Market Your Biz & Giveaways Blog Party #3

Thank you for coming to another week of Market Your Biz & Giveaways blog party! This is a virtual marketplace where business owners, bloggers, and buyers can meet in one place. I'm all for celebrating businesses because they fuel our economy, hence, this blog party. It's your great opportunity to build brand name recognition for your products.

NO RULES! Just link up your etsy and/or family-friendly business, browse other businesses before you and after you. It's a great way to network with other business owners, and bloggers who can help promote your business. For the giveaways, same thing. Just link up your giveaways and join the other giveaways that catch your eye.

Link opens every Tuesday, 5:00 pm, PST and ends Saturday, 11:59 pm.

Here's the party button. Displaying the party button on your blog, while optional, is very much appreciated! For one, it will help you to remember to come back here next week. Secondly, we want to spread the word about businesses and giveaways so many can join in. Mentioning it in Twitter and Facebook will also make you totally awesome :)


<center><a href="http://www.homemakeronadime.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae194/homemakeronadime/MYBG1-3-2-1.jpg" /></a></center>

Friends, network, buy if you must, join the giveaways, and have fun!

PS: I'm not a blog police but in the name of order and organization, you'll be my bloggy BFF if you link up in the appropriate links :D Please note that there are two links. Here's the link for your businesses. There's a second link below specifically for giveaways so how about linking up your giveaways in there?





Here's the link for your giveaways

Creative Bloggers' Party & Hop 06.26.11 + Freebie and a Giveaway

Welcome to another great week of celebrating creativity at the Creative Bloggers' Party & Hop! I'm so happy you're here to add fun of the party :)

Freebie

Let's start this fun gathering by introducing Wholeport, a crafter's paradise store. Wholeport also belongs in the Etsy Community catering to our crafting needs. The moment Jenny contacted me to introduce Wholeport, I got absolutely ensnared by the site. In a moment, you would know why.

How would you like to receive - for FREE - this white cotton embroidered lace trim?

Source: blog.wholeport.com via Homemaker on Pinterest

Or how about this fabulous pink rose lace trim?

Source: blog.wholeport.com via Homemaker on Pinterest

In fact, these two are just a few selections of the nine crafting items shown below that you can ask Wholeport to send you.


(1. White Cotton Embroidered Lace Trim- Happy Music Notes, 2. Black Cotton Embroidered Lace Trim- Happy Music Notes, 3. Vivid Pink Rose Lace Trim, 4. Green Leaf Embroidery Lace Trim, 5. White Cloisonne Round Copper Beads with Floral Pattern, 6. Smiley Face Wooden Beads, 7. Gold Crystal Round Circles Beads, 8. Multicolor Polymer Clay Round Beads, 9. Origami Paper)

You're thinking, "Hm, there must be a catch." That's true, but it's all good. In return for sending you a free item (free shipping, too), all Wholeport asks is that you go on a Create-a-thon while their Creativity Expo is open. According to the website, "Use the supplies you receive to help create what you’ve always dreamed of creating. Unleash your inner craftaholic! Let your imagination run WiLd!" Does this sound good to you? So how can you join the Create-a-thon?

Just simply do the following steps.
1. Like Wholeport on facebook or follow Wholeport on twitter and then send an email to create@wholeport.com saying that you have done so. Make sure you mention in your email which of the nine crafting supplies you would like to receive and include your mailing address.
2. Create your masterpiece :D
3. Admire it for a moment.
4. Then take a picture of it and post it on Wholeport's facebook wall along with a description of which supply package you used and what you intend your creation to be. They will upload your picture and description into the Creativity Expo Contestants facebook album. Each person to upload a photo of his or her creation will also receive a $2 coupon to www.wholeport.com!
5. The top 10 creations with the most likes on facebook will each win a $50 cash coupon for www.wholeport.com.

{Please note that the deadline for requesting one of the nine crafting supply packs is July 9th 2011. The competition to receive a $50 coupon to www.wholeport.com will continue until August 1st 2011.}

And I tell you, with their reasonable prices for their crafting materials, $50 will go a long, long way. I requested for item #3, pink rose lace trim and I can't wait to complete a project that this item can fancify and sassify.

Here are some more of my favorites from their website:

Source: wholeport.com via Homemaker on Pinterest

Source: wholeport.com via Homemaker on Pinterest

Source: wholeport.com via Homemaker on Pinterest

and more.



Giveaway

Wholeport totally support you, readers, in creativity galore, so here's the good news! One fantabulous reader is going to win $25 cash coupon in their store. I tell you, with all their beautiful crafting products, the reasonable prices make it more of a crafter's dream store. So come on and join in. Not only that, Wholeport will throw in also one of their bestselling silicone soap molds.

Source: wholeport.com via Homemaker on Pinterest

(If you have emailed them already which free item you want sent to you, then you're already eligible to this awesome $25 cash coupon giveaway :))

8 easy ways to do snag $25 worth of crafting supplies and the beautiful silicone soap mold:
Important entries:
1. Like Wholeport on facebook OR follow Wholeport on twitter, and let Jenny know I sent you there. Come back here and leave a comment that you did so. (1 entry)
2. Email create@wholeport.com after doing #1, telling her which free item you want, then leave a comment here. (1 entry)
3. Go to Wholeport's blog and let her know I sent you there. Leave me another comment which crafting material you will buy when you win $25 cash coupon from the store. (1 entry)
Extra entries:
4. Subscribe to my blog by email (1 entry)
5. Add me in your blog roll, and leave a comment. (1 entry)
6. Follow me and leave me a comment that you're doing so. If you're already a follower, leave a comment, too. (1 entry)
7. Like me in facebook, and leave a comment. (1 entry)
8. Follow me in Twitter, and leave a comment. (1 entry)

Eight ways for you to win this wonderful giveaway, BFFs! It ends on July 9th at 11:59 pm, PST. Thank you, Wholeport, for the freebie and wonderful giveaway :)

Co-host
Crystal from Chocolate, Drool and Kisses is my wonderful co-host this week. You can see her love of sweets in her Tasty Treats tab. She hosts a blog party, too, called Sharing Monday and you are more than welcome to link up :) According to her, most of her blogging will be about crafts and sewing projects she is working on, cakes and other yummy food she makes, and their adventures into homeschooling.

Blog Tips
If you don't have the "LIKE me in Facebook" box (see my FB box on the right sidebar), here's a tutorial for you. It truly makes it easier for your readers to be a fan of your blog in FB when you have this box.

Favorite Blog
You clicked, inlinkz tallied. The readers' favorite blog this past week out of 185 links, being the most viewed post, is St. Malo, France, posted by Honey from 2805. I'm so enthralled by the unique architecture of the homes she showed in pictures.

Source: twenty-eight-0-five.blogspot.com via Homemaker on Pinterest

Our Party
To the main course of this post.
For those of you joining us for the first time, we only have 2 easy, simple rules:

1) Link up your creative post - can be a DIY project, decor, photography, crafts, recipes, poem, thrift finds, link party, or that informative syndicated post that can make us laugh, or cry - in short, whatever you're proud of! And if you like to link more creative posts, go for it! We'd love to see them :) (No links to businesses or giveaways. We have another party for these exclusively every Tuesday called Market Your Biz & Giveaways at 5 pm, PST.)

2) Follow as many blogs as you desire, preferably starting first with the one who linked before you and after you, before branching out, and let them know by leaving a comment. (Following me and the co-host will be very much appreciated, and we definitely follow back. Just let us know you're following.)

Displaying the party button on your blog, while optional, is very much appreciated :)

Link opens up every Sunday at 5:00 pm, PST and ends Friday at 11:59 pm.

Because I like something different, I'm using the reverse entry for inlinkz - so the most recent participant will show up as number 1, thus giving everybody a chance to have the #1 spot.


<center><a href="http://www.homemakeronadime.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae194/homemakeronadime/creativeblogbuttonjpg.jpg" /></a></center>
Friends, go ahead and mingle with one another :) Happy partying!





Burning question: Do you share your blog posts in facebook? Why or why not?

In fact, I do, both in my personal account and FB blog page. That way, I can share to all my FB friends what I've been up to, hence, more readers :) How about you?

Knott's Berry Farm Adventures

I count myself fortunate to live in Southern California. We are centrally located to where the world's famous theme parks reside, namely Disneyland, California Adventures, Legoland, Knott's Berry Farm, Universal Studios, Magic Mountain, Sea World, and San Diego Zoo. With this economy, we opt for staycation so we can support our local theme parks and businesses.

Though visits to theme parks mean thrilling fun and adventure, total splurge on souvenirs, and getting totally wiped out at the end of the day, it's so absolutely worth it. I've enjoyed all of these vacation destinations but for this particular post, I'm sharing with you my recent experience at Knott's Berry Farm.

Here's the entrance to the Farm, which is also the employees' entrance. Princess One had a choir and band performance on that day so her school was privileged to enter here.



As soon as we entered, we were welcomed by this invitation to have an artful body marking.



This is followed by the enticement to buy souvenirs prior to going to Fiesta Village where they would perform, but no. We have things to accomplish before giving in to the temptation of souvenirs.



Alright, instruments were safely hidden in the mini-tents right by Fiesta Plaza so onto the thrilling rides. What better way to start the day with a ride to the Wave Swinger? Well, actually, Princess One strongly urged me to go with her and in my haste to please her, I said OK, trying to forget the fact that when it comes to thrill rides, I'm a certified chicken. Our legs dangled up in the air, and we went in circles for what seemed like forever. In mid-air, my tummy started churning, and I remembered that I just drank juice - Capri Sun, to be exact. Suffice to say that as soon as we went back on the ground, that juice didn't stay for long.



Trying to keep up with my daughter who just said she wanted to try the Supreme Scream after our exciting stint with the Wave Swinger, I mustered all the courage and strength I have to accompany her to this ride. She went up without me, and as soon as she met me in the exit, she blurted, "Good thing you didn't come with me, mommy!" That bobbing up and down 30 stories high definitely will cause me heart attack up in mid-air. Knott's, thank me for not riding this. I already spared you from the news headline, "Woman died of extreme fear in Supreme Scream."



We kept going after her Supreme Scream ride to look for more cool rides or other attractions - then we saw Riptide. We were in awe, but Princess One wisely decided not to go.



See these monstrous roller coaster tracks? If you're a thrill-seeking-adrenaline-rush-junkie, then this ride is a match made in roller coaster heaven for you. Me? Nah-uh.



So we settled for something tame, like a train ride at the Calico Mine Ride. While waiting for the train to arrive, we got to see a replica of the Carson Hill Nugget, and I can imagine the excitement in the early times, mining such a treasure. We also saw an old map of California during the gold rush. Then we boarded the train and went on a mining adventure.



Totally worth it, after seeing these stalactites and experience the joys and frustrations of miners during the early times.



There are many food choices in there but Panda Express is always on top of our list because of their one-of-a-kind orange chicken. As a result, while inside Knott's, that's where we decided to fuel our empty tanks. Just right next door was the hair wrapping store that Princess One was so fascinated about. I promised her we'll do it ourselves so I took a picture as a reminder.



It was nearing 1:30 pm, so we had to go back to Fiesta Plaza for their performance. On our way back there, we were amazed at this stage coach because it's our first time to see where people were allowed to ride on top of the vehicle.



Speaking of mellow activities - we had another train ride, but this one has a different spin. It's a simulation of the early traveling days in a train, but with occasional raids by bandits. Here are the train-riders-friendly bandits asking for $20 for their pictures being taken.



Of course, a theme park visit is not complete without a merry-go-round ride. This has been her favorite ride ever since she was little so how can she ignore the glaring invitation to ride on one again? She felt her day was complete because of this ride.



Princess One declared it's souvenir time when we passed by this press your own penny machine. What a wonder for her to see the machine take in her 51 cents and one oval-ized penny coming out with Snoopy embossed on it.



For me the highlight of the day was picking up our chicken to go from Mrs. Knott's, a business that has been there since 1934. It's one of the best tasting chicken ever that you wouldn't wanna miss.



So when you get the chance to come visit SoCal, I highly recommend that you swing by at Knott's. One day is not enough to completely soak in the thrilling adventures and the unique beauty of this theme park so may I suggest that you plan your stay for 3-action-packed days? It will be worth it :)

Linking it up at:

Recognition Day Thursday - Incredibly Wonderful Posts

I'm always rewarded a thousandfold by incredible ideas from creative bloggers who link up at the Creative Bloggers' Party & Hop. It's another successful week of parade of creativity and here are my favorites.

Hamburgers for Dessert!?! by Crafty Cupcake Girl

Source: onestopbabygifts.blogspot.com via Homemaker on Pinterest

DIY Sugar Cubes made by Nifty Thrifty Things

Source: niftythriftythings.blogspot.com via Homemaker on Pinterest

A Few Pennies found gorgeous plates during her bargain hunt.

Source: pattyh09.blogspot.com via Homemaker on Pinterest

Lynda walked us through in this mini closet makeover.

Source: nyclq-focalpoint.blogspot.com via Homemaker on Pinterest

The Precious Little Things In Life showed a great example on how to dress up a bookcase.

Source: thepreciouslittlethingsinlife.blogspot.com via Homemaker on Pinterest

Rose served as our tour guide in her Walnut Acre yard and garden.

Source: embracinglife-rose.blogspot.com via Homemaker on Pinterest

Thanks for all the eye-candies, ladies!

--000--

Onto a different topic - the winners of our giveaways.

Our Prefense Hand Sanitizer winner is Commenter #4, Crystal from Homemaker In Heels.



Commenter #36 wins the $41.60 worth of soap and lotion from Soap Delicatessen. The lucky lady is Lavender Dreamer.



CONGRATULATIONS to both of you :)

Market Your Biz & Giveaways Blog Party #2

Welcome to another week of Market Your Biz & Giveaways blog party! I'm all for celebrating businesses and profits because businesses fuel our economy that's why I'm holding this blog party. It's your great opportunity for advertising your businesses without reaching deep in your pockets. Consider this as my way of giving back to the community

We had 168 combined total of businesses and giveaways linked up last week and here's what I observed. It was so much easier to see all giveaways in one place, hence, I was able to join most of them. If that's true for me, then that's also true for others :) I've also seen businesses that I won't normally notice so this is really a great chance to spread the word. Here's what's already happening - business owners can see bloggers who do a good job promoting business products and they already have contacted a few to do giveaways for them, and bloggers have seen great products of businesses that they are willing to market, hence, they are hosting giveaways for them, too. I'm in awe at the advantages that this connections bring so please take advantage of it.

NO RULES! Just link up your etsy and/or family-friendly business, browse other businesses before you and after you. It's a great way to network with other business owners. For the giveaways, same thing. Just link up your giveaways and join the other giveaways that catch your eye.

Link opens every Tuesday, 5:00 pm, PST and ends Saturday, 11:59 pm.

Here's the party button. Displaying the party button on your blog, while optional, is very much appreciated! For one, it will help you to remember to come back here next week. Secondly, we want to spread the word about businesses and giveaways so many can join in. Mentioning it in Twitter and Facebook will also make you totally awesome :)


<center><a href="http://www.homemakeronadime.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae194/homemakeronadime/MYBG1-3-2-1.jpg" /></a></center>

Friends, network, buy if you must, join the giveaways, and have fun!

PS: I'm not a blog police but in the name of order and organization, please link up in the appropriate links. Please note that there are two links. Here's the link for your businesses. There's a second link below specifically for giveaways so please link your giveaways in there.





Here's the link for your giveaways