A RUP LIFE

Mega Swagbuck Friday!

2012-01-27T13:32:00.003-05:00

Today is Mega Swag bucks friday.

Have you signed up for Swagbucks yet?

Swagbucks is a search engine that pays you in swagbucks when you search. Save up your swagbucks for giftcards. My favorite is amazon gift cards because you can store them in your amazon account and when you need to buy something you'll have money to spend. If you start now you could potential earn a lot of swagbucks and help pay for Christmas! What are you waiting for?? It is free and you can earn lots of swag before Christmas!!

Also don't forget to enter the Progresso Soup /Biggest Loser giveaway here! Great giveaway for coupons and a DVD!

Souper You! #WIN

2012-01-17T10:02:00.000-05:00

As the New Year rolls around many of us make changes or resolutions to do better in life. I bet the number one resolution is to lose weight. Well I'm not making that resolution this year. I am resolving to work on my health in general. This should result in weight loss but also better eating and more movement.

Progresso Soup has 40 soups that are 100 calories or less per serving. This is a great addition to help with calorie goals. Who doesn't love a great bowl of soup on a cold day! I know I do!

Here is some other things Progresso has going on:

This year, the Souper You^® Contest will provide three lucky winners with an ultimate makeover experience in Hollywood; this includes a trip for 2 to Los Angeles, California where the winner will receive a head-to-toe makeover including hair and makeup, guided shopping spree with a $1,000 fashion retailer gift card, $1,000 spending money and 2 tickets to this season’s live finale of NBC’s The Biggest Loser
Progresso is asking fans to visit www.SouperYou.com and submit their photo with a brief essay about why they love Progresso soups and why they deserve a makeover, by no later than February 22nd
Fans can check back on March 12th for the announcement of the top ten finalists, and to vote for their favorite finalist until March 25th
In addition, visit http://bit.ly/ProgressoCoup to download a printable coupon for $1.25 off the purchase of four (4) cans of Progresso Soup today, and feel free to share with your blog readers so they can take advantage of the savings as well
Also, tune into The Biggest Loser on NBC Tuesdays at 8/7c

ENTER TO WIN YOUR OWN PRIZE PACK!

One lucky reader will win a prize back including:

(2) VIP Coupons for Progresso Soup
(1) copy of “The Biggest Loser” Workout DVD

Mandatory Entry (please leave a valid email address for each entry):

Leave a comment on this post telling me: Which of the Progresso Soup flavors are you most excited to incorporate into your weight management plan this New Year? (visit: http://bit.ly/ProgressoSoupSite to find flavors)

Additional entries (leave a separate comment for each one)

Become a follower of this blog
Tweet about this entry using #MYBLOGSPARK (can be done daily) ~ be sure to mention Progresso!
Share about this contest on Facebook (can be done daily)

Winner will be notified by email. Contest ends 1/30/12 at 11:59 pm. Winner must email back with proper information with in 48 hours. Contest opened to USA residents only, random.org will be used in selecting winner.

Disclosure: The Progresso^® Souper You^® prize pack, information, coupon, and giveaway have been provided by Progresso through MyBlogSpark.

Happiness is... Peanuts: Friends Forever DVD!

2012-01-10T13:55:00.001-05:00

Warner Home Video released it's latest installment of Peanuts DVDs : Happiness is... Peanuts: Friends Forever. All the gang is back and just in time for Valentine's Day! This DVD features the tv special: Your in Love, Charlie Brown and combines it with an episode of The Charlie Brown and Snoopy Show.

Additional information:

Your in Love, Charlie Brown:
Charlie Brown has hisheart set on meeting the Little Red-Haired Girl on You’re in Love, Charlie Brown,the 1968 Emmy® nominated television special. School is about to let out forsummer but all Charlie Brown can think of is how to meet the Little Red-HairedGirl. All his attempts end in embarrassments. He writes her a love note butwinds up accidentally reading it out loud to his class. When she tries toapproach him during the lunch break, he panics and pulls his lunch bag over hishead. He gets up really early one morning in hopes of catching her at her busstop but winds up falling asleep and misses the bus. Will it be a summer ofheartbreak for Charlie Brown or will he manage to connect with the LittleRed-Haired Girl before school lets out?

Happiness is…Peanuts™: Friends Forever,also includes an episode from The CharlieBrown and Snoopy Show, featuring skits based on Peanuts stripscreated by Charles M. Schulz.

Kite Eating Tree – Charlie Brown visits Lucy’s psychiatry booth for advice on fighting the kite-eating tree.

Sally – Pretending to be a WWI Flying Ace, Snoopy steals Sally’s report for school.

Camp – Charlie Brown is sent home from camp for being a “troublemaker.” Peppermint Patty tells Linus that she cried when she saw him kiss the Little-Red Haired girl.

Lucy Loves Schroeder – Lucy puts Schroeder’s piano in the washer and dryer after she breaks up with him.

Scared Snoopy – Snoopy sees Lucy at her psychiatry booth because he’s been hearing noises at night but later refuses to pay his bill.

Our thoughts:

I don't know if I said this before but my kids really enjoy the Peanuts Gang. They were super excited to receive this and loved the theme of Valentine's Day. Do you watch holiday themed movies with your little ones? We have a few titles for each holiday and they will pull them out when the time of year rolls around. They both were excited about the tv show episodes. Those really crack them up! This DVD is a wonderful addition to your collection and a great choice for the Valentine Season!

This DVD is available at your local stores or on Amazon.com.

Thank you to Warner Home Video Inc, for providing a copy for review. Any opinions expressed are my own. I did not receive any monetary compensation for posting this posting.

Shoprite "Cans For Fans" & Can Can Sale!

2012-01-05T21:57:00.002-05:00

I LOVE Shoprite's Can Can sale!! The jingle is so catchy and the savings so good!! This year Shoprite is doing something wonderful! For every "LIKE" Shoprite gets on Facebook they will donate one can of food to local food banks. Last year they donated 40,000 cans of food for their 40th anniversary. I bet with a little social networking help we can help them top that!! What an easy way to support our communities as well!!

Here are the details:
Can Can Sale has become extra special with the “Cans for Fans” Facebook program, which enables fans to get involved in the fight against hunger. During the 2012 Can Can Sale (1/5 – 1/21), ShopRite will donate one can of food (up to 50,000 cans) to local food banks in the communities it serves, on behalf of every new ShopRite Facebook fan.

You can also visit Shoprite's "Get Can Canned" website to upload a personal photo and become a virtual ShopRite Can Can dancer; the image can be emailed to friends, shared via your personal blog, Facebook or Twitter account, or posted to ShopRite's official Facebook page.

2012 Can Can Sale is from 1/5-1/21 ~ so don't miss out on these great savings!!

Thank you to MyBlogSpark for providing this information. As always any opinions expressed are my own thoughts!

New Frosted Toast Crunch Cereal! #WIN

2011-12-27T10:54:00.000-05:00

Cinnamon Toast Crunch is my favorite cereal! My son Xander and I fight over the box all the time because he loves it too. I was super excited to be able to try their General Mill's newest 'version' Frosted Toast Crunch. This cereal was truly yummy. It has a frosted vanilla coating (artificially flavored) which I really like while it still feels like toast crunch with it's light dusting of cinnamon! I'm sure your family will enjoy it as much as I did!

Additional Information:

Made with Whole Grains
11g of whole grains per serving
9 grams of sugar per serving
Frosted Vanilla with a dash of cinnamon

ENTER TO WIN YOUR OWN PRIZE PACK!

One lucky reader will win a prize back including:

Spilt milk bowl
Lickety spoon
Frosted pitcher
Frosted Toast Crunch cereal

Mandatory Entry (please leave a valid email address for each entry):

Leave a comment on this post telling me: How will your family enjoy the new Frosted Toast Crunch?

Additional entries (leave a separate comment for each one)

Become a follower of this blog
Tweet about this entry using #MYBLOGSPARK (can be done daily)
Share about this contest on Facebook (can be done daily)

Winner will be notified by email. Contest ends 1/10/12 at 11:59 pm. Winner must email back with proper information with in 48 hours. Contest opened to USA residents only, random.org will be used in selecting winner.

“Disclosure: Frosted Toast Crunch, information, and giveaway have been provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark.”

Dressed Up Peanut Butter Cookies

2011-12-21T16:24:00.002-05:00

I shared this recipe over at Astheygrowup.com

I named these Dressed Up Peanut Butter Cookies but more accurately would be Dressed Up Peanut butter crackers!! The recipe couldn't have been simpler but the results are YUMMY!

Ingredients:
1 box of butter crackers (I used 4 sleeves)
1 jar peanut butter (I used store brand creamy)
1 1/2 packages of Almond Bark (that meltable chocolate candy coating)
*Note* I got my Almond bark at Aldi so it was approx 36 oz of candy coating and that was cutting it close
small amount of white candy melts for drizzling on top

Directions:

Spread the peanut butter on one cracker then sandwich with another. I chilled these for a tiny bit. While they are chilling melt down the almond bark.

Dip the cracker sandwiches in the chocolaty almond bark then allow to cool. Melt the white candy melts then drizzle lightly using a spoon. Enjoy!

help me win!

2011-11-28T21:43:00.001-05:00

Ok blogger friends! I'm trying to win a contest over on Facebook. If you go ahead and "LIKE" the Passionate Penny Pincher on her facebook page, then post saying Lisa Ann LaPollo Rupertus sent you ~ I might have a chance.

I'd like to add that she has some of the best savings information to be found. Great couponing information and steals around. Truly one of my favorites!

Thanks in Advance!!!

MyMemories Suite Digital Scrapbooking Software #WIN

2011-11-25T19:45:00.001-05:00

Do you see the mistake I made on my scrapbook pages? 2011!! LOL! I love that with digital scrapbooking you can easily go back and fix any journaling!

Visit Astheygrowup.com for a chance to win your own copy of the software I am giving away there!! Comments here won't count towards the giveaway so be sure to comment there if you want to enter to win!!

Here is the review I shared at Astheygrowup.com we have lots of great reviews and giveaways over there so be sure to check them out!

I love scrapbooking. I have never really done digital scrapbooking but my one cousin loves it and does a lot of projects with it. I was excited to try My Memories Suite digital Scrapbooking Software and see how it all works. The scrapbooking software was easy to instal and comes with many papers and design options. What I realized is it is quicker than picking a ton of papers and having to cut each one. I also like the ease of adding text and journaling. Options like changing the picture to black and white or sepia were great features. I also liked that you could change the opaqueness of all the page elements. It really opened a lot of design options you can't do with traditional scrapbooking. You can also go to their website to download additional scrapbook kits and templates (some of which are FREE.)

Here are two quick projects I made:

You can purchase MyMemories Suite online at MyMemories.com or visit them on Facebook for additional giveaways and information.

Thank you to MyMemories Suite for giving me a sample product for this review! These are 100% my own opinions.

Fekkai Salon Technician Color Care Shampoo & Conditioner

2011-11-09T11:42:00.003-05:00

I recently had the opportunity to try Fekkai's Techinician Color Care Shampoo and Conditioner. I color my hair (dark to hide the gray) and I use color safe products to wash so that the color will last longer. I had used their Brilliant Glossing Line and loved it. The smell is amazing and it left my hair soft and shiny. So I was hoping for the same results with the Color Care line and I was not disappointed. The scent reminds me of a tropical smell and I loved it. I have to say that scent when it comes to hair products is extremlely important to me. Maybe because our hair is so close to our nose? My hair felt clean from the shampoo which lathered nicely. The conditioner left my hair soft and I was able to work my brush through which is another plus! All in all I think these were great products!

Additional information:

Salon Technician Color Care is infused with galanga root, cultivated in South East Asia. Known for its ability to naturally shield UV, it works to target damaged hair and seal the cuticle with a conditioning layer. The result? A unique, powerful complex that helps protect hair fibers and deliver salon-soft, vibrant hair color.

Now you can extend your salon-fresh highlights and protect against brassy tones. Fekkai Highlight Illuminating Cream with ShineLight Complex helps every highlight stay true and bright while locking in daily protection from brassiness and fading, preserving your color intensity between visits. All you need to shine on.

You can purchase Fekkai products online or at your local Target (and other retailers).

Thank you to Fekkai and BzzAgent for providing a sample product for review. This is my own opinion and individual results may vary.

Quick Card

2011-11-03T16:33:00.000-04:00

I used Create a Critter my favorite cartridge by far! The fish is stickled as are the bubbles. Just a quick card for a birthday gal!

Mini Scrapbook

2011-11-02T16:31:00.001-04:00

I made a mini album with things I had on hand for a gift exchange. Here is the results. Totally girl and adorable!

I used a lot of Making Memories Vintage Findings to create this. I just love them! I bought every single one they sold and a few double!!

Hope you enjoy a crafty scrapbook from me. It has been a while since I've gotten time to create with having 3 kids now!

Three Great Christmas Movies available on DVD!

2011-11-01T23:09:00.000-04:00

My husband and kids couldn't have been more excited when these new Holiday DVDs arrived! I personally had never heard of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas but my husband fondly remembered it. Newly released on Blu-ray it was a great movie to get us in the holiday spirit. The kid's tore into Santa's Magical Stories which includes great classics like A Miser Brother's Chirstmas and Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July. We also recieved Frosty's Winter Wonderland as well.

Like I said my family was so excited to see the titles. Nothing like some good Christmas Classics to get you in the mood for the holiday season! In NJ it snowed on Saturday so it was a perfect match we hunkered down and put on some dvds and sipped hot cocoa!

Here is some additonal information:

Santa's Magical Stories:

Santa’s Magical Stories is theperfect collection of classic Christmas specials available together for thefirst time in an all-new gift set. This three-disc release is comprised ofeight holiday favorites, including seven beloved Rankin/Bass stop motionanimation titles. The release also includes a bonus special.

Santa’s Magical Stories FeaturedSpecials Include:

Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! – From animation legend Chuck Jones comes one of the best holiday cartoons of all time, adapting the Dr. Seuss story and starring Boris Karloff as the voice of you-know-Who.

The Leprechauns’ Christmas Gold – A leprechaun named Blarney Kilakilarney loses his gold to a banshee on Christmas Eve.

Pinocchio’s Christmas – It’s Pinocchio’s first Christmas and he realizes the holiday is not about gifts but about being together with family.

The Year Without a Santa Claus Deluxe Edition – When Santa decides to retire one Christmas, Mrs. Claus takes action.

Rudolph’s Shiny New Year – Baby New Year is missing and a certain red-nosed reindeer leads the search.

Nestor the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey – Back in the days of the Roman Empire, a small donkey named Nestor who is teased mercilessly about his abnormally long ears, becomes a hero when he is chosen by Mary and Joseph to take them to Bethlehem where Mary gives birth to baby Jesus.

Jack Frost (1976) – The resourceful cold-weather elf turns human to court a pretty maiden – and then must recover his icy powers to save her from a crafty rival.

A Miser Brothers Christmas – Santa Claus and the mischievous brothers Heat Miser and Snow Miser are the targets of yuletide treachery from that sneaky blowhard North Wind.

Santa’s Magical Stories BonusSpecial:

Rudolph and Frosty’s Christmas in July – The feature length delight about what happens when a certain reindeer’s nose stops shining!

Frosty's Winter Wonderland Deluxe Edition:

From popular song to animatedholiday classic, Frosty’sWinter Wonderland Deluxe Edition tells the story of the belovedsnowman and how he meets his companion, Crystal. Andy Griffith, Shelley Wintersand Jackie Vernon lend their voices to this captivating cartoon about theSnowman’s return to the children of a small town for a winter season offun and games. But he’s lonely at night when left by himself and so thetown’s children build a beautiful snowlady companion for him. Jealous ofthe attention given to Frosty, Jack Frost blows up a blizzard and swipesFrosty’s magical, life-giving hat. Only true love can bring Frosty backto his old, fun-loving self. Two songs that have proven to be enduring seasonalfavorites highlight the soundtrack: “Frosty the Snowman” and“Winter Wonderland.”

Frosty’s Winter Wonderland Deluxe Editionincludes a bonus feaurette titled Frosty andthe Story of the Snowman.

'Twas the Night Before Christmas on Blu-ray :

‘Twas the Night BeforeChristmas, tells the story about how for some unexplainedreason, letters to Santa Claus are being returned to the children ofJunctionville. It seems some resident has angered St. Nick, calling Christmas“a fraudulent myth!” Skeptical Albert Mouse has to be brought tohis senses “and let up a little on the wonder why.” How Albert ispersuaded to change his tune paves the way for Santa’s jolly return totown – and the joyous finale of the animated fable inspired by ClementMoore’s poem and produced by the merrymaking conjurers of Rankin/BassStudios. The voice talents of Joel Grey, Tammy Grimes, John McGiver and GeorgeGobel make this festive fable even more fun.

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas Deluxe Edition BonusFeature Includes:

Christmas: A Global Holiday – An animated comic book that explores Yuletide traditions around the world.

So what is your favorite Christmas movie? I love How the Grinch Stole Christmas (which is included on Santa's Magical Stories!) I am so looking forward to the Christmas season and all the festivities it brings!

Thank you to Warner Home Video Inc, for providing a copy for review. Any opinions expressed are my own. I did not receive any monetary compensation for posting this posting.

Water for Elephants available Nov 1st!

2011-10-30T09:00:00.000-04:00

Water for Elephants will be available November 1, 2011 on DVD. This movie is based off the book and while I read the book I had yet to watch the movie. I found the costumes and setting so amazing! Just beautiful! Rob Pattinson is very easy on the eyes as well!!

Synopsis:

Devastated by the sudden death of his parents at the height of The Depression, a young dreamer from the wrong side of the tracks, Jacob Jankowski (Pattinson), abandons his veterinary studies at
Cornell University. With no other family, no house, and no money, Jacob stows away on a train carrying the circus performers of The Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. Hired as a veterinarian to care for the troupe’s animals, Jacob is temporarily filled with the promise of an exciting life that comes with a traveling circus troupe. However, as he builds a rapport and falls in love with the star of the show, Marlena (Witherspoon), they become prey to the circus’s owner, Marlena’s violent and abusive husband August (Waltz). As the circus begins to crumble from within and against all odds, Jacob and Marlena come together and fall in love through their compassion for a special elephant. With their love on the line, Jacob and Marlena come to a crossroads that will forever change their destiny.

Be sure to pick up your copy this Tuesday ~ available on DVD or Blueray at your local retailers.

Thank you to Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment for providing a advanced copy for review. Any opinions expressed are my own. I did not receive any monetary compensation for posting about this DVD.

Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment

Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, LLC (TCFHE) is a recognized global industry leader and a subsidiary of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, a News Corporation company. Representing 75 years of innovative and award-winning filmmaking from Twentieth Century Fox, TCFHE is the worldwide marketing, sales and distribution company for all Fox film and television programming, acquisitions and original productions on DVD, Blu-ray Disc Digital Copy, Video On Demand and Digital Download. The company also releases all products globally for MGM Home Entertainment. Each year TCFHE introduces hundreds of new and newly enhanced products, which it services to retail outlets from mass merchants and warehouse clubs to specialty stores and e-commerce throughout the world.

Brain Tumor Society needs our support!

2011-10-24T19:15:00.000-04:00

My cousin Mark is an amazing man! In 2006 he was diagnosed with a Brain Tumor at age 29. He has had 6 surgeries, radiation and chemotherapy since. He is currently off chemo and doing well.

His amazing attitude and love for Family and Friends is one of the most remarkable things about him. Since being diagnosed he had been taking an active roll in raising money for the National Brain Tumor Society.

He will be walking on November 6, 2011 in Philadelphia. You can support him and his team by donating here. Thank you for taking the time to read this and I know we can make a difference through prayer and donations.

Over at As They Grow Up!

2011-10-23T21:33:00.001-04:00

I've been writing for As They Grow Up for a few months now. If you haven't taken the time to visit the site I suggest you do. We currently have over 20 giveaways up with many more coming in the next few weeks. Lots of stuff like eyeglasses, leapfrog toys, books, skin care! I know most of my followers are crafters but I also know you all love winning at blog hops ~ so this is an easy jump to just comment for the giveaway.

Hope you will join me and support the site! Thanks!!

“Happiness Is…Peanuts™: Snow Days” available October 18, 2011

2011-10-18T06:00:00.000-04:00

We recently had the opportunity to review the newest title from The Peanuts : “Happiness Is…Peanuts™: Snow Days”. What a great movie. We are big Peanut fans and so the kids and I camped out in the living room with our blankets to sit and watch. The always enjoy Charlie Brown getting tricked so this movie was no exception. My personal favorite is Snoopy and there is plenty of his goofiness too! I'm sure your family will love this title as much as mine did!

Here is more information on this title and others coming out:

BEATWINTER’S CHILL

WITHWARNER HOME VIDEO’S

HEARTWARMINGDVD RELEASE OF

HAPPINESS IS…PEANUTS™: SNOWDAYS

AVAILABLEOCTOBER 18, 2011

All-TimeFavorite Classic Peanuts SeasonalSpecials Including

A Charlie Brown Christmas, It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and Others are Also Available This Fall

New to DVD:

Happiness is…Peanuts™: Snow Days– The newest Peanutscollection of stories celebrates everyone’s favorite thing about a longchilly winter: snow days! This DVDis comprised of one newly remastered classic Peanutstelevision special, She’s a GoodSkate, Charlie Brown and one episode of The Charlie Brown & Snoopy Show. In She’s a Good Skate, Charlie Brown,Peppermint Patty trains for a figure skating competition with Snoopy as hertough coach, and crafty costume designer. The smiles continue with three shorttales from The Charlie Brown & SnoopyShow including: The Play;Sweet Babboo! and Snoopy’s Story. It may get coldoutside but the Peanuts kids are sure to bring lots of warmth and happinessinto everyone’s homes this winter! Happiness is…Peanuts™: Snow Dayswill be available in stores October 18, 2011 and will retail for $14.97 SRP.

Holiday Classics:

Peanuts Holiday Collection– Is comprised of three of the most popular Peanuts specials including ACharlie Brown Thanksgiving, ACharlie Brown Christmas and It’sa Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown. The DVDset features loads of bonus material including three extra episodes. Peanuts Holiday Collectionwill be available in stores October 2011 and will retail for $29.98 SRP.

Bonus Episodes:

The Mayflower Voyagers
It’s Magic, Charlie Brown
It’s Christmastime Again, Charlie Brown

I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown–This special centers on Rerun Van Pelt, Linus’ and Lucy’slovable and wise-beyond-his-years little brother who wants a dog for Christmasafter he sees what a great relationship Charlie Brown and Snoopy share. The Van Pelts however, don’t think he’s ready or capable to carefor a pet yet. Rerun turns to Snoopy for some amusement and holidaycheer.

Bonus Features:

Sibling Rivalry: Growing Up Van Pelt – This documentary featurette explores the creation and development of Rerun Van Pelt and how his arrival changed the family dynamics between Lucy and Linus. Jeannie Schulz, Lee Mendelson and others discuss why Charles Schulz considered Rerun such a treasured new addition to the strip.

Happy New Year, Charlie Brown (Bonus Episode) – This delightful special was first broadcast in 1986 and was included on DVD for the first time on this release. It tells the story of Charlie Brown, who attends Peppermint Patty’s New Year’s Eve bash even though he has to finish a book report on War and Peace. He attempts to read the novel at the party but winds up falling asleep and wakes up to find out he has missed his chance to dance with the elusive little red-haired girl, who wound up dancing with Linus instead.

I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown willbe available in stores October 2011 and will retail for $19.97 SRP.

A Charlie Brown Christmas – In this Emmy® (for OutstandingChildren’s Program in 1966) and Peabody Award winning classic, CharlieBrown is upset by how commercial the Christmas holiday has become. To coax himout of his holiday blues, Lucy suggests he direct the school’s Christmaspageant and decorate a glorious tree. Charlie Brown concedes. The tree hefinds however, is puny, prompting everyone to ridicule him.

Bonus Features:

A Christmas Miracle: The Making of A Charlie Brown Christmas – An in-depth look at how the producers brought a newspaper comic strip to animated life in a new medium. Under intense pressure and with many doubters, the show creators were able to create the Peanuts in a new medium and make the show a smash success.

A Charlie Brown Christmas will beavailable in stores October 2011 and will retail for $19.97 SRP.

Charlie Brown’s Christmas Tales – This special, which originallypremiered on ABC in 2002, iscomprised of a series of delightful animated vignettes, each of which showcasea different member of the Peanuts gang. The DVDalso includes the rarely seen Is ThisGoodbye, Charlie Brown? In this television special, Charlie Brownand pals face the departure of Linus and Lucy, who must move when their fatheris transferred to a job in another town.

Charlie Brown’s Christmas Tales, will be available instores October 2011 and will retail for $14.97 SRP.

It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown– This Emmy® Award-nominated(in 1967) special, finds the Peanutsgang outfitted in costumes, ready for trick or treating and crashing Violet’sHalloween party. Charlie Brown is in a ghost costume (with more eyeholes cutout than needed), Lucy dressed as a witch and Snoopy in a World War I flyingace costume. Linus decides to steadfastly hold vigil in the pumpkin patch as heawaits the Great Pumpkin.

Bonus Features:

We Need a Blockbuster, Charlie Brown – Documentary featurette focusing on the myth and tradition of the Halloween staple Television program, It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. Revealed along the way through original interviews with the Schulz family and producers are the pressures and challenges of following up an underdog hit with a bigger and better TV special.

It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brownwill be available in stores September 2011 and will retail for $19.97 SRP.

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving –In this Emmy® Award-winning (for Outstanding Individual Achievement in 1974)special, Peppermint Patty invites herself to Charlie Brown’s house forThanksgiving dinner. Marcie and Franklin are soon added as dinner guests.Charlie Brown admits that his culinary skills are limited to “cold cerealand maybe toast.” Snoopy and Woodstocktransform the ping-pong table in the backyard into a dinner table. As the guests arrive, they are each served two slices of buttered toast, somepretzel sticks, popcorn and jelly beans. Patty is outraged at the meal andberates Charlie Brown until embarrassed and dejected, he leaves the table andgoes back into the house.

Bonus Features:

The Making of a Charlie Brown Thanksgiving – A look at the final installment of the Peanuts holiday trilogy and what it meant to its creators and the public.

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving will beavailable in stores September 2011 and will retail for $19.97 SRP.

About PEANUTS WORLDWIDE

The PEANUTS charactersand related intellectual property are owned by Peanuts Worldwide LLC, a jointventure owned 80% by Iconix Brand Group, Inc. and 20% by members of the CharlesM. Schulz family. Iconix Brand Group, Inc. owns, licenses and markets a growingportfolio of consumer brands including CANDIE'S (R), BONGO (R), BADGLEY MISCHKA(R), JOE BOXER (R), RAMPAGE (R), MUDD (R), LONDON FOG (R), MOSSIMO (R), OCEANPACIFIC(R), DANSKIN (R), ROCA WEAR(R), CANNON (R), ROYAL VELVET (R), FIELDCREST(R), CHARISMA (R), STARTER (R) and WAVERLY (R). In addition, Iconix owns aninterest in the ARTFUL DODGER (R), ED HARDY (R), ECKO (R), MARC ECKO (R), ZOOYORK (R), MATERIAL GIRL(TM), and PEANUTS brands. The Company licenses itsbrands to a network of leading retailers and manufacturers that touch everymajor segment of retail distribution from the luxury market to the mass marketin both the U.S.and worldwide. Through its in-house business development, merchandising,advertising and public relations departments Iconix manages its brands todrive greater consumer awareness and equity.

AboutWarner Home Video:

With operations in 90international territories, Warner Home Video, a division of Warner Bros. HomeEntertainment Inc., commands the largest home entertainment distributioninfrastructure in the global video marketplace. Warner Home Video's filmlibrary is the largest of any studio, offering top quality new and vintagetitles from the repertoires of Warner Bros. Pictures, Turner Entertainment,Castle Rock Entertainment, HBO Video and New Line Cinema.

AboutWarner Bros. Home Entertainment Group

Warner Bros. HomeEntertainment Group brings together Warner Bros. Entertainment's home video,digital distribution, interactive entertainment/videogames, direct-to-DVDproduction, technical operations and anti-piracy businesses in order tomaximize current and next-generation distribution scenarios. WBHEG isresponsible for the global distribution of content through DVD, electronicsell-through and VOD, and delivery of theatrical content to wireless and onlinechannels, and is also a significant worldwide publisher for both internal andthird party videogame titles.

Bibs?

2011-10-17T21:00:00.000-04:00

I have at least 30 bibs for Jace. I never ever use them though! He isn't a big drooler so I don't have to worry about him sitting with a wet neck. So I realized that I change his clothes constantly with the snacks he eats because he gets those puffs stuck to his shirt. Well, I was complaining to someone recently (sorry I forget who) about how I have to change him all the time and they were like 'do you use a bib' ~ well it was like a lightbulb went off!! LOL! Of course I don't but I will be now! Guess all those adorable bibs are going to get some use after all.

And if your wondering don't I use a bib for feeding him his mushy baby food ~ yes I do but I have those plastic ones ( love them) that you just wash off. You really only need 3 of those tops because you can wash them at the sink.

Well hope you are having a great day. Jace is 11 months old in this picture. Where did the year go?

Menu for this past week

2011-10-14T08:35:00.000-04:00

Totally forgot to post up my menu for the last week. I have to say it was nothing fancy!

Monday:
hot dogs and home made mac and cheese

Tuesday:

Pork chops, stuffing, bag of mixed veg and bag of corn on the cob , biscuits

Wednesday:

Chicken legs (some barbq some italian dressing), french fries, rice

Thursday:

manwich

Everything I cooked was easy and quick for the most part which was a great help because I have a terrible head cold!

For the Mac and Cheese:

1 box of elbow macaroni
2 blocks extra sharp cheddar cheese (white)- shredded (reserve 1/2 cup for topping)
2 cups milk
1/4 stick of butter
1/4 cup of flour
bread crumb

Preheat oven 350. Cook elbow macaroni according to instructions. In saucepan melt butter, add flour mix well. Add milk. Allow to thicken (if too thick add a lil more milk) then add salt/pepper for taste. Stir in cheese. Mix with Pasta ~ put in a baking dish top with a sprinkle of remaining cheese and sprinkle of breadcrumbs. Bake til bubbly approx 30 mins.

Mega Swagbucks Friday

2011-10-14T08:28:00.001-04:00

Today is Mega Swag bucks friday.

Have you signed up for Swagbucks yet?

Menu Planning Q & A

2011-10-06T08:38:00.001-04:00

I received a great comment with some questions on my menu planning so I thought I would post up in case anyone else is wondering the same things.

Hey Lisa, on your two-fer meals do you do the exact same meal two nights in a row or do you make it a little bit different the second night? How do you get your family eat the same thing two nights in a row? Thats great! I wish I could do the same! Also how much do you average on groceries a week? What do you do for Saturdays? Menu planning is one of my favorite things to do so I love getting ideas from other people!
~ Sarah Jane

For my two-fer meals it depends on what it is. When I made meatballs we had meatball sandwiches the first night and spaghetti and meatballs the second. Tacos and chilli tend to be nachos the second night. As for eating the same thing in a row Xander my middle is happy to eat anything we make him. John is sorta on the same page too. (Unless it is pork chops or chicken his least fav meals!) He knows we are trying to keep grocery cost to the bare minimum while paying down debt and getting through the holiday giving season.

For Friday nights we almost always get a pizza or something out. It is my break night and then Saturday and Sunday it depends. Sometimes I will schedule in foods but often times we have parties or other engagements so I don't have to plan anything. I plan on $100 a week for groceries. This week I did only about $70 with coupons and I was so excited!! I always plan around the sale flyer and only buy meat that is on sale. I'm going to be trying to do one or two meatless nights a week if possible.

The hardest part for me is not running to Wawa because it is literally 10 houses away! We probably spent 1/3 of our earnings there before I got strict. I don't even want to share how much in take out! I love to cook but I love eating out so much more! I also have been brewing my own coffee in my keurig which is saving me about 40cents a cup too! Couponing has saved me the most overall though because I never pay full retail on toiletries, paper products or cleaning supplies. I also stockpile as much FREE as I can. (Diapers are bought a the cheapest price as well!)

Hope that answers some questions!

Swagbuck Extravaganza! Monday 10/3

2011-10-03T00:00:00.000-04:00

Swagbucks is having a big free code day on Monday! If you are not already signed up now is the perfect time. Swagbucks is free and it is basically a search engine (like google) but it randomly rewards you swagbucks for using it. Those swagbucks are redeemable for things like amazon gift cards (or other gift cards) and prizes. It is fairly easy to accumulate swagbucks and you will be surprised how fast it adds up! I think it is just one of the easiest ways to earn gift cards and highly recommend it to everyone!!

The details:

The Swag Nation loves Swag Codes, and we can’t blame you – who wouldn’t want a fun and easy way to earn a few extra Swag Bucks? I think it’s time to let you all in on a little secret: we love Swag Codes too, and that’s why we’re having a Swag Code Extravaganza on Monday! If this is your first extravaganza, it means we’re release multiple codes throughout the day – 60 Swag Bucks worth of codes in total, in fact – and the fun kicks off at 6am with a code on Twitter, so go ahead and follow us now so you’re ready to go! Some of the codes will be easy to get, and some will require some work, so be sure to bring your thinking caps with you!
If you need more info on Swag Codes, click here. For tips on finding Swag Codes, click here. Of course, you’ll get some opportunities to practice between now and Monday, of course…

What's for Dinner this week?

2011-10-02T14:37:00.000-04:00

Naturewood is my dish pattern.

Menu planing take 3 (or is it 2?)

This week I'm planning meals for Sun-Thurs night. We will eat leftovers on one night as well. That is one of the ways the food stretches around here. There are 3 meals that always are two-fers pasta dishes, chilli and tacos.

The main key to my menu planning is to take the circular and buy things that are on sale (meat/ veg) and make them fit into what we eat. I usually shop at ShopRite and I use Living Rich With Coupons to do my match-ups and get the most for my money.

This weeks menu:

Sunday: tacos
Monday: tacos
Tuesday: Ravioli & Garlic bread
Wednesday: Roasted chicken legs, mashed potatoes and veg
Thursday: Eggs, ham and buttermilk pancakes.

Friday night I've been doing 'dinner out' this week will probably be Wendy's Drive-thru because we are heading to see Yo Gabba Gabba Live! and will be on the road.

So the question of the day..... Whats for dinner at your house this week?

Two Halloween Layouts!

2011-10-01T13:31:00.001-04:00

These layouts are from a few years ago. My sister-n-law and I dressed up to go trick or treating with the boys. Our neighborhood gets all involved. Most of the adults sit outside and give out candy and it is a lot of fun.

The boys were Bobo Fett and Jango Fett. This page was simple I mostly used matting and patterened paper to make it stand out. The focus is really the pics ~ which is a true reflection of my scrapbook style.

This paper was from a patterened paper pack I probably got at Target. I love the paper packs they carry because they usually only have a few pieces. I stamped the Happy Halloween sentiment in the corner. I must say this layout was my favorite from Halloween. I think the picture being one big focus is why I like it so much.

Hope you enjoy!! Remember I love FEEDBACK so leave me a comment please!!

Whats for dinner?

2011-09-27T16:30:00.000-04:00


Yes, this is how we dress for dinner in the Rup house!

Sometimes menu planning can be a pain! I start to feel the pressure to make these over the top gourmet meals. Something worth blogging about that might even get 'pinned'!! LOL! Well tonight's meal is nothing blog worth but I know it will be a hit with my 9 year old. Good old fashioned hotdogs in a blanket! The thing is even this Mommy thinks they are yummy! I guess the point of my story today is that even though I might take all day to make homemade chicken noodle soup with fresh rolls or meatballs with sauce from scratch ... sometimes the simple hotdog with a crossiant from a can is the biggest hit of all. Really the thing that matters is us all sitting around the table sharing the meal anyways, right?

Scrubbing Bubbles One Step Toilet Bowl Cleaner Review

2011-09-25T20:28:00.000-04:00

I recently received a sample of Scrubbing Bubbles ® ToiletBowl Cleaner to try. I must say I wasskeptical at first. It seemed like justanother gadget that would end up adding to my chores rather than helping. Well I couldn’t be any more wrong. Basically it is a can of spray that sits onthe floor next to your toilet. Then alittle wire hooks to a sprayer that fits on the rim of the toilet bowl. You use a foot pump to distribute the sprayto the rim of the toilet. I have beenusing the cleaner for about a week and it has been working wonderfully. What I like best is that I can just step onthe foot peddle whenever I’m already in the bathroom and it is no mess or workfor me. Our bathroom is perhaps thebusiest place in our home and frankly it gets STINKY! I’ve been using it to keep the stink away aswell. Sorta like a toiletrefresher!

You can find more information about Scrubbing Bubbles OneStep Toilet Bowl Cleaner on their website or by following them onFacebook. While on Facebook enter to winthe Scrubbing Bubbles One Step Dance-Off.

Disclaimer: I receivedproduct to review because I am a BzzAgent. My review is my personal opinion and results may vary by individualexperience.

three more fall layouts

2011-09-24T08:00:00.000-04:00

Here are three more fall layouts from 2007. Someday I'll be caught up but then what will I do? Scary thought!

Most of the supplies here I used are from years ago. I found that I mostly like to buy supplies and then I hoard them and they just sit never being used! Why I don't know ~ but I made it my goal to use as much of my stash as I could so I've been doing well using old stickers and papers. Hope you enjoy!

Mega Swag Buck Friday!

2011-09-23T07:00:00.000-04:00

Today is Mega Swag bucks friday.

Have you signed up for Swagbucks yet?

Do you Pinterest?

2011-09-22T12:11:00.001-04:00

I've found a new wonderful way to waste my time on the internet! Pinterest! It is sorta like bookmarking because you can 'pin' stuff you like to different boards but it is all hosted on the Pinterest site. It has a social aspect because you can 'follow' your friends and see what they are pinning too. You can 'repin' anything you see and there is a search bar to search out specific topics. Pins are anything from recipes, fashion, crafts, quotes ~ you name it. Each pin is really a link to a website with the thing you are pinning.

Then if you want to take it further (which I did) you can add a 'pin it' to your toolbar and make your very own pins!

I honestly think it is the neatest site because all those 'pins' are not just random websites you bookmark and never look at. You can see a thumbprint of the thing you actually pin. Great for recipes and crafts for sure.

If you sign up for pinterest you have to click on the button that says 'send invite' you should receive it within 10 mins. If not try again.

If you join stop back here and tell me what you think!

Water for Elephants coming soon on DVD

2011-09-19T14:24:00.001-04:00

LIFE IS THE MOST SPECTACULAR SHOW ON EARTH

Witness The Epic Tale of Forbidden Love Starring

Academy Award^®Winner Reese Witherspoon and

Robert Pattinson On Blu-ray and DVD November 1

Take a journey back in time with the romantic tale based on Sara Gruen’s New York Times #1 Best-Seller novel of the same name, WATER FOR ELEPHANTS, coming to Blu-ray and DVD on November 1^st from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. Starring Academy Award^®-winner Reese Witherspoon (Walk The Line), Robert Pattinson (Twilight series) and Oscar^®-winner Christoph Waltz (Inglourious Basterds), the film presents an epic tale of forbidden love in a magical place filled with adventure, wonder and great danger. Showcasing the decadence of a bohemian circus and the majesty of its animals against the backdrop and beauty of a bygone era, WATER FOR ELEPHANTS makes the ideal holiday gift idea for your favorite film buff, fashionista or book-lover!

Devastated by the sudden death of his parents at the height of The Depression, a young dreamer from the wrong side of the tracks, Jacob Jankowski (Pattinson), abandons his veterinary studies at
Cornell University. With no other family, no house, and no money, Jacob stows away on a train carrying the circus performers of The Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. Hired as a veterinarian to care for the troupe’s animals, Jacob is temporarily filled with the promise of an exciting life that comes with a traveling circus troupe. However, as he builds a rapport and falls in love with the star of the show, Marlena (Witherspoon), they become prey to the circus’s owner, Marlena’s violent and abusive husband August (Waltz). As the circus begins to crumble from within and against all odds, Jacob and Marlena come together and fall in love through their compassion for a special elephant. With their love on the line, Jacob and Marlena come to a crossroads that will forever change their destiny.

Directed by critically-acclaimed filmmaker Francis Lawrence (Constantine), WATER FOR ELEPHANTS features fantastic supporting performances from Paul Schneider (Lars and the Real Girl), Jim Norton (Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets), Mark Povinelli (The Polar Express), Richard Brake (Batman Begins), and Academy Award^®-nominee Hal Holbrook (Into the Wild).

WATER FOR ELEPHANTS will be available on Blu-ray and DVD in the U.S. Pre-book is September 21st.

WATER FOR ELEPHANTS Blu-ray + Digital Copy (Catalog #2275968)

· Feature Film

Special Features
- Robert Pattinson Spotlight
- Feature Performer Reese Witherspoon
- The Traveling Show: From Page to Screen
- Working Without A Net – The Visual Effects of Water for Elephants
- The Star Attraction
- Raising the Tent
- Secrets of the Big Top
- Audio Commentary with Director Francis Lawrence and Writer Richard LaGravenese
- Theatrical Trailer
Live Extras
- Exclusive: Stars of the Circus
- Blu-ray Highlight: The Traveling Show: From Page to Screen
- Theatrical Trailer
- Live Lookup
- Digital Copy

WATER FOR ELEPHANTS DVD (Catalog #2274068)

· Feature Film

Special Features
- Robert Pattinson Spotlight
- Feature Performer Reese Witherspoon
- The Traveling Show: From Page to Screen
- Audio Commentary with Director Francis Lawrence and Writer Richard LaGravenese
- Theatrical Trailer

Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment

# # #

Follow Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment on Twitter @FoxHomeEnt

Mega SwagBuck Friday ~ are you earning your free swags for searching?

2011-09-17T06:30:00.000-04:00

Today is Mega Swag bucks friday.

Have you signed up for Swagbucks yet?

Fall Layouts ~ Scrapbooking Oh yeah!

2011-09-15T13:27:00.000-04:00

I haven't posted much by way of crafts but believe me I'm still one crafty gal! These are a few layouts from fall of 2007. Yes I'm a little bit behind and I do usually do my scrapbooking in chronological order! LOL!

I love Fall and all the activities it brings! Pumpkin picking, apple picking, hayrides but I especially love the colors. Hope you enjoyed my layouts!

Tilapia shhh!

2011-09-13T18:35:00.002-04:00

tilapia, green beans and pearlized cous cous

So tonight's dinner was fish. My husband and I are not fish eaters. My middle child is more adventurist than the rest of us but if he knew it was fish forget it. So I called it 'white meat' lol! He ate 2 pieces!!!

Dinner was tilapia which I crushed up some tortilla chips then breaded it with that. Pan fried (is there any other way?) , some steamed green beans and pearlized couscous. I DID NOT know that pearlized couscous was different that regular couscous so I was VERY disappointed!

So the point of this meal was a total success because I wanted Xander to eat fish and find out he liked it ~ especially because I don't. However I didn't really like it!! Oh well.

Oh and my husband.....ate one bite of the fish and no bites of the couscous.

Menu planning!

2011-09-12T23:09:00.003-04:00

tilapia

I've decided that menu planning needs to be something I do on a weekly basis. I started out this week by going through my Shoprite circular and visiting Living Rich with Coupons to come up with the best choices for my small budget. I want to feed my family for the littlest amount while still eating well and enjoying dinners. Couponing is important to maintain the budget but also doing the menu planning.

Monday: homemade chicken parmigiana with a side of pasta with red sauce, crusty Italian bread and field greens dressed with balsamic dressing.

Tuesday: tortilla crusted tilapia, couscous and green beans. (trying this for the first time. We never eat fish but I want to expose the kids to new food. Of course I made extra chicken last night just in case!)

Wednesday: Crockpot chilli

Thursday: leftovers

Friday: Takeout pizza ( yes I put it on the menu I think it is nice to see a day off and to see something fun ~ it also helps not to buy extra food while grocery shopping)

So that is whats for dinner in the Rup household this week. I'll let you know how the tilapia turns out.

Mega Swag Bucks Friday!!! Are you Swagging?

2011-09-09T12:29:00.001-04:00

Today is Mega Swag bucks friday.

Have you signed up for Swagbucks yet?

Cheap Diapers at Toys R Us or Babies R Us

2011-09-09T12:02:00.003-04:00

I am all about a deal. Diapers are something I stock up on since I have Jace in them and he will most likely wear them for at least 2 years! I try to have the next size and about 15 packs per size. My stock up price is $3.50 or less. Most of the time I get them at drugstores because that is the easiest place to get them for that price but Toys R Us and Babies R Us is having a $5 sale on Huggies Jean diapers for today and tomorrow (9/9 & 9/10)

To sweeten this deal you can use coupons to bring down the cost. (You might have other coupons Huggies mails me a bunch so I always seem to have them on hand)

If not try these coupons:

Smart Source from 8/14 for either $2 off 1 pack or $1.50 off 1 pack.

Smart Source is the insert you get in your Sunday Paper. You would have had to already have this insert since it is from August 14th's paper.

I also suggest calling ahead because they will go fast!

Chuck E. Cheese reinvents Birthdays!

2011-09-08T14:08:00.003-04:00

We've personally had three birthday parties at Chuck E. Cheese! I love that you can just show up and all the work is done for you! It is Effortless! I think it is the one place my kids ask to go to!

News Release:

Chuck E. Cheese’s Reinvents Birthdays with One-of-a-Kind Celebration Made for Birthday Stars
Family entertainment leader lets birthday stars shine bright through special birthday experiences
Irving, Texas – Sept. 7, 2011 – Chuck E. Cheese’s is scouting the next participants for one of its coolest roles – birthday star. This year, Chuck E. Cheese’s invites parents to let their birthday stars shine bright with new, in-store birthday party packages, friendly to any budget. Some requirements for the position include: an appetite for great pizza, a love for awesome games and the ability to grab as many tickets and bonus vouchers as possible in the Ticket Blaster.

“Birthdays only come around once a year, and Chuck E. Cheese’s birthday parties are certainly celebrations where we like to go above and beyond for our birthday stars’ special days,” said Brenda Holloway, marketing manager at Chuck E. Cheese’s. “Birthday parties are another example of exciting opportunities we take at Chuck E. Cheese’s to give kids and their families memories they can share together for a lifetime.”

With affordable birthday packages that save time and money, and pre-packaged combinations of food, decorations and fun, throwing a Chuck E. Cheese’s birthday party has never been easier! This year, parents can select either a “Star” or “Super Star” package for a two-hour celebration that includes tokens, decorations, drinks and pizzas made with the company’s newly improved pizza recipe, as well as an all-new Chuck E. Airwalker balloon and limited-edition medallion for the birthday child. As a special bonus, the birthday star will have the chance to enter the Ticket Blaster and race against the clock to grab as many flying tickets and vouchers as they can. The vouchers, worth 50, 100 or 200 tickets, can be used to redeem a variety of cool prizes at the end of the birthday party.

Reserving a Chuck E. Cheese’s party is simple and easy, and for parents’ convenience, can be booked online at www.chuckecheese.com/parties or with a reservation agent at 888-778-7193. For a limited time, parents can receive up to 100 free game tokens that can be used during the party or another visit, simply by reserving a Friday or Sunday party online or by phone. Additionally, guests can avoid the crowd and enjoy unlimited time at their tables on parties booked Monday through Thursday. If unable to make a reservation, families are still invited to experience the fun and excitement of Chuck E. Cheese’s through walk-in parties, where they can purchase goody bags or a Chuck E. cake for the birthday star to blow out the candles and make a birthday wish come true!

Guests can find pricing and additional details about birthday parties, as well as other offers, on the Chuck E. Cheese’s website at www.chuckecheese.com. Fans are encouraged to share their photos, stories and videos from their favorite Chuck E. Cheese’s birthday celebrations by emailing them to memories@cecentertainment.com. Lucky families may even find their picture or video featured on the official Chuck E. Cheese’s Facebook page!
For additional information and resources about current promotions including embeddable video footage and downloadable photos, visit the Chuck E. Cheese’s digital newsroom. You can also connect with Chuck E. Cheese’s on Twitter and Facebook.

About CEC Entertainment, Inc.:
For more than 30 years, CEC Entertainment has served as the nationally recognized leader in family dining and entertainment and the place Where a Kid can be a Kid®. The Company and its franchisees operate a system of 555 Chuck E. Cheese’s stores located in 48 states and seven foreign countries or territories. Currently, 507 locations in the United States and Canada are owned and operated by the Company. CEC Entertainment, Inc. and its franchises have the common goal of creating lifelong memories for families through fun, food and play. Each Chuck E. Cheese’s features musical and comic robotic entertainment, games, rides and play areas as well as a variety of dining options including pizza, sandwiches, a salad bar and desserts. Committed to providing a fun, safe environment, Chuck E. Cheese’s helps protect families through industry-leading programs such as Kid Check®.

Chuck E. Cheese’s aims to promote positive, lifelong memories inside and outside of its stores. In addition to providing a fun entertainment experience for millions of families across the world, Chuck E. Cheese’s has donated more than $6 million to schools and non-profit institutions through its fundraising programs. For more information, see the company's website at www.chuckecheese.com.

New Pillsbury Frozen Breakfast & Coupon

2011-09-06T11:20:00.000-04:00

Fitting in a satisfying, hot breakfast that will set you up for a good day can be a challenge. That´s why Pillsbury is unveiling a new line of quick and delicious frozen breakfast dishes which bring your weekend favorites to the weekday breakfast table.

To celebrate the launch of new Frozen Pillsbury® Grands!® Biscuit Sandwiches and Pillsbury® Egg ScramblesTM, the Pillsbury Doughboy teamed up with Grammy-award winning American gospel music duo Mary Mary and surprised morning commuters with an unexpected performance. Mary Mary is the featured artist behind the catchy jingle titled "Brand New Morning" accompanying the new Pillsbury Frozen Breakfast television spots.

Get a sneak peak of the new Pillsbury frozen breakfast products and visit www.facebook.com/pillsbury to receive a $1 off coupon, while supplies last. Then let us know what you think. Click on the link below to see 14 Pillsbury Doughboys and Mary Mary doing a breakfast boogie!

Pillsbury Grands! Biscuit Sandwiches and Pillsbury Egg Scrambles heat up in minutes in the microwave and are available in your grocer´s freezer.
Made with quality ingredients like real egg, tasty meat, cheese, Grands! Biscuits and Green Giant® vegetables, this new line of quick and delicious frozen breakfast dishes comes in six flavorful choices:

Sausage & Cheese Biscuit Sandwich

Bacon & Cheese Biscuit Sandwich

Ham & Veggies Biscuit Sandwich

Bacon & Veggies Egg Scrambles

Sausage Egg Scrambles

Sausage & Veggies Egg Scrambles

Be sure to head over to www.facebook.com/pillsbury to "Like" the brand and learn more about Frozen Pillsbury® Grands!® Biscuit Sandwiches and Pillsbury® Egg ScramblesTM. Don't forget to get your coupon while you are there (while supplies last ;) )

Thank you to MyBlogSpark for providing the information.

Buttermilk Pancakes make little boys happy!

2011-09-04T09:51:00.000-04:00

Buttermilk pancakes

My two older boys love pancakes. They will eat them everyday (and have!) I am not much of a fan of them personally. I do like them out but not so much out of a box. When I was at the grocery store the other day I saw a container of buttermilk for $1.50 (or around that price) and I was inspired to make some restaurant quality buttermilk pancakes. I looked all over the internet and every recipe I found was different, some difficult some easy ~ all boasting that they are the best. So I tried one easy recipe I found and the first pancake STUNK! So I modified my batter and voila' it was PERFECT!

Ingredients:

2 cups flour
2 teaspoons salt
3 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 eggs
2 1/4 cups buttermilk
1/4 cup butter, melted

Directions

    Preheat and lightly grease a large skillet or electric griddle.
    Mix the flour, salt, sugar and baking soda together in a bowl. Add the egg, buttermilk, and butter; stir together lightly, batter should be lumpy..
    Drop 1/3 cup of the batter into pan/skillet, roll pan to spread pancake. Cook until lightly-browned on each side, 1 to 2 minutes per side.

The picture up top was the actual pancake I made. Austin (my oldest) came over to the stove while I was cooking and said "Wouldn't it be cool if you could make them shaped like Mickey" so I did! LOL!

Hope you enjoy this recipe and if you make it leave me a post telling me what you thought!!

makeover

2011-09-02T11:34:00.001-04:00

Over the next few weeks I am going to be changing the focus of this blog. It is still going to include crafts (and Scrapbooking!) but also DIY, Reviews, Giveaways, Savings information... a little of everything. I will also be adding some more personal post about my life and family's life.

The main reasons for this is I just don't have the time currently to craft that I did before I was pregnant and had Jace. I know this is not a permanent state though so I'm not abandoning crafting entirely (I still buy cricut carts and scrapbook supplies!) The second reason is I have been a contributing writer over at As They Grow Up and I have loved writing there. It reminded me of my love of writing. I've always loved reading and hope to write a book sometime in my not so far future.

I hope you'll will stick with my blog if you stuck it out this long and see what comes up. My followers and comments keep me going!

Thanks!
~Lisa

Mega Swag Bucks Friday

2011-09-02T09:16:00.005-04:00

Today is Mega Swag bucks friday.

Have you signed up for Swagbucks yet?

Comfort & Harmony™ Cozy Cart Cover ™ by Bright Starts Review

2011-09-01T15:04:00.000-04:00

One of the things I dread about my little one growing up isgoing shopping without the infant seat. In his infant carseat he is protected from germs!! Bright Starts has helped solve that problem! Their Comfort& Harmony™ Cozy Cart Cover ™ isdesigned to cover the whole cart. Thismakes a clean space for my little guy to sit. The fabric is padded and it fit well over the shopping cart. There is even space to link up toys. The cover uses the shopping carts own strapsthat slip through the cover. Best of allit is machine washable!

Here is what Bright Starts says:

Comfort and HarmonyCozy Cart Cover: Provides 360° of protection for your little one! The Comfort& Harmony™ Cozy Cart Cover™ is made of plush, padded fabrics for supremecomfort while protecting baby from germs in shopping carts or restaurant high chairs.

We only used the cover at the store shopping and haven’t tried iton a restaurant highchair. Jace enjoyedbeing able to sit up and see what was going on which was a plus during theshopping trip. I really like the coverageit provided.

Comfort and Harmony Cozy Cart Cover retails for around$29.99 and can be purchased directly from Brightstarts.com.

~ Lisa

I received this product to review for AsTheyGrowUp.com.This is solely my opinion. Other people may have different experiences with the product. Thank you to Bright Starts for providing a product to test.

Owl love you scrapbook page

2011-07-19T19:41:00.002-04:00

I made this layout sometime ago I still haven't taken a picture for it. It is supposed to be my 3 little men. The sentiment is 'Owl be there for you' which is something I truly hope for them. I hope they grow to love each other and care for one another like my brothers do for me. I'm one of the luckiest sisters because I have two of the best brothers! They call me, help me and I know they will be there for anything I would need!!

close up of the birds:

Love how the colors blend with these papers too.

Wish List

2011-06-09T10:20:00.002-04:00

I added a wish list to my blog so that my dear Husband can easily look and see which cartridges I might like for my birthday in August! LOL!! This way I don't end up with one I might not every use (or rarely use!)

Hope all my crafter friends are having a blast this summer! The kids are home and I've been busy with that. Also my brother-in-law moved in this winter and is staying in my craft room (which makes it hard to pop in there for a few minutes here and there and work). I hope to get some projects done soon and have some things posted.

My littlest guy is now 7 months old and Adorable! He just sprouted his first tooth!!

Time is flying by so fast!!!

~ Lisa

Mother's Day Layout using Scotch painters tape

2011-05-10T11:30:00.004-04:00

I recently had the opportunity to review Scotch Blue™ Painter’s Tape for the blog As They Grow Up. The newest version has Edge-Lock™ technology which allows the paint to not seep under the tape creating a perfect line!

I used the Advanced Delicate Surface variety to be sure it wouldn’t hurt my paper and it worked perfectly!

I made this page:

Directions:

First I masked off the large space and painted blue using acrylic paints. I allowed it to dry then masked off the smaller spaces for the green and yellow paints.

I used my cricut to cut ‘miracle’ from Home Décor at 2 inches. I also cut the shadow in the same color and layered. I made two layered blocks and stamped the sentiment and stork.

close up of all 3 lines

This layout is so special to me! These are pictures with me and each of my sons the days they were born!

Hope you enjoyed this project as much as I did! Be sure to check out As They Grow Up for more product reviews and giveaways!

Been Busy too!

2011-05-06T08:31:00.002-04:00

Well I was sick for a long long time. Worst cold to hit our family. Thankfully the baby never got it! I have a project coming up later today. It is a beautiful layout. Just need to get to the scrap-cave and take some pictures.

Tomorrow is National Scrapbook Day. I plan on getting in the Scrap-cave All day/night!! I plan on playing along with The Pink Stamper - she always has great challenges and giveaways!! Perfect to keep the ideas flowing!

Hope you will join in on all the fun!!

So So Sick!

2011-04-10T15:19:00.002-04:00

Well the Spring-flu has got a hard grasp on my family! First it was my 8 year old. Then the 10 year old. The hubby (who never gets sick!) then me and then hubby's brother that lives with us. (He said he hasn't been sick in 10 years!)

Basically fever, stuffy head, and the most annoying cough EVER! I haven't done anything crafty in over 3 weeks because of this bug!

The kids are essentially over it but are still napping! Yes my 10 & 8 year old nap almost every day now! If not they go to bed for the night at like 6pm! These are the same kids that fight me to go to sleep usually!

So hopefully I'll be back sometime this week with something new to show you!!!

First Day of School 2007

2011-03-28T06:13:00.000-04:00

It has occurred to me that I am going to have to get very creative at some point with 'first days' of school. There will be 13 per kid! That is 33 first day layout! I already make a big deal with the first day of kindergarten and I imagine Senior year will be big... perhaps Junior High and Senior High too. That is a whole ton of pressure!!

That all said I decided to keep this layout simple! I used some pre-packaged title I think is jolee's. I love the simplicity!

I love this pic and had to add a close up of it! My son Xander was beyond excited and 100% ready for school!

Thanks for looking!!

Christening card and gift bag

2011-03-26T06:00:00.000-04:00

My best friend from childhood (thats a long long time now!) Christened her son on last Sunday. I bought his the cutest coat and little Carter's outfit set .... this is the gift bag I put it in.

The card was made using a stampin up stamp set:

I wanted something simple and elegant.... which I think I totally achieved!

Hope you enjoy this set! I used Easter 2010 for the cross on the gift bag and Plantin Schoolbox for the font. That was my first attempt at using my gypsy and welding words. It is not perfect but I will get better!!

Thanks for looking and as always I cherish your comments!

Beary Cute layout

2011-03-21T06:13:00.002-04:00

I love how this turned out! I had the papers for over 3 years!! Isn't it nice to finally use up some supply!! (Although I still have 3/4 of the paper left!! lol)

Title is from Simply Sweet, which I got at Micheal's when it was $9.99! It is really a nice font!

Create a Critter Bear! I think that you can use this cartridge for EVERYTHING!!

Added a cute lil stamp to his belly to make him coordinate with the chipboard hearts.

Close up of hearts which are laying on a piece of that raffia.

Thanks again for looking!! I love comments so be sure to leave one!

Mega Swagbuck Fridays!

2011-03-18T12:26:00.002-04:00

Today is Mega Swagbuck fridays! That means you earn more swagbucks for searching!!

Haven't tried swagbucks yet? Click on the banner and get started! I have to say I have earned over $50 in Amazon gift cards so far! The best way to earn fast is to install the toolbar and use it to search. There are tons of rewards on the swag site but I like the amazon gift cards because you can buy almost anything on that site.... including SCRAPBOOKING SUPPLIES!!

I hope you will join in the fun today!! You get swagbucks just for joining in! And they now have other ways to earn such as trivia on facebook and printing coupons on their site and using them. Super easy!!

Scrapbox Giveaway!

2011-03-17T14:23:00.002-04:00

Enter on the Original Scrapbox's Facebook page! Wouldn't this be an awesome addition to your scrap room? I know it would be for mine!!

Blog Candy alert!

2011-03-16T07:55:00.003-04:00

Here are some great blog candys going on around the different blogs:

Hoo's Crafty is giving away a Groovy times cricut cartridge. Check our her blog for details on how to enter!

Two School Layouts

2011-03-14T06:13:00.000-04:00

These were from the 1st day of school in 2007. I love to get a picture of my kids at their desk on the first day!

The journaling blocks were from a sticker sheet that went with the papers. I honestly bought all this stuff years ago and have no idea where I got them.

Thanks for looking!

Where to buy ....

2011-03-10T12:47:00.002-05:00

So dh says I can buy a few new cartridges for my cricut. I definitely want the Toy Story one and probably the Pixar one too. I like that new campin out critters one as well. But here is the question...

Where do you buy your cartridges for the best prices?

I am looking to spend about $23 per cart (so I can end up with 4 or 5) .... LOL! I used to buy from Memory Miser but they are priced around $29. I remember back when there was a site that you had to join (for $9.99) to get the best prices... and they offered a free trial ~ anyone know which site I'm talking about? All things Cricut keeps emailing me and they have great prices but I've never heard of them....

Anyways - anyone have any suggestions?

RC - another Disney Layout using Paper Dolls

2011-03-08T06:13:00.000-05:00

We stayed at the Disney All-Stars Movies resorts. They have the best decorations and it is perfect for taking a nice quiet stroll with your little ones. I love Disney ~ doesn't it feel like you enter a whole different world?

These pages took me months to figure out ... I just could not get a vision! I ended up using Paper Pizazz's paper pack. RC is cut with Storybook.

The little Mickey's are from a EK Success punch purchased at Michael's.

A close up of my Paper Doll. The detail on his shirt is from a Buzz Lightyear sticker sheet....

Hope you enjoyed today's layout!!

Blog Candy Winner!

2011-03-07T09:08:00.003-05:00

Thank you for all who participated in my first blog hop! I loved all the sweet comments!! Welcome to all the new followers too!! I am thinking about doing blog candy once a month from now on. How does that sound?

Speaking of Candy.....the winner of this hop's candy is:

Sandi said...: Darling layout....love the sun and that spider is just TOO cute! I am a new follower.; March 4, 2011 10:19 PM

Sandi please email me at lisarup @ aol.com and I will get your package out this week!!

I have a new project to post for you all tomorrow and today my cricut goes on a little vacation. So stay tuned!!

March Blog Hop!!

2011-03-04T06:00:00.002-05:00

Thank you so much for joining me and my wonderful blogger companions for this blog hop!

This is the first stop on your wonderful journey!! Each blog will feature a Spring or Easter project and there will be a giveaway too!! So you don't want to miss it!!

My project is:

Details:

~My Lil Itsy Bitsy Spider Layout~
Fonts used: Designer's Calendar & Simply Sweet cut at 1 inch

Sun - Doodlecharms- at 3 1/2 with Peachy Keen face stamps
Spider - Doodlecharms- 3 1/2
Clouds - Create a Critter- cut in various sizes (white clouds & embossed with swirl cuttlebug plate) big blue cloud cut at 3 inches.

Black ribbon from Micheal's. Web punch from Martha Stewart.

Your next stop is Melanie from Scrappily Ever After. I am sure she has something wonderful lined up for you!

Now for my giveaway:

Chipboard letters, stickers, a beach cutout, 10 yrds twine and Marth Stewart Frosty Village border punch +

3 sets of 'Girl themed' this and that embellishments +

One set of Birthday Whimsy Stampin Up stamps. (new and unmounted)

All you have to do is be a follower of this blog and leave a comment on this post. I will pick the winner on Monday Morning. (Please only leave one comment on this post to be eligible)

Now in case you get lost here is a complete list of the blogs for this hop:

Melanie at Scrappily Ever After

Melissa at Disney Dreamer Designs

Mariam at Purple Lily Studios

Kim at Me-Ma Kim's

Crystal at Crafting for Caitlyn

Beatriz at Amazing Grace

Erica at Sweet n Crafty Treats

Thanks again for joining us!!

A bit of Crafter's Block

2011-03-01T07:51:00.002-05:00

I sat down in my scrap dungeon (located in my basement!) and I just couldn't get anything to work. Here I finally had some time to sit and create and blah nothing. I pulled out my Flower Shower papers I bought last year and have only used 1 sheet of and wanted desperately to make something but nothing would come. So my question today is what do you do when you come across a crafter's block?

Donald Duck Layout

2011-02-28T06:13:00.000-05:00

I love Disney! We haven't been there in 2 years and these pictures are from longer than that so I am loving looking back and remembering the fun times!

Close up of the Duck:

The Duck was cut big... that is my 'biggest' tip (LOL). The older carts have lots of layers and cutting them bigger is better and easier to get a nice looking finished piece.

The embossed paper was purchased like that a few years back. I have a large stash of Disney embellishments and papers because I knew we would be visiting many times and will have many pictures to scrap.

Hope you enjoyed this layout as much as I did!

Blog Hop coming!!

2011-02-27T10:12:00.001-05:00

There will be a blog hop on March 4-6! I have a bunch of great bloggers lined up!! There will be prizes and amazing projects to share too!! I hope you will join us next weekend!!!

Swagbucks

2011-02-23T08:15:00.002-05:00

I love saving money! I don't know if you do but I really do!! Lately I've been using Swagbucks to earn gift cards to Amazon. You can basically buy anything off of swagbucks including scrapbooking supplies!!! If you sign up before February 28th and enter "BirthdaySaving" in the swag code box (on your home page) you will earn 80 swagbucks! (450 gets you a $5 gift card!!)

The best way to earn points is to install the tool bar on your internet browser. Then use it to search like you would use google. I have personally earned over $30 in Amazon gift cards with very little effort!

Click on the link above to get started!!

First Day of Kindergarten Double page Layout

2011-02-21T05:56:00.000-05:00

I love how these two pages turned out! This is Xander's first day of school and he was so excited to go. Had to spotlight that cute face!!

First page - used pieces from a Making Memories Vintage Findings kit. (I think I bought every one of them ~ love them!) Fonts are Storybook and Opposites Attract.

Close up of the song:

Everything was inked with Tim Holtz old paper ink and Distress Ink in a mahogany color.

2nd Page:

Ribbon was folded and stapled to add some depth.

Hope you enjoyed these pages!! Thanks for commenting!

February Blog Spotlight!

2011-02-17T06:32:00.000-05:00

Remember back when in January when I said I wanted to spotlight a few of my favorite blogs? Well I am hoping to do one a month! This month I am featuring Sweet n Crafty Treats by Erica. Let me tell you how happy I am that she just came back to blogging! She is my real life cousin and one of the best crafty people I know!! I hope you will pop over to her blog and give her some love!!

Thanks again for stopping by!!

Pink and Red ATG

2011-02-16T11:22:00.000-05:00

I already had a red atg gun that I bought a long time ago at Framingsupplies.com . I decided this year that the price of acid free adhesive was too high and I started doing research. The non-acid free is much cheaper. So I thought why not get some of each? I then knew I needed another gun but wasn't going to get the expensive red one again. But they now make a pretty pink gun!

So I bought a pink atg with my 50% off coupon at Micheal's.

I am going to put the acid free tape in that one and make my red one non-acid free.

You can check out my post on my red atg and get a link to a video that shows you how to load it. I have to say this is by far the cheapest adhesive and the strongest I have used!

Thanks for looking and have a great day!

Valentine's for the kids!

2011-02-14T20:49:00.002-05:00

So at the last minute I decided to make the kids Valentine's for the class. These are the bags with the notepads and cards I made for the teachers. I also added hershey kisses.

Close up. All Stampin Up Stamps.

The little purses I made for the girls. I used Forever Young for the boxes and Sweethearts for the hearts.

The stamps were some I had laying around.

Close up of the purse. I filled it with Candy. Honestly this was a bit ambitious! Took me a few hours. And I kinda wimped out because I didn't make the boy's Valentines but used the leftovers from last year for the them.

Hope you had a great day and enjoyed the holiday!!

Oh and guess what my hubby bought for me???

Yes I am entering into the world of Gypsy FINALLY!! My cousin had picked up an extra when they were on clearance and gave me a good price. I am new to it and my cricut is taking a little vacation so I will be using it more in a few weeks but I am SOOO happy and excited!!

I also got to go to Micheal's and get a Pink ATG and some more adhesive.

School layout featuring Stand and Salute

2011-02-14T06:27:00.000-05:00

This was from the first day of school Sept 2007. At my kid's private school they always have a flag ceremony on the first day. Our Pastor prays and we typically say the Pledge of Allegiance. We also sing God Bless America.

The Stand and Salute cartridge was perfect for these pictures. I love the title really pops with the white matting.

Hope you enjoy. I am loving to see all the pictures from 2007 and sorta re-living my life. That is the true beauty of scrapbooking your memories. I know my kids will appreciate it someday!

A Child's Year First Birthday Card

2011-02-12T11:45:00.003-05:00

I've wanted to make this card ever since my dh bought me this cart (a long, long time ago!)

I used my cuttlebug to do the diamond embossing on Kraft cardstock from stampin Up. The 1 is popped up with stampin up dimensionals. Stampin up is used for everything except the ribbon.

Going to my nephew's first birthday today and this will be his card. It was super quick to make and I managed to pull it out in about 25 minutes. It also helped me work towards my goal of using all my cricut cartridges at least once this year!! LOL!

Also wanted to add about my upcoming blog hop. I've had several people interested and I would love to have just a few more join in. If you would like to join in see this post for the information.

Hope you are having a wonderful weekend!

My Poor Cricut E

2011-02-09T20:58:00.002-05:00

So my poor Expression is going on a trip! Since I received this replacement cricut it has never cut circles/0's correctly. I finally got around to calling Provo Craft tonight and they are going to send me a refurbished E. This is of course great news and I must say I am super thrilled with Provo Craft for standing by their product. (I really love them and I have a ton of products from them and hope to add more this year!)

Now for the bad news.... their policy changed and now you have to ship your E to them and them the process and ship you a new one. Which means there is about a 3 week turn around. So I will be without a cricut for 3 weeks!!! What will I ever do? I know for a fact I will be crafting with it for the next few days to get stuff ready for the next few weeks. So have no fear I will still have projects posted but at some point I might have to get creative. We shall see!!

I must say I am loving having my blog back up and getting back into the groove of crafting as often as possible with a 3 month old. I have big plans in the future for this blog and my crafting in general. So have no fear I won't be falling off the face of the earth again. LOL!!

Blog Hop..... Are you interested?

2011-02-07T19:59:00.005-05:00

I am wanting to do a blog hop sometime in the near future. Looking for a few people to join in and get their blogs featured.... email me at : lisarup1@aol.com (with blog hop in subject) if you would like to join in. My requirements are:

1) you have a blog
2) be willing to make a project and post all the blog hop info on your blog including links to this blog for the start and links for the next stop.
3) that you be willing to offer some sort of blog hop candy (that can be as big/small as you like and you can have your own requirements for how entries are drawn/determined. You only have to close it when the hop is done)

I don't belong to any groups anymore or any design teams so this would be a chance to participate. Please let me know I think this can be a lot of fun!!

Brothers layout

2011-02-07T06:27:00.000-05:00

I love this layout! I used stickers I've had laying around for awhile now. I'm determined to use up my stash this year so I can buy new things. This layout was so simple! The plaid paper was from my scrap pile. I added some naked chipboard frames to some stickers to create a page element.

Naked chipboard frames a sticker.

Close up of my cutie boys!!

Thanks for viewing my layout!! Have a great day!!

Super-bowl Sunday Green Bay Packers Onsies and tshirts

2011-02-06T09:00:00.000-05:00

Happy Superbowl Sunday!! We live in NJ but my husband is a HUGE Green Bay Packers fan. (He even went to see a game in the freezing weather!!) So to surprise him I decided make some shirts for our boys. I plan on dressing them after church today.

I bought this iron on transfer a few years ago at walmart (I'm sure they have more or something similar)

then I selected images online and printed them out. BE SURE TO USE 'MIRROR IMAGE' IF YOUR IMAGE HAS TEXT!!

Then you trim the images.

Next: Set up iron to hot and iron the plain shirt to heat it up:

Put the images down and iron on following manufacturers directions on time.

I allowed my shirts to cool then peeled back the transfer.

Big Boys shirts:

Jace's shirt:

Hope you have a great Superbowl Sunday!! I think it will be a blast at the Rupertus house with my Husband so excited. The boys are Eagles fans but also like Daddy's team too!

I just want to mention how inexpensive this project was! If I had to buy shirts it would have been at least $14 a pop for the boys and who knows what a custom onsie for a baby would be! Gotta love being crafty!!!

Another Valentine's Card using Create a Critter

2011-02-05T06:05:00.000-05:00

I love Owls! My Mom collected them and I think I collect scrapbooking supplies with Owls because she liked them so much. This card was made from Create a Critter.

The stamp was a Studio G stamp from last year. Perfect for Valentine's Day!

The Valentine's Day stamp was from a set and the other two are Studio G stamps. I personally love the Studio G stamps. The are super cheap and work really well is you use Stazon ink. Alot of people talk on their blogs about the 'quality' of stamps but I really don't have a problem with this brand at all.

Now did you guess who this card is for? It is for my sweet hubby!

Hope you enjoyed all my Valentine's Day projects this week! I have been doing tons of layouts and have them scheduled to pop up over the month of February. Still trying to keep with 52 posted projects this year!!

Thanks always for looking and commenting!

Valentine's Day Create a Critter Card

2011-02-04T06:13:00.001-05:00

This was my actual first project with Create a Critter. Did I mention before how much I love this cartridge?

When I was pregnant with my youngest I joined a Mommy message board to have some people who could relate to all my 'aches and pains' of being pregnant. So now that the babies are born we have a mommy group. For Valentine's Day they paired us off and the 'babies' get to send Valentine's to each other. Well, Jace got a little girl named Aryssa. This is the card we are sending her.

Sorry the main pic is so blurry... my silly camera isn't good half the time.
the paper is from the $1 section at Target last year. I added glitter to the phrase and the ladybugs tummy. Also chalked the cheeks to give a little more personal touch.

Inside I used two separate stamps. The top one is from Stampin Up and the bottom was from some set I have... not sure who makes that one. I did the little icon on the ladybug page for a accent. So cute!!

Hope you enjoy this projects! I know I did!!

Valentine's Day Create a Critter Cards

2011-02-03T07:54:00.000-05:00

My husband bought me this cartridge for Christmas and I am only now getting to play with it. I have to say it is my absolute favorite cartridge! Everything has cut beautifully and layered just as nice!!

This is a cute little squirrel. I chalked him up a bit to add dimension to the brown colors. The plaid paper was a scrap and then the backside of it was blue. So I flipped it and pulled out one of my punches from ek success that had a little heart border. I ended up doing it on both sides and voila' it looks like ribbon!!!

So the squirrel is for my son Xander on Valentine's day. I will give each of the boys a little candy treat too!

Next I did a koala bear and used the same pattern/layout for each of the cards. This is for my oldest Austin because he is a bear collector. (Each of my kids has a 'theme' animal. Austin is bears, Xander is dogs and Jace is monkeys.)

I know they are not traditional Valentine's colors or themes but for my two boys I think it is perfect. I don't think either would be thrilled if I made them a pink hearted card! LOL!

Thanks for looking and commenting!

Valentine's Day Teacher Cards

2011-02-02T06:13:00.000-05:00

Here are the cards I plan on sending in to each of my kids teachers.

I used the cricut cartridge Forever Young for the silhouettes. That was the 2nd time I've used the cartridge and I think it is perfect for anything girly! The paper was from target's $1 section last year. (using up my supplies!!) The 'love' stamp is one of Heidi Swapps. I think I've had that for over 3 years and have only used it once. I added two prima flowers layered with a skittle that had been dyed with alcohol ink.

The inside is a sentiment stamp from Stampin Up and the heart is one of those cheapy stamps from the craft store.

I hope you enjoy these cards!

Valentine's Day Teacher Gifts

2011-02-01T11:22:00.000-05:00

I bought a bunch of these notepads at a yardsale last summer. They were 10cents a piece. I knew when I saw them I could use them for gifting.

I took some Valentine's Day paper I got last year at Target's $1 spot and wrapped it around each note pad. Then added a silver ribbon. I stamped the heart and cut it out. Added the 'thanks' stamp and a prima with rhinestone in the center. Pop dots were used to apply the heart to the note pads.

Tomorrow I will post the cards I made to go with these notepads. I plan on giving them to each of my kids school teachers for Valentines Day.

Hunter Birthday - layout

2011-01-31T09:27:00.000-05:00

Keeping up with my 2011 goal is another simple layout. This one is from my nephew's 4th birthday. (In 2007! LOL!)

The title is layered using Simply Sweet. I also used my Martha Stewart punch around the page for the presents. (This was from the Christmas collection last year - totally usable for birthdays as well as Christmas!)

The #4 was layered too.

Thanks for looking!! Hope you have a scrappy day! :D

quick cards for back to school night

2011-01-30T15:04:00.000-05:00

So Monday night is our mid year back to school night. At my kid's school the parents go and meet with the teachers and there is a little lesson from our principal. After that some fellowship with each other (which always includes yummy food!!) It is a tradition for the kids to leave a little something for the parents and then the parents leave them a treat as well. Since I started card making I've been making my cards for them. I always leave some m&ms as well!

Now the important part to the kids is that they get something from us but I didn't want to waste a lot of time or money on something they will probably throw away. (What can I say I have 3 boys! ) So I decided to use scraps and I am not going to put it in an envelope either.

Both these cards were made from a Paper Pizazz paper piecing book I bought years ago. All I did was cut the images and mount them on some plain cardstock. The green dotted paper was a scrap I had leftover.

I added the stamped sentiments 'think' and 'strive' ~ I think they are 'school themed'.

Hope you enjoy these simple cards. I'm loving that I am using up some very old supplies!

Vote!

2011-01-25T08:53:00.000-05:00

One of the things I wanted to do this year was spotlight a few of the blogs I frequent.

I love Melissa's blog. She helps inspire me with my Disney layouts but her blog has more than that too. You should check it out!!

Now she has some blog-bribe going on if you vote for her card she submited at One by One the Flamingo's are stealing my Sanity. Her card is the 'Thoughtful Flamingo' if you get a chance please vote. Check out Melissa's blog and leave a comment telling her you voted for a chance to win her candy and if you mention that you heard it from me I will get a extra entry! :D

Another school layout

2011-01-24T09:22:00.000-05:00

This is a double page layout that I did for my son Xander's kindergarten album. It spotlights the kids walking to the raising of the flag ( a first day of school tradition) and him sitting at his desk.

I found this paper at the coolest store in Pennsylvania called Flower and Craft World. (It is a bit far from me but if you live near Lancaster, Pa it would be totally worth checking out!)

I am trying to use up my stash so I just grabbed some leftover kid school stickers and added them to the page.

I loved this paper because our kids go to Christian School and it had a bible verse printed on it already! It was the perfect choice!!

Hope you enjoyed the pages!!

I love My Teacher Layout

2011-01-17T09:12:00.000-05:00

One of my projects I need to complete is my 2nd son's Kindergarten album. (From 2007!!) Fortunately his teacher actually made one for each of the kids in his class so the pressure for this album isn't really as high as it would have been. My kids go to private school and the parents get to participate in a lot of activities and trips that perhaps wouldn't happen in a public school.

These pictures were from the first day of school. I'm trying to do some simpler pages that incorporate my HUGE stockpile of paper and supplies!

This page uses DCWV school stack (I think it is called school days). The title and additional cut outs came right from the paper pad! :D

I added some blue gems to the cut out to pop the flowers and tie the page together.

More blue gems on the primas to help tie it all together.

Thanks for looking!

2 projects

2011-01-10T11:21:00.000-05:00

This is a project my son did for school. He picked Cuttin Up for the font. It was funny watching him use all my tools. He used a paper trimmer, atg gun, and the cricut.

I made these for both my kids for back to school night. The animals are from Animal Kingdom.

How do you print your pics?

2011-01-05T19:48:00.000-05:00

So I've been thinking alot about the 1000's of images I have to print out ... still. I want to take a weekend and get them all sorted, labeled, printed and ready to go for scrapbooking for 2011. So my question is where do you print your pics?

Is it at a store, uploaded or at home?

Do you buy cds to backup your images?

Do you look for a good price?

Currently I just buy new sd cards to back them up rather than making back up cds. SD cards are smaller than cds and they cost about $12 which you can get a cheap pack of cds. I was printing pics at walgreens since it is so close to me, but the quality is AWFUL! I like the quality of Target the best but they are pricey.

Baby Announcements

2011-01-02T11:08:00.001-05:00

I wanted to make my baby announcements this time around since I was only going to do about 20. I used a stampin up set to stamp all the images and pretty much all their products. I used the stampin up water color pencils to color in the background as well.

This is the inside:

Hope you enjoyed this project!!

Happy New Year!!

2011-01-01T20:32:00.000-05:00

What a Wonderful year!!

We introduced our newest son to the mix! He was born Nov 3rd at 7.2 pounds. Cute as a button. We named him Jace Andrew.

This is him at 6 weeks old. His older brothers just loved him to pieces!!

Now it is a New Year. I haven't really done much with crafting since finding out I was pregnant. So glad to not feel sick any more and to be getting back to normal. My scrapbooking has piled up since I was not doing any crafting at all.

Crafting Goals 2011

1. Do at least 100 layouts
2. Finish my Wild Card series (I only have a few left)
3. Post at least one project a week on my craft blog.
4. Use everyone of my cricut carts at least once this year.
5. Learn 3 new tricks or crafting type things this year

So what are you goals for crafting this year?

Summer is flying by!

2010-07-10T08:21:00.000-04:00

I can't believe how fast the days are going by! Tomorrow morning I leave with the kids & my sister-in-law to go visit my family in Florida for almost 2 weeks. (I had hoped to have some new projects to post up while gone but well, life is always happening when I want to be scrappin!)

I am hoping to come home and get the baby's first year album done and be able to share it with you as well as my current youngest son's kindergarten album. I have found that scrapbooking is my true love and not so much cardmaking.... even though I've been trying out cards for the last few months.

As for me I am feeling better but still take it easy most days. My energy level is great in the morning but dwindles as the day goes on. I am almost 23 weeks along and will only have to go til 38! So this little one will be here in about 15 weeks! That time will fly so fast!

Hope everyone is having a great summer and that you are especially enjoying this hot hot weather God has given us (especially after all that snow!).

~ Lisa

baby thank you

2010-07-05T13:21:00.000-04:00

I wanted to try out some looks for the baby's announcements and thought "why not make a thank you' while trying. So this is what I came up with.

The giraffe & background stars & moons are all colored with stampin up watercolored pencils and then moistened. I think I will do something similar for the announcements. I would like to have them completely done way before the baby comes!!

Stamp set used: Stampin Up Bundle of Joy

Simple Summer card

2010-07-03T18:58:00.001-04:00

This card is for a challenge over at Scrappily Ever After . The picture for challenge #2 was of flip flops so I created this simple card with scraps!! I like how clean the whole thing looks and it has my favorite color purple on it! I hope you get a chance to play along over at Melanie's blog, there are 5 days of challenges involved so nothing too crazy!

Hubby's Father's Day Card

2010-07-02T13:17:00.000-04:00

Still playing with my Stampin Up stuff since I have so many stamp sets. The froggy is on of them. I used EK sucess heart border punch and some Primas to dress him up. Also used the bic markers I won from Samantha's giveaways to color the frog.

Wild Card #40 The Monster

2010-07-01T13:14:00.000-04:00

Finally another wild card!! I will slowly get through them all!! This si the monster card. I did boyish colors so I could use it for a boy birthday card in the future. The 'hi' is a cheapy stamp I had around (he needed something) and I stickled his eyes!

Hope you enjoy!!

Simple Card

2010-06-30T13:10:00.001-04:00

Over at Scrappily Ever After Melanie is having a challenge this week to create a project from a picture she post. This is what I came up with for the first challenge ~ inspired by the Sunflower.

Stampin Up stamps were used as well as cuttlebug for the embossing.

Hope you can join the fun!!

We had our 20 week ultrasound!

2010-06-24T08:33:00.001-04:00

Here is the ultrasound. It is a decent profile shot. So we also found out what we are having and it is Baby Boy #3!!! We don't have any set names yet, and honestly we prob won't til the baby is born. We didn't name Xander til the next day!!

Simple Birthday Card

2010-06-12T11:35:00.000-04:00

Simple Birthday card for my lil cousin Dominic's first birthday. I used Alphalicious for the 1 and the scallops. Ek sucess punch for the border at the bottom. Patterned paper is from Dollar section from target and the rest of the paper is from Stampin Up. Stamp is stampin up too.

17 weeks today! Tiny Update!

2010-06-02T07:58:00.000-04:00

This pregnancy is moving right along! Today I am 17 weeks and I have an appointment with my midwife. I am hoping she will schedule me for the gender ultrasound so I can finally find out what this little bean is!! Overall I am feeling much better I just get tired around 4pm everyday! This doesn't help my crafting time since I used to do it after dinner each night....

I am hoping to get back into the swing of things over the next week since my boys are now done school. First thing I need to do is get the control back in the house. I spent most of March/April in bed with all-day morning sickness so my house looks like a tornado hit it!! Once I get that under control time will free up to craft once again!

Well that is my tiny update!!

Update on Me!!

2010-05-13T07:11:00.000-04:00

I am officially in my 2nd trimester now... 14 weeks along. Sometime in June we will be able to find out what this baby is, I am so excited to know!

The kids are done school the last week of May and it will be wonderful to have them home! I am planning on doing a few crafting projects with them and will post pics as we get them done.

As for today... It is the day I usually post my Wild Card, I didn't get it done yet for this week because I ended up in the ER on Wed night and didn't get home til after midnight the next day.... I am just not use to staying up that late! Since I've been pregnant I've been in bed by 8-9pm most nights! So I'm going to try to get it done today if possible but we will see. Still have to do all the things I missed Tuesday night and Wednesday.

Lastly, I want to say thank you to my faithful followers on this blog. I know I am not posting like I was but I hope to get back to that starting in June!

Wild Card #39 ~ the Gift Card

2010-05-11T10:26:00.000-04:00

Today we have #39 in our series! (only 11 to go!) I decided that I wanted to make something usefull for me and made a graduation card for my oldest nephew who will graduate from highschool in 3 weeks!! (I feel so old!! ) I actually cried at his 17th birthday because I remember when he was little and babysitting him. I can't believe he is all grown up now!! He is at least 6'6 and has to bend in half to give me a kiss now!! LOL!!

Ok here is the card... burgandy is the school color!

I used two stamps. The cap is stamped then cut out and I used dimensionals to pop it.

'Thanks for looking & for all your comments!!

Wild Card #38 - #1 card

2010-05-06T08:44:00.000-04:00

It is teacher's appreciation week so I thought I would make the kid's teachers a card.... thinking about getting some flowers as well to bring them after school today...

Here is my card:

I tried to use some papers that are 'school' themed. I didn't make the envelope since it will fit in a standard A2 one, and I plan on giving it to someone specific already.

Thanks for looking!!

Wild Card #37 - The Pumpkin

2010-05-04T07:17:00.000-04:00

Can you believe we are on #37 already? I think this might have been one of the cuts I bought this cart for! LOL! That said we really don't do 'spooky Halloween' at my house. I always try to keep in mind how I will use the cards I am making in the future (sometimes I make them with a specific use) so I thought 'Harvest' since I would be more likely to use that.

Did I mention I LOVE pumpkins? I must own about 20 pumpkin stamps!!! LOL!

Ok here is my card:

I used Stampin Up cardstock.

Thanks for looking!

Wild Card #36 - Heart

2010-05-03T09:32:00.000-04:00

So so sorry it took me so long to get this one up.

This is a really cute card and it was super easy to make!

I used stampin up cardstock for the card.

Thanks again for looking!

NSD Challenge #3 - Outside the Box

2010-05-01T16:41:00.001-04:00

Challenge #3 was to "Think outside the Box" For this card I made the background paper on the top by ink 2 different colors on a background stamp. I have a few background stamps but I never think to do it!