cool things Archives - Tatertots and Jello

Happy Fourth and Favorite Things This Week!

Jen — Thu, 04 Jul 2013 06:25:43 +0000

Happy Fourth of July!!

I hope you have a wonderful and safe holiday if you are celebrating!

I’m having a little open house at my 1905 Cottage today and I’m super excited about it! I’ll be putting pictures on my Instagram Account throughout the day of different rooms.

Connect with me there to join in the fun! I might even make an Instagram video of the cottage and post that!!

And speaking of Instagram, my good friend Rhonna of Rhonna Designs just released a new app that you can use with Instagram. It’s amazing and she has included TONS of great fonts, graphics, sayings and more. It’s such an awesome way to make your Instagram pictures even cuter.

All 27 of her Insta Fonts (w/ 26 designs in each) are included in the Design Packs.
29 amazing fonts for text
8 photo filters
36 exclusive frames
9 exclusive backgrounds
and more!

You can see some of the ways people are using the app if you search these hashtags in IG — #rhonnadesigns_app #rhonnadesigns #heyrhonna.

I love printing mine off and displaying them, like my contributors at East Coast Creative did in this Outdoor Instagram Wreath tutorial a couple of months ago.

And speaking of the cute EC2 girls, If you’re around this weekend, you’ve gotta check out Knock It Off! Monica and Jess from East Coast Creative Blog are the designers and hosts of this new DIY/Home Design show and it premieres this Sunday at 7pm! Check out all the details here!

Plus, if you are looking for some ideas of how to take fun firework photos, check out these ideas over at Nest of Posies. I can’t wait to try some of them out tonight!!

What are YOUR favorite things this week??

Share them with us in the comments – I would love to know!!

xoxox

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Win a Kaboo Purse with Tech Pouch!! (two winners, $230 total value)

Jen — Tue, 08 May 2012 07:39:02 +0000

I love bringing YOU my favorite things.

Here’s my latest favorite find —

Kaboo Bags!!

UPDATE — Giveaway Closed.

The winners are:

and

Emails have been sent.

Winners chosen via Random.org

Kaboo Bags are so stylish.

PLUS, they have these super soft pockets,

specially designed for all of the electronic gadgets we can’t live without!!

The Tech Pouch features a sling shock absorber and elastic expanding sides to permit your iPad or e-reader case to remain attached (or not) yet form fits and seals shut with magnetic clasp.

I love that I can use ONE bag to carry all of the things I need everyday. There is a pouch for my cell phone, and more for my other gadgets like my iPad, a kindle, sunglasses and more! These bags are PACKED with little pouches, zippered pockets and a BIG pocket for our big devices. I can even fit my little mini-laptop in these purses. AWESOME!!

And check out the inside — CHEVRON!!

So cute.

And they come in all kinds of colors and styles.

You can get one for any type of situation — from formal, casual and anything in between.

(Hannah helped me out and modeled – she’s so cute)

Kaboo was so nice to send me two of their bags to review. I can’t decide which one I love more. They are both super comfortable and stylish.

PLUS, the first 50 orders also get these earphone buds (worth $50). I have been using them with my iPod to work out each morning and they are so comfortable.

What a GREAT graduation gift. These purses are PERFECT for a student to carry their electronic items, including a mini PC to take notes in classes. OR, for the person YOU love that enjoys traveling. I love that I can put everything I need in one bag and GO!!!

PS — if you order a bag before noon on Wednesday, Kaboo will ship it to you in time for Mother’s Day! (Continental US)

Also, be sure to like Kaboo’s Facebook page — where you can follow along with their new bags, giveaways and discount codes!! While you are there, leave them a comment from TT&J!!!

And Kaboo is giving away TWO bags to TT&J Readers!!

Here’s how YOU can win:

Head over to Kaboo — what is the Name of Your Favorite Bag? one entry.

Add the Kaboo widget on your sidebar and spread the love. one entry.

Update: I’m pretty sure the code on the Kaboo site has an error in it, so copy and paste this code instead:
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Tweet about this giveaway — ” I want to win a Kaboo Bag with Tech Pouch for my iPad or Kindle from Tatertots & Jello @jenjentrixie #giveaway http://bit.ly/cl0Pgd”. one entry.

Share this giveaway. The share buttons are at the bottom of the post. Let me know how you did. one entry, per way.

This giveaway ends on 5.14.2012. Two winners will be announced. Giveaway open to residents of Continental US.

Good Luck!!

Have a Happy Day!!

xoxo

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"Summer Social" Guest Project — Make a DIY Laptop Skin!! {tutorial}

Jen — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 07:30:00 +0000

Hello Tatertots and Jello readers!!! I am beside myself excited to be here today. Jen has been a big supporter of MaryJanes and Galoshes from the beginning and I can not thank her enough! My name is Taylor, I will spare you the boring details and get on with the fun stuff!

I’m one of the ten True Value Blog squad members this year so right now on MJ&G you can find me creating a fun outdoor living space! Today I’m breaking away from my project to share something quick, easy, and (I think) so fun! I’ll be the first to admit I get bored easily. If you already read MJ&G you probably now I’m a ball of randomness and am always switching things up (including my blog banner, because I get tired of looking at it). So I’ve been oohing over all the fun laptop skins online FOREVER but I know I would tire of it to quickly to justify the cost…… so I came up with my own solution that is 1. CHEAP! and 2. completely changeable! Here is my finished project….

What you need–

White contact paper (shelf liner, found in the housewares department, or I got mine at True Value!)
Laptop template (I modified mine from a free one at Sticker Mule or you can create your own)
Permanent markera Image to trace (unless your a free hand drawer/doodler!)
Scissors
Window or lightbox

My last laptop was silver and I never seemed to have any issues with it looking dirty or beat up, but this (practically brand new) black laptop looks AWFUL!

To top it off my daughter got into some nail polish and began to paint it pink! Which may have been lovely…. but not done by a two year old But not even my remover could get it all off…..

So I was a bit embarrassed to take my laptop in public…. It’s all good now! To start….. print out your template or make one by laying paper down and your laptop upside down on top and trace. If there are any special molding indents you need to go around go ahead and work that out on paper. I had to go around a small ditch at the bottom.

Contact paper comes in all kinds of colors, I chose white because I wanted to draw on mine. Wood grain is very easy to find and would really fun if your in to that kind of thing. You may like to draw on top of a patterned option also… it’s completely up to you and very easy to change when you want something new.

1. Lay your template onto the back side of the contact paper, tape down and trim around.

2. You can test to see how it fits after you cut it out. It wont’ stick until you remove the paper backing. I decided I wanted to put one of my (many) previous banners on mine, so I printed it out and used the window to trace the design onto the contact paper.

3. Using permanent markets… I have a great set of colored sharpies. The fine tips weren’t great for coloring the large areas, but it did work so use your judgement on what you can live with.

4. Remove the protective backing from your contact paper and stick to your laptop! Don’t stress to much about this step…. contact paper is VERY forgiving and will allow you to reposition multiple times. Smooth out any airbuses you may get. You can prick stubborn ones with a pin if needed.

I can think of so many fun possibilities for this! How about a calendar, or an advertisement for your business while your in public…. Your log when your at a craft or art fair! You can also use acrylic paint if you prefer to paint. Just don’t bother trying to use your printer….. I tried it….. smudge city. Thanks so much for having me here today! I hope you are able to come and visit me sometime! Lots of fun to be had at MaryJanes and Galoshes! Taylor

Oh my goodness Taylor — that is such a FUN idea.

I love it!!!

If you don’t know MaryJanes & Galoshes – you are in for a treat!!
Taylor has super awesome ideas like:

I love this post on No Heat Curls {isn’t she cute btw?}

Have you always wondered how to make an Easy Zippered Pillow?

And how adorable is this creative Lego Birthday Invitation??

I may have a crush on Taylor’s Tissue Paper Wreath — gorgeous!

check out how to make a Rolled Flower Necklace too!

Head over to MaryJanes & Galoshes and see for yourself all of the fabulous ideas!!

xoxo

PS — For all of my Utah friends — Downeast Basics & Modbe is having a HUGE warehouse sale in Layton tomorrow. Nothing will be over $10. You can find out more on the Downeast Facebook Page. I’m going to try to make it to that — sounds awesome!!

PPS — It’s FRIDAY — my favorite day of the week. Why?? Because that’s when I can see and feature YOUR ideas. Come link them up to The Weekend Wrap Up Party. The party starts tonight at 6 pm MST.

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DIY Entertainment Unit Remodel {Update}

Jen — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 17:00:00 +0000

Here’s a couple updates on what’s happening in our family room.

Right before I left to go to Blissdom, we ripped apart our built-in entertainment unit:

{sorry – this is a really old picture before we painted the room}

Our neighbor and handyman, Brent helped us install a false-back to hide the cords and help hold up the top part of the unit {it’s attached to studs in the wall too}. And then we installed beadboard with a panel that can be opened in case we need to get into the wires back there. Here’s a shot of the beadboard.

Now I just have to paint.

And thanks everyone who voted on what color to paint it.

The winning vote was Pottery Barn White. {{I’m so excited}}

I am going to start on it this weekend!!!

Here’s another shot. We built a floating shelf to hold the AV components but haven’t moved them up there yet. And do you like Ella’s picture that she taped up – lol? Just keeping it real

I picked these knobs up for the drawers. They were on clearance.

I’m still trying to decide if they are the perfect ones…

I can’t wait to show you the whole thing once it’s done!!

I also think I am going to slipcover my couch in something a little lighter.

What do you think?

maybe something like this?

And maybe get a rug like this eventually:

And here’s something I love —

I met a talented girl on Twitter last week, Ashley from The Shine Project.

Isn’t she cute?? Well, she has thought up a wonderful idea called

The Shine Project Scholarship Fund.

Ashley makes beautiful necklaces:

And she is contributing $$ from each necklace into Shine Project Scholarship fund!

“In January 2012, the money from The Shine Project will be going to
the first ever Shine Project Scholarship award
for an inner city school student’s college education.”

I thought that was a really cool idea.

{I love seeing people that are trying to make the world a better place}What is something YOU are loving this week??

xoxo

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Two Brand-New Blogs to Check Out!!

Jen — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 05:11:00 +0000

I just wanted to let you know about a couple really cool, new blogs that have been launched this week!!

The first is Knock Off Decor from Beckie at Infarrantly Creative

Beckie loves a good knock-off project!

{this is her PB Nest Knock Off}

Knock Off Decor is a great place to see beautiful knock-off ideas as well as a place to submit YOUR own Knock-off projects!!

Be sure to check it out!!

And the other exciting, new blog is the Casabella Project

from Myra of My Blessed Life.

Follow Myra as she remodels a 1950’s fixer-upper home.

You will love all of the DIY projects that she is tackling!!

I am so excited to follow along on her journey!!

And I’d love to have you stop by the Crafterminds Twitter Chat tomorrow.

{1 pm PST/4 pm EST}

We will be talking about Relationships and Networking. We hope you can join us! Find out more information at the Crafterminds blog.

xoxo

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Come link up YOUR Homemade Gift Ideas on Monday!!

Jen — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 21:15:00 +0000

It’s Friday and almost time for the Weekend Wrap Up Party, but first I wanted to tell you about a fun event that’s happening on Monday.
I’m participating in Holly Bloggy Christmas — a week of fun linkies and great giveaways!!

Get your Christmas posts ready!
The Holly Bloggy Christmasis next week!

It’s 5 days of Christmas linky parties and prizes!

Check out the schedule and join the fun!

Monday, Dec. 13 – Homemade Gifts – The best Christmas gifts come from the heart. Whether you sew, bake, paint, or glue, a homemade gift is always unique and special! Come link up and share your homemade gifts here at Tatertots and Jello.

Giveaways: Yummy Cuppy Crafts, Scentsy Consultant- Jonnie Mellen, Best Bath Store

Tuesday, Dec. 14 – Christmas Crafts – Christmas is a wonderful time for crafty people to show off their skills. Do you make your own Christmas decorations? Ornaments? Cards? Something else? Come and show off your crafts with Nicholette and Vanessa at Craft Envy.
Giveaways: Up to My Knees in Crafts, Scrapbook Circle, Pure SugarWednesday, Dec. 15 – Christmas Decor – It’s so amazing to see everyone’s unique decorating styles, especially at Christmas time. And we can’t wait to see yours! Share your Decked Halls, Christmas Trees, Mantels, Home Tours and more with Gina over at The Shabby Chic Cottage.

Giveaways: Scentsy Consultant- Jonnie Mellen, Lavender Cottage

My Dream Sample Box

Thursday, Dec. 16 – Christmas Recipes – Food and the Holidays go hand in hand. Come and share your favorite Christmas recipes with Jerri over at Simply Sweet Home. Whether it’s an appetizer, a dessert, or the main course, I’m sure we’ll all be hungry for seconds!

Giveaways: Lisa Leonard Designs, Twelve Crafts, Hope Abound

Friday, Dec. 17 – I’m Lovin’ It – Cheryl at Tidy Mom will host a Christmas edition of her I’m Lovin’ It event. Share anything from a product, to a recipe, a picture you took, a project, or even your children or family…..really anything Christmas-related that you are loving right now!

Giveaways: Hun…What’s for Dinner?, Kinley Lane Designs, Simply Sweet Creations

Hope you’ll join us for a week of fun, friends, and a cup of good cheer!

So fun, right??

I can hardly wait to see YOUR ideas!!

Some other fun parties going on right now/coming up:

PS — The Weekend Wrap Up Party starts at 6 pm (MST).

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A couple cool things!

Jen — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 17:10:00 +0000

I am writing up tutorials on four projects to share. But in the meantime — I wanted to tell you about a couple cool things!

Do you know TidyMom?? Cheryl is so incredible sweet, sincere and talented!!! She is the go-to person if you need fantastic food ideas!!

She bakes the most incredible recipes. Check out these Homemade Pizza Rolls!!

And can you believe this beautiful wreath is made out of ornaments from Dollar Tree?? Wow!

Cheryl is running a really cute series called Holiday Connections,where she asks different bloggers about Christmas at their house. And guess what?? I am her guest today. So fun! Come over and say hi. Cheryl is just the best — you will love her site!!

And one more thing, one of my bloggy BFF’s Shelley from House of Smith’s is running a wonderful deal on GroopDealz today!!

Have you seen Shelley’s vinyl?? It is SO cute!!!

It makes a great Christmas gift for anyone on your list. The deal is for the vinyl. She found the plate at Walmart for $3.97.

If you want one, head on over to GroopDealz, before they are sold out!

xoxo

PS – a new tutorial coming up in just a bit

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Mark Your Calendars!

Jen — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 08:46:00 +0000

Have you heard of Creative Estates? It’s a Fabulous New Blogging Conference that has just been announced!! I love the concept!

What if all our creative friends lived in one neighborhood?

We could go across the street, and borrow thread instead of eggs. Go next door if we needed handmade business ideas would be ideal. Stop down the street for help with a blog design or blog post. And stopping on the next street over to see a friend’s new product or craft project? Amazing!

That’s the thinking behind the new Creative Estates Conference!!

I love it!

And guess what?? I am going!! And, I will be speaking on a panel there.

I’d love for you to come too! The conference is very affordable. It’s going to be so much fun. Plus, there are going to be wonderful speakers and great information shared! Also, there is going to be a fantastic Handmade Marketplace — and there will be no entrance fee to get into it!

Come check it out!

Creative Estates Page

Creative Estates Ticket Page

plus

Creative Estates Twitter Page

Creative Estates FaceBook Page

Registration is open! And, if you get your conference tickets right now, there is an EARLY BIRD price! But only a few Early Bird tickets are still left — so get those soon.

April 8-10

Chandler, AZ

I hope you can go – I’d love to meet you!!

XOXO

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Check it out Tomorrow!

Jen — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 02:33:00 +0000

Groop Dealz is going live tomorrow!

Be sure to check it out.

I love anything that will help me save money!!

They will have deals on:

Food

Spas

Entertainment

Tickets

Retail

Health & Fitness

And I found out that they have some new national things in the works

that will help all of us save $$$$ on things we LOVE.

I’ll let you know when I know more – it sounds exciting!

Here’s a sneak peek of tomorrow’s giveaway —

Yes!! Frogurt — one of our favorite places to go as a family!

We usually hit up the one in Midvale…

They have the BEST toppings!!!

Strawberries, raspberries… snickers, strawberries, nuts, and brownies.

YUM!

I also love that Groop dealz

actually records a VIDEO of EACH place that they do “dealz” with!

I LOVE that! It’s great to SEE what the place looks like that before I buy!

I think that’s such a great idea!!

Here’s their Frogurt Video

So head over and check out this awesome deal!

Only $5 BUCKS for a $10.00 gift card!

Niiiiiice!

……………………………….

Ooo… and don’t forget to sign up with GroopDealz while you’re over there… so you can get updates everyday on what their “deal” is!

And, if you know Shelley from House of Smiths

WONDERFULLY WORDY business,

and love vinyl at a discount… you MIGHT want to sign up to get their daily email “deal” reminders…

You never know when something you “NEED” might pop up!

XOXO

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Guest Project: Fluffy Ruffly Tote Tutorial

Jen — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 16:26:00 +0000

Hello Tatertots and Jello Readers! First off, can you see me hyperventilating over here? Anyone have a paper sack I can borrow? This is my first guest post, and it’s at Jen’s place. Jen’s place! I talk about her so much that I now refer to her blog as T & J. Isn’t that some kind of lock jaw disorder? Oh wait, that’s TMJ. See how distracted I get? Okay, pullin’ it together. Let me take a quick sec to tell you a little bit about myself. My name is Erin, and I blog over at Frundy.

You’ll often find me rambling about my two adorable little boys, dreamy coastal inspired homes, my faith, and ongoing crafts and sewing projects.

Today I’ll be showing you how to make this fluffy ruffly tote.

Let’s get on to the tutorial, shall we?

You will need:

and some cotton fabric of your choice, cut into strips. I made my strips extra long, just so I could ruffle as I pleased. I would hate to run out of fabric mid-ruffle. That would definitely throw me into an emotional chocolate devouring fit, and trust me, my kids don’t need to see me like that.

Hem the bottom of all strips. The top strip should be hemmed on the top and bottom. The top of the remaining ruffles are hidden under the ruffle above it, so I just left those raw, but you could definitely finish those off as well. In the future, I will probably finish the tops, because it does create loose threads to cut.

I chose to baste the top ruffle for a more uniform look. Once you pin and sew it onto the bag, remember to pull out those basted stitches.

The remaining ruffles were manually created. I tried to get a picture of this, but it didn’t really do it justice. Basically, you will just pleat your fabric as you sew. It’s sew simple. I know, bad joke. Can we still be friends?

Anyhoo, when you get around to where you started your ruffle, overlap your fabric, and sew up that side seam. I did fold and iron the piece that I knew would be overlapped before I started the ruffle. Does that make any sense? I didn’t think so.

Continue to layer up those ruffles. And, be prepared to swoon as you finish each ruffle.

As for the rosette, I took approximately a 3 foot strip of fabric, folded it in half, and rolled it up until I had the desired effect. I occasionally ran my needle and thread through it to secure it.

There you have it, ladies! If you make one of these bad boys, please stop on by and show me your take on it. And, if you don’t have the time to ruffle yourself crazy, I have one of these in my shop.

Later Taters! There, I’ve done it again. Honestly, I’m not always this cheesy. I think the pressure of being at Jen’s is causing me to act up. Ya know, it’s that insecurity thing.

For reals, please stop by Frundy and say hi or just tell me how corny I am. Whatevs, I’ll love ya forever!

Thanks you Erin for such a great tutorial. Here’s a button! I LOVE that tote. So cute! You really should stop by Frundy and see all of the cute things going on in Erin’s world.

Have a Terrific Thursday!

and check out the giveaways at the top of my sidebar

XOXO

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