Marvelously Messy

A Marvelous Mess #50 and Window Hearts and Features!!!

noreply@blogger.com (MessyMissy) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 01:37:00 +0000

I've got a last minute Valentine's craft for you and your kiddo's to try!!

It's pretty simple and looks so pretty in the window!!

I saw these at this site, though they used contact paper instead of wax paper and glue.

For these Window Hearts you need:

Wax Paper

Cardstock

Tissue paper

Glue

~Take your cardstock and trim out an outline of a heart.

~Hot Glue the outline of the heart to wax paper and trim it out:

~Flip it over.

~Take some tissue paper, trimmed or torn into pieces and begin glueing them to the back of the heart.

~Cover the whole thing.

~Wait for it to dry then pop it up in the window!! It looks so pretty!!

Not bad, eh?
You guys linked up some awesome projects this past week.

Valentine Hat from A Little Bit of Everything

And, the project I'm going to feature on my sidebar is....

Shabby Chic Valentine Cards from Paperlicious Designs

Congrats to you!! If I featured you in this post be sure and grab this featured button:

Now, on to the party!!!

Kidlandia Free Online Game

noreply@blogger.com (MessyMissy) — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 02:22:00 +0000

Kidlandia is offering a free interactive game for children on their site!!

If you don't know Kidlandia, they are the most fantastic site for making personalized gifts that are creative and interesting for your children. You can find maps, cups, pillow cases, placemats and so many more items to personalize for your child. We currently own a poster for the wall and a placemat, both products are maps....the poster is of the United States and the placemat is of the world. We have loved both products....not only because they are unique but because they teach at the same time.

Kidlandia is taking "personalization" to a new level....now you can create a land AND play within in boundaries online!!

They've created an imaginary world that is inhabited by lots of little animals (they call them Kreechurs). By using money (Kaploons....which you earn by participating in some educational games), you can fill your own personal land with kreechurs, homes, plants, and your very own Popkin (the kreechur that represents you). You can dress the Popkin in many styles:

And, you can organize the Kreechurs all over the land:

The kreechurs are really cool. And, they came with their own stories....not only can you read their story, you can add to it. This is my favorite part of this game. Being able to add to the stories and histories of the land gives the person on the game a feeling of ownership and something to be proud of!!!!

You can buy eggs to hatch Kreechurs out of. And, sometimes your kreechurs lay eggs that you can collect. You take good care of the eggs by giving them warm sunshine and kisses:

It's such an adorable game. And, it is definitely educational. I think you can your family should check it out!! You are going to love it!!

A Valentine for You: New Glasses!!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (MessyMissy) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 02:09:00 +0000

One of my sponsors, Global Eyeglasses, is offering an awesome deal for Valentines Day.....

Buy One Get One

FREE!!!!

Yahoo!!

You've got to go check out their prescription glasses. Incredible prices on top of a great sale equals major savings for you.

While you are shopping for your discount glasses be sure to look at the help page on figuring out frame size. They have a simple way to find your frame size so that, as you shop you can be looking for the best fit.

Pretty important stuff, really. You wouldn't want to have very small frames show up and it just so happens that you need large ones. I always find myself a little shocked when I try on a pair of glasses that have such small frames. Some people are just kinda puny, I guess (not Amazonian like me)!!!!!

Global Eyeglasses has a great variety of lenses and frames, from single vision to progressive and everything in between. They also offer prescription Sunglasses....and I'll tell you what, I'm already planning on April vacation....and I am going to need some sunglasses for it. Yahoo!!!!!!!

So, are you going to go check out Global Eyeglasses or what?!?!

Don't go into the store to buy your glasses, go online and get a really good deal!!!!!!

A Marvelous Mess #49 and Features!!!

noreply@blogger.com (MessyMissy) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 01:20:00 +0000

I'm currently wrapped up in the Superbowl so I'm going to get right to the features for the week:

Mini Stuffed French Toast from Will Cook For Smiles

Chocolate Covered Fluffernutter Hearts from Homegrown Beanes

Delicious!! I'm really excited to give these a try!!!!!

Don't forget to check out my Valentine's Day ideas!!!

Now, on to the Party:

My Memories Suite Giveaway!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (MessyMissy) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:57:00 +0000

Oooo....I've got a great giveaway for all you crafty folks out there. Especially those of you who like working with paper in any way shape or form. My Memories is a scrapbooking site that offers so many products and so much information for those of you who enjoy scrapbooking. Here's a small list of what you can find on their site:

Digital Scrapbooking Kits and Downloads

Scrapbook Software

Album Templates

Design Club

I got the chance to review the newest in scrapbooking software....the My Memories Suite. I've already used it in my new job as a librarian to make a poster about a reading contest. The images and backgrounds built into the program are incredibly nice and I found the software fairly easy to use. I don't do much in the way of scrapbooking myself, only because I've never tried it. This Suite can be used for more than just scrapbooking!! It's perfect for crafting in general. You can make and print so many different images to use in framing, decoupage, gift tags, etc.

The are many option for layouts and backgrounds. Take a look at this funky chevron:

The whole program is laid out very simply. Design your own page or choose from the prepackaged ones:

I'm totally excited to wander around some more on this program. Here is what I made in minutes for my job:

Pretty simple, right? I love the font and the image of the notebook.

If you don't find a background or layout you are looking for on the Suite, you can just skip right over to the website and download it there:

It's such a fun site. You're going to love it!!!! If you should decide you'd like to buy the software for yourself, use this code: STMMMS7470

and you'll get $10 off the My Memoires Suite V3!!!!

So, wanna win the My Memories Suit for yourself??

Here's how to do it (leave a comment for *each* entry type):

~Go to My Memories and tell me which Scrapbooking Kit is your favorite. (1 Comment)

~Follow My Memories on Twitter. (1 Comment)

~Follow My Memories on Facebook. (1 Comment)

~Follow Marvelously Messy on Facebook.

This contest will end on the 12 of February at 11:59EST.

In return for an honest review, I received a My Memoires Digital Suite. I am also an affiliate of the company: product bought through a link on my site will benefit me monetarily.

Love Twined in Yarn

noreply@blogger.com (MessyMissy) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:35:00 +0000

I saw this great yarn wrapped love post on Family Chic and just had to give it a try.

I used some flexible jewelry wire and twined it in one long line, so that I could shape the metal in what ever way I wanted. It's was super dooper easy. All you need is wire, yarn, hot glue, and some patience. Glue the yarn to the tip of the wire and begin winding the yarn around it, tapping some glue on the metal from time to time to help it hold it's place.

There are so many fun ways to use this!!!!

I <3 this craft.

Be sure to take a look at all my other Valentine's Day Craft Tutorials!!!!

I shared this post at the following funky linky parties:

Made By You Mondays

FertiBella ConceiveEasy Prize Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (MessyMissy) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 04:04:00 +0000

Becoming pregnant isn't always easy.

FertiBella is a sight that hopes to do away with all the waiting and help women become pregnant more quickly. They have created a new fertility supplement call ConceiveEasy that has been shown, according to clinical studies, to increase the pregnancy rate by 33% in women using the formula.

FertiBella touts this product as being a natural aid to low fertility rates. It's job is to boost those fetility levels and help overcome the most common reasons for infertility, including problems such as irregular menstrual cycles and problems with ovulation.

FertiBella has given me an opportunity to let one reader win a Trying to Conceive Kit which includes the a two month supply of the ConceiveEasy formula as well as the option to customize the kit with either:

20 Early Result Pregnancy Tests

20 One Step Ovulation Tests

10 Pregnancy and 10 Ovulation Tests

The total prize is worth over $150!!!

This contest will end on February 8th at 11:59pm EST.

Here's how to Enter (leave a comment for EACH type of entry):

Follow ConceiveEasy on Twitter (1 Comment) *Mandatory*

Follow Marvelously Messy on Google + (1 Comment)

I received payment for hosting this giveaway. I did not receive product, therefore did not give my personal opinion of the product.

Mason Jar Cookie Valentines and A Marvelous Mess #49 and Features!!!

noreply@blogger.com (MessyMissy) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 19:31:00 +0000

I found this great idea for Mason Jar Cookie Valentines and pinned it on Pinterest. Everybody seems to love it and keeps repinning it....and I just love it too....so, I thought I would recreate it in my way.

It's a mason jar decorated with heart doilies and filled with cookies. I wrapped antique white yarn around the top, red ribbon, and some tulle. It's such a sweet way to give a valentine!!

The cookies I filled it with were Russian Tea Cakes with a few changes....heart shaped instead of round and the confectioners sugar was mixed with red sugar crystals.

Oh, yum.

Such a cute combo.

Here is what the cookies looked like on their own:

I made the round ones to show you what they usually look like. Here is the recipe:

Russian Teacakes:

1 Cup Butter (room temperature)

1/2 Cup Confectioners Sugar

1 Tsp Vanilla

2 1/4 Cup Flour

1/4 Tsp Salt

Extra bowl of Confectioners sugar (I mixed some red sugar into it) for rolling.

Stove to 400. Mix well the butter, sugar, and vanilla. Work in flour and salt until dough holds shape. I shaped mine into hearts....usually they are made into 1" balls. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Once out, roll warm cookies in bowl of sugar, coating them well. Wait for them to cool then roll it again.

Makes 4 dozen cookies (in balls).

I would credit this recipe....except it was passed down from my mom!!!!

Last weeks party was a blast. Lots of link up and so many fun ideas. I'll be pinning a lot of them.

Speaking of pinning, check my Pinterest Board here....you might see some of your stuff!!

Also, are any of you on Google plus? I'd love to add you to my circles or follow your page (and would love it if you would follow). I'm trying to figure it all out and word has it Google Friend Connect is going away....so Google + will be how we gather followers. I've got my page HERE. Leave me a comment (either on google+ on on this blog) and I will follow you back.

Here are my fave's from last weekes party:

Vanilla Bean Creme Brulee from Chicken Scratchny

Tin Foil Rose Tutorial from I Gotta Create.

Super Bowl Snack Extravaganza from Gluten Free from A-Z

And, the project I'm going to feature on my sidebar for a week is....

Rain Boot Re Do from Cookie and Claire. Adorable!!

Thanks to all of you that linked up!! For those that I featured in my post today, here is your button:

Now, lets party!!

Blue Cricket Design

We Love Winter Walks

noreply@blogger.com (MessyMissy) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 02:21:00 +0000

Winter walks are the best.

The latest walk we went on was in search of animal tracks. We'd had a lot of rain the day before, which has melted a lot of snow and make it slushy, then everything froze overnight. It's a good recipe for seeing some tracks.

Here are some that we found:

Deer.

Scat from a meat eating animal....see the hair?

And yes, I just totally put poop on my blog.

Wild Turkey.

Hold on a sec....I'm going to call a Striped Skunk on these tracks.

Mostly, we just played in the snow and tromped around the field. Buddy was LOVING the adventure. He couldn't stop chasing after Chloe....who was searching for mice in a very serious way. She didn't really appreciate his playful mood.

Chloe was ready to get started on her search.

Buddy was ready to pounce on Chloe.

So, he did.

Chloe kept at it....diligently working to find a mouse. Until Buddy got in the way.

Don't you just love that ears back, full-of-trouble look he has going on in this picture....
He was just looking for an excuse to run as fast as he could in circles.

We love Winter walks.

Our New House

noreply@blogger.com (MessyMissy) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:15:00 +0000

Content by Mac Kline

Our new house is amazing and I can't believe we finally get to move in and live here as husband and wife. I've been waiting for this day my entire life and I couldn't ask for a better husband than James. I mean come on, he bought me my dream house and we're only 24 years old! I can't wait to get all of our stuff moved into the house and get the rooms painted the way I want them to be and I even got a little surprise for James once we move. I called up direct tv and I've got a guy coming out a week after we moved in to install a dish so he can get all the sports channels he's had to go to a sports bar to watch for the last two years. I wish I could afford to buy a new flastcreen TV, but because we’re going to be so house poor he's going to have to wait on the new TV!

A Marvelous Mess #48 and Features!!!

noreply@blogger.com (MessyMissy) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 23:22:00 +0000

Oooo, those Valentine's Crafts are really being made now!! I hope you'll show us all up with your latest and greatest!!

Here are my fave's from last week:

Valentine Wreath from Two sides of the Rainbow

Crocheted Plarn Tote Pattern from Petals To Picots

Chocolate Chip Brownie Cookies from the Blackberry Vine

and the project I'm going to feature on my sidebar for a week....

Spring Jitters from The Generous Earth

Thanks so much to you all for linking up to my weekly party!! If I featured you in this post, feel free to grab this button:

Now, on to the party:

Diamond Candles

noreply@blogger.com (MessyMissy) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 17:05:00 +0000

I recently got the chance to review a Cinnamon Roll scented Soy candle from Diamond Candles . OOooooo, does this candle smell good. Now, not only does it smell good....it has a diamond ring inside it!! Every candle from Diamond Candles has a ring inside it with a value anywhere from $10 to $5,000!!! The candles are made of soy, which makes it last much longer than a regular candle and the scent is wonderful. Not chemically overpowering at all, which is something that bothers me about a lot of store bought candles.

The big question....how much was my ring worth???? About $10. I did see some videos on You Tube with people who won the more expensive rings. Honestly, I'm pleased as can be with this candle. And, I think you will be too!! So, here's a nice giveaway for a candle. It ends on February 27th. Just fill out the rafflecopter form below!!

Good Luck!!

I was given product as compensation for this review. All opinions are my own.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Round Valentine Love Chalkboard

noreply@blogger.com (MessyMissy) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 16:32:00 +0000

Here's my latest in Valentine crafts. It's also just really cute to have on your wall for little love notes....cause you don't need a special day to tell someone you love them.

Here is how I did it:

I took a round piece of wood (in this case a small wooden table top) and spray painted it with chalkboard paint.

Cover it with a piece of cloth (I used a rough linen that looks just like burlap) and trace the circle shape. Then trim out the circle.

Trace a heart shape onto the circle (that is centered in the middle). I folded my linen in half and and traced out half a heart, so that is was symmetrical. Once it is trimmed, use some spray adhesive to glue the linen to the chalkboard.

Now, you can work on the trim!!!

I used a white sheer ribbon with a solid edge as the first layer. Using hot glue, a attched along the egde of the circle. Then, I pleated a pink polka dotted ribbon and attached that on top of the white one. I used white tulle and accordion folded it along the sides of the edges. I ran out of space with the pink ribbon in one spot.....

So, I had to improvise. Linen flowers ought to do it, right?????

Perfect!!!!

I shared this post at these great linky parties:
Blue Cricket Design

Zeiss Lenses

noreply@blogger.com (MessyMissy) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 04:55:00 +0000

Did you know that adults and Children should have eye exams every two years?

I never really concerned myself with my eyes because when I had been tested in my teen years I found out I had 20/20. I think I always thought that if I was given that exam once, I would continue to have the same eye sight through the years. This is *not* the case, unfortunately.
My eyes haven't stayed at 20/20. For the fun of it, I made an appointment with a Optomotrist to have them checked out and it was confirmed that my eyes had changed. I've got glasses now, mostly for driving and reading, but I have a feeling the next time I see my Optomotrist I'll find that I need some new lenses.

Zeiss lenses have been around for a long time. They have been used in places from scientific labs to shuttles on the moon!! Zeiss is known for it's quality and dependablity. Now, they've got a great educational website to help the us all make the best choices when it comes to our vision. Here are some of the great tips I found on the site:

*Adults over 40 should have yearly eye exams to keep tabs on age related eye changes.
*Care well for lenses, don't leave them in the sun for long.
*Nearsightedness: Seeing things closer more clearly.
*Farsightedness: Seeing things further more clearly.

There are plenty more interesting facts on the site. They cover everything from vision and lenses, to how to select and eye doctor, and facts about age-related vision changes.

Consider Zeiss lenses as an option for your glasses. Ask your doctor if they carry it in their store. Zeiss customized lenses are made to fit you from your exact eye needs to the shape of your face!

I received payment in the form of a gift card for this review. All opinions are my own.

Valentine House and A Marvelous Mess #47 and Features!!!

noreply@blogger.com (MessyMissy) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 02:31:00 +0000

With the help of my Munchkin, I made this little Valentine House decoration. It's another cute addition to the February decor I'm making for our house. A few weeks ago I made Valentine Burlap Love Birds. And, I've got some fun stuff from the past couple of years as well HERE.

We started with a simple wood birdhouse from Michaels and painted it in a gesso style with pinks, whites, and burgundy's. The roof was covered with wet Glitter Snow.

The Birds you see here:

are made out of polymer clay, paints, feathers, and wire.

Pretty Caaa-uuute. Wouldn't ya say?

Now....on to my fave's from A Marvelous Mess #46:

Homemade Baileys from Nifty Thrifty Things. Um, Yum?!?!? That looks incredible. Pinning for sure!!

Brownie Peanut Butter Cups from Raising Oranges.

Fennel Cough Syrup and Fennel Honey from Natural Health and Prevention. What an incredible post!! Pinning, pinning, pinning!!!

And, the project I'm going to feature on my sidebar is.....

Valentine Candy Cane Hearts from Happy Canadian Home. This idea was totally new to me....love it!!!!

I featured you in this post, don't forget to grab a button:

Now, on to the party!!!

Clean Your Silver Simply

noreply@blogger.com (MessyMissy) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 04:59:00 +0000

I honestly can't remember where I learned this trick. Maybe my Mom? It's pretty funky. To get the tarnish off your silver and help it go from this:

To this:

In just a few minutes all you need are three ingredients:

Tin Foil

Baking Soda

Hot Water

~Take a pot of hot water and line it with tinfoil. Add lots of baking soda.... perhaps half a cup? Put the silver in the water (make sure it makes contact with the foil).

That's the mug in the mixture.

It should take more than a couple of minutes to start seeing the tarnish go.

Take the silver out of the water and wash it gently with some mild soup to get any extra tarnish wiped away. It should be looking just peachy.

I shared this post at these funky parties:

January Walks

noreply@blogger.com (MessyMissy) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 16:23:00 +0000

We been talking some long walks in the fields around my In-Laws house on the weekends. Snow is absent from the Maine landscape right now, which makes it perfect for walking on the hard ground....skipping over the mud and slush stage completely. Our dogs have been loving these wintry walks....often running so hard during it than when they get home, the sleep the rest of the day away.

Curious Chloe

Bounding Buddy

Some beavers have dammed up a large area of a nearby stream, making for some fun (but cautious) walking on the iced up shallows.

The larger stream that meanders by the field is a favorite skating spot of some locals. But, it's important to wait until the ice is completely frozen....one skater on this ice was fine, but all of us standing in the same area made the ice groan. We decided to walk home through the field instead.

The swampy area abounds with old wood.

Winter berries and a black lab completely content.

My husband spotted this bald eagle as we drove home the day before our walk. He was perched in a tree over the river. They live their lives over the river, nesting nearby, and fishing all day. Usually these birds are seen gliding high over the city.

Maggie's Direct Down Pillow

noreply@blogger.com (MessyMissy) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 15:05:00 +0000

Everybody wants to sleep on my pillow.

This was not always the case. For the longest time, I had a regular pillow with synthetic stuffing. A recent review opportunity gave me the chance to have a very very *special* pillow that is total decadence for my head.

I'm not even exaggerating.

I am a late night blogger, which means my hubby usually goes to bed before me. Every night when I try to get into bed, I find my husband snoozing on my new pillow....he *never* did that before. I don't blame him; I look forward to sleeping on my pillow every night. It is really plush but has a good amount of give so that your head can settle into alignment with the rest of your body. I just wish I had a pillow for every bed in the house!! Something else that looks incredible on the site:

700 Fill Cotten Sateen Down Comforter

Maggie's Direct is the company that sent me this pillow (that everyone in my household covets). They are located in Maine and their goal is to make high quality products at low cost to the consumer. They manufacture down comforters, pillows, featherbeds, and comforter covers right out of their factory. They don't have a retail store and they don't mail out expensive catalogs....you can find them only on the internet, which helps to keep their overhead low.

Maggie's Direct is a social networking shopping site. They use the power of word of mouth and referrals to pass the word along about their company. You earn social bucks to spend money on their site, and you also earn money through anyone you refer. It's a great deal!!

You can find Maggie's Direct Here:
Website
Twitter

I received product for reimbursement for this post. All opinions are my own and written in my own words.

Best Chocolate Cake and A Marvelous Mess #46 (And, Features!!)

noreply@blogger.com (MessyMissy) — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 13:48:00 +0000

I had a birthday party to go to and a cake requested....and I was running out of time to make it. So, I did some quick online research for the "Best Chocolate Cake" and found this:

No doubt about it....it was the best chocolate cake I've ever made....or tasted!!!! I found it on the website Kevin and Amanda.

I did a little outline in gel frosting of an old Chevy truck, as this was a cake for a mechanic with a passion for old Chevys....and my mom. :-)

Here is the recipe:

1 box devil’s food cake mix

1 small pkg Jello instant chocolate pudding mix

1 cup sour cream

1 cup vegetable oil

4 eggs, beaten

1/2 cup milk

1 tsp vanilla

2 cups mini chocolate chips

~Set the stove for 350 and mix all ingredients except for chocolate chips in a *large* bowl. Once it is thoroughly mixed, add the chocolate chips and place it in two greased 9 inch cake pans.

It should bake for around 45 minutes, but check it at 30 and every 5 minutes or so after, remembering that the melted chips can trick you.
:-)

I made a simple frosting with a crisco base.... and decided against frosting the entire cake. This is a truly decadent cake and I didn't think we needed all that frosting.

The cake isn't as sweet as it seems. The sour cream gives it that tanginess to balance out the chips. VERY moist and rich, thanks to the jello. Totally delicious!!

Now, on to my favorites from my last Marvelous Mess Party:

Resolve to Recycle from I Gotta Create. Such a great (and helpful) idea!!!

Cocoa Mousse from Talking Dollars and Cents. How about a little cup of hot cocoa and some cocoa mousse after your latest sledding adventure?

Algerian Cookies from Karima's Crafts. These look delish!!

The project I'm going to feature on my side bar is....

DIY Stable from Seven Sisters. Pretty awesome right? This Stable comes with a tutorial. Yeehaa!!!

Congrats to all of you and thanks for sharing such great ideas on my blog!!
For those of you I featured, here's a button for you to show off on your blog:

Now, lets get this party started!!

Global Eyeglasses

noreply@blogger.com (MessyMissy) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 17:14:00 +0000

There is nothing like becoming a librarian to make you appreciate the fact that you NEED GLASSES. Those barcodes on the books are so small and when you spend a lot of your day looking at them, you can really feel it in your vision. I've got a pair of glasses that are on the older side, back when my face was skinner....and is there nothing worse that putting on small glasses to make you really *feel* all that weight on your face. *Pout* I need a new pair. And, I should probably update my prescription while I'm at it.

Global Eyeglasses is a site that offer prescription glasses at a fantastic price. Here's a pair that was only $6.95!!

Completely serviceable and stylish discount glasses can be found throughout the site. I've definitely shopped around my share of online glasses stores and this site offers just as many different options as the next. What I think is really fun is that they have a "virtual mirror" for you to try on glasses while shopping!! You can upload a photo or use your local webcam (though that process is still in it's beta phase). Then, you can fit the glasses onto your face!! Saves you time waiting for your turn at the eye doctors, for sure.

Since I like to keep my privacy, Chloe offered to try some on for me....

(Giggle)

They're a little big.

I love the idea of shopping online for cheap eyeglasses. It is such a time saver and it gives you a lot of options in terms of style. Another plus for Global Eyeglasses is that they've got this great page detailing the type of frame to fit different shapes of faces....very handy.

Think about buying your glasses online. And, when you decide, go to Global Eyeglasses and use my 15% OFF discount code. Yahoo!!

Just type in marvelouslymessy15 when asked for a coupon code at the checkout. I tried it today and it worked just fine!!

I received compensation for this post. All opinions are my own and written entirely in my own words.

A Marvelous Mess #45 and Features!!

noreply@blogger.com (MessyMissy) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 00:11:00 +0000

Finally, I got the party up....we've got some modem problems in our house and nothing is going to get fixed until after tomorrow. The writing of this very easy post took me all night!! Rrrrrrrrrr.

Sorry for missing the party last week!! I hope you all had a wonderful Holiday Season!!

Here are my fave's:

Asparagus wrapped in Phyllo from A Little Bit Of Everything

Snowflake Garland from Nifty Thrifty Things

Vintage Cone from Lisa's Craft Blog

And, the project I'm going to feature on my sidebar is.....

Snowflake Lanterns from Everything Under The Moon

Thanks so much to all of you for linking up!!
If I featured you on this post, don't forget to grab a button:

Now, on to the party!!

Valentine Burlap Love Birds

noreply@blogger.com (MessyMissy) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 03:28:00 +0000

It's definitely time to switch Holiday gears. I'm moving on to Valentine's Day. Who's with me?? I'm skipping the whole New Years thing....I don't know why but I've never had an easy time making any kind of New Years craft.

So, Love Birds.

What you'll need:

Red Felt (trimmed to bird shapes)

Burlap Circles

Paper

Stamps

Fusible Webbing

Hand Towel

~Trim the felt into bird shapes.

~Stamp onto the paper with some different designs (I used a heart design and music notes).

~Tear around (and out) each design.

~Use the fusible webbing and to attach the circle of burlap to the felt (trim the webbing to be the exact size of the circle) and place it under the towel and iron it.

~Do the same with the piece of paper.

~Thread something though it and decorate a branch with it, should you like!!

I shared this post at the following linky parties....

Wool and The Gang

noreply@blogger.com (MessyMissy) — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 06:21:00 +0000

Sorry I didn't get my party up this week, folks!! Things were just so busy right around the holidays....it absolutely slipped my mind!! It will definitely be up this Sunday with all kinds of fun features, because you guys always go above and beyond. You totally inspire me.

I wanted to tell you about a fun little online shop called Wool and the Gang. It's a very all-inclusive knitting site that sells all kinds of knitting kits and finished pieces. They have got some very high quality alpaca knitting wool that are used in some of the patterns. Though the prices can be high, the quality of the wool and the pattern is represented well.

A Knit Kit Gift is a great idea for present for the New Year....it's so cozy to be sitting in your warm house, with your fleece pants on, fuzzy socks, pony tails and a nice romance movie on the tv while you begin a new project. Okay, so now you know what I do in the winter time. :-)

Look at this sweater:

Such a gorgeous piece, right? This is one of the kits you could make. Click on this link HERE to learn more about it.

Here is one that you could just buy and be totally pleased with....

You can find Wool and The Gang here:

Website

Facebook

Twitter

This post was sponsored by Wool and the Gang. I received compensation for my mentioning this site. All opinions are my own and written in my own words.

Winners of Your Novel and Guylian!!

noreply@blogger.com (MessyMissy) — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 03:13:00 +0000

Merry Christmas Eve to those of you who celebrate it!!

Here is a little gift from me to two of you.... (I wish I could give one to you all!!!!)

The winner of the Your Novel Giveaway is....

Michelle L.!! Yay for Michelle!! She has a really fun blog, by the way.

The winner of the Guylian Giveaway is....

#5!!!!

CLC408!!

I'll send you both an email right away and give you 8 days to contact me. If you don't contact me within that time frame I'll need to move on to a different winner. Happy Holidays to all of you!!

Guylian Belgian Chocolates Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (MessyMissy) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 03:20:00 +0000

Here are some of the most delicious chocolates I've ever tasted.

Smooth.

Rich.

Silky.

Absolutely Decadent.

Guylian Belgian Chocolates Truffles are filled with the finest white, milk, and dark chocolate and filled with their signature truffle. They produce the most beautiful marbling on the shell and sea horse shaped chocolates.

I've had my share of many *many* different types of chocolates. I spent some time in Eastern Europe and ADORED the rich chocolates there. These chocolates remind me so much of the ones I had there....they are so incredibly rich and creamy. This chocolate is really high-end. I actually brought these truffles into my workplace and there wasn't a co-worker who didn't "MMmmmmm" and "OOooo" over them.

The story behind the name of Guylian is just as romantic as their desserts. Guy Foubert was a passionate Belgian chocolatier who met and fell in loved with a woman named Liliane. In 1958, they married and combined their names to make Guylian. Their chocolate recipe is still used and made in small batch kettles and combined with their delicious hazelnut truffle center.

Lucky for you, and just in time for the Holidays....I've got a giveaway for a Box of 22 Chocolates.

Oh, yum.

You are going to LOVE these!!

This Contest Ends on Friday, December 23rd, @ 11:59EST

To Enter (leave a comment for each type of entry):

~ *MANDATORY* Like Guylian on Facebook (1 Comment)

~Follow Guylian on TWITTER (1 Comment)

~Visit Guylian and tell me what kind you would buy. (1 Comment)

~Tweet this giveaway (once daily) and leave me the link to your tweet. (1 Comment)

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