MTM - Circus Theme

This weeks theme was a tuffy at first but after searching my house, I found the answer and then we had some fun!

So what we did was Peanut Butter Horses, Quesadilla Clowns and PB&J Starry 3 Rings. C loved cutting out all the clowns and horses. I loved that we were using cutters just recently passed down to me from my grandmother. They have been in our family since before my time!

Thanks Michelle for another great theme! Stop by the one and only home of the original Muffin Tin Monday, Her Cup Overflowth to see more wonderful blogs that are participating in this weekly event and sign up for your self and join us!!

OMG A Year Already!

Photo Courtesy of Pink Cake Box

I just realized I am passing important Milestones in my life with out even celebrating them! Sew Fierce is now a year old. I started small by taking orders for my wipes cases and bibs in June/July 2008 and then decided to launch the website Aug 1st 2008.

Another up in coming milestone is my Blogiversary..only 9 days away!! Plus I see that I am at 500 followers today. Wow, what a wonderful and rewarding year this has been. I could not be happier and feel more loved with how my family and friends have supported me in this little venture of mine. It is weird how when your younger you think you have a set plan on how and when things are going to happen. Well nothing I had in my 10 yr plan after High School came to fruition, actually it has been better then I ever could have dreamed.

So on to my next topic....what should I do to celebrate? A Big Sew Fierce Gift Cert Giveaway? Win an Outfit of your choice? Maybe I can rally up some friends and do one big basket giveaway of different products? What would you like to see as a giveaway prize? What would you enter to win? Leave your comment to be heard now and thank you to all my blogging buddies, followers and supporters because without you who would care what I have to say...lol

Sticker Exchange???

Hi everyone, my girlfriend Sharon at Mama's A Mess is doing a sticker exchange and I have decided to join her crew. It's like a sticker chain letter from what I understand. I think C will have a blast picking out stickers, mailing them to her new friends and then since she loves getting mail, how excited will she be to get stickers in the mail from around the country or even around the world!

So I would like to ask my fellow mommies and blogging buddies if anyone would like to join my "crew". I need 6 other mommies that would like to participate in this. It needs not be expensive and if your a scrapbooker it can even be from your own stock. How easy is that!

So if you are interested in this please leave a comment and I will get in touch with you. If you would like more information on how it works please visit Sharon at Mama's A Mess.

Thanks everyone!

PUR WINNER

CONGRATS TO OUR PUR WINNER.....

Natalie of "A Pocket Full Of Posies"

Muffin Tin Monday - People and Faces

I have been away the past couple of MTM's, but I'm so glad to say I'm back in it...my girls are excited too. Today's theme is "People and Faces" so what we did for breakfast was "My Sweet Apple Girls". The picture is pretty self explanatory on how we made it, but what I think is the best part is the different M&M's because C has blue eyes and M has green, so it made it more personal for each of them and so much fun! They loved it!!

Stop by the home of Muffin Tin Monday, Her Cup Overflowth to see more wonderful blogs that are participating in this weekly event and sign up for your self and join us!!

Since this is a MTM post, I want to give a special thanks to Carly of Faith, Family and Frugality who was my MTM Swap partner. The girl were so excited when our package came and even more excited to go through all the cool stuff she bought for us. She is so sweet and was very creative. Thanks tons Carly!!!

PUR Giveaway

I got an email from my PUR contact and they have offered to give on lucky winner a PUR Flavor Options Pitcher!! I have added the giveaway to my review so CLICK HERE and go enter today!!!!

PUR Pitcher and Flavor Options Review & Giveaway

Drinking filtered water has always been a must in our house. Whether it is from the fridge or bottled, this is the way it has been for years in most houses though out America and beyond. However buying the super packs of water bottles from the store is neither cost effective nor eco-friendly. What can you do to still get the health benefits of filtered water and be eco-friendly? Ask PUR.

"Switching from bottled to filtered and a reusable bottle can eliminate up to 3,200 plastic bottles and save one person up to $600 annually. The EPA estimates that approximately 20% of Americans' lead exposure is attributed to tap water. PUR filters are certified to reduce many contaminants including 98% of lead, 99% of microbial cysts and 99% of pharmaceuticals."
Wow did you have any idea all that crap was in our tap water? This is what enters our childrens growing bodies and why we have always had filtered water from or in our fridge for them.

Company with a heart..

Everyday 4,000 children in developing countries die from not having clean drinking water. PUR is changing that. With each purchase of a PUR filter a donation is made to Children's Safe Drinking Water which has provided over 1.5 billion liters of clean water to children and their families all over the world.

I had the pleasure of reviewing the PUR pitcher with Flavor Options. From the first day the girls and I were hooked. My girls are used to having watered down juice about a 1:7 ratio and I love Crystal Light and make it buy the gallon full sometimes twice a day. Us mommies know that juice in it's self is not cheap and neither is Crystal Light.
We have found a new super yummy way to not only save the money but also get the girls to drink more water. They had no idea they were drinking PUR water, they just noticed the pitcher looking different. I love that they are not getting the extra sugar like they were with the juice.

The PUR filtered pitcher is easy to use and is slim so it fits right into my fridge door. A very cool feature available on some models is the built in Electronic Filter Life Indicator. No more guessing if it is time to change the filter, the light on the top tells me when. Pricing for the pitcher normally runs from $14.99-$19.99. Replacement filters last 1-2 months and run about $9.99.

What is PUR Flavor Options?

5 super yummy fruit flavors that jazz up any glass of water. Each Flavor Options Cartridge provides up to 75 servings of flavor with no sugar, calories, fat, carbs or die!! You control the amount of flavor...who doesn't like a little control now and then? Flavors include Grape, Lemon, Strawberry, Peach and Raspberry.

I got to try the Lemon and Raspberry. I really liked them both but my girls loved the Raspberry more. Not a problem. You can interchange the cartridges as needed. Take out the Lemon, pop in the Raspberry and your done. A whole new flavor in only seconds. The opened cartridge can then be stored upright in your fridge until it's needed again. How awesome is that?
Also did you know that the PUR Flavor Options was Voted Product of the Year for 2009? After using it myself I can see why.

My family is now tasty water drinkers thanks to PUR and knowing we are doing something healthy for our bodies makes me feel good. Plus having a few extra bucks each month in our pockets doesn't hurt either.


WIN IT!!!

PUR is giving away a Flavor Options Pitchers to one lucky winner!!

How To Enter:

Mandatory Entry: Please leave a comment telling me what flavor you think you would like the best. Please make sure if you do not have a valid email address on your blog or profile, add it to your comment so I can contact you easily.
NOTE: If you skip the mandatory entry, none of your entries will count for the giveaway.

Extra Entries: (leave separate comments for each entry)


* Follow Me

* Grab my APFOB or Sew Fierce Button

* Follow me on Twitter and RT this: (please leave status link in your comment)

APFOB - PUR Flavor Option Pitcher Giveaway @sewfierce http://apocketfullofbuttons.blogspot.com

* Blog about this Giveaway and gain 4 entries!! (please leave separate comment for each)


Giveaway closes Aug 27th @ 11:59pm (PST) Winner will be picked Aug 28th by Random.org and notified by email, a post will follow. Winner has 72 hours to reply to my email otherwise a new winner will be picked.

Carolina Pad Winner

#34 Blissfully Enamored

"i love all of the Prints Charming stuff and the Simply Chic stuff!

I LOOOOOOOVE office/school supplies! I am a teacher and could REALLY use all of this!"

Congrats and hooray for teachers!

Moomette's Magnificents Guest Post & Giveaway

Please stop by my friend Cindi's blog Moomette's Magnificents. She asked me to do a guest post for her blog and of course I was thrilled. Along with my post she is running a giveaway for a $25.00 Gift Certificate to my store Sew Fierce or Sew Fierce Couture Clothing on Etsy. Stop by and enter today. Contest ends Aug 20th

Dilmah Tea Review

When I think of tea and tea drinkers images from movies past race through my mine. Royalty and high class socialites sitting proper, straight backed and slowly dipping repetitiously the tea bag again and again in a beautiful china cup. When I was a child I thought tea was only for the sophisticated to enjoy and as I grew older I became very fond of it and you will always find different flavors and varieties in my pantry.

I had the wonderful pleasure to review for Dilmah Tea. Founder Merrill J. Fernando has dedicated the last 60 years to his love and passion for tea. His journey started in the 1950's, and in 1988 founded the company name of Dilmah Tea. His goal was to bring back the traditional process of tea, something that has been lost by big corporations. With his two sons by his side I believe he has accomplished this goals ten times over. "My family cares for your tea, from the tea nursery right to your teacup". To read more of this inspiring story click here.

Ceylon Green Tea with natural Lemon Grass Leaves and Ceylon Supreme Tea are the two I had the pleasure of tasting. I have to say they both are fantastic but my favorite would have to be the Ceylon Green Tea with natural Lemon Grass Leaves. I was instantly amazed as soon as I removed the tea bag from the individual foil wrapping. The aroma from just the tea bag was pure and delicious and had piqued my interest. The flavor is unlike anything I have tasted before in a tea. It is remarkably clean. Some teas leave a bitter taste I find, but not this tea. It's so smooth and the notes of the lemon grass make it very delightful. I have found a new brand of tea and can not wait to try other flavors.

Important to mention:

"Dilmah is the world's first truly ethical tea. Dilmah is the only international brand owned by tea growers. We pack our tea shelf ready, right where it is grown. Earnings remain in Sir Lanka for the benefit of the workers, the community & the future of our industry. Multinational traders import tea from several different countries & pack multi-origin blends overseas, denying growers a fair return for their labor. In the hands of traders, tea is just a commodity, blended for price & not for quality! Our mission is to offer you the freshest & finest tea and bring our workers hope of a better future. Please read about our social justice programs at www.mjffoundation.org"

Ponds Wet Cleansing Towelettes Review

As a mother of 2 toddlers, an online boutique owner and a blogger (not to mention all the little stuff in between) I find that I neglect myself and my body almost on a daily basis. Expect for brushing my teeth, I really do not have a regimen just for me.

I was excited to get my Ponds Wet Cleansing Towelettes in the mail last week. I love to (try) and take care of my face. I stay out of the sun, always use sun block and while I try to wash and moisturize to keep my face looking young and healthy, really when do I have the time? When do I have the time for a cleanser, wash cloth and then to clean up the water all over my sink when I'm finished. Not even in the shower do I have time for a proper cleaning until now.

My life just a lot easier with the Pond Wet Cleansing Towelettes. Pop out a single towelette run it all over my face and neck, then step back and look at all the dirt and makeup..ewww! I can even walk around my house directing traffic for my girls while I am washing my face. Absolutely the easiest thing I do all day with no messy cleanup and no extra laundry from the daily wash cloths.

Available in 3 great varieties. Micro Dermabrasion, Age Defying, and my new favorite, Original Clean. As the No 1 brand of cleansing towelettes it gently removes make-up and even waterproof mascara. Clinical studies show Ponds Wet Cleansing Towelettes takes off up to 40% of the make-up that the leading towelettes leave behind. Not sure which towelette would be right for your skin. Stop by Pond's Diagnostic Tool, answer a few questions and Pond's will determine which one of three is best for you.

At only $4.79-$6.07 per pack (30 towelettes) the price is right. Pond's believes you will love their product so much they are offering a Ponds Superior Clean Money Back Guarantee if you are not satisfied. Why wait to try an easier, more effective way to pamper your skin, it's guaranteed! Need another incentive? How about $1.50 off coupon! Go to the Pond's Wet Cleansing Towelettes website and print it out today.

Dolphin Doodles Winner Is......

# 13 Abby

CONGRATS!!!!!!

So Sorry!

Hi everyone, wow this must be the longest time I have ever been away from this blog since I started it! I just wanted to apologize for my absence and say that I will slowly be getting it back up and running strong again. I have been ill the last few weeks with my gastric ulcer. I have daily moderate to sever pain and many times can not keep food down. Because of this my energy level is challenged and my short term memory is fuzzy. I feel my throat swelling which will mean yet another procedure where they will stretch my Esophagus, oh boy. On a positive note (because there has to be one) I am down 12 lbs the last 2 weeks, that added on to the almost 20 lb loss last Nov-Dec when it flared up...I'm almost back to my weight before I had C, which I never thought would happen..WAHOO!

We had to take M to the ER very early this am. She woke screaming in pain and her whole right side from her mid line over to her ribs and from her from her collar bone to her public bone (just on her right side) was covered with a red rash and irregular large bumps. My first thought was hives. Hubby thought spider bites (but then again he thinks every bump is a spider bite).

Lucky for us the childrens ER was dead. Not a patient in sight so we got in immediately..score! Anyways long story short they thought first maybe it was Shingles because she had her chicken pox vaccine 2 weeks ago, but then after another consult they decided it may be a viral infection and the hives are a result. So we just have to watch it and go from there. A good note from today's events is that I ran into my girlfriend Eva who now works the ER. We used to work together at UCSD Hosptial. She had left and moved to New York while I was preggers with C but we always kept in touch. Now we are both back in CA and I can't wait to get together outside of the ER!

Anyone seen anything like this before?

So with all that being said, I have a few reviews & giveaways I will be posting shortly for Ponds Wet Cleansing Towelettes, SIRJJ Organics and Dilmah Tea so keep a look out for those. Plus the awesome Dolphin Doodles Giveaway ends tomorrow so if you haven't entered for the $75.00 Gift Cert enter now!

Tempelton's Huge Contest Starts Friday!!

It's finally time! If you remember my previous post about being able to help out with Tempelton's Timeless Infant Silver rename their product contest (if not click here), well tomorrow Friday Aug 7th it's time for you to enter to win this awesome basket worth over $1500!!!

Go to their CONTEST LINK for contest rules and to browse through the list of participants that donated their time and products for this awesome basket!

If you live in or near Charleston, SC the basket will be on display for you to view and enter at Jackson Madeleine on King Street in Historic Charleston, SC. You can also see them and the basket on Lowcountry Live Friday morning @ 1000 on ABC as well as the "Moxie" section of the Post & Courier.

Blogger Buddy Jen

Hi everyone! I am Jenn from My Life With The Crazies and I am swapping blogs with Stephanie today courtesy of the Classy Closet!

I read through some of Stephanie’s blog posts here at her place while I was enjoying a nice glass of wine and was super excited to see all the neat crafty places she frequents! Me…. Not so much!!! I wish I was crafty and artsy and could make cool things from scratch but lets face it. It just isn’t gonna happen, M’kay?

BUT…. For all of you followers of Steph’s blog, I have a new Etsy site for you to check out!

My friend from high school has her very own Etsy store and she sells all kinds of really cool stuff for scrap booking, picture frames, photo album covers and stuff like that.

I am a photographer by hobby and always enjoy finding neat photo books and picture frames for the twenty thousand pics I take monthly (hehehe) and my friend Natalie makes great quality and neat things. She also will do custom work for you as well.

You will definitely want to check out Pages by Nat and see all the really cool things she has designed over at her place!!

So be sure to head over to Pages by Nat and tell her Jenn sent you!!

As for me… I am off to Football practice with my ‘Crazies’ and hope to see you all around the bloggy world! Be sure to stop by my place, pull up a chair and stay awhile!

** Thanks to Stephanie and The Classy Closet for the opportunity to “blog Swap” today! This was FUN!!!

ABC Gauze Winner

Winner picked by Random.org is #5

Congrats Carma!!!