tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49225799757096933822024-03-13T05:36:49.272-07:00The Polka Dot Chair tooMelissa {polkadot chair}http://www.blogger.com/profile/09390788074706431112noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4922579975709693382.post-84652802571059657882012-01-02T17:11:00.000-08:002012-01-02T17:11:31.665-08:00Giveaway: $50 Gift Card to Kirkland's!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa247/mmorten/mirror2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa247/mmorten/mirror2.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br />
When Kirkland's contacted me about reviewing one of their mirrors I jumped at the chance! I'd always been a big fan. When they told me they would include a $50 gift card to their store to giveaway to a reader too, I got even more excited!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa247/mmorten/mirror1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa247/mmorten/mirror1.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br />
I picked the <a href="http://www.kirklands.com/product/Wall-Decor/Mirrors/Weston-Mirror-25x31/pc/2283/c/0/sc/2306/160100.uts">Weston Mirror </a>to review. I've had a bit of an obsession as of late with sunburst mirrors and I thought this one was a really cool take on that. I also thought that the bronze coloring would look good in my bathroom. I had an empty corner that just needed "something"..... I love how the mirror looks in there! It showed up quickly and packaged carefully and looks as good in "real" life as it did online.<br />
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I've been browsing their site as of late and have fallen in love with<a href="http://www.kirklands.com/product/FURNITURE/Cabinets/Mirrored-Cabinet/pc/2285/c/0/sc/2420/159039.uts"> this c</a>abinet - I think it would make a great night stand<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://s7d5.scene7.com/is/image/Kirklands/?hei=358&wid=358&op_sharpen=1&size=358.0,358.0&layer=1&src=Kirklands/105523&size=358.0,358.0" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://s7d5.scene7.com/is/image/Kirklands/?hei=358&wid=358&op_sharpen=1&size=358.0,358.0&layer=1&src=Kirklands/105523&size=358.0,358.0" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://s7d5.scene7.com/is/image/Kirklands/?hei=230&wid=230&op_sharpen=1&size=230.0,230.0&layer=1&src=Kirklands/102515&size=230.0,230.0" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://s7d5.scene7.com/is/image/Kirklands/?hei=230&wid=230&op_sharpen=1&size=230.0,230.0&layer=1&src=Kirklands/102515&size=230.0,230.0" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.kirklands.com/product/Wall-Decor/Mirrors/Emily-Circles-Mirror/pc/2283/c/0/sc/2306/158072.uts">and this circle mirro</a>r... isn't it cool??</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Kirklands has generously offered to give away a $50 gift card to a lucky reader! You can use it in their stores OR online.</div><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Okay here's what you need to do to enter to win the $50 Gift Card to Kirkland's!</span><br />
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Leave a comment here telling me the home project your most excited to get going on this year. Is it organizing? Redecorating? What?<br />
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For a 2nd entry you can hop on over to Kirkland's website and tell me what you'd put the $50 towards!<br />
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Leave a separate comment for each item you do.<br />
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<a href="https://www.kirklands.com/content.jsp?pageName=DecemberBloggerRules">official rules here</a><br />
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Giveaway open Monday January 2nd 2012 to Friday January 6th 2012 at Midnight Eastern timeMelissa {polkadot chair}http://www.blogger.com/profile/09390788074706431112noreply@blogger.com164tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4922579975709693382.post-32181145125887206952011-09-30T16:54:00.000-07:002011-09-30T16:55:26.907-07:00Giveaway: Fat Quarter Shop!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Iw41ekk36iU/Tdqh4bSYb7I/AAAAAAAAAkg/Zq9gYXujlTg/s1600/FQS-logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Iw41ekk36iU/Tdqh4bSYb7I/AAAAAAAAAkg/Zq9gYXujlTg/s1600/FQS-logo.png" /></a></div><br />
<br />
I'm so excited to share this giveaway with you guys today!!! You know how for the Handmade Christmas Quilt Along I told you I was going to make my quilts fit a 2 yd cut of Moda Snuggles?<br />
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Well, if you are going to do that to, you can enter today to maybe WIN the color of YOUR choice <a href="http://www.fatquartershop.com/store/stores_app/Browse_dept_items.asp?T=1&Store_id=499&page_id=17">of a 2 yd cut of Moda Snuggles from the Fat Quarter Shop! </a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.fatquartershop.com/store/stores_app/images/images_499/Snuggles-BabyBlueWrap-200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.fatquartershop.com/store/stores_app/images/images_499/Snuggles-BabyBlueWrap-200.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">would you like blue?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.fatquartershop.com/store/stores_app/images/images_499/Snuggles-ChocolateWrap-200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.fatquartershop.com/store/stores_app/images/images_499/Snuggles-ChocolateWrap-200.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">or maybe brown?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.fatquartershop.com/store/stores_app/images/images_499/Snuggles-BabyPinkWrap-200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.fatquartershop.com/store/stores_app/images/images_499/Snuggles-BabyPinkWrap-200.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">or look at this pretty pink...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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I've been ordering from the <a href="http://www.fatquartershop.com/">Fat Quarter Shop</a> for a few years now and have always had a great experience. They are a sponsor of my blog, but that's not why I order from them. I order from them becuase they ship FAST and have an AWESOME selection of Moda Pre-Cuts! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.fatquartershop.com/store/stores_app/images/images_499/CountdownChrst-FQB-200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.fatquartershop.com/store/stores_app/images/images_499/CountdownChrst-FQB-200.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Oh, how I love a brand new fresh stack of Fat Quarters!!! These are on my "wish list" right now.<br />
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I told <a href="http://www.fatquartershop.com/index.asp?Store_id=499&Page_Id=15&Shopper_id=238930193742238">Fat Quarter Shop</a> about the Quilt Along that I'm doing on my blog and they generously offered to give away to one reader:<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">One 2 Yard Cut of Moda Snuggles in your choice of color! </span><br />
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How cool is that? It's already cut to the perfect size to make your quilt!!<br />
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To enter you've got 3 chances:<br />
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1- Leave a comment on this post, if your making stuff for Christmas/Holiday gifts, tell me what your making!<br />
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2-Like the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/ThePolkadotChair">Polkdadot Chair on Facebook</a><br />
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3- Like <a href="http://www.facebook.com/FatQuarterShop">Fat Quarter Shop on Facebook</a><br />
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You can do one or all 3...You choose. If you do all 3 make sure you leave 3 separate comments so you get 3 chances to win!<br />
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Giveaway open until Wednesday October 5th at Midnight Eastern Time<br />
US Residents Only<br />
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<i>Although Fat Quarter Shop is a sponsor of the Polkadot Chair blog, I did not receive any compensation to host this giveaway.</i>Melissa {polkadot chair}http://www.blogger.com/profile/09390788074706431112noreply@blogger.com207tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4922579975709693382.post-83714894024593834522011-08-28T18:38:00.000-07:002011-08-28T18:39:18.245-07:00Win $100 Gift card to Dicks Sporting Goods!<script language="JavaScript1.1" src="http://oascentral.blogher.org/RealMedia/ads/adstream_jx.ads/blogher.org/Gatorade_Mar11_P3_Review_003/@x13">
</script><br />
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It's the end of the game... you've spent the week driving carpool, picking up kids, washing uniforms & packing snacks... It was a tough game, your sitting in the stands waiting for your kid to walk across the field and talk to you so you can all go home.<br />
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Your hoping for a face like this:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa247/mmorten/fieldhockey1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa247/mmorten/fieldhockey1.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The "I'm so happy, I had a great game, worked hard and had fun with my team" face... Hopefully you get that face. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sometimes you do... sometimes you don't. Sometimes there are cheers and sometimes there are tears... such is the life with a teenage athlete. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa247/mmorten/DSC_1066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa247/mmorten/DSC_1066.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>My oldest plays field hockey. It's a tough sport, highly skilled and physical. The games are usually low scoring, fast paced and quite aggressive. <br />
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I always hope for that "face" at the end of the game. But what happens when you don't get that face? I've been thinking about that a lot this year. We have had our share of ups and downs when it comes to playing sports. I can honestly say that my daughter has done more "growing up" playing that sport that almost anything we could have done. She's learned to deal with disappointment. She's learned what it means to work on a team. She's learned to speak up for herself and most of all she's learned that rewards come from hard work.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://goo.gl/7fxde">Gatorade</a> asked me to write a little bit about how I support my young athlete... I've been mulling on this thought for about a month. How do I support and encourage her? I drive her to practice, make sure she has healthy food to eat, I try to be at all of her games... but what is it I could share here with YOU about I how support her. Then I started thinking about it and realized one of my FAVORITE things to do to support and encourage them is with crafts... hey this is a crafty blog!<br />
<br />
We've done a few crafty things with the team over the years. Last year we had them over to <a href="http://www.polkadotchair.com/2010/08/peace-love-field-hockey.html">make tie dyed t-shirts</a>.... I made a photo album for the coaches last year... but my favorite job of all is as the team photographer! (I'm just an amateur but they don't care).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa247/mmorten/fieldhockey2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa247/mmorten/fieldhockey2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
You see, the girls work hard and they want photos of themselves "in action". I love to go to the games patrol the sidelines and try to get that "perfect" shot of them. It's become quite a fun challenge for me. After the games, I come home and upload the photos to facebook. The kids have fun tagging themselves & their friends, they make the photos their profile pictures and best of all, most of them "friend" me on facebook.<br />
<br />
The season is just starting for us. After a summer full of 6 AM practices it's time to start playing Field Hockey!! I'll have my usual place on the sidelines, camera in hand but this year, I wanted to do something a little extra too. So I decided to make them all <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">GAME DAY SURVIVAL KITS</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa247/mmorten/Sportsurvivalkit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa247/mmorten/Sportsurvivalkit.jpg" width="510" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Since nutrition is so important to young athletes, I tried to pull together a bag of goodies for them to take to the game, full of things to help them be prepared to play!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I worry a lot about my daughter eating right during sports season. I feel like I have to watch her so closely to make sure she is getting the proper amount of vitamins and protein. Those kids work so hard and as her Mom, it's my responsibility to provide her with healthy things to eat.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;">I included some good carbs (apples, bananas, their favorite protein bar & trail mix) and a G Series Perform from <a href="http://goo.gl/7fxde">Gatorade</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Did you know that G-series Perform is the best Gatorade for them to drink WHILE they are playing? I didn't... It helps athletes replace fluids, replenish electrolytes and refuel working muscles during exercise. I read a bit about it and think it's pretty cool that they have different formulas for different stages of play. And G -Series Prime from Gatorade is a good one for them to drink 15 minutes before they exercise because it provides pre-game fuel in the form of carbohydrates.<br />
<div style="mso-element: comment-list;"><div style="mso-element: comment;"><div class="msocomtxt" id="_com_1" language="JavaScript"></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Also in the bag, since it is field hockey, I included some bandages (for bumps and blisters), kleenex (incase of a hard defeat) and some cute hairbands (because it never hurts to be cute when you play). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you'd like to make your own SURVIVAL KIT- I've uploaded the graphic I made for the front of the bag online. You can download it <a href="https://www.box.net/files#/files/0/f/75268364/Printables">(click here to download the PDF) and</a> make your own (I've included some other color schemes and one without a field hockey stick).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa247/mmorten/sportsthumbnail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa247/mmorten/sportsthumbnail.jpg" width="154" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So now you have a fun crafty idea to support them when they play but I've got a more serious question for ya'll ... It's easy to think of what to say when they win and the game goes great, but...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">"What do you say when things don't go their way?"</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"></span>When they think the coach was mean, or the other team was unsportmanlike, or they are disappointed in how they played. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><a href="http://goo.gl/7fxde">Gatorade</a> is thinking about this too: For more information and to encourage moms to support their athletes as they BECOME, Gatorade will donate one dollar up to $10,000 to the Women’s Sports Foundation for every pledge we receive at<a href="http://goo.gl/AAe22"> Gatorade Moms.</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've noticed with my kids that confidence is one of the greatest assets a young athlete can have. What has worked for you with your kids?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Leave a comment here and let me know your BEST MOM advice you'llx be entered to win a:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c;">$100 Dicks Sporting Goods Gift Card!</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Rules:<br />
<br />
No duplicate comments.<br />
<br />
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry<br />
methods:<br />
<br />
a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post<br />
<br />
b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment<br />
on this post<br />
<br />
c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on<br />
this post<br />
<br />
d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about<br />
an alternate form of entry.<br />
<br />
For more chances to win check out the<a href="http://goo.gl/pQGHW"> Gatorade Round Up page at BlogHer!</a><br />
<br />
Sweepstakes Dates from 8/29/11-9/30/11<br />
<br />
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older.<br />
<br />
Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail.<br />
<br />
You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.<br />
<br />
The Official Rules<a href="http://goo.gl/eYCi6"> are available here</a> .<br />
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Melissa {polkadot chair}http://www.blogger.com/profile/09390788074706431112noreply@blogger.com238tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4922579975709693382.post-55337758959338304522011-08-12T10:10:00.000-07:002011-08-12T10:10:51.231-07:00Doodle Bugs Paper Giveaway!Hey<br />
<br />
Meet Kacey:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y60/doodlebugs/aboutme1-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y60/doodlebugs/aboutme1-1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
She is the owner and designer behind <a href="http://www.doodlebugspaper.com/store/Default.asp">Doodle Bugs Paper</a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.doodlebugspaper.com/fpdb/images/logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://www.doodlebugspaper.com/fpdb/images/logo.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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Here's a little bit about her and her cool company!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn113/doodlebugspaper/splashpage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn113/doodlebugspaper/splashpage.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br />
</span></div><i><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>I started Doodle Bugs Paper in January 2003. </i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>Why? I love paper! </i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>And, I really love personalized paper. </i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>I started Doodle Bugs being a dealer for five major stationery chains. </i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>Quickly, I started designing and printing myself and turned the main focus of the business to my own line of stationery. </i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>My first sales were by word of mouth. </i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>I also started selling on ebay- and was amazed at how quickly my business grew.</i></span></div></i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><i><br />
this is a full time job BUT I also manage to get up everyday and go to work as a first grade teacher.<br />
Why, I simply love those little kiddos!<br />
(It's not for the money thats for sure.)<br />
I started the business as a dream to stay home and work.<br />
But, when the time came- I love being a teacher just as much as I love stationery!<br />
So, I teach simple things like the alphabet and numbers by day<br />
and run a business at night and on the weekends.<br />
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Life is good.</i><br />
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I absolutely adore Kacey's Shop....<br />
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Along with custom stationary she sells these really cool custom address stamps<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.doodlebugspaper.com/store/thumb.asp?width=200&path=E:\webspace\acm-dc24\kaceykat\doodlebugspaper.com\www\fpdb\images/stampphone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.doodlebugspaper.com/store/thumb.asp?width=200&path=E:\webspace\acm-dc24\kaceykat\doodlebugspaper.com\www\fpdb\images/stampphone.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The thing that is cool about them is you don't have to put your address on them you can use them for other things like</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.doodlebugspaper.com/store/thumb.asp?width=200&path=E:\webspace\acm-dc24\kaceykat\doodlebugspaper.com\www\fpdb\images/STA_monkey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.doodlebugspaper.com/store/thumb.asp?width=200&path=E:\webspace\acm-dc24\kaceykat\doodlebugspaper.com\www\fpdb\images/STA_monkey.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A custom gift tag!! Wouldn't this be great to get one to stamp on your Christmas gifts? Such fun ideas for neighbor gifts! (plus it would save you loads of time)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.doodlebugspaper.com/store/thumb.asp?width=200&path=E:\webspace\acm-dc24\kaceykat\doodlebugspaper.com\www\fpdb\images/schoolhouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.doodlebugspaper.com/store/thumb.asp?width=200&path=E:\webspace\acm-dc24\kaceykat\doodlebugspaper.com\www\fpdb\images/schoolhouse.jpg" width="216" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I love her line of back to school goodies.... A little "bribery" for the teacher on the first day of school can't be a bad thing right?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Some other cool stuff<a href="http://www.doodlebugspaper.com/store/Default.asp"> from her shop:</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.doodlebugspaper.com/store/thumb.asp?width=200&path=E:\webspace\acm-dc24\kaceykat\doodlebugspaper.com\www\fpdb\images/bikeflats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.doodlebugspaper.com/store/thumb.asp?width=200&path=E:\webspace\acm-dc24\kaceykat\doodlebugspaper.com\www\fpdb\images/bikeflats.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">flat notes</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.doodlebugspaper.com/store/thumb.asp?width=200&path=E:\webspace\acm-dc24\kaceykat\doodlebugspaper.com\www\fpdb\images/ballerinakidthankyou.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.doodlebugspaper.com/store/thumb.asp?width=200&path=E:\webspace\acm-dc24\kaceykat\doodlebugspaper.com\www\fpdb\images/ballerinakidthankyou.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">kids thank you cards (such a great idea)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.doodlebugspaper.com/store/thumb.asp?width=200&path=E:\webspace\acm-dc24\kaceykat\doodlebugspaper.com\www\fpdb\images/squigglefoldednote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.doodlebugspaper.com/store/thumb.asp?width=200&path=E:\webspace\acm-dc24\kaceykat\doodlebugspaper.com\www\fpdb\images/squigglefoldednote.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">personalized folded notes</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Today I'm so excited to be giving away </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">a $35 GIFT CERTIFICATE to </span><a href="http://www.doodlebugspaper.com/store/Default.asp"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Doodle Bugs Paper!</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">! </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Who hoo!! Pick out your favorite product from Kacey's Store!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">To enter- we're keeping it easy here from now on...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Leave a comment on this post- tell me what your favorite product is at<a href="http://www.doodlebugspaper.com/store/Default.asp"> Doodlebugs Paper</a>- make sure you click over there and take a look- lot's of great eye candy!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Giveaway open until Monday August 15th at Midnight Eastern time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Melissa {polkadot chair}http://www.blogger.com/profile/09390788074706431112noreply@blogger.com93tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4922579975709693382.post-16967845074159304962011-04-11T15:17:00.000-07:002011-05-03T07:20:29.074-07:00Slow and steady wins the race<div style="float: left; margin-right: 5px;"><script language="javascript" src="http://ads.blogherads.com/reviews/tropicana3/13.js" type="text/javascript">
</script></div><div style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">This is a sponsored post from BlogHer and Tropicana.</div><div style="clear: both;"></div><br />
Hi there!!!<br />
<br />
Guess what???? Tropicana is back and offering to give away a SECOND $100 Visa Gift card to a lucky reader! <br />
<br />
To enter just help me answer the question....<br />
<br />
"What are some of the simple things you do to keep your family healthy?"<br />
<br />
I know that many times I am trying to think of something "big" and "grand" that will change the way we eat.... most times I don't come up with any viable solutions.... I think too BIG, which makes the idea not really practical for the way my family works.<br />
<br />
What I've discovered lately is that it's much easier to find small things I can do on a daily basis to improve my family's health... You know, stick with the "slow and steady wins the race" mentality. <br />
<br />
Now I will tell you I am no expert when it comes to healthy families. We have candy in our house, my kids ate take out pizza for dinner last night, and I will admit to a personal love of macaroni and cheese (especially the home made kind). However I can tell you some of the things that we do that work for us. Maybe they will work for you too? Maybe not... but here are some.<br />
<br />
-We try to lead by example. My husband and I exercise on a regular basis. Now neither of us is "super fit " but we do try to show a consistent effort to stay active.<br />
<br />
-We also try to keep our kids involved in some type of extracurricular activity, my oldest daughter plays for her High Schools Field Hockey team and the little kids are always trying out new things. We have yet to find something that will "stick" for my son, but we keep trying, and more importantly keep him active.<br />
<br />
-We keep fresh food in the house. I'll admit it's been hard this winter to keep fresh fruits and veggies around, but I'm buying what looks good at the supermarket. I always try to keep a basket of apples on the kitchen counter, and some baby carrots in the fridge.<br />
<br />
-Kids will eat most anything if they can dip it! I found that a little bit of ranch dressing goes a long way towards getting a kid to eat some broccoli, carrots or celery!<br />
<br />
-We try to use the rule of moderation. I've never been a big believer of depriving yourself entirely of one type of food. A few years ago we started "Sundaes on Sunday." Aptly named by my son, because he thought ANY dessert you have on Sunday is called a Sundae! The name stuck and it's become a fun tradition. We always try to have dessert on Sunday, then not so much the rest of the week. The kids (and me) look forward to our Sunday desserts and no one feels deprived.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa247/mmorten/smoothie3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa247/mmorten/smoothie3.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br />
I mentioned earlier on this blog that for the new year I was trying to eat protein at breakfast. One of the ways that I've found to get protein in the morning is to make smoothies! I especially like to do this for my teenage daughter since she is ALWAYS late in the morning, and she can drink it on her way to school.<br />
<br />
Here's a recipe for one of favorites. It's a take off of the famous orange ones at the mall... (you know what I'm talking about)... but a healthier version. It also makes a great after school snack!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa247/mmorten/smoothie1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa247/mmorten/smoothie1.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br />
Ingredients<br />
<br />
2 C. Tropicana Orange Juice<br />
1 scoop vanilla protein powder<br />
dash of vanilla<br />
2 scoops plain yogurt (get organic or something unsweetened if you can, yogurt sometimes has a lot of added sugar- you could also use vanilla yogurt, just eliminate the extra vanilla)<br />
2 cups ice (fill up the blender with it)<br />
If your kids are super picky and want something sweet, you can add in 1 T powdered sugar... it's up to you and how much you are watching your sugar intake.<br />
<br />
Dump all the ingredients in a blender and mix well.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa247/mmorten/smoothie2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa247/mmorten/smoothie2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">Now for the giveaway....</span></span><br />
<br />
Tropicana is giving away a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7f6000;">$100 Visa Gift card </span></span>for one lucky reader!! To enter just let me know,<br />
<br />
-What's something simple that you have done to make your family healthier?<br />
<br />
I'd love to hear, I'm always on the look out for simple things with lots of impact!!<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Pledge to squeeze more fruits and veggies into your day & Tropicana will<br />
help kids in need. Tropicana will donate one 8-oz glass of orange juice to<br />
the USDA School Breakfast and Summer Food Service programs, up to 184,375<br />
8-oz glasses. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Please pledge by going to </span><a href="http://bit.ly/gAU7Eq"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">http://bit.ly/gAU7Eq</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> . Promo will end 12/31/11.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Rules:</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">No duplicate comments.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">methods:</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">a) Leave a comment in response to my question</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">on this post</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">this post</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">an alternate form of entry.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Giveaway dates from 4/11/11- 5/9/11</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">selected.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The Official Rules <a href="http://www.blogher.com/trop-rules-2">are available here</a></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Also be sure to check out Tropicana on the web!!</div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://goo.gl/ipiKn">Tropicana on Faceboo</a>k</div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://goo.gl/3xE22">Tropicana on Twitter</a></div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://goo.gl/fxCzx">Tropicana's Website</a></div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Check out what more bloggers are doing to put the good in mornings on<a href="http://goo.gl/6C0xZ"> BlogHer's round up page!</a><br />
<br />
I wrote this post while participating in the Tropicana Pure Premium/BlogHer program on behalf of Tropicana Pure Premium. I received product information to facilitate my post and monetary compensation for the time to write my post.</div></div>Melissa {polkadot chair}http://www.blogger.com/profile/09390788074706431112noreply@blogger.com175tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4922579975709693382.post-85691944017573240002011-03-27T15:12:00.000-07:002011-03-27T15:18:10.741-07:00Shabby Apple Giveaway<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa247/mmorten/Spanish_Steps_Editorial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa247/mmorten/Spanish_Steps_Editorial.jpg" width="422" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enter to win this Dress!!- <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">T<a href="http://www.shabbyapple.com/p-972-spanish-steps.aspx">he Spanish Steps Dress</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One of my favorite clothing companies, <a href="http://www.shabbyapple.com/">Shabby Apple</a> contacted me about doing a giveaway for them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://shabbyapple.com/images/blog_btn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="163" src="http://shabbyapple.com/images/blog_btn.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I jumped right on it, then they told me I got to pick which dress to give away to ya'll... and I got even more excited, but a little bit stressed! Picking clothes for someone else, that's a whole lotta pressure!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Luckily there were many many cute ones to pick from.. I chose the one above, the "Spanish Steps"... it's from their new Romin Holiday line.. which I am TOTALLY in love with!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa247/mmorten/rome2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa247/mmorten/rome2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>I was lucky to go to Rome a few years ago, and I love how their new line captures the spirit and style of the city!<br />
<br />
Some of my favorite dresses are:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.shabbyapple.com/images/Product/medium/975.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://www.shabbyapple.com/images/Product/medium/975.jpg" width="235" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.shabbyapple.com/p-975-trevi-fountain.aspx">The Trevi Fountain</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.shabbyapple.com/images/Product/medium/958.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://www.shabbyapple.com/images/Product/medium/958.jpg" width="236" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.shabbyapple.com/p-958-piazza-navona.aspx">Piazza Navona</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.shabbyapple.com/images/Product/medium/969.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://www.shabbyapple.com/images/Product/medium/969.jpg" width="236" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.shabbyapple.com/p-969-casanova.aspx">Cassanova</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've been a "fan" of Shabby Apple for a few years now, ever since my sister bought this dress..</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.shabbyapple.com/images/Product/medium/15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.shabbyapple.com/images/Product/medium/15.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.shabbyapple.com/p-15-nantucket.aspx">The Nantucket</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">and called and told me it's the BEST. DRESS. EVER...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Since then I'll admit to buying a "few" dresses from them, but my favorite one is this one:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.shabbyapple.com/images/Product/medium/506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.shabbyapple.com/images/Product/medium/506.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.shabbyapple.com/p-506-west-coast-swing.aspx">The West Coast Swing</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I wear it with boots in the winter and cute heels in the fall and spring. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I love their new lines and have added a few to my "Spring Wish List"...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You guys are LUCKY today becuase....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">First:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.shabbyapple.com/">Shabby Apple </a>is giving Polkadot Chair blog readers and 10% discount!! Just enter the code "polkadotchair" when you check out to get your discount!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Second:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">One of you is going to win the "Spanish Steps" dress pictured above!!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">To enter it's easy!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">- Visit their site and leave a comment here and let me know what your favorite Women's Shabby Apple dress is.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">-For an extra entry head on over to Facebook- a<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shabby-Apple/56291792791">nd "like" Shabby Apple</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">and for one more entry-</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">-Since you're already over on Facebook, "<a href="http://www.facebook.com/ThePolkadotChair">like" the Polkadot Chair</a> for one more chance!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Leave a seperate comment for each item that you do:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Rules</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">-Prize can be shipped to a US address only</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">-Contest open Sunday March 27th - March 31st at Midnight Eastern time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Melissa {polkadot chair}http://www.blogger.com/profile/09390788074706431112noreply@blogger.com243tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4922579975709693382.post-22088273288867404372011-03-14T07:52:00.000-07:002011-03-15T11:42:20.034-07:00Help me find the good in Mornings!<div style="float: left; margin-right: 5px;"><script language="javascript" src="http://ads.blogherads.com/reviews/tropicana3/13.js" type="text/javascript">
</script></div><div style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">This is a sponsored post from BlogHer and Tropicana.</div><div style="clear: both;"></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">-</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><i> This is a long post, but you'll want to read it all... at the end there is a chance to win a good prize!</i></span></span><br />
<br />
Okay,<br />
I have a confession to make:<br />
<br />
I am NOT a morning person...<br />
<br />
you may all gasp as I hang my head in shame.<br />
<br />
{I had contemplated inserting a photo of me in the morning here, then I realized I'm not that brave}<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5nhVIVkkMv4/TVnS98wiLjI/AAAAAAAAFMI/mFRieqsO4OU/s1600/DSC00965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5nhVIVkkMv4/TVnS98wiLjI/AAAAAAAAFMI/mFRieqsO4OU/s400/DSC00965.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With friends at one of our favorite morning haunts</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
Actually I think this is not much of a confession as I have shared this fact before here on my blog, but here I am sharing it again.<br />
<br />
You see, the fact that I am not a morning person has bothered me ever since I can remember. You've all heard the saying I'm sure "early to rise makes a man healthy, wealth and wise." Well not me.<br />
<br />
It's one thing that I would like to change about myself, but have tired numerous times in the past and have come to the conclusion that I am wired to be a night owl. However I am not willing to give up.<br />
<br />
It's okay...<br />
<br />
Since I have become a Mom and my kids have gotten older I have noticed that I've gotten "better" at mornings. I have a teenager that gets up every morning and goes to early morning seminary for church, (she is not a morning person either, I wonder where she inherited that trait ? *wink*) and 9 yr old twins that need to be up, dressed, fed and ready to go when the bus comes to pick them up. <br />
<br />
I tell all of you this because, I've been asked to write about mornings AGAIN! I have to laugh because I think that someone is trying to tell me something. So now for the 2nd time you get to hear about my struggles with the "a.m.".<br />
<br />
Tropicana asked me to write a bit about how I put the "good" in mornings... Since I'm not a morning person I've had to make a little extra effort to make my mornings GOOD... I have 3 kids that need me at 6:30 am so I had to figure something out.<br />
<br />
Before I tell more about my mornings, I thought I'd share with you a couple of things I learned this week from the good folks at Tropicana...<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">-</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Did you know</span></span></i> that every 59 ounce Tropicana bottle contains the juice of 16 oranges? I didn't...<br />
<br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">-Did you know</span></span></i> that the ONLY thing in Tropicana Pure Premium orange juice is ORANGE JUICE? I didn't know this... I was under the mistaken presumption that grocery store juices had loads of added sugar.. Tropicana does not.. there is NO added sugar or artificial sweeteners!!<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">-Did you know</span></i></span> that it only costs .50 cents for an 8 ounce glass of Tropicana juice and that 8 ounces give you TWO servings of fruit for the day? I didn't know this either...I hate to admit but I rarely get all of my recommended fruit servings in per day. (I don't really like fruit, I'd rather drink it that eat it).<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">-Did you know</span></i></span> that a glass of OJ contains, Vitamin C, Folate, Potassium, & Thiamin? Yep, there is a FULL days supply of vitamin C, and as much potassium as a banana.<br />
<br />
Pretty cool I think... I was really most surprised about the no added sugar, and the fact that for only .50 cents you can give your family 2 of their servings of fruit a day.<br />
<br />
I thought I'd share just a bit of what our family likes to do for breakfast... then ask for your ideas and suggestions!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zUFpyxdVjz4/TVnMmZHeFPI/AAAAAAAAFME/ODIKx-4n0AE/s1600/053109138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zUFpyxdVjz4/TVnMmZHeFPI/AAAAAAAAFME/ODIKx-4n0AE/s400/053109138.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">note the OJ in the photo</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We LOVE to go out to breakfast... We are lucky that there are a couple of fun places where we live with excellent breakfasts. Now it's not really practical to do this more than once every couple of months, but it makes for a fun weekend activity when we do get to go.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hGcBhW0GKNc/TVnMgVlJLJI/AAAAAAAAFMA/8Up9n85GZRY/s1600/012709151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hGcBhW0GKNc/TVnMgVlJLJI/AAAAAAAAFMA/8Up9n85GZRY/s400/012709151.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas morning 2008</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I also like to try to make breakfasts on Holidays extra special. We set the table, make a fun breakfast and all sit down and eat together. My husband makes great waffles! We also like to do this on Sundays when our church is not until the afternoon. It's a fun break from our normal "rush out of the house" morning routines!<br />
<div><br />
</div><div>So now here is where I need your help!</div><div><br />
</div><div>Not every day is a Holiday or practical for a breakfast out... so for those of you that ARE morning people, how do you do it? Please tell me, help a girl out!</div><div><br />
</div><div>What's your best tip for me to make for a good morning??? After I get the kids all off to school, I tend to crash a bit... so what's your trick or your routine? Do you make the beds, jump straight in the shower, or head to the gym?</div><div><br />
</div><div>What's the thing that you do to put the GOOD in morning???</div><div><br />
</div><div><u>Leave a comment HERE</u> with your anwer and you will be entered to win a</div><div><br />
</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">$100 Visa Gift Card from Tropicana!!!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"><br />
</span></span></div><div>Rules:<br />
<br />
<br />
No duplicate comments.<br />
<br />
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry<br />
methods:<br />
<br />
a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post<br />
<br />
b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment<br />
on this post<br />
<br />
c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on<br />
this post<br />
<br />
d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about<br />
an alternate form of entry.<br />
<br />
Sweepstakes dates 3/14/11-4/11/11<br />
<br />
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older<br />
<br />
Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail.<br />
<br />
You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be<br />
selected.<br />
<a href="http://goo.gl/x0QSY">Official Rules</a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><br />
</span></span><br />
Also be sure to check out Tropicana on the web!!</div><div><br />
</div><div><a href="http://goo.gl/ipiKn">Tropicana on Faceboo</a>k</div><div><br />
</div><div><a href="http://goo.gl/3xE22">Tropicana on Twitter</a></div><div><br />
</div><div><a href="http://goo.gl/fxCzx">Tropicana's Website</a></div><div><br />
</div><div>Check out what more bloggers are doing to put the good in mornings on<a href="http://goo.gl/6C0xZ"> BlogHer's roundup page</a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><br />
</span></div><div>Oh and keep an eye out here!! In two weeks there will be another opportunity to win a $100 Gift Card!<br />
<i><br />
<br />
I wrote this post while participating in the Tropicana Pure Premium/BlogHer program on behalf of Tropicana Pure Premium. I received product information to facilitate my post and monetary compensation for the time to write my post.</i><br />
<br />
</div><div><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_1020345155"></span><span id="goog_1020345156"></span></div>Melissa {polkadot chair}http://www.blogger.com/profile/09390788074706431112noreply@blogger.com355tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4922579975709693382.post-62418044629886791452011-01-21T15:44:00.000-08:002011-01-29T14:31:07.018-08:00Win a copy of Fresh Fabric Treats & A Fat Quarter Pack<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa247/mmorten/giveaway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa247/mmorten/giveaway.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Hey There!!!<br />
<br />
I am so excited to be a part of the new Moda Bake Shop book, Fresh Fabric Treats! I wish I could share with you my fun project, but I can't yet... but I hope you will like it, I was so excited that I pulled it off!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TTUCFbpJ0FI/AAAAAAAAFJo/ggMbO7iC3Y8/s1600/10810D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TTUCFbpJ0FI/AAAAAAAAFJo/ggMbO7iC3Y8/s400/10810D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The other thing that I am so excited about is that I get to share it with you!!! The awesome folks at Moda Fabrics have generously offered to contribute to a very generous giveaway for my readers today!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There are 2 contests going on at the same time, the first one... Moda is donating for me to give away:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">- A copy of Fresh Fabric Treats!! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">AND</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">-My favorite Moda pre cut- which just so happens to be a Fat Quarter pack!! (are you surprised, aren't I always sewing with fat quarters?)... What's even more exciting is that it will be in a yet to be named fabric line!! So a fun surprise for you!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The second prize is pretty awesome too!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You know how I mentioned the <a href="http://www.polkadotchair.com/2011/01/please-come-to-dinner.html">"Progressive Dinner"</a> going on right now? Well if you go around and leave a comment on EACH blog post, you will be entered to win:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">- a copy of Fresh Fabric Treats</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">AND</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">-One of EACH Moda Precuts!! Yeah, that one charm pack, one fat quarter pack... you get the idea!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So here are the rules!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Leave a separate comment for each item you do:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">-Leave a comment here, say hi, let me know what project you'd love to see on Moda Bake Shop.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">-Blog or Tweet about this giveaway and leave a link in your post (Facebook doesn't count as they do not want bloggers to use them as a forum for giveaways...)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">-Follow or Subscribe to my blog,<a href="http://www.polkadotchair.com/"> www.polkadotchair.com</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A few other things:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">-The book doesn't come out until May, so that's when your prize will arrive</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">-You MUST leave a way for me to contact you in your comment. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">-If I can't get a hold of you within 48 hrs a different winner will be chosen.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Giveaway Ends Friday January 28th at midnight Eastern Time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Melissa {polkadot chair}http://www.blogger.com/profile/09390788074706431112noreply@blogger.com1866tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4922579975709693382.post-34827356846194779452010-11-29T14:35:00.000-08:002010-12-28T14:54:22.810-08:00An Adventure at Home Goods<div style="float: left; margin-right: 5px;"><script language="javascript" src="http://ads.blogherads.com/reviews/homegoods/10.js" type="text/javascript">
</script></div><div style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">This is a compensated review by BlogHer and HomeGoods.</div><div style="clear: both;"></div><br />
Did you venture out shopping last weekend? Did you brave the Black Friday Sales??? We hit the stores Friday and found some great deals! I did not however wake up early to hit the 5 AM sales, a girl needs her sleep!!<br />
<br />
One of my stops over the weekend was <a href="http://www.homegoods.com/">HomeGoods</a>. You see, HomeGoods sent me a gift card and charged me with the task of finding some great gifts for the people in my life.... Hello!! Dream come true!! I love to shop and I was even more excited because I had not been to the Home Goods in our city yet. I grabbed my girls and headed on over.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TPPOsZrykII/AAAAAAAAE9o/szWJ646r6GQ/s1600/photo-11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TPPOsZrykII/AAAAAAAAE9o/szWJ646r6GQ/s640/photo-11.JPG" width="474" /></a></div><br />
The question now became WHO to buy for? You see many of my friends, my Mom and my Sister all read this blog... so shopping for any of them would not be a good idea, since they would surely see what I bought.<br />
<br />
I decided to shop for my twins teachers. I have the hardest time every year coming up with ideas for the teachers and thought it would be great to have that gift "checked off" so early in the season.<br />
<br />
When we got to Home Goods it was packed!! But the store was prepared, every check out line was open and I don't think I even waited 2 minutes to pay. The lady who checked us out was very friendly and I had fun chatting with her a bit. It was nice to see such nice employees on such a crazy shopping weekend!<br />
<br />
Now I must insert a little "plea" in here to the people of Home Goods. Our store, the Louisville Kentucky store, is shared with TJMaxx and Home Goods is just in the back corner. Not nearly enough space for all of the awesome things... The stuff they had is SOOOOO cool and at such awesome prices! A big store would do so well in my area, we don't have anything else like it- So can you please please build a dedicated Home Goods in my city??? Oh how I'd love you! I even know the perfect spot!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TPPOqd1upvI/AAAAAAAAE9k/i1YXERU4LRo/s1600/photo-12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TPPOqd1upvI/AAAAAAAAE9k/i1YXERU4LRo/s400/photo-12.JPG" width="298" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We started browsing... one of my girls wanted this giant Christmas ornament... clever, but we decided on something else for the teachers...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TPPQa2Zfh8I/AAAAAAAAE9w/dmY4YGlzuqg/s1600/photo-14.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TPPQa2Zfh8I/AAAAAAAAE9w/dmY4YGlzuqg/s400/photo-14.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>My other daughter wanted a new lamp for her room...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TPPOv_8ZxbI/AAAAAAAAE9s/mhQEwqMUSCo/s1600/photo-10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TPPOv_8ZxbI/AAAAAAAAE9s/mhQEwqMUSCo/s400/photo-10.JPG" width="298" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">such beautiful ones to pick from but we were determined to stay on task.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here's what I came home with...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TPPRTEovyQI/AAAAAAAAE98/CJAh9TM62B8/s1600/homegoods2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TPPRTEovyQI/AAAAAAAAE98/CJAh9TM62B8/s400/homegoods2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TPPRLu9Q4HI/AAAAAAAAE90/pAEYChAkZwE/s1600/homegoods4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TPPRLu9Q4HI/AAAAAAAAE90/pAEYChAkZwE/s400/homegoods4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Le Creuset bread pans for the teachers... Hello Le Creuset for $14 score! I knew that all of my kids teachers were big bakers, so I thought Le Creuset would be perfect! I grabbed them quickly since the lady next to me was "eyeing" them... I'm going to bake my mom's famous Lemon Bread (in a separate pan) then put it in the loaf pans and tie them up fancy for the teachers. (come back later and I'll have the recipe and photos of the gifts all "fanci-fied").</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TPPRPudHxtI/AAAAAAAAE94/AJnJnhTRQvI/s1600/homegoods3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TPPRPudHxtI/AAAAAAAAE94/AJnJnhTRQvI/s400/homegoods3.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I love the Robert Best Barbie illustrations. My oldest daughter has some large prints framed <a href="http://www.polkadotchair.com/2009/06/around-house-post-3-teenager-bedroom.html">in her room.</a> I grabbed this set of note cards and this beautiful frame. I'm going to frame my favorite one and stick it in my daughters stocking this year. (I was sneaky and sent her to look at the shoes while I snuck this one in the cart).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TPPRXoHF85I/AAAAAAAAE-A/iqjMgw1gLlY/s1600/homegoods1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TPPRXoHF85I/AAAAAAAAE-A/iqjMgw1gLlY/s400/homegoods1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>These gorgeous vintage gift bags!! Some of the gifts I have planned for my friends will fit perfectly in these.<br />
<br />
Are you stumped for holiday gift ideas? Check out the <a href="http://goo.gl/kO7SH">BlogHer HomeGoods roundup page.</a> You can see what others are buying and get some great gift ideas!<br />
<br />
Want to learn more about home goods or find one in your area? <a href="http://goo.gl/mBpoM">Click here to find out.</a><br />
<br />
Okay.... Now there is some awesome news for YOU!!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">HomeGoods is giving away a $50 gift card to a lucky reader!!</span></div><br />
<br />
Just leave a comment on this post and let me know who you'd buy for if Home Goods sent you a gift card!<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rules:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> No duplicate comments.<br />
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:<br />
a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post<br />
b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post<br />
c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post<br />
d) Read the official rules for alternate form of entry.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">Sweepstakes ends at 5 PM PST on December 29, 2010</span><br />
<br />
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older.<br />
Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail.<br />
You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.<br />
The Official Rules are available<a href="http://goo.gl/TxBfJ"> here.</a><br />
<br />
Also- you MUST leave a way for me to contact you in your post! Otherwise how can I find you to tell you if you win? <br />
<br />
GO ENTER!!</span>Melissa {polkadot chair}http://www.blogger.com/profile/09390788074706431112noreply@blogger.com143tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4922579975709693382.post-16737641404991420132010-11-18T11:56:00.000-08:002010-11-18T12:54:54.960-08:00Christmas Cards Quick & Easy...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/img_/publishing/styleSwatches/ssc/stationerycard_5x5/STATIONERYCARD_5x5-31046-2940-MERCHLARGE_FRONT-v1288741728000144494.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.shutterfly.com/img_/publishing/styleSwatches/ssc/stationerycard_5x5/STATIONERYCARD_5x5-31046-2940-MERCHLARGE_FRONT-v1288741728000144494.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I used to make my Christmas cards every year. I would never start early enough, plan too large of a project, then stress out like a crazy person because they were not done in time.<br />
<br />
A couple of years ago I learned my lesson. After "biting off more than I could chew" in the Christmas card department, they never got mailed. That year instead of Christmas cards, I ordered Valentines from Shutterfly. Most people said it was a nice little "surprise" in the middle of dreary month (oh how I dislike February!)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/img_/publishing/styleSwatches/ssc/stationerycard_folded_5x7/STATIONERYCARD_FOLDED_5x7-27137-2931-MERCHLARGE_FRONT-v1288741683000129080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.shutterfly.com/img_/publishing/styleSwatches/ssc/stationerycard_folded_5x7/STATIONERYCARD_FOLDED_5x7-27137-2931-MERCHLARGE_FRONT-v1288741683000129080.jpg" width="231" /></a></div><br />
I was able to personalize the cards with photos of our family and a little bit about what we had done that year. It was so easy and the cards came out so nice, that I decided that my years of making cards were over. <br />
<br />
Over the years our Christmas card list has grown. Which only makes sense, as we have gotten older our circle of friends has expanded and far too many friends have moved away. It's just not as "do able" to make cards any more.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/img_/publishing/styleSwatches/ssc/stationerycard_5x7/STATIONERYCARD_5x7-23046-2407-MERCHLARGE_FRONT-v1281039723000112300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.shutterfly.com/img_/publishing/styleSwatches/ssc/stationerycard_5x7/STATIONERYCARD_5x7-23046-2407-MERCHLARGE_FRONT-v1281039723000112300.jpg" width="231" /></a></div><br />
Let me tell you, printed photo Christmas cards have come a looong way in the past few years. Gone are the days when you only had one or two "styles" to choose from and neither one seemed very good.<br />
<br />
Not only can you now get great professional looking photo cards, you can also get more traditional folded cards too! Last year we got PRINTED folded cards, they were printed on high quality card stock and looked like they had come straight from a professional printer, (but at only a fraction of the cost)<br />
<br />
Shutterfly has got an AMAZING assortment of Holiday Cards to choose from this year. They have really "stepped it up" in my opinion!<br />
<br />
You can see their entire assortment of cards <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery">HERE</a><br />
<br />
They have my personal favorite, f<a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/folded-greeting-cards">olded Greeting Cards...</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/img_/publishing/styleSwatches/ssc/stationerycard_folded_5x7/STATIONERYCARD_FOLDED_5x7-27137-2445-MERCHLARGE_FRONT-v128096282200093170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="http://www.shutterfly.com/img_/publishing/styleSwatches/ssc/stationerycard_folded_5x7/STATIONERYCARD_FOLDED_5x7-27137-2445-MERCHLARGE_FRONT-v128096282200093170.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/img_/publishing/styleSwatches/ssc/stationerycard_folded_5x7/STATIONERYCARD_FOLDED_5x7-27137-2445-MERCHLARGE_FRONT-v128096282200093170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>I'm leaning towards using this one this year... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/flat-stationery-cards">Flat Stationary Cards</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">which are flat (not folded) but printed on cardstock instead of photo paper...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/img_/publishing/styleSwatches/ssc/stationerycard_5x7/STATIONERYCARD_5x7-23046-2777-MERCHLARGE_FRONT-v1281038889000113973.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="http://www.shutterfly.com/img_/publishing/styleSwatches/ssc/stationerycard_5x7/STATIONERYCARD_5x7-23046-2777-MERCHLARGE_FRONT-v1281038889000113973.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This one caught my eye...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>and<br />
<a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/flat-photo-cards?">Traditional Photo Cards...</a><br />
which are beautiful and very economical, especially if you've got a lot of cards to send out!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/img_/publishing/styleSwatches/ssc/photocard/PHOTOCARD-103-4174-MERCHLARGE_FRONT-v1282092184000123843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.shutterfly.com/img_/publishing/styleSwatches/ssc/photocard/PHOTOCARD-103-4174-MERCHLARGE_FRONT-v1282092184000123843.jpg" width="230" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This post has been sponsored by Shutterfly, but regardless of that I can tell you honestly that' I've been ordering from them for years and have always been very very happy with their product and service.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I usually order their photo books... they are a favorite of mine, quick and easy to make and they give you great results.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A few years ago we went on a big family cruise to Europe. When we got home I complied all of the photos we took and made them into a photo book. I gave them to our family members that year for Christmas. The book came out great, and I'm really picky about print colors/photo quality.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TOWDrsLEiyI/AAAAAAAAE9A/MeZQIowyJXQ/s1600/0.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TOWDrsLEiyI/AAAAAAAAE9A/MeZQIowyJXQ/s320/0.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my actual book, it's still on Shutterfly, I can order more if want.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/store/photobooks/category/28190_PBCat_Tab1_0209-v1264030076000102241.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/store/photobooks/category/28190_PBCat_Tab1_0209-v1264030076000102241.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Now all I have to do is decide which card I like the best...that could take a while...<br />
<br />
*this post has been sponsored by Shutterfly*<br />
*are you a blogger? want to get 50 free cards from Shutterfly?<a href="xhttp://bit.ly/sfly2010"> click here to find out more</a>*Melissa {polkadot chair}http://www.blogger.com/profile/09390788074706431112noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4922579975709693382.post-77355142890900978552010-11-15T12:49:00.000-08:002010-11-15T12:49:32.737-08:00New Giveaway, MB Sprout!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TOF1555K42I/AAAAAAAAE60/Mlwp0KJNbKk/s1600/Final+Logo+design+2-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="169" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TOF1555K42I/AAAAAAAAE60/Mlwp0KJNbKk/s320/Final+Logo+design+2-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Hi There!!<br />
<br />
I've got another great giveaway for you guys today! The Holidays are approaching and I love to support handmade businesses! <br />
<br />
Today MB Sprout has generously offered to host a giveaway for Polkdaot Chair readers!<br />
<br />
Here's a little bit about Ashlee the owner,<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TOF13-XxXRI/AAAAAAAAE6w/eIAS7yK03V8/s1600/Wrights+4-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TOF13-XxXRI/AAAAAAAAE6w/eIAS7yK03V8/s320/Wrights+4-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px;">My name is Ashlee and I am new to the blogging 'craft' world. I have always enjoyed crafting in my spare time, but have learned to really love sewing since having my kids. I am a stay at home mother of two children. I have a 4 year old daughter and a 1 year old son. MB Sprout was started and named after my kids. I hope to someday have MB Sprout more well known in the craft world, and am slowly working on tutorials and pattern's that I hope to sell. Once the patterns are completed I will eventually discontinue the items I currently sell since it is easier to sell patterns, then make a thousand of them (especially with the little ones running around me).</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><br />
<a href="http://www.mbsprout.blogspot.com/">MB Sprou</a>t sells beautiufl hand sewn items including:<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">-Nursing Covers </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">-Aprons</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">-Car Seat canopies</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">-Minke Lovies</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">-Burpies</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TOGb9gkKINI/AAAAAAAAE7A/2MYCZWDmfqQ/s1600/DSC02863.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TOGb9gkKINI/AAAAAAAAE7A/2MYCZWDmfqQ/s400/DSC02863.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span><br />
<br />
Today Ashlee has generously offered to giveaway one of her Car Seat Canopies!! I would love to have had one of these when my kids were babies!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TOGb5SgKPjI/AAAAAAAAE68/jUO9fWyVtPc/s1600/DSC02860-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TOGb5SgKPjI/AAAAAAAAE68/jUO9fWyVtPc/s400/DSC02860-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div>This one is specially designed to keep the wind off those precious little ones!!<br />
<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">To enter to win this canopy do the following,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">1- Leave a comment on this post, what's your favorite item in the</span><a href="http://www.mbsprout.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> MB Sprout Store?</span></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">2- Follow the</span><a href="http://www.mbsprout.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> MB Sprout Blog</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">, leave me a separate comment and let me know you did!</span><br />
<br />
US residents only<br />
<br />
Giveaway ends Friday Nov. 19th at noon Eastern time.<br />
<br />
GOOD LUCK!!!<br />
<br />
</div>Melissa {polkadot chair}http://www.blogger.com/profile/09390788074706431112noreply@blogger.com38tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4922579975709693382.post-71690424986543154092010-11-08T17:25:00.000-08:002010-11-11T12:16:48.379-08:00Chalkboard Placemat Tutorial<div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Don't forget, you have until noon Wednesday November 10th to enter the Silhouette products giveaway!! It's just below this post!</span></i></div><br />
My sister reads this blog. This is great, yet poses a problem for me. She's not going to be surprised when she gets these for her kids for Christmas. Oh well, I think she can learn to deal with it, and I don't believe her 5 & 3 yr olds read my blog.... and I know for sure that little Ruby, her tiny baby girl does not read it... so at least on person will be surprised on Christmas morning!<br />
<br />
Hi There! I'm so excited to share with you one of the projects I made from my Silhouette products bundle!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TNidBEgRwEI/AAAAAAAAE5s/PJoQDhb4cqM/s1600/placemat10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TNidBEgRwEI/AAAAAAAAE5s/PJoQDhb4cqM/s400/placemat10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've wanted to make a chalkboard placemat FOREVER! There are so many cute ones that I have seen people make in blog land... This is my version of it. I even had the fabric in my "stash" for a while... yes, there is such a thing as chalkboard fabric!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I wanted to personalize them but could not figure out how to do it. So I set the project aside for a bit. After I got the iron on vinyl from Silhouette I thought it might work.... so after a little "experimenting" I was able to iron the vinyl onto the placemat!! There were a couple of "tricks" but I'll so them to you. I know you have thought about the iron on vinyl for t-shirts but it's really really cool on chalkboard fabric too!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TNic6OQ84zI/AAAAAAAAE5k/BT_qnS94gWc/s1600/placemat12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TNic6OQ84zI/AAAAAAAAE5k/BT_qnS94gWc/s400/placemat12.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The placemat rolls up for travel. It would be great to take to restaurants! It's also backed with iron on vinyl so it's 100% wipe proof!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TNic9n6JIwI/AAAAAAAAE5o/GC37kCQ8CjE/s1600/placemat11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TNic9n6JIwI/AAAAAAAAE5o/GC37kCQ8CjE/s400/placemat11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TNic2GNQECI/AAAAAAAAE5g/PUmYCTtMmKw/s1600/placemat13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TNic2GNQECI/AAAAAAAAE5g/PUmYCTtMmKw/s400/placemat13.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Okay to start. You need the following things.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">- 14"x18" piece of chalkboard fabric</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">- 14x 18" piece of fabric (I used a fat quarter)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">- 14"x18" piece of iron on vinyl</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">- 3" x 5" piece of fabric</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">- 3"x5" piece of iron on vinyl</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">- Silhouette smooth heat transfer material</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">- chalk</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">- pinking attachment for your rotary cutter</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">- ribbon</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TNidbZcyvVI/AAAAAAAAE6M/QAYOepN3luQ/s1600/placemat1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TNidbZcyvVI/AAAAAAAAE6M/QAYOepN3luQ/s400/placemat1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">To cut your heat transfer material, leave it on the roll and feed the end of the roll into the cutter, this way you don't waste any.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Cut off the piece that you cut.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">IMPORTANT! When you use heat transfer material, make sure your image is mirrored, AND cut with the non-shiny side up!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TNidYFK3UsI/AAAAAAAAE6I/ZPKiwGLy9Kk/s1600/placemat2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TNidYFK3UsI/AAAAAAAAE6I/ZPKiwGLy9Kk/s400/placemat2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Remove the extra from around your cut out. You will have something that looks like this.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TNidVk4UPqI/AAAAAAAAE6E/-X023OtUih0/s1600/placemat3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TNidVk4UPqI/AAAAAAAAE6E/-X023OtUih0/s400/placemat3.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Place it onto your placemat piece. About 1" in from each edge.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Turn the chalkboard fabric UPSIDE DOWN and iron the heat transfer onto the fabric from the back! Don't put your iron on top of the black chalkboard fabric, it will leave a permanent mark!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Only iron enough to stick the heat transfer down... don't leave the iron on too long. Where the transfer backing was on the chalkboard fabric will leave a little bit of a mark, but it will be covered up with chalk as it's used. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TNidSiDARZI/AAAAAAAAE6A/AjEuvj0Ga6g/s1600/placemat4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TNidSiDARZI/AAAAAAAAE6A/AjEuvj0Ga6g/s320/placemat4.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Peel off the backing, you'll be left with your cut out piece.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TNidPFM80wI/AAAAAAAAE58/bD7xG8DL_sw/s1600/placemat6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TNidPFM80wI/AAAAAAAAE58/bD7xG8DL_sw/s400/placemat6.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Iron the 3"x5" vinyl piece onto the 3"x5" fabric piece. Cut out with pinking rotary blade. Pin to placemat 1" in from the side. Stitch down around 3 sides to make a pocket.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TNidgqKVObI/AAAAAAAAE6Q/IApjUE2vkYE/s1600/placemat5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TNidgqKVObI/AAAAAAAAE6Q/IApjUE2vkYE/s400/placemat5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Iron the vinyl onto your cut piece of fabric.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Layer your chalkboard fabric and backing fabric wrong sides together. You can use a bit of spray adhesive if you need to hold the layers together. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TNidLnWOYGI/AAAAAAAAE54/wl8tnO68t9M/s1600/placemat7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TNidLnWOYGI/AAAAAAAAE54/wl8tnO68t9M/s400/placemat7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Stitch around the edge of the placemat about 1/2" in from the edge. I used a walking foot and it worked great! If you don't have a walking foot I would recommend a teflon foot to help the fabric glide easily. Leave a small opening in one side to feed your ribbon into.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TNidIjhOmOI/AAAAAAAAE50/7k1sV9D8ASA/s1600/placemat8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TNidIjhOmOI/AAAAAAAAE50/7k1sV9D8ASA/s400/placemat8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Using your pinking rotary trimmer, trim all the edges.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Cut a piece of ribbon about 18" long. Fold in half and stuff into the opening you left in the side. Stitch opening closed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TNidFDu-1PI/AAAAAAAAE5w/pYxH0GwzTtM/s1600/placemat9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TNidFDu-1PI/AAAAAAAAE5w/pYxH0GwzTtM/s400/placemat9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Last step, "prime" the chalkboard fabric with chalk all over. Wipe it off and it's ready to go!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When I give these as gifts I plan on giving them with big chunky chalk, so the pocket is big enough for that.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">**edited to add***</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">*1- It is Vinyl Chalkboard Fabric, I got it at a local Fabric store, it's 60" wide and sold on a roll</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">*2-If you don't have an e-cutter, just cut the letters out with scissors, you'll need a light box. You also need to stick the letters on one at a time, instead of using the transfer paper.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">*3- I doubt it is embroidable, it's vinyl and I think all the little "holes" poked by the embroidery machine would just cause the letters to pop out.</div>Melissa {polkadot chair}http://www.blogger.com/profile/09390788074706431112noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4922579975709693382.post-15857793542582974902010-11-01T10:48:00.000-07:002010-11-08T17:27:55.206-08:00Silhouette Products Giveaway!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QaxFv1JYHZE/TKNnUoKQVCI/AAAAAAAAAkY/XcreQU-0QIU/s400/Candy+Corn+Box.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QaxFv1JYHZE/TKNnUoKQVCI/AAAAAAAAAkY/XcreQU-0QIU/s400/Candy+Corn+Box.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Okay guys, I will admit that I bit the bullet and bought a <a href="http://www.silhouetteamerica.com/">Silhouette machine</a>. I was on the fence for a while because I'm a Mac user and their software was not Mac compatible. BUT NOW IT IS!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.howdoesshe.com/wp-content/uploads/Silhouette-Button-3.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.howdoesshe.com/wp-content/uploads/Silhouette-Button-3.gif" /></a></div><br />
I got the machine and can tell you that it was easy peasy to set up and the software is amazing and very very user friendly!<br />
<br />
One of the things that made me decide to go ahead and get the machine was the option to buy only one image at a time. Most are about .99 and they run specials all the time.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QaxFv1JYHZE/TMXQ6jLfN6I/AAAAAAAAAr0/3CQ9sosBxB4/s640/Library+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QaxFv1JYHZE/TMXQ6jLfN6I/AAAAAAAAAr0/3CQ9sosBxB4/s400/Library+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was very excited to open up the "store" in the Silhouette software and see all of the designs that you could download! Let me tell you, they are DANG cute! Since I had the option of only buying one at a time, I got some fun Halloween designs. I knew I didn't need a bunch of them and I didn't feel like I needed to spend money to buy designs that I knew I would probably never use.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XfQJ00xYUYg/TMtMeYCMjcI/AAAAAAAAJe4/OLOnOJ0EBac/s400/silhouette.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XfQJ00xYUYg/TMtMeYCMjcI/AAAAAAAAJe4/OLOnOJ0EBac/s320/silhouette.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><br />
Okay so what use are all of those cute images if you don't have anything to use them on? I mean you've got to get it off the computer and put it somewhere....<br />
<br />
Silhouette ALSO offers great products to "cut out"... there is vinyl, fuzzy vinyl, heat transfer vinyl, magnet paper etc... When I saw all the things they offer the little creative "gears" in my brain started churning.<br />
<br />
Silhouette being the nice company that they are, sent me a package of things to "play" with. You'll see some fun tutorials coming up using some of it. But for now....<br />
<br />
Silhouette is giving away the same stuff to a LUCKY READER! They are giving away:<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.silhouetteamerica.com/">Silhouette </a>is Giving a $50 Bundle Package away for FREE! </span><br />
And it includes...<br />
<br />
2 Heat Transfer Rolls {Yellow & White Smooth}<br />
1 Tattoo Pack<br />
1 Magnet Sheet<br />
<div><br />
</div><div>Now, you may say.... what can I do with that I don't have a machine... well the cool thing is you can just cut it with your scissors. (or with other cutters you may already have)..I'll be showing you a idea that I came up with that didn't use the machine.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QaxFv1JYHZE/TGv3aDms_UI/AAAAAAAAAZk/WAQ2L8ZdsiY/s320/Onsie.jpg" width="320" /></div><div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QaxFv1JYHZE/TEhmTFtwmAI/AAAAAAAAARM/V5h7T3HhWo0/s400/jeans+close.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QaxFv1JYHZE/TEhmTFtwmAI/AAAAAAAAARM/V5h7T3HhWo0/s320/jeans+close.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QaxFv1JYHZE/TIe-y_8sgqI/AAAAAAAAAgo/_UxOgGY5378/s400/paper+doll.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QaxFv1JYHZE/TIe-y_8sgqI/AAAAAAAAAgo/_UxOgGY5378/s320/paper+doll.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>These are some of the cute things that are made using the heat transfer vinyl and magnet paper! You can find these on the <a href="http://silhouettemachine.blogspot.com/">Silhouette blog</a> (all the images are from there) along with a lot of other really cute ideas!<br />
<br />
Okay so here's the rules:<br />
<br />
-US residents only<br />
-Open Nov 1- 10th noon Eastern time<br />
<br />
To enter:<br />
Leave a separate comment for each item you do:<br />
<br />
1- Leave a comment on this post, let me know what you would make with the gift package.<br />
2- Visit and subscribe or follow the <a href="http://silhouettemachine.blogspot.com/">Silhouette Blog!</a><br />
<br />
<br />
Wait one more thing...<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">A DISCOUNT to the <a href="http://www.silhouetteamerica.com/">Silhouette store!!!</a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Enter the code CHAIR at checkout </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">and get 25% off all accessories! </span>{good til midnight Nov. 13th}<br />
<br />
<br />
*you can only win once. So if your lucky enough to win this giveaway on more than one blog you just get one prize package *<br />
<br />
<br />
</div>Melissa {polkadot chair}http://www.blogger.com/profile/09390788074706431112noreply@blogger.com90tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4922579975709693382.post-68584075919468683232010-10-20T18:06:00.000-07:002010-10-20T18:07:32.968-07:00Teens & Texting...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"></span><br />
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<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Each comment left on this post benefits DoSomething.org with a $0.50 donation!</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="" height="371" src="http://www.blogher.com/files/polka1.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-style: initial; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; float: left; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="247" /></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I wonder sometimes… did Tigger start it all? Who remembers his famous line, “TTFN, ta ta for now!” expressed in his usual upbeat and enthusiastic way? If you have a teen who texts, you know that we’ve moved way past “TTFN” and into a whole new language. A language comprised of short 3-4 character non-words, where nothing is ever spelled correctly and where those fluent in the language really could not care less.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I remember being<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span>out to dinner with my family one night. <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span>My daughter had just received her first phone capable of texting. She was being silly and texting things to her Dad to help pass the time waiting for our dinner to arrive.<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span>She sent him “ILY”.<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span>Seconds after the beep was heard from his phone notifying him that he received a text, he said, “what does illy mean?” He had no idea it was an abbreviation for “I Love You.”<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span>Being the jokester that he is, he then spent the rest of the time at dinner texting our daughter all kinds of made up texting lingo.<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span>“YATBDINW”… “you are the best daughter in the world”.<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span>“PPTS”.. “please pass the salt.” <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> "IAH" ... "I am hungry"... </span>My daughter and I just giggled the whole night trying to explain to him that you can’t just “make up” your own texting lingo.<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span>He didn’t get it and just looked at us bemused most of the night.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Do you ever feel like my husband did that night?<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span>Confused at how this whole new texting language works? Who decides which abbreviations make it into the lingo? (that question I can not answer for you in this article, I admit to being confused by that one as well )… Why do they even need to abbreviate everything in the first place? (short answer, they are lazy <strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">*wink*).</strong></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I admit to reading my daughters texts.<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span>She knows I do this, it’s part of the deal that we have letting her have a texting cell phone.<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span>Sometimes I’ll scroll though the messages and have no idea what she is talking about.<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span>Even worse sometimes when she texts me I have no idea what she is talking about either!</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">So just how do you decode all of that lingo?<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Are you as adult's capable of learning the language? Can you teach an old dog new tricks? (ooh, does that statement make me old??)</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Here are a few tips that I’ve found have helped me out:</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">1) Just ask. Sometimes as parents I think that we are too worried about a finding a creative solution to the problem that we overlook the obvious one. If you see an abbreviation in a text and don’t know what it means, just ask them. Hopefully you will get a straight answer. If not you can try #2.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">2) Do an internet search. Just plug the phrase into your favorite search engine and see what pops up. </div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">3) Pay attention. In my opinion if you’ve got a kid who texts, you’ve got to stay on top of what’s going on. It’s a whole other world and it’s right in front of our eyes. If we’re not paying attention to it, we are going to miss something. In our family we have not run across any of the more “sensational” texting abbreviations. But I know they are out there. There are abbreviations for “parent in the room” and “can’t talk now” among other ones that are not even close to being “G” rated. Pay attention.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">4) Sit down and talk about it. To help me with this article, my daughter and I sat down and she gave me a list of the abbreviations she uses the most. It made for a nice little discussion. Aside from the laughing at how “clueless” her mother is, I think she enjoyed feeling like I was interested in the things that were going on in her life. She was more than happy to help.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></span>5) Here’s a little list to help you out. A little tip if you see a number, say the number out loud.. for example gr8, is great… get it grrr-eight? (Oh Tigger would have loved that one!)</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Btw- by the way<br />
Lol- Laughing out loud<br />
Bff- Best friend forever<br />
Txt - Text<br />
Brb- Be right back<br />
Gtg- Got to go<br />
Ttyl- Talk to you later<br />
Myob- Mind your own business<br />
Ily- I love you<br />
Bf- Boyfriend<br />
Gf – Girlfriend<br />
Cya- See ya</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">6) Nothing <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Times; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></span></span></span></span>is going to be spelled correctly. Get over it.<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span>It’s horrible, I fear for our society over it, but I doubt it is going to change. When you’re typing constantly and quickly you’re not paying attention to spelling.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I used to be super conflicted about the whole texting issue.<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span>Until one evening I was listening to someone talk and they said something to the effect, “Remember when we were kids and we would stay up all hours talking on the phone endlessly? Do you remember falling asleep talking to your best friend on the phone? Well this is this generations version of that.<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span>They don’t stay up all hours talking on the phone, they text”.<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span>The more I thought of it the more I became a bit more ok with the whole idea. I mean at least with texting you’ve got a written down version of the conversation. No one kept a record of all those late night calls when I was a teenager…. And thank goodness for that!</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">My last tip is to have some fun with it! Text your teen. Be silly, ask them to bring you a drink of water when they are sitting in the other room.<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span>Send them “ily” ‘s throughout the day.<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span>Make it a positive thing for you and your teen….<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span>and if you want to tease and confuse them a bit, start making up your own texting lingo like my husband did… Send it to them then smile.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">So... Do you consider yourself fluent in the language of texting? or even better... Do you think that this new lingo language is going to have some long term effect on our kids? Is it damaging their language and writing skills? Will we in 20 years be saying I.L.Y. to our kids instead of "I Love You?"</u> remember... each comment left on this post benefits <a class="external-link" href="http://bit.ly/99eGa7" rel="nofollow" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://www.blogher.com/sites/all/modules/custom/elf/elf.png); background-origin: initial; background-position: 100% 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #516bb3; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 12px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">DoSomething.org </a>with a $0.50 donation!! Leave a comment and join in the discussion!</div>Melissa {polkadot chair}http://www.blogger.com/profile/09390788074706431112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4922579975709693382.post-65546436836450590842010-10-03T18:28:00.000-07:002010-10-11T13:07:42.656-07:00Katie Jean Giveaway!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TJu6rQf40NI/AAAAAAAAEyI/0j0XlUUSets/S210/katiejean_150x150_design1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TJu6rQf40NI/AAAAAAAAEyI/0j0XlUUSets/S210/katiejean_150x150_design1.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>**Giveaway is now closed**</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I'm very very excited for this giveaway! <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.katiejean.net/">Katie Jean</a> emailed me a few weeks ago about advertising here, I checked out here site and was instantly in LOVE with it! Fun fabrics, awesome textures and really really creative ideas. Tons of good ole' vintage goodness!<br />
<br />
I asked Katie to introduce herself here and this is what she wrote:<br />
<br />
<i>I grew up surrounded by a lot of old world antiques, but I didn't discover my love of vintage until I moved to a rural city. It was then that I was able to define my own personal style, by visiting some really special out of the way shops. Where I was able to find vintage linens, fabrics, and notions that I turned into some darling little creations. I always sew with an eye to let the wearer shine through, not to overpower them. Now a touch of vintage is evident in all that I make!</i><br />
<div><i><br />
</i></div><div>You can definitely see that touch of vintage when you look at some of the items in her shop...</div><div><br />
</div><div>Here's a few of my favorites!</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_430xN.166873823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_430xN.166873823.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small World Burp Cloths</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_430xN.62789483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_430xN.62789483.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summery Baby onesie & pants</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_430xN.145057119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_430xN.145057119.jpg" width="297" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanky Baby Onesie... okay GENIUS idea!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_430xN.178215160.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_430xN.178215160.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CUTE CUTE T-shirt!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div>You guys are VERY lucky today because Katie has made a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">ONE OF A KIND</span> item for today's giveaway!!!</div><div><br />
</div><div>In the spirit of Halloween she has made this beautiful vintage Halloween Scarf!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TKksQZb7uzI/AAAAAAAAE1Q/OQJJ3avqyaI/s1600/100_5460.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TKksQZb7uzI/AAAAAAAAE1Q/OQJJ3avqyaI/s400/100_5460.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TKksT-DSwyI/AAAAAAAAE1U/LKnOCjHWAbE/s1600/100_5471.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TKksT-DSwyI/AAAAAAAAE1U/LKnOCjHWAbE/s400/100_5471.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div>It's adorable on this cute girl, but I would totally steal it if my daughter had one!!</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TKksXOHhcoI/AAAAAAAAE1Y/5VAYVAkLLMY/s1600/100_5455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TKksXOHhcoI/AAAAAAAAE1Y/5VAYVAkLLMY/s400/100_5455.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TKksbEBRLgI/AAAAAAAAE1c/FrCT1uo678E/s1600/100_5456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TKksbEBRLgI/AAAAAAAAE1c/FrCT1uo678E/s400/100_5456.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">To Enter:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You have 2 chances!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1- Visit<a href="http://www.katiejean.net/"> katie jean</a> and tell me your favorite item!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2- Visit the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_790878773">katie</a><a href="http://katiejean.wordpress.com/"> jean blo</a>g (lots of great FREE sewing tutorials on there!) LEAVE her a comment then leave me a comment so that I can give you the extra entry!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">US residents only</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div><br />
</div></div>Melissa {polkadot chair}http://www.blogger.com/profile/09390788074706431112noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4922579975709693382.post-33710320932666479772010-09-17T13:33:00.000-07:002010-09-17T13:34:51.856-07:00Doodlebugs Paper Giveaway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.doodlebugspaper.com/fpdb/images/logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://www.doodlebugspaper.com/fpdb/images/logo.png" width="400" /></a></div>One of the newest sponsors at the Polkadot Chair is<a href="http://www.doodlebugspaper.com/store/Default.asp"> Doodle Bugs Paper! </a>They carry an extensive line of personalized stationery.<br />
<br />
A little bit about them:<br />
<a href="http://www.doodlebugspaper.com/store/Default.asp">Doodle Bugs</a> was started by Kacey, here's what she says about how her business evolved:<br />
<i><br />
I started Doodle Bugs Paper in January 2003.<br />
Why? I love paper!<br />
And, I really love personalized paper.<br />
I started Doodle Bugs being a dealer for five major stationery chains.<br />
Quickly, I started designing and printing myself and turned the main focus of the business to my own line of stationery.</i><br />
<div><i><br />
</i>I always say that great packaging makes an ordinary gift extra special. You know when you want to add that extra little "something" to a gift? Or need just the right thing for a party favor? Why not add a little something personal?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y60/doodlebugs/birthdaygifts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y60/doodlebugs/birthdaygifts.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.doodlebugspaper.com/fpdb/images/peepingwitchsquarestickers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.doodlebugspaper.com/fpdb/images/peepingwitchsquarestickers.jpg" width="161" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">How cute would these stickers be to put on treat bags for Halloween?</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.doodlebugspaper.com/fpdb/images/STArollingpin.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="328" src="http://www.doodlebugspaper.com/fpdb/images/STArollingpin.gif" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What about a personalized stamp? These would be soo great to use at Christmas time! You could make custom tags for all of your baked goodies.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.doodlebugspaper.com/fpdb/images/fancyinitialswithname.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.doodlebugspaper.com/fpdb/images/fancyinitialswithname.jpg" width="328" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I think these would make great Christmas gifts! Especially for someone who is hard to buy for (can you tell I have the Holidays on the brain?)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.doodlebugspaper.com/fpdb/images/superboykidthankyounotes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.doodlebugspaper.com/fpdb/images/superboykidthankyounotes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.doodlebugspaper.com/fpdb/images/bluebirdbagtag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.doodlebugspaper.com/fpdb/images/bluebirdbagtag.jpg" width="193" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.doodlebugspaper.com/fpdb/images/threepursesfillintheblanknotes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.doodlebugspaper.com/fpdb/images/threepursesfillintheblanknotes.jpg" width="321" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They also feature aDoraBLE items for kids!! Great Luggage tags & Thank You notes!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Today Doodle Bugs has generously offered a reader a:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">$25 Gift Certificate to their site!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">To enter:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1- <a href="http://www.doodlebugspaper.com/store/Default.asp">Visit their site </a>and let me know what you'd pick if you won! (you can change your mind later if you do win *wink*)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2- Leave another comment if you <a href="http://doodlebugspaper.blogspot.com/">subscribe to their blog.</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">3- Leave another comment if you blog, tweet or otherwise "mention" this giveaway in cyberspace somewhere!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">-U.S. shipping only</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">-Giveaway closes at midnight Eastern Time September 19th!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<br />
</div>Melissa {polkadot chair}http://www.blogger.com/profile/09390788074706431112noreply@blogger.com64tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4922579975709693382.post-20384666243762426362010-07-24T10:54:00.000-07:002010-07-26T13:45:43.375-07:00Scentsy Giveaway!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TEshzAv6IEI/AAAAAAAAEeE/Aib8eLf7wHA/s1600/scentsy2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TEshzAv6IEI/AAAAAAAAEeE/Aib8eLf7wHA/s400/scentsy2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>I was contacted by <a href="http://www.scentsy.net/en-us/index.aspx">Scentsy</a> (corporate not an individual conslutant) last month asking if I wanted to review one of their candle warmers and some scents! I said "YES" and emailed her right back.<br />
<br />
Here's a little bit about them:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/profile-ak-snc1/object3/1954/78/n47147216349_2735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/profile-ak-snc1/object3/1954/78/n47147216349_2735.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Inspired by an Oprah episode on “Millionaire Moms,” stay-at-home mom Kara Egan was seized with the urge to start a business of her own.<br />
Then, over lunch one day, her sister-in-law Colette Gunnell mentioned this funny thing her neighbor did, breaking scented candles into pieces and melting them in an old potpourri warmer.<br />
<br />
Something clicked for Kara. “I heard the words in my mind saying Kara, this is it.” She called Colette that same night and asked, “Why don’t we start a business together selling candle chunks in a warmer?”<br />
<br />
Scentsy Warmers use a low-watt bulb to melt specially formulated wax slowly, maximizing the fragrance time of the Scentsy Bar or Scentsy Brick.<br />
<br />
With no flame, soot, smoke or lead to worry about, the Scentsy system is a safe way to enjoy more than 80 delightful Scentsy fragrances.<br />
<div><br />
</div><div><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TEshqWECLvI/AAAAAAAAEd8/bEwAMxdkiZw/s1600/scentsy1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TEshqWECLvI/AAAAAAAAEd8/bEwAMxdkiZw/s400/scentsy1.jpg" width="267" /></a><br />
I mentioned before that I LOVE to burn candles in my kitchen, but know it's not the safest and the smoke can sometimes get on your cabinets. I had heard of Scentsy from some local friends but was never able to go check out the stuff. (The parties were at night and it's SOOO hard to leave the house at night now that my kids are getting older!). I have a few friends that just LOVE their stuff so I was excited to check it out for myself.<br />
They sent me a few things. A warmer which warms the Scentsy Bars & the Bars themeselves. I chose the<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> DIY warmer</span>, I liked the clean lines & thought it would look great in my kitchen. I think that it would also be fun to put vinyl decals on it that you could change out with the seasons.<br />
<br />
Here's a few of the other warmers that<a href="http://www.scentsy.net/en-us/index.aspx"> Scentsy offers</a>:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs270.ash1/19780_278553816349_47147216349_4895496_6948646_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs270.ash1/19780_278553816349_47147216349_4895496_6948646_n.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs022.snc3/10931_201612886349_47147216349_4399367_6111477_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs022.snc3/10931_201612886349_47147216349_4399367_6111477_n.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs270.ash1/19780_281831731349_47147216349_4909146_2553409_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs270.ash1/19780_281831731349_47147216349_4909146_2553409_n.jpg" /></a></div>There are LOTS more to choose from, you can check out their website for even more.<br />
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They also sent me 3 scents to try out:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs601.snc3/31686_432129801349_47147216349_5985471_4837214_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="113" src="http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs601.snc3/31686_432129801349_47147216349_5985471_4837214_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Green Tea Smoothie</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Skinny Dippin </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">& Cinnamon Vanilla</span><br />
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So far our favorite of the 3 is Green Tea Smoothie.<br />
As soon as I opened the Cinnamon Vanilla it reminded me of Fall! (amazing how a smell can do that)... So I'm saving it for cooler weather :) I can't wait to try a few more!<br />
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We also discovered you pour the melted wax back into the container and use it again, so you can change out the scents as you like!<br />
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Scentsy Products are sold though Independent Consultants, you can find<a href="http://www.scentsy.net/en-us/index.aspx"> one here:</a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">TODAY Scentsy is giving away:</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">One Warmer of your choice AND Scentsy Bar of your choice!!</span><br />
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To enter you have 3 chances to win! (leave a separate comment for each item you do).<br />
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1- Visit the <a href="http://www.scentsy.net/en-us/index.aspx">Scentsy website</a> then leave a comment on this blog post & let me know your favorite product or scent you'd most like to try.<br />
2- Become a <a href="http://www.facebook.com/OfficialScentsyFanPage">Fan of Scentsy on Facebook</a><br />
3- Blog, tweet, facebook or in some other way mention this giveaway in Cyberspace!<br />
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Giveaway is open until Monday July 26th at Midnight Eastern Time.<br />
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*please no links to independent Scenty blogs/dealers in the comments*</div>Melissa {polkadot chair}http://www.blogger.com/profile/09390788074706431112noreply@blogger.com107tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4922579975709693382.post-21729800500809467662010-07-10T08:16:00.000-07:002010-07-10T08:16:34.398-07:00Ginger Blossoms Giveaway!Andrea from Ginger Blossoms was generous enough to send me some of her beautiful felt food!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TDiMLSApqxI/AAAAAAAAEY8/QyO8ENPv__w/s1600/ginger1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="427" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TDiMLSApqxI/AAAAAAAAEY8/QyO8ENPv__w/s640/ginger1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Right away, my daughter confiscated them and took them to her room!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TDiMIm-b1EI/AAAAAAAAEY0/CGxE1ZJGK7k/s1600/ginger2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TDiMIm-b1EI/AAAAAAAAEY0/CGxE1ZJGK7k/s400/ginger2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Where she proceeded to have a little tea party with them...<br />
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Ginger Blossoms sells beautifully hand made felt food. Their felt food sets are great for the imagination, and sparking creativity...they are great for any age. They are a wonderful addition to any play kitchen or grocery store. They make wonderful party favors, and can be customized for any occasion. They are made from 100% eco - friendly materials<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #006699; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">. </span><br />
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Check out some of their products!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TDiL87GHNXI/AAAAAAAAEX0/iw-HNctBJuA/s1600/smallfruitset.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="330" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TDiL87GHNXI/AAAAAAAAEX0/iw-HNctBJuA/s400/smallfruitset.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TDiMAgkqg_I/AAAAAAAAEYU/RGcoD6NsxQk/s1600/pickyourownvegis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TDiMAgkqg_I/AAAAAAAAEYU/RGcoD6NsxQk/s400/pickyourownvegis.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Fruit or Veggie Basket? which do you prefer?- oh my that banana... it's bananas!! :)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TDiL9cKFlsI/AAAAAAAAEX8/RlPJAFNs4k0/s1600/pbjheartapple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TDiL9cKFlsI/AAAAAAAAEX8/RlPJAFNs4k0/s400/pbjheartapple.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich!!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TDiMDbLUF9I/AAAAAAAAEYk/2qT51nRDfUs/s1600/meatlovers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TDiMDbLUF9I/AAAAAAAAEYk/2qT51nRDfUs/s400/meatlovers.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hungry for Breakfast?!?</div><br />
I can say since I have seen them that the felt food is soft, meticulously made, and beautiful. My daughter loves to play with them in her "kitchen".<br />
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Ginger Blossoms has generously agreed to give away to one Polkadot Chair reader:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TDiL6BHHS4I/AAAAAAAAEXs/Doa2GjPf5n0/s1600/sweetsugarcookies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TDiL6BHHS4I/AAAAAAAAEXs/Doa2GjPf5n0/s400/sweetsugarcookies.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TDiL_IaTWAI/AAAAAAAAEYM/3qdAvQt804w/s1600/pinkcupcakes2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TDiL_IaTWAI/AAAAAAAAEYM/3qdAvQt804w/s400/pinkcupcakes2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">A set of Cookies AND Cupcakes!!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">To enter:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">1- Visit <a href="http://gingerblossoms.com/index.htm">Ginger Blossoms store </a>and let me know your favorite item.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">2- For a second entry, visit <a href="http://www.gingerblossomsboutique.blogspot.com/">Ginger Blossoms blog </a>and subscribe or follow it. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">3- Visit their <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Malad-City-ID/Ginger-Blossoms-Boutique/123155637715966">facebook page</a> and become a fan. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Leave a separate comment for each thing you do.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Giveaway will end Monday July 12th at Midnight Eastern time!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Melissa {polkadot chair}http://www.blogger.com/profile/09390788074706431112noreply@blogger.com97tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4922579975709693382.post-17756677590739393682010-06-18T11:48:00.000-07:002010-06-18T11:55:24.204-07:00Sponsor Giveaway: The Ribbon Retreat!!!I've got a fabulous giveaway for you guys today!!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TBu7WSvRDsI/AAAAAAAAET0/Kn_bHy2UfDM/s1600/theribbonretreat%2Bfabric.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TBu7WSvRDsI/AAAAAAAAET0/Kn_bHy2UfDM/s320/theribbonretreat%2Bfabric.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #006699; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I'm sure you have noticed if you follow my blog that I LOVE Ribbon! I use it on almost all of my sewing and crafty projects (and it's not just because I'm too lazy to sew straps!) <a href="http://www.theribbonretreat.com/">The Ribbon Retreat</a> contacted me about hosting a giveaway and I immediately fell in love with their inventory! Who wouldn't? HELLO!! Hundreds of different kinds of Ribbon!!</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #006699; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The Ribbon Retreat has been in business for over 4 years. They started it to provide a source for HIGH quality fabric and ribbon at reasonable prices.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">They carry:</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">-over 120 shades of grosgrain ribbon in over 6 sizes (oh be still my heart!! 120 shade of grosgrain ribbon!!)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TBu7ZIdRPWI/AAAAAAAAEUE/JEs8VB_0fu4/s1600/AdGrosgrain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TBu7ZIdRPWI/AAAAAAAAEUE/JEs8VB_0fu4/s400/AdGrosgrain.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #006699; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">-hundreds of printed ribbons</span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TBu7Xh4ye5I/AAAAAAAAET8/VlZaJsoYN7Y/s1600/AdPrintedRibbons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TBu7Xh4ye5I/AAAAAAAAET8/VlZaJsoYN7Y/s400/AdPrintedRibbons.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="color: #006699; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-family: 'PrimaSans BT,Verdana,sans-serif';"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">-Unique items such as Double Ruffle Ribbon, 1/8" Grosgrain, Moonstitch Grosgrain </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">-Made to Match Gymboree Ribbon! (okay why didn't I know this 3 years ago!!!)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">-Specialty Mixes & More</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #006699; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Having a hard time finding ric rac???</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.theribbonretreat.com/images/RibbonColors/250x200/RibbonColor_270120091211110159.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="264" src="http://www.theribbonretreat.com/images/RibbonColors/250x200/RibbonColor_270120091211110159.JPEG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They've got dozens of colors in lots of sizes!! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #006699; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><span style="font-family: 'PrimaSans BT,Verdana,sans-serif';"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'PrimaSans BT,Verdana,sans-serif';"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'PrimaSans BT,Verdana,sans-serif';"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'PrimaSans BT,Verdana,sans-serif';"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TBu7celffBI/AAAAAAAAEUU/xfM--mHKh7k/s1600/AdHairBows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TBu7celffBI/AAAAAAAAEUU/xfM--mHKh7k/s400/AdHairBows.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div></span></span></span><span style="font-family: 'PrimaSans BT,Verdana,sans-serif';"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Want to learn how to make Hair Bows? They can help you with that too!!</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TBu7azKmdEI/AAAAAAAAEUM/qeEzNrvIQmI/s1600/FabricsAndPatterns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/TBu7azKmdEI/AAAAAAAAEUM/qeEzNrvIQmI/s400/FabricsAndPatterns.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #006699; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><span style="font-family: 'PrimaSans BT,Verdana,sans-serif';"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'PrimaSans BT,Verdana,sans-serif';"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'PrimaSans BT,Verdana,sans-serif';"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'PrimaSans BT,Verdana,sans-serif';"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><div style="color: #006699; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #006699; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Check out their supply of<a href="http://www.theribbonretreat.com/fabricdefault.aspx"> Fabric & Patterns!</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="color: #006699; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="color: #006699; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Today the Ribbon Retreat has offered to a Polkadot Chair Too reader a:</span></span></div><div style="color: #006699; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">$50 Gift Certificate!!</span></span></span></div><div style="color: #006699; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I could do some serious damage with that!!!</span></span></div><div style="color: #006699; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="color: #006699; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">To enter:</span></span></div><div style="color: #006699; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="color: #006699; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">1- Go to the <a href="http://www.theribbonretreat.com/">Ribbon Retreat</a> and let me know your favorite product.</span></span></div><div style="color: #006699; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">2- Subscribe to <a href="http://ribbonfairy.com/">their blog</a></span></span></div><div style="color: #006699; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">3- Become a fan of their <a href="http://www.facebook.com/theribbonretreat">Facebook Page!</a></span></span></div><div style="color: #006699; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="color: #006699; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Leave a separate comment for each item you do!</span></span></div><div style="color: #006699; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="color: #006699; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Giveaway open until Sunday June 20th at Midnight Eastern</span></span></div><div style="color: #006699; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></div></span></span></span>Melissa {polkadot chair}http://www.blogger.com/profile/09390788074706431112noreply@blogger.com211tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4922579975709693382.post-77897782328562454902010-03-04T10:51:00.000-08:002010-06-04T10:57:43.499-07:00Lisa Leonard Designs Giveaway!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span">A few weeks ago, I got this beautiful Lisa Leonard necklace!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/S6L3abLwDMI/AAAAAAAADuE/-DU_bk06ROc/s1600-h/lisaleonardgive.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_grV-Ugzbc8Q/S6L3abLwDMI/AAAAAAAADuE/-DU_bk06ROc/s400/lisaleonardgive.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>okay, ignore my "in desperate need of some sun" skin -k-?</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> </i></div><div style="text-align: center;">I LOVE IT and have been wearing it around all week! It's the<a href="http://www.lisaleonardonline.com/custom-necklaces/heartstrings-necklace.html"> heartstrings necklace</a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lisaleonardonline.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/5e06319eda06f020e43594a9c230972d/D/S/DSC_0167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.lisaleonardonline.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/5e06319eda06f020e43594a9c230972d/D/S/DSC_0167.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">it has the names of my 3 kids on it... and I must tell you, it's even prettier in real life.</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lisaleonardonline.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/5e06319eda06f020e43594a9c230972d/D/S/DSC_0030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="http://www.lisaleonardonline.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/5e06319eda06f020e43594a9c230972d/D/S/DSC_0030.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Here are some of her fabulous designs.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lisaleonardonline.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/5e06319eda06f020e43594a9c230972d/D/S/DSC_0474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.lisaleonardonline.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/5e06319eda06f020e43594a9c230972d/D/S/DSC_0474.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lisaleonardonline.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/5e06319eda06f020e43594a9c230972d/D/S/DSC_0155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="http://www.lisaleonardonline.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/5e06319eda06f020e43594a9c230972d/D/S/DSC_0155.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lisaleonardonline.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/5e06319eda06f020e43594a9c230972d/D/S/DSC_0517_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.lisaleonardonline.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/5e06319eda06f020e43594a9c230972d/D/S/DSC_0517_1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">this one's & the chandelier are my second favorites.... maybe I'll buy myself a present for my birthday *wink*<br />
<br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.lisaleonardonline.com/">Go check out her shop! </a> Lisa is giving away to a reader a $75 gift certificate to her store!!!<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-large;">**note: this giveaway is closed*****</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span></span></div>Melissa {polkadot chair}http://www.blogger.com/profile/09390788074706431112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4922579975709693382.post-620710133712451832010-02-26T13:56:00.000-08:002010-06-15T13:57:49.058-07:00Giveaway, eWillow.com<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Hey there! I've got a great giveaway for you guys today! (it is Friday after all!!).... </span></span> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ewillow.com/images/ewillow_billboard_red_go_shopping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ewillow.com/images/ewillow_billboard_red_go_shopping.jpg" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> Charlene runs eWillow.com. A few months ago she emailed me about advertising on my site and we started getting to know each other over email... Turns out that it is INDEED a very small world! She is friends with my brother in law's (the one from the radio) sister...</span></span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">a little bit about her:</span> <br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"Born and raised not far from the Jersey shore, Charlene and her family moved to Jupiter, Florida the day after her high school graduation. She attended Brigham Young University and Florida Atlantic University, graduating with a bachelor's degree in Communications. During her college years, she met her husband, Neil, and began a successful career as a high-fashion runway model. After the birth of Charlene's second daughter, she gave up modeling to focus on her children and her new love of crafting.</span></span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Charlene combined her love of fashion with her love of creating to build a successful business designing and making doll clothing. Her interest in stamping began when she sought to include professional-looking handmade tags with her creations."</span></span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I have really enjoyed getting ot know her better the last few months, if you get a chance ask her how she knows Donny Osmond! (another good story!!!)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ewillow.com/images/products/000002960.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://ewillow.com/images/products/000002960.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">an item for sale on eWillow</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #006699; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"Charlene envisioned one site that would provide those who love stamping and paper crafting a single resource for all of their needs. Whether someone had products they wanted to buy or sell, ideas they wanted to share, discussions they wanted to participate in, or was just looking to connect with friends who share that same love of papercrafting, Charlene envisioned one place online. Charlene's vision became eWillow.com."</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><a href="http://eWillow.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">eWillow.com</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> is a site where you can buy AND sell hand made papercrafted items! and get this... starting VERY soon they will aslo feature Jewelry designers!!! (so if you are a jewelry designer looking for a great sales platform, drop them a line.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #006699; font-family: 'PrimaSans BT,Verdana,sans-serif', helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"></span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ewillow.com/images/products/000001294.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://ewillow.com/images/products/000001294.jpg" width="365" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">more cute stuff!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ewillow.com/images/products/000003320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://ewillow.com/images/products/000003320.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ewillow.com/images/products/000003173.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" src="http://ewillow.com/images/products/000003173.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">how cute!! as you can tell I have France on the brain!!</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Charlene has generoulsy offered to giveaway for Polkadot Chair readers!</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">She is giving away either:</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">a<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> $30 Shopping Spree on her site !!</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">OR</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">a<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> 3 months store subscription</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">! <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">(if you've been on the fence about starting your own shop this could be a great reason to start!!)</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span> <br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">You choose!!!</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The rules:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1- Simply leave a comment on this post, what's your favorite item listed on eWillow now???</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">2- Visit </span></span><a href="http://ewillow.com/serendipity/ewillow_blog.php"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Charlene's blog</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> and subscribe & leave a separate comment to let me know you did.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">(she's got some AWESOME paper crafting ideas on there)</span></span></span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ewillow.com/serendipity/uploads/wallet004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="http://ewillow.com/serendipity/uploads/wallet004.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"></span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"></span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"></span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">check out this cool "Euro wallet" she featured last week on her blog!</span></span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> Giveaway runs until Sunday Feb. 28th at Midnight Eastern!!! With a winner announced Monday!</span></span></span></div></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-large;">THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED!!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span></span></div>Melissa {polkadot chair}http://www.blogger.com/profile/09390788074706431112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4922579975709693382.post-83217635441189880432010-02-19T14:00:00.000-08:002010-06-15T14:01:08.103-07:00Giveaway: Shey B Camera Strap Covers!!!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">*giveaway is closed... watch for a winner to be announced!!**</div>I am very excited to announce my latest giveaway!! I hope you like the giveaways here, I'm rounding them up for you guys as a way of saying "thanks" for spending some of your time here on my blog! <br />
<div></div><div>I'm changing the way I do them a bit.. I'm going to list the giveaways on Fridays then give you all weekend to enter, with winner announced on Monday! I am also starting "tutorial Tuesday's" so stay keep an eye out for fun, free tutorials every (ok. most) tuesdays... again, my way of saying "thanks" for reading... <br />
<div></div><div>So onto our giveaway!!</div><div></div><div>Many of you know I'm an avid shutterbug! I've loved photography since I was in high school. I took a big vacation with my husbands family a few years ago and got "teased" a bit that I lugged my giant camera all over with me! I don't care... I got some awesome pictures!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cache0.bigcartel.com/product_images/12608351/300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://cache0.bigcartel.com/product_images/12608351/300.jpg" width="183" /></a></div><div></div><div>I also LOVE a good accessory.... I saw <a href="http://sheyb.bigcartel.com/">Shey [B]'s camera strap covers</a> a few months ago and thought they were GENIUS!!!</div><div></div><div>Shey*[B] is one of the sponsors here , and has graciously offered BOTH a GIVEAWAY AND a DISCOUNT for Polkadot Chair readers....</div><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cache1.bigcartel.com/product_images/14801481/IMG_0024_list.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://cache1.bigcartel.com/product_images/14801481/IMG_0024_list.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Shealynn makes covers that slip over your existing DSLR camera strap! I think this is such a good idea, that way you still have the security of your original strap but you get the "cute" too... You can also switch out the covers as you like! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here are a few of my favorites, but it's a bit hard to just pick a few, she's got such a good eye for picking & combining colors/patterns...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cache0.bigcartel.com/product_images/12220781/300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cache0.bigcartel.com/product_images/12220781/300.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="http://cache1.bigcartel.com/product_images/12130431/300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cache1.bigcartel.com/product_images/12130431/300.jpg" /></a> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">ohh... love a good polkadot!</div><a href="http://cache0.bigcartel.com/product_images/13556271/175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://cache0.bigcartel.com/product_images/13556271/175.jpg" width="133" /></a> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This one has Minke behind it... I'll bet that makes your heavy camera much more comfortable to carry around on your neck all day....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Okay... the details!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">FIRST</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Shealynn has graciously offered the readers of Polkadot chair a 10% discount in her store, good for 1 week only (til Feb 26)... just enter the code:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">POLKADOT at checkout.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">SECOND</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">She is offering one lucky reader a $25 gift certificate to her site!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">To enter it's easy:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Just leave a comment here and let me know which is your favorite item in <a href="http://sheyb.bigcartel.com/">her store</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You have until Midnight on the 21st to enter, with a winner announced on Monday!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div></div></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-large;">This giveaway is CLOSED!!</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></div>Melissa {polkadot chair}http://www.blogger.com/profile/09390788074706431112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4922579975709693382.post-1086387350616022012009-03-11T12:19:00.001-07:002010-06-04T10:48:51.224-07:00Just a note...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-large;">This is a giveaway & review blog... click</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-large;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.polkadotchair.blogspot.com/">HERE</a> for my main blog</span>Melissa {polkadot chair}http://www.blogger.com/profile/09390788074706431112noreply@blogger.com0