FREE PRINTABLE: Have a ball!

Oh my goodness, I started this post a month ago. Having three kids has slowed me down! If you're looking for a last minute idea for valentines, though, here's your answer.

I wanted to share this idea that we used for Jack's valentines last year.


I was inspired by Crystal who sent her son to school with bouncy rubber balls as a Valentine's treat. It's a great alternative to candy. My son loved the idea of giving his friends a toy for Valentine's Day!

I found the bouncy balls in the party section at Target, but just recently saw a bulk pack in the Valentine's aisle. Perfect.

I modified these toppers for you to use if you decide to take this idea and run with it! Just print them and fold them over a cellophane bag. They're 3" x 4" and they fit well over a 2" cellophane bag.

Click here to download the bag toppers.

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FREE PRINTABLES: A Super Valentine

I have free Valentine's Day printables for you below! The problem is, you might not know what to do with them, unless you check out Crystal's post here.

Take a look at her instructions for this super cute Valentine's Day idea and then head back over to download the printable rounds!


Click here to download the free printables.

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FREE PRINTABLE: Christmas Cookie Jar

Remember the cookie jars I made for Jeanette's shower? I made a Christmas version to give out as teacher gifts and treats for a few other friends. Red and green M & Ms were much easier to find than pink ones!

If you're looking for a few fast gifts to give this week, here's an idea! You can download the printable rounds and matching baking instructions tags here.


Don't forget that you can get the recipe and see instructions on this site.

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FREE PRINTABLE: Customizable paper chain advent calendar

Growing up, we always had an Advent calendar. Something to help us count down the days until and prepare for Christmas. Last year, my husband made a paper chain with my oldest son to use as a countdown to Christmas. Each day, Jack reveled in being able to tear a piece of the chain away and see how much closer we were drawing to the big day.



As I was thinking about that over the last few weeks, I thought it would be fun to add a meaningful activity for each day. You know . . . something printed on each link to make it even more special. Some of them are just for fun and some teach an important lesson.

When I was finished, I thought, "Why not share this with everyone?!"


The download below is double sided . . . the pages 2 - 7 have the paper chain links with patterned Christmas designs on them. Pages 8 - 13 are designed to be printed on the back side. There are pre-filled ideas for each day, but every link is COMPLETELY EDITABLE! Decide which ones work for you and change the ones that don't!

When they're printed, you can trim them and assemble the paper chain. So simple and easy.


Enjoy this calendar! My hope is that it serves as a way to keep your children involved throughout the entire season and that it helps shift the focus of the holidays from receiving to giving.


Click here to download the printable Advent paper chain.

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It's a girl! A giveaway by Here's the Diehl

In case you hadn't heard . . . I'm expecting a little girl! In a little over a month, my two boys will help us welcome their little sister, Claire.


The first (and only) stop I made for little girl headbands is at Here's the Diehl. Nicole makes a variety of things for your baby, daughter, yourself and your home! I love the headbands because they're cute and girly without being so over the top that they take away from the person wearing them. In fact, the headbands even make great photo shoot props for photographers!



The headbands aren't just for babies . . . they come in child and adult sizes, too!

Nicole has graciously offered to give away THREE headbands of your choice to the winner of this giveaway.


To enter to win, take a look at Here's the Diehl and decide which three headbands you'd like to receive if you win. You could even add her shop as a favorite so that if you don't win, you can come back later and buy them!

Then, visit the tab on my facebook page with the entry form. Just leave basic contact information and your selections and you're entered! While you're at it, you might as well "like" Here's the Diehl's facebook page, too!

The giveaway is open until midnight on December 1, and a winner will be selected on December 2.

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Thanksgiving Conversation Starters . . . FREE printables

These conversation starters are a great way to break the ice around the Thanksgiving Dinner table! There are 8 cards with pre-filled questions, and 8 blank cards on which you can write your own questions.

Each individual card measures 3" x 2" and there are 8 cards per page.



Click here to download the printable .pdf files.

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I am Thankful for . . . FREE Thanksgiving printables

These printables are the perfect addition to Thanksgiving day festivities! Leave one at each place setting around the dinner table, or stack a pile of them in your kitchen every day and encourage family members to fill one out each day! What a great way to encourage your kids to count their blessings!

Each individual card measures 3" x 4" and there are 5 cards per page.



Click here to download the printable pdf of the "I am thankful for . . . " cards.

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FREE PRINTABLE: Thanksgiving Bunting

Looking for fun new way to decorate for Thanksgiving dinner? Hang some of this festive bunting!





It matches the Mod Turkey Thanksgiving dinner invitation perfectly:



Click here to download the printable bunting file. Just trim and add a ribbon!


This bunting is available for free in 2011 only! Next year, it will be for sale in the shop, so download them now!

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Down on the Farm: Barnyard birthday party ideas

Back in August, Jenny threw her son the most amazing barnyard birthday party! I was so excited to start on this project over the summer, because I knew it would be amazing.

The invitation I designed for the party can be found in the shop here. It's already become a very popular one!


Jenny packaged her invitations in cute little burlap sacks for delivery! Aren't they adorable?!

And look at this fabulous cake Jenny made . . . it matches the invitations perfectly! Amazing.


I can create tags, stickers and more to match this party theme. Just let me know what you're looking for and I can put a package together!


You can read more about Hudson's third birthday party here.

If you're looking for something different, here's another barnyard birthday party option.


Or, maybe you just want to stick with a tractor theme!

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FREE PRINTABLE: Printable THanksgiving subway art

Halloween's just about over . . . time to bust out the Thanksgiving decorations!


If you're looking for something fun and meaningful to hang on your wall, download this Thanksgiving print.



It's available for download in 2 sizes and 4 colors.

Click here to download it in black (11" x 14")
Click here to download it in black (8" x 10")

Click here to download it in chocolate (11" x 14")
Click here to download it in chocolate (8" x 10")

Click here to download it in pumpkin (11" x 14")
Click here to download it in pumpkin (8" x 10")

Click here to download it in cranberry (11" x 14")
Click here to download it in cranberry (8" x 10")

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New designs this month

This month, I've listed so many new designs that I love! If you want to see new designs as they're released, be sure to like the Less Ordinary Designs facebook page.

Here are just a few from this month:

1. Top 10



2. Newsletter


3. Paisley Stripes


4. Holiday stand out


5. Modern Chevron


6. Barnyard


7. Chevron & Polka Dots

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Happy Halloween printable banner

Get this cute printable Happy Halloween banner in the shop for only $3!


The price will go up next year, so but it now, even if you think you might not use it until next year!

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More free Halloween printables . . . trick or treat bag toppers

You can only give treats in these bags! Download these free printable treat bag toppers to wish your friends and family only sweet things!


These are the perfect match to my trick or treat Halloween card available in the shop right here.


The treat bag toppers are available for free in 2011 only! Next year, they'll be for sale in the shop, so download them now!

Click here to download trick or treat treat bag toppers.

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FREE HALLOWEEN PRINTABLES: Chevron pumpkin treat bag toppers

Need a fun way to dress up your Halloween treats? Download these free printable treat bag toppers. Don't worry . . . they come with instructions.



These are the perfect match to my chevron pumpkin Halloween card available in the shop right here.


The treat bag toppers are available for free in 2011 only! Next year, they'll be for sale in the shop, so download them now!


Click here to download the chevron pumpkin treat bag toppers.

Check back next week for another set of free printable treat bag toppers!

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Roses are Pink - Baby shower favors and free printable

The party favors for Jeanette's shower might have been my favorite ever! After a party full of desserts, who wouldn't want to take a cookie mix home to share with her family?

I made up a cookie mix in a jar for each guest. I found the recipe and idea here. I searched and searched for pink M&Ms and couldn't find them anywhere, so I had to settle for purple. These cookies are AMAZING. So, so good. When I made our batch, they didn't last long!

I won't re-post the recipe because you can find it on the other site I linked to, but I will show you a little trick for filling the jars. Making a funnel out of card stock to add the ingredients was a life saver! My normal kitchen funnels were too narrow, and the ingredients didn't all make it into the jar when I tried to do it without. Also, be sure you pack the ingredients down really well. I didn't see that little tip in the instructions until I had already started and it was too late.

Have I convinced you to do these for the next baby shower you throw? If so, you can purchase the thank you stickers for the jar tops here.

BUT, you can download the instruction tags and the "Take a Treat" sign for free by clicking here! Just print them out, trim and attach with a ribbon to the top of the jar. Add the sign to a frame to display near the favors.

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Roses are Pink Baby Shower - Baby Wishes Printable cards

For Jeanette's shower, I decided NOT to do a game, but instead to have guests complete a "Baby Wishes" card. These have been circulating and are becoming quite popular at baby shower.

I'm not a huge fan of shower games, so this is a nice alternative. And it makes a nice keepsake for both mom and baby.

These are available as printable files in the shop here:

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