Thank You's & A Giveaway

 *Giveaway is closed. Stay tuned for winner announcement.*

When I worked as a Special Education Assistant, my job was working with specific children. I went where they went. I went to gym class, to the library, to lunch and recess, and to math class. And the families of these children were very sweet to me. They treated me like family and made me feel really appreciated and loved. I got the kindest thank you notes from these families that meant so much.

While working with these specific children, I also interacted with all of the other students in the classes. I saw them all day long. And throughout the years, what surprised me most, is the thank you notes I received from the families of those children. It was amazing to hear about the impact I'd made on these kids, without even realizing it.

Have you ever received a thank you note that really touched you, that really made you feel appreciated? I think hand-written thank you notes are one of life's best simple pleasures.

This month, Pear Tree Greetings is offering my readers a chance to win a set of Thank You Cards. One winner will get to choose from any Thank You card in Pear Tree's collection!

There are a ton of cards to choose from too. You can choose Christmas Thank You Cards, Baby Shower Thank You Cards, Wedding Thank You's, Graduation Thank You's or Personalized Thank You Notes for you or your kids. These are really beautiful cards too. Pear Tree sent me a few samples of the cards and they're wonderful. I'm always impressed with the designers over at Pear Tree Greetings. Their cards are always interesting, gorgeous and unique!

*Giveaway*

One Jodibee Designs reader will win a free set of Thank You Cards from Pear Tree Greetings (up to 16 cards).

To Enter:

For your first (mandatory) entry, Please go to Pear Tree Greetings and tell me which Thank You Card design you would choose if you win. Remember, you can choose from any Thank You Card on Pear Tree's site.

After you've done the first entry, you can do any or all of the extra entries. Please leave a separate comment for each one you do.

Extra Entries:

• Follow my blog publicly
• Subscribe to my blog via email (Leave email in comment)
• Like Jodibee Designs on Facebook (Leave your FB name in comment)
• Like Pear Tree Greetings on Facebook (Leave FB name in comment)
• Follow JodibeeDesigns on Twitter (Leave your Twitter name in comment)
• Follow PearTreeGrtngs on Twitter (Leave your Twitter name in comment)
• Tweet the following: Visit @JodibeeDesigns and enter to win a set of gorgeous, personalized thank you cards from @PearTreeGrtngs! http://tinyurl.com/29ftk3n (You can tweet daily, leave link in your comment)

That's it! Giveaway is open to U.S. Residents and will end 11/04/10 at 12 noon EST. I will choose 1 winner via Random.org and notify them via email. (Please put your email address in your comments if your email isn't public on your profile!) Winner will have 48 hours to respond to my email or I'll have to choose another winner. Good luck everyone!!

**If you don't win and are interested in purchasing from Pear Tree Greetings, please check their Coupon Codes and Promotions Page for current discounts and promos!**

Disclaimer: Pear Tree Greetings is sponsoring this giveaway and supplying the winner with the prize. I have not been compensated for my post. I did receive sample holiday cards to facilitate a previous review and referenced that in this post.

Cookies: First Try

So I attempted coconut macaroons last week. Notice I say attempted. They were not as straightforward and simple as I'd thought. They stuck horribly to the baking sheets. Recipe called for an insulated cookie sheet. I only had one, so I made the others on regular baking sheets. The cookies on the insulated sheet stuck worst of all! I literally had to scrape up the middles with a metal spatula, re-form them into balls and offer them to my mother as a delicious, but not-so-pretty treat. I didn't even take pictures to share with you. I was really a bit embarrassed by them.

See, I greased the pans with butter, like I've always done. But according to my mom, that may have been where I went wrong. She thinks maybe the butter cooked away and didn't help with the sticking. So I bought crisco to try next. I also have parchment to try. Anyone have any great advice to keep coconut macaroons from sticking? I'm willing to try anything. I would love these tasty little treats to look as good as they taste. I would really love to be able to proudly share them.

Treat Yourself for $5 Shipped!

Dark Blue Sugar Skull Earrings from Oogie Boogie Baubles

I love these! They're cool and creepy and still really detailed and pretty! They come in different colors too, but I love this dark blue pair. The details really pop! I love how subtle the scary is with these. Perfect for just a tiny touch of macabre! And for only $5 with free shipping, you won't feel guilty! 

Go ahead! Treat yourself!

A Treat For Your Neck!

Tiny Candy Corn Fused Glass Pendant from GlassCat

(This pendant will add some Halloween flavor to any outfit!)

$12 + $2 shipping!

Review: KT Tunstall - Tiger Suit

I've been a fan of KT Tunstall since 2006 when I first heard her single, Black Horse and the Cherry Tree. It had a beat and uniqueness I couldn't ignore. It stuck in my head like many pop songs do, but this was a welcome stuck. I really enjoyed listening to this one and it wasn't getting old. (I wasn't alone either! KT Tunstall earned a Grammy nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal for the single as well!)

You may also know this Scottish-born singer-songwriter from her first album's other single, Suddenly I See. This catchy song has been featured in many films and television shows, including the opening scene of The Devil Wears Prada and episodes of Grey's Anatomy, Ugly Betty and the Ghost Whisperer. It was also used as Hillary Clinton's campaign song for her 2008 Presidential campaign.

When the One2One Network told me they'd be featuring a review project for KT Tunstall's new album Tiger Suit, I was excited to sign up. I couldn't wait to hear what KT's new album and to share it with you all! I've always been really impressed with her songwriting skills, so I was excited to see what she was doing now.

I wasn't disappointed! This album is catchy and brooding at the same time. It's fabulous. KT is really experimenting with her vocals and I've never heard them sound so good. There's a ton of variety to this album too. You won't get bored with tempo or style.

The album's first single, Fade Like a Shadow, is addicting! The lyrics are quick and witty and the tempo will get you moving. It's a great track and definitely rivals previous singles. Other favorites on the album are Lost, (Still A) Weirdo and Come on Get in (which reminds me of the catchy power of Black Horse). Honestly though, there isn't a bad song on the album. I love it as a whole. Each song, as you listen, is a surprise and it's good. Very good.

KT is on tour this Fall (10/31 - 12/1) so be sure to check and see if she'll be in a city near you! You can also learn more about KT Tunstall and her new album, Tiger Suit, by visiting her website and previewing the album. KT is also on Twitter and Facebook.

Disclaimer: I was given the opportunity to review this album through my membership with the One2One Network. They sent me a free copy of the album to facilitate my review. I have received no other compensation. The views and opinions here are mine and have not been edited or influenced by the company. By posting this review, I am entered to win a gift card.

Witches Fingers!

I saw these Pretzel Mold - Witch Fingers from Wilton on A.C. Moore's website! Aren't they creepy and adorable?! They'd be fantastic for a Halloween party and the mold is only $2.19. (That's the online price so I'm assuming the in-store price will be close.) I think they'd look really fun in a mason jar on your ghoulish food table with maybe a bowl of gummy eyeballs next to it. (Now to find a way to make gummy eyeballs!)

The Raisin House

When I was a kid, the dreaded Raisin House was right across the street. Every year Johnny's mom handed out little boxes of raisins on Halloween instead of candy. (Name has been changed to protect Johnny from re-living the shame.) We kids collectively named it "The Raisin House" and apparently we weren't alone. Talking with friends now as an adult, lots of kids had a Raisin House. And we all have the same memory of it. No one liked it.

I remember telling my mom, "Why can't they let us have candy this one night?!" My mom responded by telling me that I had plenty of candy and not to worry about that one house. She was right so I dropped it and focused on the candy trading. (Did you do this with your siblings? Maybe your kids do this now. So fun!)

Looking back now though, these unpopular parents were just trying to curb what we all know has become an epidemic of obesity in America. They were trying to be helpful. We never saw it that way, but that was their intention. And I totally understand the impulse. Kids don't really need the candy.

But Halloween for me is a time to be a kid again. I love to sit at the door, see the kids' costumes and enjoy the cool autumn night. And I love to hand out candy. I remember the thrill as a kid going from house to house, my pillow case getting heavier and heavier. Besides Christmas and my birthday, it was my favorite day of the year. And I'm not fooling myself into to thinking it wasn't about the candy. It totally was. So I know I will continue to give candy on Halloween. My younger self would never forgive me if I became a Raisin House. But for those of you who want to offer a healthier option, I found a great one you might not know about. I know I didn't.

Today on The 10! Show, a local Philadelphia morning show, Chris Byrne of Time To Play was showing fun toys and costumes for Halloween. He also featured a bag of small tubs of Play-Doh to give out for Halloween. I thought this was so great. Kids, especially little kids, will love this! Chris said the bags were available at Target and Walmart for about $3.99 for 20. I haven't checked out the stores yet, but I did find this bag of 80 available on Amazon.com for $17.49. (And it is eligible for free shipping if you have Amazon Prime!)

This would also be fabulous for teachers or for halloween party treat bags. I'm pretty sure this would be much more acceptable than raisins and pretty affordable, especially if you live in a pretty big neighborhood and get a lot of kids.

So if your conscience won't let you give out candy this Halloween, and I can totally understand that, this Play-Doh Trick or Treat Bag might be a great option for you.

Dress-Up Fun!

Needle Felted Moustache - Brown from Fairyfolk

(Wouldn't this be fun for Halloween or just year-round silliness?!)

$8 + $3 shipping!

Pear Tree Greetings Holiday Collection

If you're starting to think about your holiday cards and specifically where to buy them, check out the new Holiday and Christmas Card Collections from Pear Tree Greetings. They have some really great, unique designs to match every style. Whether you like classic, modern, photo or non-photo cards, Pear Tree has something for everyone.

A few weeks ago I received a package from Pear Tree Greetings with a sampling of assorted holiday and Christmas cards so I could check out the quality for myself. They really are wonderful! As always with Pear Tree, I was very impressed with these cards. The colors are vibrant, the photos are clear and sharp and the card stock is heavy. Pear Tree Greetings are always made with 100 lb. Matte Card Stock, which is also 100% post-consumer recycled!

They have hundreds of brand new designs for 2010, including a variety of Christmas Party Invitations and Christmas Thank You Cards as well! (Stay tuned for a thank you card giveaway coming soon!) If you're starting to think about Christmas cards, or if my post got you thinking that you shouldn't procrastinate this year, check out Pear Tree Greetings. I think you'll be impressed with their selection and style. These are affordable, really stylish cards and I'm sure you'll find one (or quite a few) that you'd love to send to friends and family this year.

Plus, right now Pear Tree Greetings is offering an Early Bird Special! With all orders of $49 or more, use code EARLYXMAS at checkout to save 10%!

*Offer is not valid on previous purchases or combined with any other offer. Offer expires 11/07/2010.*

Seeking Sponsors for Holiday Gift Giveaway Hop!

The holidays will be here before we know it! This year, I'm participating in the Holiday Gift Giveaway Hop Dec 1st through 5th! Over 250 blogs will be hosting giveaways!! This year's prize theme is gift cards, gift certificates & cash! Winners will be able to use their prizes to help with holiday gift expenses or to treat themselves! 

I'm currently seeking sponsors for this event who want to donate gift certificates for their businesses. It is up to you the value of the gift certificate and who can enter (U.S., Canada or Worldwide). 

We are expecting a ton of traffic from this event! Who doesn't want a chance to win cash or gift cards?! Plus, with over 250 blogs already signed up to participate, readers know their odds of winning are even better. And more readers means more visibility for your product or business.

Besides great exposure for your company or product, I am also offering sponsorship packages to give you a little more incentive to sponsor a giveaway on my blog!

The Sponsorship Packages are:

Gold Package: Donate a gift certificate of $100 and up. You will receive:

• Company or Product Feature Post: 300+ words, 2 keyword links of your choice, pictures, links to your site and Social Media sites.
• Sidebar Button Ad posted from Nov 1 to Dec 15. You must provide me with the picture for the button.
• Facebook post about your company on the Jodibee Designs Facebook page.
• Weekly Tweet to my Twitter followers about your company/product and a link to your site. (Nov 1 through Dec 15) *Also includes Retweets from my personal Twitter account.*
• Description of your business with a link to your site and picture on the Holiday Gift Giveaway Hop post.

Silver Package: Donate a gift certificate of $50-$99. You will receive:

• Sidebar Button Ad for the event (Dec 1-5). You must provide me the picture for the button.
• Facebook post about your company on the Jodibee Designs Facebook page.
• Weekly Tweet to my Twitter followers about your company/product and a link to your site. (Nov 1 through Dec 15) *Also includes Retweets from my personal Twitter account.*
• Description of your business with a link to your site and picture on the Holiday Gift Giveaway Hop post.

Bronze Package: Donate a gift certificate of $49 or less. You will receive:

• Facebook post about your company on the Jodibee Designs Facebook page.
• Weekly Tweet to my Twitter followers about your company/product and a link to your site. (Nov 1 through Dec 15) *Also includes Retweets from my personal twitter account.*
• Description of your business with a link to your site and picture on the Holiday Gift Giveaway Hop post.

Please email me if you are interested in becoming a sponsor or if you have any questions.

Hello Again!

So I took a week off from blogging to recharge a bit. I was feeling a little "blah" and needed to get away from the computer for a few days. And I also needed to get some work done around here, so it worked out that the two coincided in the same week. But now I'm back and ready to go. Stay tuned for some fun this week!

We had a beautiful weekend. Friends of ours got married in Maryland. It was a beautiful outdoor ceremony. It was a bright, blue-sky day. A bit windy but it definitely made the day feel like autumn. The couple both looked gorgeous and best of all, really happy! Congrats Laura & Andrew! I wish you both all the best! 

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend and are having a great Monday. 

Happy Friday!

It's pretty gorgeous here. The sun is shining and the sky is blue. What a nice way to start the weekend! (Yep, I'm starting mine early!) We're going to get to see some friends from out of town tomorrow and I'm really looking forward to it. We haven't seen them in awhile, so it'll be nice. Sunday is movie day, but I'm not sure what we'll be seeing. I'll report back next week! 

I hope you all get to see some sunshine this weekend!!

New Glee Gum Winner

One of my Glee Gum winners never responded to my email so I had to choose a new winner...

Random.org chose #4...

Congrats to Doodle741!! (You're on a roll today, girl!!) 

I'll be contacting you by email shortly for your address and flavor choices!!

Halloween Sticker Winner!

Out of 16 entries, Random.org chose #2...

Congrats to Doodle741!!

I will be contacting you shortly! Thanks so much to everyone for entering!

School Of Rock - Free Week Promotion!

 

School of Rock is a national leader of music education in the United States and have been teaching children for over 10 years! They offer guitar, bass, drum and keyboard lessons to kids 7-18.

School of Rock's mission is to inspire kids to rock on stage and in life! No experience necessary! Only an eagerness to learn is required!

They operate 58 schools in 23 states. You might have a school nearby and not even know it!

School of Rock is now offering a free week of lessons!!! If you have a child who dreams of being a rock star, this is the perfect way to try it out!

Free Week includes one private trial lesson (30-45min) and one Rock101 group lesson (90 min). 

*Free week must be completed by Oct 31.*

Offer is available at participation locations and is subject to scheduling and availability.

To redeem: Call 1-866-371-0557 
and use code: SORBLOG

Or complete the online form, including code: SORBLOG in questions/comments field and school will contact you directly.



Also follow School of Rock on Facebook and Twitter for more information about the school!

Disclaimer: I am being entered to win a gift card in exchange for this post. I was not compensated in any other way.

Festive Placemats

Pier 1 Imports has these great placemats in store for only $2.95 each! Aren't they cute? You can even check online to see if your local store has them in stock! Such a great way to dress up your Halloween table!

Need Some Claws for Your Costume?

(How great are these?! They'd be perfect for my godson's Werewolf costume or his mom's witch costume!!)

Stretch Gloves with Nails or Claws from Snippet Fairy

$13 + $2.50 Shipping

Glee Gum Winners!

The Glee Gum giveaway ended while I was away! Here are the winners:

Congrats to Mary of Birch Bark Beads, Linda and Maryjaco1!! I will be emailing you all shortly for your addresses and flavor choices! Congratulations!!

Thanks to everyone who entered!

Spider Web Table Runner Tutorial!

(photo by Gina Provenzano)

I've been seeing some adorable Halloween table runners this year and found this great tutorial from Gina Provenzano at ShelterPop.com to make your own Spider Web runner using just felt, chalk, a ruler and a pair of scissors. I think it looks great and making it is a lot cheaper than buying one! No sewing involved!!