22 February 2012
By Amber
In Crafts, Cricut, Sizzix Texture
So as I’ve talked about this before I do bulk card making at my house about once a month or so to keep up with birthdays thanks you’s and all of that. Well I haven’t done that in a while + I’ve been lax on sending cards (bad Amber bad) but this month I decided to get on top of it again. Last night I realized that if I didn’t get my brothers card in the mail today he wouldn’t get it on time 
Here are a few hints that can help you put together a last minute card if your stash has run out.
1. Buy paper sets. I like to buy AC Cardstock sets when they go on clearance (75% off!!!) All the papers in the packs coordnate and the backs are white so when you fold them you can easily write on the inside.
2. Keep your scraps to make the next card. If you don’t have time to make 2 cards and your using 12×12 paper chances are you have enought paper left to make a second card. Keep those scraps together for quick card making in the future. This card was made quickly from the scraps left over from my Grandmas birthday card.
3. Use vinyl instead of paper. I just thought of this last night, how have I never thought about it before?!? If you use paper you have to cut it then use double sided tape to attach it. If your using small or skinny pieces that can be annoying. So I used my cricut to cut out the phrase and the outline from two different colors and then just used them as stickers.
4. Quick embelishments. Keep a stock of brads buttons and other items you can quickly add to give your card some pop. My Sizzix Texture Boutique adds embosing and texture to a card really quickly.
5. Make Bulk Cards. Then when you have some extra time make a bulk batch of cards with blank areas for quick stamping Get Well, Happy Birthday or Thank You!
Crafts, Cricut, Sizzix
21 February 2012
By Amber
In Instagram, Photography
So last night when Mac and I walked out of the gym we noticed these strange white things floating through the air. I’m not sure, since we haven’t seen much this winter, but I think its called snow. The problem with snow is it makes me have to get up earlier because of road conditions. But since there hasn’t been much this season I kinda forgot about that this morning when I hit snooze twice. Oh well, I made it to work on time and the snow is kinda pretty. In my neck of the woods we got about 3-4 inches. But here it is outside of work, when I decided I should keep record of the one pretty snow we got before it melted.
Did I mention I get to work at 6:30 AM when the lighing isn't friendly to iphones?
Instagram, Photos
20 February 2012
By Amber
In Green, health and beauty
Do you remember last month when I was so excited that some large events in town were making baby steps to being more green?
Well not long ago on of my friends became a Mary-Kay consultant. After getting her first package from them she excitedly posted on my facebook wall that the packing peanuts they use are water soluble! Now if you dump tem in your tub and just rinse them away your still ‘wasting water’ but what is worse that or the insoluble ones sitting in a landfill? My solution throw them in the tub and the beginning of your shower and then jump in with them.
So with that information in hand I googled it and found the Pink Doing Green page on their website and found they had a number of initiates in place. Compact recycling when they launched their new ones you could send in the old ones to be recycling. Tree planting, corporate recycling, and using a min 20% recycled materials in their packaging . I think the thing that impressed me most was their efforts to reduce energy consumption check this out:
“Energy Conservation – We have reduced energy consumption at our global corporate facilities by 12.8 percent with a decline of almost 6.5 million kwh – enough energy to power more than 1,000 average homes for one year.”
I’m excited to see big well known companies like this doing a few things to be a little more green. If all the companies just made a little effort, wow would this be a different place. When Mac and I were watching Dirty Jobs this week we saw a onion processing plant that used onion juice as 40% of their power and the San Fransisco Fire Department uses wooden ladders because they are repairable instead of replaceable!
Coming up this week
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Another great giveaway (I’m SUPER excited about this one guys)
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The Husband Challenge (get your posts ready to link up!)
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Plus I’m going to tell you about the bet I’ve got going on with a friend.
I would love to know about other companies making an effort to be more ‘green’ let me know of any so I can check them out.
Green, Health and Beauty
17 February 2012
By Amber
In Uncategorized
Ok you guys know me I don’t normaly ‘Sell’ things on this blog and I dont’ ever intend to become that kind of blog. However I’m having a Willow House Party tonight at my house and I would like to invite you! Ok not over to my house (Hubby would kill me for handing out our address) but online.
The reason I decided to do this was honestly because of the great outlet section. I would love to show you a few things that I’m hoping to get along with a few great outlet deals! (Host Information Search for Amber De it will find me 
First off is this great ice cream scoop, I have it I paid full price for it and I would again. It can can go in the dishwasher and gets through the hardest frozen stuff you can throw at it. Plus its on sale! $14.96 Now $7.96
This Petite Arrange -it-easyVase is so cute and makes it easy to arange fresh cut flowers from the garden. Again on sale $24.96 now $9.96
Another item I have and use ALL THE TIME is this Peerless Peeler, its so heavy duty and makes quick work of everything. I paid full price but you don’t have to! Was $19.96 Now $4.96!
The last thing I have and love is this Napa Vinaigrette Set, I like to buy them and then use them as wedding gifts and on this sale you should stock up (I know I will be!) I’ve also heard of people using them for dish liquid instead. I used glass etch cream and a vinyl stencil to lable mine with Olive and Veggie and keep the oils next to my stove. Was $39.96 Now $19.96
Now for my wish list from the current catalog (I’ll just show you in pictures.)
Humm do you notice the same trend I do?
Anyway stop on over and see if anything catches your eye. (Host information just search for Amber De it will find me)
16 February 2012
By Amber
In MAC, Thoughts on Thursdays
Well Valentines Day just past and I”m sure many of you got some big romantic gestures and that is very cool, in fact its so cool I want to hear all about them please leave me a comment below letting me know what you did for Valentines Day.
However this week I want to talk about the not so fancy things. Dates don’t have to be big expensive ordeals (although it can be fun and have their place.) Last night for Valentines day we went to an ‘everyday’ Italian restaurant, not a super fancy one, in fact its one that you stand in line cafeteria style and then go find a table upstairs. It cost us $26.00 or something like that. Then we went to a hockey game, this is super fun yes but nothing uber special for us we have already been to a few this season and we buy the cheapest seats we can find. Plus we won a gift card from Chevy for Ticketmaster so they were free!
Anyway what made the night great wasn’t expensive food or a winning Hockey team it was the dedicated time together, focused on each other no distractions. It was the funny detour into a store with a whole back room painted and filled with posters that reacted to a black light and 3-d glasses. It was Mac laughing when I jumped as a mechanical mummy started moving when I walked by. It was the conversation at dinner and the goofiness of competing against each other to see who could beat Where’s my Water first. It was Mac driving home (something he isn’t fond of in downtown because he doesn’t know the area) so that I could take my sleeping pill before we left the game. Lastly it was the few min of snuggling before I went to bed and he went down to his office.
It was simple, cheap and honestly the best valentines date we have had!
My mom over at Treasure to Treasure, has reached out to her friends and collected a good amount of memorable dates from them, most simple but all memorable. You would check them out!
So now tell me what was the most memorable thing from your Valentines Day?
Mac, Thoughts on Thursday
