Enjoy

Please enjoy this photo as your party is reached.

Sew Delightful 

52WPC Week 4

Theme: Street Photography [in black&white]

!

Not the greatest shot I've taken. but I was pressed for time :)

To see the beginning of this challenge just. click...

here.

Ready

I'm finally ready to show off some of my creations..

are you ready?

here we go..

I would love to say that I started simple.. trying to figure things out before I did a major project.
but I didn't.
I dove in head first.. to make a crossover hobo (okay you can call it crossover.. I just really like the way hobo sounds) bag.

voila. here it is!

I even made those flowers.

true story..

see..

 

oooh I love them all.

but isn't that green one especially pretty?
[I made it out of fabric I found at the salvation army - I got probably.... 8 or 9 YARDS for $4.00]

I thought it was.

so I wore it..

nevermind the fact that my hand looks huge.

because it's in a mirror.
:) I'm in love.



Dear, Photograph

oh my oh me oh my.

I saw that a couple of my friends on FB started 'following' Dear Photograph..
so I figured I should check it out.

I came across this photo...

& immediately had to grab a tissue.
after reading the caption, my eyes haven't been dry since!

Grab a tissue...

Inspiration

I'm sharing with you a very inspirational post.
I wouldn't call myself extremely religious.

I'm not baptized.

I don't go to church every Sunday.

I don't pray every night.

I try to.

I have faith.

I believe.
I support. I'm in love. and am amazed.

I also listen to SmileFM. <3 and try to pass along certain lyrics.
This blog is even named after one of those songs.

Anyways. back to that inspirational post...

Enjoy.
go find yourself.
go find Him.

((ps have I mentioned how totally in love I am with this photo I took?)) .. I am.in.love.

52WPC - Week 3

Week 3 of the 52 WPC

Theme: where you live - a representation

Here's my shot! :) Water.
Water is everywhere around where I live. Especially this week with all of the rain we've gotten!

To see the beginning of the 52 WPC....
Enjoy!

Ucreate

I am in love with these.

I simply MUST try to make them..

There is even a tutorial [[oooh!]] showing you how to make these.

Enjoy!

52WPC Week 2

Week2

Theme: public bathroom

really really.

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't just a teeny bit excited about this week's theme.
I know. that makes me so weird right? right.

I got excited - because we have this bathroom across the hall from me where I work.

It's so.... retro!

pale pink tile with yellow doors/walls.

so.. here's my shot. :) and I love it!

52WPC - Week 1

I was invited to take part in a 52 Week Photo Challenge (52WPC) - [they didn't abbreviate it 52WPC... I did - because it's easier to type. :) ]

The theme for week one was - "self portrait"

bleghhh I hate taking photos of myself... but alas - I did.

and here was my entry.

I would send you a link to see all of the entries - but it's a closed group on Facebook.

This photo challenge - they post a 'theme' each week and you have to post a photo for that theme..

We don't know what the themes are in advance so it's kind of tricky.

This photo was actually last weeks theme - wait until you see THIS week :)

If you're interested in hosting a photo challenge - here's a link for theme ideas.

Enjoy!

Relay For Life

I *heart* Relay for Life.
Everything about it.
I wouldn't call myself extremely involved.

I volunteered when I was in high school.
I've walked for a short time the past couple years.
Last year I raised $$.
This year I just purchased bags.

I keep telling myself that some year I want to start my own team.
Strollin' for a cure.
supporting childhood cancer.

Here's one of the three bags I did this year...

To learn more about Childhood Cancer - click here.

To learn about Tuesday's story - click here.

and to pray for the many many tiny people fighting huge battles - click here.

^^jeash just kidding! don't click to go anywhere - close your eyes and pray silly <3

pray for those don't.

pray for those who can't.

and pray for those who won't.

Auto Correct

Auto Correct.
ohhh who doesn't LOVE auto correct.

here's my very own lovely auto correct blunder.

muah ha ha ha ha.

so.. they even have a WEBSITE for awesome auto correct 'oopsies'

Enjoy.

I would be lying

if I said I wasn't completely obsessed with some of the photos I've been taking recently.



like this one.

obsessed.

Obsessed

I am obsessed with this photo.

I feel like it's 1924ish.

minus the vehicle in the back.

you know those old photos..

where the kids seem so grumpy.

I feel like.. it's 1924ish.

[why I picked that year.. I do not know]

I don't have a link to share - because this is my very own :)

I'm simply obsessed with it.



you can do it!

You really can.
whatever it is you want.
okay. there are certain things you probably can't do - or things you shouldn't do because you could land in jail ;)
but.
that thing.. you know. that thing you've always wanted to do - you can do it!
travel.
volunteer.
lose weight.
start a club.
finish your book.
finally get all of those photos off your computer into a scrapbook or album.
go on a mission trip.
feed the hungry.
change the world.

you can do it!

I have a strong faith in people.
if they set their mind to it - and truly try to accomplish it - they can.

here's some proof...
I graduated with a kid.
at the time.. he was a kid. now he's a man of course!
who weighed a lot.
and me - being a young, selfish little girl
just thought that he was built that way.. some people are just built big.
and.... I was wrong.
he set his mind to something. he was determined.. and he's changed.
see for yourself!

Enjoy!

100 Free Things

Digital Reflections had a post...

100 Free things to do with your kids this summer

there are some great ideas.

my favorite I think is...

5.  Visit a fire department.
((we will be visiting the Police Post later this week.. but that's a whole 'nother story))

... there are so many different great ideas.
some of them we already do...
some of them we'll be trying
and some - I know for certain - we won't go near.
learn bird calls? no thank you :)
but if you're interested...

Enjoy!

It's a stache!

muah ha ha ha ha.

These will be at my next 'party'

Enjoy.

Swagbucks

annd we're swaggin. we've got swag.

or at least I do - do you??

so-
if you sign up, you'll win me points too.

and if you get others to sign up - they'll win you points too

err.. 'bucks'

this is their FAQ page but I think it's easier just to explain it.

you sign up - using THIS LINK! - http://www.swagbucks.com/refer/clearlystated

once you sign up - you set swagbucks as your home page.
then - search like you do normally through google - OR if you have a facebook "tab" on the top of your toolbar (who doesn't. I mean seriously. tabs are almost the greatest thing since nutella)
instead of using those tabs - type it in to "search" for it - and then click on the link it brings up.

I won't lie - it's not the best for detailed searches " how to get my toddler to brush her teeth EVERY night" - "how to sell my house" "I have an itch I can't scratch!!?"

no. google works best for those. BUTTTT.. if you don't find what you are looking for via swagbucks - search for google - click on google and then go from there.

easy peasy. lemon squeezy

So! what do these bucks go towards? neat things that you can 'buy' with them - the coolest, I think - are $5.00 amazon gift cards. they're 450 swagbucks (which sound like a lot - but really, it adds up) and you can stack them together - so if you won enough for 3 of these in one month - that's $15 to use at amazon.com - and you can use them on shipping too!!

I just think it's so neat. and if you're really into it - not just using it because I'm asking begging you to - you can follow them on facebook to see what other people are winning on.

& each day you can take their daily poll for 1 swagbuck. click on "trusted survey's" for 1 swagbuck and do their NOSO offers for 1 swagbuck. you get what you put in - so you don't have to sign up for all of those offers that clog your email.

but. just in case - you don't want to use your REAL email - sign up with a faker one. I have soo many email addresses. the one I usually use for stuff like this is fakeemail@gmail.com (for example) so my regular email doesn't get clogged up.

SWAGBUCKS does NOT clog up your email though. so don't worry. it's if you decide to sign up for the additional offers. ( you - don't - have - to !) just searching is good enough.

so! that's my speal for now. it's neat. do it. and love it. :) simple as that.

look.. in case you don't believe me - this is MY account..

 

each one of those lines says $5 Amazon.com e-Gift Card.. add them up - AND I have another page of those too. It's real - it works. I've ordered a pair of volleyball shoes and a few books from Amazon.com and right now I have $130 sitting in my amazon.com account.  for searching normally. true.story.

enjoy.

Thank You Lord, for life.

This has been a favorite of mine for a long time. <3 Appreciate the things we have. Don't dwell on what could be.. what could have been... live in what we have now!

Even though I clutch my blanket and growl when the alarm rings. Thank you, Lord, that I can hear.. There are many who are deaf.

Even though I keep my eyes closed against the morning light as long as possible. Thank you, Lord , that I can see. Many are blind.
...
Even though I huddle in my bed and put off rising.. Thank you, Lord, that I have the strength to rise.. There are many who are bedridden.

Even though the first hour of my day is hectic, when socks are lost, toast is burned, tempers are short, and my children are so loud.

Thank you, Lord, for my family. There are many who are lonely.

Even though our breakfast table never looks like the picture in magazines and the menu is at times unbalanced.

Thank you, Lord, for the food we have. There are many who are hungry.

Even though the routine of my job often is monotonous. Thank you, Lord, for the opportunity to work. There are many who have no job.

Even though I grumble and bemoan my fate from day to day and wish my circumstances were not so modest.

Thank you, Lord, for life.

Doodle 4 Google

I LOVE Google.
I've been googling before google was uber popular.
If ever I have a question - I google it. and eventually find my answer...

Every now and then Google has a neat thang going on...
right now.. it's Doodle 4 Google.

They had K-12 students from around the US draw an image of GOOGLE - using the catch phrase.. "What I'd like to do someday..." and then their illustration describes what they want to do.

It's really neat.
Exciting to see how much potential there is.
Exciting to see how much energy and positivity there is.
Exciting to see how much love and selflessness there is.

To read all about it.. or vote (until May 13th) ...

Enjoy.

Little Bit Funky

annddd here's another one.
a site I just *have* to share.

the link I'm sending you to has a REALLY neat idea for Mother's Day.

I'm pretty sure I'll do this Grandparent's day. it's just.so.neat!

She traced the hands of her wee ones and turned them into flowers...

I must admit - I'm one of those people who have books upon books of 'Crafting with Kids' '101 Crafts for a rainy day'.. and so on and so forth..
but.. lately - my inspiration has been coming from other bloggers - and.. magazines <3.

If you want to try out the flower idea..

Enjoy.

Coloring Eggs - Whisk style.

We LOVE coloring eggs for Easter.

Who doesn't?

crayons. markers. dye. stickers. fun!

Last year I found online ..somewhere (please forgive me for not sending you a link.. I don't remember where it was!) the idea to use a WHISK for coloring eggs with kids.

duh.

why didn't I think of that?

here are some photos from our first adventure...

counting to 30...

almost done...

sooo excited...

&..

here are some photos from this year :)

:)

she was just.so.adorable. <3

&..if you feel like getting your craft on & you totally just 'heart' new ideas..

here's a link for decorating Easter Eggs.

Enjoy.



House Party

Have you heard of House Party?

here's the blurb from their website..
A House Party^™ is thousands of parties across the country, hosted by people like you. Each event is sponsored by a leading brand and focuses on something cool that the sponsor wants its best fans to experience firsthand and share with their friends.

What THAT means... is that companies have regular people [like me and you] try out their products for free by hosting a party!

I' was picked last year to host a Huggie's Potty Time party. They sent me tons of coupons - DVD's for potty training - a fun 'potty time dance' game and other random fun items. I had a few friends over and we enjoyed the coupons/games.

How do you get picked for a party? you ask.

You apply for the parties you're interested in - and if you're lucky - they pick you.

Then what?

You try out the products. Snap some photos. & review the products to the site.

It's really quite neat.

Here are the current events...
Enjoy.

Story People

I LOVE Story People.
so much that I capitalized LOVE.
and made it italic bold.

There's no real science behind it.
either you get it..
or you don't.

some people get it.
some don't.

easy as that.

Each time I read one that hits close to the heart I end up thinking of a photo.
or a specific moment in my life.
or..
sometimes something will happen that will make me think of one of those quotes.

here's an example.

'The first time her laughter unfurled its wings in the wind, we knew that the world would never be the same.' Her Laughter, SP

'sigh'
then the appropriate thing to do would be sigh. and smile. and think of the exact moment this photo was taken. the exact feeling I was having.
.
So. if you see me rambling random sayings all over my blog followed by "SP" it's probably from Story People.

enjoy.

cupcakes/cakes

'sigh'
cupcakes.
who doesn't love a good cupcake?
I mean honestly.
the possibilities are endless.
along those lines.
cakes.
yum.

& as if it isn't bad enough - the cupcake/cake obsession going around.
there are shows like
cupcake wars
DC Cupcakes
Ace of Cakes
Cake Boss

just to name a few.
it's not like I obsessively watch these shows or anything. ;)

Anywho. my point in this post - is that often I come across sites/shows/ideas that I just HAVE to share.
this site
is one.

Miss Mamie's Cupcakes

I can honestly say that I haven't had one of her beautiful cupcakes. OR amazing cakes. but - I've enjoyed following her on facebook and stalking her blog. or stalking blog posts about her cakes.
really I know. I sound so stalkerish. but really - her work is amazing! I wouldn't be sending you to her site if I didn't think it was worth while.
She's also from my hometown.
which makes it even cooler because I can say that I kind of sort of know her.
right?
long story short. here's one of those places I'd be selfish not to share :)

enjoy.

Eggs

If you're friends with me on Facebook ..

remember my really cool egg?

the one.

below..

[black and white]

Here's a better look at if

after the *Easter Egg Roll

and it cracked.

I got this amazing idea from...

her.

Here's the direct link for the eggs.

amazing.

awesome.

and so. so cool :)

*The 'Easter Egg Roll' is a tradition of my in-laws. Each year they decorate Eggs and have a competition rolling eggs (bracket style) to see who can be the last egg standing rolling. We chip in $5 per egg and the winner gets the cash. Even though my egg was beautiful - it wasn't very strong!

Apparently

Netflix.

has a blog.

I told you - there is a blog for everything.

oooh la la

I go through 'obsessions'. certain things I think I need.

things I MUST have.

2fer [aka 2-Fer] dresses.

obsessed.

I absolutely love the one above. But. Maurices doesn't have it in my size. [sad face]

I own one. But each time I go shopping - these are what I'm looking for.

I especially love these when the top and bottom have different colors.

Or patterns on the top with a solid bottom.

the one above even has pockets!

'sigh'

Of course you could always pair a high waisted skirt with a fun blouse

and have the same almost same look.

I couldn't find an amazing photo of the outfit I really. really want.

so here's an 'ok' photo of it.

The one in the middle.

I kid you not.

every single time that commercial comes on for the movie

I say I want that dress.

It's even to the point - that when my daughter [ A ] hears the song.. she asks " Is that the dress you want?? "

I just. love it.

The belt. the cover. the colors. all of it.

obsessed.

Mod Podge

Honestly - I've never used Mod Podge before.
but.
I've read a lot about it.
If you can imagine - there's even a blog dedicated to it.
(because duh, there's a blog dedicated to everything)

Mod Modge Rocks <-click that link to go to her site.

I 'follow' this blog - and check it out occasionally. She really has some neat ideas! She must if she has 4870 followers on blogger and 10,460 'likes' on facebook. true story.

PS. I'll be doing a lot of 'sharing' of sites I think are neat. Hopefully - I'll be able to post some of my crafts - recipes or ideas.
eventually.
when I have time to do them ;)
eventually.

Couponing

TLC.

Who doesn't love TLC.

Extreme Couponing has been making people realize how much money they can potentially save.

I wouldn't call myself an Extreme Couponer? [if that's even a word] by any means. I clip - I've used probably... 20 total. [grocery coupons.. not AE 20% off coupons..for example]

But. Thank you to this show - I've started researching.

What better way to learn about the possibilities than other bloggers??

So.  I found this blog - that was really quite educational.

She explains what.how.when.where - the details!

she also lists links for printable coupons.

I've used printable ones before. usually from Swagbucks - Swagbucks. 'sigh' that's a whole 'nother blogpost on it's own.

I've also used P&G (Proctor & Gamble) coupons that come in my local newspaper. Like I said - I've probably only used 20 total but when I did - I sure felt great. My very first time I saved $3.50! That doesn't sound like a lot - but it sure does add up.

& I'm a gambler. so that's 3 plays for the MegaMillions :) just by clipping coupons.

Now for me - what I've learned - an important thing to remember when using coupons is ...

You don't have to buy something just because you have a coupon for it!!

I would see... 'hey! I have a coupon for $5.00 off a swiffer wet jet starter pack!!' and my first instinct is to buy it - because duh - I'm saving $5.00!! but.. do I really need that? no. not really. no.

Happy Couponing!



gimme.

So.

I'm here.

You're here.

I want to share!

Who doesn't love FREE stuff.

If you don't you should probably stop reading this.

Because I'm aaallll about those freebies.

These are sites that I like to check every now and then for free items.

giveaways. samples. coupons. 'the goods'.

[[ I debated on sending you to their FB profiles or their actual websites... I went with websites because I figured if you liked it there.. you could 'like' it on FB ]]

Sweeties Freebies

This Frugal Life

Freebies 4 Mom

Reviews From the Nuthouse

Sugar Pop Ribbons Reviews & Giveaways

These are just a few- there are TONS more.

I also pay attention to the local radio stations websites and facebook pages.

annndddd there are even local businesses that have giveaways going on.

free.stuff.

'sigh'

I also have many sites that I love just for ideas they share!

I'll share those on a later date.

or maybe keep them all to myself ;)

annndddd.....

here we go!

I'm starting another blog.

Because if something is so wonderful - why not have two?

Actually - I want to keep things separate.

My personal life. My ramblings. My.. me.

&

Items I want to share! (here)

Honest to Blog is a place for me to vent - to get my thoughts on paper screen.

My Own Little World

is a place to share things from my little world - with you.

sites. recipes. kids crafts. ideas. adventures.

but not my negative ramblings when I need to complain

head on over to Honest to Blog for those :)

So.. here we go.