Friday, April 30, 2010

Mother's Day gift ideas

Can you believe Mother's Day is almost here?! It is, next to my birthday, my favorite day of the year :)
I know I refer a lot to Martha and her ideas (I love the woman what can I say) but here are
some gift ideas for Mother's Day...

(click on the photo to get the how to)

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Flowered brooch

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Sugar cookies

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Homemade bath salts

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Herb garden kit

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Monogrammed tea towels

Have you figured out your Mother's Day gifts?
What are you doing?

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Behavior Ladder

Thanks to those who gave their input about the blog and what you would like to see more of. Most of you like the way it is, a little bit of everything, but a close second came crafts and some tutorials. I have an actual list of crafts and I'm going to try my darnedest to post more crafts!
But for today it's a tutorial :)

I got the idea for this next craftish thing from my friend Mindy...I would post the post, but she has a private blog (Mind...you need to post this on your craft blog...Twisted Copy Cat)

If your like me you have tried EVERYTHING as far as discipline techniques for those beautiful blessings (with some sarcasm behind that if I was saying it outloud) we call our children. I thought I would give this a try. I'm gonna call mine the "Behavior Ladder"

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First find the cutest scrapbook paper you can...I LOVE My Mind's Eye!
I used about 8 - 3 1/2" X 5" rectangle pieces. And wrapped them around a yard stick.

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like so.

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Taping it in the back with clear tape.

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I lined up the paper to the hole at the end of the yard stick and use a hole punch and add a ribbon loop and some cute ribbons to be able to hang it somewhere.

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Next I added a little strip of ribbon where each new paper met.

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I wrote my kiddos name on separate clothes pins.

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And added the behavior actions.
Here's what I put starting with the bottom which is obvious...
Needs serious work
Not listening
Try a little harder please
Good job! Keep it up!
You've almost got it.
WAY TO GO!!!

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The finished product.

I told my kids that if they can stay at the Good job! Keep it up! or higher everyday for a week, at the end of the week we will go to the dollar store (which they think is the coolest place on earth next to Disney World :) Hopefully this will work for us!

What do you do as far as behavior or discipline techniques in your home?

Linkin up at these lovely places


Show and Tell Green Life in the Pitts  http://www.thethriftyhome.com Join us Saturdays at tatertotsandjello.com for the weekend wrap up party! Make it Yours @ My Backyard Eden

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

I'm a space cadet!

OH MY WORD!

I totally spaced Ta-dah Tuesday linky party!

I told you I was losing it...(refer to post below)

So if you stopped by today expecting to link up, I'm sorry :)

Do come back tomorrow though....I have a super cute idea to show you all!

Would love to know what you think!

I have to say, I really LOVE blogging and meeting new friends out there in blogland! I have noticed my followers have grown and I just want to say thank you and "what's up?" :) I have been in a bit of a rut as far as everything and need to get out before the rut gets bigger and deeper! Blogging, crafting, mommying, laundry, cleaning....I'm not the only one right? Where's my energy? I think it's the lack of Dr. Pepper running through my veins. I haven't had one since January 1st and I have never wanted one more! Ahhhh...my Diet Pepsi will have to do. Ok, enough of my rambling...

So I put myself out there with my Ta-dah Tuesday linky party and I'm diggin it! How about you? Would you be interested in doing blog swaps? I would love to get some of your input as far as this blog goes....so please, pretty please vote and or leave me a comment and let me know!




So THANK YOU MUCH if you voted and onto On the Menu Monday even though it's 9:45 pm :)

Four Cheese Ravioli with Herb Oil

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I found this recipe in Woman's Day magazine. Click on the picture to get the recipe!

Saturday, April 24, 2010

In a rut?

I have been in a project rut. Not quite sure what my problem is....maybe it's all the crappy weather we've been having. And the fact that I finally have a yard ready so that I can actually plant my shrubs and trees and flowers and all that fun stuff, but it rains :(
Anyway, I'm gonna whip out my book of a thousand of ideas from blogland and get to work.

And I have a few ideas rolling around my head as far as my bloggity blog goes.
Check back on Monday because I will need your imput!

Alrighty, I'm off to enjoy the movie Earth with my girls.....hope you all have a fun and fabulous weekend!


Thursday, April 22, 2010

Featured Friends Friday

Again, lots of creative ideas from our Ta-dah Tuesday linky party!
Have a look at some that caught my eye...

Samantha over at Mommy's Timeout came up with this super creative idea to use skateboards as shelves...love it!

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How adorable is this tag blanket from Mindy at Twisted Copycat!

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How fun are these cupcakes for Mother's Day? Or a birthday party?
Visit Bird Crafts for more great pictures!

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Check out Marie's blog Emma Calls me Mama to see the transformation of this chair and the pretty space she made for herself and her daughter.

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Thanks so much to those who linked up and partied on Tuesday!
If you were featured here feel free to grab a button (on the left sidebar)

More Earth Day Crafts!

Sorry....I couldn't resist some more of these fun ideas to celebrate Earth Day!
Click on picture to be taken to the fabulous people behind these ideas!

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These ADORABLE flowers are made out of soda cans!

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And I love love this shirt....just wish I would have found it earlier to make some for my kids :(

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Great projects for toddlers...finger paint the earth onto paper plates!

Check out the post below for more ideas for Earth Day!



Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Earth Day Ideas!

The first Earth Day helped inspire the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species acts. Each year, April 22 marks the celebration of Earth Day, which is now observed around the world.
Fun Facts About Earth Day
  • Earth Day Networks estimates that 500 million people from 4,500 organizations in 180 countries will participate in Earth Day events during the month of April.
  • Earth Day is big with schools. On many school calendars, it is the third most activity-inspiring holiday, after Christmas and Halloween.
  • Companies have even gotten into Earth Day. Last year, office supply store Staples introduced office paper made entirely without new trees.
  • As part of the celebration, some communities make Earth Day a "Car-Free Day."

In celebration of Earth Day here are some great things to do with your families!
See something that interests you, just click on the picture and it will direct you to the site with instructions!

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Also don't forget, Disney's movie Earth comes out tomorrow....my kids are dying to see this!

Monday, April 19, 2010

Come join the party....Ta-Dah (check me out) Tuesday!

Yippie! It's that time again! I really enjoyed headed on over to the blogs that linked up last week (I really tried to leave a comment on each and every one....if I missed you, I'm sorry) and can't wait to see what you have up your sleeves for this week!

Can we do something a little bit different? I love how Diana over at New Friend Friday has it set up where you comment on the person who has the link just before yours....can we try that? Everyone loves some comment love....it puts a smile on your face doesn't it?!

Remember: Link up only your post and please no giveaways.
Also add this button to the bottom of your post so other know where to come and party!
Thanks and can't wait to check you out!








On the Menu Monday

BBQ Chicken Pizza
California Pizza Kitchen knock off!


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Ingredients:

10 ounces boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 3/4-inch cubes
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons favorite barbecue sauce
bbq chicken pizza dough
cornmeal or flour, for handling
2 tablespoons shredded smoked gouda cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 small red onion, sliced into 1/8-inch pieces
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

Directions:

To make BBQ Chicken: In a large frying pan, cook the chicken in olive oil over medium-high heat until just cooked, 5 to 6 minutes. Do not overcook. Set aside in the refrigerator until chilled through.
Once chilled, coat the chicken with 2 tablespoons BBQ sauce; set aside in the refrigerator.To make the pizza: Place the pizza stone in the center of the oven and preheat to 500 degrees F for one hour before cooking pizzas.
Use a large spoon to spread ¼ cup BBQ sauce evenly over the surface of the prepared dough within the rim. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon smoked Gouda cheese over the sauce. Cover with ¾ cup shredded Mozzarella. Distribute half the chicken pieces evenly over the cheese (approximately 18 pieces). Place approximately 18 to 20 pieces of red onion over the surface. Sprinkle an additional ¼ cup Mozzarella over the top of the pizza.
Transfer the pizza to the oven; bake until the crust is crisp and golden and the cheese at the center is bubbly, 8 to 10 minutes. When the pizza is cooked, carefully remove it from the oven; sprinkle 1 tablespoon cilantro over the hot surface. Slice and enjoy!

Hope your gearing up for another Ta-dah (check me out) Tuesday
Linky Party tomorrow! I can't wait!
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Saturday, April 17, 2010

Two simple ways to revamp ugly wood boards!

While cleaning out my craft closet I found these unfinished boards and thought I could spice em up a bit....here's what I came up with.

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I have hardly ANY spring decor so I took some scrapbook paper, wood flowers and ribbon and made a simple spring sign.

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Next, my bathroom is completely undecorated so that will explain why this sign is all lonsome. I needed something. I just painted this with cream paint and then stenciled the letters on. After I sanded it down and stained the entire piece. I added jute around the edge and voila!
Two simple ways to spice up some ugly boards!

Hope everyone has a great weekend!
(I'm going to get my yard ready for trees and shrubs and grass!)
I'll be back Monday!

The Girl Creative