I hope you’ll leave a comment on these lovely ladies blogs and tell them the Tip Junkie sent you!  {{hugs}}

1.  How To Make A Tiny Fairy Doll
2. How to make a scratch off sticker
3.  Wacky sack tutorial
4.  Boy freestyle mini-album tutorial

5. How to create mini stepping stones
6. Tips on how to start a dress-up
7.  Paper Mache Dinosaur
8. Felted Monster tutorial

Traveling with Kids

9.   Packing a Travel Busy Bag
10.  20 Travel Games and activities for kids
11.  Embellish a tray to use when traveling
12.  Real tips for plane travel with a baby and toddler

Tips to help the Kiddos

13.  Clever Ways To Teach Kids The Alphabet
14.  Tired of towels slipping off hooks? Add a loop!
15.  The Wheel of Misfortune
16. How to get your kids to clean their room in 15 min.

Other Tip Junkie Events:

• If you haven’t already, you can link up your creative blog posts on the Lisa Leonard Giveaway and Project Show & Tell post this week. The necklace is fabulous.  I’ll pick a winner next Monday night.  {{giddy}}

• To find out the latest giveaways and contest, sign up for the Tip Junkie Giveaway Directory.  You’ll get an easy to read e-mail with the new ones once a day.

Current Sponsors

Related Posts:

• St. Patrick’s Day Party & Activity Ideas
• Make Over Monday – Fashion Addition
• Make your Thanksgiving Fabulous

It’s Tip Me Tuesday, where you can show off your creative tips and projects which enters you to win a fabulous prize! If you’d like a more detailed explanation about why I created it, feel free to watch my video.

I will “Tip You” by featuring creative women and products from the Visit Our Peeps widget. Then you “Tip Us” by linking up your latest handmade, creative project, tutorial or party blog post. (I will be bookmarking my favorites and featuring them.)

I’m totally easy on what kind of “tip” you link, the main thing is to link up so we can get to know you. Tip Junkie pretty much covers everything – recipes, crafts, holidays, home decor, gift ideas, parties, blogging tips, paper crafting, cleaning tips, etc. {{wink}}

The lucky winner of the $50 gift certificate to Cap Creations is Organize Your Stuff Now.

The winner of the Visit Our Peeps widget for commenting on blog #50 Beyond the Picket Fence.  You can check out all the Tip Me Tuesday winners page.

Come visit the Village! Sampler Village offers sampler boxes filled with handcrafted products. Want to be villagers of Sampler Village? Then, come sign up today to have your samples in the box!!

Shop:  Sampler Village
Blog: Sampler Village Blog
Follow on Facebook

Sevi Designs Blog is all about Handmade, Goodies, Crafts, Crafty Links, and Giveaways!  Sevi Designs Shop is all about Handmade Goodies for YOU!

1.  Silk Flower Tutorial
2.  Vinyl lined Crayon Roll Tutorial
3.  Hedgehog Applique

Blog:  Sevi Designs
Follow on Facebook
Twitter

Lisa’s handmade jewelry is meaningful, unique and perfect for everyday. Each piece is hand-cut, hammered, antiqued and polished sterling silver. You can create a custom mommy necklace or a piece with a meaningful phrase or date to wear near your heart.

a.  Vintage Frame Necklace, $38
b.  Illuminate necklace, $54
c.  Double Heart cuff, $99
Blog:  Lisa’s Blog
Shop:  Lisa Leonard Designs
Twitter

<br /> <a border="0" href="http://www.tipjunkie.com/category/tip-me-tuesday" target="_blank"><img src="http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc10/TipJunkie/TipMeTuesdayButton-1.png" /></a></a>

The lucky winner will receive a Heartstrings Necklace, a $58 value!
Next Tuesday, I will pick one MckLinky participant randomly.

To enter to win, simply use MckLinky to link your post to Tip Me Tuesday. The winner will be chosen by a random number generator. Contest ends Friday at midnight.

• Type in your blog name – then the tip. It makes it easy to read & will bring more traffic! Example link: Tip Junkie – Jewelry Organizer
• Please link to your direct post. We can’t find your project if you don’t link right to it.
• Add the Tip Me Tuesday button, required to win

To encourage socializing and getting to know each other, I will also pick a random commenter from one of the blogs who linked up below; she will receive a FREE 6 month membership to the Visit Our Peeps widget. (no strings & no obligation.) Whoohoo!

Current Sponsors

Related Posts:

• Headband Giveaway and Project Show & Tell
• Jewelry Giveaway and Project Show & Tell
• $50 Giveaway and Project Show & Tell

Do you have a make over tutorial on your blog? Submit it so I can feature you!   I’m still looking for tween, teen, craft rooms, laundry rooms, and boy room ideas.

1. Lego table make over {{fabulous}}
2.  Craigslist chair make over
3.  Coastal & White Makeover under $50
4. Refinished old bedroom furniture

5.  How to create a high end look with spray paint
6.  How to create a deep crown molding
7.  Painted Kitchen Counters
8.  Old Cupboard Door Turned Chalk Board/Message Board

9. Fun twist on the ‘to do’ list w/ chalkboard paint
10.  $20 DIY Kids Book Display
11.  Kiddie chair facelift
12.  How to paint a Rug on a Floor

Also, if you’re interested in finding some crazy good blogs to add to your Google Reader, check out MomDot’s Top 100 Mom Blogs of 2009.  Thanks Trish for including Tip Junkie!

Current Sponsors

Related Posts:

• Make Over Monday
• DIY Home Decor Tutorials
• Make Over Monday

Be sure to tell these fabulous ladies the Tip Junkie sent you.

1. Personalized Counting Book
2. Pudding Paint
3.  How To Make Easy Peg Fairies
4. Catch the ball

Painting & Art Activities

5.  Bored No More Box
6.  Crayons and a glass front door
7. Four crazy places for kids art
8.  Magic wand cayon tutorial

Sewing Tutorials

9.  Alphabet Bean Bags
10.  Puzzle Bags
11. Pin the Tail on the Donkey game
12. Quiet Book

Imaginary Play

13.  Make your own play kitchen out of an end table
14.  How to make a Volcano
15.  Bug Hunting Kit
16.  Make a barnyard

Dress Ups

17.  Faux makeup for kids
18.  PVC Swords/Lightsabers
19.  Recycled Cups noise makers
20. How to Make Minnie Mouse Hair Bows

Current Sponsors

Related Posts:

• DIY Home Decor Tutorials
• Make Over Monday Tutorials
• Spring Break – Keep ‘em Busy!

It in about 2 weeks! So start planning.  This year it falls during our Spring Break so a big party is in order!  {{giggle}}  I hope these ideas inspire you to do something OTT with your family this year.

St. Patrick’s Day Party Ideas

1. St. Patrick’s Day party for the adults
2. Make your own pot of gold
3.  17 things to do with your family for St Pattys day
4. DIY St Pats Party Ideas

St. Patrick’s Day Home Decor Ideas

5. Decorating your mantle for St. Patrick’s Day
6. Lock of the Irish Canvas
7. Good Luck Picture for St. Patrick’s Day
8.  St. Patrick’s Day Wreath for $3.75

St. Patrick’s Day Gift Ideas

9. Cute St. Patrick’s Day Buckets & Card
10. Lucky Pennies gift – free printable
11.  Sneaky O’ Lanigan’s pots of gold
12.  St. Patty’s Day greeting card template

St. Patrick’s Day Games and Activities for the Kids

13.  Little Leprechauns…Big Beards
14.   Mythology Papercraft – Leprechaun
15.  St. Patrick’s Day Math Activities
16  Make Your Own Pot of Gold w/ Rainbow

You might also like these previous St. Patrick’s Day posts:

• Green Day Memory
• St. Patrick’s Day Bingo
• Green Day Agenda
• St. Patrick’s Day party & traditions

Current Sponsors

Related Posts:

• Halloween Party Inspiration
• Memorial Day Celebration
• Valentine’s Day Celebration Ideas

It’s Tip Me Tuesday, where you can show off your creative tips and projects which enters you to win a fabulous prize! If you’d like a more detailed explanation about why I created it, feel free to watch my video.

I will “Tip You” by featuring creative women and products from the Visit Our Peeps widget. Then you “Tip Us” by linking up your latest handmade, creative project, tutorial or party blog post. (I will be bookmarking my favorites and featuring them.)

I’m totally easy on what kind of “tip” you link, the main thing is to link up so we can get to know you. Tip Junkie pretty much covers everything – recipes, crafts, holidays, home decor, gift ideas, parties, blogging tips, paper crafting, cleaning tips, etc. {{wink}}

There are FIVE lucky winners who will receive a zipper headband from Apostrophy.

1. #33 - My Cabinet Door Makeover – Jen @ Noting Grace
2. #46 – Making the World Cuter – Towel Poncho – love it!
3. #37 – Chic girly hanging flower ball tutorial
4. #35 – Ribbon and Pearl Necklace at Homespun Light
5. #43 – Family Room Remodel

The winner of the Visit Our Peeps widget for commenting on blog #33  is  The DIY Showoff. You can check out all the Tip Me Tuesday winners page.

On Kelli’s blog, 3 Boys and a Dog, you will find funny stories about the boys and dog, reviews, giveaways, super cool guest posters, recipes, and much more.

1.  Top 12 Household Notebook Sites
2.  How to write and tackle your to do list
3.  10 ways to get fit after the holidays
Blog: 3 Boys and a Dog
Follow on Twitter

Jen features home entertaining advice, ideas, and inspiration from a Chicago hostess on her blog Second City Soiree.

4.  How to make a Chocolate Bowl (and other videos)
5.  French Happy Hour
6.  Party Killers
Shop:  Second City Soiree
Follow on Facebook
Twitter

Cathy from Cap Creations is absolutely DARLING and is a  Tip Junkie Mom-preneur!  She has sterling silver jewelry for the entire family. Meaningful, personal and unique jewelry. You’re going to just love her products.

a.  He loves me hand stamped, $28
b.  Fleur de Lis For My Tamelica, $29.20
c.  Oval Monogram Bangle Bracelet, $46
Blog:  Cap Creations Blog
Shop:  Cap Creations

<br /> <a border="0" href="http://www.tipjunkie.com/category/tip-me-tuesday" target="_blank"><img src="http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc10/TipJunkie/TipMeTuesdayButton-1.png" /></a>

The lucky winner will receive a $50 gift certificate to Cap Creations!
Next Tuesday, I will pick one MckLinky participant randomly.

To enter to win, simply use MckLinky to link your post to Tip Me Tuesday. The winner will be chosen by a random number generator. Contest ends Friday at midnight.

• Type in your blog name – then the tip. It makes it easy to read & will bring more traffic! Example link: Tip Junkie – Jewelry Organizer
• Please link to your direct post. We can’t find your project if you don’t link right to it.
• Add the Tip Me Tuesday button.

To encourage socializing and getting to know each other, I will also pick a random commenter from one of the blogs who linked up below; she will receive a FREE 6 month membership to the Visit Our Peeps widget. (no strings & no obligation.) Whoohoo!

Current Sponsors

Related Posts:

• Lisa Leonard Giveaway and Project Show & Tell
• Headband Giveaway and Project Show & Tell
• Jewelry Giveaway and Project Show & Tell

Once again, Tip Junkie is here as Your Personal Assistant. Consider taking a day to really plan and organize your schedule to stay ahead of the game. Here are some things to do:

1. If you’re wanting to be more organized then print off the Executive Homemaker binder where you can keep track of everything in one place as well as printable worksheets to help keep you organized and on task. (Sorry, I still don’t have the 2010 calendars ready yet. I’ll get those done after the BlissDom conference.)

2. Check birthdays for the month, buy cards & presents, get them ready to mail or deliver. If you have a child’s birthday this month, plan it and get out the invites.

• Tip Junkie has tons of amazing birthday themes, party favor, game and decor ideas.
• Executive Homemaker has several games to print out.

Also since it’s a new year with a LOT of birthday ahead of you, consider making (or buying) neighbor, friend, and teacher gifts for the entire year. Organize a gift-crafting week with a friend and make it a fun event by stocking up on several handmade items you’ll need through out the year. This way if you’re ever in a time crunch or financial pinch – you’re covered!

3. St. Patrick’s Day will be here before you know it! Decide today what you’re going to make, how you’re going to decorate, what traditions you’re going to do.  St. Patrick’s Day falls on our Spring Break, so I’ll be hosting a big party for my kiddo’s and their friends.  I’ll be featuring more ideas this week!

• Green Day Memory
• St. Patrick’s Day Bingo
• Green Day Agenda
• St. Patrick’s Day party & traditions

4. Clear schedule for book club, girls night out, BUNCO, and other rotating activities. Make sure you have child care, your food assignment, etc. Here’s how to start a dinner club.

5.  This year Easter is Sunday, April 4, 2010.  It’s time to get Easter outfits for the family and schedule family pictures (if you haven’t already done so).  I usually rotate family pictures between Christmas and Easter every couple years.  This way there is a variety in our home.  If the budget is tight, you can always call a friend and meet at a pretty park.  I did this 2 years ago.  I took pictures of her family and then she took pictures of mine.  It worked out great!

If you’re already in the Easter crafting mood, here are some ideas to get your creativity flowing:

Easter Home Decor

• Easter Table Decorating Ideas
• Easter & Spring Home Decorating
• DIY Chic Easter Eggs
• Easter Craft & Spring Craft Ideas
• Easter Crafts and Spring DIY Ideas
• Easter Crafts submitted by Tip Junkie Readers

Easter Traditions

• Easter Traditions
• More Easter Traditions
• Don’t Eat Pete (game to play with Easter candy)
• Egg a House (ring & run activity with your kiddos)
• Spiritual Easter Eggs

Easter Gift Ideas

• Easter Gift Ideas and Decor
• Homemade Easter Baskets and Paper Baskets
• Easter Food and Goodies

6.  I can’t believe it’s already time to plan for Spring Break.  Holy Cow!  Where does the time go?  You can check out any of the “For the Kids” posts for fun and creative ideas to keep  your kids busy with Spring Break Staycation Ideas.

More Boredom Buster Ideas:

• Spring Break – Keep ‘em Busy!
• Spring Break Activities on a Budget

7. If you are doing a food storage, time to check the schedule and buy next on the list. Don’t forget to put some cash in there as well.

8. Change AC house filter.

9. Write one grandparent a letter, artwork, or card.

10. Plan Mommy/Son or Daddy/Daughter dates.

11. Plan a date night with your man, arrange the babysitter in advance or swap with a friend.

12. Let’s start the month off right and make a list of the things that are causing you added stress. Make a list of the big ones as well as the little ones. Is something in the house that’s broken, is there an insurance issue you need to take care of, do you need an extra trash can upstairs to help keep things tidy?

Once you’ve thought it out and made your list, next plan a day this week as your “ongoing problem day” and finally resolve those issues that need to be resolved. You’ll be glad that you did!

13. For moms with toddlers: Winter was always hard for me when my boys were young because they weren’t able to play outside as much. During the cold months, I would put together “Special Days” and some times invited a couple of their friends. I put together a Special Days Booklet with all my ideas that you can print out! Basically they are “blue day” or “Spider-man Day” and we would play games and do simple things using that color, shape, or theme. If you get another mother involved, it’s less work, and more fun. You could even rotate the days you host it.

14. A heads up, teacher appreciation is next month. If you’re going to make a gift, check the Teacher Appreciation and handmade gift idea categories for tons of ideas.  {{I’ve done all the searching for you!}}

15.  Don’t forget about April Fool’s Day pranks and traditions!  I’ve already posted about some fun pranks that you can do.  However, I’ll feature more this month as well.  If you have a fun one, be sure to submit it so I can feature you and give some fun ideas to readers.

If you want to remind yourself to head on over to Tip Junkie at the beginning of every month for this segment, here’s a button you can put on the sidebar of your blog.

What else do you do to get your home organized?

Current Sponsors

Related Posts:

• Personal Assistant – January
• Personal Assistant – November
• Personal Assistant – September

I hope this inspires you to do something fun for your little man!

1.  Boys Nautical themed room – boat bed
2.  Pirate themed nursery
3.  Boy’s Dinosaur Room
4.  Vintage Racing Room

5.  Bass Pro Shop Theme Room
6.  Turn a large closet into a pirate ship fort
7.  Boy’s Beach Themed Room
8.  Cool car themed paint

9.  Dr. Seuss Room
10.  A coming of age boys bedroom
11.  Transportation decoupage dresser
12.  Teal, sea-foam and orange boys room

A heads up, my fabulous friend Angie is hosting a giveaway Memory Mixer giveaway of the software plus a bound book worth $75.  Whoohoo!!

If you’d like more giveaway information, check out the Tip Junkie Blog Events and Giveaway Directory.  It’s free to post and sign up for the newsletter.  I’m just trying to do my part to make getting free stuff easy for you. {{wink – I’ve got your back!}}

Current Sponsors

Related Posts:

• Halloween Party Inspiration
• Trunk or Treat – Decorate Your Car
• More Fabulous Baby Shower Themes

I hope you enjoy these fun tutorials!

1.  How to make Olympic Mascot cookies
2.  Gold Medal Cookie & Olympic torch tutorial
3.  Print and fold mascots
4.  Olympic themed ice skates craft

5.  Make your own Olympic ice rink tutorial
6.  Olympic Birthday Party ideas
7.  Pocket felt gold metal tutorial
8.  Olympic party food – use a map and circle food

Olympic craft ideas for Toddlers

9.  Paper plate Olympic rings
10. Tissue paper Olympic Flag
11. Toilet Paper Roll Olympic ring craft
12.  Host an Olympic play date

Olympic Food Recipes

13.  Olympic Rings Cookies from Cakespy
14. Olympic party themed food
15. Nanaimo Bars – an Olympic treat
16.  Olympic Lunch Bunch

I’ll continue with home decor tutorials tomorrow. I’m still looking for tween, teen, craft rooms, laundry rooms, and boy room ideas.  If you have one, submit it so I can feature you!

Current Sponsors

Related Posts:

• Superhero Birthday Parties
• Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas
• Valentine’s Day Celebration Ideas

• BlissDom: Part 1
• BlissDom: Part 2

My purpose in sharing the short version of my session with you, is to convince you to save your pennies and come to BlissDom with us next year!  {{giddy}}  I also believe that if you know something you should share it!

It’s time to wrap things up by getting to the deep stuff that no one ever tells you.  Well, they do tell you but you don’t believe them until you discover that it really does work after trial and error yourself.  {{HA!  Come on, you know it’s true.}}

Blog Community Tools – Tricks of the Trade

There are many tools that you can use to build your own community.  If you’re not ready to build your own – these tools will also help you to join and participate in other communities.  Once you’ve made a name for yourself in these communities, it will be a lot easier to create your own.

Facebook Fan Page – In my opinion, If you have a blog you should have a fan page.  Why?

• Because statistics are showing that Facebook is one of the most effective ways to promote your blog.
• Facebook is also growing faster than Twitter and has a more mature age range.  So basically more my demographic of readers.
• I wouldn’t bother creating a Networked Blogs page.  It just divides your readership with 2 different applications.
• There are people who won’t comment on your blog, but they will engage with you via Facebook.  Give them the option!

Some of my must have software and sites:

1. Tweet Deck for Twitter (they have an iPhone app – it’s fabulous!)
2. YouTube – this is a great way to allow your readers to really see your personality.  Use it to highlight a different side of you.  If you post about your family on your blog – use YouTube video to focus on you as a woman.  ie.  Fashion, movie reviews, etc.
3. Google Analytics - Site Meter is for newbies.  If you’ve been blogging for over a year it’s time to join the big girls and get to know your readers, referrers, and most popular posts.
4. Ning & Blog Frog – Use these communities to make a name for yourself and promote your blog.  Make sure to stay true to yourself and your personality and use it organically.  Friend people and interact with them regularly.  This will help you become known in your niche and in these communities.  Then you can create your own.
5. Link Within – It’s important to have loyal readers.  To do this, they’ve got to really know you and what you bring to the table.  This application will show your readers visually the related posts which will bring more page views and allow your readers to really see what you have to offer.

Spotlight Your Blog Readers & Top Referrers

There are many great examples, here are the couple we highlighted:

• The Nester uses Tumblr
• Amy posts her monthly notebook
• SITSgirls readers have to comment in order to be featured
• Pink Lemonade gives free ads as a thank you for being her top referral

Tricks of the Trade – The Easy Button for Traffic

1. Use Google Alerts to find out who’s posting about you.  Send them a nice thank you e-mail or comment.  This creates friendships which creates loyalty.
2. Use Google Analytics to find out what your top 10 posts are.  Use these topics and SEO words to create more posts that are related.  These are the topics you’re readers and Googler’s are most interested in.
3. Publicly thank your top referrers.  Post about them, give them free ad space on your blog, collaborate with them on fun projects.  Share the link love.
4. Guest post as often as you can.  Why?  This breads traffic – for both bloggers involved.
5. Interview each other and share traffic in your niche.  Why?  See #4

Share What You Know – The Next Level

First set your blog up for success:

• Put your picture on the homepage of your blog!  People have to know who you are to connect with you.  Be consistent with your profile pictures – have it the same everywhere so people can recognize you instantly.  Use a real picture not a avatar.
• Create solutions to your readers problems – then sell it.
• Teach as you learn
• Barter ad space for products you want
• Have the Mom-preneur who’s giveaway you’re  hosting giveaway 2 products.   One for the winner and one for you.
• Have an About page
• Organize blog parties and meet ups.

Now it’s time to take the lead:

• Create a product:  book, eBook, download
• Use your powers for good:  teach what you know, help charities or another blogger

Thank You for Reading!

This is just a small bit of the information that was shared during our BlissDom session.  I hope you learned something.  If you have any questions, feel free to ask them in the comments. I’m here to help!

This is the contact information to everyone who was on the panel.  What I shared with you in this 3 part post is my point of view. You would have had to attend the session to get theirs. {{wink}}

Amy – Mom Advice, @momadvice
Stephanie - Adventures in Babywearing, @babysteph
Mindy - The Mommy Blog , @themommyblog
Laurie - Tip Junkie, @tipjunkie

Also, if you’d like to attend a social media conference (blogging conference) but don’t want to travel far or spend a lot of cash, check out the Bloggy Boot Camps from the SITSgirls.  They are intimate and you will learn a LOT not to mention network with the movers and shakers in your local area.

I’ll be attending two more conferences this spring:

• May 1st:  Bloggy Boot Camp – Phoenix (I’ll be speaking)
• June 24th:  Evo Conference – Park City, UT

I hope you can come and we can finally meet in real life!  {{squeal in delight}}

Current Sponsors

Related Posts:

• How to Protect Your Ideas
• Blogging Conference RSVP
• How to Search for Creative Ideas