Monday, February 28, 2011

Baby Shower Event Kick-Off

GET READY!!!! The Baby Shower Event starts tomorrow!!!! Fabulous Giveaways, Reviews and Guest Posts!

Get prepared to enter giveaways by.....



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Let's Kick it Off and get everyone participating......Link up any Baby/Child Related Crafts/Decor. Share your talents and inspire others to create!

Today I wanted to share with you some fun bow holders I made for my baby girl that's due in April. I bought these wooden fence looking boards that already came with a hook and a hanger. I, with the help of my 2 year old son, painted these with black acrylic paint along with the hanger and the hook. I let them dry and added some thick lime green ribbon and then some hot pink polka dot ribbon on the top of that with glue dots.

Then I found some coordinating scrapbook paper and cut them into strips to put them on the slats. I mod podged it on (again with the help of my two year old - a little too much help as there was a lot of excess mod podge to get off =D).

Finally I embellished the paper with these fun big, green butterflies along with some bling (green rhinestone dots on the black one and pink flowers on the pink one). The black one I also added the sticker chipdboard piece that says beautiful. Then I clipped on my collection of bows that I have.
Very simple and so cute!!!


Another quick project, I made was a headband holder. I took a big lemonade canister (or a Quaker Oatmeal one would be great), ripped off the label, painted it hot pink with lime green paint on top, added strips of coordinating scrapbook paper with glue dots and added some chipboard flowers on the lid.


NOW IT'S YOUR TURN TO SHARE! Link up any Baby/Child Related Crafts/Decor. Share your talents and inspire others to create!




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Rules:
  • Just grab a Link Party button to share on your post! Thanks!


Can't wait to see your creations - can even be old posts! I'd love some inspiration on what to make for this baby girl I'm having in April or fun things for my 2 year old son.



Thursday, February 24, 2011

You Can Make This Promotions and Giveaway!

GIVEAWAY #1- E-mail your Entry "Win a Craft Night for YOU and 10 of Your Friends." Here's the info on that:
http://www.thediydish.com/2011/02/win-a-craft-night-party-with-kim-kris-and-10-of-your-friends-epic-6-giveaway/
Kim & Kris from "The DIY Dish" want to have a craft night with you and your friends! You get to invite 10 of your friends and EACH ONE OF YOU will win the Epic 6 Cutting & Embossing Tool and Letterpress Combo (each is a $169 value!) as well as accessories, die-cuts, papers, paints, etc. all thanks to Lifestyle Crafts. Catered food and a whole lot of FUN will all be a part of that craft night!

 
All the details on how to enter are found on this 2 minute video as well as at http://www.thediydish.com/. All you have to do is send them a short video (less than 1 min, 30 seconds) letting us know why you would love this prize package for you and your friends!!  Won’t this be fun?!? Send them to info@theDIYdish.com. Entries will be accepted until February 27, 2011.


 

 

 
PROMOTION: Use the coupon code "YouCanMakeThis" and receive 15% off your order until  2/28/11

 

 

 
Giveaway #2-ENTER HERE: "You Can Make This" and "The DIY Dish"  are giving away 2 volumes of their "Bloom" books so for 2 winners!


Please leave your e-mail address so I can contact you. GIVEAWAY ENDS FEBRUARY 28TH at 11:59pm MST.

 
Mandatory Entry:   Check out some of their patterns here https://www.youcanmakethis.com/info/authors/1039511622  and let me know which is your favorite!

EXTRA ENTRIES:
  • Become a Public Follower of Crafty Mommy Diva
  • Check out some of my crafty creations and leave a comment on a post.
  • Check out my guest post at Crafting and Creativity with my Bow Holder and Headband Holder Tutorials. Leave a comment over there and come back here saying you did.

Big Cloth Diaper Giveaway - go check it out

WIN a $250 set of 3 new lines of cloth diaper going to 1 lucky winner OVER at MOTHER OF A SALE'S FB FAN PAGE.


To win:

*Share their facebook event on your wall to all your friends

*Blog about Mother Of A Diaper Sales event starting Feb 22-24 - TODAY they have the KATY Diapers on SALE: http://www.motherofadailydeal.com/

*Post on our FB page “MOAS I want to win the $250 cloth diaper set”


Click over here to enter! http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?topic=295&post=2769&uid=108954432490815#!/topic.php?uid=108954432490815&topic=295

Friday, February 18, 2011

Fashionable Fridays #38

Winner of the Scarf Giveaway from Population 250 is


# JANA! I'll e-mail you. Congrats!

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Now for this week's Fashionable Fridays!

Make-up Expirations?


I asked this question to a friend and here's what she found me....


 
That's an excellent question! Here are guidelines presented by Eva Gosowska at iVillage.co.uk/beauty/ that I follow and have been most successful...


Oil-Free Foundation: 1 year

Cream or Compact Foundation: 18 months ... See More

Concealer: 12-18 months

Powder: 2 years

Blush and Bronzer: 2 years

Cream Blush: 12-18 months

Powder Eye shadow: 2 years

Cream Eye shadow: 12-18 months

Eyeliner: 2 years

Liquid eyeliner: 3-6 months

Mascara: 3 months

Lipstick: 2 years

Lip liner: 2 years

Lip gloss: 18-24 month

Extra tip: discard any makeup that has a funny odor. It has passed its expiration date! :)

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

34th Mommy Mondays on Wednesday

So I failed again and have gestational diabetes. Fun! I know I should complain too much, but this pregnancy sure is wearing me out with all the health issues I've had to face this time around. I wish I could just go out and swing on one of these backyard swing sets from CSN Stores, to be free of care and worry and to just dream and stare at a bright blue sky on a warm sunny day. Oh to be a child again.


What things do you do to help you forget your worries?

I'll be giving you more information on gestational diabetes next week for those who like to be more knowledgeablge =D.
Also just so you know, I strongly believe that God will not give you a trial more than you can bear. (1 Corinthians 10:13) if you try your best and pray to overcome it (Mark 14:38). This was a lesson I was reminded of this past Sunday as I taught my Primary class. These are two of my favorite scriptures and I was grateful for this reminder.

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Some good things to look forward to is that CSN is letting me review another item from them for my Baby Shower Event coming up March 1st - March 15th! LOTS of giveaways, reviews and guest posts! So spread the word, grab a button. Become a follower now to be prepared to enter the giveaways.


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DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE GIVEAWAY FROM POPULATION 250 FOR A NEW SCARF! SUPER LOW ENTRIES! ENDS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17TH.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Recipes to Try in 2011




Toddler Meal Ideas - Healthier Eating
Healthy Meal Makeovers for Breakfast
French toast: Make it with fiber-rich whole-grain bread rather than white, and mix the egg with low-fat or fat-free milk (a calcium boost). Instead of butter, spray the pan with healthy canola or olive-oil cooking spray. Top off the toast with sliced fruit, fruit preserves, or apple butter. To pump up the protein and calcium in this breakfast, make a French toast “sandwich” by cutting the piece of bread in half, then slipping a slice of reduced-fat cheese between the pieces as they cook.
Egg muffin sandwich: Start with a whole-grain English muffin, add one scrambled egg, a slice of turkey ham, and top with your child’s favorite reduced-fat cheese, like Swiss, mozzarella, or cheddar. Bonus: no drive-through lines.
Pancakes: Choose a whole-grain or buckwheat mix. Or if you’re starting from scratch, replace a portion of the regular white flour in the recipe with wheat or oat flour. Add fruit or vegetables (like pureed pumpkin or sweet potato) to the batter. Top the pancakes with a spritz of low-fat whipped cream or fruit preserves and sliced fruit.
Fruity waffles: Start with whole-grain frozen waffles. Spread the waffles with fruit-flavored reduced-fat cream cheese, and then top with fruit slices.
Cereals: Reduce the sugar in your kid’s breakfast bowl by offering up Rice Krispies, Kix, or Cheerios (all low in sugar and fat, and high in fiber) in place of chocolate or fruit-flavored puffs/Krispies/Pebbles…or any cereal, for that matter, with the word “cookie” in its title. If your toddler refuses the cereal of your choice, help her transition to healthy cereal by mixing in a little of her favorite sugary cereal.
Breakfast pastry: Instead of doughnuts or Danish, toast a honey-wheat or berry-flavored bagel, then spread it with reduced-fat cream cheese or low-fat ricotta cheese, and top with fruit preserves.
Healthy Meal Makeovers for Lunch and Dinner
Pizza: Ladle tomato sauce onto a whole-grain bagel or English muffin, and sprinkle with reduced-fat mozzarella cheese. You can doctor the sauce by stirring in some vegetable purees for extra nutrients. Give it some zing by topping with slivered pineapple pieces.
Chicken nuggets: Swap regular chicken nuggets for soy chicken nuggets. Dunk them in low-fat honey mustard sauce and your kid may not even taste the difference. Or make your own version by dusting chicken pieces with whole-wheat bread crumbs, then bake ’em, don’t fry.
Hot dogs: Grill up a reduced-fat all-beef hot dog, turkey hot dog, or soy hot dog. Dress it up with your kid’s favorite fixings and she’ll swear it’s the real deal.
Cheeseburger: Make your own patties using lean (96 to 98 percent fat-free) ground beef or ground turkey. Mix bean puree or shredded beets, zucchini, or carrots into the ground meat to make patties even healthier. Top the patty with reduced-fat cheese. And for the tot who doesn’t cringe at the sight of vegetables, add some lettuce and tomato. Serve with a whole-grain bun and a side of oven-baked fries.
Spaghetti with meatballs: Cook whole-grain spaghetti, made from either whole wheat or other grains like spelt or quinoa. (Make it even more nutritious by using pastas fortified with extra protein and healthy omega-3 fats.) Or ditch the noodles altogether and serve spaghetti squash instead for an extra serving of vegetables. Add pureed squash or carrots to regular marinara sauce. (The tomato sauce hides the flavors nicely, and this is also a great way to use up leftover baby food!) Toss in some meatballs made of lean (96 to 98 percent fat-free) ground beef or turkey. And if you want to pack in even more nutrients, roll shredded vegetables into the meatballs. Your kid will never know they’re there.
Stackables: Use cookie cutters to cut slices of lean deli meats and reduced-fat cheese into fun shapes, then set out on plates with whole-grain, trans-fat-free crackers, and let your toddler create her own stacks to munch.
Healthy Snack Makeovers
Soda: Fill a cup with 100 percent fruit juice, then add some seltzer or club soda for fizz. (Not only does this save your toddler from the sugar in regular soda, but it cuts the sugar in fruit juice too.)
Chips: Set out bowls with baked pita chips or soy crisps rather than tortilla or potato chips.
Cookies: Put out a dish of trans-fat-free animal crackers or graham crackers with a side of vanilla low-fat yogurt or creamy peanut butter for scooping. (Check with your pediatrician to find out when to introduce peanut butter into your toddler’s diet.)
French fries: Toss sliced new potatoes or sweet potatoes (with the skins on) in olive oil and your choice of seasonings (like sea salt, pepper, garlic powder, or parsley), then bake at 475°F for 35 minutes, turning occasionally so that the fries brown on all sides.
Sundae: Make a yogurt parfait instead of an ice-cream sundae using your child’s favorite low-fat frozen yogurt, chunks of fresh or frozen fruit (like strawberries, blueberries, or mangoes), and a dollop of fat-free whipped topping. Colored sprinkles make it festive and fun without adding lots of sugar.
Chocolate: Satisfy a budding chocoholic’s cravings without resorting to candy with some “trail mix” made with granola, dried fruits (like raisins, cranberries, blueberries, apples, or banana chips), mini fat-free pretzels, Cheerios, and a smattering of mini dark chocolate chips. (Dark chocolate contains more antioxidants than milk chocolate and doesn’t boost cholesterol.)
Cake: Serve slices of banana-nut, zucchini, or pumpkin quick breads instead of traditional cake. Or offer fruit-sweetened bran muffins in place of frosted cupcakes.
Milk shake: Blend a smoothie with low-fat yogurt and assorted fresh or frozen fruits. What if your child’s a chocolate lover? Blend low-fat chocolate ice cream or frozen yogurt, reduced-fat milk, and a bit of chocolate powder (which adds some calcium) with a little ice.

Holiday Ideas

Valentine's
St Patrick's Day
April Fools Day
4th of July

Halloween
Thanksgiving
Christmas

Friday, February 11, 2011

Fashionable Fridays #37 and Giveaway!

Today I'm excited to welcome my friend, Brittany from Population 250, a fabulous fashion blog she just started. She even has a giveaway for you!
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I love these scarves. My sister-in-law, Kennan was talking about them, and I was reminded of how simple they are, yet so cute. They are just so easy to wear. You simply put it over your neck. You don't have to worry about styling it; it's just so easy!
I think scarves are essential in the winters especially here in Idaho! They are perfect for keeping the warmth in, but also adding a cute and stylish item to your outfit. Sometimes I feel like just by adding a scarf, my outfit automatically looks better!
Celebrities are often found sporting these lovelys, but it usually costs around $83!! Ya right... I sell them for only $9.99 at my clothing business, BPriceless,  BUT because I love them so much, I decided to give one away for FREE to one of you!

Infinity Scarf: Paula Bianco $83
 




Infinity Scarf: B-Priceless
colors: style 1-black, purple, brown, turquoise, magenta, grey
style 2- black, brown, grey, red

 

LEAVE A SEPARATE COMMENT FOR EACH. Please leave your e-mail address so we can contact you if you win.
1. Become a Public Follower of  Population 250:
www.population250trends.blogspot.com
2. Leave a comment with your e-mail & which color you'd like
3. Check out Population 250 and leave a comment on one of her posts.
4. Become a Public Follower of Crafty Mommy Diva:  
http://craftymommydiva.blogspot.com/
5. Check out some of my other Fashionable Fridays and leave a comment on a post.

Open to U.S. Residents only.

Winner will be chosen February 18th. Giveaway closes February 17th at 11:59 MST.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Books Read in 2011

  1. ***The Counterfeit Convert by Linda Chadwick (2.10.11) - LDS Romantic Fiction
  2. ***My Fairy Grandmother by Aubrey Mace (2.28.11) - Young Adult
  3. ****Every Graceful Fancy (Dickens Inn Volume 5) by Anita Stansfield (4.3.11) - LDS Romantic Fiction
  4. ***Secret Sisters by Tristi Pinkston (4.4.11) - LDS Fiction - silly little mystery
  5. ***The Ball's in her Court by Heather Justesen (4.7.11) - LDS Fiction - trials of being adopted
  6. ***Summer in Paris by Michele Ashman Bell (4.7.11) - Young Adult
  7. ***A Fresh Start in Fairhaven by Sharon Downing Jarvis (4.14.11) - LDS Fiction
  8. ***Molly Mormon (4.16.11) - Young Adult LDS Fiction
  9. ****Molly Married (4.17.11) - Young Adult LDS Fiction
  10. ***Molly Mommy (4.24.11) - Young Adult LDS Fiction
  11. ****Starstruck by Josi. S. Kilpack - (5.20.11) LDS Fiction
  12. *****Perfect Neighbors by DeAnne Neilson (5.22.11) - LDS Fiction: starts out funny, but lots of thought provoking concepts - every woman especially those LDS should read and think about...
  13. ****Royal Target by Traci Hunter Abramson (5.24.11) LDS Suspense and Romance Fiction
  14. ***Missing by Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen (5.25.11) LDS Suspense/Mystery Fiction
  15. ***Reasonable Doubt by Marcia Mickelson (5.27.11) LDS Mystery Fiction
  16. **Greg & Kellie vy Douglas &Donlu Thayer (6.11)
  17. ***To Love Again by Keith & Ana Terry (6.11.)
  18. ***Angels Don't Knock by Dan Yates (6.11) LDS Romantic Fiction
  19. ***Just Call Me an Angel (6.11) LDS Romantic Fiction
  20. ****Angels to the Rescue (6.11) LDS Romantic Fiction
  21. ***Angel in the Family (6.11) LDS Romantic Fiction
  22. ***A Modest Proposal (The Butterfly Box 1) by Michele Ashman Bell (7.1.11) LDS Fiction: modest fashion, going for your dreams

Monday, February 7, 2011

33rd Mommy Mondays - Sound Beginnings Review

Sorry that today's Mommy Mondays is so late. Lots of doctor appointments this morning, but more about that next Monday!

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Happy Mama Gifts graciously gave me Sound Beginnings: Sound Delivery from Creative Baby to try out while pregnant!

Sound Beginnings: Sound Delivery is a Pre-natal Sound Delivery Device that plays music and voice for baby.
"With Sound Delivery, all your loved ones can be as close to your baby as you are."
Go to their website, to watch their video about Sound Beginnings.

This was perfect since we live so far away from family. I feel sad at times especially that my mom isn't around to see my big belly. My first came early so she missed seeing me then. At least with this, she can interact with this baby girl inside me.

When you receive your Sound Delivery, you get 5 free minutes of time and then you can buy more or friends and family can buy more. Your friends and family can then call the number and enter your  User Code and say a little message for the baby. The recordings are then put the site under your name. With one simple click, you can put them onto ITunes, Windows Media Player, etc. Then put it on your IPod or other MP3 device.

Super simple. I even recorded a message for my baby girl! They give you great, specific instructions on how to best record your message. It's fun that I can have that message "forever" too.
When I was recording the message, they even gave me options to pause and then continue with more, listen back to what I said all before I submitted it.



Connecting your MP3 Player is simple. The band comes with special cords in the pocket that are connected to speakers for the baby. It has been designed to expose the baby to no more than 85 decibels of sound at maximum volume.

Stick in the pocket and let your baby listen away. Figure out what music your baby likes and feel the baby move and dance =D Let them hear family and friends' voices.


Mommy can even listen along too. There's a spot for their connecter and then your headphones too. Although not all headphones seem to work well with this connector.


Other wonderful things about Sound Beginnings: Sound Delivery
  • very comfortable band: comes in different colors and 3 sizes
  • the band can be machine washable, although hand washing is recommended
  • Simple to use website with specific instructions
  • No assembly or batteries needed.
  • Detailed manual - if you purchase this, please read the manual very carefully as this is only intended for women in their 3rd trimester up until a week from your delivery date and not recommended for more than 2 hours of use.
  • SAFE FOR BABY -  With my first, we put headphones on my belly, but it made me so nervous trying to make sure the volume was low enough to not hurt his ears.
Thank you again Happy Mama Gifts. Check out their facebook fan page for a chance to review items yourself. Check out their site for fabulous giveaways and other great products. I would love to have a meal from them sent to me - what a wonderful idea!

Friday, February 4, 2011

Fashionable Fridays #36 - Paint that Nail

Again welcome Kristyn from Paint that Nail with an awesome tutorail on nails for Valentine's Day.
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Today I am going to show you how to make a heart and a sponging effect in the background. 
What you need:
~3-4 shades of one color I choose pink
~one glitter polish 
~1 bobby pin or a tooth pick 
~base/top coat 
~Q-tips and nail polish remover (if needed)
What to do:
Paint you nails with a base color which would be the lightest color in you color scheme.


Now pick the next color and mix it with clear nail polish(top coat) and just kind of stipple it on your nail.



Continue to do with the rest of your colors.


Now go back to your base color, mix it with clear and stipple that over some spots.


Now that the background is done we can do the hearts and dots with your bobby pin or tooth pick (I think the bobby pin would work best because it has that little ball on the end). Make a dot and then drag it down. You might have to go over it twice, but make sure you have a good amount of nail polish on your bobby pin so it will drag.


Do the same to the other side, and if there is a gap in the middle just make a dot or two over it.


Now you can make a couple dots with the same color as the heart and with some glitter if you want. Remove the nail polish on the sides of your nail add a Top coat and you're done! 



The base color I used was Sinfulcolors- easy going. The other colors to stipple on I used Avon speed dry- carnival, Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear- bubblegum pink, Sinfulcolors- pink forever, Sinfulcolors- feeling great and Kleancolor- sweet pink. The silver glitter did not have a brand or a name on it. I hope you like this or try it out! 

Thank you so much Maryanne for letting me do these Fashionable Fridays!!

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Thanks Kristyn! I love the sponging effect for a cute Valentine look. Great job on your hearts too - not sure I could make hearts that well!