Digital Scrapbooking Giveaway - Last Day!

Today's the last day to enter my digital scrapbooking giveaway! If you're interested, please leave a comment on the post located here before midnight tonight!  Sorry, but comments on this post won't count - so be sure to go to the post about the giveaway!
Thank you!

Whoo Hoo! My blog makeover!

Whoo hoo!  I got a blog make over! Well....actually I didn't "get" one. I did it myself! In addition to the graphics, I changed url and the and slogan. The slogan totally cracks me up! This week one of my fellow cricuiteers made over her own blog and inspired me to do the same. I was going to pay someone to do it for me, but then I'm cheap...so when Melody said she did hers - I said "why not me too?". You can see her blog at: Melody Lane Designs.
Now the question is...why in the world would I stay up until 2AM to make over my blog?  Well I think I just wanted to do something that noone asked me to do.  So...here it is! I hope you like it!

Please Don't Send My Kid Home Alone...

I am extremely blessed to be able to hold a job and still "somewhat" manage my household. The bummer part is that I live about 1 hour from my job. Luckily, I work at home some days and other days I can leave early to be home for them when they get home from school. There's only day that I send them to after school care, and it's been consistent for years! Imagine my horror when I received a call from the school telling me they accidentally sent my 2nd grader home on the bus.  My heart dropped and I began frantically gathering my things to make the drive home. I also whipped out the cell phone and started the call list. You see, I live in Arizona and in a very busy neighborhood. So...combine one adorable small kid with 114 degrees and many strangers and what do you get?  A very freaked out mom - that's what you get!

Luckily, my son was smart enough to get to a neighbor's house, who called the school because she knew he wasn't where he was supposed to be.  There's a plus for being friendly with your neighbors you know! She drove him back to school where he was promptly whisked away to daycare.  The teacher apologized. I told her that God always has protected this little boy (who was born 2 lbs 6.4 oz, 11 weeks in the NICU, and surgery to boot).

Well... to avoid this crazy situation, I whipped out my Cricut and created this "gentle" reminder. Ok...it's not that gentle - it's actually 4" in diameter. It's huge on his bag.  Here's his new button that he wears on early release day now.  I hope you like my solution to this very crazy situation.  I probably went overboard, but I really don't care! 

The Cricut Cartridges I used to make this include:

Going Places for the sign

Doodle Charms for the bus

Everyday Paper Dolls for the face

Peachy Keen Stamp for the face

I did laminate it, but I took the picture before the lamination because I'm not good with camera glare!

I shared my creation on the school blog hop with MyPinkStamper this month.

Welcome to the Family! My New Arrival!

Welcome to the family!

Top - My new Cricut Cake

Bottom Left - Cricut Expression

Bottom Right - Cricut Imagine

Front - Cricut Personal (My Baby Bug)

My new cricut cake arrived today....

I hadn't planned on buying one...but I do love that red color. Picked this one up off of Ebay for less than $90. Such a steal considering it was just released last year for a retail price of $430. Lesson learned...never buy a Cricut when it first releases...you really don't need it that bad. Ok...I don't want to talk about why I "need" 4 cricuts.  To be honest...I own 5, but one of my baby bugs stays up north.  Each of my Cricuts have their own function and purpose.

• Cricut Cake is my newest addition. She's meant for cakes. I figure if I don't use her much for cakes...I'll convert her to a regular pretty red expression.
• Cricut Imagine prints and cuts. She was really frustrating to get used to because she had to get sent back to the manufacturer for an update. I think I didn't get to use her until about 1 month after I bought her. Now I use her often, but not as often as my expression.
• Cricut Expression just cuts paper.  I love the autofill function because I can cut shapes in bulk.  I do this all the time! She can also cut up to 12" x 24".
• Baby Bug is portable. She can go anywhere, but can only cut 6 x 12. I picked her up for really cheap from one of my favorite places to buy cartridges...I think she was $30 with a cartridge that I can sell for about $30.

In all, I realize how blessed I am to own these tools. I'm working on a plan to use my creativity for other purposes besides my own stress relief.  God's putting a "bug" in my heart again - so I'm praying for direction, and I'm confident he will respond in good time.  Until then....stay tuned!



Digital Scrapbooking Software Giveaway!

Whoo hoo!  I just received a copy of My Memories digital scrapbooking software to try and one to give away.  Details on how to enter the giveaway are below.  After I received the link to download this software, I immediately gave it a test run.  I have to say...having used four high end digi scrapbook programs in the past - this one's very easy.  I threw this layout together in five minutes, including importing the picture, and trying to figure out how to add elements!  What do you think?

Think of all the fun things you can do with this software.  Not just scrapbooking! You can do your Christmas cards, invitations, and more!

I really do like this software and My Memories has a ton of free downloads and really nice ones for purchase as well - with reasonable pricing.  I love the quick pages (which is what I used to create the one above). You can export your creations for printing at your favorite photo site.  I have lots more exploring to do, but I want to get this posted so you can win your copy!  

If you can't wait...here's a $20 off deal for you.  The code below gets you $10 off the software and $10 to use for digital content in the store. Visit: MyMemories and use: coupon code STMMMS29603 to get your $10+$10 off today.

*********** How to Enter **********

Now...to win your free copy of MyMemories Suite (a $39.97 value) you need to:

1.  Become a follower of my blog

2. Visit Mymemories.com and choose your favorite digital paper pack or layout. 

3. Leave a comment on this post letting me know which one is your fav!

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Be sure to leave me with a way to contact you.  

You have until midnight on Saturday, September 17, 2011 to post your comment.  

Once comment only - please! 

I will post the lucky winner here on Sunday, September 18, 2011.   

Good luck!