Don't put shopping for the holidays on the back-burner this year because I’m excited to share with you that now through 11/30 you can save 15% off your Blurb order with promo code AFFILIATE15OFF. Here are some of my favorite gift ideas:

Make a truly special gift with the Instagram Photo Book with the photos you've taken with your cellphone. 

Gather up those sacred family recipes and create a cookbook perfect for family and friends! 

Create a custom notebook for all the kids to take back to school. You can use your family photos or pictures from summer vacation!

 

Blurb has all the tools and customization for you to make unique gifts for everyone on your list.

Happy (Holiday) Shopping!

Jen

A Really Sweet Deal!

The folks over at Canvas People are offering an awesome deal - A FREE 8x10 Canvas.

I love FREE!

And I love my canvas wall - I'm slowly adding different sized canvas prints of the family.

It's perfect for my picture addiction!

A canvas from CanvasPeople makes the perfect keepsake or gift. Take that great photo and turn it into a work of art. Makes a lovely addition to any room in your home or office. You'll enjoy those precious moments for years to come with a beautiful canvas portrait. Free* 8x10 Canvas or $50 Towards Any Size Canvas The CanvasPeople Mission- One Canvas For Every Home Create Your Canvas Today *Just Pay Shipping and Handling

*This is a sponsored post

A few thoughts....

So I've decided to return from my much needed break after the Zulily.com sale. I thought I'd provide a few thoughts on the whole process, especially since I know there are many of you out there who have been (or will be) contacted by one of their buyers to participate:

• The process was not explained at any step of the way. Make sure you ask a lot of questions, even those that seem silly.
• The contract terms were net 30 from the sale date. As of today, I am still waiting for payment on the items I sent in good faith. Friends who ordered items from them have already received their products. When questioned about it, suddenly I am supposed to invoice them for items sold in a sale they facilitated. Consider that before signing up. There are a lot of up front costs.
• My sample items were returned completely ruined. And I paid to have them returned in sell-able condition. I have had to invoice them for these items as well. 

Would I do this again? I'm really honestly thinking no. The amount of work that went into it far exceeded what I got out of it (and the\is was a sale that went really, really well). 

I think I'll stick to burying myself in my Halloween and Christmas orders for the time being. And some new projects....(a really cool Halloween kid project will be featured in the next couple days, so watch for it!)

Until then - happy crafting,

Jen

Much needed break...

I'm taking a much needed break after the Zulily.com craziness! Thanks to everyone who helped make it a success. It was a tremendous amount of work (I'm still a little hung over from it), but well worth it - we had a great response!

I promise to be back in the next few days :-)

Happy crafting!

Jen

TODAY is the day!

Chickypoo209 is a featured seller on Zulily.com! Go check out the awesome deals and wonderful shops being featured! And most importantly, check out my stuff :-)

I promise to be back with regular blogging as soon as this sale is over!
Pinky swear!

Happy Crafting,

Jen

Zulily.com Sale - new date!

Don't forget - Chickypoo209 will be a featured shop on Zulily.com August 18-20th! Awesome time to stock up on some Halloween goodies and get a jump on that Christmas shopping!

Can't wait for the awesome deals?

You can always shop now here and here.

Happy Crafting!

Jen

New Blurb Promotion!

Sometimes it's good to live in the past . . . I've found the perfect way to relive vacation all year long!
Creating a Blurb photobook allows you to reminisce about your summer vacation
anytime of the year,

and it's a great way to turn your travel photos into a fabulous coffee table book or a unique addition to your bookshelf.
Transforming your journeys into a Blurb book is also a great way to share your travel adventures with friends and family. Make your very own Blurb book today
and save 20% with code BLURB20 through August 31, 2011
and remember, not all good things have to come to an end!

*This is a sponsored post by Blurb books.

Mark Your Calendars!

Don't forget - Chickypoo209 will be a featured shop on Zulily August 11-13th! Awesome time to stock up on some Halloween goodies and get a jump on that Christmas shopping!

Can't wait for the awesome deals?
You can always shop now here and here.

Happy Friday!

Jen

Guest posting over at The 36th Avenue today...

Today I'm guest posting over at www.thirtysixavenue.com and hosting a giveaway! Come say hi!

Planning a First Birthday ala Etsy

So Little Man's 1st birthday is just a short 4 months away already - and a true testament that time
actually does fly by.

And being the over-prepared mommy that I am, I'm already scouring Etsy for all the wonderful goodies to use at his party. 

We decided on a police theme, and I already knew my cousin at Sugar Bug Sweets would be making the cookies again (see here for the cookies she made for Miss E's birthday).

Well, look at the goodies I found on Etsy:

thank you stickers found here

Invitations found here

And I believe Mr. Chickypoo will be wearing this shirt:

I'm having way too much fun planning this thing already!

Jen

Paper Coterie - Free $40 worth of items!

Paper Coterie has a great promotion going on right now. Use coupon code BEGINANYWHERE to save $40 on a $40 purchase. You can get a personalized calendar, photo book, or journal for free! Just pay shipping (around $8). This is an awesome deal and all of their products are so cute!
Don’t miss out on this offer, visit Paper Coterie to start making your own special creation.

I made an adorable Memory Box for my Miss E.
Her baby book is out of control with all the stuff I've tried cramming in there, so I decided some time ago that I would switch both kids over to memory boxes and just keep the baby books safely in there.
I found little man's pretty easy on sale at Joann's, but my daughter has been a little more challenging.
 

Until today.
 

I'm so excited!! 

Happy Crafting,

Jen

And the winner is...... (Blurb Book Giveaway)

And the winner of the Blurb Book valued at $75 is........

Comment #2!

Melanie and Beau said...

I liked Blurb on facebook MelanieL

Congratulations! You have 48 hours to send me your email to get the details of your free Blurb book ;-)

Thanks to everyone who participated!

Blurb Book Giveaway! ($75 value)

Don't forget! I have a giveaway going on now for a FREE Blurb book ($75 value)

To win a $75 gift certificate from my friends at Blurb:

follow Chickypoo209 and leave a comment here telling me what kind of Blurb book you're working on or will be working on if you win (required)

And for extra entries...

head over to facebook and "like" blurb, if you don't already (leave a comment here telling me you did so)

and
post about this contest on your facebook page or blog and leave me a comment here about it with a link.

easy peasy.

the winner will be announced on Monday!

Do not leave entries for the contest on this post :-)

Blurb Book Giveaway! ($75 value)

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED

The time has come for the first giveaway - and its a good one people!

 I'm sure you have heard me rave about Blurb, and how awesome their photo books are. I recently made one compiling a few of my shop photos. You know, something easy to take to shows and fairs to show of my stuff in action. 

It was insanely easy and fun to make and I am already thinking of the next one to make!

Well, the nice folk over at Blurb are giving away a free Blurb photo book (a $75 value) to one of Chickypoo209's readers. 

Here are the rules - You must be a public follower of Chickypoo209 blog to participate - Each entry requires a separate comment.

There are 3 ways to enter:

1. Visit the Blurb website and leave me a comment about what type of book you'll make if you win. (Required - One Entry)

2. "Like" Blurb books on Facebook and come leave me a comment that you did. (One entry)

3. Post about the giveaway on your own blog or Facebook page and leave me a comment with a link. (One Entry)

Blurb is also offering 20% off your purchase for all Chickypoo209 readers using this link : Save 20% On Your Entire Blurb.com Order (Code BLURB20)

The giveaway ends at 11:00 A.M. PST on July 25, 2011 - good luck!

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Blurb. The opinions and text are all mine.

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED

4th of July Wreath - A little late! (Tutorial)

At the last minute, I decided my door needed a wreath for the 4th of July BBQ we were having.
And by last minute, I literally mean the morning of - with guests arriving at 1pm.
Typical me.

So I whipped up this little beauty with my trusty sidekick, Little Miss E.

Of course I didn't have the thought to take pictures while we were rushing through our project, but it was really, really simple. 

The following supplies were used:

Vine wreath (I got mine at the Dollar Tree, but any wreath form can be used)

Star shape (I used a puzzle piece)

Double Satin Ribbon 1 1/2in width (I used white)

Card stock in White, Red, and Blue

Glue gun

Ribbon to use for hanging

I cut out a bunch of stars in the card stock. Shamefully Brilliantly, I ripped off the shape from one of E's puzzles. (It's called being resourceful, right?)

I set those aside and began the process of wrapping the wreath. You could probably leave it uncovered, but I wanted the really clean look, so I wrapped it in the white double satin ribbon and just dotted hot glue as I went to secure it.

Once that was done, I attached the stars in a red, white and blue pattern all the way around. The end went a little wonky because the colors didn't stick with the pattern, but I faked it. 

Once finished setting the stars, I took the piece of red ribbon and looped it through the wreath and tied a bow. 

Pardon the pictures, they were snapped on my way out the door with my phone. Not the greatest, but you get the drift.

Pretty easy and simple project to do.
And my 3 year old thought it was the best decoration ever.

Happy Crafting!

Jen

Linking up to:

I Heart Naptime

I found my newest project! (Shirt to Cardigan Repurpose Tutorial)

 Trina over at A Love 2 Create is BRILLIANT. And she has given me the newest idea for a project.
She took two knit t-shirts - shirts she was no longer using - and made a cardigan. 

The one item I wear EVERY SINGLE DAY.

Except that now instead of having to go shopping to replenish a depleting supply,
I get to dig through my closet and get creative.

 

I am seriously stoked about this project.

Happt belated 4th!

Hope everyone had a safe and sane holiday! 

See you all when I return next week!

Happy Crafting,

Jen

My New Blurb Book = AWESOMENESS!

You've heard of Blurb, right?
Of course you have, you've read about it here. Anyways, I decided to give it a shot.
 I created a book featuring all of the wonderful items in my shops and the beautiful photography of these items.

So I set to work making my book of beauties.

Isn't she pretty? (and that headband is available here)

 
Excuse the photo - fluorescent lighting and camera phones = disaster photo.

Can I tell you how much I LOVED making this book? It was the easiest photo book I've ever made. EVER. I chose the design my own book, so I placed the photos in the order I wanted (auto place is available too, which makes it super super SUPER easy!).

Go check them out! These make wonderful birthday, Christmas, or just because gifts! And the best part, is YOU design them.

Happy Crafting!
(And book making!)

Jen

Save 20% On Your Entire Blurb.com Order (Code BLURB20)

Ten on Tuesday (link party)

Today's Ten on Tuesday theme: 10 things I want to do with the kiddos this summer! (Photos courtesy of Pinterest.com and my own personal stash)

1. Paint our toes! Miss E loves to have her toes painted, so that's first on my list ~ probably this weekend!

2. Yard work, in the form of child labor. I kid! But seriously, E is in this new "I help you, mommy?" phase, and while she's eager, we're going to teach her about working around the house with some simple chores to start. Supervised, of course. (And don't our plants look good?)

Paper Tape from Just Something I Made (Tutorial)

How insanely cute is this?

Cathe over at Just Something I Made posted an amazing tutorial on how to make decorative paper tape. 

Brassy Apple's The Craf "TEE" Tote (Link to Tutorial)

I recently stumbled upon the Brassy Apple's blog, and I am hooked! I've dusted off my sewing machine and been working on a few patterns to get comfortable with it again and I'm always on the look out for super fun patterns to try out. The Craf "TEE" Tote tutorial caught my eye immediately.
As in, I MUST MAKE THIS.

GETty Owl Craft Fair

This past weekend, my friend Alli and I were lucky enough to be a part of the 2nd Annual GETty Crafty Craft Fair at Freemont Park in Sacramento, benefiting the GETty Owl Foundation and sweet baby Getty. 

Ten on Tuesday (Link Party)

Today's Ten on Tuesday theme: My top ten favorite Fourth of July crafts and foods! So here they are, in no particular order, courtesy of Pinterest.com:

 1.  The fourth of July wreath. LOVES!!!

Celebrity Gifting - Vince Vaughn

I am so excited to have been a part of the celebrity gifting to Vince Vaughn's new little baby girl. I just got the photo of the gifting, which looks awesome! Thanks again to Baby Swags for letting us participate!

Happy Crafting!

Jen

Father's Day Printable (FREE)

I've got a FREEBIE to share with all of you today! Shindig Parties TO GO  have outdone themselves again! With Father's Day right around the corner, it's about time to get some surprises ready for the men that we all adore. And with this little Tie-riffic free set of printables, you can do something special for the men in your life! Just check out the awesomeness:

Feature Friday...except that it's Wednesday

With the baby being sick last week (yay for penicillin allergies), I wasn't able to do my scheduled feature Friday post...so I'm doing it today. And it's a really good one so you'll be happy I did it.

Meet my sweet friend Joelle.

Ten on Tuesday (link party)

I'm keeping it simple for today's Ten on Tuesday link party - my favorite 10 websites currently (in no particular order):

1. Babycenter: As a mommy of young-uns, this site is the go to for just about everything. Info on pregnancy, development, sickies, etc. And if they don't have the answer to your question, one of the mommies will!
(Shout-out to my BBC mommies - Holla!)

2. Zulily: This is a recent addition to my favs. I have found some of the best deals on the cutest stuff here. My daughter and her pink Cat in the Hat flannel pajamas thank you, Zulily.

3. Budgets Are Sexy: I can sum it up best as budget porn for nerds. No seriously folks, J. Money is probably one of the best financial bloggers I read or have read. Very honest, very understandable, and very cool. Check out his blog and geek out. It's awesome.

4. Silhouette Blog: I check this thing daily to find out the free downloads for the week and cool projects to do with the Silhouette. Awesome stuff!

5. Facebook: A necessary daily evil.

6. Its a Crafty Life: Gotta have my daily craft inspirations. Makes the long day go faster :-0)

7. Pandora: Because life needs a soundtrack.

8. Etsy: This is not only where one of my shops is located (the other is here), but it's also where I find some of the coolest, one of a kind handmade items for my home and the homes of others. Best gift locator ever.

9. Pick Your Plum: Have you seen this new website? Its one item a day, and when its gone, its gone. All stuff for creating your own crafted goodies at home.I really love this one!

10. TriedAndTrueDesigns: This is one of my new favorites on Etsy. I am mad crushing on every item in here. how do I pick just one? I can't.

And with that, I'm outties.

Happy shopping!

Jen

P.S. Don't forget, help us get to 50 followers for a big giveaway! It's gonna be a pretty good one!!

Linking up to:

Happy Weekend!

Have a great weekend, and don't forget - once we hit 50 followers there will be a BIG giveaway! Spread the word :-)

Happy Crafting,

Jen

New 20% off Blurb Coupon

For those that haven't heard of it, Blurb is an awesome! Since having kids, photo and photo gifts have become my number one go-to gift for birthdays and holidays. The grandparents love getting them, and it saves me a TON of time.
Blurb free online bookmaking tools provide you with everything you’ll need to create and publish your own professional-quality book. A Blurb photobook is the perfect way to turn your vacation snapshots into a travel coffee table book, wedding pictures into the wedding album you always dreamed of, recipes into a bookstore-quality cookbook you’d be proud to give as a gift, and more. With Fathers Day coming up quickly, this is a wonderful gift for the special men in your life!
Create your own Blurb photobook today and receive 20% off when you order by May 31st with code NEWBLURB!


And don't forget - this is a limited time offer so act quick!

*This is a sponsored post

Operation Ugly Backyard

Ok, first off, I should be clear. Its not that my backyard is horrific. It's not. It's just, well, horribly plain. Insanely plain (think track home plain - gasp). We have done nothing special to it since we moved in 2.5 years ago (hey - we're busy!). We decided this summer is going to be the one where we start doing some improvements to the yard. We're on .25 acre, so its not gonna be an easy feat. but we have some simple ideas to get started on.

So Mr. Chickypoo decided our side yard needs a garden of some sort. A couple of months ago, he purchased a bunch of seeds and he planted them all in starter containers and covered my nice dining room table with these little round dirt pods. Fast forward a few weeks and he had a ton of super green thriving little plants ready to go in the ground. So after some nagging suggesting from me, out they went to the side yard where they were going to be planted the upcoming weekend.

And then the heavy windstorm hit.

That weekend.

And all the little plants went off to plant heaven.

So round two of the 2011 garden has begun. Off to the store went Mr. Chickypoo cursing to round up some already started plants (that didn't look near as good as the ones he had started on his own).

And rounded up an insane amount of dirt (those bags wrap around the entire yard!)

And off to work he went. Planting, planting, planting.

I am so excited for all the yummy goodies coming our way:
Cucumbers
3 different types of tomatoes
4 types of bell peppers
habanero peppers
2 types of jalapenos
various herbs (yay for cilantro!)
a few other peppers that I can't recall at the moment...
Too ambitious straight out of the shoot? I don't care. I'm super exicted!

Happy (belated) 3rd Birthday E!

I took a few days off from blogging for a very special event. My sweet princess E turned the big 3! I cannot believe how fast the time has gone. It feels like yesterday that we were just meeting her for the first time.

She was the chubbiest little thing I had ever seen (and weighed in at 9lbs, 6oz no less!) and I was in love. She is now a fiercely independent little girl with her own ideas and opinions, and while challenging most of the time, I couldn't be prouder of the strong little girl she is.

And this little girl wanted an Olivia the Pig party. You got it, baby girl.

Her actual party was held at the local zoo, so I did a bunch of Olivia decorations at home (balloons and streamers) and lots of presents. For the party at the zoo, I had my cousin at Sugar Bug Sweets make some super yummy Olivia cookies.

Aren't they adorable?

And one more...

These were the perfect favors for our party guests!

Miss E also got her big girl bed as a surprise, which turned out adorable (and made mommy cry a bunch).

Fit for a princess. A very-much-in-love-with-pink princess.

So there you have it. The reason for my absence for a couple of days.

And if you get a chance, fan Sugar Bug Sweets on Facebook and check out the other amazing dessert designs done by Terra!

Happy Crafting!
Jen

New giveaway coming!

In an effort to boost the traffic, we're announcing a giveaway! Details will be announced once the blog hits 50 followers. So....spread the word, get everyone you know to follow along, and once we hit 50, there's going to be a BIG giveaway :-)

(trust me, you will not want to miss this one!)

Oh and....Happy belated Mother's Day to all! I was busy enjoying my little chickypoos this weekend, so I hope you all had a special day.

Happy Crafting!
Jen

NEW - Featured Fridays!

Today's featured business is one very near and dear to me: It belongs to my sweet friend Alli and her business You Take The Cake.
Now, you have not seen adorable until you've seen these:

Her embroidered bloomers and boxers (oh yes, the boys get some of the fun too!) are the most adorable little baby items I have found and I am so excited to feature them this Friday!

Take a peek at a few of the other cuties from her shop:
This one is my current favorite - I have the perfect tutu to match, so I may have to get Miss E into it pronto.

See told you! Boys get to have some of the fun too (and isn't the model adorbs? ;-) This is a pair of boxers she made for me before Mr. R was born to match his surf themed nursery. I just want to pinch his sweet little baby cheeks.

Know what makes her stuff even more adorable? She's one of the nicest people you'll meet.

So go show her some love at her shop here
and grab up some of her beautiful stuff!

Happy Crafting!
Jen

Linking up with:

http://Tidymom.net