DIY Storage Boxes

I love cute containers for storage, but I really don't like to pay a lot of money for them. I'm always looking for ways to reuse items, or make new things with what I already have.

If you're like me, and you tend to collect A LOT of crafting supplies, (most are completely necessary, right?:)) then you need a place to put all of those little items.  Well, the other day I was making one of my DIY gift boxes, and it hit me, these boxes would be perfect for storing many of my crafting supplies.

I used a pad of 12" x 12" white card stock that I had bought awhile back at Walmart (40 sheets for $5- that makes each box only 12-13 cents!) to make the boxes.  For instructions on how to make the boxes, click here.  The great thing about these storage boxes (as opposed to the gift boxes) is that you only need to make a bottom box, no top!

I used white card stock for my base, and if you like the white, go ahead and leave it.  I did cut one piece of patterned scrapbook paper to put on the front of my box.  You can cover each side with a different paper, or even make the box itself out of patterned paper.  I liked the white box because I could leave it as is, or add to it.  Do whatever fits your style.

I then simply attached the patterned paper to my white box, and added a cute label on top of that.  I made a printable of the label, but only the frame part.  I wasn't sure what words to put on the labels to meet every one's needs, so you can fill in the words yourself if you'd like.  If you do have suggestions for words, I'd be happy to make a bunch of labels. 

This last step is completely unnecessary, but makes the box even cuter.  I like to add a sticker to the bottom of my boxes. I don't see it that often, but when I run out of whatever's in my box and see the sticker, it makes me smile!

You can click here to print out the frames.  These frames fit my boxes and I used a 12" x 12" piece of white card stock.  If you make your boxes from a different size of paper, then you'll probably need to use a different size of frame. 

I can't wait until I have a whole bunch of these storage boxes made.  They'll look so cute all lined up on a shelf!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope you found a little something worth your time.

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Happy Birthday, Mom!

Today is my mom's birthday.  She is the most upbeat, selfless, caring person I know.  There are many girls out there who don't want to turn into their mothers, but it's actually one of my greatest desires in life.  I want nothing more than to be the kind of mom she is to me (and my siblings).  Thank you mom for being who you, are and for helping me be who I am. Happy Birthday!  I love you so very much!

If you'd like a copy of these birthday quotes, you can click here.

Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you found a little something worth your time.

Blue Ribbon Brownies

This recipe comes from my sister-in-law, Tiffany.  She's the same sister-in-law who gave me the delicious cinnamon-sugar topped poppy seed cake with almond glaze.   These brownies are so amazing!  They only have 4 tablespoons of coca, so they're not your super dark, rich brownies- they're better!  They're also like the Kneaders sugar cookies in that I can eat them plain.  Of course, a little powdered sugar or frosting never hurts, and they do make a great base for mint brownies (I LOVE Our Best Bites' mint brownies). You really can't go wrong with them.  Dressed up or not, they'll taste delicious!

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This recipe is so easy, and you probably have all the ingredients in your fridge and cupboard right now- so go make yourself a batch. 

 Click here to print the recipe.

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you found a little something worth your time.

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Lego Instruction Manual Organizer & Printable

I have three young boys at my house, and for us that means Legos!  I know there are many, many moms out there who can relate.  I actually really like Legos (although I wouldn't cry if their prices were lower).  I feel that the building and thought process involved is extremely beneficial for my boys.  They could build all day long!  They love building sets that come with instructions, or coming up with their own creations. 

Last year I realized I needed to get a handle on all the Lego instruction manuals we were collecting.  I had them stashed in a box with all the Legos, but they were getting torn apart. 

 I decided to put them in sheet  protectors and then in a binder.  The one binder we had began to swell as our Lego collection grew, and so we added a few more binders.  All the fun chalkboard art out there inspired me to make a cute cover for my boys' Lego binders.  Here's what it looks like.

Maybe you don't keep all your instruction manuals, but if you do this system works really well.  So well, that I've made binders for our Trio Block manuals, Bionicle manuals, and any other toy that comes with a manual or instructions of some kind (that's worth keeping).  My boys know exactly where to go when they need a set of Lego instructions.  

You can click here and here to print your Lego instruction manual covers.
Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you found a little something worth your time.

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Printable Dr. Seuss Quotes

Once upon a time (two months ago) I decided Tuesday would   be quote day here at Blissful Roots.  I did a whole post, and then made a printable quote at the end.  Well, that proved to be a lot of work!  I love the quote idea however, so I've decided to devote my entire Tuesday posts to just printable quotes.

Today, in honor of Dr. Seuss' birthday (March 2) I have three printable quotes.  

I've loved Dr. Seuss for as long as I can remember.  Who doesn't love Dr. Seuss?  I loved his books when I was little, I read his books all the time as a first grade teacher, and Dr. Seuss even helped me earn a partial scholarship during my college days.  There was a part on the scholarship application where you were asked to write a short essay on who you would choose to meet if you could meet anyone in the world (living or not). I chose Dr. Seuss.  I don't remember anything I wrote in my essay, but I remember being awfully glad I chose him.  Thanks, Dr. Seuss!

I love this quote because I have three little boys, and I often need reminded that they're people just like me.  They maybe smaller, but they're really no different than me. 

 They get frustrated- so do I.

They have bad days- so do I.

They get cranky sometimes- so do I.  

Every time I think of this quote, I remember I need to be a bit more patient and understanding.

I had a hard time picking just three of Dr. Seuss' quotes (there are so many great ones to choose from!), but these are a few of my favorites.  If you're interested in more of his quotes, you can click here.

Happy Birthday, Dr.Seuss!

Simply click on the image of each quote to print.  

Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you found a little something worth your time.

Linking up to these parties & Savvy Southern Style.

DIY Gift Tags

After all the birthday mayhem (my three-year-old's birthday is the day after my twins' birthday) at our house last October, I decided I needed to get a bit more organized in the wrapping, packaging, and gift tap department.  I love making gifts looks extra special, but with three birthdays in two days, wrapping always seems to take a backseat to everything else.  
I started the day after the birthday bashes and got busy making gift tags.  I wanted to make tons, so I could just pull one out at any given time to wrap up a special gift.  I also stocked up on solid wrapping paper colors (I love brown craft paper) and cute toppers.  I wanted everything ready to go, so wrapping a cute gift would be quick and easy! I took a bunch of my scrapbook paper scraps (perfect project them) and started mixing and matching.  It was so much fun to come up with different combinations!

SUPPLIES
*scrapbook paper (scraps work great)
*Cricut & Preserves Cartridge
*alphabet stamp set
*black ink
*adhesive
*distressing ink

HOW TO
*Cut tags (2 sizes, 1/4" in difference) using Cricut Preserves Cartridge
*Distress edges of tags with distressing ink
*Stamp To: and From: on the tags
*Layer tags and adhere

If you don't have a Cricut, you could easily cut the tags out with scissors or a paper cutter.  Square or rectangle tags would look great!  And if you don't have an alphabet stamp set, you could print out To: and From: on your computer or even write them by hand.  

Have fun with the tags- mix and match whatever scraps you have.  I didn't buy a single piece of new paper for this project.  I love how using what you have can produce such fun and unexpected results!  And the fun just continues when you mix and match ribbons and toppers with the tags. 

P.S.  These tags would be a great addition to the DIY gift boxes I posted about back in December.

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you found a little something worth your time.

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Whole Wheat Pita Chips & Chive Dip

More often than not, I have my sister Melissa to thank for my new recipes (remember the quinoa-pumpkin seed granola?). She loves to cook and is always up for trying new things.  We both tend to read cookbooks (and now cooking blogs) like novels.  Do you do that?  Honestly, I could read cookbooks for hours on end.  

Here's one of my favorite appetizer/snack recipes Melissa introduced me to.  It's one of Giada's from the Food Network (you can click here for the original recipe).  The whole wheat pitas are nice and health.  I can eat the pita chips alone, but the chive dip (not quite as healthy) makes them really amazing!

You can click here to print my version of the recipe.

Next time you need a crowd-pleasing appetizer, give these a try.  I promise they won't disappoint!  The chips also keep really well in an air-tight container, and the chives in the dip are even more flavorful the next day.

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