Spooky Smencils Twitter Contest!

Smencils now has awesome SPOOKY SMENCILS! (My faveorite scent is Trick or Treat, in case you were wondering). They have now created a contest where you can win a 50 count bucket of the new Spooky Smencils. Contest ends October 15th. Check the video out below for more details!

(James may or may not be Scooter the pumpkin head {wink wink})

mini top hats

If you haven't been able to tell already, I LOVE mini top hats! I even wore one in our family photo shoot (see pics above)
I have been holding on to these cute little top hats for over a year, trying to find the time to actually decorate them. Well, the other night James took over Chloe duty so that I can have an hour of crafting. He is so kind! I didn't have time to go to the store to get some supplies of what I was thinking of, so I had to create them with what I had on hand. I must say, I am pretty proud of myself.

I am going to wear the one with the yellow butterflies and red feathers for part of my Halloween costume. (preview to come soon!) I think I might even make some more to start my Etsy shop back up again. and I might even put them in my She Said Shop. Oh... and if enough people like them, then I MIGHT end up doing a giveaway with one of them...

Well, what do you think?

My Memories Suite Digital Scrapbook (& GIVEAWAY!)

I have heard of digital scrap booking before, but have never experienced it until late. 

There is this company called My Memories that offer easy to use digital scrapbooks. If you are a scrapbooker like me, you understand that scrap booking takes time and attention to detail, something I have not been able to put toward my scrapbooks ever since I have had my little one. I downloaded the My Memories Suite software to my computer and was able to create a scrapbook within minutes! This is definitely going to help me with my goal to finish Chloe's first year scrapbook before the end of 2011.

This  digital scrapbooking software was extremely easy and simple to use. It came with step by step instructions on how to create a scrapbook. You can create your own from scratch, or you can use one of their already made templates. the My Memories website also has tons of FREE digital downloads for you to choose from. Or you can purchase downloadable scrabooking kits and pre-made templates for as little as a dollar (and sometimes less if they are on sale). The cool thing is that the software is directly linked to the internet so I could see what free templates were offered while working on the pages in my software program. Another reason this is so neat is it allows for video and music as well. You can even get your book printed or print it at home.

For those of you who are not as crafty or lack the creativity to create a scrapbook, I would suggest purchasing some pre-made pages (or get some free ones) and put them together OR you can visit My Memories YouTube page for ideas and inspiration (You know I LOVE YouTube how tos).

Here is a pre made template called "Exhale Quickpage 4" that I purchase for 99 cents.

 THE BEST PART:

My Memories will be giving away one My Memories Suite Version 2.0 digital scrapbooking software

(a $39.97 value) to one of my readers for free. 

How to enter: 

Mandatory entry:

go to the My Memories site and choose your favorite digital paper pack or layout, then comment below  which ones you chose.

 

Extra entries: (please put a separate comment for each entry)

1. Follow the My Memories Blog
2. Like My Memories on Facebook
3. Follow My Memories on Twitter

4. Facebook or Tweet about this contest and comment below with a direct link

So there you have it, 5 ways you can enter and 5 chances to win!!! 

Contest will end on Friday (9/23/11) and winner will be picked at random.

I was not compensated for this review other than the free software and a $10 credit to the My Memories website store to do my review on. Thanks to My Memories for giving me the chance to try these out. The opinions are mine and mine alone and was not influenced by My Memories company.

my first run at cake pops

I finally had some time to try out my new cake pops maker. I decided to make a cake pop "bouquet" for my sisters birthday on Saturday (realizing how old my youngest sister is getting makes me feel REALLY old. haha).  The process was actually really fast and pretty easy.

I started with a box of Funfetti cake mix, since that is my sisters favorite. I used "creamy supreme" Pillsbury vanilla flavored frosting and I used wooden flat popsicle sticks instead of the traditional white lollipop ones. 

 The cake pops maker by BABYCAKES was SUPER EASY to use. It heated up within a matter of minutes! It was compact enough that I still had plenty of workspace in my kitchen. The instructions were simple, just plug it in and wait for the green ready light to come on.

 The cake pops maker has room to make 12 pops at a time.

 You just fill each compartment, close the lid and wait 6 minutes.I put the cake batter into a plastic bag and cut the tip for more precise pouring.

Then at 6 minutes, open up the lid and voila. they are done. The cake mix made about 6 dozen cake pops. (we didn't even frosting them all and are now snacking on mini bald cupcakes)

Then pop them out with the pronged fork that comes with the maker and sit them on the cooling tray that is also provided. 

Once cooled, put the sticks in and stick them in the freezer for 15 minutes. 

 Instead of candy melts (usually used for these) I went with the vanilla frosting we already had in our cupboard.   We microwaved the frosting about 15 seconds to make it easier for dipping.

 Then just shake on some sprinkles and your good to go.

 

   Since this was my first time there are definitely some things I would improve on for the next time. I think candy melts would help since the frosting didn't "dry" that fast and the frosting would still drip off after a while. I also would make sure to get a foam block to put the pops in while the frosting dries. I ended up using the foam pieces that came in the shipping box of the cake pops maker. I also would try using the cute little white lollipop sticks since it makes for better presentation.