AND THE WINNER IS.....

REBECCA of A Mess of Musings!

(winner randomly generated by Rafflecopter)

Congratulations Rebecca!  And thanks everyone for entering.

Remember...you can still pick up the My Memories Suite Software for yourself, or someone on your Christmas list, at MyMemories.com ($39.97....except.....wait for it.......)

To make it even sweeter, you can use my special promotional code STMMMS10850 and get $10 off the software, making it ONLY $29.97. 

ALSO, each software download comes with a $10 coupon code to use on kits and other products at mymemories.com.

That's like a savings of $20!

Totally Awesome!  I know!  I can't get over it myself.  

Plus...stay tuned for some freebies!  (Oohh...I LOVE FREE!)

Just one easy click!  VOTE FOR ME!

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!

Zaycon Foods--Ground Beef Event

It's Here.  Zaycon Foods Ground Beef Event Now open!

Head on over to Zayconfoods.com

to see where and when it will be 

available in your area.

  

(current beef event available in AZ, CA, ID, NV, OR, UT, and WA)

FRESH 93/7 Super* Lean Ground Beef

only $2.89 lb

 

   

 • Fresh, Premium, Fine Grind 93/7 Super* Lean Ground Beef

• Comes in a 40-lb case with four 10-lb chubs per case (approximate weight--see note below)

• No chemicals, additives or water added to meat during processing

• Processed at a USDA-inspected, state-of-the-art plant employing strict operating protocols (including HACCP) and the highest in food-safety standards

• Prior to processing, inspectors from the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service randomly sample cattle under a monitoring plan and perform testing for antibiotic residues

* USDA nutrition labeling standards defines "extra lean" and "lean" ground beef based on the lean/fat ratio. While not part of these guidelines, the term "super lean" is often used in the grocery sector to describe ground beef at the upper end of the "lean" category (i.e., "Zaycon Foods 93/7 Super Lean Ground Beef"). This ground beef product is 93% lean and 7% fat

[NOTE:  This product is an approximate weight. Some cases will weigh slightly less than 40 lbs. Customers receiving cases less than 40 lbs will receive an exact credit representing this difference in their ZF account.]

Keep it all to yourself...or split it with a friend.  

Hurry on over and order yours today!
Just one easy click!

Get up to 40 Holiday cards **FREE**

STAPLES- 20 folded 5x7 Holiday Cards FREE

Now, through TOMORROW, Saturday, Nov. 19th, visit Staples.com (or in store) to order 20 5x7 folded Holiday cards for FREE by using this coupon (shipping charges apply online).

Also...

Snapfish- 20 *FREE* 5x7 Stationary Cards

Go to Snapfish.com to order 20 free 5x7 Stationary Cards. 

Only pay $5.99 for shipping.

You must order the 5x7 size cards and opt to print them on 130lb Recycled Stationary Paper to recieve this deal. 

Use the code HPHOLIDAY11 at checkout.

Hurry fast!

(Thanks, Happy Money Saver)


I don't know about you...but I LOVE free stuff.

Just one easy click!

How To: Homemade Laundry Soap - Adventures in Frugalness

I was first introduced to the idea of Homemade Laundry Soap quite a while back by my friend Sheena.  I was thoroughly intrigued but didn't do anything about it at the time.

Then, last week, I noticed that I was just about out of liquid laundry detergent...and try as I might, could not find any on sale for a price I was willing to pay (oh, I miss the days before the economy tanked that I used to get this for free with coupons....all of the time).  So...I thought...what the heck...let's try homemade.

So....I did.

It was SUPER CHEAP (about $1.59 for a 5 gallon bucket's worth--look for price breakdown below) and SUPER EASY to make (only took 25 minutes....start to finish). 

Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap

4 cups water

1 bar Fels-Naptha soap 
(found in the laundry isle)

--or you can use any soap and/or soap scraps

1 cup A&H Super Washing Soda

1/2 cup Borax

Yield: 5 gallons (concentrate)
7-10 gallons (diluted)

Grate bar of soap.  Place in a saucepan with water. 

Melt on medium-low heat (don't boil it), stirring continually, until all soap is liquified.

Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full with HOT tap water.  Add melted soap, soda, and Borax.  Stir well until all powder is dissolved.

  Finish filling the bucket with hot water.  Stir, cover, and leave overnight (giving it a chance to thicken). 

Here's what it should look like after it's sat for a while.

(like a lemon ice slushy)

Now...this 5 gallon bucket is the concentrated version (pre-treat stains with it).

The original "recipe" calls for 50/50 dilution with water, but my friend recommends using it in it's concentrated form (after trying it diluted for several months)...so you can decide what works best for you.  

Here's what I did.

I filled a container (can use an old but clean, empty laundry soap container...mine wasn't quite empty yet so I used an alternate) and filled it 3/4 full with the concentrate (see that compromise?) and the rest of the way with water.   

Shake container before each use.

You can also add your favorite scent of essential oil for a "custom" smell.  Just a few drops in your smaller container (it will be wasted in the 5 gallon bucket because the smell will dissipate over time).  

But...the essential oils are not "essential" (ha ha ha).  The Fels-Naptha has a nice lemon-y smell on it's own.  But...go ahead and play with it...it's your soap.   


This is a low sudsing detergent.

For front loading machines (yes, it is good for front loaders) use about 1/2 cup detergent.


For top loading, 3/4 to 1 cup

Try supplementing with 1 cup vinegar which has the power to naturally disinfect and soften the fabric.  (I'm definitely going to remember to do this when I do my MANY loads of "soiled" sheets.....**sigh**...boys).  (Thanks for the tip livingrichwithcoupons).


Either way...whether you dilute it or not, it is going to save you a LOT of money. 

Price breakdown

(as of Saturday at my local Walmart)

Water 

(free...he he he)

Fels-Naptha $.97 

(1 bar per recipe)

Arm & Hammer Soda $3.24

(abt 7 recipes @ 1 cup...$.46 per recipe)

Borax $2.98

(abt 18 recipes @ 1/2 cup...$.16 per recipe)

  

Total:  $7.19

or $1.59 per 5 gallon bucket

I'll let you know how it works.  

I've got more laundry tips coming.  So keep you eyes out.
Just one easy click!

Spotted Fox--LOCAL Tri-City/Yakima DEALS

Hey to all my Tri-Cities local friends and buddies. I just found this new and awesome local "deal" site.

The best thing about it (other than it's local for us) is that they let you choose which type of deals you want e-mailed to you. You can even choose how often. That's awesome.

If you sign up right now, you can also get a $5 credit to your account. And let me tell you...the deal today....$10 worth of gourmet cupcakes for only $5. Um....YUM!

Check it out here

They are also looking to expand to YOUR city....if you would like that...go there and check it out too.   

P.S. Leave a comment! I love to hear from you!

Zaycon foods---Peaches and Ground Beef event

 

I got this e-mail from Zaycon foods.  Just thought I would pass it on.  

 

Zaycon foods in an amazing food company that delivers FRESH meats (as in, never frozen) and fresh picked fruits.  Here's the info for their next summer event.

Zaycon Summer Savings Event

Farm Fresh Peaches and fresh 93/7 super lean ground beef

On August 3^rd at 5:00 pm Pacific Standard time, Zaycon will begin taking orders for farm fresh peaches and super lean fresh 93/7 fine ground beef at the following locations (new areas in red):

Spokane	Ritzville	Lynnwood	Baker City
Colville	Connell	Monroe	Fruitland
Chewelah	Pasco	Issaquah	Caldwell
Grangeville	Richland	Maple Valley	Boise
Kamiah	Zillah	Olympia	Nampa
Lewiston	Yakima	Rochester	Eagle
Pullman	Moses Lake	Kelso	Mt.Home
Colfax	Wenatchee	Vancouver	Jerome
Airway Heights	Ellensburg	Portland	Twin Falls
Cheney	Mt. Vernon	Hillsboro	Burley
Sandpoint	Camano Island	The Dalles	Idaho Falls
Coeur d’Alene	Arlington	Wilsonville/Oregon City	Rexburg
Othello	Everett	Salem	Pocatello
Kennewick	Puyallup	Eugene	Preston
Hermiston	Tacoma	Bend	Blackfoot
Walla Walla	Gig Harbor	Pendleton
Benton City	North Bend	La Grande

Our fresh, flavorful, 93/7 super lean fine ground beef is only $2.79 / lb for a 40 lb case.  Please note our ground beef is not packaged in exact weights. At the time of delivery, we will note the weight of your case, and if there is a variation from the 40 lb total, you will receive a credit to your Zaycon account.
Our peaches are 79 cents per lb for 48 lbs (2 cases of 24 lbs each).
Log in to www.zayconfoods.com to decide when and where you want to pick up. Don't wait because we expect to sell out very quickly. Deliveries will begin August 19^th.

I LOVE this company.  We have ordered fresh chicken from them a couple of times and have loved the quality of the meat and the ordering and pick-up ease.

They have an AMAZING referral program.  You earn money for your future orders with Zaycon ($1 per referral/per event) for every order made using your referral number on current AND future orders.  That's why I'm posting here (wink, wink).  

So...if they have a pick-up in your area and you do decide to try out Zaycon, click on my Zaycon food advertisement on the side bar, or click here https://www.zayconfoods.com/refer/zf791 or add the letters/numbers zf791where asked to put in a referral code. I'd really appreciate it.

Then you can get started ordering and gathering referrals yourself. 

Just one easy click!