Takin' Care of Business

Ok, I'm heading to Creative Estates next week.

I am super excited.
It's my first blog/creative conference,
and I'm nervous!
I'm afraid I'll forget something.
Or I'll be shy.
Or I won't have anyone to talk to.

The other thing I'm worried about are business cards.
I have them.
But I want to put a little somethin' extra with them
and I don't know what to do.

After spending the last week making these
for GNO: AZ Style


and starting these for my GroopDealz


I'm crafted out and out of time!

So what's something fun and easy
I could attach to my business card?
Candy?
Discount code?
lock of my hair?
Creepy?
sorry.

I'd love to hear your ideas and I would REALLY appreciate them.

OH!
And because I'm obsessed with mustaches :)
I have to share with you the latest GroopDealz!!!

Now you can rock a mustache necklace like I do for a fantastic price!!!
Plus it comes from Little Miss Momma and she's adorable.

This post brought to you by:

What an amazing time we all had!

Ok, I know this is much overdue and you guys have already read tons of
recaps of the fantastic Moulin Rouge Artistic Affaire in Los Angeles...unfortunately, me and Aaron have been so so sick (with what we are calling the Moulin flu) and seriously, I didn't even have the strength to blog. So I'll keep this brief...because lots of gals have already filled you in on the spoils.
First off, wow...Kim Caldwell is the hostess with the mostest! She claims to be a nervous gal...but wow, it does not show when she's in charge and running the show. All of us teachers were put at ease...she made every little would be hiccup seem like no big deal...and the bang-for-your-buck of the event...if you were an attendee...I have never seen an event packed with so much good stuff. Every moment Kim would stand up and announce yet another giveaway! Every gal left LA with luggage way too full of great stuff!
Luckily we decided to arrive a day early so that we wouldn't be stepping off the plane and rushing to set up for the amazing vendor fair soiree, wherein every gal was dressed to the nines in Moulin Rouge style regalia and your ticket got you free professional photos to memorialize it. The Hotel...The Belamar was so so boutique chic...small and retro Hollywood....a super duper helpful and kind staff. Kim couldn't have picked a better spot. The Ballroom...where the classes were...wow! Aaron went and spied it earlier in the day...I wasn't ready yet...still preparing kit stuff...and Aar is like "You gotta see the room!" he took our camera and came back with like 50 pics to show me...again, Kim spared no expense. If you can go to Kim's next event...GO! You won't be disappointed one drop...you will be overwhelmed with the amount that you take away from it...including brand new great friendships.
We were thrilled to be a part of this event and we loved the rest of the teaching line up...you'll see us all together with Kim in the photo slide below.
And we LOVED our class!! All the gals were so so sweet!! We had an absolute blast negotiating the room full of tables and getting to know everyone. After class we went back to our room and went "WOW!...that was a great time!" then Aar went to get a bucket of ice and noticed that every single door in the hotel had a do-not-disturb on the knob...so I hope it's a good thing that we exhausted everyone!

Like I said...I'm trying to keep this brief. This was our first time on the left coast and it was a little bit what we expected...and at the same time it was the strangest place. We are just so used to New York City...it's a grid and it makes sense. Los Angeles is just a million neighborhoods that keep repeating...each with it's own flavor but sorta similar. Luckily my sis rented a car or we would have seen none of it. Man, do you need a car...the place is sprawling! So we had a bit of an extended stay...on the last day of the event was an 12 hour bus trip and in rare form me and Aar decided to join...we usually don't spoil ourselves with any extras...but this was just too good to pass up. The shops were amazing, and it was so so cool to finally meet some of our very favorite online friends in person! And then we got to stay an extra day at our friend Maggie's house in Silver Lake (which happens to be the home town of one of my favorite bands...who I've mentioned before...Local Natives...You must listen to this band!) So despite already being too sick to function...Maggie made our stay easy...and she's an expert at planning perfect short-trip LA experiences. She should work for the tourism board. On our last day there...in a quick hour before our flight that was so easy seeming...we scored these great pics by the Hollywood sign...and visited the fantastic Griffith Observatory with views that go on forever! Oh yeah, that super cute little guy in the pics is Maggie's scrumptious son Charlie. And his adorable presence made our stay so pleasant...seeing him wake up in his pajamas to come check out these strangers on the air mattress in his living room. We were not prepared for the LA chill in the air...and I guess the houses being lightly insulated...because we New Jerseyans woke up Freezing! Aaron had to put his hoodie on right upon waking up and baby Charlie seemed to like the look of this...he kept patting Aaron's hooded head and saying "baby"... I guess Aaron looked like a giant bald baby! Oh that Charlie is a cutie!

On Saturday night all the festivities at the hotel were over so we took a trip to a group of gallery openings nearby...it was a great night despite a little drizzle at the end. The galleries were so awesomely situated and all throughout the landscape were dazzling smelling lemon trees! We finished off the night at the famous grilled cheese truck...I think Aar got grape soda with his. We saw a ton of great artwork met a couple great dogs and people too!
Like I said...I needed to keep this brief....because so many gals have already done such a good job. Our hugest thanks again to Kim for inviting us and making the experience utterly Magical...no joke! It was the greatest time we had in forever.
xoxo, Jenny!

Want It? Win It! Wednesday: Amy Cornwell Designs

*****CLOSED*****

Holla!
So excited to have my March sponsor Amy Cornwell Designs
here to host a giveaway this month!!!

I'm lucky enough to own two pieces of Amy's gorgeous jewelry.

I have my Sweetheart Ring.
Isn't it sweet??

I also have my HOLLA! necklace.
It's a stamped copper necklace and I love it.

Some of my other favorites are:

She also has a fab CLEARANCE section that you have to check out!

Amy is giving away a $25 gift certificate to her fabulous shop!

Do you WANT IT?

Well, you can WIN IT!
If you want to win
then here is what you need to do!

MANDATORY ENTRY

(this MUST be completed for any other extra entries to count)

Leave a comment telling me which item from Amy Cornwell Designs you find most enchanting.

Be sure to leave your email address as well so I can contact you if you win!

Extra Entries:
(You MUST complete the mandatory entry before completing any extra entries.)

1 Extra Entry: {FOLLOW} Amy's Blog. (leave 1 additional comment)
1 Extra Entry: {FOLLOW} Amy on Twitter. (leave 1 additional comment)1 Extra Entry:

1 Extra Entry: {TWEET} about the giveaway with a link back here. (leave 1 additional comment)
3 Extra Entries: {VOTE} for IVORY COAST (Kyla) for my Chunky Bling entry. (leave 3 additional comments)

As always, giveaways are only open to
FPG Google Friends Connect public followers.

This GIVEAWAY will end on Tuesday, April 5th at midnight PST.

1 lucky reader will be selected using Random.org and will have 72 hours to claim the prize or a new winner will be chosen.
The winner's name will be posted in a blog post and at the top of the blog.
You must respond either in a comment or via email.

TOO Cute Tuesday: Linky Par-Tay! #24

How is your March finishing up?

This has been a wild month,
but I'm blessed so I can't complain.
(t00 much - LOL)

FIRST,
did you see my GroopDealz???

I just had to give a shout out :)

SECOND,
Did you vote for IVORY COAST?
If you did, thank you!
If you didn't, what are you waiting for???
There's a giveaway in it if I win!
VOTE HERE.
Tell your friends.

THIRD,
this is what I've been working on.

PHEW!
They are for this exciting event that I'm attending in a week!

Are you going??
I'd love to meet you :)

Now onto TOO Cute Tuesday!

What did you make this week that is TOO Cute??

Come link up!

Rules:

• Must be made by you.
• Link up to the specific post - not your main blog.
• No Etsy shops or giveaways please :)
  
• Please post the button or link back here so more people can join in the fun.
• Visit some of the other participants and leave them some LOVE!

TOO Cute Tuesday will be open Tuesday-Friday.
On Saturday I'll highlight some of my favorites
and then we'll start over on Tuesday!


<a border="0" href="http://funkypolkadotgiraffe.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p12/mormishgirl/Funky%20PolkaDot%20Giraffe/TooCuteTuesday.jpg" /></a>

This post brought to you by:

GroopDealz: ME!!!!!!!!!!!

Just popping in to say -
Did you see who is the featured deal on GroopDealz today???
It's just me!!!!
I hope you'll pop in and grab one for your niece, neighbor, daughter,
granddaughter, goddaughter - anyone that needs a little Spring happiness!
I know my FPD friends will make me look good :)
GET YOURS HERE!
And if you refer friends to the deal and they buy one - you get credit to use
on future purchases!!!

Marvelous Monday: Eclectic Whatnot

Hey, howdy hey! I'm Ruthanne from Eclectic Whatnot. I blog about um . . . eclectic . . . um, whatnot? Seriously. I'm kinda all over the place. I prefer it that way. No need to box yourself in, right? ::snort::

Let's see . . . a lil' bit about moi:

I homeschool.

I’ve been known to eat chocolate chips straight out of the bag.

I’m a compulsive baker.

I heart old, B&W movies.

I think my husband is sexy.

I also have a crush on Jack Bauer. It’s okay. My husband knows.

My drug of choice is the Caramel Macchiato from Starbucks (Grande, please).

Show tunes make me happy.

I hide behind my Nikon.

I dearly love to laugh.

Today, I want to share a super simple recipe with y'all. If you're not into lemon, then you're probably going to want to look away. My man is a chocoholic and wouldn't eat these if his life depended on it. So, I get it. I also realize that just means there's more for me. I catch on quickly. ::wink::

Lemon Bars
~ Betty Crocker Cookie Book

{1} Pre-heat oven to 350.

{2} Mix together and press into a 8 or 9-inch square pan:

1 C AP flour
1/2 C butter, softened
1/4 C powdered sugar

{3} Bake for 15 to 18 minutes.

{4} Beat with a mixer on high for about three minutes:

1 C granulated sugar
2 tsp. grated lemon peel
2 T lemon juice
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
2 eggs

{5} Pour mixture over crust and bake for about 20 to 25 minutes.

{6} Cool, cut into squares and sprinkle with powdered sugar.

It's kinda gooey. And it's all kinds of yummy. Enjoy!

BIG WINNERS! and Sweet Sponsor Lovin'

I hope your weekend has been fabulous.

I realized I am WAY behind on announcing winners!!!
So here they are:

The winner of the darling belt from Hannah Handmade is #18 To Sew With Love!!!

The winner of the super cute headband from Zoelynn & C0. is #2 Shawna!!!

The winner of the $50 GC from CSN Stores is #87 Shel!!!

You lucky winners have 72 HOURS to contact me and claim your prize.


Just a little shout out for my sponsor Eclectic Whatnot.
She has a new line of camera straps called "Thoughts from Behind the Lens".
They are super fantastic.
The colorway is fantastic ;)

She's going to be adding more.
I'd love one that said "I shoot people."
Wahahaha!

AND!!!
She has three of her lovely straps on sale until tonight.
HURRY!

And if you love me - or even if you just like me -
I'm still begging for votes for IVORY COAST.
I'm now behind by 50 votes.
Sad days.
I'd so appreciate 30 seconds for a VOTE.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend and I'll see y'all tomorrow!

We 're back!!

What a trip!!
California was amazing!! Moulin Rouge was seriously mind blowing!! I have so much to share with you guys! I took over 300 pics and I'm now knee deep in the process of identifying the good, the bad, and the ugly!!

Unfortunately there was a super duper sickness bug going around and it sunk it's teeth into me big time. I am really hoping that I am on the last of it...the coughs, the headaches, the sinus pressure...man are they getting old! I think the really fun bus trip may have been the sickness culprit...50 something women (and Aaron and our driver Greg!) all in a tiny mobile tube for 12 hours...seems like the perfect scenario for spreading something around.


As soon as it is possible for me to sit up straight for more than 10 mins I will blog like crazy! Because the trip was just so so so fun and man...it deserves the healthiest of blogging minds. So I promise...very soon I will return with energy this Artistic Affaire merits!

xoxo Jenny

Saturday Shout Outs:{FABULOUS TUTORIAL} Edition

Happy Saturday!!!

The fields are closed and no t-ball game this morning :(
There were so many awesome tutorials,
so I wanted to share some of them with you.

But FIRST!!!
If you are reading this will you PLEASE go and vote for IVORY COAST??

I got within 11 of my competition,
but now I'm down 50!!!!

I know you can help me win!
And if I do, I'll do a RAD giveaway here on the blog.
You can VOTE HERE.



And I'd love you forever if you tweeted or FBed and told your friends to vote too.

{Cardi & Dress Refashion by Domestic Deadline}


{Rainbow Shirt by Sumo's Sweet Stuff}

{Button Egg by Auntie LoLo Crafts}

{Harry Potter Wand by I'm a Mom Not a Professional}

{Spring Wreath by Jane of All Crafts}

{Beaded Bracelet by Huggs & Kisses}

{Crocheted Earrings by KooKoo Crafts}
These didn't have a tutorial, but I thought they were so cute.

{Hooded Towels by Ladybird Ln}

And Me Sew Crazy has TWO fantastic tutorials
{BIG BOW Metal Frame Purse}

{Bubble Ruffle Dress}

Thanks for joining me.
Have a fabulous weekend.
Did you VOTE???
(P.S. You can vote more than once if you have different devices ie phone, iPad, etc)

SOLD 83 honda cb 1100

Runs perfect and clean as hell

southy

I took the bikes on a little road trip to so cal. It rained the whole way from oregon with a head wind to top it off . Burned through about 175 gallons of vegy oil in the truck getting an average 7 miles per gallon. I took my time getting down looking around every town for bikes in back yards and on craigslist. So now i'm down in san diego and it is raining down here too, I just cant get away from the rain.  I did sell the cb 450 today and got hired to build some handlebars and pipes so the trip is working out.