{AWESOME GRADUATE - FREE PRINTABLE}

It's that time of year again...graduation...everywhere. From Pre-School to College, I'm sure you've got someone in your life that deserves a little celebrating!

I've seen A&W Root Beer used in the "awesome" capacity before, and I decided to incorporate it into a Graduation gift. The nice thing about a small gift like this one, is that it can be as small or as big as you'd like. Give it as it is, or simply adhere a gift card or some cash to the back of the tag!

I used the mini cans of soda. Not by choice, but because my local grocery store didn't carry the regular sized ones in a six pack, only 12...and the last thing I need (while I'm trying to lose baby weight) is six extra cans of Root Beer hanging around my house begging me to drink them! So, the small cans it was. I think they turned out super cute though, and to be honest, I'd probably go for the little cans again. I also included a TWIX bar, but really any candy bar would do.

To wrap them up I used a cellophane bag, some tulle, patterned ribbon, and string. I think they turned out SUPER cute. (If I do say so myself!)

::CLICK HERE::

to download the printable tag

And give a graduation gift to someone special. Graduating is a big deal...they deserve it! :)

{GENERATION AWAY}

I'm a country music fan through and through. That being said, I like other types as well...I can appreciate pretty much anything (but rap). However, country is where it's at, Lady A being at the top of my favorites. Their new album "GOLDEN" came out last week...and of course I had to buy it. ;) It's fabulous, but I expected nothing less, really. But there was one song that I REALLY loved called "Generation Away". You can listen here:

The part in particular that struck a chord with me was in the chorus where it says "Hey, what can we do? Here we are, just me and you. So let's take all the pictures we can take for the generation away".

Why did I like that so much? That's EXACTLY what I'm trying to do. It's my goal with "Project Life"...to take all the pictures I can take for the generation away. I want to be remembered. I want my life to mean something to those who follow me. I want my children to remember, I want their children to be able to know what our lives were like. In essence, I want to leave a legacy.

So...are you taking all the pictures you can take for the generation away? I certainly hope so. When it's all said and done, all we have are the memories, and what a better way to help us remember. Go take some pictures of the everyday, mundane, and EXCITING things that make up your life. You won't be sorry. :)

{PROJECT LIFE - WEEK 20}

Week TWENTY...what?? My how time has flown! Lots of happenings this week! A 2 month old baby Mack, garden planting, girls night, RAINED out camping trip for the boys, and a date night for me and James...just to name a few. :)

Products Used:

Golden Girls Project Life Templates (modified)

Golden Girls Project Life Wonderful Collection

Golden Girls Project Life Calendar Cards

{THE EASIEST CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES...EVER}

I'll be honest, when it comes to chocolate chip cookies, I struggle. BIG TIME. Just ask my husband...he'll freely admit it right along with me!! So a couple of weeks ago when I stumbled across this recipe from Six Sisters' Stuff, I knew I better at least try it. I am SOOOOO glad I did! They turned out perfectly the first time and have every time since. (yes, I've made them 4 times in 2 weeks...don't tell!)

So today I'm here to share the recipe with you. Seriously people, it's awesome. Perfect for when you want a quick sweet fix and don't have anything in the house. I can make 3 dozen cookies in roughly 30 minutes from start to finish.

Okay, so here's what you need:

The original recipe called for Bisquick, but I used this pancake mix instead...worked great!

Oh, and just a quick tip: If you're using real butter (which I always do), 15 seconds in the microwave is perfect to get it perfectly softened.

THE EASIEST CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

1 cube butter - softened

1 egg

2 tsp. vanilla

1 cup brown sugar

2.5 cups pancake mix

Semi-Sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375. Combine butter, egg, vanilla, and brown sugar. Beat using an electric mixer until smooth. Then add 2.5 cups pancake mix. Beat on medium speed until dough comes together, add desired amount of chocolate chips. Bake for 8-10 minutes.

Okay...so just a few pointers that I learned.

#1 - if the dough is a little crumbly, try adding an extra egg white. It does the trick for me every time.

#2 - PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE use semi sweet chocolate chips...you'll be glad you did!

#3 - I make my cookies on the small side so I can fit 20 cookies on a baking sheet. Makes cooking time SO much faster...plus you feel like you can eat more because they're smaller!! :)

#4 - I cook them for 11 minutes because we like our cookies on the "done" side. They are by no means burnt, just done.

Then package them up cute and take some to a friend! :)

{WORDLESS WEDNESDAY - MY LITTLE COWBOY}

{MONTH ONESIES}

Okay, so I originally wrote this post LAST month...when my baby turned one month old. However, I never got around to finishing the free download portion, so I'm just posting it now...that he's 2 months old. :) Haha!

With Gavin (my three year old) I took a picture of him each month on his "month birthday" in the same spot...which happened to be the rocking chair in his room. I LOVED going back through these photos and watching him grow. Naturally, I decided I wanted to do the same thing with Mack. Only this time I decided I wanted him to be dressed the same in each picture. A white onesie was obviously the only choice I had! :) Then I decided to take it one step further and make little month "signs" for each picture. Then inspiration struck, and I realized that I had an entire package of sticker paper sitting down in my office. Why not print them on sticker paper and stick it to the onesie?? Awesome...right? It worked so well and I was so pleased with how it turned out!

And, in true blogger fashion, it just wouldn't be nice for me to share this with you and then not give you a download...right??

::CLICK THE IMAGE TO DOWNLOAD::

And here is a link to where I purchased the sticker paper on Amazon:

Avery Sticker Project Paper, White, 8.5 x 11 Inches

{PROJECT LIFE - WEEK 19}

Not much to say this week, other than I hope you had a fabulous Mother's Day, I know I did! My husband and my children spoiled me rotten...INCLUDING Mr. Mack. He slept from 10:30 - 5:45!!!

Products used:

Golden Girls Project Life Templates (modified)

Golden Girls Project Life Wonderful Collection

Golden Girls Project Life Calendar Cards

Golden Girls Project Life Multi-Photo Templates

{HELLO KITTY BIRTHDAY PARTY}

My daughter is obsessed with Hello Kitty. And rightfully so I suppose...I was too when I was her age. There sure are a lot more products out now than when I was little though. :) It was no surprise to me when she requested a Hello Kitty themed birthday party. And in true "Golden Girl" fashion, we went all out...especially since she is my only girl. I don't think I'd be able to keep up if I had more than one! :)

Just thought I'd share some photos and a few printables with you...just in case YOUR daughter is as obsessed as mine.

My cute princess on her special day...

And the party details:

And this is what the invitation looked like:

It was great fun, and all of the girls had a blast. We played Hello Kitty Bingo (free printable at the end of the post), Pin the bow on Hello Kitty, had a Hello Kitty bean bag toss, and duck, duck, goose...or in our case, Hello, Hello, Kitty. (I know, so original, right?) But party games are party games. :) We had a small candy bar with Hello Kitty: candy necklaces, fruit snacks, ring pops, and Pez dispensers. This stuff is out there in ABUNDANCE people, everywhere I looked there was something Hello Kitty! The party favors contained a Hello Kitty: bracelet, hand sanitizer, fingernail polish, and chap-stick. 

So, now for the free download portion! I created 6 bingo cards, an invitation, and a birthday banner that are available for you to download HERE. :) ENJOY, and I hope you have as much fun with YOUR Hello Kitty extravaganza as I did! Happy Partying!

DOWNLOAD BANNER HERE

DOWNLOAD BINGO HERE

DOWNLOAD INVITATION HERE

{BELATED iNSD SALE}

Yes...I'm aware that I'm an ENTIRE week late...but better late than never, right?? I've got some great new products for you that I'm SURE you're going to love!

I am loving the unique color scheme for the "Wonderful Collection"! And I'm now offering ALL of my Project Life Base Collections as a bundle. The price is the same, but it's available in one convenient purchase/download. 

Also being released:

So what are you waiting for? Go shopping and get scrapping!!

{PROJECT LIFE - WEEK 18}

Only one day late this week...but I had SOOOO many pictures from Sunday to sift through that I knew I was going to be later getting these pages done and posted.

It was a wonderful weekend full of partying and family celebrations! This is always a crazy time of year for my family. Within 2 weeks we have had: 5 birthdays, 1 graduation, and 1 baby blessing. Whew! Not to mention throw National Scrapbooking Day in the mix, and...well...I feel like I've been running a million miles an hour. That's why my new products didn't get released last weekend. They're all in the shop now (finally), watch for a sale coming very soon!

Products Used:

Golden Girls Project Life Templates (modified)

Golden Girls Project Life "Wonderful Collection"

Golden Girls Project Life "Party Time Collection" (modified)

Golden Girls Project Life Calendar Cards

FONTS: Impact, Chunk Five, Century Gothic

{PROJECT LIFE - WEEKS 16-17}

TOTALLY dropped the ball last week...and ALMOST dropped it this week too! Life took a turn for the crazier and I just didn't find time to get my pages blogged. They were done...don't worry! Just not posted. So here they are, weeks 16 and 17. I figured I'd better get them on here now before the craziness of this weekend starts! Not only is it iNSD, (so I'm busily working on some new PL stuff for that) but it's also my daughter's 7th birthday, AND we're blessing baby Mack at church. Needless to say we're going to be having QUITE the party around here this weekend!

And with that, I'm off to make some tissue paper balls for the party on Friday. :)