the grass grows greener [free printable]

One of my favorite Primary Songs for the LDS church is "Give, Said the Little Stream". I love it so much because it focuses on service. This little stream acknowledges it's understanding of how small a piece it is in the grand scheme of things, yet how much impact it can make if it will just do its part.
I teach one of the nursery classes (children 18-24 months old) in my ward at moment and I couldn't be happier. I've wanted this calling for a while and I am so glad I got it. I love teaching kids so much. They are so eager, kind, willing, and happy. I am learning so much from them as I study the basic principles of the gospel to teach to them.
Here is the printbale I made to frame and display on the table I set out each week. I've seem so many printables floating around out there, I just had to make my own.
(it is sized for a 5x7)

operation focus and simplify [my plan]

So I'm going to try something new to help me get a little more organized. If you're anything like me you are going so many different directions, try to do so many different things, and struggling to keep up with them all....
So, here's to a day, a week, a month, a year, a life....of a little more organization, a lot more accomplishment, and way more memories as I focus on what I really want to focus on and simplify my life to the point of where I can.

Sundays- a day to plan fun Family Night lessons that my kids will enjoy and learn from.
Mondays- an activity that has to do with the things my kids are learning. They will be focused on discovery, learning new skills, and challenging their minds.
Tuesdays- ways to clean, organize, accomplish, and check things off my many, many lists.
Wednesdays- plain 'o fun. Games, outings, new discoveries...anything and everything to make time together a laugh.
Thursdays- me time. Making and taking the time to do something I want.
Fridays- improving my recipe book and exposing my family to all the tasty things life has to offer.
Saturdays-slowly try to mend and fix and finish and start the piles of sewing projects I have laying around.

Wish me luck as I try to focus and simplify.
(Good luck to you too)

potion labels tutorial {free printables}

If you're like me, you've seen a lot of black and white as well as vintage Halloween decor around. I have been loving it and had to have at least part of my house done up that way.
I have seen some great potion bottles with labels out there. But I am a cheap-skate and didn't want to pay for them, especially if they weren't the perfect size for the bottle I have been saving as I've been using things. So here's a few steps to help you get the look with a black and white print from your home computer on just plain old copy paper.

You'll need:
4 bottles (I used a spice bottle, nutella spread, jelly jar, and a Disney vitamin bottle)
Printable (snag it from below)
Coffee or Tea (I used herbal tea water)
Modpodge
Black Spray Paint

Clean your bottles. I put them in the dishwasher. If there is still some residue left use Goof-Off." A little goes a long way.

Cut out your printables and crumple them up, then open them back up.


Make your coffee or tea (if using tea, you don't have to make a whole cup, the less water the stronger the tint). Making it in a dish helps make it easier.

Uncrumple the labels and quickly place them in the tea face down. Dip and remove quickly...seriously.

Take them out and place them on a cooling rack. Let them sit there until the ink has bled to your taste.


To help them dry faster and keep their crumpled look, hold label in your hand and blow dry it with a blow dryer. Dry both sides.

Modpodge label on your bottle. I painted a layer over the top to act as a sealer.

Spray paint your lids.

...and display!

Just click and snag.

If you want to try to create your own...click here for the great clip art I used. And here's the labels that inspired mine.

halloween in print {free printables}

I'm proud to say that I love how this turned out. I needed a little something to finally take out my "Land that I Love" prints...yes, I know it's October...It is beautiful and simplistic. Hope you like it just as much....
as always...just click and snag it.




I needed something to go above my lanterns and next to my Halloween tree. I say this one, but was not totally in love, so this cutie was born. I love how it turned out. Click and grab it, which ever direction you would like.



I got this idea from HGTV. They have a great selection of great black and white Halloween decor. My house is split. My front, formal, part of my house is black and white and the rest, where we mainly do our living, is fun and colorful.

mom's brain

That's what I've been working on. I have wanted to really get myself organized and I think I finally found what works for me. I needed a calendar where I could see an overview of the month, but that also had monthly projects, budget, events...weekly menu and tasks, etc. So here's what I came up with. Yes, it's big, but it's what works for me.



Here are the pages I made. If you like, just click on them and snag them.
The July and August calendar pages I got from anythingbutperfect.com. She makes great calendars, I just couldn't wait for hers so I had to make my own for the rest of the year. I am far from a digital designer. When making them so you could grab them there were some glitches. Sorry. Amateur! :)

i can do hard things {free printable}

This is something that is very popular in my family. I find myself saying it to my kids all the time, and now I am saying to myself as I am gearing up for homeschooling.

Hope you enjoy. It is a good slogan to have. I am sure some of you can make your own to your own taste, but if you like this one just click on it to snag it. If you would prefer other colors just leave a comment.

patriotic printables

One of my favorite holidays is the 4th of July. I am already getting into the spirit of things. It always kicks off around this time, Memorial day. Then comes flag day, then the fourth.
I love all the flags that appear on the homes on my street. It is just so warming to relfect on what our country was founded for.
Here are a few printables to frame and display.

Just click on the pictures.