Free April 2012 Computer Desktop Calendar

Happy April, folks!

Hopefully, it's starting to feel like spring wherever you are. I know that I've thrown open my windows today, and am going to enjoy this weather as much as I can!

Along with your regular spring cleaning, it's time to update your computer desktop... and if you want even more tips for spring cleaning, be sure to check out the Spring 2012 issue of the Casual Blogger Magazine and get 10 tips to declutter your digital life!

Onto updating that desktop:

Click below to get the free April 2012 desktop background for your computer:

1024x768 version | 1280x800 version

(regular sized monitor) (Wide screen monitor)

Colors of the Rainbow

The other day, my kids asked me what colors were in a rainbow, and I was SHOCKED because I just assumed they knew. (I don't know why I figured that... it's not like I had shown them.)

And thus, we have am 8x10 colors of the rainbow print for you to download and share. I mean, how cute would this be in an art room or nursery? (Answer: SUPER CUTE.)

How to Customize Printables: your step by step guide to personalizing printables for your next event

The most frequently asked question in our inbox is about whether or not we will customize our printables for you.  It’s because you have a special occasion that you’re celebrating, and you want  a certain initial, or number on a set of our freebies.

Unfortunately, we can’t accommodate every request, and getting a custom look on your own can seem pretty daunting…. especially if you’ve never done it before.

Today, I’m going to show you, step-by-step, how to customize the free printables on our site for your personal use. I’m going to show you a simple way to personalize your next shin-dig using my favorite digital scrapbooking software, My Memories Suite. 

Step One: Download the Printable

For the purposes of this tutorial, I’m going to use our Lego Party Printable Pack.  When you click on the download button or link, an automatic download should begin. Choose where you want to store that file, and save it to your computer.

Step Two: Open the Printable

Most of the printables that you would want to customize are saved in a .PDF file. This means that you will need Adobe Reader to open the file. Adobe Reader is a free software, and you can download that here.

When you have opened the file, find the page that you want to customize.

Step Three: Select the page, and copy the image

The page should now be copied to your clipboard.

Step Four: Open My Memories Suite

Since our printables are sized to fit 8.5x11 standard letter paper, that is the size album you’ll need to make. I highly suggest making a new album, so you’re going to select “Design Your Own”.

Step Five: Choose the album SIZE and ORIENTATION, then hit OK

Now we’re ready to get customizing!

The My Memories Suite software will be open with a blank page.

Step Six: Right click anywhere on the page to paste the copied image

Since the image and the album are the same size, the copied image will fit perfectly, and we are now ready to add our finishing touches.

Step Seven: Add a text box

The right sidebar is your control panel. This is where you get to have a lot of fun.

Step Eight: Type in a name

Step Nine: Change the font

My Memories will load any font you have installed on your computer, and most dingbats too, so you just have to use the drop down menu on the right and make your choice.

Step Ten: Resize the font to fit

Step Eleven: Change the font color

You can see in the screenshots above that I can pick a color directly from the image, using the My Memories Suite color match tool. It’s very handy, and you don’t have to worry about the color being off! It’s always a perfect match.

Now, I plan to fold these labels and use them as place cards. This means I need to:

Step Twelve: ROTATE and MOVE text

All I have to do, is move the rotating slide bar in my text panel until the letters are upside down.

Then I’m going to move the text box where I want it.

Step Thirteen: Copy and paste the text on each label

Step Fourteen: Edit the names

I’m going to enter the correct names on each label, and re-position them slightly so that they are centered on the label.

Step Fifteen: Print!

If you don’t want to print them at home, you have the option of exporting the album in a .jpeg or .png format and sending them to your local print shop!

Can you tell that we love My Memories Suite?

Use code: STMMMS32407 to get $10 off your software purchase AND to receive a $10 coupon in your software good towards anything in the My Memories store. 

Join the My Memories team this Saturday in Salt Lake City, Utah for a hands on workshop. Learn how to create your own digital designs from the pros themselves! Tickets available here: My Memories SLC.

Wilbur comes to Virginia

I have a brother. And my brother, who is the token boy in the family, had a pig.

The pig’s name was Wilbur.

Wilbur and my brother were buds, and they grew up together.

And everyone who lived in our house growing up knows the significance of Wilbur.

You see, Wilbur was a celebrity.

Wilbur did NOT like to be touched by girls, which was unfortunate, because he lived with six of them.

And I’m pretty sure he has a special diet, but I don’t know for certain because he was a rather private sort of fellow.

At any rate, both my brother and I grew up and got married and moved away and, you know, LIFE HAPPENED.

And when my brother heard about Daniel’s surgery, he emailed me and told me he would like to send Danny a package.

I figured it would be a card, or a coloring book. You know, just a whatever, generic, thinking of you sort of thing.

But that is not what happened at all.

Inside the box, was WILBUR.

My brother sent Daniel WILBUR, which practically made me cry because it was so thoughtful, and also: it was the first time in my life that I got to HOLD Wilbur… albeit only for a second.

Because Daniel, who wants to be just like Uncle Morgan, promptly picked him up, rubbed noses, and took Wilbur on a tour of the house.

Daniel also received a letter, that told him all about Wilbur.

You see, Wilbur is a specially trained hospital pig, who specializes in the recovery of little boys. In fact, Wilbur went to school for a very long time, just to learn how to make people feel better. He is very good at hugging, and at making sure the doctors fix the right ears.

Naturally, Wilbur accompanied Daniel into his surgery, and is still helping Danny to feel better.

Morgan: these pictures are for you.

n

Also Morgan: thanks.

Mickey Mouse Birthday Printables

The FINAL INSTALLMENT of the Mickey Mouse printables is here. Phew. {wipes forehead}

This download includes:

• tent labels
• fold-able labels/place cards
• flat labels/place cards
• miniature candy bar wrappers
• full size candy bar wrappers
• birthday crown
• photo booth mouse ears
• 5 inch party rounds 

My favorite part of this download? The photo booth mouse ears. How can you not love that? Or you could tie ribbon to the ends, and party goers would have their own set of ears.  Everybody feels happier with mouse ears. IT'S A PROVEN FACT.... probably. 

Don't forget to grab the rest of the Mickey Mouse birthday printables!

 

Meanwhile, you should enter the Easter DVD Giveaway. You can enter up to four times, and it's open until 9pm, March 28th. GO! GO! GO!

Hello Again, Hello.

There is a smell in my house.

It is not a pleasant odor, and for the life of me, I cannot find the source.

Naturally, I blame the children.

- - - - -

Daniel had an eye appointment today.

Earlier this year, he was flagged in the kindergarten screening.

So we finally took him in and got a full eye exam with the ophthalmologist, and he is far sighted.... whatever the heck that means.

So we're going to go back in two more weeks, and have another eye appointment, and not dilate the eyes, to see how he fares, and then we'll discuss whether or not he will get glasses.

It's a discussion, you see, because with as young as he is, he can train himself to focus out of it (this is me totally botching up what the doctor said) and it might be more of a hassle making him wear glasses, when he'll probably grow out of it eventually.

Do you people with eye problems know what I'm talking about? Good.

- - - - -

I was doing super, super good on my Eat to Live, until last Thursday. Then I fell off the wagon hard, and just got back on today. Listen: sometimes, a girl just needs a tall icy glass of caffeine. SHE JUST DOES.

- - - - -

A couple of weeks ago, I forgot to take the library books back. And then, I forgot again. And again. And again. So when I finally went back to the library, we had very large fines. Very, very large fines. It was embarrassing, so naturally, I laughed... a lot. I like to think this is an endearing quality that I have.

- - - - -

Blayne has requested that I pack her a healthy snack the rest of the week. I'm pretty sure that her snack today was carrots and celery. When I pointed this out, she rephrased her question to: a healthy snack THAT SHE LIKED. That is a very important detail, don't you think?

Over the Hill Party Printables: birthday banner

The final piece to the Over the Hill party printables: a  Happy Birthday Banner!  Each flag to this banner measures approximately 73/4"x5".  You can download a banner for a 30th, 40th, or 50th birthday party.

Just click on your choice of download.
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And don't forget to enter our giveaway!  It ends on the 28th.

More Mickey! Cupcake Wrappers, Fry Boxes, and Favor Tags

Get your Mickey on with these fun party printables! Fry boxes are great for holding treats and snacks, while the cupcake wrappers add a little extra pizzazz to your delicious cupcakes. And the favor tags can be used as is, or you can punch them out with a circle or scallop punch for extra detail.

Enjoy! And check out all our Mickey stuff here!

Over the Hill Party Pack: cupcakes and toppers

Here's the second part of the "Over the Hill" party pack.  You get 3 cupcake wrappers, 9 two and a half inch circles, and 16 mini flags.   And, once again, you can download these for a 30th, 40th, or 50th birthday party.

Just click on your choice of download. 

Look for more of the Over the Hill Party Pack coming later this week!

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AND follow us on Twitter, become a Facebook Fan, or keep-up via Networked Blogs!

Over the Hill Party Printables: cards and hats

Everyone needs a good "Over the Hill" party.  These invitation and thank you cards, envelopes, and party hats are just the beginning of this party pack.  And you can download these for a 30th, 40th, or 50th birthday party.

Just click on your choice of download.


And don't forget to check out the rest of the Over the Hill Party Pack coming later this week!

_____________________________________________

Never miss a freebie, subscribe to our RSS feed!

AND follow us on Twitter, become a Facebook Fan, or keep-up via Networked Blogs!

Egg-stra cute Easter Banner Freebie!

Oh Easter, you are sneaking up on me…

I noticed because when I was running errands this weekend, there was a pastel explosion, just the way I like it.

Oh, and you get some egg-stra cute spacers with this download.



PLUS: I have been getting some super cute pictures in my inbox from you, dear readers. Thank you SO SO MUCH, we LOVE ‘EM! And will be showing off your decorating skills shortly. Remember: if you want us to feature your party? Just send us some photos! Email them to caroline@peoniesandpoppyseeds.com

PLUS, PLUS: The blog got a little makeover this weekend.  Before, if you were looking for something in particular, you had to search through pages and pages of posts. NOW, you can search much more easily, because an image thumbnail and a text snippet will pop up instead. There is MUCH less scrolling involved.