My current reality is that I can’t do it all (so much for the Bionic Woman fantasy. *sigh*), but I can do a lot.

Today I created some Gift Tags you can print on sticker paper and cut out the images and tag your packages. The simplicity of it makes me smile.

So, from Me to You, here are some FREE Spanglish Gift Tags to Download. They’re in English and Spanish, because many of us, like these tags, are bilingual and we don’t just say Merry Christmas! We also say, Feliz Navidad!

We give both Gifts and Regalos. Not only For You, but also Para Ti. Enjoy!

Click on this link to download your FREE Gift Tags pdf MMD Spanish English Gift Tags.pdf

Like it? Share it. Help us grow! Gracias for subscribing!

Un poquito mas:

1. For You: Feliz Navidad, Merry Christmas and Dulce de Leche
2. Free bilingual children’s audio book
3. UrbanoTV: Laughing in Spanglish

I’ve been busy cooking up Christmas gifts in my kitchen. Cookies? No. I like to give gifts with a little more flair (and lots of leche condensada).

I usually make Creme de Vie, which is a Cuban egg nog. (Best receta cubana de Crema de Vie recipe here. Oh si!).

Or Dulce de Leche (Of course! Easy Dulce de Leche in a Crock Pot recipe here).

The cool thing about making either or both of those is that they’re both very easy to make and I just add a bit of creative packaging to add to the Wow(!) Factor.

And because it’s Christmas and I’m a giver, here are some free downloads of my own personal designs so you can amaze your friends and family.

Dulce de Leche and Crema de Vie are perfect gifts for the party hostess, a neighbor, the nice lady from church, the babysitter, the friend who has it all, the foodie — you name it. Everyone loves homemade dulce de leche and crema de vie. These labels make the gift extra personal.

1. Crema de Vie ~ Feliz Navidad! Labels in Red. MMDCrema de Vie Labels RED

2. Crema de Vie ~ Feliz Navidad! Labels in Green. MMD Crema de vie labels GREEN

3. Creme de Vie ~ Merry Christmas! Labels in Red. MMD Creme de Vie MERRY Labels RED

4. Creme de Vie ~ Merry Christmas! Labels in Green. MMD Creme de Vie MERRY Labels GREEN

5. Creme de Vie ~ Merry Christmas! Tags. MMD Creme de Vie Tags RED.pdf

6. Dulce de Leche Label in Red. MMD Dulce de Leche Labels RED

7. Dulce de Leche Label in Green. MMD Dulce de Leche Labels GREEN

I found these cute little jars at Pier I Imports. And I created the labels about 2 inches round and printed them on photo paper. I used my Fiskars 2 inch punch and stuck the new “sticker” I had just created onto the top of the Dulce de Leche jar. You can also most certainly trim them out with scissors. Aren’t they adorable? Just wait for those inevitable “oohs and aahs.” Plus the gift inside is SWEET!

There it is. I’ve given you all I have to give for today. I do have a few more tricks up my sleeves. I’m designing my own Christmas gift tags. Yes, of course I’ll share. (I’m cool that way.)

Dulce de Leche and Crema de Vie are perfect gifts for the party hostess, a neighbor, the nice lady from church, the babysitter, the friend who has it all, the foodie — you name it. Everyone loves homemade dulce de leche and crema de vie.

Merry Christmas and Feliz Navidad! Go create something! If you decide to use my labels, please take photos and share on our Tiki Tiki Facebook page.

And, careful with the crema de vie!

Besos,

Marta

Like it? Share it. Help us grow! Gracias for subscribing!

Un poquito mas:

1. Dulce de Leche – How Sweet It Is
2. Betty Crocker Kitchens – Dulce de Leche, por favor
3. Que Rica Vida – Dulce de Leche Crepes

I am the youngest of six siblings. Five of us are girls. Before you start feeling sorry for my brother, be sure to factor in that this was a Cuban household and we girls were groomed to serve, but that’s not important right now.

When we “do” Thanksgiving, my sisters and I all bring our creative touches to the celebration.

Sometimes we vary. Last year I made that gorgeous Guavalicious Turkey.

Some of the other things we do is that we post the menus. (When I say “we,” I mean “me.” I am definitely The Creative One in the family.)

There must always be some kind of centerpiece.  These things I do in deference to my mother, who loves to set a beautiful table.  We want the family to feel welcome and warm in our home.

So there must be placecards. Everyone has a place at the table and there Must. Be. Placecards.

Sometimes being The Creative One takes its toll and I feel like I don’t have a creative bone in my body. It was at one of these creative low points that I came up with these very different and fun placecards.

• I went to Costco and bought two giant bags of apples.
• Using my computer and Photoshop Elements (you can probably do this in a word program), I printed every family member’s name, spaced about 2 inches apart on an 8 1/2 x 11 size document. And I used a digital paper pack bought and downloaded from Designer Digitals.
• I used a 98 point font size and chose a classic typeface for the names, printed out the sheets on cardstock and cut them into slightly-smaller-than-business-card size.
• And then…..(wait for it)… I cut about a 2 inch slice into each of the apples at the top, and placed the name cards in the slot.

Genius, right? Super simple, but very high on the Amazing Meter. Seriously, they looked really cute and everyone was loving on them. (I took my bows with great humility, of course.)

I know you’re asking, “But, Marta, what happened to all of those ‘wounded’ apples?”

I’ll post the recipe for my favorite Crunch Top Apple Pie on Wednesday. =D

Like it? Share it. Help us grow! Gracias for subscribing!

No related posts.

by Tessa Lemos

In our casa, the real joy on Easter Sunday came when you found a cascaron (confetti egg) in your hunt. And it wasn’t just for kids. Children and adults alike searched for these special eggs.

It is a Mexican tradition to sneak up on someone and break the cascaron above their head, showering them in confetti . Some believe it brings good luck. Some make a wish when the egg is cracked.

When we were kids, we all thought it was hilarious to surprise the victim and see them covered in confetti. Smashing cascarones provided a rare instance when the playing field was level. Children and adults were equal. Anyone could shower anyone with confetti because it was all in good fun.

We spent days preparing dozens of eggs all the while scheming how to get high enough to surprise a Tio and anticipating the look on his face. (If you smash it in your hand above their head, confetti sprinkles everywhere, but if you crack it directly onto their head, the sharp edges of the shells can hurt.)

As the years went on we went from filling the eggs with cut up pieces of tissue paper, to also emptying our hole punchers into the eggs, to adding glitter which stays in your hair forever.

With today’s craft supplies, you can get really creative with your confetti or dying technique.

Now, less than a week before Easter, is the perfect time to begin your cascaron preparation.

How to Make Cascarones

1. Take a small knife and poke a small opening in the tip of the egg.
2. Turn the egg upside down and drain it of the yolk and white.
3. Rinse the egg carefully to make sure all of the egg yolk and white are removed.
4. Turn the egg upside down and return it to the carton to dry completely. This usually takes a day or two.
5. Once the eggs are clean and dry, you can dye or decorate the outsides as you would normally decorate an easter egg.
6. Again, allow eggs to dry completely (for a day or two) so the confetti doesn’t stick to the shell.
7. Fill the eggs half full with confetti.
8. Cover the opening with a small piece of tissue paper.
9. Glue the edges of the tissue paper and allow it to dry completely.
10. Store the cascarones separate from the hard boiled Easter eggs.
11. Have fun surprising friends and family by cracking them over their heads.

For additional how-to, watch this step-by-step video below, then watch these students smash them and finally, check out the wonderful Kid’s Craft Weekly.

Tessa Lemos Del Pino is a Chicana who grew up in the Pacific Northwest. She is a lawyer by training, executive administrator by profession, and organizer by habit. You can read more of her writing on the Tiki Tiki and at Risk A Day. She lives in Nashville, TN.

Like it? Share it. Help us grow! Gracias for subscribing!

No related posts.

I have notes upon notes and calendars upon calendars in both my computer and phone. They are synchronized with my kids’ and my own schedules. But because I’m pretty visual, I need something more.

A few years ago, I saw this beautiful wall-size calendar in a catalog and after lusting for it for a while, I thought, “I can do that.” So I did. =D

This is what’s happening this month at my house.

I love it because it’s totally MINE. And no two months ever look the same. Here’s how it works for us:

• I use photos to remind me of birthdays and other special events.
• Theater tickets can just be posted on the day of the event so they’re never lost.
• I can tack on postcard reminders for dentist appointments.
• There are class and recurring event reminders.
• Our list of library books and when they’re due goes up on the due date. No more late fees for us. (This was seriously a huge problem, but that’s not important right now.)
• I like to stretch a ribbon out to signify a vacation week.
• I use Photoshop to add words to photos and to create the Months, Days of the Week, and Numbers. That’s my personal choice, but any Word program will work.
• Sometimes I add other flourishes as the mood takes me. There are NO RULES. (This may just well be my new mantra.)
• Notice the Hidden Mickeys on the days we plan on going to Disneyland. (I know. Shut up.)

Here’s what you’ll need and how to do it:

1. Presentation board (particleboard is fine)- about 3/4 inch thick – 5′ x 3 3/4′
2. I covered it with 2 yds. broadcloth. And used a staple gun to tack down the back – tucking in the corners.
3. I measured 1/8″ ribbon to mark off days. And used the staple gun to attach to the back.
4. I used regular silver thumbtacks and pushed them in where the ribbons meet.
5. Then I used Photoshop to create month, numbers, etc. – I print them out each month on photo paper or cardstock.
6. I cut them out with a pair of scissors (no, I don’t get perfectionistic about that part). I just cut them out and tack them up and call it good enough.
7. At the end of each month, before I start printing the Month and Days for the next month, I usually take a photo which I print and put into a scrapbook. It’s a cool way to remember the stuff we’ve done each month.

Having everything right there where I can see it at a glance totally makes me happy.

And when Mama is happy . . . well, you know.

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask in the comment section.

Happy Scheduling! =D

Like it? Share it. Help us grow! Gracias for subscribing!

No related posts.