Print It: Halloween Bunting

Print out this darling jack-o-lantern Halloween bunting, string it on baker's twine, and add it to this year's Halloween decor!

Simple holiday decorations are the best! While there are times we go all out at our house, more often than not quick and simple wins the day. That's why I love this smiling jack-o'-lantern printable bunting. It's a festive addition that complements any Halloween party decor.

DIY Printable Halloween Bunting

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The smiling jack-o'-lantern image I used to create this printable bunting is one of my favorite photos for Halloween crafting. You might even recognize it from some of the other Halloween projects I've shared in the past. It will coordinate perfectly with this Mini Cake Bunting.

Halloween Mini Dessert Bunting (free printable)

Add this simple printable jack-o'-lantern mini bunting to a frosted cake for an adorable Halloween dessert.

Mini Bunting for Halloween Desserts

Anybody else find themselves enamored with all of the adorable mini-buntings adorning cakes and desserts all over Pinterest? I love the simplicity and ease of these sweet little cake-toppers and thought I'd come up with a new design for Halloween.  I shared this new bunting on Landeelu last month. Wouldn't it be the perfect touch to a dessert for a Halloween party!

Summer Watercolor Printables

Simple seasonal prints add a quick and easy update to shelves or mantel decor. I shared my newest watercolor-inspired printables as a part of the Celebrate Summer series on Today's Creative Life earlier this summer. If you haven't had a chance to stop over and get your copy, I'm sharing them here today.

If you've been here before, you've probably noticed I love to craft, but most days I'm a photographer at heart. I'm happiest when I find ways to blend the two pastimes:)

Today I'm sharing a two summer watercolor-style printables with you that I created by editing a couple of my own photos from years past. One of the things I love most about digital photography is the freedom and tools to create a new image I can use in decorating or crafting that might look or feel completely different from the original photo, but is still my own vision.

Mother's Day Gift Tags (free printable)

Are you looking for a simple Mother’s Day gift idea this year? Do you need to make several Mother’s Day gifts (including Grandmas!) and need something quick and easy? Maybe last-minute? Use these free Mother's Day gift tags to dress up a container full of chocolate kisses that will make Mom’s day!

With Mother’s Day just around the corner, I put together some fun “Hugs & Kisses for Mom” printable gift tags to pair with a jar (or bag) of chocolate kisses. There’s a version for Grandma too!

Print It: Hoppy Easter Bunny EOS Cards

With spring in the air and Easter almost here, I thought I'd whip up an Easter printable to use with EOS lip balm. Inspired by the You’re the Bomb Valentine I shared last February, I used my iPad and stylus to create an EOS lip balm printable card featuring a cute little bunny.

Print It: Merry "KISS-MAS" Rudolph EOS Printable

With the Holidays fast-approaching, I often find myself in need of a small last-minute Christmas gift. Inspired by the You’re the Bomb Valentine I shared in February, I grabbed my iPad and stylus and put together an EOS lip balm printable card featuring my version of Rudolph.  I shared this fun stocking stuffer idea over on Landeelu last month, but here it is again just in case you missed it:)

In addition to making great stocking stuffers as is, these EOS printable cards would make super cute Secret Santa gifts or party favors when wrapped in clear cellophane bags and tied with red bows. 

Make It: "Admit One" Ticket Memory Box

Do you make gifts for the holidays? Here's a fun and easy DIY gift idea for teens and tweens that I first shared on Landeelu.com last month.

Do you or someone you know have a collection of ticket stubs from concerts, sporting events, or other performances stuffed in a drawer or tacked to a cork board?

Safely display those memories in a shadowbox turned memory box. I found these 8x8 Wish Bank frames at my local Michael's store.

Tips for Adding Text to Your Favorite Photos

Whether you're adding text to photos to boost your social media presence, creating inspirational wall art, or enhancing the stories in your family memory albums...these simple tips for adding text to your photos are sure to come in handy. (I've even included a couple free photos for you to download and practice!)

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If I'm working on my computer, Photoshop CC (part of the Adobe CC Photography Plan) and Photoshop Elements are still my go-to programs for editing and embellishing photos. That being said, with my iPhone almost always in reach and a love of Instagram, I find myself using apps on my phone for more and more of my workflow. Today I'm pointing out a few of my favorite apps for editing and embellishing photos. Snapseed is probably my favorite app for adjusting and editing photos on the go. I have to credit Chari over at Persnickety Prints for getting me hooked on that one. I really like the flexibility of working with layers, and once she pointed out the selective adjust tool, there was no going back! When I've got the look I want, I save to my camera roll and pull the photo into another app if I'm adding text. There are lots of great editing apps out there. My advice, try a few until you find one that works for you:)

Print It: Surprise Can Gift Wrap -- UPDATED for 2015

Remember this fun Graduation gift wrap idea from last spring? Well, it's that time of year again, so I'm sharing an updated label just in time for those grad gifts you've got left to wrap!

Print It: You're the Bomb! Lip Balm Valentine

Since it's been a busy month around here, I haven't posted as many diy Valentine's Day ideas as I had hoped to. So, I thought I'd at least post this printable Valentine card that I shared last month on Landeelu. I'm really happy with how it turned out!

Printable You're the Bomb (lip balm) Valentine

Here's a fun printable Valentine's Day card makes a fun non-candy option for your daughter or granddaughter. Or maybe for a teacher? It might even make a fun gift for the favorite babysitter who's watching the kids for you on Valentine's Day!

Print It: You Are My Sunshine Valentine Printable

Last year I shared a "Kool" Valentine printable for Kool-aid drink pouches. This year I put together a new version to use with my daughter's favorite CapriSun drink pouches. It goes together quickly with only a few supplies, and BONUS, you can avoid being tempted by all the goodies in the Valentine aisle!

You Are My SunShine DIY Valentines

So grab some drink pouches from the pantry or put them on your shopping list, print and cut apart the You are My Sunshine cards, and gather some little helpers. You'll have classroom Valentines ready to go in no time!

Wrap It Up! Easy Candy Cane Gift Bag Closure

So, are you in the midst of wrapping up your holiday prep or just getting started? Either way, here's a simple and inexpensive gift wrapping trick that I use every year. You don't even need to know how to tie a bow;)

Use lunch bag style gift bags (or even plain or white lunch bags) and candy canes to wrap small gifts or treats. Average or thin candy canes work the best. I don't think the thick ones would work very well. You will also need a hole-punch and scissors.

Make It: Snowy Christmas Wreath Shadowbox

Follow this easy how-to that I shared last month on Landeelu.com, to bring a snowy Christmas wreath inside for the holidays.

Around our house, we often start decorating for Christmas over Thanksgiving (or at least that's when I think about it). More often than not, the first things to go up are the wreaths on the front of the house. I've always loved the look of the traditional green and red wreaths against the grey and white of our house. And, once snow starts to accumulate on them, it's almost picture-perfect:) I snapped some photos during a pretty snowfall a few years ago, and I used one of my favorites to put together this Shadowbox to add to my holiday decorations this year.

Free Fall Photo Download

Autumn is such a beautiful season, but it passes far too quickly. In fact, we woke up this past week to our first taste of winter, and it's not going to warm up any time soon! It's even colder today with temperatures in the single digits. Brrr.

Even though winter white has replaced the array of fall colors out my window, I can't say I'm ready to say goodbye to fall just yet. So, here on the blog, I hope you'll indulge me if we let autumn stay around just a little longer.

Just Bloom: A Daisy of a Post & Free Photo Download

Recently I visited my sister's wildflower garden, camera in hand. It was a great place to practice with camera settings and composition. Read on for some tips and a link to summery printable wall art.

The daisies have taken over a bit, as you can see, but I think they made for some striking shots. I thought I'd share some of our favorites here.

Flowers in the garden provide countless opportunities for exploring composition. And, since flowers don't look away, frown, or need snack breaks, there's time to try out new or varied camera settings too!

Did you see how this shot changed? Similar composition and perspective, but the depth of field is much shallower. I like the painterly quality that the background took on.

Easy DIY: Surprise in a Can Grad Gift

June isn't very far off, and around here that means Graduation Time. Cash and gift cards are popular gifts for grads, but sometimes I like to wrap them uniquely rather than using a traditional envelope.  If you're looking for something a little bit different for your graduation gifts this year, give this a try. It's sure to get a smile out of the recipient:)

UPDATED FOR 2015 (includes an option with NO YEAR)---Print It: Surprise Can Gift Wrap 2015

What You Need:

Fruit can with pop-top lid (unopened)

Can opener

Glue

Double-stick tape

Paper shreds or other filler

Cash gift or gift card

Congratulations Graduate Can Label (Get yours here)

Start by removing the bottom of your can (I used a 20 oz Dole fruit can). Use an opener that breaks the seal and doesn't leave a sharp edge. (Save the fruit for lunch!) Wash and dry both the can and the lid. Remove the fruit label.

Print and cut graduation label. Wrap around the can and secure with double-stick tape.

Print It: You're the "Kool"-est Valentine

With Valentine's Day just a week away, I'm remembering the scramble to decorate boxes and bags and make sure that each kid had Valentines for all of their classmates. For a few years there, it was quite the undertaking!

Printable Kool-Aid Pouch Valentines

I thought I'd share an easy diy Valentine idea with you today, just in time for the weekend. Add Kool-Aid Jammer's drink pouches to your shopping list, print out my "You're the Kool-est" Valentines, and gather the kids for an assembly-line! (Prefer Capri-Sun drink pouches? Check out You Are My SunShine printable Valentines.

Happy New Year! & Top Posts of 2013

Hello Friends! Happy New Year!!

I hope you all had a lovely holiday week. I took a short break from computer work and blogging for family time. After a nice Christmas Day, we rushed our oldest out the door to return to school for a warm weather basketball trip. We were fortunate enough to schedule vacation to meet at his destination  and see his team in action.

The trip to sunny CA meant a little extra family time between games and a nice break from the MN deep freeze! But despite the cold, I'm happy to be home.

Blogging and social media were new for me last year. I really enjoyed sharing and connecting with such a creative online community! Here are my most viewed posts of 2013:

Rudolph S'mores / Santa Ornament Yarn Craft / Gobble 'em S'mores / Wrap It Up! Printable Rudolph Gift Tags / Make It: Had-Stamped Joy Pendant

Print It: Rudolph S'Mores Recipe Card

Rudolph S'Mores are easy and so fun to make! Have you made any yet? These fun treats my daughter and I put together, have quickly become my most popular post!

I thought a printable recipe card for you to share at a Cookie Exchange, give as a gift with some S'mores, or just to keep for yourself in your recipe box or Holiday binder might come in handy. I put one together one for you last night.

Wrap It Up! Printable Rudolph Gift Tags

Need a quick and easy gift tag for holiday giving? Print a sheet (or several) of these adorable Rudolph-inspired printable gift tags for an inexpensive diy solution.

Have you had a chance to try those adorable Rudolph S'mores yet? (Yummy, right?) Well, they were the inspiration for these printable round gift tags.