Tour de Christmas Tree

Well, I’m certainly not one to miss out on a stream of parties, so I felt the need to participate with Sarah’s Christmas tree tour. Consider yourself forewarned, however. There are lots of pictures!

Anyone who’s taken a picture of your Christmas tree understands just what a pain in the mistletoe it really is. I probably tried 4,263 settings on my camera to get it acceptable. Nothing’s as good as seeing it in person, is it?

The thing about living in Michigan is that once Christmas ends, it simply signals the beginning of a long, cold winter ahead. Because of that, I like my tree to be warm and cozy—the opposite of the weather I’m walking in from! (Notice the snow in the background.)

As for how to make it cozy, it means warm colors, natural tones, and some obvious texture. My ornaments are a mishmash of glitz and and simplicity. I blend glittered berry garland with cut up strips of burlap, and I like a sparkly ornament next to a wood cut-out.

I bought the red and green ones from various stores, but I picked up a ton of unfinished craft ornaments last year. Since the most expensive one ran me about $ .50, I was more than happy to use plenty of them. They are my favorite ornaments on the tree!

                         

                

          

               

I guess this isn’t too bad of a reward to receive after a white-knuckled drive home from work! Of course, some hot cocoa and an 8-year old who won’t stop practicing for her Christmas concert always helps, too!

Silhouette Cyber Monday Deal!

In the spirit of anticipation, the lucky winner will be announced at this post! For those of you who don’t win, here’s your Cyber Monday Deal! Just click on one of the ads below and enter the special code “jagirl” when you place your order.

                                                                                               

• TODAY ONLY!!!
• Click on any of the Silhouette ads in this post
• Enter code jagirl
• Wrap it and put it under the Christmas tree from “Santa”

From now until midnight, you can get a Silhouette machine for $199!! That’s a savings of $100! And it doesn’t stop there. Of course it doesn’t. You will also receive--

1 Roll of Cream vinyl ( $7.99)
1 Roll of transfer paper ( $7.99)
1 Home decor CD (Value $55) 

Total ($70.98)

All for ONLY $199!!

                              

That's almost $200 dollar in savings! Keep in mind this is the newest version of the Silhouette. They are now available to Mac users. Awwwww yeeeeeeeah!

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Okay. Are you ready for the winner? The lucky Silhouette owner is……..

Tara (who crossed her fingers AND toes!) at Just Devine Style

Congratulations, Tara! Send me an e-mail, and we’ll get you set up!

A FREE Silhouette!

Talk about one generous company! Thanks to “illness 2010” I’m a little late getting this announced, but I’m sure you’ve seen that a handful of us have been asked to give away another Silhouette machine.  You know, THEE Silhouette machine. The one that I did this(the pictures will take you to the posts)…

  and this…

and this with.

And don’t get me started on the holiday projects that this bad boy can kick out for you! Could you imagine cutting those spider webs out by hand. Yeah, let’s not.

If you’re wondering, “When will I ever get a free Silhouette machine?”, your time is NOW! Here’s what the winner will receive.

A Silhouette Machine (a $299.99 value)

It will include the following:

• Software for Windows XP/Vista, Mac
• Power cable, USB cable
• Two cutting mats (one for thick media, one for thin media)
• One cutting blade
• $10 gift card to the Silhouette Online Store

If you’re wondering, “How can I enter for this free Silhouette machine?”, here’s how!

1. Leave a comment here. Easy peasy, lemon squeazy.
2. Tweet about it and link back to here. Spread the love!
3. Write about it on Facebook linking back to here.
4. Write a big ol’ blog post on it and link back. You know, to here.

Fine print: The winner must be in the US and may only win once (considering there are several hosts).

There’s MORE!

Cyber Monday! Cyber Monday! Cyber Monday!

The giving just doesn’t end! Perhaps you won’t be at Target at 4am like some ridiculously crazy people that I know. Maybe you don’t plan on dragging your mom and best friend to Kohls at the crack of dawn. However, YOU can get a cra-za-zay-zy deal on a Silhouette of your very own even if you don’t win!

Starting at 4AM (when someone will be at Target) until midnight, you can get a Silhouette machine for $199!! That’s a savings of $100! And it doesn’t stop there. Of course it doesn’t. You will also receive--

1 Roll of Cream vinyl ( $7.99)
1 Roll of transfer paper ( $7.99)
1 Home decor CD (Value $55) 

Total ($70.98)

All for ONLY $199!!
That's almost $200 dollar in savings! Keep in mind this is the newest version of the Silhouette. They are now available to Mac users. Awwwww yeeeeeeeah!

Alright. I know this is a lot of information. I do well with bullets, so here we go with bullets.

• 4am on Monday, November 29th
• Visit to get a special code to purchase your Silhouette
• Click on my ad in the top left corner to go directly there
• Enter the code to get nearly $200 off a Silhouette package
• Wrap it and put it under the Christmas tree from “Santa”

I’m signing off for a few days. I’ll be back to announce the winner Monday morning. Happy Thanksgiving!

SAS in Review

Once again, it was a fabulous turnout! I apologize for the lack of comments on these fantastic projects, but I’m working on borrowed time right now. I’ve currently got two kids who did NOT get enough sleep last night fighting with me about chores and baths. Gah!

Simply click on the pictures below to be taken over to the fabulous ladies who shared these projects! Love them!

The two winners of Simplify 101’s workshop are

Karen at Sew Many Ways

(Beth?) at It is What It Is

Send me an e-mail, and I’ll get you in touch for the workshop! Congratulations!

Show and Share Day

Aby Garvey’s Creative Organizing was the very first blog I started reading. Her organizational skills are award worthy, and I am SO excited that Aby and Simplify 101 are offering you a GREAT giveaway this week!

Simplify 101 is offering two seats in their upcoming online workshop:  quick + simple clutter control .

Do you find yourself fighting the same "clutter pockets" throughout your home again and again? In this three-week, two-lesson workshop, you'll eliminate your clutter hot-spots using simple, straightforward (and fun!) methods with professional organizer Aby Garvey and stay motivated with a supportive online community. Plus, learn how to create clutter control habits and effectively keep clutter at bay.

Course begins Tuesday, October 19, 2010 and ends Tuesday, November 9, 2010 – you’ll have your home decluttered in time to decorate for the holidays!

I will select two winners from our link-ups this week! I’ll announce the winner Sunday night so you can get ready for your class! Link away!!

Get Your Silhouette Here!

It’s time!  It’s time!  The Silhouette giveaway is here!  My new BFF and I have been having such a fantastic time making new things and organizing the house together!  I am SO happy that one of you will be able to foster a new relationship with your Silhouette soon!

Between Silhouette’s people and my girls at How Does She who got us connected, I don’t know who to thank more.  Let’s just be thankful for all of them, shall we?

The Silhouette site has pages full of ideas for you just in case you’re still not sure how you would use it.

                                     

                                     

They also offer a blog where you can find inspiration and a weekly FREE download! 

In addition, they have a Flickr account where people can share the projects they’ve completed.  Oh how I wish I would have created this card.  Isn’t it adorable?

I have a feeling that you’re wondering what the details of this whole shabang are, right?  Well, here’s what you get…

The winner will get $325 worth including the following items:

• Silhouette Craft Cutter

• Software for Windows XP/Vista

• Power cable and USB Cable

• Two cutting mats

• Two cutting blades

• $10 gift card to the online store

• Instructional CD and manual

**This giveaway is only open to those in the states**

Now onto how you can win.

1. Leave a comment!
2. Go over to Silhouette’s site and check things out.  Then, come over here and leave a comment to tell me how you’d use it.
3. Blog about it with a link back to this post, then come back and leave a comment with the link.
4. Mention it on Twitter or Facebook (with a link to this post) and leave a comment letting me know.

With 4 ways to win, it’s almost a no-brainer!  How could you not enter?

The winner will be announced Friday, July 2nd. 

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Lastly, don’t forget that you can also purchase your own Silhouette with one of these great deals!  Just enter sweet as your discount code!

1) AWESOME PROMO (running through July 1st)
If you buy the Silhouette between now and July 1st you will get the following:
$50 off the Silhouette Craft Cutter
2 rolls of vinyl (Valued at $15.98)
1 roll of transfer tape (Valued at $7.99)
Scraper (Valued at $6.99)
Home Décor CD (Valued at $50)
$10 Gift Card to the Silhouette Download Store
Cutting Blade
2 Cutting Mats
All for $249.99
A Savings of $130.96
Just think of how much you’ll save on gift giving and home decor this year!

2) GOOD PROMO (running from July 2nd through July 7th)
Buy a machine and receive the following:
$50 off (receive for $249.99)
2 rolls of Heat transfer ($29.89 value)
$10 Gift Card to the Silhouette Download Store
Cutting Blade
2 Cutting Mats
All for $249.99
A savings of $89.98

Coasters and a Deal!

Well, the cat’s out of the bag.  Silhouette is being incredibly generous and giving away some of their machines throughout blogland.  Don’t we love them?  I’m going to be cruel and make you wait a couple more days before I do my giveaway.  This way, if you don’t win the other giveaways, you’ve still got mine!

Just to show you that I’m not allll mean.  I made a little housewarming gift for my girlfriend who just bought a brand new home!  Lucky girl, right?

I, of course, turned to my new Silhouette for some help. I started out with these craft mirrors from Hobby Lobby.  They were 30% off, so that’s…well…less than $2.47 for two of them. 

I wanted to find just the right image to etch onto the glass, so I paid a whopping .99 cents for this flower.  LOVE.

I used the adhesive vinyl, cut out the image, and applied it to the coaster. A little (expensive!) bottle of etching cream was applied. ETA: The etching cream is called Armour Etch, and it was $8.50 for 3oz.  It’s pricey, but I used very little. I imagine it will last quite a long time.

10 minutes later…voila!

Here’s another picture ‘cause I think they’re that pretty, and it’s rather difficult taking a picture of a mirrored object!

After simply slapping some cork on the bottom and wrapping some pretty ribbon around it, I now have a charming and personal gift for my friend!

She’ll love them!  And even if she doesn’t, she’s nice enough that she’ll lie and say she does.  In the hopes of tiding you over until the giveaway, Silhouette is offering some FANTASTIC promotions for you, as well.  Just enter the code “sweet” once you place your order.

 1) AWESOME PROMO (running through July 1st)
If you buy the Silhouette between now and July 1st you will get the following:
$50 off the Silhouette Craft Cutter
2 rolls of vinyl (Valued at $15.98)
1 roll of transfer tape (Valued at $7.99)
Scraper (Valued at $6.99)
Home Décor CD (Valued at $50)
$10 Gift Card to the Silhouette Download Store
Cutting Blade
2 Cutting Mats
All for $249.99
A Savings of $130.96
Just think of how much you’ll save on gift giving and home decor this year!

2) GOOD PROMO (running from July 2nd through July 7th)
Buy a machine and receive the following:
$50 off (receive for $249.99)
2 rolls of Heat transfer ($29.89 value)
$10 Gift Card to the Silhouette Download Store
Cutting Blade
2 Cutting Mats
All for $249.99
A savings of $89.98

Alright.  Here’s where the Mac Daddy of announcements comes in. 

Come back on Monday for your chance to win a $325 Silhouette package! 

Show and Share Day

 One of my wonderful sponsors is also providing us with a giveaway this week!  When Lisa at Stella and Dot told me what she was giving away to one of my lucky readers, I nearly fell out of my chair! I have been wanting this exact cuff bracelet for months!  It’s valued at $69.00, and it could be yours for FREE!!!!  I’m so excited for you guys (and quite envious, I must admit).

 You saw that right.  Redbook and In Style.  Too cool.

Well, don’t let me stand in the way of this beauty!  Link on up so you can win (and rub it in when you do)!

Some winners and some winners!

The winner of the store credit to Gussy’s shop is…

Lisa at Moore Minutes

The winner of the custom stamp is…

Diane at In My Own Style

The THREE winners of Always Happy Life shirts are…

Amy at Frosted Bake Shop

Karen at Sew Many Ways

Maryann at Domestically Speaking

Send me an e-mail, ladies, and I’ll get you connected!  Thank you for entering, and thank you to my generous giveaway-ers! :)