I Want an Artsy Talent

I’ve been browsing Etsy this evening and I am so totally wanting to have an Artsy Talent.  Sure repurposing shirts is cool, but aside from photography I don’t have any true artistic talent.

I absolutely adore the way my re-purposed shirt turned out for Malie, but it would be a pretty hard thing to market.  Pretty much anyone so inspired to do so, with a pair of scissors and a couple hours on their hands could create one.

I would love to be able to create something unique, and so beautiful that people would clamber to add to their collection… but I’m drawing a major blank.

Any suggestions?

Photo Blanket Hooray!

Today we have the mother of all Photo Gifts.  Artscow never seems to disappoint, but yet I was a tad apprehensive when I ordered the Fleece Blanket currently on special for $14.99 US (shipped).  I had no idea what to actually expect.  I’ve always been exceptionally impressed with the quality of the products we received, but would the blanket be up to par?

My goodness is it ever.  As I had anticipated Miss Malie (my blankie girl) has claimed the blanket for herself, and loves having pictures of us all on her blanket.

Cute or what?  The clarity is absolutely amazing, and I love the added details I was able to add.  The butterflies for one, there’s also a heart pattern added in.  I ended up using 9 photos in total.

The blanket is surprisingly soft, and passed the laundry test.  I washed and dried it immediately after receipt, and am pleased to report that the blanket is just as vibrant now as it was pre-wash!

If I had to pick out something that that I would change, the blanket is on the small side.  Perfect for little ones, a car blanket.  It would actually make a great stroller blanket, and good for picnicking.  And I guess if you were so inclined you could hang it on the wall.

Check out artscow today for some awesome deals.  The girls and I are huge advocates of the Photo Books, and their coupon deals just can’t be beat!

Current Coupon Codes:

1500PRINTS – use this code for 1000 free 4x6 prints, and 500 free 5x7 prints (awarded in increments) – valid thru July 31/09

8X10CANVAS799 – use this code to get 2 (that’s right 2) 8x10 Canvas prints for $7.99 shipped!  What a great opportunity – valid thru July 31/09

1699CANVASB1F1 – use this code to 2 16x20 Canvas prints for only $16.99 shipped!  Holy moly!  Apprehensive about the potential quality of your prints when developed at this size?  The 16x20 Canvases come with the option of using the Collage Editor to create custom design.  I made one Canvas starring each girl and cannot wait for them to arrive! – valid thru July 31/09

Happy Photo’ing!

My personal artscow referral link is included in this post – I would love to refer you as I’m busy earning credits towards the printing of my 150 Days of photos photobook!

http://www.artscow.com/?Ref=362776

Pro-Active Parenting Giveaway

So remember my post about Pro-Active parenting with the awesome article about making life more simple during those busy after dinner hours?  Well they’re back!

Pro-Active is a wonderful resource for any of us with young children.  Sharon provides you with real solutions to deal with the most commonly seen acts of defiance from our little ones as they become more independent.  Not only that but Sharon shows us the point of view of our children.  Its so easy for us to look at things in the adult way, without taking into consideration a younger point of view.

One of the biggest awakening moments for me was Sharon’s view on why it can be so difficult for our children to clean up their rooms.  After listening to Pro-Active’s series clean up time has gotten so much easier.  Giving them small jobs to complete one at a time makes it easier for them to follow along.  Instead of overwhelming them with the entire job in one go, breaking it up into pieces has been a wonderful tool.

You can read more on my experience with Pro-Active Parenting and also a sample article here

One lucky Optimistic Beauty reader will bring home their very own The EveryDay Solution Series, Set of 10, valued at 149.95!  What a great opportunity!

To enter simply let me know that you’re interested!  Its that easy!

Additional entries will be given for each of the following that you complete.  Please be sure to leave a separate comment for each item:

~*~ Which lesson featured here do you think that you would benefit from the most?

*~* What is your biggest parenting struggle?

*~* Blog about this giveaway with a direct link back here, and to Pro-Active Parenting!

*~* Post the Optimistic Beauty Blog Button on your site (current placements count)

*~* Subscribe to Optimistic Beauty Email Updates (current subscribers count too!)

That’s right, you can receive up to 6 entries into this amazing giveaway!

Giveaway ends July 25th at 9:00 pm est!

Giveaway open to all!

Good luck!

DAYthirty-four – 150 days of Photos

Can it be so?  A day without a picture or two (or three) of my kids?  It was bound to happen eventually!

We’ve been having very unusual weather lately (well okay, its not really unusual for Rupert – though it is more extreme) and that has resulted in some amazing cloud formations in the sky.

See you tomorrow for DAYthirty-five!

Missing the 150 Days of Photos?  Be sure to check out the Optimistic Family for more great photos!

Found… Creativity

I have always left the creative stuff up to other people.  Sure I could probably take the award of Craft Mommy with ease, but I usually let the kids have all the craft fun, and do the clean up afterwards.  Until now that is.

In my younger days I destroyed quite the many tshirt creating new and exciting designs.  But that got away from me as I grew older.  When the girls received invites to a Rock Star Party I awoke the morning of inspired to create a Punk Rock shirt for Miss Malie. The finished punk rock version of Miss Malie!  Insert totally proud Mommy here!  The kids at the party all had their hair sprayed with coloured hairspray, and got rock star makeup done.  Plus tattoos galore!

She was absolutely livid with me when I first started cutting, but quickly came around.  Yay!

I started with a t-shirt that I had ordered from Rainbow Swirlz.  I had ordered 2.  One with a tree (as shown below) and the other with a Morning Monster Logo.  The girls fought over the Tree one but neither wanted to take ownership of the scary monster.  So its been sitting since before Christmas time. An example of the shirt I used for this project … its the exact same shirt just with a different design on the front.

I took my scissors to the sleeves first, and then Malie picked out her bead choices.  Got em threaded, and then I decided to cut the neck off.  So off it came.

My initial thought was that it would an off the shoulder t-shirt, but I didn’t like the finished look of it.  So I ended up cutting it a little bit wider, and then I created straps out of the discarded shirt collar.  Sewed the straps on with red thread to keep with the whole Punk Rock image.

The t-shirt still didn’t look quite finished.  So I took my scissors to the shirt again and cut about 8 inches up each side of the shirt.  I then tied the sides of the shirt together to make it more cropped, and fitted. Malie absolutely adores her shirt and I’m sure it will become a staple in her wardrobe!  She had a blast modelling the shirt for me this morning, and especially when she realized that swirling around would make beads flare out around her. And so I guess that I do have a creative side to me, just waiting to claw its way out!

A huge thank you to Rainbow Swirlz who’s awesome design made my creation all that much more amazing.  The Morning Monster Shirt was absolutely perfect!

Back to School Shopping Guide – Mabel’s Labels

It can be trying to find your stuff in a sea of clothing, shoes and backpacks.  Now imagine how hard it must be for your little one.  Or for the teacher trying to dole out the items to the right person at the end of the day.  Thank goodness for Mabel’s Labels who are making organization a breeze!

Mabel’s site is aptly titled, “Mabel’s Labels for the stuff kids lose”.  And boy oh boy is that accurate.  Kids can lose practically everything.

Mabel’s has a full collection of labels, shoe tags, bag tags, my 411 wristbands, and kitchen labels in an assortment of bright colourful designs.  They are also Canadian owned and operated which is a huge plus to this Canadian Mommy!

Wish so many choices available how do you know which product is just for you?  Well Mabel’s makes it easy to find the key attributes to each product.

The Traditional Sticky Labels and Skinny Mini’s are great great for products such as toys, dishes, and bottles.

Looking for a label you can attach to your children’s clothing, blankets, lunch sacks, diaper bags or backpack?  Then be sure to check out to Iron-Ons or Tag Mates.  Tag Mates may be the perfect solution if you prefer to not affix a label directly on the fabric.  Either choice will make camp or school time a breeze!

I absolutely adore both the designs available and also the durable, high quality products that Mabel’s creates.  Labels are UV resistant, dish washer, washing machine, and dryer safe.

Pictured above are the Teeny Tags, perfect for attaching to backpacks, and lunch sacks, plus luggage when travelling (these are cool enough for an adult to use too!)

Not quite sure what product is the best one for your family?  Or looking for an assortment without paying full price on everything?  Then a Combo pack is your best bet.  Combo packs give you an assortment of the most popular products Mabel’s creates, at a fraction of the cost to purchase them separately.

Caitlin of Mabel’s Labels has generously offered one lucky Optimistic Beauty Reader the opportunity to bring home their very own Camp/School Pack pictured below.  Pack is available in your choice of 3 sets of colours, and up to 20 characters printed. To enter, head on over to Mabel’s Labels and have a look around.  Then come back here and let me know what product would fit your family the best (other than the Camp/School Pack of course).

Looking for more chances to win?  Your wish is my command! 

*~* Blog about this giveaway with a direct link back to this post

*~* Tweet about this giveaway, and post the link to your direct feed (you can do this daily)

*~* Put the Optimistic Beauty Button on your Blog and let me know where to find it (current placements count too!)

*~* Put the Optimistic Beauty’s Back to School Shopping Guide Button on your Blog and let me know where to find it (current placements count too!)

*~* Subscribe to Optimistic Beauty Email Updates (current subscribers count too)

*~* Follow the Optimistic Beauty Blog (current followers count too)

That’s right, you can receive 7+ entries into this giveaway!

This giveaway will run through till July 31st/2009 at 11:59 pm est. Winner will be announced August 1st. Giveaway is open to Canadian and US Residents.

Good luck!

On your mark, get set, Go!

Back to School Shopping Guide – Eleven Collection

There is no denying the fact that the need for great shoes is of utmost importance for growing feet.  The Eleven Collection is an absolutely amazing company creating high quality, gorgeous shoes for little feet.

You’ve seen Eleven Collection around the Optimistic Beauty Blog on numerous occasions so you all know just how much we adore these shoes.  Every morning (even rainy mornings) Tala proudly puts on her Eleven Collection shoes and heads for the door.  And on rainy mornings its a struggle to get her into her rainboots.  Its too bad that the Eleven Collection doesn’t have an entire line of Gum Boots for those of us who live in a wet climate!  But that’s not to say that Tala hasn’t gotten ample use out of her faves.

Not only does the Eleven Collection bring stylish shoes to the table, they are also exceptionally well designed.  Complete with sturdy rubber soles, and all the little details that bring the Eleven Collection up to a whole new level in Kids Shoes.  The line is constantly evolving to bring forward more designs for both Boys & Girls.  Each season brings new designs to look forward to.  I love the fact that Eleven Collection shoes are user friendly (meaning kid friendly).  Easy to use velcro closures that stay done up are a huge plus for those gaining their independence by the day.

Melissa has once again offered one lucky Optimistic Beauty Reader the opportunity to bring home their very own pair of Eleven Collection shoes to welcome in the new school year!

To enter simply head on over to the Eleven Collection’s website and have a look at all the lovely goodies available.  Then come back here and let me know what your favourite pair is.  It’s that easy!

*~* Blog about this giveaway with a direct link back to this post

*~* Tweet about this giveaway, and post the link to your direct feed (you can do this daily)

*~* Put the Optimistic Beauty Button on your Blog and let me know where to find it (current placements count too!)

*~* Put the Optimistic Beauty’s Back to School Shopping Guide Button on your Blog and let me know where to find it (current placements count too!)

*~* Subscribe to Optimistic Beauty Email Updates (current subscribers count too)

*~* Follow the Optimistic Beauty Blog (current followers count too)

That’s right, you can receive 7+ entries into this giveaway!

This giveaway will run through till July 31st/2009 at 11:59 pm est. Winner will be announced August 1st. Giveaway is open to Canadian and US Residents.

Good luck!

On your mark, get set, Go!