And the Winner is....

This morning at breakfast...

my little helper chose a winner for my Soft Shoe Giveaway!

Before I reveal the winner...
I would like to thank everyone who entered!
I wish I could give away shoes to you all...
but then I'd probably be broke!
haha!


And the winner is....

Did you get that?

Maybe this will be easier to read....
since that one was upside down.


TIFFANY!

Congratulations!

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Giveaway Time!!

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED***


In honor of Eloise turning 13 months old (yesterday)....

I am having a
GIVEAWAY!!

She just learned to say "Cheese!" and this
was the picture I snapped when she said it!!

Anyway... you are probably wondering what the giveaway is for, right?

Well... if you read a few posts ago... you would know that I have
started sewing baby shoes.
(thanks to the awesome Shauna for selling her tutorial and patterns!)

It has been a great creative outlet for me while Eloise naps.
I've made about 10 pairs so far... but have given most away as gifts!

So, here is your chance to nab a pair!

The winner will have their choice of either the Froggies..


or... the sweet Blue Flowers...


The shoes only come in size 0-6 Months.
(may not be exactly the shoes pictured)

Here is how you can win!!

Leave a comment on this post.

That's it.
No special hoops to jump through or links to follow.

Just leave a comment!
Make sure I have a way to get a hold of you in case you are chosen!

If you would like an EXTRA entry...
you can mention this Giveaway in a post on your own blog.
Come back here and leave a (separate) comment
with the link to your post.

Giveaway ends Friday, March 2nd at 11:59PM.
I will select a winner randomly and post the results (and email the winner) on Saturday, March 3rd!!

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED***

Daily Life

It's been over a week since my last post... and really, that's OK... I don't really have anything exciting to post about. Each day comes and goes... there's lots of playing and reading, feeding "Baby Jenna" 10 million times a day, running, laughing, learning... cooking, baking, sewing, laundry, dishes - and the list goes on.


So, I hope you are doing well... and don't give up on me.
I WILL keep posting!

And soon... I will be posting about a giveaway... so stay tuned for that!

And the Winner is....

Well, although I changed the rules so that people who were having problems commenting on my blog were able to email me to be entered into my giveaway...
I only had one person come back to claim 3 entries!

My husband picked the winner out of the bowl...
(don't worry, he didn't peek)


And... the winner is...


Congratulations!

I hope you enjoy your digital scrapbooking software!
It's a lot of fun!

Thanks to Karen and Sue who also entered!

GIVEAWAY UPDATE!!!

This Giveaway is CLOSED

Due to, what is believed to be, a Blogger glitch that hasn't allowed some people to comment on my Giveaway... The rules have been changed and the deadline extended! Please check out THIS post and ENTER my giveaway! It's a great product and I would love for more people to have an opportunity to win!

(and please don't mind the little thing that says "Link" in my update... you'll see what I mean when you read it... I can't figure out how to get it off of my post!)

Whatta GIVEAWAY!

This Giveaway is CLOSED
**UPDATE: Giveaway Deadline Extended... and Rules Changed! Read on!!**

Today is your lucky day!
I am hosting a wonderful GIVEAWAY that you don't want to miss out on!!

What, oh WHAT could it be?

WOO HOO! Right!?

So here's the thing... I was able to download and review some digital scrapbooking software compliments of My Memories! I love all things paper, sticker, ribbon, stamp... well, you get the idea.... but having a [now] 8 month old, means that I can't just bust out my scrapbooking supplies. Definitely not a good idea to have little pieces of paper and buttons, not to mention scissors and cutting tools, hanging around for my baby to get a hold of (and stick in her mouth!). Gone are the days of cluttering up my coffee table with scrapbooking stuff. At least for now.

I'd heard about digital scrapbooking, but never really knew what it was or how it worked. I was so excited to be able to check out the product from My Memories Suite and see what it was all about.

**Note: My husband did some checking (the paranoid guy that he is) before I went and downloaded the program. He didn't want me to be loading anything weird onto our computer and compromising our system. He gave me the "thumbs up" that My Memories was a reputable company to be downloading from, etc!**

I got the program downloaded and once my sweet Eloise was down for a nap... I started digging in! Like I said, I am not familiar with digital scrapbooking, so this was all new to me. BUT... it was so EASY! You can choose pre-made layouts or you can create your own with their simple layouts. I chose to create my own... let me show you some of what I made!

I know this is a pretty basic design... but, like I said, I'm new to this!
There are so many embellishments to choose from
(ribbons, bows, flowers, buttons, etc.)!



Back in the early part of the summer, I spent HOURS putting together photobooks on an online site (to give to our parents). I SO wish I would have known about My Memories Suite before I went through all of that trouble! The books I made were just basic with photos only (and so expensive!). I wish I would've spent that time making digital scrapbooks! Now I know better!

Anyway, for each page I made... I was able to choose a background paper and color. I could put the pictures and text in the suggested template... but I could also move them around, rotate, shadow, matte, etc.
There were so many options!



I could get pretty fancy, if I wanted... but I like things pretty simple.

I know you are probably saying, "LETS GET TO THE GIVEAWAY PART ALREADY!"

It's coming... but let me share one more page with you!



I did my pages in 8.5" x 11", but you can choose to do them in 12" x 12" as well.
They can be printed and put in a scrapbook!
OR... you can share them online!

My Memories also has other products on their site that you can download to use!
So far, it's been pretty simple! And the best part is that I can sit down at
the computer while Eloise is napping and work on a page or two... and not
have a HUGE mess to clean up! That's definitely a major plus for me!

Ok, ONE more page, I promise!

I used a pre-made layout for this one and since I didn't want to put any text on it, I just added a picture to the box where the text was supposed to go!


So sweet, right?

OK... now... onto the rules/instructions for the Giveaway...
(You do NOT have to have a blog to enter-as long as you have a valid email address!)

**Please note that you MUST do the mandatory entry for any extra entries to qualify!**


UPDATE
**Due to what seems to be a glitch in Blogger... I have had some people email to tell me that they couldn't comment on this giveaway. I would love to give more people a chance to win this fabulous prize... so if you aren't able to comment on this post, please EMAIL ME (livingthesmalltownlife@gmail.com) and let me know which entries you have completed. Instead of using a random number generator to choose the winner... I will put everyone's name in a bowl (example: if you have 4 entries, your name will be put in the bowl 4 times, etc.) and I'll pick a name that way! If you email me, you can send everything in ONE email.**

Deadline is extended to Monday, October 3 at 7:59PM (EST)!
I will post the winner on Oct. 4!
(and also send them an email)

You may also still enter the original way (below)... and any entries already listed will be added to the aforesaid bowl!

MANDATORY ENTRY
Visit MY MEMORIES SUITE website and choose a digital paper pack or layout that is your favorite. Come back here and comment on this post telling me which one you chose. Make sure to leave an email so that I have some way to get in contact with you!
(If you don't leave your email and you are chosen as the winner, I won't go all over the world wide web looking for you... I'll just choose another winner!)

It's that simple!

Now... if you'd like EXTRA entries... you may choose to do any of these:

1.) Follow my blog!
If you already follow, just tell me in your comment.

2.) Go to the My Memories Facebook Page and "Like" them!

3.) Blog about this giveaway (& put the link in the comment)!

You must come back here and leave a comment for EACH extra entry telling me which you did. Don't forget to include your email on each comment!

A winner will be chosen by a random number generator on Friday, September 30th at 8PM and I will then post the winner on Saturday, October 1st. (I will also email you so that you can claim your prize!)

Also... Check this out!!
As a special for all of my readers, My Memories gave me my very own Share the Memories code that provides a $10 discount off the purchase of the My Memories Suite Scrapbook software and a $10 coupon for the MyMemories.com store - ($20 value!)

So... if you want to buy the software and anything from their site...
you are basically getting $20 off! Ummm.. sounds pretty great to me!

Here is the code: STMMMS74

Feel free to share this code with anyone and everyone... on your blog, Facebook page, etc. It's open to anyone, not just people entering this giveaway!

If you have any questions about the software or products... go to the My Memories site and contact them. They've been helpful with my questions! Or, I'd be happy to share more about my experience. (My email is on the right sidebar!)

GOOD LUCK!!

**Contest ends 10-3-11 at 7:59 PM (EST)**
This Giveaway is CLOSED

Here Kitty Kitty...

I have been spending my days chasing a very busy little girl. And when I'm not chasing her, feeding her, changing her, playing with her, dancing with her, singing to her.... or anything else with her.... I can usually be found at the sink, doing the dishes.... in the basement, doing the laundry.... or somewhere, doing some other various household task OR, if I'm lucky, spending a little time with my husband. Getting on the computer is a treat these days! Hence the lack of posting. However, If you check back in the next couple of days... you're going to have a chance to check out my Giveaway! WOOT!

Anywho... one of Eloise's favorite things to do is chase the cat!



Ummm... yeah, she pulled herself up there.



Did I mention that not only is she pulling herself up, she is "walking" herself along the furniture to get closer to the cat? Like I said... I've been busy!



Did I also mention that she started pulling herself up in her crib? We had to lower her mattress all of the way! Here she was on Sunday at nap time... she zonked out!


One thing I DID make time to do this week, was make an apple pie for our neighbor. He has been so nice and has mowed our front lawn (I don't even know HOW many times!). I thought an apple pie was the least I could do!


That's an all whole wheat pie crust right there. (Since we have been using whole wheat flour religiously for months--I don't have enough white flour left in my cupboard to make anything with!) Apparently it tasted good because my neighbor called over to thank me and offer me a job as his personal baker. HAHA!

Oh... and on the note of whole wheat... Our family has made the switch over the past number of months. It hasn't been a hard transition... although we do splurge now and then - like if we are out somewhere and we can't get something whole wheat/grain. However, it is my firm belief that eating healthier (no white flour/sugar/processed foods) has aided in my purchase of jeans a size smaller than what I've worn for YEARS! I am excited about that!! I am not "dieting"... I'm just making better choices... and it feels good! If anyone is interested in the whole wheat pie crust recipe, let me know! We still eat our sweets--we just make them with healthier ingredients!

Now, I'm off!... and remember to stop back in the next couple of days. I'm working on putting a giveaway together that you aren't going to want to miss!! Here are a few last pictures of our girl!

WOO HOO!!

I am so excited!
I won a giveaway over at Mamma Town's Blog!
My prize... a new blog header!
I have been wanting a new one..
so this is just PERFECT!
Be on the look out for the fabulous change!!

Check Out This Giveaway!

As they celebrate the birth of their 3rd child, and 2nd daughter today... Christopher & Tia have been thoughtful enough to think of the rest of us while they are away!

They are having a GIVEAWAY!

What are these things, you ask?

Head on over to their blog, check it out and leave a comment. Simple as that! And while you're there... send them some congratulations on their new addition!!

Congrats Christopher, Tia, Elie and Charlie!
Welcome little Evelyn!!!

Giveaway Winner!!

Well, I probably should have let my giveaway last longer than 2 days since I only had a handful of entries... however, the chances were better for the people who DID enter... and the winner is:

Brittany over at Little Miss Scatterbrained!

Congratulations Brittany!

I tried to "print screen" the results to post them here for proof that the random number generator chose #3.... but I can't figure out how to do it... so I apologize!!

Thanks to everyone that entered!!

Flashback Friday #21

Well, it's Flashback Friday again! I skipped last week because I was just too busy... and this week is going to be pretty quick!

Here is a picture of me only a couple of months old... I know I am biased... but I think I'm pretty cute! Hehe!

Join in the Flashback Fun over at Christopher&Tia's!.... and GO HERE to check out my 300th Post Giveaway!!!

300th Post Giveaway!!!!

**This Giveaway is CLOSED**
Well folks, it's my 300th post.

I so much love entering (and winning, although that doesn't happen too often) giveaways, I thought I'd host my own celebrating 300 bloggy posts! Up for grabs is a couple of things I have sewn. A tissue holder... which I never thought I'd ever want to use one of those in a million years... but after making a few and putting a pack of tissues in, I realize that it sure is nice to have your tissues protected in your purse from crumbs and fuzzies. I don't know about you, but if I need a tissue while I'm out and about somewhere, I really don't want to be wiping my nose with unknown crumbs! (Where do those crumbs come from!?) Haha! Also, I am including a little drawstring bag that would be perfect for feminine items, pens or whatever else you can think of to stash in your purse!

**This Giveaway is CLOSED**

Here's how you can enter:
(Please leave one comment per entry and make sure to include a way that I can contact you in case you are the winner!)

*Mandatory*
1. Follow my blog & leave me a comment telling me that you are a follower (if you are already a follower, just mention)

*Optional*
1. Blog about my giveaway (put the link in your comment)
2. Visit my friend Christina's Etsy Shop over at CoffeeAndCream ... comment to me about which item you like the most!

Giveaway will end Saturday, April 17th at MIDNIGHT (Eastern Standard Time). I will post the winner on my blog on Sunday (I will also contact the winner via email or blog). Winner will be selected by a random number generator.

GOOD LUCK!!

I also want to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my dad!! The big old 5-1 today!

I LOVE YOU!!

Maddy Sews

The other day, my niece had a sleepover at my house. This doesn't happen very often due to the hour long car ride (one way) between us. Since I have been doing some sewing projects, and Madelyn was interested in the things that I made... I offered to help her make something of her own. Here she is, mostly doing the whole thing on her own... with only being directed by me! (Please don't mind her unruly hair... she had just gotten out of the shower and we hadn't "done each others hair" yet. Also, don't mind my disheveled craft room!)

She did a pretty good job... and she was VERY excited!!

I also wanted to share a picture of the giveaway items I won from over at JJ's... (check out her blog for an easy make-it-yourself granola recipe... I am looking forward to trying this recipe soon!)

I *won* the zipper pouch (totally cute!)... but she also included a little sticky chicky notepad and a handmade dish cloth (my fav kind to use!)... oh yes, she also included some jelly beans, but Cory confiscated those to take with him to work before I could include them in the picture! Thanks JJ!!

Check back to my blog tomorrow for my very own giveaway celebrating my 300th post!!!

A Giveaway... & A Smile!

Sneak on over to JJ's blog to check out her giveaway! She's been trying her hand at the sewing machine and has made a little zipper pouch to giveaway to one lucky reader!!


Today has been kind of a crappy day for me... but every time I open my cellphone, I see this picture of my sister's kids and it makes me smile. I thought I'd share it here!

(Don't worry, those aren't their real teeth!!)

How about some...

My husband and I try to use coupons as much as possible when we go to the grocery store. Browsing around some blogs and websites... I came across THIS site. I thought that some of you may like to check it out!

Happy Shopping!

Head on over to A Little Tipsy for this awesome Giveaway!
There are a lot more where that came from... so be sure to check out her whole blog!!


*****UPDATE*****

I also just wanted to share real quick... I made 2 more mini-totes out of fabric I've had left over from other projects! I am just tickled to death! :) They are so fun and cute!!
Hmmm... maybe I'll have to have my own giveaway....
STAY TUNED to find out!