Come on over to my new wordpress home!!

I'm still working on trying to redirect feeds and such, but come on over and see me at my new online home and follow me! www.creativemadnessmama.com

Still having issues

So in attempt to move over to wordpress I'm having tons of issues. Almost wishing I had not started it. Can anyone help me? I have not been able to find a way to move my current layout into a wp theme. I have tried to contact so many people now for help and I am so sick of people not returning emails. Ugh.

Spring!!

Oh my goodness I want this software!! www.iScrapbook.com

I bought Quilting fabric!!!

Not sure if you noticed, but the background of my blog is a repeating quilt blog. This was initially started as a newly wed wanting to show off her quilting projects. Then it turned into Christian Fiction Reviews. Then Maternity Reviews and Journey. Then Baby Products and More! Now it is a bit of everything, but it has been a while since there was anything quilty. One issue, I cannot read and quilt. Now I cannot play with AppleBlossom and read and that means that I cannot even think about quilting (or cross stitching). 

Well today I bought quilting fabric! Backing material actually for a quilt top that I finished before the end of my pregnancy (my daughter is eight months old btw). In the depot downtown area of the town I live in there is an amazing quilt shop The Arlington Quilting Barn (they're website is under going some construction, so bare with them). The few times that I have been I have met some different ladies and they are all so nice and geniunely interested in my projects (and my AppleBlossom). So far AppleBlossom has behaved very well and grins and cuddles on cue. It's fabulous. 


I cannot wait until I can grab a few hours here and there and get back into quilting. Right now I am the main source of AppleBlossom's entertainment, but as she is now crawling and standing and very close to walking I'm sure we might be able to find some toys (or something) to entertain her for a least a short little while. (One can hope right?)

@FuzziBunz Wonder Wipes from @WeeLittleChanges #clothdiapers

Right now I have yet to find a satisfactory situation on cloth wipes for using with our cloth diapers. Any suggestions? We bought some Imse Vimse Organic Cotton Wipes expecting them to be as fabulous as their diapers, but alas they are horrible! The stitching was pulled tight and loose in different places in the first wash and we are really dissatisfied with them... but more on that later. 

We have started using Bummas (after the wipe) and love them! More on that later too... 

But today, I just discovered a review of FuzziBunz Wonder Wipes over at Makin' It thanks to Wee Little Changes. Have you tried these? They sound good and I'm considering them, I'm just so hesitant since we were so disappointed with the Imse Vimse Organic Wipes.

Thoughts?

February 2010

Wrap up of thoughts on February readings and such...

My computer has just about died and I have not been able to load any blog front page without a crash. I'm able to go into blogger and edit and publish, but that's about it. Right now I am in Georgia helping out after my mom's surgery and I can finally see my blog again and some others. I'm so behind on all my reading it is silly! If we can make a little more money through my mom's Etsy shop I'll be able to buy a new computer... but until then I must endure. 

March will bring a new series to my Creative Madness. That of babywearing. Every day there will be a new post on babywearing. Either a guest post dealing with something to do of the topic, tips and advice, a review of a specific carrier, or a spotlight of a store or carrier. I do hope that you will benefit from reading them as much as I have from the experiences. 


As of my January update, AppleBlossom was not quite rolling over yet. Now she is with a passion, but still gets stuck sometimes on her belly especially when she is sleepy and she forgets how to push back up. Within the last week or so her babbling speech has changed and it sounds as though she has more actually phrases and sounds. We are eager to hear "mama" and "dada" soon. We have had to take a break from baby food, because we all were sick for more than two weeks with an upper respiratory infection and now AppleBlossom and I are not at home... but we'll get back on the band wagon. After no more mastitis and all... Lately we have discovered some fabulous things from iplaybabywear.com and I love it!! I look forward to telling you about those soon. Also an Etsy shop that has the cutest Pumpkin Pants, look for that to come soon as well.  
 

And of course, I'm reading. The list below will link you to Amazon where, if I reviewed it* my review is there. You can also catch my reviews by looking at the archives or going to the navigational page and clicking the link there (ie Historical, Contemporary, etc). (some things aren't linked yet, because I'm having computer issues... but if you want to read a review and cannot find it... email me.) 

1. Three Times Blessed by Lori Copeland (Christian Historical Romance)
2. Fanny and Annabelle by Holly Hobbie (Children's book) 
3. A Kiss for Cade by Lori Copeland (Christian Historical Romance)
4. Winter's Awakening by Shelley Shepard Gray (Amish Romance)
5. Liberty's Promise by Amber Miller Stockton (Christian Historical Romance)
6. Love Finds You in Bridal Veil, Oregon by Miralee Ferrell (Christian Historical Romance)
7. Swinging on a Star by Janice Thompson (Contemporary Christian Romantic Comedy)
8. A Case for Love by Kaye Dacus (Contemporary Christian Romance)
9. Secrets by Robin Jones Gunn (Contemporary Christian Romance)

January's Update

January 2010

Is my AppleBlossom really six months old? Can you believe that? I am having difficulty doing so. Well we have been in Tennessee going on four months now I suppose and I still like it as much as I did when we first moved. However, our house is still on the market in Georgia and if it does not sell soon I am very uncertain as to what will happen as our savings are beyond dwindling fast. Enginerd loves his new job and his coworkers; I have met a few and like them too. We are attending a good church, although we are still uncertain if it is "home". 


Every day, AppleBlossom is doing something new. Not quite rolling over, but mostly there. She loves buzzing her lips and blowing bubbles. Squealing is a new love and she babbles in a very high pitch voice - I am quite certain she likes to hear her own different sounds. She can sit for a pretty long time after being put in a sitting position and loves to play with her Classical Star stacker and with her Taggies blocks. The absolute favorite toy that I am certain I would go crazy without is her Baby Einstein Jumperoo. She loves that thing way too much and is so excited every time she goes in it. She is very ticklish and loves to be poked in the ribs. We have started various jarred baby food and it is all very entertaining. My favorite part of the day is when the Enginerd comes home and demands his play time with his baby girl. He is so cute with her and love shows. I got a good 'un. 


I am still organizing some reviews and items for my Babywearing series coming up this spring and I am so excited about it! I'm also starting to review and talk about our Baby Food Adventures as well so be on the look out for those sporadic posts. And of course, I'm reading. The list below will link you to Amazon where, if I reviewed it* my review is there. You can also catch my reviews by looking at the archives or going to the navigational page and clicking the link there (ie Historical, Contemporary, etc). (some things aren't linked yet, because I'm having computer issues... but if you want to read a review and cannot find it... email me.) 

1. Good Night, Harry by Kim Lewis (Children's book)
2. The Lion and the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney (Children's book)
3. Dinosaurs for Kids by Ken Ham (Christian Children's nonfiction)*
4. The Silent Governess by Julie Klassen (Christian Historical Romance)*
5. The Dead Travel Fast by Deanna Raybourn (General Market Historical Romantic Mystery)*
6. Letters to Darcy by Tracy Ramos (Christian nonfiction)*
7. Thicker than Blood by C. J. Darlington (Christian Contemporary Suspense)*
8. Your Pregnancy Quick Guide: Feeding Your Baby by Glade Curtis (nonfiction)*
9. Screen Play by Chris Coppernoll (Christian Contemporary Romance)*
   
10. A Lady Like Sarah by Margaret Brownley (Christian Historical Romantic Comedy)*
11. God's Little Princess Devotional Bible by Sheila Walsh (Devotional)*
12. Jenna's Cowboy by Sharon Gillenwater (Christian Contemporary Romance)*
13. The Sweet By and By by Sara Evans and Rachel Hauck (Christian Contemporary Romance)* 
14. Don't Quit in the Pit by Danette Crawford (Christian nonfiction)*
15. Top 100 Finger Foods by Annabel Karmel (Children's Cookbook)*
16. The Courteous Cad by Catherine Palmer (Christian Historical Regency Romance)* 
17. Beguiled by Deeanne Gist and J. Mark Bertrand (Christian Contemporary Romantic Suspense)*

February Reads:

1. Three Times Blessed by Lori Copeland (Christian Historical Romance)* 
2. Fanny and Annabelle by Holly Hobbie (Children's book) 

Why I Review.

My mama is a craft person. As long as I can remember she always spent a great deal of time in the bonus room also known as the "sewing room". In today's age with the availability of the internet there are interesting sights where she can share her crafts. Where places like craiglist or ebay are okay, the one that really caught my attention to homemade items has been Etsy. So with much excitement I set my mind to making an Etsy sight for my mama so that people could find things she likes to make and they might want to buy. I really do not know what to expect. I hope we'll sell lots of things to provide for the cost of making even. I hope people will want these things. Time will tell. 


Today, I was searching around Etsy and found some things to buy so I made myself an account. Then I saw somethings similar to others that I am reviewing or soon to be reviewing and figured that I'm reviewing this "well known brand" perhaps this "homemade" seller would like to be in on the reviews. I got mixed responses as often happens. Some were really excited and glad to help out. Others were out right rude and accused me of theft and scam. 


Isn't it amazing how somethings really sting? 


I'm a Blogging Mommy Reviewer. I keep a blog where I post my opinions and spotlight neat things. It started in quilts that I was making to share photos. Then I started share book reviews of the books that I was addicted to reading. I buy books, but no where near ever book available so I pick and choose like most people. When I became introduced to book publicists I was over joyed. Here I could have access to more books, continue to buy books, and share with people my passion for mostly Christian Historical Fiction. 


Then I was pregnant. I still was very involved with books, but maternity products were a necessity and so I started talking about them... What I was using, what I liked, what my sister told me about and on and on. Then some companies gave me samples to review. Some I liked, some I didn't. They were things that unless someone had personally introduced me, I never would have bought. Now I know about them and you better believe I tell my friends. You better believe that the next pregnancy-go-round I will be buying more of those products for myself. I might even buy them as gifts for friends here and there, because I used them and I know their good and their publicists were so awesome with such fabulous customer service. 


Then I had a newborn. Well, before AppleBlossom arrived, my husband lost his job. Four months without a real income. It is amazing what that does to your budget. Then relocating for a new job paying rent here and mortgage there as well as all the other bills. That was unexpected. We could not afford diapers. We could not afford anything. 


Because I had my start in book reviewing and a few maternity reviews here and there I went on the nudge God gave me to ask some companies about diaper reviews. We knew that we wanted to cloth diaper, and knew that it would be less expensive in the out run. So I prayed about it, then sent requests. I could not believe the blessings in responses that I received. The PR that I interacted with from most companies was (IS!) amazing. We were able to get enough diapers that I could fully cloth diaper my baby girl from birth to practically now. (We're still good in those diapers, but we're shopping around for the next sizes now.) The companies that were so good to me for trusting me with my opinions and their products and just plain polite are the ones that we will buy product from. They are the ones that I will buy for later children. They are the ones that I will tell my family to buy from. They are the ones that I will share with friends for months and years to come. The ones that were rude, outside of "busy" (two very different things) I would not darken the door of if you forced me. You better believe there are specific companies that have such terrible ideas about what PR is that I will rant and rave and complain and NEVER buy from them. 


Just because someone says no to me, does not mean that I will not buy from them. It is all about attitude. Some companies are small and cannot afford to give away samples. That is completely understandable and I am more than willing to do a "spotlight" on something I believe in when a "review" is not available. 


While on Etsy I talked to a few people and then went to the forums to try to meet and make some acquaintances in the "community". The blogger bashing that I discovered was unnerving and disheartening. Yes, I realize there are idiots out there just attempting to get free product for the sake of free product, but that's wrong, and that's not me. - Nor is it the community of bloggers I associate myself with. 


Money is incredibly scant item right now. I work on spending it wisely and where it will be well spent. In example (before the lay offs) I was sent a product for review that cost $6. I loved it so much that I went back to their store and bought $100 worth. That is what I think of reviewing. That is what I think of respectable reviewer response. There are so many cloth diaper companies out there and many of them are very competitive and close in quality. One company sent me a kit to get me started that was worth more than $100 when I did not have two pennies to rub together. Now, when I'm budgeting what we'll buy in the next size I'm planning about $100-200 on that brand specifically. I've told my sister how great I think that brand is, and she plans to buy their products for her children (she's on five and counting, three out, two in). Another company made very rude comments about the idea of bloggers in general and how they are "fakes" and "running theft". That cloth diaper company will get negative remarks from me and not a cent when I have the money to spend and you better believe it. 


I review because I want to share my opinions. I review because I have found some great things that I just have to share. I review because I have the time and desire to do so. I review because it makes me happy. Products that I get for review (depending on what they are) will go different places. Some I will keep for life and buy more. Some I will return to the company. Some I will give on to someone else in need. I never sell products that I get and I do not take money for reviews, just product for time. 


I'm sorry that there are scammers who rip people off. I despise you and hope your blog crashes. 


As for companies. If you do not believe in reviewing bloggers realize these things... They do not just review you online, they tell people about you in person, in real life. There is no better marketing than word of mouth. When you do not want to participate with bloggers, just state that fact. Plain and simple. Tell them they you would be more than happy for them to buy your product and review it, but that you do not provide samples. End of conversation and polite. If you are rude to a blogger. They won't forget it. Even if there is not a post with "I hate SAID company" written in it. They get the point out there. Their friends will know and boycott you because you forgot your manners. 


You better believe it was right and means many different things when it was stated that "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned." Well this woman is mad. And rude company, you scorned me. Get a lesson in proper PR for future customers, but you better believe me. When I have money to spent, it sure as fact is not going to be wasted on you. 


If you're nice to people. They will most likely be nice to you. That's a rule I believe... Ever hear of it? As a matter of fact it is in almost every religion known to man. (See I learned something with that degree... - BA Religious Studies) 

Help 'a Mama out

Some of you may know about the trials of last year and this... but long story short for those who do not. The year started with our finding out that we were finally pregnant and then the year proceeded with a high risk/multi specialist visit pregnancy with a few scares, but ending with a perfect AppleBlossom. A few months into the pregnancy, my husband lost his job as well as almost a hundred other people. It was a shock, completely unexpected and very sudden. Four months I had him all to myself. (Frankly the timing could not have been better with two months at the end of my pregnancy and then two months at the beginning of AppleBlossom's life). Now he has a great job and the future looks good. 


With the new job, we had to relocate from Georgia to west Tennessee. Now we are renting a house, and our home that we bought in the fall of 2008 (months before we lost the job - planned on years!) that we both desperately loved sits on the market waiting to be bought. Having a new baby is fairly expensive on it's own. Add several months with out an income and mortgage to that it's a little more stressful. Add relocation and rent to that in addition to bills at both locations is a nightmare. 


In essence, the purpose of this post is to let you know that I have affiliate links to a couple places. I'm just letting you know in case you already are planning to place an order at any of these stores, if you do so through my link I can get a minimum commission. I have been gathering these and adding ones that I know my family and friends might be interested in, but I think that posting to let you guys know there might be a little more interest. Any money that comes from this honestly is really going to help with anything and everything - like groceries and bills. 


It doesn't cost you anything, just whatever you were planning to purchase or purchase anyway. Just by clicking the link, and the purchasing something hooks back to me. It'd really help. 


Most of the time you can find a few select shops top right on my sidebar and all affiliate links at the bottom of the page. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor or affiliate please email me. 


*Note* The Tupperware link does not give me a commission, but it does take you to my sister's store where she is the TW consultant. I highly recommend her, as she has great customer service. And feel free to let her know I sent you.