Halloween Tags Made With Cricut Explore

Disclosure: I received product at no charge in exchange for my honest review.

Over a decade ago, I began making scrapbooks and Cricut was a well-known name back then. As a leader in the crafting industry, they are constantly creating amazing products that make scrapbooking, card making, and paper crafting more fun, more progressive, and more intricate.

I just received the Cricut Explore, a design and cut system that completely trumps every other paper crafting tool I've ever used. There is so much this machine can do that it's almost intimidating, but the Cricut Explore is actually really easy to use. I am a visual learner, so I found their YouTube videos most helpful!

This electronic cutting machine, combined with their online design software, helps me create amazing DIY projects that go far beyond scrapbooking. They offer hundreds of ready-made projects, a library of over 50,000 images, plus I can upload any image of my own that I want to use. I can also completely create a design from scratch on their software.

It's wide enough to accommodate 12x12 paper on the Cricut mat that slides through the Cricut Explore. It features a multi-layer creation system where each layer of a project is cut from different color papers, then assembled for a finished project. For example, I can create an orange jack-o-lantern with a brown stem, green leaf, black mouth, and yellow eyes; then the Cricut Explore cuts each component on different sheets of colored paper and I just assemble the finished design!

The Cricut Explore also has the ability to cut and write in one step. The inner cartridge holds a blade on the right hand side and can hold a marker on the left hand side. Their design program allows me to tell the Cricut Explore what I want it to do. It can even cut a box and score fold lines. I'm only just beginning to grasp everything it can do, but I'm having so much fun!

My very first project was Halloween Tags for a candy display I'm putting together. Using the Cricut Design Space, I used their free images from their library to create six tags with Halloween images on them. I can easily edit, resize, and even add my own text if I want in their Design Space. Then with a click of my mouse, I printed it on my printer, and set it on the Cricut cutting mat.

The Cricut Explore cut every single one of my images perfectly and quickly. The cutting mat is slightly sticky so that it can hold the paper. The Cricut Explore can cut more than just paper! It can cut vinyl, stickers, cardstock, iron-on, fabric, leather, poster board, and much more. I am just blown away by all that it can do!

Cricut also offers tons of great tools that help me create and I love this flat one that helps me easily remove my cut cardstock from the cutting mat. To make my Halloween tags, I next made a tiny hole in the top of each tag and strung embroidery thread through the holes. I tied each one around different sizes of mason jars to create my display. I can fill them with candy or even use them to serve drinks at a party! Check out my Halloween Candy Display!

Visit www.cricut.com today and see how easily you can create one-of-a-kind projects of all kinds. I am so thrilled with my Cricut Explore and promise to share more of my projects as I create them! Be sure to follow all their social media accounts for great crafting ideas, tutorials, and more.

www.cricut.com

on Facebook ~~ on Twitter ~~ on Pinterest

on YouTube ~~ on Instagram ~~ Cricut blog

CLICK HERE to enter to win a Cricut Explore!

Peanut Hottie - Hot Peanut Butter Drink - Review

Disclosure: I received product at no charge in exchange for my honest review.

Who loves peanut butter? I sure do! I can't believe no one has ever thought of a hot peanut butter drink before! Most of us really enjoy hot coffee and hot chocolate, but Peanut Hottie is truly a special treat. It's made similarly to hot chocolate in that it comes in a powdered form. Just fill a mug full of boiling hot water and scoop in some Peanut Hottie. Stir it well and then melt into the heavenly deliciousness!

Peanut Hottie also comes in a Peanut Butter and Chocolate flavor! It's made with real peanuts with no artificial additives and no artificial colors. At under 100 calories per cup and no caffeine, it's a guilt-free treat. Even vegetarians can enjoy Peanut Hottie! It's the perfect hot drink as we head into autumn.

Visit www.peanuthottie.com for more information and for some delicious recipe ideas too! You can also follow them on Facebook and Twitter. I love Peanut Hottie!

zpizza Pop-Up City Tour Free Pizza Event #Austin

Disclosure: I received product at no charge in exchange for my honest review.

You can taste zpizza's new creations made with fresh ingredients at the free Pop-Up City Tour pizza event on Saturday, October 18 from 1-3 p.m. at zpizza’s Austin locations. I've tried many of their menu items and all of their pizzas, breads, and salads are simply fabulous! The Tuscan Italian Sausage Pizza was our favorite.

zpizza, the first artisan-inspired pizza chain specializing in artisan brick oven baked pizzas, is sharing its love for fresh ingredients and gourmet pizza nationwide with its national Pop-Up City Tour. As part of the tour, zpizza is hosting a series of free sampling events nationwide so pizza enthusiasts, health-conscious consumers, and gourmet palates alike can experience its new and unreleased fresh creations that are being considered as future menu offerings.

zpizza’s Pop-Up City Tour is traveling to select cities nationwide, including Alexandria, VA, Austin, TX, Los Angeles, CA, Phoenix, AZ, Raleigh, NC, Rochester, MN, Sacramento, CA, and Washington, DC. Learn more about the complete tour schedule on zpizza’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/zpizza.

Don't miss the Limited Time Only fall menu items, coming September 23, inspired by some of fall’s most delectable ingredients. The Sausage, Wild Mushroom, Squash Pizza boasts housemade roasted garlic sauce and award-winning mozzarella topped with fennel sausage, cremini, shiitake and button mushrooms, zucchini, yellow squash and creamy feta. A pinch of sea salt, milled pepper and fresh thyme complete this mouth-watering, savory choice. Want lighter indulgence? zpizza’s Chopped Kale Salad mixes seasonal apples, roasted red onions, feta and housemade lemon vinaigrette atop a bed of crisp kale.

Don't miss this event!

Visit www.zpizza.com

for more information!

Giveaway! Holiday Gifts Flavored with Meaning #giftcatalog #worldvision

Disclosure: I received product at no charge in exchange for my honest review.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if every gift we gave this holiday season also blessed someone else? World Vision gives us that opportunity. More than 250 items, starting at just $10, are available in their online gift catalog and in their print catalog to help improve quality of life for women, children, and families in the United States and around the world.

This Fair-Trade Coffee Set is blended by onecup.org and comes with 12oz of whole bean award-winning coffee beans from three international locations, a beautiful handstitched African fabric gift bag, and a gorgeous wooden coffee scoop. As a coffee-lover, I can attest that this is a wonderfully flavored coffee!

World Vision also offers many other delectable gifts that will bless the recipient and the artist, like the Prosperity Cinnamon gift that includes 3oz of cinnamon in a carved bark box and the set of two hand-carved Olivewood Serving Spoons in a handsewn African gift bag.

Visit www.worldvisiongifts.org to see their gifts ranging from $10 to $39,000 and find something that speaks to your heart. Follow them on Facebook and Twitter, then enter below to win the World Vision Fair-Trade Coffee Gift Set for yourself or someone you love!

Enter to win!

To enter, just fill in the Rafflecopter form below. You must be a US resident ages 18 and up. Only one entry is mandatory to enter; bonus entries increase your chance to win. Giveaway ends at midnight on 10/15/2014. Good luck!

Enter my other giveaways HERE.

Bloggers Wanted - Winter Wonderland Giveaway Hop (Dec 10-20)

Join us for the "Winter Wonderland" Hop Event

Hosted by LeahSay's Views and Planet Weidknecht

December 10th - 20th, 2014

By adding your blog link below, you agree to:

Post your own dedicated giveaway for this event, from December 10, 2014, at 12:01 a.m. until December 20, 2014, at 11:59 p.m.

Giveaway may be company-sponsored or self-sponsored.

Giveaway prize must be worth at least $25.00.

Blogs without giveaways posted by 10:00 a.m. on December 10th, will be removed from the linky list. Signups close on December 8th. 

You aren't required to post in advance of the giveaway hop, but if you'd like to add the button to your sidebar, please link back to this post so that others may join in too.

Please also join the Weidknecht Events Facebook Group at:

http://www.facebook.com/groups/WeidknechtEvents/

Your giveaway post (on December 10th) must include:

Winter Wonderland Giveaway Hop button.

Links to the hosts: LeahSay's Views (http://leahsaysviews.com/) 

and Planet Weidknecht (http://www.weidknecht.com).

Embed proved linky list of all participating bloggers.

Your giveaway and contest form.

HTML will be provided at least one day before the hop begins, both by email and post in the Weidknecht Events Facebook Group. Questions can be directed to [email protected]

Bloggers Wanted - Winter Wonderland Giveaway Hop (Dec 10-20) http://t.co/RdKz3n2veW

— Lisa Weidknecht MAEd (@Weidknecht) November 4, 2014

Thank You For Sharing and Signing Up!

Healthy & Delicious Harvest Snaps - Review and Giveaway

Disclosure: I received product at no charge in exchange for my honest review.

Having challenges getting your kids to eat their vegetables? How about you...are you eating enough vegetables? I know I can always use more! These deliciously crunchy Harvest Snaps are the perfect way to snack on peas and lentils, and you'll never even taste the veggies!

They are available in a wide variety of flavors. The Snapea Crisps come in Caesar, Lightly Salted, Black Pepper, and Wasabi Ranch. The Lentil Snaps come in Tomato Basil and Onion Thyme. I love the zesty flavors and these healthy snacks are full of goodness.

Harvest Snaps are baked, not fried. They have less fat and sodium than many other snacks. They're also gluten-free and non-GMO (and grown by North American farmers). Harvest Snaps are packed with Vitamin B, calcium, iron, folate, potassium, protein, and dietary fiber.

Check out Harvest Snaps healthy, delicious snacks at www.harvestsnaps.com. Be sure to enter below to win six bags of assorted Snapea Crisps and Lentil Snaps!

THREE WILL WIN!!!
To enter, just fill in the Rafflecopter form below. You must be a US resident ages 18 and up. Giveaway ends at midnight on 10/8/2014. Only one entry is mandatory to enter, but completing more entries will give you a greater chance to win. Good luck!

Enter my other giveaways HERE.

Bloggers Wanted - Fall Harvest Giveaway Hop (October 15-25)

Join us for the Fall Harvest Hop Event

Hosted by LeahSay's Views and Planet Weidknecht

October 15th - 25th, 2014

By adding your blog link below, you agree to:

Post your own dedicated giveaway for this event, from October 15, 2014, at 12:01a.m. until October 25, 2014, at 11:59p.m.

Giveaway may be company-sponsored or self-sponsored.

Giveaway prize must be worth at least $25.00.

Blogs without giveaways posted by 10:00 a.m. on October 15th will be removed from the linky list.

Signups close on October 13th.

You aren't required to post in advance of the giveaway hop, but if you'd like to add the button to your sidebar, please link back to this post so that others may join in too.

Please also join the Weidknecht Events Facebook Group at:

http://www.facebook.com/groups/WeidknechtEvents/

Your giveaway post (on October 15th) must include:

"Fall Harvest" Giveaway Hop Button.

Links to the hosts: LeahSay's Views (http://leahsaysviews.com/) & Planet Weidknecht (http://www.weidknecht.com).

Embed proved linky list of all participating bloggers.

Your giveaway and contest form.

HTML will be provided at least one day before the hop begins, both by email and post in the Weidknecht Events Facebook Group. 

Questions can be directed to [email protected]

 

Thank You For Sharing!

Bloggers Wanted - Round Em Up Giveaway Hop (November 12-22)

Join us for the "Round Em Up" Hop Event

Hosted by LeahSay's Views and Planet Weidknecht

November 12th - 22nd, 2014

By adding your blog link below, you agree to:

Post your own dedicated giveaway for this event, from November 12, 2014, at 12:01 a.m. until November 22, 2014, at 11:59 p.m.

Giveaway may be company-sponsored or self-sponsored.

Giveaway prize must be worth at least $25.00.

Blogs without giveaways posted by 10:00 a.m. on November 12th, will be removed from the linky list.

Signups close on November 10.

You aren't required to post in advance of the giveaway hop, but if you'd like to add the button to your sidebar, please link back to this post so that others may join in too.

Please also join the Weidknecht Events Facebook Group at:

http://www.facebook.com/groups/WeidknechtEvents/

Your giveaway post (on Nov 12) must include:

Round Em Up Hop button.

Links to the hosts: LeahSay's Views (http://leahsaysviews.com/) and 

Planet Weidknecht (http://www.weidknecht.com).

Embed provided linky list of all participating bloggers.

Your giveaway and contest form.

HTML will be provided at least one day before the hop begins, both by email and post in the Weidknecht Events Facebook Group. 

Questions can be directed to [email protected]

Bloggers Wanted - Round Em Up Giveaway Hop (November 12-22) http://t.co/keywox638h

— Lisa Weidknecht MAEd (@Weidknecht) November 4, 2014

Thank You For Sharing and Signing Up!

DenadaDenada Cooking Gift Set - Review

Disclosure: I received product at no charge in exchange for my honest review. Affiliate links.

Over the years, I've come to love using silicone cooking utensils in the kitchen. They don't scratch up my pans the way a metal utensil can and they don't melt under heat like a plastic utensil can. This colorful DenadaDenada Cooking Gift Set is a wonderful collection of cooking tools for chefs of all ages. It includes a spatula, a spoonola, a brush, and a whisk.

I love the combination of red, green and yellow because it brings a real pop of color into my kitchen. The tools are full-size, from 8.2" to 10.5", and the handles are slim, so even a young child will feel comfortable cooking with mom or dad in the kitchen. I have used these over and over again and they still look brand new. I love these tools!

The DenadaDenada Cooking Gift Set is BPA-free and comes with a lifetime 100% satisfaction guarantee. All four pieces are dishwasher safe too. Know anyone who cooks? This would be a fabulous gift at an affordable price. Grab your new cooking set at Amazon today!

Reveal: New York Fashion Week PINCHme Box

Disclosure: I received product at no charge in exchange for my honest review.

Do you LOVE free samples? I sure do! Check out this fabulous New York Fashion Week Box I just got from PINCHme! It's packed full of awesome stuff and you can get great stuff too. Just hop on over to www.pinchme.com and sign up right now! You can even choose which samples you receive!

Ready for the reveal? This New York Fashion Week PINCHme Box included a super soft tee-shirt decorated with beautiful colors, a tasty guilt-free bag of non-GMO Skinny Pop Popcorn, an indulgent Skinny Cow Chocolate Raspberry Heavenly Crisp Candy Bar, and a Bobble water bottle that has a filter built right into the top!

To help me rock my gorgeousness, the box also featured a Revlon by Marchesa File 'N Peel 6-in-1, a tube of Roc Retinol Correxion Eye Cream, and four tubes of vbeaute: the everyday creme, the gentle foaming cleanser, the nourishing repair night creme, and the anti-wrinkle protecting serum. Plus, there was a Real Techniques expert face brush and a lucious No7 High Shine Lip Crayon from The Boots Company.

One of my favorite items is the Ecotools Pure Complexion Facial Scrub made with vegetable fiber and bamboo charcoal! I am having so much fun trying all these health and beauty samples. I also got a nourishing Sleep Spa pure oils bamboo mask, a super-trendy Kleenex travel pack, and the new blister-healing Band-Aids.

This amazing box also included a flip-top portable bottle of 48 servings of Pure Via Stevia Sweetener, a Tom's of Maine Wild Lavender Deodorant, and a 12 fl. oz bottle of Essenza Luxury hand soap in Rosemary Mint. I'm amazed at how many full-size products are in this sample box. Don't miss your chance to score something wonderful new to try. Visit www.PINCHme.com and sign up!

Giveaway Linkup! Wednesday Wealth (Sept 24-30)

Rug Pad Corner Ultra Premium Non-Slip Pad - Review

Disclosure: I received product at no charge in exchange for my honest review.

Throwing an area rug on a bare floor can be dangerous for several reasons. First, an area rug may be constructed with glues or chemicals that can discolor your wood or laminate. Second, an area rug without a rug pad is often a slipping hazard that could cause someone to fall and be injured.

Rug Pad Corner offers a huge selection of rug pads that will provide you and your floors safety and comfort. I recently purchased a new area rug for the family room in my new home and didn't even bother to unroll it until my Ultra Premium Non-Slip Rug Pad arrived. Rug Pad Corner shipped quickly and my rug pad was packaged well in heavy plastic to protect it during shipping.

The Ultra Premium rug pad is safe for my laminate floors because it's made without the use of any chemicals, glue or adhesive, as are all of the rug pads at Rug Pad Corner. It's also safe for hardwood floors and even heated floors, so if we upgrade, I can use it on any type of flooring. I was delighted that it didn't smell funny when it came out of the packaging.

Their online Rug Pad Wiz helped me find just the right rug pad for my home. Rug Pad Corner will cut the rug pad (or not if you prefer uncut) to the exact size of your area rug or slightly smaller (which is what I selected). We rolled out the rug pad with the rubbery non-slip side down and the rough material side up. Then we rolled out our new area rug on top. The rug pad was actually better shaped than the area rug and we had to stretch and push on the area rug to make it lay flat, but the rough side on the rug pad gripped well onto the area rug and held it in place.

My family room is now the most luxurious spot in the house. I love walking across it in my bare feet because it's nice and cushiony (and safe!). Rug Pad Corner definitely earned my hearty recommendation! I truly appreciate that they also donate a portion of every sale to a charity of your choice.

Visit www.rugpadcorner.com today and order your rug pads!
Use this special discount code REVIEW15 to save yourself 15% off your entire order!

Bloggers Wanted - Merry Christmas Giveaway Hop (Nov 28-Dec 8)

Join us for the Merry Christmas Giveaway Hop

hosted by Planet Weidknecht

and LeahSay's Views

from November 28-December 8, 2014

By adding your blog link below, you agree to:
Post your own dedicated giveaway for this event, from November 28, 2014 at 12:01a.m. until December 8, 2014 at 11:59p.m. Giveaway may be company-sponsored or self-sponsored. Giveaway prize must be family-friendly and worth at least $25.00. Blogs without giveaways posted by 10:00a.m. on November 28 will be removed from the linky list. Signups close on November 25.

You aren't required to post in advance of the giveaway hop, but if you'd like to add the button to your sidebar, please link it to this post so that others may join in too.

Please also join the Weidknecht Events Facebook Group at:
http://www.facebook.com/groups/WeidknechtEvents/

Your giveaway post (on November 28) must include:
Merry Christmas Giveaway Hop button
Links to the hosts: Planet Weidknecht (http://www.weidknecht.com)
and LeahSay's Views (http://leahsaysviews.com/)
Provided linky list of all participating bloggers
Your giveaway and contest form

HTML will be provided at least one day before the hop begins, both by email and post in the Weidknecht Events Facebook Group.
Questions can be directed to [email protected].

Bloggers Wanted - Merry Christmas Giveaway Hop (Nov 28-Dec 8) http://t.co/yHuTCE5uAU

— Lisa Weidknecht MAEd (@Weidknecht) November 4, 2014

Bloggers Wanted - Happy Harvest Giveaway Hop November 1-10

Join us for the Happy Harvest Giveaway Hop

hosted by Planet Weidknecht

and LeahSay's Views

from November 1-10, 2014

By adding your blog link below, you agree to:
Post your own dedicated giveaway for this event, from November 1, 2014 at 12:01a.m. until November 10, 2014 at 11:59p.m. Giveaway may be company-sponsored or self-sponsored. Giveaway prize must be family-friendly and worth at least $25.00. Blogs without giveaways posted by 10:00a.m. on November 1 will be removed from the linky list. Signups close on October 29.

You aren't required to post in advance of the giveaway hop, but if you'd like to add the button to your sidebar, please link it to this post so that others may join in too.

Please also join the Weidknecht Events Facebook Group at:
http://www.facebook.com/groups/WeidknechtEvents/

Your giveaway post (on November 1) must include:
Happy Harvest Giveaway Hop button
Links to the hosts: Planet Weidknecht (http://www.weidknecht.com)
and LeahSay's Views (http://leahsaysviews.com/)
Provided linky list of all participating bloggers
Your giveaway and contest form

HTML will be provided at least one day before the hop begins, both by email and post in the Weidknecht Events Facebook Group.
Questions can be directed to [email protected].

Giveaway! The Dog Did What? Chicken Soup for the Soul

Disclosure: I received product at no charge in exchange for my honest review.

Having a dog truly enriches my life. Buddy brings a sense of joy to our family. He often makes us laugh with the funny things he does. I read somewhere once that when a dog looks at their owners with love, their brain emits the same chemicals that a human's brain does when they feel love. Isn't that amazing? Chicken Soup for the Soul has released "The Dog Did What?" and it's a great read. It's full of wonderful stories about the many ways that dogs enrich our lives. Dogs are more than companions and they are often angels in disguise. I really loved the stories about how dogs helped to save and heal humans. I laughed aloud at the chapter "Bad Dog" and I'm fortunate that Buddy has always been a very good dog. Since Buddy is a rescue dog himself, I love that the royalties from the book support the American Humane Society. When we rescued Buddy ten years ago, he was starved for food and attention. His skittish behavior told us he'd also been mistreated. When we walked him out to our truck to go home, he hopped up in the front seat without any urging and sat regally like it was where he belonged. He is my constant companion and shadows everything I do. I often wonder if he was the one who rescued me, and was delighted to see that this book had a chapter "Who Rescued Who?" Yes, I shed a few tears as I read through that chapter (okay, throughout the book). You're going to love this book as much as I did!

Enter to win!
One lucky winner will receive this heartwarming book, "Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Dog Did What?" The giveaway is open to US readers ages 18 and up. To enter, just fill in the Rafflecopter form below. Only one entry is required to enter, but extra entries increase your chance to win. Giveaway ends at midnight on 10/8/2014. Good luck!

Enter my other giveaways HERE.

Giveaway! Hemstitched Sheet Set - Brylane Home - Pumpkin Party Giveaway Hop

Welcome to the

Pumpkin Party Giveaway Hop

Hosted by Planet Weidknecht

and LeahSay's Views

September 23 - October 8

Visit each of the participating blogs listed below

and enter to win prizes valued at $25 or more!

My prize is:
600-Thread-Count Hemstitched Sheet Set
(value $139.99)
from BrylaneHome

Now that autumn's cooler weather has arrived, there is nothing I love more than snuggling up in my bed. A high quality sheet set makes a huge difference in the quality of sleep. These beautiful Hemstitched Sheets from BrylaneHome are 600-thread-count sheets. I love a high thread count because the sheets feel so much softer on my skin! The hemstitching on these sheets give them a beautiful classic and clean look. I chose a set of queen size in the rich mocha color, but the winner of this amazing sheet set can choose from any available size and color, including ivory, butter, spice, mocha, teal, mauve, or sage. Go read my review HERE. Bring some luxury into your sleep with BrylaneHome's 600TC Hemstitched Sheet Sets!

www.brylanehome.com

on Facebook ~~~ on Twitter

on Pinterest ~~~ on YouTube

Enter to win!

For your chance to win, just fill out the Rafflecopter form below. You must be a US resident, at least 18 years old. Only the first entry is mandatory; but bonus entries will increase your chance to win this luxurious 600TC Hemstitched Sheet Set in your choice of available colors and sizes. Giveaway ends at midnight on 10/8/2014. Good luck!

You can check out my other giveaways here!