2012-02-03





One of my goals this year is to kick this little blog up a notch, and it’s come time to pursue sponsors to help keep the lights on–so to say. I put out a call, and am so excited with the supportive response I received and the opportunity I now have to introduce some incredible indie businesses sponsoring Keeping Life Creative this month.

I eagerly support creativity–particularly small businesses run by women (many of them stay-at-home-moms like me!) who dared to dream and pursue their passion. And so I’ve selected and approved sponsors for this blog that I feel exemplify that. I hope you enjoy getting to know them as I have, and that you will take some time to visit their shops and blogs.



Chelle of Chelle’s Creations is a digital scrapbook designer at Scrap Orchard. I’ve had the chance to get to know and admire Chelle’s designs over the past couple of years, and adore her whimsical themed kits, and high-quality commercial-use element packs.

Chelle keeps a fun blog where she posts scrapbooking ideas, tutorials, and FREEBIES! When you sign up for her newsletter, you’ll receive weekly tips and offers. One offer I think is so fun is Chelle’s scrapbooking rewards program–similar to a punch card. When you purchase digi goodies from her store, keep track on your reward card. When the card is filled, redeem for a FREE $10 code to her store!!

Keeping Life Creative readers can take 25% off Chelle’s digital designs using coupon code: Pams_Fan_25

If you’ve followed my blog for a while, you know I’m pretty dedicated to couponing and stockpiling. My goal has been to build up to a year’s supply, so when Jade Garn, independent consultant for Shelf Reliance, e-mailed me her sponsor interest–I literally YELPED out loud because just a few days before I had spent many hours of my weekend researching food storage companies. {Talk about having a fly on your wall!}

I’m excited to have Jade aboard this month and to have the opportunity to share more about my thoughts on food storage as well as my experiences sampling some of Shelf Reliance’s shelf-stable food storage products. If you’re interested in trying their innovative freeze-dried, shelf-stable foods, take advantage of the discount Jade offers when you order through her consultant site.

Shelf Reliance has a great feature called The Q, a customizable program for those who want to build their food storage without going into debt. Based on the information and budgeted amount you provide, the automatic Q planner creates a plan for your family, then ships it directly to your home.

When joining The Q, you can set your monthly budget at what’s affordable for you, but Jade is offering a FREE pouch of vegetables of your choice to anyone that signs up for The Q at a $100 budget or more AND has it shipped during the month of February. Another benefit of joining The Q with a monthly budget of at least $100 for at least 3 months is that you will receive the Platinum Membership free for life, along with NO Annual Fee for life.

Andrea Hamilton, of Doable Diapers, initially chose cloth diapers with her oldest child to save money.  Now a mom of two young children, she realized there were more benefits to cloth diapers than JUST saving money. The benefits as well as the cute prints and colors that continually flooded the markets had her hooked, and she pursued her dream of opening a cloth diaper store.  Her goal is to grow the business so that her husband, who is studying to be a paster, can work less and study more.

The title of her store comes from the misconception many people have about cloth diapers.  I laughed about this, because I told Andrea that my mom used cloth diapers with my younger siblings and they were REALLY hard for me to help change because of the diaper pins and rubber pants. After browsing Andrea’s shop and blog, I learned that cloth diapers have come a LONG way! Andrea points out, “Today’s cloth diapers have snaps, velcro, and customizable absorption, making them just as easy, if not easier, than mainstream disposable diapers.  So in fact, cloth diapers are very doable!”

Doable Diapers offers FREE shipping on everything in the U.S. Use coupon code CREATIVE to take $5 off any order of $35 or more.

Hayley, the lady behind The Tiny Twig, writes a blog dedicated to “inspiring women to create lives of more passion and less fuss.” When it comes to motherhood, and life, Hayley says it like it is. Examine your life. Examine what stresses you out. Look for ways to make it less fussy so that you can spend your time focusing on things you value–things you’re passionate about.

Simple.Truth. Yet for me, reading Hayley’s blog is as inspiring and refreshing as sitting down and chatting with a best friend.

I dare ya to try her. But I’m warning you–you may get hooked!

Emily originally created Jones Design Company as a small stationery design business. But as her family grew (she has three boys and a girl) and her creative interests expanded, Jones Design Company became a lifestyle blog.

When you visit Jones Design Company, you’ll find Emily portrays elegance and grace in her home decor, fashion, and graphic designs. You’ll also discover free printables, tutorials for creative and inexpensive projects, musings on family, faith, and motherhood.

Maggie is the cute face behind Gussy Sews. Her indie biz story of how she went from unemployment to teaching herself how to sew, creating a brand, and running a successful full-time creative business is wildly inspiring. And her sassy bags are pretty darn adorable as well!

Besides sewing a shop full of ruffles, Maggie blogs dream-catching inspiration at Gussy Sews.

Illustrator and designer, Katie Daisy, is an inspiring example of someone who pursued her bliss and her colorful acryllic-painted artprints are reflect her passion for nature.

Find more of Katie’s beautiful art in her Etsy shop.

Leah of Bluebird Chic is a crafty, homeschooling mommy who loves photography, running, reading, and scrapbooking. She handcrafts colorful, trendy, camera strap covers and other hand sewn items.

Stay tuned for more from Bluebird Chic. . . something fun is coming in the February giveaway!!

Jessi writes the Naptime Diaries where she chats about life as a mom, and wife to a church planter. Her voice shines in her writing, and she’s the kind of person I want to sit down and have a brownie with. Preferably glass-free.

Jessi has an Etsy shop where she sells scripture-based art prints. Use coupon code NEWYEAR to take 30% off.

Mandie of MoxieMandie creates funky, fun, bright accessories such as zippy pouches and pillow covers from modern, thrifted, and vintage fabric.

I immediately loved Mandie when I read on her blog that she’s a girl who loves fabric and decided to do something about it. That, to me, is the spirit of following your dreams.

Use code TENOFHEARTS to take 10% off your purchase from MoxieMandie.

HUGE thank you to all my February sponsors! Stay tuned for the February giveaway where you you may see more of their fun products.

Interested in sponsoring Keeping Life Creative? Find more info here.

 

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