Charcuterie boards continue to be all the craze. Not only can they be customized for ANY occasion, holiday or event, but they look pretty too!

Keys to a Patriotic Charcuterie Board

1. Make it festive and add some red, white and blue by using seasonal fruit.
2. Offer a variety of foods and textures. Some may go for a dessert only board but a true charcuterie board includes meat, cheese, sweet and savory additions and crackers. Again, you can get creative here and even use colored tortilla chips depending on the occasion.
3. Keep it simple and keep your guests in mind! If you’re feeding a crowd of foodies, it’s perfectly safe to break out fancier meats and cheeses. But if kids are going to be at your party, cater to their tastes! Better yet – make two separate boards if needed!

These bloggers have knocked the Patriotic Charcuterie Boards out of the park! Check out some of these boards for more inspiration!

As always, please pin from the original source!

Tasty Oven

Amanda’s Cookin’

Jennifer Maune

Hungry Couple NYC

Urban Bliss Life

Kara’s Party Ideas

Reluctant Entertainer

Snowflakes and Coffeecakes

The Delicious Life

Diary of a Debutante

Life by Leanna

Leigh Anne Wilkes

Fashionable Hostess

Number 2 Pencil

Eat Yourself Skinny

Scrambled Chefs

Dance Around the Kitchen

Damn Delicious

Whitney Rife

Plays Well with Butter

Now how is that for some Patriotic Charcuterie Board Ideas and inspiration? I can’t decide how I want to make our board for the 4th of July this year! Maybe I’ll add my American Flag Dipped Pretzels!

What’s your favorite way to style a charcuterie board? So many options and I’d love to hear your ideas! Head over to Facebook and tell us!

The post Patriotic Charcuterie Board Ideas appeared first on Create Craft Love.

I’ve been blessed with a work schedule that has allowed me to help in my son’s classroom this year.  I can say unequivocally that it takes a special person to corral a bunch of kindergartners.  Reed’s teacher goes above and beyond to communicate with parents to keep them up to date on their child’s progress.  It’s been so much fun as a parent to watch these children learn and grow throughout the year.  I cannot imagine the hard work that goes into this day to day.  I have a greater appreciation of teachers than ever now that I am a parent.

This year for teacher appreciation week, I encourage you to go the extra step for your child’s teacher.  Tell them thank you.  Offer your time.  Help them in any way you can.  I know they will appreciate it and thank you for it.  These Teacher Appreciation Gift Ideas are just some of the ways to show the teachers how much you care about them!

As always, please pin from the original source!

To access a specific post in the gallery, click the title of the post which will open a new window with the instructions for that project.

[See image gallery at www.createcraftlove.com]

I honestly can’t decide which idea to choose!  They are all fantastic and I think any teacher would love receiving any of these gifts!  Handmade always seems to be best among moms and teachers.

 Do you do something special for your child’s teacher?   Better yet, do you have a special teacher that has touched YOUR life?  Share your ideas or give a shout out over at Facebook!

Share this image for Teacher Appreciation Gift Ideas on Facebook!

The post Teacher Appreciation Gift Ideas appeared first on Create Craft Love.

If you asked me my favorite fruit, strawberry would be the answer. My mom used to cut them up, pour sugar on them and let them sit in the fridge. They developed the most delicious juice and it immediately makes me think of summer. They are just a versatile fruit and the pairings are endless!

As always, please pin from the original source.

Strawberry Poke Cake from Mama Loves Food

Fresh Strawberry Mousse from An Italian in My Kitchen

Strawberry Crumb Bars from Flavor Mosaic

Strawberry Trifle with Pound Cake from Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom

Strawberry Brownies from Fantabulosity

Strawberry Swirl Cheesecake from Cookie Dough and Oven Mitt

Strawberry Sorbet from Mom on Timeout

Strawberry Cupcakes from Grandbaby Cakes

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Brownies from Simply Happy Foodie

Cream Cheese Strawberry Cookies from OMG Chocolate Desserts

Strawberry Crunch Cupcakes from Semi Homemade Recipes

Strawberry Shortcake Kabobs from Create.Craft.Love

Strawberry Cool Whip Pie from Flour on my Fingers

Strawberry Pie from Just So Tasty

Strawberry Delight from The Best Blog Recipes

Strawberry Pound Cake from Grandbaby Cakes

Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries from Lil Luna

Strawberry Pretzel Salad from Little Sweet Baker

Strawberry Muffin Recipe from Wandercooks

Strawberry Buttermilk Donuts with Strawberry Glaze from Style Me Pretty

Strawberry Fudge Poke Cake from Inside Bru Crew Life

Strawberry Brownie Skewers from One Little Project

Strawberry Napoleons from Life Love and Sugar

Fresh Strawberry Cobbler from I Am Baker

Strawberry Cream Puffs from Yummiest Food

Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Bars from The Seaside Baker

Strawberry Angel Food Cake from Salty Side Dish

Strawberry Cheesecake Tacos from Cookie Dough and Oven Mitt

Strawberry Whipped Cream from The First Year Blog

Strawberry Pound Cake from Yellow Bliss Road

Strawberry Oatmeal Bars from Well Plated

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cheesecake from Life Love and Sugar

I seriously plan on trying all of these strawberry dessert recipes! The Strawberry Cheesecake Tacos are calling my name!

Which is your favorite strawberry dessert? Share with us on Facebook!

The post Strawberry Dessert Recipes for Summer Parties appeared first on Create Craft Love.

Cardboard Box Halloween Costumes

Have you started thinking about Halloween costumes yet?

So many choices and as you know, kids usually have a hard time deciding! What I love about these homemade costumes is that you’ll enjoy time creating them together.

You always hear people say that their kids always love playing with boxes more than the toys inside. Maybe they are on to something, boxes have to much potential when it comes to using your imagination! Added bonus: they are no sew which is a mom win!

To access the specific blog post for instructions, click on the title link below each picture in the gallery! This will take you to the original post with complete tutorial! 

As always, please pin from the original source!

Hopefully these Cardboard Box Halloween Costumes got you thinking outside of the box!  Or maybe inside the box – depending on how you look at it! If you have a unique Cardboard Box Halloween Costume idea or a homemade costume that you’ve made, please share with us on the Create Craft Love Facebook page! We’d love to see your creativity!

Looking for more Halloween Costume Ideas?  Check out my Shark Costume!

Or what about these Pool Noodle Halloween Costumes!

Here are more of our favorite Halloween crafts, decoration and recipe ideas:

• Halloween Burlap Garland
• Beaded Halloween Wreath
• Not So Spooky No Bake Halloween Cookies
• Spooky Spider Cookies
• How to Style a Pumpkin Diorama

The post Cardboard Box Halloween Costumes appeared first on Create Craft Love.

Charcuterie boards have become all of the craze in the last couple of years. There are entire businesses that cater to charcuterie. It’s a fun adult lunchable that you can jazz up with fancier foods. Think of how much easier the prep and clean up would be! Whether you’re looking for a Thanksgiving dinner replacement, appetizer or dessert, these Thanksgiving Charcuterie Boards are sure to keep your guests happy and full!

As always please pin from the original source.

Turkey Veggie Tray from Lil Luna

Fall Charcuterie Board by Pizzazzerie

Turkey Snack Board by The BakerMama

Thanksgiving Pie Board by Delish

Fall Dessert Charcuterie Board by Glorious Treats

Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board by Tasty Oven

Oktoberfest Charcuterie Board by Simply Made Recipes

Fall Snack Board from Your Homebased Mom

Grateful Thanksgiving Board by Korver Farms

Harvest Charcuterie Board by Number 2 Pencil

Easy Fall Charcuterie Board by I Heart Naptime

Thanksgiving Turkey Charcuterie Board by My Heavenly Recipes

Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board by Taste of Two

Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board by Happy Money Saver

Harvest Charcuterie Board by Coming Up Roses

Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board by Krolls Korner

Halloween Charcuterie Board by Cooking with Cocktail Rings – I know this says Halloween but you could easily still use it for Thanksgiving as well.

Thanksgiving Charcuterie by Stickers and Stilettos

Fall Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board by Modern Honey

Pumpkin Spice and Butternut Squash Charcuterie Board

I love the idea of trying something different for the holiday and these Thanksgiving Board Ideas are so much fun. But if you aren’t a fan of skipping tradition, try one of the appetizer or dessert boards!

Have you ever done charcuterie for Thanksgiving? Are you open to trying something like that? I simply love this idea!

The post Thanksgiving Board Ideas | Alternative to Traditional Dinner appeared first on Create Craft Love.

Ready or not, Christmas will be here before you know it. That means holiday parties will be in full gear. I always have such a hard time deciding what to bring to potluck parties but these dessert boards are perfect for Christmas. And who doesn’t love a good Christmas cookie? These are great for cookie exchanges too! Have everybody bring and extra dozen to decorate a tray and try out some new recipes!

Remember, it doesn’t have to be fancy. Some of these cookie board ideas include store bought cookies that are arranged to look pretty and fancy. There are so many possibilities here!

As always, please pin from the original post!

Best Christmas Cookie Recipes from Number 2 Pencil

Christmas Cookie Dessert Board from Modern Glam

Christmas Dessert Board from Ain’t Too Proud to Meg

Decorating Store Bought Cookies by Inside Bru Crew Life

Christmas Cookie Platter from The Sweetest Occasion

Christmas Cookie Box from Pies and Tacos

Easy Christmas Dessert Board from Meg’s Everyday Indulgence

Christmas Cookie Dessert Board from A Pumpkin And A Princess

DIY Christmas Holiday Dessert Charcuterie Board from Mama Cheaps

Chocolate Charcuterie Board for Christmas from Bellyfull

No Bake Christmas Cookie Charcuterie Board from The Rebel Chick

I just love these ideas so much! You can literally make this with any cookie – homemade or store bought! Grab a tray and get creative!

I think I’m going to put one of these together for our office Christmas party this year using our sugar cookies and thin mints. I’d love to see some of your board ideas! Share them with me on Facebook!

The post Christmas Cookie Board Ideas for the Holiday Parties appeared first on Create Craft Love.

I had so much fun putting together the Patriotic Charcuterie Board post that I knew I needed to do a Halloween one!

Fun fact: Did you know that charcuterie implies you are adding meat? We will call these snack boards since not all of them include meat…some just contain candy! I think that is why these boards have taken off so much in the last couple of years. What a fun way to present your guests with treats this Halloween!

As always, please pin from the original source.

Festive Halloween Charcuterie Board from Jennifer Maune

Halloween Charcuterie Board from A Tufted Life

Spook -cuterie Board from Party Pinching

Halloween Board from Mama Loves Food

Halloween Charcuterie Board from Favorite Family Recipes

Halloween Charcuterie Board from Simply Delicious

Halloween Charcuterie Board from The College Housewife

Charcuterie Board for Fall from Number 2 Pencil

Halloween Charcuterie Board from The Creative Bite

Halloween Char-booterie Board from The Vivacious Life

Spooky Snack Board from The Baker Mama

Halloween Candy Charcuterie Board from Pint Sized Baker

Halloween Charcuterie Board from The Toasty Kitchen

Halloween Dessert Charcuterie Board from I Am A Honeybee

The Ultimate Halloween Charcuterie Board from Southern Made Simple

Killer Halloween Charcuterie Board from Brittany Stager

Halloween Charcuterie Board from Paleomg

Halloween Cheese Board from Bless This Mess

Easy Halloween Charcuterie Board from Hilda’s Kitchen Blog

Fun & Spooky Halloween Charcuterie Board from My Texas House

Halloween Charcuterie Board from Melissa’s Healthy Kitchen

Kid Friendly Halloween Board from Love and Confection

Halloween Charcuterie Board from A Pumpkin and a Princess

Halloween Candy Board from Sage to Silver

Halloween Themed Snack from Howe We Live

Halloween Charcuterie Board from My Rustic Retreat

The post Halloween Snack Board Ideas for Your Spooky Party appeared first on Create Craft Love.

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Check out My Favorite Craft Tools

Cricut Maker

This is my #1 favorite craft tool. The machine is so versatile and cut through a number of different crafting materials. The cool part about this machine is the adaptive tool system. Cricut is producing interchangeable tools so when something new comes out you don’t have to purchase a brand new machine.

The machine retails at $399.99 which is about $150 more than the Explore line of machines. However, you are able to do so much more with the Maker.

Cricut EasyPress 2

The EasyPress 2 line of machines has made my life so much easier. It is so difficult to maintain the right amount of heat on an iron. This machine distributes the heat evenly for better adherence when working with iron on vinyl or heat transfer vinyl.

Cricut also just released the EasyPress Mini which is ideal for small projects!

Cricut BrightPad

This bad boy is a must have for vinyl crafters! I always have difficulty seeing the cut lines on vinyl but with the BrightPad you can illuminate the image from behind to make weeding so much easier!

Singer Confidence Quilter Sewing Machine

I love this sewing machine! It is so easy to thread and use. My old machine had an automatic threader and it never caught quite right. This machine comes with an extension table and helps with larger projects. I use this for any of my sewing needs, not just quilting! Just think, you can the pieces for your quilt using your Cricut Maker and then sew it together on this!

Cricut Rotary Cutting Kit

These Cricut Hand Tools are a must for anyone who sews! I love this mat. The blade is so sharp and crisp!

Hot Glue Gun

Every crafter needs a good hot glue gun. I use hot glue in a lot of my projects and crafts. They even come with handy little holders for the hot glue gun now! No more hot glue gun drips!

What are your favorite craft tools? Let me know and I’ll add them to the our Christmas gift guide!

The post My Favorite Craft Tools | Christmas Gift Guide appeared first on Create Craft Love.

Is there anything cuter than a decorated mason jar? I love how this household staple has turned into a craft trend. There are so many possibilities when it comes to decorating these bad boys. You can paint, add vinyl, try balloons – so many fun ideas to explore! Try adding one of these ideas to your Halloween decor!

As always, please pin from the original source!

Check out these fun Mason Jar Ideas for Halloween

The Nightmare Before Christmas from A Pumpkin and A Princess

Halloween Mason Jars from Positively Splendid

Candy Corn Mason Jars from Mason Jar Crafts Love

Enchanting Halloween Lanterns from Adventures in a Box

Etched Glass Mason Jar Luminaries from A Pumpkin and A Princess

Mason Jar Ghost Lantern from Simply Kierste

Painted Mason Jar Halloween Craft from House of Hawthornes

Chalky Mason Jar Luminaries from Sweet Rose Studio

Sugar Skull Mason Jars Lantern from Dream a Little Bigger

Balloon Dipped Candy Corn Jars from Brit+Co

Halloween Mason Jar Luminary Village from Mad in Crafts

DIY Pumpkin Mason Jars from The 36th Avenue

Halloween Mason Jar Candle Holders from Yesterday on Tuesday

Halloween Mason Jars from Color Made Happy

Spiderweb Mason Jar Lantern from A Pumpkin and A Princess

Witch Mason Jars from Fleece Fun

Ghosts in Mason Jars from Mason Jar Crafts Love

Glowing Halloween Mason Jars from Jolene’s Crafting

Mummy Mason Jars from It All Started with Paint

Double Sided Ghost Mason Jars from That’s What Che Said

Halloween Mason Jar Vases from Real Housemoms

Toxic Treats Mason Jar Gift Idea from Gingersnap Crafts

Halloween Painted Mason Jars by Landee See, Landee Do

Halloween Mason Jar Mini Cakes from Life Made Simple

Glittery Pumpkin Mason Jars from The Best Ideas for Kids

Which is your favorite? I have to tell you I am a huge fan of the Nightmare Before Christmas one!

Check out our favorite fall mason jar idea – Mason Jar Fall Luminaries!

The post Mason Jar Ideas for Halloween appeared first on Create Craft Love.

The Big Island of Hawai’i is the largest and youngest of the islands. It is steeped in history and tradition. From the lava fields in the west to the lush green rain forests in the east, this island packs a huge punch and does not disappoint!

This vacation was my second visit to the Big Island. Last time I was here, I was a bratty teenage girl only interested in sunbathing and shopping. I had no interest in seeing the beauty of this island. My husband spent weeks mapping out what to see and do. We like to travel off the beaten path to explore sites most tourists wouldn’t experience.

Ten Things to do on The Big Island

Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park

Big Island of Hawai’i is made up of five different volcanoes. It is home to the most active shield volcanoes in the world. Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park is located in the Kilauea caldera. For years, visitors would come to see the lake of lava and awe at it’s magnificence. After the eruption of 2018, the lava receded into the crust. As of our visit, there was no active lava. However, it is rebuilding just under the surface. Many areas that were closed have re-opened. Stay vigilant by checking the NPS website and the visitor’s center to see what remains closed.

Several trails guide you through this geological wonder. This park takes you into the caldera to explore steam vents, sulphur banks and lava fields. The Devastation Trail is an easy 1 mile hike that guides you through the lava fountains from the 1959 eruption. You can still find Pele’s Tears alongside the trail. The Steam Vents and Sulphur Banks are also easy hikes where you can marvel at the steam and sulphur arising from this active volcano.

The Thurston Lava Tubes (one of the most popular destinations in the park) are closed as of the writing of this post, however, they are working to implement safety recommendations and hope to have it re-opened soon. No worries, there are other lava tubes to explore around the island and they are one of our favorite spots!

The Chain of Craters Drive is a spectacular 22 mile drive that reveals the constant change of an active volcano. It begins at the Lua Mana crater and ends at the Holei Sea Arch. The sea arch is probably one of the coolest things I have ever seen.

Remember if you have kids to check out the Junior Ranger Program! You can learn more about that HERE!

Tip: The park is at 4000 foot elevation and therefore is about 15-20 degrees cooler than at sea level. Be prepared by bring pants and a jacket.

The post Top Ten Things to Do on The Big Island appeared first on Create Craft Love.