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Make It Over

I know mine desperately needs it. I am sure there are some of you that probably need it almost as bad as me. Let me tell you though…I am going to fight you for it. What am I talking about? Why, a pantry make-over of course!

Here, let me tell you all about it:

Mom’s Best Naturals Pantry Makeover Contest

We’re all guilty of it, stocking the cupboards with easy-to-make, convenient food that isn’t always the healthiest. Adding to the grocery shopping dilemma, it is often hard to please a family with different tastes, especially if you have a picky eater in your midst. The good news is, you can start your new year fresh with a healthier, stocked pantry courtesy of Mom’s Best Naturals cereal. With just a little help and a bit of know-how, shopping for healthier foods on a lower budget will be a snap.

It’s your lucky day: Mom’s Best Naturals is teaming up with registered dietitian and nutrition author, Elizabeth Ward, to help give your pantry a makeover and share some smart shopping tips!

What we’re looking for: A two minute video submission of your pantry and why you deserve a makeover!

When to enter: December 11, 2009 - February 28, 2010

When to vote: After all entries have been submitted, the Mom’s Best Team and Elizabeth Ward will choose the top 10 videos. Consumers will then get to vote online from March 8- March 21, 2010 for their favorites.

Prizes: Winners will be announced on March 29, 2010. The grand prize winner will receive a $1,000 gift certificate to their local grocery store and a year supply of Mom’s Best Naturals cereal. In addition, the grand prize winner will receive a visit from Elizabeth Ward for a pantry makeover and a shopping excursion! Two runners-up will receive a variety of Mom’s Best Naturals cereal and $200 worth of groceries to start their own pantry makeover.

Its all a twitter (GIVEAWAY)

Well folks. I can’t be found. It’s official.

Several people had told me that they could not find me when they searched Twitter. Several people had also told me that I never show up in a thread using a hashtag on Twitter. I have tried everything to get it fixed to no avail. I have begged the twitter folks to help me out but apparently they can’t see me either.

So, after much thought I decided to start anew. You can now find me on Twitter at : Its_Jyl

I didn’t use my real name the first time either, and I wish I had…so now, I have rectified that. The reason I didn’t use my real name was because most people stumble over how to say it or they think it is a typo. You my friends have all been around long enough to know that is the way it is and that it is pronounced just like any other Jill. So, I went with it. And it fits better. Yep, following me around is better than a great weight loss supplement.

So, I am asking you to please follow me on Twitter at Its_Jyl and in return….I am going to have a giveaway. I have a bag full of goodies that is just too numerous to mention. But for everyone who follows me between now and Feb 1st I will randomly pick some numbers and give whatever is in my bag away until it is all gone. Stuff I have ran across and loved so I bought 4. Stuff I have reviewed but just don’t have the room for.

And, tell all your friends. Everyone is welcome to follow and be entered. I have about 30 prizes so odds are good.

Need A Fresh Start?

Who hasn’t wished they could make a fresh start on something, at some point in life? I know that I have wished in many times. Right now, my wish would be for a Fresh Start health wise. I would get all kinds of procedures done. What would you do…if you had $10,000 to do it with?

While 73 percent of women say they wish they could make a fresh start, the number one reason they haven’t been able to follow through is lack of money.* Carefree is helping women turn their wish for a fresh start into a reality with the chance to receive up to $10,000 in funding through the Carefree Fresh Start Fund. To apply, women need to submit a short essay and photo at CarefreeFreshStart.com by July 10, 2009.

Carefree has also partnered with Ariane de Bonvoisin, change expert and book author, to introduce a new website (http://www.CarefreeFreshStart.com) that provides women with advice on how to make a change in any area of life: style, wellness, career or relationships.

SKILLMAN, N.J. - June 2, 2009 — Whether changing jobs, starting a new relationship, losing a few pounds or even simply getting a makeover, who hasn’t wished they could make a fresh start on something, at some point in life? The makers of CAREFREE® pantiliners are partnering with First30Days.com - experts at helping people through change - on a new program to help women turn that very common wish into a reality. Women who visit the campaign’s new Web site, CarefreeFreshStart.com , will find tips for making a fresh start and the chance to receive up to $10,000 through the CAREFREE® Fresh Start Fund.

To apply for funding, women simply need to share why they want a fresh start, plans for reaching their goal, and how the funding could help. Entries will be evaluated by a panel of judges including Ariane de Bonvoisin, the founder of First30Days.com, based on the strength of the plan, use of funding and persuasiveness. Ten finalists will receive funding to help make their fresh start a reality, and the public will then have the chance to vote online for the best fresh start plan.

The top three winners will receive $10,000, $5,000 and $3,000 respectively, as well as a personal consultation from Ariane and a three-day/two-night trip to New York City to be honored at the CAREFREE® Fresh Start celebration event in partnership with Step Up Women’s Network, the national, nonprofit membership organization dedicated to strengthening community resources for women and girls. All other finalists will receive $1,000 to help begin making their fresh start. The deadline for submissions is July 10, 2009.

“The CAREFREE® brand has always aimed to give women the confidence they need to manage life’s everyday obstacles,” says Lori Deo, Vice President of Marketing for the CAREFREE® brand. “Through the CAREFREE® Fresh Start Fund and our partnership with First30Days.com we hope to give women the resources to make a fresh start that will help them lead the life they’ve always wanted.”

“Now, more than ever, I hear from so many women going through changes in their life or wishing to make a fresh start, but needing a little extra support,” says Ariane de Bonvoisin. “The whole First30Days team and I are thrilled to have the opportunity to be a part of the CAREFREE® Fresh Start program and help give women that optimism they need to succeed.”

For a complete list of rules or to apply for the CAREFREE® Fresh Start Fund, please visit http://www.CarefreeFreshStart.com.

Did you ever…(CONTEST)

There is a song that my Grandmother used to sing to me when I was a young child. I can remember the first verse and part of the second…but I am looking for someone who can tell me the whole song. Prize will be awarded for the first person that can get the whole thing to me.

Starts off…

Did you ever go fishing on a bright summer day

Sit on the bank and fish all day

With yer hands in yer pockets

And yer pockets in yer pants

See the little fishies do the hoochy koochy dance

If frogs had wings and fish had hair

Automobiles would go flying through the air

Honeysuckle blossums on a sweet potato vine

We’d have a snow in the good ol summer time

There is a lot more to the song, but that is all of it that I can remember. I know that there is one verse about a girl sailing away on a bright sunny day on the back of a crocodile.

But that is all the help I can give you. Hoping someone remembers it all the way though.

FYF-Janie Wilkins (GIVEAWAY)

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED, PLEASE CHECK BACK SOON FOR A WINNER!

Just wait till you meet this artist. I can guarantee all you pet lovers are going to love her! Oh, and welcome to another edition of Feature You Friday! Hope you enjoy!

Meet Janie Wilkins, a Georgia Folk Artist.She has lived in the Atlanta area for 28 years which almost makes her a native!She works as a legal secretary in Midtown and shares her home with two rescue dogs, Ben the bearded collie mix and Buddy the boxer.

Janie, what inspires you to paint?   My boys and their friends at the dog park are the inspiration for my paintings. We spend a lot of time at the dog park, yes, even in winter! I’m always open to meeting new friends myself - and, must love dogs! I am involved in a local dog rescue group, Canine Crusaders. (I bet she has to do a lot of pooper scoops, I love the middle of nowhere when I think about stuff like that.)

My friends tell me I’ve always struck them as artistic although I mostly displayed this by shopping and decorating my house. Until recently, I expressed myself in concrete - don’t laugh! The sheer physicality of working in concrete and creating something practical for the yard (needed with two large dogs) was my main goal. I started painting in November, 2008. I recently reorganized my living room and needed something to hang over Buddy’s favorite chair. So, I painted Buddy laying in his chair, with a smaller painting of Buddy laying in his chair in the painting - to hang over Buddy laying in his chair! I sent an e-mail around as a joke to my friends, and the orders for custom paintings started coming in! I’m completely self-taught. I haven’t even bought a book on painting! I just take a pencil to canvas using a photograph as a reference and start at the left ear and just draw the outline and fill in from there. I’m told that my paintings are humorous and capture the fun and whimsy of our pets. (all of her paintings do have a feeling of whimsy about them, that is one of the main things that made me fall in love with all of her stuff)

What are you currently working on?
I’m currently working on two paintings. One is Springtime at the Dog Park, capturing all the lovely greens and flowers at the dog park with disabled children playing with the dogs. This painting will be donated to an auction for Childspring International, which benefits disabled children around the world. Attached is the fall version of this painting, “Sunday at the Dog Park”. The second painting is a humorous one - Fuzzy Butts - dogs greeting another and “presenting”.

What are your goals?
My goals are simple ones - to bring joy and happiness to others by creating a portrait of their favorite pets. I can also paint a folk art “portrait” of the dog owners with their dogs.

Where can we find some of your work?   My work is found on my website - www.PaintedPawsFolkArt.com and at   www.artisticpaws23.etsy.com

Janie is offering to do an 11 X 14 custom portrait of one lucky readers dog. Please read all requirements before entering. Portrait will be of one dog only. Winner must have a valid US mailing address. Upon notification of winning the winner will then be responsible for getting all necessary information to Janie.

To Enter:

Visit www.PaintedPawsFolkArt.com or  www.artisticpaws23.etsy.com

Leave a comment here at The Post-It Place telling what your favorite painting of Janie’s is so far and what 4-legged friend you would like a painting done of. Whether it be your best bud or as a gift for someone else.

All entries must be received by April 3rd at 5 PM EST

Want extra entries? Blog it, with a link back to here (leave link where it can be found). Subscribe. Place my button on your blog (leave link it can be found at). Stumble it (leave your ID in comment). Technorati it (leave your ID in comment). That is 5 extra entries that you can earn for a total of 6. All extra entries must be left in a separate comment.

Annoucements! (GIVEAWAY)

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED

Do you remember these:

These are my daughter Erin’s graduation announcements. They are from a company called Tiny Prints. We received all of the information from the school regarding ordering announcements…and well, I bout had a heart-attack.They wanted all the money I had along with an arm and a leg.  There was no way that we could afford to go the traditional route.  So we started searching and searching…and we found these. I had heard about Tiny Prints from other bloggers  and when I went and checked them out…They were prefect for us. They are affordable, they are fun, they are cute, and they are so much more personal to me.  Tiny Prints offers many different styles to choose from, making sure that there is something to suit everyone’s needs and tastes. If you are not familiar with this company…you need to get familiar…they have something for every occasion that you would need an invitation or announcement for. They are easy to use with great customer service if you have questions. AND…they are offering a $50 gift certificate to one lucky reader!

To enter:

Visit www.tinyprints.com and design an invitation, saving it to an account. This does not obligate you to buy in any way. Come back here and leave me at comment stating what you liked best, making sure you use the same e-mail here that you used to establish an acct. with Tiny Prints.

This contest is open to anyone! WORLDWIDE!

Deadline to enter is April 4th at 5 PM EST.

Want extra entries? Blog it, with a link back to here (leave link where it can be found). Subscribe. Place my button on your blog (leave link it can be found at). Stumble it (leave your ID in comment).Twitter it (leave ID in a comment). Technorati it (leave your ID in comment). That is 6 extra entries that you can earn for a total of 7. All extra entries must be left in a separate comment.

FYF-Erica Worthy (GIVEAWAY)

This Contest Has Ended!

Thank you for your interest!

Welcome to another edition of “Feature You Friday” where you are introduced to someone from my neck of the woods. Georgia has much to offer anyone who lives or visits here, even if it is only through me. Here let me show you:

Meet Erica Worthy. She is the crafter behind Worthy Soy Candles. Let’s hear what she has to say about herself:

I live in the lovely North Georgia town of Cumming & I have 3 beautiful children. I love how crafting from  home has allowed me to be the stay-at-home mom I have always wanted to be for them. And as if my crafts & children didn’t keep me busy enough, I am also the founder & leader of the North Georgia Street Team on Etsy. I have tons of fun being part of a team of such wonderfully talented artisans & I support them in every way I can. Be sure to search “Team NorGA” on Etsy for all of our Teams items.

How did you get started crafting?   I began crocheting about 8 years ago. I learned from a fellow co-worker at the time. She would teach me during lunch breaks throughout the week. Crocheting was so much fun to me that I decided I wanted to try more crafts, that’s what lead me into my Soy Candle making. Once I found out all the benefits of Soy Candles opposed to paraffin & incense, it seemed like a no brainer to make the switch & make them myself.

(Can’t you just smell them now)

How did you pick your shop name?    My shop name is pretty plain & simple. Though I would like to say I called it Worthy Soy Candles because I make the most worthy candles you will find… I really called it Worthy Soy Candles because my last name is Worthy & I make Soy Candles… & Crochet.

What makes your items special/ unique?    What makes my items special? Well, I do my best to offer the best products & friendliest customer service that I can. The wax I use for my candles is an all natural Soy wax that is formulated to have the best scent throw on the market today. This, coupled with the fact that I triple strength candles with high end fragrance oils guarantees that my customer’s will have a strong smelling, long lasting, all natural Soy candle. I also have an extensive fragrance list with complete fragrance descriptions listed. I think this is an important factor because it helps my customer’s get a better idea of what the fragrance will smell like before they buy it. As for my crochet, I always make sure that the items I make are of the best quality. I have a very high standard for all the products I make & I am a bit of a perfectionist. ( Can ya’ll imagine how great this Woman’s house smells all the time?)

(I LOVE this 8-ball purse. I am thinking I may have to seriously

change the direction I was going for my niece’s birthday)

What else would you like us to know?    Though I greatly enjoy making my Soy Candles & helping others learn about the benefits of burning Soy Candles in their homes, it is with my crochet that I really am able to express my creative side. I have several items in my store that are unique to Etsy & you won’t find items like them anywhere else. Such as my Parappa the Rapper Hat & my Wear Your Breakfast 3 piece ensemble. (I also love the Jester hat. Everytime I see it I can’t help but smile. I wonder what the Rednecks would think if I wore it through Hick Town)

Erica is giving you the opportunity to win an 8 oz. Soy Candle in your choice of fragrance.

TO ENTER: Visit Worthy Soy Candles,  then come back here to The Post-It Place a leave me a comment telling what item of hers you liked the best. You can also find a complete list of fragrances to choose from in her profile. The deadline to enter is March 27th, 2009 at 5 PM EST.

All entries must have a valid US mailing address.

Want extra entries? Blog it, with a link back to here (leave link where it can be found). Subscribe. Place my button on your blog (leave link it can be found at). Stumble it (leave your ID in comment).Twitter it (leave ID in a comment). Technorati it (leave your ID in comment). That is 6 extra entries that you can earn for a total of 7. All extra entries must be left in a separate comment.