{Leap}

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Thank you Pinterest, I needed that. 

10 Secrets to Winning Blog Giveaways

I {heart} giveaways. For me it's more than just winning a prize, it's a way to discover new shops, see new products, and most importantly it's a great way to connect with other bloggers. Some of my very favorite blog friendships have started by way of winning their giveaways! 

Image Source

So, how do you win? 

10. You have to enter to win. Sounds simple, but sometimes I read a post about a great giveaway and forget to go back and enter. 

9. Find giveaways that interest you. If you don't need a new Red Sox toaster, don't waste your time entering. You will probably forget to check back and see if you won. 

8. Where do you find giveaways? 

• Often Blogs will share links to giveaways on their Facebook and Twitter pages.
• Check the announcement page of your favorite Etsy shops to see if they have blogs. Often they do and will feature and giveaway new products on their blog. 

• Tip Junkie has a great Giveaway Directory to check out

7. Try to only enter giveaways on sites that you like and will continue to visit. Again, if you enter a giveaway on a random site, you may forget to go back and see if you won. 

6. You found a giveaway and are ready to enter, what do you do next?

• Most blogs will require you to "do" something to enter such as leave a comment, follow their blog, visit an Etsy shop, like them on Facebook, or follow them on Twitter. 

• The more things you "do", the better chance you have of winning. If you plan on entering a lot of giveaways, you many want to think about opening Facebook/ Twitter accounts and using Google Reader to organize blog publications.

5. Check the number of entries or comments posted for the giveaway. The less comments, the better chance you have of winning. Yes, common sense. If a giveaway has thousands of entries, I then decide whether it's worth taking the time to enter. 

4. Don't be afraid to be COMMENT #1!  You have as good a chance of winning as comment #1 as you do any other number. 

3. LEAVE A WAY TO BE CONTACTED! Did you include your email address in your comment? If you have a Google Account, make sure your account allows your email address to be shown. 

Thank you Shelley from House of Smiths for the excellent tutorial & image

2. Check how long the giveaway will stay open and the end date. Make sure you know how the giveaway host plans to notify winners-- on the original post? On a new post? By email?  Check how long you have to respond. Typically, giveaway hosts will give you 72 hours to respond or they will pick a new winner. 

1. Most sites pick a winner using Random.org. They plug in the number of entries and Mr. Random picks the lucky entry. Make sure you've actually done everything you said you did {Step #7} because this is where the giveaway host will check. They will pick a new winner if the winning comment hasn't followed the giveaway rules. 

And finally... ARE YOU THE WINNER??!!  

Reply immediately and be gracious!  It takes giveaway hosts and the giveaway sponsor LOTS and LOTS of time to coordinate giveaways. Be patient in receiving your prize, sometimes it takes time to relay the info from the host to the sponsor. BUT, if time has gone by and you haven't heard back or received your prize, it is okay to check in. 

GOOD LUCK and Happy Entering!

p.s. Have you entered my Super Hero giveaway? Might be good practice for ya!

{Craft Time} American Flag Craft, by the book

I had this idea to use books to make a flag for my mantel. What do you think? Was it worth the 3 flights of stairs to the attic?

You will need lots of books. I tried to find bigger books that matched in size for the red and white stripes and thinner books for the stars. 

 I wrapped them in red, white, and blue tissue paper. 

Glued on stars made out of old book pages and stacked the books. 

For a different look, try separating the books 

(I can't decide which I like better)

Like the glittery star burlap bunting?  I was the lucky winner of the Funky ShiQue giveaway over at Midwestern {Sewing} Girl last week. I am totally in love with it. Thank you Maggie!

{FREEBIE} Print Sources:

God Bless America print: Landee See, Landee Do
4th of July Circles: Pluff Mud Studio

Linking to: Itsy Bitsy Paper :: Thirty Days Handmade :: Tatertots and Jello

4th of July Round Up

Sooooo many adorable ideas out there for the 4th. I just had to share my favorites.

{FREEBIE} I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE SUBWAY ART

Eighteen 25

FREEBIE} 4TH SUBWAY ART

The Crafting Chicks

{FREEBIES} 4TH OF JULY + SUMMER FUN

Blush Printables

{FREEBIES} 4TH OF JULY CIRCLES

Paper and Pigtails

{FREEBIES} PATRIOT FLAIR

Piggy Bank Parties

I'm totally crushing on these babies...

{FREEBIE}

Nothing But Country

{FREEBIE} GOD BLESS AMERICA

Landee See, Landee Do

For more 4th of July inspiration, visit my Red, White, and Blue Pinterest board, here

5 Ways to Save Money At Your Next Party

1. Buy party printables 

Save money by sending your invitations out electronically. Skip the stamps and paper- it's more eco friendly. DIY printable party collections can also include fun goodies like coordinating cupcake toppers, address labels, drink wrappers, drink flags, banners... the possibilities are endless!

2. Use everyday items in new ways

I bought two very cheap red polka curtains and hung them like curtains. Changed the room instantly! Look around your house and see what you might already have. 

3. Find one thing to splurge on... and make the rest yourself

My splurge was my fondant toppers from Two Sugar Babies, there is no way I could ever match Ms. C's mega talent. We saved money by making the cupcakes ourselves and they still looked professional. 

4. Be thoughtful in your choice of party favors. 

I would rather spend a little more money and give out party favors that are personalized, useful, or practical (other parents will thank you!). I bought $1 t-shirts and used iron on transfer paper to make Super T symbol.

5. Pick a theme that is FUN and meaningful to your child, the party goods can double as room decor afterwards!

You can bet good money that this poster will be hanging in Super J's room for a loooong time!

Do you have any money saving party tips?  I would love to feature YOUR ideas on the blog!

Super J Party

He's Fast, He's Funny, He's FIVE!

My very own Super J just turned 5, and boy did we have fun with this party!

Part One: The Decorations

Part Two: The Action

Coloring Wall

Tried to keep the desserts simple, just cake pops, cupcakes, marshmallow pops, and popcorn

Gob Cupcakes with Super J Toppers

Red Velvet Cake POP flags

Skyline Cupcake Wrappers

"Make your own heroes" for lunch

Coordinating water bottles

Buffet (transformed again)

Super J's Telephone Booth (...yes, I hung red polka dot curtains)

Each little super hero received a personalized t-shirt, cape, and mask

Coming up tomorrow:

The games, the super heroes in action, the capes and masks, and many more fun details!

My F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S Party Sources:

Anders Ruff- Vintage Super Hero Party Collection (Invitation, wall poster, flags, party circles, drink wrappers, banner, Super J framed prints)

Sassy Soirees Wedding and Event Planning- Cupcake Wrappers and Marshmallow Pops

Two Sugar Babies- Super J Cupcake Toppers

Created- Super Hero Capes and Masks

Origami Delights- Super J paper stars

Simple Parties- Inspiration Board and Links

One Charming Party - Super Hero Photo Prop Printables


Linking to: 

Super Hero Cape Giveaway {Created by Emma}

{This Giveaway is Now Closed}

I found the *perfect* person to make our super hero capes. Meet Created by Emma. She offers customized capes and masks in all sorts of colors & fabrics at affordable prices. She did a fantastic job matching my capes to the Anders Ruff vintage super hero party collection. She is opening a BRAND NEW store today. It is filled with fun children's toys, accessories, capes, and more. To celebrate her grand opening, she is offering to giveaway a custom cape to one of my readers. 

WIN YOUR OWN SUPER HERO CAPE!!!

To enter, you must be a follower of my blog. Leave a comment on this post letting me know what you would like to see more of on CBDL (tutorials? giveaways? party ideas?)

For 5 Extra Entries:

1. "Like" Crossing the Bugger-Dixon Line on Facebook, leave a comment here that you did

2. "Like" Created on Facebook, leave a comment here that you did

3. Visit Created by Emma's BRAND NEW shop, leave a comment on this post telling me what your favorite  

     item in her shop is -OR- how you would customize your cape (colors, symbols, etc.) if you won. 

4. Become a follower of Emma's blog, leave a comment here letting me know you did

5. Share the giveaway on Facebook, leave the link on this post

So there you have it, you can enter up to 6 times. Giveaway ends on Thursday, 6/30 at 10pm. Winner will be announced Friday, July 1st. Good luck and thanks for entering!

Want more good news? Emma is offering 25% off everything in her store between 6/22- 6/30 with the code 'crossing25'