Favorite Finds for the 12th Week of 2010

Did you realize we're 12 weeks into the 2010...only 40 more to go before it's over?? I also heard on the radio the other day that on April 11th we will have worked enough hours to have completely paid our federal and state taxes off...the rest of the year it's our money. I'm not exactly sure how I feel about learning that. Is it good news, or sad to think that we've just worked almost 13 weeks just for our taxes??

Okay, sorry...here's my favorite finds for week 12!!

Easter Printables
If you're anything like me, you've completely spaced that this weekend is EASTER...ugg! Between my husband's birthday and Conference weekend I totally didn't plan for this and so I'm scrambling trying to come up with some cute ideas for friends and family. Loved all these fun "free" downloads over and Skip to My Lou's site.

Easter Ice Cream Sandwiches
It wouldn't be a proper blog post if we didn't do something with food, right. I loved this fun idea and how easy the instructions make it look. Thanks Twig & Thistle for yet another yummy idea!


From Grocery Eats to Easter Treats
Gillian posted the cutest ideas on her blog for easy treats. I loved all of them and had a really hard time figuring out which ones to feature, so be sure to jump over to All the Small Things blog and check out the rest of her cute ideas.





Another Use for Legos
Finally, I have a use for the boxes of legos in my basement....have to love it!!


Post-it Note Booklet Tutorial
Bringing you another fun and easy tutorial for today...this fun post-it note booklet from Kerry's Crafting Blog is so cute and what a fun little gift for someone.


Paper Flower Goodness
You know my love for paper flowers, right? I found this gorgeous creations on the amazing Sherry Cheever's blog. Really this is more then a work of art and I am in awe with people that can create from paper something so awesome.

Some Cute Chicks
I'm not a big macaroon lover, but how cute are these chicks!? Check out the Created by Diane blog to find out the how she created these and try them out yourselves!!

My Easter Thoughts
I would just like to take a quick moment to express my gratitude to my Savior for his sacrifice for all he did for me. And I'm so thankful this weekend to focus on his resurrection. I know he LIVES and loves each one of us! I pray you and your loved ones have a great Easter weekend and focus on Jesus Christ and not so much the candy (wink...so much less fattening that way too)! Here's a short video message I really wanted to share. Love ya!

Favorite Finds for the 6th Week of 2010

Ribbon Flowers on Cards

What a simply cute idea to embellish a card. If you haven't already checked out Kelly Rasmussen's blog, then be sure to hop over there and follow her. She always posts super cute card ideas.

Chic Pearl Necklace

I've seen a few of these ideas and always love the idea of combining jewelry with flowers of all sorts. Lei explains how she created this on her blog.

Love & Food Storage

I thought this was a cute idea that you could give for Valentines or any other special day, couldn't resist showing it to you all. For the tag – that reads “Because I always want you to be safe” and contents list, click here.

Olympic Cookie Medals

In honor of the Olympics beginning I thought I'd share a fun idea I found at Alpha Mom. Check it out to see step by step how to create this fun and useful medal!

My Composition Notebook

...was featured on Scrapbook Trend's blog this past week...wahoo! It was created with Imaginisce's Sweet Cheri Collection. I used a technique that Janna Wilson taught in an online class I participated in...such a fun technique and perfect for this project!!

Erin's Fabric Flower Tutorial

The great Erin Bassett not only posted the how to make these fun flowers on her blog, but she also posted a "video" tutorial for all of us that need the extra visual help.

Pie in a Jar

Love this yummy idea...I think I've even posted about it before. But what I really wish is that one of my talented friends would make one for me!! Check out the how-to here.

Heart Newspaper Blocks

A ton of great ideas for Valentines were posted around the web...this one from Brown Paper Packages stuck out for me.

Zipper Ruffle Shoes

I loved these when I saw them on Diary of a Craftaholic's blog. She bought the flats for a discount at TJ Maxx and simply added the zipper...I can't wait to try this. Check out her blog, she's suppose to post a tutorial soon. UPDATE 2/16/10: Tutorial can be found here!

CARD CLASS: by Sue Neal

I have always loved Sue Neal's designs, ever since I saw her first card published in Paper Crafts. Now she teaches at Robert's stores along the Wasatch Front and I'm so excited about her latest class, Tender Mercies (sympathy). I loved these designs that I ran home after seeing them posted at the store and hoped on her blog so I could sign up for her class!! Join me if you can!

Dictionary Flowers & More

I love making these Dictionary Flowers!! One day I happened upon a great blog post from Leah Fung from Scrapbooks, Etc magazine and she showed you in a video how to make these yummy dictionary paper flowers. So last weekend I met up with a friend and we went CRAZY making tons of these flowers in all shapes and sizes. Below these flower pictures I listed some tips that I learned from playing.

Here's some flower tips I posted over on the Imaginisce blog:

TIP #1 - Dictionary paper works best, it's not too think and not too thin. I just went to the local thrift shop (D.I) and I bet some of those used book shops would be a good place to look. Plus it was only $3...and it will make TONS of flowers.

TIP #2 - In the video they top off the flowers with other paper flowers and buttons, but I have to admit that I think the iTop Brads really finish off these flowers so much better. I would suggest poking the ned of your scissors through the center before it dries completely...the glue may not have set all the way and it's a little thick, but you can push through and make a nice small hole that you can slide your iTop brad through the hole.

TIP #3 - This process is messy but super fun. I used both spray mists from Tattered Angels and Maya Mists...they both work great.

TIP #4 - Don't worry about die cutting the flowers. I just folded it like I would if I were cutting out a snowflake and then used my scallop scissors to cut off the top. Since you crinkle these up they don't have to be perfect to begin with!!

Now for more flowers I created:

Spattered Daisy: This is a plain cream silk flower that I spritzed with brown glitter spray. I created the center with by covering a large iTop Brad with dictionary paper that I'd sprayed with brown glitter mist and then coating it with Diamond Glaze.
iTop Punch Flower: This flower was created with the large and small iTop Punches. The center is a small iTop brad covered with brown fabric and tulle.

Fan Folded Flower: These flowers were fun to create and easy. Cut a 1" x 12" strip of paper and score it every 1/4". Once you have it scored, start folding it back and forth like a fan. Then adhere the ends of the fan together and push the center down to create the circle. Adhere the center of the flower to a scrap piece of paper under the center (I poured liquid glue in the center and held until it dried). Then simply adhere the buttons of your choosing to the top of the circle flower.
Crinkled Layered Flower: Loved these fun circle flowers too! You simply need to a cut out circles about a 1/2" difference in size. Spray with glitter spray and crinkle up, flatten out and roll edges. Set the circles aside until they dry and pile on top of each other. I then covered a large iTop brad with suede and pierce through all the circles. Voila...that's it!!