ART PRINT :: Oh The Places You'll GO

So I have been working on creating a TON of new hand lettered art prints and will be adding them more often now. My goal is to try and add ONE new art print a week going forward, so we'll see how I do.;)

I am having a blast doing these as some have been for my shop to sell and others are for clients who have emailed me asking if I can do a custom one for them. Either way, I am loving doing some real organic art again. It so feeds my soul and that is a beautiful thing. ;)

This one I am sharing with you today was inspired by all of the kids going back to school over the last few weeks and what paths they will be taking, the things that will be created and the places they will go . . .

  So head on over to the shop to get your "Oh the Places You'll GO" hand lettered art print today. It's just perfect to frame or gift to a friend, hang in a kids room or give as a teacher gift, as everyone is on a path to somewhere and we all are just enjoying the journey of getting there right? I know I am!

AND as a reminder, I am offering to do CUSTOM hand lettering prints as well. So if you think you have a FAB idea shoot me an email . . . at laura@eyecandycs.com and we'll chat!
So tell me what you think???

 
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FREEBIE :: Daily Homework Planner

Hi friends!  It’s Wendy here from Scrappy Bags today.  This post is completely different from any other posts that I have shared.  Since the first day of school is on the horizon (and some of you may have already started), I thought this would be the perfect time to share with you a homework planner that has come in quite handy at our house.

The middle school years have been quite an adjustment for our son.  He is now going in to 8th grade, but 6th and 7th grades were difficult.  He has been diagnosed with ADD and it adds a whole new level to navigating the world of homework.  A lot of nights started out with him not knowing what was expected of him, or he didn’t bring the right items home to complete his work.   Needless to say, this was very stressful for both him and us.  Imagine trying to figure out what the homework assignments are when you’re not at school with him and he forgets to write down his assignment.  Not fun!

With the help of his wonderful teachers, we put together a homework planner that he completes at the end of each school day before he comes home.  The planner helps him make sure that he has his assignments written down and brings home the items that he needs to complete his assignment.  This has helped tremendously!  It’s not 100% foolproof, but it has helped relieve a lot of the stress at homework time in our house.

I am sharing this planner for download here.  Have your kiddos give it a try if they’re struggling with organization skills at school.  It’s a great tool, even if you don’t have ADD!   Here’s to a great school year!

     

Guest Contributor: Wendy Diem

Wendy is a stay at home mom living in Hershey, Pennsylvania, also know as the sweetest place on earth!  

She loves creating memory books and cards and would spend my whole day scrapbooking, but I do need to make time to take care of my family.  You know, those fun things like laundry, cleaning the house, etc.    

Back in March, 2012, she had the privilege of going to NYC as part of Martha Stewart’s Dreamers into Doers to attend some workshops and the live taping of her show.  She enjoyed meeting lots of wonderful entrepreneurial women.  What a great experience it was!

You can follow Wendy

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RECIPE :: Mini Glazed Baked Donuts

Donuts. Who doesn't love donuts? I LOVE donuts. Good donuts though. I mean c'mon they are sooooo good! Have you ever tried your hand at homemade donuts? You can now, as I have a recipe to share with you that not only makes one heck-of-a donut but they are also baked. Which means more you can eat. Baked = healthier, right? Right! Pair it up with a nice mug of coffee and oh my yum. 

These happen to be french vanilla flavored donuts. That also happens to be a french vanilla glaze on top of them as well. And yes, that happens to be blue sugar sprinkled on top because well . . . I thought it looked pretty. Sound good? Oh and did I mention they are mini too, so I am pretty sure that means you could eat even more! ;)

Know what else I LOVE? Target. I was there the other day, needed some coffee creamer, and I spotted these bottles and I decided to take a look. The design drew me in as it's very modern and well, I AM a designer so these things do catch my eye. Come to find out that design star David Bromstad has partnered with Coffee-mate and Target, with limited edition bottle designs inspired by coffee and Coffee-mate. David Bromstad's designed bottles (French Vanilla and Hazelnut) will be available exclusively at Target stores nationwide.

As I placed them in my cart, I had a thought. I was going to make some flavored donuts with them. AND make them to match the bottles.

 

 
Two different recipes. One BIG taste!

Glazed French Vanilla Baked Donuts

~Ingredients ~ For Donuts-

• 2 cups AP flour - sifted
• ¾ cup sugar
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• ½ tsp. salt
• 2 eggs (lightly beaten)
• ¾ cup Coffee-mate French Vanilla coffee creamer creamer
• 2 tbsp. unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

For French Vanilla Glaze-

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• ½ tsp. vanilla extract
• 3 tbsp. Coffee-mate French Vanilla coffee creamer creamer 

Glazed Hazelnut Baked Donuts

~Ingredients ~ For Donuts- same as above

 

For Hazelnut Glaze-

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 3 tbsp. Coffee-mate Hazelnut coffee creamer creamer

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Spray donut pan with non-stick cooking spray
2. In medium bowl, sift together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add in coffee creamer, eggs, vanilla extract (for vanilla donuts) and butter - beat until combined.
3. Place batter into piping bag and fill doughnut pans, fill about ½ the way.
4. Bake for 5-7 minutes or until top springs back when touched. (truth: I baked these in my oven for ONLY 4 minutes - just check them & plan on low end depending on your oven)
5. Let donuts cool at least 5 minutes before glazing.
6. To make glaze- In small bowl, whisk together creamer and powdered sugar. Add vanilla extract (for vanilla donuts) and whisk until smooth. TIP: Mix in more creamer if glaze is too thick, if it gets too watery add additional powdered sugar. Use immediately.
7. Dip donuts in glaze and place on a wired rack. Let glaze dry.
8. For additional 'color' glaze, just make an extra batch of glaze but add in food color to achieve the color you wish & drizzle over glazed donuts!
9. ENJOY the delicious-ness!

Which flavor are you going to try? Just imagine, your favorite cup of coffee with Coffee-mate French Vanilla or Hazelnut coffee creamer in it plus these mini donuts! Breakfast is served!

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

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DIY CRAFT :: Magnetic Chalkboard Frame

   

It's that time again! Sharing another easy project for back to school! This project is super easy & quick plus it is very functional!

As you know, my daughter was all excited about having LOCKER DECORATIONS this year in school, so we came up with a few and this is the other one I wanted to share with you all.

 
So this one is a "magnetic chalkboard frame" that is functional, cute & super easy to make! Grab your supplies and make one with me!

You just need to grab a few supplies to get started: a paintable photo frame of your choice (I picked this one up at JoAnns), chalkboard paint, the colors of paint you like - I chose a Valspar color and the current Pantone color of the year, paintbrushes, ribbon and a magnet.

The first thing I did was take the frame apart to work on it. Plus I disgarded the glass as we will not need it.

  Next I painted the wood backing piece with the chalkboard paint with a couple thick coats and let dry.

While the chalkboard paint was drying, I went ahead and painted the frame with my two different paint colors. 

Then before you add the chalkboard back in and put the frame back together, don't forget to season the chalkboard before using it!

If you want to add any embellishments to your frame, like flowers or something else, do it on this step. I added a blue flower with a peace sign button in the center - just used my glue gun to adhere to the frame.

The last thing you will want to do is add your ribbon by hot gluing it to the back of the frame. At this point, I also added a large magnet (with hot glue) at the point where the ribbon criss-crossed so you would not see the magnet when it was hanging from the front.

You now have a brand new 'Magnetic Chalkboard Frame' to write down reminders and messages! Enjoy!

Super cute right? Anyone inspired to try and make one? Raise your hand . . . please let me know below if you think you will try this project as I would love to know if anyone was inspired. Or maybe you have already done a craft similar to this . . . let me know what you did below . . . ;)

Are you loving the "eye candy" here? 

Then join me over on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter & Instagram so you never miss out on an exclusive deal or any behind the scenes photos!

Check out my designs, artwork & decor in my Etsy shop! 

Looking forward to seeing you again! :)