Thursday, October 14, 2010

5 Sparks To Brighten Your Holiday Cards This Year

I always remember to create fun and festive holiday cards but last year in the hustle and bustle I packed away a box of stamped and addressed Christmas cards when we started decorating for the holiday.  This year I am going to be ahead of the game.  Here are some ideas on how to rescue old cards and some new ideas to inspire your holiday greeting projects.

Find A Box Of Cards You Forgot To Mail Last Year?
I can't be the only one.  What to do? I am not throwing them out.  Festive photo labels with new pictures and a poem about my absent mindedness will be slapped over the festive seal on the back of all the envelopes.  Voila- 2 years worth of updates in one.  And I won't even have to buy stamps.  A huge "I'm Sorry, but  forgot EVERYONE" to everyone that did not get a holiday card from us last year.

Do you have a pre-schooler that is learning a new skill?
Cutting, pasting, writing, drawing- put your little helpers to work.  I took advantage of a neat freebie yesterday.  A free (no S&H or tax) 50 pack of origami paper.  CLICK HERE to check it out (you do not want to sign up for the orange cleaner bonus- just the paper!) here. These little squares can be turned into snowflakes, bookmarks, and lovely warm fuzzies from your little one to all of the loved ones on your holiday card list.

Create a Themed Photo Card and Family Newsletter.
If you from dysfunction junction (my hand is raised high), pay homage to your crazy family- embrace what you have.  A train theme would be nice.  Kids swinging from the rafters? A Barrel of Monkeys theme would be fun.  Turn lemons into lemonade! Celebrate the out of ordinary and the oddities that make your family unique. 

Did you go on an exciting beach vacation? Have any left over sand?
This idea would drive my mother nuts.  Let the kids go crazy with glue and sand on the front of a folded stationary card.  Include a vacation family photo and some glitter to add a little magic to the dirt. Smile as you mail them out imagining all of the relatives you will drive insane.  Imagine sand and glitter mess- they expect the glitter, but the sand will add texture and a whole new dimension. Just don't do it with sand from Hawaii- unless you plan on flying everyone and every speck of sand back to cleanse the bad luck spell that will besiege you.

Have a New Recipe To Share?
This year the jam and jelly is particularly good around here.  I have a mounting stack of Emma photos- Child covered in jam; mashing berries, stuffing them in her mouth.  If I didn't already have cards I would totally make a collage of my jam covered child and send it off with a recipe.

I hope you have found my ideas a bit refreshing.  This little post was inspired by the fine folks at Purpletrail.

They have tons of great ideas for livening up your holiday card. 
Be sure to check out PurpleTrail’s personalized holiday cards for inspiration. With their tools you can incorporate photos as well as holiday card and images and can personalize these cards using the PurpleTrail design center to make them look exactly how you want them to. CLICK HERE to check out their holiday card design tools.

As my medical leave pushes into week #2 I am finding my days focused on one thing- winning contests.  Thanks to the folks over a Purple Trail my creativity is renewed and this post was inspired by the possibility that I might win a gift card.  No guarantees but worth the chance.  By posting about creative ways to jazz up holiday greetings I am participating in a giveaway for PurpleTrail.com and I am eligible for a PurpleTrail gift code. Feel free to take advantage of this offer if you have a blog as well.  The more creative ideas, the better.  Contest details are available HERE.
 I am really impressed with how easy the Purple Trail system is to use.  I made this card in about 2 minutes.  I love their digial special effects and creativity tools.  Have fun with this one- it is addictive!
Checkout the full version with effects here.

Monday, October 11, 2010

Paperspring-" Fresh Ideas On Paper" a review and giveaway


I am in love with Paperspring.  I was lucky enough to be presented with a $50 gift certificate in the summer Mom Magazine blogger goodie bag.  It was really hard to narrow down what I wanted to order. 
Their thank you cards are beautiful:

Their baby announcements are breathtaking:


And I think their Digital Art service has helped me promote my blog with clever designs:

My brain block will not allow me to figure out how to flip these 2 in blogger.

I was blessed with a gift certificate to try their products and am now a repeat customer.  There are several things I love about their customer service but I am most impressed by the fact that each order is assigned a dedicated designer.  Ophelia and I have now worked together on several projects.  She goes above and beyond to make sure I will love my order the instant it arrives.  Thank you Paperspring!

Here is the fun part for you!  Paperspring has provided my with  very generous $50 gift certificate to give away to a lucky blog reader.  Now that is amazing.

But everyone at least wins a discount code!  Right now CadyvilleCouponClipper readers can use:
  • OCTOBER at checkout to save $15 off a $75 purchase (exp 10/31/10)
  •  OCTOBER20 to save 20% on holiday card orders (exp 10/31/10)
Please enter by sending me an email entry:
make sure to include your name and tell me what you are eyeing in the Paperspring collection.  I will randomly choose a winner on Friday October 15th 2010

Thank you paperspring for providing the $50 raffle prize ad discount codes for my readers.  I have been thrilled with product samples and gift certificates they have given me in the past. As always my opinions are my own and I have not been compensated in anyway to write this post.

Consumer Square- Trick or Treat?


Looking for an early Halloween Scare? Head on down to Consumer Sqaure- guaranteed to run into at least one nightmare!  HP is offering 2 free 5x7 greeting cards at these new digital kiosks in Walmarts cast to coast.  CLICK HERE to print your coupon.

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Halloween Costume Deals

BuyCostumes.com

There are tons of great deals at  BuyCostumes.com. I am having a had time making a decision.

First There is the Cupcake Fairy:


Then this one makes me giggle:


If Emma was an infant, this would win. And I love the $9.99 Price tag (before coupons).


There are pages of clearance costumes.  May of them are pried under $20 before coupons.
Use One of these to sweeten the deal:
  • Use code bogo20 for a buy one, get one at 20% off deal at check-out.
  • Use code MAD10 to save 10% on any order over $40.
  • Use code SKULL20 to save $20 when you spend $100.
  • Use code FREE50 for free shipping on orders of $50 or more.


CLICK HERE to visit BuyCostumes.com to find  super cute costume for the super cute little one in your life.

Betty Crocker Coupons

Betty Crocker has some great new coupons and crockpot recipes CLICK HERE to check them out.

Rite Aid 10/10/10- a fantastic week for saving!

This week there are many good deals at Rite Aid. 

............................................................................
  • Pedicare Cold – $4.99
  • Get $4.99 SCR
  • Use $1/1 coupon from the 10/10 SmartSource insert
  • Free plus overage after coupon and SCR
  • ...........................................................................
  • Pedicare Gentle Vapors – $6.99
  • Get $6.99 SCR
  • use $1/1 coupon from the 10/10 SmartSource insert
  • Free plus overage after coupon and SCR
  • ...........................................................................
  • Neil Med Naso Gel – $5.99
  • Get $5.99 SCR
  • USE $2/1 printable
  • Free plus overage after coupon and SCR
  • ..........................................................................
  • Kids-Eeze – $4.99
  • Get $4.99 SCR
  • Free after SCR
  • .........................................................................
  • Palmers Cocoa Butter Lip Butter – $1.99
  • Get $1.99 SCR
  • Free after SCR
  • .........................................................................
  • Sucrets – $2.99
  • Get $2.99 SCR
  • Free after SCR
  • ...........................................................
  • Antiox Immune Support – $2.99
  • Get $2.99 SCR
  • Free after SCR
  • .........................................................
  • Gain Dish Detergent (10.3-11 oz.), $0.89
  • $1/1 Gain Dish Liquid coupon from the 10/10 P&G insert
  • FREE after coupon
  • .........................................................
  • Playtex Tampons, Gentle Glide or Sport (18 ct.), 2/$8
  • Get $2 +UP wyb 2 (Limit 1)
  • $2/1 Playtex Gentle Glide Tampons printable
  • $1.50/1 Playtex Gentle Glide Tampons printable
  • $1/1 Playtex Tampon coupons from the 10/3 SS insert
  • Stack with $2/2 Playtex Gentle Glide, Sport Tampons or Cloth Rite Aid Video Values coupon
  • As low as 2 FREE after stacked coupons and +UP Reward
  • ...............................................................................................
  • Olay ProX Skin Care Products
  • Get $10 +UP Reward (for purchse of any one item)
  • FREE Olay Eye Roller wyb Facial Moisturizer coupon from the 9/12 SS insert
  • $2/1 Olay Facial Cleanser couponn from the 9/26 P&G insert
  • $2/1 Olay Facial Skin Care coupon in the Rite Aid Booklet
  • $20 MIR wyb $50 Olay ProX Products
  • Exceptional Deals!!
  • ..........................................................................
  • Garnier Nutrisse Hair Color, $6.99
  • $2/1 Garnier Nutrisse Rite Aid in-ad coupon
  • $3/1 Garnier Herbashine/Nutrisse Color Cream coupon from the 9/12 RP insert
  • $2/1 Garnier Nutrisse Hair Color coupon in the Rite Aid Booklet (Flu Shot Booklet- ask for one- no Flu shot required)
  • $2/1 Garnier Hair Color September Rite Aid Video Values coupon
  • As low as FREE after coupons
  • ..........................................................................
  • Garnier Fructis Shampoo or Conditioner (10.2-13 oz.) or Stylers, 2/$5
  • $1/1 Garnier Fructis Hair Care coupon in the 10/10 RP insert
  • $1/1 Garnier Fructis Style Product coupon in the 10/10 RP insert
  • Stack with this $1/1 Garnier Fructis October Rite Aid Video Values coupon
  • $0.50 each after coupons
  • ..........................................................................
  • Dove Shampoo, Conditioner, or Stylers , 2/$6
  • $0.75/1 or $1.00/1 Dove Hair Care coupon from the 10/3 RP insert
  • Stack with the $2/1 Dove Shampoo, Conditioner or Styler Oct Rite Aid Video Values coupon
  • As low as $0.24 4ach after coupons
  • .........................................................................
  • Aquafresh Toothpaste (5.6-6 oz.) or Toothbrush, $2.88
  • Get $1 +UP Reward
  • $1/1 Aquafresh Advanced 2X Whitening Toothpaste printable coupon
  • $1/1 Aquafresh Extreme Clean Toothpaste printable coupon
  • $.88 after coupon and +UP Reward
  • .............................................................................................
  • NyQuil or DayQuil, $4.99
  • Liquid (10 oz.), Liquicaps (20 ct.), or Children’s (6 oz.)
  • Get $1.50 +UP Reward
  • $1.50/1 Vicks Product, exp. 11-30-10 (P&G 10/10/10)
  • $1.99 after coupon and +UP Reward
  • ............................................................................................
  • Select Profoot Foot Care, 3/$15
  • Miracle or Triad Insoles, Flextastics, Pump Pouches, Heel Cream, Synovium, or Proclearz
  • Get $10 SCR #51 wyb 3 (Limit 1)
  • $1/1 ProFoot Product printable
  • As low as FREE after coupons and +UP Reward
  • ...........................................................................................
  • Senokot (50 ct.) or Senokot S (30 ct.), $12.99
  • Get $3 +UP Reward
  • $7 Senokot Mail-in-Rebate
  • $2.99 after+UP Reward and MIR
  • ..........................................................................................
  • Ept Pregnancy Test (2 ct.), $10.99
  • Get $2 +UP Reward
  • $3/1 e.p.t. product printable or
  • $3/1 printable
  • $5/1 e.p.t Product, exp. 12-31-10 (SS 09/12/10)
  • As low as $3.99 after coupon and +UP Reward
  • .........................................................................................
  • Halls Cough Drops (30 ct.), $0.99
  • Buy 2 and use the $1/2 Halls Cough Drops coupon in the 10/10 SS insert
  • Stack with the $0.50/1 Halls Cough Drops Oct Rite Aid Video Values coupon
  • $0.24 each wyb 2 after coupons
  • ................................................................................................
  • No Nonsense Hosiery, Socks, and Underwear, $2.99
  • Get $1 +UP Reward
  • $1/1 No Nonsense Item Rite Aid October Video Values coupon, or
  • $1/1 No Nonsense coupon in the Rite Aid Booklet (Flu Shot booklet)
  • $.99 after coupon and +UP Reward

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