Everyone wins!

Photofiddle (the fantastic company I just did a review and giveaway for last week) just emailed me with this exciting news:
If you email them at mom@photofiddle.com they will email them a $10 Photofiddle.com gift certificate. That's $10 just for sending an email!

This promo is running until May 4th and can be used with the discount code (enter the code sweet15 for a 15% discount on your order).

Photofiddle winner!

Martha at The Daily Grind (comment #44) was our Photofiddle giftcard winner! Congratulations, Martha! I think one of your weekly "best shots" will make a gorgeous canvas for your home!

Personalized Name Pillow Book Giveaway

This month, YouCanMakeThis.com is spotlighting one of their favorite books: Personalized Name Pillows. They sent me a copy of the book (pdf format, so I got it instantly through email!) and they offered to give a copy of this book to 2 of my readers!

Now, I haven't had a chance to make the pillows yet for my kids, but I did read through the entire book of instructions, and I couldn't believe how thorough and easy to understand the directions were! I am not a talented seamstress by any stretch of the imagination, and this looks like something even I could do. I am so excited to make one of these for each of my kids. I actually have a stack of fabric that has been waiting for me to find a purpose for. I think I'll let each child work with me to make their own pillow, and have them pick out the coordinating fabrics, to make it their "own."

How would you like this book? Simply leave a comment and tell me who you would make it for.



If you'd like extra chances to win, you can do any of the following (just leave a separate comment for each entry):

* Visit YouCanMakeThis.com and tell me something else you would like to make from their site (2 entries!)
* Follow me (Life is Sweet counts, too)
* Grab my button
* Add me to your blogroll
* Tweet about the contest (leave the link to your tweet)
* Blog about the giveaway
* Fave on Technorati, kirsty, or stumble

This giveaway ends Friday, May 8th at 10:00pm. Since this is an eBook, and will be sent via email, please make extra-sure that I have your email. Thanks and good luck!

Joolwe Winner!

Rachel at One Day at a Time is our Joolwe winner! Congratulations, Rachel!

Photofiddle $50 Giveaway

**GIVEAWAY CLOSED**

If you've been to my house lately, you've seen my new, beautiful canvas print of my family picture (does it look familiar?). If you haven't been over lately, I'm sorry. You're welcome to come any time. Really.

Isn't this canvas wrap gorgeous? It was created at photofiddle.com. In case you've never heard of photofiddle, they are a fun and useful website that takes your picture and turn it into a work of art. Check out their gallery and see what some other people have done. I guarantee you will be inspired!

I found photofiddle very easy to use. I was able to see exactly how my picture was going to look with different effects, and once I submitted my photo, it was at my house before I knew it. I bumped the scroll of the Great Wall of China off my wall so that I could hang my canvas wrap as soon as I received it. The canvas is high quality and sturdy, and the colors are spot on.

Photofiddle.com has offered a $50 gift certificate for one of my readers! This is a perfect gift for Mother's Day (either as a gift to yourself or for your mom). Here's what you can do for a chance to win the $50 gift certificate to make your own canvas wall art:

To enter: Tell me what photo you'd like to turn into a canvas wrap. Simple!

**For a second entry, Visit Photofiddle.com and tell me what design style you would like to try out.**

And then all of the typical "extras" (remember to leave a separate comment for each entry).....
*Follow me (Life is Sweet counts, too!)
*Grab my button
*Add me to your blogroll
*Tweet about the contest (leave the link to your tweet)
*Blog about the giveaway
*Fave on Technorati, kirsty, or stumble

This contest will end on April 28 at 10:00 PM, which just happens to be my 14th anniversary. ;) I might wait til the next day to pick a winner. Make sure that you leave me an email so that I can contact you if you win. Good luck!

Also, if you don't win, you can still leave a winner....because photofiddle has offered ALL of my readers a 15% discount. All you have to do is add the code sweet15 to the promotion code box at checkout. Wow!

Joolwe Silver Necklace & Earring Giveaway!

*CLOSED*
I am back in business and ready for a new giveaway. Look what I have for you guys! These simply classic and simply stunning Sterling Silver and Cubic Zirconia necklace and studs from Joolwe! Aren't they pretty?

Joolwe has something for everyone, with stunning sterling silver pieces and gorgeous gold. They have a great selection of designer Elle jewelry, lots of CZ and sterling silver earrings and pendants, and they even has a blog! They have a bi-weekly jewelry giveaway for people who are signed up for their newsletter. WOW! Go check Joolwe out! PS--they've got a great Mother's Day sale going on, too!

Here are a few of my other favorite things from joolwe:


Would you like to own this CZ stud earring and pendant set? Here's what you can do to win it:

First: (required) Go to Joolwe.com and tell me in the comments what your favorite piece is.

For extra entries, you can do any of the following. Just leave me a separate comment telling me what you've done.

* Subscribe to the Joolwe newsletter (on the right side of the webpage)
* Follow me (here or at my main page, Life is Sweet, or both!)
* Add me to your blogroll
* Tweet this contest (please leave a link)
* Blog about this giveaway
* Stumble, fave on Technorati, or Kirtsy (leave your user name)
* Send me chocolate (I'm totally kidding. That would NOT get you an extra entry, but it would make me very happy!)

This giveaway will end on Thursday, April 23 at 10:00 pm Eastern time. Please leave me an email address if yours is not linked to your profile. The winner will be chosen on April 24th and will have 48 hours to contact me. Good luck!

How to Mess Up Your Child's Life Winners!

We have our 5 winners for How to Mess Up Your Child's Life! These women's kids don't know what gonna hit them! In an effort to get some sleep tonight, I am not linking to each of these blogs, but you are welcome to scroll down to their comment #'s and visit the winners if you wish!

Emails have been sent to each of the winners. Ladies, please send me your addresses! Congrats!!

#24--Sharon
#21--Liane66
#35--Leslie
#14--Lady of Perpetual Chaos
#50--Marie

Pearl Bracelet Winners!

We have our 3 winners for the Pearl Bracelet giveaway from Cheerios! Random.org picked three numbers: 20, 1, and 35. (this is the 2nd time that comment #1 has won recently! Meet the winners:

1- Angie Marion of A Simple Kinda Life

Angie Marion said... 20

I faved this blog at technorati: pricousins

April 2, 2009 9:49 PM

2- Cari from Two Under Two, Whew!

Carebear said... 1

Ummm... wow. I read this scary statistic over at the Heart Truth (home of the red dress campaign): An astonishing 80 percent of women ages 40 to 60 have one or more risk factor for heart disease.

I don't have the risk factors of being a smoker, obesity, high blood pressure or cholesterol, but my diet is terrible and I don't exercise. I realize as I get closer to 40, I need to start taking better care of myself so that I can be here to enjoy my children, and hopefully grandchildren, as long as possible. Time to start the diet and exercise plan I've been putting off for, well, ever!

April 1, 2009 3:43 AM

3- Viv from And Now There Are 6

Viv said... 35

It is very important when things like heart diease run in your family. With soon to be four kids I need to think more about this NOW at age 31 and not wait until I am in my 40 and up and show signs!!!

April 8, 2009 3:08 PM

Congrats, ladies! Please send your address along to me!

Eco Store and Crayola Winners!

Cathy at In Search of the Best is our Crayola Gift pack winner! Congrats, Cathy! I know your SUnday school class will love these! Comment #41 was the winning comment, but I thought I'd also include Cathy's previous comment. :)

ProjectHope7 said... 40

What a great and constructive gift for the children for Easter! I actually am on rotation of teaching sunday school for Easter sunday, and our class could really use some new Crayola products... It would be awesome to be able to surprise the class with this great gift basket!They would love it
cathy b
projecthope7 at gmail dot com


cathy b

April 5, 2009 12:20 AM

ProjectHope7 said... 41

I follow you now! look forward to it.

cathy b
projecthope7 at gmail dot com
please feel free to stop by my blog too, its still a work in progress. I am working on 2 other blogs and a new design..

April 5, 2009 12:21 AM

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Our Eco Store Winner was comment #7, Cheryl of Tidymom! Congrats, Cheryl! You will be even MORE tidy with these products! You'll have to let me know what you end up getting. :)

tidymom said... 7

I tweeted giveaway! http://twitter.com/Tidymom/statuses/1423911963

~TidyMom

March 31, 2009 8:14 AM

Emails are being sent. You have 48 hours, ladies!

Flirtbuttons and Country Bobs Winners Announced!

The winner of the Flirtbuttons pendant is........

Jessica from Duck Duck Cow! Congrats, Jessica!

Jessica G. said... 9

AND I already have your button up on my blog!

March 28, 2009 11:07 PM

And the 2 winners of Country Bob's Amazing All-purpose Sauce are:

1- Jennifer of Eighty MPH Mom! Congrats, Jennifer! It's cool when a fellow giveaway-sponsor wins!

Eighty MPH Mom said... 16

I am following you on this blog (new follower!)

April 2, 2009 10:52 PM

2- And Amy again! This is her second recent win on my blog. Congrats, Amy!

Tj and Amy said... 2

would love to try the slow cooker stew. amsbolda@hotmail.com

March 30, 2009 5:03 PM

Emails have been sent. I'll be looking forward to hearing from you ladies.

And for the rest of you, don't forget that I have giveaways ending everyday this week! Get a last entry in before it's too late!

Let Crayola Color Your Spring Giveaway!

Crayola is celebrating the spring season with a brand new Spring/Summer product lineup. Crayola’s new creative activities are inspiring children – from infants to tweens – to explore, discover and create everything imaginable.

With five kids (and five birthdays, and five times the holidays to find gifts for) it is tough for me to find gifts that are good quality, engaging, and a good value. My kids love to create, and Crayola products are an ideal way to find that balance between quality and value. But it’s not only price motivates people like me to buy Crayola – it’s also the belief that I'm providing my kids with the tools to power their imaginations and enable endless everyday play. No childhood is complete without a good collection of Crayola products, don't you think?

Take a look at some of the great things on their Spring/Summer product line-up. Each of these products are below $30, with the majority retailing below $10.

Crayola Beginnings Baby Slide & See is a magical way to introduce babies to their first coloring experience. There are six pictures, each representing a different color, and by simply pulling the tab, baby can “color” the black and white images. For children 6 months and up; suggested retail price is $9.99.




Crayola Beginnings TaDoodles Ta-Doodler is a soft and cuddly bear buddy that becomes a canvas for your child’s imagination. It comes with three TaDoodles Crayon Buddies, allowing toddlers to scribble away on the light-up tummy or anywhere else on the washable bear. With one quick swipe of a damp cloth, the scribbles disappear and the “TaDoodling” fun can start again! Two different musical modes set the tone for different activities -- a lively tempo for coloring and creating, and a slower, soothing melody for quiet time. For children 18 months and up; suggested retail price is $29.99.

Crayola Beginnings Tub Time Tracers bring colorful, creative fun to toddler’s bath time. These nontoxic washable crayons wash away from walls when bath time is done. Washable stencils can be used for tracing or play. Tub Crayons and stencils float for even more colorful bath time fun! For children 18 months and up; suggested retail price is $7.99.




Color Surge Camp Rock gives fans of the hit Disney movie a chance to put their favorite stars in a spotlight of brilliant colors with colors like “amped-up apricot” and “high voltage violet” when Color Surge markers meet the super bright paper. For children 6 and up; suggested retail price is $7.99.




Crayola Sidewalk Crayons offer kids more than pretty pastels to create outdoor masterpieces. Once reserved for bringing coloring books to life, this new technology offers the richest, brightest, boldest colors for creating extraordinary outdoor artwork. The difference is striking, as the smooth, creamy colors lay down on driveways and sidewalks with unmatched brightness. For children 4 and up, suggested retail price is $4.99 for a set of 15 colors.

Pip-Squeaks Colored pencils may be smaller than their full-size Crayola counterparts, but they pack a big punch of bold color that inspires kids to travel wherever their creativity takes them. Whimsical color names like “blue suede shoes,” “goldfish” and “wacky watermelon” give children the opportunity to put their huge imaginations to paper. For children 4 and up; suggested retail price is $4.99 for the 18-ct.






Pip-Squeaks Glitter Glue is the perfect compact size for jazzing up art projects with bright, bold shimmering colors. With 16 whimsical shades, there’s always a hue that will do. For children 4 and up; suggested retail price is $4.99 for a set of 16.







Crayola Color Switchers are dual-ended markers that allow kids to magically change the colors of their drawings with a swoosh of the “color switch” tip. Each Color Switcher features a broadline marker on one side and a clear-ink tip marker on the other. The clear ends reveal their true colors when kids color over the marks they’ve made. Kids can draw a red house with one end of the marker and then switch sides to add yellow windows. For children 6 and up; suggested retail price is $4.99 for a set of 6 dual-ended Color Switchers markers.


Crayola Window Crayons are creamy, colorful drawing tools that let kids transform car windows, mirrors and other glass surfaces into instant decorations. Their bright, bold colors lay down smoothly and dry quickly without smudging. And when it’s time to redecorate, colors wipe clean with a damp cloth. Crayola Window crayons will keep kids’ creativity flowing with endless options for coloring and drawing on any glass surface. For children 6 and up; suggested retail price is $5.99.


For additional information and ideas for great creative activities you can do with your children, visit www.crayola.com.

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Crayola has generously offered this entire line-up (with an estimated retail value of $80!) to one of my readers. Not only will the winner get this incredible set of Crayola products, but they will be over-nighted to you so that they arrive before Easter! How great would these be inside an Easter basket?
If you would like to win this set, simply leave a comment on this post.

If you'd like an extra entry or two, feel free to *Blog it, *Tweet it, *Follow me, *Grab a button, *Stumble, *Add to Technorati, or *Kirtsy.

***

This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only (no PO boxes, please), and will end on Tuesday, April 7 at 10:00pm EST. Winner will be chosen with random.org's widget and will announced on the 8th. They will have 24 hours to get their info to me (this is shorter than usual because Crayola would like to ship these out before the holiday weekend). If the winner doesn't respond, I will have to pick another number. Good luck!

Yanni Voices

I was stunned when I popped Yanni's new CD, Yanni Voices in the stereo for the first time. It was nothing like I had expected. The music is breathtaking, relaxing and invigorating at the same time. There is life in this music.

***

"The recording of a piece of music is like a still photograph of the ocean.It's like looking at it frozen in time. Music is not like that. In real life, music is liquid. It's forever changing, forever evolving." ~Yanni

***

Yanni Voices is his first studio album in 6 years, and his first album to prominently feature lyrics and vocals in his classic compositions. He assembled a talented group of vocalists to come together in this CD--Nathan Pacheco, Chloe, Ender Thomas, and Leslie Mills. Each one is talented, and I don't think I can pick a favorite voice.

For the first time in five years, Yanni is returning to the stage in April to launch an incredible world tour featuring 50+stops throughout the US including Orlando, Atlanta, Philadelphia, New York City, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Dallas, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and more!

Performances by Yanni, his world-renowned orchestra, and the four new talents from YANNI VOICES promise an AMAZING SHOW! Get your tickets now!

Thanks to One2One Network for the opportunity to try out this great music from Yanni!

It's Hip Hop, Baby!

Recently, we received a brand new DVD called It's Hip Hop Baby!: Rockin' Dance Party!. Visit their website, It'sHipHopBaby.com and see what people are saying about this fun and energetic new DVD series for kids.

It's Hip Hop Baby! is a new children's DVD series for ages 2 to 6. These videos educate toddlers and preschoolers with fun child-friendly hip hop music. Children and even babies will want to move and groove and dance to the fun rhythms and beats in this educational DVD. There are several learning tools to help children of all ages and ethnic backgrounds learn key developmental concepts at an early age.

Here's the deal. When I played it at my house the interest was kind of so-so. I wasn't sure what I would say about it in the review. Could it be that AJ has never heard hip hop music and simply prefers the sound of Mamma Mia or the Dixie Chicks? Or maybe it has something to do with the fact that he's the youngest of 5 kids and has gotten accustomed to watching a more sophisticated kind of movie?

I decided to try the DVD out on my niece, who is 2 1/2 years old.

What a difference! She did not want the DVD to end! She was instantly hooked on the screen and even tried singing along with the music first time around. Here's a picture of the kids watching the video. NO joke!

So, the point is that everyone (even kids) have preferences. This was a hit with my 2 1/2 year old niece but just so-so with my 3 1/2 year old AJ. I'd say, check out the website and see what you think! It's available on Amazon.com right now for a GREAT price (only $7.99 new!). There are several fun topics in the series. Which one would your kids prefer?

How To Mess Up Your Child's Life (Giveaway!)

Let's face it. Being a parent is tough work. Olivia and Kurt Bruner have taken a great approach to this difficult job: Instead of working hard everyday and failing at this whole parenting thing, they recommend changing your perspective and aim for raising lazy, messed-up children. You've got to read this book! It's a hoot!

How to Mess Up Your Child's Life: Proven Strategies & Practical Tips.

Each chapter in this book focuses on a different habit (seven habits of highly DEFECTIVE people) that will slowly but surely dissolve a child's character and form them into unhappy and unproductive adults. What more could we hope for for our kids?

Here are a few quick tips:
*Feed an enormous ego by always rescuing children from failure
*Encourage deep-seated discontentment by modeling resentment for what others have
*Kindle an expressive temper by showing children how to get even when they've been offended
*Develop a keen sense of greed by giving kids everything they want
*Inspire laziness by doing the children's chores yourself

Of course, parents don't really want their children to fail, but how many of us do these things that are leading our children down the wrong road? The Bruners' message really hit home with me. I try my best, but there were a few of the deadly traps that I recognized in my own habits at home.

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What about you? What are your biggest challenges as a parent? Tell me one of your best parenting tips (or something NOT to do!) for a chance to win a copy of this great book! I've got 5 copies to give away! (US/Canda residents only. No POBoxes, please). This giveaway will end next Thursday, April 9 at 10:00 pm. Winners will have 48 hours to contact me with their address info.

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If you'd like extra chances to win, you can do any of the following:
~Follow me here or on Life is Sweet
~Post my button on your blog or add me to your blog roll
~Fave me on technorati or stumble a post
~Tweet about this giveaway! (you can do this once a day)
~Add me to your blogroll
~Blog about this giveaway with a link back to this post (5 entries!)

Good luck! :)

Freshwater Pearl Bracelet Giveaway!

*CONTEST CLOSED*
Do you know your cholesterol number? High cholesterol is one of the major controllable factors for coronary heart disease, which is the number one cause of death for women. A recent study conducted by Harris Interactive for Cheerios found that more than one-third of adults (37 percent) have not had their cholesterol checked within the past year.*

Those with limited access to adequate healthcare may not get regular cholesterol screenings and thus are at an even greater risk for heart disease.

Wondering how you can help? Now through January 31, 2010, for every code entered at www.cheerioshelpinghearts.com, Cheerios will donate $1, up to $200,000, to raise awareness for heart disease and provide free cholesterol screenings for women in need, through its partnership with WomenHeart. Codes will be featured inside specially marked boxes of Cheerios cereal.

My kids are crazy about Cheerios. And like many other things, they have their own special way of eating them. After filling their bowl high with cheerios and milk, they sprinkle it with cinnamon. A new trend? Maybe. Maybe not. ;)

I was excited to be able to spread the word about this great program, not only because I love Cheerios, but because of the fabulous giveaway involved!

Cheerios sent me a fabulous freshwater pearl bracelet with silver charm a few weeks ago. I was immediately struck by the quality of the bracelet. KitKat, my 12 year old, noticed too, and tried really hard to get me to agree to give it to her. Too bad she can't enter the contest here, because I get to give away THREE of these bracelets! Now you can show your dedication to raising awareness of women's heart health by wearing one of these bracelets, too.

Here's what you can do to win one of these bracelets: Visit Cheerios Helping Hearts and let me know one thing that you have learned about the importance of maintaining a healthy heart, or what YOU do to keep your heart healthy. You can also share something you like about the Cheerios Helping Hearts campaign.

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For extra entries, do any or all of the following:
~Tweet about this contest (you may do this once per day). Please leave my the link to your tweet
~Follow me here or on my main blog, Life is Sweet (do both for 2 entries!)
~Post my button on your blog
~Add either of my blogs to your blogroll
~Fave me on technorati, stumble a post, etc. Leave me your user name
~Blog about this contest

Be sure to leave me your email so I can contact you. This giveaway will end on Wednesday, April 8 at 10:00 pm. 3 winners will be announced soon after, and will have 48 hours to contact me with their info. Good luck!