My Memories Scrapbook Winner!

We have a Winner for the My Memories digital scrapbooking suite! 

And lucky number 18 is Debbie My Empty Nest who won with the comment:

"I subscribe for little project e-mail" 

(I need to hear back from you within 48 hours, or I'll have to pick a new winner.)

Though I wish I had more of this fun product to giveaway, I do have a $10 off code for This Little Project Readers!

Just be sure to use the code: STMMMS60806 for $10 off when you check out

Happy Monday!!

DIY Reusable Gift Wrap {Happy Earth Day!}

When you think back, do you ever just laugh at how some of your traditions got started?

It seems like some of our favorites traditions happened totally unexpectedly.
Our reusable gift wrap is a {little project} I started 2 years ago and it has turned into one of our FAVORITE TRADITIONS.

Go figure.

With Earth Day coming up this week, it's a perfect {little project} to try out.

 

Our reusable gift wrap is one of husband's favorite {little} things at Christmastime.  Since we still have {little} people at our house we don't wrap anything until Christmas Eve.  

(No matter what gift wrap we use it gets opened early, otherwise!)

And, since wrapping gifts isn't his favorite thing to do, he really loves these {little} bags that he just has to stuff and tie it closed!  Reusable gift wrap is super quick too!

Speaking of tying them closed, I love how {this little project} looks with tulle as the tie.  I'm a big fan of tulle.  It's cute, gives it a special look, and is so inexpensive.  You can use it again and again too.

The reason my kids love our reusable gift wrap is that they have their own special birthday bags.
Each birthday they choose the theme they want for their party and we pick out a special fabric that matches the theme to make a special bag with.

Here is Kay's choice from her "ballet birthday" this year.  It's fun to use the birthday bags from past years too and relive memories of previous events too.



We love that this reusable gift wrap lasts from year to year and we aren't throwing tons of waste away anymore.

And one of the best things about this reusable gift wrap is that it's a cinch to make!

Here's a burlap one I did (it's inside out in the photo)

 
I just used a serger across the top and then folded it and half and went down the 2 sides.
You don't have to use a serger, but burlap frays otherwise. I use the same steps with the other bags.  And of course, you can make them any size.

Sometimes I hem the top instead.  If I'm not being lazy :)

This really is a {little} project.  

It takes 5 minutes or less!



But you get to enjoy it for a long time. 
And the Earth will thank you for it!

Happy Birthday...or...Earth Day!

This year is 100 days old!

Jay came running down the stairs this morning to tell me that today is the 100th day of the year!I'm glad we made it back in time from our trip because we have a tradition of celebrating this day. 
 It's kinda like the 100th day of school for us.  We'll take any excuse for a party!
I've got a few {little projects} up my sleeve for this year...
Right now Jay and Kay are outside picking 100 dandelions.  It's always nice to sneak some yard work into learning--hehe.  Not that picking dandelions really counts....
Today's events will include a few projects en español since I'm feeling extra sneaky.
I'll try to share a few of our 100th day {little projects} in the coming days.

In the meantime, check the archives for more 100 day ideas of how to celebrate too!
List of  ideas from 2011 List of  ideas from 2010List of  ideas from 2009
Also, I recently picked up this CD of the 5 Browns, a group of 5 amazing pianists all in one family.  It was the prefect listening as we rolled through beautiful Pennsylvania this past week.  5 Browns with 10 fingers each.  That gets you 50 fingers.  Listen to 2 tracks and it's like 100 fingers...kinda.


p.s. Don't forget to enter the My Memories Scrapbook Suite Giveaway so you can preserve 100 memories ;)

He Is Risen and More Bible Videos

Our family is looking forward to witnessing my sweet {little} niece's baby blessing on Easter Sunday.
This Easter has been a little different for us.  We're usually at home, not in a hotel room at Easter time.
But even on the road, in our family scripture time we've been able to talk with our kids about Easter and what it really means.As Jay told me yesterday, "It isn't anything about eggs and bunnies.  It's about Jesus!"

Tonight we watched He Is Risen online with our kids about what Easter is all about right in our hotel room.  And it didn't matter that we are here instead of home.  
The powerful message that He is Risen is true everywhere.

I'm always amazed at how the {littlest} among us know.
For instance, here is Ellie's (2-year-old) narration during the short He Is Risen movie:
At the start: "Mommy!  Daddy!  Happy!  Jesus!"
During the Last Supper: "Light!"
While Jesus is being whipped: "Oh no!"
When the crown of thorns is placed on Jesus' head: "Jesus owie!"
When they drove nails through Jesus' hands and feet: "Jesus owie.  Mommy Daddy owie."
When Jesus is at the tomb, after the 3rd day when he is resurrected: "Jesus!"
Out of the mouth of babes.
I picked up this book a couple of weeks ago and have really enjoyed it and recommend it.
 God So Loved the World: The Final Days of the Savior's Life 
Besides going through each day or Holy Week with scriptures, maps and insights, The author points out that Gorden B. Hinckley said, "There would be no Christmas if there had not been Easter."  I don't think we often think of the events in that order.  Christmas seems to get so much more attention, and yet we celebrate the birth of baby Jesus because His atonement and resurrection means so much to mankind.
A {little} something I've been thinking on this year.  Somehow, when your regular traditions are thrown up the air, you start to really think about those traditions a {little} more ;)
For more fabulous bible videos, see biblevideos.org
Wishing you a very Happy Easter!

Giveaway! My Memories Digital Scrapbooking

GIVEAWAY CLOSED

I'm a girl that loves to have a camera in her hand.  Photos mean a lot to me.  Sometimes I feel like I'm losing my memory without them!  And when Jay was born I remember wanting to scrapbook every memory in a book for both of us to enjoy.  When I had just him, it was manageable.  But with three kids?  Let's just say I have a couple of boxes of papers and stickers that get used for other {little projects}.  
Enter digital scrapbooking.  I've heard the word.  I know people do it.  But I had never tried it out.
Until My Memories wanted to give away their digital scrapbooking software to my lucky readers.
Since they sent me the software to try out too, I've done my first digital creations. Ever.
And guess what?It's not hard when you have this software!
The My Memories Digital Scrapbooking Suite downloads instantly from their website.  I jumped right in and had fun playing with lots of different backgrounds and embellishments that come with the software.
Now I can create a page or book about our family vacation and it instantly can be used for any of our kids or emailed to grandma too!  It's so much easier to keep organized and takes up so little space!
But I have to admit that my favorite part about the My Memories Suite is that it is so versatile.  This software is capable of creating and sharing all kinds of memories.Think birthday party invite.  Or baby announcement.Or party favor.  Or personalized holiday and greeting cards. 
Right now I'm using it to redo my blog.  Yes me.  It's been time to do that for 2 years and now I'm not intimidated by it.  In fact, I'm having fun doing it!  
I should also mention that it works on a PC or a Mac.  I am a mac user and it works great and interfaces with iphoto as well as other digital scrapbooking embellishments I've downloaded.  For more info, check out the system requirements.
And now, onto the giveaway!
Please leave a separate comment for each entry below (no emails!)
1. Like My Memories on Facebook
2. Go to My Memories website and tell my what your favorite digital paper pack is.
3. Subscribe to This Little Project via email or reader
4. Like This Little Project on Facebook
You must be a This Little Project follower to win (see right sidebar).
Entries will be accepted until midnight on Sunday, April 15th.  The winner will be announced Monday, April 16th.
I just have one Scrapbooking Suite Software to give away.  But, I also have a treat for the rest of you too!  
Just use this coupon code STMMMS60806at check out for $10 off.So for $30 you'll behaving all kinds of fun :)


I received a copy of this software to review.  I was not compensated for my opinions.  My experience with the product and my opinions are 100% my own.

Spring Marshmallow Pops

My {little} ones like to be in the kitchen "helping" me.  

So {this little project} is fun for me because I can easily include them too.  

Yay!

I love all the different shapes of marshmallows in the spring.  

We just found some flower ones at the dollar store--of all places--that I'm using for another learning {little project} with Kay.  

Shown here are bunnies and ducks.  

To make {this little project}

Prepare your marshmallows with sucker sticks in them

Then simply melt some chocolate and put it in a shallow dish.  

Dip one side of the marshmallow in the chocolate and then sprinkle it (or let the kids!)

Then rest them on a tray to cool.

Every treat is just a {little} more fun to eat on a stick, right?

And my kiddos have no problem reusing their sticks to put another marshmallow on!

 'Tis the season for a yummy {little} project!