Made by Maggie Mae Temple Bracelet Giveaway [CLOSED]

When Magdelyn from Made by Maggie Mae first joined the LDS Etsy team, I loved her little shop right away. What first caught my eye were the beautiful temple bracelets:

And her personalized family tree illustrations are adorable! They make great Mother's Day/Father's Day gifts as well.

She also sells personalized artwork for weddings, baptisms, missionaries, and Baby's room, which can also be transferred to Baby's clothes.

Magdelyn sent me a lovely temple bracelet to review:

Smiles
*Much more beautiful in person! The photos don't do it justice.
*Perfect size. Not too loose for my small wrist and plenty of stretch for larger wrists.
*Small lobster claw. I have seen some bracelets with larger clips that really stick out.
*Not really more convenient than just taking the name slip out of your pocket or pinning it to your sleeve, but definitely a more reverent and stylish way!

Frowns
*Takes some adjusting for comfort. I recommend folding the slip in half so just the first name shows and then clipping it on.
*Can be hard to clip/unclip the slip. It's easiest to do when the bracelet is off.

One of you lucky readers will win a temple bracelet of your choice! You can also get everything on sale right now using the code MOM20 for 20% off your purchase! Order by May 4th if you want something for Mother's Day.

Mandatory Entry: Visit Made by Maggie Mae and tell me which bracelet you would choose or what else you like.

1 entry: Heart Made by Maggie Mae on Etsy. Leave your username.

1 entry: Pin an item from Made by Maggie Mae to Pinterest.

1 entry: Like Made by Maggie Mae on Facebook. Leave your username.

1 entry: Like The Hand That Rocks the Cradle on Facebook. Leave your username.

1 entry: Follow this blog on Google Friend Connect.

1 entry each (4 total possible): Post this giveaway on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, or your blog.

Please leave a separate comment for each entry. All entries must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. PDT on Tuesday, May 14. The winner will be announced Wednesday, May 15. Please leave your email address in one of your entries so I can contact you if you win. This giveaway is open to the U.S. & Canada. Good luck!

No More Long Curly Hair

It finally happened: Caden's locks are gone. Thursday Justin gave him a haircut. The last one Caden had gotten was nearly a year ago, so he was due for one, especially with the hot weather already here. He did really well, better than at the kid-friendly salons.

 

It will take me some time to get used to his new 'do, but of course he still looks cute!

How to Reuse Everyday Household Items

If you want to save money and the planet, then reuse your everyday household items. There is a lot you can do with things you would normally throw away.

• TOOTHBRUSHES: Used toothbrushes work great for cleaning, especially for cleaning grout, fabric stains, and around faucets. Just be sure to mark them and keep them away from the kids!
• PLASTIC BAGS: Plastic bags can be used as trash bags in the home or car, and make good packing bags. I like to put shoes and bath items in plastic bags before packing them in my suitcase so that my clothes won’t get dirty, wet, or stained.
• TISSUE BOXES: Empty tissue boxes make good storage containers for plastic bags and napkins.
• SHOEBOXES: Use a shoebox like a pencil box to store office supplies, markers and crayons, and craft materials. You can also store cards, letters, and homemade gifts you want to keep.Or use them as toy bins in the kids' rooms!
• PAPER: Save paper only printed on one side for your kids to color on or for you to make to-do/shopping lists.
• JARS: Jars are great storage containers for many things; for example, leftover sauces and oil, coins, beads, buttons, cotton balls, etc.
• SOCKS: Instead of throwing away socks with holes or missing partners, use them for cleaning and dusting. You can cut them open or stick your hand in them.
• OTHER ODDS AND ENDS: Gather together all the random items your kids could use for crafts (and store in a shoebox!). It will encourage creativity and leave you and your kids guilt-free if the craft breaks or gets thrown away.

Featured Sellers: Olivia & Tarieli from Be Lucky

This week's sellers are Olivia and Tarieli from Be Lucky. The shop is absolutely delightful, full of whimsy and charm.

We are a married couple from Estonia, Europe, and our brand is called Be Lucky. All our products are based on the illustrations made by Olivia. Tarieli's job is to get Olivia's illustrations on the products and the products to people. At the moment we offer pictures, postcards, buttons, and jewelry, but we hope to increase the variety.

Our brand name means that we want to bring the feeling of luckiness to people through our products. We've seen many times how our customers (at fairs and other sale events) smile when they see our products. At these moments we know that we nailed it :)

"When the Cat Is Away"

Check out Be Lucky for more imaginative illustrations! You can also find them on Facebook.

WINNER!

The winner of the Auntie Robin $25 shop credit giveaway is comment #101 by Kathy Davis. Have fun picking out your prize!

Cadenisms

Remember cookie boot? Well, Caden says book now. He also says yes instead of ess and Elmo instead of Mamo. He tells us to wake up and can repeat most words perfectly. In fact, he picks up more than I realized. One day I was having trouble with the Xbox and voiced my frustration with an unfinished "What the--?" Caden finished, "Heck!" Do I really say it that often? 

Showing off his new shoes

Caden doesn't just pick up stuff from me. One day he farted and I said "Caden!" He giggled and then replied, "Mama stinky!" blaming the fart on me! Thanks, Justin!

Unfortunately, he doesn't pick up everything perfectly. Bread sounds like blehhh. And when he says the following words, they sound like profanity: fork, bridge, stick, shirt, flag. One guy at a fast-food restaurant even gave us a dirty look when Caden repeated fork incorrectly after I asked Justin to get one. Give me a break! He's only 2!

Caden is a total Arizona baby. We already have the A/C running, yet he insists on watching TV on the couch cuddled with his giant monkey and a blanket over his legs and sleeping with socks and a blanket, even at naptime during the hottest part of the day.

Trying to learn how to lick a popsicle

After Caden wakes up from a nap or even in the mornings, he picks up right where he left off as if he never slept. He remembers things I promised him after napping, continues playing with whatever toy or reading whatever book he fell asleep with, and always wants to eat right away, even if he had a big lunch and a short nap.

Driving on Daddy

Caden makes us laugh every day. His quirks and silly personality never cease to amuse us!

IzzybizzyME Mother's Day Card Giveaway & Craft Idea [CLOSED]

Last year I bought my mother and mother-in-law gifts from Etsy. This year I want to give them something I made. So when IzzybizzyME teamed up with me for a giveaway, I was delighted to find this Mother's Day printable card in the shop:

Instead of using it as a card, I turned it into a craft. At Walmart I bought black 5x7 in. picture frames for 95 cents each. I printed and trimmed the cards and then embellished the frames. Simple, inexpensive, and beautiful handmade gift for Mom! (Unfortunately for me, both women read my blog, so it won't be a surprise!)

TWO of you lucky readers will win this Mother's Day printable card!

Mandatory Entry: Visit IzzybizzyME and let me know what else you like.

1 entry: Like IzzybizzyME on Facebook. Leave your username.

1 entry: Like The Hand That Rocks the Cradle on Facebook. Leave your username.

1 entry: Follow IzzybizzyME on Twitter.

1 entry: Follow IzzybizzyMe on Pinterest.

1 entry: Pin an item from IzzybizzyME to Pinterest.

1 entry: Follow this blog on Google Friend Connect.

1 entry each (4 total possible): Post this giveaway to Facebook, Twitter, Google+, or your blog.

Please leave a separate comment for each entry. All entries must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. PDT on Tuesday, April 30. The winner will be announced on Wednesday, May 1, giving you enough time to print the card, make your craft, and send it to your mother by Mother's Day (May 12)! Please leave your email address in one of your comments so I can contact you if you win and IzzybizzyME can send you the card. This giveaway is open worldwide. Good luck!