All Wrapped Up

When you think of cheerleading, what does that bring to mind?  Cute little girls in their uniforms performing massive acrobatic stunts and perfectly choreographed routines?  Yup, that's what I envision too.  But I've recently learned that there is a place for a craft lady like me in cheerleading...behind the scenes.

My fav customer's daughter is a part of a local cheer squad and they have kept me quite busy this cheer season.  Originally the plan was to blog each thing I did for them, but let's be honest here -- most of my crafts happen after 9pm so the idea of getting them completed on time, staging and taking pictures AND getting up a blog post was way too overwhelming for me.  So I decided to do one post with pics of the items I did.  *Warning:  Poor picture quality*  Late night crafting means I forgo the Canon for my phone camera and pray for a good result (don't judge).

Here is my season with the Cheer Jewels all wrapped up!

These are the awesome cupcake toppers.  After each competition (monthly), the girls receive a 'cheer' inspired goody bag.  A couple of the bags included cupcakes topped with these personalized toppers.

February was all about "love".  Red, pink and white M&M's in candy containers that I purchased from Pick Your Plum were included in the bags.

Year end girls' gift - a framed group picture.  I hand painted each one with the squad's colors and a megaphone then used vinyl for the name.

The end of season card made for the two coaches -- each girl signed {forgot to take a pic...again, don't judge}

The ultimate coaches gift - a spa basket which included a luxury spa gift card to a well known local spa, monogrammed spa robes and several goodies from The Body Shop.  The assistant coaches (two high school students) received a mani/pedi at another local establishment.  Oooh-la-la!

What fun it's been this season helping out behind the scenes for the Cheer Jewels.  Now it's time to sit back and relax...that is until next season!


UPDATE:  My customer sent me a forwarded messages from the head coach.  Here is what she had to say  "I'm not sure who all helped put the basket together so please pass along to whomever.  I just wanted to say how awesome the whole basket was.  The Cheer Jewel card is adorable!!  The robe is my new best friend and the lotions and shower gels are heavenly!  Thanks again for all the time and work it took to put that together.  Very nice!!!"

And this is why I do what I do!  This note has had me smiling for over an hour.  I'm so happy that they are happy -- SCORE!

Shop and Save

I love a good sale.  Shoot let me be real, I love saving money!  Whether it's getting the best deal on our groceries, clothing or my coveted craft items, I am constantly looking for ways to keep on budget and keep money in our checking account.

One of my favorite craft places is Pick Your Plum. The deals are amazing and there is something for everyone.  I love them for the craft supplies but they aren't limited to just that.  See for yourself.

Looking for a fun way to give a Valentine?  These kraft bags are too sweet and they come in four different designs.  At the unbelievable price of $3.99 for a pack of ten, this isn't the deal you want to leave behind.

These wire baskets are simply lovely and at just $4.49 you can buy one in each size knowing you didn't break the bank.

Vintage is your love?  Well, these rustic clocks are perfect for the lover of all things vintage-y {like how I made that up} and at $9.99 you get the look you want at a price you can afford.

Clothes are where your shopping passion lies?  Well, you can't go wrong with these beautiful maxi skirts for $12.99.
Say whaaat!?!

Now can you see why I love Pick Your Plum?  You seriously don't want to miss out on what they have to offer.  Daily deals, 7 days a week.  What could be better!

Pretty in Pearls

Sometimes crafts are just meant to be cute.
To give you a smile.  A reminder that life can be airy and fun.
This is one of those crafts.

Scrolling through Pinterest I found this and instantly fell in love!
I knew that I just had to make one for the reigning princess of the house.

Source: Ammo the Daschund

Besides falling head over hills for this 'shirt and tie' found at Ammo the Daschund, I couldn't stop smiling at how absolutely adorable little Ammo is in it.  I had to find a way to make this work for my girl and it hit me...what's more girly than  pearls.  I remembered I had an old pink collard shirt I no longer wear and a string of pearls meant for our Christmas tree, just what I need to get started.


Step One:  Go through closet and find shirt.

Pink Gap Shirt - perfect!

Step Two:  Cut off collar.

Sharp scissors and a steady hand are all that's needed

Step Three: Iron collar {not necessary unless collar is extremely wrinkled like mine}.

A good pressing.

Step Four: Grab clear jewels, button brad and pearls. Use hot glue gun to decorate. {Sorry no pic of this.  There was a fight between me and the hot glue gun and well...let's just say I wasn't the winner.}


Step Five: Use doggie treats to entice your princess into a photo shoot.

She is our beautiful girl...Pretty in Pearls!
I love that I was able to make this for her.  Mama absolutely loves her fur baby!
You can learn a little about how she became a part of our lives by checking
out the post For a Cause.  And in the meantime....

For a Cause

As a mom, I absolutely adore my little guy.  All of those cliche things you hear about motherhood are true.  You really do wear your heart outside your body when you become a mom.  But my heart belonged to someone else several months before my son was born.  I fell in love via the internet.

Her name is Apple and she had a story.  She was one of thirty dogs that had been removed as a part of a hoarding case.  The conditions that she and the others were kept in were horrific.  Caged, sick, underfed and a mother by the age of one, she was rescued by some amazing people - A Forever Home Rescue.  They gave her the medical attention she so desperately needed and found her a great foster home.  The moment I saw those beautiful brown eyes staring back at me from my screen eight years ago, I knew I had found my four legged fur baby...and she had found her forever home.

This sweet girl may never have been a part of my family if it weren't for the work of people who chose to act quickly and help change her fate.  People who work tirelessly to rescue animals in sometimes deplorable situations and give them a better life.  What they do would not be possible without financial support and now giving couldn't be easier thanks to Causora.com.

Causora's mission is to raise more funds by rewarding donations.  Rewarding donations?
Yes, when you give, you get.  Here's how it works:

Choose your favorite cause and make a donation
Get the equivalent value in Causora credits {Donate $20, get $20 reward credit to spend}
Redeem your credit for vouchers at 150+ socially responsible merchants

What could be better?  You help your favorite cause and you get a reward for doing so.  Causora calls this their "one-for-one giving platform" and for a person who lives on a budget and is all about a great deal, this is a major score!

If you are interested in helping A Forever Home do what they do best, click the link below.

Donate Now On Causora And Get Rewards!


Doggie rescue not your thing?  Your philanthropic heart lies elsewhere? No problem.  Head over to Causora.com to choose your cause, make your donation and receive your reward.  It's that simple.

Now, I know what you are thinking.  You really want to know about that cute collar she is wearing, right?
No need to fear - a post is coming soon!



This sponsored post is brought to you by Causora.com.  Be sure to like them on Facebook,  follow them on Twitter and on Google+

Simple Project Calendar

Happy New Year and welcome to 2014!

The new year brings about change.  The kind of change that has you making a vow to eat better, to exercise more, to become a better person {you know...long term goals - haha} and to be more organized.  If you are anything like me, your mental "to do list" grows with each passing day and somehow that list never seems to get shorter.  Okay let me be truthful here, I am a terrible procrastinator.  I know what needs to be done and I continually find reasons to do something else.  But the nonsense stops here!

A new year means a new me and I am not alone!  My Silhouette Challenge buddies and I are all sharing projects related to the theme of ORGANIZATION on our blogs today.  So after checking out this simple project calendar that I created to keep me on track, be sure to scroll to the bottom to browse the 35 other project inspirations that will have you ready to start your new year off right too!

For this craft I knew I wanted something simple that would allow me to see my projects at a glance.  A search of my craft space and I gathered up a piece of poster board and some thin black ribbon.  I grabbed my Silhouette machine and I was ready for business.

Using my Silhouette I created the weekly tags that I would need.  I used two different frame files and adjusted them to the size I needed.  Since I was placing these on white poster board, I gave each tag a vibrant color.  Making sure to set my machine to show the registration marks, I was ready to complete my print and cut.

If you've never used the print and cut feature, you should really give it a try.  Thanks to my wonderful Silhouette buddies and all of their knowledge, I tried it and baby I'm hooked!  My tags came out great.

Each space was measured and I used the thin black ribbon to create the lines.

Once I placed the tags in each space, I didn't like how the white border of the tags blended into the background of the poster board.  I decided to add a little more color to each block to give it a bit of pop.

After gluing each color block and tag into place and then laminating the entire thing, my project calendar is complete.

Laminating allows me to use a dry erase marker to write out my projects so I can keep track of what needs to be done when.  The great part about laminating is it can be used month after month.  How do you clean it off or make corrections?  Magic Eraser -- works like a charm!

Want more inspiration?  Can't wait to get more organized?  Well, wait no more...jump on the blog hop.  I promise you won't be disappointed!

1. DIY Window Shutter Mail Organizer by Weekend Craft
2. Kids' Art Wall by Tried & True
3. Organizing Silhouette and Craft Supplies by The Happier Homemaker
4. Simple Recipe Organization by It's Always Craft Time
5. Put a Label on it! Herb Names for Plant Stakes by Get Silvered
6. Super Simple Linen Closet Labels by Two Purple Couches
7. Beware of the Animals Vinyl Toy Box by A Tossed Salad Life
8. Child desk accessories by Architecture of a Mom
9. Organizing & the Important of Labels by The Turquoise Home
10. Index Card Organizer for Easier Meal Planning by Chicken Scratch NY
11. Create Craft Room Labels by Dragonfly & Lilypads
12. Simple Storage Solution for your Christmas Ornaments by Vintage News Junkie
13. Organize this: DIY Planner Covers, Tags & Dividers (made with Cereal Boxes) by Black and White Obsession
14. How to Make a Cut File into a Print & Cut by Create & Babble
15. Simple Chest Freezer Organizational Board by Nearly Handmade
16. Vinyl Your Kitchen Canisters! by From Wine to Whine
17. Nursery Closet Dividers & Silhouette Cut File by Creative Ramblings
18. Make Custom Box Templates with a Silhouette for Drawer Organization by One Dog Woof
19. Organizing the Craft Room by What's Next Ma
20. Vinyl Wall Calendar by Crafts Cakes and Cats
21. Personalized Toy Storage Bins by Lil' Mrs. Tori
22. Personalized Routine Chart by Work in Progress
23. Blog Planner Sheet Dividers + Free Cut Files by TitiCrafty by Camila
24. Simple Project Calendar by Little Blue's Room
25. Dry Erase Photo Frame Menu Board + Free Cut File by Essentially Eclectic
26. Receipt Organization with Free Cut File by The Thinking Closet
27. Cute and Easy Labels by Life After Laundry
28. "What's For Dinner?" Menu Planning Board by unOriginal Mom
29. Mixing Organization and Function: An Easy Conversion Chart by My Paper Craze
30. Why do my cookies taste so bad? A lesson in baking. by The Life and Times of a TAP
31. Custom Drawer Dividers by Please Excuse My Craftermath...
32. The evolution of my labeling system by feto soap
33. Ikea Drawer labels by McCall Manor
34. Glass Etched Vinegar  & Oil bottles by Terri Johnson Creates
35. Organize It: Bathroom Closet by The House on Hillbrook
36. Ombre Butterfly Magnet Board by Sowdering About