An Iowa Mom

Always Asking For Something ... Aren't I?

Yup.  That's me.  You show up here expecting to be entertained by my hideous and, most of the time, unbelievable life.  But, once the page opens, you close the annoying ads that pop up, and then realize that I'm always asking something of you.  Whether it be:

• TO VOTE FOR ME (remember you can do that once a day)
• OR TO TELL ME WHAT I SHOULD DO WITH MOLLY'S HAIR (it's going to be cut, appointment is on Monday)
• OR EVEN TO ENDURE THAT GOD AWFUL LAUGH OF MINE (that video does crack me up though, so worth watching again)

And today is no different.  I'm going to request something from you ... and it's all because I got a wild hair up my rear this morning and decided that everything I have going on in my life is just not enough, so I need to add a little more.  Really, Jake told me this morning that I'm not yelling as much lately.  That must mean I don't have enough on my plate to stress me out, become overwhelmed and take it all out on my family. 

So ... I decided to make teacher tote bags for all the teachers and give them on the last day of school.   That means I need to create eight bags ... in a week.  I found this adorable bag you see over there on your left and was ALL EXCITED, until I realized that the pattern won't be available until mid-June.  Yeah ... that doesn't work for me.

Now, I could spend an entire day looking through craft sites, but it would cause me to want to make 100 other things that I REALLY don't have time for.  Plus, I have to go grocery shopping.  I know, for some reason my family feels that I should shop and cook for them.  THE NERVE.

Anyway, that means that I need you, yes you, to leave me a comment and tell me your FAVORITE site offering free or inexpensive downloadable patterns. 

That shouldn't be a problem, right?  I mean, if you're sitting here reading my blog ... then surely you don't have anything better to do anyway.

It's That Time Again, Already?

The months tend to go by so quickly.  My mother warned me this would happen.  She did.  She said the older I got, the faster time would fly by.  She was right. 

Oh my God, I can't believe I just said that. 

Not only did I say it, I wrote it.  Geez Louise.  I must be getting old.  There is no other explanation.

Anyway, I can't believe that it's Scrap Bribing Time already ... over at Iowa Geek.  Whether I believe it or not ... it's here.

It's HERE I tell you!

So, if you're interested in this:

A Cosmo Cricket Biography 101 Scrapbook, which also doubles as a shadowbox.

Along with this:

A pad of patterned paper along with stickers and die-cuts.

You better get over here and enter to win.  It could all be yours.

Don't forget to tell her that An Iowa Mom sent you.  That part is important.  Really important.  Really.

Good Luck!

I Don't Want To Brag Or Anything, But ...

I won the giveaway over at Iowa Geek.  Yup, I did. 

<tongue out>  <thumbs in cheeks with fingers waving> 

Naaa Na Naaa Naa Naaaaaaaa Na. 

</tongue out>  </thumbs in cheeks with fingers waving>

CRAP - I've been hanging out with my girls too long.  Sorry about that.  Just for giggles though, how many of you just stuck your tongue out and put your thumbs against your cheek waving your fingers around?

That's what I thought.

So anyway.  I WON!  Whoo Hooo.  I'm so excited.  First I win some great books over at The Bean Blog in December ... and now this.  I am one lucky girl, I tell ya. 

Who Wouldn't Wanna Be Me? 

Oh, just got a flash of Keith Urban singing and playing that guitar of his ... hold on ... whew.  He is sure HOT.

Okay ... seriously, I won.  And the package arrived yesterday in the mail.  It is wonderful.  Check it out:

Papers, stickers, stamps, ink pads, ribbons, a handmade photo card/album, set to make gift boxes ... CHOCOLATE.  GODIVA CHOCOLATE. 

Oh wait, I was serious when I said I didn't want to brag.  But ...

Iowa Geek holds a contest like this every single month.  So remember, next time I tell you to get over there and enter ... you should.   

And The Winners Are ...

Tracy Michele Unplugged
Denise (Email Only)
bebemiqui at Young Mom In The Big World
Lyndy (Email Only)
Sue (Email Only)
Saph at Walk With Me
Tiffany at Scrapsadaisy

Congratulations!  I'm so excited to have received 386 comments at the time my random number generator selected the 7 lucky winners to receive a set of four beaded socks in the colors and sizes of their choice.  Winners will be contacted by email for the specifics.

If you were looking forward to winning this contest, I'm sorry.  I wish I could send free socks to all of you ... but we all know that would be impossible.  However, I can offer you a special coupon code if you'd like to purchase a set of socks.  Order four or more pair of socks (on sale for $4.99 a pair with FREE SHIPPING)and receive a pair free.  Use Coupon Code LUVSOCKS to redeem.  You can find my socks here.  (If for some reason you can't register when setting up a customer profile, email me.  A few people have been unable to do so saying there is an email error (Heidi Jo, you aren't the only one).  It works for some, and not for others, but my shopping cart suppliers are working on the problem as we speak.)

Back to regular posting on Monday!  It's been a fun week! 

Have a great weekend everyone!

Last Day To Enter

If you haven't already, please comment to win the prize I'm offering for the Bloggy Giveaway Carnival.  Here are all the details of my giveaway.

Several sets of 4 pair of beaded socks are up for grabs.

Winners will be announced at 9pm CST tonight.

Just In Time For Your Holiday Shopping

It's that time of year again ... time to start thinking about your holiday shopping.  Unless you are like me and have it done already.  I know.  Don't hate me.  Please.

This time of year is the busiest for my online store called, Craft Show Connection, and I want to share some good fortune with you all.  It's the whole "holiday vibe", I just want to give, give, give.

Anyway, if you are interested in placing one of my Craft Show Connection banners on your blog or website, this is what I can do.  I will reward you with $7.50 for every new exhibitor that signs up, coming from your blog/website, to sell their handmade items in our online craft show.  Additionally, I will also share 5% of every sale made that originates from your blog.

If you are willing to share a little linky love and place a banner and/or post about Craft Show Connection on your blog ... I can make your holiday shopping a bit easier this year.

Come on ... it's costs you nothing ... let's be partners.  You can either get started right away or feel free to email me if you have any questions.

Thanks guys!!

WFMW: Photo Books For Little Ones

When I discovered Shutterfly, I was like an addict.  I'm serious!  If they SA meetings I could of attended, my husband just might have had an intervention and sent me on my way.

While I still love Shutterfly and use it every time I can, (Hello?  Who wouldn't with all their special offers they send their customers?) I have come up with a way to create special photo books for the kids that they wouldn't rip up or destroy after 10 times of looking at them.

Let me tell you, not only are these great for bedtime and quiet time, they are AWESOME for the car.  All four of my kids will grab one of these when they get in the car and will flip through it the entire time we are driving.  I'M NOT KIDDING!

You should really make one ... and then email me and let me know how it turned out. 

1. I print photos that will co-inside with the theme I'm going for.  
2. Then using some scrapbook paper in the prints that, again, go with the theme I create the pages.  You can make the book any size you'd like.  Mine usually are about 5 x 8 inches. 
3. After creating the pages, I glue two pages together, creating a front and back. 
4. Repeat until all your pages have a mate (don't forget a cover and back).
5. I then put a protective covering over them.  While I used to laminate, that got expensive (yeah, I made way too many books), so I now use the clear contact/shelf paper found in your kitchen section of your favorite supermart.  It's cheap and I just lay a page down on the paper.  Then lay another piece of contact paper over the top and cut around it.
6. Punch holes in the sides and "bind" the book with notebook rings found in the office department at the supermart.
7. Be amazed that your children want to look at their book over and over and over again. 

Some theme ideas I've used are:

• Family members (I put in photos of all siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.)
• Vacations
• All About Me (and have the whole book be photos of that child)
• Holidays/Birthday
• ABC Book

These books work for us and I hope they work for you and yours too!  For more great tips, head over to Rocks In My Dryer!