Sunday, August 4, 2013

The winners!!!!!!!

Hi, girls!  :). It's time to announce the winners of my giveaway!!!!!!  :D. I'm so excited!

And the winner of the beautiful book cover from DesertStrands is............................................................................................................................................................................(suspense builds)......................................(drum roll).........................CINDY!!!!!!!!!!!!   She entered via email.  Congrats, Cindy! Please email me your address so your prize can be sent within a week, or I will have to pick another winner.  :). 

And now, the winner of the pretty pendant from ModernInspiredDesign is......................................................................................................................................................................................(more suspense!  XD)............................................(another drum roll please!)..............CARTER ELISABETH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!    Congrats, Carter Elisabeth!  :). Again, please email me your address so your prize can be sent within a week, or I will have to pick another winner.  :)


Congrats, girls!  Thank you everyone who entered!!!!!!  :D


Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Review and interview with BeckedOut!

 Hey, girlies!  :)   Eeeekkkk, I'm so excited!  My first review!  It is with an amazing Etsy shop, BeckedOut.  Thanks for donating the terrific jewelry for me to review, Becky!  :). Becky has really cool jewelry in her shop, all handmade!  First, the review.

Everything came (inside the envelope of course XD) in this cute drawstring bag.

The two items Becky sent for me to review: a pretty ring, and a very beautiful bracelet.

First, the ring.  The ring is very comfortable to wear, and fits me perfectly.  My sister tried it on, and it fits her, too.  It is very pretty, and I think would go with a variety of outfits.  I love rings!  :). And this one is the perfect final accessory to any outfit.

The bracelet.  The bracelet was a bit loose on me, but that's ok.  :). I don't like bracelets that are particularly tight, because after a while of wearing them one day, they may begin to pinch.  ;). This one doesn't do that!  :D. It has a variety of colors, textures, and different kinds of beads in it, which means it would be easy to pair up with an outfit; there should be a color in this bracelet to match any outfit!  :). 

There is also a cute heart charm near the clasp; a nice touch, in my opinion.  :)

Here is the clasp.  :). It was a bit hard to fasten, but that's good, because it won't fall off!  (I've had bracelets do that to me before.  XD). I think it's a hook and eye clasp (but I may be wrong), and doesn't take away from the rest of the bracelet.  :)

In conclusion, I give the ring and bracelet 10 out of 10.  :). (10 being the best). Let me know if you buy BeckedOut jewelry!  You won't be disappointed!  :)


And now, the interview.  Thank you so much, Becky, for letting me interview you!  :D



Why did you create BeckedOut!?


Looking back I’d like to say it was a natural progression of things. It may be more complicated though. I like many other people growing up wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do, and if asked never usually stuck with the same answer more than twice I’m sure. I have always enjoyed being creative, drawing painting writing, but had never really considered building a career from it. I also enjoyed making my own gifts, including jewelry for family and friends. Every one really enjoyed these gifts and creations and encouraged me to continue making them. I realized that I really enjoyed making them, and amassed quite a collection, that it was then suggested by my mother among others that I could sell them to make a little money. The thought that had never occurred to me myself. I ended up doing a moderate amount of research and decided to start my business, and then later extended to the online aspect.



What inspired the Name *BeckedOut!*? 


There was a process I went though, considering options for my company name, my main considerations being the name needed to stand out and be recognizable, I wanted people to immediately connect my name to my business name, and I wanted to have it be fun at the same time. 



What is your favourite Material to work with in Jewelry?


I am constantly finding new materials as which to work with and discover. My favourites vary at times with each project, but if forced to choose one or two over all I would have to say working with gemstones and wire are at the top of my list. 

What is your favourite jewelry technique you’ve done?

I think it varies based on what I’m working on, with each new thing I’m learning I find some techniques become my new favourites, whereas others I learn are more arduous. Over all though I love creating jewelry, so I enjoy learning all the techniques I can. Wire working and beading are my favourites of the moment.




What is your favourite jewelry 'genre' (Bracelet, ring, necklace, etc)?


I would have to say necklaces, because although each has its own value, they ultimately allow for the most variety and creativity when making them.


So that's the end of the post!   I hope you enjoyed it!  :)


Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Reminder for the giveaway.....

Hey, girlies!  :). I just thought I'd post a reminder that the big 10 follower giveaway ends in FOUR DAYS!!!!!!!!  :D. Eeeekkkk, I'm so excited!  So go enter if you haven't yet!  :D. Thanks!  :)

Four Spice Crackles recipe!

Hi, girlies! :). Some of you may know that I love to bake! :). I don't know where I found this cookie recipe (it was somewhere online), but it has become my 'signature recipe'. They are very tasty, and even my sister loves them! ;). If I say I'm going to bake some cookies, she always says "Make some of those yummy spice cookies!" XD. Althpugh the list of ingredients may look long, the cookies really are not too hard to make. The recipe:


Ingredients

( Keep in mind original recipe should make about 4 dozen)
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
1/4 cup molasses
1 egg
2/3 cup coarse granulated sugar

Directions

1. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ginger, cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon. Set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, cream together the brown sugar, butter, and shortening. Stir in the molasses and egg.
3. Gradually stir in the dry ingredients until everything is incorporated.
4. Cover and chill dough for at least 1 1/2 hours.
5. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease baking sheets or line them with parchment paper.
6. Roll the chilled dough into 1 inch balls. Roll each ball in the coarse sugar. If you do not have coarse sugar, you can use regular sugar. Place cookie 2 inches apart on the prepared cookie sheets, and flatten slightly.
7. Bake for 9 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven, until cookies are cracked but still soft in the center. Remove from baking sheets to cool on wire racks. Store cooled cookies in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.


I hope you enjoy this recipe! :).

Friday, July 26, 2013

Interview with Dolllover!

Hi, girlies! :). Dolllover from My Doll Crafts and More (http://mydollcraftsandmore.blogspot.com) let me interview her! :). Here's her answers:

1. What's your name (or Blogger name), and how old are you? (You don't have to answer the age if you don't want to)
Dolllover and I'm 10!

2. How/ why did you begin your blog?
I began my blog because I saw other people's blogs and thought they were neat! So I decided to give it a try! :D

3. What is your favorite out of these (maxi skirt, tennis shoes, sparkly ruffled t-shirt)?
Sparkly ruffled T~Shirt!

4. What is your favorite book?
I'd have to say...Nancy Drew-Sisters in Crime, or the Bible.

5. What is your favorite animal?
Horses~By far! I'm a horse addict!

6. How many/ which AG dolls do you have? If not, what's your favorite season?
I don't have any ag dolls but I have our generation Hally and A what a doll! from kmart. I'm working on an ag doll. Lets just say: Coming soon! (possibly:D)

7. What is your favorite movie?
The Nancy Drew movie or Monsters University

8. Your blog (s)
mydollcraftsandmore.blogspot.com~ Check it out!

9. Anything random you'd like to add. :)
I'm a horse and doll addict!!!! Also I love to swim! ;D


Thank you, Emily! :). She and I are collaborating on her blog now, and we are having a giveaway when we reach 5 followers! :). So please go follow! And also don't forget to enter the giveaway here on the Jottings of Jan! :). Thanks, girls!

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Interview with Hannah!

Hey, girlies! I recently interviewed Hannah, who has three blogs! :). Here's her answers. :D

1. What's your name (or Blogger name), and how old are you? (You don't have to answer the age if you don't want to)

My name is Hannah and I am 10 years old.

2. How/ why did you begin your blog?

I began my blog because I loved reading AG blogs and I wanted a blog to become one of them.

3. What is your favorite out of these (maxi skirt, tennis shoes, sparkly ruffled t-shirt)?

Tennis shoes!

4. What is your favorite book?

The bible :-)

5. What is your favorite animal?

Pandas or koalas!!! I can't decide!!

6. How many/ which AG dolls do you have? If not, what's your favorite season?

Currently, I have two AG dolls and they are Molly and Shaila (42).

7. What is your favorite movie?

Wreck it Ralph!!! Penelope is sooo cute!

8. Your blog (s)

I have 2 blogs and my dolls have 1.
My blogs: http://theblueskyisee.blogspot.com
Http://dollitupcraftsandmore.blogspot.com
My dolls blog:
Http://3amazingdollies.blogspot.com

9. Anything random you'd like to add. :)

On my blog (Another House full of AG), we are having a giveaway right now!!!!

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

10 FOLLOWER GIVEAWAY!!!!!!!

Update: If you can't comment, or your comment thingy isn't working, email me to enter! :). Just email me the same thing you would've commented, and that's that. :)

Um, hi, everyone! This is Bashful, as in Jan's hamster. She asked me to announce the giveaway, although I have NO experience doing this. :). However, I'll try my best!
If you're wondering why I look kinda half-asleep in this pic, its because I'm about to take a nap!  :)

Now, on to the AMAZING prizes you could win!  Our first sponsor is Raemie from DesertStrands, who is donating a very pretty paperback book cover!  Isn't it gorgeous?  :)  Thank you VVVEEERRRYYY much for sponsoring, Raemie!  :)

And our 2nd sponsor is Sarah from  moderninspireddesign who is spnsoring with a very pretty pendant!  :)  It is of a bird, and refers to Matthew 6:26!  :D  Thank you soooo much for sponsoring, Sarah!  :D

And now, HOW you can enter to win one of these FABULOUS prizes!

Rules
- You must be a follower of The Jottings of Jan
- You must be able to give out your address, so that if you win, your prize can be shipped to you!  :)
- You must have parent/guardian permission if you're under 18

To enter, comment down below with your name (or online name), and what your favorite thing about summer is!  :)  Then, go to DesertStrands and moderninspireddeisgn shops, and comment what your favorite thing in each shop is! :)

To earn extra entries:
- Favorite both shops on Etsy (2)
- Post about the giveaway on your blog (3)
- Email 5 friends about the giveaway, including Jan (3)
- Buy something from one of the shops (10)

There will be two winners, who will be picked randomly.

The giveaway starts today, and ends August 3rd at midnight EST.  Jan can't wait for you all to enter!  :)  And now I am going to go finish my nap.  ;)  This is Bashful signing off!  :) Goodnight!

Giveaway at AG Photostory Central!

Hey, girlies! My sis, Cindy, at AG Photostory Central (http://agphotostorycentral.blogspot.com) is going to have a giveaway when she reaches 25 followers! She has 18 now, so only 7 more to go! Please go follow her, she'd really appreciate it! She also has a sponsor lined up, with a GREAT prize! :)

And speaking of giveaways, The Jottings of Jan reached 10 followers today- 11 in fact! :D. YAYYAYYAYYAYYAY!!!!!!!!! :D. You know what that means- giveaway! :D. The post for the giveaway will be posted tonight or tomorrow! I can't wait! :)



Saturday, July 20, 2013

Breaking.....

Yes, I am breaking. But only for 2 weeks! :). I'll be back August 3rd, with loads of new posts! XD. The giveaway for when I reach 10 followers here is still going to happen, so please follow! :). There's a great prize! I'll see you all August 3rd! :D

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Interview with Danielle!

Hi, girlies! Danielle from American Girl #1 Fans and The Diary of Danielle let me interview her! :). Thanks for letting me interview you, Danielle! :D. Here's her interview!

1. What's your name (or Blogger name), and how old are you? (You don't have to answer the age if you don't want to)
My name is Danielle and I am a pre-teen. :)

2. How/ why did you begin your blog?
I wanted to start my own blog to write about God, my thoughts, my life, and my American Girl dolls!

3. What is your favorite out of these (maxi skirt, tennis shoes, sparkly ruffled t-shirt)?
Probably a maxi skirt!

4. What is your favorite book?
I have lots! I would have to say the Bible. :)

5. What is your favorite animal?
Horses!

6. How many/ which AG dolls do you have? If not, what's your favorite season?
I have a total of 10 American Girl dolls. They are ( in order ), Elizabeth, Emilia, Felicity, Saran, Molly, Emily, Annabeth, Ruthie, Caroline, and Saige. :)

7. What is your favorite movie?
Hmm... Monster's University. :)

8. Your blog (s)
I have 2 blogs, http://www.daniellefunblog.blogspot.com and http://www.americangirl1fans.blogspot.com

9. Anything random you'd like to add. :)
I hope you go check out my blogs! Thanks Jan for the interview! :)


I Dream of Jeannie

Hi, girlies! :). Have you ever watched I Dream of Jeannie? It's a 1960s TV show about a genie. It starred Barbara Eden, Larry Hagman, and Bill Daily. To find out more about it, visit the show's Wikipedia page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Dream_of_Jeannie. I Dream of Jeannie is one of my favorite television shows. You should definitely check it out! :D

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Interview with Azure!

Hi, girlies! Azure from Pippa and Poppy and Garden of Friendship let me interview her!  :). Here are the answers!


1.  What's your name (or Blogger name), and how old are you? (You don't have to answer the age if you don't want to): Azure (pen name); 11

2.  How/ why did you begin your blog?
Because: I love reading; I love writing

3.  What is your favorite out of these (maxi skirt, tennis shoes, sparkly ruffled t-shirt)?
Tennis shoes...but I don't like wearing shoes.

4.  What is your favorite book?
Oh man....I will have to choose Mysterious Benedict Society.

5.  What is your favorite animal?
Turtle/tortoise

6.  How many/ which AG dolls do you have?  If not, what's your favorite season?
I have ONE AG doll; Kit

7.  What is your favorite movie?
Never Ending Story.

8.  Your blog (s)
http://pippybookworm.blogspot.com
http://growntogetherinlove.blogspot.com

9.  Anything random you'd like to add. :)
Bonjour, Mademoiselle Parlez- vous français?  Je le fais, pas si couramment.


Thanks for letting me interview you, Azure!   :)  To be interviewed, please email me at funwiththedolls@gmail.com!  Thanks!  :D




Interviews!

Hey, girlies! :). I'd love to do some interviews! If you'd like to be interviewed, please email me at funwiththedolls@gmail.com! :) Thanks!

Monday, July 15, 2013

My visit to the Aquarium!

Hey, girlies! How's your summer been so far? Mine has been pretty good; we went to the aquarium today! :D. We just got back, and I took lots of pictures for you. Whenever my family and I go to like a zoo or aquarium, I go CRAZY with pictures! My sis finds that something else to call me crazy about. XD. Maybe I'll be a wildlife photographer someday. Anyway, I am warning you there is a LOT of pics in this post, even though I sorted out all the pictures I took. :). First up, a swordfish!


Hi there, little tortoise!  What a cutie!  <3

A komodo dragon.  Hi there!  They look so funny!  Heehee!  :)

A fact sheet about them and the kinds of finches that live in the exhibit too.

Ahhh, time for a refreshing swim!  :)

There was a pretend volcano that you could make 'erupt', and it was erupting during the picture.  You can't really see the little beads coming out though.  :)

The cool tunnel exhibit!  There was noone in the exhibit while I took this photo.  :)  I was lucky.  :D

Some fish in the exhibit, with a stingray in the background.

More fish in another exhibit.  <3 this photo!

A sea urchin.

A tortoise with a funny nose.  XD  I thought he was cute, though.

The setup about coral conservation.

Pretty water.

A Kemps Ridley sea turtle.  The woman working there said her name was Penny.  It was cleaning day in the sea turtle exhibit, and Penny was looking for a place to be out of the way, which is why she's in the corner.   :)  She's kind of shy.

A little baby Loggerhead sea turtle in its tank.  Sooooooo adorable!  <3

An exhibit showing how the mama sea turtles lay their eggs.  :)  No, it isn't a real turtle!  XD

Moon jellyfish.  :)  They're so pretty!

A cute Harbor seal!

And, of course, a random bird picture on the way out!  :)

I hope you enjoyed these pictures!  :)

Miracle on 34th Street

Hi, girls! I was watching the original Miracle on 34th Street movie yesterday. Oooohhhhh, I LOVE that movie! I noticed something I'd never noticed before, which is weird! ;). After the many times I've watched Miracle on 34th Street and I Love Lucy episodes, I never noticed that William Frawley (Fred Mertz from I Love Lucy) was on Miracle on 34th Street!! :). Here's William Frawley in I Love Lucy:


And in Miracle on 34th Street!  :)  Isn't that neat?  Frawley plays the judge's political friend.

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