Guest Post -- {free} Printable Bookplates!!

Hello!! I'm so excited to be visiting Tatertots and Jello today! Thanks again, Jenn for the invitation.

I'm best known as Pamela Donnis, and I am a wife, mommy of three, digital artist, blogger, couponer, and pre-mommy first-grade teacher who is on a never-ending quest to keep it all balanced.



I try to share authenticity in embracing my season of life and keep it fresh by sprinkling in a bit of creativity. ‘Cause sprinkles make everything better.

Today I want to tell you about my five-year-old who loves reading and collecting things. His most recent obsession is collecting the Magic Treehouse books--a combination of his two loves! Luckily I had quite a few books stored away from my teaching days, plus we've found quite a few used copies at thrift stores. And thank goodness for the library.

It may be that he has to share so many things with his sisters, but lately he's also been wanting to write his name on everything, almost in dog-peeing-on-the-corner-to-mark-his-territory kind of way. Since I'm not thrilled with him writing all over the books and am hoping they'll be in good enough shape to pass on to his younger sisters, we made a deal that he wouldn't write in the books if I made some "bookplates."

Now with these bookplates I'm comfortable with him "marking his territory" without it being such a permanent claim in the book. Plus, come on. Aren't these cute??!!
Besides being adorable and practical for kids, I think a set or two of these bookplates would make the perfect gift for a teacher. Take it from a teacher, they don't really need another mug. Just sayin'. ;)

Want to make some? I'm sharing! :)

Download your FREE printable bookplates here.

This is a PDF file so you won't need any special software, but you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader (which you probably already have). To make your bookplates, just open, print on cardstock, trim with scissors or a papercutter, and then mark your own territory!

For more digital freebies, tutorials, and other creative ideas, I'd love to have you visit me at Keeping Life Creative!

 Thanks Pam!! What a great idea.  

And those bookplates would make cute birthday gifts, wrapped up with a couple books.

Here are just a few of Pam's awesome ideas:

 {This great Silhouette Portrait Tutorial}

 {Pam is a master scrapbooker - check out her Lessons From a Sunny Day layout}

 {Book Page Heartstring Garland}

{And Pam makes all kinds of printables like these Baking Gift Tags}

Head over to Keeping Life Creative and say hi!!

xoxo

PS -- It's Friday!! I'm excited to see YOUR ideas at the Weekend Wrap Up Party!! It starts at 6 pm {mst}. I hope you will join in on the fun!!!

Blushink Templates -- *sweet* Blog Design Giveaway!!

I have a special little treat for you today. 

Does your blog need a little freshening up??

Kelly, blogger over at Glamour This! recently launched her template shop called Blushink Templates. 

Some of her recent beautiful blog designs: 

 

Kelly has offered to give a lucky Tatertots and Jello reader one free premade template of their choice ($40-$70 value)from her shop.  

*Note: Templates are for Blogger/blogspot blogs only.

Kelly a graphic designer, specializes in custom and template blog designs. From stripes and spots to textures and tartans, Blushink offers
blog designs that are built for you to personalize and make your own. 




The possibilities are endless, so be sure to check out the template shop
and create your own package.

The winner will receive:
• A fully-funtional, unique blogger template – they can choose any template from her collection!



• Complete Installation of new template
• Choice of 1 of 3 unique background patterns (as shown in template preview)
• Customization of blog title and tagline in blog header

• Setup of standard widgets (About, Archive, Labels, Followers)
 

*The winner may choose to add extra toppings (features) at their own expense (available add-ons listed here)

HOW TO ENTER: 



Visit the Blushink Template Shop and comment by telling us what’s your favorite blog template.

ADDITIONAL ENTRIES (comment separately)

1. 
   
   Follow Blushink on Twitter and tweet about the contest: I just entered to win a premade blog template courtesy of @blushink Check it out here at tatertots and jello.


2.  
   
   Subscribe to the Glamour This! Blog RSS Feed


3. 
   
   Become a Glamour This! fan on Facebook and comment


4. 
   
   Blog/Share giveaway and comment with the link.

{giveaway ends March 7th}

I hope you are having a wonderful day!!! 

xoxo

PS -- all of the winners from last week's giveaways have been announced on the

TT&J facebook page.

 

Chicken coop ordered - Check!

My previous mentions of a new chicken coop have included the hope for a small "sitting/storage area inside it's walls. So I thought a regular shed would be the answer. We have been in deep discussion on whom to purchase the building from. At first we thought a regular shed would be the right route but despite the rent to own option, I did not feel comfortable with the price tag NOR buying from a company that is not independent. I knew there had to be another way, to which I found it.

 I found a local man who builds affordable chicken coops in a rather smart savvy fashion not only in building cost to him but keeping the overhead cost low for the new owner. For the base model of a 4x4 coop he charges $220 at the time of this posting{no siding, just OSB walls which  for a very low additional price a choice of siding or barn knot wood exterior} . That comes with nesting box's built into the back wall, a window over the human door and a hen door placed in your desired spot. The roofing is galvanized metal. By the way, he will deliver within 6 states but you can pick it up with a full size bed truck, since these will fit right in the back for moving.

T1-11 siding model

We are going with his 4x8 model with osb walls. I prefer to paint it and knowing how I am, will change colors over the years which makes sense to just go with the OSB walls. I am customizing our coop with a dutch door on one end, a window above the nesting box back wall, 2 windows with flower boxes underneath on a side wall and the hen door on the blank wall-which will butt up to the chain link fence of their run. Our total cost for the new coop? $350! That's it! Now compare that to those sheds out there which do not have all these options AND customized for chickens.  You can not find one of quality and customization for anywhere near that price.

One of Jim's coop's in the downtown inner city of Cincinatti, just feet from other homes.  The coop owners did a fantastic job customizing it to their urban needs and setting it up the enclosed run. 

"Custom design and firm pricing on the finished project - No Surprises. Our Most Popular Item is Chicken Coops Designed out of experience in caring for our own hens and producing eggs in the most cost effective manner. We build the basic shell; equip it with a light; put in hangers for feeder and waterer use wire hardware mesh attached with fence staples securely to 2x2 window frames to make it predator resistant; add some egg layer boxes; and put it under a metal roof - all at a price that is about the only thing the others obviously find hard to imitate. You paint or vinyl side the exterior in a color to match your taste, and seal the floor, toss in some wood chips and the birds, and enjoy producing your own eggs."

If he is in your ideal proximity for pick up or delivery, please do consider him for your chicken coops. And no, I do not get a discount for my post. His price for what all the great things you get is enough for me to say "He deserves to be spotlighted!". Just want to share this fantastic source and support the "little guy" as much as we can. 

He had  a spot at the local Fair, showing a few of his coops

We placed our order for pick up on the 15th of March. Jim, the owner, is going back to school which funds from the selling of this chicken coop venture help support. I feel so much better with our purchase and very happy we sought out a small business to support.

There will be a few customizations of my own doing once it arrives. You'll just have to wait & see how the plans turns out.

Sweet dreams,

~Tammie
** There are a few edits to correct some errors in picture titles. In a correspondence with Jim, He also wrote: "It is amazing how many people are getting chickens in the city.  One home in particular was downtown Cleveland, where the space between the homes was so tight, a coop would not fit through the space to get it in the backyard.  To solve this, I took the coop in pieces and assembled it in the back yard.  'On site builds' are not a regular occurance, but there are some people that get an 'onsite build' as a family activity, and help put it together." 

Thank you Jim for such a fantastic Source & Opportunity for chicken owners {& potentials}. It is so refreshing to find a product built with quality and purposely set at an affordable price with the customer in mind. 

Not Just A Housewife {handmade giveaway}

Can you believe that it's Wednesday?? 

This week is FLYING by!

Today I am excited to spotlight Stacy from Not Just A Housewife.

Stacy has an really fun blog. 

You may remember this jaw-dropping project where she STENCILED her ceiling. WOW! And she also does amazing furniture transformations. 

Stacy also has a great etsy shop. Stacy sculpts the cutest shapes out of clay and makes them into necklaces and headbands. So cool!

 As well as rustic signs: 

Stacy is giving away one necklace and headband - your choice!! 

Here's how YOU can win: 

• Hop over to the Housewife Boutique etsy shop. Which headband and necklace would you choose? one entry. 

• Check out Stacy's Not Just A Housewife blog. Leave a comment or follow. one entry each. 

• Share this giveaway through Twitter, Facebook or on your blog. one entry each. 

{This giveaway will end on Monday, Feb.  21st}

Have a Super Day!!!!

xoxox

 

Quick {Valentine's Day Giveaway} and a couple winners!!

I have a fun Valentine's Day giveaway from lilsteinstyles for you!! 

 

lilsteinstyles is a super cute etsy shop!

{I love their Superhero Tees w/capes!}

{Shirts}

{Hair Accessories}

{Big Brother/Little Brother shirts and Big Sister/Little Sister shirts}

Cristil from lilsteinstyles is giving away

TWO  Valentine Shirts!!

 

{Valentines Day BOYS Tee}

*says*

I ENJOY

long walks to the playground

ice cream and cookies

trucks, lego’s and dinosaurs

riding my bike, scooter and skateboard

if you are:

sweet, have pigtails or love sports

THAT’S A PLUS!

{Valentine Tee}

Valentines Day GIRLS Tee



*says*

I ENJOY

long walks to the playground

ice cream and chocolate

lalaloopsy dolls

playing sports

dancing on the couch

picture books

if you:

own a skateboard, surfboard or have a bike

THAT’S A PLUS!



NOTE: Girls tee’s (not onesies) will have matching shoulder bows, (not pictured)



These tees are available from newborn - Size 12!!

So fun!!!

Here's how YOU can win: 

*Go to lilsteinstyles -- Let me know The Name of your favorite item*

for more entries: 

*"Like" lilsteinstyles on Facebook*

*Heart lilsteinstyles etsy shop*

*Follow Cristil's cute blog*

{this giveaway will run until Jan. 31st}

These tees would make adorable gifts too :)

xoxox

And a couple winners: 

#1014 -- Christine @ My Slice of Life

Happy Monday!!

Keep the The Ribbon Retreat in mind for beautiful ribbon and fabric for your decorating and craft needs!! 

And...

The winner of the $50 gift certificate to Willow House!! 



#292 -- Lucky Seven Designs

**Special Deal -- if you spend $40 you can get any item $40 and under -- 50% OFF, through Jan. 31st.  

And you can also get another item 50% off if you book an online/web party. 

My Top 10 Project Picks

It has been so fun seeing all of your favorite posts of 2010!!  

Let me tell you -- this was probably my hardest post to do in the past year.

How can I possibly choose only TEN projects out of almost 400 beautiful ideas??!  

Every single idea linked up was wonderful. Thank you, thank you for linking them up and sharing them with me. 

Here are my picks:

 

 Turquoise Front Door Makeover @ Beyond the Screen Door

I love the color, the aged look and the fact that it looks so happy and different. Awesome project! 

 Mod Podge Show Makeover @ Posh Pilar

Are these not the happiest little shoes? Polka dots PLUS flowers = Adorable!!

Halloween Vignette @ madigan made

If you know me, you know that I adore Halloween. This was one of my favorite pictures from Halloween 2010.

Doily Bag  @ TidyMom

There are so many things I love about this project. It's inexpensive, she used a doily which I love and it's personalized.

 Factory Cart Coffee Table @ Pieced Pastimes

An amazing, creative and functional project.

Butterfly Chandelier @ Serendipity

This Butterfly Chandelier is so whimsical and irresistible!

 Picture Knobs Plaques @ Craft-O-Maniac

I love ideas that incorporate something personal - so these knobs really make me smile.

 How to paint crisp lines @ a little lovely

This entryway is not just a little lovely, it's a lot lovely.

 Book Planter @ Cottage Hill

I remember when I saw this book planted for the first time. I love it just as much today.

DIY kitchen remodel @ Crae's Creations

Such a great remodel, especially after you see the "before" pictures.

And the #1 project and winner of the handmade brooch is: 

 Board and Batten Dining Room @ Just a Girl

I picked this project because it was one of the posts that inspired me to do my Beachy Bathroom and Beachy Laundry Room projects this past year, which were a huge part of my year.

Every single project linked up was wonderful - I appreciate you sharing them with me!! 

Here's to a very creative 2011!!!!

xoxoox

PS -- It's Friday - my favorite day of the week!!! Come link up YOUR ideas tonight at the Weekend Wrap Up Party. The party starts at 6 pm {mst}. I can't wait to see your latest ideas!!!!