Thank You For Helping Me Bloom-Teachers Gift {Printable}

It's the end of the school year once again and we always like to give teachers a little something to let them know they are appreciated. This year we weren't that creative with our gifts (just being honest) but we still like how they came out. It's not that we didn't put much thought into it, but little man isn't technically "in school" yet (daycare still counts for something though) and being pregnant with reoccurring baby brain has it's own creative challenges. Ok, enough with me feeling guilty and having to give you a reason for my lack of creative juices, here's what we actually did do. 

We did a spin off of the gifts we gave last year. After talking to several teacher friends the general consensus was a preferred practical gift, flowers, or gift cards are always welcomed. Since we are big fresh flower fans we thought it was fitting to go this route. 

Thanks to good old picmonkey we whipped up these printable labels (if you like them you can print them too) that finished off the bouquets. We just printed them on general card stock, cut them out, punched a hole in them and tied some ribbon around the stems. 

A big thank you to all the teachers and wonderful educational influences that help to shape our childrens lives.

I Cannoli Have Eyes For You {Printable Tags}

With Valentines Day right around the corner we wanted to share this simple way to add a little something extra for the cannoli lovers in your life. We don't think there is anyone in our family that doesn't love a good cannoli. We aren't a huge chocolate family, but baked goods, well that's a different story. 

This is an easy way to add a personal touch for the sweet ones in your life. We made the tags printable {here}.We printed them in picture view and instead of doing a full page we did them as a 5x7. Cardstock paper will do the trick. All you need after that is a little crafting string and something to punch a hole through the center. Wrap the string around the cannolis, tie a knot, and enjoy!

Have a Cup of Cheer {Printable}

So Christmas is basically around the corner and if your planning is going anything like ours, you probably still have things to do. We wanted to share this easy last minute gift idea with you. We gave these to little man's teachers and they all seemed to love them! Then again, when hot chocolate and mason jars are involved you can't really go wrong. 

With the convenience of picmonkey.com we put together these, have a cup of cheer tags, and made them  printable for you {here}. Now all you need are a few mason jars, hot chocolate, marshmallows, and some decorative string. 

What you'll need:
Mason jar
Hot chocolate mix
Marshmallows
Decorative string
Straws
Medium sized plastic storage bags

Directions:
To make it easier on our gift recipients, we decided to put the hot chocolate mix into a plastic storage bag and layer the marshmallows on top. You can do whatever is easier for you and directly into the mason jar is also fine. Taking your decorative string, tie the top of the bag shut. Around the top of the jar secure the have a cup of cheer tag. Straws are optional but the pop of green made it festive so we rolled with it. Cheers! 

Teachers Gift-Thank You For Helping Me Grow {Free Printable}

This might seem a little backwards with timing since most people are preparing for the new school year, but I still wanted to share this creative project with you. My son's daycare operates off of a regular school schedule since they are also a pre-school and kindergarten facility. During the summer they have a summer camp program but it's all the same teachers and classrooms as his regular daycare. As summer is winding down this is the last week of camp. After Labor Day he will transition over into the one year old room with all new teachers. My little man is just growing up way too fast! 

Since this is his last week with his current teachers we wanted to thank them for all of the love and support they have provided him. Making the decision to go back to work and put my little guy in daycare was not easy for me. Knowing he is in good hands when I am not there was one of the most important parts. He loves his teachers and really seems to enjoy being there. I wanted to share our project in hopes you will be inspired for the upcoming school year or to save the idea for the end of the year. We have also made the planter tags printable for you!  

Little man helped as much as possible but really enjoyed playing with the dirt more :) For detailed steps of our terracotta pot teachers project, please visit our A Creative Mind Is Rarely Tidy page.

We would love to hear what some of your goals are for your children venturing into a new school year. Here are some of ours...

Embrace Each Day

Learning to Share

Enjoy Books More
Enjoy New Experiences

Enhance Learning Through His Five Senses
Care For Others

Enhance Motor Skills

Promote Creativity

Continue to Give Love

Off They Go - Dream Big {Free Printable}

Starting a new adventure leaves so many open ended questions filled with both excitement and uncertainties. One of our brother's recently graduated from college and decided to make a move half way across the country to accept a position and start his career in Chicago. Although we miss him very much, we are so happy and excited for him to start this next chapter in his life. When someone makes a move and now has no family around or an established support system just yet, it is important to let them know how much they are loved and that you are thinking of them. We decided to put a little care package together for him and include some family pictures and designed a subway art for him (which we are also making a printable for you :) 

Whether you have a family member or close friend that is making a move, starting college, or embarking on a new life adventure, remember to let them know you care. 

Printable

Natural Orange Peel Candle

Looking for something naturally crafty? This fun and easy activity will be sure to catch your attention! As a nanny I'm always looking for creative ways to keep the kids (who are older) occupied and learning. Always remember that when fire and sharp utensils are involved to use all precautions and your best judgment. 

What you will need :

• An orange
• Olive oil
• A sharp knife
• A lighter (preferably the longer ones)

First: Cut into the orange just below the peel, then use your thumb to go under the peel (careful not to rip it). The whole purpose is to detach the peel from the pulp creating a semi circle. Be sure to keep the stem intacked as this will create your "wick".

Second step: Dry out the peel by using a towel. Add in olive oil leaving the stem slightly above to light your wick. You can hollow out the other side of the orange that you didn't use and place it on top! Have fun!

 "Everlasting your light will shine when all else fades"~Hillsong

Wine Bottle Newspaper Wrapping

With so much information readily available to us through technology, newspapers seem to be a publication that is slowly taking a backseat. Our dad still enjoys getting the paper and we rifle through the coupons for anything that looks like a good deal, but mostly it's glanced at and then off to be recycled. We decided we would grab a few sections and do our own recycling. We first got this idea a few months back when we had a few family members celebrating multiple birthday's around the same time. Those decorative wine bags can be pricy and just handing someone a bottle of wine (although no one would really refuse it) just doesn't have much of that gift sentiment to us. 

So here's a creative wrapping idea for your next wine bottle gift. We used an article from the newspaper that was published on the date of their birthday. We stuck to the comic section, home and leisure, sports, and entertainment. We then wrapped the bottle with the paper and added a decorative bow. Not only did we recycle the paper but now they have a section from the paper that is dated on their birthday.

Father's Day Gift Ideas

So we are less than a week out to celebrate Dad's big day! I think I might be more excited about my husband's first Father's Day than I was for Mother's Day, and remember sharing first experiences have been really important to me. We recently came across a pin on Pinterest that said "Every Father should remember that one day his son will follow his example instead of his advice." In celebration of all the great dad's out there we are sharing some of the Father's Day DIY projects we have been working on. 

My husband knows not to read our blog for the next week, let's hope he sticks to his word! And I don't think our Dad even knows what a blog is :) We hope these projects will inspire your creative side (like ours was from some other great bloggers) and add a little something extra to Dad's big day. 

We first came across this idea from Create.Craft.Love. My husband works in an office all day and I thought this would be a perfect gift for him to use and also have pictures of him and our little man sitting on his desk. For more step by step details please check out our Creative Mind Is Rarely Tidy page. 

Our family is big on nuts! They are a great snack for your drawer at work or to add to your favorite yogurt or ice cream.  This great printable came from Design Dinning Diapers and we decided to put our own twist on it. Details also available on our Creative Mind Is Rarely Tidy page. 

My husband loves wearing T-shirts but I didn't want to get him one that said world's greatest dad or my dad is number one, it's just not his style. This one seemed perfect and will hopefully be something he will wear. I also like to support and give up and coming shops a chance, this one from Etsy worked out great! The other Dad printable we found on Kleinworth & Co. I added to the bag the shirt came in to give it a little something extra.

We also put together a car wash basket with some essentials for making Dad's car clean and shinny in the summer sun!

Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Random Topic Tuesday-Mother's Day Gift Ideas

This Mother's Day takes on a whole new meaning for us. As a first time Mom and first time Aunt we feel excited and privileged to celebrate this day. Although, everyone knows that mom should be appreciated everyday :) Whether you are a biological mom, adopted mom, aunt, sister, guardian, or important female influence in someones life, it's nice to be recognized. 

Here are a few creative ideas for Mother's Day gifts that will bring a smile to that important woman in your life. Check out our A Creative Mind Is Rarely Tidy page for more DIY and crafty ideas. 

 Fill planter with gloves, garden tools, seeds, and flowers

 

 DIY decorative tea bag holders