JulieK | Embrace the Everyday

Fun Online Games

September 18, 2012 By JulieK

I don’t play very many online games, but, Reel Cash Critters is not your typical online game. To play, you wager your GVs (Gamesville’s virtual currency that you win by playing games) and spin. You can win cash prizes from $5-$10. An online game that’s free to play where you can win actual cash prizes! Sounds pretty cool to me!
An added cuteness factor bonus? The mini games and critters – who doesn’t love cute woodland creatures? Within the game, you can hit the “Spin-o-Matic” which is a dial that you spin and depending on the critter that you land on, you get an extra GV bonus.

I thought that Reel Cash Critters was a lot of fun to play, it’s a great way to spend a couple of minutes to chill out in between events! The Gamesville site was very easy to navigate, including getting registered, logged in and ready to play quickly! I love when the little bit of “play” time that I have is spent actually having fun instead of trying to figure out where things are on the site.

If you are a Gold member you get another game on top of the Spin-o-Matic. “Reel Slots Shots” is a county fair-style shooting gallery where you can win GVs. Ducks, rabbits, and even our mascot Poke pop up for your chance to hit. The more you get, the more GVs you win. Another bonus to being a Gold member (and in my opinion, the best part…) No ads! It is so much more fun to play when your game isn’t interrupted by ads every so often!
Reel Cash Critters isn’t the only game that pays you real money on Gamesville. Some of the jackpots for the various games can reach up to $10,000! Plus, if you’re a Gold member, the Jackpot is doubled. If you play Reel Cash Critters, be sure to play other games like Frantic Fish or Super Chef to boost up your GVs.If you use THIS LINK to sign up, you will receive 10,000 free GV’s added to your new account!

Disclosure: This review was made possible by Mom Spark Media. Thoughts are my own. I received a Gamesville Gold Membership and compensation for my time investment and work on this campaign.

Lots of Projects!

September 17, 2012 By JulieK

I have mentioned how thrilled I am to be a part of the Events and Blog Team of the online magazine Scrapbook News and Review… I wanted to share a few of my recent projects! Click on the description to go to the post…

A card based on an inspiration piece…

A layout based on a September Color Palette…

And a recent layout based on a weekly sketch…

And one more inspiration piece…

There is a Fall Sale going on right now at 2Peas in a Bucket… Check out all the fun Fall goodies while they are on sale!

Adventure Trips

September 10, 2012 By JulieK

You all know how much we like to travel :) Usually on last minute crazy adventures… In the last 2 years we’ve been to Yosemite, Glacier National Park, the Grand Canyon, Arches National Park, Canyonlands, Monument Valley… Plus lots of places just for fun like Disney World, Disney Land, Key West… Being a teacher, there’s the added bonus of summer vacation and time to go lots of really cool places. If you click on the “Places we go” and “Travel” links in the header, you can see most of the places we’ve been!

Before we had the kiddos, we took a fabulous (crazy) vacation to London and Paris (with a detour to Scotland)… And Mike occasionally travels for work… We’re planning to travel abroad soon, we’re just waiting for the kids to get a little bit older (and a little less picky about food). I recently heard about the Adventure Collection.

They have all kinds of vacations, to nearly everywhere on the planet, with all different levels of adventure. It’s a collection of 10 adventure companies… From their website: “Adventure Collection companies put personal service at the absolute top of their priority list. From your first phone call to your post-trip questionnaires, and at every point in between, we focus on friendly, astute, and persnickety attention to the details that matter to our travelers. This unstinting dedication to the highest levels of individual service is what separates Adventure Collection from the run-of-the-mill.” And a stroll around their website assures you that the trip will certainly be an adventure! Check out their website and see all the really cool trips they offer!

Disclosure: This sponsored post was made possible by Mom Spark Media. I was compensated for my time investment and work on this campaign. Thoughts are my own.

Read: A Book Club Keepsake Book!

September 10, 2012 By JulieK

I am thrilled to be teaching another class next week at Ink About It in Westford, MA. I love teaching there, and Linda and Lori are super patient with me this time of year when things get crazy with me and the kiddos going back to school!! Here’s some photos of the book that we’ll be making next Thursday evening… Because I am late getting the sample finished, there’s plenty of space in the class!! So, give the store a call if you want to come!! There’s room :)

Last month, several of the ladies in class were talking about the book clubs that they go to, and I thought it would be great to make a book where we could keep a record of the books we read in our various book clubs! So, here’s the basics of the book… Not pictured are the inserts that will tuck into each of the pockets… The idea is that you’d put a little card with the book information into the month that you read the book! Check back after the class to see the inserts (I’ve got to keep something a surprise for the class :)

Here’s the cover…

And the rest of the pages…

Zutter, bind it all, book club, scrapbook, basic grey, Cricut, QuicKutz

Plumeria 12X12 Collection Pack (Basic Grey)

12 double sides papers. 1 alphabet sticker sheet, 1 element sticker sheet. Breathe in the deep hues and experience the calming effects of delicate florals, striking geometric shapes and watercolor … more info.

Plumeria 6X6 Paper Pad (Basic Grey)

36 6×6 papers. 2 sheets of 18 assorted single sided designs. Breathe in the deep hues and experience the calming effects of delicate florals, striking geometric shapes and watercolor style prints in … more info.

Happy Labor Day with Finished Projects!

September 3, 2012 By JulieK

We went away at the end of summer with my in-laws (a post about that is coming!!)… We had a wonderful time!! I wanted to take some crafts with me, but didn’t have space in the car for the sewing machine :) So I took a few projects that I could work on by hand… And, cross off my to-do list :)

Last summer I made a quilt for Kathryn using a super cute Moda Amelia Layer Cake, we loved it!! Last fall I brought it to the local quilt store (Bits and Pieces in Derry, NH) and had them quilt it for us… And, then it sat, all quilted just waiting to be bound… Well, this was the perfect opportunity!! And, I got it done while we were on vacation!!

Here’s a picture of a small section of the top

and she chose a cool fuzzy backing fabric! Here’s a picture where you can see the quilted flowers.

Here you can see the binding a little bit…

I LOVE how it came out, and more importantly, so does Kathryn :)

And, the other project I FINALLY finished :) was Sean’s blankie :) Last year I started a knit blanket for him, and it got close to done, but I just couldn’t get it finished… He reminded me OFTEN that he wanted it done, and here it is!! A fuzzy acrylic yarn, and the Plymouth Yarn 5 hour baby blanket pattern (made much larger than the instructions… you all know I can’t simply follow directions :) I have to say, he LOVES it, the other day it was 85 degrees, and he was covered with the blanket ’cause “It’s so soft, and I love it soooooo much!” Makes a Mom Crafter feel awesome!!