Spring is in the air...So are the ants and the pollen

Springs is in the air... We have had a solid week of 60's and above. 

Lots of time has been spent outside, and at the park. 

Practicing walking on new terrain...

Playing our own tiny version of football...

Really hoping this Cherry Blossom fills out soon...

THIS however...

Is going to be a problem! They have infested my banister...there are thousands of them!

I am crafty, I am the Bug Creator, but I am no professional ant killer. Help! 

Any suggestions?

(p.s. they are RED fire ants, if they were black ants they could stay because I don't care about ants in my pants...but I am very allergic to red fire ants.)

Laundry mat comedy...

Welcome to Comedy Thursdays! 

(yeah totally just made that up) 

Today I thought I would share with you a bit of laundry mat humor from my trip yesterday with my friend. Not only does our laundry mat truly believes in signs. They have signs for everything! (including a ton of out of order signs) 

One sign just cracks me up every time I go in there and I want to steal it so bad! But that is bad... Don't steal kids, You'll go to jail and I can't ever take a shower without dropping the soap .

I did not get a photo because I was busy chasing my 1 year old but the sign says "Parents: PLEASE CONTROL YOUR CHILDREN!" 

Amen laundry mat sign AMEN! 

(he grabbed my camera off the couch brought it to where I was laying and laid on my arm)

Than to top is all off my 1 year old, who just learned to walk, decided going out the door was a fun game to play with mommy. Unfortunate for him he  missed the door one time and ran smack into the floor to ceiling window. Not only did he run smack into it but he did it with a hands up splat (yes I laughed... no that doesn't make me a bad mother... I made sure he was okay, eventually) 

But that is not even the best part folks! My drama king proceeds to slide down the glass with his forehead and hands all the way to the floor where he ever so daintily sits and puts his head on his legs. 

Than looks up at me and laughs. Yep he laughed. He is such a little comic. 

(at dinner tonight learning to eat with a fork)

Sponsors for fan love giveaway & a months free promotion! :D

Since I promised a 200 fan giveaway and we are now at 233 fans on the blog and 316 fans on facebook I am going to do a week of giveaways! 

I already have 5 of the days filled... I need two more sponsors (or more if I get enough responses and we can double up on the giveaways.) 

Want to join in on the fun? Here is the note I posted on facebook.

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Fellow WAHM's- I am looking for a few good ladies!

We are going to be celebrating 300+ facebook followers and 230+ blog fans! Therefore I would like to line up 7 days of giveaways...A different WAHM business everyday for a week. I already have two lined up so I need 5 more ladies! Great opp for WAHM's Especially new business's because your exposure won't be limited to that one week! 

When you donate an item (must include shipping) to the giveaway you get....

One day where your the focus of the blog

A button of your making linked to your store/blog/facebook page for a month on my sidebar

Tagged on facebook for promotions prior to giveaway and after for a month at least once a week reminding everyone to check out your store/services. 

All that promotion! :D

You are more than welcome to donate more than one item for your day of donation but one item is all we need! Do you do web design? Crochet? Sew? Knit? Stationary? Etc... Anything is welcome! 

(Copied directly off my stats in blogger....)

Pageviews today 

89

Pageviews yesterday 

286

Pageviews last month 

2,143

Please email me at bugcreator (at) yahoo (dot) com with what you would like to donate as well as a link to your store...

Thanks again! I will post once all the spots are filled. 

________________________________

So send me an email if you feel like joining in on the fun ! So far we have prizes for Wahm's, kids, babies, etc...! :D I can't wait! 

wow

In just a couple of days my Shopping Cart Tutorial has surpassed the page views that my third best tutorial has gotten in MONTHS! 

Holy moles! 

I guess that means I need to do some more tutorials huh? 

;) 

What would you like to see? Do you want more mom tutorials? Kids? Decorating? What?!

Ideas please :D

Bug's everywhere!

Just in case you missed it here is my post from the thrifty birthday party for my son that I guest blogged about over at Ready, Set, Create! head on over there and give Aleesha some buggy love for letting me be apart of her amazing little corner of the web.

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Being a single parent is not easy, and sometimes I get overwhelmed having this tiny person depend on me and only me 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. . But when it comes to planning a party I shine! So when my son's (bug)  first birthday started getting close (okay maybe it was 4 months ahead of time) I started planning how to do the party the cheapest way possible, to accommodate my budget, while not compromising the greatness of the party. 

I did a entire 1st birthday party for 48 people (38 were able to come) in well under $100!

So how'd I do it? Easy! 

-Made the cake myself ($22.76)

- Made all the decorations in photoshop & printed on cardstock I already had ($0)

-Purchased the invitations using codes for % off and free codes on Shutterfly.com ($.85)

-Did 16 goodie bags by going to the dollar tree, and clearance sections of wal-mart.($12.54)

The most expensive part of the whole thing was food which ended up costing around $52.00 for 38 people and we had some left!

Total party cost: $88.15

 for a party for 38 people... (we planned for 48 though)

Think that is impressive? I did my entire mistake wedding for $600 and it was amazing! 

(that included my dress & food)

Want to see photos? I know you do! 

(All photos were taken by an amazing photographer Jebbica @ Photos By Jebbica the ones that do not have her copyright were originals I edited ,graciously given to me because we forgot to grab snap shots with other cameras on the party...oops... lesson learned!)

16 little gift bags for our tiny guests...

In the bags-

bouncy balls, plastic bug, candy hearts, gummy works that we put in clear plastic bags left over from another party. 

Meat and cheese tray for food along with a fruit tray and some chips.

Cake:

4- 9inch double layer cakes 

dyed icing with gel color

Foam board to set it upon

I used a fork to "stab" the icing to make it a fuzzy caterpillar!

Dirt bowl- Crushed chocolate teddy grahams & gummy works thrown in...Big hit with the kids!

Banner- 8x10 cardstock made in photoshop using simple shapes and text

(thrifty wrapping with brown paper by my friend Emily)

(we had streamers from the dollar store going from our chandelier to each corner of the window and the banner on the window is made of cardstock )

Birthday boy

We even set up a tent tunnel for the kids to play in! Bug obviously thought it would be great to push my nephew through it. 

The cake was Bug Approved!

Awesome right? 

Don't forget to come visit me for tutorials, crafts, life, and more over @ The Bug Creator or on facebook

Thanks Aleesha for having me over! 

CSN stores giveaway WINNER!

Anonymous said...

I follow you on GFC for a long while now. I would use it on something for my daughter.

lovelytime2nite at aol dot com

Congratulations!!! 

Please contact me within 48 hours to accept your prize! 

(If I do not receive a email I will try to contact the winner once and than I will re-draw)

Winners of the Parents Palooza tickets!

The winners of the family of 4 prize pack of tickets to Parents Palooza are.....

(Winners please contact me at bugcreator@yahoo.com within 48 hours to receive your tickets.... )

Winner #1

Anonymous said...

Sorry you're going to miss the fun. My family would LOVE to attend this!

beppy020200@yahoo.com

Winner #2

Beth Anne Mowrey said...

I tweeted and facebooked about your giveaway!!
My email is bamowrey@aol.com
-Beth Anne

Congratulations winners! Have some fun for me! 

Walking away...

I feel like he is walking away from me. My son that is. He decided that since he is 1 now he has to grow up. Mommy is not a very happy camper about this! Bug is now walking all on his own... everywhere! 

Unfortunately as most parents know this means a LOT more bumps, and falls. 

Yesterday while getting ready for a trip to urgent care for bug because of his stomach issues it turned into a trip to make sure he did not have a concussion as well because he tried to run across the bathroom and ended up tripping on the carpet and hitting his head above his eyebrow against the edge of the tub. After confirming that he indeed did NOT have a concussion just a pretty red mark that would fade later that evening we came home and what does he do? Falls... AGAIN... This time trying to push his lightening mcqueen across the house sideways, which needless to say never works well on hardwood floors. 

Today he is so dang pleased with himself he literally walked circles around his foam bag all day! It was so dang cute. 

They sure do grow up fast...

Shopping Cart Cover Tutorial

I love shopping cart covers! They not only protect your little one from germs but they can be stylish buggy accessories! Okay maybe not... but that germ protection is reason enough to love them right? 

A friend of mine approached me and asked if I could make one for her son. Her significant other did not want one of the "girly" cart covers out there with the floral prints etc... He wanted MANLY! So we did manly L.A. Lakers style! 

While I was in the process of trying to figure out whether I wanted to wing it myself or wimp out and buy a pattern someone suggested turning it into a tutorial. So... I did! 

Here ya go! Enjoy! (tutorial after the jump)

Yep I'm such a tease!

Don't Forget these GREAT offers!

$50 CSN stores gift card giveaway! Low entries, ends 2/20

Parents Palooza tickets giveaway for our Atlanta Local Readers! ends 2/20


_________________________________

I finished it! 

The tutorial is 2 steps & and a few edited photos away from being finished as well! 

Thanks to my fantastic customer Carrie for being my test dummy. I can't wait for her to receive it! 

Check back Saturday!

I'm not just a mom!

Thanks to Crystal Light for sponsoring this post. To learn more about how Crystal Light can flavor your day with 30 refreshing flavors, visit http://www.facebook.com/crystallight.

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As women we usually grow up going to the mall with friends, taking long hot showers, & doing our makeup and hair before we leave the house.

Photo Credit

Than we become mothers and majority of the time we no longer have time for us. While being a mother is hard, being a single mother is just as, if not often more, difficult. As the sole provider of care 365 days a year I rarely have the luxury of an occasional long shower while someone keeps an eye on my son. 

So how do I keep from going crazy while not sacrificing precious time or neglecting bug? Another blog that I read faithfully introduced me to two life changing words when bug was about 3 months old....

Nighttime Crafting. 

Imagine my surprise when I realized that just because he was in bed didn't mean that it was time to only clean. I could have some time to me doing something that I love. Being a first time mom I really had not come across this concept yet because I fully believed that my life should revolve around baby 24 hours a day.

Since Bug is usually down for the night by 7:30-8:00 and I run as fast as my little chubby legs will carry me to my utopia, baby monitor in hand. I than usually spend from 8:00 until 12 midnight losing myself in music and sewing. 

Since this eye opening revelation I have come to the conclusion that even though I may not get to do my hair and makeup every time I leave the house.  And I usually have to take my long hot shower while my 1 year old plays peek-a-boo around the shower curtain. Or that I consider wal-mart to be my new mall/social outing. As long as I have my time to craft I can hold onto my sanity. 

Because, 

I am not just a mom, I am a woman too!



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Remember, visit http://www.facebook.com/crystallight to learn more about how Crystal Light can flavor your day with 30 refreshing flavors. I was selected and paid for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.

Guest blogging @ Ready Set Create

I forgot to mention... I am guest blogging today! At Ready, Set, Create! 

It is all about my thrifty birthday party and has party pictures too! 

Make sure to head on over and check it out. 

Not just lazing around...

Have you entered the giveaways? 

$50 CSN stores gift card to use in any of their 200+ stores! 

2 sets of 4 tickets to parents palooza in Atlanta! 

_______________________

I am so excited about the new tutorial I have been working on for you guys!

 I have been working on making a cart cover tutorial that is easy. 

I was going to make it my first ever pattern but I thought about it and said to myself, "Heck no!" 

So expect it towards the end of this week as it is almost finished. :D 

And just so you don't think that I am being lazy and not doing ANYTHING let me introduce you to my new found love of... KNITTING! 

(flower)

(hat for my bug)

And here are some adorable knickers I made for him while testing a pattern for Little Lizard King Patterns.

Yep I promise I am not just lazing around! 

Atlanta- Parents Palooza! TICKETS GIVEAWAY! {{CLOSED}}

Don't forget to enter the CSN $50 gift card giveaway!

__________________________________________________________________

Guess what?

 Parents palooza in Atlanta is coming up! I was invited to be a guest blogger at the event, however my grandfather is having surgery on his hand the week before and I am unable to go now. Can you just picture the sad face? 

But back to the happy! 

February 26th-27th is going to be a weekend filled with fun. The Cobb Galleria in Atlanta, GA is the place to be to experience all the fun to be had at Parents Palooza,

Activities-

*TumbleBus- Noted as the original gym on wheels!

*Disney Radio & Road Crew- Come meet the disney dj's and some of the road crew!

*Universal character meet and greet...

*Inflatable zone... Jump to your hearts content! 

*Meet the blogger

Speakers about child safety, marriage, paying for college, and more!

Performers from the circus, slangman, and than some!

Oh and prizes! You can't forget the prizes! 

Speaking of prizes... I have some, -insert dramatic drum roll-, FREE PASSES! Yes I have 2 sets of 4 passes! 8 total passes up for grabs to Parents Palooza! Two of my lucky reader families will get to experience the big fun at Parents Palooza for FREE! 

You can get any combination of tickets you want... But if you had 2 adults and 2 children that would be a $36 value! 

How to enter-

Follow this blog & leave me a comment with your email... Yep that's it. How simple is that? 

Extra entries! 

(leave a separate comment for EACH entry)

-Tweet about the giveaway and tag me #bugcreator in the tweet

-Update your facebook status about the giveaway

-Blog about the giveaway and leave me a link to the blog

-Like Bug Creator on facebook and post on the wall that you entered the giveaway 

This giveaway ends 2/20/2011 at 11pm EST

Getting that guilty feeling...

I am having bloggers guilt. 

I neglected the blog for several days. 

I didn't even post a hi! 

But I promise... there was a good reason...!

( I will be guest posting at Ready Set Create all about how I did this party on the cheap side later next week!)

(yes he was leaning upside down)

Unfortunately Bug was not feeling all that great so this adorable face...

Turned into this...

& the next day after a visit to Urgent care we found out that he has a severe ear infection in his ... you guessed it ... Right ear. He is feeling much better now! 

Mommy and bug opening presents. 

All of the above photos were taken by ( a new friend ) Jebbica at Photos By Jebbica whom was hired by my amazing friend Emily over at PaperPixieCrafts. 

This picture was snapped by my cousin Robert. We had quite a few people there. I think at last count it was 38! 

And just to show you how spoiled he is, 

Not one.. but two ride ons! lol 

So now that we are getting over ear-aches, party coma, and the massive toy clean out I did, I will get back to writing. :D I have a few things in mind. 

How was your weekend?