Smart Cookie Labels for teachers

I've been a busy bee today. This morning I went to a friend's baby shower and took along the little man and the diva. We had a great time and some delicious peanut butter pie. YUM. There goes my Atkins diet today. Oh well. I haven't slipped up in 3 weeks. So today was my first cheat day. To be honest, I actually feel kind of icky and tired - which makes me wonder about my tolerance to sugar now that I've grown accustomed to not needing it. Interesting how my tastes have changed so quickly! 
This afternoon included some playing around with Minnie Mouse Birthday invitations per a custom request from a friend. I never waste an opportunity to do a custom order so I also made versions to sell in my shop. They are SOOOO cute.

Matching Thank You Notes as well of course: 

And then because I was on a roll..... TENT CARDS 

Now on to my favorite design of today. 

Tomorrow is Ethan's preschool graduation. I really can't believe its the absolute LAST day of preschool ever for him. SIGH. His preschool teachers were so amazing this year. Every day they had fun crafts and art projects. I have his artwork hanging all over the house. I really admire how upbeat and patient they are. Best preschool teachers EVER. So they deserve a little token of appreciation for all that hard work. 

How fun is that? I filled 16 oz plastic freezer canning jars with chocolate chip cookies. YUM. Printed these tags, cut out the circles and taped to the lid. Then I added a bow with a dab of hot glue. 

Ethan will need to sign these in the morning. If you are interested in this printable the pictures will link directly to my shop listing. Enjoy! 

Father's Day Plans and Kittens

Father's Day is creeping up quickly. I actually thought it was next week and then *gasp* I just realized that it is THIS SUNDAY!! Eeeeeep. I need to get rolling on our plans. My husband is the best father. He really does so much for the kids. I am so lucky to have him. Also he always gives me exactly what I want for Mother's Day. Usually my Mother's Day consists of a clean house while I sleep in, a latte and waffles in bed (yum) and cute handmade cards and crafts from the kids. We decided we really like the idea of doing journals instead of cards so that we can keep the little things the kids give us.  I am of course going to take this project and run with it. I might get a little carried away sometimes. Maybe.  So tonight when I was making a midnight run for formula to feed our kittens (what? That's normal right?) I found a great journal. First how about a glimpse of the kittens that warrant a midnight run to the local Walmart to brave whatever lurks in order to feed their tiny little tummies. 
This is Oreo. Look at that wittle face! 

This is Riley. A little love. 

Anyhow... The journal. Yes.  I bought the one on the far right. 

How cute is that! I'm in love with this theme AND I am planning some Printables for our Father's Day breakfast this weekend to match. Stay tuned! 

Preschool and Kindergarten Graduation Printable

New in the shop! Hot off the presses! I've designed the most adorable (yes I'm biased) preschool and kindergarten printable diplomas for your little graduate moving up to the next grade. Check it out in my shop! 
Kindergarten Diploma

Preschool Diploma

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Graduation Freebie Printable and a Tutorial

My little man is growing up. I really can't believe it. I remember when he was this small: 

Look how cute he was! My little alien :) I love how he's just chillaxin' in this ultrasound picture. 

Anyhow, this Wednesday he is graduating from Pre-K. WHAT? So that means Kindy in the fall. Bittersweet I tell ya! He is so ready. He bounces off the walls and drives me bonkers. He needs kindergarten. I need Kindergarten. 

So here is a free printable in celebration: 

It's actually a PSD file that you download so you can add your own picture and text. I'm including a tutorial on how to do this in Photoshop if you aren't familiar with making a clipping mask. That sounds complicated. It's really easy. I promise. 

Step 1: Download the file by clicking above

Step 2. Open the file up in Photoshop

Step 3: Open up a photo of your graduate in Photoshop

Step 4: Drag and drop it onto the psd file you downloaded. It should be on top. If it's not on top press Ctrl and ] at the same time to bring it to the top. 

Step 4: Now the layer with the picture is on top of the layer of the frame. Hover between the two layers and press the alt button - then click. See the red X? Hover over that. 

Step 5: Your picture is now clipped to the layer below. With your picture layer selected use the arrow tool to position and re-size it however you need.  (See the little arrow pointing down to the layer below? That's a clipping mask!)

Step 6:  Now all you need to do is change the text on the name and the "pre-K" portion. You may need to choose a different font. I used KG Second Chances Solid if you are interested in downloading that. 

Step 7: Save and print. DONE! Enjoy. Please share on Pinterest, Facebook and/or Twitter if you use my card. This card is for personal use only. Thank you! 

FREEBIE - Thanks a "Latte" Thank You Cards

Free "Thanks a latte" thank you card for you to download and print. Simply attach a coffee gift card and sign. Easy peasy! Perfect gift for the end of the year. What teacher doesn't love coffee? 

Mmmmmmmmm. I need this. 

Free Teacher Thank You "Thanks a Latte" Printable

If you download this card please pin to Pinterest, share on facebook or tweet it. I love traffic and attention. (Yes I'm an attention seeker - at least on the interwebs... not so much in real life). Thank you! Enjoy! 

Summer Sale in the Dazzling Darling Shop

Summer means camping, s'mores, trips to the pool, popsicles.... and a SALE!!!
Now until August 31st enter the code SUMMER15 at checkout and receive 15% off all the designs in my shop. 

Testing my signature. Yay!

I'm so fancy!

I feel so clever and fancy! I spent an embarrasing amount of time re-doing the banner and buttons on my blog last night. Guess what? I figured out how to install image mapping! Woot! For those of you that are wondering what the heck I'm talking about - image mapping is a fancy geek term that means when you click on an area of my banner you will be led to a different page! YES!!! So my banner now links to my home page, my shop, and my freebies! Hurray! Also while I was feeling so smart I added links to Pinterest, Facebook and Twitter (Twitter has not yet been set up officially). I am tweet dumb. Can someone explain Twitter to me? I still don't really "get" it. Baby steps.

For now I am celebrating my re-design victory. *Jumping up and down*

Best. Teacher. Ever. Free printable

This time of year is bittersweet. The rainy spring is fading into warmer June days and my kids are becoming antsy. They literally ::twitch:: with energy and I am SO GLAD I can send them OUTSIDE! All winter I dreamed of this moment. The day when I can send them to the backyard and not worry about them face - planting in the mud. Yup. That has actually happened - See?  Poor Ethan! This is me trying not to laugh at his misfortune.



Instead we can look forward to adventures that revolve around bug hunting, slug hunting, bike rides, scraped knees, splashing in the kiddie pool and chasing each other with the hose. More like this:


^^^ that's a slug by the way  (not poop)  ^^^

What else does June bring? OH YES. The END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.

A day all parents dread. haha. Endless days of being our kids social planners and hearing over and over "I'm booooooooooored". Don't pretend you don't know what I'm talking about! It doesn't matter how interesting I try to keep our lives. They are always "bored". Sigh.

Also - those teachers get a well deserved break. I know they need it desperately. I would if I were in charge of 30+ children who were not my own.

So in appreciation of our teachers and in the spirit of the beginning of summer I'd like to offer up a FREE - yes you heard me F.R.E.E. printable. I'm totally over the moon head in heels in love with chalkboards these days. Use a bright chalk marker and have your kiddo sign/decorate/scribble this little love note to their favorite teachers.

Free Teacher Thank You Printable (click here)

If you download my free printable please share the love by repinning on Pinterest, facebook or tweeting. It's good Karma, I promise. 

This file will be blank without a name. If you would like me to personalize this digitally for you please see my shop listing at Dazzling Darling Designs on Etsy  HERE: https://www.etsy.com/listing/192070084/teacher-card-thank-you-chalkboard

Happy Summer to All of YOU! Stay Sane! Be careful in the water. Wear sunscreen. Always.