The Motherload Blog

Amy’s Notebook 05.22.13

neon_dots_tea_towels

Source: Oh My Handmade

 

DIY dotted tea towels (and striped wood spoons) would make such an awesome – and personal – hostess gift!

These three tips on finding your unique style using what you have is full of great information.

Here’s a few more great tips – this time geared towards decorating for families with kids.

A cheese and wine party just seems made for outdoor entertaining, doesn’t it? I love these how these six steps for hosting a cheese tasting party make it seem easy!

Chipotle Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes

Source: The Stay At Home Chef

 

Don’t these twice baked sweet potatoes look amazing?

Making an orzo salad with spinach pesto instead of basil sounds like a great way to get a few more vegetables into our diet – I can’t wait to try this!

This list of 14 classic cocktails is just plain fun.

Now might be the time to try making Chocolate Espresso Macarons – yum.

Baby-Burp-Cloth-Cupcakes-Tutorial

Source: U-Create Crafts

 

Cupcakes made from burp cloths would be a such a cute way to decorate for a baby shower!

This kid’s outdoor play kitchen is not only sweet, but reuses things you’ve probably got laying around your house somewhere.

There are a ton of great ideas for boy’s bedrooms in this “undone” room reveal.

Freezing different themed toys into ice blocks = super summertime outdoor activity.

Oh, wow – these diy lace crowns are seriously adorable!

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I hope you enjoyed this collection of gathered links to DIY crafts, food projects, and thrifty ways to spruce up your home. Nothing brings me more joy then to highlight other fabulous bloggers. Follow me on Pinterest for daily inspiration!

 

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Amy’s Notebook 05.15.13

shower-curtain-beauty

Source: Design Sponge

 

I absolutely love the gorgeous fabrics and fun look this patchwork shower curtain brings to the room.

Using a machine stitch to make diy vintage tea towels seems an easy way to create beautiful and unique gifts.

You know I love a great vase, and this glitter dipped vase would sure add a bit of sparkle to our table.

This diy mdf-mounted photo only looks expensive – what a great way to show off a beautiful photo!

mini fabric lamps

Source: It’s Taylor Made

 

Here’s a fantastic way to use the ever-growing pile of fabric scraps! I can just see these mini fabric lamps decorating a girl’s room or a colorful porch.

Speaking of porches, I loved how this post about creating the ultimate backyard breaks the planning down to four areas and helps make landscape planning not so overwhelming.

I think the kids and I need to make a chalkboard summer bucket list like this one to plan some fun things for the summer!

Making some diy watercolor art with the kids looks like it would be so fun (and easy!) that it should be one of the top things on our summer list.

Whole-Wheat-and-Flax-Pancakes

Source: Skip to My Lou

 

Dont’ these whole wheat and flax pancakes look delicious? I’m glad they’re healthy, too!

Got ant problems? This all-natural ant killer may be the solution.

I really like to up the nutrition in regular dishes, and this recipe for meatballs with zucchini added seems like a winner.

These strawberry coffee cake muffins are making me drool – what a great way to use seasonal strawberries!

amys_notebook

I hope you enjoyed this collection of gathered links to DIY crafts, food projects, and thrifty ways to spruce up your home. Nothing brings me more joy then to highlight other fabulous bloggers. Follow me on Pinterest for daily inspiration!

 

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Amy’s Notebook 05.08.13

Mother's Day table setting

Source: Joy The Baker

 

Wouldn’t you love to spend some time at a beautiful table like this for Mother’s Day?

I’m not sure if these kitchen storage ideas are life-changing, but some of them are really cool, especially using a fun soap dish for brush storage.

I’ve got to try making no-sew washable pillow covers made with glue – it sounds like a quick and easy way to update using some new fabrics.

I’m excited to find this super easy and adorable way to store twine – it’s easy to use and looks good at the same time!

This small hallway makeover that used maps for wallpaper is so amazing.

Thai-Chicken-Satay-Peanut-Sauce

Source: Simply Scratch

 

I love Thai flavors, and chicken satay is a favorite – but combining it with a ginger-coconut rice? Yum!

Okay, peanut butter, chocolate, and pretzels together in a cookie? My kids will LOVE these.

Oh my goodness, I’ve got to find some opportunity to make these sweet little cupcakes that look like mini tubs of popcorn!

This lemon asparagus couscous salad with tomatoes would make a perfect light lunch – maybe for a Mother’s Day luncheon?

Camping party theme

Source: Vixen Made

 

This is seriously a great party theme – how fun! And it would work for men, children or anyone who likes camping and the outdoors.

No way I would’ve ever thought this fun necklace started out as gift cards!

I love doing this kind of melted crayon art with my kiddos – and the fact that it helps to use up those crayon pieces that seem to multiply each year!
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I hope you enjoyed this collection of gathered links to DIY crafts, food projects, and thrifty ways to spruce up your home. Nothing brings me more joy then to highlight other fabulous bloggers. Follow me on Pinterest for daily inspiration!

 

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Quick & Easy Mother’s Day Gift Ideas

Quick and Easy Mothers Day IdeasHere it is the week before Mother’s Day already! Are you all set or are you still looking for some special, and more importantly – meaningful, gifts for your moms and grandmas? You probably know that around here we think that gifts we make ourselves are the most meaningful, as they truly have a little bit of us in every gift we give.

Along these lines, I’ve searched the archives of Mom Adivce to bring you some of our quickest and easiest DIY projects that would be perfect for the women in your life! I’ve grouped them into four categories that moms are guaranteed to love:

DIY Flowers - who says you need to buy traditional flowers that last only a little while? Try crafting a bouquet or floral jewelry that will last much longer…maybe forever!

Fun Breakfasts – whether for a special breakfast-in-bed or a family brunch, any of these favorite recipes will help celebrate mom.

Pampering Gifts – these easy to make projects will make mom feel special – just make sure she gets the time to use them!

Special Confections – not your everyday sweets, these are certain to show mom your the extra care you took to shower her with love…and sugar!

Finally, these tips on how to use Goodwill items for your gift wrapping may spark some ideas to make even the presentation special:
Creative_Gift_Giving

I hope you have a wonderful Mother’s Day – either giving or receiving!

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19 Awesome Ways to Show Teacher Appreciation

19 Teacher Appreciation Ideas
As you may have guessed by now, we love our teachers and we love letting them know how thankful we are for all the time, energy, and love they put into educating our children! I look forward to Teacher Appreciation Week each year (May 6-10 this year) as a time I can really let them know how we feel (though of course telling them all through the school year is allowed, too!).

Today I’m excited to share with you 19 of our best teacher appreciation ideas – all pulled from the archives of MomAdvice! Some years I have more time and some years less, so there are ideas for gifts that can be created in minutes like Oreo Cookie Biscotti:

oreo biscotti

Or if you have more time there are some super special ideas that are guaranteed to knock their socks off like a Rosette Bib Necklace:

Rosette_Bib_Necklace

Need a few more ideas…how about 17 more? These are some of the best projects I’ve come up with over the years – and I found them to be a great way to show love to the awesome teachers in our lives!

1. DIY Book Page Flower Bouquet (this year’s teacher appreciation idea!)

2.  Teacher School Supplies Cake

3.  Raise Your Hand If You Mustache a Question Printable & Mustache Mug

4.  Rolled Rosette Pins

5. Light & Fluffy Baked Cake Donuts

6.  No-Slip Bookmarks (3rd project in the post)

7.  Oatmeal Cookies & Milk Bath Soak

8.  Dark Chocolate & Sea Salt Brownies

9.  Easy Felt Fabric Brooches

10. Light Snickerdoodle Biscotti

11. Rolled Rosette Ribbon Rings

12. Fabric Flower Pins

13. Honey Nut Granola

14. Knitted Coffee Cozies

15 DIY Monogrammed Wine Glasses

16. Six Stitch Knitted Ruffled Scarf

17. Easy Microwave Peanut Brittle

What are some ways you’ve found to say thanks to teachers?

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Amy’s Notebook 05.01.13

Duct Tape Bags

Source: Little Birdie Secrets

 

I’m totally in love with these adorable Duct Tape Bags!

If you’ve been making a lot of crafts with washi tape (remember these cute thumbtacks from a previous Notebook?) than you’ll love this Washi Tape Storage Ideas round-up.

I can think of so many times this personalized countdown calendar-in-a-jar would be fun to have – Christmas, birthdays – even waiting for a vacation or visit from grandparents!

2013HulaHideout

Source: Apartment Therapy

 

I think these bed canopies created with hula hoops are so fun and beautiful!

Have you ever thought about spring cleaning your make-up drawer? It’s not the first thing I think about when Spring cleaning, but this is a great reminder.

I think this diy sheet music wall art would be awesome in a music room or a music-themed kid’s room.

Using my instagram photos to make sticky notes just seems like a match made in heaven.

easiest-crock-pot-salsa-verde-

Source: Skinny Taste

 

With Cinco de Mayo around the corner, this easy crock pot chicken for tacos and tostadas just might have to be on our menu.

Why not make it an international week and include a refreshing rice noodle bowl with shrimp and vegetables on the menu? I love mixing our menus up!

This hazelnut chocolate torte with espresso ganache is going to have to make it onto the menu soon, too!

And this homemade conditioner from easy-to-find ingredients? Awesome!
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I hope you enjoyed this collection of gathered links to DIY crafts, food projects, and thrifty ways to spruce up your home. Nothing brings me more joy then to highlight other fabulous bloggers. Follow me on Pinterest for daily inspiration!

 

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Amy’s Notebook 04.24.13

broccoli kale slawSource: Shutter Bean

Remember when I said last week that I want to find ways to add kale to our meals? This broccoli kale slaw is making the list for sure.

I’m hoping my family will flip for these quesadillas filled with breakfast foods, because they look so good!

This chicken skillet dinner looks amazing and would be an easy weeknight meal.

Goodness, I think I’m going to have to make these incredible cream cheese brownies with toffee and pecans soon!

Wine-Cork-Pendant-NecklacesSource: Fiskars.com

This has got to be one of the cleverest ways to use old wine corks that I’ve seen in a long time – I’m already thinking of the people in my life who would enjoy getting a wine cork pendant necklace as a gift.

We always seem to wear out our fitted sheets before the top ones, so I’m excited to find this tutorial on how to make a flat sheet into a fitted one!

I’m loving this neon dip tote bag – a great way to add a bright and fun accent for the warmer months.

I can never get enough organizing tips so I’m finding this post on how to organize your house really motivating – and really pretty, too!

outdoor tic-tac-toeSource: Chicken Scratch NY

This diy tic-tac-toe game made with painted rocks and wood is seriously cute – it’s making me anxious for the days of hanging out in the backyard with the kiddos!

Here’s a fun and unique idea – make cute flower planters using large cardboard paper mache initials.

I really like the way this front door and porch makeover refreshed this porch – especially the color choice for the door.

This recycled key wind chime looks like a quick – and quirky – craft to do with the kids. Now just to start collecting old keys…

Spring always makes me think about spiffing up the outside of our home, so I found these ideas to add curb appeal to your home really inspiring!

amys_notebookI hope you enjoyed this collection of gathered links to DIY crafts, food projects, and thrifty ways to spruce up your home. Nothing brings me more joy then to highlight other fabulous bloggers. Follow me on Pinterest for daily inspiration!

 

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Amy’s Notebook 04.17.13

Little-Mans-Workbench

Source: HoneyBear Lane

 

I think this kid’s tool bench made from an old table is beyond creative – and it’s vintage vibe makes it all the sweeter!

Any birthday boy or girl will be proud to wear one of these birthday badges that are easily made with the accompanying printable.

This simple yarn bow garland would be a wonderful addition to my daughter’s bedroom – maybe above the bed or across a bookshelf?

This list of 25 Inexpensive Date Ideas has given me some new ideas to make our date nights a bit more creative.

felt coasters

Source: Sugar Bee Crafts

 

I adore the modern, slightly crazy look of these charming felt coasters – and the fact that they are an easy way to use up felt pieces leftover from other projects.

A row of spring flowers will look so awesome in this diy wall hung test tube vase.

One day I’d love to use all our old t-shirts to create a cool braided rug like this.

These bright stenciled tea towels would add a pop of color to the kitchen – just what we need for spring.

Three-Layer-Party-Bars

Source: No Biggie

 

With a cookie bottom, chocolate filling, and a meringue topping, these three layer bars make my mouth water just looking at them!

I’ve been wanting to add more kale to our diet since it’s so good for us and this kale and lemon pasta would be a great way to get more into our diet.

I can’t wait to try this rosemary cheddar batter bread – it’s not only yummy looking but easy, too.

These lemon-ginger crispy treats sound like such an interesting, grown-up crispy treat, don’t they?

amys_notebook

I hope you enjoyed this collection of gathered links to DIY crafts, food projects, and thrifty ways to spruce up your home. Nothing brings me more joy then to highlight other fabulous bloggers. Follow me on Pinterest for daily inspiration!

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Fun Book Page Crafts

One thing you will find a lot of at Goodwill are books of all shapes and sizes. I consider Goodwill my bargain resource (at a mere $.50- 2.00) for finding great reads as well as my number one resource for book page crafts.

You may not have looked at the books section as craft materials before, but book page crafts are a hot trend in magazines that you probably browse through when doing your ” window shopping,” like Anthropologie, West Elm, & Pottery Barn… just to name a few.

Today I wanted to showcase some fun crafts you could try with books found at your local Goodwill store. I have a feeling that once you see these ideas, you will run right out to find the perfect book to get started!

Head on over to the Goodwill Tips Blog to read all about my favorite book craft ideas that you can try with books found at your local store!

 

 

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Amy’s Notebook 04.10.13

Downton-Abbey-Napkins

Source: Design Mom

 

With Downton Abbey in the off-season, I may be making a set of diy quote napkins – using some of the Dowager Countess’s best lines – to help bridge the gap.

Sometimes I just don’t have time to do a big clean and this post about the art of power cleaning should help me come up with more ways to spot-clean and maintain order.

These flower sachets made with felt are so colorful and visual I wouldn’t want to hide them away in a drawer – maybe piled in a bowl on a table?

I’m loving this light and bright refreshed dining hutch – what a great before and after!

Chocolate-Peanutbutter-Brownies

Source: Living Locurto

 

I love chocolate chips, peanut butter cookies, and brownies, so I’m sure I will adore Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookie Brownies!

If you’ve got Easter candy left over from the holidays, you’ll definitely want to check out these 15 yummy-looking recipes that use candy.

I’m looking forward to arming myself against junk food temptations with some of these tips for eating healthy on the go.

When spring hits, I’m always in the mood for salads and having sixteen ideas for tasty spring salads should go a long way to helping me with our menus.

Earth_Day_Activity_Jar

Source: Skip To My Lou

 

What a great idea to make a gift-in-a-jar with an Earth Day theme that includes activities and treats!

I have a few Easter eggs left over that I hope to use for one of these great kids projects for upcylcling plastic eggs.

This easy technique for kids to make modern art that looks like stained glass for canvas is so clever and should be a lot of fun.

A great idea to help spur kid creativity, a lazy susan art caddy just might be in our future…

amys_notebook

I hope you enjoyed this collection of gathered links to DIY crafts, food projects, and thrifty ways to spruce up your home. Nothing brings me more joy then to highlight other fabulous bloggers. Follow me on Pinterest for daily inspiration!

 

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