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I know this book came out over a month ago, but I just barely got around to reading it. And the first half I wanted to kill. I am just really sick and tired of 1. Edward’s “marble skin” and “golden eyes,” and 2. hearing Bella’s insecurities about her relationship with Edward! I don’t get why he loves her but he does and he has shown that so many times, she should know by now and not be questioning every other page! In fact, I don’t get why both Edward and Jacob are so into her - she’s really nothing special, is she? If she is, Meyer didn’t expound on her overwhelmingly loveable characteristics. I suppose I can understand Jacob’s love for her since they really developed a relationship during the time Edward was gone, but mostly I thought their obsession with her was totally pathetic.

I also didn’t like the silly made up name “Renesmee.” Are you serious? I’m not a fan of the made up names and thought that was just RIDICULOUS. (I guess Meyer has a knack for choosing bad names…Wanda?) It also was strange to me how non-maternal Bella was.

A few more things that bugged - all the hot and heaviness. Come on!!! Newlyweds are unbearable, do we really need to read about it?!? There were a few too many bedroom scenes for my tastes. And I thought the whole Bella-turning-into-a-vampire thing was a little lame since she wasn’t even really like a vampire. Finally, the ending was a bit anticlimactic. There was a whole lot of build up and nothing really at the end of it all.

However, lest you think I did not enjoy this book, I should stop my ranting and say that I did, overall, enjoy it. Meyer really does know how to write a suspenseful story that makes you want to keep reading into the wee hours of the night and neglect all other things during the day. I wanted to know what was going to happen, and although I thought the conflict was a anticlimactic, I liked the happy ending. I wanted everyone to end up happy, and they did. Of course it was unrealistic, but so are vampires and werewolves, aren’t they? Besides, I don’t read fiction to get more of reality. I read fiction because it’s creative, inventive, and unrealistic.

Overall, Breaking Dawn was a good story. I don’t know if I’ll let my teenage daughter read it, but I have enjoyed reading Meyer’s novels, and I will most likely read books that she publishes in the future. I’d love to hear what you thought of the book!

Filed under: Book Talk | No Comments »

I’ve been posting 5 days a week for about a year now.  Life is getting busier so I’ve decided to take Fridays off.  I’ll still be posting Monday through Thursday, and hopefully I’ll be able to use Fridays to experiment and get some new ideas to share with you all.  I hope to be able to post 4 days of much more thorough and creative material.  We all need a catch up day, so that’s what Fridays are going to be for me, although I might use Friday to do product reviews.

Have a great weekend - see you Monday!

Filed under: Uncategorized | 4 Comments »

Our last two winners.  I wish this could go on forever.  Well, we’ll be having more giveaways very soon.  I’m hoping to start The Original Scrapbox giveaway next week, plus in September we’ll have some stuff from Yoplait and some birth announcements from my graphic designer friend, Jeri Huish.  I’ll probably do one big prize in October, and another big one in November - I have the November product all picked out and lined up.  It’s a $370 scrapbooking tool that you won’t want to miss.  More about that later.

For now, our last two winners are dying to hear their names.

The winner of the Creative Memories digital scrapbooking and photo organizing software and the Gorillapod Go-Go is Brianne Stephens, who said, “I’ve wanted to try digital scrapbooking, if I win I’ll have to!”

And our final winner, the winner of the products by Creative Memories, Making Memories, Roberts Arts & Crafts, Ribbon Ring, and Fancy Pants Designs is…Twlya Gills, who said, “Thanks for all your hard work to come up with such wonderful prizes!”

Twyla and Brianne, email your shipping address to kelsey[at]vanillajoy[dot]com.

Thanks to all our sponsors and all of you for entering to win.  Coming soon is the MiniBox giveaway by The Original Scrapbox.  HAPPY THURSDAY!

Filed under: Blog Giveaways | 8 Comments »

I saw a cute idea for a wall decoration a while ago in a magazine (I think it was Creating Keepsakes) that was easy and inexpensive enough for me to actually do for my house.

I got the frame at IKEA - a 10″ square shadowbox for around $7. You can use the glass or leave it out, whichever you prefer. And I got the flowers at Roberts. You could use daisies or any other kind of flower - I like hydrangeas right now, but I could easily choose a different flower in a different color and swap it out for a change.

This is my kind of home decor project - cheap and easy. And nice. Flowers are always nice. Enjoy!

{photo taken with a Canon Digital Rebel XSi}

Filed under: Around the House | 3 Comments »

Would you believe that I forgot I had a winner to announce this morning?  I got so busy finishing up a couple crib quilts that the whole giveaway thing totally slipped my mind.  I think I need a secretary…

Now that my memory has returned, random.org has chosen a winner for us, commenter #316, Carolyn Sharkas, who said, “Wow! Another great giveaway! Thanks so much for sharing. I love Fiskars products and own many. I love my trimmer, but it is one of the older types and it’s definitely time for an update.”

Congratulations, Carolyn.  Please email me your address and I will get this amazing Fiskars package out to you.

We still have two more winners to announce tomorrow, and then this giveaway spectacular is over for a little while.  The Original Scrapbox giveaway will most likely be starting on Monday, so get ready for that .

Thanks everyone, especially Fiskars, for making this week so much fun!

Filed under: Blog Giveaways | 6 Comments »

I’ve said before that my scrapbooking style is simple, and it really is. But I’m working on changing my focus from scrapbooking as many pictures in the shortest amount of time to scrapbooking actual stories and memories. I’ve finally concluded that if it’s mass that I want, can just use those photo sleeves (which I actually haven’t found yet - I want the 12×12 ones with 5 slots on each side. I know they exist because I’ve seen them around. Do you know where I can get some of those?)

Anyway, I don’t need to scrapbook every picture like I was trying to do! I’m starting to realize that choosing one photo that really tells a story is really what scrapbooking is all about. Photo sleeves take care of quantity - scrapbooking is for quality journaling and story telling. I’m starting to move into one-picture-per-page land, a place I previously avoided.

Here’s the first page done using my new philosophy:

Okay, so you can see that I’m no scrapbooking genius, but I don’t have to be. I have my own style and it works for me - I love this page because it is a visual a reminder of the feelings I had in the moment that I took that picture. And I like thinking of titles. Maybe that’s cheesy, but I like it.

I’m loving the simplicity and freedom of one picture per layout. I can really focus on the story and have plenty of space to mess around with rather than being cramped and stressed about being efficient. I think me and scrapbooking are going to be getting along much better from now on.

In case you’re curious, I used my Canon Rebel XSi to take that photo. I couldn’t live without my digital SLR - I love Canon! I used the Creative Memories Corner Maker to round the corners and the Creative Memories Custom Cutting System that I found at a yard sale to make the sunshine circle shape - I love those little templates. I use them all the time and they make cutting circles and ovals sooo easy. Hmm, what else. I used my Canon printer to do the colored title and journaling. Oh, and I also used a new little gadget by Canon to print the picture - the Canon Selphy CP770 (pictured at left - it’s such a tiny and cute little thing!). It was really nice to be able to print the picture immediately and scrapbook the story while it was still fresh in my mind.

So that’s how I do it. I’m really curious to hear about your scrapbooking philosophy - what you focus on, how you choose which photos to scrapbook, your favorite tools, and anything else that influences how you scrapbook. Leave a comment with your ideas and I’ll include them in a post soon. I would also love to see some of your favorite layouts, so email them to me at kelsey[at]vanillajoy[dot]com and I’ll include them in the post also. I can’t wait to hear from you all!

Filed under: Crafts | 17 Comments »

We still have 3 contests running right now:  Fiskars, Digital Scrapbooking, and Loads of Scrapbooking tools.  The Fiskars contest ends tonight at midnight, and the other two end tomorrow night.  You can still earn extra entries.  Click here to learn more.

The Original Scrapbox giveaway will be happening soon, so get ready for that.  The contest will be for a MiniBox - my favorite of all their products.

Thanks so much to all our sponsors and also Lisa Bearnson, for announcing the giveaway on her blog.

Filed under: Uncategorized | 3 Comments »

We weren’t actually able to go pick raspberries yesterday. Sad. Fortunately, I called the place before we left and found out that the farm was closed because of rain so our raspberry/freezer jam party was postponed.

Something else exciting happened, though, and I learned a great…

Furniture Buying Tip

I’ve been wanting a big comfy arm chair for our bedroom, and it takes me a while to decide what I want and then even longer to actually spend the money. We went to Down East on Saturday ready to buy, and?!? They no longer carry the chair I wanted. Typical. But they had another chair that I liked even better, for only $20 more!

Down East sells clothing and overstock/imperfect furniture from high end places like Pottery Barn, etc. I found this really comfortable chair and a half for $420, but there was a big spot on the bottom of one side. The manager said it came in like that and was the reason for the already discounted price, so no, I could not get another discount.

Well, I happen to be a pretty persistent person so I asked the manager again a little later, pointing out the same chair in another color that didn’t have the spot. He said he would see what he could do, and knocked $120 off the price! I got this awesome and beautiful chair for $299.

Basically, when you’re shopping for big ticket items, remember that their profit margin is pretty big so they can afford to knock a bit off for you if they feel like that’s the only way they’ll get the sale. You have to be persistent and make them think that you’re going to walk out and never come back if they don’t give you a good deal. And it never hurts to examine the item really closely to find any small defect or imperfection, because they’ll almost always lower the price for something like that.

I was so excited to get such a good deal, and all because I pestered the guy a bit, which I don’t mind doing at all. A little pestering can save you hundreds of dollars, so next time you are in the market for some furniture, remember to ask and then ask again. If you need some coaching, let me know.

Filed under: Shopping | 16 Comments »

Giveaways are just a part of Vanilla Joy. That’s just the way it’s going to be. I like giving stuff away to you guys, okay? And I want to know what you think about the way I’ve been doing it. If you could answer the 3 questions below, that would be awesome so I can get better at giving away free stuff. If you have other ideas on how to make these contests better for you, please leave a comment at the end of this post. Thanks!

Filed under: Blog Giveaways | 8 Comments »

Someone is going to get a happy Labor Day surprise, and her name is Natalie Portugal! Natalie said, “Love it! This is giving me the scrapbooking itch.” Email me with your address and I’ll get you your prizes pronto. Congratulations!

Normally on Mondays I would do book talk, but since today is a holiday, I’m going to go pick raspberries in Payson instead. I’m going to eat a bunch and make freezer jam with the rest, something I’ve never done before!

I’ve been wanting to do this for a long time because I love raspberry jam, but also because this sort of thing reminds me very much of my childhood. Growing up in Oregon meant that we picked fruits and berries every summer - blackberries grew wild right by my grandma’s house and there were several berry patches nearby. I actually worked at a berry patch for 2 or 3 summers, starting when I was 12. I picked raspberries and blackberries and didn’t make very much money at all, but where else could I work to earn money as a 12 year old?

Anyway, I’m really excited to go pick some raspberries with my own family and bring back those wonderful memories. There’s a great place called The Raspberry Patch in Payson if you live in Utah.

Have a wonderful labor day!

Filed under: Blog Giveaways | 6 Comments »

Contest #2 has now ended and the winner is… BECKY SMITH who said, “What great stuff!” Contact me at kelsey[at]vanillajoy[dot]com with your address and I’ll ship that stuff to you straight away.

Thanks again for entering, and for the rest of you - better luck next time! We still have 4 more winners to announce, so have a great weekend, keep earning extra entries, and I’ll see you next week.

Filed under: Blog Giveaways | 6 Comments »

Wow, I am shocked at how many people entered to win.  Thanks to all of you for participating.  Sadly, we can only have one winner, and she is….

Lindsay Hauptman who said, “Oh, I have always wanted one of these!  Thanks for organizing this!“  You’ll need to contact me with your address so I can have it sent to you.  CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Tuesday’s contest winner will be announced tomorrow…good luck!

Filed under: Blog Giveaways | 20 Comments »

Our last day of prizes. Well, sort of. The Original Scrapbox giveaway will be starting soon, and there will be more great giveaways happening all the time. Thank you all so much for your excitement and participation and help in spreading the word.

The Cricut contest has ended, but you can still enter to win all the other contests. Some of these last contests are running longer because of the holiday Monday - I didn’t want to disadvantage those who will be vacationing with their families. That’s what this whole blog is about you know - families (and motherhood and womanhood). I know I get distracted with all this giveaway fun, but my main purpose here is to provide a meeting place where we can talk about and share ideas that will help us in our families. I happen to think that my crafting/creativity helps my family because it enriches me as a person and I think children need to see their mothers enjoying themselves and doing things they love to do. Moderation in all things, but we are women too and we have to balance our family’s needs with our own.

So I will be back next week posting about craft ideas but also organization, parenting, fun activities for your kids, and much much more. I hope you’ll all stick around and become life long members of the Vanilla Joy community and share your knowledge and experience with the rest of us. I would love to have some of you as guest bloggers, if you’re interested. Email me. We’ll talk.

Man, I really go off at the beginning of these posts, don’t I? I’ll get down to business now. Lucky winner #5 will get this fabulous collection of products:

1. A Decorative Trimmer by Creative Memories

I wrote a little post a while back about this little jewel - I can’t think of an easier way to spruce up a page than with some wavy edges. The grid on the platform is really helpful - it’s easy to make sure you’re cutting straight, which is important. And I just think it’s so smart that they included two different blades and patterns in the same paper cutter! Now that’s efficiency, folks. I love it!

2. A Desktop Carousel by Making Memories

This is one of my absolute favorite organizational products, and I also wrote a little post about this that you can read for more of my drooling over it. Basically, it’s big enough that all your tools are in the same place. No more hunting for a pencil and forgetting where you put your scissors and searching frantically for the glue. It’s all in one place. And it turns (because it’s a “carousel”). And there are drawers and slots enough for all your little gadgets. I have seriously saved a ton of time by having all my tools organized in this thing because I always know exactly where they are. It’s great.

3. A Crop-a-Dile II Big Bite from Roberts Arts & Crafts

I don’t know how I survived without this thing. I honestly don’t. I almost didn’t. When I was in college, I took bookbinding. I decided to make a crazy and complicated variation on a clamshell box with compartments and all sorts of extra things, including snaps. I nearly threw that whole box out the window into the snowy abyss below. I needed 4 snaps, and I used about 10 trying to get them on right. The little tool that comes with the snaps wasn’t working right and I nearly had a nervous breakdown. Cause I had a deadline coming up, and I had to finish, like right now! Eventually I had to leave the room and let my husband do it for me.

The point is, had I had the Crop-a-Dile Big Bite, I would have done the 4 snaps in 5 minutes and could have spent the rest of my evening drinking hot chocolate in a hot bubble bath (cause I was pregnant at the time and that’s probably all I really wanted to do).

This tool is incredible. It punches holes (no big deal, right?). But it punches holes in 3 different sizes. And it also sets snaps, eyelets, and grommlets. One tool. For all of those things! It has a 6 inch punching and setting depth so you can put it pretty much anywhere on a 12×12 piece of paper. You can use it on fabric, leather, paper, plastic, thin tin, and chipboard, so there really are no limits to what you can do. I think this tool should get the craft MVP award. And I love the name - I love the whole play on words thing.

You can go look (and touch and feel) this toy tool at Roberts Arts & Crafts, my favorite craft store - I love the 40% off any one item every day thing. I’m a sale girl, so Roberts and I get along great. And they have everything craft related. It’s perfect, really.

4. A Ribbon Ring by Ribbon Ring.

I’ve run into many different ribbon storage solutions in my quest to find the best craft products on the market for this giveaway. The Ribbon Ring is another excellent solution for storing ribbon in your own craft room. It just makes so much sense. You pull off short lengths of ribbon (a few yards at a time) and thread it through the tags. You can see all the pretty ribbon you have, which makes you feel very girly and inspires all kinds of creativity. You can match different colors and patterns together quickly and easily, and you can wave the whole thing around while prancing around the living room, just like you’ve always wanted to do. These are very affordable ($10 each) so if you have lots of ribbon you can get one for each color. The Ribbon Ring is one of those things that just makes sense and makes crafting easier and more fun.

5. And finally, the All Fall: 8×8 Album and an All Fall: 8×8 Paper Pad by Fancy Pants Designs.

Isn’t 8×8 such a great size? I love these medium sized albums for theme or baby books, and this album is a beautiful color and texture. Fancy Pants Designs has so many cute things on their website, you’ll have to go look. You’ll also get an 8×8 paper pad to help you get started on that album. The designs are bright and fun - paper just makes me happy. It’s the same effect as fabric for me. I like to look at it, touch it, and have it. I am dreaming of a very adorable album, made with all things Fancy Pants. I’ll share pictures when I’m finished.

So that’s it! That’s the pile for one lucky person who will win all of this great stuff. Thank you so much to Creative Memories, Making Memories, Roberts Arts & Crafts, Ribbon Ring, and Fancy Pants Designs. You’ve been wonderful to us.

And this giveaway concludes the “Giveaway Spectacular.” (There are 2 contests starting today, so scroll down.) I hope you’ve had as much fun as I have! We will be having more giveaways coming up very soon, so sign up for my RSS Feed to be notified. You wouldn’t want to miss out - that would be a very sad thing, especially since the next giveaway will be the MiniBox craft storage furniture piece from The Original Scrapbox. And that other little prize that is hush-hush for now, but will blow your mind for good!

Thanks for sharing this fun with me! Have a wonderful Labor Day holiday, and I’ll see you next week!

___________________________________________________________

Blog Giveaway Guidelines:

1. To enter this contest, leave a comment on this post between now and midnight PST on Wednesday, September 3rd. You can earn additional entries for this contest. To learn how, click here.
2. One comment per person, and you must include your name.
3. This giveaway is only open to residents of the continental United States…sorry.
4. The winner will be randomly picked and announced in a new post on Thursday morning.

If you have a product you would like Vanilla Joy to review and give away, email me at kelsey [at] vanillajoy [dot] com. Thanks!

Filed under: Blog Giveaways | 323 Comments »

There are two contests today, so be sure to enter both. Monday’s contest is over, but the rest are still going, so enter them and good luck!

This contest is special because these products are digital rather than traditional scrapbooking products. Digital scrapbooking has gotten better and better with the help of great products like the ones today’s winner will take home. Here’s what one of Friday’s winners will get:

1. StoryBook Creator Plus Digital Scrapbooking Software by Creative Memories

I like all the paper and traditional stuff, but digital scrapbooking is sounding more and more appealing for at least some of my scrapbooking. Scrapbooking can be an overwhelming and never ending project, and I’m going to start trying to incorporate digital pages in with my traditional ones.

This software is awesome for either the seasoned or rookie digital scrapbooker. It’s easy to use and understand with enough options to change things up without being overwhelming. So here is a treat for you who have already digitized and for those who are getting ready to make the change. You can visit Creative Memories’ website to see all the tips and tricks of this software.

2. Memory Manager 2.0 Software by Creative Memories

I love this software. Before Memory Manager, I uploaded all my pictures into Picasa and there they stayed, organized according to the upload date. I still use Picasa, but I also use the Memory Manager program because I can organize my photos however I want, and each photo can be in 5 different place if that’s what I want.

I can organize my pictures according to holiday, family relationship, date, location - anything! This has made it so much easier for me to visualize how I’m going to scrapbook my pictures. I can move all the pictures I eventually want to print into one folder, so when Snapfish has their 8 cent prints sale, I don’t have to try and figure it all out right then. I have stopped printing pictures that I’m not actually going to use, so this software also saves me a little bit of money and sanity.

It’s easy to use and so helpful!

3. A Gorillapod Go-Go by Joby.

Today’s final prize is going to help you get those pictures taken so you actually have something to scrapbook! The Gorillapods are these little flexible tripods that you can use for any type of camera. The Go-go is unique because you can use it for more than just a camera like the picture shows. You can prop up your cell phone or GPS in the car or anywhere! It’s a mobile entertainment kit that lets you prop up or attach your hand held gadgets anywhere you want. Your kids are going to love this product. It has lot of cool features that you’ll just have to check out their website to see.

Thanks Creative Memories and Gorillapod!

___________________________________________________________

Blog Giveaway Guidelines:

1. To enter this contest, leave a comment on this post between now and midnight PST on Wednesday, September 3rd. You can earn additional entries for this contest. To learn how, click here.
2. One comment per person, and you must include your name.
3. This giveaway is only open to residents of the continental United States…sorry.
4. The winner will be randomly picked and announced in a new post on Thursday morning.

If you have a product you would like Vanilla Joy to review and give away, email me at kelsey [at] vanillajoy [dot] com. Thanks!

Filed under: Blog Giveaways | 183 Comments »

I am thrilled to announce that The Original Scrapbox will be giving away one of their amazing craft storage furniture pieces on Vanilla Joy. I’m not sure which one yet, but this is the biggest item I’ve ever given away.

The contest will start sometime in the next week, so please keep checking back. I don’t want anyone to miss out on a chance to take home this prize! Woohoo!

You might want to subscribe to my RSS Feed to make sure you don’t miss the announcement of when this giveaway will start and how you can gain entries.

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By the way, The Original Scrapbox is giving a special discount to Vanilla Joy readers, so let them know I sent you.

Filed under: Blog Giveaways | 52 Comments »

Today is the last day to enter to win the Cricut! You still have a few days for Tuesday and Wednesday’s contests, but time is running out! And tomorrow there will be 2 different prize packages and 2 winners, so don’t miss that.

Once again (I think I will only have to bore you with this detail two more times…so sorry) click here to get the haps on how to earn extra entries. Reading this page is important because there are TONS of ways you can earn extra entries (the easiest is to blog about the contest and link to Vanilla Joy) and you have to follow some simple but specific guidelines to get credit for your points.

Are you guys getting worn out from all of this yet? I hope not! There will be similar awesomeness pretty regularly around here - I hope to do giveaways at least once a month…I hope to be giving away another Cricut soon, but we’ll see…maybe even the big one, you never know!

Right now I’m working on another scrapbooking/craft product that you all are going to GO CRAZY over. I’ll tell you one thing - nope. I’d better not. You’ll just have to show me how much you love me by continuing to visit and comment - I love hearing from you guys! Hopefully we’ll see some more scrapbooking/craft giveaway craziness very soon.

Until then, another lucky winner will get a box absolutely full of the most essential crafting tools that a serious crafter must have (worth over $200). Where do you go when you need the basics? Yes. You go to Fiskars. They’ve been doing it forever, and here’s what someone will find on their doorstep very soon.

1. A Fiskars 12 inch/30 cm Portable Rotary Trimmer with wave, scoring, deckle, and pinking blades.

Besides the fact that this rotary paper trimmer is well designed and high quality, it’s pretty. I love the orange and yellow color scheme. Isn’t it wonderful to live in a time where simple tools like this are also nice to look at? Yes ladies, you can now have your cake and eat it too.

This little gem has rubberized feet to keep the base from sliding, and it’s slim and takes up less space. That’s important because a workspace can’t be so cluttered with tools that you have no room to actually work. Slim is good. There is a grid on the surface so you can line up your paper/photos to get nice straight cuts, and there’s a crystal clear rail that holds everything in place for extra slippage prevention.

2. A Fiskars 12 inch/30 cm Portable Personal Trimmer and 2 pack replacement blades (straight and scoring). This is different than the one above - that one is a rotary trimmer, this is not. this is a regular trimmer, which is more compact and better for small jobs. I love to use my portable trimmer for cutting photos especially. And isn’t their new orangey retro design so cute!

3. A Fiskars 45 mm Comfort Grip Rotary Cutter - our first sewing tool! I love sewing, and I have found this tool absolutely indispensable. Although you could use this on paper, this is my fabric rotary cutter of choice. I love making quilts, and after a couple of hours of cutting squares and strips, my hand is grateful for the cushyness of this rotary cutter. You’ll also get a package of replacement blades for this puppy. You’ll be set for years!

4. A Fiskars 6.5 x 24.5 Acrylic Ruler AND a 6.5 x 6.5 Acrylic Ruler. I also consider these sewing tools, although they would be very handy for scrapbooking if you don’t sew. Fiskars has these acrylic rulers in pretty much any size you could dream about, and they have some pretty cool features.

That dark purple edge is 1/2″ wide to help you visually account for a seam allowance - that’s absolutely brilliant, because I can’t count the number of times I’ve cut something without adding in extra for the seam allowance. GRRRR - that’s so frustrating! Never again with these rulers. Also, the ruler is divided into 1/4″ increments so that you can align your fabric all the way down and get a perfect cut every time. There are triangles to help you cut those intricate pieces for your adorable quilt, and each ruler comes with some little non-slip labels for the backs of the rulers to keep the ruler in place.

Now all you need is some fabric…and a rotary mat…

5. A Fiskars 24×36 rotary mat! Okay, now all you need is some fabric. A rotary mat is useful for so many craft applications. I use my rotary mat for bookbinding (punching holes), quilting, and sometimes just as a work surface. I like to have something between me and the table, just in case.

Remember how I said this would cover all your basic craft essentials? Was I right? I was totally right. You have more paper trimmers and rotary cutters than you could ever dream of having, and all for free from Fiskars! Now you’re going to need a place to store it and time to use it. I’m sure you’ll figure something out…

___________________________________________________________

Blog Giveaway Guidelines:

1. To enter this contest, leave a comment on this post between now and midnight PST on Tuesday, September 2nd. You can earn additional entries for this contest. To learn how, click here.
2. One comment per person.
3. This giveaway is only open to residents of the continental United States…sorry.
4. The winner will be randomly picked and announced in a new post on Wednesday morning.

If you have a product you would like Vanilla Joy to review and give away, email me at kelsey [at] vanillajoy [dot] com. Thanks!

Filed under: Blog Giveaways | 340 Comments »

I’ve said it before, but I’m going to keep repeating myself so nobody misses out. You can still enter to win Monday and Tuesday’s giveaways, and you can keep earning those extra entries by blogging and linking. You can also copy and save that cute little button up there, add it to your blog, link it to Vanilla Joy, and earn more extra entries for that. Click here to read all the different ways you can earn extra entries. And click here to see the giveaway schedule - I’ve had to change things around a bit, so check back to stay updated.

Now, what you’re really after. One lucky duck will win these 3 fabulous products.

1. The Ultimate Trimmer by Purple Cows.

You have a paper trimmer, but you need this paper trimmer. Because it’s a rotary trimmer, which means it can cut a single photo or 10 sheets of paper. And because it has those 11 cute little round things under the cutting surface. Do you know what those are? They’re only the one of the reasons this paper trimmer is awesome. They are 10 (ELEVEN counting the one in use!!!) different cutting blades: Straight, Perf, Long Wave, Short Wave, Scoring, Deckle, Scallop, Squiggle, Victorian, Colonial and Pinking. Isn’t that brilliant! Craft storage is my ultimate nemesis, and Purple Cows has really found the key to my heart with storage INSIDE the trimmer. Just imagine what it will be like with those cute little blades staring up at you, screaming to be put to creative use! Not to mention some other little compartments under there for just whatever you want. Oh, and it’s purple. I love purple.

Another reason you need this trimmer is because it has that little guide to help you make perfect cuts every time. Good-bye skeewampy edges! One lucky person is going to LOOOOVE this ultimate trimmer.

2. The Sizzix Sidekick die cutting machine.

The winner will also get this adorable die cutting machine AND a 4-pack of dies. I love the Sidekick because it’s small and the dies are inexpensive and very versatile - a few dies go a looong way and this machine makes adding quick embellishments to pages and cards so easy and fun. When I first used it, I was totally perplexed about how it worked. You just turn the little handle, which pulls the template through, and a cut design comes out on the other side! No visible blade, perfectly silent, quick, and amazing! I tell you, turning that little handle makes me feel like a kid with a gumball machine, only I’d much rather have the die cut than a gumball!

My other favorite thing about this machine is its embossing capabilities. I. Love. Embossing. It is just so classy and cute and the texture…I love textured things - it’s the part of me that has to touch EVERY piece of fabric in the fabric store. I just want to know how it feels! Embossing is the same way for me, although it’s like a visual touch. It’s just so…3D! And it’s pink. I also love pink.

Fun, fun, and more…

3. FUN when one of you wins this Portable Ribbon Dispenser by Creative Options. This handy item was in yesterday’s pile, and another lucky person will get to take it home.

Like I said yesterday, ribbon is unruly, and there’s not a lot you can do about it…unless you have this portable ribbon dispenser. You can use it for all sizes of ribbon, tote it to your girlfriend’s house, or just look at it in your craft room because it’s so cute. It’s like a little trunk, with the latches and everything. And what a treasure inside! (That was cheesy…forgive me.)

I’m getting a little worn out from all this excitement! There are just so many great products to be given away this week, and they keep getting better. We have 2 days and 3 prizes left after today - one day will have 2 winners. Keep entering and earning those extra entries. Good luck to all of you! And thank you so much for your participation and excitement. I love to check your comments and hear how excited you are about all of this. You all are little flowers in my day!

Thanks to Purple Cows, Sizzix, and Creative Options!

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Blog Giveaway Guidelines:

1. To enter this contest, leave a comment on this post between now and midnight PST on Saturday, August 30th. You can earn additional entries for this contest. To learn how, click here.
2. One comment per person, and you must include your name.
3. This giveaway is only open to residents of the continental United States…sorry.
4. The winner will be randomly picked and announced in a new post on Monday morning.

If you have a product you would like Vanilla Joy to review and give away, email me at kelsey [at] vanillajoy [dot] com. Thanks!

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