.:Market Yourself Monday:.

Whoa!

Well, hello there! It's been awhile, hasn't it? 

I've been visiting my family in Oregon for the holidays, and ended up taking an unexpected break from blogging and basically social media in general. I have to admit, it's been kinda nice to step away. 

We enjoyed a lovely Christmas with 14 kids ages 6 and under, and 26 people total. It was a lot of presents, a lot of craziness, and a lot of fun! I hope you enjoyed your holidays as well!

Since we've been here, our computer died on us. I'm talking smoking, crazy screen sort of died. It's kind of a hard hit since we just paid for Christmas, but hopefully we'll be able to find a good deal on a new laptop once we get back to Utah. I'm posting this from my brother's computer at the moment! 

So things might be a little quieter for a bit longer while we get our computer situation figured out. But in the meantime, I do at least have tutorials scheduled so I won't leave you totally high and dry! 

Since this computer situation happened, and I just wasn't on top of things, I still haven't chosen my contributors for this blog. I know, totally horrible of me. So if you've been waiting for a response - I'M SORRY! I promise I will get back to you soon! If you are reconsidering your application to be a contributor, please feel free to let me know you'd like to be removed from consideration. Otherwise, I'll be letting people know in the next week or two one way or the other. I promise! 

Anyway, let's get the party going! If I can, I'll be posting features on Saturday! 

Happy Linking!

.:Merry Christmas:.

.:Showcase Saturday–CHRISTMAS:.

Here’s a little Christmas round up to finish up the Christmas season for you this year!

Click over to the original source before you pin any of these fabulous ideas!

Burlap Ornament Wreath

Christmas Music Subway Art

DIY Wrapping Paper Wreath

Cake Ball Frosty Snowglobe

Glass Ball Ornaments

12 Days of Christmas Gift Tags

Christmas Candy Bark

Grab a featured button if I showcased your idea today!

Merry Christmas!

.:Cricut Deals:.

I love my Cricut mini. 

It helped me create this fun faux frosted window by my front door.

I have other big plans for this machine once we get through the holidays. There are so many things you can do with a digital cutter!

If you are wanting Santa to bring you one, or think you're going to have some Christmas money burning a hole in your pocket, then you'll want to check out the great deals that Cricut is offering. 

Click the links at the top of my right sidebar to see the great bundle deals that Cricut is offering right now! There's a bundle for a Cricut Expression 2, as well as a bundle for some vinyl if you already have a machine. Either way, you win with great prices!

These deals will run through January 31st!

.:Giveaway Winner - Signs by Andrea:.

The winner of the free custom family rules print from Signs by Andrea is:

Amy

Email me at sumossweetstuff@gmail.com to claim your prize!

.:Merry & Bright - FREE Printable:.

I’m sure we are all busy with the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, so I’m going to keep it quick and short today.

I’ve recently learned some very basic things about making printables using PicMonkey. I’m still a newbie, but I’m having fun learning a little bit.

This printable is totally the brain child of my sister in law and a sign she made for her home (which was amazing by the way!) So I just took her idea and made it into a little printable to share with all of you.

Just something fun, with a little whimsy and a little color to brighten up your holidays.

I created it for size 8x10 – so I’m sure it can print smaller than that, but I’m not sure about anything bigger than that.

Go here to grab the printable.

Do you like printables? Want to see more?

.:Day of Remembrance:.

.:Market Yourself Monday:.

Happy Sunday!

I’m sorry I am so late getting the party up tonite. We spent the day with family, celebrating Christmas, and I just wasn’t on top of things enough to have the post scheduled. It’s just a busy time of year, right?

Anyway, I won’t ramble on too long. But before we start the party I do want to let you all know that tomorrow I will be participating in a blogging day of silence to honor those who were so affected by the tragedy in Connecticut a few days ago. I am seriously heartbroken about what happened, and can’t even being to imagine what people are feeling. My heart and prayers go out to everyone who was affected.

Alrighty, party time! The most viewed link from last week was:

M&M Gift Set

Get your link on!

.:Christmas Round-Up:.

Here’s a little round up of some Christmas ideas from the past on Sumo’s Sweet Stuff for your viewing pleasure! (And you may enjoy a laugh out of some of my earlier photographing non-skills!)

Book Christmas Tree

Create your own ornaments

Christmas Stockings

Christmas Card Display

Holiday Neighbor Gift – Candy Cane Whoopie Pie Recipe

Ribbon Tree

Mod Podged Plate

Advent Calendar

Merry Merry!

.:Giveaway Winner - Mrs. Smith's Pie & Williams-Sonoma Gift Card:.

The winner of the free Mrs. Smith's pie and $50 gift card to Williams-Sonoma is:

Wendy Rozema

Congrats!

Email me at sumossweetstuff@gmail.com with your mailing address.

.:Review & Giveaway–Signs By Andrea - CLOSED:.

** GIVEAWAY CLOSED **

Printables are super trendy right now. I love seeing all of the typography and print in people’s homes. I’m a big fan of monograms, quotes, and anything in that same vein.

I was contacted by Andrea of Signs by Andrea to see if I was interested in reviewing a new product from her shop – Family Rules Printable – of course I was happy to oblige!

The Family Rules Printable is something that you get to customize yourself – there are different styles and colors to choose from, and you can choose from a list of rules, as well as add your own.

The process is super simple; it really doesn’t take much time at all! As you choose your options and rules, there is a preview that changes with each thing that you choose. It gives you an instant look at what you are creating!

And then you end up with a gorgeous piece of art for your home that you can print right away!

I love the clean, classic look of it. It’s going to look smashing in a black frame in my home! I might have to add it to my gallery wall in my hallway.

It would look good up there, wouldn't it?

Would you like to win the chance to design your own personalized set of family rules as a printable from Signs by Andrea?

Here’s how you can do it:

Go to the Custom Family Rules Artwork builder and design your own custom family rules. Comment back here with which design is your favorite.

Want another entry?

Pin your design and comment back with the link.

This giveaway will run through Monday, December 17th. I will announce the winner on Tuesday, December 18th.

Good luck!

.:Tutorial Tuesday–Key for Santa + a Printable:.

This post was originally shared on Tatertots & Jello.

Today I am sharing a super simple craft that your little ones will love and feel re-assured by: a key for Santa!

We just built a house, but don’t have a fireplace or a chimney. Our last home didn’t either, and I know we’re not alone in this. This will be just the ticket to calming those sweet little fears that Santa won’t be able to visit this year.

To get started, you’re going to need some supplies:

- key (I found this one in the Michael’s dollar section last year)

- Mod Podge

- glitter

- ribbon

- cardstock

- Santa tag

- paint brush

- tacky tape (or some sort of double sided tape or glue stick)

Give your key a good coat of Mod Podge, then sprinkle glitter over it. Do this for both sides.

You might want to spray some sort of sealant over your key so that your glitter doesn’t come off. I used Krylon’s sealer that is meant for their Glitterblast spray paint.

While your key is drying, you can get started on the tag. Print off the tag here.

I’m no poet, but I think it works. Tape or glue the tag to a piece of cardstock.

You can leave your tag as is, depending on what kind of cardstock you used, but I wanted to glitter mine up. We are a house full of girls after all. I just used my paint brush to paint in the dots on my cardstock, and then used red glitter over it.

Punch a hole in the corner, and get your ribbon ready.

Once your key is dry, string it on your ribbon, throw on a jingle bell if you feel so inclined, and tie it up!

Then when Christmas Eve rolls around, have your kiddos help hang it on your front door so that Santa has a way in to leave you some goodies!

Festive and fun!

Do you have a chimney or do you need a key?

.:Giveaway Winner - Little Dress Pattern:.

Check out the Rafflecopter widget below to see if you are the winner of the three pack of patterns from Little Dress Pattern!

Email me at sumossweetstuff@gmail.com to claim your prize!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

.:Giveaway - Cricut Vinyl Supplies:.

Using vinyl is such a trend right now; there are so many ways that you can use it.

Decorations, signs, banners, stencils, etching….the possibilities are endless. If you’re looking for great quality, great selection, and great prices, then Cricket Vinyl Supplies is just who you need!

Cricket Vinyl Supplies offers everything you need from machines to vinyl to transfer tape.

In addition to your normal matte and glossy vinyls, Cricket Vinyl Supplies offers some fun metallic vinyls. I’m loving this black metallic vinyl. I could find so many uses for it in my home!

What about this etched glass vinyl? The mint is so pretty!

Cricket Vinyl Supplies offers much, much more. You could spend a lot of time browsing through the fantastic supply of vinyl. And the best news is that the vinyl comes in 10 different sizes, including sheets, yards, and rolls.

Cricket Vinyl Supplies was kind enough to send me some vinyl and a blank banner to try out. I was treated to some red, green, gold, silver, and black vinyl. And I knew just the thing to create with my new suppplies!

My entire family is going to be at my parent’s house in Oregon for Christmas. There are 14 grandkids, ages 6 and under. Yeah, it gets crazy. Crazy fun!

My parents are amazing and always finding ways to make things super memorable and super fun for all of us. This year they are putting on a Polar Express! All of the kids get to earn their ticket leading up to us all getting together at my parent’s house. Then we’ll have a Polar Express night, where the kids will give their tickets to my parents, who will then take them on the four wheeler Polar Express down to their barn for presents, hot chocolate, and of course, watching Polar Express.

I know, my parents rock.

So I thought it would be fun to make a banner to hang in their barn – I’m pretty sure we’ll be using it for years to come!

What do you think?

I kind of love it.

The vinyl cut perfectly, and was easy to apply. The banner is high quality, and I know it will last for a long time – this new tradition isn’t going anywhere soon, so that is good news for us!

Would you like a chance to win your own holiday or business banner kit?

Head on over to Cricket Vinyl Supplies for the Rafflecopter to enter!

Only US and Canada are eligible for shipping reasons. 

If you just can't wait to see if you've won, and want to order some vinyl, use the code sumossweet to receive 15% off your order through December 31st, 2012!

.:Market Yourself Monday:.

Happy Sunday!

How has your weekend been?

Ours has been pretty quiet. I think we’re hoping if we keep things simple and low key, we’ll eventually get better….right? This past week, my two remaining kids got pink eye, and we are still battling the cold/cough/etc. It’s going to be a long winter I fear! I did spend some quality time with my washing machine and cleaning supplies, so hopefully that will help usher it all out.

It’s been snowing here for the past two days, and it’s been just beautiful! Gets me in the Christmas spirit, and we have some wrapped presents under my tree now; anyone else love wrapping as much as I do?

One little item of business.... go here to enter the giveaway for a free Mrs. Smith's pie and a $50 gift card to Williams-Sonoma. It ends tomorrow! And the Little Dress Pattern giveaway ends in a few hours, so go enter to win a 3 pack of patterns!

Anyway, let’s get to the party! We had a great turnout last week!

The most viewed link was:

Christmas Paper Trees

Let’s see what you’ve been working on! But first, a few reminders:

- Link back! Please!!!!

- Just about anything goes as long as it’s relevant and appropriate; giveaways, shops, recipes, crafts, tutorials – I’m seriously not picky. Just be nice and do what I asked above when you can!

- By linking up, you’re giving me permission to pin and spotlight your post with a link and one picture. If you aren’t okay with this, don’t link up!

- Visit a few other links. It’s just nice, and comments are becoming so much more a thing of the past; it’s nice to let someone know when you like something they did. We all love that, I think!

Happy Linking!

.:Giveaway Winner - Shutterfly:.

The winner of the $50 credit to Shutterfly is:

Sarah Jane

Congrats!

Email me at sumossweetstuff@gmail.com to claim your prize!

.:Showcase Saturday–Christmas Food:.

For Showcase Saturday today, I am featuring some fun Christmas/holiday food.

Be sure to click over to the original source if you want to pin anything!

Snowman Fluff Spoons

Mini Christmas Cups of Cocoa on a Stick

Marshmallow Santa Candy Canes

Twisted Peppermint Cookies

Hot Cocoa Dippers

Candy Cane Pudding Parfait

Snow Globe Cake Pops

Christmas Tree Bread

Easy Snowman Pops

Holiday Surprise Bon Bon Cookies

Christmas Light Cookies

Christmas Light Candies

Candy Train Patterns

Be sure to grab a featured button if I showcased your idea today!

Have a fantastic weekend!