FF-Dinosaur Shapes

*UPDATE: The dinosaur shapes are now available for a small fee in my etsy shop: You can find the one page version here. I have also put a larger version with 2 dinosaurs to a page here.

In the spirit of school, I thought I'd do something for the little buddy this week as our freebie. He LOVES dinosaurs, and is really not interested in learning his shapes. Seriously, he should already know them. He knows his colors, numbers, and even all the letters and their sounds. But shapes? Other than circle he really couldn't care less. But, my sneakness thought if I combined it with dino's he might change his mind.

This one is a 2 page printable. The first page has the dinos on it and the second has the shapes. I did two sizes of shapes. Large ones (easier for little fingers to pick up) and small ones that are the exact size to fit inside the dinosaur. I won't lie, the little ones are tiny, probably only an inch or so which makes them harder to cut out. I laminated the shapes so they would last a little longer, and added magnets to the back of the big ones. You could also do velcro sticky dots. So far he seems interested . . . that's a good first sign, right?

tastes

photo via sutton grace

I have a hard time knowing what I like sometimes. Part of that could be a result of growing up in a large family where hand-me-downs were the rule, not the exception. You learned to like what was available because there weren't a lot of choices. A big family was a lot of fun though, I just don't always have an opinion about what I like. Of course there are a few standards that I've always loved, and I know I love them. Like the color yellow, and simple, basic clean designs. But other times I just don't know what I want-like the colors or style of my bathroom. I really just have no clue what I want. Do you ever struggle to know what you prefer when you have a choice? Maybe it's just me. Anyway, I came across this AWESOME chair the other day and I am in love. Sometimes it just hits you and you know you LOVE something. I love this chair. Check it out.



On a side note . . .



I finally made a button-check it out right there on the right side---> and grab it if you want! Just copy the code, open your layout and add an html/java script sidebar gadget and paste it in. cool.

card variations

Making more than one card at a time with the same layout has proven to be a very insightful help for me. Doing more than one at a time is good to help me fix the problems with the first one, or make a fun variation and not have to re-figure the layout all at the same time. I really think layouts are the key to a great card, and this layout I don't think was the best. It's okay, but it feels a little un-cohesive for some reason. (I guess uncohesive isn't a word, eh?) But, anyway, the second one is a little better . . . either way I had to incorporate my new buttons into some cards. Here's a first go at it.

FF-Math Circles

*UPDATE 9-8-11: Updated the link. Should work again! Enjoy!

I must be thinking about school. All the school supplies are up in the stores, and I have to reign myself in from buying hoards of things. I don't even have a child going to school. . . but new crayons, new markers, new pens and pads of paper and cool organizing things. I love them. I guess that must have inspired my freebie for today. Click here for one inch math circles-numbers and math symbols. Here are some fun ideas for using them:

*Don't worry about the math symbols and use them to teach a toddler to count

*don't cut them out-leave as is and use 4 different colored buttons to do math equations together (aka put a button on 3, a button on 2, a button on + and then ask your child to put a button on what they equal (5))

*Cut them out and use for math quizzing

*print on adhesive backed paper and use as stickers for crafting, or math

*Make them into magnets for the fridge

*Use them in a calendar-for the months (I didn't do 31 numbers for days)

I'd love to hear what else you might use them for-let me know!

A note: I used a 1.25" circle punch to cut out the circles, hence all the white space around the outside. A 1" circle punch would probably look a little better.

buttons!

I'm so excited about these awesome buttons I just picked up at Joanns for a whopping $2.50. What a steal of a deal, eh? I really needed some color in my button collection, and this is perfect! I love them, especially these green ones. Aren't they so stinkin cute? I think I might have to cut off the backs and make them into earrings . . .

blessing dress

This is my blessing dress. My mom made it. She also made my wedding dress. (someday maybe I'll post a picture). She's amazing. With the sweet little ones arrival fast approaching I'm thinking about blessing dresses. Should I make one? Should I buy one? Should I find a vintage one at the thrift store? Or should I just use mine? It is starting to yellow at the top a bit, I need to to do something about that. I just am feeling indecisive about the whole thing. Any suggestions?

FF-Color Coded Labels

*8/8/11 UPDATE: I've re uploaded the file and the link should work now! ENJOY!

I was lying in bed last night mulling over the freebie I had for you today. I wasn't very satisfied with it. I had planned to do labels, but didn't like the way they were turning out. I wanted them to be more useful. And then the thought popped in that labels are usually used to organize things, and what better way to organize than by color? Thus, the color coded labels were born. Use them as is, or write more specific labels in the white space. I think they would be great for labeling bins of fabric-by color, or craft supplies. Print two sets and use them to teach a little one about colors. Unfortunately they aren't formatted for labels, so either use glue or tape to adhere them, or print them on adhesive backed paper. As always they print on an 8 1/2 by 11 and each label measures 3 inches by 1.5 inches (although if you cut it out with white around the edge like I did they measure a bit bigger). Get the labels here.

Please use them for personal purposes only :) Enjoy!

*Also, I've got a few things in the works for future Freebie Fridays, but I would love any comments on what sort of things you'd like to see as a freebie. Let me know what would be useful or fun, and we'll see what we can do!

orange inspiration

A water color contribution from the little buddy. Painting has always been the one craft he willing does and enjoys.

cupcake toppers

Birthday cupcake toppers are now up in my shop, with more to come soon. Check them out here.

FF- Lace Up Dolls

Road Trip? Rainy indoor day? Long flight? These fun lace up dolls are great for keeping little hands busy. It's a mix between a paper doll and a lace up card. Print on card stock, cut out on the solid line, laminate (I'd highly recommend this step), use a standard hole punch on the dotted circles and tie a shoe lace or string to the bottom of the girl only, then you can change her outfits by overlaying and lacing on her clothes. *make sure to cut out the white face on the princess doll so her face will show through. Happy lacing!

Oh, and did I mention this is free? Click here to download the pdf.

**11/7/11: UPDATE Click here for the lace up doll. (the above link doesn't work anymore.)





enjoy!

a few thoughts on the cardmaking process

The tactile nature of card making is why I love doing it. I love the textures, the hands-on, the variety. When I do too much on the computer, it's nice to come back to paper, scissors, glitter and glue. But I also like that it's not a huge time commitment. Simple and done. Here are a few thoughts on my card making process. aka. a few design principles I use.




1. Use at least 4-5 elements (papers, embellishments, cut outs, words, etc. )You can get away with more, possibly, but too few and your card doesn't look complete.

2. Have a focal point! You need one main place that you want everything else centered around. (Like a flower, or a word, etc. . . )

3. Have the most contrast (dark vs. light, opposites) at your focal point, usually this is also a good place to put your most 3D items.

4. small, simple designs (like polka dots or stripes all in one color) are important and offset busier, more intense designs. These are what add depth. Don't use too many intense designs all on one page. Choose one or two if they are close. Fill in with simple designs.




5. Words will draw the eye more than anything-so make sure they are close to the focal point-or make them part of it.

6. Group things together, close together.

7. Don't be afraid to bag something if it's not working out.


I'm sure there are lots of other things I could say, but this is what came to mind. Most of all just enjoy it! I like to think of it as a puzzle I'm putting together, figuring out where things go. I like puzzles ;)

a yellow quilt

I've decided to tackle a baby quilt. I haven't made a quilt in probably 8 years. I blame it on hand quilting a full size quilt last time around. We're going to see if my machine can handle the quilting with a baby quilt this time. I'm keeping it basic with a stripe of pieced yellow strips off centered and white on both sides.


I'm also pretty excited about this yellow and orange vintage sheet I found thrifting a few weeks ago. It will be perfect for the back!

Have I ever mentioned I really like yellow?

ff-Tree Card

Not wanting to get out of bed one morning, I designed this leaf pattern in my head. It makes a fun little card to use whenever. Download it free by clicking here.