How To: DIY Frame Makeover & ‘No Salespeople’ Printable Poster

DIY: Do Not Knock No Salespeople Sign Printable
Sponsored by Nuffnanng
Is it just me, or are those people that knock on your door trying to sell you something that you don’t want, getting more annoying? The worst seem to be power companies wanting you to switch contracts, and they always seem to ring the door bell at the most inconvenient times. I’ve resorted to just ignoring them, and have made a cute sign to get my message across. Hey, I can be pushy too you know, in the nicest possible way of course!

I’ve created a Printable PDF poster that you can use to keep those pesky door knockers away, and have shown you how to makeover an old photo frame to pretty up your door while you’re at it. Read on for Printable link and full instructions…
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Twenty seconds can change your life…Play it Safe By The Water

Prevent a drowning
Sponsored by Nuffnang

It’s true that this post is a slight departure from my regular offerings, but as it is  topic that I feel quite strongly about, I thought it was important to share my experiences…

This is a happy but sobering story of just 20 short seconds that could have changed my life in the most tragic of ways.
Twenty seconds is such a short amount of time, just a blink of an eye, just one moment. Sometimes if you are lucky it can be the exciting moment when your lotto numbers come up, but for an unfortunate few, it can be really devastating.
In my case, my twenty seconds saved Emma’s life.

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My Mexican Fiesta Christmas

Freedom City outdoor setting
You’ve probably noticed that Christmas is just around the corner, it has snuck up again on me this year. It’s my birthday month so I don’t really get into the Christmas spirit until I blow out the candles on my birthday cake. When Freedom gifted me a voucher to help me get ready for Christmas, my mind went straight to our outdoor area. We’ve been desperately in need of an outdoor setting to help extend our entertaining space. I love alfresco dining, and creating an outdoor room for all the festivities in December makes this season feel extra special.

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How To: String Art Christmas Tree & Card Display

String wall christmas tree

This is a sponsored post for 3M via Digital Parents Collective. As always, projects and opinions are my own.

Receiving a Christmas card in the mail these days is quite a treat, so why not display them beautifully on this colourful String Art Christmas Tree.

I’ve always loved the idea of string art, but making holes in my walls for a temporary project is not ideal. That’s where 3M Clear hooks are perfect, they stick to most surfaces, then come off cleanly. When the box arrived with the full range I couldn’t wait to get started. The Decorating Clips are small and unobtrusive, and were the perfect choice for this project.

You could also use this tree as an Advent Calender by pegging on 25 numbered envelopes, or if you have very limited space, just decorate as you would a normal tree and pop your presents under it on Christmas morning.

Read on for instructions and a chance to win one of 5 prize packs…

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Optus MeTV: The Verdict (and yummy Salted Butterscotch Popcorn!)

Sponsored by Nuffnang

Last month I posted on the new Optus MeTV internet service that arrived on my doorstep.
Now here is the verdict you’ve all been waiting for with baited breath!
Just to recap, MeTV is an internet TV service which also lets you record, pause and rewind free to air television.

What I like about MeTV:

I really love the Series Record function where you set the box to record every program in the series and watch at your leisure. I’m often busy just doing ‘stuff’ and when I finally get a chance to sit and watch some TV, there is nothing interesting on. Now I can just recall one of my pre-recorded programs any time it suits me. It has 1TB of storage so that’s a lot of shows.
I have set also the box to record some of Emma’s favourite programs like Play School, which means I can have a shower without being harassed by said toddler.

We’ve also had a couple of Movie Nights with the download to rent a movie option. I’m terrible at returning DVD’s to the video store, so I’m sure I’ve saved a fortune in fines already.

And you know what goes great with movies?

POPCORN
Here is my super special, totally, improvised but tastes amazing, Salted Butterscotch Popcorn recipe to munch on while you are watching your fave TV program. You’re welcome!

And talking of movies. Another interesting inclusion is Movie Box which includes 30 free (pre-selected) movies a month. I was pretty excited about this, but was a little disappointed as the movies on offer are quite old and/or a bit B grade. Mannequin anyone? I’d also like to see some more G rated kids films on there, because as you know, kids love watching the same thing over and over!
Movie Box has great potential, especially if they include some old classics. (Elvis musicals? Just sayin’)

Another thing that I would LOVE MeTV to be able to access is other internet Tv services like ABC iView. If it had that, it would be perfect!

So will we keep it? I think yes, especially if it’s bundled in with our other Optus services.

Here is some more info:
• For $9.95 a month, pause, rewind and record all your fave TV shows so there will always have something on – without having to pay for cable or buy box sets
• Download to rent the latest new release movies to keep you and the kids entertained without having to go to the DVD store from $5.95 each
Plus additional channel packs available for Kids and special interest for $6.95 a month each. You can add and remove these monthly, you aren’t locked in.

And just a warning on the popcorn. If you eat a whole bowl, you will get a tummy ache. I learnt the hard way.

www.mypoppet.com.au

Sew School Giveaway

So excited about this impromptu Giveaway thanks to The Haby Goddess. Jodie has offered My Poppet readers the opportunity to win one of 2 Sew School Courses valued at $49 each.

Jodie’s online sewing course is so convenient (no baby sitters needed) and includes 30 online lessons over 6 weeks covering all the important bits, starting from scratch.
More info on the Sew School website.

This course and giveaway is open to everyone, wherever in the world you may be.
To enter just leave a comment telling us:
- What sewing skill you would like to learn or find most difficult (mine is putting in zips)
and
- Where in the world you are (country is fine)

Make sure you have a valid contact email so we can contact you if you are the lucky winner.
Comment entries close midnight (Melbourne time) on the 5th of April and 2 x winners will be announced here and contacted on the 6th of April.

 Good Luck!

www.mypoppet.com.au

How To: Paper Patchwork Folder & Giveaway by MoonmuM

Today’s DIY project created by the lovely Belinda of MoonmuM. Belinda makes amazing paper based products and has been kind enough to offer a fab GIVEAWAY for all you lovely readers. Details at the end of the post.

Paperwork for me is the most dull thing EVER. I truly dislike it and avoid it at all costs, which isn’t so great when running a small business. I do, however, love pretty stationery. So since I’m too cheap to pay for ‘designer stationery’ and i need to entice myself into action, i buy plain old bits’n'pieces and pretty them up myself. It’s a whole lot nicer to sit down with a colourful folder in front of you to get organised when it looks good.

This is my latest attempt at getting my act together – a paper patchwork folder.

You’ll need:
- plain brown A4 ringed binder (got mine at officeworks)
- set of white A4 dividers
- manilla folder in any colour
- colourful and patterned papers
- scissors
- Mod Podge + paintbrush
- glue stick
- sewing machine (optional)

So, take all your coloured paper and cut out a bazillion little hexagons. I used a template approx 4cm wide and needed 72 hexagons.

Working from the edges, use your paintbrush with the Mod Podge to glue the hexagons onto the front of your folder.

Place colours and patterns randomly to create a nice patchwork effect. Glue them on and coat over the top of them as you go too. Mod Podge is a glue and sealer in one, super-easy to work with, dries clear and gives a nice durable and varnished looking finish.

Allow to dry and then slap on another coat.

For my dividers i used some matching paper that i used for the hexagons to cover the tabs. Just glue the coloured paper on and cut around the tab shape for a neat finish.

I also needed a spot to shove receipts, so i made a pocket for the inside front cover by cutting down a coloured manila folder to measure 22cm x 15cm. I sewed around three sides of the pocket with a wide zig-zag stitch on the sewing machine. This is optional, you could just glue the edges together if you wanted. I like the homey feel of stitching.
Then glue your pocket to the inside front cover.

Done! Hope it brightens up the dullest of dull tasks for you :)

Thanks Belinda, your Paper Patchwork folder looks amazing!

And now it’s GIVEAWAY TIME! For your chance to win your choice of Notebook & Card from the MoonmuM Etsy store, pop over to Belinda’s shop and tell us what your favourite item is, then leave a comment here.
International readers are welcome to enter.
Winners will be drawn randomly and announced in this post on the 29th of March. 
One comment/entry per reader please, Entries close 10pm 28th March 2012 (Melbourne time).
We need to be able to contact you so make sure you have your e-mail link enabled or leave your email details in the comment.

GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED, THANKS YOU

www.mypoppet.com.au

Optus Me TV – A Review

Sponsored by Nuffnang 

It’s not often that Mr Man gets enthusiastic about my blogging, until I was asked to review the new Internet TV service called MeTV by Optus. He is a bit of a TV junkie and had been asking for something like this for ages, so you can imagine how happy he was that I accepted the challenge. He even helped me take these photos, crazy times!!

The courier delivered everything we needed to get started. There was the Fetch Tv box which lets you record, pause and rewind Live TV with a whopping 1TB of storage and a modem router thing which connects everything to your internet so you can use the Optus internet TV service. Oh and of course all the wires and instructions too.

I was really impressed at how clear and easy to follow the instruction booklets were. Every step had detailed pictures with a clear checklist to ensure nothing was missed. It probably took about 20 min all up with no cursing at all. The only disappointment with setting up was that I didn’t have to use these colourful cables.

Initially I thought that MeTV was like a cable service but it’s totally different. Yes you can subscribe to on demand internet channels and movies for a fee, but mainly it allows you to program and record free to air programs.

So now I’ll be having a play to see how it all works, I just need to wrestle the remote off the Mr.

Here is some more info:
• For $9.95 a month, pause, rewind and record all your fave TV shows so there will always have something on – without having to pay for cable or buy box sets
• Download to rent the latest new release movies to keep you and the kids entertained without having to go to the DVD store from $5.95 each
• Plus additional channel packs available for Kids and special interest for $6.95 a month each. You can add and remove these monthly, you aren’t locked in.

We will be giving the MeTV a thorough test run here at My Poppet HQ so tune in shortly for the results.

www.mypoppet.com.au

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