Made by me!

Some food for thought today… I received an email this week telling me that one of my photos was posted on another site without any link back or credit. Basically, the person took an entire 60 seconds max to cut, paste, post it on her site, and then took full credit for my creation. I emailed the person nicely letting her know it was my original photo and that it’s only blogging etiquette to link back, or at least say where it came from. And no, I did not call her a thief (at least in the email). I never did hear back from her and the photo is still up. Interesting, isn’t it?

This is a highly sensitive issue for food bloggers, and I completely understand it. Putting up a post on your blog is the culmination of several hours of baking, photographing, and writing. I currently have been blessed cursed with way more wacky issues at this point in my life, so as far as this incident… I’m annoyed. I think it’s pretty tacky. Am I angry? Do I have blogger’s rage (similar to road rage)? No, not at all.

I do love to post and share other people’s recipe, photos, and ideas on my blog. (Some bloggers even disagree with this.) When I see an amazing idea, I get excited to share it. I always give credit, link back to the source, and explain why it’s so fabulous. I also search the person’s blog and try to find his or her name so I give credit to the person, not just the blog (not always as simple as you think). If I see another recipe or idea on a blog and am inspired to try it or tweak it a little, I do my best to credit the person for his or her original idea. By giving credit and link backs, it informs and encourages readers about other creative blogs… Spread the love, if you know what I mean.

There was one time that I was accused of stealing someone’s idea (not photo) without giving her credit. I had posted mini cupcakes or cheesecakes and had put a few chocolate eggs on top. Okay, google “Easter Cupcakes” and you will find a plethora of photos with chocolate eggs sitting on cupcakes. That is what we call a very unoriginal idea. So yes, there is a bit of a gray area, but let’s not be ridiculous folks.

As much as I enjoy Pinterest, one huge downside to it is that people are pinning photos that don’t link back to the person who took the photo. When I click to see the source, it often takes me to google images, another search engine, or some other site. That’s really a bummer.

Made by me!

Here is how I look at it, if I share your idea or photo and give you credit, I increase the chance that you will gain more readers, get more hits, rise in your popularity, etc. If someone did not want me sharing their ideas or photos, I would totally respect that.

But without further ado, here are a few of my favorite St. Patrick’s ideas from some very creative bloggers.

I saw this treat idea on Tip Junkie, created by the girls at eighteen25 . I’m kind of addicted to Lucky Charms. On occasion, I will even eat Lucky Charms with a glass of wine, and call it dinner (wish I was kidding, it’s very true). What an easy and festive treat this is to make for friends. You can print out the “Lucky” topper at Tip Junkie.

Rainbow Cake Pops found on Etsy… I have an entire shelf dedicated to sprinkles in my kitchen. I admit it, I hoard sprinkles and cupcake liners. I had to come clean when my girlfriend Deb was helping me organize my kitchen cabinets and pantry (is that an awesome friend, or what!). Deb banned me from buying sprinkles or cupcake liners (no matter how cute they are), until I use a whole bunch of what I have.  Rainbow cake pops may just do the trick!

Rainbow waffles, is this not the best…Kelli shares how to make these on her blog Random Thoughts of a Supermom. Now this is what I call an original idea!! Oh how I LOVE those puffy, whipped cream clouds.

And if you’re more of a pancake lover, these Rainbow Pancakes made by I am Baker are perfect for St. Patrick’s Day morning. Kids would love to help in making these.

This Leprechaun Trap Cake is pretty fabulous, isn’t it. But you can’t possibly know how fabulous it is until you click over to see what’s inside. Megan whose blog is called Not Martha is the creative cake genius behind this.

I’ve seen bakers make cake in little jars, but this one takes it a step further with sprinkles and a darling little rainbow tag on top. Sprinkles make EVERYTHING better. The  Rainbow Cake in a Jar was made by Lisa at Sugar Celebrations.

Enjoy St. Patrick’s Day this weekend! Hope the leprechaun leaves you a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!

I know Valentine’s Day often inspires us to make amazingly decadent desserts for those we love, and if you’re planning something elaborate for your valentine, by all means go for it. I don’t claim to be a relationship expert, but here is my advice… Do not stress if you are short on time.  Skip the complicated dessert recipe, make a batch of these, and then spend the rest of your time planning for dessert after your dessert (if you know what I mean). The reality is, regardless of what edible dessert your whip up, your valentine is much more likely to remember the second course dessert.

Cake Batter Rice Krispies (Recipe from How Sweet Eats)

3 tablespoons butter

1 10-ounce bag of mini marshmallows

1/4 cup white cake mix (original recipe uses yellow cake mix)

6 cups rice krispies cereal

1 1.75-ounce container of sprinkles

Melt butter in a large saucepan over low heat and add marshmallows. Stir until they begin to melt, adding in cake mix one spoonful at a time so its combined. Stir in cereal so it is completely coated with marshmallow mixture. Sprinkle in half of the sprinkles and mix. Press into a baking dish (any size will do) and top with remaining sprinkles. Let sit for about 30 minutes. Use a cookie cutter to cut out rice krispie shapes.

Valentine Round-up: All of these were created by some very talented bloggers, and they are all available for us to use from their sites for little to no cost. Don’t you love not reinventing the wheel?

Seriously, where is my Mr. Darcy? My sister will appreciate this 8×10 print since she is in agreement that Pride and Prejudice is the best novel ever written. I think I am going to frame this and put it in my room until my Mr. Darcy. shows up. This print, from Etsy, does cost money, but totally worth it!

These are SO cute. Gumballs with the printable label designed by Love the Day. Kate from CupKate’sEventDesign sells these clear packaging tubes in 8″, 10″, and 12″ on her site, as well as other fun packaging products.

Love this card… For some of us this means we love the person A LOT!

These milk cartons are made from a free printable at The Sweetest Occasion. They’re the perfect little treat filled with some homemade cookies.

This card maker is kind of clever. You go to the site, type in your message, and it puts your message in a heart template. I think little ones would have fun making these for their grandparents and other special people.

Goldfish valentines …so simple and so cute! The pillow boxes can be ordered online at Papermart. I’ve really liked all of the products I’ve gotten from Papermart. They have a huge selection.

Don’t you always see millions of these at Michaels in the check-out line for practically nothing? Really, don’t you wonder how many billion of these glow sticks exist. This freebie is on The Teacher Wife Blog.

I haven’t seen this ball valentine idea before, but I do know kids love all of the little crap. Sorry, I don’t know what else to call it (and crap is not considered a bad word in my house).  Post birthday party, in our house, we dump out the favor bag, look at all of the fun crap we’ve gotten, never ever play with the crap, but refuse to part with it, and then it somehow magically disappears once the boy has forgotten about it.

This one is simple and can be personal to your valentine. It’s a fill in the blank treat bag. I love you more than ______________ loves _____________.

These soda sayings are other fun ones I hadn’t seen before.

I also like the “Keep Calm” print because lord knows I need to be reminded to keep calm on a regular basis. This Saturday is the biggest event of the year that I coordinate. We are testing over 1200 kids, double what our big day normally is. I’m praying I can keep calm and trust that things will go smoothly. By the way, rain is predicted Saturday… 2400+ wet children and parents. Sounds like fun, doesn’t it?

Wishing you a wonderful weekend! I hope you’ve set aside at least a little time to do something for yourself!

Here is something to be thankful for… these free Thanksgiving printables from some of my favorite blogging designers. Enjoy!!

Don’t tell me you’ve already made your Thanskgiving grocery list, please lie to me. Your honesty will only make me feel bad about the current lack of organization in my life. When you finally do get around to making your list, this is a great way to map it all out. Love this Menu Planner  made by Wendy at Weswen Design.

Amy always shares great printables with her readers. I love how simple these are to put together. You can print the  Candy Bar Wrapper at her blog Living Locurto.

I love these festive patterns and colors Rebecca at Somewhat Simple used when she created these flags. It’s as simple as printing, cutting, gluing to a toothpick, and sticking in your Thanksgiving treats.

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE sunflowers and thought this  Sunflower printable pack was a great Thanksgiving motif created by the amazingly talented Kim of TheTomCatStudio

If you want simple and elegant these Place Cards by Kim of Today’s Creative Blog would look great at each place setting.

How clever are these? I’m not a left-over kind of girl, Thanksgiving is my only exception. These Leftovers Tags  are perfect to have ready to go when sending guests home with food. These were made by Tricia at Worldlabel.com

This complete set is a freebie too created by Ashley of Cupcake Express posted at Catch my Party .

I am of the philosophy that kids should be kept busy during Thanksgiving dinner, so that parents can enjoy their wine and turkey dinner. These Placemats are perfect for the Kiddie Table (created by Kirsten at Embellish)

It’s Written on the Wall has posted this Thanksgiving Subway Art plus eleven more to choose from. You can print them on your home computer or have Costco print them in an hour.

Beth from It is What it is created these favor tags in four different color schemes. She posted several ideas on how to use them that you must check out. My favorite is the tag attached to the wine bottle…perfect to bring to the Thanksgiving hostess.

Wishing everyone a great pre-Thanksgiving weekend!

Two Oreos, a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup, and a Whopper disguised as a turkey? This is my kind of dessert posted at ourbestbites.com .

Martha Stewart has a turkey cupcake how-to posted on her site.

I love these M&M turkey favors posted at the Party Animal blog. Wouldn’t they look cute at each place setting at the kiddie table?

How simple and yummy does this turkey rice krispie treat look that Ali from Gimme Some Oven created.

This turkey cake pop posted by Maria on Martha Stewart’s Dreamers into Doers page is the cutest one I’ve seen for Thanksgiving.

Turn a chocolate cupcake on its side, get some Nutter Butters and a few other goodies and you can make these turkey cupcakes (created by Jeanne Benedict)

I love this turkey cupcake cake for a big group posted at Atomic Cupcakes.

Why did I just buy the giant turkey cookie cutter when this cookie made using a circle and heart cookie cutter looks so much cuter. Bee in our Bonnet posted a step-by-step photo tutorial on how to make these.

Happy Weekend Everyone!!