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Die-Cut Business Card Giveaway

September 15, 2010 62 Comments
I’m always excited to offer print giveaways to my lovely readers,  especially when it’s a product that you can use for your blogs and businesses.  This time around I’ll be giving away Die-Cut Business cards!
In the past I’ve ordered some Uprinting business cards  for my blog.  The process was very easy!  I used my blog header as a template and created the card design on photobucket, and then I just uploaded it to the Uprinting website and voila!
But if you don’t like designing things or don’t know how, don’t worry!  You can always choose from the variety of templates available on the Uprinting website!
I’m very excited that I’m going to recieve a set Die-Cut Business Cards this time!  If you’re not familiar with Die-Cuts, these are business cards that feature rounded corners or other fun shapes.  It’s a great way to make your cards stand out!
Here’s more information on this prize:

250 Die Cut Business Cards for One (1) Winner
2 x 3.5”, 2 x 2” (square card) or 1.75 x 3.5” (slim card)
Die cutting options available: Rounded Corners, Leaf, Rounded One-Corner, Half-Circle Side, Circle
Paper Type: 14pt Cardstock Gloss, Matte, or High Gloss; 13pt Cardstock Uncoated
Color: 4Color Front, Blank Back; 4Color Front, Black Back; 4Color Both Sides
Limited to US residents only 18 years old and above

Giveaway is now closed. Congrats to our winner, April!

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Disclosure: For hosting this giveaway, I will be receiving a set of Die-Cut Business Cards.

Filed Under: Business, Giveaways, Sponsors

Lose-a-Palooza – Lose for Good Campaign

September 13, 2010 3 Comments

Wouldn’t it be great if you could help fight hunger – and encourage your friends to do the same – simply by using your favorite social network to spread the word?
On September 14, 2010, you can! Lose-A-Palooza is a one-day social media event created to encourage participation in the Lose For Good campaign** to benefit Share Our Strength and Action Against Hunger.
For every accepted mention or acknowledgment of “Lose For Good” made on September 14th through blogs, Twitter, Facebook and check-in via foursquare, Weight Watchers will donate $1 – up to $60,000* – to Share Our Strength and Action Against Hunger.

Here’s what you can do to help fight world hunger on September 14:
1. Help via the Blogs. Just comment on this blog post!  Don’t forget to include the phrase “Lose for Good” in your comment!  And if you find any other Lose for Good posts on other blogs, comment there as well!  You can also write your own Lose for Good post!  And you can also post about Lose for Good at the Weightwatchers.com Community.
2.  Help via Twitter by following @WeightWatchers, @Sharestrength, and @acfusa.  And tweet or retweet using the hashtag: #LoseForGood.  Also, install a “Lose-A-Palooza” Twibbon to your profile picture (Available 9/14).
3.  Help via Facebook.  You can like Weight Watchers, Share Our Strength, and Action Against Hunger on Facebook. Also, like or comment on any of the Weight Watchers “Lose-A-Palooza” updates that are posted throughout the day.  Add a “Lose-A-Palooza” Twibbon to your profile picture on Facebook as well(Available 9/14).

When they make it that easy, there’s no reason not to help out, so get to commenting! It’s for a good cause!

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Disclosure:  This is not a paid post.  I found out about this campaign through the One2One Network.  I am not affiliated with any of the organizations involved in the campaign.

Filed Under: Causes/Charities

Shortbread Cookies

September 12, 2010 6 Comments
Even though I’m a total chocolate lover and I’m always finding new and exciting recipes to experiment with, sometimes I just like something simple and plain.  As a child, it thrilled my soul when I’d get to eat homemade teacakes.  They were so simple….no chocolate candies, frostings, or sprinkles involved, yet they were so yummy!  So today I’m paying tribute to that simpler time and that simpler taste with these delicious shortbread cookies.
Reminder – If you have a cookie recipe you’d like featured for this month’s cookie round-up, please email me.  Bars are welcome too!

Recipe for Shortbread Cookies:
Ingredients:
1 cup butter (2 sticks), softened
1/2 cup sugar
2 cups flour
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
If dough is too dry, add up 2 tbsp milk. (I didn’t do this.)

Directions: Mix together all your dry ingredients. Then add butter and vanilla extract.  Mix well. Add milk if dough is too dry.  Roll out in to dough balls or use a cookie cutter.  Bake at 350 degrees for 11-13 minutes. 
Note – Be careful that you do not overbake these. Even cooking them a couple of minutes too long could make them brown and hard, and they won’t taste nearly as good, so keep watch as these are baking.
Tip – If you’re not looking for something simple, you can always put frosting on these. In fact, they’d be great for sandwich cookies too. Or you could add anything else you like.  In a couple of weeks, I’ll also be sharing something else that you can do with these shortbread cookies.  (You’ll definitely be excited, so stay tuned!)

Check out my sidebar or my Party Page to see all the fabulous places where I’m linking up.

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Filed Under: cookies and candy, Recipe of the Week

Friday Favorites – Week 29

September 9, 2010 19 Comments

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Hey guys! After an email conversation I had today with my good friend Cheryl at Tidy Mom, I’ve decided to mix it up a little tonight and say “Happy Thursday Night!” (as opposed to the Happy Friday I’m often chanting here.) I mean….I know it’s Friday Favorites, but for once let’s call it what it is.  It’s Thursday night!  I’m posting this on Thursday night, and I know that you’re all anxiously waiting at your computers so you can be the first to link up on Thursday night! (Or not!)
And then again, if you’re reading this, and it’s already Friday for you, Happy Friday! (Now all the bases are the covered!)

Anyway! I ‘ve very excited that you came to link up this week!  By the way, if you came last Friday and things were in disarray, it’s because I was having my blog template reconfigured and making some other changes as well. So I hope you like the semi-new layout!

Just one more thing before I get to this week’s party.  I’d like to invite you to enter the 3 giveaways in my sidebar.  All three of these have a very low number of entries.  I haven’t checked the numbers today, but I know they are a LOT lower than usual, and they’re all good prizes.  So go win it up!

Now let’s look at our featured posts!

Lemon Raspberry Delight from Once a Month Mom

Fall Decor for Entry from Le Chateau des fleurs by Frenchy

Zucchini Brownies from Anktangle

DIY Art Matching Game from Mother Lode
Now come and share your favorites with us for this week!  Please link to your actual post so that we can easily find your entry. And I’d love it if you’d let everyone know that your sharing your post for Friday Favorites at Simply Sweet Home!  Thanks!

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Filed Under: Friday Favorites

Flower Arrangement and Vase Revamp

September 8, 2010 16 Comments
I love the brightness and color that flowers add to a room.  A few months ago my mom and stepdad were cleaning out my step dad’s mom’s house. (His mother recently passed away.)  Among the possessions to be divided between the children, there were a lot of odds and ends that weren’t really worth anything and nobody really wanted.  So they either became trash or goodwill items.  The above flower arrangement was on her kitchen table.  My mom asked me if I wanted it, or if she should put it in Goodwill.
My stepdad looked up and said, “Throw that thing away.  You’ve been trying to give it away all week, and nobody wants it.”  Well, on that note, I decided I’d take it. Now here’s what it actually looked like originally:

 

The vase was actually quite cute. It just didn’t match the flowers.  Mom suggested  I take the fake flowers out and just use it as a vase or a container for something else.  But I  actually liked the flowers.  My solution? Mod Podge of course!

I simply took a little scrapbook paper, brushed on a little Mod Podge, wrapped it around the vase, and voila!  Flowers with a color coordinated vase!  I actually made it to match this Initial Art that I shared a few weeks ago. (But I didn’t stop there! Wait till you see the other items in my new colection!)

 

By the way, if you want to start on this project from scratch, simply find an old vase. (If you don’t have one around your house, you can always buy one at the thrift store or buy it new at the dollar store).  Then get some “florist foam.” (I’m using quotes because I don’t know if that’s what it’s called; that’s just what I call it!)  Alternatively you could use styrofoam. If you want to use the vase for real flowers you can order flowers online to switch up the look every once in a while.  Then just place it inside your vase, and then poke a bunch of flower stems in to it. Very easy!  Then decorate your vase as desired!

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Filed Under: crafts, decorating, Home/Garden

Digital Keychain Review & Giveaway

September 7, 2010 38 Comments
Love digital frames? Love key chains? How about a combination of the two? Wholesalekeychain.com has a great selection of digital photo keychains in several colors.  I recently received a digital photo keychain in black.  These keychains are such a handy way to take your photos with you. I look forward to taking mine with me to any place where you have to sit and wait for any length of time (like at the doctor’s office or on an airplane). And this will also be a fun way to share photos with friends and family.
The key chains feature a one by one inch screen, and the color and clarity of the screen is of a high quality. While the keychain itself is black, the area around the picture screen is silver (actually a mirror), which gives it a very sleek look. You can also get a message engraved on the back, which looks excellent! The engraving can be up to 3 lines long with 11 characters on each line.  I just got our last name engraved on mine (yeah, very original of me, I know!) But with that much space, there’s tons of potential (perhaps a very short Bible verse, a personalized message to a friend if you’re giving it as a gift, or maybe your children’s names).
The keychain comes with a USB cord, and it is very easy to install your photos onto the keychain. No special software is needed. (Basically if you can transfer photos from your camera to the computer, you can do this!)  And you can even charge the keychain very conveniently with your cell phone charger.
Perhaps the most impressive thing about the keychain is the amount of storage space available.  I was able to load 485 cat pictures onto my key chain. (Yes, that’s right…485 CAT pictures! And believe it or not, I didn’t even load all the pictures I had! Either I have the most interesting cats in the world, or I’m a little obsessed. But I digress!)  Anyway, this amount of storage space makes the possibilities seemingly endless for you as far as your photo choices.  When digital frames first came out a few years ago I got one from Christmas. They cost over a hundred dollars at the time, and I don’t think my frame even holds 50 photos, so 485 photos on a key chains is just phenomenal to me!

If you love digital photos, I suggest you get one of these.  They are just $5.99 at Wholesalekeychain.com, which is just a super value!  And they are a fantastic way to take your memories with you anywhere! 

Win it! One Simply Sweet Home reader will win a digital keychain. 

Mandatory Entry: Visit Wholesalekeychain.com. Then come back here and tell us another item you like. Deadline to enter: Sep 22

Extra Entries:
2 for subscribing to my Simply Sweet Home via email.

2 for following Simply Sweet Home on Twitter.
1 for becoming a fan of Simply Sweet Home on facebook.
2 for subscribing to my RSS feeds through Feedburner.
2 for following me through blogger’s Google Friend Find.
1 if you have my button on your blog.
1 for writing about this giveaway on Twitter or Facebook.  (Sample Tweet: I want to win a digital photo keychain! http://bit.ly/9jGzes @SimplySweetHome) (Limit one entry per day.)

-Jerri

Disclosure: For writing this review, I received a free digial keychain from Wholesalekeychain.com.  If you have a product you’d like for me to review, just send me an email or see my PR page for details on advertising.

Filed Under: Giveaways, product review, Sponsors

New! Mom-preneur Blog & Etsy Guide

September 7, 2010 1 Comment

 

I’m sure most of you are familiar with Laurie of Tip Junkie.  And you know that she’s a super blogger who’s all about promoting other bloggers and mom-preneurs.  Today I’m pleased to introduce you to my newest affiliate program and the newest ebook being offered on Laurie’s site.  It is Mom-preneur Blog & Etsy Guide.
The goal of the Mom-preneur Blog & Etsy Guide is to give you another perspective on how to sell products online through your blog, website, Facebook, and Etsy.
Simply put, it is full of effective advice to help you brainstorm ways you can ask for money. Including, useful strategies on how to set your blog up to sell your products and services, give you some Etsy advice, as well as several marketing strategies. The goal is to help facilitate your naturally creative brain to find ways you can effectively sell online.
Do you want to know how to set your blog up for selling success?
Would you like to know others’ best selling tips and strategies?
Would you like to know how to market a new product and make sales immediately after announcing it?
It is easy to read, has a lot of real-world strategies, and encouraging words from fellow women in business. We as women are expected to juggle a LOT. Therefore this Mom-preneur guide also covers more than just sales.
The book also comes with 3 great printable Bonus Gifts! 
Giveaway Check List – When another blogger hosts a giveaway one of your products or services.
How to Promote a Giveaway – A check list on how to drive traffic to a giveaway.
New Product Check List – How to drive traffic to a new product you just uploaded.
Click here to view more details on this fabulous book!
If you have an Etsy shop or other online business, you should also learn more about mobile advertising.

-Jerri

 

Filed Under: Business, Sponsors

Buffalo Chicken Calzones

September 6, 2010 17 Comments
I have always loved calzones, stuffed sandwiches, Hot Pockets, or whatever you wish to call them.  There’s no telling how many Ham & Cheese pockets I’ve eaten over the years for lunch or for a snack!  Hubby, on the other hand, isn’t much of fan.  However, when I saw this recipe over at Tidy Mom, I just new it was one calzone that he would approve of.
I made a few changes to the recipe and gave it a try.  At first my husband had a negative response when I told him I was trying a new recipe for calzones, but when I told him it was buffalo chicken calzones, he quickly changed his tune. And of course, he loved it.  Now this recipe is a new favorite at our house!
Recipe for Buffalo Chicken Calzones:
Ingredients:
1 can of refrigerated pizza dough (Pillsbury works best. I used the Thin, Crispy type that comes in the long tube.)
1 can of chicken breast (or use one or two boneless chicken breasts, cooked and chopped)
Buffalo Sauce (I like Frank’s)
Ranch Dressing (alternatively you could use bleu cheese dressing)
Shredded Cheddar Cheese
Directions:  Drain the water off your chicken.  Place in a small bowl.  Add buffalo sauce and ranch dressing.  I didn’t meausure;  I just put a little of each end.  The amount will depend on just how spicy you want the calzones to be.  (Just keep  in mind that you want the mixture to be of the same consistency of a tuna or chicken salad, not runny.) Next add your cheese.  Again, I just threw some in.  I’d say it was about 1/3 or 1/2 cup.  Mix well.
Next roll out your pizza dough on to a baking sheet.  I rolled it out on top of a piece of parchment paper to prevent sticking.  Take a knife and cut your dough into fours as shown below.  (Note: The first time I made this I used an off brand pizza crust, and I was only able to cut the dough into threes, otherwise they would have been too small.  This also meant that I had a little bit of the chicken mixture left over.  This is why I recommend the Pillsbury crust.)
Spoon your chicken mixture on to each piece.  You need to place it on one side so that you can easily fold it over to make the calzone, but place it about 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch away from the edge so the stuffing doesn’t fall out.  Now take the side that isn’t covered in the chicken mixture and fold it over.  Use a fork or your hands to seal the calzone on each side.  Bake according to the directions on your pizza crust and serve!
Filed Under: appetizers and snacks, casseroles and quick meals, Recipe of the Week Tagged With:

Friday Favorites – Week 28

September 2, 2010 6 Comments

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Happy Friday! And thanks for stopping by for week 28 of Friday Favorites!  And to all my visitors in the USA, hope you have a lovely holiday weekend!

If you’re new here this week, I invite you to join our party!  All recent posts are welcome from recipes to craft projects to home decor, art, household tips….essentially anything you want to share! (Family friendly of course!)

This week’s Friday Favorites event is sponsored by Whimsy Couture.  If you’re a crafty chick or you know someone who is please check out my Whimsy Couture Reader Giveaway! There’s also a discount offer for my lovely readers!

Now feast your eyes upon this week’s featured posts!

Chocolate Zucchini Cake (a Healthier Version) fromKari’s Creations

Super Chewy Donuts from Sugar Bananas

Taco Corn Bread Casserole fro Debbie Does Dinner Healthy

Thrifty Bookshelf Drawers from Mandy’s Creative Corner
Join the party this week by linking up your posts below. Please remember to link up the direct link to the post you wish to share so our blog hoppers can find it easily. Also, I’d really appreciate it if you could help me grow this event by displaying my link or button on your sidebar or within your posts. Thanks!

-Jerri

Filed Under: Friday Favorites

Smelly Towel Cleaner Review & Giveaway

September 1, 2010 37 Comments

 Looking for a way to remove mold and mildew odor and naturally refesh your towels without using fabric softener? Here’s a solution for you!
I recently had the opportunity to try out some Smelly Towel Cleaner.  At our house we have the really big, thick towels, and if they set wet for any length of time before or after washing, they are left a with a musty smell, so I was really happy to discover this product!
I was very impressed by the amount of cleaner that is needed for each load of towels.  For a large load, you only need a cap full or one tablespoon of cleaner. That’s all!  In fact, when I received the cleaner, I had at first thought that this was something to put in place of fabric softener, along with regular detergent, and I was very surprised when the bottle instructed me to use the Smelly Towel Cleaner alone. 
And it worked!  So far I’ve used the Smelly Towel Cleaner for 3 loads, and each and every towel has come out smelling clean and fresh. 
My true way to really test this product was to use it without telling my husband. (He’s the one that always seems to find the smelly towels!)  As I said, I’ve used the Smelly Towel Cleaner on three loads, and finally today I nonchalantly said, “Well, the Smelly Towel Cleaner seems to work well.”  His response: “Yeah. I haven’t found any smelly towels in a while.  If I had, you know I would have complained about it.  So it must work!” (That’s a ringing endorsement for sure!)
Each 12 oz. bottle holds enough cleaner for 24 treatments, and it sells for $16.99.  This is a little pricey compared to other detergents, but when you consider that you’re only going to use the product for towels, it’s not such a bad price.   It’s also not that bad of a deal when I consider that I wash towels about once a week, so for us one bottle is a 6 month supply of the cleaner. 
All in all, I’d say this is a great product.  I love the idea of only using a tablespoon of cleaner for a load of laundry.  And I think it’s natural formula is perfect for those of you with allergies.  And most of all, it worked very well, leaving the towels smelling fresh.

Connect: 
Like Smelly Washer on Facebook.
Follow Smelly Washer on Twitter.

Win it!  One of my readers will win a bottle of Smelly Towel Cleaner. 

Giveaway closed. Congrats to Erin at Making Memories with Your Kids

-Jerri

Disclosure: This Product Was a Free Giveaway Sponsored by Tomoson.com. The opinions expressed here are my own.  If you would like to advertise or have a product reviewed on my site, please see my PR page.
Filed Under: cleaning, Giveaways, product review, Sponsors
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