.:Giveaway:.

First of all, scroll down to read my post about de-lurking. I'd love to hear from you!

Did you all know that Tiff over at Making the World Cuter is having a baby shower this week?

You won't want to miss out on this! Each day there will be lots of great prizes, and she's made the process super simple: you just enter once each day to win ALL of the prizes from that day! Easy!

And guess what? I'm giving away a few things today! So you better get over there and enter!

.:De-Lurk Day:.

Last week, my sister in law's sister had a de-lurk day on her blog. I figured today would be a good time to do that here since I don't have a tutorial scheduled! (Don't worry, I've got one for next week, but I just didn't have time to take pictures AND get it all posted by this morning. Good things come to those who wait.)

So all you lurkers out there (I know there's a lot; I have google analytics!) time to come out of hiding!

Ask a question! Tell me something about yourself! Share how you found my blog! Give me a suggestion! Tell me how awesome I am! (Okay, you don't really have to do that....unless you want to.)

I'd love to get to know my readers a bit better, and welcome any ideas to make this blog better.

Start de-lurking! (Please, so I don't feel silly for asking and then nobody does it.)

PS - Sorry for all the parentheses in this post!

.:Market Yourself Monday:.

There are only two days left to take advantage of my back to school advertising special for buy one get one! Don't miss out on this great deal! Go here to learn about my different advertising options.

How was everyone's weekend?

Ours was busy! (Hence the lack of yet another Saturday Showcase!)

But I was able to make a few dresses for my girls last week, using one of Whimsy Couture's patterns. I thought I'd show them off, even though my girls are impossible to get good pictures of lately; they are just too busy! I love how their dresses are made out of the same fabric pattern, but different colors. I like dressing them that way - matching but not toooo matching.

What have you been working on? This is an OPEN link party! Tutorials, crafts, recipes, giveaways, shops - link them all up and Market Yourself!

.:Sponsor Sunday - Belleza Mia:.

I'm so excited to share my sponsor, Belleza Mia, with you today!

Here's Kendra to tell you a bit more about herself:

"Hi, my name is Kendra and I'm a craftaholic. I love to create because, to me, one of greatest feelings in the world is creating something amazing out of something ordinary. Also, it is my form of therapy and it keeps me sane. Seriously.

Ever since I was little I have loved making things with my hands. I have dabbled in just about everything from jewelry making (way back in Jr High!), painting, clothing construction, quilting, scrapbooking.... and if I haven't done it, I'm sure it's on my list of things I want to do. Currently I am VERY into jewelry making again and have my own shop, Belleza Mia, which means 'my beauty' in Spanish. I named it this because 1) I speak fluent Spanish, having served a mission for my church in Bolivia and 2) I believe that every woman is beautiful in their own way. And 3) to me, I can feel that beauty come out just a little when I am wearing a sparkly necklace or fun pair of earrings.

I am a mother of a almost three year old boy who makes me laugh constantly and a one year old boy who lights up a room with his infectious smile. I am also married to the greatest guy in the world who is extremely supportive and encouraging in everything I do. I'd be lost without him. Right now I am a mostly a stay at home mom and have recently quit my part time, at home job at a law firm to do my etsy shop full time and I am LOVING it.

I started my blog On My Side of the Room because I would often make something and people would keep asking me how to made it. So to save time, and remember my ideas and things I wanted to try, I started my blog!

The reason my blog is called "On My Side of the Room" is because that's what my craft room is, half craft room for me and half office for my husband. One day I'll have my own room but until then I'm makin' it work!"

I SO totally agree with what Kendra said about every gal feeling a bit more beautiful with a nice pair of sparkly earrings!

Kendra's etsy shop is filled with beautiful items. Here are just a few of my faves:

Isn't this pearl necklace so pretty?

I just love this key necklace!

These earrings are wonderful!

I think the simplicity of this necklace is stunning.

And that's only a tiny peek at everything Belleza Mia has to offer.

Guess what?

Kendra has graciously offered a 15% discount to anyone who mentions Sumo's Sweet Stuff at checkout! How great is that?

So head on over to Belleza Mia and see what you can't live without!

.:The Creative Chick Parade:.

So I mentioned this awhile back, but I'm excited to share a few more details with you all!

I'm so lucky to be participating in The Creative Chick Parade with a bunch of other amazingly talented ladies. Check out this lineup!

As you can see, The Creative Chick Parade is going to be held from September 13th-17th. Each day, each of the blogs listed above will be hosting a linky party related to a specific theme. It doesn't matter where you link up; your link will be viewed on ALL of these blogs! Here's what you can look forward to:

And that's not all!

Sumo's Sweet Stuff is going to be having one or more giveaways each day during parade week! Trust me, you won't want to miss it!

So get your mod podge, paint brushes, spatulas and sewing machines ready to go! You've only got a couple of weeks left to get ready!

.:Things to Try Thursday - Recycled Skirt:.

Oh my goodness. I saw this idea over at Baby Night Night Boutique and I just have to try it. I'm sure my husband has an old dress shirt I could use!

To die for, right? Pretty sure my girls need some.

Go here for the tutorial!

.:Mouth-Watering Wednesday - Pineapple Glaze:.

This is a recipe given to me from a friend. It is delicious over a ham (which is one of my favorite foods!). Super easy and super tasty, just the way I like it.

1 can of crushed pineapple

1 T brown sugar

1 T cornstarch

That's it!

YUM!

.:Lucky Me:.

Remember a couple of weeks ago when I was gushing about my new pots and pans from CSN Stores? (And how I shamelessly said they knew where to find me if they wanted me to do another review for them?)

Well, I get to do it again!

CSN Stores has so many options, and this time around, I'm not sure what I want to review! You all know how versatile CSN Stores is - they've got loads of products ranging from lights to bedding to toys to shoes to....okay, you get the point; they've got everything!

Here's a few things I'm considering:

Baby Stroller (Reece broke hers by standing in it! Not made for little kids my dear!)

A basketball hoop for the girls (my husband is determined to raise tomboys!)

Maybe a bag for me?

Or a new blender?

So many choices. I could spend hours looking around CSN Stores!

What do you think I should review?

.:Market Yourself Monday - Not So Crafty:.

Hello everyone!

We just got back from vacation, and I bet you'll never guess what I'm going to tell you....

I don't have anything to share! Again!

I am participating in my first LIVE event this evening at a fall festival at a local elementary school, so when I've had any time to craft at all, I've been busy working on stuff for that. Can I just tell you that I've crocheted 92 flowers in the past few days and I am D.O.N.E. with that for awhile!

So I'm sorry for being out of whack still. It's been a busy summer.

BUT I do have a treat for you today! My Feature Friday from last week wasn't able to post on Friday (we were having some technical issues!) so I am going to share her with you today! Be sure to read her amazing post, and then the linky party will be at the bottom of the post.

The party will be open all week long! And it's an open party! Link up anything - let this do what the name says - Market Yourself!

Hi everybody! I'm so excited to be swapping blogs with Summer. She has so many awesome ideas here!!

Let me start by introducing myself. I'm Tonia, the creative mind behind Not So Crafty.Growing up I couldn't craft to save my life. My mom would drag me into craft stores against my will. I still have issues with them. I didn't realize then how relaxing crafting can be. It's a great way to unwind after (or during) a crazy day.

A little more about me. I have been married to the funniest, most amazing man for 9 1/2 years. I also have the privilege of staying home with our 3 crazy kids. They really are awesome.

I love to hang out with my family. We usually spend a lot of time outside when the weather lets us. We like to ride 4-wheelers and go camping.

Some of the things you will find on Not So Crafty are:

Ribbon Flowers

Handkerchief Dress

Filing Cabinet Redo

Strip Quilt and Burp Rags

Step Stool

I also do something different every day during the week. I have...

My Project Monday-I show something I have made, sometimes I include a tutorial

Tasty Tuesday-My weekly menu

What I like Wednesday-Features from my weekly link party

What the Cr@ft!? Thursday-Weekly linky party

Fresh Face Friday-Blog Swap or guest posters.

Thanks again to Summer for swapping with me.I had a blast! I hope to see you over at Not So Crafty!

.:Sponsor Sunday - Whimsy Couture:.

By now you all know that I love my sponsor, Whimsy Couture. I have a few patterns from Whimsy Couture, and I just adore them and have used them multiple times for both of my girls!

Whimsy Couture also has a blog that highlights deals, specials, shops, patterns - everything! There is even a linky party where you can link up any of your crafty projects - not just sewing!

Right now, Whimsy Couture is having a BUY TWO GET TWO FREE sale on patterns! This is a steal, so you better take advantage of it. It only goes through Monday night! After all, don't you want your sweet girl to look this cute?

(This is the strappy tops/dresses pattern. It might be my favorite!)

The latest pattern release from Whimsy Couture is the pattern for these bubble bloomers. Are they not to die for?

So get shopping and get sewing!

.:Things to Try Thursday - Checkbook Cover:.

I saw this great idea over at attempting creative. My checkbook cover has seen better days, so I'm thinking I need to whip up one of these babies!

Go here for the tutorial!

.:Coming Soon:.

Just a heads up to an exciting event coming up!

I'm going to be co-hosting with a bunch of other fabulous blogs the first...

It will be five days of themed linky parties with some of the best blogs out there.

There will also be giveaways going on at lots of the different blogs.

Details coming soon!

If you have a business that would like to host a giveaway during parade week, please email me at sumossweetstuff@gmail.com. This would be a fabulous way to get yourself out there!

.:Couple of things...:.

Sorry for no tutorial today! Things have been busy around these parts! Guess that's all part of summertime, and we're just trying to soak up the last little bit of my husband being off of school and home with us all of the time!

So just a couple of things for today!

Season Two of Win, Lose or Blog is officially underway! We've changed the format a bit this time around so that the season only lasts six weeks instead of eight. There are going to be weekly giveaways, and still chances for readers/followers to win prizes. We've got some great ladies working really hard, so be sure to go over there and cheer them on!

Also, there is still time to take advantage of my BUY ONE GET ONE advertising special going on right now! Go here to read about your options and/or contact me at sumossweetstuff@gmail.com if you are interested!

The linky party will be going on until Friday, so you've got all week long to link up what you've been working on!

Hope everyone is having a fabulous Tuesday. We're going to see Dave Matthews tonite, so I know mine is going to be!

.:Market Yourself Monday:.

I'm a slacker.

I don't really have anything new to share because I've continued being busy working on some new things for my etsy shop and for a fall festival that I'm participating in next week. I am also going out of town on Wednesday, so I've really been trying to crank out the products!

But that doesn't meant I don't want to know what you've been up to!

This is an open link party! Market yourself! Giveaways, tutorials, recipes, products, shops - link up whatever!

The linky list will be open until Friday at 11:59 p.m. MST.

There will probably not be a Saturday Showcase this week because I'll be out of town and won't have internet access. But I promise to look at everything when I get back!

Happy Monday!

.:Sponsor Sunday - Freckled Flower Shop:.

I'm sure you all remember my fabulous sponsor, The Freckled Flower Shop.

In case you have short term memory loss, let me remind me of a few of my favorite products:

Pettiskirts

Chrissy Earrings

Chrissy Ring

There's much more to look at, but that's just a little teaser for you. I'm still totally in love with the items I got to review.

The Freckled Flower Shop has some new things going on!

One new thing is that each week, there is an Item of the Week. Each week, an item is chosen and sold at a discounted price. The discounted price runs from every Sunday through the following Saturday. You know what that means, right? There's a new Item of the Week as of today! Better go check it out!

Chante, the owner of The Freckled Flower Shop, is a part of something really special right now. She is participating in a fundraising effort for her friend who has a daughter with a Chromosome 18 abnormality. From now through September 21st, 50% of purchase amounts to The Freckled Flower Shop will go to the Chromosome 18 Registry and Research. That is so generous of Chante! So help out a cause AND get something pretty to wear. Doesn't get much better! Chante will be announcing on September 22nd how much WE were able to help raise. Let's see if we can get that amount up there!

Go here to learn more about Chromosome 18.

So what are you waiting for? Head on over to The Freckled Flower Shop now. You won't be sorry!

.:Showcase Saturday:.

Welcome to another Showcase Saturday!

We had a great linky party once again. Here are just a few of my faves:

Monthly Baby Photos

Healthy Steak Fries

Anthro Knock Off Shirt

Garden Party Dress

And some t-shirt ideas using a Silhouette. (Hello, these are all over the internet right now. Is it shameless for me to say that I'd just love to try one out and give one away on my blog? Because I would. If anyone who can do anything about that is reading.)

Make sure you grab a featured button if I featured your idea today!

And as usual, come back on Monday for another Market Yourself Monday!

.:Feature Friday - Simpsonized Crafts:.

Yaaaahh! I'm SO excited to be blog swapping with Sumo today. She is simply AMAZING!! And I'm sure all of you would agree!

Well, let's get this blog swapping party started, shall we?...

HI!! I'm Audra, from Simpsonized Crafts... and then some!

I'm a wife to an outstanding, wonderful and patient man. Who loves me EVEN when I make craft messes (which is OFTEN)... That's TRUE love right??

I have two crazy-busy, goofy, loving and BEAUTIFUL girls.........

(They're 3 and 1 1/2 yrs.)

I love MANY things...but...I especially love using CRAFTING (in ALL it's forms) as a creative outlit!

This is WHY I started my blog (it's my six month blogiversary by the way! Yaaah!)

I'm constantly in the middle of a craft (and/or DIY) project... and then some lol.

-----

Come on over(s)....

-Come on over and look around... You JUST might like something there ;-)

-Come on over and say hi! I'd love to meet you!

-Come on over and link up... We socialize Monday til Sunday!

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Here are SOME projects that you could find at Simpsonized Crafts:

Egg Carton Decor

Sundae' Style Ice Cream Cake

Sour Cream Jewelry Box

Paper Towel Roll Decor

Missionary Scrapbook Cover

Picture Allegiance

Well, that concludes our little blog swap party! Thanks for letting me talk about myself lol.

Hope to see you around soon at Simpsonized Crafts... and then some! :)

BIG SPECIAL THANKS to Sumo for allowing me this opportunity! :)