It’s that time of year.  Graduation time! If you’ve got a grad in your family, then you’ll love these graduation printables.

Two of my printable contributors have designed the cutest graduation printables that can be used for 2013 or beyond.  The printable quote could be framed and used anytime of year for a motivational gift or reminder.  Or print it in a smaller size and use for a gift tag. This printable quote was designed by Creative Girl Media. 

All your dreams can come true if you have the courage to pursue them. – Walt Disney

Who wouldn’t be inspired by that?  I plopped it in my trusty turquoise frame to give you an idea on how darling it would be.

Class of 2013 Banner -

Designed to look like a chalkboard is perfect!  Love it.

 It was designed by 517 Creations.  I used a silk red ribbon to thread through for a contrasting look and it’s our high school colors. I thought about lining each piece with white cardstock, but got lazy. Sure would be cute though.

Both of these can be printed out by visiting Spoonful.com.  Enjoy! 

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Time to show me your all the creative projects you’ve been working on! I love seeing all the fun ideas. I choose 5 projects that catch my eye to feature the next week.  Trying to get featured?  Great photos and fun ideas will do it!

Before we get started, I hope you’ve seen the recent fun giveaways I’ve got going on. Dang, I wish I could enter!

• 4 More Days to enter- Italian Perfume
• My Favorite Things 

My Top 5! 

Circus Berry - Love this kitchen word art she’s offering as a download! Makes my head spin with all the possibilities!

Modern Common Place Book – Loving this idea of turning an old recipe card into a dish towel.  She tells you how.

Skip To My Lou- Doesn’t surprise me at all that I fell in love with what Cindy was doing. What a great and easy idea to make cream cheese mints! Follow her tutorial

Tidy Mom – I don’t know if it’s the darling labels that caught my eye or just the idea of soaking my feet! Head over for the recipe and printable labels.

 Yummy Healthy Easy - I like the easy part! If it’s made in a muffin tin, then it has to be good, right? Head over for the recipe.

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Summer is right around the corner and TCB is it heating up around here!  19 other creative bloggers and myself are kicking off the season by showing our gratitude for amazing readers like you!  We’re giving away OUR SUMMER FAVORITE THINGS!

The fun starts here, then make your rounds to all other bloggers to enter to win their SUMMER FAVORITE THINGS! Keep reading for entry details. Pictured below is a snapshot of all the amazing Summer Favorite Things baskets you can enter to win!

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

Here’s what to do:

• Take a quick glance at the gift collage above
• Scroll to the bottom of this post to see mine up close with details and links to buy my favorite items.
• Enter to win my gift basket using the Promo Simple giveaway widget below (approx $120 Value)
• HOP to all of the other sites to enter to win their gifts!
• Look around and enjoy the sites of the 20 creative bloggers–they will not disappoint!

My Summer Favorite Things is full of practical items. Items that make a summer day perfect! I like color, good smells, something cool to drink and something mindless to read. I’m a simple girl.

Beach Towel | Mrs. Meyer’s Soap | Colorful Straws | Magazines | Burt’s Bees Replenishing Lip Balm | Colgate Wisps | World Market Drink Cup| Lipton Tea | Escential Oils Lotion and Soap in Rain | Razors | Burt’s Bees Hand Cream | Avon Solutions  Ageless Results Face Cream | Avon Shine Attract Lip Stick | Tressemme’ Hair Rejuvenationg Mud Masque | $20 Target Gift Card

Easy Summer Entertainment – I love my magazines! I especially love the ones I can sit outside with and not worry about getting suntan cream on. These are full of fun articles on DIY, Decorating, Recipes and more.

Mrs. Meyer’s Hand Soap – I love ALL Mrs. Meyer’s products.  They smell SO good, but this geranium scent is my favorite.  Fresh and simple, just like Summer should be.

Burt’s Bees – Love me some Burt’s Bee’s Replenishing Lip Balm. Its creamy and keeps my lips from drying out in the sun. I use their Almond Milk Beeswax Hand Creme at night to moisturize my hands from all the outdoor summer activities. I use both of these year round.

TRESemm’e Rejuvenating Mud Hair Mask - With all the swimming I do, this hair mask keeps my curly locks from drying out.

Avon - This creamy spf Face Cream is perfect for wearing all day. It’s not greasy and it says it’s got Ageless Results! The lip stick is someone transparent with just enough color. It’s also creamy and moisturizing.

Lipton Tea & Honey To Go Packets – This is the perfect drink enhancer to take along.  I keep the little packets in my purse and can just add it to any bottled water. Pineapple Mango is my fav.

World Market Drink Cup – I couldn’t not buy this. The colors just screamed at me to pick it up! I love having a large drink cup to take along anywhere.

Colorful Straws – They make every drink better, especially if you’re just drinking water…..add a slice of lemon or lime and you’ve got yourself a fun drink.

Razors – These Schick Quattro razors don’t have that cheap feel.  Besides their cute.

Beach Towel – This towel is big enough to sit on, but it’s not too bulky to carry it in a tote.

Colgate Wisps- Sometimes gum doesn’t cut it. These little toothbrushes are perfect to store in your purse for a quick freshin.

Escential Oils - I buy my lotion from a local boutique here in Portland.  It’s the kind of place you can have whatever scent you want added. I love the RAIN scent. Their glycerin Rain scented soap is the perfect compliment.  You’ll fall in love with this scent.

 $20 Target Gift Card – Who doesn’t love shopping at Target?!

To enter this giveaway for MY Summer Favorites Basket, just follow the entry guidelines below.

My Summer Time
Favorite Things

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It’s time for Slow Cooker Sunday and some Crockpot Tacos! This Crockpot Taco recipe is straight from my friend Stephanie over on Crockpot 365, A Year of Slow Cooking.  Stephanie is the queen of slow cooking recipes.

 Not only is she good at making things in her crockpot, she’s one of the nicest, most humble people out there in the blog world. Her site is FULL of so many different types of slow cooking recipes, from breakfast, to beverages……..to crafting.  Yes, crafting. She’s already published 3 recipe books!  You can pre-order her 3rd.  They are the books I grab over and over either for a recipe or the inspiration.

Back to the Tacos! Who doesn’t love tacos?  This recipe is using chicken, but I’ve made beef in the crockpot too. You’ll love it, your kids will love it and best of all…….it’s SIMPLE!!!

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Holy Moly it’s been busy around these parts this week! I’m just going to wrap up this weeks giveaways into Fabulous Friday Giveaway!

I’ve got lots of ways to win big here at TCB!  First up is a Gift Card to Target!!! 

Italian Perfume!

Enter to Win 

I’m afraid this fun giveaway got lost in the deliciousness of the Zesty Man and the Zesty burger……...Click here to enter.……but you’ll have make yourself scroll down …..you’ll see an entry form for a Italian Perfume Giveaway.  It’s super simple to enter.  (You and also grab the best burger recipe ever and see how I make my patties)

Pin it to Win it! 

This fun giveaway is all about pinning! You could win a Canon T3 digital Camera or a HUGE blow up water slide!

Quiet Time Activities - 

I gathered a few quiet time activities for kids of all ages……..even tweens.

High Protein Kid Friendly Smoothie! 

My son loves these! They are perfect for giving him a quick snack before we head off to soccer! Head on over to Spoonful.com to grab the recipe.

Click on over and see all my articles for Spoonful.com – Great site for raising great kids!

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I’ve got a treat for you today! A GREAT Hamburger Patty Recipe AND

 I’m giving away ONE bottle of Italian Perfume! Keep reading……  

Hamburger Patty Recipe

Who doesn’t love a good hamburger? I’m not talking about one of those wimpy thin patties. With this hamburger patty recipe, it’s all about a big fat juicy burger!  It’s BBQ season and we love grilling everything and anything, but we especially love our burgers!  A few years ago, I started making up my own patties.  I’ll make up a large batch so I have several patties in the freezer for quick grabbing.

Kraft is steaming up the kitchen with fun and flavorful ways to dine at home, and adding a little zest to everyday moments with its Zesty Italian Anything Dressing.

I used to make this recipe the quick way using meat loaf seasoning, but have since upped my game.  I just upped it again when I got the opportunity to work with Kraft Zesty Italian Anything Dressing.  

This stuff is a staple in my house since I use it in my Copy Cat Cafe Rio Chicken recipe.  Looking into the eyes of the Zesty guy, I had an AHA! moment that it would be a great way to zest up my hamburger patty recipe! I wondered if it was just as tasty mixed with ground beef. And it WAS!

I have now revised my yummy hamburger patty recipe once again and I think it is now perfected.  I tried talking my husband into being shirtless while he modeled for my
“How to make a Hamburger Patty Tutorial”, but he declined.  Men…..

Make the Perfect Patty

These are SO easy to make, which makes it simple to make up a large batch in little time.  Having these ready to grill when I’m ready is so convenient.

Get cheeky in the kitchen and send a personalized ZestyGram to add a little zest to someones day.  You can also watch his fun videos “Zesty Guy Gets Steamy”……mind outta the gutter ladies. We’re talking a steamy kitchen…..as in recipes!

Follow the Zesty Guy on Facebook or Twitter @TheZestyGuy.

More yummy recipes:  Primavera Pasta Toss & Zesty Italian Chicken Salad

The fine folks at Kraft Zesty Italian would love to give you a bottle of Zesty Italian perfume.  Enter below. (I am asking for addresses because I can then send the winner information directly to Kraft……no addresses are being saved and only I see them……..if I want to, which I really don’t)
Zesty Italian perfume, such as Versace

This post is sponsored by Kraft Zesty Italian Anything Dressing. I use this stuff weekly, I really really do. As always…..I’m sharing my opinion.

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I’m excited to be working with International Delight again.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE the sugar free Hazelnut creamer in my cuppa joe every morning, not to mention the yummy recipes I’ve made using many flavors of their creamer.

Yes! You can use it for more than making your coffee delicious. I love using International Delights Hazelnut or Cinnabon Coffee Creamers in my french toast recipes. I think Hazelnut my favorite…….for now! The creamy hazelnut flavor really makes my french toast pretty darn yummy.

It’s not over powering with sweetness, but gives it just enough punch over ordinary french toast.

I’ve created a yummy Hazelnut Pinterest Board because it’s my flavor inspiration, it’s my personal ID flavor. Create one here and be entered to win some pretty cool prizes!

What’s your favorite ID flavor? 

Head over and create you own Flavor Profile and find out how to win some amazing gifts! I love how the internet has made it so much easier to win some amazing prizes!

What’s Your ID? International Delight is looking for their most passionate flavor fans. Put your ID on the map to enter to win a Magical Trip, play games and discover more unexpected delight. Share your ID flavor at http://whatsyourid.com. 

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of International Delight. The opinions and text are all mine.

The post Hazelnut is my ID! appeared first on Todays Creative Blog - Creative Blogs for DIY Crafts and Home Decor

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of American Osteopathic Association. All opinions are 100% mine.

Blogging hasn't always been my job.  It actually started out as a creative outlet, a hobby.  I am also a fitness professional. I've been working in the fitness industry for over 30 yrs. (I started when I was 10) When people I know find out I have a blog, they assume it's fitness related.  And as you know………it's not. I still work in the fitness industry, only part time now since aging joints and something called TCB  have demanded more time. I teach a few classes a week along with Corporate Fitness Injury prevention classes for the city of Portland.  When I was asked to work with the American Osteopathic Association asking if I work at a desk job for 5+ hours per day and if I suffer from chronic pain from a working in an office environment, I think the neighborhood could hear me scream, YES!   Heck I could be their poster child! As much as I LOVE LOVE LOVE my job and my office may be more stylish and not your typical office cubicle, I knew working with them was perfect because my shoulders are FRIED!  Apparently, I wasn't stretching my chest enough and I've developed chronic tendinitis in both shoulders.  I started physical therapy in November and after no improvement, I moved to acupuncture……..after minimal improvement, I added massage twice a week with acupuncture.  I had mild improvement, but I'm still suffering. Baby steps, right?  This chronic pain has made it difficult as you can imagine to do things I need to do for my classes.  Like pushups or any weight lifting.  Luckily I know the importance of stretching and have upped my game for more specific stretches targeting what I need. Watching these videos by the American Osteopathic Association have been very helpful……….even this industry veteran (old dog) has learned something.  These videos are  helping American's avoid and prevent pain in the workplace and are easy to do right at your desk which make them even more convenient.   If you're sitting at a desk for any extended amount of time, try these and Break Through Your Pain

 I think they'll help.

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Things are heating up around here, which of course we love. We rarely get great weather this time of year, we are just giddy. My latest amazing giveaway for a HUGE waterslide or Canon Camera is perfect for summer! I’m having a bit of a competition with the other bloggers, so feel free to share. 

Also…Would you like me to feature you on Disney’s Spoonful.com?  Check this page out to see if you have any posts that match the themes I’ll be writing about.

My Top 5 Picks from last week’s Get Your Craft On!

Twigg Studios | If you’ve thumbed through a pottery barn magazine lately, then you have seen the Coral craze! Head over for a step by step tutorial.

Nest of Posies | Kellie is so creative! I love everything she does.  She seems to pop up here a lot on my top 5…..just so you know, I never know who’s blog it is when I see something that catches my eye.  I must really love her style!

Yesterday on Tuesday | heading into the warmer months means more time spent outside, but that also means time for mosquitoes.  These diy citronella soy candles look pretty fun to make.  Love those labels.

Six Sisters Stuff  | These girls are always good for something yummy to munch on. I really really want one of these, right NOW!

A Typical English Home | Who doesn’t love fonts?  Better yet, who doesn’t love chalkboard fonts?  Just in case you’ve been looking for these………here they are.  Go download.

The post Get Your Craft On #102 appeared first on Todays Creative Blog - Creative Blogs for DIY Crafts and Home Decor

Are you ready for another awesome pin it giveaway?

We’ve got 2 A.MAZ.Ing. prizes up for grabs. FOR FREE. You’d be the coolest house on the block if you win the 11 in 1 bounce house/waterslide combo and break it out for some summer fun!

Oh and don’t forget to share this giveaway with your friends so they can win the camera and take the sweet pictures of those priceless smiles!

The Prizes up for Grabs:

#1 Endless Fun 11-in-1 Inflatable Bounce House and Water Slide Combo (Donated By Sam’s Club)

#2 A Canon T3 12.2 MP Digital SLR Double Zoom Lens Kit (Donated By PickYourPlum)

Follow each of these 11 blogs on Pinterest:

2. Like PickYourPlum on Facebook

3. Pin this giveaway

4. Enter in below

Fine Print: Giveaway will end at 11:59pm (MST) on May, 18 2013 . One winner will be chosen and shipped one Endless Fun 11-in-1 Inflatable Bounce House and Water Slide Combo donated from Sam’s Club . The Bounce House and Water Slide Combo has an msrp value of $499.00. The second winner will be chosen and shipped a Canon T3 combo donated from PickYourPlum.com. The camera has an msrp of $549.00 No purchase necessary. Must be 18 years of age or older and a resident of the U.S.A. to enter. This giveaway is in no way affiliated with Facebook or Pinterest. Facebook and Pinterest will be completely released by each entrant. One entry per person. Entry includes filling out the form above including name, email and pinning. One entry for filling in the form. You are providing the information to the PickYourPlum sites involved who will in no way sell or give your information to anyone including Facebook or Pinterest. Winner will be chosen using random.org. and will be notified via email within 48 hours of the giveaway close. Winners will be announced on the post, not on Facebook. The winner must respond within 48 hours of receiving the email or a new winner will be chosen. No purchase necessary.

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I can’t believe Mother’s Day is THIS SUNDAY!  I wanted to share this adorable Mother’s Day Printable Party Pack from one of my new printable contributors, Seven Thirty Three.   Of course I have other Mother’s Day Printables too if you’re looking for a variety. Mother’s Day Printable Matryoshka Dolls and a fun Mother’s Day Questionnaire.

Mother’s Day FREE Printable

This party pack will be a great way to decorate a Mother’s Day Brunch, or breakfast in bed.  The colors are HOT and ENERGETIC!  Create a banner, gift labels, cupcake liners and more! What I love about this printable pack is that a couple of the items can be used all summer long, maybe for a picnic, or beach party.

This Mother’s Day Printable Party Pack is FREE! We like FREE!  Just head on over to Seven Thirty Three’s Blog and download.  Simple as that. While you’re there, I’d love for you to leave her a quick comment…….she’d be tickled!

Download your FREE Printable Mother’s Day Party Pack here. (even if you don’t plan on using  it this year, you may want it for later!)

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What’s your Dream Kitchen?

My friend Krista is building her dream home. She’s just now in the early planning stages, which is the dreaming stage! Dreaming up each room and what you need or want in each.  One of the most important rooms she’s really working on is of course the kitchen.  Designing the perfect dream kitchen has many elements. You want your dream kitchen to be stylish yet functional right?  So many great ideas on the Electrolux “Suite Design” Pinterest Board. 

Krista is leaning toward a more modern approach, where as I would be dreaming of a more rustic look with a modern twist. Krista is a professional organizer, so it’s been fun learning her point of view which makes me kind of think what’s important to me and how I’d change my own kitchen or how I would go about designing my own dream kitchen.

The Electrolux Dream Kitchen “Suite Design” Pinterest board is a great place to get ideas.  I’m finding ideas I didn’t even know existed!

All this dreaming has me thinking of the following……..

Counters: so many options.  Granite is very popular and it’s what we have now. I like it.  But I’ve been totally smitten with a stainless steel counter top for a surface.  Clean, durable and I love the look. Or maybe the popular butcher block wood?

Cabinets: I would definitely still go with white or creamy color, maybe even a light grey. I love the vintage cottage look.  Cabinets that go all the way to the ceiling are some of my favs right now, with a few of them open……..maybe even just shelves.

Pantry: Oh how I’d love a large pantry. One I could walk completely into.  I’d love space not only for my food, but for appliances, maybe a special appliance section with roll out shelves…….I’d also love extra space for seasonal dishes or serving pieces you only use a few times a year.

Flooring:  I’d kind of like a cement floor.  Or a greyish wood.  Something easy to clean.

Appliances:  Oh I love high tech appliances.  Induction cooktops, sleek dish washers and of course the popular trend of the “built in” look for appliances.  My sister has this and I LOVE it.  Her appliances look like they’re part of the cabinets.  Very nice.  I would love one of those really large french door bottom mount refrigerators because I’m sure it would make my vegetables taste better.

Besides a big refrigerator, I’d want a really nice dishwasher.  I was surprised to learn that the Electrolux Dishwashers feature adjustable, customizable racks that can fit more than 180 items in a single load!  Heck, I would only have to do dishes once a week!

What’s YOUR dream kitchen? Head on over and check out the Electrolux “Suite Design” Pinterest board and let me know which kitchen is your favorite.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective, and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

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