Thirty One Thermal Tote Winner!!

We literally just walked in the door less than an hour ago from a mini staycation to see The Saint's family in the Florida Panhandle...and true to my word of announcing our winner on Monday....

I didn't count April's comment :), so we had 69 comments total - SO AWESOME!!

Congratulations to my sweet sixteen commenter:  Tiffany Christie!! 

I'll be emailing you momentarily for your mailing address and which thermal tote will be on its merry way to you this week!! 

Thank you all the commenters and new followers...now that I'm back in town, I'll be paying a visit to all of your blogs!

And if you didn't win this time around, make sure to keep an eye out for another giveaway...I have another thermal tote and some other goodies up my sleeve to giveaway this week in honor of hitting over 100 followers!!

Keri

{create this} Hello Spring! Frame Trio

May I interrupt this Fin de Friday post?!  Just for a second?  Of course I can!  Because if a picture (or jpeg!) is worth 1000 words...

This is worth a bazillion!!!  I am seriously, stupendously, absolutely and completely BEYOND EXCITED!  Triple digits, baby!!  To the first 100 of my real life and virtual friends and followers - thanks.  Seriously.  Really.  Thank you.  This is the beginning of a great thing...I can just feel it!!  And because 100 is a big deal...I feel a giveaway in your future :)  Stay tuned this week!

Okay...and back to my regularly scheduled post... 

Friday, glorious Friday!  The beginning of our Spring Break, a little mini staycation and SO MUCH TIME for crafting!  And speaking of crafting, today's Fin de Friday (my weekly craft and tutorial) is the April re-do of the trio of frames by our front door:

Say goodbye to "SO LUCKY" and say, "HELLO, SPRING!"...this month I decided to highlight some of my favorite Spring-y things!

Nothing says Spring like fluttery butterflies

The kites were just some humble paper scraps, but add a pop dot, some embroidery floss and cheery bows for the tails and these kites are Springalicious!

Soft, felty "chocolate" bunnies and crepe paper grass

These frames are a fantastic way to add a bright pop of color by our front door, an easy way to update for any month or season and a cheap way to decorate - I didn't buy a single thing (well, not recently, ha!)! 

And now, perhaps the most simple yet awesome tutorial ever...Straight Pin Butterflies:

Two punched hearts + 1 straight pin = butterfly

Really though?  These would make sweet cupcake toppers, scrapbook page embellishments or stick a whole school (herd?  group?) of winged wonders dancing down your bulletin board!

This project was shared at all the blogs on my Link page!

Allow me to Introduce...April Ware, Thirty One Gifts and a GIVEAWAY!

I know you're dying to meet April, but I've got a winner to announce!!  Here is the lucky winner of a 1 hour Family Portrait Session from Linda Wilson Photography...

Terrie "the BCF" Garrett

Congratulations!!  Please email your contact information to me at shakentogetherblog {at} gmail.com and Linda will be in touch soon!

And now, allow me to introduce...April Ware!

April is one of my newest friends, a Director with Thirty One Gifts and enabler of my purse, bag and tote buying obsession.  Haven't heard of Thirty One?!  It is only the most stylish, practical, gorgeous line of purses, totes, bags, organizing products and so, so much more!

Take a look at a few of my recent purchases AND items I was able to select with my hostess rewards:

I have 3 Littles under my bathroom sink to corral my toiletries and the mini zipper pouch makes a great make-up bag

an all-in-organizer holds all of bills and papers organized under my desk

my purse is Thirty One  inside and out - skirt purse, mini zipper pouch and shirred front wallet

the Organizing Utility Tote is my go-to for the baseball park - 7 pockets!  need I say more?!

the Cindy Tote is my new favorite thing - SUCH a gorgeous bag

Thirty One has unbelievable specials each month...for the month of March, for every $31 you spend, you can buy any purse 1/2 off!  Any purse!  In April, for every $31 you spend, you can purchase one of the all in one organizers (what I have my bills in above) for 1/2 price!  And those are the customer specials - there are even more specials for hostesses!

That means buy three of the Littles to fill with Easter goodies or rein in the chaos under your sink and you can get the snap skirt purse for only $21 - serious steal!!  Stock up on thermal totes for end-of-the-year teacher gifts and pick up the Retro Metro bag for $26!   Spoil your mom for Mothers' Day, snag a utility tote for the drycleaning or pick up perfectly practical Easter baskets for the kiddos...whatever you buy, I know you'll love it!

If you have any questions about products, patterns, embroidery options or want to host a home show or catalog party, contact April directly at april31gifts {at} gmail.com. 

And now... the GIVEAWAY!!

April is giving away one of my favorite things...your choice of a Thermal Tote in one of two delightful patterns!    Select either:

OR



Thermal totes keep hot stuff hot and cold stuff cold for up to 4 hours - and even longer by adding an icepack!  They are perfect for stowing snacks for a road trip, keeping drinks cool at the ball park (speaking from personal experience!), packing lunches or throwing in a diaper bag for bottles.  Teachers will love one filled with little treats or supplies!  Embroider one for your co-worker for a perfect gift that keeps everyone else's paws off her lunch :)

This is what each thermal tote looks like all decked out:

Okay...there are four (4!) ways to enter (do 1 or all 4) and increase your chances of winning!

1. Follow my blog (new option to follow by email!).  This has nothing to do with April, but it's just really nice and you will be the first to see my fun projects, posts and giveaways!  Please comment to let me know you already follow or are a new follower.
2. Visit April's Thirty One site here or browse the catalog here.  Come back and leave me a comment with your favorite item or pattern.
3. "Like" Thirty One with April Ware on Facebook.  Come back and leave me a comment letting me know you like her.
4. If you absolutely love Thirty One like I do and place an order via April's site (select the "click here if your shopping in unrelated to an event" link) or schedule a home/catalog party, come back and leave me a comment.  This comment will count as 3 entries once it is confirmed with April. 

I guess that really makes six ways to enter!  And.....GO!

This giveaway closes the evening of Sunday, March 27th, 2011.  A winner will be randomly selected and posted Monday, March 28th, 2011.  Good luck!

Keri

{create this} paper cupcakes ~ popcakes!

Hello out there in Blogland and welcome to another Friday here at Pressed Down, Shaken Together.  And you know what that means...Fin de Friday!  A creative crafty creation and a tutorial to try this weekend!

Ohhhh, I have been just waiting for Friday to get here so I could share...

these!!!

I'm calling them Popcakes short for 'pop-up paper cupcakes'.  And seriously?  A dozen is just not enough!  They're quick, easy, low-cal and guilt-free! 

And without further ado, the HOW TO:

Chocolate Swirl Popcake

Cut two 12" x 2" strips of paper - mine is double sided this time - and adhere them together end to end (pattern on one side, plain color on the other).

Now, roll around a pencil or dowel (or just wing it).

Unroll it until you get the size popcake you want and then adhere the loose end.

Determine how wide to make your fluffy frosting top. (My pencil marks are where I am going to add a small slit to fit down on the popcake bottom.)

Hand cut and ink your frosting! Punch a heart for the 'cherry' and poke a hole for an embroidery floss stem.

Cut your slits the width of your popcake bottom to fit your frosting on.

and...

Sugariffic!

Delish Accordion Fold Popcake

Cut one strip of paper 12" by 2".  I am using the red striped strip for the treat cup popcake further down :) 

Accordion fold it like those fans you made in elementary school :)

Now, glue/tape/stick the ends together so you make a funky, folded 'circle'.

Depending on how wide your popcake is, measure how wide your fluffy frosting top should be.

Cut!  Ink!  Cherry!  Cut slits in either side of your frosting so it fits down on your popcake bottom and instant gratification!

Confectionary perfection!

Vanilla Sprinkle Treat Cup Popcake

Cut down any paper/foam cup - mine were left over from a catered lunch at work (woo hoo!  upcycling!)

Add one 12" x 2" strip of festive paper around the cup.

This time,  I added seed bead 'sprinkles' (too.much.cute!) to the fluffy frosting top

The finished product...

Whip up a dozen for happy party goers!

Fancy Schmancy Popcakes

Repeat above only use these amazing graphics from our favorite lady, The Graphics Fairy!  Spooky tree, fleur de lis and damask flourish.

These make adorable birthday/celebration cards, place cards, 3-D party invitations, fill with candy for party favors...the delicious possibilities are endless!

So, forget a mixing bowl and a spoon ... hope you whip up a batch of popcakes this weekend!

This project was shared at all the blogs on my Link page!

Allow Me to Introduce...Linda Wilson Photography & A GIVEAWAY!!

In the coming weeks, I am going to introduce you to some talented ladies who are not only friends but small business owners who have agreed to host some fabulous giveaways.  New friends and free stuff...what could be better!?  So....

Allow me to Introduce...Linda Wilson Photography!!

Linda is an amazing photographer based in Winter Springs, FL specializing in outdoor family portraits, children, high school seniors, couples, pets, business portraits, special events, small weddings, and more. 

She surprised us and took all the pictures when The Saint and I renewed our vows last April and some of them are featured in her Event Gallery!

Here is a sneak peak of our reception (photos, of course, courtesy of Linda!):

Our centerpieces were black/white family photos, mini green apples and flowers

Our favors were sweet pea seeds in this little envelopes that I hand made

She has a gorgeous website here with TONS of photos.  Check out her newly-launched blog for specials like her March madness:

*Mini Sessions Madness: March 19th, 25th & 26th, by appointment*

Only $50! For all your children and all three themes! Includes a 45 minute studio session and 3 free digital photos of your choice on cd!

All three themes for 2011 so far:

January-- Winter Theme "Bundle Up, It's Cold Outside!" (bring a sweater or long sleeves!)
February--Valentine Theme *children or couples! (bring red, pink, black or white)
March--St Patrick's Day Theme (don't forget to wear green...or neutrals!)

There are only two weekends left in March, so contact Linda via her website or via email at lindawilsonphoto {at} aol.com to schedule your appointment for this awesome deal!  Family portraits would be an amazing Mothers' Day gift!

And now, what you've all been waiting for...the GIVEAWAY!!

Linda is offering a one hour family portrait session at a local, Central Florida park which includes online access to view all the photos and online ordering.  This is a $50 value!

There are three ways to enter (do 1 or all 3) and increase your chances to win this awesome giveaway: 

1. Visit Linda's blog here.  Come back and leave me a comment letting me know you paid her a visit.
2. Follow Linda's blog and comment to let me know.  (She'll be posting other specials, introducing new products and all sorts of fun stuff!)
3. Visit her website, come back and leave me a comment with a quick description of your favorite photo (I know!  There are SO many great ones, but I am partial to those beach family portraits!)

Giveaway closes Sunday, March 20th.  A winner will be randomly selected and posted Monday, March 21st.  Good luck!!

Keri

{create this} desk de-clutter and easy DIY bulletin board

Welcome to another Fin de Friday!  Once again, I have a fun little project (or several!) to share to get your weekend craftaganza going!

It is starting to look like Spring here in Florida.  My azalea bushes are starting to bloom, our sweet gum tree is getting little buds on it, green grass is starting to peek through the brown, and LOOK...we have a bird nest!  Hopefully, I'll be able to track this little feathered family's progress and we'll have babies - wheeeee!

I know it might not look like much - take it up with the builders ;)

So it seems like the time is right for a little Spring cleaning.  Or just Spring organization and de-cluttering.  Since I spend so much time at my desk blogging, crafting, emailing, etc. it was the perfect place to start. 

Here is the horrendous before:

I know!!  How did I ever function here?!

And here is the fabulous after:

I am SO excited about this week's Fin de Friday for a couple (well, 5) reasons:

1.  I got to use a staple gun - felt so handy...loved it!
2.  I bought fabric - only my 2nd time ever, boy could I go a little crazy!
3.  I spray painted something for the 2nd time - I know, seriously sheltered :)
4.  I repurposed one $10 thing into two totally fancy and functional things
5.  I LOVE working at my desk now

Without further ado, the HOW TO:

(This post is a little long, but please stick around and scroll by what you are already talented enough to do!) 

I found this bulletin board contraption with the four little cubbies (?) in a thrift store for $10. 

Holy stuff, Batman!

It was fine with the dark brown wood, cream fabric and cream ribbons, but it was a little tired and boring.  Not acceptable in the PDST household!  SO, The Saint unscrewed alllllll the teeny tiny screws holding in the fabric covered board.

I snipped the ribbons and began taking off (read: wrestling with!) the fabric.  Now, whoever assembled this seriously loves a staple gun waaaay more than me.  So.Many.Staples.  Me and my butter knife were tired!  (Sorry, forgot to take more pictures whilst I was battling against the staples!)

Then, I cut my fabric (rather unevenly, I might add!) and centered my newly-nekkid board.  And stapled away!  This was my first time ever recovering anything with fabric and I have to say, it's not too bad.  Lots of folding and stapling on the back, but no one will ever see it again!

Since my desk is shabby chic black, I decided to paint the frame black as well and sealed it with Mod Podge. 

In summary:

Then, (with only a few mutters and grumbles) I screwed allllll the teeny tiny screws back in to hold my newly covered bulletin board in place and voila!

And I know you're wondering where the little row of cubbies (?) went.  Why, here they are!  Painted red - my favorite color!  I screwed the bookplates back on and added a few clothespins on the back of it for a little more functionality.

(I did actually center them before gluing them on, ha ha!)

I also repurposed these simple shelves given to me by a friend:

Blue no more!  Next time you see these they will be RED!

See, red!!  And those cute little bird nests will hold black and white photos of the Bugs (if they'll ever sit still long enough!). 

Okay, I know your fingers are tired from all that scrolling but I hope you were inspired to de-clutter, repurpose and create something awesome from the average!  And see this all-too-plain little dresser turned printer stand? 

My next victim I mean next up on the make-over list!  Linking up to all these great folks here this week!  Happy weekend!!

P.S. That great fabric was only like $6/yd from Walmart :)

This project was shared at all the blogs on my Link page!