{creative} think pink - awareness

This is definitely a fabulous find by very talented Chickabug!





I found this gem featured on HowDoesShe and just had to share it! After the success of their free printable party circle last year, Chickabug saw a need for a printables kit that is as useful as it is pretty. Touches for "real" men are included as well since they wear pink too!






I wanted to share something I made for this cause. My work has a "bake for a cure" every year and all entries are auctioned off with the money going towards BCA research.

I am an avid believer in presentation! I made a set of pink inspired cake & oreo pops/balls (with a few mini ghirardelli brownies thrown in). The cake and frosting combo flavors are strawberry cake/cream cheese, red velvet/cream cheese, and chocolate/chocolate. My lovely boyfriend helped me make a stand and I jazzed it up with some pretty paper & jewels. I had a box for transporting the pops to & fro for the winning bidder - that way none of them fall off during their travels. The hard work paid off - because they were definitely a hit!





Not the forget the boys since they wear pink too! I made a set of cake pops/balls that would appeal to one of their fall interests: football!

Until my cake pop catastophre the night before, I was planning on making Ole Miss and University of Memphis inspired displays, but due to a slight tumble of goods - Ole Miss prevailed ;) You can see the main component of this display peeping from behind - the Ghirardelli brownies cut & decorated like footballs. I made a few cake balls and oreo pops, and my cake pops like the pinterest trending footballs!

I made one more goodie for the bake sale, but I am going to share it with a recipe review later this week! I am working on being better about actually sharing the creative things that I do behind the scenes.

Be inspired and think pink this month!

Amanda

{FREEday} go fourth with printables!

Jillian @ Catch My Party is always a great source for party printables every holiday!

Here are the FOUR sets of FREE PRINTABLES that she is featuring for the 4th of July!

These patriotic collections include party circles, invitations, water bottle labels, cards, banners, and much more!

Go fourth and download these patriotic goodies ;)

Want to see my daily patriotic inspiration?



Here's just a snapshot of what inspires me.  Follow me on Pinterest to see more!

Enjoy!

Amanda

{fab finds} "tie-riffic" father's day round-up!

There has been so many wonderful ideas, creations,and printables for Dad's day this upcoming Sunday, June 19th.

Here a few fabulous finds that pay tribute to the Father's day classic - TIES!



These tie cookie pops were one of the first finds for Father's day I found this year & fell instantly in love! How cute is that photo? My boyfriend even agrees - these are a great idea!

Thanks to Sue @ Munchkin Munchies for sharing!



Dad have a sweet tooth?

My dad isn't much of a sweets kind-of-guy but he does have a weakness for crunch bars.
A Perfect printable to print off and wrap up a few for Sunday. Amy @ The Idea Room is the mastermind behind this darling candy wrapper.



Tie-rrific indeed! Isn't this printable package to die for?!?
I love everything about it - the colors, font, patterns. The set includes a banner, medium sized ties for centerpieces, and cupcake toppers.

Amanda @ Shindig Parties was super thoughtful and made the printable set for grandads and step dads as well! Super Sweet :)



Erin @ In between Laundry designed a FREE card or art - whichever you prefer printable for Dad.




Tidy up dad's closest with this creative & decorative tip from Good Housekeeping. Turn dad's old or less loved ties into a wreath everyone can enjoy! Such an easy project that is stunning :)




Perfect for dad, boss, or a little man party!

Kristin @ Paper Crave provides the template to make these shirt & tie gift bags.



Celebrate dad's with a tie that has a sweeter ending than normal.

Ashley @ Make It Love It gives the full tutonrial & pattern (if you need it) to make your very own Father's day staple - tie "pot".



Greenbean Crafterole - yeah, yeah, yeah she's crafty :)

Take a previous tie gift and make Dad a new & improved tie gift! He can proudly display this one every day of the year. I'd even rock one myself.



The girls @ eighteen 25 have shown off their crafty skills yet again! Taking a tip from Martha, they transformed plain plastic boxes into dad appropriate, snack-filled tie boxes.



Kendra @ My Insanity shared the full deets over at Fave Crafts on how to make tie gift bags!

Show the men in your life that you love 'em with their gift packaged in one of these snazzy bags. This would also be great for Boss' day - don'tcha think?!?

I think these are ALL ties that a Dad - Grandad - Stepdad - Neighbor - Anyone in your life would enjoy receiving!

Happy Father's Day to all the wonderful father figures out there!

Enjoy!

Amanda

{FREEday} father's day

It's been a while since a FREEday post. Here are some of my freebie favorites for Father's Day!



Amy @ Living Locurto made a printable set perfect for breakfast in bed!
Also surprise dad with these brownie waffles - great recipe for a kid to help make!




What a fun color scheme!
Linnette @ Paperglitter made this FREE set of cupcake toppers.
Use them on top of a special treat, punch out & sew together to adorn his gift, or make a banner, so many great uses!




This darling, playful party set is by Love Party Printables featured at Catch My Party!

The downloadable, FREE set includes: party tags, invitations, flags, tented cards, large labels, water bottle labels, napkin rings, favor tags, and banner.

Check out even MORE PRINTABLES featured by Jillian @ Catch My Party.


Need Father's Day gift ideas? Check out this post for some inspiration!

Enjoy!

Amanda

{fab finds} bottle up your love for dad - father's day gift ideas!

I have been a bad-lil-blogger and haven't been posting on a normal schedule....I enjoyed the little break after a hectic few weeks, but I do miss it so!
I have been filling the void by scoping out pinterest and twitter... Now, BACK TO WORK :)

Father's day is in a few weeks and it's time to get your craft on!

I've noticed a bottle & repackaging trend for a lot of gift ideas, and wanted to feature a few of my faves!



Kristine @ K McKay Designs made a perfect "mock" bait box for the fisherman in your life! This is a cute & green project to make - she even gives full instructions and printables! Thanks!




POP You Put the FIZZ in my life!
A fantastic printable from Heather @ Whipperberry that can be attached to dad's favorite soda {or coke - all soda is called coke in the south ;) }




Jordan @ Oh Happy Day featured this great project for the SUPER DADS @ Alpha Mom.

She made it easy for everyone by providing all the labels you need to put together a great care package! Surprise your real-life hero on Father’s Day with this kit of goodies so he can have the energy to continue saving the world one meltdown & tantrum at a time.


Of course what would a holiday be without a little help from Martha?

These retro labels make it a cinch to turn any of Dad's favorite foods into a custom gift for Father's Day.


In other news....
Deal Alert!

From now until June 6th, Tiny Prints is running a special promotion offering customized Father’s Day cards for 99 cents. Just use the code GC99 at checkout for the Father’s Day special!

Enjoy!

Amanda

{creative} happy mother's day

Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful mother's out there!

You go above & beyond for your loved ones every day and often with out thanks.
Enjoy all the love & appreciation you are receive today because you are worth every bit of it!

I wanted to share the gift for my mom this year:








I ordered my card from Tiny Prints, and then used an epherma die-cut package from K & Company to jazz up the envelope a bit since I wasn't mailing it. Since it is a coffee themed card, it is only natural to include a Starbuck's gift card. We all need our coffee!

 Is it obvious I'm a scrapbooker? lol





I bought my mom the white platter, and included some of the cinnamon brown sugar (churro) cupcakes topped with the FREE PRINTABLES by Love Party Printables featured on Catch My Party. I also added turquoise & pearl beads to the tops of the toothpicks for some glam.

How did you show your mom that she is loved?

Enjoy Mother's Day!

Amanda

{notions and notes} cinco de mayo

I am a little late to get on the Cinco de Mayo train, but I wanted to do a quick MEGA post of all things that put me in a "fiesta" mood!

Printables



These muy caliente printables are by Kim @ TomKat Studio.

The FREE collection includes cupcake toppers/tags and invitations. Love the bright colors!




I just discovered Annika's blog: Cakes Likes a Party. Instant love!

She made a Cinco de Mayo FREE & Awesome ;) printable banner to share. Thanks!



How About Orange's compliment bunting came up in my Facebook feed a month ago, and I have been looking for the perfect occassion to share it!

This would be so fun to put up in one of your co-worker's cubicle to brighten their day.




Definitely one of my go-to sites for printables: Catch My Party! 

This collection by Brady @ 9 to 5 Mom includes: a 5×7 invitation, party circles, drink flags, water/beer bottle labels, and a “Cinco de Mayo” banner. Essentially everything you'll need to throw one great fiesta!


Crafts & Tutorials



These mini pinatas by @ One Charming Party have been the Cinco de Mayo crush of blogland!

What a perfect craft to do with your kids (or a festive party favor) to celebrate the 5th of May.




Chelsea @ Lovely Indeed shared this DIY Papel Picado tutorial @ The Sweetest Occassion.

This is perfect if you want your "Mexican Bunting" to say just the right words or have the perfect design.

I'm thinking some chevron details?!?




This would work great for a fiesta & a luau!

The Paper Parasol Topiary tutorial is by Craft Stylish and was found via the Hostess with the Mostess' daily blog.




What's a cake without mini-bunting?

The tutorial by Jenna @ EatDrinkPretty featured on A Subtle Revelry (recent blog crush...) that shows you how to do it "Cinco de Mayo" style.



Food & Parties



Cinco de Maia!

A 1st birthday south-of-the-border style!

Kelly @ WH Hostess created this festive party and it was Kara's Party Ideas winning feature. Congrats & gracias for sharing the party!!!




The Sweet Adventures of SugarBelle never disappoints!

The chips & guacamole are actually cookies & icing! How fun! These would also be perfect as a sweet trick on April Fool's Day. Visit her site for the complete tutorial.



Don't fret! This smore station is just one of the drool-worthy images from the Mexico Inspired Wedding Shoot featured on Style Me Pretty.

The style & inspiration behind the shoot is classic Mexican with vintage & rustic touches.

So beautiful....

I hope I haven't put you into inspiration overload!
I am on my way now to make "Churro" cupcakes, wish me luck!

Enjoy!

Amanda

{creative} happy easter!

Happy Easter to everyone! I hope it has been filled with family & chocolate!

I just wanted to share the goodie bags I put together for my co-workers. I used these fabulous free printables by Autumn Leah Designs featured on Catch My Party:





One of my coworkers I call "Farmer Doug" because he keeps acquiring so many critters! One of his recent additions is baby chicks. I thought these little chick eggs were perfect! I found this rustic basket at Hobby Lobby (I tried to make it look somewhat manly since it is for a guy!).


Enjoy!

Amanda

***Excuse my 5-second photo shoot that I took right before I drove off to work!

{FREEday} easter goodness

This printable is not only great for Easter time. It could be used for a birthday invite as well! Thanks Sara @ One Charming Party for creating a bunny-ful printable :)



Jill @ Sandy Toes and Popsicles made this Easter banner for a magazine photoshoot and is oh-so-kind to share the Free Printable love!





Darling birds! Bird's Party has the how-to & pattern to make these sweet spring birds!



What an easy, little treat to give everyone!

Just package up mini or large marshmallows in a snack ziploc bag and use this darling topper by the "J" girls @ Eighteen25.



I love the simplicity of a silhouette! Hostess With the Mostess has the template from the "Silhouette Queen" Le Papier Studio to make this Easter plate.



Keeping up with the marshmallow trend, don't let your peeps go out without a cute top ;)

Beth @ It Is What It Is made this topper to share!



LOVE love LOVE the way those jellybeans are packaged in test tubes, so creative! These toppers are available from Nothing But County.

Also check out the Peep Toppers and  Earth Day Printables 1 & 2

Enjoy!

Amanda