Xperience Days - Giveaway

Are you looking for a great gift or for an experience of a lifetime? Xperience Days makes it easy!

Xperience Days is giving away a $75 voucher towards the unique Xperience you want to try.


This giveaway is hosted by The Megalomaniac Mommy with help from The Sci-Fi Daddy, Just Becki, Ms Panda, MomAnthology, Supermom on Wheels, and Super Mommy to the Rescue.
You can enter to win this awesome giveaway by completing the Rafflecopter form below.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclosure: This is a promotional post on behalf of Megalomaniac Media LLC

quick projects

I won a great little stamping set and some other Crafty Secrets giveaways from Pam at Iris Garden.  Here is a quick project I put together for a little celebratory mini-card.

For the "uncle sam" tyke image I stamped and embossed twice in blue ink, colored both with Spectrum Noir markers and cut one of the images.  I am still learning the techniques of coloring with alchol markers so this was good practice.  I then layered the cut image over the full image using foam squares for a 3D effect.

The Celebrate 4th stamp was stamped and then embossed with red glitter embossing powder.  The circle was aged using blue ink and Spectrum Noir and Le Plume markers, then lightly sanding.  I also cut out a Star Spangled Banner image from a holiday stack by Tim Holtz.  The images were placed and layered on blue card stock left over from THIS PROJECT. The edges were trimmed with borders and a embossed square and star brad.  I also added hemp for a mixed prim - vintage -glitzy look. Fun!

I also played around with my Cricut - the above images were created using the Florals Embellished cartridge.  LOVE the images.....  I just need to get a better handle on what tension to use with what varying types of paper / cardstock as a couple of the pieces tore on the more intricate cuts.  



I have embellished these further with rhinestone accents and look forward to posting a couple of projects, once finished.   Until then...happy crafting!

Nuk FreshFoods Mash and Serve bowl - Review and Giveaway

It has been years since my girls were little and a lot has changed in that amount of time- especially baby products!  I cannot believe all of the new car seats, toys, gadgets, etc.

One thing that has not changed is that some of the companies that produced quality products when my girls were babies STILL do.  One of those companies is NUK.  Most of you may recognize the name for their pacifiers.  We had some for both my girls.NUK also has products in the following categories:

• BREASTFEEDING 
• ORAL CARE
• BOTTLES & ACCESSORIES
• CUPS & ACCESSORIES
• FRESHFOODS™ PREP

I was recently able to review the FreshFoods Mash and Serve bowl.  This is such a great product and I wish they had it when my girls were babies.   

The set is made from a material that makes gripping easy.  It looks like a bowl and pestle but is lighter weight and the masher has a larger, slotted surface.  The bowl has rubber "footing" at the bottom to make in non-slip.  It is lightweight enough to be portable but solid enough to act as both a food prep utensil as well as dining bowl.   


The FreshFoods Prep mash and serve bowl is microwave safe and is a breeze to clean.  This is quick, easy and you don't have a ton of pieces to wash like you would if using a blender. 


This is a great way to introduce more wholesome fresh foods to your infant/ toddler.  You can mash steamed veggies or fresh fruit and less pre-prepared foods.     You can even pack one in your diaper bag to go!   Perfect for working moms who have a hard enough time getting dinner for the adults and kids on the table :)


One lucky winner will win a FreshFoods Mash and Serve bowl.


You must follow me on facebook, google plus or GoogleFriend Connect to enter.  Simply comment here with one other product from NUK that you would love to try AND how you follow me (1 entry) 

For an extra entry do one of the following and comment seperately for each one:
- follow NUK on Facebook
- follow NUK on twitter @NukUSA
- share via twitter, facebook or other and post the link.

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Giveaway will close in two weeks (07/08/2012 at 11:59 pm EDT)  Winner selected at random.  Must be 18 or older and a permanent resident of the US.   Good Luck to ALL!


Disclosure:  I received a product for review purposes.  I did not receive any form of monetary compensation for this post.  

Pillsbury Baguette Chips - Review and Giveaway!

Looking for a more adult snack?  Look no further....Pillsbury knows just how you feel and wants to awaken your taste buds with their new PillsburyŽ Baguette Chips!  These are mini slices of bread, thinly sliced and baked to a delicious crisp.  They are hearty in texture and in taste.  Topped with savory seasonings the flavors of Italian Cheese & Herb and Cheddar Sun-dried Tomato should keep your taste buds satisfied.  


 The delicious flavors and perfect texture of these crispy chips can help you round out any recipe and are especially perfect for Hors d'oeuvres.

• Enjoy Pillsbury Baguette Chips for a wide range of occasions: eat them alone, add a bit more flavor to your favorite dip, spice up soup, or add some crunch to your salad!  Perfect for appetizer dishes.
   
• With 130 calories per serving (21 baguette chips), and 50% less fat than regular potato chips*, Pillsbury Baguette Chips are delicious snack chips that you can feel good about eating

If that’s not enough to get your mouth watering, then check out these delicious chips for yourself.  To download a printable coupon for $0.75 off one package, visit http://bit.ly/PBCcoupon today!  (while supplies last)

*Pillsbury Baguette Chips (5g fat per 29g serving); regular potato chips (11g fat per 29g serving).  See nutrition information for sodium content.

My girls LOVED LOVED LOVED these. We received 6 bags to review and they were gone within 3 days.  I at least was able to try some :)  It was funny because I immediately opened the sun dried tomato variety and Miss N. opened the herb and cheese but I ended up preferring the herb and cheese and she liked the sun dried tomato better.

I do have 6 bags to share with one lucky reader.  Please comment on this post of which variety you think you would prefer.  Winner to be selected at random.  Receive an extra entry for following me for each channel (twitter, facebook, or google friend connect/google plus) - just post a separate comment with the name you follow under.  If you share on facebook, twitter or Google plus please leave another comment.    Giveaway ends 7/8/2012 at 11:59 EDT.  Good luck to all!

Time To Fly - Card

Today's challenge from 365Cards is Nature.  Here is a card I created with a butterfly theme.

3 different inks were used to stamp and heat-emboss the image.  Once cooled the image was colored using Spectrum Noir Markers.  The stamped image was matted onto smooth kelly green and carnation pink card stock and then matted again onto textured pure green card stock.  The top was trimmed with the pink card stock,  ribbons in two different patterns and buttons.

365 Card Challenge - "Music"

I decided to take on another daily challenge at 365Cards.  The theme today was Music.  I knew I had some music note paper and embellishments.  I selected papers with depth due to the rich red and blue hues and intricate design, with texture or with a simple music note theme.

Edited to add:  I am new to this so will also be entering in http://www.drsdesignsblog.blogspot.com/ - Floral Challenge and http://paperplaychallenges.blogspot.com/ - Use a Die challenge

 Here is what I was inspired to create........

SUPPLY LIST

Bo Bunny Et Cetera 6x6 paper
DCWV Mademoiselle Paper Stack with Glitter 12 x 12
Que Sera Sera 12x12 Designer Paper Pad
Die cuts from KanBan crafts
Spellbinders Blossom Tags and Accents
Melody Ross acetate embellishments
Brad and rhinestone accents for flower and scrolls
K and Company Harmony Sticker
self sticking border (rick rack ribbon shape)
floral, scalloped square, scalloped circle, pansy, decorative edge and music note punches
ColorBox Stamp pad (chocolate and blueberries I think)
zots

I cannot wait to see tomorrow's challenge.  Now that I have an art studio I have been in creation mode!

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Love seeing all of the creations from other card artists for admiration and inspiration.....


  

TV Show - Renewed or Canceled

Ever reallu love a TV show only to find out it has been cancelled?  Most of us have been there at one point or another.  The ones that stand out for me are Carnivale, My So Called Life, Freaks and Geeks, and Drive.   The first I absolutely loved, the second and third I thought were great dramas and the last I just wanted to see how it ended.  I did not get a valid ending with any of these  - for Carnivale I was so bitter I cancelled my HBO subscription and never renewed.  


There were a couple of other shows that I saw that I was not surprised to see cancelled.  Alcatraz for example - good premise but the cast never seemed to click.  Flash Forward started out great but ended on a weak note.  Ditto for the event.  The only show that was canceled early that seemed to actually have any kind of resolution that I can remember is Life on Mars.  Now I can find out well in advance which shows I can still plan to watch and what were cut loose at TV.com.


My Fall and *Spring lineup:

• American Horror Story (FX) -RENEWED: Season 2 is expected to premiere in October.    One of my FAVORITES from this year.  I do have to say though that I will sorely miss all of the Season 1 characters.... Hopefully Adam Levine will help me forget!
• Fringe (Fox) – RENEWED: A little confusing this year and my least favorite season yet but next year looks promising.
• Grey's Anatomy (ABC) –  RENEWED   I lost faith after last season but this season ended on a bang (or actually a crash).  Looking forward to next year
• Grimm (NBC) – RENEWED  A surprise favorite - looking forward to next year
• Hoarders (A & E) –  RENEWED  - I do not watch regularly.  I will continue to watch re-runs when nothing else is on.  I am always fascinated by the mess...
• *The Killing (AMC) – ON THE BUBBLE:  Season Finale was tonight.  PLEASE do not say it was the Series finale.
• The Lying Game (ABC Family) – RENEWED: Cheesy teen drama with. Hate loving it but love it.
• *Mad Men (AMC)  RENEWED(?) - Don Draper - I love you!  I say this even though you are old enough to be my grandfather and even though everyone else loves you too.
  Cannot see this getting canceled...  It is too big a hit.  
• Once Upon A Time (ABC) –  RENEWED Slow start for me but forced myself to stick with it and am glad I did
• Psych (USA) – RENEWED Campy, silly and fun
• Revenge (ABC) – RENEWED - Love to see Amanda - oops....I mean Emily - in action
• *The Walking Dead (AMC) – RENEWED: I never knew before that I loved Zombies -now I do.

MAYBE.....

• So You Think You can Dance (Fox) – RENEWED
  
• Survivor (CBS) – RENEWED
• Switched at Birth (ABC Family) – RENEWED 

Um, NO.... some by choice, some by cancellation and some because I gave up long ago - these I will NOT be watching.

Alcatraz (Fox) – CANCELED Not surprised - good in premise but poor on delivery.  The chemistry between these characters was nonexistent.

Awake (NBC) –CANCELED: SAD SAD SAD Face


America's Next Top Model (CW) – RENEWED I stopped watching 2 or three seasons ago.  I cannot say that i am sorry.

American Idol (Fox) – RENEWED I gave it a shot but with Simon gone, it is just not the same for me.  I stopped watching this year.   

The Bachelor/The Bachelorette (ABC) – RENEWED  - Once I heard that Emily Maynard was going to be the Bachelorette I refused to watch.  Thank god for small miracles.  This show sucks me in every year and I end up wondering why I sacrificed hours of my life to watch this crud.  


CSI (CBS) – RENEWED  CSI: Miami (CBS) CANCELED: - I stopped watching both a couple of years back for the simple reason that the show became boring.


Desperate Housewifes (ABC) – CANCELED/SERIES FINALE:  Bittersweet.  


House (FOX) – CANCELED/SERIES FINALE:  I love & will sorely miss Dr. Gregory House :(  

Jersey Shore (MTV) – RENEWED I just cannot do it.  I got sucked in on a marathon
Missing (ABC) – CANCELED Will not be missing this one at all


The River (ABC) – CANCELED The previews were 100x better than the show. Actually 1000x better.  

Unforgettable (CBS) –CANCELED I saw one episode, then forgot about it.  Apparently everyone else did also.    

To see if your favorite or not-so-favorite shows will be airing in Fall 2012 - Spring 2013, check out TV.com's What's Renewed, What's canceled and What's In-Between?

Sketchy Sunday Card Challenge

Card Challenge - Sketchy Sunday Challenge:




A fun little thank you note!


Scrap paper from various manufacturers - Apricot hounds tooth, cross hatch aqua, 3 different papers in Swiss polka dot pattern (mustard, apricot and aqua), striped paper and cream card stock.


Floral pieces - Created from stamp punches (square tag, scalloped flower, large daisy, medium 5-petal floral, small daisy, and tiny floral), secured with a brad and highlighted with Stickles glitter.  edges aged using Spectrum Noir Markers. Placed horizontally at the top of the page over an aqua strip and under die cut "Friendship" tag centered by flower rhinestones.


Large tag  - Created on cross-hatch aqua paper using Spellbinders labels extra large die (cut and embossed).


Thanks Tags - Cream card stock stamped in 3 different shades of aqua for ombre effect,then embossed using clear embossing powder.  Glazed over using Tattered Angels glimmer paint and edges were "aged" using a Spectrum Noir markers;  Corner punched and threaded with aqua wires, embellished with pearl and crystal beads.  Tags matted on apricot Swiss dot cardstock and "hung" from floral embellishments.

Edited to add:  Because of the color palette and summery theme, I am also submitting to http://www.charismacardz.blogspot.com/ and http://www.craftspotbykimberly.blogspot.com/ Summer challenges!

Art Tiles - supply list and tutorial

I recently completed a simple and affordable project I have been working on.  These tiles can be used as coasters, wall decor or display plaques.  It is slightly time consuming but the results are completely worth it.

Supplies 
- Small square Floor / Bathroom tiles $.25 - 1.00 USD each.  I used ones that were recessed in the center which made it easier to inlay the paper squares
- Scrapbook patterned paper
- Rubber Stamps
- Ink Pads
- Embossing powder
- Heat gun
- Felt
- Scissors
- Exacto knife
- Glue gun, glue sticks, and glue dots
- Mod Podge
- Finishing Spray
- Sponge applicator

This is pretty simple to make.  Squares of paper and felt were cut to the size of the tile.  The felt was glued on the back of the tile with the glue gun and the edges trimmed with scissors.  The paper squares were stamped in various designs using black ink and embossed.  Once complete the paper was slightly distressed using Vintage Photo and Antique Linen Distress Ink Pads by Tim Holtz and a stamping blender. 

Once the designs are complete, the squares were glued onto the front of the tile with glue stick.  The corners were reinforced with glue dots and the paper was trimmed to fit the an exacto knife as seen below:

The paper was coated with Mod Podge using a sponge applicator - this did  make the paper bubble in a couple of areas so a brayer was used to smooth it down. Once the Mod Podge dried, the tiles were sprayed with an acrylic sealer.  

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A sampling of the finished tiles can be seen up close below.   I made these for my mother and MIL (late mother's day gift), but will plan to make some for our home as well.