I’m not myself as of late.  I suspect some of you have noticed.

I don’t want you to worry.

I don’t want you to feel sorry for me.

It’s life.

We all have crap.  Some people have health crap.  Some people have job crap.  Some people have family crap.  No one’s crap is any better or any worse than anyone else’s crap…it’s just different crap.

I’ve been doing a lot of thinking…reflecting, even.  I went back and read over my resolutions for the year:

I want to visit Omaha. Done.  I have the check stub for BC’s $150 speeding ticket in Wyoming as proof.
I want to say NO more often.  This one is still a work in progress.
I want to say YES more often. This was in reference to my kids.  I need to ask them about this.
I want to yell less and laugh more. Epic fail.
I want to DO more and worry less. Fail.
I want to take more naps. I think I’ve done OK on this one.
And, I want to stop buying diapers for the first time since 2000. I don’t dare say it aloud, but we haven’t used a diaper since last Wednesday.  Could this be the end of an era???

Yeah…I did it again.  I posted a picture of a kid on the toilet.  The comments and emails telling me I was a horrible parent who better start saving for therapy last time obviously had no effect on my cold shriveled heart.  So, don’t waste your energy this time. 

I’ve let people down.  I’ve said I’d do things for people when I really should have said no.

I’m sorry.

I’m monumentally behind on emails.

I’m sorry.

The reality is that something’s gotta give.

I’m working on it.

I’m not sure what the point of this post is, but I feel like I owe you all an explanation for the lack of creative awesomeness going on ‘round these parts.

And, I wanted to reiterate what I posted on Facebook on Thanksgiving:

I’m grateful for all the usuals (family, friends, health, Diet Coke), but I’m also thankful for YOU. Blogging has introduced me to so, so, SO many people that I needed in my life. Some make me laugh until I can’t breathe. Some inspire with kind words in an email on days I’m ready to throw in the towel. Some make me want to be better and do more. Thank you for touching my life.

XOXOXO

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The winner of Fresh Fabric Treats is Joan.

The winner of 101 Tees is Camiele.

And the winner of the Silhouette Cameo is Holly.

Check your email (spam too) and respond within 48 hours to claim your prize.

Speaking of Silhouette…

The Black Friday deal has been announced:

Want 40% off instead?  Use code “CRAP”.  This means the new starter kits can be yours for $24 instead of $40.  Nice!

Want a deal on a Cameo?  (I’m not sure what it is yet, but I’ve been promised it’s GOOD!) You’ll need the secret link (go ahead and click now if you wanna, there just won’t be anything to buy until Friday) and code “CRAP”.

SECRET CAMEO LINK

The Silhouette Black Friday deals run Friday through Monday.  The Cameo is expected to sell out, so don’t wait if you need one under your tree.  I picked up some replacement blades last year because this sale is the best deal you’ll see all year.  This year? I’ve got fabric inks on my list.

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Confession:  I love the flavor of all things pumpkin, but the smear factor of pumpkin pie is too much for me to handle.

My cousin gave me this recipe many, many years ago (seriously…look what color the previously neon yellow Post-It has turned)

and it’s become a regular part of our Thanksgiving meal.

Pumpkin Pie Cake

Crust:
1 pkg yellow cake mix (reserve 1 cup)
1 egg, beaten
1/2 c butter, melted
Mix together, press in bottom of 9 X 13 greased pan. (I don’t recall ever actually greasing it, but I’m lazy like that.)

Filling:
1lb canned pumpkin
1 c sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 c milk
2 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
Mix together, pour over crust.

Topping:
1 c yellow cake mix
1/2 c sugar
1/4c butter, softened
Crumb together and spread (more like sprinkle) over filling. Bake at 350 for 1 hour.

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If your name is Debra Lee, check your email.  You won Omaha Steaks.  I MUST hear from your within 48 hours.

And, because I’m a giver , here’s a linky list of the other places you can enter to win a Silhouette Cameo.  (My giveaway is here, in case you somehow missed it.)

1. Infarrantly Creative

2. The Idea Room

3.  Crap I’ve Made

4.  Eighteen25

5.  Shanty 2 Chic

6. Ucreate

7. I Heart Naptime

8. Our Best Bites

9. Prudent Baby

10. Little Miss Momma

11. Make It and Love It

12. Skip to my Lou

13.  Kara’s Party Ideas

14.  Craftaholics Anonymous

15. Tip Junkie

16. I Heart Organizing

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The winners of 6 yards of fabric courtesy of Mark Cesarik and Free Spirit are:

Nique
Susan
Bridgit
Hueisei

If one of those is your name, go check your email (including the spam folder).  You have 48 hours to respond with your mailing address.

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So, I may or may not be at jury duty right now.  I’ve got free crap to keep you entertained whilst I’m dealing with that.  Today I have a copy of 101 Tees by Cathie Fillian.  Tomorrow?  It’ll blow your ever loving mind.  Promise.

This is a super fun book in which Cathie shows you 101 ways to refashion, makeover, and improve your standard boring run of the mill t-shirt.

AND, because everyone can’t be a winner (no matter what your mom told you), I’ve got a fun freebie for EVERYONE.  The nice folks at Lark Books has provided a PDF on how you can make your own “Tattered Chic T”!

Tattered Chic T

Fun, right?

TO ENTER TO WIN THE BOOK:

Leave a comment ON THIS POST (not on Facebook or in response to your email subscription) telling me about your favorite tee.  Where did it come from?  What color is it?  Have you made any “improvements”?

1 entry per person, please.

This book was sent to me by Lark Crafts.  I’m footing the bill for the postage.  Giveaway is open to US residents age 18 and over only and closes Monday, November 21st at 10pm MST. Winner will be chosen at random using a WordPress Plugin (And The Winner Is…) and notified by email. Winner has 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

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So, I may or may not be at jury duty right now.  I’ve got free crap to keep you entertained whilst I’m dealing with that.  Today I don’t have meat, but I do have a signed copy of Fresh Fabric Treats:

My copy was signed by Vanessa Christenson of V & Co (she uses the word “crap” twice), Natalia Bonner of Piece N Quilt and Kimberly Walus of bitty bits & pieces.  It was purchased with my own money for the benefit of my bloggy readers.

TO ENTER:

Leave a comment saying what the last thing you sewed was.

1 entry per person, please.

Giveaway closes Sunday night at 10pm MST and is open to US residents age 18 and over only. Winner will be chosen at random using a WordPress Plugin (And The Winner Is…) and notified by email. Winner has 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

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Are you familiar with Plum District?

Plum District is a deals site by moms and for moms.

The busiest people in the community—moms—are often the most plugged-in. And for them, the Internet is often the best tool to (re)discover what’s in their own backyard. Plum District was created just for them. Plum District connects moms with daily deals and inspirations from businesses in their community, and helps them get the most out of their day—for their families and for themselves.

In addition to fabulous local deals in almost 50 major metropolitan areas (and growing), they offer EVERYWHERE DEALS that can be enjoyed by anyone.  Like today, for example, they’re offering an INSANE deal on Omaha Steaks.

How does $59 for 2 (5 oz.) filet mignons, 2 (4 oz.) boneless pork chops, 4 (4 oz. approx.) boneless chicken breasts, 8 (3 oz.) gourmet franks, 8 potatoes au gratin, and to top it off, 4 Individual NY cheesecakes plus free shipping sound?

Guess what else?  I get to give one of those Omaha Steaks packages ($168.99 retail value) away!  Details/specifics/restrictions on the package I’m giving away are available HERE.

TO ENTER:

Head on over to Plum District.  Have a look around.  Come back and leave a comment on this post telling me what your favorite deal is…THAT’S IT.  Easy peasy, right?  One entry per person, no hoops to jump through.  Hot dog!  (More like 8 of them in your Omaha Steaks pack…ha!)

***********************************************************

If you’re a Salt Lake area local and want to keep up on local deals, you can find Plum District of Salt Lake on Facebook here.

Plum District also has a new  “Give Back” program where Plum District gives 10% back to local non-profits and schools.  You can email my pal Michelle at michelle.peterson@plumdistrict.net if you’re interested.  (We really are pals…we were student body officers together in high school.  I suspect she has A LOT of embarrassing pictures of me.)   If you are on the PTA board and are interested in something like that for your local school or non-profit, Michelle can set you up (even if you’re not in UT).

Giveaway closes Friday, November 18th at 10pm MST.  Winner must have an address that meets the requirements listed in the link above.  Giveaway is open to US residents age 18 and over only. Winner will be chosen at random using a WordPress Plugin (And The Winner Is…) and notified by email. Winner has 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

TOTALLY FORGOT TO MENTION:  You can save 10% on the Omaha Steaks deal by using code “fabulous” at check out.  Go nuts!

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This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Jewelmint for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Confession:  Even when I was not old and fat, I was never much of an accessorizer.  I got my ears pierced for the first time when I was 16.  (My mom told me I had to keep my room clean for 2 weeks, and that was is just not something I’m capable of doing.)  And then once my ears were pierced, I went the “wacky” route…things like rubber rat earrings (which I may have even worn to Homecoming for a laugh).

Obviously accessories are not my strong point.

I’ve been known to show up at my sister’s store and demand that she tell me what to wear.  I’ve also been known to rifle through my 11 year old’s jewelry box in a moment of desperation, and come out with an owl necklace.  I’m 36 years old.  I need help.

Enter Jewelmint.

JewelMint was created by fashion icon Kate Bosworth and Cher Coulter (Hollywood stylist of the year).

What makes JewelMint different from other jewelry sites?

1) Everything is $29.99, shipping included.

2) You get personalized recommendations based on your Style Profile results.

3) If your Style Profile results aren’t quite “you” (like my first batch), you have the option to mark what you don’t like about each piece and get more recommendations.

 
(my first set of recommendations…too fancy and gold for my liking)

 
(my recommendations after a little tweaking)

4) You have a professional stylist giving you new recommendations EVERY month.

Fun, right?  My pal Lara (who accessorizes with the best of them) has several of their pieces and she says the quality is great.  One of my favorite things on the whole site is the Bambina Cameo Ring.  Lara owns it, and she’d better not wear it to lunch with me if she wants to continue owning it. 

I also enjoyed the Dahlia Blossom Ring and the Garden Patch Trio.

Are you interested in trying Jewelmint for yourself?  Use promo code IZJEWEL50 for 50% off your first item for first time Jewelmint buyers – good until 11/30/11!

Here’s to happy accessorizing and never wearing rubber rat earrings ever again!

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Hey there!  I’m checking in for just a second to talk about a couple of things:

1) If your name is Charity, check your email (and spam!) because you could very well be the winner of the Rachael’s Soap giveaway.

2)  If you love fabric, you will for sure want to be here tomorrow morning…especially if you love SIX yards times FOUR different winners.  I KNOW!!!

3) I’ll be guest posting tomorrow over at Positively Splendid as part of her A Swell Noel series.

I’m showing you how to make a faux grain sack pillow.  (Because really…who has a bunch of grain sacks lying around?).  Mine sports a Santa silhouette, but you can use my tutorial to put words, initials, dates, etc on your own version.

Doesn’t that look like it’s part of a vintage coffee/feed sack?  And it’s CHEAP, too (unlike these found grain sack pillow covers at Pottery Barn, which are EIGHTY NINE dollars..yikes!).

4) I have jury duty next week.  Yes, again.  If you’re a long time reader, you’ll remember I had jury duty last December and like 26 months before that as well, so 3 times in barely 3 years.  Woo.  Since I didn’t actually have to go in last December, I’m up again.  I’ll be calling in at 5pm nightly to see if I have to show up the next morning.  Because of that, I’m going to have a week of giveaways for you.  Monday will be a sponsored giveaway and then the rest of the week will be delightful crafty books.  And, one of them is even signed by Vanessa of V & Co (she uses the word “crap” in her message).  It’s the least I can do to keep you all interested whilst I’m off fulfilling my civic duty, right?

5) Just checking if you’re still reading.

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