To do list #5-Christmas Cards!

I just love Christmas time, but lately it's been feeling like a season of to-do lists. I just can't seem to stay on top of it all. . I've got such great intentions, but struggling with how to find time to do it all. Am I alone on this one?

Anywho....no time to sit and think, onto the next item on my to-do list. CHRISTMAS CARDS. And don't start calling me a procrastinator because the cards still aren't made...I've already called myself that! I've had the cards designed in my mind for weeks, but I wanted to get new pictures of the kids taken in their Christmas outfits. But I give up, I'll be doing making the cards with some pictures I took a few weeks ago. So, now to actually designing the card. I am turning to good old, trusted Shutterfly to purchase my holiday card this year.  I know I want a folded Christmas card (they have flat ones too!). Here are my top two choices:

I like this one if I just go with one family picture:

I like this one if I do multiple pictures:

So, I'm almost there...just a little more designing and VOILA! One more thing off my Christmas to-do list. Shutterfly really makes the process easy. I  can customize the pictures and have beautiful professional looking cards...still in time for the holidays (If I can finish them tonight!!)

I'm starting to get really ambitious here...I might even go ahead and work on that photo calendar I've been planning on making FOR MONTHS. Shutterfly has a beautiful customizable photo calendar. It makes such a wonderful present for grandparents...who wouldn't want pics of their grandkids for every month of the year :) Which, speaking of presents, if you are procrastinating, like me, on any other presents, Shutterfly has so many other photo gifts for that hard to buy person on your list. I love the mouse pad...I've gotten this in the past and been really pleased with it.

How are you doing with your Christmas to-do list???

Disney Store - Buy 1 Get 1 Free Pajamas & plush animals

Get Pajamas and plush animals B1G1 Free at the Disney Store. Shipping starts at $2.95

Snapfish-3 calendars for the price of 1

Snapfish: 3 calendars for only $24.99!

"Just put three 12" x 12" calendars in your cart and use code MERRY1215 at checkout before 11:59 p.m. PST on December 14"

I'm psyched about this one....I do one every year for all of the family, so this is a great deal for me.

Holiday Showcase Review

MomSelect gave me the opportunity to check out some new products to get some Holiday gift ideas. If you are like me, and still looking for a few more last minute items, here's some ideas that are definitely worth checking out.

The Holiday Showcase consisted of:

NEW Small Frys from Build-a-Bear Workshop

Christmas Cakes from Little Debbie
Sneaky 3D Puzzles from Patch Products
Play-Doh Mega Fun Factory
Play-Doh Shape and Spin Elmo
Playmobil Child's First Day at School kit
Smart Mom Solutions

My favorite, and one that I will be purchasing to give as a gift was the Sneaky 3D puzzle from Patch Products. What an awesome idea! I had never seen this before and thought it was a unique twist on puzzles. My kids love puzzles and this one will for sure be a big hit.

Second on the list---the Play-Doh Mega Fun Factory. Kids will love it, parents will hate it because it is BIG and sure to be a mess. But so long as you keep the mess outside, this is a great toy. My kids will play with it for hours at a time!

Thanks to MomSelect for the such a great opportunity to preview these products.

Creativity for Kids-Do Art Pottery Review & Giveaway

I've always wanted to make pottery. I've even looked into some local classes and it always seemed expensive and was too big of a time commitment. But I have still always had that desire to try my hand at "throwing clay". I mean if nothing else, it sounds cool, right?  So, when Creativity for Kids asked me to review their Do Art Pottery Kit with my kids I couldn't wait to try it out. My husband and I flipped coins over who got to do make it with the kids and he won...but I got to take the pictures. So, here's what we thought:

The kit
I was impressed with all that was included in this kit. It comes with everything you need, even including the apron so you can keep your clothes clean! We didn't have to get anything to make the pottery...this was all inclusive. Included was:

• Pottery wheel w/foot pedal
• 3 lbs. of synthetic air dry clay
• trimming cord w/handles
• 6 piece sculpting tool set
• white base paint
• opaque acrylic paints
• transparent glaze paints
• 2 paint brushes
• sponge
• large table cover

• artists apron

Making the Pottery

 The kit came with an instruction booklet so it was easy to figure out what needed to be done, although a child definitely needs the assistance of an adult. This is not a "leave them alone" project!!! We chose to do it outside so there was no clean up :) Although it is not a  "real"pottery wheel which would cost hundreds of dollars, this seemed to be very high quality. There were grooves in the wheel which helps the clay stay centered. And it had a cool foot petal which my daughter just loved!!

The wheel was very easy to use, although there is a technique to the pinching and shaping of the clay that does take practice. So you'll see with each project they make it will get better. The good part is the kit comes with enough clay that you can make 4 or 5 projects. 

Summary: With this pottery kit, your child is not going to make an artistic masterpiece to be sold for thousands of dollars, but they will be able to make a beautiful one of a kind piece of pottery that any family member would save and cherish.  It is definitely worth the $49.99 price label to introduce your child to making pottery and just have fun together...we certainly did.

Buy it:

Buy the Do Art Pottery Studio from Creativity for Kids for $49.99

Win it:

One lucky winner will win a Do Art Pottery Studio Kit

To enter: Leave a comment telling me why you want to win this Pottery Kit (who is it for, what do you want to make...)

Extra Entries:
Like Creativity for Kids on Facebook
Follow me on twitter and Tweet about this giveaway-leave a comment w/ the link to it
Follow Living Life and Luvin It
Subscribe to Living Life and Luvin It (on left sidebar)

Please remember to leave an email address so I can contact you if you win. Leave a comment for each separate entry. This contest ends Dec. 15, 2010 at 10 PM. A winner will be chosen using Random.org and will be contacted via email. This giveaway is open to US & Canada residents.

Disclosure: I was provided with a free Pottery Studio Kit from Creativity for Kids to facilitate this review.

Dockers-Free shipping!

Winner of Pillsbury Grand Mini Biscuit Giveaway

Winner of the  Pillsbury Grand Mini Bisuit Giveaway is #61  Jinxy and Me


Congratulations Jinxy and Me!!
Thansk again to MyBlogSpark and Pillsbury for this opportunity.

Walgreens-15% off today for Family & Friends

Walgreens Friends and Family Day  is today, Wednesday, December 1st. So, you get 15% off your purchases or 20% off if you buy W Brand items. Print coupon here!



Thanks, Faithful Provisions

CVS-20% off coupon!!!-HOT

CVS has an exclusive offer for all their Facebook friends! “Like” CVS on Facebook and you’ll receive a 20% off savings pass. Use it to save 20% on nearly everything in-store. Hurry! This offer is available for a limited time and only while supplies last!

Coupon expires 12/3