are just only suggestions! You will want to adapt this list to meet your own needs. Don’t overlook buying items online to save from packing or shipping. Walmart offers in store pick up so items can be ordered online and picked up when you arrive. It also might make sense to buy some of these items after you arrive. Printable College Checklist

Room Needs/Storage

Alarm clock/clock radio (nice to have a back-up incase cell phone looses it’s charge)
Trash can
Desk lamp / Bedside lamp (there might not be space for both)
Fan
Drying rack for laundry
Bulletin board and pushpins or Dry-erase board/calendar
Mini tool kit (screwdriver, hammer, wrench)
Picture hangers (like Command Strips)
Storage solutions (Know you room first before making purchases. Many dorm rooms loft the bed and place the desk and dresser under the bed so there is no room for under bed storage
Posters/Art/Photographs to make the room feel at home

Linens/Laundry Supplies

Sheets and pillowcases (2 sets. Most dorm beds require extra long 80 inches)
Towels (2 each of bath, hand and face)
Pillows
Mattress pad
Blanket
Comforter/bedspread
Clothes hangers
Laundry bag/basket
Laundry detergent, fabric softener and stain remover
Lint brush
Mini sewing kit

Office/Desk Supplies

Electronic storage media such as memory cards and USB flash drives
Stapler and staples
Printer paper (many dorms provide a printer if there is a computer lab but do not provide paper)
Pens and pencils
Pencil sharpener
Notebooks
Folder with pockets
Labels of various sizes
3 × 5 index cards
Sticky notes
Paper clips and binder clips
Rubber bands
Tape
Scissors
Highlighter pens (multiple colors)
Ruler
Filing box or Stackable desk trays
Stamps and envelopes

Electronics

Laptop (printer is optional; there are usually computer labs where you can print)
Portable speakers (if you want to play music from laptop/MP3 player)
HDMI cord, Ethernet cord for computer (check if your room has wireless)
Multiple outlet with surge protector
An extension cord
Headphones
Cell phone

Toiletries

Antacid
Cold medicine
Pain relievers
Vitamins
Antidiarrheal medicine
Adhesive bandages, antibiotic ointment (small first-aid kit)
Cough drops
Shower caddy
Shower shoes (flip-flops)
Shampoo and conditioner
Hairstyling products
Bath and face soap
Toothpaste and toothbrush
Dental floss
Comb/brush
Tweezers
Nail clippers
Hair dryer/straightener/curling iron (we didn’t need any of this)
Lotion and/or facial moisturizer
Cotton swabs
Sunscreen
Schick Disposable Razors and shaving cream………We want our kids to feel good, clean and confident! Schick® Razors will do just that!

Clothing

Underwear
Socks
Pants/jeans
Shirts/blouses
Sweats
Pajamas
Slippers and/or flip-flops
Sweaters
Light/heavy jackets
Gloves/scarf/hat (winter weather gear as needed)
1 pair of boots
Athletic shoes or comfortable/walking shoes
Business-casual clothes
Dress shoes
Swimsuit

Household and Kitchen Items

Paper towels
Trash bags
Lightbulbs
All-purpose cleaner
Plastic storage bags
Food-storage containers
Dish soap
Wet wipes
Tissues
Bowl, plate and cup
Coffee mug
Water bottle
Silverware
Can/bottle opener
Cleaning supplies for bathroom

Miscellaneous

Umbrella
Backpack
Sports equipment

Shared Items — Check with roommate(s)

Audio equipment
TV and DVD player
Coffee Maker/hot pot/microwave, if allowed
Small refrigerator (if one isn’t provided)
Area rug if needed
Broom

It gives me peace of mind knowing he has everything to begin this journey comfortably! Oh we miss this boy!

Want to win big? Snap a summer selfie and enter for a chance to win 1 of 4 grand prizes of $10,000 toward college tuition! WOW. See contest details here. This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Schick®. The opinions and text are all mine.

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Fall Wreath Idea

cindylouh — Tue, 01 Sep 2015 11:52:54 +0000

This month the Michael's Makers are crafting up a beautiful fall! Today it is all about pumpkins! To kick off fall in your own home, visit Michaels.com and check out the variety of craft pumpkins available – there is every color, shape and size you could ever want! There are tons of ways to DIY your own craft pumpkin for your home, a party or even as a gift. I am sharing this fall wreath idea. If you're looking for something a little bit different, Michaels recently started selling these fun half pumpkins, perfect for fall décor wall mounts and fun signs. I grabbed a half pumpkin, grapevine wreath with a basket on the front and some floral embellishments. The half pumpkin slips right into the basket. Now all I had to do was add some details.

How to print on burlap

You will be amazed with just the perfect trick you can print on burlap with your home printer. All you need is burlap and HeatnBond Lite. It is a fusible interfacing. Cut a piece of the interfacing and the burlap each 8 1/2 inches X 11 inches. Following the manufacturer's instructions for the interfacing iron it to the burlap. Trim any any burlap or paper so it is exactly 8 1/2 inches X 11 inches or slightly smaller. Place the interfacing backed burlap in your printer tray so that it will print on the burlap. For my printer I placed the burlap face down. Download the welcome bunting template and print. It prints like butter! I am thrilled every time I do it! It just doesn't seem possible but it works! Peel away the paper backing from the interfacing. There will be a film left on the burlap. This film is heat sensitive so for another purpose you could iron the burlap to something. In this case, it gives the burlap weight and keeps the edges from fraying. Cut out the flags. Wrap the top of the flag over a piece of twine and fasten with hot glue. Tie the welcome bunting to the grapevine wreath and add a few floral embellishments and you are done! If you're in need of more fall décor inspiration be sure to look at the 49 other DIY pumpkin projects from the rest of the Michaels Makers – they are fabulous!

An InLinkz Link-up

College Care Package

cindylouh — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 12:00:30 +0000

Our son is off to college. What a big adjustment for the whole family! We want him to know that he is still in our thoughts, so we thought a college care package might make him feel our love! It is also a chance for me to give some subtle mom reminders like to take care of yourself (Schick disposable razors). I am not a fan when he doesn't shave. I also want him to stay organized (post it notes and page markers), remember to eat (noodles), not let his room smell (air fresheners) and to stay sweet (his favorite candies). I also found a few things that didn't get packed like a bowl and spoon and a few clever finds that I thought would make him smile...... like a telescoping back scratcher!

Printable Quote Cards

I also included some inspirational cards to keep him motivated and encouraged. Just download the file and print in color on cardstock then cut apart.

{printable quote cards}

Tuck the cards inside the care package for just a bit of extra encouragement. Schick has a super fun giveaway doing on right now. All you need to do is #takeasummer selfie for a chance to win 1 of 4 $10,000 scholarships. This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Schick®. The opinions and text are all mine.

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Ice Cream Cakes Recipes

cindylouh — Sat, 05 Sep 2015 12:00:21 +0000

Ice cream cakes are always a hit! It's a fun way to serve cake and ice cream and they are actually really easy to make!. Click through and give one of these recipes a try... For more great ice cream recipes try my magic shell ice cream topping recipe or my butterscotch magic shell topping recipe. Nutella Blueberry and Mango Ice cream Cake Having different colors on the cake makes it look so pretty and taste so good! Snickers Peanut Butter Brownie Ice Cream Cake Nice and easy to make. There’s no ice cream machine needed and you can use boxed brownie mix and store-bought caramel and chocolate sauce to make it even easier. Vanilla Malted Ice Cream Cake This vanilla malted ice cream cake combines the very best ingredients! Hot Fudge Sundae Cake It’s The Summer Cake to End All Summer Cakes; you might as well just swan dive in. Mint chocolate Chip Ice Cream Cake Recipe My favorite ice cream is mint chocolate chip! You won't want to miss this combo of ice cream perfection. Easy Cookies and Cream Ice Cream Cake If you are looking for a delicious, refreshing dessert this ice cream cake will hit the spot! Dulce De Leche Ice Cream Cake This Ice Cream cake is sure to be the devil's work. Rich caramelised condensed milk and luscious vanilla ice cream topped with decadent Russian fudge; it's best served in small slices. Ice Cream Cupcakes Layer your favorite cupcake with your favorite ice cream and top it with a mouthwatering marshmallow cream frosting all in a perfect little cup! Mudslide Ice Cream Cake Combine two favorites chocolate and ice cream. Reeses Brownie Ice Cream Cake This one is softened vanilla ice cream folded and turned with crushed Reese’s and toffee bits and then layered between three decks of my favorite Alice Medrich brownie recipe for a Reese’s Brownie Ice Cream Cake that is pretty unforgettable.

Made by Monday

cindylouh — Mon, 07 Sep 2015 12:00:31 +0000

It's Monday show us what you've got. It is time to link up your crafty goodness! Please don't forget to link back! --- a text link at the bottom of your post, or link somewhere on your blog is okay! Don't miss a thing! Sign up to get crafty ideas, recipes, sewing tutorials and more delivered right to your inbox. Follow Skip to My Lou on FB and Google+ to find out the latest news! Join me at Pinterest and Instagram for an extra dose of fun!

Make Ahead School Lunch Ideas

cindylouh — Sun, 06 Sep 2015 12:00:52 +0000

Packing lunches can quickly become a chore. The worst is that I often find a lot of uneaten food in my child's lunchbox! These make ahead school lunch ideas are a great way to save time and try something new this week. For a fun tote idea make this fun DIY Doodle Bag. I love to send a little love to school with my child. I have quite a collection of free printable lunchbox notes... check out my retro lunch box notes, and lunch box notes.

Make Ahead School Lunch Ideas

Homemade Uncrustable Sandwiches Freezer Sandwiches Sanity Saving Lunch Ideas 45 Easy Practical School Lunch Ideas Homemade Granola Bars Homemade Fruit Leather Make Ahead and Freeze these Pumpkin Muffins.

3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

cindylouh — Wed, 09 Sep 2015 12:00:25 +0000

Short on time? You can make these 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies in less time than it would take to go to the store to pick up something. They are even gluten free! Chances are you have everything you need already in your pantry. Cake Mix cookies are another quick cookie recipe. I especially love these Snickerdoodle Cookies and Easy Sugar Cookies. These Double Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies make the best homemade ice cream sandwiches ever.

3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

1 egg 1 cup sugar 1 cup creamy peanut butter (I used Jiff Creamy No-Stir Natural) In mixing bowl lightly beat egg. Stir in sugar and peanut butter. Drop by tablespoon onto parchment lined cookie sheet. Make criss cross with fork on the top of each cookie. Bake at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes. Tip: Dip fork into water between criss cross pattern to keep dough from sticking to fork. Enjoy! If you don't want to even turn on your oven you might like these Peanut Butter and Corn Chip cookies. Beware this delicious mixture is addictive! Chocolate No-Bake cookies are another favorite at my house! What cookies do you make when you are short on time?

Made by you Monday

cindylouh — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 12:00:06 +0000

It's Monday show us what you've got. It is time to link up your crafty goodness! Please don't forget to link back! --- a text link at the bottom of your post, or link somewhere on your blog is okay! Don't miss a thing! Sign up to get crafty ideas, recipes, sewing tutorials and more delivered right to your inbox. Follow Skip to My Lou on FB and Google+ to find out the latest news! Join me at Pinterest and Instagram for an extra dose of fun!

Made by you Monday

cindylouh — Mon, 21 Sep 2015 12:00:08 +0000

It's Monday show us what you've got. It is time to link up your crafty goodness! Please don't forget to link back! --- a text link at the bottom of your post, or link somewhere on your blog is okay! Don't miss a thing! Sign up to get crafty ideas, recipes, sewing tutorials and more delivered right to your inbox. Follow Skip to My Lou on FB and Google+ to find out the latest news! Join me at Pinterest and Instagram for an extra dose of fun!

Made by you Monday

cindylouh — Mon, 14 Sep 2015 12:00:20 +0000

It's Monday show us what you've got. It is time to link up your crafty goodness! Please don't forget to link back! --- a text link at the bottom of your post, or link somewhere on your blog is okay! Don't miss a thing! Sign up to get crafty ideas, recipes, sewing tutorials and more delivered right to your inbox. Follow Skip to My Lou on FB and Google+ to find out the latest news! Join me at Pinterest and Instagram for an extra dose of fun!

Grandparent Coloring Page

cindylouh — Thu, 10 Sep 2015 12:00:02 +0000

National Grandparent's Day is September 13th. It is time to do something grand! This darling coloring page will let your child show their grandparents how special they are! Download the free Grandparent coloring page, print and color! Too cute!

Grandparent Coloring Page

{free Grandparent's Day Coloring page}

We love coloring pages at our house! They are a great activity to keep minds and hands busy. My daughter finds coloring relaxing and a great way to unwind. Here are some coloring pages that you might enjoy.

Mother's Day Coloring Page for the best mom EVER!

Father's Day Coloring Page for the very BEST dad!

Fourth of July Coloring Pages

Easter Coloring Page

St Patrick's Day Coloring Page

Year In Review Coloring Page

Coloring has become the rage lately! Even adults are getting into the action. Have you tried coloring? It is definitely something I like to sit down and do with my daughter. Here are some fun links I found for Adult Coloring Pages. Enjoy!

Anti Stress Coloring Pages For Adults

Mandala Coloring Pages

Crock Pot Chicken Recipes

cindylouh — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 12:00:18 +0000

I love having dinner together at the end of a busy day but often don't have time to prepare it. Crock pot meals are the perfect way to solve this issue! These crock pot chicken recipes are all easy to make and have a wide variety of recipes, and preferences. Try a few of them out and find a new favorite! Some of my most popular crock pot recipes are crock pot baked potatoes, and crock pot lasagna!

Crock Pot Chicken Recipes

Slow Cooker Sesame Chicken is a simple and delicious dinner that’s easy to throw together for those hectic days! You can make this hearty chicken tortilla soup in no time at all! This Cashew Chicken is better than most Cashew Chicken dishes at Chinese Restaurants! Slow Cooker Chicken is so easy to throw together, and at dinner time you have a lovely whole chicken to eat or shred and use in another recipe. BBQ Chicken Tacos and Chicken Pot Pie Soup are two of my favorites! This makes the best chicken ever! BBQ Beer Chicken, serious crowd pleaser. Have you had white chili before? It’s got all of the same great chili flavors but it is not red like traditional chili. This crock pot teriyaki chicken pleased even the pickiest of eaters and it's easy too! Crock Pot Salsa Chicken is one of those easy, easy dinners. It is easy recipe you put everything in the crock pot and let it do the work. These slow cooker honey barbecue chicken sandwiches are so simple to throw together and they taste amazing. If you love Chicken Parmesan…try it in the crock pot, you will love it even MORE! This Slow Cooker Nacho Chicken is perfect for game day meals and a quick dinner with the family! This slow cooker chinese chicken crock pot recipe is perfect for those busy school nights when everyone is running in and out….you can keep it on low…and it is ready to eat when people need to eat.

This Cafe Rio recipe is perfect for burritos, salad, burrito bowls, tacos or soup…….or all alone! It’s juicy, flavorful and just plain perfect! Casseroles are a huge time saver and just scream comfort food! Did you know you can make it in the crock pot! This crock pot chicken and rice is perfection.

Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken is perfect for game day!

15 Sweet Shake Recipes

cindylouh — Fri, 18 Sep 2015 12:00:42 +0000

Cool and creamy milk shakes make the perfect any time snack! My kids have always loved making them. These recipes are all unique and will be fun to try. Make a new one each week, find a new favorite, I have no doubt this list has several winners! If you have your mind on ice cream you might want to try some of these homemade ice cream topping recipes.

15 Sweet Shake Recipes

Snickers Milkshake What could be better than the combo of snickers and chocolate in a milkshake! Plus you can always switch out your favorite candy bar with this recipe.

Malted Vanilla Milkshake Thick, creamy, ice-cold, malt-y, and with 100% homemade ice cream. I can’t imagine anything better.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Milkshake You can never go wrong with Chocolate Chip cookies especially when you turn them into a amazing shake!

Minty Shamrock Shake This Minty shake is a perfect summer refreshment, especially if you love mint!

Cherry Pie Milkshake Get ready to sip summer flavors with a graham cracker crunch. It’s healthy cherry pie in a frosty glass!

Orange Julius Shake

Always a summer classic and always a hit! Sweet and refreshing this orange Julius recipe is perfect for a hot summer day!

Snickerdoodle Milkshake If you are a fan of snickerdoodles you will love this milkshake! Skinny Strawberry Banana Milkshakes The milkshakes are made from frozen banana chunks, a few fresh strawberries, and a splash of milk.

Banana Nutella Milkshake If you are obessed with nutella this recipe is for you! S'mores Milkshake This campfire classic turned chilled treat. It’s chocolate meets toasted mallow with a graham cracker crunch, and it’s a celebration of the gooey glory of summer without burners or a bonfire. Watermelon Milkshake Try this unexpected twist of watermelon and chocolate which makes a delicious treat! Strawberry Nutella Milkshakes You will fall in love with the strawberry and nutella combo is this recipe!

Banana Rama Coffee Milkshake Whip up a batch of these milkshakes you don't even have to share them!

Cake Batter Milkshakes

If you love cake batter these cake batter milkshakes will be a hit for you! Three recipes for three amazing treats!

Brownie Shake Recipe

Make Your Homemade Favorites

cindylouh — Sun, 13 Sep 2015 12:00:30 +0000

Here are five things you can make at home, these recipes are clever and we all know that homemade tastes better! Let's make our homemade favorites... I had no idea you could make your own marshmallows! I have shared a few of these kind of recipes in the past like make your own magic shell ice cream topping, and homemade twinkles. What are you favorites, share with me in the comments. Make your own marshmallows! Homemade Pumpkin Spice Homemade Lemon Curd (and what to use it for) Homemade Taco Seasoning Homemade Tomato Sauce

10 Fall Gifts and Treats

cindylouh — Sun, 20 Sep 2015 12:00:07 +0000

I love to give gifts and treats to friends and neighbors but sometimes my good intentions fall victim to my busy schedule. These 10 Fall Gifts and treat ideas make gift gifting easy and fun to do. If you like fall and pumpkin try my pumpkin roll recipe or this pumpkin sheet cake recipe.

10 Fall Gifts and Treats

DIY Pumpkin Spice Soap

It has all of the wonderful scents of autumn wrapped up into one tiny little package!

Apple treat jar Celebrate fall with this apple themed treat jar! Fill it with a treat to make the perfect fall treat! Fall Cookies It just takes minutes to put together and can be the perfect gift for a friend or neighbor. It could even made as a Birthday Gift Fall printables and cupcake toppers Here are some FREE printables — aren’t these scrolly cake toppers so cute?? You can use them for any type of fall party or dessert!

Fall Treat Labels Here is a set of free printable tags so that you can easily share all those Fall goodies! Apple Gift In a Jar This gift in a jar is perfect for apple season! You can easily put a Caramel Apple Kit together for friends, neighbors or teachers in just a few minutes. Apple Prints Mod Apple print series includes several abstract apple designs as well as a fun stripe pattern in both red and green. A framed apple print would also make a terrific gift!

Apples with dipping sauce

Nothing says fall like a bag of apples and this homemade sauce. This is just want I want to find on my doorstep!

Pumpkin Snack Mix

With the combination of all the cereals, candy and nuts you’ll definitely want to try this recipe. Wrap it up in a bag and gift it this fall!

Soap Fall Gift Idea

This next idea is easy, takes a minute to put together, and is perfect for fall!

Easy Homemade Wheat Bread

Guest Poster — Sat, 12 Sep 2015 05:05:28 +0000

I have never minded eating wheat bread, but I know there are some wheat breads that taste a whole lot better than others. I have found a brand that I loved at the store. It was moist and delicious. Almost better than any other white bread, but when I've tried homemade wheat breads, they aren't as yummy. My dear mom worked so hard perfecting this recipe. She kept trying different ingredients until she came up with this easy homemade whole wheat bread. Just so I can enjoy it. Now I must share this perfect recipe! I love to have a nice piece of wheat bread topped with Nutella for breakfast or a snack. Or make a nice hearty sandwich using this sweet, moist wheat bread. The best part is it is really easy to make. When I think of bread making I think of hard work, but not with this recipe. The hardest part of this recipe is the waiting for it to raise and bake. Oh, and cool. Goodness, talk about patience. Have you tried to make wheat bread before? How was it? Try out this simple and delicious recipe, even the kids will love it.

Easy Homemade Whole Wheat Bread

Ingredients

1/4 cup honey
2 tablespoons yeast
2 cups warm water
6 cups whole wheat flour
1 heaping cup instant mashed potato flakes, prepared
1/2 cup powdered milk
1/2 cup oil
2 1/2 tablespoons salt
2 tablespoons lemon juice
oats

Directions

Mix honey, yeast and warm water in a medium bowl. Allow to sit for 10 minutes to let yeast bubble up.
In the same bowl add 6 flour, mashed potatoes, powdered milk, oil, salt, lemon juice. Beat for 10 minutes.
Raise in bowl for 45 minutes, covered.
Shape into two loaves.
Spray pans with non-stick cooking spray or grease with butter and sprinkle oatmeal in bottom of pans.
Put loaves in pans and let raise another 45 minutes in pan.
Bake for 35 minutes at 350 Degrees Fahrenheit.
Cool for 5 minutes in a pan and then remove to cooling rack.

If you liked this recipe, then you will love this one:

Snickerdoodle French Toast

30 Minute Mac and Cheese

Banana Split Bites

Hey, I’m Emily. I am a wife to an amazing, crazy, and fun husband who keeps me on my toes. I love to craft, celebrate, cook, thrift, read, shop, and decorate. I enjoy working on projects and finding ways to share them. I hope you enjoy my simple ideas and are inspired to create along with me. When I’m not blogging, I’m normally reading a good book or out shopping.

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5 Amazing Ways to Serve Hot Dogs

cindylouh — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 12:00:02 +0000

Hot Dogs are a classic, easy way to feed a lot of people. Check out these over the top amazing and gourmet ideas for serving hot dogs! You won't believe the ways you can make this simple meal, special. So invite some friends over, watch the game and surprise them! For more party food ideas try my ham buns recipe they are another easy way to serve a crowd!

Amazing Ways to Serve Hot Dogs

Chicago Style Hotdog Make your own Chicago Style Hotdog in a few easy steps! Hot dogs smothered with a homemade beef chili sauce and then piled high with cheddar cheese! Crispy and wrapped in perfection these Homemade Corn Dogs are out of this world. Cheesy perfection in these Mac N Cheese Dogs Blue cheese, celery bits, spicy buffalo mayo, and a drizzle of Frank’s for good measure. Buffalo Cheese Dogs!

Apple Cider Mimosa

cindylouh — Sun, 13 Sep 2015 16:39:22 +0000

Fall is in the air and this Apple Cider Mimosa is the perfect fall drink for entertaining. My friend, Dan, had a fall entertaining talk at his amazing shop Home At Last and served this simple but delicious drink. We also had some yummy fall breads like pumpkin bread and cinnamon streusel bread. The perfect little menu for a fall gathering!

Apple Cider Mimosa

This drink couldn't be any easier! Just fill the champagne flute about 2/3 full with chilled apple cider. Then fill up the glass with champagne. If you are hosting a fall gathering you might like this fall party menu. The soup is one of my very favorite recipes! I am also a huge fan of serving soups once the weather gets cold. Guests will love this Olive Garden knock off recipe of their Zuppa Toscana Soup. Cincinnati chili is always a hit and a great way to feed a crowd!

Do you know what a Fermentista is?

cindylouh — Wed, 16 Sep 2015 03:02:15 +0000

Name.Kitchen has asked me to tell you about something exciting. Did you realize that you have many options when naming your space on the web? Kirsten and Christopher Shockey are small business owners who are currently using the new not-com domain extensions to make their business stand out. Name.Kitchen says, "They call themselves ‘Fermentistas’ and serve as ambassadors to the ancient art of fermentation — a natural chemical process that preserves food and is best known for producing wine, yogurt, cheese and vegetable dishes such as sauerkraut and kimchi."

Entrepreneurs Kirsten and Christopher Shockey (Photo: Kirsten Shockey)

Because of these new not-com options they were able to pick a not-com that fit them perfectly, Fermentista.Kitchen. To make sure everyone knows that Fermentista is about what we do in our kitchens "dot-kitchen" works beautifully! From one glance we know that they are about fermenting foods because of their clever not-com. How cool to have a way to immediately describe their business. They want to showcase the idea that fermentation is really easy and really accessible in your life and since taste and flavor is super important dot-kitchen helped them show pickling as a culinary art. Their website is vital in growing their business. It helps them to connect with people elsewhere. They get folks that ask, “Hey, are you going to be in (whatever town they live in)? We’d love to get you to come do a class.” There are no boundaries on where they can go and how they can grow! How exciting.

Pickled asparagus … yum! (Photo: Kirsten Shockey)

Kirsten and Christopher are teaching the world how to make sauerkraut, one class at a time. Interest in pickling is really growing and they are growing a unique business off this pickling revival. We are now learning that the health benefits of fermented foods are amazing! A serving can offer as much probiotics as a whole bottle of the little pills. Our bodies can also receive more nutrients out of the vegetable than before it was fermented. Wow! This new interest in fermentation has opened more ways for the Shockys to share their love of pickling. They can now utilize their website to promote their new book. You can catch a sneak peek here and pre-order here.

Kirsten Shockey leads a class on fermenting vegetables. (Photo: Kirsten Shockey)

Choosing a great name for your business is an important decision as it will hopefully describe your business and draw people to you. There are now hundreds of new “not-com” choices available today – everything from .COFFEE to .PIZZA to .LIFE, that allow you to create a memorable and meaningful domain name.If you have always wanted to start your own business name.kitchen is there to give you some name inspiration. Name.Kitchen offers tips and advice to help you jump-start the name brainstorm. Discover these tools and tips at naming tools. Ready to start cooking up your own business and serving up success? You can claim your name with Name.Kitchen here.

This is a sponsored post all opinions are my own!

Tootsie Pop Spiders

cindylouh — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 11:32:23 +0000

Tootsie pop spiders, ghosts and pumpkins have always been a popular Halloween craft at our house. They make great classroom treats or even a fun classroom party craft.

Tootsie Pop Spider Supplies

Tootsie Pops (or similar round ball sucker)
.39(10mm) inch wiggly eyes
1 inch black pom poms
Black Chenille Pipe Cleaners
Glue ( I do like a thicker glue for this project. I think it makes it easier for kids)

How to make Tootsie Pop Spiders

For each spider take two pipe cleaners and cut them each in half. Twist each pipe cleaner around the sucker stick. Repeat until all four are on the stick. Bend down the end of each pipe cleaner. Glue the pom pom on top of the pipe cleaners in front of the sucker. Glue on two wiggly eyes. How easy was that! You might like to make these cute little tootsie pop pumpkins too!

{Tootsie Pop Pumpkins}

DIY Pinecone Crafts

cindylouh — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 12:00:15 +0000

Fall is in the air and it makes me think about what to do with all the pinecones in my yard. Here are some super clever pinecone crafts. From pinecone fairies to pinecone penguins there are some fun things to craft! Kids would be thrilled to create these cute animals and figures! For another fun idea (for you) make these pinecone fire starters or this simple pine cone bird feeder.

Pinecone Crafts for Kids

Pinecone Squirrel Pinecone Hedgehog Pinecone Elves Pinecone Turkey Pinecone Fairies Pinecone Owl Pinecone Spider Pinecone Trees Pinecone Penguin Pinecone Gnomes Pinecone Angles Pinecone Robin Pinecone Fairy For more craft ideas check out my kids crafts ideas.

Vintage Made Modern Accessory Bag

Guest Poster — Tue, 22 Sep 2015 12:00:02 +0000

Welcome to the Vintage Made Modern Blog Tour! Today we are going to give away a copy of the book Vintage Notions: An Inspirational Guide to Needlework, Cooking, Sewing, Fashion & Fun. My friend Amy Barickman founder of Indygo Junction has designed a wonderful new fabric collection, Vintage Made Modern Centennial Celebration which was inspired by the art in Vintage Notions. In 2010 Amy published her book Vintage Notions, which was the culmination of a personal journey that started twenty years ago when she began collecting rare sewing and needle arts books, vintage home arts magazines, and cookbooks. When Amy came across the work of Mary Brooks Picken, a pioneer in the domestic arts and international authority on dressmaking and fashion, she found her muse. Mary’s calling, which was to educate women, encourage their entrepreneurial spirit, and elevate the value of their work, and did so through the Woman's Institute of Domestic Arts and Sciences which was a correspondence school for women to learn about entrepreneurship, dressmaking and other home arts. As 100th anniversary of the founding of the Woman's Institute approaches in 2016 Amy found herself wanting to commemorate it, and what better way to do that then with a fabric line! The Vintage Made Modern line features artwork from Vintage Notions as well as other Mary Brooks Picken sewing publications. She chose what she felt was the most timeless designs that would work for both fashion, home and accessory projects. For instance, this classic plaid print really pops on Indygo Junction's Sidekick Skirt pattern. This Dressmaker print would be totally at home in a sewing or craft room. This Banded Basket can keep your supplies organized while keeping your room cute. This project was made combining Vintage Made Modern with Amy's other fabric line, Crossroads Denim. See more Indygo Junction patterns here and get 20% when using the code VMM15 at checkout! Today, Amy will be sharing with us a pattern for a accessory bag, which she made from the Vintage Made Modern line. This simple-to-sew bag can be used to protect your favorite shoes, purse or even jewelry when you whether you are jet-setting or on a stay-cation. This practical project is also pretty to use. The ric rac trim along the top adds a decorative element and the simple cord closure, makes it easy to use.

Materials for Accessory Bag

13″ x 34″ piece of fabric for bag 1 yard of ribbon or cording for pull ties 1 yard of large ric rac

How to make an Accessory Bag

1. With right sides together, fold fabric in half, short ends together. Press. Stitch the sides in place using a 1/2″ seam allowance. Press seams open. 2. Turn the top down 1/4″ to the inside. Press. Turn down again 3/4″ and press. 3. Unfold what you just pressed. Measure down 1″ from the top at one side seam on the right side of the fabric. Mark. Measure 1/2″ to each side of this and place a mark. Make a 1/2″ long buttonhole at each of these two marks. 4. Refold the top of the bag to the inside on the previously pressed lines. Stitch close to the bottom of this folded piece to make a casing for the pull ties. 5. Pin the rick rac to the inside of the top of the bag. Topstitch in place. 6. Use a safety pin to help pull the ties through the casing. Tie each end in a knot. Want to see more of Amy's vintage sewing and fashion content collection? Join her Facebook Group, where she will be sharing her collection as well as offering exclusive giveaways and more! Also, don't forget to enter Indygo Junction's National Sewing Month Giveaway! You can win sensational prizes including a sewing machine, sewing tables, Indygo Junction patterns, Vintage Made Modern fabric and more! Click here to enter! Enter to win a copy of Vintage Notions! Leave a comment below telling us your favorite vintage - inspired sewing project!

Kansas Caviar

cindylouh — Wed, 23 Sep 2015 12:00:14 +0000

This Kansas Caviar is perfect for tailgating! It is a hearty dip that is great for gluten free and vegetarian eaters. I love the tangy marinade. It is super easy to make and you don't have to worry about keeping it hot or cold during your party!

Kansas Caviar

1 can garbanzo beans 1 can red beans 1 can yellow hominy 1 can black eyed peas 1 can original Rotel 1 bunch chopped green onions 1 cup Wishbone Zesty Italian dressing Drain beans, hominy and black eyed peas. (I place them all in a large strainer and give them a rinse). Pour everything into a large bowl add chopped onions and undrained can of Rotel. Refrigerate at least 24 hours before serving. Serve with corn chip or tortilla scoops. If you want something a bit more decadent Vidalia Onion dip is a rich and cheesy option. If you like something on the spicy side Buffalo Dip is sure to be a crowd pleaser! How about something sweet? Guests can't say no to Monster Cookie Dough Dip!

Printable Halloween Tic Tac Toe

cindylouh — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 12:00:49 +0000

This printable Halloween Tic Tac Toe is a quick and easy game for a classroom party. I love having something like this on hand just incase we need a time filler during our party. It is super easy to print them off and have them ready to go. If they don't get used leave them behind for the teacher to use later.

Printable Halloween Tic Tac Toe

Download the game board and print on colored paper. So they can be used again and again grab a bag of candy to use as game pieces.

{Tic Tac Boo Game Board}

If you need a candy free option download the tic tac boo game pieces and print on colored paper. Use a 2-inch circle punch to cut out the pieces.

{Tic Tac Toe Game Pieces}

A quick and easy game!

Halloween Classroom Party Ideas

If you are looking for more Halloween classroom party ideas you might like these 2 liter soda bottle labels.

{Halloween Bottle Labels}

Juice boxes can even be turned into pumpkins.

{Printable Halloween Juice Box Covers}

These bat party favors are also a Halloween decoration for the classroom!

{Hanging Bat Halloween Party Favors}

These candy bar covers also make fun Halloween favors.

{Halloween Candy Bar Covers}

Or try out these printable witch candy holders.

{Printable Witch Candy Holders}

We are also a huge fan of Tootsie pop suckers. Try turning them into Tootsie Pop spiders or pumpkins.

{Pumpkin Tootsie Pop}

For clever food ideas try these spider cupcakes or witch finger cupcakes.

Easy Butterfly Costume

cindylouh — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 12:00:09 +0000

This easy butterfly costume is perfect for my coloring loving girl! With just a few simple supplies she was able to color her way into a beautiful butterfly. This no sew Halloween costume couldn't be any easier! We love easy at our house. Last year we made a no sew witch costume.

Butterfly Costume Supplies

a black long sleeve shirt
black leggings
thin white muslin fabric (about a yard)
Elmer's Painters
black extra wide Sharpie
2 large pom poms
2 black chenille pipe cleaners
1 headband
glue gun and glue sticks
glow in the dark fabric paint (optional)

Place arm of shirt up at an angle. Take fabric and cut a wing shape. Cut fabric to match angle of sleeve and side of shirt. Copy this shape so there are two symmetrical wing shapes. To make coloring the fabric easier, iron the fabric wing to the shiny side of freezer paper. The freezer paper will stabilize the fabric and can be easily peeled away when finished. Draw a design on the wing with a Sharpie marker. Repeat for other wing making sure design is symmetrical. Holding the fabric up to a window will make it easy to trace. Color away! If you want your butterfly to glow in the dark outline with glow in the dark fabric paint. Hot glue wings to back edge of arms and sides of shirt. Twist pipe cleaners to the headband and hot glue to secure. Hot glue a pom pom to each end of pipe cleaner. How easy was that! We love Halloween at our house. Here are some of our favorite family costume ideas.

Group Halloween Costume Ideas

And here is our no sew witch costume from last year! Michaels has great products and inspiration to help transform your yard, classroom or living room into a spooktacular space this year! Whether you’re into spooky sights, playful pumpkins or giggling ghouls, the Michaels.com Halloween project page has tons of ideas for DIY Halloween costumes and décor. Still haven’t decided what you’re going to be? Check out the other 49 DIY costumes from the Michaels Makers and you might just find the perfect one for you, your kiddos or your beloved pet this Halloween-- they’re to die for!

An InLinkz Link-up

Spaghetti Casserole

cindylouh — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 05:30:06 +0000

This spaghetti casserole is a hearty easy dinner that will become a regular in your dinner rotation. My family loves italian meals like crock pot lasagna. We also love these easy skillet meals. If you are looking for a meal you can freeze ahead try my spaghetti pie, it makes two pies, and can be frozen ahead! It doesn't get easier than that.

Spaghetti Casserole

Ingredients 1 1/2 pounds ground beef 1 medium green pepper, chopped 2 medium onions, chopped 1/2 cup olive oil 2 - 6 ounce cans of tomato paste 2 - 28 cans whole tomatoes, pureed 1 - 8 ounce canned mushrooms, drained 1 pound spaghetti (Barilla gluten free is what I used) 2-3 cups grated cheddar cheese Saute

1 1/2 pounds ground beef
1 medium green pepper, chopped
2 medium onions, chopped
Once cooked, drain fat.

Simmer for 1 1/2 hours

1/2 cup olive oil
2 - 6 ounce cans of tomato paste
2 - 28 cans whole tomatoes, pureed
1 - 8 ounce canned mushrooms, drained

Once sauce is finished add ground beef mixture. Cook 1 pound spaghetti and drain. Place spaghetti is large 3 quart casserole dish. Place sauce on top of spaghetti and top with grated cheddar cheese. Bake 350 for about 30-4o minutes.

Ghost Cupcake Wrappers

cindylouh — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 16:30:49 +0000

These ghost cupcake wrappers are a spooktacular way to make some fun cupcakes to celebrate Halloween. Make them extra special with some google eyes. Just cover the printed eyes. These cupcake wrappers are a perfect way to get the kids involved in decorating cupcakes. The template it super easy to cut out. We love all the tricks and treats of the season! We especially love to "BOO" our neighbors! Do you "BOO your neighbors"? I hope you will come visit me and check out how we celebrate Halloween at our house. Download the ghosts, print on white paper and cut. Printable Ghost Cupcake Wrapper Printable Smiley Ghost Cupcake Wrapper Place glue on the back side of the straight end. Wrap around your candy studded cupcake and fasten in the front. I pulled the edge of the hand back to give it dimension. Now you have some candy loving ghost cupcakes!

DIY Jack-o-lantern Stress Ball

cindylouh — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 12:00:46 +0000

Today I am sharing a DIY Jack-o-lantern Stress Ball ! Kids are back in school and many kids find stress balls and fidget balls therapeutic. This DIY Stress ball is super easy to make and perfect for Halloween. They would make great favors! Don't miss these other Halloween Crafts!

You only need three things: balloons, play dough and a Sharpie marker. Some children are allergic to latex balloons. If this is the case with your child make sure you use latex free balloons. Fill one balloon with about 1/3 cup play dough. This is easiest if one person holds the balloon open while another person fills the balloon. Place another balloon around the play dough filled balloon so you have two layers of balloons. Tie off the balloons and get your marker ready. Give the stress ball a bit of personality! Now you have a stress ball perfect for Halloween! We love all the tricks and treats of the Halloween season! Please come visit and see how we celebrate! Just click the below pictures to see more Halloween ideas!

DIY Household Cleaners

cindylouh — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 12:00:13 +0000

Have you ever made your own household cleaners? With a little extra effort you can make your own cleaning supplies at home. Not only do these products save you money but you can make a large amount for very little money. I love that I can know everything used to make these cleaners so your kids and you will benefit too, especially if you have allergies or are just sensitive to smells! You will want to make sure you see these amazing household cleaning tips.

Homemade Shower Cleaner

You problably have the ingredients already at your house. Once again vinegar proves to a a great household cleaner.

Homemade Stainless Steel Cleaner

You won’t believe you can clean your stainless steel with one ingredient!

DIY Oven Cleaner If you have ever used oven cleaner you know you need a mask and a strong fan! Not with this easy non toxic recipe! Homemade Goo Gone Make your own homemade goo gone. It doesn't smell so strong and you know what the ingredients are! Plus it really works. Homemade Granite Cleaner This homemade granite cleaner leaves the granite so shiny! It’s inexpensive to make and you probably have everything you need on hand.

DIY Laundry Soap

This not only saves you money (it lasts a year) but you can create a customized scent! She shares her recipes and tips after using it a year! DIY Reuseable Dryer Sheets This method leaves clothing soft and smelling great and it's reuseable too!

DIY Laundry Softener This makes towels extra soft and fluffy and smell great too! All you need is a mason jar, the vinegar, & of course the water, this batch of laundry softener only costs $1.54.

Homemade Spray Starch Recipe You will be blown away with how well this works. Just a light coat and have stiff starched napkins.

Homemade Drain Cleaner

If you don't like to dump harsh chemicals down the drain here is an easy drain cleaner recipe!

DIY Homemade Lotion Bars

It's lotion in a bar... better year you can make it yourself.

DIY Bar Soap Making homemade soap couldn't be easier. You will have so much fun getting creative with this fabulous recipes! Homemade Windex This is streak free! You can add a few drops of blue food coloring if you want it to resemble windex more. You might just like it more than windex!

Homemade Dishwasher Tabs

Make your own dishwasher tablets for only three cents each!

Homemade Shout Recipe

You can presoak, pretreat and get out stains all with this easy homemade shout recipe!

Pumpkin Cupcakes

cindylouh — Sat, 03 Oct 2015 12:00:44 +0000

Hi there Skip to My Lou friends! I'm Liz and I blog over at Liz on Call. It's a place for busy moms (and dads) to find simple and inexpensive recipes, crafts, DIY, gift and party ideas. I'm a mom to 3 busy kids and I always find myself on call. I'm so excited to be sharing with you all today these super cute pumpkin cupcakes. Fall is my favorite season, although living in Phoenix we don't see much of it here. I love the fall colors the most and of course all the delicious baked goodies! I love trying out new recipes and food ideas during this time of year. And I don't hear much complaining from the neighbors who get to sample all the yumminess when I make too much. Which is EVERY.SINGLE.TIME. :) These pumpkin cupcakes were just that. A new recipe that I wanted to try. Not just the cute way to decorate the cupcakes, but the cupcakes themselves. Yes! They actually taste like pumpkin too! I found these cute paper cups at a party shop, but you could use just plain orange too. Once your cupcakes are baked and cooled, it's time to decorate! I used a big ice cream scoop (about 1/4 cup) to scoop my frosting. I used my cinnamon cream cheese frosting for these cupcakes. It goes so well with the pumpkin. I placed one scoop of frosting onto each cupcake. Then I poured some orange sugar crystals into a bowl and carefully turned the cupcake upside down or on it's side and rolled the frosting into the crystal until all the frosting was coated. It takes a gentle hand to do this or your cupcakes will look more flat than round on the top. Here's a tip: once the frosting is entirely coated with crystals, it won't stick to your fingers if you need to help shape it a little bit on top. Once the frosting is coated, I used broken pretzel pieces for the stems. One of my favorite things about real pumpkins are the crazy stems. I love looking at all the different shapes and sizes. And the pretzels reminded me of that. I used the side of a toothpick to make the score marks in the frosting so that it would look more like an actually pumpkin shape. And then they are ready to serve! Pumpkin Cupcakes: by Liz Call Ingredients: 1 white box cake mix 1/2 cup water 1/2 cup oil 3 eggs 1 cup pumpkin puree 1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice Directions: Mix all ingredients together until well combined. Pour batter into cupcake liners. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-22 minutes. These pumpkin cupcakes will be a hit at your next Halloween or even Fall get together. You could add some chocolate chips to make it a jack-o-lantern if you wanted. Thanks for letting share this fun idea with you today. I'd love for you to stop by and say hello or even check out my latest creations or adventures at Liz on Call. If you like sweet treats perfect for a party, like these cupcakes, you might want to check out these other recipes. Candy Corn Pretzel Rods Cranberry Apple Fizz Apple Pudding Cake

Made by you Monday

cindylouh — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 12:00:37 +0000

It's Monday show us what you've got. It is time to link up your crafty goodness! Please don't forget to link back! --- a text link at the bottom of your post, or link somewhere on your blog is okay! Don't miss a thing! Sign up to get crafty ideas, recipes, sewing tutorials and more delivered right to your inbox. Follow Skip to My Lou on FB and Google+ to find out the latest news! Join me at Pinterest and Instagram for an extra dose of fun!

DIY Halloween Costumes

cindylouh — Sun, 04 Oct 2015 12:00:26 +0000

These DIY Halloween Costumes are really unique and easy to make! I love homemade costumes because no one else has the same costume and it allows kids to get creative. I also love a good family themed costume too. Here is a great round up of family themed costumes! Need more ideas? Here are 12 more Halloween costume ideas. Kids Lemonade Stand and Ice Cream Stand Costume DIY Captain Hook Costume No Sew Witch Costume DIY Frozen Cape Easy Butterfly Costume For more great ideas be sure to stop by tomorrow and link up for another Made by you Monday.

A Holiday Makeover with Lowes and Skip to my Lou

cindylouh — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 15:45:26 +0000

Do you have an area of your home that you would like refreshed for the Holidays? Let me come to your house and help! How fun would that be! Lowe’s has asked me to choose one special reader to get a holiday makeover! I will fly to YOUR home and we’ll makeover a space in (or outside) YOUR home, courtesy of Lowe’s! You must HURRY to enter. Your application must be in by this Thursday, October 8, 2015! Scroll to the bottom to learn how to apply. I can't wait to spend time with one of you giving your home a little refresh so you can have an amazing holiday season. So what would you like? How about a stunning front porch. Maybe you would like an inviting entry to greet your guests? How about your living room gorgeously styled, a place where you can relax and welcome your guests. How about a whimsical family room for the kids? Maybe you want to throw dinner parties and need a beautiful and functional dining room. Whatever your need I want to help you creative a festive space for the holidays! You can't be chosen if you don't apply and applying is super simple. From the applicants, we’ll choose one reader! Click here to learn more and apply. To be eligible you must:

Be looking to fix up a space within your residence.
Makeover project should be able to be completed within 24 hours.
Must be the owner of your home.
Be outgoing, energetic, and fun with unique stories to tell.
Be comfortable being on camera and/or interviewed by local media.
Be in need of expert design help from one participating blogger.
Be able to make quick decisions in order to keep tight timelines.
Be available for a 2 day period to complete the makeover (between 11/1-11/23).
Allow photos of your home to be shared online.
Must be 21 years of age or older to apply.
Complete the online application form and agree to the Terms therein.
While we can do small changes to cosmetically update the space, it will not be large in scale.

Hurry! To be considered, applications must be in by THIS THURSDAY, October 8, 2015

This is a sponsored post but all ideas and opinions are my own.

Trick or Treat Jar Covers

cindylouh — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 12:01:13 +0000

The printable fabric trick or treat jar covers are a fun way to give treats not tricks to your friends this Halloween! I love free printable halloween ideas. These free printable soda labels are perfect for your halloween party. For a fun game try this free printable tic tac toe game.

Printable Trick or Treat Jar Covers Supplies

8 1/2 inch by 11 inch piece of Heat n Bond Lite
8 1/2 inch by 11 inch piece of muslin
ribbon
canning jars filled with treats
printer
scissors

How to make printed fabric jar covers

Cut the muslin and the Heat n Bond to 8 1/2 inches by 11 inches. Following manufacturer's instructions fuse the Heat n Bond to the muslin. Trim any threads and make sure it is no bigger that 8 1/2 inches by 11 inches. Place the paper backed muslin in your printer tray so it will print on the fabric side. For my printer I place the fabric side down. Download the printable trick or treat jar covers and print.

{free trick or treat jar cover printable}

Cut out the two circles and remove the paper backing from the muslin. There will be adhesive left on the fabric. This is okay and will give the fabric some weight. Place the circle around the jar. If you don't have an extra pair of hand place a rubber band around the edge of the lid to keep the fabric in place while you tie on the ribbon. Wrap ribbon or twine around the lid and make a bow or knot. How easy was that! Now you have a super cute favor for friends!

Cute Halloween Coloring Page

cindylouh — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 12:00:12 +0000

This cute halloween coloring page will be a hit with kids of all ages this time of year. I love free printables all you to do is simply print it out and let your little artists color. Set these at the kids table at a halloween party it is a helpful way to entertain children. It would also be great to throw in your purse and let them color at a restaurant so you can enjoy dinner! Click here to download your free halloween coloring page For more cute coloring pages like this one check out the artist,Ashley Lucas' Etsy Store. You can also find her here:

Blog: www.littleowllane.com

Website: www.ladylucas.com

Social media: @LadyLucasArt

Candy Corn Blondies

Guest Poster — Fri, 09 Oct 2015 13:38:27 +0000

Hi! My name is Emily and I blog all the things (but mostly food...and mostly desserts) over at Is This Really My Life. I was so excited when I was asked if I would write a guest post for Skip to My Lou.

Excited may be an understatement. Ecstatic is probably more appropriate, though it too may not do my feelings justice. After the initial euphoria, reality set in and I worried what recipe I hadn't yet tried that would be worthy of this blog. That's when I stumbled across a bag of Hershey's Candy Corn snack-size candy bars and I knew I had to put them in something. 'Tis the candy corn season after all! Plus I assumed those creamy candy corn bars would be far more heat resistant than their solid-sugar counterpart. I attempted to bake candy corn cookies and discovered candy corn liquifies at high temperatures (duh). The cookies weren't pretty but dang if they weren't delicious. Let's be honest, looks aren't gonna stop me from eating cookies especially if they contain candy corn. What better way to showcase the creamy candy corn goodness than to chop them up and throw them into a classic blondies recipe. Candy corn blondies—they're basically classic decadence sprinkled with seasonal decadence, and that's a win in my recipe book. . . I made the mistake of using an 8x8-inch pan to bake these candy corn blondies when I should have used an 8x12-inch. I would for sure stick with the latter as the former had them nicely browned on the tops, sides and bottom but slightly undercooked in the center. Granted, I'm not one to turn down slightly undercooked blondies, brownies or cookies, but you'll want to stick with the larger rectangular pan. You could even go with a 9x13-inch and cut the baking time by about 5 minutes. . . Speaking of brownies, these brownie cookies are rather delightful (and sinfully rich) and these peanut butter swirl brownies are my all-time favorite brownie recipe. Mmm... . Candy Corn Blondies Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 eggs, room temperature
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp kosher salt
1 cup coarsely chopped Hershey's Candy Corn snack-size candy bars

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour an 8x12-inch baking pan.
Cream the butter and sugars on high speed for 3 minutes until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla and then the eggs one at a time and mix well on low speed, scraping the sides of the bowl.
Sift together the flour, baking soda and salt in a small bowl. Slowly add flour mixture to the butter mixture on low speed. Fold in the candy bars.
Spread the batter into the prepared pan and bake for exactly 30 minutes (unless using a larger pan). Cool completely before cutting into bars and serving.

. If you love desserts as much as I do, let me entice you with a few more of my favorites. .

Cookie dough pretzel bites

Old-fashioned iced oatmeal cookies

Salted caramel butter bars

I love being social! Feel free to connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Google+, YouTube and Periscope!

. Emily Hill is a Social media-loving, Diet Coke-drinking, dessert-eating, yoga-addicted mother of four. (And she does most of it in heels.) When she's not duct taping kids to the ceiling, stepping on yet another LEGO or hiding (unsuccessfully) in her closet, she entertains—and tempts—readers at Is This Really My Life. Emily currently works as the Director of Education for Snap Conference. In her spare time she's a freelance copywriter and editor. Diet Coke and chocolate make it all possible.

10 Halloween Treats on a Stick

cindylouh — Sat, 10 Oct 2015 12:00:09 +0000

These Halloween treats on a stick are very fun! Let me tell you when you put a treat on stick you have an instant hit. Whether its a cookie, sucker when it's on a stick you will be dying to try! For more halloween ideas try my printable Halloween tic tac toe or one of these Halloween kids crafts.

These Tootsie Pop Pumpkins make a fun Halloween craft for kids.

Make these halloween cookie pops in minutes with just a little dipping!

These fast an easy spooky ghost suckers make the perfect sweet halloween treat!

These creepy crawly Gumball Spider Lollipops are simple enough even for your little goblins to help assemble. Pumpkin Oreo Pops These are super fun to make and kids will love it. Halloween Eyeball Oreo Pops Spend an afternoon dipping and making some eyeballs! Ghostly Pears on a stick Something healthy and surprisingly sweet meets together on a stick. These mummy cookie pops combine both creepy and cute in a sweet package. Monster treats

You can make these ones in just about one minute, yep. If you like fun and easy this one is for you!

Frankenstein twinkies on a stick Franky Baby is an easy Halloween treat to make using snack cakes (e.g. Twinkies). It's also great food craft for kids with no baking required.

Made by you Monday

cindylouh — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 12:00:06 +0000

It's Monday show us what you've got. It is time to link up your crafty goodness! Please don't forget to link back! --- a text link at the bottom of your post, or link somewhere on your blog is okay! Don't miss a thing! Sign up to get crafty ideas, recipes, sewing tutorials and more delivered right to your inbox. Follow Skip to My Lou on FB and Google+ to find out the latest news! Join me at Pinterest and Instagram for an extra dose of fun!

Easy Fall Bread Recipes

cindylouh — Sun, 11 Oct 2015 12:00:04 +0000

I love a good loaf of homemade bread! I love fall bread recipes. There are so many variations here worth baking. They are also perfect for gifting to a neighbor or a friend. I love a to give homemade gifts. For more fall recipes try my pumpkin cupcakes or these warm and hearty soup recipes. Cinnamon Raisin Bread Easy Homemade Wheat Bread Paleo Pumpkin Bread Carrot Cake Cups Homemade Funnel Cake Recipe Pumpkin roll recipe Easy Banana Bread Be sure to stop by tomorrow for another Made by You Monday!

Free You've Been Boo'ed Printables

cindylouh — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 12:00:39 +0000

If you are looking to start a boo in your neighborhood these You've been boo'ed printables will make it very fun and very easy! We love to boo (sometimes called spook) our friends and neighbors! Here are some of my favorite ways to boo and the printables to go along with each idea!

Free you've been boo'ed printables

We've Been Spooked Printable Signs

How to Boo

I’ve Been Booed

Boo Sign

Boo Poem

Boo Instructions

More BOOing Ideas

Check out these fun booing ideas from around the web. You Have Been Boo'ed by Thirty Handmade Days Spider you have been boo'ed printable by Made to be Momma You've been boo'ed by Simply Kierste Halloween Neighborhood Boo by Six Sisters Stuff Boo Bucket by Crazy Little Projects

Dinner Questions

cindylouh — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 12:06:33 +0000

We have been making more of an effort to eat together as a family more often. To get the conversation flowing we have been asking loads of questions. It is amazing how much we have learned about each other. Dinner time is now one of our favorite times of the day! If you would like get the conversation going at your dinner table download these free dinner questions.

{Dinner Questions}

Thanks to Vanity Fair for challenging our family to #takebackthetable. We are all busy and it is often hard to sit down for a meal together. Mealtime is proving to very beneficial in raising happy healthy kids! According to The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, kids and teens who share family dinners three or more times per week:

Are less likely to be overweight
Are more likely to eat healthy food
Perform better academically
Are less likely to engage in risky behaviors (drugs, alcohol, sexual activity)
Have better relationships with their parents

Our friends at Vanity Fair know how valuable mealtime is and are encouraging us to take time to share a meal and make memories. So print off some dinner questions and gather together for a meal. It doesn't need to be fancy! It can even be take out. The point is to spend time together! Take the pledge to #takebackthetable and eat together as a family at least once a week. Be sure to encourage your friends to take the pledge too! I took the pledge to #takebackthetable to show how important it is to spend more time with family at meal time. This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Vanity Fair® Napkins. The opinions and text are all mine.

Fall Pie Recipes

cindylouh — Sun, 18 Oct 2015 12:00:30 +0000

Fall is the perfect time to do a little baking, especially if you have apples. This week on Made by You Monday there were several fall pie recipes I am dying to try. Whether it's apple, cheesecake or something else, pie is always a hit with my crowd. For more fall recipes try these fall bread recipes. Getting ready for Halloween? These halloween soda bottle labels make any party a hit! Mini No Bake Apple Cheesecakes Green Apple Pie Pie Cream Bites by Let's Dish Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie This apple pie filling can be made ahead and is the perfect way to make apple pie, apple crisp etc... Technically not a pie but these recipes below deserve to be included... Crock pot peach cobbler recipe is calling my name. Apple Cobbler Crunch

Made by you Monday

cindylouh — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 12:00:16 +0000

It's Monday show us what you've got. It is time to link up your crafty goodness! Please don't forget to link back! --- a text link at the bottom of your post, or link somewhere on your blog is okay! Don't miss a thing! Sign up to get crafty ideas, recipes, sewing tutorials and more delivered right to your inbox. Follow Skip to My Lou on FB and Google+ to find out the latest news! Join me at Pinterest and Instagram for an extra dose of fun!

Glow In The Dark Mummy Craft

cindylouh — Sat, 17 Oct 2015 15:06:50 +0000

I have to say I am super excited about this new glow in the dark duck tape! It makes the coolest glow in the dark mummy craft! The possibilities are endless! Wrap this tape about drinking glasses, vases, dessert cups, juice boxes, canning jars or baby food jars for an amazing display! This glowing mummy is so easy! Grab a glass, glow in the dark duck tape (found at a craft store) and some googly eyes and that is it! It only takes a few minuts so it would be easy to make a bunch. I think these mummies would be a hit for a classroom party! Just wrap the tape around the glass. As you are finishing up add some eyes catching them just under the edge of the tape to hold them on. It is amazing how well this tape glows!

Hanging Bat Party Favors

cindylouh — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 12:00:47 +0000

These hanging bat party favors are a great Halloween craft. Kids can make these hanging bats to decorate for Halloween or fill them full of treats for party favors. The supplies are inexpensive and they come together quickly. These toilet paper roll mummies are another quick and easy Halloween craft.

Hanging Bat Favor Supplies

For each hanging bat favor you will need:

toilet paper roll
black acrylic paint
2 googly eyes
black construction paper
paint brush
craft glue / tape runner
stapler
candy
bat wings and feet template

How to make Hanging Bat Party Favors

Paint the toilet paper roll with black paint. Allow to dry completely. Once dry fold end the sides on one end of the toilet paper roll. Fill tube with a treat. Download the bat wing and feet template. Cut out on black construction paper.

{Bat Wings & Bat Feet Template}

Place feet inside bottom of tube. Staple. A quick swipe of black Sharpie marker will cover the staple. Glue wings to back of tube and add googly eyes. Place a small hole it the top foled edge and attach fishing line so that bats can be hung. Tada! A great party favor that also makes a great party decoration! If you are looking for something larger these hanging bats made from lunch sacks work great for classroom Halloween parties.

{Hanging Bat Party Bags}

Looking for more spooky crafts and fun ways to celebrate Halloween don't miss these Halloween playdough favors from the Idea Room. Halloween paper bag puppets would be a fun classroom craft. If you want to keep on a bat themed party these bat napkins rings will add a festive touch.

More Toilet Paper Roll Crafts for Halloween

20 Halloween toilet paper roll crafts from Red Ted Art 10 Halloween toilet paper crafts from Simply Being Mommy 16 Upcycled toilet paper crafts from Upcycled Wonders

Glow In The Dark Ghost Craft

cindylouh — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 12:00:55 +0000

This glow in the dark ghost craft makes for a spooky Halloween decoration while recycling empty bottles! We have been all about decorating for Halloween at our house. Did you see our hanging bat favors made from toilet paper rolls. We have been loving things that glow! These glow in the dark mummies are super simple to make!

Glow in the dark ghost craft supplies

For each ghost you will need:

Empty clear plastic bottle with a cap
white crepe paper
googly eyes
spray adhesive ( a glue stick can be substituted)
fishing line for hanging
hot glue
pony bead
glow stick

I tried many different ways to hang these ghosts. I decided that the easiest way is to hot glue a plastic pony bead to the top. This way you can go ahead and cover the bottle with crepe paper. Spray bottle with spray adhesive. Cover bottle with long lengths of white crepe paper. Allow crepe paper to come off the bottle about a foot or so. It can always be trimmed later. o Add goggly eyes. Take a sharp tool and punch through the center of the pony bead. A wooden skewer works great for this! Feed a long piece of fishing line through the bead and tie allowing enough length for hanging. Unscrew the bottle cap and place a long glow stick inside the bottle. If you can only find short glow sticks and what them to stay toward the top of the bottle place a dab of hot glue on the glow stick and place into the bottle. Set the bottle upright so the glow stick will attach to the bottom of the bottle (the top when hung). Hang your ghost for an extra spooky Halloween decoration!

Clever Windex Uses

cindylouh — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 12:00:51 +0000

Do you use Windex to clean your windows? Did you know this common cleaner can be used for many other things? You will love these clever windex uses. If you are cleaning and like to make your own cleaners be sure to check out my diy shower cleaner. Have you ever made your own drain cleaner or stainless steel cleaner? You must try it. It's so simple and they really work.

Removes Grease

You know those stubborn pans? There’s an easy trick: apply a few sprays of Windex to the greasy area and let it sit for 10 minutes. Then wipe and the grease will slide off like butter. Be sure to give the pan a quick scrub before using it to cook.

Reduces Sting

Yep... One time I got stung by a jelly fish and my snorkeling guide used good old windex to reduce the pain. It truly helped. Just a few sprays on the area, as needed, can reduce pain from jelly fish stings!

Bug Repellant

When you need to get rid of a spider, try windex! Maybe you already have? Windex works as bug spray for ants, flies, and most other crawling bugs you might find around the house. Be sure you only use Windex to kill bugs on contact, not as a preventative measure.

Swelling

Yep. You read that right! One time my wedding ring got stuck (hot summers will do that) and my friend told me to try windex to remove it. It reduced the swelling and my ring came right off. Be sure to rinse skin with water, so it doesn't irritate your skin.

You can also use windex as a diamond cleaner!

Remove Stubborn Stains

Simple spray on stain let it set for 10 minutes and then scrub. I've seen it remove coffee, blood, and oil.** test in small area before using it on fabrics and carpet.

How to Add Volume to Your Hair

cindylouh — Sat, 24 Oct 2015 12:00:24 +0000

This post contains affiliate links.

Hi, My name is Laura and I told Cindy I would share a few hair tips. Do you have limp roots? Would you like to add a little volume to your hair. Here are a few ideas that work very well for me and for most hair types. If you like hair tutorials check out this post on how to create no heat curls.

Adding volume to your hair is easy. A few extra steps can make your hair look completely different and it's easier than you think. I hate flat roots. Whether you have thick hair or thin hair these simple ideas really work. The right products make all the difference.

Starts in the Shower

Be careful when putting conditioner in your roots. I try to not use much, if any conditioner in the roots. Conditioners can weigh down your roots, focus from the mid shaft down when conditioning.

Boost your Roots

Using a product in your roots makes all the difference to me. There are many great ones to choose from. My favorite is Big Sexy Hair Root Pump Volumizing Spray. Spray a little in your hair and massage through the roots.

Thicken your Hair

Adding texture and thickness to your roots helps them hold their shape. My favorite product for this is called Redken Thickening Lotion. I like to apply it only to my roots keep the product focused there.

Blow Dry

After applying the products blow dry your hair. How you blow dry you hair helps a lot. Lean over and blow dry upside down. Get the roots nice and dry. You should have some great volume now. This my favorite blow dryer, it dries my hair in half the time.

Texture

Use this as needed when styling. Also for extra volume during the day (or when you are not shampooing your hair) big sexy powder play is a miracle worker! Simply tap a little powder in your roots for instant lift and texture. Don't let the small size fool you, a little goes a long way! I love this product.

I would love to hear your style tips in the comments. What works for you? What are your favorite products? Don't forget to try dry shampoo to add volume and completely refresh your hair mid day or in between shampoo's. I can't live without this product. After you have added volume is the perfect time to curl your hair and get it to last.

Glow In The Dark Slime

cindylouh — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 12:00:19 +0000

Glow in the dark slime is the perfect cool and creepy Halloween activity. We are loving things that glow! These glow in the dark ghosts are a great way to decorate for Halloween. Making glow in the dark mummies couldn't be any easier with glow in the dark duck tape.

Glow in the Dark Slime Supplies

Elmer's School Glue
Liquid Starch
Glow Acrylic paint
Liquid Food Coloring
zip lock bag

Glow in the dark slime recipe

1/4 cup Elmer's school glue 1/4 cup liquid starch 3 teaspoons glow acrylic paint Food Coloring (I used Electric Green Gel Food Coloring) Place a zip lock bag into a small bowl. This will easily keep the bag open while adding ingredients. Pour in 1/4 cup liquid starch. Next add in food coloring and 1/4 cup Elmer's school glue. Add in 3 teaspoons glow acrylic paint. Carefully remove the bag from the bowl. Seal the bag and begin kneading the bag. Mix ingredients for two minutes. Remove slime from the bag and mix a bit longer to remove stickiness and any extra liquid. How fun! Many people make their slime with borax. While I haven't tried it, it looks cool too! Kids would love glitter slime and it makes a great party favor. I love this slime with eyeballs , perfect for Halloween.

Tootsie Pop Ghosts

cindylouh — Sat, 31 Oct 2015 12:00:50 +0000

Happy Halloween! Need a last minute craft today? These Tootsie pop ghosts are for you and they are so simple even a young child can do it. Whip up a bunch to hand out to friends, it only takes a minute to put them together. Don't miss my tootsie pop spiders, tootsie pop pumpkins and this funny tootsie pop dracula! Make them all!

How to make Tootsie Pop Ghosts

Here is what you need... Tootsie pops googley eyes fishing line Elmers Glue Sharpie You don't need instructions to make this, it is really that simple. Simply wrap your tootsie pop, tie with fishing line, glue on the eyes and draw the smile. Hope it is a happy and safe Halloween, enjoy.

Tootsie Pop Dracula

cindylouh — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 12:00:29 +0000

This Tootsie Pop Dracula is another fun way to dress up a sucker and make it the perfect Halloween treat. We love making Halloween Tootsie pops at our house. We have made Tootsie Pop Spiders and Tootsie Pop Pumpkins and Tootsie pop Ghosts. Don't miss these great 25 Halloween Crafts! For a last minute story try these Halloween Story telling activity it is fun Halloween story that creates a craft, and perfect for the classroom!

Tootsie Pop Dracula Supplies

Glue stick and white glue
Tootsie pop
googly eyes
Cape template
Sharpie marker
scissors

Tootsie Pop Dracula Instructions

Glue on the googly eyes and give the Tootsie pop some hair and a mouth. Download the cape template. Cut it out of black construction paper.

{Dracula Cape Template}

With the glue stick, glue the little flaps around the sucker stick. Really there are so many fun things to do with Tootsie pops.

Tootsie Pop Craft Ideas

Baking Cup and Tootsie Pop Flowers Tootsie Pop Puppies Broom Tootsie Pops Tootsie Pop flowers

Simple Dinner Recipes

cindylouh — Sun, 25 Oct 2015 12:00:16 +0000

Looking a for a few new simple dinner recipes to add to your weekly routine? I am. My family could use a few new options and these recipes stood out this week on Made by you Monday. If you like cooking in the slow cooker or crock pot try these crock pot recipes, it is so helpful to set it up in the morning and come home to a hot meal. Three Cheese Tortellini Bake Bacon Wrapped Chicken Chicken and Mushroom White Pizza Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas Chicken Asparagus Bake Grilled Pineapple Cheese sandwich Let me know if you try one of these recipes. Be sure to link up again tomorrow for another Made by you Monday! Have a great week.

Made by you Monday

cindylouh — Mon, 26 Oct 2015 12:00:31 +0000

It's Monday show us what you've got. It is time to link up your crafty goodness! Please don't forget to link back! --- a text link at the bottom of your post, or link somewhere on your blog is okay! Don't miss a thing! Sign up to get crafty ideas, recipes, sewing tutorials and more delivered right to your inbox. Follow Skip to My Lou on FB and Google+ to find out the latest news! Join me at Pinterest and Instagram for an extra dose of fun!

Easy Looped Headband

cindylouh — Sun, 25 Oct 2015 18:50:05 +0000

This easy looped headband is a simple turban style headband made from knit fabric. The looping of the fabric creates a great effect and is perfect for making a color blocked headband or for using two fun prints of fabric. I am lucky that I got to try out a beautiful new line of knits fromRiley Blake Designs called Idle Wild designed by some amazing gals over over at Pattern Anthology (Kate Blocher, Melissa Mora, Shauna Wightman and Andrea Pannell).

How to make a looped headband {Turban Style Headband}

Cut two pieces of knit fabric 4" X 10" each. My knit fabric was nice and stretchy both ways so I cut along the salvaged edge. Using a rotary cutter makes cutting long strips of fabric super easy. Find center of each piece. Fold one piece around the other. Fold second piece over the first. Stitch along each edge up to where the pieces are folded over each other. Be sure to back stitch to keep stitching secure. Tip: If you want a tighter finished loop, scrunch the fabric up tighter before stitching. For the tutorial it was easier to explain with pieces laying flat. Turn each side right side out. Starting with both ends together turn the entire piece wrong side out. Carefully stitch around the bottom leaving about a two inch opening. Turn right side out. Hand stitch opening closed and you have a darling turban style headband!

Halloween Classroom Party Food

cindylouh — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 12:00:28 +0000

We love a good party! If you are planning a party at school here are two super easy and quick Halloween classroom party food ideas! These mummies and ghosts add just the perfect festive touch! The best part these treats are a great alternative to all those sugar laden goodies normally found at classroom parties! Kids will get plenty of sweets when they trick or treat, how about giving them wholesome and delicious party food! To make the mummies and ghosts we used Horizon Organic Chocolate Milk and Mozzarella String Cheese. The Super Squeeze Milk & Fruit Blend also works for the mummies.

Supplies for Halloween Classroom Party Food

You will also need a few simple supplies:

white crepe paper
googly eyes
glue / tape roller
Sharpie Marker

Place a bit of adhesive from the taper roller on the back of the milk box. Attach the crepe paper and begin wrapping the box. After the box is covered, glue on eyes and continue wrapping covering the eyes slightly. Secure end of crepe paper in the back with a bit of adhesive. It takes minutes to turn the Mozzarella String Cheese into a ghost with a Sharpie marker. Eyes can be drawn on with the Sharpie or glue on googly eyes. This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Horizon Organic. The opinions and text are all mine.

Printable Halloween Juice Box Covers

cindylouh — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 12:00:40 +0000

These printable Halloween juice box covers would be great for kid's party! What a fun way to make a spooktacular party drink. For more Halloween party ideas try these free printable soda labels or this free printable tic tac toe game. It is a perfect classroom party game. If you are serving dinner on Halloween night, these spooky meal ideas are sure to make dinner fun! Download the free printable juice box covers. Print with no scaling in color on regular copy paper.

Printable Halloween Juice Box Covers

Frankenstein and Dracula Pumpkin and Ghost Cut out the covers and wrap around the juice box. A tape roller works great for sticking the ends of the paper together. Before wrapping I removed the straw and attached with a little bit of the adhesive or a piece of tape.

Fabric Scrap Friendship Bracelet

Guest Poster — Sun, 01 Nov 2015 15:10:39 +0000

This Fabric Scrap Friendship Bracelet is a easy project. My daughter loves friendship bracelets! These 20 minute throw pillows are a fun way to update any room in your house. For the kid on your list (or anyone) make a diy tablet case! This month we are sharing over 100 handmade gift tutorials. I have teamed up with Thirty Handmade Days, Classy Clutter and Your Homebased Mom to share the best holiday decorating ideas and homemade gift ideas. We have over 100 tutorials so you will have the best homemade holiday ever! Each day be sure to visit the guest poster’s blog for a chance to win BIG! Up for grabs a Baby Lock sewing machine a $100 in Riley Blake Fabric! Grab a new entry every day! Visit See Kate Sew today to enter to win the Baby Lock Sewing Machine. Today I'm going to share a simple way to bust through some of your fabric scraps! These fabric scrap bracelets make the perfect holiday gift for friends and they are even simple enough to involve your kids in. I love the idea of wearing my favorite fabrics in an easy and chic way, so these bracelets will cover all those bases and also make great stocking stuffers! So pull out your fabric stash and let's get making! Fabric Friendship Bracelet Tutorial // Materials: -3 strips of fabric, 10" long by .75" wide -Jewelry Endcaps -Glue

Cut 3 strips of fabric 3/4" wide by 10" long. *Use 1" wide strips for a thicker variation

2. Fold long edges of strips in so they meet in the middle. Press. 3. Fold strip in half so the raw edges are enclosed. Press well. 4. Stitch strip to secure. Repeat with all 3 strips. 5. Glue ends of strips together with a dab of glue between each one. Create a stack. 6. Glue end of stack into endcap hardware. 7. Press into the hardware as far as it will go and let dry. 8. Braid strips. Continue until your bracelet is the desired length. 9. When it is as long as you want, glue ends together. 10. Clip ends. 11. Glue other side into the other side of jewelry hardware. 12. Clip the bracelet together and you're done! For a thicker bracelet (like the green, blue and purple one above) use 1" wide strips. I hope you enjoyed this project and can put it to good use this holiday season! I regularly blog at See Kate Sew where I design fabric, patterns and share free tutorials for sewing and more! I'd love to see you over there! Check out these posts: DIY Zipper Book Clutches Make your Own Dolls Sewing Room Tour

Halloween Tootsie Pop Craft ideas

cindylouh — Fri, 30 Oct 2015 12:00:52 +0000

We love to make fun little craft ideas for Halloween, especially in the form of treats. Tootsie pops can be transformed into several clever and fun Halloween ideas. They are perfect for a Halloween classroom party. Hosting a Halloween party? Don't miss my free Halloween printables. These ideas are simple, just grab a bag of lolly pops and get started... Spook everyone with these cute Tootsie Pop Spiders Tootsie Pop Dracula is a clever way to dress up a lolly pop! Tootsie Pop Pumpkins are classic and easy for any age. Tootsie Pop Ghosts take only minutes, Boo! This Halloween Eye Ball Topiary is a fun piece of decor. Skip the lolly pops and try a more healthy option with this Ghostly Snack

Made by you Monday

cindylouh — Mon, 02 Nov 2015 13:00:12 +0000

It's Monday show us what you've got. It is time to link up your crafty goodness! Please don't forget to link back! --- a text link at the bottom of your post, or link somewhere on your blog is okay! Don't miss a thing! Sign up to get crafty ideas, recipes, sewing tutorials and more delivered right to your inbox. Follow Skip to My Lou on FB and Google+ to find out the latest news! Join me at Pinterest and Instagram for an extra dose of fun!

Beautiful Christmas Trees

cindylouh — Sun, 01 Nov 2015 13:40:37 +0000

Each year Michaels asks us to decorate some beautiful Christmas trees for their Dream Tree Challenge. This year I decided to go go with a snow and glittered theme. I wanted the tree to have at least one unusual element so I placed a marquee sign right on the tree. This silver glittered sign is battery operated so it worked perfect! It does look a bit blue in the picture but in real life it is all sliver and makes quite a statement on the tree. If you are looking for Christmas tree decorating ideas here are my past trees. The first year I made paper medallions and hanging ornaments from wrapping paper. The bright colors gave the tree a whimsical look. Click on the photo for tutorials for all of the ornaments.

Whimsical Christmas Tree

One year I enlisted the help of some amazing crocheters that live all over the world to help decorate my crochet Christmas tree. It was so much fun to receive so many darling handmade ornaments! This tree was truly spectacular! We were able to donate it to a local charity and raised over $1,000.

Crochet Christmas Tree

Last year I painted the tree gold so it would truly set off our collection of hand blown glass Christmas ornaments. It was stunning.

Gold Painted Christmas tree

There are so many ways to decorate beautiful Christmas trees. From now until November 14, you can get FREE shipping on all Christmas trees that are 6ft or taller onMichaels.com! If you’re just getting started on your holiday decor, you can also check out some of the ornament projects and tutorials available on Michaels.com. If you are inspired to start decorating your own tree make sure you visit Michaels’ blog, The Glue String. Check out these beautiful Christmas trees ideas:

An InLinkz Link-up

Michael’s supplied me with a Christmas tree and a gift card to purchase supplies. Thoughts and ideas are all my own. I share my ideas here in hopes that you will be inspired to create!

30 Minute Coin Purse

Guest Poster — Fri, 06 Nov 2015 13:00:35 +0000

This 30 minute coin purse is actually really easy to make! I am already imagining making these for every girl on my list, so useful! You can make a little village of these little santas with this DIY gnome tutorial. Do you like to give gift cards? This DIY money pouch is a fun way to gift money! This month we are sharing over 100 handmade gift tutorials. I have teamed up with Thirty Handmade Days, Classy Clutter and Your Homebased Mom to share the best holiday decorating ideas and homemade gift ideas. We have over 100 tutorials so you will have the best homemade holiday ever! Each day be sure to visit the guest poster’s blog for a chance to win BIG! Up for grabs a Baby Lock sewing machine a $100 in Riley Blake Fabric! Grab a new entry every day! Visit Andrea's Notebook today to enter to win the Baby Lock Sewing Machine. Have you always wanted to make one of these cute little coin purses but were afraid they were too difficult? Put your fears aside! I'm here today to show you how easy these actually are. This coin purse tutorial will take you about 30 minutes, start to finish! Supplies:

metal coin purse frame (buy these at any craft store or online)
2 pieces of fabric. Fat quarters are plenty.
Gutermann Creativ HT2 Textile Glue (or E-6000)
toothpick
piece of paper
pencil
sewing machine
fabric scissors
coordinating thread

Instructions:

Place your purse frame on a piece of paper. Trace around the frame with your pencil, adding 3/8" around the ouside of the frame for the seam allowance. Continue on to create the shape of the bag. It can be a rectangle or curve out a bit like mine. Whatever shape you want! Make sure to mark the place where the purse frame ends.
Cut out your pattern you just drew. You will cut 2 pieces of each fabric in the shape of your pattern. Mark the place on the fabric where the purse frame ends.
Place your outside fabric, right sides together. (The duller, insides will be showing) Sew from the purse frame mark to purse frame mark around the bottom. Repeat with the inner fabric.
Turn the inside fabric wrong sides out and the outside fabric right sides out. Put the outside fabric inside the inside fabric so their right sides are facing each other. Sew from the place where you had stopped, across the top and stop at the other side where you had stopped sewing. Trim the seam allowance to about 1/8". Turn the fabric so the outside fabric is on the outside. Press your seams well.
Put glue in the grove of the purse frame. Don't overdo it. You may need a toothpick to even it out.
Place the top of the purse into the frame and let the glue set.

That's it! Enjoy your new coin purse! Or make up a whole bunch for gifts. These would be a fun gift if you put a nail polish or lip gloss inside! Please come check out Andrea's Notebook, an online website inspiring women to get creative! You may enjoy my 40 Sewing Hacks & Tips post or consider making this Lavender Scented Tea Trivet for someone special this year! And thank you, Cindy, for sharing my new fabric line with that great headband tutorial!

Shine It Forward {Random Acts of Kindness}

cindylouh — Mon, 02 Nov 2015 14:00:31 +0000

I am so excited about this new initiative, Shine It Forward from Jimmy Dean. Couldn't we all use a little more kindness in our lives? Jimmy Dean is challenging us to make #MondaysForGood. It is amazing how small acts of kindness – volunteering, buying coffee for a co-worker, or holding the door open for a stranger – can create a positive chain reaction and turn the world into a brighter place! Jimmy Dean is encouraging you to make your Monday mornings matter by taking time to do something nice for others. Lets turn Monday mornings into the best part of the week! I am using this Monday morning to tell a few friends how special they are to me! I have a little gift tag to share with you if you would like to shine some joy on your friends too! Download the Printable Friendship Gift Tags. Print on card stock. I found this kraft colored card stock at the craft store. Cut out tags and use washi tape to fasten to a small gift.

{Printable Friendship Gift Tags}

I will be giving flowers, but what about a cup of coffee, a soft drink, homemade cookies, a special sack lunch.... really anything that would brighten your friend's day! If you are looking for other ways to spread kindness check out these simple random acts of kindness ideas.

50 Random Acts of Kindness Ideas

Open the door for someone
Drop off a toy, game or coloring books and crayons at a hospital pediatric unit
Give a helping hand when you see someone carrying alot of stuff
Pay someone a compliment
Help someone with their groceries or bags
Smile!
Say hello!
Acknowledge the cashier who’s helping you and genuinely ask them how they’re doing
Take flowers to a hospital ward and give them to someone who hasn’t had any visitors
Reach an item off a high shelf for someone
Listen!
Drop off teddy bears at the police department to give to traumatized children
Send someone a small gift anonymously
Make sure every person in a group conversation feels included
Drop off flowers at your friend or neighbor’s home
Leave an anonymous thank you notes to a teacher
Treat a friend to the movies or dinner
Put change in a vending machine
Write a letters of appreciation to someone who is helping your community
Play board games with senior citizens at a nursing home
Give up your seat to someone
Pick up trash you find along your way
Say thank you to a janitor
Pay for a toll for the car behind you
Write anonymous words of affirmations for strangers to find
Babysit for a single mom for free
At a restaurant, pay for a table’s lunch or dinner anonymously
Buy lemonade from a kid’s lemonade stand
Pay for someone’s groceries
Put something you no longer need on craigslist for free
Buy a movie ticket for the person behind you in line
Send dessert to another table
Pay for someone’s meal behind you at the drive-thru
Volunteer your time
Compliment someone in front of others
Buy a meal for a homeless person
Leave a book you have already finished somewhere for someone else to read
Drop off a toy or game at a homeless shelter
Offer to help an elderly neighbor with their household chores.
Give a lottery ticket to a stranger
Visit someone at a nursing home that doesn't receive many visitors
Take a treat to work to share with co-workers
Pay for someone behind you at a coffee shop
Write a kind thought or inspirational quote on a post it note and leave in public for everyone to see
Talk to the person who’s sitting by themselves at a party
When you run an errand, ask the people around you if you can pick up anything they need
Let the person behind you at the supermarket checkout with one or two items go ahead of you
Put sticky notes with positive thoughts on the mirrors in restrooms
Be patient
Put your phone away and be present!

I would love to see how you make #MondaysForGood . Tweet @JimmyDean using #MondaysForGood or post on Facebook/Instagram and share what good you did or would do if given a Monday morning off to do good.

Be sure to visit www.JimmyDeanShineOn.com to sign the petition and make #MondaysForGood a national holiday! How cool would that be. A National holiday to promote kindness. That is a holiday I could get behind.

Looking for more ideas? My dear friend Mique has a new book, Make & Share Random Acts of Kindness: Simple Crafts and Recipes to Give and Spread Joy. It is loaded with ideas for sharing kindness.

This is a sponsored post by Jimmy Dean. All ideas and opinions are my own. I couldn't be more thrilled to be sharing this Shine It Forward campaign. Encouraging kindness is always a good thing!

Circular Gift Card Pouch Tutorial

Guest Poster — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 13:00:04 +0000

This Circular Gift Card Pouch Tutorial is the perfect way to give them what they want this holiday season-- gift cards or money. Best of all it is reusable. This DIY felt turkey clip would be darling for any little girl this Thanksgiving. These DIY Scrap Friendship bracelets are perfect for kids and they will love making them! Kids love making homemade gifts. This month we are sharing over 100 handmade gift tutorials. I have teamed up with Thirty Handmade Days, Classy Clutter and Your Homebased Mom to share the best holiday decorating ideas and homemade gift ideas. We have over 100 tutorials so you will have the best homemade holiday ever! Each day be sure to visit the guest poster’s blog for a chance to win BIG! Up for grabs a Baby Lock sewing machine a $100 in Riley Blake Fabric! Grab a new entry every day! Visit Raegun Ramblings today to enter to win the Baby Lock Sewing Machine.

I'm kind of a gift giving snob. I love making or finding something that my recipient will really love. The problem is that sometimes nothing great comes to mind or the perfect item is more of an experience like a massage or movie outing. And for those times I really appreciate gift cards. When I give a gift card I always like to have a little something tangible with it and my favorite thing is to create a cute gift card holder that can be reused as a little bag later. Today I'm sharing an easy circular gift card pouch tutorial.

I love the non-traditional shape of the circular bag. I've sized this to be just the right size for one or two gift cards but you could easily change the measurements to make a bigger or smaller bag! What You Need

Outside fabric - 11x11 inches
Lining fabric - 11x11 inches
1/2 inch or wider Casing Ribbon - 27 inches
1/8 inch Drawstring Ribbon - 1 yard
Small safety pin (it needs to be skinnier than the width of your ribbon).

What to Do

Cut both fabric pieces into 11 inch diameter circles.
With right sides together sew the fabric together using a 1/4 inch seam allowance leaving a 1 inch opening.
Clip around the edges up to but not across to the stitching line.
Turn your circle right sides out and press with an iron.
Sew around the very edge of the circle to close up the hole.
Run the edge of your ribbon across a flame to seal the edge.
Lay the ribbon about an inch from the edge of your circle. Sew down along the very edge of your ribbon.
Repeat on the other edge. This will make a casing for your drawstring. Make sure to pick a ribbon wide enough to thread your drawstring ribbon through and try to sew at the edge to leave enough space.
Using a small safety pin to thread your drawstring ribbon into the casing.
Fill with an awesome gift card!

I hope you like my circular bag tutorial! If you're looking for more quick and easy handmade gift ideas I have tons. I hope you'll stop by my blog Rae Gun Ramblings and say hi! Before I go here are a few of my most popular projects and posts.

Oven Fried Chicken Recipe | The Best Gathering Trick | Books to Read if You Loved the Hunger Games | Quick Envelop Pillow Case Tutorial

Marissa’s a huge Harry Potter fan, lover of fried food, Instagram addict, and mama to one year old Teddy. She spends her days sewing baby clothes for her shop Rae Gun and blogs over at Rae Gun Ramblings where she loves to share her favorite recipes, creative tutorials, and book recommendations. Stop by her blog to see more and say hi!

Let’s connect! You can also find me hanging out here.

Santa Gnome Tutorial

Guest Poster — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 13:00:19 +0000

This Santa Gnome Tutorial is so cute, and would make a darling holiday gift this year. You can make a little village of these little santas. Make them for your home or give them as gifts ... I'm thinking teacher gifts! This DIY felt turkey clip would be darling for any little girl this Thanksgiving. Do you like to give gift cards? This DIY money pouch is a fun way to gift money! This month we are sharing over 100 handmade gift tutorials. I have teamed up with Thirty Handmade Days, Classy Clutter and Your Homebased Mom to share the best holiday decorating ideas and homemade gift ideas. We have over 100 tutorials so you will have the best homemade holiday ever! Each day be sure to visit the guest poster’s blog for a chance to win BIG! Up for grabs a Baby Lock sewing machine a $100 in Riley Blake Fabric! Grab a new entry every day! Visit Taradara Made it! today to enter to win the Baby Lock Sewing Machine.

Hey ya!!! It's me, Tara from Taradara Made It! Every year it is so exciting to be asked to return to participate in this fun holiday giveaway! I'm changing it up this year instead of doing a tutorial that involves applique, we are hand stitching with just a touch of machine sewing.

This quick 1 hour project could be an ideal holiday craft for kids.

This little guy will be different every time you make him. You can make a little village of these little santas. Make them for your home or give them as gifts ... I'm thinking teacher gifts!

To make this little guy, you'll need:

Rice or Poly Pellets

Red felt

Beige jersey cotton

Jersey cotton (for body)

Faux fur

Cotton Batting

Thread and needle

Let's assemble him! He needs a name ... Let's name him 'Carl'

To make the body, cut cotton fabric 7" x 12". Fold in half lengthwise and sew each side using a 1/2" seam allowance. At the bottom, fold the corner flat and out, measure 1.5", and sew a seam perpendicular to the side seam. Repeat on the other side. This will make a flat bottom for 'Carl' to stand upright.

Fold it right side out. Fill with approximately 1 cup of rice or poly pellets then stuff with cotton batting. Bunch together with your fingers and sew it shut.

Make Carl's nose by cutting a 3" x 3" square of the beige jersey cotton and stuffing it with cotton batting. Sew it shut. Notice how I've sewn it with the sewing machine and it isn't a perfect button nose? This is intentional to give Carl's nose some character and masculinity ;)Okay, Carl now has a nose. Place it towards the top of the body and hand stitch it.

Cut a beard shape out of the faux fur.

I essentially held it up to his face and decided on a width and eyeballed the length.

Hand stitch the beard on to the body trying to hug under the nose as much as you can.

Cut your felt for his hat. This will have to be individual as the measurements will all be different.

Make sure to have the felt slightly overlapping Carl's nose and touching the top of his beard.

Cut a notch out above the nose.

Fold the felt triangle in half and sew it together.

Line the hat up with Carl's nose and start stitching the hat to the body. I used a different color thread to add interest and something a bit funky.

And you're done! You now have your very own Santa Gnome!!!

Be sure to check out the other holiday sewing posts from Taradara Made it:

Holiday Table Runner

Applique Snowman Wall Hanging

Applique Christmas Tree Wall Hanging

Holiday Applique Bathroom Towels

Follow Taradara to get inspiration (and see what she's up to next!) on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Google+

Tara Rex is a sleep deprived {by choice, kinda} DIYing mother of 2 athletic bambinos who seriously does not stop. Sleep? What’s that? She is ALWAYS creating, painting, sewing, DIYing … when she’s not, she’s carting her boys off to hockey games and practices. Originally from Canada, she came to the USA to work as an ER/trauma nurse and met her husband which changed the course of her life. Now residing in beautiful Colorado and making her home even more beautiful with her eclectic artistic style, she is inspiring others to step outside their comfort zone and add color to their home amongst other things. She blogs for Bob Vila and has been a guest on Rachael Ray. Tara’s sewing projects have been featured in Sew News and Sew It all; and is also an instructor on CraftDaily.com, Sew It All TV, and National Sewing Circle.

DIY Felt Turkey Clip

cindylouh — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 13:00:15 +0000

This DIY Felt Turkey Clip is a fabulous and festive way to celebrate Thanksgiving. You can make these and set them out as favors on the table! These DIY Scrap Friendship bracelets are perfect for kids and they will love making them! This month we are sharing over 100 handmade gift tutorials. I have teamed up with Thirty Handmade Days, Classy Clutter and Your Homebased Mom to share the best holiday decorating ideas and homemade gift ideas. We have over 100 tutorials so you will have the best homemade holiday ever! Each day be sure to visit the guest poster’s blog for a chance to win BIG! Up for grabs a Baby Lock sewing machine a $100 in Riley Blake Fabric! Grab a new entry every day! Visit JoJo and Eloise today to enter to win the Baby Lock Sewing Machine.

Hello my name is Angelina and I can be found blogging over at JoJo and Eloise and I find myself wondering Where in the WORLD this year gone? We are entering the Holiday Season and I still can't believe it. These last few weeks I've found myself hanging out with our Dentist and his staff more then I have been sitting around the house in my Pajamas (which I much rather prefer) I am so glad that I found a moment between Kids getting their teeth cleaned and some even FILLED... Which by the way, if you don't already know this, Cavities STINK!!! But enough about my boring last few weeks, how about we move onto something much more Fun and Exciting, like this years Bake Craft Sew Party!!! I am beyond thrilled to be sharing with you here on Skip To My Lou. Now, I don't know about you but the whole Holiday Season always gets me thinking of colorful chubby little turkey's sprinkled all over the place, whether they be Real, Crafted, Baked or Sewn those cute little guys just Speak HOLIDAYS to me. Today I will be sharing how to put this Adorably fun and creative, Felt Turkey Pin/Clip together.

He Really is just the Cutest thing you ever did see and so very easy to make. You will need multiple color of Felt pieces, Glue Gun, Googly Eyes and Pin/Clip. I purchased all my supplies at Jo-Ann Fabrics.

Cut out a basic feather shape in different Felt colors. ( I drew a basic shape feather and then using small scissors cut out slits randomly throughout each feather) Stitch lines down the center of your feathers. This is not necessary but does add a bit of dimension to your feathers. Cut 2 Circles for the turkey's body. These circles fit in the palm of my hand. You can easily make your Turkey Felt Clip as small or big as your hearts desire, just have fun and be creative.

Play around with the placement of your Feathers until your happy with how your Felt Turkey Pin looks.

You can also cut out 2 little Turkey legs and beak. Layer them inside, pin and sew. If you do not have a sewing machine, No Problem!! Just Hot Glue the body together around the edges of your circles.

Attach your Beak, Google eyes with a glue gun and hot glue your Pin or Clip to the back of your Felt Turkey Pin.

And, your done!!

Simple, Easy and Quick. Your Felt Turkey Pin will make a cute addition to your Holiday attire, Decorating or using him as a Holiday Craft for the kids.

No matter what way you choose to use your Felt Turkey Pin, it is certain to be a Hit this Holiday Season.

Have fun and Enjoy!

Weekly Meal Plan and Printable

cindylouh — Sat, 07 Nov 2015 14:05:54 +0000

Do you get sick of figuring out what to make every day for dinner? Just me? Well I gathered some friends and we put together a menu plan for you. You don't have to stare into your pantry and wonder what to make anymore. We've got it covered. Check out all of the recipes for your meal plan and then grab a printable list below!

Your hostesses each week will be:

Let's get cooking, shall we?

Slow Cooker Corn Chowder

Side dish recommendation: Quick French Bread

Taco Casserole

Side dish recommendation: Mexican Rice

Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowls

Hearty Vegetable Soup

Slow Cooker Chicken Ranch Pasta

Side dish recommendation: Lion House Rolls with Honey Butter

One Pan Pork Stew

Spaghetti Casserole

Frosted Pumpkin Bars

You've got to try this one out! It screams fall. Yum!

Download this printable weekly meal plan:

Curved Top Zip Pouch Sewing Pattern

Guest Poster — Sun, 08 Nov 2015 13:00:58 +0000

This Curved top zip pouch is the perfect gift to make for a teen on your Christmas list this year! I can't get enough little bags. You can also make this darling little diy coin purse in just 30 minutes! Make a little village of these little santas with this DIY gnome tutorial. This month we are sharing over 100 handmade gift tutorials. I have teamed up with Thirty Handmade Days, Classy Clutter and Your Homebased Mom to share the best holiday decorating ideas and homemade gift ideas. We have over 100 tutorials so you will have the best homemade holiday ever! Each day be sure to visit the guest poster’s blog for a chance to win BIG! Up for grabs a Baby Lock sewing machine a $100 in Riley Blake Fabric! Grab a new entry every day! Visit Andrea’s Notebook today to enter to win the Baby Lock Sewing Machine. Hello! my name is Melissa Mortenson and I am the girl behind the Polka Dot Chair Blog. I am also a fabric designer for Riley Blake Designs and the author of "Project Teen: Handmade Gifts your Teens will Actually Love". I'm the mom of 3 teenagers who loves to sew, I will readily admit that the day they didn't want me to make them dresses for church anymore was a sad one for me. I wasn't quite ready to stop creating things for them and soon realized that instead of not sewing for them anymore I just needed to alter what I was making. Now I feel pretty passionately about the subject, why just give that newborn baby a handmade quilt? The teenagers in our life need our love just as much as that new baby. Today I'm going to share with you a tutorial for a curved top zip pouch that would make a great Christmas gift for a teenager on your list (it would also be pretty fun to make for an adult too!). The pouch is made from wool, but you can also use cotton, if you use wool just make sure it's lightweight. For an extra bit of detail I added a simple black bow to the front, and a touch of leather to the bottom. If you'd like to make one too, here's what you'll need:

1/2 yard of fabric for the pouch outside
1/2 yard of fabric for the pouch lining
14" zipper
1/2 yard of Pellon Flex Foam
1/2 yard of Pellon Shape Flex
Scrap of Leather 1" x 7" (this step is optional)
Leather Needle
Glue Stick
1 yard of 1" wide ribbon
Pattern piece for pouch (you can download it for free here)

All seam allowances are 1/2" unless other wise noted. From the pattern piece cut: 2 pieces for pouch front 2 pieces for pouch lining 2 pieces of flex foam 2 pieces of shape flex Press the shape flex onto the wrong side of the pouch outside pieces. If you're using wool this will help keep the pouch from stretching out of shape as you sew it. Place the cut foam piece behind the cut pouch outside piece. Pin the right side of the zipper to the right side of the pouch along the top arch. The zipper is longer than the pouch, that is okay. Next place the pouch lining piece on top so that the right side of the lining is facing the wrong side of the zipper. Pin in place. (You'll have lots of pins). Next, stitch through all the layers using your zipper foot, use the width of your zipper foot as a guide, your seam allowance should be between 1/4" - 3/8". Stitch with the foam side up so that the feed dogs on your machine will help to feed the lining piece through evenly. Clip the curve. Repeat for the other side of the zipper. When you're done you'll have a piece that looks like this. Take a second and zip it up to make sure that you've inserted the zipper correctly. Unzip the zipper half way. Bring the pouch outside pieces together right sides facing and stitch along the bottom seam only. Press seam open Note: this next step is optional. Take the leather piece and apply a bit of glue to the wrong side of it. Stick it onto the bottom seam of the pouch centered and covering the bottom seam. Secure it in place with binding clips if you have them. Insert the leather needle into your machine. Very slowly stitch around the perimeter of the leather piece. Remove the leather needle from your machine and insert a standard needle. Pin the right sides of the pouch outside piece together (including the foam) and pin the right sides of the pouch lining together. Stitch around the perimeter of the pouch leaving a 3" opening in the lining piece so that you can turn the pouch right side out. Leave the cut out square shapes in the corners unstitched. Be careful not to "catch" any of the pouch in the seam as you sew. You'll have to stitch inward and pivot when you get to the point with the zipper. Pinch all 4 corners of the pouch and stitch 1" up from the cut raw edges. Cut off the extra part of the zipper. Turn the pouch right side out. Stitch the opening in the lining closed. "Guesstimate" how large you'd like the bow on the front of your pouch. Cut a piece of ribbon twice that length. Fold raw ends of ribbon to the center and using a needle and thread stitch together pulling slightly on the thread as you go. Fold a piece of ribbon in half and wrap it around the bow at the center point. Whip stitch in place. Cut a piece of ribbon slightly longer than your finished bow. Clip the edges. Stitch to the wrong side of the bow you made and then sew it to the front of the pouch. and you're DONE! Here are a few other projects on my blog that you may like!

Quilted Christmas Pillow Tutorial

How to make a Pencil Pouch out of Oilcloth

Pocket Pillow Sewing Pattern

Stitch On - Embroidered Needle Book

Guest Poster — Mon, 09 Nov 2015 13:00:05 +0000

This Stitch On - Embroidered Needle Book is a quick project even beginnings can put together. If you have a teen on your gift list this curved zip pouch is a guaranteed hit or make this diy coin purse in just 30 minutes. This month we are sharing over 100 handmade gift tutorials. I have teamed up with Thirty Handmade Days, Classy Clutter and Your Homebased Mom to share the best holiday decorating ideas and homemade gift ideas. We have over 100 tutorials so you will have the best homemade holiday ever! Each day be sure to visit the guest poster’s blog for a chance to win BIG! Up for grabs a Baby Lock sewing machine a $100 in Riley Blake Fabric! Grab a new entry every day! Visit Flamingo Toes today to enter win the baby lock sewing machine and fabric bundle! Hello Skip to my Lou readers! I am so excited to be a part of this amazing series again this year! My name is Bev and I blog over at Flamingo Toes. I love sharing sewing and embroidery projects - and today's tutorial is a mix of both! This little embroidered needle book is perfect for the stitcher in your life - or you could make one up as a little gift for yourself! This cute little book is all decorated with an embroidered spool of thread and says "Stitch On!". Inside there are little pockets and felt pages for holding needles and other supplies. So you can sew or embroider on the go! I'll probably use mine most for embroidery, though it would be great for paper piecing too. There's a little pocket in the back for threads or paper templates, or whatever you need to stow away. Here's what you'll need to get sewing!

3 fat quarters of coordinating fabric for the outside, inside and pockets
thin batting or fusible fleece -13 x 6 1/2"
linen - 6" x 6"
embroidery floss - green, pink, red, gray
embroidery hoop
two sheets of wool felt - 9" x 4 3/4"
lace trim and buttons for decoration
ribbon for tie - 20"
Stitch On Embroidery Pattern - for personal use only

Begin by tracing the embroidery pattern and stitch the design like the photo below. If you need help with embroidery stitches, check out my Embroidery Tips page. Once your embroidery is done, trim your fabric to a 5" square. Out of your outside fabric, cut 2 pieces 1 1/2" x 5", one piece 1 1/2" x 6 1/2" and one piece 8 1/2" x 6 1/2". Use a 1/2" seam allowance and sew each of the 1 1/2" x 5" strips to the top and bottom of the linen piece. So the small strip to the right side of the square and the long piece to the left side of the square. Press all the seams away from the linen piece. For the lining, cut out a piece 13" x 6 1/2". Decide how you'd like your pockets and cut out pieces from the coordinating fabric. I used a back pocket that was 8 x 5 3/4, folded in half. I traced my embroidery scissors and created a pocket for them, then also cut out a 2 1/2" x 6" pocket. For the long narrow pocket and the pocket on the back, I folded them right sides together and sewed the two side seams. Then I lined up the pockets with the bottom edge of the inner fabric and sewed the side seams in place. For the scissors pocket, I cut out two, then sewed them right sides together. I turned it right sides out and sewed the sides and bottom down. Iron the fusible fleece to the wrong side of the front piece. Cut your ribbon into two lengths and sew each piece to the center of the short sides, 1/4" from the edge. The ribbon edge should line up with the edge of the fabric. Place the outside and inside pieces right sides together , with the ribbons in between. Sew around the edges, leaving a 4" opening for turning. Clip the corners and turn right side out. Press, and turn under the open edges at the same time. Top stitch around all four sides, sewing the opening closed at the same time. Now we can decorate the felt pieces! Choose some trims and buttons for decoration. Mark the centers of your felt pieces so you know where each "page" will be and sew on lace or other trims. These are great for holding your needles. Place the felt pieces so the centers line up with the center of the inside cover. Pin in place. If desired, pin a strip of ribbon on the outside of the book, so one side lines up with the center line of the cover. Sew in place, sewing through the ribbon, cover and felt pages. Tuck the felt pages out of the way and sew the other side of the ribbon down as well. If you haven't already, decorate the cover and pages with a few buttons. You are all done! Your cute needle book is all ready to stock up! I'd love for you to come visit me at Flamingo Toes sometime! Here are some of my favorite projects that are perfect for gifts! Kate Spade Inspired Key Fobs Plaid and Lace Infinity Scarf I also just released my first book! It's called 30 Minute Jewelry and there are regular jewelry projects, plus sewing and embroidery jewelry pieces too! It's great for beginners or experienced jewelry makers. I'm super excited about it! Thank you so much for having me Cindy!

30 Minute Throw Pillow Cover

Guest Poster — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 13:00:13 +0000

This 30 Minute Throw Pillow Cover is a quick project and fun way to change a look of the room for the holidays. If you have a teen on your gift list this curved zip pouch is a guaranteed hit or make this embroidered needle book in just 30 minutes. This month we are sharing over 100 handmade gift tutorials. I have teamed up with Thirty Handmade Days, Classy Clutter and Your Homebased Mom to share the best holiday decorating ideas and homemade gift ideas. We have over 100 tutorials so you will have the best homemade holiday ever! Each day be sure to visit the guest poster’s blog for a chance to win BIG! Up for grabs a Baby Lock sewing machine a $100 in Riley Blake Fabric! Grab a new entry every day! Visit Hello Apricot today to enter win the baby lock sewing machine and fabric bundle!

Hi there it's Elizabeth from Hello Apricot and I'm so excited to be sharing with you all today! It's finally starting to feel like fall in Southern CA. Meaning it's dropped below 80 degrees for several days in a row and we just can't contain ourselves. Time for yummy candles, cozy blankets, soup sprucing up the house.

I have an affinity for color. I like it. Color makes me have all the happy feels. However, I'm noticing some things as I've been out and about at the stores the last few days...it would seem we are moving to a very neutral palate for the holiday season this year and I'm actually not sad about it. The last couple of years have been an explosion of color with our Christmas decor, but this year, I'm itching to switch things up and keep our decor cozy, simple, and traditional.

The easiest switch up for me is to make new covers for our couch pillows. They are so fast to sew up that you can change the whole feel of a room in an afternoon. I tend to lean towards envelope pillow covers because of their ease and speed and I'm going to share my super quick method with you! You're about to have a super cute flannel pillow with lacey trim in under 30 minutes and for about $10.

Supplies Needed:

old throw pillow

1/2 yard flannel

1/2 yard cotton print

1/2 yard lace

general sewing supplies

Prep!

(This is assuming a 16x16 pillow...you'll have to adjust the amount of fabric and cutting specifications if your pillow is a different size than I used.)

Cut flannel piece to 16x16
Cut cotton to 16x20, then cut in half so that you have (2) 16x10 pieces.
Trim your lace to fit along the edge of the flannel.
Turn the edges of the cotton pieces under and press. Sew along each edge to finish.
Baste the lace onto the flannel along both long edges.

Sew!

Place flannel with lace side up on table.

Line up the cotton pieces with the finished edges facing the middle and overlapping.

Pin everything into place.

Sew around all the edges using a 1/4-3/8" seam allowance.

Clip your corners. Turn inside out. Press. DONE!

Slip your pillow back in and throw it back on the couch.

Now go grab a cup of coffee, a blanket, and a good book and call it a job well done.

Made by you Monday

cindylouh — Mon, 09 Nov 2015 09:16:44 +0000

It's Monday show us what you've got. It is time to link up your crafty goodness! Please don't forget to link back! --- a text link at the bottom of your post, or link somewhere on your blog is okay! Don't miss a thing! Sign up to get crafty ideas, recipes, sewing tutorials and more delivered right to your inbox. Follow Skip to My Lou on FB and Google+ to find out the latest news! Join me at Pinterest and Instagram for an extra dose of fun!

GMOs, labeling, and antibiotics, Oh My!

cindylouh — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 13:32:38 +0000

Hi! Megan here, Cindy’s niece. I was lucky enough to fill in for Cindy on the Kansas #farmfoodtour while she was away. Just a few short weeks ago some regional bloggers and Skip to my Lou were invited by the Kansas Farm Bureau and The Kansas Soybean Commission to participate in a tour visiting Kansas Farms to learn directly from the farmers and ranchers how our food is grown and raised. Photo credit: Kansas Soybean Commission. It was a fantastic tour, and similar to last year’s trip. This year, Cindy wanted to really dig in and focus on current consumer food concerns. I feel the conversation about food in America is really heating up with hot button topics such as labeling, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and antibiotics. This was an opportunity to ask the tough questions directly to the farmers and ranchers. These topics are so polarizing, and we really learned a lot.

Are GMOs bad?

Before I tell you all about the various farmers, ranchers, and stops we made, I want to share some of my reflections from the trip. The biggest message that became clear to me was simply that Kansas farmers are feeding all kids of consumers, and consumers have choices. I love that there are small 'boutique' farms that produce high end specialized products and that there are massive farms producing a product at a price that ensures it's consumer won't be without food. This was what really sold me on GMO crops. GMOs can be grown with fewer pesticides, more responsible no-till techniques, and produce more food. More food! With so many people around the world where starvation is an issue, to those living on a tight grocery budget, to those that just want a tasty snack, GMOs get the job done. GMOs offer a choice when before there wasn't one. As with any new technology, learning and researching will help shape and grow the conversation, but for now, GMOs mean a choice for consumers. Each stop we made along the trip demonstrated a different type of product made possible by a Kansas farmer. We saw all natural basil, heritage pork, GMO soy, grain fed cattle, grass fed cattle, milk producing cattle, allergen and gluten free products, sorghum, healthy land, happy animals, and lots of hard working family farmers. Regardless of the type of consumer you choose to be, a Kansas farmer has likely helped you put dinner on the table; here are a few of their stories: We boarded a bus and off we went around Kansas for three days: Day 1: Our first stop was at Jeff and Pam Meyer’s hydroponic basil farm in Basehor, KS called Cal-Ann Farms. They are doing exciting things in their greenhouses! If you’re lucky enough to live in the Kansas City area you can buy their fresh basil at most of the major grocery stores around town. I was so impressed with their growing practices and their technology. The basil is sold with its roots intact in peat to keep it fresher, longer. As you can see in the pictures, the greenhouses are so pretty and provide everything the basil needs: (and could be tweaked as needed) natural light, fresh air, food, water, and insect control. It was easy to see that the Meyers take pride in their product and grow it without pesticides or other interventions. I was surprised to find out that organic certification does not include hydroponically-grown plants yet. While Cal-Ann grows a natural product, they aren’t able to gain the benefits of the Organic label. This made it clear to me that labeling in the U.S. has a long way to come. Some consumers only buy products with the organic label, and would have missed out on something as fresh and great as Cal-Ann’s basil. Until labeling can catch up, it is important as consumers to do a little bit of research into local food producers so you don’t miss out on fresh products that also support your community. Westward we went to Olsburg, Kansas and the home and farm of Craig and Amy Good. The Goods raise heritage pork as well as Angus beef and sell their top of the line products to chefs in New York, Napa, and Kansas City. We were fortunate enough to try their (very delicious) pork. Amy cooked homemade pork meatballs with gorgonzola on greens. Had I not just met them, I might have taken the whole platter home with me- they were that tender and delicious! Cindy will be sharing that recipe soon! When we went out to see the pigs, we wore beautiful blue plastic shoe protectors. The protectors were keeping our shoes clean, but were really meant to keep the areas where the pigs live clean so they stay healthy. Animal health is extremely important to the Goods and part of their success is the density of the pigs on their farm. While Craig and Amy choose to keep their operation small at around 500 hogs and 60 sows, Craig was quick to point out that all sizes and types of pork producers have a place feeding Americans. A variety of consumers exist, and therefore a variety of producers must exist to meet demand. Our last stop for day one was at Derek and Katie Sawyer’s farm and ranch in McPherson, KS. Katie writes her own blog about life on the farm. Be sure to check her out at New to the Farm. Sawyer Land and Cattle grows a variety of crops on their 2300 acre farm, but our discussion focused on their soybean and cattle operations. We talked a lot about hot button topics such as genetically modified organisms (in this case soy) and antibiotics in beef. The Sawyers grow GMO seeds and feel that it is the best product that they can buy to plant because it allows them to use less pesticide and the plants are heartier. There is a lot of negativity surrounding GMOs even though current science overwhelmingly says that GMOs are safe for consumption. Sawyer Land and Cattle firmly believe in the science behind the soy they grow as Derek points out: “This is the best way I know how to grow food for the public.” Katie was quick to add: “We are going to do everything we can to keep this land in the best shape possible.”

Antibiotic use in beef

The other hard topic we discussed was about the use of antibiotics in beef. This turned out to be a very clear cut issue. Only cows that get sick at their farm receive an antibiotic if necessary to return the animal to normal health. That animal must follow very strict guidelines about clearing the antibiotic from their system through a withdrawal period before they can enter the food market. Derek pointed out that antibiotics are expensive, and he would be out of a job if they didn’t use antibiotics responsibly. Derek and Katie run a successful business and did a great job fielding all of our tough questions. They provided us with a lot of very good information based in science and fact on sensitive subjects. The visit to their farm made it abundantly clear that there is a lot of misinformation out there about GMOs and antibiotic use. Day 2: Kansas is a pretty big state, and we spent much of the day traveling to and from our only stop on day two. We toured the Nu Life Market headquarters in Scott City, Kansas and it was well worth the travel time. President, Earl Roemer showed us around the facility. Nu Life produces gluten free flours and sunflower seed spread for consumers and provides bulk gluten free products including popped sorghum and other products to well-known manufacturers. The facility production areas do not allow peanuts, gluten, dairy, or soy products in order to ensure an allergen free product. We were lucky enough to have a home-cooked meal provided by the staff there featuring their pearled sorghum and all purpose flour. They made homemade tortilla chips and bread from the flour, and used the pearl sorghum in many dishes as one would rice or barley including chilaquiles and salisbury steak. Everything was delicious! Their products are sold on their website and at Costco. Day 3: We started day three in Rexford, KS at the McCarty Family Farm, a large dairy farm. Although a big operation, this is truly a family farm. Four brothers are the main operators: Mike, Clay, David and Ken, each one managing one of the four farms. Ken was our tour guide and gave us some astounding stats: they milk 8,500 cows each day which produces 76,500 gallons of milk! All of the McCarty’s milk is sold to Dannon and processed in their Dallas/Ft. Worth facility to produce yogurt. We saw everything from calves born that morning to the open air barn where the cows hang out to the milking facility and milk processing facility. This large operation is run on a tight schedule to keep the cows in a routine and happy. In fact, everything at the McCarty’s farm was about making the cows happy. The cows had scratching brushes, fans, misters, tire toys, and plenty of shade. I got the feeling that the cows were running the show and the employees were only there to keep the cows safe, fed, and milked. My suspicion was confirmed by Ken when he said: “Our goal with this entire system is to make it as stress free as possible for the cows.” I was also impressed by the McCarty’s attention to community. They provide jobs in their communities, participate in providing yogurt snacks to schools, as well as focusing on water recycling on their farms. Our final stop was in the Flint Hills at the ranch of Debbie Lyons-Blythe in White City, Kansas. Debbie was on the tour with us all three days and writes her own blog Kids, Cows and Grass. Debbie raises certified black Angus cows who graze on the native grasses of the Flint Hills. This was the perfecting ending to our trip complete with a very tasty dinner of homemade crock pot beef enchilada soup (Cindy will post this recipe soon, so keep a lookout) and a beautiful Kansas sunset. Debbie told us all about the benefits of burning the grasses in the Flint Hills in order to preserve the native grasses and eliminate invasive species. She absolutely loves the land that she works and she works hard to preserve it. Debbie also let her cows roam all around us which made me a bit nervous at first, but we soon forgot that they were there. They were so quiet! And they looked so clean! And it only smelled like grass. Being in her field at sunset really provided the perfect setting for reflecting back on this short trip across Kansas. The take home message for me was this: Kansas farmers are feeding America in a variety of ways using a variety of methods for a variety of consumers. They are all doing their best to feed their families and our families, and they love doing it. Be sure to check out the other bloggers that attended the #farmfoodtour Stefanie Cornwall, Making of a Mom Debbie Lyons-Blythe, Kids, Cows and Grass Sharmin Meadows, What You’re Missing KC Naomi Shapiro, Superdumb Supervillain Dana Zucker, wineloversvillage.com, www.momsgoodeats.com, triwivesclub.com, Food Editor for TravelingMom.com Natasha Gandhi-Rue, The Hungry Family

Canvas Christmas Tree Banner

Guest Poster — Fri, 13 Nov 2015 13:00:39 +0000

This Canvas Christmas Tree Banner makes the perfect holiday decoration. Make one for everyone on your list. Looking for a simple handmade gift idea? This keychain wallet is genius and easy to make. I also love to refresh a room, these 30 minute throw pillow covers make that easy and affordable. This month we are sharing over 100 handmade gift tutorials. I have teamed up with Thirty Handmade Days, Classy Clutter and Your Homebased Mom to share the best holiday decorating ideas and homemade gift ideas. We have over 100 tutorials so you will have the best homemade holiday ever! Each day be sure to visit the guest poster’s blog for a chance to win BIG! Up for grabs a Baby Lock sewing machine a $100 in Riley Blake Fabric! Grab a new entry every day! Visit Ameroonie Designs today to enter win the baby lock sewing machine and fabric bundle! [caption id="attachment_50829" align="aligncenter" width="601"] I am a huge fan of banners for all seasons. I love using them on shelves, doors, entryways- really everywhere! Today I'm going to show you a super simple one that you can make up in minutes. And with minimal sewing- this is a project that even a beginning sewist/ crafter could make.[/caption] Supplies:

canvas
fabric for tree and stumps (scraps are GREAT for this!)
Heat n Bond (or other fusible webbing)
trim or ribbon to sew your pennants on- mine is 1 yard long *I decided the tiny red pom pom trim would be hard to sew on, so I switched it out for some medium sized white trim- but did not retake this picture.
sewing supplies: machine, iron, scissors, thread, pins etc.

A note about the fusible webbing- I am using the regular Heat n Bond, you cannot sew through it, so if you want to embellish your trees with decorative stitching, you will want to get the Heat n Bond lite (it's in the purple packaging). The first thing you will want to do is create your templates. This picture is not to scale, so you will want to just draw your own on a piece of cardstock. To create the pennant template you will start by drawing a rectangle that is 6" tall and 4 1/2" wide. Then make a mark that is 1" up from the bottom of your rectangle and centered on the width. (so 1" up and 2 1/4" in- the dotted line shows 1" up) Connect your centered mark with the two bottom corners to create the points for your pennant. The template for the tree shape is a simple triangle that is 3" tall and 2" wide at the base. The trunk pieces are 1" tall and 3/4" wide. Next you will decide how many pennants you want (in my banner I made 5). Trace your pennant shape on the canvas for each pennant you want and cut them out. Trace your tree and trunk shapes onto the paper side of your fusible webbing- one for each pennant. Cut out your fusible webbing- leaving a border around the traced shapes. Fuse the webbing to the wrong side of the fabric for the trees and trunks and cut out your shapes. *note- follow the manufacturers instructions for best results with your fusible webbing. Pull the paper backing off your trees and stumps, place in desired location on the canvas pennant and fuse. Line up your pennants on your trim so they are evenly spaced. For my banner I used a 1 1/2" spacing between the pennants. Pin in place and then stitch down. I used a zig zag stitch to sew mine down, but you can use a straight stitch if you're more comfortable with that. You're done! I told you it was going to be easy! For more decorating, crafting and sewing ideas, I hope you'll stop by my blog Ameroonie Designs and check out some of my favorite projects including: Deer Head Art Scalloped Advent Banner Gratitude Journal Fabric Pouf My name is Amy and I blog at Ameroonie Designs. I am the mom of 6 kids and wife to one amazing hardworking guy. I keep my sanity by creating and sewing and share my projects on my blog and Instagram- which I love. You can also connect with me on Facebook and Pinterest. I'd love to get to know you better. xoxo

DIY Fabric Scraps Memory Game

Guest Poster — Sat, 14 Nov 2015 13:00:27 +0000

This DIY Fabric Scraps Memory Game is a fun handmade game idea! Wrap it up and give it as handmade gift this holiday. If you have a teen on your gift list this curved zip pouch is a guaranteed hit or make this embroidered needle book in just 30 minutes. Whip up this Christmas Tree banner and make your house extra festive for the holidays. This month we are sharing over 100 handmade gift tutorials. I have teamed up with Thirty Handmade Days, Classy Clutter and Your Homebased Mom to share the best holiday decorating ideas and homemade gift ideas. We have over 100 tutorials so you will have the best homemade holiday ever! Each day be sure to visit the guest poster’s blog for a chance to win BIG! Up for grabs a Baby Lock sewing machine a $100 in Riley Blake Fabric! Grab a new entry every day!Visit U Create today to enter win the baby lock sewing machine and fabric bundle! Hey there, Skip to My Lou readers! I'm Becky from U Create. Like any sewing gal, I have plenty of fabric scraps. So, I am excited to share with you a fun DIY Memory Game I made for my daughters using only my fabric scraps. Supply list:

3" x 3" printed fabric scraps (make sure you have a set of each pattern)
3" x 3" solid color squares for the backing
3" x 3" flannel or felt for the inside
pinking shears

Step #1: Assemble the squares Assemble each square set: print-flannel-backing. This is a good time to make sure you have a match of each print. I assembled all the squares before I did any sewing. Step #2: Start sewing Start sewing in one corner, go all the way around the square using a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Step #3: Grab the pinking shears. Using the pinking shears, cut all the way around the square. This not only adds a cute zig-zag look, but ensures the fabric won't fray. Step #4: Put the squares in a cute bag or box...or make one. We keep our game in a little pouch or wristlet that my daughter found at the mall. But you could easily make a fun envelope or clutch for this cute little game. This memory game is a great handmade gift for any little one. I am so glad to be able to share this tutorial with you today. When you make your own Memory Game come share it with us on Facebook or tag us on Instagram @ucreateblog. Make sure to stop over at U Create for more fun DIY crafts and gift ideas.

Bias Tape Magnetic Photo Frame

Guest Poster — Sun, 15 Nov 2015 13:00:52 +0000

These Magnetic Photo Frames are a great handmade gift to give a grandparent. Imagine your child's cute picture setting it off. Whip up this Christmas Tree banner and make your house extra festive for the holidays. For some holiday entertainment, make this fabric scrap memory game, this also makes a fun gift for children on your list. This month we are sharing over 100 handmade gift tutorials. I have teamed up with Thirty Handmade Days, Classy Clutter and Your Homebased Mom to share the best holiday decorating ideas and homemade gift ideas. We have over 100 tutorials so you will have the best homemade holiday ever! Each day be sure to visit the guest poster’s blog for a chance to win BIG! Up for grabs a Baby Lock sewing machine a $100 in Riley Blake Fabric! Grab a new entry every day!Visit Sew Much Ado today to enter win the baby lock sewing machine and fabric bundle! Today I'm sharing a tutorial to make these fun Bias Tape Magnetic Photo Frames! They're a perfect gift for family members, and are even better when you add some photos along with them! They're also easy and fun to whip up, and you'll have them ready for gifting in no time! Let's get to work! Materials: plastic canvas: 3.75"x5.75" - can be found in the craft section of most stores, or can substitute cardboard that you have on hand clear vinyl: 4.25"x6.25" cotton fabric for back of frame: cut 2- 4.75"x6.75" 1/2" wide double fold bias tape (can be pre-made or handmade): 24" 2-4 magnets (2 will work if they have a strong force, otherwise 4 is recommended) hot glue gun and glue Beginning on one short side of vinyl, sandwich bias tape around edge of vinyl, placing fold of bias tape at edge of vinyl. Stitch close to inner edge of bias tape. At end of each side, stop stitching, cut threads, fold bias tape into mitered corners, and begin stitching on next side. When you near the beginning of the bias tape, overlap ends of bias tape 1" and fold free end under 1/2" to make a clean finish. Topstitch along one long edge only, close to edge of bias tape. Press one short edge of each backing fabric piece 1/4" to wrong side. Right sides together and with pressed edges unfolded, stitch the two back pieces together using a 1/4" seam allowance along all sides EXCEPT side with pressed edges, forming a pocket. Trim corners, turn frame back right side out, and press flat along seams (pressed edges that were unstitched should be folded back inside of pocket). Insert plastic canvas piece into opening and stitch opening closed close to folded edges. Center vinyl piece over backing piece and pin in place, being sure that back piece is not overlapping vinyl piece at edges. Stitch together along three sides, close to edges of backing piece and bias tape, leaving side of bias tape that was previously topstitched open. Place magnets on back of frame back as desired and hot glue in place. Slide your photos into the opening, and you're done! Thanks for reading! Visit me at Sew Much Ado, where I share tutorials, patterns, and more!

Here are a few of our most popular posts to enjoy!Free Footed Baby Pants Pattern Free Infant Peasant Dress Pattern Free Bunny Backpack Pattern Free Knit Peplum Top Pattern

Key Chain Gift Card Wallet

Guest Poster — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 13:00:06 +0000

This Key Chain gift card wallet is is a quick project and is a handy way to stop your keys and important cards all in one place! Make one for everyone on your list! If you have a teen on your gift list this curved zip pouch is a guaranteed hit or make this embroidered needle book in just 30 minutes. I also love to refresh a room, these 30 minute throw pillow covers make that easy. This month we are sharing over 100 handmade gift tutorials. I have teamed up with Thirty Handmade Days, Classy Clutter and Your Homebased Mom to share the best holiday decorating ideas and homemade gift ideas. We have over 100 tutorials so you will have the best homemade holiday ever! Each day be sure to visit the guest poster’s blog for a chance to win BIG! Up for grabs a Baby Lock sewing machine a $100 in Riley Blake Fabric! Grab a new entry every day! Visit Fishstick Designs today to enter win the baby lock sewing machine and fabric bundle! Hi, there, sewing friends! This is Bonnie Ferguson from Fishsticks Designs. I'm excited to be joining you again this year for some holiday sewing! I love giving gifts that are practical but fun ... and quick. With my current busy schedule, quick projects are a must! This little Keychain Gift Card Wallet is designed so that you can give it with a gift card for the holidays, and then the receiver can use it to store their ID or their debit card or whatever business-card-sized item they need close at hand, right on their keychain. Pretty cool, huh? Oh, and this project uses up all those little fabric scraps you have lying around, too!

You'll need two pieces of cotton quilting fabric, roughly 5" X 8", the same amount of lightweight fusible interfacing, a tiny 1 1/2" X 1 3/4" scrap of fabric for the tab, a snap and a keyring. Start by downloading and printing the pattern: Keychain Gift Card Wallet Pattern. Be sure to print it actual size and check that the 2 1/2" box measures 2 1/2".

Cut one pattern piece each from inner fabric, outer fabric and interfacing. (If you want an image on the flap like mine, be sure to cut your outer fabric so that the bottom of your image is facing the top curve and that it's located in the top 2" of the pattern piece.)

Iron the interfacing to the back of the outer fabric.

Form the loop by folding the loop piece in half the short way, matching up the long edges with the wrong sides together. Press well along the fold. Unfold, then fold each long raw edge into the center matching them up with the center crease. Press. Re-fold along the center crease, hiding the raw edges of the long sides inside. Press well. Pin along the long open edge. Topstitch 1/8" from the open side. Here's a drawing to show this clearly:

Fold the loop in half and pin it to the edge of the outer piece, 3/4" above the bottom edge, as shown above. Baste in place 1/8" from the edge.

Place the inner and outer right sides together and pin. Stitch all the way around using a 1/4" seam allowance and leaving a 2 1/2" opening in one long side.

Clip the corners and turn. Push all the corners and curves out neatly and then press really well.

With the inner facing you, fold the bottom edge up 2 1/4" and press. Pin.

Starting at one bottom corner, topstitch just inside 1/4" up one side, around the flap curve, then back down the opposite side. (This sews your pocket in place and closes the opening.)

With the pocket facing you, fold the top down 1 1/2" and press really well. (Plenty of steam will help here!)

Apply the stud side of your snap to the flap. Center it just above the topstitching. Peek under the flap with the stud touching the pocket and mark the position of the socket side of the snap. Apply the socket side of the snap to the front of the pocket.

Check the position of your snap.

Slide the loop through a key ring.

Fill the wallet with a gift card, and it's ready to give!

Here are a few Christmas decorating projects from my blog that you might enjoy!

Bonnie Ferguson is the designer behind Fishsticks Designs Sewing Patterns. Bonnie’s patterns include clothing and accessories for boys and girls, as well as a large collection of quick and simple, instant-gratification projects! She blogs semi-regularly, sharing free patterns, tutorials, sewing tips, pattern extras and a few gluten-free, all-natural recipes at Sew Fishsticks.

Holiday Dishtowel Apron Tutorial

Guest Poster — Thu, 19 Nov 2015 13:00:23 +0000

This Holiday Dishtowel Apron is so easy to make and makes a darling handmade gift. Do you have someone who like yoga on your list? Try making them a DIY Yoga Mat Sling. Almost anyone on your list will love this DIY Flag Banner it is pretty easy to customize. This month we are sharing over 100 handmade gift tutorials. I have teamed up with Thirty Handmade Days, Classy Clutter and Your Homebased Mom to share the best holiday decorating ideas and homemade gift ideas. We have over 100 tutorials so you will have the best homemade holiday ever! Each day be sure to visit the guest poster’s blog for a chance to win BIG! Up for grabs a Baby Lock sewing machine a $100 in Riley Blake Fabric! Grab a new entry every day! Visit Simple Simon and Company today to enter win the baby lock sewing machine and fabric bundle! Hi everyone! I am Elizabeth, one half of the duo of sisters-in-law who blog at Simple Simon and Company...and today I am sharing a simple and fast sewing gift that you can make in an afternoon. All you need are a few things and you have a darling Christmas apron that you can wear or give as a hostess gift. Here's what you need: 1 waffle cloth dishtowel 1 small piece of fusible interfacing to attach fabric to the towel Scraps of green fabric and scrap trims, red pom pom Scissors, thread, sewing machine 1/4 yard red fabric for waistband Step 1: Press your double sided fusible interfacing onto your scrap green fabric according to the directions on the interfacing. Cut out a Christmas tree shape out of your green fabric and press it onto the towel. Then pin your trims into place. Step 2: Stitch around the tree shape and include the trim as you stitch down the perimeter of the tree. Step 3: Handstitch the pom pom on top. Step 4: Make the waistband for the apron and stitch it on top of the dishtowel. Click HERE for a tutorial for the waistband and you are done! And for more Christmas sewing ideas, head over to Simple Simon and Company!

Weekly Meal Plan Week 2

cindylouh — Sat, 14 Nov 2015 09:00:35 +0000

Your hostesses each week will be:

Let's get cooking, shall we?

Crockpot Rump Roast Baked Salmon

Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup

One Pot Cheesy Chicken Tex Mex

Crockpot Baked Potatoes Caprese Sandwich

Costa Vida Steak Tacos

Donut Muffins

You've got to try this one out! It screams fall. Yum!

Download this printable weekly meal plan:

If you'd like to pin:

Made by You Monday

cindylouh — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 13:00:00 +0000

It's Monday show us what you've got. It is time to link up your crafty goodness! Please don't forget to link back! --- a text link at the bottom of your post, or link somewhere on your blog is okay! Don't miss a thing! Sign up to get crafty ideas, recipes, sewing tutorials and more delivered right to your inbox. Follow Skip to My Lou on FB and Google+ to find out the latest news! Join me at Pinterest and Instagram for an extra dose of fun!

Joy-ful Pillow Wrap

Guest Poster — Sun, 22 Nov 2015 13:00:03 +0000

This Joy-ful Pillow wrap makes a perfect holiday decoration. Make a few for friends. It makes the perfect handmade gift. Do you have a doll loving little girl on your christmas list? Make this Dolly and Me Ruffled Scarf set or how about this DIY reindeer stick? This month we are sharing over 100 handmade gift tutorials. I have teamed up with Thirty Handmade Days, Classy Clutter and Your Homebased Mom to share the best holiday decorating ideas and homemade gift ideas. We have over 100 tutorials so you will have the best homemade holiday ever! Each day be sure to visit the guest poster’s blog for a chance to win BIG! Up for grabs a Baby Lock sewing machine a $100 in Riley Blake Fabric! Grab a new entry every day! Visit The Sewing Loft today to enter win the baby lock sewing machine and fabric bundle! Hello Skip to My Lou Peeps! I’m Heather from The Sewing Loft and one of my favorite things to do is share simple tips to help improve your everyday sewing. I was thrilled when Cindy asked me to join the holiday fun and hope you enjoy my holiday gift idea. Supplies:

1/2 yard of 44" wide fabric
3 large scraps of assorted patterns
6" x 13" piece of heat n bond lite
11" of hook & loop tape
12" x 18" covered pillow
Font template of choice or click for pattern used

* Note- If using a different size pillow you will need to measure and adjust the size of your wrap as needed. Cutting Instructions:

Trace letters onto the paper side of Heat n Bond; leaving 1/2" spacing between each piece. Trim letters apart leaving 1/4" seam allowance and adhere heat n bond to wrong side of fabric to create applique. Carefully trim each letter to size; set aside.
Cut main wrap fabric 14" wide X 29".

Sewing Instructions:

Turn under and press 1/2" along each long edge of wrap. Turn under again to create a double fold hem. Stitch in place with matching threads. Repeat along each short end.
Separate the hook and loop tape. Stitch one half of tape to each end of wrap as shown, stitching close to all edges.
Position and fuse applique in place in center of wrap. Stitch in place using a decorative stitch or free motion.

Place the wrap around pillow and secure with hook and loop tape.

This project is super easy to make and if time is not on your side, you can skip the stitching on the applique. Think about how many ways you could use this project idea; tea towels, gift bags, napkins, table runner and more. Thanks again for having me Cindy- it’s be a blast! Heather Valentine is the creative behind the screen at The Sewing Loft. Her work has graced the pages of several printed publications including: Sew News, Easy Quilts, Stitching Kitchen and Fun-Size Quilts.This self-proclaimed fabric hoarder likes to stitch the night away and dreams of one day discovering a better way to detangle her thread collection. Still want more? Be sure to stop by the blog for sewing tips and easy to make projects. You can also keep up with her adventures on Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest

DIY Yoga Mat Sling Tutorial

Guest Poster — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 13:00:10 +0000

This DIY Yoga Mat Sling is a quick and simple gift that will get lots of use on the way to class. I bet you have someone on your list who would love one. Looking for another great gift idea? Try making one of these DIY flag banners for friends and family. Got some fabric scraps left over? Make a fabric scrap memory game This month we are sharing over 100 handmade gift tutorials. I have teamed up with Thirty Handmade Days, Classy Clutter and Your Homebased Mom to share the best holiday decorating ideas and homemade gift ideas. We have over 100 tutorials so you will have the best homemade holiday ever! Each day be sure to visit the guest poster’s blog for a chance to win BIG! Up for grabs a Baby Lock sewing machine a $100 in Riley Blake Fabric! Grab a new entry every day! Visit Smashed Peas and Carrots today to enter win the baby lock sewing machine and fabric bundle!. Hi! It's Maggie from Smashed Peas and Carrots and I am so excited to be here today! I truly love this time of year and taking small bits of time here and there to make handmade gifts for friends and family. The tutorial I am sharing today is perfect if you are a yogi or know one, this DIY Yoga Mat Sling is a quick and simple gift that will get lots of use on the way to class. And as a bonus it also works as a strap for using during class for those balancing poses! There is nothing better than giving a pretty gift and a pretty AND useful gift is even better!To make this Yoga Mat Sling you will need the following: Two 6 x 30 inch pieces of home decor or other heavy weight fabric Iron and ironing board Coordinating thread and sewing machine 1. Cut two 6 x 30 inch pieces of home decor or other heavy weight fabric. 2. Place two of the short (6 inch) ends together, right sides facing, and sew with a 1/2 inch seam allowance to make one long strip of fabric. 3. Open up the seam you just made and iron it flat. 4. Fold down each of the short raw edges of the long fabric strip you just sewed together 1/2 inch towards the wrong side and iron flat. Then fold the entire length of fabric (hot dog style) in half and iron the fold flat too (you can see the crease down the middle in this picture!) 5. Next, unfold the strip and, with it right side up on your ironing board, fold each side to the center line and iron flat down the length of the fabric strip. 6. Next fold the strip of fabric down the middle, making sure the raw edges are inside. Iron down the length of fabric. Now, sew all the way around the entire strip of fabric using a 1/4-1/8 inch seam allowance depending on what you like the look of best. 7. To make the loops that will go around the yoga mat, take each end of the strap and wrap it around the strap itself anywhere on the length of the strap (I usually do this about a foot or so from the end). Make sure to fold the strap about 2 inches past the length of the strap so that you have room to sew it in place. 8. Then sew in place using a box and an "X" to reinforce the stitches. Now you can loosen the loops up and place them around each end of a rolled up yoga mat. Cinch the loops down and throw the middle section around your shoulder...you or your yogi friend are ready to head to class. Namaste! Thanks so much having me here today! If you'd like to see more easy sewing tutorial, DIY crafts, delicious family friendly recipes, and fun educational kids projects come and stop by Smashed Peas and Carrots! Love, Maggie

DIY flag banner by kojodesigns

Guest Poster — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 13:00:35 +0000

Make a DIY Flag Banner! There are so many ways to make this darling flag banner and customize it to make the perfect handmade gift. Sew up these magnetic photo frames and gift a favorite photo. For some holiday entertainment, make this fabric scrap memory game, this also makes a fun gift for children on your list. This month we are sharing over 100 handmade gift tutorials. I have teamed up with Thirty Handmade Days, Classy Clutter and Your Homebased Mom to share the best holiday decorating ideas and homemade gift ideas. We have over 100 tutorials so you will have the best homemade holiday ever! Each day be sure to visit the guest poster’s blog for a chance to win BIG! Up for grabs a Baby Lock sewing machine a $100 in Riley Blake Fabric! Grab a new entry every day!Visit Kojo Designs today to enter win the baby lock sewing machine and fabric bundle! Hello Skip to My Lou friends! I am Kirstin, half of the sister team that blogs at kojodesigns, and I'm so excited to be here sharing a DIY flag banner with y'all today as part of this Bake Craft Sew & Decorate series. Can I let you in on a little secret? I love giving handmade presents, but I love them best if they are really simple to put together (though, this coming from a girl who takes on a way-too-over-the-top-project or two every year and has one sitting in her sewing room presently). This DIY flag banner is sweet, easy to tailor to your recipient and can be put together in one nap time. Lovely. To make one, first cut out two flags. My finished flag is ten inches wide and 14 inches tall, but you can make whatever size you prefer. After both flags are cut, stack them, right sides facing in. Sew around the perimeter, leaving gaps in three places- two small gaps that will allow for a wooden dowel hanger and one gap along the top seam for turning the flag right side in. After turning the flag right side in, press and top stitch around the entire perimeter, leaving the two small side gaps open. Print out your messages (I chose "You Are So Very Loved," and "hello sunshine," cut out letters, tape backwards to the back of a piece of leather and trace. Cut out leather letters and glue to flag with fabric adhesive. Thread a dowel through the flag, add a twine hanger and give! Easy to make, fabulous as a handmade gift, perfect for Christmas! Thanks again for having us, Cindy! Skip to My Lou friends, have fun making a banner. We'd love it if you'd visit us at kojodesigns. If you want a jump on that gift list- here are some more easy handmade gift ideas- easy DIY leather tote bag, DIY crayon roll up, plush snake, rosemary grapefruit scrub, handmade baby doll, DIY tutu.

DIY Stick Reindeer

Guest Poster — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 15:00:41 +0000

This DIY Stick Reindeer will provide hours of fun for kids this holiday season. It is the perfect gift to make for children. Do you have someone who like yoga on your list? Try making them a DIY Yoga Mat Sling. Almost anyone on your list will love this DIY Flag Banner it is pretty easy to customize. This month we are sharing over 100 handmade gift tutorials. I have teamed up with Thirty Handmade Days, Classy Clutter and Your Homebased Mom to share the best holiday decorating ideas and homemade gift ideas. We have over 100 tutorials so you will have the best homemade holiday ever! Each day be sure to visit the guest poster’s blog for a chance to win BIG! Up for grabs a Baby Lock sewing machine a $100 in Riley Blake Fabric! Grab a new entry every day! Visit My 3 Monsters today to enter win the baby lock sewing machine and fabric bundle! Hi guys! I'm Amy From My 3 Monsters and I'm super excited to share a holiday sewing tutorial here at Skip To My Lou again this year! My kids are teenagers now, but one of their favorite homemade gifts when they were little were the Stick Horses I made for them. They rode those things all over the house for months! I thought it would be fun this year to give that old favorite a Holiday Makeover and create Stick Reindeer. These would make fun gifts for the kids on your list, or cute decorations for your holiday home. You will Need: ¾ yd. fabric for head ¼ yd. felt or non-woven, stiff fabric (for antlers) Scraps of black, red and green felt (for nose and holly) 2 buttons, approx. 1 ¼ “ (for eyes) Wood dowel, at least 1” diameter, cut to desired length and painted {optional} 1 yard coordinating ribbon 1 bag poly-fil stuffing Coordinating thread Hot glue Download and print pattern here. Assemble pattern by matching up the small letters in the corners of pattern pages and taping edges together. It is not necessary to overlap edges of paper -- simply tape pages side by side. Cut pattern pieces out of fabric, adding ½ “ seam allowances on the pieces indicated. Do not cut the antler pieces out of fabric yet. Fold antler fabric in half so you have a double thickness. Cut 2 pieces of antler fabric (each double thickness) large enough to fit antler pattern piece. Trace antler pattern onto fabric very lightly with pencil. Stitch through both layers of fabric following the line you traced. After stitching, cut out antlers very close to stitching. Stuff antlers by adding a small amount of stuffing at a time and using the eraser end of a pencil to push it way up into tips of antlers. Pack the stuffing in so antlers are firm – this will help them to stand better when the reindeer is assembled. Set aside. Place 2 ear pieces right sides together and stitch around longer, slightly curved edges. Trim off point at top of ear and turn right side out. Repeat for second ear. Make a small pleat in the bottom (open end) of each ear and baste across bottom to hold in place. Attach face front piece to head piece by lining up fabric notches, right sides together, and stitching between notches. Repeat for other side. Sew head pieces together by lining up both head pieces, right sides together. Stitch from lower notch of face front to bottom of pattern piece. Then, stitch top of head piece from end to end. Trim and clip seam allowances. Next we need to add the ears and antlers, and close up the hole at the top of the head. Insert ear and antler pieces into hole in head one at a time, making sure they are lined up how you want them to look when finished. {Pin in place across top of face front piece, then gently turn head right side out to check placement. Adjust accordingly.} With right sides of fabric together, pin top of face front to back of head, matching notch on face front to center seam at back of head. Stitch through all layers and turn right side out. Stuff head with poly-fil stuffing to desired firmness. {The antlers will be a little “floppy” at this point. Don’t worry! We’ll take care of that in a minute.} Insert dowel into head through the stuffing. Gather fabric at base and attach to dowel using hot glue. Tie ribbon around to cover hot glue and give it a nice, finished look. {Attach ribbon with hot glue if desired.} Now take care of those floppy antlers! Pull each antler to the side slightly and tack the antler to the head at the base of the ear as shown. Then, to make the ear stand up a little, tack the center of the ear to the antler as shown. Repeat for other side. The antlers will still flop a little bit – that’s just the nature of the beast, I guess – but this helps greatly. I really didn’t want to add any wires or anything that might make this less kid-friendly! Add the finishing touches. Pin nose piece in place and sew on with needle and thread. Attach button eyes. Cut a few holly leaves and berries out of felt and hot glue near one ear, if desired. I'm in love with how cute this little guy turned out! I think I'm going to set mine up on a ledge in our house with a vintage red sled and some ice skates to create a sweet little winter vignette. How cute would this be in a baby's nursery?! You could even make it out of tan and white polka dot fabric and add a little flower crown around the antlers for a baby girl's room. The options are endless if you get creative. Happy Holidays, friends! Hello, I’m Amy! My 3 Monsters is my little online home where I write about the things I’m working on in my little real-life home. I love crafts and baking. I sew a little and I’m kind-of an interior designer. I enjoy pretty things and my crazy family. You can find me on my blog, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram. If you want more hand-made gift ideas, check out my Tied Handle Tote Bag, Pretty Little Potholders, and DIY Casserole Carrier.

Apple Cider Shandy

cindylouh — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 11:00:18 +0000

It is cocktail hour! I am joining with some fabulous bloggers to share some fun holiday cocktail recipes to ring in the Holidays. This Apple Cider Shandy is perfect for a crowd! I love a cocktail that can be made in a pitcher so you aren't having to mix individual drinks throughout the party. What is even better this cocktail recipe is made with only two ingredients! If you don't like beer but still want to enjoy a delicious fall cocktail try these Apple Cider Mimosas.

Apple Cider Shandy Recipe for a crowd

1 bottle Sparkling Apple Cider (about 25 ounces), Chilled 4- Lager Beers (approximately 12 ounces), Chilled Mix together in a large pitcher and enjoy! What more recipes for a Holiday Happy Hour? Please visit DIY Candy. My friend Amy, she has a yummy treat for you!

Ring in the holidays with a Creative Bloggers Holiday Happy Hour!

Today's Creative Life || Celebrations at Home || Tidy Mom || Setting for Four ||

Skip to My Lou || DIY Candy || Living Locurto || Pizzazzerie || Melrose Family || Dukes and Duchesses

Dolly and Me Ruffled Scarf Tutorial

Guest Poster — Sat, 21 Nov 2015 14:00:46 +0000

This Dolly and Me Ruffled Scarf Tutorial is the perfect gift for the little girls on your list. They will love this matching set. Got some little boys to please? Make this DIY reindeer stick! This holiday dishtowel apron is stunning and makes the perfect handmade gift. This month we are sharing over 100 handmade gift tutorials. I have teamed up with Thirty Handmade Days, Classy Clutter and Your Homebased Mom to share the best holiday decorating ideas and homemade gift ideas. We have over 100 tutorials so you will have the best homemade holiday ever! Each day be sure to visit the guest poster’s blog for a chance to win BIG! Up for grabs a Baby Lock sewing machine a $100 in Riley Blake Fabric! Grab a new entry every day! Visit Funky Polka Dot Giraffe today to enter win the baby lock sewing machine and fabric bundle! Howdy, Skip to My Lou, friends! My name is Kyla and I’m the creative mind behind Funky PolkaDot Giraffe! I’m a 2nd grade teacher turned stay-at-home mom and these days I keep busy creating for my blog, juggling my three kids, and stealing a moment for myself between being a full time taxi for my kids. My little Isabella is recently obsessed with her American Girl doll and wants the two of them to dress alike whenever possible. One way I found was easy to make them matchy-matchy without sewing an entire wardrobe, is to make cute scarves. My favorite scarf has been the ruffle scarf I made in my favorite color. This scarf is made of jersey knit, is soft and warm and perfect for the little lady, and her doll, in your life. You will need about a yard of jersey knit fabric, a sew machine, scissors, and matching thread. Both scarves took me about a total of a half an hour to make, so it's the perfect quick gift. For the girl's scarf, cut four pieces of jersey knit from selvage to selvage that are 8 inches wide. With right sides together, sew two pieces together at the short ends, so that you have one long piece. Repeat with the other two pieces together. Now you'll have two long strips of fabric that are 8 inches wide. Next, we are going to ruffle the fabric. To do this, set the tension of your thread to it's highest setting - mine is nine. Then, set your stitch length to the longest it will go - mine is five. This will ruffle and gather the fabric as you sew. Sew right down the middle of each long piece of fabric. When you are done, you'll have two long, gathered and ruffly pieces of fabric. Next, we will put the two pieces together. Lay one of the ruffled pieces down on a flat surface and make it as smooth and flat as you can. The, lay the second piece of fabric on top and match the edges, pinning down the edges as you go. Put the fabric sandwich back onto your machine. This time, put your tension back to normal and your stitch length back to normal and sew a straight, non-gathering stitch, on top of your gathering stitch. If you only want one ruffled stitch and you like the long ends open, then you are done! I wanted to add in a few more gathers, so follow the next steps if you'd like to do the same thing. Reset your tension to it's highest setting and your stitch length to it's longest length. Put your fabric sandwich back onto your machine, with your foot about 1-1.5 inches from the edge of the fabric. Sew down both long edges in the same manner. Don't forget to backstitch when you begin and when you end! Voila! You have a pretty ruffly scarf that will keep your girl warm during the upcoming chilly months of winter! The jersey knit is soft and cozy and my Isabella loves hers. If you have a dolly to sew for, then repeat the above steps, but you will only need two pieces of fabric that are four inches long. You won't need to sew any pieces together to make extra long pieces. Just cut the two pieces of four inch fabric from selvage to selvage and then get to ruffling following the instructions above. When you're done, you'll have a very happy little girl and adorable matching scarves for a girl and her dolly. It would be fun to make them in a variety of colors, so they can have a variety of scarves to wear. Since it only took me about a half hour to make both of them, it's a quick and easy gift and project. You can also increase the length by sewing three lengths of fabric together to make a scarf for yourself or a friend! Thanks so much for letting me share this quick and easy gift tutorial with you! I'd love for you to come and catch up with me on {INSTAGRAM}, {FACEBOOK}, {TWITTER}, and {PINTEREST}! And if you'd like some more fun and easy gift ideas that you can sew, please visit me at Funky PolkaDot Giraffe!

{Box of Sunshine} {Fabric Flower Bouquet} {Ninjago Hooded Towel}

Weekly Meal Plan Week 3

cindylouh — Sat, 21 Nov 2015 09:00:41 +0000

Your hostesses each week will be:

Let's get cooking, shall we?

Garlic Cheddar Chicken Strips Slow Cooker Chili

Pizza Burgers

Easy Homemade Chicken Nuggets

Perfect for leftovers- Turkey Tetrazzini

Black Bean and Sweet Potato Taquitos

Pumpkin Pie Cake

Download this printable weekly meal plan:

If you'd like to pin:

Crayola Cling Creator

cindylouh — Sun, 08 Nov 2015 13:00:59 +0000

Crayola asked me to review their new Cling Creator. Since we are huge fans of the Crayola Marker Maker we of course said yes! We couldn't wait for it to arrive. I am like a kid about these toys that make things. My boys made tons of shaped crayons with the Crayon Maker. Did you see the Crayon Carver? That looks so cool!

Crayola Cling Creator

The Crayola Cling Creator enables kids to create their own repositionable icons that stick to and peel from windows, mirrors, and other flat, smooth surfaces in minutes! The girls worked together to measure, mix, and pour the special concoction into the plastic mold. Don't find a pre-made mold you like? Make your own. This is the part I really dig. The kit come with Crayola Modeling Clay and a drawing tool so you can create your own original mold. Think of all the ways you could decorate your windows for the holidays. you can have the most colorful holiday ever! We made a Christmas ornament. First we poured in the red. We allowed the red to dry then with a sharp knife cut away some of the red to give our ornament a stripe. We then filled in the area with yellow. These feel like the real thing! They are thick and flexible. So the verdict. On a scale of 1 to 10 Ava gave it a 10. She was super impressed. Bella gave it a 6. She said it was fun, but said the Marker Maker was more fun. From a mom's perspective it was easy to put together, it did what it said it should do, produced a quality cling and the girls had a good time! We are exited to make candy cane clings for our windows. It won some pretty impressive awards to back it up!

2015 AWARD WINNER! Good Housekeeping, Best Toy Award; Dr. Toy, 100 Best Children's Products; Tillywig, Best Creative Fun Award; Mom's Choice, Gold Award; National Parenting Publications, NAPPA Silver Award.

I especially like that you don't only have to use the five pre-made double-sided molds, older children will like that the Cling Creator comes with clay you can use to create your own mold designs. Use the included drawing tool, a stamp, or a toy to make impressions in the clay where you'll pour your cling solution. This allows for the child to be super creative!

Bottom line. I am a fan of toys that encourage kids to think, imagine and be creative. Look around their webiste. So many ideas for kids to build creativity and turn off the TV and tablet. My daughter put the Easy Animation Studio and the Sketch Wizard on her list!

So what holiday window clings would you make? Use the Crayola Cling Creator to create a holiday design. Be sure to tag your creations with #ClingCreator for a chance to be featured on Crayola.com. How fun to have your child's creation featured on the Crayola website! Here are a few clings we made.... be sure to show us yours! Here is ours!

This was sponsored post. All opinions and ideas are my own. Like always I wouldn't share things I didn't like!

Furry Fan Pet Bandana by Amy Barickman

Guest Poster — Mon, 23 Nov 2015 14:00:29 +0000

Are you a pet lover? Make this Furry Fan Pet Bandana for your pet. It makes the perfect gift for an animal lover. Do you have a doll loving little girl on your christmas list? Make this Dolly and Me Ruffled Scarf set or how about this DIY reindeer stick? This month we are sharing over 100 handmade gift tutorials. I have teamed up with Thirty Handmade Days, Classy Clutter and Your Homebased Mom to share the best holiday decorating ideas and homemade gift ideas. We have over 100 tutorials so you will have the best homemade holiday ever! Each day be sure to visit the guest poster’s blog for a chance to win BIG! Up for grabs a Baby Lock sewing machine a $100 in Riley Blake Fabric! Grab a new entry every day! Visit Indygo Junction today to enter win the baby lock sewing machine and fabric bundle! Hello Skip to My Lou Peeps! I’m Heather from The Sewing Loft and one of my favorite things to do is share simple tips to help improve your everyday sewing. Hello, I’m Amy and I am so thrilled to once again be a part of the Handmade Holiday! As the owner of a pattern company, Indygo Junction, I'm a big fan of giving (and receiving) handmade gifts. When it comes to gift giving, you can't go wrong giving presents that feature your family's favorite team. There are so many fun options - you could make pajamas for your kids, an apron for your grillmaster, or even some organizational baskets. But this holiday season, don't overlook your favorite furry fan – even your cats and dogs can show their spirit! Today I want to share with you a simple and fun pattern for making a bandana for your family pet. Your Fido will flip for it or, in my case, Chloe the cat! Materials: 1 yard of your favorite team's fabric! Coordinating Thread Cat or Dog collar Erasable marking pen or pencil Hard edge ruler Piece of paper (size will vary by how big your furry friend is) Assembly: 1. Measure over from the fold for 1/2 the length of your collar. Mark. Use your ruler to draw a diagonal line from your mark down to the fold, creating a triangle shape. How big the triangle is will depend on how big your animal is. For instance, the triangle for our dog collar (for a golden retriever) was 11.5" long along the fold line. However, the triangle for the cat collar was 6" along the fold line. Cut out the triangle and open the paper out. 2. Place your pattern piece on the right side of your fabric. Note, when you are cutting out your scarf, consider the print placement. Cut out two triangles from your pattern piece. 3. Place both triangles right sides together. Pin and stitch with a 1/4" seam allowance along the top edge. Be sure to backstitch! Fold open the scarf and press the seam open. 4. Measure the width of the largest buckle or closure on your pets collar. Add 1/2" to that measurement. Using this measurement, make a mark along the corner seam. Fold in the corner edge to that mark. Press and pin. Repeat on the other side. Stitch with 1/4" seam allowance. Press. 5. Fold right side together. Pin along the two remaining open edges. Stitch with a 1/4" seam allowance. Trim allowance close to stitching line. 6. Turn scarf right side out through the collar opening. Press. Use your marking pen to draw a line from the bottom of both short lines of stitching to form the collar casing. Stitch along the line. Press. 7. Topstitch along the bottom edges of the bandanna with a 1/4" seam allowance. Have fun choosing your thread colors. I have new 12-weight Crossroads thread collections with Sulky that have a variety of fun colors and is perfect for topstitching! I used navy blue topstitching on the scarf above and white on the one below. Thread your collar through the open casing, and dress your pet up in its new favorite scarf! Be sure to share your pictures with us on Instagram and Facebook #SewYourSpirit Amy Barickman has been inspired to create for as long as she can remember. In high school Amy started her first business making teddy bears. After graduating from The University Of Kansas, she launched Indygo Junction, a sewing pattern and book company where she teams up with innovative artists and has published over 1000 pattern titles and written over 80 books. Amy also designs quilting cotton lines as well as her Crossroads Denim line. “Vintage Made Modern” is Amy’s mantra. For years she collected vintage textiles and fashion sewing books, finding them to be a treasure trove of inspiration. She found her muse, Mary Brooks Picken, whose work in the early 1900s with The Woman’s Institute, drove Amy to write Vintage Notions: An Inspirational Guide to Needlework, Cooking, Sewing, Fashion & Fun and her new release, The Magic Pattern Book. Now Amy shares a curated selection of her vintage fashion, sewing and design collection on her site AmyBarickman.com. Keep up with Amy and Indygo Junction on social media, and subscribe to the the Amy Barickman and Indygo Junction YouTube channels for tips, tutorials and everyday inspiration.

Theme Print Zipper Pouch

Guest Poster — Fri, 27 Nov 2015 13:00:58 +0000

This theme print zipper pouch is a fun project you can put together in a afternoon. I love zipper pouches and they are easier to make than you might think. Do not be afraid to install a zipper! Make this Knotted Frayed Scarf, it’s a practical and cute gift idea for any girl friend on your list. This darling Felt Christmas Gnome will make a friendly decoration under the tree, make it bigger to make a pillow. This month we are sharing over 100 handmade gift tutorials. I have teamed up with Thirty Handmade Days, Classy Clutter and Your Homebased Mom to share the best holiday decorating ideas and homemade gift ideas. We have over 100 tutorials so you will have the best homemade holiday ever! Each day be sure to visit the guest poster’s blog for a chance to win BIG! Up for grabs a Baby Lock sewing machine a $100 in Riley Blake Fabric! Grab a new entry every day! Visit Jedi Craft Girl today to enter win the baby lock sewing machine and fabric bundle! Hi It's Amanda from Jedi Craft Girl, I'm a designer for Therm O Web and I'm so happy to be here!! Today I am sharing something I LOVE!!! Zipper Pouches! I can't have enough of them and I love to give them as gifts. In fact, the ones pictured in this tutorial are actually what I'm giving my nieces and nephew for Christmas. I have created this pattern so you can use your favorite theme print fabric and tailor it to who you are giving it to. I even have Star Wars version :) Let's get started!! Supplies 1/4 yard outer bag fabric 1/4 yard lining fabric 1/8 yard accent strips small scraps for theme print 5" x 6 1/2" Heat n Bond fusible fleece Spray n bond 12" or longer zipper Cut the pieces according to the above cutting guide. Fuse the heat n Bond Fusible Fleece to the wrong side of the (2) outer bag pieces. Cut the 1.25" accent strip into (4) 6.5" x 1.25" strips. Press the accent strips in half lengthwise. Align the raw edges with the edge of the theme print fabric and sew a 1/4" seam. Do this to all (4) sides of the (2) theme print pieces. Press the accent strips so the seam allowance is toward the theme print. Using the Spray n Bond (temporary basting spray) spray the theme print piece and position it on the outer bag, centering. Topsitich along the seam to finish. Inserting the Zipper Note: This tutorial is for a zipper with zipper tabs. You can find more instructions HERE if you need a little extra help. You can also use the"Open Wide" zipper method by clicking HERE for my friend's tutorial." I used both. Using the extra from the 1.25" strip, cut (2) pieces 1.25" x 5". Press them in half, and then press the raw edges under 1/4". Lay the zipper out positioning it on top of one of the outer bag pieces. Position the tabs so they overlap each side of the bag 1". Cut the zipper to fit inside each tab. Pin in place. Sew 2 times along the edge of the tabs as pictured above. Cut along the fold of the zipper tab and cut away the excess zipper, leaving about 1/8" of zipper. This makes it so there is no bulky zipper in the side seam of the zipper pouch. Position the zipper right sides together with the outer bag piece. Notice the zipper tabs are hanging over, not to worry, we will square up in a minute. Next position one of the lining pieces right side down on top of the outer bag with zipper in between. It should be layered together like the picture above. Pin and sew 1/4" seam along the top edge using a zipper foot. Trim off the excess zipper tab so it is square with the outer bag. Press the outer bag and lining piece so it looks like the above picture. Topstitch along the edge (above). Then repeat with the other side of the zipper, aligning the pieces just like we did above. This is how it should look once the zipper is inserted (above). Finishing the Bag Making sure the zipper is open, match the lining pieces together and the outer bag pieces together and pin all the way around. Make sure to push the zipper tab toward the lining piece and pin, matching the zipper seams. Sew all the way around the zipper pouch using 1/4" seam. Leave a 3" opening at the bottom of the bag for turning. Cut a 1" square notch out each corner. Open Open each notched corner and match seams. Sew a 1/4" seam, backstitching to start and stop. Turn right side out and topstitch the opening closed. Your done! You can see from the photo that I used a zipper tab on one and then the open wide zipper method on the others. It's just preference :) For my nieces I am including a cute nail file, an EOS, and some yummy smelling hand sanitizer. You could also include a small perfume, lotion, gum, notebook and pen. One of my nieces is a ballerina and I know she's going to love this darling fabric by Heather Ross! My other niece loves the ocean and fish so this Saltwater fabric by Riley Blake will be just perfect!. For the boys (which are always harder for me to buy for) you can include a small flashlight, deck of cards or other small game, PEZ dispenser or candy, small action figure or car. I also purchased a whoopee cushion to include, just to drive my sister crazy!! Thanks for stopping by! It's such a party over here on the Skip to My Lou blog!!!!

Felt Christmas Gnome

Guest Poster — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 10:00:44 +0000

This darling Felt Christmas Gnome will make a friendly decoration under the tree, make it bigger to make a pillow. Are you a pet lover? Make this Furry Fan Pet Bandana for your pet. It makes the perfect gift for an animal lover. Do you have a doll loving little girl on your christmas list? Make this Dolly and Me Ruffled Scarf set. This month we are sharing over 100 handmade gift tutorials. I have teamed up with Thirty Handmade Days, Classy Clutter and Your Homebased Mom to share the best holiday decorating ideas and homemade gift ideas. We have over 100 tutorials so you will have the best homemade holiday ever! Each day be sure to visit the guest poster’s blog for a chance to win BIG! Up for grabs a Baby Lock sewing machine a $100 in Riley Blake Fabric! Grab a new entry every day! Visit Boy, Oh Boy, Oh Boy Crafts today to enter win the baby lock sewing machine and fabric bundle! Hi there! Stacey of Boy, Oh Boy, Oh Boy Crafts and Beatnik Kids here today to share a fast and festive gift idea. When it comes to sewing something for teacher and neighbor gifts, I can’t help but share my holiday spirit. These darling, felt Christmas gnomes are sure to brighten anyone’s holiday and with a few tweaks in the template, are super easy to shrink or enlarge to whatever size you need. Here’s what you need to make a felt Christmas Gnome (or an army of gnomes if you so wish)- Supplies:

Christmas Gnome Pattern (medium size)
red, green, and white felt + a scrap of pink

red and green embroidery thread
safety eyes
100% polyester Polyfil
sewing machine and thread

Once all of your pieces are cut, you’re ready to sew the pieces together.

Pin the beard to the front body piece. Use a blanket stitch to embroider the beard to the body. Leave the top portion of beard un-stitched as this will be stitched in the next step. Place the mustashe piece on top of the beard piece, overlapping slightly. Use a blanket stitch to secure, again leaving the stop portion un-stitched.

Then place the nose piece in the middle of the beard, positioning it so the top is slightly above the mustashe. Secure with a blanket stitch. Use the same technique to secure the hat, making sure to leave ¼ inch on each side and the top.

Follow package instructions to insert a pair of safety eyes or hand or machine embroider a pair of black eyes.

Place the embellished body piece, right sides together with the other body piece, pin and sew using a ¼ inch seam allowance. Leave a 4 inch opening at the bottom, back stitching at the beginning and end of your seam.

7. Turn right side out, making sure to smooth the edges with a chopstick. Fill with Polyfil, press the opening closed and slip stitch closed. And there you have it, the cutest, little Christmas gnome around. Place him on your mantel or increase the size of the template pieces and make him pillow size or shrink him down and attach a split key ring for a Christmas gnome that can travel with you . Whichever size you make, he's sure to make people smile this holiday season.

Grab the Free Christmas Gnome Pattern!

Stacey is the creative force behind Beatnik Kids and the Boy, Oh Boy, Oh Boy Crafts blog. When she’s not running after her three, snotty nosed boys, she’s designing and sewing kid’s clothes and accessories. She’s a fabric hoarding, coffee drinking, YA fiction addict who'd choose cheese over chocolate every time.

Knotted Frayed Scarf Tutorial

Guest Poster — Wed, 25 Nov 2015 05:01:42 +0000

Make this Knotted Frayed Scarf, it's a practical and cute gift idea for any girl friend on your list. This darling Felt Christmas Gnome will make a friendly decoration under the tree, make it bigger to make a pillow. Are you a pet lover? Make this Furry Fan Pet Bandana for your pet. It makes the perfect gift for an animal lover. This month we are sharing over 100 handmade gift tutorials. I have teamed up with Thirty Handmade Days, Classy Clutter and Your Homebased Mom to share the best holiday decorating ideas and homemade gift ideas. We have over 100 tutorials so you will have the best homemade holiday ever! Each day be sure to visit the guest poster’s blog for a chance to win BIG! Up for grabs a Baby Lock sewing machine a $100 in Riley Blake Fabric! Grab a new entry every day! Visit Mama Says Sew today to enter win the baby lock sewing machine and fabric bundle!

How to Make Knotted Frayed Scarf

Hi everyone! I'm Terra and I blog at mama says sew. I'm excited to be a part of this fun series again this year! I'm here to show you how to make this frayed scarf. It makes a great Christmas gift, and you can vary it to make different scarves with different looks. You can add some lace trim to give it a little more of a dressy look... You can give it a smaller fringe, which also makes it a much quicker project! Here's the tutorial. All you need is about two yards of woven fabric and basic sewing supplies (scissors, sewing machine, threat, etc) Cut a piece of fabric about 14 inches wide by 2 yards long. Make a narrow hem on the long edges. Sew a straight line where you want the fringe to end. Trim off the narrow hem on the side of your stitching line that the fringe will be on. To create the fringe, pull out the horizontal threads. The vertical threads will create the fringe. To start, you can tear the end of the scarf to find the grain line. Then start pulling out the threads. It worked the best for me to pull out the threads one at a time, which can take a long time, so watch a movie or something while you make the fringe. Once you have the fringe, you can knot it by tying sections of the fringe in knots. Fold the hemmed edge over one more time and stitch in place to give it a clean finish. From the front: Enjoy!

Made by you Monday

cindylouh — Mon, 23 Nov 2015 11:00:41 +0000

It's Monday show us what you've got. It is time to link up your crafty goodness! Please don't forget to link back! --- a text link at the bottom of your post, or link somewhere on your blog is okay! Don't miss a thing! Sign up to get crafty ideas, recipes, sewing tutorials and more delivered right to your inbox. Follow Skip to My Lou on FB and Google+ to find out the latest news! Join me at Pinterest and Instagram for an extra dose of fun!

Holiday Hoop Art Tutorial

Guest Poster — Sat, 28 Nov 2015 13:00:29 +0000

Put together this holiday hoop art, this is a great gift idea kids can help make! I love to get kids involved in making their own gifts. This theme print zipper pouch is a fun project you can put together in a afternoon. I love zipper pouches and they make a nice handmade gift. This darling Felt Christmas Gnome will make a friendly decoration under the tree, make it bigger to make a pillow. This month we are sharing over 100 handmade gift tutorials. I have teamed up with Thirty Handmade Days, Classy Clutter and Your Homebased Mom to share the best holiday decorating ideas and homemade gift ideas. We have over 100 tutorials so you will have the best homemade holiday ever! Each day be sure to visit the guest poster’s blog for a chance to win BIG! Up for grabs a Baby Lock sewing machine a $100 in Riley Blake Fabric! Grab a new entry every day! Visit Modern Cozy today to enter win the baby lock sewing machine and fabric bundle! Welcome to my post for the Skip To My Lou Sew Bake Create Decorate series! I have an easy hoop art tutorial that you can easily make for the holidays and it's a great project that the kiddos can help with. What you need: wooden hoops, fabric scraps, cookie cutters, glue (I like tacky glue), acrylic paint, assorted ribbons/trims as desired and Heat'nBond Lite. You may be asking what exactly IS Heat'nBond Lite and I'm here to tell you is is just plain FUN. No, really it allows you to turn any fabric into an iron-on fabric. Pretty cool right? You can find it most anywhere fabric is sold - by the yard and also in small packages. You'll need fabrics at least an inch larger than your hoop on either side - my hoop here is 7" and my snowflake fabric is a 10" square. Any size scrap that your cookie cutter fits on and a piece of Hean'nBond cut the same size as your small fabric. One side of the Heat'nBond is shiny and one is dull, you want the SHINY side facing the back side of your fabric. Iron on following instructions. Trace (or draw) your shape onto your fabric using chalk pencil or erasable marker. Cut out and the carefully peel papery backing off the Heat'nBond. Now your fabric back has a shiny iron-on coating. I like to position my shape with the hoop on top so I can be sure it will be positioned correctly once ironed. Once you have it where you want it remove the hoop and iron it into it's permanent position. Now you can sew around the edges with your shape shifting at all! If you feel confident you can sew it just like you would with free motion quilting (feed dogs down) or you can just go slow and use a short stitch length like me :-) I go around twice to make any wonky spots look completely intentional. I like acrylic paint on the outer hoop - you could also use spray paint, wood stain or small strips of fabric to wrap around. Almost done! Cut the edges off your fabric square following around your hoop - I use pinking shears but you can use regular scissors too. Leave about 1/2' to 3/4" so you have room to fold it over to the back of the hoop. Run a line of tacky glue around the inside of your hoop and then go around your circle and fold fabric over the glue, pressing to adhere. At this point you could cut a circle of felt and glue on to "finish" the back. I'm not sure anyone ever even looks at the back so I don't worry about it! Finally add trim around the outside edge of hoop if desired using a thin line of tacky glue and you're done! You can also add embroidery details or glue/sew other trims on as well but be careful - these can be addictive! Thanks so much for stopping by and visit me the rest of the year at www.moderncozy.com where I blog about all my sewing adventures!

Lowe's Holiday Makeover Reveal

cindylouh — Thu, 26 Nov 2015 14:50:16 +0000

If you remember awhile back I accepted applications on behalf of Lowe's to do a Holiday Makeover. I am so excited to share with you my Lowe's Holiday Makeover Reveal! After reading through the applicants I chose a home in Kansas City. The homeowner's application was funny and yet also heartfelt! This homeowner lost her father last year before the holidays making the season difficult for her family. She couldn't bring herself to decorate or do much celebrating. Well, I thought it would be fun to make her home extra festive for this holiday! We had a beautiful home to work with. After visiting with her she told me she would like the outside of her home decorated with a Royal's theme. She said she was so proud of the Royals and wanted to show her pride with their World Series win! At first I didn't know what to think and certainly didn't know how I could make this happen! After several trips to Lowe's checking out their decorations and a few brainstorming sessions with my partner, Dan, we figured it out. Of course we would grant her wish of blue lights on the house, but we wouldn't stop there! I made a little sketch to show my plans and she was totally on board! Through the whole process she was such a good sport. Of course, we would need to have to have jumbo baseball bats. My husband, who I will just say was MVP for this makeover, made these 9 foot bats out of plywood and Styrofoam. He layered the foam and then carved it into the shape of a bat. We then had wonderful Lowe's associates help finish them up with paint and blue duct tape grips. Our fabulous volunteers also helped us hang strands and strands of lights! Our crowning moment for the makeover........... A piece of plywood, metallic paint and large Christmas ornaments from Lowe's made the perfect Royals crown. Beautiful garland dripping with blue and gold balls hung under the crown. Dan from Home At Last is amazing! He brought style and beauty to this makeover! The front door was the perfect place to show off the winning pennant! A large wreath over the garage door showcased the homeowner's metal Royal's sign. We were able to create this festive Holiday Makeover completely from Lowe's. We were thrilled with the selection and quality! Here are a few of the items we used.

Lowe's Holiday Decorations by cindyhopper on Polyvore

What an amazing experience we had. We could not have had a more thankful and supportive homeowner. It was a joy to work with her! It was an absolute pleasure to help make her home festive for the Holidays. Lowe's not only helped my homeowner receive a little holiday cheer, Lowe's also generously gave her neighbor, recently out of a job, a beautiful wreath and Lowe's gift card. Thanks Lowe's for helping us pass it forward! Thanks also to the hardworking Lowe's associates that made this makeover possible. Dawn, Davy and Raumin are the best!

This was a sponsored post. All opinions and ideas are my own. I only share things I used in my everyday life and believe in. Lowe's is one of those companies!

Joy Holiday Banner

sugar bee crafts — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 11:00:23 +0000

Are you decorating for the holidays? This JOY Holiday Banner is a perfect holiday gift and decoration. This DIY Apron Tutorial is very quick to put together and perfect for the beginning sewer. Are you decorating for the holidays? This christmas light garland is festive and fun. Looking for gift ideas? Put together this holiday hoop art, this is a great gift idea kids can help make! I love to get kids involved in making their own gifts. This month we are sharing over 100 handmade gift tutorials. I have teamed up with Thirty Handmade Days, Classy Clutter and Your Homebased Mom to share the best holiday decorating ideas and homemade gift ideas. We have over 100 tutorials so you will have the best homemade holiday ever! Each day be sure to visit the guest poster’s blog for a chance to win BIG! Up for grabs a Baby Lock sewing machine a $100 in Riley Blake Fabric! Grab a new entry every day! Visit Sugar Bee Crafts today to enter win the baby lock sewing machine and fabric bundle! Hi Everyone! I'm Mandy and I blog at the super awesome blog, SugarBeeCrafts - today I'm excited to be part of the Bake Sew Craft Series and want to share with you a fun sewing project, the Joy Holiday Banner. This is a beginner sewing project - you can do this! You'll need: --canvas or white fabric in the size of the banner you want (mine is a leftover scrap of drop cloth, and a little larger than a piece of paper) --dowel rod --red felt --twine (I used red and white baker's twine) First up, cut your banner out about 1/2 bigger all the way around than you want the final size to be. Mine was the width of a piece of paper, and a few inches taller. Fold it in half and cut the two bottom corners to make the banner come to a point. Next, hem all the edges by turning them under 1/8 inch and then then turning them under again. And ironing into place. You can also iron in the casing by folding the top down - this is the tube where the dowel rod will go. Sew the hem all the way around. Then sew down the casing. It's just straight sewing - you can do it! Next up, make the "joy" - I ironed on heat 'n bond to make the felt a little stiffer and so it would attach to the banner without sewing ;) Then you can trace out the word and cut it out carefully. Peel the backing off the heat n bond and place your word on your banner. Then you can iron it on and the heat n bond will attach it. Next just insert the dowel rod and tie a loop of twine to use as a hanger.

That's it! Simple and cute and a perfect afternoon holiday craft.

If you love simple holiday projects, you might also want to check out:

DIY Nativity | Glitter Bulb Necklace | Crochet Garland

10 Teen Approved Holiday Gift Ideas

cindylouh — Wed, 25 Nov 2015 23:53:55 +0000

Shopping for a teen has always proven to be my most difficult job during the holidays. It doesn't matter whether they are a girl or boy, this age group can be tough. Here is a list of teen approved holiday gift ideas. My Teens either own or wish to own all of these items. Black Friday is the perfect way to save some money and overstock.com is the way to do it. I am not one to head out into the dark of the night and battle crowds and lines but give me a deal online and I am sold! We all need to make our budget go farther and shopping black friday from the comfort of your home and in your jammies is the best way to do it.

Here are 10 Teen Approved Holiday Gift Ideas...

1. Click Here for this Bose Blue Tooth Speaker. This speaker is sturdy and has great sound. It is small enough to bring almost anywhere and holds a charge for days. My favorite thing about this speaker is that is works, yes you read that right. I have purchased a few and this one has the best sounds, most reliable blue tooth connection and longest charge. Every teen would love to receive this gift! Click Here" target="_blank"> 2. Click Here for these Beats by Dr. Dre Headphones. These were on my sons list last year. I was skeptical that they may be all hype, but I was wrong Of all the gifts he received last year this one was not discarded or set aside. He uses them every day and they have been a favorite! 3. Click Here for this North Face Pull Over. It is a practical way to keep him warm this winter. Click Here"> 4. Keep kids on the move with a fit bit flex. Click Here to get one. They will love tracking, competing and setting goals. Click Here"> 5. My boys are natural adventurers. Click Here for a Go Pro Hero 4 it is a gift the whole family will enjoy. Take photos, videos in the most unique and exciting places! Click Here" target="_blank"> 6. Click Here for this Clarisonic. It is a must have for any teen. It is a full proof way to keep skin soft, clean and fights acne like nothing else. A teenage girl will quickly thank you but don't count out those boys they will need this too! 7. Every girl is looking for a faster way to curl her hair. This ConairPro Curlamatic Click Here for this ConairPro Curlmatic (yes we have tried it) it creates the perfect curls every time (just be sure to use small sections and tangle free hair)! We swear by it! Click Here" target="_blank"> 8. Are your teens always on their phones and devices? This Click Here a portable battery charger is a perfect stocking stuffer and gets the job done! Click Here"> A watch is always a guarenteed win. Click Here for a deal on this Michael Kors ladies watch (9), it will make all her dreams come true! Don't miss this deal on this Movado Mens Watch (10) Click Here! Want some extra cash? Enter to win $250 Gift Card to Overstock.com for your holiday shopping. Simply wait for rafflecopter to load and enter there. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Vintage Christmas Light Garland Tutorial

Guest Poster — Sun, 29 Nov 2015 13:00:58 +0000

This vintage christmas light garland is a great way to decorate for the holidays. Looking for gift ideas?Put together this holiday hoop art, this is a great gift idea kids can help make! I love to get kids involved in making their own gifts. This theme print zipper pouch is a fun project you can put together in a afternoon. I love zipper pouches and they make a nice handmade gift. This month we are sharing over 100 handmade gift tutorials. I have teamed up with Thirty Handmade Days, Classy Clutter and Your Homebased Mom to share the best holiday decorating ideas and homemade gift ideas. We have over 100 tutorials so you will have the best homemade holiday ever! Each day be sure to visit the guest poster’s blog for a chance to win BIG! Up for grabs a Baby Lock sewing machine a $100 in Riley Blake Fabric! Grab a new entry every day! Visit If Only They Would Nap today to enter win the baby lock sewing machine and fabric bundle! If you haven't already started decking your halls, this easy tutorial is a great way to get started! Jess from If Only They Would Nap here, with a tutorial to make this adorable vintage Christmas light garland! I love those big vintage bulbs, and with this garland, you can bring them into your house and put them just about anywhere! Supplies:

fabric that doesn't fray (fleece or felt are great choices)
rope, ribbon, or twine
embroidery thread
hand sewing needle
scissors
polyfill
a chopstick (or something similar to stuff the bulbs)
sewing machine (though you can get away with just hand sewing if you prefer!)

1.Cut out your Christmas light shapes. You will need two for every bulb. The number you need will depend how long you want your garland to be. 2. Place two bulbs together, wrong sides together. Stitch around the bulbs with a blanket stitch. 3. After you've gotten all around the bulb (except for the top part), stuff a small amount of polyfill into your bulb. You don't want to use too much! Use the chopstick to get the stuffing all the way to the bottom of the bulb. 4. Now sew the bulb onto your rope, twine, or ribbon. I used a thick jute rope, but make sure you use something that your sewing machine can handle! You can also hand sew the bulbs on, making this a completely hand sewn project - perfect for car trips or sewing by the Christmas tree! Now repeat these steps until all your bulbs are on your garland! The thick jute I used gives this garland a little bit of a rustic feel, but you can change that up by choosing a different material. A shimmery ribbon would have a completely different look! This is such a simple decoration, but it brings such a festive look to your holiday decor. It's easy enough that you could get your kiddos involved in making it too! Happy sewing! Be sure to stop by my blog If Only They Would Nap to enter the giveaway and see more sewing tutorials and inspiration!

DIY Tea Towel Apron

cindylouh — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 14:00:32 +0000

This DIY Apron Tutorial is very quick to put together and perfect for the beginning sewer. Are you decorating for the holidays? This christmas light garland is festive and fun. Looking for gift ideas? Put together this holiday hoop art, this is a great gift idea kids can help make! I love to get kids involved in making their own gifts.i This month we are sharing over 100 handmade gift tutorials. I have teamed up with Thirty Handmade Days, Classy Clutter and Your Homebased Mom to share the best holiday decorating ideas and homemade gift ideas. We have over 100 tutorials so you will have the best homemade holiday ever! Each day be sure to visit the guest poster’s blog for a chance to win BIG! Up for grabs a Baby Lock sewing machine a $100 in Riley Blake Fabric! Grab a new entry every day! Visit Delia Creates today to enter win the baby lock sewing machine and fabric bundle! The holiday season is baking season in our house.

I love a festive excuse to fire up the oven, put on an apron, and fill the house with yummy smells! Today, I have a super quick apron DIY to help you get your bake on...

...or your gift on. These little tea towel aprons make a great gift as well! I love tea towel aprons because they're easy to make and practical to use. The absorbent tea towel not only keeps you clean, but I like to use it to clean up my mess when I'm done, so I don't have to dirty up another towel. The only thing that gets in the way is the ties... So, I made them removable!

You make one set of ties, add buttons, and then just sew buttonholes to a set of tea towels. Ta da! You have several aprons in one that double up as towels that can be easily washed.

MATERIALS Pack of tea towels (Mine is a four pack from IKEA, I used two of them) 3 yards of 1.25 inch wide, twill tape belting Two .75 inch buttons Matching or coordinating all-purpose thread Hand sewing needle Sewing machine and basic sewing supplies Buttonhole foot (if sewing machine has an automatic buttonholer)

STEP ONE: Sew button holes. Wash and iron your tea towels. Sew a vertical buttonhole at two parallel corners of each towel, using your button hole foot and the automatic button hole feature on your machine. Make sure to position your button holes about 0.5-0.75" away from the edges of the towel. Cut the button hole open, taking care not to cut through any stitching. You can do this with a sharp pair of scissors, or by placing a pin at one end of the button hole and opening it up with a seam ripper. The pin prevents the seam ripper from cutting through the stitching.

STEP TWO: Prepare ties. Cut your twill belting in half. Fold each raw end under twice, and top-stitch in place. You will do this for a total of four times.

STEP THREE: Sew on buttons. Using your hand sewing needle and some thread, hand sew one button to the end of each of the two ties. That's it!

Three easy steps and you're in business!

Happy holiday sewing AND baking! :)

Weekly Meal Plan Week 4

cindylouh — Sat, 28 Nov 2015 09:00:23 +0000

Make meal prep easy this week with this Weekly Meal Plan! There is a meal idea and recipe for each day of the week, and it includes dessert. Have a good week!

Your hostesses each week will be:

Let's get cooking, shall we?

Beef Enchiladas Healthy Stir Fry

6 Ingredient Chicken Tortilla Bake

Slow Cooker Smothered Pork Chops

Sweet Chili Chicken Sandwich

Baked Ravioli

Chicken Pot Pie

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Download this printable weekly meal plan:

If you'd like to pin:

Made by you Monday

cindylouh — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 11:00:56 +0000

It's Monday show us what you've got. It is time to link up your crafty goodness! Please don't forget to link back! --- a text link at the bottom of your post, or link somewhere on your blog is okay! Don't miss a thing! Sign up to get crafty ideas, recipes, sewing tutorials and more delivered right to your inbox. Follow Skip to My Lou on FB and Google+ to find out the latest news! Join me at Pinterest and Instagram for an extra dose of fun!

The Gift EVERY Family Needs- Circle

cindylouh — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 08:00:27 +0000

I’m so excited to FINALLY reveal what I wanted to shout from the rooftops! Check out Circle with Disney, the only gift I can basically guarantee won’t give you buyer’s remorse. Yes, it’s that cool.

Every family needs this in their home.

Don’t believe me? Watch this video clip and you’ll be sold too.

Meet Circle - Internet. Reimagined. from Circle Media Inc. on Vimeo.

It’s on sale today!

$85.00! (regularly $99)

Are you tired of letting the Internet dictate what your family is exposed to? Not Anymore! With Circle, you are the boss!

4 Awesome things you can EASILY do with Circle:

Set appropriate filters for EACH DEVICE. Use the pre-designed ones or customize your own.

2. Track where your family is spending their time online.

3. Give your devices a BED TIME!

4. PAUSE the internet! Yes. you. can.

If you are still not convinced, read what these Circle customers are saying about it:

"As the father of four kids from elementary through college age, I am not exaggerating when I say Circle is EXACTLY the device I have been looking for to control the internet in my house. Circle truly is peace of mind in a little white box." - Wayne Stocks

"Circle has literally changed our lives and how our family spends time on the internet. My worries of what my children could be exposed to online has changed overnight by the use of Circle. I can pause the internet anytime making getting chores or homework done much easier these days." -Terra Nyce

"Circle makes it easy for me to protect my kids online, monitor usage across all our home’s devices, and create conversations with the entire family. It’s rare that something is simple and effective, but Circle is both." — Michael Lukaszewski

Get control of the Internet and give your family this gift.

Holiday Wreath

cindylouh — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 01:01:58 +0000

I just hung a gorgeous holiday wreath and I had to show you! Decorating for the holidays can be overwhelming for me so when Tree Classics asked me to review a wreath I was thrilled. Don't forget the best way to hang a wreath if you need to hang a wreath on a glass storm door! It really works! I chose the Gold & Silver Splendor. All the details were beautiful! It even lights up making it glow. I loved that just hanging the wreath on our fireplace made the whole room festive with little effort. As you can see we finally finished our fireplace! Our basement family room is almost done! If you want to effortlessly decorate for the holidays check out Tree Classics. My wreath was pricey, but it looked it! I feel will last for years. They even have wreath storage bags that hang to keep the wreaths protected when not using.

Easy Last Minute Gifts

cindylouh — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 13:00:26 +0000

We all have stressors during the holidays and this month the Michaels Makers were asked to come up with creative and fun holiday hacks and tips to help relieve some of that stress and make holiday entertaining and prepping fun! Keep these easy last minute gift ideas in your back pocket just in case you run short on time.

Last Minute Gift Ideas

First up an easy last minute teacher gift and a bon appetit apron for your favorite cook. You will need a canvas tote bag, and apron and iron on transfer sheets. Make sure you get the right type of transfer paper for your fabric. I choose the transfer paper for light fabric. Download the free printables Bon appetit apron printable I am a teacher what is your super power printable Print according to manufacturer's instructions. This printable is already reversed. If it isn't (as in the case of the bon appetit printable) choose to print in reverse. Trim around the design. According to package directions iron transfer to the fabric. Add a bow and you have a useful teacher gift. Wrap this darling apron up with some of your favorite cooking gadgets for the perfect foodie gift. Want to share something from your kitchen? Print off these darling "lovin' from my oven' gift tags and wrap up your goodies! Cute little ceramic bread pan found at Michael's along with all the twine and embellishments. Download Lovin' From My Oven Gift Tags Michaels has tons of holiday project ideas and instructions on their Michaels.com, including gift wrapping, home décor, last minute gift ideas, hostess gifts and more. Check out the other four holiday hack topics and the unique ideas all of the makers came up with on Michaels’ blog, The Glue String. Don't forget to check out all these clever holiday ideas!

An InLinkz Link-up

DIY Antler Napkins

Guest Poster — Thu, 03 Dec 2015 14:43:00 +0000

In a few simple steps you can make these DIY Antler napkins. They are a fun way to decorate your holiday table. This JOY Holiday Banner makes a perfect holiday gift and decoration. I love this DIY Apron Tutorial it is very quick to put together and perfect for the beginning sewer. This month we are sharing over 100 handmade gift tutorials. I have teamed up with Thirty Handmade Days, Classy Clutter and Your Homebased Mom to share the best holiday decorating ideas and homemade gift ideas. We have over 100 tutorials so you will have the best homemade holiday ever! Each day be sure to visit the guest poster’s blog for a chance to win BIG! Up for grabs a Baby Lock sewing machine a $100 in Riley Blake Fabric! Grab a new entry every day! Visit One Krieger Chick today to enter win the baby lock sewing machine and fabric bundle! Hello Skip to my Lou Readers! I'm Ariean from One Krieger Chick and I'm so excited to be here to share a quick and easy sewing gift idea. I love to sew, but often am short on time. Luckily, these napkins can be made in minutes... I love giving handmade gifts, especially practical gifts that I hope will be used. We use cloth napkins at our house and I like to have some that are special for the holidays. I'm gong to show you how quick and easy it is to make a set of cloth napkins from a tea towel...You'll need:

1 tea towel per 4 napkins
scissors
fabric paint
stencil
stencil brush
sewing machine
iron (optional)

Start by folding the towel in four and cutting along the folds. I find it's easier if I iron the fabric to create crisp folds.You'll end up with four same-size pieces of tea towel.Fold each raw edge in a bit and press with the iron.Sew a seam along each folded edge. You should only have to sew two sides of each napkin.Create or purchase a stencil of your choice. I used antlers I cut from vinyl on my Cricut machine.Use a stencil brush to apply a little bit of fabric paint (I chose gold). When dry, lift up the vinyl stencil and you have a darling little antler. I used a different antler shape on each napkin. The vinyl stencils can be used over and over again, so you can make multiple sets of napkins in no time at all! Perfect for a cup of hot cocoa on a chilly day!If you liked this idea, you may also like a peek into my home at my Very Merry Christmas Home Tour or some of my other holiday ideas.

Ariean is a former High School Teacher turned Stay at Home Momma of 3 little boys in the Kansas City area. She enjoys finding good junk and transforming it into unique home decor...a cup of coffee and a great book...cooking and crafting with her boys and connecting with YOU!

Facebook~Pinterest~Instagram~Twitter

18 Holiday Candy Recipes

cindylouh — Fri, 04 Dec 2015 13:00:28 +0000

Christmas time is the perfect time to make these Holiday Candy Recipes! I love the smell of baking together in my kitchen, teaching my kids to bake. My family loves snacking on holiday treats. Wrap these up for a thoughtful gift. Here are some holiday jar gift ideas, they would make a perfect handmade gift for Christmas this year. Do you love to bake cookies? These Christmas Cookies are all favorite recipes.

Holiday Candy Recipes

Crock Pot Candy Christmas Tree Mints Rolo Pretzel Reindeers Candy Cane Peppermint Oreo Bark White Chocolate Peppermint Popcorn Homemade Caramels Cinnamon Glass Candy Butterscotch Squares Copycat Almond Roca Popcorn Peanut Brittle 8 Holiday Fudge Recipes

Weekly Meal Plan & Printable (Week 5)

cindylouh — Sat, 05 Dec 2015 13:00:10 +0000

Start your week out right with this weekly meal plan! It doesn't get any easier than this.

Here is our weekly dinner menu for week 5! Click the links to view the recipes, and don't forget to download your menu plan/ free shopping list printable at the end of this post.

Let's get cooking!

Weekly Dinner Menu - Week Five

Pepperoni Meatballs from I Heart Naptime

Crock Pot French Dip Sandwiches from Somewhat Simple

Chicken & Dumplings from The Idea Room

Restaurant-Style Re-fried Beans from The 36th Avenue

Cheddar Corn Chowder from Skip to My Lou

Company Casserole from Thirty Handmade Days

Pork Carnitas from Your Homebased Mom

Bon Bon Cookies from I Heart Naptime

We hope this helps take some of the guesswork out of menu planning!

Download and print this printable weekly meal plan, created by Mique from 30 Handmade Days.

If you guys have any suggestions on recipes you’d like to see or ways we can make this meal plan even better, please let us know in the comments section below.

Happy cooking everyone!!!

If you missed our other weekly menu plans, click HERE.

Holiday Appetizer Recipes

cindylouh — Sun, 06 Dec 2015 13:00:08 +0000

Check out these beautiful and festive holiday appetizer recipes! Try these Dips, cheese balls etc at your next holiday party or potluck. If you are looking to serve something really special try my chocolate chip cheesecake dip, it is a huge hit at all of our parties. We love to snack on chex mix during this time of year. Did you know you can make chex mix in the crock pot? It is a very simple recipe and very good.

Holiday Appetizer Recipes

Egg Nog Dip Pine Cone Cheeseball Appetizer Cheesy Pull Apart Pizza Bread Bacon Stuffed Jalapeños Meatball Pizza Balls Looking for something a bit more healthy? Try this Easy Fruit Dip... Be sure to stop by tomorrow for another Made by you Monday!

Fabric Lanyard Pattern {Teacher Gift with Printable}

cindylouh — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 13:00:43 +0000

This fabric lanyard pattern is the perfect way to whip up a gift for a teacher or officemate that must wear an id badge. It sews together in minutes! The best part you are gifting something useful! If you are looking for more handmade gift ideas check out Baby Lock's Holiday Gift Guide. There are so many beautiful sewn gifts! You might also like to see 100's of handmade gift ideas right here. You can find something for everyone on your list!

Supplies for fabric lanyard teacher gift

45 inch wide fabric
1- 7/16 inch pearl snap (and supplies to attach snap)
1 hook
thread
sewing machine
rotary cutter
cutting mat
ruler
gift tag

Fabric lanyard pattern for id badges

Cut a piece of fabric 45 inches by 2 1/2 inches. Fabric can be folded several times to make cutting the long length easy. Press the two ends of fabric up about 1/4 inch. This will give the lanyard finished ends. Fold entire length of fabric in half and press. Open fabric out flat and fold each edge to the center fold line and press. Fold fabric in half and press. Starting along the open side first, top stitch all the way around the folded piece of fabric. Add a snap to the ends following manufacturer's instructions. Lay the lanyard as it should be worn to make sure the snaps are placed on the correct sides. Fold lanyard in half and feed on the hook. Again, lay out the lanyard as it should be worn to make sure everything is lying as it should. Slightly angle the straps and sew next to the hook back and forth a couple of times. Make it extra meaningful for your teacher or officemate with this special gift tag printable.

{Printable Gift Tag "I'm so lucky to hang around with you"}

Punch a hole in the cute gift tag and wrap up for a useful handmade teacher gift.

You might enjoy these sewn gift ideas zippered pouch tutorial easy reversible tote pattern pocket tissue cover pattern Fabric luggage tags

Made by you Monday

cindylouh — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 13:00:04 +0000

Hosting a white elephant party? Head over here to read about how to play the game and don't miss the best white elephant gift ideas! I got you covered! It's Monday show us what you've got. It is time to link up your crafty goodness! Please don't forget to link back! --- a text link at the bottom of your post, or link somewhere on your blog is okay! Don't miss a thing! Sign up to get crafty ideas, recipes, sewing tutorials and more delivered right to your inbox. Follow Skip to My Lou on FB and Google+ to find out the latest news! Join me at Pinterest and Instagram for an extra dose of fun!

Snowman Stirrers For Fun Hot Chocolate

cindylouh — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 14:00:00 +0000

Get into the holiday spirit with delicious hot chocolate dressed up with these fun snowman stirrers. They are so easy a child can make. It is cold in Kansas and we enjoy loads of hot chocolate. It seems the perfect drink for reading Christmas stories in pajamas, to warm up after ice skating and of course to sip on while eating holiday cookies. International Delight has the flavors that capture the Spirit of the holidays. Whether it’s Pumpkin Pie Spice to celebrate the turning of the leaves in Autumn, White Chocolate Raspberry to sweeten up Thanksgiving dinner, or sharing Vanilla Nog and Dark Hot Chocolate with friends and family around the Christmas tree. Hot chocolate and Eggnog for sure get my family into the holiday spirit. Here is how you can dress up your hot chocolate!

Snowman Stirrers Supplies

mini Rolo chocolate candy
candy coating chocolate disks
mini marshmallows
8 inch wooden skewers
edible orange and black markers
fruit roll up
scissors

How to make snowman stirrers

Place three mini marshmallows on a wooden skewer. Add face details with edible markers. Cut a tiny strip of fruit roll up to make a scarf. Carefully stick the skewer through one of the candy melting discs. Place an upside down rolo next onto the skewer. Stick the cute snowman stirrer in delicious hot chocolate for a fun holiday treat. At our home we are all about hot chocolate and these stirrers make it extra special! I love that I can have rich hot chocolate (made with real milk) handy in my refrigerator! Win a holiday brunch! How do you get into the holiday spirit? Visit InternationalDelight.com to share how they help you capture the spirit of the season for a chance to win a holiday brunch for friends and family hosted by International Delight! How fun is that! NEW! Hot Chocolate and Nogs will be available at a store near you. Find a store here. This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of International Delight. The opinions and text are all mine.

Crayola Cling Creator

cindylouh — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 16:06:28 +0000

Crayola Cling Creator

This was sponsored post. All opinions and ideas are my own. Like always I wouldn't share things I didn't like!

Cute Sayings for Christmas Gifts

cindylouh — Thu, 10 Dec 2015 13:00:01 +0000

These cute sayings for Christmas gifts are the perfect way to spread some holiday cheer. Gift giving couldn't be any easier with these clever gift tags. Just pair the cute saying with a small gift, wrap it up and you are done. It couldn't be simpler. The best part is most of these gifts are useful and will appreciated by the recipient. If hand making something super special is more your speed check out all these handmade gift ideas!

free printable - "We're Nuts About You Gift Tag"

Cute Sayings for Christmas Gifts

Season's Greetings (dip mixes, spices)
We're nuts about you! Merry Christmas! (spiced nuts, candied nuts)
If friends were flowers, we'd pick you! Happy Holidays (cut flowers, poinsettia, flower arrangement)
May your Christmas be merry and the New Year Bright (candle)
Keep Christmas in your heart the whole year through! (calendar)
Rolling out a batch of Christmas Cheer, for Someone we think is very dear! (sugar cookies)
May your holidays Bubble over with joy! (Champagne, sparkling wine)
Have a Cool Yule! (Yule log, local ice cream gift card, or ice cream, bowls and a scoop)
For somebody so Dear, We wish you a cup of Cheer! (cups and cocoa mix, cake in a cup)
Wishing you a warm and wonderful Christmas! (hot cocoa mix, blanket, socks, something warm & cozy)
Any way you slice it, You’re amazing. (sweet bread, breads)
Hoping you have a Christmas to flip over! (pancake mix and spatula)
To spice up your holiday! Merry Christmas (salsa)
With so many holiday treats and everyone on the go, here is some extra dough! (homemade cookie dough)
You're flippin' awesome (pancake mix and fun spatula, kitchen gadget)
Made especially for you! (anything handmade)
Handmade by me for YOU! (anything handmade)
You are a treasure! (jewelry)
You are precious to me (jewelry)
Just a note to say you are special! (stationary, notecards)
You are tops in my book! (book, bookstore gift card)
Our warmest holiday wishes! (cozy blanket, hot cocoa, hats, gloves, fun socks)
Happy Holidays!
Merry Christmas!
Happy Holidays, neighbor!
Lovin' from my oven (anything homemade from your kitchen)
Handcrafted with love for you! (handmade gift)
Feliz Navidad
Fleece Navidad (fleece blanket)
You're nice as pie! (baked pie)
You color my world (coloring book, colored pencils, colorful art supplies)
Happy Holidays from our home to yours!

Write any of these ideas on a gift tag or you can download them all for $3.00. You will receive over 30 tags (all the ideas above). Print them on white cardstock or make them fancy by printing on gold or colored cardstock. From nuts to pancakes you can make your gift extra special with these fun tags. You might also like these printable gift tags for teacher gifts. This printable teacher tote or DIY printable apron are easy last minute gifts.

10 Christmas Gifts Under $5

cindylouh — Fri, 11 Dec 2015 18:36:34 +0000

10 christmas gifts under $5! Yep with a little planning you can give a clever and thoughtful Christmas gift for under $5. For more Christmas ideas check out my gifts in a jar ideas. Spend a afternoon and make some of these holiday cookie recipes, your family will thank you!

Pancake Mix in a jar

EOS Free Printable Christmas Gift

Candle Gift Idea

Peppermint Sugar Scrub

Mini Bundt Cake

Gift of Christmas Dishes

Red Box Movie Gift

Crayon Roll

Sweet and Savory Butters

DIY Jewelry Holder

Don't miss these my tags with cute sayings for Christmas gifts. They are the perfect way to make up several gifts!

Weekly Meal Plan Week 6 {Free Printable}

cindylouh — Sat, 12 Dec 2015 13:00:56 +0000

Here is our weekly dinner menu for week 6! Click the links to view the recipes, and don't forget to download your menu plan/ free shopping list printable at the end of this post.

Let's get cooking!

Weekly Dinner Menu - Week Six

Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos from The Idea Room

3 Ingredient Sweet & Tangy Meatballs from Somewhat Simple

Pan-Roasted Herb Pork Tenderloin from I Heart Naptime

Zuppa Toscana Soup from The 36th Avenue

Healthy Avocado Chicken Wraps from Thirty Handmade Days

Crock Pot Macaroni and Cheese from Skip to My Lou

Lemon Turkey Noodle Soup from Your Homebased Mom

Homemade Truffles from The Idea Room

. . . . .

We hope this helps take some of the guesswork out of menu planning!

Download and print this printable weekly meal plan, created by Mique from 30 Handmade Days.

If you guys have any suggestions on recipes you’d like to see or ways we can make this meal plan even better, please let us know in the comments section below.

Happy cooking everyone!!!

Five Perfect Recipes for Christmas Dinner

cindylouh — Sun, 13 Dec 2015 13:00:03 +0000

If you are hosting a Christmas Dinner here are some recipes that stood out this week that I would love tot try! For more Christmas ideas check out my free printable dinner conversation questions. I also love these peppermint cookies, they look so fun and festive this time of year.

Five Perfect Recipes for Christmas Dinner

Baked Country Ham Soft and Sweet Light Rolls Garlic Rosemary Roasted Potatoes Kentucky Bourbon Cranberry Sauce Creamy White Christmas Punch Stop by tomorrow for another Made by you Monday!

Made by you Monday

cindylouh — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 13:00:19 +0000

EOS Lip Balm Christmas Gifts

cindylouh — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 13:00:21 +0000

I love how cute these EOS Lip Balm Christmas gifts are! So easy to print off the card and add an EOS lip balm for a fun gift. My sweet friend Amy has made some too. You might like her cute EOS Holiday gifts. I have a cute snowman, reindeer, HO HO HO, and Santa EOS printable here to share. Have you seen Tried and True's darling EOS Reindeer printable. She started the craze! Really these EOS lip balms make useful gifts. Add these free printable to make them extra special. You might like to see the EOS teacher gift printables. There is one for the best teacher in the world EOS gift, EOS apple for the teacher gift. Looking ahead, I even have a darling EOS Valentine printable for you to share with friends.

EOS Lip Balm Christmas Gifts Supplies

free EOS printable
EOS lip balm
scissors
circle punch

Download the free EOS Christmas printable.

{EOS Lip Balm Christmas Gift Printable}

EOS Lip Balm Christmas Gifts

With a circle punch remove the circles. The punch I think is listed as being 1 1/2 inches. I think it measure closer to 1 1/4 inch. It works perfect. I also tried a 1 1/2 inch plain circle punch. It works but is slightly bigger than it needs to be. The EOS lip balms can be found next to other lip balms at Target, Wal-Mart and grocery stores or on amazon . I used the Eos Summer Fruit, Pomegranate Raspberry , Tangerine, Sweet Mint! Place an EOS lip balm in the hole and you have a cute little gift. You might also like this Holiday EOS Lip Balm gift. If you like gifts with clever sayings please check out my ebook, Cute Sayings For Christmas Gifts. You will get over 30 darling tags that you can add to a simple gift.

Free 2016 Printable Coloring Calendar

cindylouh — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 13:00:48 +0000

Catch the coloring craze with my 2016 printable coloring calendar. If you like to color or know someone that does this is the calendar for you. Wrap it up with some colored pencils for a fun little gift! This calendar is great for coloring kids and adults! You might also like to see my fun coloring pages. Each month you can greet the day with a cool motif. So sharpen your pencils and color your way to a happy year!

How to make a 2016 Printable Coloring Calendar

Simply download the free printable coloring calendar. Print in black and white on white cardstock. Cut the pages in half. Punch a hole in the top and fasten the pages together with ribbon or twin. A local copy store will be able to add a spiral ring to the top if you prefer.

{2016 printable coloring calendar}

Looking for more 2016 calendars, here are some interesting ones. One for your keyring , one to make your wall pretty and beautiful , one to one keep your weeks organized and one for a clipboard.

Reindeer Cupcakes

cindylouh — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 13:00:49 +0000

These Reindeer cupcakes are the simplest treat to make ever! You can even buy cupcakes and decorate them! Reindeer are the perfect mascot for the holiday season. Do you sew? How about making this darling stick reindeer that any child would love to play with. If baking is more your style try making these reindeer cookies! Check out that nose. If you need a cute little gift these reindeer noses in a jar are fun! These candy cane reindeer make the perfect classroom craft if you need an activity for a group.

How to make reindeer cupcakes

For each cupcake you will need a frosted cupcake, two pretzels, two royal icing eyes, one vanilla wafer and one red m & m. Place the vanilla wafer on the top of the cupcake in the lower half. With a bit of frosting as glue, attach the m & m to the vanilla wafer. Stick a pretzel on each side at the top of the cupcake. Place the eyes and you have the cutes cupcake! They are almost as cute as these monkey cupcakes! It is amazing what you can do with a vanilla wafer! If you love reindeer check out these reindeer crafts and treats.

Reindeer Christmas Ideas

cindylouh — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 13:00:11 +0000

These Reindeer Christmas ideas would be fun to make during Christmas break. Reindeers are the iconic Christmas character! Can't you just hear the song now? Here are some fun reindeer treats, crafts and gift ideas perfect for Christmas and any other holiday. Don't miss my free printable coloring calendar available for 2016. Rudolph Cookies DIY Reindeer Wrapping Paper Rolo Pretzel Reindeer Reindeer Noses Reindeer Cupcakes EOS Rudolph Printable Rudolph Pancakes Chocolate Covered Reindeer Candy Cane Reindeer Cocoa Reindeer Chow Don't miss this fun reindeer stick gift idea!

Weekly Meal Planner Week 7

cindylouh — Sat, 19 Dec 2015 13:00:55 +0000

Here is our weekly dinner menu for week 7!

Are you ready to get started?

Let's get cooking!

Weekly Dinner Menu - Week 7

Creamy Chicken & Rice Casserole from Skip to My Lou

Navajo Tacos from The Idea Room

Creamy Tomato Tortelinni Soup from I Heart Naptime

Waffle Tacos (Vegetarian Style!) from Somewhat Simple

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork from The 36th Avenue

Healthy Burrito Bowl from Thirty Handmade Days

Artichoke Mushroom Marinara from Your Homebased Mom

S'Mores Pizookie Recipe from Skip to My Lou

. . . . .

We hope this helps take some of the guesswork out of menu planning!

Download and print this printable weekly meal plan, created by Mique from 30 Handmade Days.

If you guys have any suggestions on recipes you’d like to see or ways we can make this meal plan even better, please let us know in the comments section below.

Happy cooking everyone!!!

If you missed our other weekly menu plans, click HERE.

Last Minute Holiday Gift Ideas

cindylouh — Sun, 20 Dec 2015 13:00:10 +0000

Need some last minute holiday gift ideas? If you are scrambling to find a gift, these last minute ideas are perfect for you. Several had a free printable you could use too. I have several great gift ideas you don't want to miss. Try these free EOS Lip Balm Printables, there are four cute ideas. I also have these gift tags available that will help you make a ton of cute and clever gifts. Coffee Lover Gift Snowman Candy Bars 5 Minute DIY Christmas Luminaries Monogram Knit Coffee Sleeve DIY Coconut Lime Scrub Link up tomorrow for another Made by you Monday linky party!

Made by you Monday

cindylouh — Mon, 21 Dec 2015 13:00:27 +0000

It's Monday show us what you've got. It is time to link up your crafty goodness! Please don't forget to link back! --- a text link at the bottom of your post, or link somewhere on your blog is okay! Don't miss a thing! Sign up to get crafty ideas, recipes, sewing tutorials and more delivered right to your inbox. Follow Skip to My Lou on FB and Google+ to find out the latest news! Join me at Pinterest and Instagram for an extra dose of fun!

Printable Christmas Gift Tags

cindylouh — Tue, 22 Dec 2015 13:47:53 +0000

These free printable Christmas gift tags will finish off your packages off in style. Just print , cut and attached for beautifully wrapped packages. Be sure to bookmark this page so you have these free tags handy. You might need a few tags when you are doing your holiday wrapping. If you are still checking your list I have some last minute gift ideas for you. Just print off a clever tag and attach to an item you can easily pick up at the store or make. You might also like these handmade gifts.

Free Printable Christmas Gift Tags

Download the printable christmas gift tags. Print in black and white on gold cardstock. I found this gold cardstock at a craft store. White or colored cardstock works great too.

{Printable Christmas Gift Tags}

Attach the tags to your packages with glittery mini clothes pins, glitter washi tape or gold cord. All these items were found at Michael's. If you like a more homespun look print the tags on kraft colored cardstock. These tags look cute attached with twine, colored clothes pins and washi tape. The mini clothes pins can be clipped right to the ribbon on the package. Super easy! Each year I share fun printable gift tags. Just click on the picture for loads more gift tags. I hope these gift tags make your holiday a little easier! Don't mis these clever gift wrapping ideas. Are you a lazy gift wrapper? Here are some fun gift wrapping hacks for you! If you need a laugh these wacky ways to wrap a gift will do the trick.

Printable Christmas Gift Bags

cindylouh — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 13:00:53 +0000

Printable Christmas Gift bags are the perfect way to wrap up a small gift! They also make the best favor bags for your holiday dinner table setting. Wouldn't you love to sit down at a table to eat and find this sweet little bag filled with goodies waiting just for you on your plate? I hope it would make you feel super special. I think that is just what table favors do! I plan to put them at each setting along with a dinner conversation starter cards. Last year I made these printable Santa favor bags that match these family dinner questions. Good conversation starters are a great way to keep everybody talking!

Supplies for Printable Christmas Gift Bags

At you local craft store look for iron transfer sheets. I used the Jolee's Easy Image transfer sheets for light fabric. I found these draw string bags in the party section at Michaels. The only other things you need are a computer, iron and a printer.

How To Make Printable Christmas Gift Bags

Download the Merry Everything Printable. Print in REVERSE! Make sure you ask your printer to print the image backwards. Print in color on the iron transfer sheets.

{Merry Everything Printable}

Cut around the image. Following the directions on the package for the transfer sheets iron the image to the favor bags. I place a piece of cardboard inside the bag to make it flat. Once cool peel the paper from the design and you have the cutest little favor bag! Do you love entertaining? Look at these beautiful holiday tables.

Christmas Coloring Sheet

cindylouh — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 13:00:57 +0000

A cute Christmas coloring sheet is sure to keep kids entertained at your holiday gatherings or during winter break. This fun little coloring page full of elves and candy is sure to please. We have coloring sheets for most every holiday: St Patrick's Day, Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Fourth of July and Grandparents Day. If you want to record the entire year in the most darling way ever don't miss my 2015 Year In Review coming next week.

Christmas Coloring Sheet

Keeping the kids engaged and entertained over winter break doesn't have to be hard. Check out all these fun boredom busters.

Boredom Busters

29 boredom busters kids will actually love Homemade Stickers Best Activities for kids Snow Activities and Crafts for kids Homemade Gummi Candy

Weekly Dinner Meal Plan Week 8

cindylouh — Sat, 26 Dec 2015 13:00:02 +0000

Here is our weekly dinner menu for week 8!

Just click the links to view the recipes, and don't forget to download your menu plan/ free shopping list printable at the end of this post.

Are you ready to get started?

Let's get cooking!

Weekly Dinner Menu - Week 8

Chicken Lettuce Wraps from The 36th Avenue

Ground Beef Chili from Your Homebased Mom

Cheesy Baked Ziti from I Heart Naptime

Slow Cooker Vegetable Soup from Somewhat Simple

Crock Pot Baked Potatoes from Skip to My Lou

Zucchini Lasagna from Thirty Handmade Days

Grilled Salmon with Avocado Salsa from The Idea Room

3 Ingredient Cookie Crunch Bars from Thirty Handmade Days

. . . . .

We hope this helps take some of the guesswork out of menu planning!

Download and print this printable weekly meal plan, created by Mique from 30 Handmade Days.

As always, if you guys have any suggestions on recipes you’d like to see or ways we can make this meal plan even better, please let us know in the comments section below.

Happy cooking everyone!!!

If you missed our other weekly menu plans, click HERE.

Festive New Year's Drink Ideas

cindylouh — Sun, 27 Dec 2015 13:00:38 +0000

Will you be toasting to the New Year? These festive holiday drinks include both cocktails for adults and a mocktail for good measure. Whatever you do getting friends and family together to toast and celebrate a New Year is always fun. We love to have games and good food. For more ideas for the new year print my free 2016 Calendar. Also stay tuned for my free printable year in review sheet, I will be updated it for this year! Hibiscus Vodka Champagne Cocktail Sparkling Eldlerflower Punch Frost Bite Martini Cranberry Mint Mocktail Another great recipe I love is Frozen Tumbleweeds.

Made by you Monday

cindylouh — Mon, 28 Dec 2015 13:00:20 +0000

It's Monday show us what you've got. It is time to link up your crafty goodness! Please don't forget to link back! --- a text link at the bottom of your post, or link somewhere on your blog is okay! Don't miss a thing! Sign up to get crafty ideas, recipes, sewing tutorials and more delivered right to your inbox. Follow Skip to My Lou on FB and Google+ to find out the latest news! Join me at Pinterest and Instagram for an extra dose of fun!

2015 Year In Review Printable

cindylouh — Mon, 28 Dec 2015 23:42:30 +0000

This 2015 Year In Review Printable is the perfect way to record your child's year. It is fun to learn what they think are their proudest accomplishment and best ideas. Complete this sheet every year to see how hobbies, tastes in food and friends change. You can also see how they measure up!

Next up we will be celebrating Valentine's Day. Don't miss hundreds of cute printable Valentines. If you don't need the printables you might like this huge list of clever sayings for Valentines Day to make your own. So many fun ways to celebrate.

2015 Year In Review Printable

{2015 Year In Review Printable}

I love seeing the big and little changes.

...how some things change but some never will. I know she will always love sushi!

It is also fun to do this year in review with a friend because who could believe these two.....

have grown up so quickly.

I can't believe we are off to a new year. Many of you have asked and yes, I will add a new sheet next year! It has become a fun family tradition.

How do you spend special time with your family? I love these family traditions ideas.

26 cool new family traditions to start off the new year

Three types of traditions every family should have

60 family traditions

Printable Resolution Cards

cindylouh — Wed, 30 Dec 2015 13:00:38 +0000

New Years printable resolution cards will help you reflect on the previous year and ring in the new! I am printing them off for our party for each guest to fill out. We have the kids do this year in review coloring page.

New Years Printable Resolution Cards

Make these cards extra special by printing them on metallic gold cardstock. I wish I could figure out a way to photograph this paper to show you how pretty it really is. No worries if you don't have gold cardstock, white cardstock will still give you beautiful cards. Print in black and white on cardstock. Cut apart and give to your party guests.

{Free New Years Printable Resolution Cards}

If you are hosting a New Years Eve Party here are some fabulous ideas to have the best party.

New Years Eve Party Ideas

Throw the easiest New Years Party ever!

Fun New Years Eve Activities for kids and adults

6 Savory Appetizers for a New Year's Eve Party!

Delicious New Years Eve Cocktail

New Years Eve Party Food

New Years Eve Party Decorations

2016 Printable Calendar

cindylouh — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 13:00:12 +0000

Ring in the New Year with this fun modern 2016 printable calendar. Are you ready? We are off to another fun filled year! I hope this colorful calendar will brighten your days this coming year! Don't let this year slip away without taking time to record the special moments. Be sure to have your kids fill out this year in review page.

2016 Printable Calendar

Print the calendar in color on white cardstock. Cut pages in half and trim the sides. A copy shop can add a spiral wire across the top if you like or punch a hole and add a pretty ribbon.

{Free 2016 Printable Calendar}

Happy 2016! Wishing you a wonderful New Year! Her are some fun printables to help keep track of goals and keep your days organized. Jon Covey Goal Card Template Beautiful Goal Setting Worksheet Family Binder to get organized