{Pinterest Scavenger Hunt} Welcome! How to play

Welcome to the Fall Pinterest Scavenger Hunt and Giveaway!
Pin to Win one of five prize packages 
with a total value over $275!

Hosted by ArahBellas, All Done Monkey, and Just a Little Creativity

Here's how to Play-

• Create a new Pinterest board specifically for this Scavenger Hunt
• Each day, a new clue will be revealed on the Host blogs as well as the Rafflecopter entry form. With the clue, a link will be provided to the blog with the photo to be pinned.
• To be eligible to win, you must pin a photo from each clue provided
• There are also many additional ways to earn extra entries, so be sure to give them a try!

You Could Win One of These Five Prizes-

One Grand Prize- 

$40 Target Gift Card courtesy of MyArtsyBaby

Artistry Essentials hydrating skincare system or an 
Artistry balancing skincare system from Chris & Niki's Online Store (ARV $50.45)

$50 Gift Certificate to Bowdabra 

{Total Grand Prize Value $140.40}  

One Week 1 Sponsor Prize Package-

$20 Gift Certificate to Cherished Bliss 

One Week 2 Sponsor Prize Package-
Coilbound Documenting Book from Paper Coterie (Up to $32 value)

One Week 3 Sponsor Prize Package-
Blog Header Redesign from Simply Klassic Blog Design 
Ad Space on CherishedBliss.com
{Total prize value $56}

One Week 4 Sponsor Prize Package-

Partridge and Pear Stained Glass Kit from Suzy's Sitcom Store
Cotton Whale Toy Sewing Kit from DIYFluffies
  

a Rafflecopter giveaway   More about our Grand Prize Sponsors-

MyArtsyBaby 

Quality, hand painted art for your little one.
Specializing in custom wooden and canvas growth charts and canvas wall art. Each piece is affordable, and 100% handmade and original, no prints or giclee reproductions. Made to order to your exact specifications. Any design you imagine can be painted on either wood or canvas charts, as well as gallery wrapped canvases.

Chris and Nikki's Online Store

 If you enjoy finding new products that fit your lifestyle, you’ll love what’s “in store!”  Chris and Nikki started their online store with a belief in their products and potential of their business. With the flexibility they have as entrepreneurs, they are able to spend more time with their two amazing kids.

 Bowdabra

Bowdabra bow and craft tools... are unleashing creativity all over the world, from beautiful bows for gifts to elegant bridal accessories and home decor, the crafting possibilities are practically endless with Bowdabra.

With its simple-to-use "goof proof" design, Bowdabra is for people of all ages; even children. Families seeking fun and affordable activities can spend some quality time together using Bowdabra products to create unique crafts and wonderful memories.

Bowdabra products come with a VIP Pass to our membership site, containing craft articles and videos presented in an easy to follow style.  

 

 

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This blog is not responsible for prize redemption, and was not compensated for participating in this sweepstakes.

{Spark Linky Party- I've Been Featured} It's Fall Y'all!

Hey guys! I had so much fun doing the Spark linky! I enjoyed looking at all of your creative ideas. Everyone's ideas were very cute and clever but here are some that really stood out to me...

 

  Please click on the pictures for their source :)

If you've been featured, be sure to grab your button! 

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Join us again for the Spark linky party in October! The theme is  "Harvest Festival". I can't wait to see what you guys come up with this time!

Make Easy Photo Collages with CollageIt

I love learning about photography and photo-editing, it's becoming one of my favorite hobbies. 

So, when I had the chance to review CollageIt, a cool new downloadable photo program, I immediately took it! It seemed like the perfect opportunity to practice my skills.

 
About CollageIt

CollageIt is an automatic and easy to use app that helps people create eye-catching photo collages in no time on Mac OS X & Windows. It has many features that allow users to make collages effortlessly. Some of the highlighted features include:

1. Simply add your photos to your collage; using “Random Layout” to generate layout automatically and customize collage; then export and share your collage. It is just as easy as 1, 2, 3.

2. 4 collage styles: Mosaic, Grid, Center and Pile; and 30+ templates in total.

3. Easily personalize collage by adjusting photo number, photo space, page margin, rotation, sparse, and so on. Decorate collage with photo border and shadow.

4. Save collage as an image file; set as desktop wallpaper; share through Email; or print it out instantly.

This description pretty much sums it up. 
While the instructions are somewhat hard to understand, it's very easy to figure it out as you go. 
In CollageIt you can altar the amount of pictures used, the way the pictures are scattered, and, you're able to put a border on your collage.

One thing you can not do on CollageIt is move pictures. Once you have the picture into the collage you aren't able to move it around if you wanted to center it. Well, maybe you are able to and I just haven't figured it out yet, but I don't think you can. Perhaps in the CollageIt Pro series you're able to do more editing.
 
As is is, CollageIt is perfect for what it is made for, making basic fun photo collages. 

Here are some of the collages I made-

 Africa

 

Washington DC

   

Blog Photos

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

B+C Jewlery Giveaway

Welcome to the Ball + Chain Jewelry Giveaway!

Hosted by,

Jenn's Blah Blah Blog , Diva Fabulosa and our soon to be launching Pink Ninja Media!

Special thanks to our co-hosts,

Mom to Grandma, The Frugal Free Gal, Pink Ninja Blogger, Simply Shawn & Jenn, and Moms Vacation Spots.

About our sponsor - Ball + Chain Accessory Auction has the latest fashions, trends, and accessories. Enjoy the Name Your Price Auctions held every Tuesday night! The Auctions start at 8pm CST, oh and you'll also receive FREE SHIPPING ON ALL SALES! Find super cute shoes, handbags, jewelry, and so much more! You're not going to want to miss out on their Tuesday Night Auction Fun! The fun starts on their Facebook Fan Page, be sure to check it out HERE 

Your winning prize will contain these beautiful accessories:

• 18' Necklace with Teardrop Gem Detail
• Designer Inspired Cascade Earrings
• Gold and Pink Textured Hinge Bracelet
• Valued at $70

This wonderful giveaway will run from 9/10 at 12:01am EST until 10/1 at 11:59pm EST. You must be 18 or older to enter, and this giveaway is open to US residents

 Enter HERE!
 

Disclaimer: I did not receive any compensation for helping promote this giveaway, nor am I responsible for shipping the prize to winner. Prize will be shipped from directly from sponsor to winner.

{Spark Linky Party- Release} It's Fall Y'all!

Drumroll please...

It's finally time for our very first edition of the SPARK linky party! If you've been a reader of my blog, you're probably already familiar with my SPARK posts, but this will be the first opportunity for YOU to share your Sparks with me!

What is SPARK, you may still be asking? 

It's more than just a linky party, it's a place to find family friendly inspiration of all kinds, whether it's crafts and DIY, recipes, Etsy items, poetry, to encouraging life stories, you can find it here. 

 

SPARK is hosted by three wonderful blogs as well as a monthly co-host

Our Lovely September Guest Co-Host

Each month will have a special theme, and we ask that you only link up with posts and projects that are relevant. 

So, let's get started, shall we? 

Here are the rules to keep things neat and tidy, because we want to keep everything fun and friendly! 

This party will be closely monitored-

1. Become followers of each of the co-hosts, we all have a variety of follow options on each blog 

2. Only family friendly links 

3. Feel free to link up your Etsy items (not your shop), but no more than 5 items per Etsy shop 

4. NO giveaways or linky parties  

5. Link up to the original post, not your main blog

6. Please grab a party button (found at the end of this post) and display it on your blog somewhere. If you're not a blogger, a shout out on your social media sites is greatly appreciated. The more the merrier!

Our September Theme-

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Free Blogger Giveaway Opportunity- B+C jewelry

 

Bloggers don't miss another FREE Blogger Opportunity 

Hosted by, Jenn's Blah Blah Blog and Pink Ninja Media.

This time we'll be giving away a 18' Teardrop Gem Necklace, Designer Earrings, Gold and Pink Textured Hinge Bracelet. The great prize is valued at $70, and your readers will love it!

What's in it for you?

1. It's an awesome event and you're going to get a FREE Facebook and FREE Twitter link out of it.
2. Additional links are only $2 and co-host spots are available for $10.
3. If you buy a co-host spot your blog name will be listed on all blog posts, be moved up on the Rafflecopter, and choose two additional links.
4. If you want the FREE Facebook and Twitter links you'll need to write-up and blog post and let everyone know about the wonderful opportunity. If you choose not to write the blog post send $5 to jennsblahblahblog@hotmail.com.
5. This event will run from 9/10-10/1
6. Prize is valued at $70
7. If you want to join this awesome Free Blogger Opportunity.
8. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP

Watcha Wanna Know? The Answers...

So, last week I decided to do a little question answer session with all of you!
I had a lot of fun reading and answering those questions. They were so interesting, and I'm glad you all jumped in.

Thank you every one who asked and participated!

Here are my answers- 

From: Vouloir Vintage 

This is just referring to the title of your blog, but which do you prefer more: finding a vintage item or being creative and designing items?

Answer: This is a hard one. I really like finding vintage items but I also like being creative, designing items and projects myself.  However, I love to find vintage items that I can refurbish or just touch up to make it fit in modern day decor while still keeping the vintage touch.

From: Mommy Testers

Where do you get most of your inspiration from?

Answer: I get inspiration from almost anywhere. I actually really enjoy Target, because I'll often find something there that inspires me. Then, I can try to figure out a way to recreate the look on my own. I also browse Pinterest often. But sometimes I do just get ideas from my own imagination, which is always the best!

From: Peggy

What are your other hobbies, besides blogging?

Answer: I love to sing and play guitar. I also write, bake, and attempt to paint or draw.

From: ATLanta Saving Moms 

What motivates you every day?

Answer: I have a lot of things that motivate me. One of the main things is knowing that I can make a difference in someone's life using God's power in me.

From: Jennifer

Have you always liked vintage stuff or is it a new thing for you?

Answer: I would say I fell in love with vintage stuff about two or three years ago. Around that time, I became a big fan of Jane Austen and I guess you could say that opened the door to appreciate times gone by.

From: Dawn @ With a Side of Thriftiness

What was your favorite memory (so far) from Summer 2012?? :)

Answer: I took a missions trip earlier this summer to Africa and I have to say that's probably my favorite memory so far. I find myself constantly thinking about the people there and desiring to go back (which I plan on doing next summer =] ).

From: Anita

Since I live in NYC, what TV show would you like to visit?

Answer: I'd like to visit either Kleinfeld for Say Yes to the Dress, or Cupcake Wars (although I'm not sure exactly where that's located).

From: LaVonne @ Long Wait 

Where is your favorite place to shop for vintage finds?

Answer: I like to shop at thrift stores and yard sales the most. I do like antique stores but I mostly just go to look around. Antique store prices are much higher than thrift stores and yard sales, probably because they know what they have.

From: Connie @ Measured by the Heart
What are your favorite books? Always looking for a good read.
Answer: I love reading Christian romance or mystery novels, and like I already said, Jane Austen.
I mostly read fiction, and while I'm not sure I can choose my one favorite book, I can give you my top three.
1. A Lasting Impression by Tamera Alexander
2. The Maid of Fairbourne Hall by Julie Klassen
3. My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade (you can my review of this book here)
Each one of these ladies are amazing authors! I have all of Tamera Alexander and Becky Wade's books. 

From: Living at the Whitehead's Zoo

Whats your best tip for staying organized as a blogger?

Answer: I am a very new blogger so I'm still learning a lot. As of now, the best tip I have is to not over-do yourself. You don't want to plan too much to do because then if you don't finish it all it can stress you out (and that's not fun). So, I would say my best tip is to manage your schedule.

 

From: Coupons and Friends

Tell us about your pets/family? 

My family is very big so I'll just state the basics. I have two Great Danes, five brothers, and one sister. I have my Dad, and my Mom and Step-Dad, and most of my grandparents live close by as well. I love all of them and don't know what I'd do without them.

From: All Done Monkey

What made you decide to start blogging? 

My mom is a blogger at Just a Little Creativity and seeing her blog inspired me to do my own. It looked so fun and interesting so I thought I'd try.

Hope you enjoyed getting to know me a bit more!

See you all soon!