Pause for breath, in the midst of projects...

HOLY MOLY! Is this time of year ever CRAZY!?!? (okay, it hasn't ALL been crazy)

I feel like there is so much to do...and so much to say.  But who has time for both?  I don't.  At least not without forgoing precious goodie devouring time.

I have a lot of things I want to post about...but I'm really busy trying to finish Christmas projects.

I don't know why, at every other time of the year, I am content to be non-crafty and non-artsy and non-anything to do with the word "project"...but then the holidays come and I feel the need to be all of these things....it's crazy....anyway...

here's a peek into the "chaos" that has become my every waking hour...

For the first project (aka Christmas present) I'm using my MyMemories.com software (for discount promo code see sidebar).  I'd love to show you a sample but the people I am giving it to read this blog (darn!).

Okay...maybe a hint of a sample.....

And...this year's "homemade sewing project" for the boys...

It may have a little something to do with this:

and these: 

(There is a story behind it....a good one...I'll explain...later!)

(and I'd show you the sewing projects from years past but I've deleted the posts...that's a whole other story.) 

I've been making some of these (and I'm gonna show you how, too....later):

 and lastly...

a project to remedy this:

 (and, although it is not a "Christmas" project, per se, it is one that NEEDS doing...like, three weeks ago)

So...as you can see...I've got a lot going on.

And...my shopping's not done yet...and I haven't started making "neighbor" treats (but I've been eating plenty of the ones brought to me)...and I haven't decided, yet, if I am going to hold my annual "attempt at fighting off homesickness (knowing that my extended family is all gathered together on Christmas Eve) Christmas Eve soup get together" (something I've done EVERY year (going on 5 now) since we moved away from "home" (my family).  I'm just not sure I can pull it all together this year.

Sigh....

So much to do....and only 10 days left!

Guess I better got off the computer then.  :)

Just one question...are you ready????


Just one easy click!

I've been playin'...

Okay...so I have been a bit busy playin' around with my new found hobby (as in, I was in my flannel jammies until after 4:00PM yesterday. Whoops!) 

I'm quite enjoying myself (although I did tell Roberto LATE last night that, "I don't need a new hobby. I can't keep up with the ones I have." True story.)  But...sigh...it's too late.  I'm hooked.  (I got several Christmas gifts brewing up top.) 

All I need to do now is to exert a little restraint. 

I've been rehearsing some self-given commands..."MELANIE, STOP!"...."TAKE A SHOWER"..."FEED THE CRYING CHILDREN"..."USE THE BATHROOM", etc.  You know...just the basics. 

Sigh....

I'll get a handle on it.

So, for now, let's just forget about my compulsive behavior and self reprimands for a minute....

Look-y what I made.

(Remember...I'm a total novice at this. That's how easy MMS software is.)

Background paper is from North Pole Express Pack
embellishments were included in the My Memories Suite v3 software (Holiday Snows)

All page elements from kit Comfort and Joy, designed by Jenn of Dancing Princess Designs.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS KIT!

Aren't my kiddos so cute (and crazy)?

If you are interested in this digital scrapbook software, first, check out my GIVEAWAY (ends December 10, 2011) or visit you can visit MyMemories.com and check the software out HERE.  Use the code STMMMS10850 at checkout, giving you a $10 discount (making it ONLY $29.97).  Plus the software itself comes with a $10 coupon to use at the MyMemories.com store.  That's like a $20 savings.  Awesome, yes?

GIVEAWAY! My Memories Suite FREE software GIVEAWAY!

It's time for another GIVEAWAY here at TESTOSTERONE OVERLOAD (and I expect ALL OF YOU, my readers, OLD FRIENDS and NEW FRIENDS to enter.....OR ELSE!  Even if you aren't sure of YOUR interest, I am sure there is someone on your shopping list who would LOVE to have it!  Just sayin'.)

I'm very excited for this one, A. because it's something creative and pretty (and I deserve pretty things that my children can't break) and B. because it's just so dang AWESOME and EASY to use!

I was recently introduced to My Memories Suite digital scrapbooking software (which BTW, is rated #1 on Amazon.com for digital scrapbooking software).  You can read my review here.  I have really enjoyed fiddling around with it and learning to express my "creative" side (and believe you-me...I needed all the help I could get).

I was able to "throw" together a few things in no time at all (see here) and have found several uses for it already (blog decorating, inexpensive Christmas gifts, etc).  I'm really enjoying delving into this new interest.  It's fun.  And what I like about it the most...it's mess and hassle free.....SO EASY TO USE!

AND I WANT YOU TO HAVE A CHANCE to have it too.  How does that sound?

(check out this Rafflecopter giveaway widget...isn't it cool?)






THAT'S 9 POSSIBLE ENTRIES INTO THIS AWESOME GIVEAWAY!

So...WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR.  ENTER ALREADY!


 This is a sponsored giveaway.  I, Melanie, did receive My Memories Suite software for free, in exchange for this write-up.  However, that being said, the opinions presented here are my own.  No one forced me to like the product and say nice things about it.  (he he he) I do...so I did. 

Just one easy click!

My Memories Suite Digital Scrapbooking Software--REVIEW and PROMO CODE (Save $20)

As you may know (or should have guessed by now), I love sharing great things with my friends and family!

And today is no exception.

How many of you are scrapbookers?  Well, I used to be....years ago, until it became too much of a hassle and a mess for me to deal with.  Then I gave up.  My oldest son (who is now 8) has the first year of his life done.  Boy #2 and #3 have one or two pages (ultrasound pictures) and #4 has ZIP, NADA, NOTHING! Poor thing. 

My sister has been trying to sell me on digital scrabooking for years (because she is a fabulous digiscrap designer herself) but I never really took the time to look into it, even though its mess free approach always appealed to me.  It just seemed too complicated and overwhelming.  I couldn't wrap my brain around it.

UNTIL RECENTLY!

I was introduced to My Memories Suite scrapbooking software and asked to give it a try.  I'm not gonna lie...I was hesitant at first (because my past experience was not all that positive)...but was wrong to be so.  After downloading the software and taking a few minutes to "look around", I tried my hand at a little project I had wanted to tackle for some time...

You may recognize THIS baby (if you have visited my page Adventures in Frugalness). Yeah...I designed this that very first night (from scratch) using the software and A-Manda Creations SUPER BOY kit from MyMemories.com.

This was my very first attempt at digital scrapbooking EVER!...and I found the My Memores Suite software so VERY EASY TO USE!  Believe me....if I can use it...than ANYONE can.

It didn't take long before I tried my hand (or computer mouse) again.

Wanna see?

This one was put together just last week.  Here Mr. Golden Locks (and Little Red) are enjoying this years first winter snowfall.  I used a ready made template that comes with the software.  I just added the photo and....TA DA!  Isn't that cute? (and did I mention EASY?!?!)

And (if you have visited since Thanksgiving, you may have already seen this one), I put together this tasty treat on the Eve of Thanksgiving.  It's self designed (as in, by me) using paper and embellishments that came with the software. A little plain but hey, I'm a plain kinda girl....one who is just learning to accessorize.  :)

(AND...of course, it was TOTALLY MESS FREE.  (I heart MESS FREE!).)

So there you have it.

I give My Memories Suite v3 an:
 A for Easy
A+ for Adorable
A++ for AFFORDABLE (especially with the $20 savings promo code I am about to give you)!

This would definitely make for an EXCELLENT Christmas gift for that creative person on your shopping list.

Simply go to http://www.mymemories.com/digital_scrapbooking_software, add the software to your shopping cart, and copy and paste my special promo code STMMMS10850 to the promo code box.

Not only will this code give you a $10 discount on the My Memories Suite v3 software (making it only $29.97) but will give you a $10 credit to use at MyMemories.com digital scrapbook store.

That's $20 worth of SAVINGS!

AWESOME!

Stay tuned....you, my lucky readers, are going to have the chance to WIN My Memories Suite v3 software (which also includes $10 to use at MyMemories.com scrap store, too!).

Are you excited or what?
Just one easy click!