Posts Tagged: "creative"

Buddha Board Enso Infinite Art

Queen Darlene - April 25, 2019 - Birthday, Business, Christmas, Father's Day, Get Well, Kids, Mother's Day, Retirement

It’s rare to come across something that you’ve never seen before or experienced anything like it. The Buddha Board Enso definitely caught my eye!

Imagine drawing, painting and writing on a board with a water brush and creating images with a rich, inky Japanese look. As the water slowly evaporates, your art will magically disappear allowing you to create a whole new masterpiece.

My BFF, Linda, and I met in 1976 and are complete opposites. She is quiet. I’m loud. She loves to read. I love to dance. She enjoys museums. I enjoy snow skiing. Get the picture?

Creative T-Shirts for New Dad & Uncle

Queen Darlene - September 5, 2018 - $20 or Less, Baby Shower, Father's Day

I’ve known my friend Jody’s two boys since the day they were born. I have watched them grow up to become wonderful young men!

I can’t believe her oldest, Austin, is going to be a first-time dad and his brother, Camden, a first-time uncle.

What an exciting times for these young men!

Jody invited me to her future grandbaby’s baby shower and both “Dad” and “Uncle “ were going to be in attendance.

I’ve witnessed throughout their lives how the brothers have always had a close relationship. I wanted to commemorate them both as they experience their new life titles together!

Creative T-Shirts

There are hundreds of creative t-shirts to choose from for such an occasion.

I chose “Top Dad” a replica of the Top Gun movie logo. Austin is patriotic and the red, white and blue was perfect for him! Continue Reading

Multiple First Dates With Spouse

Princess Diana - April 11, 2018 - Anniversary, Experiences, Valentine's Day

I came across a genius idea in my Facebook feed that I had to share it with our readers!

Have you heard about the “Truth Bomb Mom?” Her videos always inspire me and make me laugh, but the video below has to be in my top 3!

Truth Bomb Mom (aka Kristina Kuzmic) shares her secret to a happy marriage and the best, most creative way to reconnect with her spouse–lots of FIRST DATES.

What exactly does she mean by “first dates?” It means going on date nights as if they just met and were going on their actual first date.

Recreating First Dates

It begins with her husband texting her “Hey, this is Phillip. It was great meeting you the other night. I would love to take you out to dinner.”

He is pretending they just met to recreate that newness and anticipation of a first date.

Samoas and S’mores Girl Scout Cookies | Teacher Gift

Princess Diana - March 8, 2018 - $20 or Less, Food & Drinks, Teacher Gifts, Thank You

I love Girl Scouts cookie season! It’s a chance to buy delicious cookies while helping girls raise money for their troop.

My favorite thing to hear is when a Girl Scout tells me her troop is raising money so they can go to camp.

That always warms my heart because of the incredible summer camp memories I have from my childhood.

Tasty Teacher Appreciation Gift

During cookie season, I like to buy Samoas and S’mores Girl Scout cookies to give as teacher appreciation gifts.

Artisanal Ice Cream in Fun Flavors

Princess Diana - November 28, 2017 - Anniversary, Birthday, Christmas, Family, Father's Day, Food & Drinks, Gifts for Him, Host, Mother's Day, Valentine's Day, Wedding

Really good ice cream in fun flavors. That’s what I want. Any time of year.

One of my favorite flavors is goat cheese ice cream. Hey. Don’t knock it until you try it. Trust me.

One time a friend bought me a pint of Jeni’s Goat Cheese with Red Cherries. Absolute heaven!

Have you heard of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams? It’s an artisan ice cream company, which means real people use real (vs. synthetic) ingredients to make the highest quality ice cream.

The company is known for always coming out with fun, inventive flavors!

Recreate, Repurpose, Regift Vintage Jewelry

Queen Darlene - December 31, 2016 - $20 or Less, Birthday, Christmas, Family, Mother's Day, Wedding

Ever wonder what to do with broken but beautiful, vintage jewelry? Recreate! Repurpose! Regift!

I received a picture frame containing vintage jewelry made into a dazzling crown. When I opened the gift, my mouth dropped.

My sister-in-law said, “It’s perfect for Queen Darlene!”

She was right of course! I loved all that beautiful bling! And because Karee designed and created it just for me made it even more thoughtful.

When she told me it was her new hobby, I began quizzing her about where she found the jewelry pieces, her ideas for designs, and how she made my crown.

A supplier provides her with vintage jewelry but she also finds them at garage and estate sales for reasonably prices. Karee explained she uses a special glue made for jewelry for all of her creations.
Continue Reading

& Happily Ever After | Anniversary Gift

Queen Darlene - September 15, 2016 - $20 or Less, Anniversary, Retirement, Wedding

I wanted to do something in honor of my dear friends’ 45th wedding anniversary but didn’t have a clue. A thoughtful gift for a couple who has been married a long time.

While walking through the craft store, I noticed there were large alphabet letters in a variety of materials such as metal, ceramic, wood and some with lights. I also saw an ampersand sign – &.

How these ideas infiltrate my mind is a mystery but my first thought was And… to our next anniversary! Several more sayings popped in my head of what couples can look forward to doing next.

And…

to our next anniversary
to our next dinner and drinks
to our next dance
to our next sunset
to our next adventure
to whatever we want it to be
Happily Ever After! Continue Reading

BULBING Lamps Create Optical Illusion

Queen Darlene - June 30, 2016 - Birthday, Business, Christmas, Father's Day, Gifts for Him, Kids, Mother's Day

Looking for an unusual, unique, definitely different, you’ve-never-seen-before lamp? Curious? Yes, I thought so.

BULBING Lamps are flat, 2-D LED lamps that trick your eye and your mind to thinking they’re 3-D lamps. They create an amazing optical illusion!

Aren’t they a great gift for lighting up someone’s life? They also make a great gift for him.

I consider them functional art so it makes sense my friend, Linda, discovered these fascinating lamps on the Museum of Modern Art’s online gift shop.
Continue Reading

“If I Could, I Would …” Wishful Thinking Gift

Princess Diana - June 21, 2016 - $20 or Less, Birthday, Christmas

WARNING: This present should not be given by itself.

My husband and I are huge fans of the TV show Game of Thrones. We have two young kids so watching the show together after the kids are in bed is our precious “us time.”

I like to joke that I’m like Daenerys Targaryen. She’s the Mother of Dragons. Well, I’m the Mother of Dragen. My oldest son was born in 2012, the Year of the Dragon, so I named him Aiden Dragen Jaeger.

For my husband’s birthday this year, I wanted to give him some things related to Game of Thrones. I finally decided on a t-shirt that features Hodor’s only quote.

“HODOR”
– Hodor

I purchased the Game of Thrones theme song and secretly added it as the sound he hears when his alarm goes off in the morning. I wanted him to begin every day in an epic way.

I also paired my gifts with an “If I Could, I Would…” Wishful Thinking Gift, something you would give if you had all the money in the world.

Graduation Hat Money Jar With Mini Diplomas

Princess Diana - May 10, 2016 - Graduation, Money

This graduation gift idea won’t need to be wrapped. It’s just too cute!

Dressing up a jar to look like a graduation hat creates the perfect container for giving money as a graduation present.

But don’t just stuff cash inside. After all, presentation is everything!

First, roll up the bills and tie them with ribbon so they resemble mini diplomas!

HOW TO MAKE A GRADUATION HAT MONEY JAR