Nutty Valentines.

This is what we came up with for Valentines Day this year.

"Nutty For You!" or "Nutty For Valentines" so the kids aren't too embarrassed to give out!

We dipped Nutter Butter Cookies in pink chocolate and added some Valentine Sprinkles while drying.

They were put in little candy bags {available at Michaels.}

I made these cute toppers that you can download for yourselves right HERE.

You can also use the toppers and put real peanuts in the bags or Circus Peanut Candies...!

I am going nuts over these...!

Maelyn Turned 8...!

Maelyn Jules is the oldest girl in the family.

She is a hard worker, organized, opinionated, smart and caring.

To celebrate her 8th Birthday she wanted to go Bowling with her family.

Well, actually she ended up having a Birthday Week instead of a day...!

She got to open up her gifts from the family in the morning.

She's all ready for school...!

Maelyn loves being the center of attention..! Well, what kid doesn't?

Her Abuela took her out shopping after school.

She picked these boots out with little heels on them...!

{Blowing out the candles on her Bowling Cake.}

Time to go have some family fun..!

Carmendee literally kicked our booties...! She was 8 points behind my husband...!

Maelyn looks exactly like her Daddy.

Noah is my rival for Bowling...! We're always competing against each other...!

My Twin...!

{Look at that action shot!}

My girls...!

Maelyn had a fun week..! Her Grandma took her out shopping for a new bike one day and took her to her favorite restaurant in the world for some Mexican Food...!

Her best friends ended up throwing a slumber party for her one day. She was so surprised because they took her to Denny's and had them sing Happy Birthday to her in front of everyone.

Maelyn...she's my big 8 year old girl...!

Friday Book Project {Pickle Things}

Pickle Things by Marc Brown was one of my favorite books to read when I was a kid.

 I don't think they sell it anymore at the stores, it's labeled as "vintage" now but you can find it on the internet. It is hilarious. I have the same one from when I was little that I read to my children. It's a little tore up and my sister wrote on it...so I didn't post the picture of it but it still gets the job done.

The girls had Pickles for snack...of course...!

I read them the story while they colored.

 I had printed some Pickle Coloring Pages that I found off the internet.

The last thing they did was...make their own thing with pickles!

I printed a giant green pickle...they cut them out and made their own Pickle Things with them.

Maelyn made a Pickle Shoe. Patience made a Pickle Earring and Carmendee made a Pickle Person with eyes and a mouth.

We love our Pickle Thing Book.

No matter how tore up it gets...it's a keeper!



{100th Day} Shirt

It's the 100th Day of School this Friday and my daughter's teacher asked if we could make our kiddos shirts to wear.
I think the point was to add 100 thingys onto the shirt. However, she told me to use my creativity...! I needed something that I could wash and she could wear again...!
Since my sewing machine decided to give up on me...really...she's been mean to me...here's my No-Sew Shirt for the 100th Day. 

It's my little knock off of one of my favorite books to read to the kiddos....Chicka Boom 123.

I started off by cutting some numbers and apples using my Cricut and cardstock.

Next, I used fabric scraps and fused them together with my Heat-N-Bond using an iron.
Follow the steps on the package of Heat-N-Bond {available at craft stores and Walmart.}

On the back of the fabric squares, I traced the numbers and apples {remember you turn them around...you don't want them backwards!}

Cut them out when finished.

Arrange them loosely on the shirt so you know where you want them.

I free-handed the top of the tree with scissors.

Peel off the backing and iron the pieces on to the shirt where you want them to go.

As always, watch The Office while crafting....and laugh up a storm.

Have your little one model the shirt to make sure it's really really cute...!

*BTW...this is the first time she has gotten up all week...fever running throughout my house....poor honey, so wants to go to her 100th Day party Friday.

So, I didn't glue a 100 Pom Poms or Googly Eyes to the shirt?

I think it's super cute...! 

Being a Good Hostess.

I was thinking of starting off this post something like "Alright, that's it...we need some Hostess Tips...I've been to far too many parties that needed tips!" But...I'm not because I seem like a raging lunatic {LOL.} However, I am noticing more and more that there is no more Hostess Etiquette like there used to be. Before, etiquette was something that was passed on from one generation to another. It's starting to be a rare thing nowadays.

Here are some of my Tips on How to be a Good Hostess:

• Start on Time. This is a biggie for me. Sometimes I go to parties where I am waiting on the hostess to pick up food or are just decorating or coming out of the shower. It takes hours sometimes to just get it started then I feel rude for leaving "early" when I have other places to go. It's all about Time Management. Yes, sometimes things are out of my control...like having to run to KFC because my food didn't turn out...but I send someone else...and because I prep ahead of time and cook ahead of time...I still start on time.
• Clean your Bathrooms. Usually I clean bathrooms on Wednesdays, but if I know I'm having a get together that weekend, I save it for the night before. Make sure you have soap in there, toliet paper with extra rolls and towels. Please clean your bathrooms!
• Prep Food. Write your list of things to get done and food wise there is usually stuff you can do the day before to save time the day of your event. You can chop veggies, make desserts, boil eggs, etc. There are always shortcuts also like buying cream puffs already made and dipping them in chocolate instead of homemade....boxed cakes with homemade frosting. Nobody needs to know! Also, using your list of foods you are serving... make sure you have platters, trays and serving spoons for each one and if not borrow some that fit your theme or buy some {Dollar Store, Party City}
• Introduce Everyone. Have you ever been to a party that is so uncomfortable because you don't know anybody? The job of the Hostess is to introduce, to make those connections, to get the ball rolling on conversations.
• Decorate. I'm not saying to throw a thousand dollar party but throw a tablecloth on the table, make a centerpiece or pick flowers, buy plates and napkins that coordinate.  Simple and it makes your guests feel welcome.
• Have Food. This seems silly to write but my husband's only complaint when he goes to a party is that there is no food sometimes. It doesn't matter on anything else...except the food. Make sure there is enough food. If it's just a Poker Night or Sports Game, snacks will do or something light like sandwiches or nachos. To be frank, I don't feel it's right to make friends bring food to children's parties. If someone volunteers or maybe family members... but to say everyone bring a dish on the invite, isn't right to me. I'm old fashioned though? Of course, there are acceptions to that rule like a Cookie Swap or an impromptu get together with friends....of course. I just don't like being pressured to bring food to someone else's party is what I am getting at.
• Stick to Budget. Have a budget, stick with it. Simple as that. If you choose a theme way ahead of time, you can shop when things are on sale or clearance. It makes it easier. Honestly, I say if you don't have the money....don't have the party. Last year this happened to us. Noe took a big pay cut and the invites for Noah's party went out already. I started calling everyone to cancel and wouldn't you know my family decided to pay the rest of the stuff that I needed like food and the party went on. Things happen...but a party shouldn't break the bank.
• Be Organized. Make your lists of food. Be sure to shop ahead of time. Think about how many are coming, and make sure there is enough seating. My house is small so we don't have extra couches and chairs, so we rent them. Write activities you want to do. Favors you want to make. Everything should be written down and checked off when done. So, you aren't scatter brained. Oh and if you know little kids are coming....put your breakables up {just something to think about ahead of time when organizing for the event.}
• Relax. As much as I'm a control freak, nothing ever turns out how I imagined, ever! Just relax, let it go and have fun. Enjoy your night. I prep like crazy and then let things roll. Yes, I truly believe your house should be clean when you invite people over {just being honest} but please don't follow me or the kids around with a broom picking up all our crumbs. It makes me uncomfortable. Let dishes wait until guests leave unless someone offers to help. Have fun with your guests otherwise it won't be fun and you won't want to do it again...that or people won't want to come again.

Let me know some of your tips!

{Hugs and Kisses}

Gotta love Hobby Lobby...! I picked up these letters X and O when I visited the only Hobby Lobby store in California. Since I traveled that far, I had to stock up on fun craft things...!

Craft-O-Maniac had posted her XO Letters for Valentines Day and I thought they were adorable. So, I decided to make some for myself to enjoy.

I started off with a plain cardboard letter. 

I just painted around the edges of the two letters.

{Only the edges though because I applied paper to the front.}

I chose what scrapbook paper I wanted for each letter. 

The letter was traced and cut out of the paper.

{Both the paper letters ready to be adhered onto the cardboard}

The scrapbook paper was put on with Mod Podge.

It was a thin layer of Mod Podge, scrapbook paper and then a thin coat of Mod Podge on the top.

Once dry, I wanted a little different look...so I used my fan brush and applied paint around the edges. 

When everything was dried, I did my favorite part....Embellished!

Flowers were added onto the letters.

Hugs and Kisses...!

{Mail} Box.

These cute little Mail Boxes are what my kiddos will be receiving their Valentine Cards and Goodies in...!

How fun...! I can't wait for LOVE Day. Holidays are so fun when you have family to share it with.

Start off with a Paper Bag {lunch size.}

Make sure it's turned to the flat part and not the side with the flap.

Cut some blue construction paper and adhere it on or have the kids do it themselves.

On top of the blue paper, adhere a red square of construction paper.

In the middle of the both the red and blue papers, glue on your white strip of paper.

Write the word "Mail" and draw an envelope on the front of the bag.

I ended up cutting a 1/2 inch off the top because the red looked too much for me.

Lastly, decorate with some heart stickers.

I found these cute red glittery clothespins at Michaels...I believe they were Martha brand.

So cute and simple.

My kids will love getting their cards in these.

Wouldn't they be fun to make as a class or Girl Scout Troop also? 

{Valentine} Board

 One of my favorite things to do at home is decorate for the holidays. Since Valentines Day is coming up, I would like to share a little something that I came up with for my mantel.

Valentines Board by Casa Camacho

Materials Needed

Pineboard {24 inches long}

Sand Paper

Hot Glue Gun

Mod Podge

Book/Newspaper or Music Sheet

Paint

Weathered Wood

Coffee Filters or other ways to embellish

Cardstock

Directions

Sand paper your pineboard so that it's nice and smooth.

{If you've never worked with wood on projects, do it! It's so much fun and empowering. I just have Lowe's or Home Depot cut my wood for me. They will cut it any size you ask}

Paint your board a base color. I chose a Cream Color for this particular board. Let it dry.

Take a jar of Weathered Wood {available at craft stores} and put a light even coat over the board. It needs to dry for 30-60 minutes. It gives it a vintage-y look. 

Apply another coat of paint over your board. Do not over stroke though or else the "weathered" look won't work. I used a Light Pink paint.

While it's drying, make a heart template and cut 3 hearts out of cardstock.

Using a newspaper, book, or music sheet...Mod Podge the words onto the heart. First you apply a thin coat on the cardstock heart, add the book pages and then add another thin layer of Mod Podge to the top.  Cut any pages hanging off the heart to make it a perfect heart.

While that's drying, think about what type of material you what to use around the heart to decorate them. {Lace, burlap, ribbon, fabric}

I think that I will use a coffee filter for this specific project.

Once everything is dried, hot glue a coffee filter onto the back of each heart.

Hot glue the entire heart onto your Board.

Embellish the middle of the hearts if you would like. I used some Prima Flowers for the middles. You can add vinyl lettering as well...!

A decorative Valentine Board ready to brighten your day...!