Freebee Friday: Sew, Mama, Sew!

Sew,Mama,Sew! has organized a HUGE giveaway day with TONS of vendors!

Check out all the amazing shops that are participating HERE.

You actually go to the individual vendors sites in order to enter, making it great because you get to choose what you could win - not just a "get what you get" giveaway.

Contest runs from May 27-31.

Don't you just love free stuff?

Freebee Friday Winners!

The winner of the set of 4 Striped & Polka Dot Burpees is

#6 Elliott Mom said...
These would be great for my twins that are coming! I'm a follower!

Thanks to all for participating!

I will be contacting you via email and you will have one week to claim your prize before another winner will be chosen through Random.org

Thrifty Thursday: Baby Food

I found this HERE and wanted to share it. I am so excited to try this with baby #2. I plan on using lots of the veggies from my garden and saving even more money this way.

Homemade Baby Food

By Kathleen Gordon-Ross,

senior editor

A special thanks to all the mom's who helped make this article possible!

As a new mother, or even an experienced one, deciding what foods to feed your baby and when, can be really difficult. It's so hard to tell when your little one is ready to try rice cereal and when to start introducing new foods and textures.

To make it even more complex, everyone has an opinion. Some say to start with vegetables so they don't get hooked on the sweet fruits... others talk about introducing foods by color… Thankfully, there's LOTS of helpful information out there on when and how to introduce your baby to solid foods.

We've asked mothers from across the country to share with us their favorite homemade baby food recipes and tips for making your own baby food. This is sure to save you a bundle at the check out counter and open your eyes to a whole new world of food possibilities for your little one.

VEGETABLE PUREE

MEAT PUREE

DUTCH APPLE DESSERT

SWEET PEA, CHICKEN & RICE

and many many more recipes found HERE

Let me know if you have tried this and/or if you have any more sweet tips! Thanks!!!

Workin' Wednesday: Madison Envy

I love to accessorize my life - and if your household is anything like mine, after food, diapers, and formula there is little money left over for you to play with. That is why I love Madison Envy.

It's an affordable, stylish way to add some glam to your everyday mom look. The jewelry is so fun and holds up to little hands pulling on it. I also love the T-shirts they have. While they are one of the more expensive things on the site, they are fabulous! I have worn mine numerous times and it always fits like the first time I wore it. No stretching! It's also made out of that super soft stretchy tee material - not just hard, crappy cotton.

This is one of my favorite jewelry sets that Madison Envy offers. Definitely worth checking out. Easy on your style and your wallet!

Tutorial Tuesday: Giant Bubbles

You need to prepare ahead for this one folks!

Ingredients:
4 C Water
1 C Dawn dishwashing liquid
1 Tbsp. Glycerin (can buy in pharmacy)

Let set for one week.

Told you not to leave it until the last minute!

Fast Bubbles (In case you didn't believe me)

Ingredients:
3 C Water
2 C Dawn dishwashing liquid
1/2 C Corn Syrup

These can both be used with reshaped coat hangers or traditional small blowers. If hangers are used, fold the hand perpendicular to round bubble maker portion and use a large flat container for the liquid. The large bubbles are great fun!

Freebee Friday: Polka Dot and Striped Burpies

It's that wonderful time of the week again, Freebee Friday. But before we get into that, please note that I will not be posting this next Monday, the 25th. My DH is leaving us for a month on business and we are spending as much time as possible as a family before he goes. Thanks for understanding!

This week I'm giving away a set of four handmade Burpies - double sided and super absorbent - the only ones I'll use!

Each Burpie measures 11"x17" and is double sided. They are made of soft, flame-retardant, flannel.

Side A

Side B

TO ENTER:

1 Entry: Create a new post about this Freebee Friday on your blog & leave a comment here! If you don't blog, you can also email and CC it to me.
{Please leave your email address if it is not on your profile}

1 Entry: Become a follower of My Tiny Sweet Cheeks. Leave a comment if you follow, please!

1 Entry: Add a My Tiny Sweet Cheeks button to your sidebar! Again, please comment!

Bonus Entry: Leave me a tutorial idea - something you've been dying to learn how to do.

Give-a-way ends May 28th, 2009 at 11:59 pm

The lucky winners will be selected by Random.org and will be notified by email. You will have one week to respond and claim your prize or another random winner will be chosen.

Thrifty Thursday: Using Fabric Softner Sheets

I, of course, never give out thrifty tips that I have not done myself - I swear to you, these work! To save my used dryer sheets I adopted an empty Kleenex box to keep on top of the dryer and in they go. It's great, takes up no space, and is again recycling something we commonly throw away! Hope these tips make your life a tad easier!

Pick up pet hair
Pet hair can get a pretty tenacious grip on furniture and clothing. But a used fabric softener sheet will suck that fur right off the fabric with a couple of swipes. Just toss the fuzzy wipe into the trash.

Lift burned-on casserole residue
Those sheets will soften more than fabric. The next time food gets burned onto your casserole dish, save the elbow grease. Instead fill the dish with hot water and toss in three or four used softener sheets. Soak overnight, remove the sheets, and you'll have no trouble washing away the residue. Be sure to rinse well.

Wipe soap scum from shower door
Tired of scrubbing scummy shower doors? It's easy to wipe the soap scum off the glass with a used dryer fabric softener sheet.

Consolidate sheets and make them smell pretty
To improve sheet storage, store the sheet set in one of the matching pillowcases, and tuck a new dryer fabric softener sheet into the packet for a fresh fragrance.

Abolish tangled sewing thread
To put an end to tangled thread, keep an unused dryer fabric softener sheet in your sewing kit. After threading the needle, insert it into the sheet and pull all of the thread through to give it a nonstick coating.

Workin' Wednesday: Just Because I am Me

Usually I feature a mompreneur on Wednesdays but I came across Shaina's blog while searching for the perfect superhero cape.


Yes, it is a personal blog, but it is filled with comedy, recipes, scrapping, and love. You can tell she is a happy-go-lucky kinda girl, with 5 kiddos. Now that right there is inspiring to me.

I am dying to try her Thai Lettuce Wraps recipe and am also thinking this Snicker's Salad sounds pretty dang good.

Anyway, swing over her way for some laughs and inspiration. If nothing else, she sure is pretty!

Monday Moments: the Big Boy Bed

I know I already posted on this before, I was internally (or rather bloggally) debating whether or not to purchase a toddler bed, when to move my little boy out of the crib, and so on and so forth. Well this weekend we bit the bullet and did it. Long story short, we ended up getting a bunk bed - only putting the top together - and are using that. I love that it's big (I can kick the kid out and put an adult in if I have to) and I love that the side rails are attached with no chance of coming undone.

The first night was miserable - or rather the first morning. After crying for quite a while, he finally fell asleep, all be it turned the wrong way, in bed. Then at six a.m. the little monster awoke with no chances of just going back to sleep. Needless to say, it's been a day.

Tonight (Sunday) he just laid right down and so far I haven't heard a peep.

Could it be? It's definitely too good to be true that after one night he's made the adjustment.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

P.S. His cute little hooks on the wall have already had to come down due to a serious case of jumping on the bed and pulling on the hooks.

Freebee Friday: Madsen Cycle Contest

Okay, I know this is a long way off, but can't you just see yourself cycling around town, being such a cool mom and being healthy at the same time? It's worth a shot to try to win it...

We'd like your help in spreading the word about the MADSEN Cargo Bike. To that end, we'll be giving away two MADSENs on July 15th 2009, and anyone with a web presence (blog, Twitter, Facebook, website, MySpace, etc.) can win!

How do I win?
It's simple, just link to MadsenCycles.com (using the options on the right) and on July 15th we'll select two winners from those who have linked and sent traffic to us.

What if I already bought a MADSEN, or buy one before the contest is over?
Then you're in double luck! If you already own a MADSEN, we'll refund the price you paid for your MADSEN, and we'll send another one to you, or anyone you want to give (or sell) it to (inside the USA).

How will you determine the winner?
One winner will be selected at random from all of the sites who have linked to us. The other will be selected at random from the top 20 sites who sent us the most traffic.

I don't get very much traffic on my site, can I still win?
Yes! We're selecting one winner from the group of all sites who link to us without respect to how much traffic they send. Everyone is on equal footing.

Well I've got a huge site and I can crush you with traffic, what do I get?
Well, aside from our gratitude for crushing us, if you're among the top 20 sites who send us the most traffic, you'll have a one in twenty chance of winning.

So you are saying I can win if I link to you from my blog?
Yes! Anyone with their own web presence can win. This means blogs, websites, twitter, myspace, facebook, whatehaveyou.

Wait, if I link you from all those methods (except that whathaveyou thing) are you saying I'll be counted five times?
Hmmm, I guess you will. (Shhhh, we won't tell if you don't. Go for it!)

How will I know if you have recorded my link to you?
Set up your link, and click on it at least once yourself and you'll be in. It's really that simple.

Who is eligible to win?
Anyone in the United States who is 18 years or older.

Great! So how do I link to you?
Just select from the options at right.

Thrifty Thursday: Ice Cubes

First off, sorry about not having a Working Wednesday yesterday -- I was having severe Internet difficulties. But I'm back now with a whole list of things you can use ice cubes for!

Remove dents in carpeting
If you've recently rearranged the furniture in your living room, you know that heavy pieces can leave ugly indents in your carpet. Use ice cubes to remove them. Put an ice cube, for example, on the spot where the chair leg stood. Let it melt, then brush up the dent. Rug rehab completed.

Mask the taste of medicine
No matter what flavor your local pharmacist offers in children's medicine, kids can still turn up their noses at the taste. Have them suck on an ice cube before taking the medicine. This numbs the taste buds and allows the medicine to go down, without the spoonful of sugar.

Pluck a splinter
Parental challenge #573: removing a splinter from the hand of a screaming, squirming toddler. Before you start jabbing with that needle, grab an ice cube and numb the area. This should make splinter removal more painless and quicker.

Prevent a blister from a burn
Have you burned yourself? An ice cube applied to the burn will stop it from blistering.

Reheat rice
Does your leftover rice dry out when you reheat it in the microwave? Try this: Put an ice cube on top of the rice when you put it in the microwave. The ice cube will melt as the rice reheats, giving the rice much-needed moisture.

Tutorial Tuesday: Appliqued Onesies

Martha Stewart recently shared a fun dog appliqued onesies how to on her show (and website). If you're anxious for an easy but brilliant project, this looks like a perfect option.

Tool and Materials:

French Bulldog Template or photo of a dog in profile (or any picture for that matter!)

Iron

Sewing machine

Scissors

Damp, clean cloth

Card stock

Patterned fabric

Trans-Web or other fusible webbing on release paper

Black marker

Blank baby onesie

Machine-sewing thread in a coordinating color for decorative topstitch

Hand-sewing needle

Button in coordinating color (optional)

See instructions here.

But if you're in the mood to skip the project and head straight to the shopping cart, visit Bella Blu designs: the inspiration behind (and demonstrator of) the craft.

Monday Moments: Mom's Day

I ended up in my old stomping ground this weekend to celebrate Mother's Day. My little brother is serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Honolulu, Hawaii and is allowed to call home on Mother's Day. Wanting to get to talk to him, and for the perks of being with my own mom, we ended up back home.

I was promptly reminded early on in the morning that being a mom will always take precedence no matter the day. But fortunately the benefits of mommy-hood far outweigh those moments where you think, "What did I do to deserve this?"

And now at the end of the day, I'm still thinking "What did I do to deserve this?" I have a fully active, adorable little boy who, even with his sticky hands, gives me kisses and loves, runs to me when he falls down, and shows me the world through his tiny hands. I don't know what I did to get such a gift in this life, but being a mom can't be beat.

I hope all you ladies had a wonderful day - I know I did.

Freebee Friday: Goodies for Mom

Found this great Freebee HERE from Goodies for Mom. I love getting a new swim suit every year, but this year, with money being tighter everywhere, haven't been able to swing it. Great opportunity ladies!

With swimwear season right around the corner, Land's End's Beach Living® suit separates are available in great cuts, styles, colors and prints. These separates include swim tops with adjustable straps that can be worn three different ways, side ties on swim skirts and bottoms that can be shortened or lengthened.

Last year Land's End sent me their popular V-neck Halter Swim Top and the Beach Living Solid Jersey SwimMini™. I actually bought the Beach Living Tummy Control Swim Shorts later on my own because although I do like the mini, the shorts are a more casual, comfortable choice for everyday wear. Can I just say that I love this suit? I love that I can mix and match the sizes so I can order the appropriate size even if I'm not a perfect match sizewise. In addition, have a two-piece suit that is not a bikini (which believe me when I tell you no one would want to see) is fabulous when you are rushing to go to the bathroom with little ones in tow. I love not having to completely undress and redress everytime. This is an extremely high quality suit that you can get for around $100. Hmm, that brings me to our giveaway...

...This would be the perfect thing you can buy if you win the $100 gift certificate from Land's End they are offering one lucky Goodies for Mom reader.

ENTER TO WIN
To enter the giveaway, just visit Land's End and tell us what you'd buy if you win. Deadline is Monday, May 11, 2009 at midnight EST. Open to US residents only.

LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS HERE

More Chances to Win
Extra entries for:

• Linking to this contest
• Subscribing to our feed, follow us on Twitter or following Goodies for Mom with Blogger
• Having a link or button to the Goodies for Mom site on your site
• Tweeting about this giveaway

Just leave us a separate comment for each letting us know. Make sure to share your links with us.

Thrifty Thursday: Keep on Recycling

Our last segment, 3 of 3, when it comes to those great surprising garden secrets. Check out part 1 HERE and part 2 HERE.

Savvy recycling ideas for gardeners didn't stop in Grandpa's day. You should always be on the lookout for new things around the house that you can use in the garden, and maybe you can even start a frugal gardening tradition of your own. Here are a couple of ideas to get you started:

To create cushions for your knees when you're working in the garden, just recycle tired computer mouse pads. You can kneel on them or attach them directly to the legs of your old gardening pants with duct tape. {Tacky? Yes. Efficient? Definitely Yes!}

To make sidewalk or driveway reflectors, use discarded CD's (especially those that come in the mail). They are a lot more attractive than those ugly orange reflectors. Drill small holes in each CD and screw it to your mailbox post or onto a wooden stake and push it into the ground. Install several of them to light a nighttime path to your front door or through your gardens.

Isn't technology wonderful? It gives us not only amazing inventions but also new products to recycle!

Workin' Wednesday: Tricia's Dish

Who wouldn't want to visit a blog whose logo is living and eating better for less from Cleveland to Brazil and beyond? If ya'll are anything like me at all, you like budget friendly dishes, FREE things, and food.

Tricia began Tricia's Dish at the beginning of 2009. Her focus is free/affordable entertainment, independent restaurants, cooking (especially on a budget, as well as vegetarian options), fitness & beauty, mystery shopping, money saving and more.

One of the best features - weekly giveaway's. Each Friday, Tricia features two giveaways: one Cleveland-area restaurant or attraction/event, and one nation-wide product.

She also lets you in on juicy little money saving bits like this:

Oprah's giving away chicken. Get two pieces of grilled chicken, two individual sides and a biscuit. (This coupon can be printed multiple times)

Limited Time Download Here.
Coupon download available from 9 a.m. CDT on May 5, 2009, to 9:59 p.m. CDT on May 6, 2009. Coupon is redeemable at participating KFC® locations in the United States from May 5, 2009 to May 19, 2009—excluding Mother's Day, May 10, 2009.

Sweet! Dinner for four all for the price of drinks - unless you're cheap like me and just take water. Then it's absolutely FREE!

Tricia is currently making plans to move to Brazil later this year and has also created Move to Brazil which is a developing library of information about traveling, living and investing in Brazil.

Definitely worth a trip her way, especially on those Giveaway Friday's. Check her out!!!

Tutorial Tuesday: Fusing Plastic Bags

Such a cool idea! I'm dying to try this out - hmmm, maybe while I wait around for stinkin' Jury Duty... found it HERE!

Do you have one zillion plastic drugstore and grocery bags under your sink, or perhaps smushed into a drawer? Ever wanted a cheap and easy use for them? One that leaves you with an intriguing and useful homemade craft supply? Do you have an iron? Why don't you fuse them together?

What you'll need
Plastic bags (thin, flimsy ones work best)
Parchment paper, freezer paper or plain old copier paper
Iron (and your favorite ironing surface)

Making it

Flatten out the bag and trim the bottom seam and handles off. This allows the bag to be opened up into a larger rectangle of plastic.

Turn the bag inside-out if it has printing on it. Once the ink heats up, it comes off the bag and makes a huge mess. If the bag has an interesting design that you'd like to preserve, try using a clear plastic bag layered on top of the printed one.
We find that between 6-8 layers of plastic gives the best results. So, you can either fold your bag twice until it is 8 ply thick, or use three or more bags layered on top of one another. Trying to fuse less than 6 layers often results in little holes forming in the finished piece and a generally weaker material.
Sandwich your plastic bags between the parchment paper


Next, run a hot iron (we set ours to "Rayon", but you will need to experiment a little to see what works for you) and keep the iron moving constantly. Make sure to get the edges, and after about 15 seconds, flip it over and iron the opposite side for a few seconds.


Peel a corner of the paper back to see if the plastic is fused together. It should be fairly smooth and "one sheet" to the touch (watch out, it's a little hot). If the layers are not all melted together, iron it some more.



Peel the parchment paper away from the finished plastic sheet. Voila. Now, you can use this stuff to make a million things. We've made re-usable grocery totes, wallets, and floor cushions; I think its an inexpensive way to make waterproof linings for beach bags and makeup clutches.




Here are a few more rad examples of what you can do with this stuff, courtesy of Etsy seller Eclipse



Alright, y'all. Don't forget to open a window when you do this to avoid potentially brain-damaging fumes.

Monday Moments: Jury Duty

So after surviving two long weeks of finals, I was all geared up to relax, enjoy my family, and take a much needed vacation.

Then the dreaded Jury Duty notice arrived in my mailbox.

Are. You. Kidding. Me???

Now I'm all for civic duties here, but as a SAHM/Student who just finished finals, let her babysitters off the hook, and was looking forward to a week at a dude ranch, this is just so not convenient.

So now I'm calling in every night like a good citizen, hoping my plane tickets won't go to waste, and praying no one did anything so stupid that will actually land me on a jury.

Sheesh. Can't us moms ever get a break?

Spring Princess Diaper Cake $30.00

Looking for a little bit cheaper alternative to the Posh Princess Diaper Cake? I have had several requests for just a smaller version and here is what it's turned out like.




Super cute, simple, and affordable! Available in any colors you want! Simply email me with the request (colors included) and payment/shipping will be handled through PayPal.

Freebee Friday: Frugal Mommy of 2 Girls

Be sure to read the next post down for last week's winners!

Okay, if you haven't discovered Frugal Mommy of 2 Girls by now you are missing out on some seriously great giveaways. She always has awesome things/sites she is promoting and some sweet deals.

This week I chose to feature her Sweet Cheeky Designs giveaway because...dun dun dun... Sweet Cheeky Designs created my blog and I love it. {Come on, you know you do too.} Traci, the creative owner, is a delight to work with and can accommodate any requests. She is truly amazing!

One lucky reader will win a 2 or 3 column blog redesign!

Traci will even add a menu bar at the top for small businesses.

Here are some samples of her work.




So, here's what you need to do to win a blog face-lift courtesy of Sweet Cheeky Designs via Frugal Mommy of 2 Girls.

1. Visit Sweet Cheeky Designs and follow her blog. (scroll down~look on right side bar~ and click follow on her site you are only following when your tiny picture appears!) then go HERE and post you did.

Step 1 needs to be completed before step 2

2. Pick a layout HERE and leave a comment HERE on the one you choose!

Winners will be picked using random.org. Contest will end May 8, 2009 9:00 PM EST.

Freebee Friday: Winners

Thanks for everyone who participated in last weeks Freebee Friday. I had a lot of fun seeing all the different sites suggested, and am working on getting the okay to feature them or maybe even host some fun giveaways.

Without further adieu, the winners, chosen by random.org, are:

Giveaway # 1
Hangable Bow Holder plus 3 Flower Hair Clips


#30 Anne

Giveaway #2
Crab Hooded Towel


#19 michellejohnnie

Please email me at bobbi@mytinysweetcheeks.com to claim your prize. You will have one week to contact me before I will choose another winner.