Advent Calendar with Printable Plaid Tags

We've carried on the tradition of the Advent calendar at our home this year. I love to give my girls little surprises or treats each day leading up to Christmas....Jesus' birthday! For last year's Advent, I made some printable scripture and activities to include each day. (I'll leave the link to last year's at the bottom of the post so you can download that free printable if you want.) I used the same printable this year, but only included the scripture and not all of the activities. I found that I over extended myself a bit and getting in some of those activities was difficult. We'll still take things to our neighbors and to some civil servants (two of the activities on the printable), but otherwise will keep it simple with the scripture. 

I used an antique wooden ladder that I found at an antique store in Dothan, Alabama a couple years ago to hang our Advent calendar. I draped red pom pom trim and attached with a small clothespin. 

I made printable tags with buffalo check and traditional plaid to go along with my theme this year. I've made this available for you to print, too! Just download at the bottom of this post. 

I'm a couple of days late in getting this post up, but there you go! If you've already done an Advent calendar, pin this post and save for next year!

To download the free printable, right click on each picture and save. Copyright Cultivate Create 2015. For personal use only. 

Click HERE to see last year's Advent calendar with free activity printable. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Free Back to School Encouragement Printables

Another school year is upon us. What better than to send your kiddos off with a little encouragement tucked into a folder or lunchbox? Feel free to download and print as many as you want! Links are below each printable. They will look the best sized at 4x6 or smaller. (For personal use only. Copyright Cultivate Create 2015.) Don't forget to pin, like, and share!

Download HERE.

Download HERE.

Download HERE.

Download HERE.

Enjoy! Here's to a great new school year!

Get Fit Friday: 100 Mile Challenge

//VIA Color Vibe//

The above statement is my motto, my creed. A friend posted it on Facebook a few days ago and it immediately struck a chord with me. I often feel like I am battling myself, that I am fighting against two versions of me. I guess I am; the old me and the me I am becoming. Sometimes the old me rears her ugly head and she wins. She is ruthless. She is cunning. She knows exactly how to manipulate the new me into her way of thinking. It is a constant battle. BUT.....she may have won a few of those battles, but she will not win the war. 

Now that I've started this post on a bit of a schizophrenic note, let me just warn you. It's gonna be one of "those" posts where you will see kind of how my mind works. So, last night as I was preparing for this post while watching The Biggest Loser, I started trying to think of ways to keep myself motivated. I immediately thought that if I could have some way of visually tracking progress, that it would help. 

I decided to make a chart with one hundred boxes that represent miles. As I walk (or run) miles, I get to cross the box off. When I reach the one hundred mile mark, I will treat myself. I'm not sure what that treat will be yet. I need to decide so that I have something to look forward to. I thought about a mani/pedi, a facial, new clothes.  I don't know. What do you think would be a good motivating reward? 

If you want to join me on the 100 Mile Challenge, print your own copy and track your progress. As you complete it, upload a photo to my Facebook page and share! I want to celebrate with you! For personal use only. You can download the file HERE.

As I was making up my little printable chart, I kept singing in my head, "And I would walk a hundred miles, and I would walk a hundred more..." I know the song technically says five hundred, but, nonetheless, that was what was stuck in my head.  So here it is for you to get  stuck in your head enjoy. You're welcome.

Then, Rob Schneider's voice kept ringing out in the back of my head, "You can do it!" Thanks, Rob, for perpetually giving me that little bit of encouragement in the back of my head ever since I saw Waterboy.  (In a Cajun accent. Over and over again.) 

Anyway, Cajun Man and I both say, "You can do it!"  If you decide to take the 100 Mile Challenge, please let me know. I would love to know that I have someone hustling along, too. Next week, I will update you on how many miles I got to cross off. Have a wonderful weekend!

Free Glittery Fall Printable

Fall officially graced us with its presence this week.  Even here in South Alabama this morning, the temperature is mild and pleasant. I walked outside and, no joke, exclaimed, "Oh, glorious day!"  It feels that good outside.  It is such a huge difference from the sweltering heat and oppressive humidity.

When fall arrives, I feel like I am greeting an old friend:

Oh, hello Fall!  Nice to see you again. It's been too long since we last hung out. Can you stick around for a while?  I've got a lot planned for us to do while you're visiting. Why don't we take the kiddos to the pumpkin patch to pick out pretty pumpkins? We can go through the corn maze while we are there. Oh, a hayride? That's a lovely idea! And a bonfire so we can make s'mores.  Why don't we go get some apples so we can make homemade apple butter or apple pie.  You want me to make some pumpkin muffins? Sure! Oh, and mums. We have to get lots of pretty mums for the front porch. Fall, I am so glad you are here!

I just had to make a free printable that spoke of greeting on old friend. Oh, hello Fall! Nice to see you again! I mean that from the bottom of my heart. Seriously.....you just don't know! (Download at bottom of page.)

For personal use only. Copyright Cultivate Create 2014. 

Click HERE to download. 

Oh, hello Fall. It's you again. Seriously, stop by any time. I have missed you so!

Linking up to WYWW

Ten Things List and a Printable

A couple weeks ago, my friend Jan and I were on a morning walk. Jan mentioned that she had a ten things list and was going to get started crossing things off when we got finished walking. It immediately piqued my interest because it seemed so simple and yet, so effective. I asked her if it would be okay to share it with you guys today, and being the sweet person that she is, she said yes. 

We talked more about this list of hers. She said that as a stay-at-home mom with young children, it helps to have a list of things, no matter how small, to look back on at the end of the day. Oftentimes us SAHMs get asked, "What did you do all day?" And, you know, sometimes it is really hard to pinpoint what exactly we "accomplished," especially when the children are small and need so much time.  "This way," she said, "I can say 'Here! This is what I did!' "

Even though my children are both in school now, it helps me to have a list to keep me on track during the day. Because my brain gets so easily distracted with things like HGTV or overwhelmed with the fifteen projects that I have going on all at one time.  I have made my "Ten Things" list a few days since Jan shared it with me and I have to say that it really has helped me stay on track.  

Ten Things Tips:
*Even if it is something small, add it to the list. Those things have to be done, too. And for me, the small things are the easiest to forget. 
*Start with the easy things first. Get those crossed off the list, then tackle the more difficult or in depth items on your list. 
*If you don't finish everything on your list today, it's okay! Just add those things to your list the next day. 

And the best part about the Ten Things List? Crossing items off as they are done! I don't know what it is about a list and crossing off those items that makes me feel like I have accomplished something. 

Below, I have made this really simple free printable so you can make your Ten Things List. I printed it as a 5x7 and did two per page. There was still plenty of room to write everything. 

Right click to download to computer, then print. For personal use only. Copyright 2014 Cultivate Create.

Okay, now go do ten things today!  I only have six more and I will be done! 
Thanks, Jan, for sharing!

Linking up to WYWW

Back to School and a Free Printable

Yesterday was the first day of school for my first and third graders and everything went well.  They came home excited and exhausted. It's going to be a good year.  Here are few photos I snapped yesterday morning to commemorate the day.

First grader on the left, third grader on the right. Yeah, Ashlyn is now a bit taller than her big sister. 

 Ashlyn with her teacher, Mrs. Taylor. 

Katlyn with her homeroom teacher, Mrs. Jackson.

I love to send notes in both of my daughter's lunchboxes to let them know that I think about them throughout the day. So, I decided to make a free printable for you all to celebrate the new school year. Here are some lunch notes for you to send with your little one. I even included one to send on test days! Enjoy!

To print, right click to download, then print. A full page print works best. For personal use only.
Copyright Cultivate Create 2014.

Here's to an amazing school year!

Linking up to What You Wish Wednesday

Free Fourth of July Printables

Independence Day will be here in less than a month so I thought I would go ahead and share a couple of free printables for you!  Go ahead and get a jump start on your party planning and decorating for that amazing barbecue you will be hosting. (My dining room table looks like a smorgasbord of red, white, and blue! My wheels have been turning and I can't wait to decorate for the 4th!)

Just right click on the printable, save to your computer, and print! Pop into a cute frame and BAM! Instant holiday decoration. Easy, right?

I hope you enjoy!

*Printables are for personal use only. Copyright 2014 Cultivate Create.

Linking up to:
What You Wish Wednesday at Nikki's Nacs

Free Mother's Day Printable

Hello, sweet friends!  This Sunday is Mother's Day.  You didn't forget did you?  You did?  Well, don't worry.  I made this free printable just for you.  Frame it for when you have your mother over for her special Mother's Day lunch. Or you can print it in a 4x6 or 5x7 format, write a personal note on the back, then insert it into a pretty pink envelope.  Let Mom know she's special. 

To download, right click on the picture, save to your computer, and print. Easy, right? 

Also, one more thing.  Looking for other free printables?  Check out the new Printables tab on the Navigation bar.  They are all in one place should you ever need them. (Working on the Projects tab as well.  I am trying to make the navigation of my site easier for everyone.)  

*For personal use only. Copyright Cultivate Create 2014

Frugal Spring Decor: Shop Your Home

With spring approaching, I was getting a little impatient to see some blooms and spring color in my home. I wanted a new, fresh look, but didn't want to break the bank to get it.  I love my home to look pretty and inviting, but I have to keep budget in mind while bedecking our home seasonally. It just seems frivolous to spend a ton of money on seasonal decor that we can only enjoy for a short period of time each year. 

So, I decided to shop my home and yard and see what I could come up with without spending a single penny.  I wanted to show you that making your home look festive and pretty is attainable on a small budget.  You can do it, too.  You just have to get a little creative. 

I looked around my home and yard to see what I could use to create a fresh look. I used items like bird cages, books, vases, ribbon, and fresh cut blooms. I came up with six spring looks for my foyer without spending anything. 

1. Flower Power

I started by going outside and cutting blooms from one of my Camellia bushes, then snipped some branches from what I think is a Bradford Pear tree.  An old vase, tied with ribbon left over from Christmas, holds the branches, and a milk glass vase holds the Camellias. 

A bird cage sits atop a stack of books on one side, and a smaller bird cage and a bird figurine flanks the vase of pear blooms. 

2. Star Studded

This was a simple swap out.  I traded for the milk glass vase of Camellias for a mirrored star votive holder I got over a year ago at Z Gallerie. I only changed one thing, but it made for a different look. 

3. Middle Height

For this look, I cleared off the dresser and added two stacks of books symmetrically on each side. I put the height in the middle instead of on the side.  The books are topped once again with the bird cage on one side and an antique glass float on the other. 

4. Poetry Rules

Once again here, I put the books with bird cage on one side and the vase with branches on the other.  I added more elements this time; the star votive holder, the bird figurine, and the smaller bird cage all made an appearance along with a framed spring poetry printable in the center. (You can download the free printable here.)

5. Elegant Pairing 

For this look, I took away the bird cages and added the glass float, the milk glass vase, and a convex mirror.  I really love this pairing.  

Isn't it so pretty how the mirror reflects the the flowers?


6. Mirror Mirror

For this last look, I kept it simple.  The framed printable was put away and the convex mirror takes center stage.  I left everything else how it was in the previous look. 

So there you have it. Six spring looks without spending a penny.  

Here's what you need to keep in mind to get a new look for your home:
1.) Fresh cut flowers and branches are an easy way to brighten up a room. Look around your yard.  Look around your neighborhood.  I'm sure friends and neighbors wouldn't mind you getting a snip or two if you just ask.  Add your flowers to any existing vases you have. Freshen the look by tying ribbon around it.  Don't have a vase?  Use an empty tin can. Cover with pretty paper and you've got an inexpensive way to display your blooms. 
2.) Look in all the rooms in your home. Look for things like books with bright, spring colors, framed prints, figurines, or decorative candle holders.  By borrowing from other spaces in your home, you can get your new look without breaking the bank. 
3.) Play with it.  To get the look you want using your existing items may take changing things out a few times before you like it.  Do like I did and see how many looks you can come up with. Then, leave the one you like best. (I left #6.)

Go check these out! Linking up to:

Make it Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House
Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch
The DIY'ers at Homecoming
Tuesday's Treasures at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Tip Me Tuesday on Tip Junkie
Tutorials and Tips at Home Stories A to Z
DIY Spring Crafts at SITS
The Weekend Link Party at Remodelaholic