Show Off Your Stuff Party # 129!

Hello and Welcome to the Show Off Your Stuff Party! 

This week we are showing off:

Jeannine's Easy Last Minute Teacher Gift Idea:

Don't forget our SIY: Kid's Clothes Series starts next week!  

We would LOVE to show off YOUR kid's clothes tutorials!  

Email me (firefliesandjellybeans(at)gmail(dot)com) to be a guest poster!

Do you want to make some money blogging?

  One site that I have found helpful in finding sponsors is Social Spark
I wrote a whole post on how I make money blogging HERE
and another post on how to use Social Spark to make money HERE!

They match bloggers with advertisers. You get to choose who you promote and how you promote it! It really is a win-win! 

Here is the run down:

1. Pay attention! There are 4 categories to link up:

Crafts and Sewing

DIY and Home Decor

Recipes
Inspirational/Creative Writing

pick one and go with it!

{If you pick the wrong one... you can delete your own and add it to the right one! :) }

2. Add a link to your specific post, not the main page of your blog.

3. Please do not link up to something that you are just trying to sell.

4. Link to this party from your post so everyone can get in on the fun. You can just grab my button!

<a href="http://firefliesandjellybeans.com/search/label/Show%20Off%20Your%20Stuff%20Party" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="blank"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fvxHkFmRuww/TjYS_3oztzI/AAAAAAAAAjA/H6n_MRE4xhs/s200/Show+off+your+Stuff+party+button.JPG" width="125" /></a>

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Easy, Affordable, Last Minute Teacher Gift

My kids' last day of school is only 2 days away! I've had this idea in mind for a while, and luckily, it's SO EASY we whipped them up in one day. We really love plants and gardening around here (all 3 of our girls are named after plants, and we didn't even realize it until after they were all born and named)!

Here is what you need to do:
1. Run to your local garden center, buy a small plant for each teacher you want to thank (could be house plants, herbs, whatever you like). Buy a clay pot that each plant will fit into. I bought 2 small plants and 4 pots, and it cost about $15. If you want to make it even cheaper, you could pull something out of your own garden, which I did for a couple of mine (the small ones in the picture are sage out of my garden).

2. Write the words "Thanks for helping me grow" with marker (or paint) on the clay pots. I admit, I borrowed the phrase from something I saw on Pinterest, but I totally adapted it to make a completely different project!

3. Have your child (if old enough) decorate the pots with markers, paint, stickers, whatever. Be creative.

4. Put the plant inside the pot, and there you go!

My kids are young, so I'm not going to let them carry the plants on the bus, I will bring them in to the school tomorrow. The small pots are for the gym and music teachers. One of my daughters is going to a different school next year, and she really loves her gym and music teachers, so I wanted to do a special good-bye gift for them. Then I got to thinking, I bet those "extra" teachers really get neglected at the end of the year, and it's a good idea, if you can afford it, to do something for them - the people who aren't your child's "main" teacher, but still put a lot work into helping your child learn and grow.

This project literally took me a couple hours (at the most), including driving to the store, potting the plants, and my kids' decorations on them. You might already have the materials and don't even have to buy anything!

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Some Kids Clothes Tutorials to get us in the mood!

I am very excited about our next series here on F&J!  Starting next week we will be showcasing tutorials on kids clothes!   I have 3 girl tutorials and 2 boy tutorials so far... I am working on more!  PLUS- we will have fun guest posts of MORE kids clothes!  It will be a blast! Make sure you come back next week to join in all the fun!

  I am still looking for more guest posters so if you are interested e-mail me (firefliesandjellybeans(at)gmail(dot)com)

 To get us in the mood here are some of the kid's clothes tutorials I have already done here on F&J!

Men's  Shirt into Boys Shorts

Ruffle Butt Onesie

One-piece romper into 2 long sleeve shirts re-purpose

Tutu Shirt

Easy Zip-up Cardigan

Easy Summer Ruffle Dress

Hooded Poncho Beach Towel

  

Beautiful Skin with Eclos (#EclosAntiAgingKit) Giveaway!

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of éclos Skin Care for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

I was so excited to be able to test éclos Skin Care Anti-aging kit this past week.  I was telling my hubby the other day "I think I am now in the part of my life where I need some anti-aging help."  The first step is to admit it right?!

éclos Skin Care features Apple Stem Cells extracted from a rare Swiss apple which have shown tremendous ability to stimulate skin stem cells, encouraging aging skin to behave like younger skin.  You know what they say: "An Apple a day keeps the Botox away!"  The whole anti-aging skin care line is made from plant extracts, vitamins and anti-oxidants combine with the Apple Stem Cell technology to help minimize the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and tired skin.  And- man- is my skin tired!  It really needed some help!  The box said that you could look up to 15 years younger... I would love to look 19 again!

Here is a before and after shot:

You can see in the before shot, my eyes have wrinkles and dark circles under them.  They are tired eyes (I blame the kids!).  I also have some fine lines around my nose and mouth.  In the after shot you can see that my eyes look MUCH less tired and the fine lines around my nose have lessened.  This is only after 1 week of using éclos Skin Care products!  Let's be honest... I don't look 19, but I may look like I am in my 20s and I will take it! :)

The products are amazing and I love how they smell.  It is like going to a salon.  Here what I used:
éclos Anti-Aging Instant Radiance Facial Scrub:  I loved this facial scrub.  It really cleaned my face and my pours. you just rub in a circular motion on to a wet face and wipe off with warm water.

éclos Anti-Aging Facial Cleanser Skin Prep:  This cleanser leaves your face like a clean palate ready for the rest of the anti-aging products. With gentle circular motions, massage a quarter-size amount onto damp skin. Rinse with warm water. Use twice daily.

éclos Anti-Aging Cellular Activator Face Serum: This serum nourishes and protects skin cells, enhancing their ability to function like younger cells.Smooth serum over clean, dry skin in morning and evening. For optimal effects, use under éclos Moisture Therapy Regenerative Cream.

éclos Anti-Aging Moisture Therapy Regenerative Cream: Revitalizes skin stem cells, helping to tighten aging skin and postpone and help repair wrinkles.  Gently massage cream over entire face. Use once daily, morning
and night. For optimal results, apply over éclos Cellular Activator Face Serum.

éclos Anti-Aging Restorative Eye Cream: Visibly reduces fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes.  Gently pat under, and around, eye area morning and night.

éclos Anti-Aging Skin Renewal Clay Mask: This mask cleanses skin, absorbs impurities, and helps unclog pores.  You apply on a clean face and let dry for 15 minutes.  Then wipe off with a warm wet cloth.

I love that the éclos Skin Care products are all natural and do not have parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrances,
synthetic dyes, or petro chemicals (potentially harmful synthetic chemicals derived from petroleum)!
I loved the way my skin felt after using these products.  Before I would never leave the house with out a good coat of make-up on.  Now I can do my eyes and lips and be on my way without a heavy foundation.
éclos Skin Care products can be found nationwide at food, drug and mass stores, including Target, Ulta, Duane Reade, Walgreens, Rite Aid, and Fred Meyer.

I also have a kit to giveaway to one F&J reader! 
Here is what you could win (a $19.99 value):
A sample size of each of the following:
• Facial Cleanser Skin Prep
• Cellular Activator Face Serum
• Moisture Therapy Regenerative Cream
• Restorative Eye Cream
• Instant Radiance Facial Scrub
• Skin Renewal Clay Mask
• éclos Terry Cloth Head Band

To enter - Leave a comment on this blog post stating which product in the kit you are most excited to try.

Giveaway ends Friday June 1st at Midnight.  US Residents only.  Winner will be notified by email.
Good luck!

Sew It Yourself Series - Tutorials Needed!

I am excited about this new series, Sew It Yourself: Kids Clothes!

During the month of June F&J will be showcasing tutorials of kids clothes! 

 I have some fun girly ones and studly boy ones too!  But we NEED your Help!   

We want to show off YOUR kids clothes tutorials.  

Email me (firefliesandjellybeans(at)gmail(dot)com) if you are interesting in contributing to this fun series!  I am looking for tutorials with step-by-step directions and photos of KIDS clothes. 

Sounds fun right?!  I am also thinking of other fun Sew-it-Yourself series like: Purses/Totes, Mom clothes, Christmas gifts... oh the possibilities! :)  I am SO EXCITED!

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ALWAYS last minute!

So- it was 9:30 the night before my son's last day of preschool and it hit me... I don't have teacher gifts!!  I had planned for weeks what I was going to do but always put it off because... well... because that is what I do: leave everything to the last minute! Good thing Walgreens is right down the street and open until 10PM! 

I picked up these cute water bottles and used my Silhouette to cut out the teachers names with outdoor vinyl (I get my vinyl HERE - super cheap!)  That is what I love about my Silhouette the most... making personalized gifts at the very last minute!  Now, I try to keep a stash of vinyl around just for projects like this.   People love to get personalized gifts!

 I cut out Thank You tags with my silhouette too.  In the morning had my son draw a picture of each of his teachers on the back.   I was in bed by 11 with a cute teacher gift all ready!  Phew- good thing I work good under pressure! : )

Show Off Your Stuff Party # 128

Hello and welcome to the Show Off Your Stuff Party! 

This week I am showing off:

Flip-flops Photo art

I am also on twitter now!

I would love it if you follow me @FireflyFawnda

Do you want to make some money blogging?

  One site that I have found helpful in finding sponsors is Social Spark
I wrote a whole post on how I make money blogging HERE
and another post on how to use Social Spark to make money HERE!

They match bloggers with advertisers. You get to choose who you promote and how you promote it! It really is a win-win! 

Here is the run down:

1. Pay attention! There are 4 categories to link up:

Crafts and Sewing

DIY and Home Decor

Recipes
Inspirational/Creative Writing

pick one and go with it!

{If you pick the wrong one... you can delete your own and add it to the right one! :) }

2. Add a link to your specific post, not the main page of your blog.

3. Please do not link up to something that you are just trying to sell.

4. Link to this party from your post so everyone can get in on the fun. You can just grab my button!

<a href="http://firefliesandjellybeans.com/search/label/Show%20Off%20Your%20Stuff%20Party" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="blank"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fvxHkFmRuww/TjYS_3oztzI/AAAAAAAAAjA/H6n_MRE4xhs/s200/Show+off+your+Stuff+party+button.JPG" width="125" /></a>

 

 

 

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Coupon Codes 4 U!

I love saving money!  I bet you do too!  My husband is an account so that means he counts every penny and doesn't like me to spend any extra money.  He is happiest when we get great deals!  He even has my kids in on it.  We have banks for each of the kids and whenever we get change back at a store they ask to put it in the back!  A penny saved is a penny earned- right?!

I like to save money too but I also HATE to spend a lot of time cutting coupons, looking online at all the different coupons sites, running around town to 20 different stores,  trying to jump through all the hoops to save $1 at the end of all my hard work... I mean- my time is worth more then that! 

So when I found coupons4u.com I was excited! They are the best spot online for coupons, deals and sales on the internet... it should be the first spot before you shop.  They have coupons for online sites AND for regular stores like Target or Aeropostale.  In these financially tough times it is great to know that there is a one stop site to help us save money! 

Their site is easy to use too!
On their home page you can look at the Top 50, The best sales, or exclusive codes.  Or you can enter the store you are going to shop at and see what coupons are available (See the green arrow).

 

So- Lets say that you are looking for savings on art materials at dick blick.  Just write Dick Blick in the search box and up come all the coupons and deals!

Looking to save money on your grocery/household care bills?  Using soap.com money saving codes are ideal! 

It is getting to be swimsuit time!  Maybe your thinking of using a weight watchers coupon!  They have those too!  

 

You can also sign up for their Keep Saving Newsletter- in which they have exclusive SUPER deals that are not displayed on their site!  You could be hooked up and in the know!  The sign up is quick and easy! 

Coupons4u.com is one place that is easy to find the coupons and deals at the stores I am already shopping at.  If I want I can also look at what the top deals are too.  It makes it so easy! 

What ever you are shopping for you should check out coupon4u.com first!   

Tell me - Who is the money saver at your house?  How do you like to save money?