Motherhood and other creative adventures
I got my hands on some of the Martha Stewart glass paints, and I instantly had about five different ideas of what I could do with them. I settled on an idea I had for an ombre inspired technique (it was so gorgeous in my head) and then completely failed. I botched it thoroughly. But in my botching, I discovered another incredible technique. I’m discovering penicillin over here!
Click through for step by step instructions! [Read more...]
I’m not a great seasonal crafter. I guess I kind of get all my seasonal festivity worn out with my over the top Christmas, and then I’m spent. But when Elmer’s sent me a box of goodies to make something for their facebook community, I decided to step out of my usual routine and make something sweet and spring like to celebrate the season where the presents are all out doors.
Videos and tutorials below, come on in!
Football is a second religion in our house. It was a major force in Bear’s life as he played from 8 years old through college. Despite his best efforts, I have not exactly become a fan, but I am a supportive enough spouse to plan some good times around his passion. And heaven knows I am always down to through a party.
This year we all have the opportunity to have American Express sponsor that good time. My friends at AmEx approached me to participate with a bunch of other bloggers in having a Superbowl Showdown. Whoever gets the most retweets gets their Superbowl Party paid for. It’s probably a good thing I don’t know who the other bloggers are so I can keep my trash talking to myself.
So this is kind of a sweepstakes within a sweepstakes. If I get the most unique tweets, I get a party, and for retweeting, you could win
In record breaking time, I am done with my Christmas shopping. Everybody is getting awesome gifts, and I saved a bunch of money thanks to American Express and the Membership Rewards points I used.
And now it’s time to share the wealth. The winner.
Of a $250 gift card.
Is.
Drumroll please…….
Going to be revealed after this break.
This is what Santa is bringing me this year.
I have had my eye on this necklace for AGES. My friend Laney is a jewelry artist and makes the most beautiful things, but it’s one of those things that always falls to the bottom of the budget list. Now is my chance. I am claiming this gorgeous necklace thanks to my friends at American Express, and they are giving one lucky reader the chance to buy whatever they’ve been pining after, with a
I have a very strict rule here that I only partner with companies that I have, or would, spend my own hard-earned money on. I have been very proud of the brands I’ve worked with and have turned down opportunities that didn’t fit. I am all about honesty here and that’s not going to change. So I was thrilled when American Express contacted me because I have had an AmEx card in my wallet for close to 14 years. Lots of credit cards have come and gone in the time since, but my AmEx has stayed constant. The benefits are worth it.
American Express issued me a challenge: using Members Rewards points and a budget that they give me, do my Christmas shopping for 5 of my friends and family, and at least one of those presents has to be from a small business. I told them I would somehow find a way to make it work, but in my head I was dancing a jig. You know how easy this is going to be? I’m giddy at the thought.
After a quick perusal through the Membership Rewards site, I realized that the only hard part is going to be narrowing down my choices. There are tons of beautiful jewelry choices, electronics, gift cards to just about every store I love, and best of all, they can be used at Amazon.com for anything else I can imagine. I can easily find something for everyone on my list with Membership Rewards points, and save my cash for more boring stuff.
American Express is also a big supporter of small businesses, which I love, including promoting Small Business Saturday on November 26th. The big retailers steal all the attention on Black Friday, Saturday it’s the little guy’s turn, and American Express wants us to remember them. I’ll be supporting Laney’s jewelry shop, as well as some local businesses. Small Business Saturday will be known in my house as “The Day Tresa Goes Bonkers on Etsy.”
Of course, I’m not the only one who has to stretch my dollars this Christmas, so now’s your chance to get in on the action!
Everyone gets three chances to enter:
1) Leave a comment here sharing your best money saving tip for the holidays.
2) Tweet about this giveaway and share the link here in a comment.
3) Post on facebook about this giveaway and leave a link in the comments.
Contest open to US residents only. Giveaway ends on my birthday, December 7th, at 12 noon pacific time. I’ll draw a winner by random number and notify by email and here on the blog.
Good Luck everybody!
Disclaimer: This post, and my Christmas shopping, was sponsored by American Express, but all words and opinions are, as ever, my own and I only work with sponsors I can recommend whole-heartedly. Giveaway provided by American Express.
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