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Just two days away from Valentine's Day and I've got you covered!

Check out these adorable FREE Ghirardelli Bar labels I made as a simple, affordable way to tastefully share all of the love (and chocolate) with your favorite people.

There are two styles to choose from - watercolor florals or a black and white vintage floral.

The watercolor style comes in 9 different printing options so as to include everyone on your list: coaches, teachers, principals, besties, neighbors, friends, etc.

They are so easy to make and are such a beautiful way to let someone know you love'em!

The directions and links are below!

Sure hope you're inspired to try them out and as always, if you do, tag me on Instagram so I can share your results! *wink*

PS - Let's stay cozy + connected in-between posts...find me on Instagram for daily inspiration.

Subscribe here to have new blog posts delivered right to your inbox.

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OTHER BLOG POSTS YOU MAY ENJOY

Llama Ghirardelli Bar Labels

Emoji Themed Ghirardelli Bar Labels

B+W Love You More than Chocolate Ghirardelli Bar Labels 

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SUPPLIES NEEDED

Ghirardelli Bars <-- here are the ones I used

FREE printable Ghirardelli candy bar labels  <-- linked below

white card stock or paper

scissors or paper trimmer

tape 

DIRECTIONS

Print FREE Ghirardelli Bar labels of choice.

Trim to size using scissors or paper trimmer.

Remove outer cardboard Ghirardelli packaging - to expose inner gold foil wrapped bar

Wrap label around candy bar being careful to align and center image on from of candy bar.

Secure with tape on back.

TIPS: 

1. Secure bottom flap of label to gold foil to prevent the label from sliding.

2. Since the product information has been removed, feel free to note the flavor of the candy bar on the

    back of the label if you'd like to indicate to your recipient what delicious flavor they are receiving.

Please Note: Ghirardelli has two different 3.5oz candy bar selections. These labels have been designed to accommodate both. For the smaller 3.5oz bar, I chose to trim off a little more of the sides to expose more of the pretty gold wrapper underneath. 

DIRECT LINKS FOR FREE CANDY BAR LABELS

 - B+W Vintage Florals "Love You" 

 - Teacher - watercolor florals

 - Principal - watercolor florals

 - Coach - watercolor florals

 - Best Friend - watercolor florals

 - Friendship Quote - watercolor florals

 - Love You - watercolor florals

 - Friend - watercolor florals

 - Neighbor - watercolor florals

 - Wishing you... - watercolor florals

KEEPING IT REAL

You should so be over on Instagram today - I'm sharing these as part of a Valentine's Day

round up of ideas with Emily from Handmade Farmhouse. I'm even sharing a video in stories of me making these - so easy! Emily has been doing a "countdown to Valentine's Day" the whole month of February and there are such fun, beautiful ideas she and some of her IG friends have been sharing! Flattered she asked me to participate!! 

GiFT iDEA | Teachers Who Love Teaching

We can't forget about sharing the love with our teachers for Valentine's Day!
Print, frame and tie it up with a pretty ribbon. Done!

I created this for a friend of mine who asked me to design something pretty using this ever popular quote by Robert J. Meehan! Download it for FREE TODAY ONLY and make that teacher in your life feel extra loved!

xoxo sweet friends!!
Jessica

KEEPiNG iT REAL
Shhhh. The roses in the photo are nearly two weeks old.
Blurring them out and cropping out the wilted and browned ones still makes for a pretty picture..dont' you think!?  You'd have never known!!*wink*

CRAFT | Make Pretty Things :: Heidi Swapp

Remember me mentioning my desire to dive back into scrapbooking? To rekindle that love affair for it when I was a design team member for an online scrapbooking site. To revisit the passion I shared with so many others...back when attending scrapbooking conferences was cool and I met this superstar.

Scrapbooking conferences and retreats have been replaced with blogging-focused events over the last five or so years as a direct result of scrapbooking having taken a backseat to creative pursuits. I've watched so many of my favorite scrapbooking stores close down over the years and have sadly watched the scrapbooking aisles in my favorites craft stores shrink from 3 to 4 full aisles down to only one - maybe two.  

But change is coming friends!  I'm seeing a clear shift and it's been

LOVE iT | Pretty Flower Cookies

Mother's Day is coming up quick…
and I bet you are thinking that's a cupcake packaged up all pretty in the box above…aren't you?
I was fooled a little bit too…but it's actually a gorgeous flower COOKIE!

Today I want to share some super pretty cookies from Kelly Barkhurst…
owner of Oh Kelly's, Specialty Cakes and Cookies.

Kelly reached out to me asking for permission to use the FREE Mother's Day tags I recently shared here on the blog. She wanted to use them as part of her packaging for her pretty cookies! I said "sure!" and then asked for her to send some pictures so I could see how it turned out.  I LOVE them!! (oh! and the tags too!) Ha!!

It looks like Oh Kelly's is prepping for the launch of an Etsy store!
I'm excited for Kelly and her new, upcoming adventure and wish her all the luck in the world with her
darling pastries. Thank you so much for reaching out to me Kelly! Your photos turned out wonderful and I am so happy to share them here on the blog! I love what you did with the Mother's Day tags - they look beautiful next to your pretty pastries! 

Aside from Mother's Day, I think these cookies would be perfect for Teacher Appreciation as well as baby and bridal showers!


KEEPiNG iT REAL
How the heck is it already May, people?
I'm freaking out just a little bit because May is a month of milestones…
My oldest turns eighteen and she also graduates from high school!
Noooo!!

Last week was exceptionally busy.
I finally received the new shipment of The Pastry Pedestal and Platforms
that have been backordered for what seems like FOREVER and guess what? We were sold out by Saturday! Eeeks!! New order has already been placed - fingers crossed it doesn't take nearly as long to receive.

On top of that, I sent J and Ella off on Friday to Illinois for 5 days to visit with J's parents and family.
I also spent most of my weekend helping Clara prep for her Senior Prom on Saturday night!
Looking forward to sharing pictures from that…when I actually have time to edit photos! Ha!!

SHARE | FREE Valentine's Day Printables :: Skip to my Lou

Hi all!!
I'm sharing another FREE Valentine's Day printable today!
This time, instead of something for a classroom valentine exchange, I've got something to spoil the teacher or someone else you love!

I love how this gift card envelope has more dimension with the addition of the felt heart.
And of course I love the play on words between "heartfelt" and "felt heart". *wink*


I LOVE giving sweet treats to teachers…baked goods, candy, etc. You KNOW that's my thing.
But I know teachers are absolutely bombarded with it and their hips probably don't appreciate it much. *wink*
I think gift cards are the best - even if it's only $5 bucks! I know some people think gift cards are  impersonal but I think creating a DIY gift card envelope like this one helps bridge that gap…don't you?


You can get the fun download RIGHT HERE!
There is lots of other eye candy to get lost in over at Skip to My Lou so plan to visit awhile over there!

KEEPiNG iT REAL
Honestly…I think a cute cupcake WITH this gift card envelope using a gift card to my favorite cupcake shop will probably be what I end up doing for Ella's teacher. I can't help myself! *wink* This cupcake box might be just what I need to package it all together!

GIVE | Mini Hot Cocoa Cup Gift Idea

Hi everyone! Have you seen anything more adorable than these miniature beverage cups? I'm in LOVE! I love all things "kraft paper" so these immediately caught my eye in the TKS Shop.

I was on The TomKat Studio yesterday sharing how to turn these into a super simple (and ridiculously cute) idea for holiday gifting!

These are something that would be darling for party favors, classroom parties, Secret Santa gifts and maybe even for "Elfing".

Join me over there for all of the details and then come back here to print off your very own...

FREE Mini Cup Wrappers and Instructions Tags

Download the FREE Mini Cup Wrappers HERE!

DOWNLOAD the FREE Instructions Tags HERE!

Did you notice these match the FREE Holiday Gift Tags I shared in the TKS Holiday Gift Guide?

Hope you love the idea and will use it in your gift-giving this Holiday Season!

And hello weekend…looking forward to wrapping my arms around you!!

KEEPiNG iT REAL

I seriously about fell over when I opened the box and saw how tiny and adorable these mini kraft ripple cups are! The mini beverage lid is crazy cute! LOVE them!

SUGAR | Bewitching Hi Hat Cupcakes

Hi Pen N' Paperflowers Friends!

Looking for a creative treat for spreading some Halloween cheer?
These bewitching Hi Hat Cupcakes are so darn cute...it's SCARY!!

Remember the No-Bake Hi Hat Cupcakes I shared with you last week?
Since the Hi Hat resembles the peek of a witch hat, I couldn't help myself by turning it into the perfect Halloween Treat.

1. Start with a No-Bake Hi Hat Cupcake (or Hi Hat Brownie Bite)
2. Wrap the cupcake with a cute cupcake wrapper. 
3. Attach a ribbon using a dab of hot glue under the knot and some tape in the back to keep it from sliding down.
4. Add a mini novelty witch broom from your local craft store or create your own using a toothpick or wooden skewer and some raffia. (see tutorial HERE).
5. Use some orange striped straws and then cut out black witch shoes to attach. Insert your silly DIY witch legs into the hi hat cupcake!

Ta Dah!!
You've got the most adorable cupcakes on the Halloween Party Block!!

Add these to a decked out cake plate on your Halloween Party Dessert table, pop them on top of The Pastry Pedestal, or surprise a co-worker, family member, or teacher by delivering an individual cupcake to them packaged in a cute cupcake box wrapped in coordinating fabric or ribbon.

These are an impressive treat without a lot of fuss.
I hope this idea has left you SPELLBOUND!

You can find the adorable cupcake wrappers , darling white cupcake boxes and cute orange striped straws at The TomKat Studio. 

KEEPiNG iT REAL
The chocolate cupcake (or brownie bite) base with the peanut butter frosting PLUS the chocolate coating is an absolutely amazing combination!!
Just saying!! *wink*

GIFT IDEAS | Teacher Gift and Classroom Party Treat

Looking for a last-minute Teacher Gift Idea?

How about a last-minute Classroom Party Treat Idea?

Look no further.

Teacher Thank You Card 

Includes a spot for a Gift Card built right in.

DOWNLOAD THE FREE PRINTABLE RIGHT HERE

I absolutely LOVE a cute gift that can actually tie in the cute factor and...

GiVE | Sprinkles on my Sundae - Chalk Art Gift Idea

I've got a whammy of a post for you today!
Do you by chance remember the adorable "Sprinkles to my Cupcake" Chalkboard Valentine's Day Cards I created back in February for +Skip to my Lou? (Go Here to take a peek)

I received such wonderful feedback I decided to whip up another version...
specifically for Teacher Appreciation or Mother's Day!

"You are the Sprinkles on my SUNDAE" Gift Idea

There are several ways to present this gift to your child's favorite teacher or your sweet mom...

I'm going to start with the basics and then move up a couple of notches.

You pick the option that works for you and go with it!!

SHARE | Chalkboard Art Print - Teacher Appreciation

There may not be an easier Teacher Appreciation Gift idea out there...

FREE 5x7 Chalkboard Art Prints

Is that quote I came up with perfect or what!?

Although I'd like to think I'm the original creator of  it...

I can't help but think I can't be the first person to have ever thought of it?

So if you see it somewhere else, let me know. 

Simply download the FREE .pdf files

Print onto white card stock.

Frame.

Gift.

Add a cute ribbon around the frame if you like...

or wrap it up/insert it into a gift bag for a more "formal" presentation!

I hope you like it and find a need for it as we honor our teachers this week!

HERE ARE THE LINKS FOR DOWNLOADING:

5x7 Chalkboard Art - MINT

5x7 Chalkboard Art - PINK

5x7 Chalkboard Art - TEAL

KEEPiNG iT REAL

Internet connection issues in our neighborhood have been preventing me from posting anything since Thursday afternoon of last week. *grumbling*

I've got some other ideas I've been wanting to share...

but I wanted to hurry and get something posted while I had a window of internet service this morning!!

SHARE | FREE Valentine's Day Cards • Chalkboard Style

If you missed the buzz about these yesterday on my Facebook Fan Page or on my Instagram feed...

You've still got time to print and use these FREE printables I designed before the big day tomorrow...

"You are the Sprinkles to my Cupcake" Valentine's Day Cards

I think they turned out adorable and I hope you do too!
Download these adorable Valentine's Day cards HERE!

****************

UPDATED MAY 7TH 2013 TO INCLUDE INSTRUCTIONS FROM MY ORIGINAL POST ON SKIP TO MY LOU 

****************

Here's the VISUAL How-To

Here’s the VERBAL How-To:


1. Print Cards onto white card stock.

2. Trim to size using scissors or a paper trimmer.

3. Fold in half.

4. Use a 1.5″ Round Craft Punch to create a circle through the middle of the 
folded card.

5. Unfold card and have your child (or yourself) fill it out with a fine-tip sharpie or pen.

6. Fill a mini ziploc bag a little more than 1/2 full with sprinkles of your choice.

7. Refold card and slide the mini ziploc bag filled with sprinkles in between both sides of the card.

8. Staple the card closed – being sure the staple penetrates through the top of the mini ziploc bag.

Check out all of the other creative ideas submitted by so many other talented designers over on Skip to My Lou!
If you've already got your Valentine's Day Cards finished...
you can always "pin" all of the ideas you love for next year! *wink*

A super huge thanks to Cindy over at Skip to My Lou for inviting me to participate!

KEEPiNG iT REAL
Ella started her first day of preschool yesterday.
I'm totally using these for the classroom Valentine's Party tomorrow.
I'm a little hesitant since it'll only be her 3rd day there and I'm not sure I'm ready to be labeled as "THAT mom" - if you know what I mean?

But I did get to send one home with her sweet little friend, Elise, after their "Friendship Party" we had at our house yesterday. All of the sweet details coming soon.

CRAFT | Back-to-School DiY Posters

Last week marked the first week back to school for my older girls.
That means I was able to get crafty and create their annual "Candy Posters"...
celebrating having made it through their first week back.

I did change things up a tiny bit this year from last year's poster...
First of all, I did separate posters for each girl instead of one poster.
Second, I added in a couple of "good-for-you" items into the mix...
Take a peek...

Ema's Poster

Clara's Poster

This is a super simple idea...

and it's something you can create for teacher gifts...

a fun birthday gift for a co-worker...

or even an out-of-the-box birthday card for a family member/friend.

TiPS:

• If you have multiple posters to make, split up the candy/snacks into small ziploc bags to save money.

• Use a smaller poster board so you don't have to purchase as many snacks to fill it. 

   although the big poster board makes quite an impact...*wink*

• Don't worry about your handwriting being perfect...it's the candy/treats that are the main focus.

• Sharpie Markers are my favorite thing to use

• Keep it simple. I just used packing tape to stick the items to the board.

• Make this a "Group Gift" for someone in the office or your child's teacher by enlisting candy/snack donations

   from co-workers or parents.

Although I've got one daughter who is a  "Junior" this year *gasp*
and another one in 8th grade...*sigh*

They both REALLY love this idea.
(and neither of them claim to be too old to continue receiving these).

Are we ever too old for some treats?

Especially when they are presented in such a personalized manner?  *wink*

Have a great day everyone...
xoxo

KEEPiNG iT REAL

Ella had an upset stomach on Friday...

but recovered quickly.

I ended up feeling crappy the whole weekend...

BUT still mustered up the energy to completely purge my closet.

I don't know what I was thinking but I'm glad I did it.

If you follow me on Instagram then you got a sneak peek.

I'll have to share my results with you...

You will think I'm absolutely insane...but that's okay. *wink*

But get this...

Ella woke up about midnight this morning with a fever and the "v" word.

Poor thing.

I don't know if this is something different or a continuation of things from Friday.

She was acting completely fine though the entire weekend??

Didn't sleep much to say the least...