the 10 best candy free valentines!

I think we've given this freezing cold January enough time...I'm getting valentiney!

I've been working hard to come up with some new punny {well, to me anyway! ha!} candy free classroom valentines...and I'll start sharing this week.

But first, some of our favorites from valentines past, all in one easy to find spot.

maze valentines

: : click here : :

heart balloon valentines

: : click here : :

green army guy valentines

: : click here : :

space alien valentines

: : click here : :

cowboy sheriff badge valentines

: : click here : :

punch balloon valentines

: : click here : :

googly eye valentines

: : click here : :

parachute man valentines

: : click here : :

valentine memory game

: : click here : :

Stay tuned for more to come!

xo

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top 15 of 2015

Happy New Year, friends!

I thought I'd take a little trip down memory lane today...here are the top 15 posts from the past year.  They're such a mix...recipes, crafts, holiday projects...so fun!

Thank you all so much for reading + commenting + and following along with all of my little projects! xoxo

#15 diy Christmas cake toppers

: :click here: : for project

#14 diy chalkboard Easter eggs

: :click here: : for project

#13 diy 5 minute Christmas apron

: :click here: : for project

#12 diy cloth napkins from Ikea dish towels 

: :click here: : for project

#11 how to make a beautiful cheese board

: :click here: : for project

#10 diy Mother's Day donuts

: :click here: : for project

#9 American flag pie

: :click here: : for project

#8 diy pick up sticks

: :click here: : for project

#7 diy tulip bouquets

: :click here: : for project

#6 chocolate dipped bananas and diy magic shell

: :click here: : for project

#5 diy polka dot ring dishes

: :click here: : for project

#4 homemade pickles

: :click here: : for project

#3 diy grapefruit + mint soap

: : click here: : for project

#2 diy floral decoupage gift boxes

: :click here: : for project

and the #1 viewed project of 2015.....

chocolate pudding in diy edible chocolate bowls {and I can't blame you...they were delicious!!}

: :click here: : for project

Thanks again for reading!  Happy 2016!
xoxo

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diy: merry + bright christmas doormat

As the days inch closer to the 25th, it's now or never to finish up my craft projects...so I spent a little nap time crafting yesterday and now I have a super cute Christmas doormat welcoming friends in our home.

The design is completely Kelly's idea...I loved her doormat so much I didn't change a thing about it!

To make your own, you'll need:

doormat {this one is from ikea for about 5 bucks}
craft paint
brush/foam
freezer paper
iron
cutting machine or Xacto knife
hole punch

**I didn't have any vinyl to use as a stencil like the original, so I used freezer paper that I had on hand.  I was worried paint might bleed underneath on the uneven mat material, but it ironed on well enough and turned out just fine. :)

Start by cutting your design out of freezer paper.  I used my Silhouette Cameo...Happy Fox font sized to 470 and for the heart I just used a craft punch.  I used a scrap of freezer paper and punched holes for dots.

Iron the stencils to the mat.

and fill in carefully with paint.

Let the paint dry, peel off the stencils, and enjoy!

xoxo

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our 2015 gingerbread houses + a cyber monday deal

Over our Thanksgiving break we made our gingerbread houses.  After all these years I've finally managed to cut my stress over this tradition.  Now I just embrace store bought supplies and the stickiness and chaos and just let them have fun with it...plus I have my own home baked house and special candies to make on a night when they're all in bed early! ;)

 

I brought our little art table into the kitchen, hot glued a few store bought houses together {if you don't use your glue gun, you're missing out!  No one really eats them anyway, right??}, put out store bought frosting and candy and just let them go to town.

They each represent their little personalities so well.  Fast as he can.  Slow and steady.  Over the top.

I wiped up the floor, put the table back where it belongs, and called it good.  Memories made.  Stress free.

And if you're looking for another way to keep your holiday stress at a minimum, I've partnered with Restaurant.com this holiday season.  See what they have to offer below for a special Cyber Monday deal!

$3 DEALS TODAY!

Restaurant.com Delivers the "Better than Best" Cyber Monday Sale

For families who want to avoid the hours of cooking and clean-up this holiday season, Restaurant.com delivers $3 for $25 Certificates with Promo Code: CYBER today only! Find places to meet, eat and be merry from 22,000 restaurants nationwide.

And if you’re traveling, feel free to take Restaurant.com on the road with you. Their mobile app makes a primary travel companion! Search for eateries by zip code and simply use the certificate from your phone at the restaurant.

Hurry - this "Better than Best" $3 Cyber Monday Sale won’t last. Restaurant.com is the trusted and valued source for connecting restaurants and diners nationwide. This offer ends Monday, November 30 at 11:59 pm CT.

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diy: glittered snowball lights

I am so excited for Christmas this year!

Here's another DIY project I put together for the Mod Podge Rocks blog...glitter snowball lights.  They're really easy to make and you probably have the materials on hand right now!  Click here for the full instructions.

xoxo

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diy: mini felt fall banners

Loving the look of felt banners as much as I am right now??

See how I made these for Thanksgiving on DIY Candy today.  Click here for all the details!

xoxo

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diy: no-carve confetti pumpkins

Still looking for a way to decorate pumpkins?  Here's the perfect fall kids' craft.

See how I made these on the Mod Podge Rocks blog right here!

Happy Halloween!

xo

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diy: mini pumpkin fall flower vases

I just love gifting little surprises to our teachers...so today on DIY Candy I'm sharing how to make these flower filled pumpkin vases.  They're so simple and perfect as gifts...or even just for a little fall touch for your own home!

Click here to see how!

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diy: halloween bat balloon straws

These straws are a silly little Halloween party touch...and they're super easy to make!

To make them, you'll need:

black water balloons {available here}

Halloween colored paper straws {similar available here}

peel and stick googly eyes {available here}

thick black paper or cardstock

bat wing template {optional...I used a cookie cutter {similar here} but search google for an outline or just doodle it!} 

*affiliate links

Start by inflating the balloons to about 2 inches in diameter.  Squeeze the air down to make them round before knotting them.

Fold the cardstock in half and make bat wing templates.  Use a white pencil if you have one to make it easy!

Cut out bat shapes from the cardstock.

Tie the balloon to the top of the straw.

Slip in the cardstock wings.  The balloon should be snug enough against the straw to hold them in place.    

Stick on the googly eyes.

And put the straws in your favorite party drinks!

Happy Halloween!

xoxo

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