Every Creative Endeavor

Etched Root Beer Mug {Gift Idea!}

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda from Every Creative Endeavor) — Thu, 02 May 2013 14:00:00 +0000

I wrote this post as part of a sponsored campaign with Plaid and The Blueprint Social. All opinions and love of Martha Stewart Crafts are my own.

Father’s Day is coming up next month and I have been thinking about handmade ideas for my dad and my husband. Sometimes it is hard to come up with a handmade items for the boys since usually men aren’t “crafty!” I was in the store the other day and saw some bottles of Dad’s Root Beer and the gift just came together in my head – How about a personalized root beer float!?! I knew the Martha Stewart Crafts would be perfect for this project!

I used the Martha Stewart glass etching cream to make etch “Dad’s” onto the ginormous mug I found! The etching part was so easy and worked liked a charm.

In 6 easy steps you can etch your own glass as well:

1. Pick your lettering Stencil – and peel off a little bit of the border for a straight line.
2. Apply your straight line – using a tape measure to make sure it’s straight.
3. Apply your stencil letters.
4. Spread your Martha Stewart Etching cream EVENLY into your stencil – using your glass paint brushes.
5. Wait 15 minutes and peel off the stencil.
6. Wash off the extra cream and ENJOY!

Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy!

Martha Stewart Crafts has a whole line of glass paint, etching cream, stencils and brushes at Michaels to pick from. One of my concerns was that I would only be able to uses the stencil one time… but nope! They are adhesive backed and are sort of plastic-y so they cleaned up perfect and applied back onto the sheet as if I hadn’t even used them. I love that!!

For more totally awesome Mother’s Day and Father’s Day ideas follow along with PLAID on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

For even more projects - click on these fun projects as well!

Love for Lilies

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda from Every Creative Endeavor) — Thu, 02 May 2013 09:00:00 +0000

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of iBulb for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

There is always an occasion for a girl to recieve a bouquet of amazing flowers - whether it be Mother's Day (coming up!), birthdays, anniversaries, or just because you're loved! I love getting flowers of all kinds - but I admit, getting an arrangement where I know my husband was thinking "outside" the box is even better! Which is why I love the idea of lilies, gladiolus and irises instead of picking up some plain jane roses.

Lilies, gladiolus and irises make beautiful arrangements for your home and add much needed color so easily and with minimal effort! They brighten up any space and can make anyone happy! Why wait for your significant other to purchase some flowers?? Head out right now and pick up some fun arrangements for each room in your home! I love the many different colors and styles each one comes in. I also adore how many different looks you can create simply by adding a few fun colors to a simple clear vase with some ribbon!

These fun flowers come in potted bulbs as well. Buying potted bulbs is a great gift idea for women who want the beauty of flowers but don't want to take care of them. Not sure what potted bulbs are? They are lilies, gladiolus and irises (and others) that you can plant in darling little pots inside your home and will bloom for a period of time. The best part is... when they have died back inside, you can replant them in another pot for next year or take them out to your garden to enjoy every Spring. I think it is such a great idea to watch them pop up every spring and have that bright little reminder of the reason you received them in the first place. And when they bloom... why not cut off a few and bring them inside? You can find potted bulbs at grocery stores, garden centers and flower shops.

Visit this Pinterest page for more bulb inspiration and ideas!

Wooden Happy Birthday Banner and Party Sign + Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda from Every Creative Endeavor) — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 06:00:00 +0000

Hey friends! I have a fun little tutorial for a wooden Happy Birthday banner and sign for you guys today! . I was invited by The Wood Connection to browse their store and pick out a few items for this project. The Wood Connection has these fun little wooden pennants in a few different shapes and I totally fell in love with them and the possibilities! I am a huge birthday party girl so what better than a Happy Birthday Banner with a sign pointing the way to the party!

Head on over to The Wood Connection (they ship!) and pick up your favorite pennants and other wooden items and lets get started making your own super cute and totally darling banner! Oh! and don’t forget to grab all your paper, paint, ribbon and anything else you might need – they have it all!

First things first: Sand all your items and then paint the backs and sides in your coordinating colors – I did mine all white.

When my paint was dry, I used my Xacto knife and the pennants to cut out my paper. I didn’t take a picture, but I simply used the wood pieces as templates and cut them out. When you do this make sure the paper and wood piece is forward facing (and don’t slice your fingers!) If you do the trace and cut method – make sure everything is backward.

When everything is cut out and dry, use spray adhesive to adhere your paper to the wooden surface. I bought my can at Home Depot a couple years ago and have used it for numerous projects. It is so simple to use: just spray it on the wood and apply your paper… and your done!

Then you will have a nice little pile of pretty pennants and sign pieces.

After I had my paper glued on, I used the Xacto knife again and cut off any pieces that overhung the wood so it won’t rip or tear off. Using a brad poker (you could use a large yarn needle) I poked the paper out of the holes (so I can thread them) and applied my vinyl letters.

Last but not least – I used red yarn and double threaded the banner together and then simply added all sorts of fun ribbon to the banner.

I am totally and completely in love with it! It turned out perfect and I love that I can use it for anyone’s birthday!

I made the party sign the same way: painted. traced. sprayed. applied. touched up. applied vinyl. BUT…. for the balloon party, I wrapped ribbon around the balloon and hot glued on a cute yellow button – then using wood glue I glued on the balloon and glued the whole sign onto the stake (which I painted yellow!!)

I am so excited about these fun birthday decorations and wish someone would have a birthday so I can use them!!

If you want to make a banner too…. You are in luck! It just so happens that I have a $25 gift card for one lucky winner!
The giveaway starts now and ends on Sunday, April 28th at Midnight.I will pick the winner on Monday. US residents only!
Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hanging Framed Monogram {Home Décor}

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda from Every Creative Endeavor) — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 18:44:00 +0000

Last summer I shared with you how I was ready to be done trying to be something I am not and go back to my roots when it comes to the colors in my home. You can find that little nugget here! So this past weekend I was cleaning stuff up and organizing a few things and I happened upon a monogram door hanger I made a couple years ago. When I made it I totally loved it but as my taste reverted back to my “go-to” colors it went into storage… until this weekend when it got a fun little face lift!

I found this fun paper in my stash and love that it features some of my favorite colors for decorating! Navy, Red, Yellow, Orange and even has some Green mixed in there a little bit! I simply traced and cut the letter out, used spray adhesive to apply the paper to the wooden letter and used orange and yellow ribbon to tie it onto the navy blue frame! You can find a full tutorial here.

I am loving this new version and added flare it brings to my front door! Just in time for Spring (if it would ever stop snowing and the sunshine would appear!)

Embroidered Bath Towels {Kids}

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda from Every Creative Endeavor) — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 17:29:00 +0000

As you all know, we added a new little one to our family last fall – so babies and baby projects have been on my mind a lot lately. One of my favorite times of the day is when I pull my happy and clean baby from the tub and snuggle his wet little body up in a big white fluffy towel. I love soft white towels – there is something so clean and refreshing about white – and a fun way to make it your own is to personalize it with your baby’s name!

A friend of mine gave me a hooded towel with my kids name on them for a baby shower and I thought it was such a great idea that when my third baby was born, I had towels with each kids name made – all in different colors. I love to snuggle my babies in these big fluffy personalized embroidered towels as much as my older kids love to wrap up in their own towels. It is so fun for me to see how happy they are to have their own little towel and to get excited to have it. I bought some big nice towels and had a local company embroider their names onto them. I picked the color and the font and asked that the letters be about 3 inched tall. I love the way they turned out and love seeing how much my children enjoy them.

A fun idea for any new mommy-to-be would be to make a fun little Bubbly Bath Bucket featuring the embroidered towel and then adding in your favorite baby baths and bath toys and any other fun “bath” items. Put them all into a fun little bucket and add a big ole’ bow and watch how happy the new mommy-to-be will be with a cute towel featuring her baby’s name!

These would also be fun birthday gifts or would be perfect for a baptism gift!

Fete Des Fleurs {Fashion}

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda from Every Creative Endeavor) — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 20:00:00 +0000

Hey everyone! I just wanted to pop in really quick and let you know that Shabby Apple is coming out with a darling new line of dresses that are perfect for Spring and Summer! The new line is called Fete des Fleurs and is completely darling! Here is just a small taste of a few of my favorite Dresses from Shabby Apple from the collection!

Orchid – Amaryllis - Bloom Skirt

The colors fit in perfect with the colors that are totally hot right now (aqua, green, coral!) and I love the fit of each of these! Head on over to look at the darling collection and pick up your favorite dress for your spring and summer special occasions!

Vegetable and Chicken Stir Fry {Recipes}

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda from Every Creative Endeavor) — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 19:21:00 +0000

Do you need a quick and easy dinner idea?
Something healthy?
Have a ton of veggies to get rid of before they go bad?

Then I have the perfect recipe for you today!

Vegetable and Chicken Stir Fry

Broccoli
Shredded Carrots
Celery
Mushrooms
Bell Peppers
Squash
Zucchini
Water Chestnuts
Large Chicken Breast
Soy Sauce
Pam Cooking Spray
Water
White or Brown Rice

Using either a wok or a large pan with a lid – spray the pan with Pam. Chop your thawed out chicken into bite size cubes and add it to the pan with a teaspoon of soy sauce. Sauté over medium heat. Add your veggies as you see fit. I like to add the ones that need to cook a bit longer first and work my way down from there. I usually add broccoli, celery, carrots and peppers first – then squash, zucchini, chestnuts and mushrooms. Add the veggies that you love! Sometimes I will put bean sprouts in too! This is perfect for getting rid of veggies before they go bad in a healthy and delish way! I add about 1/2 cup of water and 1/2 teaspoon soy sauce with my veggies. Then I put the lid on and sort of “steam” the veggies so they don’t get too mushy. When your veggies are the firmness you like – dish them up over rice and enjoy!

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The Chic Orchid {Fashion}

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda from Every Creative Endeavor) — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 22:02:00 +0000

I am super excited to introduce you guys to my new favorite online boutique today – The Chic Orchid!

My sweet Sister-In-Law (Tam from Sew Dang Cute) started it up a few months ago but her online store opened just a couple weeks ago and I am loving it! She posts a daily deal each day Monday – Friday and will sometimes post a “Steal it Saturday” goodie too! The clothes are super cute, super trendy and super affordable – but the best part is that she likes to find unique pieces as well so you have your own fashion. Unlike the time you showed up at an event and everyone else was wearing the shirt from Target! haha!! You know it happened…. or maybe that was only to me??!!

Here is a small sampling of some of my favorite things she is selling now –

Each week it changes up so make sure you hit up her website and subscribe to her newsletter and follow her on Facebook so you can keep an eye on things!! Plus, every once in a while you get a sweet little treat in your inbox – like 20% off!!!

and remember – there is a $20 gift card to The Chic Orchid in my Spring Fling Giveaway basket – so make sure you have entered to win!!

Spring Fling Giveaway!

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda from Every Creative Endeavor) — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 13:02:00 +0000

I am back from my much needed “winter blues” leave of absence! Can I just say how happy I am that the sun is out and shinning and the joy it brings me to sit in my backyard and watch my kiddos run around with the sun beating down on my face! Sunshine = Happiness around these parts! I am so excited to be joining forces with some of my favorite bloggers in a “Spring Fling” Giveaway!We have each rounded up some of our favorite things and will be giving them away to 11 lucky winners! You guys are super lucky!! I wish I could win one of these baskets of goodness!!

What better way to jump back in than to spoil a reader with a fabulous basket full of some of my favorite items!
Here is a closer look at my cute basket!

Included in my basket are: Cricut Vinyl, Butterfinger Bites, Chewy Sprees, Martha Stewart Stencils, Mod Podge, Polka dot fabric from Riley Blake, Assorted threads from Pick Your Plum, Lemon Hand Soap, Burts Bees Chapstick,, Nail Polish and a $20 Gift Certificate to the Chic Orchid.

It. Is. Awesomesauce!!

To enter to win this fabulous basket – simply use the Rafflecopter Form below:
The giveaway will close next Thursday and the winner will be announced on April 5th!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good Luck to All of You and make sure you pop on by these other cute blogs to get a close up of the baskets they are offering up and enter to win one of them as well!

and just so you know… I am super jealous that I can’t enter to win! {wink!}

Leave of Absence

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda from Every Creative Endeavor) — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 20:49:00 +0000

I am sure you all didn’t really need this post to realize that I am taking a leave of absence from the blog scene… but I thought I would make it all “official.” I have sat down to write a “good-bye” to blogging post a couple times but I just cannot bring myself to go through with it - which tells me that I am not ready to quit blogging but the fact that I cannot get my act together lately tells me that I should. Rather than being a “Debbie-downer” and listing off a depressing reasons of why I need a blogging break – I’m going to tell you a few of things I am going to do in my much needed break!

1. Love on my kiddos! They are only going to be small for so long and I don’t want to miss anything!
2. Spend quality time with my husband
3. Render more service to others.
4. Create just for me!
5. Organize my Life
6. Lose some much needed “baby fat!”
7. Invite the Spirit into my home
8. Work on strengthening other talents
9. Develop a better Lifestyle
10. Find the Joy in everyday!

I hope you don’t delete me! I will be back in a little while refreshed and ready to go again!

Amanda

{Shape n’ Tape} Heart Art

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda from Every Creative Endeavor) — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 21:50:00 +0000

Okay Friends!! You know how washi tape is all the rage right now and everywhere you turn all you see are projects done in washi tape???

Well, my friends down at Lifestyle Crafts came up with something just a little bit a whole lot better!

Lifestyles loves Washi Tape but liked the idea of taking the tape and using it to cut shapes even better – and so do I! Decorative rolls of tape just got a full size make over! With 6”x12” Shape ‘N Tape sheets, you have the freedom to cut out any shape using cutting dies or scissors. Have unlimited options to shape your creativity. Lifestyles offers 10 different colors of the sheets with all sorts of fun designs and a starter die kit with 18 fun shapes!!

I was lucky enough to receive some of the fun sheets and dies to play with to see how I liked and it let me tell you – IT IS AWESOMESAUCE!! The sheets are already the size they need to be for the epic so I simply rolled them through and peeled off the back – SOOOO EASY!!

Since Valentine’s Day is just a couple weeks away, I used the fun sheets to make some {Heart Art!}

I used red, black and silver sheets with some different designs, rolled them through with the heart die and peeled them off and stuck them on.

I wish you could see the total effect as the silver is really shimmery!

Hurry over and snag your sheets and dies at 20% off using my code “CREATIVEENDEAVOR” and have a great time using them for your projects!

White Tulle Winter Wreath

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda from Every Creative Endeavor) — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 19:43:00 +0000

Before I decorate for Valentine’s Day I wanted to make some things for Winter/January. I thought a new wreath was in store and came up with this fun White Tulle Winter Wreath.

I love the burlap bubble wreaths that are popping up everywhere and the fun designs you can make with the fabric and decided to try it with some white tulle that I had. I cut pieces of tulle into 4-5” x 12” pieces, folded them over themselves and using straight pins, pinned them onto my foam wreath form. Then I puffed them up a little bit. I kept going until I had the fullness that I wanted.

I made and added a simple silver bow to add some sparkle and was done! I love how simple and pretty it is – just the look I was going for.

Just a little update….

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda from Every Creative Endeavor) — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 17:07:00 +0000

It is 9:30 in the morning and I am sitting here at my kitchen table, scattered with remnants from the cinnamon roll breakfast I shared with my children, in my husbands gray soft robe. I am thinking about this blog, as I do most mornings, realizing that I have nothing to share with my wonderful readers this morning either. I have a plethora of unfinished projects lined up in my front room with a firm understanding from my children that they are not to touch. However, I have no clue as to when those projects will actually be completed.

Maybe when I lock my kids in their rooms?

These past few weeks our home has been filled with love ~~and laughter~~ and care for whiney, crying children who have a constant stream of boogers running down their face as their little bodies struggle to fight off illness that seems to be plaguing our family. Illnesses we have been fighting even though they have not even left our house (except for church ONE Sunday) in three weeks and the only place I have been is the grocery store.

Sometimes I live such a glamorous life!

We recently took our 3 year old to the doctor and was told he had blisters on his ear drums. Blisters?? I had never heard of that before. Apparently it is a sort of ear infection that is much more painful than just a regular old ear infection. Even my three month old was stuck with croup like symptoms and ended up with a “barking seal” cough that kept us up night after night.

Let’s add onto the top of that the very few hours I have seen my husband these past couple months. He is a slave to his job people – and some days are harder than others.

Being up night after night with my precious little ones has left very little energy or desire to create, paint or blog. I have had to sort out my priorities and naturally my family and children always take first place. So instead of sewing I am wiping booger noses and instead of painting I am rocking babies and soothing coughs.

I was going over some goals I had made last April and one of them was to be a bit more personal and share more stories with you – so as this year progresses I hope to make this goal more of a reality. I have some good stories to share and hope I can put them into writing.

The soft little baby cries coming from the crib are telling me it is time for 2nd breakfast so I am signing off for now but will be back – hopefully with the really fun winter wreath I have coming together in my front room!

Chicken Fajita Soup

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda from Every Creative Endeavor) — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 22:32:00 +0000

This Chicken Fajita Soup is one of my family’s favorites! It is hearty, and warm and pretty healthy and perfect for those cold winter days! It has been my go-to soup lately because it is so simple to make – and I love the flavor!! My husband loves it because he says “it’s all the goodness of fajitas without all the mess!” Please cook it up for your family – If they like fajitas then I know they will love it!!

Chicken Fajita Soup

1 large chicken breast shredded
1 green pepper
1 red pepper
1 Jalapeño
1 small yellow onion
1 tsp. olive oil
1 can fire roasted tomatoes
1 can chicken broth
2-3 cups water
1/8 cup fresh cilantro

Optional: avocado, pepper jack cheese, fresh limes and/or chips

Dice up all your peppers and onion and throw them in a pan to sauté. Once they are sizzling and soft, dump them into a medium-to-large pot. Over medium heat add your chicken broth, tomatoes and a cup of water to your peppers. Once the soup is boiling add in your cilantro and chicken. Depending on how thick or thin you want your soup – add the rest of your water. Using a ladle, scoop this deliciousness into bowls and top with avocado, pepper jack cheese, fresh limes and/or chips. Every time I make it we use all the garnishes. I just feel like it adds so much to the soup!

I like my soup to be more hearty so I don’t add a lot of water – if you like your soup more brothy – add more water and/or chicken broth. You may have to gauge it a bit differently depending on how large the peppers you used are.

I also like a little bit of “spice” so I totally haul out the seeds of the jalapeno and dice it up super small. If you like it more spicy, keep a few seeds in.

This is such a simple recipe to alter for more people.
Simply throw in an extra pepper and can of tomatoes with a chicken breast and you are good to go!!

Enjoy!

Cotton Ball Snowmen

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda from Every Creative Endeavor) — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 23:19:00 +0000

It has been so cold here in Utah and it seems like everyone I know has been sick. The kids and I have been indoors A LOT lately – which can wear a lot on the mamma and the kids. Since my kids are getting a bit older I have started to make more little crafts with them to add variety to our day. One of our most recent crafts were these little cotton ball snowmen.

The little snowmen were so easy to make and turned out so cute and the most important thing is that my kids had a blast making them! I started out tracing three different sized bowls and cups onto white cardstock and cut them out. Then I glued them together for the form of the snowman. Using elmer’s glue I made a ton of dots all over the snowman and let the kids put a cotton ball on each dot.

Using paper scraps, ribbon and buttons we made eyes, noses, mouths, arms, hats and other fun embellishments. I helped my two-year old make hers, but my three year old son put his stuff on himself. I would add the glue and he did the rest. They aren’t perfect by any means but I think they are darling and will probably keep them forever!!

How could I not!!!???

Love Note Mailboxes for Valentine’s Day!

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda from Every Creative Endeavor) — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 22:52:00 +0000

Hi Friends!! I have some fun winter and January projects coming your way – but first I wanted to post a fun idea to get you thinking about Valentine’s Day! Crazy huh? Sometimes I feel like all we do is jump from Holiday to Holiday – but it’s so fun at the same time! This year for Valentine’s Day (and really all of February) I thought it would be fun to make little love note mailboxes for our family to share love notes and treats with each other. Just some fun little reminders of how much we really do love and care for each other!

I found this little mailbox die from Lifestyles new line and knew it was perfect for the idea I had roaming around in my head. My kids are too little for school valentine boxes so we won’t be making any of those but these are perfect for our family. It will be so fun to open them every time the little flag is up and see what is inside!

To make them I used:

The Mailbox Die
White Brads
Pink Patterned Paper and white paper
Glue
and the High Rise Alphabet

I also used the small envelope for a “love note!”

I made one for each of us – well the ones that will know what is going on since Zachary is too young – and put our initial on the front so we know whose is whose. I am loving the contrast of the white with the pink and red! The mailboxes and only about 4 inches tall and wide so they are minis but perfect for fun little dollar store treasures and simple treats for the kids and love notes (and chocolate) for the hubs and I.

If you would like to make these fun little mailboxes as well – head on over to Lifestyle Crafts and pick them up! Remember that you always get 20% off your entire order by using the code creativeendeavor!

Happy New Year!

White Chocolate Popcorn

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda from Every Creative Endeavor) — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 14:54:00 +0000

I love popcorn – but add in the sweet taste of white chocolate and I am in heaven!
I have to be so careful when I make it or I will eat the entire batch! You can make this year round – but for some reason it seems to be one of these Christmas time treat – like toffee and peanut brittle.

This recipe is a hard one to share because you make it to taste – and you add in your favorite things! But I will tell you how I make it and love it! I add between 4-5 cups of popped popcorn, about 2 cups of pretzels, 2 cups of mini marshmallows and 1/2 a cup of m&ms all into a large bowl.

Using a double boiler, I melt about 2 cups of white chocolate chips. Sometimes for some reason the chocolate starts to go lumpy so I add about 1/2 a teaspoon of veggie oil to smooth it out.

Then I pour the white chocolate into the bowl and mix and mix and mix. When it is all mixed, I usually pour it out onto a cookie sheet and let it dry a bit and then enjoy!

You can put it into cute bags or tins and share with all your neighbors – If you don’t eat it all first!!

Hand Print Christmas Trees

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda from Every Creative Endeavor) — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 15:01:00 +0000

My kids love to help mommy craft – so I thought it would be fun to let them do a little painting as well! Michelle over at A Little Tipsy had done these in years past and I thought my kids would love it – I was right! They loved “painting” and making a Christmas Tree! I used some green craft paint and painted the palms and fingers of their little hands – then starting at the top we did one hand print, second layer has two prints and the bottom has three prints. I touched up the paint on their hands after every two prints.

I used some brown paint and made a trunk and cut out a yellow star to finish off the tree. I didn’t want to add too much because I wanted their precious little prints to be the main focus. I cut out some vinyl with their names so I will never forget whose is whose and put them in some spare frames I had kickin’ around that I sprayed colonial red by Rustoleum (my favorite red!)

I love how simple it was to make these a fun Christmas décor item for our home and a fun keepsake for years to come! My kids love seeing their Christmas Tree Art and tell me all the time about how they made them! And they turned out super cute to boot!!

Rolo Pretzel Treats

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda from Every Creative Endeavor) — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 17:35:00 +0000

I love a good mix of sweet and salty and smooth and crunchy – so these Rolo Pretzel Treats are a favorite in our home for sure! They are so easy to make as well! The hardest part is unwrapping the Rolos!

You will need:
Small Pretzels
Rolos
M&M’s (Optional)

Preheat your oven to 350. Layout your pretzels on your cookie sheet. Unwrap the Rolos and place one on top of each pretzel. Put in oven for 3 minutes – you want them soft but not melted. Pull them out of the oven and top with a M&M. Wait till cool and then enjoy!

Be warned: These are addicting!
I mean – who doesn’t love chocolate, caramel and salt with a crunch!!

Enjoy!

Santa’s Reindeer Sign

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda from Every Creative Endeavor) — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 08:35:00 +0000

When I saw this sign over at 36th Avenue – I totally fell in love with it and knew that I wanted one for my Christmas Décor – so I busted out the wood and paint and got busy creating and came up with this fun sign with all of Santa’s Reindeer!

This project was so easy to make! You can make one too!
To make this sign I found some scrap MDF (my sign is 9”x 24”) and applied a couple coats of white paint. MDF totally sucks up paint so I use toll paint whenever I can. I cut out the names of the reindeer in vinyl and using the “bones” I created a template. Then filled the names in with red and silver and when it was almost dry I pulled off the vinyl. I used a paint brush to add a white line to the O in Rudolph to make it look like a shiny nose and was done! I love the simplicity and the nice clean lines of just the names painted down the middle.

I used PLAID paint – whicker white, Lipstick Red and Metallic Silver.
The font is Franklin Gothic Demi Condensed.

I just think it is so fun and love having a fun new item to add to my Christmas collection!!

Neighbor Nativity Gifts

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda from Every Creative Endeavor) — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 20:53:00 +0000

Happy Monday everyone! It is snowing buckets here and getting me into the Christmas mood! I love a white Christmas! I have to order two more items for my husband and then my Christmas shopping is completely done so I am really into the Christmas spirit now! This year we are trying to focus more on the spiritual side of Christmas instead of the material side so we tired to incorporate that into our neighbor gifts. This past week I finished them up and love how they turned out – neighbor nativity gifts.

They were so simple to make too! I simply (asked my husband to) cut the 2x6 into blocks. They come out at 5.5x5.5 blocks and you can get 16 from one piece – so cheap! Then simply sand them down and spray them cream and/or brown. For the cream ones I sprayed a light coat of brown on first so when I sanded them down they would look more distressed. Then apply coordinating vinyl and wrap them up with a bow! I used my vinyl cutter and software to cut out the vinyl nativity.

I love these because they are so simple but yet elegant too – plus they represent what our family believes to be the true meaning of Christmas.

If you don’t have a neighbor gift yet – run to home depot and pick up your wood and paint today!

Sharing the Joy

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda from Every Creative Endeavor) — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 20:00:00 +0000

One of my favorite parts of this fun Holiday season is how everyone opens their hearts to help those that are less fortunate than they are. My husband and I are not rich by any means but we know that we have more than other people might and feel truly blessed. Since we are so blessed we love to help out those who may be having a hard time and set a good example of giving to other for our children.

Since we have been married (5 years) each Christmas we have chosen a treat (cinnamon bread, Oreos, etc.) and something warm (socks, gloves, hats) and have taken them around to homeless people on Christmas Eve. One of the neatest things is seeing how those that have received it pay it forward as well. One year we gave some cinnamon bread to a couple people standing in line at a homeless shelter and as we drove by – we saw them both passing out pieces to other people in line. Another year we handed some Oreos to a man on a corner and when we drove by he had walked down by some other less fortunate people and were handing them out.

Talk about making your heart burst!

A couple years ago we also decided to find a family in our own neighborhood who were struggling and “Secret Santa” them. We enlist the help of family and friends and surprise them with a Christmas dinner – along with snacks and toy and outfit for each member of the family. We drop it on the doorstep a few days before Christmas and go home with joyful hearts.

We love sharing the joy of Christmas!

This year, on top of doing our traditional giving, I decided to go to World Market to get some items to create a gift to share with someone in need. I thought long and hard about who would make a good candidate and decided to go with a family in my neighborhood who has struggled with unemployment issues for a few years. They have had to use all their money to go towards “Must Pay” items like house payments and bills and haven’t been able to buy any wants for a while. I have been inside their home a few times and decided to buy some items to spruce up their home a little bit. Every time I have been to World Market I have loved their home décor items so I knew I could find some good things!

My sister and I headed out last week and together came up with a basket of items for the family.

First off – we needed a basket. We decided to go with a storage basket so they can use it for toys or blankets or whatever they need if for.

Then we picked out some darling curtains and some throw pillows for the couch to match! I love the curtains – they have every color in them so they match with anything! I love how bold and bright and fun they are and World Market has SO MANY curtains like that!! I knew these would be the perfect fit for my friends home!

I also grabbed these darling bangles for the mom of the house because they are fun and sparkly!
(I got a pair for me and some extras for some Christmas gifts! At $4 you cannot go wrong!!)

A couple nights later, we put everything into the darling basket and in true secret Santa fashion delivered the gifts!

I was at their house yesterday and saw the curtains up their front room and the pillows on the couch and it made me super happy! I told her the curtains were darling and with tear filled eyes she told me about the “sweet package” that was left on her doorstep and how blessed they are to have someone thinking of them during a time of need. Again – my heart was full of Joy!

Right now World Market has a Share the Joy Sweepstakes going on! Head on over to win because not only do you win something for yourself but for someone else too!

Grand Prize package includes: A $5,000 American Express Gift Card for you and $5,000 for a charity of your choice
You could be one of 5 winners (one winner per week).
The Share the Joy Sweepstakes ends 12/21/12.

For more information head over to their Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest! Trust me – you want to follow them!

“This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group™, but all my opinions are my own http://cmp.ly/3/KqtZiE”

How are you guys Sharing the Joy this year?

Cardworthy Photos and a Giveaway!

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda from Every Creative Endeavor) — Sun, 02 Dec 2012 07:11:00 +0000

This past week I have the fun opportunity to meet up with a few of my favorite people at Settobello and learn a little about Shutterfly – I had heard of them before but am loving the new stuff I just learned about cardworthy – as in “the photo doesn’t have to be perfect to be cardworthy” or “every photo is card worthy when it best reflects your family.”

I really love this and it made me stop and reflect because as a young mom with a three year old, a two year old and a 7-week old – I find myself getting frustrated with photos because my kids NEVER look at the same time or if they do look – they will NOT smile or if they are smiling their eyes are elsewhere…. does this sound familiar???

and I find myself constantly saying “look at mommy!” Smile. smile and I will give you a sucker. Smile. Quinn. Quinn. Tenley. Look at Mommy – I am your mommy. Right here. Not over there. Smile and I will give you a cookie. Smile. Say cheese. SMILE. SMILE. SIMILE OR ELSE…..

and then we all end up in tears! Sound familiar?

I love the idea of just capturing your kids how they are.

Have you ordered your holiday cards yet?

Shutterfly is offering one of my readers a $50 gift credit. Here are a few of my favorites!!

Don’t worry if you already have your cards ordered Shutterfly also has beautiful prints, photo books, calendars and many other wonderful accessories that would make wonderful gifts or beautify your home too!!

It’s simple to enter, just fill out the rafflecopter form below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway Terms:
Giveaway will end on Sunday December 9th
The offer is good for $50 off your total purchase at Shutterfly.com
Order must total more than $50 before taxes and other charges in order for discount to apply

Where you can find Shutterfly:
Site: www.shutterflyfamilyphotos.com
Blog: http://blog.shutterfly.com
Facebook: http://facebook.com/Shutterfly
Twitter: http://twitter.com/shutterfly
Google+: https://plus.google.com/+shutterfly
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/shutterfly/
Intagram: http://instagram.com/shutterfly

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Shutterfly and I was compensated for this post but all opinions are 100% my own.

Knotty or Nice

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda from Every Creative Endeavor) — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 21:49:00 +0000

One of my favorite things about giving gifts is the packaging! I love to do it up all cute in fun bag or box with a darling bow or ribbon – it just makes it that much more darling! So I am in love with the new line (Knotty or Nice) from Lifestyles because it has just that – bows!!

There are four different dies that come in the set and each one makes a fun new bow.

You can easily make any of the above or manipulate it just a little bit to make the bow that I made too. The thing I love best about using the dies is that there are so many possibilities – just find some cute paper and you are set!

For this little package I used the bottom bow and the swing top box die.

I love the outcome!

They still have their Black Friday deals up for a couple more days so make sure you take advantage of this great sale to stock up on your favorite dies! Remember to us code “creativeendeavor” to get an additional 20% off your purchase!

- All borders, boxes, & bags will be 40% off
- We'll offer our Holly Jolly Craft Kit for only $39.99! (details below)
- For orders $50 or more, you get free shipping and a free Sticky Thumb dimensionals!

Holly Jolly Craft Kit Includes:

Revolution tool (here)
Sticky Thumb adhesive runner (here)
3 holiday dies: Elf Stockings, Candy Cane Tag, and Lightbulb

Have fun shopping and stocking up on all those cute boxes and bags!!

Christmas Tree Letter Ornaments

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda from Every Creative Endeavor) — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 16:56:00 +0000

I cannot believe it is time for Christmas crafts already! But I am so excited that it is. Christmas time is my favorite time of the year and while I was thinking about Christmastime and the activities and such that we have planned for this year I kept going back to one word – Joy! I really want this holiday season to be about the Joy that Christmas brings and celebrate as a family by being together making fun memories. I thought it would be fun to make some cute Christmas Letter Ornaments to hang on my tree to remind us throughout the season.

I found some fun little letters at Hobby Lobby that were pretty light that I knew would work perfect for the project I had in mind. Using the paints – Christmas Red and Holly Leaf by Plaid – I painted the edges of the letters.

Next, I flipped the letters over and traced them onto Christmas paper. After I cut the letters out I used Antique Matte Mod Podge and applied the paper to the wood. I love using Mod Podge! It is probably one of my favorite products to use because there are so many different formulas that give your finished product a different look. I simply brushed the Mod Podge onto my piece of wood, applied my paper and then brushed a nice thick layer over the top.

When everything was dry, I hot glued some white ribbon to the back of my letter so I can hang them on my tree.

Hang them on your tree and you are done!

If you love PLAID as much as I do you can follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest!

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