How to seal a bag and make it air-tight!

Cut up a disposable water bottle and keep the neck and top,

as in photo.

Insert the plastic bag through the neck and screw the top – to seal.

The bottle is made to be air-tight, such that water will not leak,
the secret lies with the top and screw!
This is a great idea to share. Good for us and the environment too.

Happy Earth Day!
Shared by: The Plus Size Mommy

My daughter Yasmine’s Birthday was back in Oct. and around the same time I was picked to be a host of a Fuzzoodle House Party. Fuzzoodles are so great and kids can create so many things with them. So, I decided to incorporate the Fuzzoodle making in with the Birthday party, as a pre-party craft, that kids could take home, and it would help kill time while we awaited all of the children coming to the party.

Here is a Whrrl story of the Fuzzoodle Party we had. It was a lot of fun, not a lot of mess, and even the parents got their creative juices flowing and had fun making Fuzzoodles too!

You can find out more about the Fuzzoodles and the kits here : https://www.buyfuzzoodles.com/Default.aspx

Have Fun Fuzzoodling!!!

The Plus Size Mommy

Disclosure- I was sent the Fuzzoodle House Party Pack from childsplay PR. All opinions and pictures are all my own.

You may remember that in the Summer time I was in a Rice Krispies Holiday recipe challenge around the 4th Of July to create a recipe that would cool you off in the Summer. Well, now that it is the holiday’s, Rice Krispies and The Motherhood has come back and asked me to be a part of a bigger challenge to create a “Show Stopper” of a Holiday themed Rice Krispies treats project that would stop people in their tracks when they see/taste it.

Here is what I came up with (with the help of my children) -

This was a ton of fun to make and very tasty to eat.

WIN:
As part of this challenge, Rice Krispies has given me a $100 Gift Card to give away to one of my lucky readers!!!

Here is how to win :

Just leave me a comment telling me how you like your Rice Krispies Treats. One entry per person (or ip address) please..

Abbreviated Rules:

Giveaway will end December 21 at 11:59 EST, Winner will be chosen via random.org and will have 48 hours to claim their prize or another winner will be chosen.

You may enter on any or all of the participating blogs, but you may only win one gift card across the entire sweepstakes.

THE MOTHERHOOD HOLIDAY RICE KRISPIES TREATS EXCHANGE BLOGGER GIVEAWAY

Abbreviated Rules. No Purchase Necessary. Begins no earlier than 12:00:00 AM (ET) on 11/29/10 and ends no later than 11:59:59 PM (ET) on 12/21/10. For complete Official Rules, go to http://web.mediacdt.com/docs/motherhoodholiday. Open to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and District of Columbia who are 18 years of age or older at time of entry. Subject to complete Official Rules. Void where prohibited. Sponsor: The Motherhood;www.TheMotherhood.com.

Happy Holidays!

The Plus Size Mommy

Disclosure- I was compensated for this campaign. All opinions and idea’s are 100% my own.

I was recently given the opportunity to try out a new kind of hot Cocoa. It is made by Cold Stone Creamery. And it is soooo good. We did a shop at Walmart for the Cocoa and then we had a family night where we decorated Holiday cards for a local nursing home (for the patients) and drank the hot cocoa while making them.

Here is my story via a Whrrl picture slideshow :

Cold Stone Cocoa is sold at Walmart stores and when I bought it I was able to get it on Rollback, at less then $2 a box!

This is a great way to spend family time on a cold winters night. Whether it is during a family game night, snuggling up on the couch and drinking it while eating popcorn and watching a movie, or just to have it with some whipped cream or tons of Marshmallows (like we love it) as a dessert after dinner.

Whatever way you like, Cold Stone Creamery Cocoa is definitely worth the try. You can learn more about it and also find some coupons and recipe idea’s here : http://www.realhotchocolate.com/

Cheers!

The Plus Size Mommy

Disclosure- I was compensated for this shop. All idea’s and opinions of Cold Stone Cocoa is my own.

Check out Three of Pentel’s Hotest New Products for the Holidays—

Sparkling Gel Ink for the Holidays. These pens are perfect for cards or notes and will add a holiday sparkle! The set includes red, green, gold, and silver metallic gel pens. MSRP: $7.60/4pack; $1.90/each.

Wrap Your Packages In Style. Pentel’s Tape’n Glue is double-sided tape that’s perfect for wrapping gifts so the tape doesn’t show. Easy for one-handed application so you can hold the paper with the other hand. A sliding cover protects the tape when not in use and the plastic applicator is made with 72% recycled material so it’s eco-friendly! MSRP: $6.59

Our Eco-friendly consumers will love the Pentel Slicci pen made from 87% Recycled Plastic. This pack includes gold, silver, and copper metallic gel ink – perfect for creating designer flourishes and swirls. The ink flows smooth and will look great on holiday cards. MSRP: $8.97/3 pack; $2.99/ea.

Buy these NOW with this special DEAL! - Pentel is offering Free Shipping with $25 or more orders on pentelstore.com.

I absolutely love these pens. I am definitely using them on my holiday cards and envelopes. They will give them the added glitz that I love at holiday time. They write so smoothly too.
They are so pretty. The tape is so easy to use as well.

The Plus Size Mommy

Disclosure- I was sent the pens and tape from Pentel at no cost to me in order to try them and review them. All opinions of these products is 100% my own.

I received the cutest needle work helper. It is a Kneedle Pet. It is made from a lightweight, durable foam and can hold several different items with pointed ends. This allows an avid knitter or crocheter to keep different needles at her fingertips.

It can also hold different pins and sewing needles in it.  It comes with or without a “Kozy”.

A “Kozy” is a cover to put over the foam to make it soooo cute. The one that I was sent is in the shape of a fish.It is blue with googly eyes. Very cute!

You can either get the pet with the kozy premade or as a kit to make the kozy yourself.

The kit contains the Kneedle Pet foam along witha written knit or crochet pattern.

The stitches used to make the Kozy look simple to me  and could be used as a first project for a beginner!

This would also be so cute as a room decoration for a child who likes fish or has a nautical theme for their bedroom.  It could be used as a pencil/pen holder on a teens desk.  What is nice is that the kozy is removable, so it can be laundered. If you’re interested in ordering a Kneedle Pet,  or learning more about it visit  www.kneedlepet.com.

Written by : Holly (Chief Editor/Writer of all things Older Adult/Grandma)

* Disclosure – A Kneedle Pet was sent for review. All idea’s, comments, and opinions are my own honest ones and were not swayed in any way.

Jennifer Thompson of Baton Rouge, LA is a working girl who just loves to sew. One of her passions is little girls and so she’s embarked on a mission to create unique, one of a kind pillow case dresses for children and dolls.

These soft, delicious and oh so cute and comfortable patterns will make any little girl feel loved and special.

Here are a few of her recent custom creations.

and here is one from her vintage collection (just adorable) :

My daughters are little fashionista’s so you can imagine their little squeel’s in delight when I open the package from Jennifer and these came out :

This one is black and white with polka dots, for my 4 yr. old daughter.     AND

This one is light blue floral with maroon silky ribbon ties and a white lacy bottom edge. This one is perfect size for my almost 2 yr. old daughter.  Here is how they look in the beautiful dresses and how excitedly happy they are with them :

They love them, and so do I. As a matter of fact these will be perfect to wear on them this Mother’s Day when we take the Gramma’s out to a Mother’s Day Tea! I cannot wait. The Pillowcase dresses remind me of Carrie Ingall’s on “Little House on The Prairie”. Jennifer does a wonderful job making them, and they are soooo reasonably priced. (Prices range from about $15 – $40, and about $8 for matching dolly dresses).

Here is some more info. about the Seamstress, Jennifer Thompson -

“I started doing it because I needed a little more money,” said Thompson, 39, who has been making pillowcase dresses for about four years. “I prayed to God for a pattern. I told him I needed something simple, and, when I saw this, I knew I could do it.” (from http://www.2theadvocate.com/features/42645592.html)

Thompson said she also likes to give her customers a bargain. Most dresses go for about $15, with those made from vintage pillowcases ringing up at $30.

Sizes range from youngsters 6 months to 10 years old.

See more of Thompson’s dresses and find out where she’ll next have them for sale at  http://jennifersjumpers.vpweb.com/default.html

Now, you have a chance to Win this beautiful Baby Pillowcase Dress made by Jennifer :

It is a gorgeous corduroy floral dress with light yellow satiny ribbon ties. It is approx. size 12MO.

THIS IS THE DRESS THE WINNER WILL RECEIVE, IN THIS SIZE.

Here is how to win :

1. Visit http://jennifersjumpers.vpweb.com/default.html and come back here and tell me which dress you just would LOVE for your little girl. = 1 entry
2. Follow Jennifers Jumpers on twitter Here : http://www.twitter.com/JenniferJumpers = leave me a comment that you are following her and = 1 entry
3. Follow me on Twitter : Here http://www.twitter.com/plussizemommy = leave a comment you are = 1 entry
4. FAVE JennifersJumpers on Momfaves = 1 entry (comment and tell me you did)
5. Tweet the following on Twitter =  ” Pillowcase Dresses by @Jenniferjumpers simply beautiful for your little girl & Win Here http://tinyurl.com/28zhd9t ”   – tweet up to 3 times per day = up to 3 entries per day (separate entries please).

This giveaway begins NOW and will end on May 7th at 9PM EST. Winner will be posted by 5/8/2010. Winner will NOT be emailed. Winner will receive the Dress shown above in the size 12 mo. (no exceptions).  ANYONE can win this giveaway, US, Canada, or International winners allowed for THIS giveaway.  Winner will be chosen via random.org. Winner will have 48 hours to email me to claim their prize or another winner will be chosen, or I will have the right to donate this dress.

Thank you to all who enter, Good Luck!!!!

The Plus Size Mommy

*Disclosure – I received 2 dresses to review to enable me to write this post. My views and opinions are my own honest ones and are in no way swayed due to anyone or anything. I also received the giveaway dress at no charge to me, but I will be paying postage to mail it to the winner on my own

People have loved making these for their children and it’s written in a way that even a person who has never sewn before, could make these.

These are adorable name pillows that are very easy to make. At youcanmakethis.com there are numerous items that are so simple everyone can make them. They have wonderful ebooks that you can buy, but they also have free patterns to download! This site is just wonderful. They have a really nice newsletter that you can sign up for so then you will be kept up to date at all the wonderful things you can make. The newsletter also advises you what you can make FREE.

From purses, pillows, baby dolls, jewelry, and pretty much most genre’s of crafts are covered. Even crafts kids can make!!!

This is a really great site. I am so glad to be able to share it with you. I hope you enjoy it as much as me.

Looking  for some last-minute Summer boredom busters for the kids?  You can find some great ideas in the “’Kids Can Make This” Section of our website. I thought your readers would love to hear about it, too.  These are free downloads and you can teach your kids to sew with a fun fish pillow, learn how to make homemade beads, paper bag books,  and more!

Here is the link:

http://youcanmakethis.com/kids-can-make-this.htm

We also have free newsletters that you and your readers could sign up for and they’d all receive a bundle package of 7 eBooks and online video.  We have newsletters for everything DIY, sewing, crochet, and embroidery.  Each one of those comes with their own sets of free downloads, including how to make the “Debut” purse, how to appliqué, making a birthday table runner, and more.

Here is the link to sign up:

http://www.youcanmakethis.com/ycmt-newsletter.htm

The Plus Size Mommy

Congrats to the winner of the Tiny Star Couture Hair Clippies, The winner is ALBA !!!

Please contact me within 48 hours to claim your prize. Thank You for entering !

The Plus Size Mommy

You may have recognized lately that I have started to include an  ” * ” asterisk in some of my posts. Usually these are the posts where I do a review on a product. Then I tell you a bit about the product and what I liked about it, and sometimes what I didn’t.

Recently there has been a big bru ha ha about bloggers and especially mommy bloggers and transparently and the FDA.  Well to conform to be as transparent as possible with my readers I am now adding the ” *  ” asterisk symbol to any products that I review on my blog, where the company has actually sent me the product to review and tell you about. Or if they gave me a trip or provided a service for free. I usually include  in my posts that the company sent me “xyz” anyways, but now it will be real clear to everyone!

I will still be truthful in my posting as always. If I feel the product can be better or have some changes made to it, to make life simpler, I will still be letting you know. I will still be reviewing products or services that I believe will benefit you, my reader, or help others, such as a fundraising event or cause.  Just because a company sends me a free product to review doesn’t mean I am going to lie and give it hype it doesn’t deserve. After all what good would that do ?  You may go purchase that product, get it and it wont live up to what I said, all that will do is make you quit subscribing from my blog. Therefore not helping me in the long run either. Then if we don’t let companies know what changes ( in a constructive criticism way not destructive) than how can they know how or where to make changes to make us, the consumer happy ? They wouldn’t…

So, I will still be blogging about everything I usually blog about but to be transparent to you and the FDC in case they follow me, you will now just see the asterisk up in the titles of my posts. This is like a little footnote letting everyone know, that yes, I did get this product (or service) to try free from the company to review for you.

Thank you for reading this public service announcement !

The Plus Size Mommy