Easy ABC Flashcards

This is my sweet daughter Abby Lu. She is in the "sponge" stage where you can tell she is processing everything I tell her. So, I'm carefully monitoring my husband's mouth (ha!) and using our time together to teach her. I found these flashcards online and decided her and I could start practicing our letters and sounds.

I used my scrapbook software to resize these to 4" x 5" and fit 4 onto a page. I color printed them at Kinkos since we were out of colored ink. I used my paper cutter and corner rounder to cut each of them out.

Rounding off the corners makes such a difference!

Since the back was solid white, I decided to pair these up back to back to save space and make them more exciting on the back.

So, we now have 13 flashcards ready to be laminated at Kinko's! I showed them to Abby Lu during snack time and she was interested and signed or verbalized some of the words!

Sweet Shoppe Designs where I found these is my favorite online scrapbook store. You'll find so many cute options on their site, so be sure to look around!

Yo Gabba Gabba Flashcards

It is all Yo Gabba Gabba all the time in our household. We watch the show, have a Plex shirt, Toodee shoes, finger puppets, bath toys, etc. Gabba madness!

My husband and I were curious if our child is old enough to start playing memory games, so I whipped up some YGG flashcards to use for a homemade memory game.

There are 7 total cards to be flipped down when playing, they can be found here and here. The back side of those cards is the group photo which can be found here. Just print the individual sheets twice and the group photo sheet 4 times and glue a group photo to the back of each individual photo. They will print on standard 8.5x11 paper and are sized 3" x 4" each. You can also laminate them if you'd like!

Enjoy!

12 Days of Christmas Favorites-Baby Shower Gifts

Today, let's talk babies! I bet most everyone knows someone expecting a baby in 2011. I am at that season of life where there are lots of announcements, pregnant bellies, newborns and toddlers in my circle of friends. I was one of 15 people I knew pregnant when I was expecting Abby. Needless to say, I attend lots of baby showers. I have 2 coming up in January including one I am co-hosting with a woodland theme that I'll be sure to share.

Here are my three favorite simple crafts to give the new parents something handmade:

1. Alphabet Blocks

I have made many variations of these and just love doing them, well not the sanding part! Depending upon your time, supplies on hand, and finances, you can do initials, their full name or the full alphabet. Step-by-step directions are here.

2. Beaded Baby Spoons

These take no time at all and this idea could easily translate to other areas- serving pieces for a hostess gift, red and green beads for Christmas dinner. Everything you need to know to make your own beaded spoons is here.

3. Alphabet Flashcards

Give them a head start and learn letters, spelling and common objects with these flashcards. You can buy the full set online here and just print and laminate them at Kinkos.

Some other favorites include

Appliquéd Onesies

Steam a Seam Dresses

Gift Baskets with Minky Blanket

Don't forget tomorrow is our linky party- share your Christmas card with your bloggy friends.

More Valentine Cards

My girlfriend Alison asked me to design Valentine's cards for her three kids to pass out to their friends. I had so much fun with these! I went looking for some new images and found a great new site with some cute designs- Funky Playground Designs.

This digital kit is called Sweet as Honey. I have to use this for something with my daughter- love the bumblebees! The entire kit was $2. This is 4 year old Georgia's card. G is my kind of girl- she loves accessories, colors and sparkle. Me too! This set is called Girls Rule and Boys Drool. The letters of her name are part of the set- there are some really cute options. It would be great for printing out flashcards for a nursery.
Gus needed some manly cards and he is all trains all the time! I asked my husband if he could think of anything Valentine's related with trains and he imediately said, I Choo-Choo-Choose you. I looked at him in amazement and he fessed up it is an old Simpsons bit. It worked well!

I hope everyone enjoys sharing the love tomorrow! I've always loved Valentine's Day!