Happy Halloween- Despicable Me Style!

I love a good theme!  So, our family dressed as Despicable Me characters this year...Our family loves this movie! Our Son is a minion and our daughter is Agnes.  Hubby is Gru and I am Vector {Oh yeah!}  Pics of the whole gang will be posted later.

Here was our inspiration!  

I think we got pretty close. We even got Agnes' unicorn.

The best thing is these costumes cost me 0.00 dollars!  Yep... totally free.  I used what we already had!  Oh yeah!

Hope you have a safe and fun Halloween!

Iron Crafter:Paper Towel Roll TOP 5! Come and Vote!

Get ready for the Top 5 Iron Crafters for out 10th round! 

Our secret ingreient was Paper Towel/Tp Rolls!

<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1iUeYudXlj8/TmTNOljGERI/AAAAAAAAArM/FB97u27yqds/s1600/Iron+Crafter+Button+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="125" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1iUeYudXlj8/TmTNOljGERI/AAAAAAAAArM/FB97u27yqds/s200/Iron+Crafter+Button+2.JPG" width="125" /></a>

A BIG HUGE "Thank you!" to our wonderful guest judge this round:

Karen from Pocket Full Of Pink! 

She had a tough job!  She said " They were all great!"  and that is the truth!  Hope on over to Pocket Full of Pink and check out all the wonderful project Karen has to share!

Here are the top 5 in no particular order!

Vote for the project that you like the best.
To cast your vote simply click on the star under the picture! You can check out all the projects by clicking on the pictures {This does not count as a vote...you need to click to star to cast a vote}!

Voting is open until Friday Sept 30th at Midnight

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Announcing Christmas Shoppes at F&J;!

Can you believe that it is already that time of year again?!? The Holidays! I mean I LOVE Christmas... absolutely LOVE IT! So I am not complaining, I am excited.  

Since many of us are thinking of buying and supporting homemade this year too, F&J is having our 2nd annual Christmas Shoppes at F&J!

Christmas Shoppes @ Fireflies and Jellybeans is about helping buyers and sellers.

For Buyers:

A one stop place to shop ALL thing homemade! All from the comfort of your home!

For Sellers

 I am offering to showcase your handmade shoppe for the week of  Nov 25th (black Friday) through Dec 2nd.  You will get a chance to tell a little bit about your shoppe, showcase 2 items, and you also have the option of having a discount for F&J readers (We all love a good deal!)

Your spot will look similar to this:

Shoppe: Funky Joy

Sells: Reusable snack bags, reusable trash bags, marker rolls, fancy towels and more!

Discount: 20% off with code: FIREFLIES



Cost is $5

We are also adding Saturday Shoppes Spotlight! 

On each Saturday in Nov. We will be highlighting different shoppes with a FULL post.  This will allow you to have up to 5 pictures and 5 links for your shoppe.   We will post no more them 4 shoppes on a given weekend.  So spots are limited!  BUT if you buy a Saturday Shoppes Spotlight... you get into the Christmas Shoppes for FREE ! 

 Cost: $12

*** All shoppes must be family friendly and approved by me first!***

E-mail me at [email protected] to get started on the EXCITING opportunity for your shoppe! 

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Carapelli Olive Oil - a taste of Italy!

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Carapelli for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

I was sent a bottle of Carapelli Olive Oil to sample this week.  I love cooking with Extra Virgian Olive Oil.  {thanks to Rachel Ray!}  I use in in the place of vegetable oil now... it adds such great flavor to your food.

Carapelli has their headquarters right outside the beautiful city of Florence, and is the leading makers of Extra Virgin Olive Oil in Italy.

Carapelli’s Master Tasters craft the exclusive blends of the best oils from the finest Mediterranean olive groves.
Today’s distinctive line of Carapelli Extra Virgin Olive Oils includes three varieties:

Premium 100% Italian - made solely from the first cold pressing of the finest 100% Italian olives
with an intense, robust flavor and aroma

Il Numerato - a supremely smooth and low acidity oil that is a result of a delicate cold pressing
of olives

Organic - Obtained only from organically grown olives and produced according to organic farming
standards; certified USDA organic

I preformed a taste test on Carapelli's Premium 100% Italian.

Olive Oil Tasting - The Four S’s

Similar to tasting wine, there are a few quick steps to having the true olive oil tasting experience. Pour about
a tablespoon of olive oil into your blue glass and gently warm it by covering the glass with one hand and
holding the bowl of the glass in the other.

Here’s where the four S’s come in - Swirl, Sniff, Slurp and Swallow

1. Swirl - By swirling the olive oil in your glass, you release the oil’s esters, which are the molecules that
contain the aroma.
2. Sniff - Now inhale deeply. The aroma is the key to the fruitiness of the oil. Is it intense or is it
more subtle?
3. Slurp - Sip the oil while “sipping” in a bit of air. This slurping action emulsifies the oil and helps spread it
throughout your mouth. Take note of the various tastes and sensations. Is it fruity, peppery, smooth?
4. Swallow - Once you swallow the oil, it should leave your mouth with no aftertaste. Again, take note of
any peppery or stinging sensation in your throat.

Here is what I experienced during my taste test:

1. Swirl.  I poured my EVOO into a Blue Wine glass and warmed it up with my hands, then I swirled it around. {Since I did not have the offical blue Olive Oil tasting glass... I used one of my own} 

2. Sniff - When I inhaled the smell it was a spicy smell along with a subtle olive smell.  The smell was robust as they say in the description.  It has a sweet/spicy smell to it. 

3. Slurp- I slurped it... big loud slurp... sorry I did not take video of it for you to hear!  The taste was spicy and oily... it was flavorful.  It coated my mouth. 

4. Swallow- once I swallowed it, there was not an aftertaste but I did fell a faint stinging/burning feeling in my throat. 

Am I going to drink my Carapelli EVOO out of a wine glass again? no... Would I like to cook with it and use it as a dressing base? Absolutely.  it would make a great dressing with some added lemon and spices for a salad or just dipping some bread in. 

Carapelli is offering a $1.00 OFF coupon at www.CarapelliUSA.com  for you to give it a try as well!

INKtastic Review AND Giveaway

***Giveaway  Closed!***


Another SUPER fun giveaway for you all today!

INKtastic is a great place to get all kinds of personalized gifts! They specialize in custom T-shirts and apparel for adults, kids, toddlers, and babies! But they also have all sorts of other fun things to personalize, such as: bags, stuffed animals, decals, phone skins... and much much more... you could spend HOURS as this site... trust me! I know from experience!  They can personalize your creation by either using one of their designs OR you can upload a picture from your computer!  The sky is the limit! They show you a preview while you are designing so you know just what it will look like once it is done.  The website is very user friendly!

I was lucky enough to be able to sample a toddler dress for my daughter. My Daughter's name means "Sunshine and Happiness". So I created this graphic for her toddler dress to embrace her namesake! {Feel free to download the graphic for personal use!  You can use it as a print or on your own toddler dress!}

Look how cute it turned out on her darling dress!

Can you get enough of my sassy little model?  She would not stop posing for the camera!

The dress is size 2T and my daughter wears 18 months, I ordered it big because I love the oversize comfy fit on her. The dress is soft knit t-shirt fabric perfect for playing! 

The graphic is bright and clear printed right on the dress and is soft. Perfect for my baby!

It really is the perfect little play dress!

 INKtastic is giving one F&J follower a $25 gift credit to their site!  Here is how you can enter:You MUST be a F&J follower to enter and visit INKtastic and come back to tell me how you would use your gift card!  This giveaway ends Thursday 11.3.11 at midnight.Good luck!  ***Disclaimer: I was provided with the Toddler dress from INKtaskic.com for free to review.  However my opinions are always 100% honest***


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Show Off Your Stuff Party # 98

Hello and Welcome to the Show Off Your Stuff Party!

The place where we all get together and SHOW OFF OUR STUFF

This week I am showing off:

My Mix and Match Alien Magnets (Tutorial AND Printabls!)

The Iron Crafter is going one right now too!

The Secret ingredient is Paper Towel/Tp Rolls!

Come Link up your Paper Towel.TP Roll Projects HERE!

We have 3 Awesome giveaways going on too!

My Ribbon Barrett Maker

Shutterfly Christmas Cards

Christmas Card Option 2

$60 Credit to Vinyl Crafts

Wanna make some money blogging?

  One site that I have found helpful in finding sponsors is Social Spark

They match bloggers with advertisers. You get to choose who you promote and how you promote it! It really is a win-win! 

Here is the run down:

1. Pay attention! There are 3 categories to link up:

Crafts and Sewing

DIY and Home Decor

Recipes

pick one and go with it!

{If you pick the wrong one... you can delete your own and add it to the right one! :) }

2. Add a link to your specific post, not the main page of your blog.

3. Please do not link up to something that you are just trying to sell.

4. Link to this party from your post so everyone can get in on the fun. You can just grab my button!

<a href="http://firefliesandjellybeans.blogspot.com/search/label/Show%20Off%20Your%20Stuff%20Party" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="blank"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fvxHkFmRuww/TjYS_3oztzI/AAAAAAAAAjA/H6n_MRE4xhs/s200/Show+off+your+Stuff+party+button.JPG" width="125" /></a>

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Vinyl Crafts GIVEAWAY!

***Giveaway  Closed!***

It is giveaway week her at F&J... so many fun things to giveaway this week I feel like Oprah!

Today I am excited to introduce you to an awesome Etsy shop specializing in Vinyl: Vinyl Crafts.

Vinyl Crafts specializing in subway art, wood signs wall decals and vinyl decor!


Becky is a mom to 9 children (you read that right 9 kids!)  AND she runs this amazing shop... that equals super women in my book!  Just like a lot of us she uses her creativity to help keep her sane!  she has taken her love for home décor and her love of crafts and combined them to produce the items you see in her shop.

Becky loves to do custom orders, so feel free to contact her to get the vinyl that is JUST RIGHT for you and your family!

Vinyl Crafts is a perfect shop for Christmas gifts!

Check out all the vinyl goodness in this shop:

Wall Decals

Subway Art

Children's Decor Subway Art

Wooden signs

Holiday Signs

So wonderful that you want one of each right?!  

And after looking at what else is out there for vinyl pricing... Vinyl Crafts is very affordable!

Vinyl Crafts is offering 1 F&J follower a $60 gift certificate to their Shop!  

Here is how you can enter:

You MUST be an F&J follower to enter, and visit Vinyl Crafts and tell me your favorite item.

Want another entry?  Like Vinyl Crafts on Facebook and leave a comment mentioning F&J on their wall! 

This giveaway ends Monday 10-31-11 at midnight.

Good luck! 

 I have another really fun giveaway coming on Friday too!
{check out our My Ribbon Barrette Maker and Shutterfly giveaways as well!}

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Christmas Cards with Shutterfly... Giveaway!!

***Giveaway  Closed!***

One of my favorite parts of Christmas is getting photo cards of my family and friends! I love to hang them all up and see how much everyone has changed... to see kids and families grow. I use these pictures to hang on my refrigerator all year though, and trade them out the next Christmas!

One of my favorite photo sites to get Christmas Cards is Shutterfly.

Christmas Card Option 1

They have SEVERAL cards to choose from to fit most price ranges. 

You will be sure to find one that fits your family's style!

Christmas Card Option 2

In Fact, I found 4 cards that I love without really trying... and now I cannot decide which one is the best one to send out!   All of the chooses I picked are because they have such a whimsical feel to them... which is what I LOVE about Christmas... it is full of whimsy and magic!  These cards will be going out to all our friends and family and I want them to feel the JOY of Christmas when they look at our card!

Christmas Card Option 3

Christmas Card Option 4

Shutterfly makes it really easy to personalize you cards with your own family photos.  While you are ordering your cards you should check out their Photo Gifts and Photo Calenders... they would make great gifts for grandparents!  You know that grandparents can never have too many pictures of their grand kids!

Shutterfly is giving away 25 cards FREE to 2 lucky F&J Followers!   

Here is how you can enter:

You MUST be an F&J follower to enter... Go check out the Christmas Photo Cards and come back and tell me which one is your favorite! 

Want another entry?  Tell me which Christmas Card Option you like the best for my family!  

This giveaway will end on Friday Oct 28th at Midnight!