Free Printable: Teacher Thank you In-n-Out Gift Card

I saw a cute idea on pinterest, but there was no link to a printable for it. So I made up my own version.
To thank the teachers this year, we are giving them In-n-Out Hamburger gift cards- with this cute little card I made in photoshop. 

I made it so you can cut off the blog link and for personal use only reminder. Those are just reminders. ☺☺If you use it or share it, please direct people to this little blog-www.allmylittlegems.com


TO PRINT: click on the photo and right click to "save picture as", and save it on your hard drive. This was made in a 3 inch by 5 inch format. When printing select size 3 by 5 or 4 by 6. You should be able to print multiples on one page. Attach gift card with twine or ribbon.

Thanks for reading! Remember to thank those teachers as school ends!

WINNER: Sew Pretty T-Shirt Dresses Book

Happy Monday!
I don't know about you, but I have such a busy week! Kids finishing school, preschool graduation/celebration, etc. etc.
I am excited for summer! Hoping to finally get some fun summer things posted....

THE WINNER of the Sew Pretty T-Shirt Dresses Book is....
number ONE- NIKI who said...

What a sweet book! I would make one of every pattern pictured. : )

Niki, you must email me within 48 hours or leave a comment on this post with a way to contact you (I won't publish it) so I can get you your book!
little gems crafts (all one word) at gmail (dot ) com

Thanks everyone for entering!

Sew Pretty T-Shirt Dresses Book Review and Give-a-way

I have a great give-a-way for you, perfect if you love to sew pretty things for little girls!Today I have a great book just for you!I'm participating in a blog book tour for this great new sewing book.  If you like to sew adorable dresses for your girls, but don't want to deal with the fussiness of a pattern, you will love this new book-Sew Pretty T-Shirt Dresses. It contains over 25 patterns, all starting with a t-shirt. Most ask for rectangle or square pieces which really makes this book great for easy sewing.

 This book also contains simple illustrations, and instructions. For most dresses, the instructions are only one or two pages. It really couldn't be easier and more user friendly.
Here are a few pages from the book to give you an idea of the cute dresses you can make- all starting with a t-shirt!

I might even make one for me- being that I have all boys.
Would you like to win a copy of this great book? LEAVE A COMMENT-- and let me know why you need to win a copy of Sew Pretty T-Shirt Dresses! Give-a-way ends on Friday, May 17th, at 10 p.m. P.S.T.
Good Luck!

Shabby Apple $50 WINNER

Hi everyone! So thank you for all who entered the give-a-way for $50!
AND thank you for everyone who is still reading this little blog.... I promise I will get back to posting! I'm working 2 jobs right now...on top of being a mom- BUT I have lots in store to share!!

THE WINNER IS....
#23 ERICA!!
Please contact me within 48 hours at little gems crafts (all one word) at (gmail) dot com. CONGRATS!!
And thank you to everyone who entered!!

Happy Spring!

Give-a-way: Shabby Apple $50 gift card

I have a great give-a-way for you today! Shabby Apple is offering one of my readers a $50 gift certificate to their online boutique. If you are not familiar with Shabby Apple, they have vintage dresses, maxi dresses, casual dresses, skirts, and so much more. They even have mater nity dresses.
I love the calliope skirt and this vintage style skirt.

Would you like $50 to spend at Shabby Apple? Here is what you need to do:
1. Like Shabby Apple on Facebook. You must leave a comment telling me you liked Shabby Apple on Facebook.
2. Take a look at the dresses on Shabby Apple (links above) and tell me which dress you like in a comment.
3. All comments must be separate (sorry about that) AND you must leave me a way to contact you or respond if you are the winner within 48 hours.
4. Winner must provide a U.S. mailing address.

Good luck! Contest ends Friday, April 26th, at 10 p.m. Pacific Time.

My Biggest Project Ever {or why the pace of this blog has changed lately}

So I may as well tell you- if anyone still reads this blog- why the past several months, I have s-l-a-c-k-e-d in the blogging department. We are expecting...twins. While we know it will be a challenge, we see this as a blessing! We wanted a #5 so badly, and now we get a #5 AND a #6. While I haven't thrown-up once- and I'm 14 weeks along now- I have felt tired, and a little nauseated at night. I still don't believe it is actually happening, and am in total denial, until I see it on the ultrasound screen. Even then, after I see it, I go on, and still can't believe it.  In the meantime, I  am  teaching preschool, and working another job from home, a seasonal job scoring educational tests from the computer. Sitting on your rear everyday in front of the computer, really makes you not want to sit on it any extra time than necessary- especially when it is growing already on its own due to pregnancy... Oh yeah, and I have 4 crazy energetic boys.  So I've been a little busy. I have big plans to blog about some fun stuff- and hopefully those plans will actually happen!! My energy has started to come back a little, and so that is good! I hope to get some stuff posted! Tomorrow- I actually have a great give-a-way I will be posting!

 In the meantime, just know, I'm growing two people right now and that takes a lot of work!

If you are still reading, thank you! Thank you for supporting me, in my efforts to "find the gems", share joy, and create.

"Healthier" Carrot Cake from All Recipes

I'm back with Sweets on Sunday. finally! yay!

I found this recipe in a little magazine I got in the mail from All Recipes. All Recipes is my go-to site when I am looking for a recipe. They called this version of carrot cake "healthier" carrot cake. I think it could be made even more healthier than this. For example, if you are concerned about cutting calories, you can cut the oil and use unsweetened applesauce instead. If you want more protein, you could add all egg whites instead of eggs. Here is the recipe as it was written and as I made it. It was really good. That cream cheese frosting really makes it delicious!!

Healthier Carrot Cake from All Recipes
4 eggs
3/4 cup canola oil
1 1/2 cups  white sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups flour (whole wheat pastry flour or all purpose worked too)
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp ground cinnamon
3 cups grated carrots
1 cup chopped pecans (optional)
Preheat oven to 350. Grease a 9 by 13 inch pan. Beat the eggs, oil, sugar, and vanilla together. Mix in the dry ingredients- flour, soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Stir in the grated carrots. Fold in pecans- I left these out in the cake. Pour in pan. Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the middle of the cake, comes out clean. Let cool before frosting.

FROSTING:
3/4 cup butter, softened
1 package Neufchatel cheese or cream cheese, softened (8 oz package)
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup chopped pecans
Mix all but the pecans in a bowl until smooth and creamy. Stir in nuts. Frost onto cooled cake.