Freebie Friday, Multiple Photo Layout Template

Welcome to Freebie Friday at The Cherry On Top.

We've designed a series of Caterpillar Templates for our fans and readers.  See all of them and check out what we've done with them so far.  Grab today's hot, free template and check out the one you missed as well as a tutorial on how to use it.

Last month, I designed a template that could also double for a quick page because it uses our free, February goodies.  Did you miss those?!  Click here to check them out and download.

This was the first template/quick page we have for you.  Click on the image to get that free template.

This is the layout that inspired that template.  I used the basic design from a template no longer offered and was asked to redesign it and put it out there.  I'm terrible at saying no, so now it's here.

This is the newest, free template on offer for you, today.  Plop in 8 lovely photos of your family and you've scrapped or use the basic design as a template and put your on stamp on it.  Scroll further to see what some other scrappy sisters did with it.

This one if from Poki's Projects using A Rose By Any Other Name from PattyB Scraps.

Here is one from Robyn using one of my favourite designers, Jump Start Designs.

This is a look at all of the coordinating templates.  We've done the first one, you just grabbed the second, by clicking on this image and the last two will be available soon.  Make sure you are following us here, on FB or Pinterest, so you don't miss out!

All of our freebies are for Personal Use ONLY.  Do not claim them as your own or resell them.  If you do download, leave us some love, share, like, etc...It's the best way to say thanks.

Happy scrapping!

Using Digital Games as Leverage and Free Chore Chart

Welcome to The Cherry On Top.


Are games a huge part of you and your kid's life?  They sure are here!  At first I was alarmed at how into games my boys were, until I released I could use them as leverage!  Hehehe...

First, I'd like to state, (Boo Hiss!) how important it is that kids don't play excessively on their gaming thing-a-ma-giggies.  It's recommended an hour a day is more than enough.  If you're like us, "Ha, ha ha..." right?!

We have found that we can get our kids to do just about anything when we hold the games over their heads.  Now, you don't want to abuse such powers.  So choose the most important things and stick with those.  For us, we say no games if you don't finish your plate because a good diet is essential.  If they come home with a failing grade or something really bad from the Juf (teacher), no games.  Finally, I use games as a way to get them to do chores.

I designed this chart to help just with that and you can do the same by downloading our free version.

As you may know, we have two young boys with Autism.  So things are done around here quite differently than perhaps a more traditional home, but we think this would work great in any house. 

I've seen where the parents also hold the chargers hostage until a task is finished or as means of punishment.

This will be printed, laminated and hung in a very visible place where the boys can see it and be able to cross off the chores as they are finished.  Just use one of those erasable markers you would use for a white board or print a new one out anytime you need it.

If you want your chart to look just like mine, hit up Magsgraphic Designs and download her newest addition to Geektacular.  She's got a lot of other gaming goodies and boy related digital designs.  Scroll further to see more.

Check out Maggie's blog for sweet freebies, too!

Here are a couple of other game related printables we have that you might be interested in.  They are all free.  Just remember, all of our goodies are for Personal Use ONLY.  They are not to be resold or claimed as your own.  If you do download, leave us some love by, Pinning, Sharing, + as a way to say thanks.

Click on the images or highlighted links to get the goods.

Football Fever

Knights and Dragons, free quick page

Motor Mayhem collection

Pixel Miner, free bookmark

awesome Pixel Miner wallet, card, gift card, money holder

 front view

inside view

the quickest, easiest Creeper piñata

The only money I spent on this piñata was for the goodies inside.

That's it for today's sweet gaming related blog.  We hope we have helped you out and provided you with some sweet free stuff.  Join us tomorrow for Freebie Friday for even more.  We've got another template on tap.

Happy crafting!

No Photos? No Worries! How to Scrap and Create Without Pictures

Welcome to The Cherry On Top.

Today, we're looking at various ways to scrap, design and craft without using photographs.  So many times, I see a great digital or traditional kit that I'd love to have, but have no pictures for it.  Perhaps you have a Creative Team requirement of a kit that's for boys, but you don't have boys?  I have the opposite problem.  All of these girlie kits and all boys in this house.

We'll show you 9 ways you can scrap, design and create without using photos or using photos, but changing the theme of the kit, to fit your pictures.

One of the latest kits I've worked with, is actually an older kit from Studio4 DesignWorks, Magical Wonders.  It is a totally awesome collection. I really felt this one, but I have two young boys and the photos of them, just didn't seem to be cohesive with the collection.

1)  Scrap Yourself

I don't know about you, but I don't really feel comfortable scrapping myself.  It seems so selfish or well...you know!

Just do it!  Keep some photos of yourself, that you really like, aside for times like these.

This kit from Aveziur Designs was very special and with quite some pink.  So, I sucked it up and put my photo in there!  Hehehe...Your friends love to see you in your layouts, I can guarantee that!

2) use a quote, simple saying or sentence

It's similar to my page above, but I thought it might make the kit even more magical than it already is.  By keeping it more generic, where it can apply to anyone or thing, makes the kit/collection more sellable.  Themes can often kill a kit or at least cut into potential sales.

I had this beautiful kit from Alexis Design Studio and used it to show off some recent Christmas decor I designed for my window.  The theme of this kit was religious and I didn't have any religious themed photos.

3) wall and profile images

I very often use a kit that I love for designing my wall and profile pictures.

4) recipes cards or pages for you or to share

Use cards like this for on blogs, give as gifts, to design tags for gifts or just for yourself.

5) other people's children

This is something I do a lot.  Of course, you need permission, but I've never been told no and my friends seem to genuinely like when I scrap their kids and share it on their wall.  They even might print them out. I have a short list of friends with gorgeous and cute kids and often just download sweet photos when they are posted on FB.

6)  think hybrid or digital card/sentiment

Scour the web for cute, funny, sweet or romantic sayings and scrap them up.

7)  PETS

I designed a fun Princess inspired  collection and I have two boys.  NO worries!  Use girly or child themed kits to scrap up pets.  Don't have pet or kids?  Go back to tip 5 and use other people's.  I have a lot of animals, but I still scrapped a friend's pooch because he's just so cute.  Hehehe...

8)  write a poem 

This kit from Paty Greif is so super special, I scrapped a couple of layouts and then wrote this poem for a friend of mine who often finds herself in a dark place.  I posted it so other people know they are not out there alone.  Anyone is welcome to share it.  Things like this are important.

Not a writer?  Use one you find on the internet, but give credit to the author.

9) Look for colours and non theme elements in your kit or collection

Here's a layout from Aimee Harrison's, My Happiness 360 Collection.  It's the same collection I used for a layout above with the cute little girl with the pink frame.  There's a lot of feminine, pink goodies in that collection, but there are a ton of other elements, too.

Often times, I'm overwhelmed with a kit or collections colour palette, so I zone in on the few I like and go from there.

I'm very picky when it comes to papers.  If you have a kit where the papers do not inspire you, use huge or multiple photo layouts where you don't need a lot of papers.

For this layout using an upcoming, free template from us, I pulled out the more masculine colours, coordinated those colours with the colours in my photos for even more cohesion and left out the girly, feminine stuff to make a great layout. 

There are 9 tips to help you move along with Creative Team requirements or help steer you into a project or layout when you're not sure which pictures you should use.

Here is a peep at some of our recent, popular freebies.  We never want you to leave here empty handed.

Hybrid, paper bird house.

Free template

Thanks so much hanging out with The Cherry!

Consider following us here, on Facebook and Pinterest.

Tools to Help Those With Autism and ADHD

Welcome to The Cherry On Top's Autism Mondays.

In a previous entry we spoke about oral fixations and the helpful tools like bite jewellery and chewable pencil toppers.  Click here to see the entry.  Today, we are focusing on a few very helpful tools for in the classroom or at home that facilitate better concentration.  We've used a couple of these ourselves in the class and at the table.  Breeze through the list and descriptions and see which ones might work best for you. The images are linked.

Fidget toys, what they are and how they help.

Fidget toys ultimately calm those fidgeting.  In a less stressed environment, people can pay much better attention, therefore absorb more information.  Fidget toys are designed in such a way to provide no distraction from others because they are quiet and if used properly, discreet.

Inside Out Balls

Pencil Topper Fidgets

Tangle

 Twisty Water Bracelets

Our oldest son uses the Tangle Toy matched up with a particular wiggle cushion which we'll show you next.  They both work really great at home and at school. Both our boys devour pens and pencils so the toppers are great for that, too.  I would caution the use of these toys with extreme biters and chewers.  Be sure they are not chewing through them or creating a possible chocking hazard.

Seating alternatives have been proven to help immensely with attention and are perhaps the least intrusive in the classroom.  Sitting still isn't always easy for a lot of us.  The toys above and these cushions below provide slight movement and these tiny movements provide stimulation.  This extra stimulations helps with focus and attention.  Doodling is a similar form as well.  You may even see people use prayer beads to relax or relieve stress.  It's the same thing.

Here are a few more tools to help with attention as well as provide a means to destress or release those fidgets in order to enhance focus.

Another calming device are these weighted vests.  Providing both pressure and weight from the top and around the mid section give the effect of a hug,  easing stress and serving as another stimulant to increase attention.  Weighted lap pads are another option.

Bouncy Bands are yet another fabulous tool that you could implement to help with those bouncy feet and legs.  I remember sitting in the cafeteria in junior college and watching a good quarter of the students bouncing their legs under the table.  I read later that this could be from a vitamin deficiency.  You may want to check into that as well.  An inefficient amount of Magnesium, Vitamin E, C and Iron could have a contributing factor to restless leg syndrome.

It's a shame teachers don't do more to get their students physically active in the class.  It's a good part of why children have so much pent up energy.  Science proves that physical movement helps stimulate the brain, therefore increasing intellectual potential.  I used to teach History in high school and even I could come up with physical ways to keep the students moving while they learned about the U.S. Constitution. We also stretched a lot and jumped up and down before tests and exams to increase brain function in hopes of performing better.

The last helpful tip we'll leave you with is use of a timer.  We have a detailed entry for this and how incredibly helpful it is with discipline at home and at school.  Click here to read how timers may be helpful in the class or at home.

Timers could be handy when time is of the essence.  It's not for everyone.  Try a timer and watch the reaction carefully.  Sometimes a timer may bring even more stress.  Try not to overuse timers.  We've found that rushing our Autistic children can lead to total meltdowns and mega stress.  As with everything in life, pay close attention and gauge behaviour and stimulants as much as possible.

We hope we have sent you on a path that will be helpful.

Feel free to share your ideas or experiences with these tools.

Thanks so much for stopping by The Cherry. If you want to see more of our entries for Autism, click here.  You'll see all of our entries and a few other, useful things we've found.

'Til next Monday!

Paper Bird House with Free Template

Welcome to The Cherry On Top's hybrid Saturday!

I found some great templates on Pinterest to make all different kinds of paper bird houses.  I'm using Alexis Design Studio's kit, A Woman's Heart.  It's what I used to make the layout further in the blog.  Get a look at this beautiful kit, scroll through the bird house tutorial and get the link for the free templates.

 

What an absolutely gorgeous kit!

Let's get into how you can use this PDF template digitally.

Bring up the template in your software program.  I'm using PSE11.

Either a plain or somewhat obscured background would be ideal.  Wood would be cool, too.  As you can see, the entire background is full with the print. That's just how it is with PDF's, it isn't a piece by piece template, but you can still get around this.  Keep reading to find out how.

Take a look at this next image.  I cropped up a coordinating paper from, A Woman's Heart.  Tip:  When you're not exactly sure of the shape you need, choose a background that you can slightly pull and stretch or shrink so that the image is not distorted.  Lines, ginghams and shapes like that are great for this.  Dot's are not, unless you only have to slightly make the adjustment.

I placed the cropped paper over this centre portion of the template and adjusted the size of the paper to fit right in that box/rectangle part of the template.  Look at the right of the image and you'll see my layers.  The green paper is on top of the template until it's the perfect fit.

When you have it the size you need, move it under the template so that you can see all of the lines for cutting and folding.

My favourite part!  Embellish!  Hehehe...I made a simple cluster in the bottom corner and of course, butterflies.  I can never resist bubbles and butterflies.

I wanted to put some more elements on this bird house.  My idea was to line around the hole and the edges by the roof.  I tried the button from the kit, but it didn't look perfect.  I figured a flat pearl would look the best.  I went to my Finder and typed in ADS pearl and this pearl scatter showed up.  I wanted to use something from the same designer.  Simply crop out the one part of the scatter you need and voila!

Time, patience and a steady hand and all of the pearls are in place.  That's a lot of pearls, but I really love the way it turned out.  Just how I thought.  I wish that would happen more often.  Hehehe...

For some reason there is no roof template.  It's not a huge deal at all.  There are so many things you can do to remedy this.  A rectangle at 7 by 4.5 inches is all you need.  Fold in half and that's it.I designed a scalloped template for the roof I used.  You can also just use some coordinating crafty scrap paper from your stash.  Consider using edging scissors or punches for a more detailed roof.  You could also use the scalloped edge just on the ends.

This is the what the finished digital product looks like before printing.

After it is printed out.  You only need scissors and glue for construction.  Perhaps a circle punch for that tricky hole!

There's my nifty roof.  Fussy cutting, yay!

Follow the cut and fold lines.  It's really, really easy and fast.

Attach your roof and that's the quick version of this house.  I used regular grade paper, but I'd suggest something a touch heavier and if you want to use it as a gift box, then go even heavier still, keep in mind the effects of folding.  Sometimes the print disappears.  I also recommend folding so that the cut and fold lines don't show.  If you look really closely at the above image, you can see a bit of the dotted line at the bottom.  If you fold it just a tiny bit further, it won't show up.

I would have loved to distressed around the edges and ink them up, too.  You can always place pearls when you've finished printing and any other traditional elements you like.   Mix it up, do digi all of the way or traditional style.  There is so much you can do with this template!

If you need a template for the roof, I've got one for you.  Just right click on this image.  It is saved as a png, so you'll be able to clip in one digital background for both shapes.  You can just crop out the one you don't want.  Of course, you can use it as a traditional cutting template, too.

Check out these other bird house template on our Pinterest board, Free Cutting Templates.  We plan on doing a few other versions of this same project so keep looking back or Follow our blog so you don't miss out.

Here are a few other hybrid projects that have been getting a lot of attention.

Our Free Monthly Planner Inserts.

These dress templates.

This sweet heart shaped basket.

Tea Bag Envelopes

This fabulous wallet, gift and money card template! 

This one is Minecraft inspired, but we have a manly and girlie version, too.

We offer all kinds of free stuff.  Hit up our Pinterest board, The Cherry On Top's Freebies to see all of them in one place.

All of our goodies are for Personal Use ONLY.  They are not to be resold or claimed as your own.

Give us a shout if you download and please share the links as much as possible as a way to say thanks.

We're thrilled you stopped by The Cherry.  Make sure ya do it a'gin!

We Pin and Post FREEBIES every single day!

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