Happy Halloween and We Have a Winner

It was a quiet halloween on our street tonight.  Only one family with 4 kids.   Sadly all the kids have gotten to old to trick-or-treat.  Maybe, I'll just grow a pumpkin patch next year and wait for the Great Pumpkin to arrive.

I didn't get a treat for Halloween but I did get tricked.  I baked a chocolate Gluten Free cake.  I followed the instructions to a tea but it looks more like I made chocolate pancakes.  Oh' well, chocolate pancakes with German chocolate frosting it is.  Has anyone else baked with a gluten free mix?  They are suppose to be a little bigger, right?  My trick!

And now we have a winner of the UPrinting giveaway. 

Random.org chose comment #13.  Congratulations to Deal Bunny!  You have 48 to contact me to claim your prize of 100 Postcards!!!  I'll be sending you an email.


Thanks for entering everyone.  I ran out of time today but check back tomorrow for the MyMemories giveaway.

My Memories Software Review and GIVEAWAY News

Have you tried digital scrapbooking?  I did this weekend and had a ball.  My Memories contacted me and asked if I'd like to review their software and share it with my readers.  And you know me, I'll do anything for ya'll.  (Insert a sneaky little giggle here).

Here's a few of my very first pages.

I L.O.V.E. these kids and can't think of a better way to preserve these moments.

What's great about My Memories is that with digital scrapbooking, you can beautifully corral all those pictures without even leaving home.  Their site has all papers, layouts, stickers, fonts and embellishments of traditional scrapbooking without having to purchase, store, cut, glue and clean up, like you would in traditional scrapbooking.  

Best of all it's so easy to use.  Warning it can get additive.  I had no idea how much, until I just realized I'd been playing with it most of the day.  I love how you can create pages in just a couple of minutes once you get started.  And that was just after using it for the first time yesterday.  The possibilities are endless.  Take a peek at this video:

This makes so much sense.  You can create albums and share them virtually with family and friends and so much more.  What a great way to store your pictures.  And another thing I really love is that their digital scrapbooking software allows you to create digital scrapbooks, photobooks, cards, calendars, gifts and more.  

How awesome would it be to create a personalized book just like you would buy in a store with your family photos and in your own words! I can't wait to create a beautiful coffee table book.  Finally all those pictures you love and cherish would finally get to be really seen instead of being hid away in a drawer.

There are even options to add music and create movies. And the options are endless.  They have great designers that have created scrapbooking kits for their store.  These aren't like regular scrapbook supplies.  You can use these over and over.  And the prices are just as user friendly as the kits are.  There's something for everyone.

Can you tell how much I love this.  Seriously, I think this is something everyone should try because it's just so awesome!  

The great people over at My Memories is offering my readers a discount of $10 off the purchase of the My Memories Suite Scrapbook software and a $10 coupon for the MyMemories.com store. That's a $20 value, ya'll!!!  Just be sure to enter the code below at checkout:
Code: STMMS74185

Oh' and about that giveaway.  Well, the trick is you have to come back tomorrow on Halloween and enter to win the treat.  Bhhaa-haha.

Super Low Entry Giveaway. Hurry It Ends At Midnight!

I can hardly believe there are less than 25 entries in this giveaway.  That's good news for you who have already entered and good news for those who want too.  The odds are in your favor.  

One of my lucky readers will win 100 postcards!  And they have some beautiful Christmas cards.

Just click the photo above or here to enter.
But you'd better hurry, the giveaway ends tonight at midnight EST tonight.  That's less than 5 hours left.

Smiley, PAM Cooking Spray and Me

My mission, should I chose to accept it, and I did, was to try the new and improved PAM.  Does it save my food from sticking and falling apart?  Does it save time with my kitchen clean up?

Smiley360 and PAM sent me the following to assist in my review:

• PAM^® Cooking Spray – Full Value Voucher (1 full-size can of spray)
• Hunt’s Tomatoes – Full Value Voucher (1 can of tomatoes)
• Pyrex Glass Dish
• Spatula
• Recipes
• Step-by-step Guide for the Ultimate PAM^® Challenge
• Smiley360 Sharing Guide

Last night used PAM along with my new dish and spatula to cook country ribs.  Did my ribs stick to the dish?  Heck no!  I usually use aluminum foil to line my dishes. Was my clean up quicker?  Heck yeah! I just put the dish in the sink and it all washed right off.  With the foil I would put that in the trash and inevitably still have to wash the dish.  So yeah, this did save time.  

Now, I'm planning on making one of the delicious recipes they included in my kit, like:

• King Ranch Chicken
• Easy Cheesy Enchiladas
• Italian Macaroni and Cheese with Tomato-Basil Topping
• Kickin' Baked Rigatoni

The new and improved PAM^® formula has been shown to be 70% better at attacking baked on food vs. bargain cooking sprays. Not only will every meal be picture-perfect, but you’ll have more time to enjoy your food and spend less time soaking, scrubbing and cleaning in the kitchen. Put your toughest recipes to the test and watch as PAM^® comes to the rescue! No matter what meal you’re cooking, PAM^® helps you pull it off. Even better.

•  "Like" PAM^® on Facebook
• Visit the PAM^® website

PAM Cooking Spray:  Thanks PAM for my free can of cooking spray!  Click here to download a $.50 off coupon. 

I did not/will not receive any monetary compensation for this post.  I have received items for review purposes and will share my honest opinions!

Anyone care to share their gooiest, stuck-to-the-dish recipe?

For even more info on PAM ^® and for a $.50 off coupon visit :Smiley360.

If you'd like to try some of the newest products available sign up as a member of: Smiley360.

Disclosure:  Smiley360 and ConAgra Foods provided me with free samples so that I could provide an informed review.  I did not receive any monetary compensation and all opinions are my own.

So What Will a Dime Buy You Brand-New Now-A-Days?

Alot!  Just take a look!

One DIME for one item.  I'M NOT KIDDING!  Everything you see in this post came to a total with tax of $2.61.

An awesome grill set, in it's own True Living Outdoors case.  And yes, I did get the only 2 this store had.  You can see one in the background.  One was complete and the other is missing a basting brush.  Big woop, I can deal.  20 cents for 2!! There wasn't an original price on these.

Four beach umbrella's for a total of 40 cents!  Perfect to use at an craft show or anywhere else.  Look at those cute rainbow colors.  They clip right on your chair. Regularly priced $3.50 ea.

I really thought this was a great deal since I've been wanting some landscape fabric for the last 5 years.  I snagged up everyone of these for a 7 total and a cost of, yep ~ 70 cents!  Regular price $5 each x 7 = $35.  That's a savings of $34.30!  Can  you see me doing the happy dance?

What about these cute candle holders.  I took all 4.  I'm torn whether to keep them like this for the 4th of July or to change them up. Regularly priced $2 ea.  How much did I pay you ask.  Oh' come on, you know by now.  

Two 4th of July wreaths.  Regularly priced $9 ~ I would have never paid that and these will not stay this way.  I'll probably take them completely apart and used the stars repainted for another project and the wreaths for something else.

 This cute bird print was originally $6.  I can always change of the frame or even make something completely out of the box with it.

The ceramic vase was originally $5.  When I picked it up I thought I could repaint it but the more I looked at it the more I looked at it the more I liked the color.  Yes, that's a chip but hey, how hard would it be to cover that up with glue and something cute, or just turn it to the wall.  Shhh...don't tell anyone.

All this would have originally cost me more than $86 without tax and not counting the 2 grill sets, that I don't have the orig. prices for.  So I think I got over $100 worth for $2.61.  Woo-Hoo ~ doing a major happy dance!!!!

Don't believe it's possible to save this much on a brand new store items.  Here's the receipt to prove it.  I just happened to stop by Dollar General for a coke Tuesday and they had their summer stock marked down to 10 cents.  The sale is from 10/25 -10/31.


Hugs Ya'll...Tracy :)

Everyday is to be Cherished

 A new day starts.  It's filled with possibilities.  It can start on a positive note or a negative note but where it goes depends on you.  I pray that each of you (and me too) find a way to see the good in everything that comes.  A way to turn the negative into a positive.  I hope you see all there is to praise our Father for and glorify his name in all you do.

 After my morning prayer and asking God for words to share, these were the ones I opened my Bible to see:

Living in Light of the Day ~ Romans 13:11-14 (NLT)

  This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out.  Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 

The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here.  So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living.  

Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see.  Don't participate in the darkness of wild parties of drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy.

Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don't let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.

So how will you show your love today?  Will you be the inspiration for someone having a bad day to wish they had your joy and want to find their own?  Will you be the light of God today?

My suggestion....fall in a good mood today.  Find joy in the least of things.  Love the moment and leave the future in God's hands.  Find the child in you today.

Side note:  All the pictures were off the internet except for these last two.  I could cry when I see the joy my Grandchildren are finding in their day.  The top one is Zach and the bottom one is Ki'a with their neighbor.  They raked these leaves for the soul purpose of fun.  What a great way to enjoy your day!

Love Ya'll......Tracy :)

Hello Goodies!

Umm-Umm Good! That's the first thing I thought when I opened the package of goodies I won from Sarah Jay @ Criminal Grace.  Sarah was celebrating her 10th Year of blogging!  I didn't even know anyone blogged 10 years ago.  Like I told Sarah that's no big surprise, I'm not exactly on the cutting edge.

Sarah is so sweet.  I won the cutest recipe card file with cards and the cutest tags that she made.  But she didn't stop there, she threw in a whole bunch of other goodies, ribbons, buttons and paper doilies as well as a package of cute Martha Steward stickers.  

Thanks so much Sarah and here's to wishing you another 10 years of happy blogging!  Be sure to stop by and see the beautiful cards this often published veteran blogger has to share. Just click here to go to Sarah's blog.

I Love the Creativity of Bloggers and I Love Winning

I want to show you the beautiful necklace that arrived in my mailbox this week.  Isn't it pretty?  I was the lucky winner of Angie's giveaway at  A Tuttle Time...Time to Craft.  And it's even prettier in person.   Angie makes is a card maker who has a passion for it and it shows.  Stop by and take a look at all her wonderful works of art.  Thank you Angie for hosting the fun giveaway.

Angie hosted the fun Trick or Treat blog hop but the necklace was sponsored by Tam @ Nesting Pretty.
Tam ~ I love my new necklace, thank you so much!  It's so unique and pretty.  Ya'll really need to stop by and visit Tams blog, she makes amazing jewelry creations that I know you will love. 

 So cute!  Well, I hate to brag, but wouldn't you if you won this?!  I was indeed a lucky girl this week.

Verse of the Day

Commit every you do to the Lord.

Trust him, and he will help you.

He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn,

and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun.

Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. 

Don't worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.

                                                        ~Psalm 37:4-7

UPrinting Giveaway - First Step To Get Ready For Christmas

 

***I'm re-posting this because silly me I had the same starting and ending date.  I've corrected that and the REAL ending date is 10/28.  Sorry, my bad.  I kept wondering why I wasn't getting any entries.  Duh!***  So get busy entering ya'll ~ the odds are in your favor!

Christmas is getting close and as promised I have the first giveaway with my Home Holiday Giveaway Party to get you organized for the holidays.  UPrinting is my first sponsor.  Leading online printing companies have come up with various designs that will suit up your creativity.

One of my lucky readers will win 100 postcards!  


Getting you holiday greetings ready is really one of the very first steps to being organized for the holidays.  Whether you want to send greeting for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah or New Years just get started now.  And what I like about sending postcards is the money you save on mailing.  A postcard cost only 29 cents to mail verses a first class stamp for a card up to 1 ounce which is 44 cents.


So to help you get a head start on your holiday list UPrinting is gonna give you the chance to win 100 postcards.  Time for the details:

100 Postcards for One (1) Winner

5" x 7"

14pt Cardstock Gloss

No Folding

Front Only Printing

2 Business Days Print Turnaround Time *Free Shipping

Limited to US residents 18 years old and above only

Here's how you can enter:

You must be a Cotton Pickin Cute follower and leave a comment telling me that you are a follower.

How about some extra entries?  Just be sure to leave a separate comment for each one, telling me what you did.  If it says 2 entries, please leave 2 comments.

• {2extra entries} Post a link back to this giveaway on your blog.
• Follow UPrinting on Twitter.
• {1 extra entry per tweet per day} Tweet about this giveaway on Twitter with @cottonpickincute. (see button at the bottom of this post)
• Follow Tracysuz (that's me) on Twitter (see button at the bottom of this post)
• Like or Friend Cotton Pickin Cute on facebook (see button at the bottom of this post)
• {1 extra entry per post per day}Share this giveaway on your facebook page.

Be sure to leave your email address so that I can contact you if you win.  Please don't forget to leave a comment for each entry.

Giveaway ends on Oct 28th, at 11:59pm EST.

Good Luck! 

Enjoy the weekend!  

Disclosure: This giveaway is sponsored by UPrinting, no monetary compensation was given and I will receive a postcard for hosting

I Made the Perfect Stadium Blanket for Ki'a

 I miss this little cutie and her brother so much!  Her mother took this beautiful photograph of Ki'a in a forest in NY.  She's becoming quite a photographer.  I'll share more of the photos she took of Zack and Ki'a tomorrow.

Our granddaughter Kia's 9th birthday is in just a few days and I decided it was time for a blanket.  Here's a tip. Rather than buy the fabrics by the yard it was cheaper to buy the fleece in the no-sew blanket kit at Walmart.  You get 2 coordinating fleece fabrics that you are suppose to just cut and tie but that wasn't what I had in mind.

Ki'a is really involved in cheerleading and goes to a lot of the competitions.  I thought it would be perfect to have one of those blankets that folds up into a pillow that she can sit on when she's not covered up.  

This was really easy to make too.  

• Just put the right sides of the fabric together and stitch all the sides, leaving an opening for turning.  Turn it right side out and slip-stitch the opening closed. 
• Then take a piece of fabric (I already had this pink plush) to make the pillow part.  Fold the length of the blanket on both sides to the middle (like folding a towel) and measured that width.  That told me how wide the pillow opening would need to be.  
• Cut 2 pillow pieces allowing an inch in both directions for 1/2" seams.  Sew all 4 sides and leave room for turning.  Turn and stitch opening closed.  
• Lay the pillow centered at one end of the blanket.  Stitch the pillow with 1/2" seam at the bottom of the blanket and the 2 sides, leaving one end open to slide blanket into.
• For a personalize touch add some flowers or make a ribbon initial like I did.  I just cut straight pieces of coordinating ribbon, laid out a K and hand stitched it on.

It's just that easy.  These would be perfect to make for Christmas.  You can buy the fleece blanket kit at Walmart for around $12.95 or you might buy the fabric even cheaper at one of the craft stores with a coupon.
You can see the 1st step of how to fold the blanket into the pillow here.  Fold both sides to the middle.

 Next start folding the opposite end of the pillow cover.

Keep folding until you are even with the pillow case.  Then just turn the pillow case inside out over the blanket. 

And there you go.

And here's the back side.

I think it's so cute and really warm and soft.    I know Ki'a's going to like the colors.  Can you believe the kids are all into the peace signs again?  I was about her same age in the 60's last time this was popular.

It's true. Fashion does always circle back around.

Don't forget to enter my giveaway on the right sidebar.

Have a great day, ya'll!  Hugs...Tracy :)

One Blogger and Two Blogs and a giveaway

I want to introduce you to ONE blogger named Doniene and two blogs.  The first is Doniene's 365 Days, which is just what it sounds like, a 365 day journal about the things she see's everyday with a special twist.  As she describes it "From Line Shack to Rustic Mansion: The Tale of a House Building Journey".  She'll be sharing pictures of their home including the construction to the finishes and even things that aren't done. See how Doniene and Mike turned his parents severe accident into a combined family affair.


Her 2nd blog is called "Now it's just quilts".  Do I really need to tell you what it's all about?  Stop by to see some of the wonderful quilts she creates and enter here giveaway that you see below.  What's better than taking a moment from a hectic day of housework to spend a some quiet time in prayer with the Lord and a nice warm cup of tea.  And how cute is that Fire King cup and saucer and the mini quilt you win too.  Just click here are on the picture.

 

P.S.  Don't forget to enter my giveaway here:

Hope your all enjoying your fall days.  Warm Hugs...Tracy :)

UPrinting Giveaway - First Step To Get Ready For Christmas

Christmas is getting close and as promised I have the first giveaway with my Home Holiday Giveaway Party to get you organized for the holidays.  UPrinting is my first sponsor.  Leading online printing companies have come up with various designs that will suit up your creativity.

One of my lucky readers will win 100 postcards!  


Getting you holiday greetings ready is really one of the very first steps to being organized for the holidays.  Whether you want to send greeting for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah or New Years just get started now.  And what I like about sending postcards is the money you save on mailing.  A postcard cost only 29 cents to mail verses a first class stamp for a card up to 1 ounce which is 44 cents.


So to help you get a head start on your holiday list UPrinting is gonna give you the chance to win 100 postcards.  Time for the details:

100 Postcards for One (1) Winner

5" x 7"

14pt Cardstock Gloss

No Folding

Front Only Printing

2 Business Days Print Turnaround Time *Free Shipping

Limited to US residents 18 years old and above only

Here's how you can enter:

You must be a Cotton Pickin Cute follower and leave a comment telling me that you are a follower.

How about some extra entries?  Just be sure to leave a separate comment for each one, telling me what you did.  If it says 2 entries, please leave 2 comments.

• {2extra entries} Post a link back to this giveaway on your blog.
• Follow UPrinting on Twitter.
• {1 extra entry per tweet per day} Tweet about this giveaway on Twitter with @cottonpickincute. (see button at the bottom of this post)
• Follow Tracysuz (that's me) on Twitter (see button at the bottom of this post)
• Like or Friend Cotton Pickin Cute on facebook (see button at the bottom of this post)
• {1 extra entry per post per day}Share this giveaway on your facebook page.

Be sure to leave your email address so that I can contact you if you win.  Please don't forget to leave a comment for each entry.

Giveaway ends on Oct 28th, at 11:59pm EST.

Good Luck! 

Enjoy the weekend!  

Disclosure: This giveaway is sponsored by UPrinting, no monetary compensation was given and I will receive a postcard for hosting

Scarecrow and Pumpkin Garland for 60 Cents! Woo-Hoo!

I had one busy Saturday.  I was so tired I laid down on the bed sideways and was out like a light last night.  Unfortunately I woke up at 3am and this is what I made.

It all started with these scarecrows on a stick that I bought after the season last year for 90% off making them a DIME each. There was no way I needed this many on a stick so I got busy snipping those little sticks right off.  Ouch!

At 4am I got a wild hair and decided I was going to do my first wood cutting project.  So I went online and found a pumpkin to trace and cut.  Pulled out the jigsaw and that's were my primitive little pumpkins came from.  The wood was scrap house siding.  I sanded the edges and then attempted my first tole style painting job.  Believe me I'm no artist.

A little glitter makes everything better.  I braided some jute, used an old flannel shirt for the orange ties.  That shirt has been cut up for so many projects and I'm still using it for more.  And I added some more ties made with burlap.

I glued some buttons onto the scarecrows, to dress them up a bit and  I was done.  No money spent today last night.  And only 60 cents spent for the scarecrows last year.  Who says you can't make something for nothing or close to it anyway.

And the lesson for today, is to buy it after the season ends, for next to nothing and you'll think of something to use it for next year.

I'll be linking up to the parties below this week, adding them as I go:

The Southern Institute

 C.R.A.F.T. Making Monday Marvelous
SL Under The Table and Dreaming Sunday Showcase
The DIY Showoff
Making The World Cuter Monday

Thanks for taking a minute of your day to see what I'm up to.  Having ya'll stop by and reading your comments really do make a girl feel bless.  

Have fun enjoying fall, ya'll!

Hugs....Tracy :)

Green Mountain Coffee - Pumpkin Spice -Yum!

Even though we're not exactly having the wonderful fall weather and enjoying the gorgeous fall color of the New England area, that doesn't stop me from wanting to experience that fall feeling.  And that's just what I did this week when I got to review Green Mountain's Pumpkin Spice coffee as a part of the BzzAgent campaign.  Ummm, it is so good.  This is the first time I've tried the pumpkin spice flavor and I really did enjoy it.  I think I enjoy the smell almost as much as the coffee.  

I  also received a bag of the House Blend which is a regular, medium roast blend.  It was delicious and smooth. 

Green Mountain coffee is certified organic and brought to your cup through Fair Trade practices.  It's a simple philosophy.  Farmers who are given a fair price for their harvest are better able to support their families.  They can afford to use time-honored traditions that produce better quality beans. 


Visit Green Mountain Coffee to learn more.

If you'd like to learn more about being a part of the BzzAgent community click here.

Disclosure:  I received Green Mountain coffee to facilitate my review but all opinions are my own honest views.