So excited about 2011

I'm so excited about where 2011 is taking Altered by Jenn. I started off by adding some new items to which I'll be selling this year. Here in our little town it's hard to find party stuff that isn't based towards: Princesses, Toy Story, CARS, Dora, Pirates and Sesame Street. I had heard some of my friends saying that they weren't happy with the selection around here either so I decided to help change that.

I had the idea to start selling party items that can be customized in any shape, color, or theme the customer would want. I am so glad I have decided to pursue this area. I was contacted by a friend that wants me to make a cake topper and matching banner that says "Bride to Be" for her SIL to be's bridal shower in April. I'm also making a "Welcome Home" banner for my BIL's return from Iraq!

I can't wait for the first craft show coming up on Mother's Day so everyone that comes will see what I have to offer the town and surrounding areas :)

Need to find a turkey......

So I just learned about this awesome new site called Cricut Search and I ♥ it! Thank you to Sarah at PinkCricut.com for telling us all about it. Not sure what it is? Well let me tell you.

CricutSearch.com will save you time when working on your scrapbooking, card making or paper crafts. You will no longer have to flip through all of your Cricut handbooks or cheat sheets to find the perfect image to complete your crafting project. Just type it into the search box and we will show you all of the choices you have.

I couldn't figure out which of my cartridges had turkeys on them and didn't feel like searching through all of my handbooks. So I went to Cricut Search and typed in "turkey" in the search bar and it brought up all the carts that have a turkey on them. I never realized how many of my cartridges had turkeys on them! This site is definitely a life saver!

You can also find Cricut Search on Facebook here.

Want some cake?!? **EXPIRED**

I know I do. I thought I would share this awesome giveaway with all of my followers and friends.

First, Creating from the Heart is giving away a Cricut Cake Machine (♥♥♥♥ it). This is in celebration of her 2 year Blogaversary and is open until August 12th, 3pm EST!

And The Scrapbooking Queen is giving away a Cricut Cake Cartridge!

Good luck to all :)

Silhouette Giveaway**EXPIRED**

Check out SugarDoodle for a chance to win a Silhouette machine! There are 4 ways to win and I have entered to win as well. This is an amazing opportunity.

New Simple Stories ele.ment.ary

I am so excited about the new Simple Stories line ele.ment.ary! It goes from preschool-graduation! It'll be perfect for a scrapbook throughout the school years. I will be ordering 2 for my kids :)

If you would like to pre-order the ele.ment.ary kit, please e-mail me at alteredbyjenn@mail.com for more info.

Ele.ment.ary - 4x6 Elements

Ele.ment.ary - 2x12/2x12 Elements, 4x4/6x8 Elements and 6x12 Elements

Ele.ment.ary - Paper, Stickers and Transparencies

Cara Putman's Stars in the Night Contest**EXPIRED**

I'm so excited about this giveaway. While I've never met Cara, I have the honor of knowing her mom, sister, and sister-in-laws that live here in North Platte! I can't wait to read this book!

The grand prize consists of several DVDs of Cara's favorite classic movies, popcorn, cracker jacks, a signed copy of Stars in the Night, and if we reach over 200 entries, a copy of each of Cara's other six World War II based romances. These DVDs are special because they include some of Cara's favorite movies of all time. Bringing Up Baby and The Philadelphia Story are great romantic comedies, both with Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn and Jimmy Stewart joins them in Philadelphia Story. Just last week, they rewatched one of Cara's favorite musicals: Singing in the Rain, which you'll also find in these collections along with Easter Parade and Meet Me in St. Louis. And then you can't do better for dramas than Casablanca and Mrs. Miniver. For the final set, Cara's adding Frank Capra's collection. You'll have hours of wonderful classics to watch.

Five first prizes: a copy of all Cara's WWII books: that means winners receive a copy of Stars in the Night, Canteen Dreams, Sandhill Dreams, Captive Dreams, A Promise Kept, A Promise Born, and A Promise Forged. That's plenty of World War II era romances and romantic suspense to fill your summer with reading.

Five second prizes: a signed copy of Stars in the Night.

So how do you enter?

Just visit Cara Putman's blog for more details!

Christmas in July Blog Hop WINNER

Thanks to everyone that has stopped by over the weekend! I love participating in blog hops like this. Really makes you use your creative juices! I can't wait for the next one, whenever that may be. Thanks to Ms. Sue Frazier for coordinating this again!

I used random.org for the winner (greatest invention ever) and the winner is Cindy!