Elmer's CraftBond and X-ACTO Designer Series Review

Because I am a BzzAgent I received free products to try out and review for their Elmer's Crafters Campaign. I tried these products out and here are my thoughts: It seems the X-ACTO quality control not so good. One of the decorative edge scissors was duller than the other, so it didn't cut as well and left a ragged edge on the paper. I had to pry one of the scissors apart before I ever used it because part of the plastic was fused together in front. These scissors would be awesome to use for creating a scalloped and zig zag edge for scrapbooking, card making, or crafting.  The Corner Rounder Punch was very disappointing and didn't punch out the corners at all for me. Different thickness and grades of paper worked better than others. My friend says her punch works fine and does a very good job. If mine worked I think it would be great to round the corners of pictures or paper. Too bad I can't sharpen the corner punch. Elmer's CraftBond products except for the tape runner were awesome! All are acid-free...so perfect for archival work. I had trouble with the tape runner because it didn't roll across the surface of the paper consistently and ended up not being a very good adhesive for some things. The clear glue pen is great and dries really fast...although it makes the paper moist and so it bubbles a little. The all-purpose glue stick...is like a regular glue stick but is also Acid-free, photo safe and non-toxic. The glue spots are great for creating a bit of a 3D look to homemade projects. They are a neat pop-up medium for things.

I received in my Bzz Kit:
X-ACTO Designer Series
2 pairs of X-ACTO Decorative Edge Scissors (scallop and zig zag)
1 X-ACTO Corner Rounder Punch

Elmer's CraftBond

1 Elmer's CraftBond Permanent Tape Runner
1 Elmer's CraftBond Clear Glue Pen
1 Elmer's CraftBond All-Purpose Glue Stick
An assortment of Elmer's CraftBond Glue Spots

Enter the Crafting Memories Sweepstakes for your chance to win over $1200 in prizes. Grand prize includes an Elmer's/X-ACTO prize pack and 2 $500 Walmart gift cards!

Get A Free Sample of Elmer's glue from Elmer's when you sign up for the Elmer's Craft It! Craft Club.

Visit Elmer's Crafters or Fan/Like Elmers on Facebook or Follow Elmers on Twitter to learn more.
Visit X-ACTO or Fan/Like X-ACTO on Facebook to learn more.


DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: Because I am a member of BzzAgent I received word of a BzzCampaign for the Elmer's CraftBond and X-ACTO Designer Series products. All information about the products I received from the media kit, the products and the Elmer's Crafters website. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this review.

Elmer’s Virtual Bag It Forward Charity Blog Meme

I was given the opportunity by Courtney Velasquez of Detroit Mommies to share with you an opportunity to blog about a good cause! The Elmer’s Virtual Bag It Forward is charity blog meme, bloggers are able to raise $10 per blog post for Adopt-A-Classroom by writing a blog post and donating a virtual bag of school supplies. Elmer’s will donate $10 per each post written to Adopt-A-Classroom, up to $10,000.

HOW CAN YOU JOIN? It’s easy.

• Participate in the Elmer’s Virtual Bag It Forward and by giving away a virtual bag of school supplies and creating a blog post with specific rules described below.
• Elmer’s will donate up to $10,000 to Adopt-A-Classroom.
• You can give as many virtual bags as you want.
• The Elmer’s Virtual Bag It Forward will officially begin at 12 AM EST on July 22, 2010 and end at 12 PM EST on August 12, 2010. Blog posts submitted to us before or after that time period will not be counted.
• The blog post link has to be submitted in the comment section below for your participation to be counted.
• In addition copy and paste the following text into your blog post:

ELMER’S VIRTUAL BAG IT FORWARD RULES

• Copy and paste these rules into your blog post.
• Create a blog post giving a “virtual bag of school supplies” to other bloggers or write about your Back to School shopping trip at Walmart.
• Link back to the person who gave you a bag of school supplies.
• Let each person you are giving a virtual bag of school supplies know you have given them a bag.
• Leave your link in the Elmer’s Virtual Bag It Forward comment section. You can also find the official rules of this virtual #bagitforward program there.
• Elmer’s is donating $10 for each blog participating in the Virtual Bag It Forward Donation to Adopt-A-Classroom (up to total of $10,000 for blog posts written by August 12, 2010).
• Please note that only one blog post per blog url will count towards the donation.

Here is the photo you can use for your virtual bag or create your own!

 Read more about Adopt-A-Classroom

I AM GIVING AWAY A VIRTUAL BAG OF SCHOOL SUPPLIES TO:

Erin of Connected2Christ Blog
Lindsey of Kindred Spirit Mommy
Janet of Loving Heart Designs
Kristinia of Loving Heart Mommy

If you want to be a part of this hurry and let me know and I can add you to this list, but your post has to be posted by August 12, 2010!!

Tips For Getting Kids Ready For Back To School

My kids are homeschooled so they really don't need to get out the door and on a bus, but we do spend a lot of time getting ready for the school year so they can be prepared for learning. These are some great tips that I have done in the past and are doing now to gear up for the upcoming "back to school" fun :)

Before the school year starts I like to make an inventory and list of what school supplies and other things we need and then find those items on sale or at a discount somewhere. I create a curriculum and schedule for the year so my kids know what to expect. We have preparation "drills" the week before we start so that we know the routine and know how to handle something unexpected.

When it is school time we like to already have the routine down. Getting a good amount of sleep each night before the school day is essential. A healthy breakfast each morning is a must! I also advise my kids to lay out their clothing the night before so we can get a head start on the days activities and learning. I also feel it important to have them keep their desks, supplies and shelves organized so that they can find things when they are needed.

Since we homeschool we do various field trips throughout the year to different places and so when we are on these field trips we need to be prepared for the weather Mother Nature will throw at us especially if the trip is an outdoor one. Having a backpack for each child on such an occasion is a great idea so they can have their individual items with them when they need them. Have the child help pack the items needed the night before so there is no rushing when it is time to leave. On hot or sunny days we pack sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, water bottles, bug repellent, snacks, the proper clothing and shoes, and sometimes a lunch in a cooler. On cold days we pack coats or jackets and other proper clothing and shoes or boots. On wet days we also take rain gear.

Also, you can get ready for Back to School by entering HarperCollins Back-to-School Sweepstakes and possibly win some fantastic books!

DISCLOSURE: I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms blogging program to be eligible to get a HarperCollins book set. For more information on how you can participate, click here. The first 50 qualified participants will receive a signed copy of Al Greven’s book “Rules for School” and a copy of “A Light in the Attic Special Edition” by Shel Silverstein. Three randomly selected participants will win all 8 titles that are featured in the HarperCollins back to school sweepstakes.

Back-to-School BooksBack-to-School Sweepstakes

Pillsbury Toaster Strudel, Totino´s Pizza Rolls, and Box Tops Sweepstakes and Giveaway

School is just around the corner and what better way to celebrate the starting of another school year than a sweepstakes from Pillsbury Toaster Strudel, Totino´s Pizza Rolls, and Box Tops for Education.

Go and enter the A Better Back To School Sweepstakes for a back-to-school prize pack as well as a chance to win 5,000 Bonus Box Tops for your child´s school, free Pillsbury Toaster Strudel and Totino´s Pizza Rolls, and school supplies from Box Tops´ newest partner, Avery. *NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Must be 18 years or older and a member of Box Tops online to enter. Sweepstakes valid 7/15 - 10/4/09.

Pillsbury Toaster Strudel pastries are a quick and convenient warm breakfast to start your child´s school day. Kids love the warm, flaky pastry dough, sweet filling and creamy do-it-yourself icing. Once they return home, you can satisfy your child´s back from school hunger with Totino´s Pizza Rolls snacks - a big pizza taste in a bite-size roll that your kids won´t be able to resist! And get this - when you purchase specially marked packages of Pillsbury Toaster Strudel pastries and Totino´s Pizza Rolls snacks you´ll also find two Bonus Box Tops on each package.

Thanks to MyBlogSpark for this information, prizes, and product. MyBlogSpark is a fun and exciting group of bloggers that have access to review new products and services and participate in exciting giveaways, surveys and events. The network provides “Sparks” of information directly to its members from some of the best known consumer brands in the country.

Win it! Also, as a bonus Laurie from MyBlogSpark has generously offered a "Top This" prize pack for one of my readers to win. It includes one (1) free coupon for Toaster Strudel, one (1) free coupon for Totino´s Pizza Rolls, a Box Tops For Education certificate worth 10 bonus Box Tops as well as some great school supplies for your family. You can clip up to 14 Box Tops coupons from the products in your prize pack!

Mandatory:
1. Tell me what your favorite thing about the first days of school are.

Additional entries:
1. Subscribe to my blog by Blogger, by email, or both and let me know. (1 extra entry)

2. Become my fan on Facebook. (1 extra entry)

3. Blog about this giveaway on your blog and provide me with the link. Make sure you have the link to this post and A Better Back To School Sweepstakes in your blog entry or it won't count. (2 extra entries)

4. Grab My Button - See Sidebar to the left - Leave your link (1 extra entry)

5. Technorati my blog and let me know your link. (1 extra entry)

6. Follow me on twitter and retweet this: @finamoon WIN: Box Tops School Prize Pack http://bit.ly/oVX27
(Daily Extras are Available)

7. Fave me on Momfaves. (2 extra entries)

8. Comment on any other one of my posts and tell me which one. (1 extra entry)

Make sure you leave me your email in all posts so that I can contact you. If you blogged about this or faved me on Momfaves leave 2 entries saying you did. This contest ends on Friday August 14, 2009 at midnight (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada). This Giveaway is open to U.S. only!