Scenty's 2014 Scentrend!!!

Scentsy just released their new exclusive scent for 2014. And I got to get a sneak peek! It smells absolutely divine!!!

 

 

 

The new scent for 2014 is Simply Nashi Pear. I found it to be light and cheerful, but this is what Scentsy has to say about their new scent:

 

"International fragrance leader, Scentsy Fragrance today announced Simply Nashi

Pear, a mouthwatering blend of juicy sweetness, as ScenTrend 2014. Based on

trend analysis, the annual ScenTrend designation identifies the up-and-coming

fragrance note which consumers will find in home as well as fine fragrances.

 

Simply Nashi Pear’s brightness underscores the importance of living life with

a sense of playfulness and lightheartedness,” said Heidi Thompson, President of

Scentsy, Inc. “This year is about remembering to savor and celebrate life’s little

moments.”

 

 

I love that they want their scent of the year to inspire people to savor and celebrate life. How awesome is that?

 

 

In the next few days, I'll be posting a review of the warmer and scents that I received. The warmer is absolutely gorgeous and the scents are so yummy! Be sure to come back and see more!

 

 

Gift Giving with Uncommon Goods

I know it's not even Halloween yet, but I've already started my Christmas planning. I'm a planner at heart, so I make lists upon lists to get ready for the gift giving season. And I start making those lists months in advance! One of the things I love about planning out gifts is thinking of and finding unique gift ideas. That's where Uncommon Goods comes in! They have gifts for all ages and sizes and for every room in the house.

 

My step-father is probably the hardest person on my list to shop for. He's very particular about what he will allow as décor in his house, which is why something like this Eye Glasses Holder would be perfect for him. It fits in with the theme of his home and serves a purpose! You can check out other Christmas gifts and stocking stuffer ideas here.

 

 

My mom just (finally) upgraded to a smart phone, so this portable iPhone charger could be just the thing for her. It's cute and vibrant, so she won't lose it easily. She can also take it anywhere that she can't take her wall or car charger. Uncommon Goods has so many other unique gift ideas for women!

 

 

We're also shopping for my sister and brother-in-law. We love to get together with them and play games, so a new board game from Uncommon Goods might be right up their alley. Split Decisions sounds so much fun!

 

 

 If you're looking for something funny and unique, how about these Warm or Cool Face Mugs from Uncommon Goods. Aren't they hilarious?! They're perfect for storing extra marshmallows, cookies, or some donut holes.

 

 

 If you're looking for something unique to give those on your gift-giving list, then definitely take a peek at what Uncommon Goods has to offer. Have you ever checked out their website before? Is there anything that's on your list this year?

 

 

 

 

 

(This post is sponsored by Uncommon Goods. I received payment for writing this post, but all opinions in this post are my own. This post contains no affiliate links)

The Amazings Online Classes Review

Have you heard of The Amazings yet? I just recently learned about their classes and I'm in love with the idea!

 

 

 

The idea behind The Amazings is that there are some amazing elders out there who have perfected their craft - and we can learn so much from them! These expert elders (and others that aren't so elder) create their own video "classes" to teach their craft to others. It's kind of like attending a class at Michaels, Joann's, or any other craft store, but you're learning online! You have access to the class video forever - anytime or anywhere! If you're unsure of a step, you can watch the video again as many times as you need.

And these aren't just amateur videos like you would find on YouTube. These are professional videos with expert filmmakers!

 

The classes are split into chapters so you can go through the class at your own pace or easily access any specific section that you need to review. The sections are typically short. The longest section I saw was just over 10 minutes. The chapter lengths may vary in length in other classes, however.

 

 

They also offer the ability to comment on the class or have a conversation with the teacher. The class list is in the left sidebar, so you have access to it any time. There are also files included that you might need (like patterns) for the class.

 

 

The price for the classes are very reasonable, especially considering that you have access to the classes forever. If you take a class at a craft store, they're typically between $20-$40. You have the notes and books from the class, but no videos to refer to or teacher to contact after the class is over. With The Amazings, the classes range from $12-$28 - and you get the unlimited viewing and teacher availability forever!

 

The offers from The Amazings are also very unique. Most of them aren't the traditional craft store classes - like scrapbooking, beading, or cake decorating. Instead, they offer classes like:

 

-Make Home-Dyed Jewellery

-Machine Embroider a Textile Necklace

-Needle Felt a Furry Friend

-Big Knit a Weekend Bag

-Loom Knit Your Own Beanie and Bobble Hat

-Make a Butterfly Pendant from Silver Metal Clay

-How to Make an Altered Book

-Make Your Own Natural Beauty Products

-Make a Mosaic Flower Pot

 

And others, too! What's so great is that the skills you learn can be applied to other projects. In the Home-Dyed Jewellery class, you learn how to properly dye your own yarns, which can be used for other projects! You can learn how to needle felt and make your own dryer balls instead of a furry friend. Or, you can apply the mosaic making skills to making a stepping stone.  

 

Another thing that I loved about this idea is that they have the classes set up so that you can start from any point. In the Make Home-Made Dyed Jewellery class, if you're not ready to start dying and spinning your own yarn, you can just start with store-bought yarn and create the jewelry. I also love all the insider tips that you gain from a video class like this. Things like how to remove air bubbles from the dye and to just collect (or keep) old spoons for mixing.  In this video that I watched, the class was taught by Helen and Anna. I don't know if they were friends or not off screen, but watching them teaching and learning was like sitting with two of my dear friends. It was fun, lively, and entertaining, but I was also learning something new!

 

The one downside of the classes is that since this is a London-based company, the teachers in the videos all have an accent. It can be hard to understand some of the words they say or to know what the terms they're using mean. It's not a bad thing and I don't think they should try to change the way they speak, it's just something to be aware of. I was able to get used to listening to them and figure out the meanings of the words they used. For instance, "cling fill" is what we refer to as plastic wrap or saran wrap.

 

All in all, I loved the classes that I was able to review. It's such a fun concept and they have such unique class offerings. I love the idea of being able to review a video (from an expert) at any time or any place! What class are you most interested in taking?

 

 

(I was contacted by The Amazings and asked to review their website and classes. I was provided with access to 2 classes in exchange for giving my unbiased opinion. All opinions and thoughts expressed in this post are my own.)

Warfare by Duct Tape Helmets

Earlier this week, I posted about the Warfare by Duct Tape and Jewels by Julia review (and giveaway). I made the super cool sword and battle axe. Today, I'm back with another Warfare by Duct Tape project for you. I created both the Greek Helmet and Barbarian Helmet.

My little guy loves them! So does his friend! Yesterday as they were playing outside, they came inside and grabbed them to take back outside. Then they proceeded to go about "chopping" the trees and fighting the monsters and dragons outside. They had so much fun using their imaginations!

 

 
These were really simple to make! I did both of them in about 3 or 4 hours. It could have been less but I was visiting with my neighbor and we were interrupted by kids a few times too. But still, 2 projects completed within 3 hours? That's my kind of project!
 
I finished the first helmet and was making sure it fit Andrew. He let his friend try it on and they both thought it was totally awesome. After a few minutes of playing with it, his friend came and asked me if I could make one for him too. How sweet is that? I was already planning on making both helmets so they could play together, so he was happy that he would get to wear one too. They're definitely a hit with these 4- and 5-year olds!!
 
Here's what I used - just some cardboard, the pattern pieces (included in the e-books), duct tape, and scissors.
 

 
I don't want to give away their patterns and instructions, so I won't go into exact details about how I made them, but here are a few shots of them in action.
 

I did have to make them just a big smaller than the pattern called for, but not by much because my little guy's head is pretty big. I also opted to leave off the spike and the crest on the top of the helmets. Andrew said he didn't want them, and I figured they might be easier to play in with the extra things on top. But that's the great thing about these e-books and patterns - outside of the basic pattern, you can customize it any way you want!

Andrew LOVES wearing them!
 

 
You've still got time to enter the giveaway to win your very own copy of one of the e-books from Warfare by Duct Tape or Jewels by Julia. The giveaway is open through June 26th, 2013.
 
You can also take advantage of the discount they're offering. Just use code "someday20" to get 20% off at checkout. The code will be good through July 10th, 2013 and is good for both the Warfare by Duct Tape and Jewels by Julia shops.

Where We Link:
No Minimalist Here, Sew Much Crafting, I Gotta Create, Seven Alive, Live Laugh Rowe, The Shabby Creek Cottage, Ginger Snap Crafts, Trendy Treehouse, Sew Much Ado, The DIY Dreamer, If It's Not Baroque, Hickory Trail, My Turn For Us, Funky Junk Interiors, Create, Craft, Love, Simply Dream & Create, Suburbs Mama, Raising Memories, Classy Clutter, I Should Be Mopping, Under the Table and Dreaming, Keeping It Simple, Piggy In Polka Dots, Homemaker on a Dime, Alderberry Hill, C.R.A.F.T., Sew Can Do, Crafting My Way to Success, A Peek into My Paradise, Create With Joy, Natasha in Oz, The Gunny Sack, Better With Age, Crafty Confessions, Elizabeth & Co.,

Product Review Epson R2000

Today I have the opportunity to share with you something really great. The folks at Epson sent me a R2000 printer to review for you. 

First the facts, the Epson R2000 is a professional level printer. It prints on a wide variety of medias including glossy, matte, and luster photo paper, cardstock, overlays and even canvas! It also can print up to and impressive 13 inches in width and a unlimited length. This makes it a great choice for scrapbookers and crafters who are looking for an option to print larger prints at home. It uses 8-color UltraChrome Hi-Gloss® 2 pigment ink including two different blacks and a special cartridge just for glossy prints. 

Let's talk a little about size. I'm not going to lie, this printer is a monster. Taking up the space of almost two all in one printers and weighting in at over 20 lbs, it's a beast. I knew in advance of it's size and planned for a space to house it. Keep this in mind when you purchase.

Because I have had many bad printer installations in my history, I was a little worried about set it. I knew that I would have to be using the printer wirelessly and would not be able to ever connect it to the computer. I grew even more nervous when I discovered that the install instructions were little more than pictures and a few words. I proceeded with caution. I am happy to report that installation was a breeze!!! I have never had an install of any computer hardware go so smoothly. Within 15 minutes of opening the box, I was happily printing my first test page.

I used several media types to create my test prints. Premium Glossy Paper, Velvet Fine Art Paper, Ultra Premium Luster Paper,  Matte Presentation Paper and Matte Double Sided Scrapbook Paper. 

    

Each paper, to me serves a very specific purpose.

In terms of everyday portraits and prints to give to my family my pick is the Premium Glossy Paper. The prints were very true to color from my calibrated montior and they print fast! I 5x7 took just 45 seconds. Great when I have eager family members that want their photos now.

For myself and my albums, I would choose to print with the Ultra Premium Luster Paper. This paper is top of the line and the quality backs that up. In terms of color match, I printed straight from my Lightroom software using printer manages color settings, color space sRBG, and an overall brightening of +5. I have found in the past with my other Epson that they tend to be a little darker than my screen. The +5 brightness did the trick.

I used the Double-sided Scrapbook paper to do print and cuts directly from my Silhouette Cameo. Let me tell you how exciting it was to no longer be limited to an 8.5x11 print and cut. Amazing!! Of all the matte papers I have tried, this really holds up well. The color is slightly duller than my screen using the same above settings, but just perfect for graphics. Myself, personally I would not use it for photos due to the dull quality of the prints, but that being said the color match was spot on.

In addition of all the the formentioned media, this printer will also print CDs. I used this feature to create custom DVDs for our family from a recent reunion.

Although I have long feared the ink consumption that I have read plagues Epson Large Format Printers, I was pleasently surprised that it did not suck ink as my pervious Epson did. To date I have printed 5 full 12x12 pages, 10 8.5x11 luster pages, 10 DVDs, two velvet fine art 8.5x11 prints and 10 5x7 prints. The ink levels are just now starting to drop below the full level. I'm very impressed for an ink jet. Price to replace all 8 cartridges is: $79.99. which is much cheaper than previous models from Epson and other retailers.

Final Verdict: If you are looking for a professional grade photo printer that will allow you to print large formats on a wide variety of media, this is the printer for you. Because of it's hefty price tag: $499.99, it may not be right for the casual printer. As a semi professional photographer, it has already delivered on that price tag. I can print family and client photos late at night and be confident in the results. I can scrapbook and product digital products in print at a scale I could only dreem of before. I can also print art work and other images for my home on the high quality papers and use them for home decor at a fraction of the cost in store. I cannot wait to use this printer in the coming months for the majority of my work. 

Disclosure:  I was provided the Epson R2000, ink and media for printing free of charge in exchange for my review. The review and opinions are all my own.   

     

Product Review- Banarsi Designs

Today I have a treat for you. A few weeks ago I was given the opportunity to review a product from a brand new company Banarsi Designs.

Banarsi Designs specializes in hand-crafted Indian designs for your home. They have a wide variety of products including bedding and table linens. I received the beautiful a Rustic Orange hand-embroidered table runner.

The first surprise was their beautiful packaging. I am a firm believer in first impressions and they certainly left me with a good one. Here is a peek at the package and the inside with a glimpse at my table runner.

 

Don't you just love the gold color of the tissue paper?

The table runner is very well made. It is two beautiful strips of trim fabric and a center panel that is made of satin and hand-embroidered. The embroidery is accented with gold beads. I loved that the product was very true to color from the website. You can shop with ease knowing that the color will match the screen, something that is sometimes an issue with online shopping.

Here is a look at the table runner in my dining room.

 

It is a perfect size to fit on a table for 4. The color is so rich and really adds a look of elegance to my dining room. I plan to use it through the holiday season for our holiday meals. After the holidays I would love to get an accent table to keep it out year round, hint hint to the husband. ;-)

The cost of this table runner is $49.99. Because of all the hand-sewn details, the cost is very reasonable. Shipping was extremely fast and the owners were a delight to work with.

Stop on over at Banarsi Designs to get yourself or a loved one a unique home decor item, perfect for the holidays.

Disclaimer: I received the hand-embroidered table runner free of charge for review. The thoughts and review are my own.

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