Christmas In July Recipe Swap

Over @ Craftaholics Anonymous they are having Christmas in July…

There is only 1 more day left to enter..

{Ends June 9)

Go get you some yummies and pass some along.

Share the joy ♥

Here are some items that are already up for swap..

Nicole's Curried Lentils and Potatoes

Heidi’s Mother's Day Salad

Amy's Guacamole Salsa

Jenn's Tatertot Caserole

Misty's Easy Potato Soup

Sarah’s  German Pancakes

Katie’s White Bean and Roasted Garlic Hummus.

Piglet's simple Chocolate Fudge

Ashlee's Sour Cream Lemon Pie

Have a good time and take a bite for me ☺

♥Jessi

My new Blog for tutorials of all kinds. We can learn together♦

I have started a new blog for

tutorials of all kinds.

Such as painting, crochet, blog

tutorials, places to find blog

templates, health & beauty,  free

fonts, jewelry, sewing, cooking,

cleaning and other things you

would want to know..

D♥I♥Y DreamHood

I hope you’ll come see me and

follow in on the site. This is

a “community” where you can

get to know people and share

ideas and tutorials. Learn

something new and find a new

friend☺

I am still keeping this blog

as well to write about everything

else. SO I can have 2..Yay!s

Thanks for taking the time

to share part of your day with

me. You don’t know how much

I appreciate each and every one

of you. I thank you from the

bottom of my heart for following

me☺

I Lurve you Guys r

♥Jessi

 

Bag Bonanza Tutorials.♥

I have been eyeing some

wonderful tutorials and

thought I would let you in on

the fun..♥

Totes & duffles♥

*Fat Quarter Tote Tutorial by Cicada Daydream {here}

*Mini Market Tote by Chubby Hobby{here}

*Easy Tote by The Longest Year {here}

*Very Easy Tote Bag by Crafty Wench{here}

*Patchwork shoulder bag from Naptime Crafts {here}

*Simple Reversible Tote by Skip to my Lou {here}

*Pretty Tote Tutorial from Chocolate on my Cranium {here}

*With Love Tote by Lazy Girl Designs {here}

*Quilted Garden Tote by Sew, Mama, Sew {here}

*6 pocket tote from BHG {here}

*Oversized Reversible tote from Baum Textile {here}

*Reversible Convertible tote with pockets from Simplicity {here}

*Travel Tote with Recessed Zipper by Debbie Colgrove {here}

*Signature Style Tote by BHG {here}

*Scrappy Tote by Patterns That Fit You {here}

*Hawaiian Tote Bag by Got Fabric {here}

*Cross Over Bag by Jeanne Perrine {Here}

*Mini Duffle Bag by Lia via Craftster {here}

*

Purses 

& accessories♥

*Shoulder Bag from Tiny Happy {here}

*Reversible shoulder bag from lula louise {here}

*Keychain wallet by infarrantly creative {here}

*Recessed zipper shoulder bag from Projects by jane {here}

*Buttercup bag by handmade matters {here}

*Weekender travel tote by Sew Spoiled Designs {here}

Laptop Bags♥

*Jean Laptop Bag by

giannylt via Youtube {{here}}

*Laptop Bag by My Backyard Eden {here}

*Laptop Bag by Made by Petchy {here}

Lunchbox items♥

*Back to school Lunch bag from The Purl Bee {here}

*Reusable Sandwich Wrap from Betz White {here}

*Paneled & Insulated Lunch Bag from Savvy Seams {here}

*Snack Bag from Jennifer Stern {here}

Clutch♥

*Diaper Clutch Tutorial by Melissa {here}

*Wipes clutch tutorial by homemade by Jill {here}

*Clutch Purse Wristlets from Jenny Crafts {here}

*Clutch it from Cakies {here}

*Coupon Clutch from Spincushion {here}

Hope you had fun♥  I know I did. I

love all of these tutorials.

You are more than welcome to share

yours too. ♥Jess

Threadbanger Tutorial- Unused Umbrella’s repurposed to Duffle Bag!

I love Threadbanger. They

show the most eccentric

tutorials that you just

want to love forever.

Crazy and fun and

always giving you the

know-how of some pretty

awesome techniques. Head

on over and have some

fun ☺  -Jess

 

Thanks to Posh Trendy Blog for featuring my post..

Posh Trendy Blog is looking for interesting blog posts from YOU that she could post on her blog. I ♥ that she featured my post about Aidan. Aidan’s story is a rare one, a hard one, and very touchy one. It took me awhile to write {even though I didn’t include all the details} but it was very hard to be a preemie mom. I had to be extra careful, the house had to be extra clean, and I was so worried..We couldn’t “show” him off to people because I was so scared they might have something. Just the sniffles would be a huge problem for him. His immune system is still very low {even though he’s 3} he still catches stuff that his sister doesn’t.

But anyway,

I wrote this down so that other preemie moms could have the hope that I wished I had, the stories and the connecting with another mom. There is an awesome group for preemie moms at CafeMom {here}. So be more than welcome to share your stories, advice, or worries…

♥Jess

Crafty Gemini Tutorial {recycle jeans into a tote}

I love how she takes it step by step so that even beginners know what she is talking about. She shows how to place the pins correctly and how to make the box type tote very well. I applaud this tutorial. Well done. Head on over to her {site} for more tutorials (written & video)

♥Jessi

My Little Man is Going to HeadStart. {& his birth story}

Today was a very big deal for me. I kept putting it off until I couldn’t put it off anymore.

I went and enrolled my baby into HeadStart. It doesn’t seem like he is old enough to go to school. Where has the time gone? How has time slipped away so fast? When you look back on everything and realize how precious those moments are. It is so amazing to see him as well as Adisyn learn a little more each day. It has been wonderful being their mom, and I love every hectic second. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

I thought I would share Aidan’s birth story with you guys tonight. Aidan is my little fighter and I love sharing his story with other preemie moms, so that they have hope.

Aidan was born March 24, 2007 (@ 24 weeks) so he was 16 weeks premature..so you know how much development happens over 16 weeks? ALOT

But here goes the story..

I was 22 weeks pregnant and went to the OB-GYN for an ultrasound, and everything was perfect. We got to find out the sex of the baby, so I was extremely  happy. The only thing that was wrong with my pregnancy was I kept Kidney Infections & UTI’s. (& so I had to take some really gross stuff)..

But I had no clue that at 24 weeks I would  be having a baby. I was staying at my mom’s when Adam was at work, so when I went in, I took I nap. When I woke up I was having terrible back pain. I seriously thought it was just the infections.

Then a little later my stomach starting contracting and that’s when I started to get a little worried. So I called the OB, which her office was closed, so I called the hospital where she was on duty. I didn’t get to talk to her, but someone else who was just as helpful.

He said “Get down here” I lived like 30 minutes away.. He said it could  be Braxton Hicks (false labor) or it could actually be real. So, my mom and my uncle rushed me to the hospital where I was texting Adam non-stop (he was @ work)..

They checked my urine for the infections (which took like an hour)  and said it was clear that the antibiotics had worked..so basically they wanted to check me for dialation. They did and I was dialated 1. So they put me on magnesium and asked if I wanted to be flown to Louisville or Lexington and I said “Louisville”…

They said if the baby was to come, they didn’t have the equiptment to save it. I couldn’t think about it..

they put me in the helicopter & off to Louisville..

When I got in the hospital they checked me for dialation again and told me that I was dialated 10. 10? I couldn’t be dialated 10 (all the way)….& he was coming out (breech) feet first..

So, then I was scared and started shaking (I was only 18 and had never been in the hospital before)..especially not alone with nobody to hold my hand..

They told me they would have to give me an emergency c-section and they couldn’t wait for visitors, and although I was scared to death I just kept saying “do what you have to do to save my baby”..

so off to the surgery room I went. I was sitting on the table shaking like crazy. I wasn’t really crying, because I was in shock. I was upset, but knew I had to remain calm.

So, they put like the biggest needle ever into my spine (which didn’t hurt as bad as I had thought it would) and off goes the surgery.

All I could feel was pulling and tugging on the inside of my body'..I heard them saying “there’s the baby, and there’s the placenta”

I was just laying there when someone walked in and came up to me..he said “I’m here” and so I just thought it was the head doctor or something. He pulled down the mask and it was HIM. It was Adam, come to save the day. To hold my hand and tell me it was ok. Although he had just seen my GUTS outside my body. He just kept saying “it will be ok”…

He asked me if I was ok and if I was cold…I said “No, I’m not cold” he asked “why are you shaking like that” I replied “I’m nervous and scared”…

Something happened right as I said it. I heard them ask Adam if he wanted to see the baby. They said “ you can’t hold him because he is so small, but you can see him”…

They rolled him up to me, and I immediately started crying. He wasn’t like any baby I had ever seen before. He was so small. He was smaller than  a coke bottle…

They wheeled me to recovery where I had to stay for an hour and wait for the anesthesa (spelling?) to wear off…

Then I got to go into my room where I got to see Adam and my family for the first time. They were all scared I could tell. They were acting like they weren’t, like everything was going to be okay. But I knew what they were doing. They were trying to protect me from the hurt. From the hurt of knowing that “My son could die” their may be a chance i have to walk empty handed for the rest of my life, thinking about him…

The nurse came in and told me the risks of having  a premature baby. She said..”The first 72 hours are the most crucial” “We’ll have to see if he takes to the incubator and machines” “50/50 chances….

So then I got to go see him..He was so small. I couldn’t believe how small he was. Weighing at birth 1pound and 13ounces…and being 12 1/2 inches long.

His eyes were still shut and he was on a ventilator..

We couldn’t hold him for 3-4 weeks. We could put our hands in the incubator and hold his tiny little hand, the whole time me saying “please don’t let this precious little miracle die” “please don’t, I can’t handle this.”..

After 28 weeks we got to kangaroo care him (putting him skin to skin with me) this helps to bond  him & I and help him..

The first time I held him he was still small enough to fit in one hand…

He ripped out the white thing in his mouth (picture above) which is called a logans bowl. This helps keep his tubes in place..He started bleeding and I automatically started crying. I was scared and his heart rate was dropping and the nurses were trying everything they could…until finally they got him stable..

Gretta (Aidan’s primary nurse) said “it’s ok“ “he’s ok”..

so..Aidan had to stay in the NICU for 3 1/2 months. Getting to come home on July 9, 2007 just one day after he was SUPPOSED to be born. He would’ve gotten to come home earlier but he wouldn’t eat on his own (he still had to be tube fed)..

The picture above is the first time Alex (My stepson) got to see Aidan..so cute. ☺ we couldn’t take him with us to see him because Aidan was in the hospital during RSV season (which is a small cold to us, but very deadly to a preemie)..

It was extra hard getting used to being a mom of a preemie because there are so many things that could happen to end thier life. So many different types of ruptures and brain bleeds and so on. I was scared so bad.

But he MADE it. I was so happy…♥

He was the smallest baby there, and he got to come home before some did. He was wearing clothes before some of them, and we could even put things in his incubator..like stuffed puppies and turtles♥

It was amazing to see him grow, although we lived life as a hermit. I didn’t take him ANYWHERE and I didn’t go ANYWHERE. Walmart, resturants, and even clothes shopping was out of the question. He could catch something from someone walking or sitting behind us..

But a year later..

he looks so big..

& 2 years later

& 3 years later

He is my little rockstar, playing air guitar to everything including commericals =)

He is a lover of cars and the rugrats..

He is the sweetest little boy always there to help out..smiling, laughing and always wanting to “spin around and around”. He loves the park and just being outdoors period…

He is my little man and I am so glad I am his mommy. He has brightened my life, warmed my heart, and tickled me pink..♥

He is my fighter, my survivor, and overall just an awesome little man.

Thank heaven for little boys♥

♥Jess

 

♥5 Free Recipe Books from Gooseberry & SunMaid

 

* 5 Free recipe booklets from SunMaid & Gooseberry

1}Fruit & Sunshine
Recipes

Naturally Healthy Raisin Recipes

» GET BOOKLET

2}The New Taste
of Tradition

Our classic recipes
with a new twist.

» GET BOOKLET

3}Recipes for
Healthier Eating

Good food that's good
for you, too.

» GET BOOKLET

4}Family Favorite Recipes

From the popular Gooseberry
Patch collection.

» GET BOOKLET

5}Fall Favorites

Celebrate Fall Festivities with Gooseberry Patch.

» GET BOOKLET

Go Get Yours ♥ Jess

Looking for new Blog Templates?

I love changing the theme on my blog. It makes it so stylish & personal. I have found these awesome people who make {free} templates..
If you are looking for new & free awesome blogger templates- this is the post you should be reading.
1. LeeLou Blogs offers free & custom blog templates..
Here are some samples of her {free} work:


She has many more. head on over…




2. Hot Bliggity Blog
Here are some samples..




3. BlogSkins
here are some samples:




4. BloggerTemplatesFree


{samples}




5.freeskins




6.createblog


7. Candy’s Templates


8. Almost Ready Blog


9. Ashley’s Blog Layouts


10. Yummy Lolly


Head on over & get yourself a new look. But don’t forget to post the url to your blog so I can check it out. ♥ Jess

About Zibbet {Connecting buyers and sellers of Handmade Goods, Fine Art, Vintage Items and Crafting Supplies}

About Zibbet

Zibbet is a global marketplace, connecting buyers and sellers of Handmade Goods, Fine Art, Vintage Items and Crafting Supplies.

THE IDEA

The idea for Zibbet was initially born out of a desire to create an eBay alternative for Artisans.  Jonathan (Zibbet's founder), saw first-hand how hard it was to sell your creative products.  From seeing his Grandma stop selling her crocheted handicrafts at the local market, because it was "too cold" and "not worth it", to seeing his wife's cousin stop selling her paintings on eBay, because it was too expensive to list and weren't selling at a worthwhile price.  He knew that there had to be a better way.

Jonathan says, "eBay's success is largely attributed to it's attractiveness to buyers as a place to find almost anything, at bargain prices.  Popular for its bidding style, we saw that many beautiful handmade items that would have taken hours and hours to create, sold for next to nothing.  How sad!  We wanted to create a marketplace where Artisans could list their quality, handmade products for a fixed price, rather than an auction style, and sell them for a price that made all the time and love that went into creating that item, worth it."

With little more than a rough idea of how the site might work in their minds, and virtually no money in their pockets to make it happen, Jonathan Peacock & Andrew Gray (Zibbet founders), started work on the Zibbet site which went live on the 5th February, 2009.

THE NAME

The name Zibbet was fashioned in the first 2 weeks of the concept starting and stems from the word exhibit. It was chosen as a catchy and easy name for people to remember and pass on.
Many great milestones have come and gone since that first planning meeting in October 2007 to the point where the Zibbet team continues to expand in line with the influence that Zibbet has with artisans from every part of the globe. The Zibbet name is fast becoming known as the one for artisans to trust as the online platform to serve their creative expression and promotion.

THE TEAM

Jonathan Peacock, CEO and Founder of Zibbet.com
Vision. Innovation. Strategy.
Jonathan oversees and manages the day to day operations of Zibbet. He is constantly working on ways to improve both the buying and selling experience on the site by implementing new and innovative ideas (most of them suggested by the sellers in our community). Jonathan is also responsible for marketing and developing the Zibbet brand. Connecting buyers and sellers is of the highest importance. He has a clear vision for the future of Zibbet and is armed with the strategy and commitment to get there.

Andrew Gray, Director and Co-founder of Zibbet.com
Creativity. Ideas. Motivation.
Andrew is a perfect example of someone you would call an ‘ideas man’. He is forever coming up with creative new ideas and initiatives for Zibbet. He is both a motivator and a motivated individual. As co-founder, he shares the same clear vision that our founder, Jonathan, has. And that is to see Zibbet become the premier destination for buying creative, handmade works. And at the same time, provide sellers with a great looking shop front, industry-leading tools for their promotional needs, and the best value for money.

Jess Telford, Lead Developer
Smart.  Efficient.  Invaluable.
Jess is Zibbet's lead site developer and is the person responsible for building and implementing all the new and exciting seller tools, such as Shop Customization, Widgets, Rearrange Your Shop etc etc, PLUS there is so much more to come.  On top of that he works to improve current site features and the overall buying experience. Jess is smart, efficient and an extremely valuable member of our team.

CONNECT WITH ZIBBET

You can connect with Zibbet on these social networks:

Twitter  |  MySpace  |  Become a FAN on Facebook

2. Sell on Zibbet For Free {or buy a premium account for only $9}

{with premium} There are NO long-term commitments when selling with Zibbet; you can cancel at any time.

Join Our Vibrant Community of Artisans!

Zibbet is a global marketplace, connecting buyers and sellers of Handmade Goods, Fine Art, Vintage Items and Crafting Supplies.

It's FREE to list your items on Zibbet, and when they sell, we don't take a cut of your sales. You get to keep every penny... That's the way it should be!

YOU HAVE THE CHOICE BETWEEN EITHER A BASIC OR PREMIUM ACCOUNT...

Basic accounts are totally FREE. We give you your own shop, web address, outstanding promotional tools and customer support, all for FREE. With a Basic account you can have up to 25 items in your shop at a time. When an item sells, you can replace it by listing another one. You can sell as many items as you want and you won't pay us a cent!

Premium accounts are $9/month (limited number available at this special price). You can upgrade to a full-featured Premium account at any time, and enjoy the freedom of listing as many items as you want, plus the flexibility of having full control over the customization of your shop's color theme, and layout. A full list of features can be seen below; with many more still to come.

There are only 328 Premium accounts left at the discounted rate of $9/month.
Get yours today to lock in this special price FOR LIFE!

What you can sell..

Buy From Zibbet Marketplace..

I think it’s cool that they have a search for a certain color. How very awesome.

& so knowing me..the first thing I did was search for green stuff.

& here are some of my Favs *

*Sterling Razor Blade Necklace Recycled Vintage

Bellota26
$32.00 USD

http://www.zibbet.com/Bellota26/artwork?artworkId=72536

From Bellota26

*Description-Edgy and feminine! I love this necklace! It is made with a sterling silver razor blade pendant that I found a thrift store in Monterey, CA. I attached a faceted green glass tear drop bead that is wrapped in silver tone wire. The delicate silver tone chain measures 16 inches around and closes with a spring clasp. (If you need a longer chain let me know).

{Click here to add this to your cart }

*Large Lotus hobo/diaper bag . Turquoise Wildflower

FuchstBags
$83.00 USD

By FuchstBags

Description

***Functional, chic, & stylish handmade handbags***
This beautiful large Lotus hobo bag is designed with the inspiration of a Lotus leaf that sits peacefully in the pond. It is a simple, yet elegant bag that can take you from day to night in a snap. The full pleatings around the bag is an attention grabber and add some spice to an otherwise simple bag. This bag is large enough to store all your daily necessities and more. It’s a corded double shoulder strapped bag with three magnetic compartment closures. IT CAN ALSO MAKE A STYLISH DIAPER BAG FOR A NEW MOM!

Click here to add this to your cart

Head on over to Zibbet & either sell or buy..

either way it’s a MUST see site..

a  -Jess