{Thursday Thoughts} DIY Scratch Off Tickets

I was browsing on a site called IShareCrafts the other day when I came across this awesome tutorial on how to make your own scratch off tickets! You would not believe how easy it is! 

You can see the whole tutorial here on the blog Oh the Lovely Things. While you are there, browse around...her blog is great!

As much as I love the printable files she posted to download, I decided to do a little something for my shop with these. I took a piece of scrapbook paper and cut a small square of card stock for the scratch off part to put in the middle. I do not have access to a laminating machine and I am too lazy to get it laminated from a store so I used packing tape to cover the card stock square after I wrote on it and it came out just fine!

I usually mail a thank you card or note with my orders with a coupon code to use for their next purchase. I saw this and thought it would be a cute idea to include a scratch off containing a code for my customers to use on their next purchase. Here is how it came out...

This is what it looks like unscratched. I just used a color that matched my scrapbook paper instead of silver.

This is what it looks like after it is scratched. It was a little messy so for the ones I send out I will probably make them a little smaller since this one was pretty big!

 Doesn't it look awesome?! You know you want to try it! Hop on over to the tutorial and let me know if you try it and how it went. It would be nice to say hello to Clémence {the author of Oh the Lovely Things} and let her know what an awesome tutorial she posted! 

Happy crafting!

{Wordless Wednesday} Shoo!

The other day there was this bug on my windshield when I got to my car. It was kinda big so I just left it, figuring it would blow off? Nope. I drove all the way to the store and  it stayed on the whole way. It even crawled across a few steps. I parked and shopped for about an hour or so and when I got back to my car it was still there! I thought maybe it was dead? Nope. I drove back home and it was strolling along the windshield. Bug got a kick out of it. She kept screaming "Bug mommy, look! Shoo bug!" It was funny. It was gone when I went to my car later on that night, but it kept us company for a while!

{Toddler Tuesdays} Box Play

Here's an activity that takes a mind of it's own depending on your child. Put out some boxes and just see what happens. I did this when Bug's big brothers were over and they played for an hour with these four boxes! They were so entertained!

{Little} Big Brother hid in a box and had Bug find him.

{Little} Big Brother helped Bug stack the top of their box tower while {Big} Big Brother hid in the bottom box.

Surprise!

It was so much fun watching them play! If you save your boxes you can even tape them back shut and use them as mega box blocks! You could also make houses. Use your imagination and let your child lead the way. Ask them how else you could play with the boxes. 

What do your children do with empty boxes for play?

{Mmm, Mmm, Mondays} Gluten-Free Ham & Mushroom Pizza with Adrienne from One + One = Four

Today I am happy to introduce Adrienne from One + One = Four. I have been following her lovely blog for quite some time now and love reading about her Little Rocker since he is around the same age as Bug. They seem to be doing the same sorts of things at the same ages. I'm happy to know another mommy who is going through a lot of the same things as I am with Bug! Every Monday she has a new recipe for her Baby Food Bonanza! Be sure to hop on over to her blog and become a follower to see more about her family and more great recipes like this one!

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Since Little Rocker had to go Gluten-Free, we've been doing dinner research and finding yummy recipes that a toddler can love into manhood.  A favorite of nearly any toddler, boy, teen, and man is PIZZA!  This is an easy-breezy Gluten-Free Pizza recipe that will knock your socks off!

Gluten-Free Ham & Mushroom Pizza

Ingredients:

Gluten-Free pizza dough

1 can pizza sauze

1 can sliced mushrooms

1 pieces of thick sliced ham

2 cups low-fat mozzarella or cheddar cheese

Directions:

 1) Preheat the oven to 400 degrees

2)Spread the pizza dough evenly across your pizza pan, pinching the ends a bit.

3) Dump can of pizza sauce into dough and spread evenly across the dough.

4) Dice ham slices and sprinkle most of the pieces over the sauce.  Do the same with half of the mushrooms.

5) Evenly sprinkle all the cheese over the pizza and spread evenly.

6) Add the rest of the diced ham and mushrooms.

6) Place the pizza on the bottom rack of the oven and bake for 10 minutes.  Then turn the pizza around and cook for an additional 6 minutes.  Cool before enjoying!

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Doesn't that just look yummy?! We love pizza in this house and although the hubby doesn't like mushrooms, Bug and I sure do! The best thing about making your own pizza is you can make 2/3 of it different from the other 1/3 so the hubby can have some without the mushrooms! What a great family meal. Thank you for sharing with us Adrienne!

Notebook Tee & Reetmomma Credit Winners {and re-draw for Knit Booties}

Thank you to all who entered to win my Notebook Tee! I used random.org to determine the winner. And the winner is...

Comment #18, Estreia!

Estreia said...

Also commented on your new back to school treasury. My Etsy username is Mchaney44.

I also want to thank you all for entering to win a $40 shop credit to Reetmomma! The winning comment for this giveaway is...

Comment #1, jo abad!

jo said...

i want the booties for everybody!!! =D yay! for my whole family!

And as for the Knit Booties Giveaway from WhittiesKnitties...I had to do a re-draw since the winner did not list their email address or reply to my Facebook posts. The new winner is...

Comment # 48, sirentattoo!

sirentattoo said... 

I tweeted!
http://twitter.com/#!/sirentattoo/status/99866467520086016
Dagmar B.

Congrats to you all!

I am posting this from my phone since we have no power from the hurricane so I will email you asap or you can email me at totshop728@yahoo.com with your shipping info and which prize you won and  I will try to get it to the sponsor.  {if there is a choice from the shop please include what you would like in the email} Thank you for understanding! :)

Didn't win? No worries, there are still two open giveaways to enter. 
MossyRockDesigns - Original Nursery Art Print {Ends 9/2/11} Open Worldwide 
Jolynn's Hobby Shop - Tutu & Headband Set {Ends 9/9/11} Open to US & Canada

{Hurricane Prep} Getting Ready for Irene

If any of you are along the eastern coast of the US you are very aware of hurricane Irene {and if you aren't...maybe you should turn on the news}. I never watch the news and didn't know how bad this hurricane was supposed to be until Thursday! I have been getting some things together so I am prepared for Irene. 

If you don't hear from me for a little while it is because we are out of power. I have some posts set and ready so we should be good. I just might not be able to approve comments right away or reply much. 

Another fellow blogger from the eastern coast {madigan made who's in PA} wrote a post today including a little prep list that is very helpful. You can see it here. There are a couple of other things I did to prepare:

• I will be filling up the bathtub so I have water to scoop into the toilet in case we can't flush {that would be gross}


• I made 2 pots of coffee {might make more today} & put some in the fridge and lots in plastic containers in the freezer becuase if I can't have my coffee I.WILL.DIE!


• I did a last load of laundry so we have all clean clothes in case we can't use water for a while.


• I did all the dishes and made sure I ran the dishwasher so I didn't get stuck with dirty, smelly dishes in there.


• I got some non perishable snacks for my toddler. {anyone have any advice on some things to have around for toddlers to eat if there is no electric? I couldn't think of much but she won't starve. I have food for her, just would like more options.}


• I also got some powdered milk for my toddler.


• I put whatever was freezable from the fridge to the freezer. I had some zucchini so I made zucchini bread to throw in the freezer too! 

 If you want to track the storm, One + One = Four posted some great sites to stay on top of the storm. Go check it out here.

Make sure you follow all precautions and if you are recommended to evacuate, please do! We will be going to my moms since we are close to the area that is evacuating. Good thing too, because my mom & dad are so much more prepared than us anyway! 

I hope all of you stay safe!

A Pinteresting {Linky} Party - Take 2

Yay! It's the weekend! I hope you all have had a wonderful week. We are awaiting a hurricane at the moment and it is supposed to hit on Sunday afternoon so if I don't get the giveaway winners posted on Sunday, please forgive me. I hope all of you who are waiting for or got caught in Irene are safe!

Onto the party! Last week we had a whopping ONE link up. 

Thank you to Rebecca's Soap Deli News for linking up and sharing your post on How to Make Handmade Cold Process Soap. It has been pinned by me. :)

http://www.soapdelinews.com/2011/06/how-to-make-handmade-cold-process-soaps.html

Dang. Maybe better luck the second time around? I hope some more come to link up your blog posts so we can all discover new blogs and help promote each other!

Here are the rules:

• Add a direct link to a blog post you would like pinned along with it's title {not the title of your blog}.


• Two links per blog please. 


• Pin at least 2 other blogger's posts. {if you are one of the first 2, come back and pin please}


• Not required, but I'd love for you to spread the word and post my Pinteresting Party Button on your blog. {& be sure to follow my blog to see when the next party is & if you were featured the following week} :)

Link up by clicking the button below:

{Freebie Friday} Win a Tutu from Jolynn's Hobby Shop!

Giveaway Closed

Happy Freebie Friday! This week went by so fast for me. I hope you all are having a great one! Today I'd like to introduce Johannah from Jolynn's Hobby Shop. She has a wonderful giveaway for you all to enter but first lets learn more about her.

Tell us a bit about yourself.

I'm SAHM to 3yr old & wife. I have many hobbies like baking, reading, movies, & photography. I love crafts & making things in my spare time. I'm pretty much home body & love being with family.

What made you want to become an artist?

I always enjoyed crafts, but I started after my sis passed away & my niece's came to live with us. I began making hair accessories to save on buying them & then began making tutu's which made me start making other things in my shop with more to come. Lol.

What is your favorite item to create?

My fave are tutu's. I love creating beautiful tutus for little girls. I always try to make it extra special.

What advice would you give to new artists on Etsy?

I'm fairly new myself. My advice would be to be patient. Try to add new items as much as you can & promote ALOT with FB page, Twitter, blog, etc.

How do you promote your work?

I have blog, Twitter, FB page & that is how I get my shop out there. I also promote on other pages that do shout outs & do shout outs to pages I just love. I also do giveaways & that helps get more people to my page.

Do you have any websites connected to your shop?

You can found me here:

FB - www.facebook.com/pages/Jolynns-Hobby-Shop/182671421774849 

Twitter- www.twitter.com/jolynnhobbyshop

Blog- http://jolynnshobbyshop.blogspot.com/

What is the inspiration for your work?

My son & nieces are my inspiration.

Do any of your items go toward a special cause?

I haven't done any causes but do plan to donate to locks of love.

Do you have a job outside of Etsy? How do you handle both?

At this time I'm only a SAHM {stay at home mom} & do have to balance when to craft. It's mainly done when the kids go to school or at night depending.

Where do you create?

I work in my living room/kitchen until I get a craft room going. Lol. I do plan to get one up for fall.

What are your goals for your shop?

My goal is to provide items people love & enjoy. I would like more sales & more word of mouth about my shop.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

I'm just happy to be part of Etsy & pleased with the  great people i get to meet.

 Johannah is giving one lucky winner this beautiful tutu!

Mandatory Entry:

{You must complete this first before submitting any other entries}

Visit Jolynn's Hobby Shop and comment your favorite item from her shop.

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Extra Entries:

{Leave a separate comment for each that you complete}

1.} Heart Jolynn's Hobby Shop on Etsy.

2.} "Like" Jolynn's Hobby Shop on Facebook.

3.} Follow Jolynn's Hobby Shop's blog.

4.} Follow Jolynn's Hobby Shop on Twitter.

5.} Become a follower of my blog.

6.} Enter in another giveaway on this blog and let me know which one you entered.
7.}  Blog, Tweet, and/or post on Facebook about this giveaway using the "Sharing is Caring" buttons below  & post the link where we can find it. {one entry for each you complete}

 

Contest closes at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, September 9, 2011. Sunday, September 11, 2011 a winner will be randomly drawn from eligible entrants and notified by e-mail, and the winner's name will also be posted here. If no email is listed I will choose another winner. Winner has one week to respond to my email to claim his/her prize after initial contact.  I am not responsible for the shipping of this prize.

Contest open to US & Canada.

{Thursday Thoughts} Picture Holder Tutorial

We love making art in this house. But makes a project almost every day and I wanted to create something that was a nice way to display it for all to see instead of crowding them on our fridge. This is what I came up with and I love it! 

We have a half wall around the kitchen and the wall has three sides. One side is facing the dining room, the other facing a hallway, and the middle one faces the living room. Since we moved in around March I have been telling my hubby that the wall looks empty and was trying to think of something to put there since. I thought a long mirror turned into a chalkboard would be great, but hubby said chalk over a rug might not be a good mix...and he's right. I think this was just the thing it needed...some art and Bug's level so she can see her pictures and help me change them as she makes new ones.

Enough babbling, here's the tutorial for you {sorry for yucky pictures. I need better lighting in here!}:

Supplies:

• small wooden blocks {I got mine at Michaels for about $0.35 a piece and got 3 squares. They also had other shapes to choose from.}


• as many clothes pins as wooden blocks {You could also use other clip type things}


• wood glue {or if you are cheap & too lazy to go to the store, hot glue worked just fine for me}


• paint & paint brush 


• wall mounting supplies

Here's what to do:

1} Paint your wooden pieces. {Make sure you paint the insides of the clothes pins too}

2} Decide how you want the clothes pins mounted on the blocks and glue them in place. {I put my middle square sideways to make a diamond}

3} If you're handy, put those teethy things on the back so you can hang it on the wall {or ask your hubby to do it like I did} and mount them to the wall however you'd like.
{Another idea would be to put magnets on the back and stick them to the fridge or a memo board for a pretty way to display art work.}

4} Grab some art work or even some photos and hang them onto the clothes pins. 

5} Enjoy!

I'd love for you to share your pictures if you have created anything from one of my tutorials. I just started a Flickr Group here so you can download pictures. :)

Where I have linked up:

{Wordless Wednesday} Camera Hijack

Bug got hold of my camera yet again. Here are her shots.

Toys.

Chair.

Half eaten scone on place mat.

{Toddler Tuesdays} Learning Body Parts

I took these pictures a few months ago and forgot about them! Here is a fun way to learn or review their knowledge of body parts. Toddlers begin identifying body parts typically between the ages of 1 and 2. Depending on their age/knowledge you can adjust this activity.

If your child is able to, have them lay down and trace around them to make the body outline.

Have your child help you dress and draw a face on the body outline.

Name a body part and point to it on the person. Have your child point after you.

{Extension 1: Name a body part and have your child point to the part on the chalk person.}

Hands.

Mouth.

Feet.

{Extension 2: Have your child point to that same body part on them &/or you}

{Extension 3: Make it a game & have your child try to toss a bean bag on the named body part}

Have fun!

{Mmm, Mmm, Mondays} Simple Scones

My soon to be sister-in-law had her bridal shower recently and we did a tea party theme. To go along with the tea, we made scones and Bug just ate them up and loved every bite. She calls them cookies, but whatever. 

Here is the recipe I used to make a quicker {& probably healthier} version of the ones at the party:

Ingredients:

1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour {plus extra for rolling out}

1/2 cup whole wheat flour

1 1/2 Tbs. baking powder

pinch of salt

2 oz butter {1/2 stick} cut into pieces

1 Tbs. sugar

1 Tbs. raisins {we like to use craisins}

1 Tbs. chopped dates {we like to use chopped walnuts}

2/3 cup milk

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425 deg. F. Sift flours, baking powder, and salt into a bowl.

Add butter and rub until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.

Add sugar, raisins, and dates then pour in the milk and mix gently with a metal spoon . {I mix a little then use my hands to form the dough}

Place onto a floured surface and knead lightly. Roll out to a thickness of 1 inch and cut into circles. {I use a juice glass to make circles or I cut into triangles}

Bake for 7-10 minutes or until risen and lightly browned. {I needed about 12-13 minutes in my oven. Just keep an eye on them.}

Allow to cool and serve with butter and/or jam.

Knit Booties Winner {and Ouchie Pouch re-draw winner}!

Thank you to all who entered to win a pair of knit booties from WhittiesKnitties! I used random.org to determine the winner. And the winner is...

Comment #6, Amy Splichal!

Amy Splichal said...

I heart whitties knitties on etsy 

I also had to re-draw a winner for the Snuggly Monkey Giveaway. The new winner is comment #51, Dana B.

Dana B. said...

Following publicly via GFC.

Congrats to you both! Look out for an email from me {don't forget to check your spam}.

Didn't win? No worries, there are still two open giveaways to enter. 

Back to School Notebook Tee Giveaway {ends 8/25/11} Open to US only

Tutus & Tea Parties Birthday Bash Giveaway Album {Ends 8/25/11} Please read rules in photo #2 and agree. 

Reetmomma - $40 Shop Credit {Ends 8/26/11} Open to US Only

A Pinteresting {Linky} Party

I don't know about you, but I love Pinterest! I have become an addict over the past few weeks and to tell you the truth, have been slacking with my crocheting because I am too busy pinning!Each week I will feature a couple of my faves from the linky. :)

I am always looking for new ideas to pin so I decided to have a little pinning party! I will try it out for a few weeks and see how it goes. Depending on the amount of party-ers, I will either continue or save it for a later time when I have more of a following. 


Here are the rules:

• Add a direct link to a blog post you would like pinned along with it's title {not the title of your blog}.


• Pin at least 2 other blogger's posts. {if you are one of the first 2, come back and pin}


• Not required, but I'd love for you to spread the word and post my Pinteresting Party Button on your blog. {& be sure to follow my blog to see when the next party is} :)

Here's a helpful hint I also learned from a fellow blogger over at Sweeter than Sweets:

to find out who has pinned you, copy this link with your blog url

http://pinterest.com/source/yourblogurlhere

{for example, here is mine: http://pinterest.com/source/tutusandteaparties.blogspot.com}

Enter your link here:

Be Back Sunday!

I just wanted to let you all know that I will be out for the weekend. My brother-in-law's fiancee is having her bachelorette weekend starting today so I will be out having a blast! If you do not see your comments posted it is because I need to approve them first 

{which I will be doing on Sunday}.

While I'm gone, don't forget the awesome giveaways on the right side bar! {one will be ending on Friday but I will not be here to take the link down so check the dates please}.

There is also a Pinteresting Party that I will be posting tonight so be sure to check it out. :)

Have a super weekend!

{Freebie Friday} Win an Original Nursery Art Print

This giveaway is now closed.

Happy Freebie Friday! I hope you enjoy this giveaway and reading about the shop owner today. I love her story & art and I know you will too! Let me introduce you to Katie, shop owner of  MossyRockDesigns:

Tell us a bit about yourself.

I am a stay-at-home Momma of two little boys. I'm a wife, a daughter, a friend. My passion is creating watercolor and ink nursery art, and I have recently finished illustrating 2 childrens' books. This year's big life change is that we are adopting a sweet daughter from Ethiopia. My 2 boys are so excited to have a sister soon!

What made you want to become an artist?

I have to admit that I never had the intent to become an artist. I have always loved drawing and painting, but I actually went to college to study Biochemistry, and I got my Masters degree in International Relations. Art was what I did to relax. When my son was born, I painted a series of paintings for his nursery. Shortly after that, friends started asking me for prints of this art, and someone suggested I try selling my prints (or even originals) on Etsy.

Now art has become an integral part of my life. I paint every day, and I love it more than any "real" job I've ever had. 

What is your favorite item to create?

I love drawing and painting children. 

What advice would you give to new artists on Etsy?

Get connected, put yourself out there, make sure you take good pictures of your work, and research your prices. Look for blogs that write about the things you create, and ask them to feature your work. 

How do you promote your work?

I have put my cards and prints in some local coffee shops, but I have found that the highest sale rates come from the online community. "Hair Time" has become my absolute all-time best-seller since a few African American hair blogs have picked this set of prints up and featured it. 

Do you have any websites connected to your shop?

-blog: www.mossyrockdesigns.blogspot.com

-facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/MossyRockDesigns-by-Katie-Bradley/197332131256

What is the inspiration for your work?

My little boys, my friends' children, children I see at the playground. 

Do any of your items go toward a special cause?

YES! All proceeds from my Etsy sales go into our adoption fund - as mentioned before we are adopting a little girl from Ethiopia!

Do you have a job outside of Etsy? How do you handle both?

I don't work outside of the home, but it can be tricky to balance painting and being a good Momma and wife. I try to set aside at least 30 minutes every day to paint, and thankfully, due to the nature of watercoloring, I can work on my art 5 to 10 minutes at a time, throughout the day.

Where do you create?

My wonderful husband built me an art table from an old drafting table. I will send you a picture after this weekend... right now my art space is cluttered beyond belief!

What are your goals for your shop?

-to create art that brings joys to other Mommas and Dads and their little ones

-to create art for multicultural kids, because it is so important for children to grow up seeing pictures of children who look like them!

-to raise money for our adoption

Katie is giving away a 5x7 print of her Jungle Baby art.  

{it is printed on linen textured Kodak Endura paper}

Isn't it beautiful?!

Mandatory Entry:

{You must complete this first before submitting any other entries}

Visit  MossyRockDesigns and comment your favorite item from her shop.

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Extra Entries:

{Leave a separate comment for each that you complete}

1.} Heart MossyRockDesigns on Etsy.

2.} "Like" MossyRockDesigns on Facebook.

3.} Follow MossyRockDesigns blog.

4.}Subscribe to MossyRockDesigns RSS Feed

5.} Become a follower of my blog.

6.} Enter in another giveaway on this blog and let me know which one you entered.
7.}  Blog, Tweet, and/or post on Facebook about this giveaway using the "Sharing is Caring" buttons below  & post the link where we can find it. {one entry for each you complete}

 

Contest closes at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, September 2, 2011. Sunday, September 4, 2011 a winner will be randomly drawn from eligible entrants and notified by e-mail, and the winner's name will also be posted here. If no email is listed I will choose another winner. Winner has one week to respond to my email to claim his/her prize after initial contact.  I am not responsible for the shipping of this prize. 

Contest open Worldwide.