Stamp Out Online Review & GIVEAWAY!

A little while ago I was super lucky and won a product from a blog giveaway (shout out to Jana at Boobies, Babies & A Blog) that I love! I love books… no, not novels or history books, but children’s books! Afterall, I have 3 children of my own (all book lovers) AND though I am currently on leave, I am an elementary school teacher! My collection of children’s books is vast, and somehow continues to grow.

I didn’t win any books, but the next best thing… a personalized stamp or Mommy notepad of my choice from Stamp Out Online, I knew right away what I wanted…

As any teacher knows, it can be very difficult to keep track of all your personal materials in the classroom! But this stamp will help! I will be returning to work this fall as a Kindergarten teacher and one thing I like about this stamp is that it’s clearly recognizable. My kindergarteners, though unable to read, will know which books belong to me – as will my colleagues who ‘borrow’ materials!

Aside from being able to personalize my stamp, I was able to choose an ink color. I ordered mine in purple (although there are 7 other colors)! The stamp itself is super easy to use – no need to worry about even pressure or getting ‘half-images’. Each time I press it down, the image is extremely clear – EVERY time!

In fact, I was so impressed with the quality of my stamp that I placed an order for another one – this time for my twins’ Junior Kindergarten teacher as part of her end-of-the-year-gift! I am super excited to give this to her as I *know* it is something she will use and appreciate!

Stamp Out Online offers so much more than personalized Library Stamps ( though these would be a great asset to any home with little ones!), they offer Signature Stamps, Wedding and Monogrammed Stamps, Kid/Name Stamps and Address Stamps – just to name a few.

And a little something for the crafty type...

Stamp Out Online also lists fantastic Mommy Pad and Card Sets. The personalized notepad would be great to send notes to school on! You not only get a personalized notepad, but also coordinating cards… More and more I see and hear of Moms and families having their own cards. How great would it be to give someone your ‘card’ when arranging a playdate or get-together?!

Unlike some sites, Stamp Out Online has a very user friendly site! You will quickly be able to see what’s available and what kind of personalization you can make. You will definitely find something to your liking as all of their high-quality graphics ooze personality!

Alli from Stamp Out Online has generously offered one of Take A Mom’s Word For It readers a personalized Stamp or Mommy Notepad of your choice!! Thanks Alli!!

BUY IT!

Check out Stamp Out Online and purchase a quality personalized item for yourself or as a gift.

WIN IT!

CLOSED

Win a personalized Stamp or Mommy Notepad of your choice!

Mandatory Entry

Of course, this entry must be completed BEFORE any Bonus Entries will be counted! As always, please leave your email address with every comment (unless it’s in your profile)… you don’t want to win and then have me not be able to reach you!

Visit Stamp Out Online and choose your favorite item (this may prove difficult!) and come back and tell me what it is.

Bonus Entries

1 Entry: Become a follower of the Stamp Out Online Blog HERE.

1 Entry: “Like” Take A Mom’s Word For It on Facebook HERE. Already like me?! Aw shucks! Please tell me! (Please leave me your FB name to verify)

1Entry: "Like" Stamp Out Online on Facebook HERE and tell them I sent you.

3 Entries: Update your Facebook status telling all your lovelies about this great giveaway. Please include @take a moms word for it AND @stamp out online in your post. This way I can see it!

1 Entry: Follow Take A Mom’s Word For It Blog through Google Friend Connect (left sidebar).

1 Entry: Follow me on Twitter HERE.

2 Entries: Tweet about this giveaway. You can use this sample tweet:

“Win a Personalized Stamp or a Personalized Mommy Notepad from Stamp Out Online on @amomsword http://tiny.cc/rn5uj #giveaway"

This can be done once a day for 2 entries each day until the giveaway closes. Be sure to include the permalink to verify.

3 Entries: Post the Take A Mom’s Word For It button on your blog. Please leave me the link.

5 Entries: Make a purchase at Stamp Out Online. Leave me your name, what you purchased and when.

Good luck to everyone! Open to Canada & US only.

Giveaway ends July 2, 2010.

Disclosure: I did not receive products for the purpose of this review. I won a personalized stamp and then subsequently purchased another one. All opinions are my own.

Fun Follow Friday & Blog Hop Friday!

YAY! I was chosen for spot #3 on Fun Follow Friday!! Thanks to the hosts: Simply Stacie & My Wee View!

There are so many tools and links out there now allowing me to network and I LOVE it! I have come to follow some really great blogs and enter some really great giveaways along the way!

Welcome to everyone visiting!! It's so nice to have you here! Please be sure to poke around a little... I posted a super cute, budget friendly Father's Day idea I found HERE.

PLUS, there are always great giveaways to mix things up!

• Win a Set of 5 Hand-Poured Elmo Crayons *ENDS MIDNIGHT FRIDAY* (6/18)
• Win a $25 GC to Daisy Bags (6/25)
• Win a $20 GC to Epicure Selections (6/25)
• Win a Personalized Stamp or Mommy Notepad (7/2)

Friday also means the 6th edition of Blog Hop Friday!

Blog Hop Friday is hosted by My New Life As Mom, Chubby Cheeks Thinks, Take A Mom's Word For It, Bree Bee's, This Adventure Our Life and Belly Charms! We invite you and your friends to link up every Friday and join us for a wonderful blog hopping adventure! We're all about making friends and having fun so come join us! Here's how you can join in on the fun;

Link up to your blog, using our inlinkz link list, below.

Follow the host/hostesses located in the first 6 slots.

Follow any other blogs that you feel appropriate! :)

Add the Blog Hop Friday button to your sidebar.

When following a new blog, please remember to leave a little personal comment love.

If you get a new follower, please feel free to reciprocate the love.

<center><a href="http://www.mynewlifeasmom.com/2010/05/blog-hope-friday-week-1.html"><img border="0" src="http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s317/stephaniesblog/button-2.png" /></a></center>

This is a new list every week, so please remember to come back and link up, every week!

Please remember to send a little comment love when you follow someone's blog. The point of this is to gain new followers and new friends, so please take a second to send a personal comment on their latest post, something you like about their site or maybe something you find interesting.

We understand that not everyone has time to follow and comment on every Blog Hop Friday Participant, just do what you can and are willing to do. We will do the same! Take your time and go at your own pace.

The link list is only open to add new blogs on Fridays but will be visible all week long.

So go link up and hoppy blog hopping!

It's A Social Parade!

Social Parade time again! The parade is hosted by Smart and Trendy Moms. Welcome and while you're here please take a minute and enter the giveaways on the left sidebar. They all have pretty low entries so your chances of winning are great!

Bag Giveaway!

Ok, so I usually don't post about other blogs' giveaways, but I think I will be making an exception from now on... I will only post about blogs giving away super cool bags! What Mama doesn't need another bag?!

Don't forget I have a super cool giveaway going on for a $25 GC to Daisy Bags to spend as you wish on the bag you wish - don't miss out, entry is simple!! Click HERE

The giveaway I found was for a super chic Hobo Boutique Shoulder Bag (in Amy Butler Fabric!). The giveaway is being hosted by Love Stitched - fantastic blog for the creative at heart! Click HERE

Good Luck!

Wordless Wednesday

This is what we call "the white box" - fancy term, I know! This is our go-to box for all things tiny (not to be mistaken for the junk drawer!). This little box has actually been a fantastic addition to our livingroom. It holds lonely Polly Pockets and PP clothes, plastic rings, dice, lip balm (not sure how Little S has missed this one!), bracelets, bubbles, play money and Ken's missing flip flop!

Welcome Wednesday

Welcome and thanks for stopping by! Welcome Wednesday is hosted by Take It From Me (they have the linky posted there!).

While you're here check out the Father's Day Idea I posted yesterday - Kid-friendly "Beer" HERE

I also have a few giveaways posted and all of them have LOW ENTRIES so your chances of winning are great! They are listed at the top of the left side bar... Good Luck!

Father's Day Idea

I came across this link when looking for Father's Day inspiration and thought it was a fantastic idea...

What Dad wouldn't enjoy a "kid-friendly" pint of beer?! The 2 great things about this - the kids can make it, and it's LOW budget! You could even go so far as to decorate the mug with glass paints. Enjoy!

Here is the link to the original post: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf12349901.tip.html

Keeping the Kids Busy! < Part 1 >

Since summer vacation is quickly creeping up on us I have been thinking a lot about what I can do to keep my girls occupied. Aside from the usual trips to the splash pad, library, grocery store, and visits to friends and family it would be great to have a "go to" list for those times when the weather is not so great or when you just don't feel like packing up and going somewhere.

So, as Part 1 of "Keeping the Kids Busy" I want to share with you a fantastic recipe for Play Dough. There are a lot of recipes out there, but I have made this one NUMEROUS times for both my children at home and the children I teach at school (I'll be headed back to work this fall - but that's another story! *sniff, sniff*).

Cooked Play Dough

Ingredients

1 C. salt

2 C. flour

1 tbsp. cream of tartar

2 tbsp. cooking oil

2 C. water

*optional food coloring or Kool-Aid drink mix (half package) for color (the drink mix makes it smell so yummy!)

Instructions

1. Mix ingredients in a pot. Add the food coloring or drink mix.

2. Cook on medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring CONSTANTLY until the dough becomes stiff.

*Note: The dough will become extremely difficult to stir and you may need another person to hold the pot. Also, I prefer a hefty wooden spoon for this job.*

3. Let the dough cool.

4. Store dough in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The dough will last for quite a while and it has the consistency of commercially prepared play dough

Reference: Children's Arts and Crafts, pg 64

Have fun and don't worry about buying 'special' rollers and cookie cutters. Around here we use everything - plastic spatula, plastic cups, cans for rolling, plates, coins for impressions...

To address a comment below (sorry you didn't leave me a contact email)... the food coloring/drink mix does NOT stain the children's hands. If you choose food coloring only a few drops are necessary and once the dough has been well mixed there is no chance of transfer. The same is true with the drink mix!

I've Been Featured!

I have been featured on a fantastic blog - big shout out to Stacie at Simply Stacie! Head on over and check it out HERE. It was written some time ago as you may notice that it says I've only been blogging for a month and it's really been 3!! I know, I know not a big difference, but a lot has happen since then.

After you check out the feature let me know what you think.

Cheers!

My Lip Stuff WINNER!

The winner of the 6pk of ALL NATURAL Lip Balm from My Lip Stuff is...

Congratulations Kate!! I will be emailing you shortly. You have 48 hours to respond.

Thanks to everyone who entered!! Please be sure to check out my current giveaways. All have pretty low entries :)