I believe...in blogging

I have met {virtually, via the internet} more friends then I can count. The WWW is full of women with great ideas, passions, products and stories and they are succeeding professionally through blogging. Many of these independent business owners do marketing, social media and branding better than some of the biggest and most well known companies. And guess what? These BIG companies have noticed and are harnessing these female bloggers reach through promotions like these:

House of Smiths - new appliances and a trip to NYC
Gussy Sews - Singer sewing machine giveaways
Kayla Aimee - Home Goods shopping adventure

These are big ones, but daily I see promotions for photo albums, cereal samples and much more. And those are more than great too. Last week, I received two boxes of Quaker Oats cereal in the mail, along with coupons, and in exchange I have tweeted about the cereal {and I am writing about it here}. Kudos to Quaker Oats. And an even bigger pat on the back to the Clever Girls Collective for making this promotion, and many more, happen. {click on the button in my sidebar to learn more about the extraordinarily clever, Clever Girls}

I guess this is my ode to the internet. A thank you for all the opportunities it has brought to me and my family. And also an "atta boy" to all the ladies making a living in this unconventional but very real way. I am proud to say I am a blogger and pleased to be in such good company. Pin It

Weight Watcher Wednesday

I begin today with a disclaimer. During my one month on this plan, I have lost 3.8lbs total. I am not an expert. With that said, I am following the rules (and points allotment) fairly closely and still plan to share my hits and misses. The week I lost the most, I used none of my 49 extra points. When I have either gained or stayed the same, I have had a big weekend "occasion" where I allowed myself to splurge. Big time. So, there is hope for the method. Just don't invite me anywhere with great food or tempting alcoholic beverages. Just kidding. Kinda.

Moving right along to tasty food finds.
This little number was delicious and only 5pts. I ate it for lunch with half of an english muffin sprayed with 0 pt butter. I will buy it again and right now I think they are on super sale at Kroger.
I also ate these for breakfast one day. Pretty good. 5pts for two and you get two packs of two in the box. The main reason I prefer the other is because of the side of potatoes and veggies. I am all about the sides.

Next up, the Chipotle Nutrition Facts Calculator. So super cool. I was able to quickly determine the points of my Burrito Bowl before I even went to Chipotle for lunch. I ate half for lunch and will eat the other half tomorrow making them each 5.5pts based on my selections. For lunch today, I ate a half portion of Special K crackers with Salsa too.

Sonic. Oh, how I love thee. Although placing yourself in the drive thru is placing yourself in the face of temptation I do suggest getting their Route 44 Unsweetened Tea with lemon or Diet Coke. The styrofoam cup keeps the contents cold all day long. Last night, I threw mine out and there was still ice in the cup at 8pm. I view these drinks a "free" treat so I am happy on the days when I have one around. Today is a happy day :)

Any suggestions from fellow points counters out there?! Leave a comment.

And don't forget to register for my Handmade Kindle Cover at the Vintage Sheet blog. Pin It

Wanna Win Something?!

Today is finally my day over at the Vintage Sheet Blog. I made a Kindle cover and if you want to win it, go visit and do as she asks :)
I did manage to do some serious grocery shopping earlier this morning so I feel confident there will be meals for my family this week but I don't have the time or motivation to list those formally here today. If you want to see the ideas of a half a bizillion others, go here.


I spent most of every day and night from Wednesday of last week through yesterday, (Ok, yesterday was a day of recovery for my foolish self) helping out on the school fundraiser. It seems to have been a crazy success. Shew. It did put me way behind both professionally and domestically so pardon me while I work to get my head back above water. Pin It

vintage sheet giveaways all month long

Each day this month, All Things Vintage Sheets, will have a giveaway. Mid month, I will be sharing and giving away a kindle cover so check back. Today's lovely is:
Pay the blog a visit to sign up to win.

The sun is shining today...thank goodness! I am afflicted with that "seasonal, not enough sun makes Tracy grumpy" disorder I think. Once the kids get home, I am going to take pics of some great gifts I have recently received and will share those tomorrow. Hint: handmade. Hint: my mom is the greatest. That.is.all. Pin It

TGIF!

Hooray for Friday! I am so looking forward to my girls' night out at my friend Mary Jo's house. I offered to bring a few desserts. I made these yummy chocolate covered, peanut butter filled, Ritz crackers.

And a very easy Pumpkin bread. I skipped the icing and added chocolate chips instead. The batter was SOOOOO good I wasn't sure how the bread could be better, but it is! The recipe is on the Parents website but to view it, you have to register (boo!). It is the Shortcut Pumpkin Bread and honestly it is good enough to take the time to register :)

If I have time yet this afternoon, I am going to make chocolate peanut butter bark.

Today there is a great Fab Friday Giveaway at the Brides Buddy blog. You can win 50 custom Holiday cards from Margot Madison Creative. Anyone can enter, not just locals and not just brides so get on over there!
Before I head to Mary Jo's house, I am stopping by a 10th anniversary gala at the Essenza Studio. I have known Angela a long time, she is a wonderful photographer and now that I am involved in the local wedding industry via Brides Buddy, it is even a bigger pleasure to be included in this event. Friends and Family are welcome. Pin It

do you like FREE?

Then stop over at the Brides Buddy blog.


Right now, you can register to win 2 pairs of tickets to see Lee Woodruff at the Aronoff on April 29. Register by commenting on this post.

Also available, links to freebies from all over the internet: HERE.

Or, exclusive to the Brides Buddy, free printable water bottle labels to take your next wedding party to the next level. Not sure what a printable water bottle label is? Check out this blog for many designs and even more inspiration: Blond Designs Blog. Other versions here and here.(photo from Blonde Designs Blog)


Enjoy. Leave comments. Share. Please... Pin It

Ink Bloom - Loomtack Giveway

I can finally share some of the awesome things I was able to create using Loomtack. Check out my post on Little Dreamer Designs for the details and leave a comment on THAT BLOG for your chance to win.

***COPY OF LDD BLOG POST BELOW***

Readers, this is an opportunity you do not want to miss. A very forward thinking company, Ink Bloom, has introduced a revolutionary product to the crafting community called Loomtack. Loomtack allows you to print directly on fabric from you inkjet printer. I printed Michelle Coleman's Bohemian Summer digital papers on to two 8.5x11 sheets and then turned it into a pocket tissue holder.

Witnessing that first sheet of completely custom fabric, exiting my own home printer, was pretty exciting stuff!

I also printed directly onto the vinyl side (Loomtack serves dual purposes!) and created tags for jars in my studio and a clever id label for my daughter's DS. The vinyl can be easily applied to many surfaces (including glass, walls, mirrors, laptops) and when removed, will not damage the surface.

(birds on a wire from Leora Sanford at Little Dreamer)

For some real inspiration, visit the Ink Bloom site and their Project Gallery. Look at the ideas here for wine bottle labels, coasters, and a gift bag:

Ink Bloom offers all the tools you need to make this happen: base fabrics, the Loomtack product, Inkbits and Inkblocks which are their PhotoShop ready, printable designs. Is this not a digital scrapbooker's dream come true?!

Ink Bloom is generously offering one of our readers an enormous prize package that includes:

2 Rolls of Loomtack

2 Yards of your choice of Base Fabric

1 Inkbits product

1 Inkblock product

All of this will get you off to a great start but I highly suggest watching their how-to videos as well. If you are here at Little Dreamer Designs, you no doubt have an enviable digital stash and creativity oozing from your pores. We cannot wait to see what you create.

To win, please leave a comment on this blog post. Comments will be accepted until Wednesday, March 17 at 6pm EST. The winner will be announced on Friday, March 19.

I encourage you to share this with your online friends.

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cute new vinyl decal

As part of my duties over at Brides Buddy, I got to review a great product from Right on the Walls. They make very modern, unique and creative decor for your home. Or your car...or your window...or your dance floor!

I am really thrilled with how this turned out. It is a "faux" wrought iron sign. I placed it next to the window above our window seat upstairs. This nook is kind of a creative catchall for all my things.

As part of the review, Right on the Walls is giving away a $40 vinyl decal of your choice if you post a comment on this post. Check it! You don't have to be a bride to register either :)

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Would you like to win tickets to see Valerie Bertinelli?!

She will be speaking at the Aronoff, Cincinnati, OH on Wednesday, January 27. Visit the Brides Buddy blog for your chance to win two tix. (You do not have to be a Bride-to-be to enter!)

Or if you want to guarantee yourself a seat, use coupon code SS2010 when ordering tix from either the box office or online. Details about this show and those coming can be found at Smart Talk Media.

I cannot wait to attend and share all about it next week.

ETA: Link is now corrected. Sorry about that.

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Who is going to see Valerie Bertinelli next week? ETA: Discount Ticket Code

ETA: USE THIS CODE ONLINE OR AT THE BOX OFFICE TO RECEIVE A 10% DISCOUNT.
CODE: SS2010

Me, that's who! Check back in a few days b/c I might have a discount code available for you to purchase a ticket for you b/c you are worth it! They are still available!

The show is next Wednesday, January 27 and you find the details ::HERE::.

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and the winner of the handmade envelopes is:

#8!

Kristen, if you check back on my blog, please send me your address and I will send these off. You can reach me at tkuethe1@gmail (d0t) com or leave a response on my blog.

Thanks for all the kind comments and interest. I just unearthed a Sesame Street Elmo book destined to become envelopes and some Disney books found in a closet here at home :)

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handmade BOO! banner with freebie...

(click photo to view larger)

The final destination will likely be my mantle, but today I photographed it outside on my deck fence. Each pennant measures 5x7 and the ties on each end are about 24 inches. I cut out the exclamation point freehand but if you would like to download the BOO printed in reverse, already sized for this project, click HERE for a free download.

I might be making a small stack of something very similar (perhaps in more of a Christmas greeting...) for an upcoming gift exchange with my best girlfriends. I have one of those complete too but I don't want to give it away by showing them here. I think our celebration date is in October so I will share once they have been given.

If you have questions on this banner, leave a comment and I will respond. By the way, my new sewing machine appliques around those letters like a dream :) Pin It

muffin tin monday #2

Ok, I stuck to this plan for a second week in a row. Can you guess the theme of the food?

Yes, circles! My kids are still quite intrigued by this concept and without me ever saying so, assumed it meant you had to empty each hole/opening which equals better eaters at lunch time.

I am obviously taking the VERY low tech approach here but it's working and is fun. My circle shaped foods included:
sandwich cut into a circle
cheese cut into a circle
one marshmallow
cheese balls
oreos
a round cup full of juice (pretty much a no brainer there, but I don't have many cups that will fit in the slot)

(shown before baking)

And for dinner, I prepared these enticing enchiladas. I portioned 5 in this dish for tonight of which we ate three total, so a yummy lunch is in my future. I put the remaining four in a freezer container for a later date. Recipe:

Enticing Enchiladas

1 lb. ground chuck

1 small onion, chopped

1 c. cream style cottage cheese (small curd)

1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes and green chilies

1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce

1 (4.5 ounce) can chopped green chiles (optional, I omit this)

10 6 inch flour tortillas

2 c. shredded Mexican Cheese blend

COOK ground chuck and onion in a large skillet over high heat, stirring until beef crumbles and meat is no longer pink; drain. Return to skillet, stir in cottage cheese.

PROCESS diced tomatoes and tomato sauce in a food processor until smooth. Stir in chopped chiles if desired.

SPOON 2 to 3 tbs. ground beef mixture down the center of each tortilla; top each w/ 2 tbs. tomato mixture and 1.5 tbs. cheese. Roll up tortillas and place seam side down in lightly greased 13x9 baking dish. Pour remaining tomato mixture over top, top with remaining cheese.

BAKE enchiladas at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until bubbly.

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the end to soccer season--sunday showcase is back

One final, BIG, kick off by Miss Shelby.

Coming through the post game tunnel. That is her in the way back, the third green girl.

And the team, at our house, after the game for a little pool party celebration. How is this for 6 little pieces of cuteness?! They were lined up to get their trophies from Dave, who you can see holding one in the background.

And after a long absence, the return of the sunday showcase. Below are a list of current freebies and giveaways on the www. It takes so little time, and YOU could win. Seriously, I won something from House of 3 last week!

House of 3: Silver Bag
Imperfect: Zippered Pouch
Sew Mama Sew: huge list of blogs with fabric/sewing related giveaways
Blue Finch Studios: free downloadable card
Designer Digitals: weekly freebies that coordinate with the challenges
Sew Mama Sew: free fabric giveaway

Good luck and enjoy checking these sources out.

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a very weird dream

I had the strangest dream last night about moving into this old apartment (formerly inhabited by a very old woman) and when I got there it was still full of her things (oh and I was alone, no family, a single girl, I was, in this dream). And the things were so appealing to me...like milk glass bowls and dishes, vintage sheets and pillowcases, really old furniture with lots of character, some begging to be re-finished. I woke up this morning nearly laughing b/c I think it stems from my new fondness for blogs that focus on vintage and me acquiring a taste for such things. I mean, I am the person who bought vintage sheet fat quarters on etsy afterall! Right after I woke up, it was all very vivid. But as they day wore on, I forgot about the dream.(photo from craftzine)

And then I ran across this photo and I tell you, this EXACT PRINT, was in my dream. Weird. I cannot even begin to interpret what this all could mean. I do know this much, I will be making a little pillowcase laundry bag :)

In other news....check out all the new etsy listings over there --------------------> from the Blue Finch Studios shop. You can get a freebie from the blog but I highly recommend purchasing a set that includes the labels. Printing on the sticker sheets is just plain fun! These would make awesome teachers' gifts. I can guarantee no one else will have the same gift and you will be the coolest mom in the school. GUARANTEED. Just print out a set of 4 or 6 or 8 and tie them up with a bow. Pin It

yum! and introducing Blue Finch Studios...

Grilled vegetables. Zucchini, Yellow Squash and Asparagus.

This is my second batch in one week. Last time I also did Red Peppers.

About 3-4 weeks ago, I attended a dinner at the Hilton in downtown Cincinnati. My fancy friend Jen was giving a speech and invited me as her guest. She did great! But let me get back to the food. The appetizer was a HUGE platter of roasted vegetables, garlic hummus and pita bread triangles. Can I just say this was likely the most tasty thing I had ever had from a hotel, catered event? I knew I had to recreate this at home and so...I did. You can grill up (or roast in the oven) a bunch of veggies, lightly coated in Olive Oil (and I have been adding Seasoned Salt) and they will keep for days. Yummy snacking and many lunches can follow.

Stay tuned tomorrow. I will have a link to the new Blue Finch Studios blog where you can download our first YouPrint freebie notecard. Not sure what a YouPrint card is? Read about it at the new, soon to expand, Blue Finch Studios etsy shop! You can also find that by clicking on the badge at the right. Who is Blue Finch Studios? Blue Finch Studios features the awesome creations of my forever friend, and former college roommate, Susan Young. We have teamed up to bring YouPrint to the world!! Sue is beyond creative. Check back frequently for many new innovative products and ideas.

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oh my gosh--look what i won!!

I cannot quite explain the thrill when I saw this on Heidi's blog. It was like my name in lights, or better if you are me and get a huge high from digital scrapbooking stuff like I do! As the resident room mom, this is about to be put to good use.

Thanks Heidi. Check out Hof3 for a boatload of cool things. (my blog banner is a freebie from there!) Also, check out her blog and what she did with this kit: teachers' gifts. Pin It

Blue Finch Studios

I am partnering with my ultra creative friend, Susan Young, to bring some new things to the blogging public. Heck, we are targeting the entire world wide web!
Last year, Susan, a graphic designer by trade, introduced a unique line of stationery: Wee Tidings. The product is excellent and the packaging is too cute to pass up! Our goal is to introduce a new line of products, but bring them to you in a new way...through pdf files you download straight to your own computer. What does that mean? Instead of ordering and waiting for a product to be delivered, you will download a file and be able to use it instantly (remember, I am a BIG FAN of instant gratification!). Not only that, you can use them over and over. Our ideas include cards, tags, calendars, bookmarks and we will not stop there. We also hope that the Blue Finch blog will become a resource for crafty and design ideas that Sue and I create in our everyday lives, plus those we find from other sites online.
Stay tuned to Little Birdie Secrets for a special giveaway the week of May 25th and the unveiling of some new ideas. In the meantime, check out the new Blue Finch Blog for updates and FREEBIES. Pin It

quilted tablerunner b'day gift + sunday showcase

I am thrilled with how this turned out. It is a surprise for my Mom's Birthday and I am giving it to her today. She goes to great lengths to protect her nice tabletop from hot, cold and wet dishes so I even used Insul-Bright batting. Plus, she is the woman who taught and inspired me to sew and cook so I think this is pretty special and I hope she will too.

Sunday*Showcase:

whimsiedots: etsy seller where I got my vintage sheet fat quarters, loved everything about the product and the seller. Check her out!
Brighton: love their stuff, rarely splurge on it. Make that never, anything I have from Brighton has been a gift. Last week, my close friends got me a great necklace for my B'day. Yea, me.
Red Envelope: another dear friend sent me a gift from here, a wall frame that is just unreal; it is so cool. She has sent me gifts from Red Envelope over the years and they are always grand and unique.
watch: I needed a new watch badly and that is what I received from Dave and the girls.
Free Resumes Printed: Fed Ex is offering this on Tuesday, March 10. A great gesture and I know there are many people who can currently take advantage of this. Pass it on.
Grosgrain: A great blog, she is one creative clothing designer. Plus, lately, there have been tons of giveaways. Like the one I linked you to right now!
Moda Bakeshop: I almost forgot this one! My tablerunner was inspired by the one shown here. Lots of other equally lovely projects.

Off to celebrate this birthday of mine...again. Homemade turkey dinner with dressing and the fixings sort of softens the blow. Thanks Mom!

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the vera bradley mini cooler

So I took a quick little snapshot of it myself b/c it is that cute. Even my girls went wild over this, especially Olivia who claims to need this for a lunch box. Hmm?

I whipped up a cute something today that I am going to offer as a freebie on Sunday. Anyone who comments on my Sunday*Showcase post on Sunday will be eligible to win. I will choose one post at random as the recipient. It took me 3 tries to perfect this little sewn creation but I finally got it right. So...check back in then and leave me a note!

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