My Memories Suite Giveaway Winner

And the winner is...Priscilla Benavides! You will be receiving an email from me shortly with your download code in it, and instructions.
Congratulations! Remember to send your friends to follow through Google Friend Connect, so we can do even more giveaways!

My Memories Suite GIVEAWAY! Wooo Hoo!

Enter the giveaway below!
One reader will win, one FREE copy of My Memories Suite, Digital Scrapbooking Software! Yay!

My Memories Suite-Review

So today, I am writing to tell you all about my experience with My Memories Suite digital scrapbook software.

 I took about 1/2 hour, making a little ad for my boutique, Crib Couture, and that's only because there were so many options, I couldn't make up my mind!  There are so many beautifully done pages and layouts that you can choose from and you can also add more for FREE! 

I decided to pick one of the already finished layouts and then all I had to do was point and click to add my photos, and text.
Here is what I came up with once I decided what I wanted to do, lol;

There are several things I love about this product: 

1-It's easy to use, basically point and click!

2-There are tons of templates that are already designed for us busy moms!

3-Should you wish for another design-there are tons available for free download or little cost!

4-I feel that it's well thought out and a definite value for the price-$39.99. But if you use the ad to the right, you save $10 and that makes it ONLY $29.99 and an even BETTER value!

The only drawback I see to this product, if if you are indecisive like me! lol I had such a hard time choosing one of the beautiful designs to play with!

If you are a busy woman, and yes, I KNOW that you have to be a busy woman, as those two words clearly go hand in hand, you simply must try this software. It really is so simple to use.

I don't know about you, but I have thousands of pictures from my phone and digital camera on my computer that I plan on scrapbooking one day.  Well, let's make today that one day! It is so simple to organize your photos into albums, and use the already created layouts to insert your photos and VOILA! Your very own, scrapbook, done in a matter of minutes!

Please ensure to check out the ad to the right. When you use the code I've pasted there, My Memories has generously agreed to give you $10 off the program! 

Happy Scrapping!

J

New Giveaway Coming Soon.....

Hi everyone! Hope your Halloween was awesome! So, just like I said before, the more followers I have, the bigger chance of having awesome things to give away!  I need you to refer ALL your friends to this blog, please. I am currently in talks with My Memories, who is wanting to sponsor a giveaway of their scrapbook software here on MY blog! Yay!

So refer all your friends and family and tell them to be a Google Friend Connect follower. PLEASE.  This is only the beginning of what I'd like to be able to do for you all!

J

31 Gifts Newest Consultant

Hey everyone! I have taken the opportunity to join up with 31 gifts and wanted to share their awesome deals with you;

20+ Fan Giveaway Winner

Congrats to Betty CD! You are the winner of the book. Contact me within 24 hours to claim your prize.
Cribcoutureatyahoodotcom. :)

20+ Fan Giveaway!!!

Alright everyone! Now, it's time for the giveaway! As I said before, this is something that has helped me save $100's on my grocery bill and here it is:

Pick Another Checkout Lane, Honey: Save Big Money & Make the Grocery Aisle your Catwalk!

One lucky person will win their own copy of this book!
Mandatory Entry: All you have to do is comment below with why you'd like to win. Please note you must be a follower through Google Friend Connect for your entry to count.    Name will be drawn by random.org  Thursday Morning Alaska Time.

Additional Entry: Click the +1 logo at the bottom of this post!

Good luck to you all! Remember, the more followers I have, the better chance of more giveaways. Tell your friends to subscribe through Google Friend Connect!

J

Ideas Galore!

Wow, I have got to thank my friend Nickie for introducing me to the world of Pinterest. If you haven't checked it out it's www.pinterest.com and it's awesome! lol The only issue now is that I have too many ideas I want to do!
Here is one that I am currently working on;

This practical gem of an idea comes from the blog; http://decorganizecrafts.blogspot.com  Great ideas abound on this blog! Check em out and let em know I sent you!

And my next work of art, has to do with these vintage block pics I found over at rook 17. These, stain, wood and mod podge-glossy and I am gonna have quite the ....  pics to come. Stay tuned, folks!
Oh and please, PLEASE do not forget the giveaway! Only 20 fans and you too can save $100's on your groceries!

Anchorage Area Commissary Map

Here is the link to the floor plan of the Commissary. http://www.commissaries.com/stores/html/store.cfm?dodaac=HQCWGD&page=floor&sort=a
Very helpful in making your store list.

Step 2: Shop Well

Start Slowly:
If you're not sure your family will enjoy an item, buy just one at first.

Be Healthy:
Keep an eye on the nutrition information on the items you stockpile. Sure, those 28 boxes of Rice Krispie Treats are a good buy, but they are not good for your teeth or your waistline! Focus your efforts more on whole grain pasta and canned tomatoes and lean meat.

Being A Buddy:
Consider shopping with a friend, esp. by sharing a warehouse club membership. You'll have access to the same great deals and not have to buy more than you'll actually use.

FREE Printable Pantry List

So, the first thing you need to do, before you have any big ideas about stock piles, and $0 grocery trips, is go through your pantry and organize it. Yes, I know. However, it is the most important step in seeing what you need, and also ensuring you stockpile the correct items, so that no matter what time you get home, or how busy you are, you can throw together a simple and delicious meal. And do you know what that means? Those quick trips to Mickey D's and all, are out the window, thereby saving your waistline and your wallet! You're welcome! :)

Here is the link: http://frugalliving.about.com/library/pdfs/StockpileList.pdf
Print it out, put it inside the pantry in a page protector, and using your handy dandy dry erase marker, mark off what you have!

Happy Organizing!
J

FREE Printable Grocery List-by aisle

Alright, so here is a list similar to the one I use. http://www.freeprintablegrocerylist.com/preview/Aisle_By_Aisle_Grocery_List

This saves time, and helps you find your coupons faster. You can print it out, put it in a plastic page protector, use a dry erase marker and VOILA! You have saved tons of trees, a bunch of ink, and made the Earth a better place. :) This also makes it easier to clip into the front of your coupon binder!

The best place for this list when it's not in your binder??? The FRIDGE! Where does everyone in the house go at least once a day? Yup! The fridge! My boys know if they want something/need something it had better be on the list or they are not getting it. You can get a little magnetized dry erase marker and keep it right there, thereby making it convienient for those kiddos-even your larger, more spoiled kiddo. ;0)

Hope this helps! Happy Shopping!
J

$ave More at the Grocery $tore

Save More at the Grocery Store

Step 1: Develop a Weekly Plan

Get Organized:

List the foods that you eat most often and focus on items that will keep such as butter and meat. Both are freezable.

Scope Out Sales:

Start with the grocery ads, then head online. If an item is 50% off or more, get a 3 month supply, then you’ll be good till the next sale!

Create a Menu:

Plan a weekly menu around the sales and your pantry items. Be realistic. If you will be busy one day, eat leftovers or cook something simple. If you need to unthaw something the day before, do it! Knowing what you need at the store lessens impulse buys. Knowing you can pull together an easy meal lessens eating out. This may just lessen your waistline in the process!

Take Note:

Get the following items:

A whiteboard: On it, write down your inventory. This lets you know what you need, because as you run out you can add it to your list.

A binder: Store and organize your coupons here. Shopping without coupons is just plain silly. Why throw your money at the cashier? Save it, save it, save it!

Never Assume Things...lol

Well, I had thought my 10 yr old would not be interested in making the Fall Thumbprint Canvas. Turns out I was wrong. Hate it when that happens. So, like any good mommy, I ran out , got another canvas and here is his take on it:

Simple Fall Thumbprint Canvas

So, as a busy mom, I am always looking for a fun yet simple craft to do with my kiddos. Here ya go:

Materials:

Canvas-Michael’s almost always has these for 40-50% off

Paint in assorted colors

Children’s thumbs and fingers-preferably attached to their hands

Tacky or Hot glue

Stick/Branch

Glue the stick/branch to the canvas. Let it dry. Mix your colors of paint or squirt them out if you already have the proper colors. * Helpful Tip: Use a muffin tin to contain the mess! * Then let/help little fingers and thumbs press till their hearts delight.

 Voila! A beautiful one-of-a-kind canvas for your home!

As With All Best Laid Plans....

Life took over, lol. I had big ideas to keep up with this blog daily. I was gonna be the next reigning Queen of Blogging. Then... my son broke his ankle, not once, but twice! So countless visits to the ER and Ortho later, he is on his way to mending. Then...Everyone got this weird flu bug, so I spent my time cleaning up throw up and snot and etc . Then...my foster daughter finally got more visits with the speech therapist, so I had all that to do, and then...two large school projects to help my kiddos with, and then...well you get the idea. lol I HAVE to Laugh Out Loud! So, it is now my new goal to keep up with this blog once a week. THAT sounds manageable. And at the moment, manageable sounds very nice!

Have a Great Day!

J

Wonderful Saturday

Well it's a rainy, gloomy day but it's Saturday-so hooray! Today's projects are custom overalls, and a table runner for Fall. I think the upstairs will be with a black and white theme. I really like the whole look of it all. Similar to the picture above. So, what's in your plans for today?

Printable Bird House Project

I followed the instructions found here: http://www.frugalfamilyfunblog.com/2011/01/printable-bird-house-play-set.html. Check it out for yourself, and post your pics here for all to see! Come on crafty mamas, surprise me with your craftiness! :)

How to Make a Paper Leaf

I don't know about you, but I love FREE things. I also love to take something seeminly obsolete and make something useful. So here it goes, my first tut. Enjoy!

Step 1: Start with an old book-this one was left by the previous homeowners. :)

 Step 2: Google Leaf Template and print out the one that you like. Or hand draw it, but if you do that and it looks amazing, we can no longer be friends. Seriously.

 Step 3: Upcycle your Mr. Clean Magic Eraser box, and glue the template onto it for stability.

 Step 4: Cut it out and place onto the dictionary pages to trace around.

 Step 5: Here are your traced leaves.

 Step 6: Cut those out. I used several pages at once so I could make less cuts.

 Step 7: Lay floral wire onto the leaf, making the "veins"

 Photo of floral wire, in case you didn't know what I was talking about.

 Glue one leaf on top of the other leaf with the wire on it. Making a leaf sandwich.

 Ta to the da!

Stay tuned for projects you can make using these amazing-yes amazing leaves!

Welcome to My Blog!

There are lots of ideas running around in my head, most of which I will share here with you. I love to share my craziness, even if my ideas don't always work. I design children's clothes and accessories, paint, draw, and make all sorts of crafty messes! Hope you will enjoy what you see here and will pass the word on!