June Silhouette Promotion~

Happy Tuesday everybody. 

Today is the beginning of June's Silhouette Promotion!  And what is this month's promo, you ask?  This month's promo is pure fun and silliness...temporary tattoos!! 

My kids just love the fact that I can make temporary tattoos for them!  The first time I tried the temporary tattoo paper was for the Princess' spa birthday party back in February when I created these cute "spa girl" tattoos for all her guests.

When I received  my fresh batch of temporary tattoo paper for this promotion, I made some good old-fashioned skull and crossbones tattoos for the boys...they just love pirates!

The temporary tattoos are so easy to make, and put on!  The boys are begging for more!

Here's what Silhouette is offering for this month's promo...

1 Silhouette SD and
2 Packages Temporary Tattoo paper

for only $199 (That's $120 in savings!)

And if you already have a Silhouette machine, they are offering 25% off all other products in the Silhouette Shop (with the exception of gift cards and download codes.)

As always just use the code "SHABBY" at checkout to get your discount!

The promo runs from today through June 29!

Sponsor Giveaway: Pick Your Plum~

Happy Monday!  Today I have a fabulous giveaway from one of my sponsors...Pick Your Plum!  Have you heard of Pick Your Plum? 

They're a shopping site with a twist.  Pick Your Plum offers all kinds of great stuff including crafting and home decor supplies at amazing prizes.  But there's a catch...you have to get the deal before it's gone!

For example, check out these fabulous rings...$4.  No seriously.  As of this writing, there are only 302 remaining.  That's how it works.  It's fast, furious and fun!

 

Today Pick Your Plum has a great giveaway for you!  They are offering one reader of The Shabby Nest a $75 crafting supply kit!

To enter, just leave a comment on this post.

For additional entries, sign up to receive email notifications from Pick Your Plum (that's the best way to get in on all the great deals!)   or "Like" Pick Your Plum on Facebook.   Each entry must have its own comment to be valid.

Giveaway is open until Wednesday, June 22 at 11:59 MST.

Good luck!

May's Silhouette Deal~

This is the week for the May Silhouette promotion.  And I hate to admit it but, my uber-fabulous, amazing project that I was going to share with you, has yet to be created. (ahem.)   But for anyone that is interested I don't want you to miss out on this month's great deal...

So here's the Silhouette Promo for May...

• A Silhouette SD cutter
• 3 Rolls of heat transfer material
• All for only $219

That's a saving of over $125!!

Simply go to this link to purchase, and use the code "SHABBY" at checkout for your discount.

If you already have a Silhouette, you can still receive 25% off all heat transfer material!

And just for a little example of what you can make with heat transfer fabric, a few  months back, I made these darling shirts for my kiddos using Silhouette's White Flocked Heat Transfer fabric.  They're so fun! 

May's Promotion runs from Now thru May 25th!

Happy Crafting~

Sponsor Giveaway: Simplee Vinyl~

Hello out there in blogland!  Rainy day here. That could put me in a bad mood...but not today.  It's a great day for a giveaway from one of my fabulous sponsors...Simplee Vinyl!

Simplee Vinyl is an etsy store with a fun selection of vinyl decals!

 Love these Dr. Seuss Trees!  Wouldn't they be cute in a child's bedroom or a playroom!

This dress form caught my eye as well!

 Love these whimsical little owls!!

 And this princess saying just cracked me up!

I adored this personalized rocket as well.  Perfect if you have an outer space lover!

Today, Simplee Vinyl is offering one reader of the Shabby Nest a $25 gift certificate to use on anything in her shop.  You know the drill.  To be entered, just leave a comment on this post. 

 If you Tweet, Facebook or blog this giveaway you can get an extra entry for each, but you must leave a comment for each in order for the entry to be counted.

This giveway will be open until Wednesday, May 11, 11:59 MST.

And if you're too impatient to wait, or if you're not the lucky winner, Simplee Vinyl is offering readers of the Shabby Nest 25% off anything in her shop.  Just use the code SHABBYSAVERS at checkout.

Good luck!!! And have a lovely Monday!

Picaboo Photo Books: A Giveaway~

Thanks to Picaboo for sponsoring this post. To learn more about Picaboo photo books, cards, calendars and other printed products visit http://www.picaboo.com/?siteID=B_SN. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.


Good morning, all! Do you remember a couple of weeks ago when I was talking about how I was creating a photo book using Picaboo so that I could attempt to catch up on documenting the million and one digital photos sitting on my hard drive?

Welllllll....my Picaboo book arrived over the weekend and I am in love! And so are the kiddos. The minute they saw that thing they greedily snatched it up and devoured every page of it. I find that my kids love looking through their scrapbooks and photo books more than just about any other book we have.

The finished copy of my book


I chose to make a 12x12 book, and I love the bigger pages. The photos are beautiful...the color is vibrant and the images are crisp. I also love the heavy weight pages (1oo lb. archival quality!) and the fact that it is hardbound. Now I'm thinking I better order one for every kiddo in this house...and probably for both sets of grandparents as well.

On these pages I chose just to use photos and one title.

Picaboo also gives you the option of journaling, which I used on this page about the Hubby's accident.


And today, you're in luck because the good people at Picaboo are offering one reader of the Shabby Nest a $50 gift certificate to use on their site. Good toward your own photo book or any of the other products they have to offer!

You know the drill, simply leave me a comment on this post telling me why you need this giftcard!

You may Tweet, Facebook or blog about this giveaway for extra entries, but you must leave an additional comment for each thing that you do in order for the entry to be valid.

Giveaway open until Wednesday, May 4, 2011 at 11:59 PM MST.


This is a sponsored post, but the opinions I've expressed here are solely my own and represent my honest viewpoint.

Picaboo Photo Books: Helping Me Catch Up

Thanks to Picaboo for sponsoring this post. To learn more about Picaboo photo books, cards, calendars and other printed products visit http://www.picaboo.com/?siteID=B_SN. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.


I used to be a big scrapbooker. Of course, that was before the days of digital photography. My two oldest kids have great scrapbooks of their baby years. By the time kiddo number 3 made his debut, film was beginning to disappear and digital cameras were gaining popularity. His scrapbook only goes up to his 1st birthday.

By the time my 4th kiddo was born, all our photos were being uploaded right to the computer. That's when I quit scrapbooking. I didn't have photos sitting around making me feel guilty if I didn't put them in a book. They were on my computer. Out of sight, out of mind.

I tried my hand at making a digital scrapbook, and succeeded at getting a small one done for my last baby. Lately, however, I've noticed how many photos I have sitting on my hard drive. I've started feeling a need to get them in hard copies. I want to put them in books just like all the hard copies I used to have sitting around.

When I was approached with the idea of trying Picaboo, I was so excited! I mean look at those faces!! How could I not put them in a scrapbook? And a digital photo book was the perfect solution. So I decided to create a family photobook for 2010. The whole year. And you know what? It was easier than I thought it would be.

Using Picaboo was very simple. I signed up for an account and downloaded the program right to my computer.

Uploading photos was a breeze as well. The program uploads photos very quickly, then you can check which ones you want to use in the book. I made it easy for myself by putting all the photos I wanted to use in my book in a single folder on my computer. Then I just checked all of them and uploaded them at once. A much faster process than I expected.

The program gives you the option of letting it auto fill a book, or allowing you to create one from scratch. I chose the "from scratch" option. It was easy thanks to the user-friendly program. I could choose the page layout, color, text and everything. So easy.

I finished my entire book in less than 2 hours. (Much faster than I ever scrapbooked, that's for sure.)

Here's a screenshot of the program with my finished book sitting on its virtual "shelf". I'm so excited to get my finished copy!!

Overall, I was really impressed with Picaboo. It was easy to use and their product selection is great. If you'd like to try Picaboo out for yourself, here is a link to their current special offers which include up to 40% off any classic book style, and 15% off on card orders of $20 or more.

This is a sponsored post, but the opinions I've expressed here are solely my own and represent my honest viewpoint.

Rhinestones~

Hey out there in blogland!

This month, the good people at Silhouette sent me their rhinestone starter kit to try out. I must admit, I wasn't so sure about how it would work out...but let me tell you...after making the shirt I'm about to show you for the Princess, I was hooked. No really. I've got some other fun ideas cooking in this little old brain of mine now.

So without further ado, I present the Princess' blingy pennant tee shirt. How cute is that?

And seriously, by simply following the directions included with the kit, I made the whole thing in just about 20 minutes.

The Silhouette cuts a rhinestone template for you, then you just use the included brush and this amazing little tool called the Pick Me Up to position the rhinestones.





(seriously...if you are a paper crafter or use little crafting doodads like rhinestones...this tool is A.MAZ.ING. Love it!! It uses this sticky gum that reminds me of that adhesive stuff you can use on walls to help you pick up tiny little whatzits.)

After that you use the sticky rhinestone transfer paper - so well photographed below - to lift the rhinestones from the template and place them on whatever you want to transfer them to. It doesn't have to be fabric either...you can use them on paper if you want.

Iron them on and VOILA!

Love it!

If you'd like to try the rhinestones yourself, here is the fabulous deal Silhouette is running this month. A perfect Mother's Gift, might I add.

This Rhinestone Bundle includes:

The Silhouette SD
2 sheets of rhinestone template material
2 sheets of rhinestone transfer tape
2 rhinestone backing boards
1 rhinestone placement brush
1 CD of rhinestone images
1 pack of clear 10ss rhinestones
1 pack of clear 16ss rhinestones
1 pack of clear 20ss rhinestones
1 pack of pink 10ss rhinestones
and
1 Pick-Me-Up tool
ALL FOR $229!

This is an incredible deal worth $125 in savings!

Click here to purchase, then click on the special bundle icon and use the code "SHABBY" to receive your discount.

If you already have a Silhouette Machine and want to try the rhinestones, Silhouette is offering 30% off all things rhinestone! You don't need a special code to receive this discount.

Happy Crafting!!

Frugal Friday goes live tonight at 10:00 pm EST as usual...See you there!!

Sponsor Giveaway - AboutOne~

Good Monday morning everyone! Today I'm going to share another one of my fabulous sponsors with you. If you want to get organized, this giveaway is for you.

AboutOne is a NEW and SECURE online family management system that simplifies daily life by providing ONE location to store and manage household information, including:

Health Records - Education Records - Home Records - Vehicle Records -

Address Book - Family Memories

The great thing is that you can access AboutOne from anywhere as long as you have a web-enable device. But even though your access is easy, others can't get to your information because it is stored at bank-level security. Also, there is no need to enter history into your account. Just start where you are, and help to get yourself more prepared for the future.

But don't think of AboutOne as just an online filing cabinet. It can do much more than that. With AboutOne you can create family newsletters, digital scrapbooks and hard copy memory books.

You can create paper greeting cards and invitations that mail themselves!

Other great time-savers include education reports for college applications, health summaries, babysitter instructions, and home improvement reports for tax reporting.

So are you ready to get organized??

Because experiencing AboutOne is the only way to really appreciate it, this giveaway is going to run a little bit differently that usual.

First of all, AboutOne is offering 5 lucky readers fo the Shabby Nest free yearly subscriptions ($30 values).

For your chance to win 1 of the 5 free subscriptions:

1. Visit AboutOne’s site and sign up for their FREE TRIAL PASSPORT and you will get access to all of the features AboutOne offers. This is an absolutely FREE trial, no credit card is required for this, just your name and an email address.

2. Then come back to this post and leave a comment that you signed up.

3. For extra entries you can like AboutOne on Facebook or follow AboutOne on Twitter.

4. Finally if you Tweet or Facebook about this giveaway with a link back to this post you get an additional entry for each.

Please note that for additional entries to be counted they must each have their own comment.

And since AboutOne is so sure you'll love their service once you've had a chance to try the free trial, they are offering a special 25% discount code to all entrants of this giveaway if they decide to sign up after their free trial is over.

This giveaway will be open until Wednesday April 20 at 11:59 MST.

Good Luck!

Polka Dot Bungalow- A Great Day for a Giveaway~

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSEDGood Morning Out There in Blogland! Today is the first day of spring break for us...of course, it doesn't look so much like spring with the 4 inches of snow that fell on us yesterday. Boo. But, I'm happy anyway because I have something fun to share with you all today! My newest sponsor: Polka Dot Bungalow!!

Polka Dot Bungalow is a fabulous etsy store that features darling ruffled camera straps. Love them!! Such bright, fun colors...you'll want to wear one even without a camera attached to it. Ha! Pop over and visit Polka Dot Bungalow to check out all the great camera straps available. I guarantee you'll be adding one of them to your wish list.

And you're in luck because today, Polka Dot Bungalow is offering one reader of the Shabby Nest their own pretty camera strap!

You know the drill.

Just leave a comment on this post for one entry. If you tweet, facebook or blog about this giveaway you get an extra entry for each, but you must leave an additional comment for each thing you do in order for the entry to count. Easy Peasy. Drawing open until Wednesday April 6th at 11:59 PM EST.

Good luck!

Great Day for a Giveaway ~

Happy Wednesday everybody!!!

Today I'd like to introduce you to one of my newest sponsors... Say It On The Wall vinyl wall words (and more!)

Say It on the Wall is an online shop specializing is just about any sort of vinyl decor you could possibly want! I really enjoyed exploring the site and looking at all the fun products...and ways to use them!

Laura, the lovely owner of Say It on the Wall sent me my very own vinyl saying to try out. so I chose this definition!

No sooner had I placed my order than I turned around and it was already on my doorstep. Okay, not really. But it did come super fast. And it's sooooo cute.

It's destined for a project for my home office/ mom cave...but it isn't quite ready to post yet..so you're going to have to wait. (ha! What a meanie, huh?)

The shop has so many fun sayings etc. that I had a very difficult time narrowing it down to just a few to show you.

We need this "shut the door" sign at my house!

It's too bad the Hubby is not a fisherman, because I think this one is funny!




I love the idea of putting phrases on tile...so cute.







Check out this vinyl clock face. What a great idea for a DIY clock.

Today, Laura has generously offered to give one reader of The Shabby Nest a $30 gift certificate to use at the Say It on the Wall shop!!!

Not only that, but for any orders placed throughout the duration of this giveaway Laura has generously offered a 40% discount on YOUR ENTIRE ORDER. That's right...40% off. But hurry, the discount is only open until the giveaway ends. And that will be Friday, March 18th at 11:59 MST. Just use the code SHABBY40 at checkout.

For your chance to win become a fan of Say It on the Wall on Facebook. For additional entries follow the Say It on the Wall blog. Remember, you must leave me one comment for each entry for it to be counted.

Good luck!!

Making Time for Me

Thanks to Crystal Light for sponsoring this post. To learn more about how Crystal Light can flavor your day with 30 refreshing flavors, visit http://www.facebook.com/crystallight.

My happy kiddos

This morning I was awakened by a flying three-year-old who landed squarely on my stomach. He and his five-year-old brother were playing tag and had decided that my bed was the free zone. This, my dear readers, is my life as a mother of four. I have always wanted to be a mother. I love my children with a fierce devotion. And it took me a long time to figure out that I can love my children, do everything that I can for them, and still take time for me. In fact, taking a little time for me has become an important part of my mothering. Remember the old saying, "if Mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy"? That saying is full of wisdom.

I am a better mother if I don't neglect myself. But, here's where the hard part comes in. How, as a busy work-at-home mom do I find the time to take care of myself while still accomplishing everything else on my agenda? Well, I think I figured that part out. And it's pretty simple. I can't FIND the time. I have to MAKE the time.

There are two things that I need to do for myself on a daily basis that make me a happy Mommy. First, I need to take time to blog. It's a bit of an obsession for me, you see. (You all wouldn't know anything about that, would you?) And second, I need to exercise. My latest fitness infatuation is with a certain dance-inspired exercise class. I have a terrific hubby that doesn't mind if I go 4, count 'em 4, nights a week to the gym for that class. Never mind the fact that it doesn't start until 9 pm and all my kiddos are in bed. He still gives up seeing my charming face for an hour while I go work out. But he benefits, the kids benefit and I benefit from the fact that I get my endorphins going, I get in better shape, and I get happy!

So if there's nothing else you take away from this post, I hope you take away the fact that no matter how busy you are (and we're all busy) making time to take care of yourself will not only benefit you, but those you love as well.
--------------------


Remember, visit http://www.facebook.com/crystallight to learn more about how Crystal Light can flavor your day with 30 refreshing flavors. I was selected and paid for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.

Happy Monday: A Great Day for a Giveaway~

Happy President's Day everyone! I've got a fun giveaway for you today from one of my fabulous sponsors, Timeless Settings!

Timeless Settings is a fun online shop that is the perfect place to find unique home decor items at reasonable prices. They have a great selection of fun accents for your home and garden that are sure to appeal to you, my lovely readers!
I love this wooden box...it would make a great silverware caddy for a casual outdoor dinner. (Still wishing for warmer weather around here.)
This pretty green trellis-pattern tray is a fun way to brighten up your kitchen!

Ooh la la! I adore this french script table runner. What a pretty addition to any dining table!

If you love vintage as much as I do, you'll appreciate this chicken wire milk bottle caddy...complete with the bottles.

I also have a bit of an infatuation with mercury glass...so I love the selection of votive holders.

Or these pretty skeleton keys...what a lovely accent these would make!

Donna from Timeless Settings has generously offered to give one reader of The Shabby Nest a $50 gift certificate to use in her shop. And with such reasonable prices, $50 will get you a long way toward beautifying your home!

Here's the deal....

Hop over and check out Donna's shop, then leave me a comment telling me one or two of your favorite items. That's it.

If you tweet, facebook or blog about the giveaway, I'll give you an extra entry for each, but only if you leave me a comment for each. (I use Random.org to pick giveaway winners, so I need individual comments for each entry.)

The giveaway will be open until Friday at 11:59 pm MST.

Good luck!

Create the Look of Etched Glass the Easy Way~

A while back I found myself at one of my favorite home decor stores. (Shocking, isn't it?) While I was browsing around, and getting inspired, I happened upon a sweet mirror with an etched monogram. It was so pretty, I thought it would go perfectly in the Princess' room. I came thisclose to buying it. But I talked myself out of it because (1) the Princess already has a pretty mirror in her room and (2) I had an idea.

The Princess' mirror BEFORE

So over the weekend I pulled out some new Premium Vinyl that I received from Silhouette. This vinyl is fabulous stuff. It's frosted, and when placed on glass it has the look of etching.

So this is what I did.

I found a font that was similar (possibly even identical) to the font used on the one I saw at the store - one of the great things about Silhouettes is that they can access any font that you have on your computer. Then I cut out a large uppercase "E" which is the Princess' first initial.

After that all I did was apply that baby to her existing mirror and VOILA! the look of etched glass without the etching cream and fuss! I LOVE IT! And so does the Princess.

The Princess' mirror AFTER

And have I got a deal for you. The week of January 17-22 Silhouette is offering 2 fabulous promotions.



The first - and this one is great - is a machine deal. You can purchase a Silhouette machine for $225. And not only do you get the machine. You will also receive 2 rolls of Premium Vinyl, 1 roll of transfer paper, and a Home Decor CD. That's a $395 value for only $225.

If you already have a Silhouette machine, don't worry, they haven't forgotten you. They are also offering 25% off the purchase of Premium Vinyl.

In order to receive these great deals simply enter the code "SHABBY" at checkout.

So get yourself some frosted vinyl and try creating the look of etched glass the easy way!

The legal stuff: I am an affiliate for Silhouette. I was given premium vinyl to try free of charge.

xoxo
Wendy