KdBuggie Boutique

Mingle Monday 2.27.2012

2012-02-27T10:05:00.000-08:00

We have a new linky now for Mingle Mondays... and I couldn't be happier! PLUS... make sure you come back on Fridays to link up your crafting.organizing/recipe projects from this week!

While you are linking up this week, feel free to grab my Mingle Monday button so you can remember to come back week after week.

Visit as many blogs on the link list as you would like. Make sure you leave a comment and tell them you are stopping by from Mingle Monday!

Become a follower here on my blog so that you can take advantage of any and all freebies that I offer {usually once a week}.

And make sure to have some fun!!

Feel free to grab the blog hop code and post it on your blog! It's always fun to see new people linking up! Thanks!! xoxo

Pick Your Plum Spring Vinyl... only $4.25!!

2012-02-27T07:53:00.000-08:00

{Mingle Monday is on it's way, I am using a new linky tool and it's taking a little longer than usual to get it all set up! Come check back in a little bit if you don't see it yet! Thanks!!! }

If you are a lover of all things creative... then you know about the million and one uses for vinyl in crafting projects!!! From home decor, to organization, to just about anything you can imagine! Here's just a couple of fun things I found....

Perfect for St. Patrick's Day home decor! Using 2x4's, scrapbook paper, and vinyl letters.

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Great for your bedroom, or to give as a wedding gift! Use a painted piece of wood and vinyl lettering.

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Great spring decor! Use scrap pieces of wood, paint, scrapbook paper, and vinyl lettering.

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Spruce up your kitchen by adding a vinyl decal to your mixer! Go black or go colorful for a *pop* of color!

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With so many ideas floating around on blogs and on Pinterest, how can you NOT join in all the fun! Pick Your Plum has a super fantastic deal going on RIGHT NOW! You won't want to wait on this one because I am sure it will sell out! I grabbed mine already this morning... make sure you get yours!

For only $4 you can get 4 8x24" sheets of vinyl in these springy colors!

For another $4 you can get 4 sheets of 8x24" transfer paper to make your vinyl crafting soooo much easier! And 2 squeegies for only $2. Shipping is $4.25 for 1 set or as many as you want!!

You can view their little add on my sidebar about 1/2 way down, or click here to get yours NOW!

What will you make!??!

How to Make a Peter Pan Hat: Tutorial

2012-02-22T12:49:00.000-08:00

I don't know if it's because he can fly, because he is his own boss, or because he has a cool enemy with a hook for a hand, but Peter Pan is a HUGE deal at our house!

My cute little guy watches Jake and the Neverland Pirates just about everyday and since the new "movie" with Peter Pan came out he has watched that at least once a day. A couple of days ago he ~~asked~~ begged me to make him a hat like Peter Pan.... so I did!

... and now you can too! Here's how:

My little guy just turned 3 and doesn't have a huge head, so I was able to get away with using the felt pieces that you can buy precut to 9"x12". I bought 2 in "Pirate Green" {the actual color on the tag} and 1 piece in red.

Supplies:

• green felt

• red felt

• measuring tape

• 5/8" elastic

• sewing machine and thread to match

• pen or erasable marker

• pins

Start by measuring your child's head all the way around. Then add 1" and divide that number in half. That's how big the bottom line of your hat should be. Mine was exactly 12". Then draw a peter pan shaped hat. {this was hard to take a picture of so I hope you can see it ok!}

Then layer your two green felt pieces together and cut along your lines.

Then if you are like me, you will realize the shape you drew isn't as peter pan-ish as you would like and make an adjustment! ♥

Then you are going to sew along the lines shown. The great thing about working with felt is that it is a little tacky -- in a good way! They two pieces pretty much stay put.. no need for pins... unless you really want to!

I like to sew just about to the edge on both sides of my stitching. It creates a nice crisp corner! Trim your threads and you are ready for the next step!

Now grab your red felt piece and draw a feather outline. It doesn't have to be perfect.. and mine kind of looks like a leaf! {sorry it's a little fuzzy.... felt is hard to photograph up close with my point-and-shoot camera!}

Change the thread in your machine to match your felt color. I sewed a simply straight stitch right down the center of my feather. This helped to give it a little added stiffness.

Here are your finished pieces so far.

Use some of your left over green felt and cut a small rectangle to cover the stem on your feather. This is where I had to use a pin... to make sure that teeny tiny piece of green felt and the feather stayed in place. Then simply sew around the rectangle attaching both it and the feather to the hat.

{Make sure you switch to your green thread!}

I decided to stitch my feather down to the hat. Otherwise it was a little too floppy. I started at the base of the feather {top of the green rectangle} and sewed a straight stitch up about 3/4 of the way to the top of the feather.

I don't know about the "peter pan" at your house, but mine is always trying to jump off of furniture and fly around the room. So, in order to make sure that his hat stays put I added some elastic to the inside.

Place the end of the elastic on one of the seams of the hat. Stitch it in place. Then stretch the elastic slightly as you sew around the rim of the hat. Make sure you use a zig zag stitch so that the elastic is able to stretch.

Just sew the end of the elastic when you reach your starting point. No need to measure your length ahead of time. Just stretch it slightly, sew it, and cut the excess off at the end.

Once the elastic was in, I fringed the feather and it was DONE! All that's left is for your little peter pan to put it on and find the second star to the right!

My little guy sleeps with this peter pan every night! He pretty much never let's it out of his sight!

My little goofball!

ENJOY!!

Mingle Monday - 2.20.2012

2012-02-20T07:42:00.000-08:00

Happy President's Day!!! Use coupon code "PRESIDENT" in my shop today to receive an additional 10% off your entire order!!!

Oh, and just for fun... we are finding out whether baby #3 is a boy or girl tomorrow!!! I can't wait! Leave your guess and your email address as a comment and anyone who gets it right will get a special surprise in their inbox! {totally worth the 50/50 chance of getting it right!!}

While you are linking up this week, feel free to grab my Mingle Monday button so you can remember to come back week after week.

Visit as many blogs on the link list as you would like. Make sure you leave a comment and tell them you are stopping by from Mingle Monday!

Become a follower here on my blog so that you can take advantage of any and all freebies that I offer {usually once a week}.

And make sure to have some fun!!

Homemade Lemonade Recipe

2012-02-16T15:39:00.000-08:00

I know it's probably not feeling like summer where ever you are, but lately here in So Cal it's been a nice warm summer. We got a bunch of lemons {and I mean a BUNCH!!!} from a friend at church who has a tree and decided to make some lemonade. There's nothing better than homemade lemonade!!

{not my picture, but I totally wish I drank my lemonade like this!}

1 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice

1 cup sugar

1 cup water

3-4 additional cups of cold water {depending on your preference}

In a small saucepan, heat 1c sugar and 1c water to create a simple syrup. Heat until completely combined. Then add lemon juice. {I like to run mine through a small strainer to get all the pulp out... but if you like it pulpy.. then leave it all in!} Combine those then add water to your desired taste. I only add about 2 cups of water. That way we can add ice in our cups when we drink it and it's perfect!!
Garnish with some frozen raspberries or strawberries, or mint leaves!

Here was our POTD {picture of the day} for that day. The kids loved squeezing the juice out of the lemons. Then Danior double checked to make sure they got it all.

So much fun!!! They have been asking to make more lemonade almost every day since...

Mingle Monday - 2.13.2012

2012-02-12T15:19:00.000-08:00

This week f-l-e-w by! We had a meeting for parents of children starting Kindergarten next year .. sheesh, where did the time go!?!?! Plus some family gatherings and play dates... so unfortunately not much sewing or crafting got accomplished. But, my mother-in-law will be here for a couple days starting tomorrow and I'm hoping to get some crafting in.. .

If you have a sec, leave a comment with what you would be interested in seeing on the blog! More freebies {like what?}, sewing tutorials, home decor inspiration/tutorials, kids activity ideas... what are YOU most interested in!!?!?

While you are linking up this week, feel free to grab my Mingle Monday button so you can remember to come back week after week.

Visit as many blogs on the link list as you would like. Make sure you leave a comment and tell them you are stopping by from Mingle Monday!

Become a follower here on my blog so that you can take advantage of any and all freebies that I offer {usually once a week}.

{oh, and speaking of freebie printables... be sure to check out my Valentine's tags here and here!}

And make sure to have some fun!!

How to Organize Baker's Twine

2012-02-07T16:36:00.000-08:00

Baker's Twine is becoming not only a NEW favorite toy of mine... but also a big decorating and crafting phenomenon. Here are a couple of fun things I found that use baker's twine...

A cute Valentine's card.

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Party favor tags.

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A mini wedding program.

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A thank you card.

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I recently hopped on the wagon and bought my own twine. Mine came from The Twinery. Being new to the whole "twine thing" I chose a sample pack with all of their colors. This way I could see which one{s} I ~~like~~ love so I can buy more!! I have been using it in my packaging when I sell some of my KdBuggie Boutique products.

They come in these cute little packages {15 yards each} with the name of the color on the paper band... that way I know which color is which for reordering.

BUT, here's the downside. Although it is cutely packaged, it isn't really practical to keep them like this for everyday use. Here's what mine started to look like....

...all snarled and tangled... a real mess! So I set out for a better solution. I came across something like this a while back... but I have no idea where. {Sorry to whoever thought of this...}

I went to JoAnn's and bought 3 packages of 2" wooden spools {they are in with the wood crafting stuff}. They come 6 to a bag. I had 18 twine colors so I bought 3 packages - easy math! ♥

Then I set to work untangling everything and winding them on my spools. I sat on the floor with the kids and we "watched" Peter Pan while I untangled and winded. My almost 5 year old helped by handing me the next color when I was finished with a spool. She very calmly asked, "Mom, when I grow up to be a mommy, do I have to work this hard?". I certainly hope not!! When I was done they looked like this:

Then I realized that my lid wouldn't fit on the top... and I want a lid to keep little fingers from being able to reach in, grab a spool and go un-winding cuh-razy {it happens a lot to my ribbon spools -- I find them all over the house!}. Not to mention it wasn't the cutest of containers...

So, today I took the kids to Target and found this cute jar. Not quite what I was looking for, but at $6 I couldn't pass it up!!!

Plus... it has a screw on lid. It is technically a cracker jar... but in my case, it makes a GREAT twine jar!!

I got home, put my twine spools in there, and voila! the perfect storage solution!! I love that I can see all of the colors that I have. I also love that at some point - hopefully in the near future - when I am able to re-do my craft room I can place this beauty on a shelf for a little pop of color!!

What projects do you use your baker's twine for? How do you store yours??

Mingle Monday - 2.6.2012

2012-02-05T14:36:00.000-08:00

Happy Super Bowl Sunday! {to those of you who are watching} Hopefully you'll take a minute during halftime or once the ~~party~~ game is over to link up! Be sure to share the link to this post on your blogs or facebook walls so that we can welcome new bloggers!

Also, be sure to stop by my *NEW* blog and graphics design blog - Mommy Made Designs - to enter for a chance to win a FREE blog or etsy shop graphics makeover!!

While you are linking up this week, feel free to grab my Mingle Monday button so you can remember to come back week after week.

Visit as many blogs on the link list as you would like. Make sure you leave a comment and tell them you are stopping by from Mingle Monday!

Become a follower here on my blog so that you can take advantage of any and all freebies that I offer {usually once a week}.

And make sure to have some fun!!

Giveaway: FREE Blog or Etsy Shop Graphics Makeover!!

2012-02-03T08:30:00.000-08:00

Yep, you read that right! I have just launched a new website called "Mommy Made Designs" where I create custom blog and and etsy graphics. I LOVE digital design.. and since I can't redo my own blog and etsy shop every month, I want to start doing YOURS!

Right now I am doing a giveaway. The winner gets to choose whether they want blog {open only to blogspot blogs} or etsy graphics.

Want to see a little of my work!? Here are a couple samples...

as well as my own websites of course!!

Want to enter to win!? Go check out my new website - Mommy Made Designs - to get all the details on how to enter!!

Shhh.... secrets to taking good pictures {with a point and shoot camera!}

2012-01-30T16:59:00.000-08:00

I think I can speak for most of us when I say that we would do just about anything to get a DSLR camera like this one...

{source}

However, at almost $1,000 or more it really isn't all that practical for a lot of us... myself included. I would LOVE to have a nifty camera like this one and take professional photos... but, as a stay at home mommy with a small business it isn't really practical. So, for those of you like me... this post is for YOU!

Here is the camera I use for ALL of my photos:

It is a NIKON COOLPIX S8000. It has good zoom, a nice big digital screen on the back, a lense that allows for decent zoom. It's no DSLR, BUT it does allow me to control the brightness and vividness {is that a real word?? I'm going with it anyway} of the photos as I take them. Most new digital point and shoot camera will allow you at least some flexibility in this area - kind of like a mini manual camera.

My product photos use to look like these:

Not bad, but not great either. My recent product pictures look like these:

The camera hasn't changed, so what's the secret? Well, I am going to share my secrets with you.

WHY? Photos are soooo important in the information age. If you are a small business owner {ie. Etsy, Big Cartel, etc.} you count on your pictures to sell your products! The picture{s} of your products draw customers in and keep them looking.

1. Natural Light: Photo boxes are great - if you have the know how and the equipment. I tried that once, but it just didn't work {either operator or mechanical malfunction}. My pictures turned out yellow-y. NOT what I wanted. I have found through much photo taking that natural light is the best light.

Experiment in different locations and different times of the day. I have found that morning light is the best for me. I know professional photographers who will agree. If you want a crisp natural looking photo find the best location and time of day when you get the MOST light but be sure to avoid direct sunlight. It tends to washout your photos and colors are not as accurate.

2. Background: Sure your dining table is clean and pretty, but is it really the best place to take your pictures? I have tried my dining table, the coffee table, a white sheet, fabric, and just about everything else. So, what works the best for me!!??? White foam poster board. Yep... that's it! It's bright white, firm so that you can place it anywhere you need. PLUS, it's cheap! When it starts to get little nicks in it or becomes a little dingy, just buy a new one and turn the old one into these great mini fabric bolts!

I have also found {at least for my products} that a white background for pictures works the best. Once you determine your best light, take a couple of test pictures using different colors. Avoid textured backgrounds. It tends to confuse point and shoot camera's when they try and focus. You'll end up with a clear background and a fuzzy subject.. not good.

3. Don't Photoshop: Some people do tons of Photoshop editing. I tend to shy away from it. Sometimes a photo needs a touch up, but if you are using natural light you shouldn't need to do much... if any. Instead, I use the mini manual settings on my camera {the brightness and vividness} to adjust my photos as I take them. If you didn't toss your manual when you bought your camera dig it out, dust it off, and learn how to use those functions. You'll be sooo happy that you did!

4. Cropping: Point and shoot cameras can only zoom so much and stay in focus. That's where cropping becomes a h-u-g-e best friend! I take photos at whatever zoom allows me the best focus of the subject in my photo. Sometimes that means it's a very far off photo.

If I can't get a picture as close to my subject as I would like {especially when I take pictures for tutorials} I use Photoshop software or sometimes even Microsoft Publisher {ya, I'm pretty sure I heard a huge groan from any of you photographers out there} to crop my photos to the size that I want them to be. The resolution stays good for blogging or posting on your Etsy shop... though I wouldn't recommend it for enlarged photo printing.

• • • • • • • • •

I hope that you can find at least some of these tips helpful. If you are an Etsy seller one of the BIG things is pictures. The Etsy gurus say that the best way to improve your shop is to take better photos of your products. They recommend at least one close-up {use your cropping method if you need to}, one that shows your entire product, and others that show your product either in use or from different angles. Hopefully these tips will help you to take better photos not just for your small business, but for scrapbooking and life documenting!

What other tips or tricks do you use to take better photographs!?!

Mingle Monday - 1.30.2012

2012-01-29T14:44:00.000-08:00

Welcome to another fun filled week! If I can get some crafting time I have some great tutorials lined up for this week... here's hoping!

In the meantime, make sure you check out the NEW CLEARANCE SECTION in my shop. With markdowns of 20% or more these items are selling fast! Get your order placed asap. Some new items will be added this week, so check back too!

BTW... did you see the BIG announcement from last week!!?

While you are linking up this week, feel free to grab my Mingle Monday button so you can remember to come back week after week.

Visit as many blogs on the link list as you would like. Make sure you leave a comment and tell them you are stopping by from Mingle Monday!

Become a follower here on my blog so that you can take advantage of any and all freebies that I offer {usually once a week}.

And make sure to have some fun!!

How did this happen? ... and a HUGE announcement!

2012-01-25T10:29:00.000-08:00

Do you ever look at a room in your home and wonder, "how did this happen?" That how I felt this morning walking into my office/craft room. Since my craft show in November things have gone from good to bad in here. I finally got most of the craft show leftovers {what a horrible way to refer to them} put away. But I still have a box full of shipping supplies to put away. A pile of fabric that I ran out of time to use for the craft show. Items waiting to be photographed. Spools of ribbon - wound and unwound thanks to a helpful little 3 year old. Toys that have made there way in here from the adjacent playroom.

Projects that are half done. Supplies that are waiting for their turn to be turned into something fabulous! My sewing machine in it's traveling case. Clothing that needs to be mended. You name it, it's there. I can't help but wonder what in the world happened for my once super neat and organized craft room/office to get to this point.

...and then I remember this....

Yep... I have a bun in the oven! I suppose this little guy {or girl} may have had a little something to do with the chaos and clutter. Especially when the last 3 months or so have been spent going from the couch, to my bed, to the bathroom floor! To anyone who never experience morning sickness... let me start by saying.. I think I might hate your guts! Thankfully I am starting to feel better and getting back to semi-normality {including working on this mess}.

{Unfortunately this is the BEST ultrasound pic I have. Baby is face towards you - head on the right!}

Me, my hubby, and the kids are so excited to soon be welcoming the newest addition to our family. My daughter wants a girl so she can share her bedroom with her {little does she really know what they means!}. My son wants a boy so he can share his toys -- uhh... yah, I'm sure that would happen. He also thinks I have a baby and a mommy in my tummy. I guess that makes sense to him... otherwise, who would be taking care of the baby!?!

We'll find out the gender in about 3-1/2 weeks and can't wait. I am already brainstorming a fun way to share that news with the family. So far I have come up with:

• Taking a picture of my kids wearing t-shirts to announce it.

• A gender reveal party.

• Mailing out homemade scratchers.

• Just being boring and posting it on Facebook.

Any other ideas?

For TODAY ONLY, enter coupon code BABYBABY when you place your order in my shop and get 10% off your entire order!!

I Have Been Featured!!

2012-01-23T09:59:00.000-08:00

I have been waiting in anticipation all weekend! Finally Monday is here. Ucreate, a fantastic source for all things creative, is featuring my tutorial on how to make burp cloth cupcakes today on their website! You can view it here.

Make sure you stop by and check out my tutorial, or you can find it on my website here. If you stop by Ucreate's website make sure you leave a comment on my tutorial! :)

Thanks so much for all the bloggy love!

Don't forget to enter your link for Mingle Monday!

Mingle Monday: 1.23.2012

2012-01-22T13:30:00.000-08:00

Welcome to another fantastic Mingle Monday!! For anyone just joining us, I feature a blog hop on Mondays -- though usually it is posted Sunday afternoon -- for everyone to link their blog to. It's a great way to meet new people, find some new blogs that you can obsess over, and recruit some new followers to your own blog!

Feel free to grab my Mingle Monday button so you can remember to come back week after week.

Visit as many blogs on the link list as you would like. Make sure you leave a comment and tell them you are stopping by from Mingle Monday!

Become a follower here on my blog so that you can take advantage of any and all freebies that I offer {usually once a week}.

And make sure to have some fun!!

Organizing a Little Boys Room: aka... cleaning up after a tornado!

2012-01-19T12:32:00.000-08:00

Anyone who has small children knows that they are not born with a desire to clean up their messes. None are worse than little boys. With short attention spans, they move quickly from one toy or activity to another. Which means that by the end of the day you have a home covered in little messes from the entire day. My little guy just turned 3. I have tried desperately to ~~bribe~~ inspire him to WANT to clean. Ha!

Usually around the holidays my hubby and I {though it's usually me since he works outside of the home} go through the kids toys and either pack up or donate a bunch to make room for any new things they get for Christmas -- and in my sons case his birthday.

This year, due to circumstance, it didn't happen. Unfortunately that has led to the chaos in both the playroom and my kids' bedrooms. My sons room just happened to be first on the OVERHAUL list.

Part of it is that my hubby has been out of town on business and I have been holding down the fort on my own. Needless to say things have been a little hectic and just didn't get taken care of... until now!

I had pretty much had enough of the mess, and the nagging for the kids to clean up THEIR messes that I took matters into my own hands.

This was my approach:

I while back I bought some hanging organizers at JoAnn's for like $2 on clearance. I thought {at the time}
What a great way to store the kids' stuffed animals. They would be put away, out of sight, but still accessible." Boy was I wrong. Both kidlets emptied our their organizers onto their closet floors. So much for that brilliant idea.

So, first up!? The stuffed animal pile. I kept a couple out that they actually play with. The others got packed away in a clear storage bin that will go in the garage. Why clear? Clear storage bins make it easy to see what's inside. It's the ONLY way I am storing things in my garage anymore. I got tired of opening bins to see what was in them -- even when they were labeled.

Next up? The clutter and toys that have taken over his floor.

I made a HUGE trash pile. All the loose papers he has been hoarding from around the house and various church handouts got tossed. The wipes box and the diapers got put away in the closet where they actually belong. Books were put back on the bookshelf, and I bought a new addition. This wonderful kids room organizer from Target. I can't find the white one online, but it's this same organizer in white... weird.

My super smart sister-in-law helped me to put it together. I have put together a million {okay not that many, but close} bookcases and shelving units all by myself. BUT, the darn angled piece on the bottom of this one was tough! The instructions were not helpful as to which way to place that piece so that all those nifty holes lined up. My SIL figured it out! It only took both of us with our college degrees to put together a stinkin' organizer... BUT I LOVE IT!!

Here's how his room looks now {and I do mean, like right now}.

The bigger toys that don't really have a "home" now have one on top of this new organizer.

The diapers and wipes were put away on the shelf in his closet and the hanging stuffed animal organizer has been put away for now... until I can think of another use for it.

The bookshelf has been reorganized and now you can see the carpet! I had forgotten what it looked like!

And here's my little guy in all his mischievous glory!

Next up on the organizing list? His sister's room... ahhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!

How do you get your kids to clean up? Do you have a routine? Do you sing a song? Do you time them? Do you offer rewards? What's your secret!!? I would LOVE to know!

How to Make Cupcake Toppers: The Easy Way!

2012-01-18T10:30:00.000-08:00

There are so many different ways to decorate for a party... but cupcake toppers have quickly become one of the most popular. It's a fun way to snaz things up a little.. put a little extra f-u-n in your party!

Or, use them in gifts, like these burp cloth cupcakes. Perfect as a baby shower gift, or table centerpiece for a shower.

Whatever the occasion, there are countless places to purchase digital cupcake topper designs or even pre-made cupcake toppers.

Maybe some of you haven't yet experimented with these fun guys. Well, if it's because it seems like a lot of work to put them together you can rest assured that it doesn't have to be.

Here's a super simple way to put together your cupcake toppers.

Start by either purchasing or designing your toppers. I have some available in my shop or even some free printables you can download.

My designs are created for 2" punches. This time I used a 2" flourish punch by eksuccess. See how I turned the punch over? This let's me center the circle center of the topper on my punched shape. I know exactly how it's going to look when punched out.

Here's the finished punch. Just continue for the rest of the toppers that you would like to make. You may need to trim your printed paper so that your punch can reach all the way to center the circle.

Now for your other supplies. You will need a package of lollipop sticks. You can find these at any craft store where cake decorating products are sold. I have also been able to find them at Wal-Mart from time to time.

Second, you will need a package of 1" round labels. You can buy these at office supply stores and maybe even Wal-Mart {depends on each store}.

Simply stick the label onto the end of your lollipop stick like this. Press it firmly onto the top surface of the stick.

Then find the center of your topper and press the stick and the label firmly to the back.

Here's how it looks from the front. No need to bother with foam squares, glue dots, hot glue, tape, or even a back to your topper. Using the label gives it a clean finished, polished look.

Here are the finished 3 toppers that I used. The labels are made to stay put, so you won't have to worry about your cupcake toppers.... they will stay put too!

So, now that you know the easy peasy lemon squeezy way to put these cute little guys together, go ahead and start using them!

Have you ever used cupcake toppers before!? If so, what occasion did you use them for??

"Sweet" Baby Shower Gift Idea: Burp Cloth Cupcakes

2012-01-17T12:33:00.000-08:00

Have you ever been to a baby shower where someone comes up with a super clever gift idea... and you think to yourself.. "man, I wish I would have thought of that!!" I know I have done that... more than once!

Today, I am giving you an idea for the next shower you attend.. or throw!

Nothing is cuter than some colorful cupcakes! But these aren't the edible kind... they are actually made using 3 of my chenille burp cloths!! Yep... how fun is that!?!? Not only is it cute, but it's a totally awesome gift too!

Want to give away some of these cuties at the next baby shower you go to!?!? Here's how to do it!

Take the burp cloth and fold it in half length-wise {like a hot dog bun}.

Then fold it in half again. This gets tricky because it doesn't like to stay folded.

Then start at one end of your rectangle and carefully roll it up. {This would be easier to take a picture of if I had a third arm!}

Since it has a tendancy to unroll itself, just make sure you hold on tight. You might have to straighten out the non-rolled part of the rectangle as you roll to make sure that your layers are all lined up.

Then grab a regular sized rubber band and use it to hold your roll together!

Repeat for all of your burp cloths.

Now comes the fun part. The embellishing! This is where you can be as creative or as simple as your want. Here's what I did.

Take a piece of 12"x12" scrapbook paper and cut a 2" strip for each cupcake.

Take one of your strips and wrap it around the base of your roll.

Be sure to pull the paper fairly snug. Otherwise it won't stay put once you are done.

Trim the excess paper leaving about a 1/2" overlap.

I just use a piece of scotch tape to tape the band in place. It's really easy to do one-handed {since you will be using your other hand to hold the band in place}. I try and line up the tape pretty close to where the end of the burp cloth roll is -- figuring that is the "back" of my cupcake roll.

Here are all three with their completed bands.

All that's left is for you to get creative and decorate those cute little cupcakes! I tied a simple white organza ribbon around each one and placed them in a jumbo cupcake liner. Then I used my baby cupcake topper printable to add a little something extra!

These would make a great centerpiece for your tables if you are throwing the baby shower. Make a couple, and place them on a cake stand on a sign in table. Or visit your local bakery supply store, purchase a jumbo sized cupcake box and wrap them up in the box!

If you are interested in the printable I used, you can find it here on my Etsy shop. It is only $1. You will receive a PDF file with pink, blue, orange, and green toppers {just in case!}. Use it again and again, and AGAIN!

There will be a post tomorrow on a short-cut way to put together cupcake toppers!

Mingle Monday - 1.16.2012

2012-01-16T08:59:00.000-08:00

Good Monday morning! Sorry about getting this up so late this morning, hopefully I didn't throw a wrench in your holiday plans! {If you get MLK Jr. Day off that is...} I was home all day yesterday with my sick little guy, and up last night with the same bundle of cuteness. Hopefully his little cold will go away quickly and no one else will get it! {crossing fingers... and toes!!} It is so hard as a mommy to watch your kids sniffle, cough, and just feel miserable.. especially when it's just a cold and there really isn't anything you an do for them.

Here's hoping to a much healthier rest of our week!

If you missed it, I posted two Valentine's Day printables for you.. here and here. Just make sure you are a follower of the blog before you download.

Now let's mingle!

Please be sure to grab a button for your blog so you remember to come back next week, and to share it with all your peeps!

Please link to a FAMILY FRIENDLY BLOG ONLY!

Follow as many new friends as you like. Make sure to tell them you stopped by from Mingle Monday!

Have fun!

FREE PRINTABLE: Valentine's Day Cupcake Toppers or Tags

2012-01-13T15:54:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I posted a FREE Valentine's Day banner for you to use to decorate at home or at your workplace. Today, I have another fun freebie for you.

{download here}

You can use these to make your own cupcake toppers, or as tags for your little Valentine's treats this year. They are perfectly sized to fit a 2" circle, scalloped circle, or flourish punch. {I use the ek success punches that I have bought at Joann.com - but most craft stores will carry a 2" punch}

If you don't have a punch, feel free to cut them out as squares -- they are cute both ways! Just punch a hole in the top, add some baker's twine or a cute ribbon and you have a cute tag!

Make sure when you print that you choose the highest quality printing setting to maximize the clarity of your image!

As always, free printables are available to ALL GFC followers of KdBuggie Boutique and Designs. Please take a sec and become a follower if you aren't already. Feel free to share this freebie on your blog, but be sure to link them back here to download their own copy. This file is for personal use only! It may not be distributed, sold, or claimed as your own. THANKS!

Have a great weekend!!!!

P.S. If you are looking for larger tags, you can view last years free printable here for this tag:

Free Valentine's Day Banner Printable

2012-01-12T11:18:00.000-08:00

I am not usually one for doing any major decorating for holidays other than Halloween and Christmas, but this year I am making a change!

My kids are at an age now {3 and 4.5} where they are excited for any and all holidays whether big or small ones. This next couple of weeks we will be doing various projects and crafts to create some kid-made Valentine's Day decorations.

BUT, I thought I would make one of my own! I will be assembling mine this weekend when the hubs is home to help keep the kids out of my crafting mess {yes, when I paper craft, it usually makes a mess... I have to see everything to put my plan together! hehe}.

I created a simple Valentine's Day banner printable for me, and figured I might as well share it with all of you too! Once I get mine put together I will post some pics so you can see what I did to embellish mine!

That's the great thing about simple printables... you can glam them up a bit!

ENJOY!

{download here}

Please remember that these printables are available to GFC followers only. So, take a sec and become a follower! Thanks!!

If you use this printable and put your own banner together, post a picture to my facebook page! It's so fun to see all these printables in use!

Mingle Monday: 1.9.2012

2012-01-08T14:52:00.000-08:00

I am BACK!! It's been a pretty rough couple of weeks here. Yesterday we tackled a major plumbing problem in our master bath. Thanks to my husband's skills, my analytical nature, and a couple videos from Home Depot online ... we were able to get it solved and it's better than it has ever been!

My shop is going to take a BIG turn in the next couple of weeks, so watch for major discounts and sales! AND, speaking of my shop... I have a brand new line of DIY printable party collections starting to hit the store! Here's a preview of the first one to go LIVE. It's a Noah's Ark themed baby shower. It is completely DIY with the exception of the invitation and the welcome sign which I will customize for you. Take a look:

As always, I will take cutsom orders, so don't hesitate to ask! Now, let's mingle!

P.S. For all recent giveaway winners, your items will be shipping tomorrow! :)

Project Life - Are You Doing It!!?

2012-01-06T14:59:00.000-08:00

Have you heard about Project Life? If not, you are absolutely in for a treat!

Becky Higgins - a stay at home mommy - started this idea a few years ago. Project Life is a way to help all of us scrapbookers who are super far behind in our scrapbooking {raise your hand if that's you!} to have a much easier approach to documenting life.

You can use the supplies to create a photo-a-day scrapbook where you take a photo everyday for the entire year. Her specially designed photo pocket pages allow for you to create scrapbook page spreads of a week at a glance.

The core kit comes with journaling cards {for the center pockets on the pages} as well as a filler card for you to write the dates for that week, and smaller filler cards for any extra spaces.

{Clementine Edition}

- OR -

Use your album and the core kit to create specific albums for your wedding, honeymoon, pregnacy, baby's first year, school, etc..

....

Whether you are a scrapbooker or not, Project Life is simple enough for anyone to use. If you like the creative freedom the scrapbooking allow... well, guess what!?!? You can still do that with Project Life!

Ali Edwards {a graphic designer} has a fantastic blog where she posts about her take on Project Life. She takes full advantage of the various pocket page layout designs that Becky Higgins offers.

....

However, if you are not a scrapbooker but would still like to document either your daily life or the BIG events, you NOW have the option of creating digital photo books using Becky's designs on Shutterfly!

Currently the only designs available on Shutterfly are the Clementine and Turquoise Editions.

So, are you convinced that you need to start Project Life yet? Well, now is a great time to start. Get your family involved. Let your kids take some of the pictures or help to write some of the jouranling for the day.

I started Project Life last year {and unfortunately due to illness and holiday chaos I haven't quite finished all of my journaling yet}. My kids love to sit and look through the book and remember all of the fun things they did. Sometime I did a picture a day, sometimes I use the week's spread to hi-light the BIGGEST events of the week with several pictures.

For those of you in the U.S., Project Life products can be purchased on Amazon.com -- making it super easy!! Purchase only the products that you want! She has several different designs to choose from! Some of the products are currently sold out online but will be back in stock next month. So, if you are planning to start Project Life, start taking your pictures so that you are ready!

....

Is anyone already doing Project Life this year!? I would love to hear what your approach is. Are you a picture-a-day person!? Do you hi-light events from the week? Are you doing your wedding or pregnancy!?

Throughout the year I will be sharing some free printable desiged exclusively for Project Life!

Have a great weekend, and start taking those photos!!

Making New Year's Goals/Resolutions

2011-12-30T14:01:00.000-08:00

With Christmas done, and hopefully the cleaning up from the holidays at least started... it's time to celebrate the start of a new year!

Does anyone else take time at the end of the year to really sit and reflect on the "stuff" that you and your family accomplished? I try to. Here are my top 10:

{1} Finally unpacked all the boxes from our move
{2} Donated lots of stuff to Goodwill
{3} completed 2 craft fairs
{4} My DD started preschool
{5} only a couple allergic reactions for my DS (definitely an accomplishment!).
{6} 1/2 of the house now has baseboards
{7} sealed the grout on our kitchen floor tile (no easy task)
{8} planted and successfully harvested vegetables from our garden
{9} found several new allergy friendly recipes that we LOVE
{10} set the groundwork for some major organizing!!

How about you, what did you get accomplished this year!??!

Now it's time to think about all those things that we want to accomplish or change this coming year. Have you had a chance yet to think about what is on your list?

Here are some simple tips when it comes to putting together your goals or resolutions for 2012:

Make it attainable: There is nothing worse than setting a goal/resolution that you know you won't be able to reach. I promise you, you will attempt it maybe once or twice, and then give up. In addition, don't set too many goals. If the list becomes overwhelming it will be very hard to attempt anything on it because you won't know where to start. If you have a specific project (ie. paint the trim on your home) set a specific date when you would like to have it completed. Leaving an open-ended time frame can be dangerous!

Set benchmarks:
If you have lofty goals for next year, put together some benchmarks or checkpoints within your goal to keep yourself on track. If you plane - for instance - to make it a goal to lose weight this coming year, set a couple of smaller benchmarks to make sure you are doing it. Split up the poundage you want to lose into smaller chunks and give yourself a reasonable amount of time in which to do it. Then when you reach that smaller goal, give yourself a reward.... which brings us to the next point...

Create incentives:
We all know that from time to time (or maybe most of the time) we are in need of some major motivation. If your goal is to get the kids to school on time think about an incentive to help motivate both you and your kids to do it. Whether it is a toy for them if they get to school on time everyday for a month, or a new pair of shoes for you... incentives DO help!

Write it down:
How do you plan on keeping track of these goals and resolutions? Do you have a journal, a notebook, a calendar? If not, then get one! The only way to remind yourself of what you are working on is to see it everyday! If you aren't looking at the goals they won't be in the forefront of your mind... and it will be like most of us who... at the end of the year dig out that list of resolutions and realize that you didn't do any of them because the list was packed in with the Christmas decorations from last year.

Be Accountable:
This one goes hand in hand with being able to see your goals as well as creating incentives. You have to hold yourself accountable for getting these things done. If there is no accountability, how do you ever plan on accomplishing these goals?!?!

Evaluate Your Progress:
Plan to sit down with your goals at the sixth-month mark and evaluate your progress. Take inventory of the goals you may have accomplished and those that maybe need a little more help. You may need to tweak a goal or two because you have found that maybe it isn't quite as attainable as you thought it was. Don't let it get you down. We are all human... life happens! Sometimes a goal needs to be adjusted.

Hopefully this will be of some help to us all as we sit down this weekend and put together our goals for 2012.

Here are just a couple of mine:

1. Throw away junk mail as soon as I bring the mail in the house. This is a big problem for us. We constantly have piles of ads and junk mail on the counter, the table, the bookcase, and everywhere else. By choosing to do one simple act like this everyday I hope to be able to eliminate a lot of the clutter that builds up.
2. Keep the kitchen sink empty. One of my biggest pet peeves is that our kitchen sink is almost always full of dirty dishes. So much so, that when I get around to doing them, it takes two loads in the dishwasher to get them all clean. I used to be really good at keeping up with the dishes and not letting them pile a mile high. In the last 3 months or so I have become very lax in that area. I BEG my hubby to do them sometimes... but really, if I just always tried to keep the sink free from dishes (when possible -- since there are those times when you just can't) not only would I have more free time - since I won't be standing at the sink for 30 minutes loading and unloading the dishwasher - but my kitchen would be a much cleaner and happier place to be!
3. Plan Family Home Evening Weekly: This is something that we struggle a lot with. My hubby works very unpredictable hours and some nights doesn't get home until the kids are in bed. I used to think that a weekly family night HAD to be perfect! I had to plan a spiritual lesson, have a snack, have an activity, and make it an enjoyable time for all while still being structured. Well, I have learned that is a completely unattainable goal for us. Our family schedules just don't mesh well with that plan. So, instead we will have a weekly family activity. Maybe it will be a trip to the park, a movie night, a game, or whatever it is. BUT, it will happen at least one night a week. I am not going to be stingy on the DAY, but plan one every week.
4. Purge and Organize: These are two of my weakest areas! I am a pack rat at heart... which you would see if I was willing to share pictures of my craft room! I also have a hard time getting rid of or donating my kids' old toys. I have 3 storage bins in the garage full of toys and books. We have so many, yet I can't seem to part with them. Partially because we plan on having other children and will want to pull out some of the infant toys when that happens, but also because I remember how much each of my kids LOVED these toys. So, one of my goals is to purge some of the toys. I can't bare to get rid of them all... but I will definitely give away/toss a BUNCH! I am thinking probably close to half. Then, the ones that are left need to be better organized. Same applies to other areas in our home.. particularly my craft stuff! In order to organize it, I have to get rid of the stuff I am NOT going to use!

Now that I have made some BIG confessions to the utter chaos that can sometimes ensue in our home, what goals or resolutions are you planning to make for 2012?

Here's wishing you a very safe and happy new year!

OMG.... A Little... no Make the A LOT of catching up to do!!

2011-12-29T11:42:00.000-08:00

So, the holidays totally took over for the last week or so, and my blogging has taken a hiatis. I am finally starting to feel a little better and I am definitely looking forward to sharing both an explanation as well as some exciting news!!

I hope you all ha a wonderful holiday celebration and that you were able to spend some quality family time as we were!

• • •

Now, for ~~a little~~ A LOT of catching up!!!

I still have not heard from my winners, so I am picking new ones!

Chenille Blanket winner: #17 Natalie {sent you an email}

Rhinestone Flower clip and headband: #2 Macey {sent you an email}

Thirty-One Tote Bag: #15 Maureen: I love the market thermal tote in circle spirals. How cool would that be to take to the supermarket? {sent you an email}

All winners have 48 hours to return my emails or new winners will be announced!

Mingle Monday 12.19.2011

2011-12-18T14:23:00.000-08:00

Sorry about no Mingle Monday last week... I have been seriously under the weather! I am finally starting to feel a little better.. thank goodness!

Winners for the 31 giveaway and new winners for the blanket and hair clip giveaways will be announced {since those winners never contacted me} tomorrow.

Have you had a chance to check out the first few posts of my 12 Days of Christmas!?!

Let's mingle!