Happy Memorial Day!

Wishing all a safe and Happy Memorial Day!

Night Owl or Morning Person?

Are you a Night Owl or a Morning Person?

I really wish I was a morning person, I am really cranky about getting up early and need at least two cups of coffee before I can face the world. We are all Night Owls in our house so I guess it works for us!

Happy Friday hope everyone enjoys a long weekend!

Giveaway: Wonka Exceptional Prize Pack (2 winners)

I find it very fitting that we just watched Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory and now I have the opportunity to share a yummy giveaway with you, Wonka Exceptional candies! I took great pleasure in sampling

the Wonka Exceptional chocolate bars and the Wonka Exceptionals premium sugar product, and can I say they are quite exceptional. The Scrumptious Toffee Crispy Cookie and Crunchy Peanuts mixture is my personal favorite of the chocolates.

I also had the opportunity to taste the Wonka Exceptionals Fruit Marvels in Clementine Orange and Pomegranate flavors, and Wonka Exceptionals Fruit Jellies. The Pomegranate were my favorite and my son Will loved the orange, loved is actually an understatement.

Would you like to win a Wonka Exceptional Prize Pack?

Two of my lucky readers will win a Wonka Exceptionals Prize pack loaded with 21 candy products, 5 of each of the new Wonka Exceptionals chocolate bars and one of each of the new Wonka Exceptionals premium sugar products.

Main entry:

Have you ever seen the original Williy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory movie and if so did you like it?

Extra entries: (please leave a separate comment for each extra entry)

Follow my blog 2 extra entries

Tweet about this giveaway 2 extra entries

Facebook about this giveaway 2 extra entries

Contest closes on June 2nd at 11:59 PM EST. Please leave a email address to contact you if there isn't a blog that links back to you. Good luck!

P.S. Don't forget to visit the Wonka site to learn more about how you can receive a Golden Ticket HERE.

Winner of Cherry Raisinets Announced

The winner of the Cherry Raisinets is Kimbly of Kimby-myblog Congratulations!

The Faux Hawk... well kinda

Hair has been an interesting topic lately in our house. Will is very upset that he doesn't have wavy, curly hair, his solution is a curly wig.... no joke. Today I took him to get his hair cut and he climbed in the stylists chair and he requested a MOHAWK, but he settled for a Faux Hawk. Why do little boys have such a fascination with Mohawks any ways? As long as I have control over his hair matters there will be no Mohawks on this little man!

Amy Butler Clipboard

I LOVE just about anything Amy Butler and work a lot with Amy Butler scrapbook paper and therefore have a lot of scraps. I decided to cover a old clipboard with my scraps, so now my once icky clip board is pretty and cheerful.

Supplies:

Clip board
Heavy Stock Scrap Book Paper
Spray adhesive (use this outside it is stinky but does work the best, other glues bubble)
Razor blade
Embellishment for top of clipboard
Paper cutter to trip paper when necessary


All you do is work your pieces like a puzzle, arrange them all first and then just glue them to the board. Once dry take a exacto and trim around the edges, I rounded my edges to give it a more finished look.

Happy Crafting!

Gifts For Dad's And Grad's

Hand Stamped Initial Necklace For The Graduate With Hidden 2010

Custom Hand Stamped Dad Key chain (a larger version is also available)

For The Rock Star Dad A Hand Stamped Guitar Pick.

It's that time of year many graduation parties to attend and gatherings to celebrate Dad . Gift giving for Dad's and Grad's can be so easy with personalized gifts. Personalized gifts are always meaningful and timeless, keepsakes for that very special person.

To view Kristen's Custom Creations entire collection please click HERE.

Regifting.... Do you?

To regift or not that is the question. Is it proper etiquette to regift? My Mom once had a coworker regift a gift back to her that she gave the person, now I think this is tacky with a capital T. One thing I will say is if you do regift you should at the very least make sure you do not give it back to the person that gave it to you.

Regifting is it tacky or is it ok?

God's Got It....

I was so sad to hear that Maeci, the daughter of one of my long time bloggy friends was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma in April, this is news no Mother ever wants to hear. My heart ached when I heard the news. Macei is undergoing Chemo right now and really needs prayers during this time. I think of Keli (Maeci's Mom) every single day and I admire her strength and courage to help sweet Maeci fight this terrible disease. Keli tells me Macei will get well and each day they are a little closer to healing. Keli started saying "God's Got it" so she asked me to create a few bracelets with that saying. I hope these bracelets bring a little comfort. So weather you are spiritual or not please send as many well wishes as you can to sweet Maeci and her family.

Makes A Mama Proud...

I can hardly believe the season is almost over, it seems like we just started soccer. Most games it has been cold and rainy but you know the kids never seem to mind. Will is always excited to go to practice and during games when the coach calls him onto the field he is so excited... this alone makes a Mama proud!

What makes you a Proud Mama?

Cherry Raisinets Giveaway!

Nestle had me at chocolate and cherry, one of my favorite combinations. I have always been a huge fan of Raisinets and was excited to try Cherry Raisnets which are also just as delicious. The cherry's also happen to me sourced from Michigan which is my home state. The Cherry's are also kid approved in our household. I love being able to give a treat to my son that offers up 1/2 a serving of real fruit, since he would live on candy if we allowed it, sneaking fruit into a kids diet is always a added bonus.

Cherry Raisinets Product detail:

NESTLÉ® RAISINETS® just announced the newest addition to the beloved RAISINETS family, NEW! NESTLÉ® Cherry RAISINETS®. With the introduction of Cranberry RAISINETS® last year, cherries are the second new fruit to be introduced to the brand portfolio in more than 80 years. This delicious treat follows the lead of its chocolate-covered predecessors, with premium whole dried fruit covered in 100 percent Nestlé dark chocolate, making them an indulgence that is a cherry on top of anyone’s day!

Cherry RAISINETS contain whole dried cherries are sourced from one of the premier cherry growing regions in Michigan. For anyone looking for a better-for-you treat, Cherry RAISINETS provides a win-win option with ½ a serving of real fruit in every ¼ cup and 30 percent less fat than the leading chocolate brands.

One lucky reader will win their very only sampling of the new Cherry Raisinets!

To enter:

Leave a comment and let me know if you prefer Milk Chocolate or Dark Chocolate.

Extra entries: (leave a comment for each extra entry)

Follow my blog 2 extra entries.

Tweet about this giveaway 2 extra entries

Facebook about this giveaway 2 extra entries

Contest will close on Monday May 24th, 2010. Please leave a way for me to contact you if you are the chosen winner. I received a sample of Cherry Raisinets prior to conducting this review.

The Hand Stamped Bookmark:Front Page On Etsy

New in the shop the Hand Stamped Book Mark With Custom Initial is just perfect for any avid book reader and also would make a great end of the year gift for a teacher. It also made it on the front page of ETSY!

Take a peek at the other items also available for the serious bookworm:

The Class Reunion: To go or not to go that is the question

I have a monumental class reunion coming up and am on the fence as to if I will go or not. I missed my last one since I was giving birth to Will, that is a really good,valid excuse right?

Do you go to your class reunions?

Sun, Sand, Sea................Serenity: Beach Inspired

Hand Stamped Sun, Sand, Sea......Serenity necklace.

Hand Stamped Beach Girl necklace.

Often inspiration comes from the places we go the things I see. The above pieces are a few beach inspired pieces. I love the beach and get completely captivated by the sound of the waves rolling in and out and the sweet sound of the seagulls. I could walk for hours just dipping my toes in the ocean. I only wish I could set up shop on the beach but for now I will settle for one of my beach inspired pieces.

Please visit my shop to view my entire collection Kristen's Custom Creations.

Family Night In Winner Announced!!!!

The winner of the Nestle Family Night In giveaway is Insanity at it's Finest. Please contact me to claim your prize. A special thank you to Nestle Family for sponsoring and to all that entered!

Enough said....

I took this picture when we were on vacation, I wish we had a few of these signs in our neighborhood too, maybe it would serve as a good reminder for some lazy neighbors. The visual is extra special too isn't it?

Happy Wednesday friends and remember to always clean up after you pets! :)

How To Make Pretty Poppy Flower Shoe Clips

I love flower embellished flip flops but most often they are on really uncomfortable flip flops. I decided to make my own that I could attach to any of my favorite shoes. They also look adorable on my ballet flats.

Wanna make some for yours? Here is how I made them:

Materials:
Faux Suede or Mole skin type fabric 1/2 a yard or less
scissors
lighter
pearl
shoe clips (I ordered mine on Etsy)hot glue gun
needle
thread
felt


Step one: Cut out 4 different sized circles for each flower, and allow for some shrinking so go a bit larger than you want your flower to be. The circles do not have to be perfectly round.

Step two: Singe the edges of each circle with your lighter. Practice on a scrap to get the hang of it. Be careful not to get the fabric too close to the flame.
Step three: Stack your circles on top of each other to form a flower and then attach all together w/ needle and thread and finish w/ a pearl in the center.
Step four: Cut a circle of felt and sew your shoe clip to the felt. Next hot glue the felt to the back side of the flower.
Step five: (optional) for extra security I hand stitched the felt to the back of the flower even though it was glued.

You can make these pretty flowers in all different sizes, I made a few for my purse and also some hair pins. So fun and so girly! A really easy project but a bit time consuming.

And below the Love, Peace, Flip Flops necklace a new piece in my shop, so fun and for the gal that knows that life really is a bit better in flip flops!

They Say It's Your Birthday...It's My Birthday Too

Happy Birthday to me, yes another year older and few more wrinkles but I don't feel a day over 20!

In honor of my birthday a special treat for my readers today only 15% off anything in my shop Kristen's Custom Creations. At checkout please leave a note with cupcake and you will receive a credit after purchase via pay pal for 15% off anything my shop! Happy shopping friends!

Happy Mother's Day Mamas!

Before I Was A Mom, author unknown

Before I was a Mom
I made and ate hot meals.
I had unstained clothing.
I had quiet conversations on the phone.

Before I was a Mom
I slept as late as I wanted
And never worried about how late
I got into bed.
I brushed my hair and my teeth everyday.

Before I was a Mom,
I cleaned my house each day.
I never tripped over toys
or forgot words to lullabies.

Before I was a Mom,
I didn't worry whether or not my
plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never been pooped on,
Spit up on,
Chewed on,
Peed on,
Or pinched by tiny fingers.

Before I was a Mom,
I had complete control of myself;
My thoughts,
My body,
And my mind.
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held down a screaming child
so that doctors could do tests or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't
want to put it down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces
when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew something so small could affect my
life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom,
I didn't know the feeling of having my
heart outside my body.
I didn't know how special it could feel
to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond between a
Mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small
could make me feel so important.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never gotten up in the middle of
the night every ten minutes to make
sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth,
The joy,
The love,
The heartache,
The wonderfulment,
Or the satisfaction of being a Mom.

I didn't know I was capable of feeling so
much before I was a Mom.