To help you get ready for the change in season, I’ve teamed up with 19 of my friends to share some of our favorite things for summer…The best part? You have a chance to win it all!

Each of us have collected our very favorite items for summer and are giving them away. There’s a ton of variety, from fun crafty items and home decor, to jewelry, office supplies and snacks. You can enter to win ONE or all TWENTY!

Here’s how it works…

• Scroll to the bottom of this giveaway and check out all of the things that I personally went out and gathered together for you!
• Enter to win my gift basket using the giveaway widget below ($100 value)
• Take another quick peek at the fun gifts provided in the collage above and then HOP to all of the other sites to enter to win their gifts and say hello!
• Look around and enjoy the sites of the 2o creative bloggers–they will not disappoint!  Be sure to tell your friends!

1. Capturing Joy with Kristen Duke | 2. No Biggie | 3. Tatertots and Jello | 4. The Idea Room | 5. TidyMom | 6. Dine & Dish | 7. Skip to My Lou | 8. House of Smiths | 9. I Heart Faces | 10. Nest of Posies | 11. The Inspired Room | 12. Living Locurto | 13. 30 Handmade Days | 14. Picky Palate | 15. Today’s Creative Blog | 16. Live Laugh Rowe | 17. Snap Creativity | 18. My Baking Addiction | 19. Sweet Sugar Belle | 20. FoodieCrush

I had a lot of fun selecting items for the goodie box I will be sending out. Here’s a closer peek at some of the things I’ve picked out…

Summer is all about simple crafting for me…

Love a little party, especially when there are water balloons.

My morning routine in the summer is no fuss. Pull the hair up, curl those eyelashes, throw on a little mascara and lip stain.

I love a good snack. You’ve got to try these delicious Cold Stone ice cream chocolate bars.

I am also throwing in a gift card for Chilis (so many tasty options) and iTunes (because everyone needs some fun tunes to take them through summer.

And a magazine to read by the pool…

I would love to send you all of these goodies, plus a few more!

To enter leave a comment on this post telling me your favorite part about summer, then simply complete the steps in the giveaway widget below:

If you don’t see the widget, be patient because it might take a minute to load (especially with Internet Explorer 9).

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The post Favorite Things Giveaway appeared first on SNAP!.

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12 Summer Salad Recipes

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Southwestern Slaw via Aggie’s Kitchen

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Shaved Brussels Sprouts Slaw with Bacon via White on Rice Couple

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Layered Greek-Style Chickpea Salad with Oregano Vinaigrette via Cafe Johnsonia

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Balsamic Skirt Steak Salad with Stone Fruit via Foodie Crush

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Artichoke, Fennel and Tomato Salad via Project Domestication

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Thai Chopped Chicken Salad via Taste and Tell

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Inner Goddess Detox Salad via Iowa Girl Eats

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Chinese Chicken Salad via Chef in Training

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Summer Tortellini Salad via SNAP!

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White Basil Berry Salad via Oh Sweet Basil

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Mexican Shrimp Cobb Salad via Skinny Taste

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Chicken & Bowtie Pasta Salad via is this REALLY my life?

The post Bring on the Summer Salads! appeared first on SNAP!.

The Sponsor

Did you join us at SNAP! Conference this year?  If so you probably met the wonderful team from familyshare.com and picked up one of their awesome t-shirts (and maybe 20 or 30 pieces of almond roca candy.)  It’s easy to see why familyshare.com is the sponsor of this week’s SNAP! Chat Twitter party; who better to chat about family and spending time with family then a company dedicated to family?  And I know with our busy schedules is so nice to shift focus back to the things we truly love most in this world, family.

The Details

• Wednesday, May 22nd, 2013
• 7:00pm MT (6:00 PT, 8:00 CT, and 9:00 ET) for 45 minutes.
• This week we are chatting family activities with familyshare.com.
• Be sure to follow @familyshare, @snapconf, @taunitweets, and @sahans  so you don’t miss out on any of the excitement.
• Not familiar with this social media tool? Read up on how to use Twitter. Never participated in a Twitter chat? We’ve got Twitter chat pointers too.
• You can follow all the SNAP! Chat happenings with the #IHeartMyFamily hashtag.
• We invite you to participate using TweetChat or our custom TweetGrid.

The Prize

We are so lucky to have generous sponsors that offer prizes for our SNAP! Chat attendees to enjoy.  This week is no exception; familyshare.com will be offering several prizes like t-shirts and free movie rentals.  You can cozy up on the couch and have family movie night courtesy of familyshare.com

Family Activities SNAP! Chat Twitter Party With FamilyShare.com RSVP

The post Family Activities SNAP! Chat Twitter Party With FamilyShare.com appeared first on SNAP!.

It’s summer and it’s not just the 90+ degree weather we’ve been experiencing in Utah, it’s all of the lovely lemon & lime recipes and project ideas that have been popping up all over the internet. I love every single one and today, I am sharing six of my favorite lemon/lime posts that were linked up last week.

How about these homemade citrus bath salts from A Pumpkin and a Princess?

The air here in Utah is really dry and I am always looking for the right lotions and potions to provide for optimal skin. Check out this lemon grass body butter from Homespun with Love.

I really, really need to be eating healthier. Every year around SNAP! I provide myself with a “hall pass” to unhealthy eating…Trying to overcome those terrible eating habits now and I think I really need to try this lemon wilted spinach and chicken dish shared by Rae Gun Ramblings.

I don’t drink alcohol, so I’d be looking for a copy of this copy, but I have to say this Copycat Lime-A-Rita from That’s What Che Said looks fantastic!

You might also want to check out her lime cucumber detox water.

Whilst we’re discussing Mexican-inspired dishes, check out this garlic lime cilantro dressing from Peace But Not Quiet.

Thanks for sharing your talent! Grab a feature button for your site if you’d like.

Show & Tell Linky

Ok friends, it’s time for you to show off your projects for the week. Let’s see what you’ve been up to.

• Link any sort of craft or DIY projects or recipes, but make sure you link to the specific post, rather than your home page.
• Please do not link projects that have been shared previously. Please don’t link up your own linky party.
• Follow me on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter where I will share some favorite projects.
• Everyone loves comments. Please take a moment and comment on two posts above yours and two posts below.
• Be sure to link back to SNAP! Use the button below.
  

  <div align="center"><a href="http://snaptheconference.com/blog" title="SNAP!"><img src="http://snapcreativity.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Show-and-Tell-Button2.jpg" alt="SNAP!" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

The post Show & Tell: Lemon & Lime Recipes appeared first on SNAP!.

My mom used to make these mini cheese cake tarts every summer, usually around July. She used to top them with cherries and blueberries (patriotic cheesecakes). Yum!

It’s spring so I changed it up a bit…You’ve got to try it out!

Mini Cheesecake Recipe

Ingredients:
1/2 box of Nilla Wafers
2 (8 oz.) packages cream cheese
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
fruit/chocolate topping

Directions
Heat oven to 350. Line mini muffin pan with paper liners (if you can find aluminum mini cups, they are strong enough to stand up on a cookie sheet and fit the Nilla Wafers a little better too). Place Nilla Wafers rounded side down in the paper liners.

Beat cream cheese and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time and mix thoroughly. Add in vanilla.

Spoon cream cheese into paper liners on top of the Nilla Wafer. Fill 3/4 full.

Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes or until top edge firms up and just starts to brown.

Cool mini cheesecake cups and chill. Add topping.

I used fresh strawberries and melted chocolate on my mini cheesecake desserts, but canned pie filling would work to.

I love mini desserts. You can always get away with eating more than one. Plus? They’re just cute!

The post Mini Cheesecake Recipe appeared first on SNAP!.

Each time I run out of business cards, I hem and haw over the purchase of new ones until I’ve missed the deadline to order anything truly brilliant and am just doing my best to get something, anything, in hand. It’s a vicious cycle really, because I don’t want to order “too many” cards in hopes that the next ones will be amazing so I frequently find myself in need of new business cards.

What’s the big deal? Well, I want creative business cards. I want cards that are beautiful, unique and leave an impression all at the same time.

I suppose that part of the pressure comes from having encountered so many pretty ones. You can see all of the unique business cards I’ve pinned…

But, today I thought I would share some of the cards I picked up at SNAP!

I definitely found myself drawn to bold colors like Lani’s card, the happy hello on Abbey’s card,  glitter, the crayon on Ann Marie’s card and {sigh} the heavy weight of both Kirsten and Heather’s cards…

I love how well some bloggers brought together fun and great branding…Jamielyn always has a cute handout, but these little ice cream cones were so fitting. I love that Sara passed out pirate’s treasure. If your name is Burlap and Denim, I don’t know that you could possible go wrong with a card made of burlap and denim! Last, but certainly not least, check out Lindi’s awesome kit of goodness…

There were some cards packaged up with little gifts…

I am itching to buy some of Jessica’s awesome stamped home decor pieces after receiving this one…

Cute cards with charms…

Cards with treats and snacks…

The color and variety were simply wonderful…

Of course one of my very favorite’s was a card I didn’t even pick up. Check out these cool fringed cards from KoJo.

What’s the most important thing to you when picking out your business cards? Are you a headshot kind of person, or graphics?

The post Creative Business Card Ideas appeared first on SNAP!.

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15 Mother’s Day Gift Ideas

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Lime + Mint Foot Soak via Tidy Mom
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DIY Cake Stand via Sarah Ortega
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Tiny Polaroid Magnets via Ambrosia Creative
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DIY Silhouette Pendant Necklace via The Crafted Sparrow
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Brown Sugar Scrub via The Idea Room
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DIY Scrabble Picture via Stylizimo
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Homemade Lemon Soap via A Pumpkin & A Princess
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Glass Etching via Make It & Love It
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Holder for Charging Cell Phone also via Make It & Love It (what can I say? they’re great projects!)
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DIY Coconut Rose Body Scrub via The Beauty Department
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Camera Strap Cover via Design Sponge
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Homemade Poppy Seed Soap via Gluesticks
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Homemade Kiss Gloss via Cheeky Kitchen
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Homemade Beeswax Candles via A Beautiful Mess
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10 Things I Love About You via The Creative Place
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The post 15 Last-Minute Mother’s Day Gift Ideas appeared first on SNAP!.

Nothing makes that easier than using the right equipment and I am SOOOO excited to share today’s giveaway with you….

SQUEEE! We’ve given away some great stuff, but this has to be my all-time favorite giveaway. We’re giving away a Canon T-3 to celebrate National Photography Month. What?! Awesome!!!

Enter to win via the Rafflecopter widget below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The post National Photography Month Canon T-3 Giveaway appeared first on SNAP!.

Needless to say, I have not really been prepared for the three birthdays we have had in the three weeks post SNAP!, nor am I truly ready for Mother’s Day next week. Fortunately, you’ve provided a number of great last minute Mother’s Day gift ideas.

Show & Tell Highlights

My parents have a “summer” home and a “winter” home that they frequently travel between. This fun polka dot toiletries case from The Crafted Sparrow would be perfect for my Mom.

Oh my goodness. Who doesn’t love a good pedicure? I love going out, but it’s nice to have something in a pinch. Check out this Citrus Foot Scrub from Homespun With Love.

I am absolutely in love with these cute chicken wire picture frames from Becoming Martha.

Love this little gardening basket from Echoes of Laughter. Wouldn’t it be perfect with a few fun spring flowers?

Home really is where your Mom is, isn’t it? How fun is this Mother’s Day printable from Domestically Speaking.

There’s not a single person in my family that can really sing and yet, our home is full of song. I totally remember this one. Bushel and  Peck printable via The Crafted Sparrow.

Check out this awesome washi tape tray by Crafting in the Rain. Love it!

My Mom doesn’t wear a lot of jewelry, but I think that she might love the sentiment behind a thumbprint heart necklace like the ones over at That’s What Che Said.

Show & Tell Linky

Okay, friends. It’s time for you to show off your projects for the week. Let’s see what you’ve been up to.

• Link any sort of craft or DIY projects or recipes, but make sure you link to the specific post, rather than your home page.
• Please do not link projects that have been shared previously. Please don’t link up your own linky party.
• Follow me on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter where I will share some favorite projects.
• Everyone loves comments. Please take a moment and comment on two posts above yours and two posts below.
• Be sure to link back to SNAP! in your post.

The post Show & Tell No. 46: Last Minute Mother’s Day Gifts appeared first on SNAP!.

-  Coffee Filters

-  Scissors

-  Floral Wire

-  Floral Tape

-  Food Coloring

-  Glue or Hot Glue Gun

1.  Fold your coffee filter in half {I did two filters at a time}.

2.  Fold again in to fourths.

3.  Fold again in to sixths.

4.  Last fold so that it is in eights.

5.  Take your scissors and create a scalloped edge around the top of the filter.  You can create a short scallop or a deeper scallop depending on how you want your petals to look.

6.  Unfold to see your pretty scalloped edges.

7.  Once all your coffee filters are scalloped {I used 8 filters per flower, and the flowers are large…so you can use that as your guide for how many filters to cut}.

8.  Grab your floral wire and cut in to 12″ lengths, double that if you want your wire extra sturdy.  Using a pencil wrap the end of your wire several times in to a coil, then press your coil together after you slide it off the pencil.  This gives you a center for your flower that wont slip through the filters.

9.  Poke the floral wire through the center of the first coffee filter petal, I used a small dot of hot glue on the floral wire coil to secure my filter to it and twist the bottom of the filter.  You can either use regular tacky glue or hot glue {if using hot glue just be careful, it’s hot and the filters are thin}.  I repeated this step until all my filters were on the wire, I glued every two filters, and the very last filter.

10.  Tear off a long strip of your floral tape, about 12 – 16″ long, once you tear it off the roll you will need to gently stretch it – this activates it’s stickiness.

11.  Starting at the base of the coffee filter where your wire pokes through place a dot of glue and adhere the end of your floral tape.  Start wrapping and spinning your floral tape all the way down your floral wire to create your stem.  I wrapped all the way down and then back up again to give it some sturdiness.

12.  I wanted colored peonies, but you could also leave them white.  If you choose to dye them all you need is food coloring.  Just mix a bowl full of water and tint the water with your food coloring until it’s the color you want.  You can test it by dipping an extra filter in and see how it turns out.  All I did was gently dip my peonie one at a time half way in to the water.  Quickly pull it out and lay on a cookie sheet to dry.

13.  Once completely dry you can fluff your peonies and place them in your favorite vase.

These would make great Mother’s Day gifts for the Mom who might love flowers that last longer than store bought.  They also make great gift toppers, party centerpieces, and it’s a really great way to add a pop of color to your summer decor.

The post Coffee Filter Peonies appeared first on SNAP!.