Phone Book Ballet Flats

Take some mod podge, a phone book & inexpensive pair of ballet shoes for a one-of-a-kind super cute pair of shoes! Imagine using a map or the Sunday comics?! FUN! Get all the details from Shannon Makes Stuff

Up-Cycled Drink Caddy

We eat take-out often. You too?
Don't throw away those drink holders just yet!
(all you Top Chef masters just please play along)
Check out this fantastic up-cycle project from Dandee. A great alternate to giving a flower bouquet to a friend, or use them as centerpieces at your next party (at the end of the event, give each guest a plant to take home). And that fun "HELLO!" banner... You can download it for free! Get all the details here!

DIY Playdate Card Printables

Get these adorable playdate cards from Busy Bees. Simply fill in your personal info, print and start planning a fun day with your little one & their friend(s)!

Get the ballerina girl card here

Get the robot boy card here

Frugalista Finds:

Old Navy: 30% off entire store & website

Restaurant.com: Save 80% Off $25 Gift Cert. Use code SUMMER and pay $2 thru 6/30/10.

Flirty Aprons: 18% off aprons

Canvas People: Free 8x10 canvas print (just pay for shipping)

Paper Source: More than 500 items on sale

Kids Butterfly Punch Art

Right now I'm lovin' my Martha Stewart butterfly punch. It's been put to use A LOT lately and now my daughter is hooked.
She recently asked to create a new piece of art for her room.

So we grabbed an extra frame we had laying around and carefully discarded the glass.

Using some wrapping paper, we wrapped a piece of foam core.

Now it's time to get punching...

We grabbed some scrapbook paper & I let her punch away...

Next we glued down the butterflies onto the wrapping paper (bending the wings to give them some dimension)...

My tired little assistant.

Tah-dah! Not too shabby for a 3 year old!
The whole project took us about 30 minutes and the little one loves it! She's so proud of her new piece of art and I loved the fun time we had creating it together!

Happy Father's Day

Cupcake Buns + Brownie Burgers + Cookie Fries = One Happy Meal!

Get the details & free printables to make this awesome sweet treat for Father's Day from Bakerella. So. Much. Fun.

And a very special Father's Day wish to my hubby!

Thank you for being such a wonderful daddy!

We love you so much!

BBQ Cupcakes

With summer just around the corner, I can already smell the delicious aroma of BBQ in the air. Imagine serving these cupcake beauties at your next shindig. Wow!

Burger with all the fixings!

Nothing says July 4th like hot dogs!

Shish-ka-bob anyone?

And what BBQ would be complete without some corn on the cob?!

Photos via flickr

DIY Vanilla Sugar

source

Vanilla sugar is super simple to make, keeps indefinitely and is quite possibly one of the tastiest items you can keep in your kitchen. The aroma is incredible and it's delicious in coffee, when sprinkled on fruit, and can pretty much be used with anything that calls for granulated sugar.

Vanilla Sugar

1 vanilla bean, whole or scraped

2 cups granulated sugar

If vanilla bean is whole, slice down side of bean with back of knife and scrape seed into airtight container with the sugar. Bury bean in sugar & seal tightly with lid. Let sit for 1 to 2 weeks. Replenish with fresh sugar or additional vanilla beans as necessary to make more.

I'm thinking of storing the vanilla sugar in some cool glass jars & giving them as gifts during the holidays. They'd be a perfect hostess gift or go-to gift for unexpected guests. Add a tag or label with the recipe so the recipient can make themselves more when they run out.

Altoid Mini Toolboxes

I posted this awhile back, but with Father' Day around the corner, it's too cute to not bring back. Using Altoid mint tins, create cute little tool boxes filled with treats for Dad. These would also be adorable favor boxes for a Handy Manny or tool-theme party. Get the details here.

DIY Father’s Day Gift for Your Superhero

This Father's Day let the kids show their real-life hero some appreciation with this adorable DIY care package filled with his favorite treats. Head over to Alphamom for all the fun details and free printable labels.

DIY Cupcake Dome

Make individual cupcake carriers at Givers Log using deli containers & drawer pulls (now I'm on the hunt for cute knobs).

What a fun way to present a single cupcake! All packaged and ready to be sent home with guests, including a handle for easy carrying! Cute!

Happy Summer Gift Tags

Get these adorable popsicle printables from The Rubber Punkin on Executive Homemaker. Attach them to a real popsicle & share with classmates, teachers & friends. Or cut out just the popsicle, attach with a real stick & insert into cupcakes for fun cupcake toppers. I'm going to add some glitter for a hint of icy shimmer (cause isn't everything better with some sparkle?!)

Mini Root Beer Float Cupcakes

Get the recipe to make these mini root beer float cupcakes from Gourmet Mom on-the-go. What an adorable presentation using shot glasses!

DIY Teacher Necklaces

School is almost out & it's time to thank those special teachers for all their hard work & dedication over the last year! Head over to The Creative Crate & get the details to make these adorable necklaces. Super easy, inexpensive & from the heart!