Chevron Book Basket Labels

So if you're anything like me-I am obsessed with children's books!  I don't think we can ever have enough kids books around!  We probably have hundreds of them!  I promise-I just purged the baby books, the board book kind-a few weeks ago!

We have books stashed in both main living areas as well as in each of our kids rooms.  Our main living room they get stored in baskets under our coffee table.  In our second living area where we grab from nightly are stashed in a big, lined basket.

We let Gabe pick the books he reads each night but often times he pulls the same books out.  Why?, you might ask...because they are on top of the basket!  What 6 year old wants to actually dig to the bottom to find something new??  Not my kid!  So, I came up with a simple solution!

I created some chevron pattern, labels and attached to some baskets I picked up at the dollar tree!  I created two labels, 'books to read' and 'books finished'.  I laminated them.  I attached them to the basket with a large pop dot from the scrapbooking section.  I was going to use Velcro with the sticky back to it but I couldn't find mine this morning.  Boo.  You could also just punch holes in the corners and tie them on with ribbon, string, or even a zip-tie.

I filled up the one side with books from the BOTTOM of the large basket for Gabe to read this week!  He can still pick which books he reads but now it wont be the same ones over and over again!

Once he is finished he can stick them on the other side.  When I forget to fill out his reading log I can go back through his finished books & complete it!  I think it will be rewarding for him to watch the other side fill up & see his accomplishments for that week!

At the end of each week I will rotate the basket with new books to read!  Then hopefully we won't have the same books showing up all the time!

Download this free printable & create your own baskets at home!  You can even do it for your own books that are just sitting on your shelf!  There's nothing like a stack of finished books to make you feel like you accomplished something!

Happy Reading Friends!

Recent Activity

I feel so blessed to have been busy with orders this month!  I stand in awe sometimes and see how God provides & meets our needs!  I've been able to do several birthday parties as well as valentine's day goodies!

 Transformer Bag Tags (I did a banner too but forgot to take pictures, oops!)

 Super Hero Cupcake Toppers 

 Stache's

 I Dig You Valentine's DayTags

 Sweet 16 Birthday!  Cake Toppers & Decorations!

 E's for the party!

 I created this banner for my friend Molly over at Specs & Wings!  Be sure to check out what she will be doing with it next week!  Be sure to follow her artsy blog!  She is SO inspiring!

 I made up my little M&M sticks for our lucky facebook winner along with some personalized tags!

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On Friday we attended an award ceremony for my son!  This is his awesome teacher (speaking)!  She was awarding not only for hs academic achievements but she gave him a personal award....

 The King Midas Award-everything he touches turns to gold!  {yes, insert tears here}

Gabe is such a sweet, kind-hearted kid!   I was so proud of him!

 He was proud too!

Gabe & his buddie Isaiah!

His awards!!!

My cup runneth over!!!

Winner Winner!

I WON!  Let me just say I very rarely EVER win things but I entered this little giveaway over at Jessica 'N' Designs where she creates these beautiful masterpieces! {I've already ordered some goodies from her for my hubby's upcoming birthday in February!}

 She was spotlighting for Much Ado About You!

She creates some pretty suh-weet day planners, calendars, address books...etc.  Just look at them-they are beautiful!

It totally made my Monday!  Now, I get to go look around & pick out which beauty I want!  I'm thinking Gabe's teacher would love something like this too!  

Happy Monday!

What I've Been Working On...

It's hard to believe we are just about 2 weeks into the new year and I have already had 10 new orders!  They have been coming in steadily!  Last year was a growing year for Papercutz.  I have seen it grow but I have also learned that I am all over the place.  It's simply because I LOVE to create!  I want to create EVERYTHING!  Ha Ha!  After doing a little reading about small businesses and what not I have decided to focus in on just a few things this year and see how it goes!  I am going to stick with what I started with -- party stuff!  I am also going to do my stationary/post-it note holder type stuff as well.  I love going to shows & meeting new people.  I will keep doing that as well.  Not to mention-custom orders.  I love doing custom orders because it gives me a pure outlet just to create!  Just like this pretty sweet project I did for a customer this week!

Awesome, right?  I had so much fun making this!  I think my favorite part is....

the cute little "tea-bag" inspired tag that I made to tuck into the boxes that hold tea!  Chamomile & Sleepytime to be exact!  I think it came out great & my customer loved it too!

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I have also been getting orders for some custom tags...

more pictures to come of some other ones I have done!

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I listed a few new things this month in my Etsy shop!

Magnetic Post-It Note Holder

Larger 4 x4 Post-It Note Holder

 Heart Treat Holders for Valentine's Day

Be Mine Banner

Love Banner

These adorable Owl Boxes have not been listed yet but are available!

What have y'all been up to??  Make anything crafty?

Healthy New Year

Yeah, I know it's kind of the most predictable new year's resolution to workout more, spend less...blah blah blah.  But those REALLY are 2 of my goals!  This past year since I have taken on other volunteer roles in my community & my business has grown I have pushed my workouts to the back burner--the way back burner.  Let me tell you I can tell!  I miss feeling good so much!  So, Bill & I are starting a new routine TODAY!  I will strive very hard to keep with it -- even in the busy times!  I am going to even kick off the year right by going to the doctor's for a physical -- which I have neglected to do for 3 years!  Yeah, I know -- it's pretty bad!

Last year we also did Dave Ramsey and he pretty much changed our lives!  Then vacation happened and summer time and well....we fell off the wagon!  In the months prior to all that we saved thousands -- read that people THOUSANDS!  I will be dusting off those envelopes and printing out my budget today!  We miss the cash and having limits!  I'm pretty sure you can download the forms right from Dave Ramsey's website!  You too can save!

I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorite smoothie recipes!  I am sure most of you have crazy busy mornings like I do--running out the door trying to get kids to school, running home to get the other one out the door to MDO, or just going to work!  I LOVE smoothies -- shakes -- protein drinks -- whatever you want to call them!  They are quick, easy, and convenient for a busy morning schedule!

Strawberry Banana Smoothie

1 cup frozen strawberries
1/2 banana
1 handful of ice
1/2 cup greek yogurt
Splash of OJ
1 scoop vanilla protein powder

This recipe can be modified to this too (with no banana)

1 cup frozen strawberries
1 handful of ice
1/2-3/4 cup almond milk (depending how thick you like it)
1 scoop vanilla protein powder

My friend Jess told me about this one and it is super delish!

Green Monster

1 cup packed green spinach
1 tablespoon peanut butter
1/2 banana
1/2-3/4 cup milk, almond milk, coconut milk
1 handful of ice
1 scoop chocolate protein powder


Here's a few new ones I am looking forward to try this new year!


Mango Peach Green Smoothie
(Green Plate Rule)

1 banana
1/2 cup frozen mango
1 cup frozen peaches
1 cup spinach or kale
2 tsp Barlean's Mango peach omega swirl (optional)
1/2 cup water


Beginner Green Smoothie (serves 2)
(Green Plate Rule)

1/4 strawberry yogurt
1/4 cup water
1/2 banana
1 cup frozen mango
1 cup spinach
1 handful of ice


For an extra boost feel free to add flax to any of your smoothies!  Happy Smoothie Making!

Christmas Time

Our Christmas season consisted of many things...

like cookie making play-dates with friends...

 hot dogs, kettle corn, cotton candy & hayrides at church to go see Christmas lights...

and baking cookies....

many times! 

Sewing some handmade Christmas gifts...

(a ruffled table runner for my mom)

We celebrated Christmas with Jake & Jessi a.k.a. Guncle Jake & Aunt Jessi.....

We did crazy things like remodel our sunroom and get new carpet...I mean who doesn't want to rip apart a whole room of there house the week before Christmas?

We spent Christmas Eve going to church, then to my MIL's for dinner, stockings for the kids & Bill read us a book about the story of St. Nicholas.

The stockings were hung, the tree trimmed, and filled with the gifts we felt blessed to give this year.....

Christmas morning...gifts....breakfast...the reading of the Christmas story....and then toy time!

Christmas day was spent with family....eating....more family...more eating.....and gifts!

 I made some adorable sleigh's I found on Pinterest but of course I had to "papercutz" them up and added my own twist!  I wrapped each candy with pretty Christmas paper, stacked, glued, and tied with ribbon and a bell.  I added a punched ornament with a name on it for each place setting.

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We spent the majority of the days after Christmas in our PJ's....watching movies....cleaning...organizing....snuggling....playing games....and just being together!  It was a VERY low key break!  We took the kids to the movies a few times but mostly hung out at home!  I LOVED it!

New Year's Eve (9 year anniversary) we spent the day together--dragging our kids through memory lane as we watched our wedding video - ahem - on vhs!  haha  Gabe was amazed it rewinded all by itself!  I think every time we came to a part of someone significant in our video - singers - groomsmen -  Gabe would ask if they were dead or alive, haha.  It hasn't been that long son!  We enjoyed the morning together, followed by lunch at Osaka and then home to spend the afternoon with Nanny.  We took the kids on a nice long walk and a trip to the park because it was 75 degrees out!  Yes, very nice!

We hung out at home where we rung in the new year with non-alcholic pina coladas, fresh fruit, & lots of game playing!  It was a fun night!

Hope y'all had a wonderful Christmas & a blessed New Year!