Getting Crafty with HP's New Sticky-Backed Photo Paper At My #StickaPic Party

This past Saturday, we were able to unleash the endless possibilities of HP's new sticky-backed photo paper and had tons of fun creating, DIY-ing and photo stickin'! Check out the two projects we created and be inspired. They are both timely for the upcoming holidays.


Done watching? Scroll down to see the rest of our party fun.

Back to School Lunch Idea: Egg and Cheese Bagel Sandwich

Cheese and Egg Bagel Sandwich / Photo +Maricris G 

Back to School is in full swing and keeping up with your kid's daily lunchbox demands require nothing more but an uncomplicated culinary creativity. It really doesn't need to be complex. In this recipe, I took inspiration from my favorite bagel sandwich at Bruegger's. One that my daughter also love. It's easy and quick to make which was more reason to include it in her perfect lunch options that I rotate each week.

DIY: How to Give An Old Square Storage Trunk Box A Modern Look

The redesigned Square Trunk Box / Photo: +Maricris G 

You know when you decide to spawn your own minions, aka have a child, you'd end up with bunch of schtuffs you have no clue what to do with after they are older. This woman here? Guilty! I've made Goodwill a very happy recipient though so, that's a win there. Now while I got rid of A LOT,  I saved some that I can repurpose for home decor at our new and bigger house. No joke, there was more space to decorate and heck, I wasn't ready to break my already broken bank by buying additional home decor to pretty up the new house. Me haz creative talent, so me haz to utilize it!

In the creative table was this old, stained square trunk box that used to house more toys that my daughter can keep up with, which I transformed into an adorable, contemporary storage box that now holds a permanent spot next to my coat tree. Go see.

DIY: Quick and Easy Way to Dress Your Walls with Coasters

Wooden Coasters Wall Decor / Photo: +Maricris G 

I have my fair share of international travels and like any travelers, I have collected ahem, a "few" souvenir items along the way. One of my favorite acquisition are these wooden coasters that bear images portraying the culture of the country it came from.  I wanted a way to display them on my wall as an accent decor but my first attempt to put them in a frame proved futile. They were about thick enough that it will simply not work. Now my second attempt proved to be the best solution. By doing so, it gave the whole ensemble a rustic feel and authentic character all on its own.  Check it out.

Watch the video for DIY instructions:

DIY Makeover: How I Updated the Look of an Old Plain Chalk Pedestal

I have this cute white pedestal with an intricate weave design around it and have been with me for about 8 years now which means, time has weathered away its look and aged its appearance. The poor thing look pathetic now but I didn't have the heart to toss it away. Which in turn means, it found itself on my creative table and got itself a total makeover.

If you've got one like it, then check this very easy DIY project to give your own dull, ugly-looking chalk pedestal a needed makeover - all you need is paint!

DIY: How to Repurpose an Old Toy Chest into a Chic Living Room Accent Furniture

Got kids? My bet then is you have the popular Circo white toy chest as well.

If I'm right, here's a fun, easy and quick DIY project for you. This is of course if you want to keep them instead of tossing them away or donating them to Goodwill. I kept mine because my daughter's toy chest not only held her toys then but also memories. Memories of her being a baby and growing up. That toy chest stayed in her room for years all the way to when we moved to our new house. She's a tween now and the toy chest is no longer appropriate. And because of that, I got to put my creative genius in repurposing her old toy chest and giving it a total makeover.

If you have the same one or similar and would rather keep it, then read on for the tutorial and turn yours into a whole new furniture that's chic and useful.

DIY + Recycle: Unique Gift Wrapper Using Old Calendar

I'm one who always want something unique, with personality and decoratively creative. Moreover, I love to recycle and save money. In this project, I was able to put these factors together and came up with these cute designs for my daughter's birthday - turning old Calendar pages into decorative gift wrappers that will blow your mind away but not your budget! 

Disney-Inspired Mickey Mouse Ears Printable Template

We are busy gearing up for our Show your Disney Side at Home Celebrations party and what's the best way to get it started? With a Disney-inspired party invitation cards of course!

Making Pretty Things From Use-less Items

My creativity sees no end nor limit. Sometimes it's eerily uncanny how my brain works, but it's a gift I'm happy to embrace.

Whenever I see something, I just don't see it the way the naked eye sees it. I see creative possibility! The same possibility I saw when I saw the cap from the yogurt I recently reviewed. Yes. That puny, little cap that get tossed away if not recycled.

To a "normal" person, that cap is just merely a cap. But in my eyes, a pretty pattern is revealed and a creative idea is developed.

Then my hands makes them into pretty wearable, useful things no one thought possible!

And delight follows when I see these creations worn by those who saw the beauty in them too.

Meatless, Exotic Thanksgiving

Turkey is a major part of Thanksgiving but the same traditional menu every year is monotonous, boring, unexcitable and usually not vegetarian-friendly. Imagine yourself a vegetarian who have to bring your own food so you have something to eat at a dinner party you were invited to. Tragic isn't it? But vegetarian or not, there is no law that says you can't avert from tradition. This year, we're upholding the vegetarians and sparing the Turkeys (which is in shortage FYI) by going meatless and adding exotic dishes to spice up the menu. This is not your Grandma's traditional Thanksgiving menu!

On the Global Menu List: 

Poland

photo courtesy of wikipedia

Potato Pierogi - This is a traditional Polish dish. My husband is part-Polish. What better way to celebrate than to incorporate this dish to give our daughter a glimpse into his heritage. It's also his favorite so it's a win!

Useful Ways to Utilize Laundry Dryer Sheets You Never Thought Possible

This is my second cover story on dryer sheets. I promise, I'm not obsessed with my dryer sheets. It only happened that I discovered different uses that is worth sharing. My creative brain found ways to utilize the product beyond its standard use and so far they've work to my advantage. This time, I'm pushing the boundaries beyond a dryer sheet's usage. To me, it's no longer just a fabric softener. It is more.

Xtreme Recycling: Flower Bouquet and Potpourri from Dryer Sheets

Did you know you can turn your used dryer sheets into a cute work of art? Yes you can and I'm going to show you how! I recently changed fabric softener sheets (aka dryer sheets) brand and though I like both, I prefer the latter due to its ability to retain its scent even after usage. This "inspired" my creativity to recycle the sheets into something appealing and useful. Instead of throwing them away, I turned the used sheets into scented flower bouquet and the extra, into "potpourris" where the bouquet sits. The creation looks cute and smells good. So, don't toss your used dryer sheets yet until you try your hands on this one! Makes for a fun project and great recycling idea too.

Start a Thanksgiving Family Tradition with a THANK YOU Bank

Thanksgiving is fast approaching and you know what that means. It's the season of "Thank you's" and gratitude! If you are looking for a Thanksgiving Family tradition idea that you can start with your family that's quick and easy but meaningful, especially for your young children, then I've got one for you! All you need is a cute piggy bank!

5 Effective Ways To Extend The Life of Your Veggies and Save You Money

I'm one of those they call "Flexitarian". I consume more vegetables but I eat meat on occasion. It happens when we go out to eat which doesn't occur often. My daughter is the same way but my husband is a full-pledged vegetarian. Clearly he have a huge influence on my diet. Now living on a diet that calls for more veggies than meat have its disadvantages. No, not on the health benefits side of it but specifically its storage. Vegetables easily spoils when not properly stored or not used quick enough. It turns into waste and translates to more money wasted. If you are faced with the same issue "like I used to do", then you'll want to know these simple ways that's worked magic for me!

Last-Minute Halloween Fashion and Costume Ideas

Halloween is a couple of days away. Are you fashion-ready, costume-ready or still clueless as to what to wear or how to be in style at this spooky fun event? We've got some creative, fashionable ideas that are easy to do, no-sew, inexpensive and almost free!

2 Fun and Trendy Fall Decor Themed Ideas For Less

Fall is upon us and Oh how gorgeous it is! And now that I've got my creative Halloween decor in place (which is getting tons of repins! Woot!), it's time to do some Fall decorating. I bet when you think of Fall the first thing that comes to your mind are the leaves of the trees changing into a kaleidoscope of gorgeous colors and Pumpkin Patches! Well, these are my immediate thoughts anyway and one I intended to replicate inside the comfort of my new home. My challenge is to create a Fall-inspired home decor that brings these two factors together in a simple, fun yet trendy decorations that are also very cost-effective! Check out my decor ideas and the inspirations that I used to create the theme.

4 Easy and Stunning Halloween Decor Ideas

You know it! Halloween's right around the bend and for Halloween enthusiasts, massive decorating is on! Are you up for the challenge? I always love a good challenge and decorating is one of my weaknesses. But here's the caveat, I dislike (like a lot) breaking my bank for a  whole entourage of decors that will approximately last just a few days! No fair. This is where a little DIY and some elbow grease on my own comes into play. I don't mind that. Stunningly attractive decor that costs less or nothing at all? I'm in! Check some of these ideas I came up with. It's my first time doing Halloween decor. Believe it. Let me know what you think!

Fall is IN Fall-Inspired Creations Takes Center Stage

Fall is definitely coming and way too fast! It's quite easy to tell. The hints are hard to miss. Colors of the leaves starts changing, like burst of fun colors that only Fall can create. I love these annual colorful display and it's always been an inspiration for some of my creative work at Golden Flower Creations. The same inspiration used in creating these trendy, flirty and Fall-ish danglers! Check the rest of the collections and help yourself with one, or two.

Simple Steps to GREEN Your Workspace aka Mom Cave!

You asked: I have a small room I'm converting into my studio and wanted it to reflect my creative side and making it a "responsible" work area without spending too much money in the process. Where and how do I start?

My answer: I should tell you now that I have this personal mission to be "green" in every possible way I can. Call me Eco-freak but I love the principle of being green and living it. I'm not a tree hugger but I do have trees waiting to be hugged in my backyard -- maybe later. And then, I'm also frugal and I finally have a studio/workspace, all of my own, that I spent most of my daily, breathing life in since we moved. What's an Eco-freak gotta do? You got it babe, Green it frugally! How? Read on...

Back To School DIY: Decorative Holders made of Upcycled Tin Cans

With back to school just around the corner, here's a fun project that would prove useful for helping keep your little Einsteins organized and you, saving big bucks on those back-to-school home organizing needs! All you need is a little...ahem, elbow grease and a bit of creativity. And what's best about this one, they make for great teacher gift ideas too!

So, let's start clanging, er, gathering yer tin cans.