Halloween 2012

Hope you had a great Halloween! This is me with my #4 boy.  Long before blogging, I made the costume he is wearing, from a regular t-shirt, for my first baby boy. Almost all of my four boys have worn this. We had a few astronauts, a pirate, and this little pumpkin! Notice the car in his hand. Like all my boys...he just can't put it down. Loves cars!  Hope you had a great time with your family!

Thanks for reading!

False Pins, True Pins

I've been trying lots of recipes I found on pinterest. I have come to one conclusion: people will believe anything they see on the internet. AND we will pin it all!

SO...in the next while I have a few pins to share with you that were true, and a lot that were false.
Seriously-  you cannot believe everything you read on the internet....(yes people- anyone can edit and add to wikipedia.... just sayin- it isn't all always true.)

AND I have come up with a few "pet peeves" about pinning. (check the source first- for example- and uploaded by a user is not a source.)

Anyway- if the kids let me, as in go to bed and all, then I may have time to get some blogs up on this very important matter. ha ha.

Thanks for reading!

New Year, and a New Blog

Happy New Year- even though we are 11 days into it- it is still new!  If my children will all stay well and doctor free for more than a week, I will get some posts up here!

AND- I am going to start up my "weight loss" blog again--- and open it up to anyone who would like to lose some weight along with me. It might take me a while to get it going- but if you want to shed some pounds with me- I'd love to be blog BFF's. Once I get it all "cute" I'll post the link here if you'd like to follow over there too.

And don't worry- I'll still be posting my Sweets on Sunday on here, and all my other fun gems.

Thanks for reading!

IF YOU CAN'T SAY SOMETHING NICE...

It seems that every holiday season, people either decide to be nicer, or meaner.
I have recently had several people decide it was their job to "cyber-bully" or be a GRINCH .
Most of the time I ignore this immature behavior. Most bloggers know, that when you put yourself out there, someone is bound to find fault with you or what you have done or written. Some "know-it-all" who you have never met, is going to be rude.

I have had a few rude comments in the past, but for some reason it is always around the holidays.
For example-
I recently had someone quote "Wikipedia" to prove me wrong.
I recently had someone set up a blogger account with an insulting name, just so they could leave a RUDE comment. Seriously?

I don't understand what kind of results these people are trying to achieve. They don't know me. Are they trying to change me? Are they trying to cut me down? Would they say or do those kind of things to my face if they did know me? Are they trying to discourage me from writing anything more of this silly little blog? Are they trying to make themselves feel more important? Are they really so unhappy that it makes them feel good to insult other people online? Are they just desperate to be right? Do they get some kind of a thrill from being mean?
 I think these  kinds of people need to get a hobby.

I never claimed to know everything or write everything I put on here perfectly. I know it is flawed, as I am.  And I am my worst critic. I never claimed to raise my children perfectly, or be some sort of "super mom". I never started this blog as a way to earn money or become "blog famous." I have no desire for that nonsense. Sometimes I even think about deleting this blog and just focusing on family  and myself.
So take it as it is. If you read anything I write, know you will find mistakes.  I know there are post that have errors or did not explain everything  just perfectly. Please know if you read this blog, you will be reading something I probably did at 2 a.m.  Please know that anything on here comes from a regular mom, who enjoys creating beautiful things to make her home life lovelier, and her children happier. Please know she is trying to do the best she can with what she has been given. Please know I am just a person, sharing things I love for no reason at all...except that perhaps something I write- as flawed as it may be- may help someone, or encourage someone to try something new. Mostly, I just  really enjoy sharing ideas.

So this is just a friendly reminder to those mean people- who I still don't quite understand...

"If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all."

WINNERS of the Shutterfly Christmas Cards!

I love when there can be multiple winners! And I love when Random.org picks numbers that aren't usually the numbers that get picked. So here are the 3 winners according to random.org. YOU MUST email me to get your code/prize within 48 hours, or I will pick a new winner.

Winner 1:
rebecca said...



Yay! I love Shutterfly! Maybe if I finally did these, they wouldn't looks so last minute:)


Winner 2:


The Clark's said...



I got free Christmas Cards from Shutterfly last year and they turned out amazing! I would love to get my Christmas Cards from them again!



Winner 3:
momto2boys said...



I Love shutterfly and I love your blog! We had some family pics made at the beach this year that would be perfect for Christmas cards...and free would be awesome!!! :) Thanks!


 Happy Monday! And Thanks for reading! Another little Christmas give-a-way will be up this week!

Treats for my Readers

Since it is Halloween, I have a few give-a-ways for you this week, mingled in with some last minute Halloween posts! Please note, that I do get various companies emailing me and wanting me to do a give-a-way. I have chosen to not do that, without first trying the company or product myself. (I'm not going to give a product or company free advertising...just sayin...that is not the point of this blog and you can find plenty of that on other blogs.)

Anyhoo...a few fun little give-a-ways coming!

Thanks for reading!

What the Cuteness-Friday Finds- Via Pinterest

I am loving Pinterest! Not that I am on there everyday, (which is a good thing), but when I do look- there is so much eye candy it makes me about drool! Here are some fun things I have found in the past week via Pinterest.

Cute ZigZag quilt for a boy from Empty Bobbin Sewing

You have to see the back- it is really really cute!

This is just amazing! I wish I had a wall to do this to in my house.

This is from A Mountain Bride

Nutella Cookie Recipe-- need I say more? We could live off Nutella in this house. :)

From the archives of Centsational Girl she had this idea in her files! Clever clever!

There are so many good ideas out there! I love Pinterest- because it gives me a way to catalog them by photograph! OH....I love pretty photos and ideas :) Now if I had like a 1000 hours a day, I could attempt some of the great ideas I've found on Pinterest....

Happy Pinning! If you want an invite, shoot me an email :)

Pinterest?

I know a lot of you are on pinterest. I have several friends on it....and I need it. Yes, I need another thing in the internet world to spend my time on - ☺
I think this is the answer to helping me organize all the cute things I see you creative people do and allowing me to share them with you! {since I'm not so skilled w/ linky parties, and posting the cute stuff I find. done by you...}
And I guess you need an invite to join in on the fun!

So who wants to send me an invite? I will be your best blogger friend and follow you back on pinterest :)
THANK YOU- I got an invite and started pinning :) (STILL wondering why my sisters and sister-in-laws that are on there never sent me one but I forgive them for forgetting about me - ha ha)

If you want an invite, send an email to me and I'll be happy to send you one!!
send email to littlegemscrafts {at} gmail {dot} com

THANK YOU!!!

Spring Fever at Creation Corner

I'm participating! Creation Corner is having a tutorial and give-a-way a day this week! Check it out!
 It will be fun! I'll be sharing a tutorial, so I better get the creative juices flowing! Happy Spring!!

How Do People Blog Everyday???

Last week I had big blog plans. I had a kids post, a give-a-way, a tutorial, a recipe- you know- all the fun stuff.

As you can see...it did not happen. But it will. Very soon.

I have 3 boys- 5 and under and am about to have a 4th boy. I also teach preschool 3 mornings a week.

So between that, and laundry piles, a sink full of dishes, trying to make normal dinnertime meals, a ton of doctor appointments, and then finding time to blog everyday- as well as trying to take care of myself and my health--being 25 weeks pregnant.... it is just not happening.

But don't worry- it will.  Maybe not everyday- but those posts I am planning- I will get around to posting sometime soon.

I am working on a tute, a give-a-way (that I LOVE) and other things....so thanks for hanging in there with me while I take care of my real life!

And if you are a blogger who blogs everyday, I would really like to know your secret.......

Creative Estates!

 

I'm going! To a blog conference! Whoot!

Let's face it, I need some time away from my darling little boys.

And-- I am hoping for some blog help and inspiration.

Plus- "hello blog-expert-people-I-LOVE"- that will be there!

Can't wait to meet some wonderful people & learn some new things!

Hope I can recall how to be "social" in real life....it has been a while.

YAY to trying something new!

☺☺☺☺☺☺☺

 

What?

Happy Holidays! Apparently, I can't upload any of my photos to blogger unless I pay them money. What? This is silly.
Does anyone else have this problem? I guess I have used all my "free storage" space and now they want me to pay money to put photos on my blog.
Being that I do not use my blog to make money- just to share- I find it interesting that now I have to pay money to continue blogging....hhmmm- not sure how I feel about this.

So stay tuned.... while I figure this out....

ABC and 123

ABC and 123 has become one of my favorite sites lately! I have finding lots of great ideas for preschool, and for working with my kids on some "skills" at home.
They have featured me before, but they featured my chore chart from a place mat today. There are a ton of super cute chore chart ideas featured-so take a look! (I think kids need several chor charts- since they seem to get bored with one type after a while. :) )   And check out their site, if you haven't already- they have great ideas and links! Thanks ABC and 123!

Simply Utah

I'm a little busy these days- with preschool starting in a few days- and having kids in school now :)
But I had to let you know about a fabulous site!



Have you heard of Simply Utah? Well it is great- you can buy-shop-sell- find ideas and great blogs and enter giveaways. And even if you are not from UTAH- it still may have something for you- lots of great shops to see and ooohhh and aaahhhh over. :) Being that I am a UTAH girl- born and raised-turned ARIZONA girl- I just had to give a shout out for Simply Utah. So go take a look and find something Simply Great from a pretty great state.... :)

Losing Focus

{I have a fun give-a-way coming tomorrow!! Make sure to check back tomorrow!}

A while ago, some blog authors of a blog I really liked to read, decided they were losing focus and would not be publishing as much any more. In my own way, I am going to follow this example.

I will still be posting, but I am not promising how much or how often. I have lots of projects I have been working on to share, but writing posts and tutorials takes time and that is time away from my family and life.  ( for example-I would be a lot thinner if I was working out instead of sitting on the computer-ha ha ha- it's true.)

I  do have a super great give-a-way coming tomorrow! I will still be doing give-a-ways- so please email me if you are interested in sponsoring a give-a-way.

I will still be doing guest posts- if you would like to be a guest on My Little Gems please email me.

However, I CANNOT promise to do guest posts for others myself. Please understand... I have an inbox full of people I still have not gotten back to about doing a guest post or featuring this or that project. I apologize. I will try to get to you, but if you would like to feature something you see on here, leave me a comment with the link on where you are featuring it. As always, please link back to the original site/post. :)

I plan to get my etsy shop back up and going.....maybe...after I finish a few other projects :)

However- at this time I will not be taking any advertisers or sponsors. I started this blog as a fun way to keep track of my projects and ideas. I never intended for it to become anything more than that.

I will also not be responding to "blog awards". Although I really appreciate those awards, it has been obvious that I have not and do not make time for those things. I apologize for any awards I have not acknowledged.

I am also in the process of removing my links from this site and putting them all in Google Reader. Let's face it, there are just too many darn good blogs out there to list them all on here, and everytime I look at that list, I feel overwhelmed. I can't possibly read all the good stuff out there. I use Google Reader most of the time anyway. :) ...just a bunch of digital clutter I am trying to  organize for myself :)


I have three little kids. I have a husband who has a really crazy job. We have plans for our family and our future. I love technology, but have found it interfering with my life.

I appreciate all my online friends, readers, and followers. Thank you for taking time to read and share with me in the internet world. Thank you for giving credit where credit is due. I really appreciate you all!

FYI to family and friends: I am closing up my private family blog and completely deleted my facebook account.

Arizona Bloggers Tour De Thrift

O.K. Arizona  Blogger Peeps who ♥ Goodwill....here is an event you will not want to miss! Cute as A Fox and Aly & Ash are throwing a Goodwill Party with all kinds of sponsors and fun! I so wish I could go...but we are moving at the same time :( and I'm pretty sure I could blow our moving budget with some Goodwill shopping.....um yeah, issues. But let me just tell you, I bought my first piece of furniture from D.I. (Utah's Goodwill) back in the 90's refinished it, used it for years, and now it is in my boy's room. That is a story for another post. :) AND wait until you see my desk- that is just about finished!! I just L♥VE some Goodwill finds.

 So do you need a little Goodwill fix? Check out the details here. The event is June 19th!! Oh the fun! It is in Phoenix/Chandler area. Check it out-- I can't wait to hear how it went :) Wish me luck on the big-fat-move :) maybe I can sneak away and attend this....maybe. :)

A Little FYI: blogs, scams, and ads

This is a passing-along-of-information-post for avid bloggers :)

I receive many emails about all kinds of things concerning this blog. :) I really enjoy hearing from my readers! THANKS! I appreciate your comments, contact, and interest. ;)

Recently, I received an email wanting to know if I would like to place a text ad on my blog for a very nice and reasonable fee. Of course, it sounded great. With a little research, I soon learned that I was being "scammed". This ad, although about a real product, was not from the actual company. In order to pay me, they wanted my pay pal information sent over to them through email. I immediately saw a red flag and figured the entire thing out. :)
SO WATCH OUT if you have a blog, and are contacted about advertising...make sure it is an authentic source and advertiser :)

Second, there is a popular blog on my sidebar, that I am removing. (or have already) This blog contains very fun and useful information. I have enjoyed reading it in the past, and seeing it featured on many local (Utah) shows. But, for the past several visits to this blog, I have gotten a virus on my computer, every time I log on to the site. I believe it is probably from an advertiser, and the owners of the blog/website may not be aware at all that this is going on. I would like to contact them and let them know, but I don't want to log back onto it because of the virus. :) Fortunately, I have software installed, that warns me of this, and catches it right away.

So....in summary- I just wanted to warn you all, to watch out for this kind of stuff  . :) I have considered putting ads on here, but I'm not a fan of just any ads on a blog-as when I am reading I find it a little annoying myself...but you gotta do what ya gotta do! I have spent a ton of $$ on this little blog and never recovered a penny of it....so if in the future you do see ads, you will understand why:) {I prefer to call them sponsors- people who love what I do and I love what they do!}  I am all  for stay-at-home- moms who are earning a little on the side doing something they love-making jewerly, selling fabric, making cards, birthday party supplies, sewing items, etsy shops, photography,  teaching piano, pre-school, etc. -you get the idea. :)  I am one of those moms myself :)  That is the kind of ads I would love to support My Little Gems... ♥ ☺ ♥  Since this blog started out about things I love, I'd kind of like to keep it that way- so I'm all for products and companies I love too! -Did you hear that Target? Pottery Barn? Want to advertise? ha ha :)

If you are interested in very reasonable rates, and run a small business from your home, I would love to help you out and promote your business. I would also love to run a post or give-a-way for you....{free} ;) See contact tab on top :)

Thanks for reading!

Winner! Winner! Make A Hungry Girl Recipe for Dinner :)

I know you can't believe it! I am announcing a winner already-usually it takes me like forever.

The winner was #65 according to Random.org
And it was
CAS who said:
Gotta love hungry girl...can't wait to see the new book!

CAS email me (under contact on top) and I will get you your new cookbook!

THANK YOU to everyone who left a comment and entered!

AND to everyone else that wants to try the cookbook- check out your local Costco-where I got mine for around $10.
Want to try Hungry Girl before buying the book? Sign up for the emails at hungrygirl.com and get free recipes.

{You should know I was not getting paid to do this. I truly love Hungry Girl. What can I say- she is a girl after my own heart- loves to eat and create yummy food without the high calories and fat. And she does just that. Combines low cal-high taste foods. And if you are like me, you can adapt or tweak the recipes slightly to work for you entire family. So go take a look at it and see if it is something that might work for you. }

Thanks for reading!

Coming Soon

I have not forgotten you, my faithful readers. Just sick kids and  a teething baby and a lot of housework and lots other stuff going on around here lately....

Here is what I have coming up:

THIS WEEK:

YUMMY + HEALTHY COOKBOOK GIVE-A-WAY - some of you don't like give-a-ways. BUT you like being healthy and eating yummy food at the same time right? I have tried many recipes in this little surprise give-a-way, and I loved them so much, I wrote the publisher, and because they are so so nice, they gave me a copy to give to you!! How cool is that? I can't wait to share this one with you!

Tote bag Tutorial- I'm going to try to get another tote bag made with a step-by-step tute just for you. If you can sew a straight line and use an iron, you can make this. 

Pre-school Craft and ABC Ideas-In the archives of My Little Gems, you will find lots of kid craft ideas, story time ideas, etc.  But lately, you may not have found many on here. We are still doing them here at home- just haven't posted much lately. So, I plan to return to sharing a few ideas- since this is one of those categories I just love! Some of them may be oldies but goodies, but hopefully you'll find something new and fun to do with your own kids.

And I hope to fix all the kinks in my new blog design so that you can find things a little easier. I just need to tweek a few things. Love my new look- thanks to Maggie!

AND IN THE NEAR FUTURE:

I have a few FURNITURE RE-DO's that are in the works, to share and show you, yummy recipes, sewing and craft projects, great links and projects that are out there....and the regular little old gems.

If there is something you would like more of, recipes, tutorials, kids crafts, etc. Please leave a comment or send me an email .....as I would love to hear from you!

AND if you have a great craft project or blog, or a business from home, I'd love to feature you! Please contact me :)
Thanks for reading ! Have a great week and stay tuned....

Winner! Winner! See's Chocolates for Dinner....

FINALLY I picked a winner for the one pound of See's Chocolates! The winner according to Random.org was #3 Carol who said:

Yum! Love See's chocolates! What a fun giveaway! I'm a follower! Stop by and visit me, I have a giveaway going on!

Carol - contact me- as soon as possible -so I can get you your chocolate! And THANKS to everyone who played along! Happy Easter!