Gift Giving

From Carpool to Care Packages • Hunger-Aid Survival Kits

64 · Jan 29, 2018 · Leave a Comment

This post has been sponsored by Nature Valley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

With four kiddos that range in age from 7 to 20, I’ve been running carpool FOREVER it seems. One thing that never changes, no matter the age of the child, they ALWAYS arrive hungry! Even when they are far away in college, they are constantly fighting those hangries. I have found that from carpool to care packages, my go to products are always Nature Valley. Whenever I am at Walmart, I always stock-up on our favorite hunger fighting snacks to add to our camping supplies, Hunger-Aid Carpool Snack Bin or, to include in a Hunger-Aid College Survival Box.

I remember the first time I had a Nature Valley Granola Bar when I was a kid. It was at Girl Scout Camp and I remember biting into this crunchy granola bar and loving the flavor and especially the crunch. For years, it was my go to granola treat when I was in the mood for crunch time. I felt like I was getting an extra special treat because they always had TWO bars in each package. That’s a big deal when you’re young or even when you’re a poor college student. Over the years, I’ve watched their brand grow to include many more snacking options that, as a Mom, I love sharing with my kiddos.

Taking Care of the HANGRIES • The Hunger-Aid Carpool Snack Bin

Having four kiddos; one in college, high school, middle & elementary, school pick-up is a long drawn out process. Keeping the car stocked with Nature Valley products, as well as extra school supplies “just in case,” is fabulous way to let your children know that you truly care about their success.

I’m loving the NEW Nature Valley Layered Granola Nut Bars & Soft-Baked Filled Squares. They are perfect for either, before school on one of those hectic mornings or after to take care of those hungry tummies. They are so scrumptious and the carpool kiddos love them. I’ve created a Hunger-Aid Carpool Snack Bin that I keep in my car so that my children are never left with a case of the hangries before or after school.

I created this fun design for the bin based off of the vintage Band-Aid tins that our mothers, grandmothers or even great grand mothers always had around when we needed a little tender loving care after getting into a scrape. I thought it was perfect for the snack bin for the family car. You’ll be able to download the file for yourself below.

Shopping List for the Carpool Snack Bin

I’m always running to Walmart to grab all kinds of things because it’s a one stop shop packed with all the things I need – especially for this snack bin. This is what I put together for the carpool snack bin to keep in the car.

130 oz Acrylic Latch Jar, Clear
Nature Valley Peanut Butter Chocolate Layered Granola Nut Bars(also available in Almond Butter Chocolate!)
Layered Granola Nut Bars
Nature Valley Honey Peanut Butter Soft-Baked Filled Squares (available in Cocoa Peanut Butter too for your chocolate-loving-kiddos)
Sam’s Choice 100% Natural Spring Water
A package of #2 pencils
A Nail File
A fun and colorful vinyl decal used to create labeling for the bin

To start, I grabbed one of my favorite clear buckets at Walmart. I use these for all kinds of stuff. Storage for little bits and bobs, a travel container when taking meals to friends homes, pantry storage… The list goes on and on.

For this purpose, I grabbed some vinyl decal materials and created a cute label for the bin because, you know, that’s how I am.

You can download the SVG files to use HERE. If you’re new to creating with vinyl, I can also show you how to apply vinyl or import and use a SVG file.

I applied the vinyl to the bucket…

Then filled it with my loot! The car will now be stocked-up with Nature Valley hunger fighters, water, extra pencils & nail files for those teenage girls emergencies.

As soon as the kiddos jump in the car, they know exactly where to go to get a little something to help them get over those after school hangries.

Stocking-up the Dorm Room • The Hunger-Aid College Survival Box

For my college student, Nature Valley products are perfect for care packages paired along with other great items from Walmart to stock-up their dorm rooms. Here are some ideas to include in your care package.

shipping box from Walmart
Nature Valley Peanut Butter Chocolate Layered Granola Nut Bars
Nature Valley Soft-Baked Honey Peanut Butter Filled Squares
A pack of #2 pencils (for those pesky Scantrons)
ball point pens
fuzzy socks
Equate Makeup Remover Cleansing Face Wipes
Nail Files
A fun and colorful vinyl decal used to create labeling for the bin
ribbon
tissue paper
clear packing tape

To start, line your shipping box with tissue paper and start with your bottom layer of goodies first. Fuzzy socks and every girls favorite make-up wipes.

Then the good stuff! Load up the box with Nature Valley treats.

I gathered the pencils and pens and secured them with a rubber band, then tied them with a pretty ribbon. It’s always those extra, classy touches take your care package from simple to special. I closed up the box and then added the vinyl to the box.

I can’t wait to send this off to my favorite college student!

From Care Packages to Car Pool, these Hunger-Aid survival kits are the BEST! What are your favorite ways to show your family that you adore them? What are their favorite Nature Valley hunger fighters? Which new flavor of Nature Valley bars are you most excited to try next? What kind of Hunger-Aid bin should we make next? Maybe one for the office or teachers lounge? Let me know what you think!

+ Disclaimer • This is a Nature Valley sponsored post. All thoughts, ideas and opinions are my very own +

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12 Cricut Maker Projects + How to Replace a Cricut Maker Rotary Blade

39 · Jan 26, 2018 · Leave a Comment

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my Cricut Maker! I’m especially loving creating more with fabric these days. I’m always looking for more Cricut Maker project inspiration & ideas on how to take care of my machine. For example every Cricut Maker user, there comes a time when you will need to change out your rotary blade. This is something that is relatively new to the Cricut world and is super easy to do following the proper instructions. If you are new to creating with Cricut, the Cricut Maker Rotary Blade is the magical blade that cuts fabric when using the Cricut Maker machine! With its gliding, rolling action, it cuts virtually any fabric quickly and accurately – without backing material. It’s pretty fabulous! After you’ve cut to your heart’s content, you will eventually have to change out your blade, here’s a tutorial for how to replace a Cricut Rotary Blade. And, if you’re not sure if a Cricut or a Silhouette is right for you then make sure to read that article first. Ok so, down for the tutorial.

Below is a quick Pinable graphic that you can save so that you can reference it later on how to change your Cricut rotary blade. You can even print a PDF version of it HERE if you’d like.

How to Change a Cricut Rotary Blade

Before you begin, you need to make sure you remember you are working with a VERY SHARP blade and to be safe while working with it at all times.

Carefully remove rotary blade from your Cricut Maker.
Slip protective cover, from the Rotary Blade Kit over the blade with the large opening over the housing screw. View graphic to view safety warning.
Make sure you feel the protective cover click into place.
Use provided screw driver to remove the screw from the housing. View graphic for step-by-step photo instructions. Keep in mind, the blade is meant to stay within the protective cover. This is a great feature created by Cricut to protect their Cricut family of users. I think it’s genius!
Remove the new blade, already in a new protective cover, from the package.
Place over your housing like before.
Using the provided screw driver, replace the screw making sure not to over tighten.
Carefully remove protective covering and replace rotary blade in your machine.
Just to be safe, I place my old blade, still in the protective cover, back into the packaging before I toss it in the trash.

That’s it, you’re ready to rock’n roll again. Looking for some inspiration on what to make with this fabulous new cutting tool? Here are some that might get your creative juices flowing…

Cricut Maker Fabric Project Inspiration

Zipper Pouch + created by ME, WhipperBerry

Scalloped Leather Clutch + See Kate Sew

Knot Headband + Coral & Co

Baby Quilt + See Lindsay

Love Lives Here BannerLove Lives Here Banner + Hello Creative Family

How to Sew Fabric Baskets + PolkaDot Chair

Fabric Alphabet + Amber Simmons

Mermaid Book + Sweet Red Poppy

Tooth Fairy Monster + The Idea Room

Fabric Banner + PolkaDot Chair

The Essentials Wallet + Hello Creative Family

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This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Cricut. The opinions and text are all mine.

Spa Inspired Holiday Survival Kit with Buffalo Check Jars

26 · Dec 5, 2017 · 1 Comment

With the craziness of the Holidays, who couldn’t use a spa inspired holiday survival kit? It’s full of homemade sugar scrub, shower bombs in stylish Buffalo Check Ball Jars, one of my favorite Yankee Candles®, even a cute little Ball® jar filled with matches. It turned out so cute, come learn how to make some kits of your own to give give to friends and family this Christmas. You could even use it as a Secret Santa gift!

+ This post brought to you by the folks at Newell Brands, makers of Ball® Fresh Preserving Products +

I know when I’m working preparing all of the Holiday magic that comes this time of year, I can easily get a little run down. Nothing major, nothing a nice aromatic bath with some candles couldn’t cure. With that thought in mind, I thought it would be fun to put together this Holiday season to give to my friends, neighbors, teachers… Basically, anyone who could use a little pick-me-up as well.

Sharing Jars

I love the mission of the Ball® Sharing Jar. When you purchase the Sharing Jars your purchase will benefit Feeding America® – the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization. For every package of Sharing Jars purchased, Newell Brands will donate 4 meals*! I LOVE it when I can help support a worthy cause when buying stuff I would normally buy any way.

*Newell Brands® will donate $0.36 per package of Sharing Jars sold, up to $150,000 provided to Feeding America®. $1 helps provide 11 meals secured by Feeding America® on behalf of local member food banks.

Sugar Scrub Recipe

Before you can start assembling your Holiday Survival Kit, you’ll need to mix-up some simple sugar scrub. This couldn’t be any easier. You can mix this by hand or with a mixer. Either way is totally fine. Here’s what you’ll need.

2 cups sugar
1/4 cup coconut oil
10 drops of peppermint essential oil

Add sugar to your mixing bowl and slowly add your coconut oil until you get the desired consistency. I don’t like to add any food coloring because I don’t like to add extra chemicals and keep things natural. Plus, you don’t want to accidentally spill on something and have the color transfer.

Finish up by adding the essential oils and package in your Ball® Sharing Jar.

Shower Bomb Recipe

The shower bombs take a little more patience. These little guys are very similar to the Snowball Bath Bombs I made the other day. They are made with baking soda and you want to make sure you don’t activate it while you are in the process of mixing up your shower bombs.

1 cup baking soda
1/2 cup citric acid
1/2 cup corn starch
2-3 tablespoons water
3o drops peppermint essential oil

In the bowl of a stand mixer, add baking soda, citric acid and corn starch. Put water and essential oil into a small spray bottle and slowly spray dry mixture while mixing on low. Continue adding water/oil mixture until you achieve a nice wet sand consistency. DO NOT rush this process.

Add mixture to a silicon mold like the one below and press firmly.

Let mixture sit in mold for 4-5 minutes and then carefully unfold. Let the shower bombs sit on a flat surface overnight to dry.

Fill the other sharing jar with the shower bombs and attach printable tag to jar.

Buffalo Check Jars

These buffalo check jars are a true gem! I have a feeling I’ll be using these year-round. Here is a quick post to show you how to make them.

Printable Gift Tag

If you know me at all, you know I LOVE to design all kinds of printable. These may be some of my favorite thus far.

You can download the tags HERE

Match Jar

Alright, I am so in love with this little, itty-bitty Mini Ball® Storage Jars. They are only 4 oz. and they are just too darn cute!

They are the perfect size for a little match jar for your Holiday Survival Kit. I filled the jar with matches, thenI cut a strip of the matchbox striker and glue it to the side of the jar.

I also cut some vinyl on my Cricut that looks super fun on the jar…

You can download the cut file HERE

Holiday Survival Kit Assembly

Now, all you need to do is assemble your spa inspired Holiday Survival Kit…

I grabbed a Yankee Candle® Small Tumbler Candle to go with my match jar and a little box and I assembled my Survival Kit with he printable tag glued on the front of the box. I also tied the gift tags on the jars with some leather that I bought at my local craft store. Now, it’s giving time!

Secret Santa

I am super excited this year to participate in the Ball® Home Canning Products Secret Santa Program! Their lovely crew assigned me to an amazing talented blogger, Almost Makes Perfect. I adore her style and was thrilled to send my Spa Inspired Survival Kit to her. I can’t wait to see what she thinks of it.

I was lucky enough to receive a Ball Secret Santa gift from Jamie of C.R.A.F.T. She sent me this cute little candy jar set…

How fun is that? Adding some twigs as antlers and a belt to the jar to look like Santa. Honestly guys, creating with Ball® Canning Jars is so much fun! What can you guys think-up for this Holiday Season?

Disclosure + I am a paid partner for Newell Brands, makers of Ball® Fresh Preserving Products. However, all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

How to Paint Buffalo Check Jars

3 · Dec 5, 2017 · Leave a Comment

Love the Buffalo Check trend? Yep, me too! I thought it would be fun to use some of the Ball® Sharing Jars to create some Buffalo Check Jars to use as gifts this Holiday Season. Here’s how you can make some of your own.

+ This post brought to you by the folks at Newell Brands, makers of Ball® Fresh Preserving Products +

Ball® Sharing Jars

This project looks a bit challenging, but truly it’s not! All you need are some of those fabulous Ball® Sharing Jars and some paint and you can create this trendy look for yourself.

I love the shape of the Sharing Jars and I love the mission. When you purchase the Sharing Jars your purchase will benefit Feeding America® – the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization. For every package of Sharing Jars purchased, Newell Brands will donate 4 meals*! I LOVE it when I can help support a worthy cause when buying stuff I would normally buy any way.

* Newell Brands® will donate $0.36 per package of Sharing Jars sold, up to $150,000 provided to Feeding America®. $1 helps provide 11 meals secured by Feeding America® on behalf of local member food banks.

Buffalo Check Jars

I’m a huge fan of the Buffalo Check trend and can’t get enough of it right now. Pretty much everyone I know feels the same way so, I thought a stylish Buffalo Check Jar would be the perfect gift for friends and family for Christmas this year. I’ve filled them with all kinds of stuff; candy, bath scrubs, shower bombs, soup starters, cookie kits, all kinds of stuff. Of course after the jars are painted, you can no longer preserve in them but, they’re great for everything else. Here’s how to make them.

Materials

Ball® Sharing Jars
Americana Decor Chalky Paint in Everlasting, Yesteryear & Carbon
sponge paint brush
1/4″ flat head paint brush
240 grit sandpaper
Americana Decor Clear Crème Wax
lint free cloth

Instructions

To begin, make sure you have washed and dried your jars. Then paint a couple of layers of the white (Everlasting) chalky paint onto the jar with the sponge brush. You can use your favorite kind of chalk paint here.

Don’t worry about brush strokes, they will get smoothed out in the finishing process at the end. Let dry, ideally for a few hours or overnight.

Next, you’ll use the 1/4″ flat paint brush to paint the gray (Yesteryear) stripes onto the jar.

You will loosely use the lines on the jars as guides. I really didn’t want a precise looking check wanting it to look more free form or hand painted. I didn’t want this project to become to crazy with measuring every little detail and taping the jar to get perfect lines. This to me makes the project so much more enjoyable and I love the look.

Start at the top points of the lines in the Sharing Jar and use your 1/4 inch brush line to create the stripes. Three stripes around the jar and then a vertical stripe in the center of the flat sections of the sharing jar. Let dry completely.

Now, you’ll use the black (Carbon) paint to paint on the black section of the check in the intersections of the gray stripes. Again, let paint dry completely. It would be best at this stage to let the paint cure overnight. It will help the paint adhere to the glass much better.

Once the paint is dry, you will use the sand paper to smooth and distress the paint. Be careful not to attach the jar with a little too much vigor. You don’t want to sand the paint right off the jar. Using a soft hand, smooth the dry paint, (this will remove the brush strokes) and then carefully distress the high points of the jar.

Once this step is complete, you’ll want to wipe down the jars with a damp cloth to remove any of the remaining dust. Then you’ll use your lint free cloth to wipe on some of the wax to seal the paint onto the jar. Use the lint free cloth to then wipe off any excess wax and buff the wax.

Now, you’re finished! You have the cutest Buffalo Check Jars ready to fill with whatever you like.

I created a fun Holiday Survival Kit and filled the jars with a homemade sugar scrub, some shower bombs and included a Yankee Candle® along with the cutest little match jar ever… You’ll have to check it out. It even comes with free printable gift tags.

Disclosure + I am a paid partner for Newell Brands, makers of Ball® Fresh Preserving Products. However, all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Gift Giving

Taking Care of the HANGRIES • The Hunger-Aid Carpool Snack Bin

Shopping List for the Carpool Snack Bin

Stocking-up the Dorm Room • The Hunger-Aid College Survival Box

How to Change a Cricut Rotary Blade

Cricut Maker Fabric Project Inspiration

Sharing Jars

Sugar Scrub Recipe

Shower Bomb Recipe

Buffalo Check Jars

Printable Gift Tag

You can download the tags HERE

Match Jar

Holiday Survival Kit Assembly

Secret Santa

Ball® Sharing Jars

Buffalo Check Jars

Materials

Instructions

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