Who am I?

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Hi, I'm Cameron (aka Iffy), a stay at home mother to 4 beautiful children. My family is my life! I am not crafty by nature....but I am learning =D I will share my experiences with you(good & bad) with crafts, DIY, cooking, and life. I say what's on my mind, and remain honest, it's just who I am. Love it or leave it =D So follow me and see my progress as I document my journey, and If All Else Fails....at least you have gained a friend and gotten some great tips or maybe learned something new along the way!

Saturday, December 31, 2011

New Year's Eve 2011 ~ Fun Ideas For Staying At Home Tonight

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Since this is my first New Year's Eve with you all, I wanted to share
some fun ideas with those of you who are like me
& like to stay in on New Year's Eve.
I cannot remember going out on New Year's Eve ever....well perhaps
once.  But I'm pretty sure the sheer craziness of the night & people
is what geared me to stay at home all the NYE since.
That and the fact that ever since my oldest, Jackson, was born I like
to give my children a kiss on the head at midnight on NYE.

Here are some really neat ideas to keep you all entertained
and sane for this long evening. Well this is my plan at least =D

Countdown Goodie Bags from Hoosier Homemade-I am so excited to make these for the kiddos
& I may even make some for Geoffrey & I too.
And Kellicrowe has a tutorial on keeping a time capsule throughout the year~ fabulous! I
think we will start one tonight for 2012!
And for hour by hour fun how does she shares this cute idea.
Six in the Suburbs has an easy diy party popper favor.

Now what's a party without some food, so here's what I will be making

Ham & Cheese Crescent Roll Ups -easy for the kids

& Chili (like at Wendy's) I will post my altered recipe after I make a batch today
but you can find the base recipe here

and a few sweets too
like fudge, mmm you can find a flawless recipe here
or if you like rice pudding
These Chocolate Crinkles look yummy too.

OK so that's all I have for now. I hope you all have a
Happy New Year
Be safe! ;)

Much Love
~Iffy~




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Thursday, December 29, 2011

My Favorite Things Friday Link Party ~ #25 Post Your Button Party!

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Alright so to bring 2011 to a close I want to have a button party this week for 
My Favorite Things Friday Link Party.  
It’s a great opportunity for you to post your blog button & get some new exposure readers.
Only 1 rule this week ~ You may post only 1 button for your blog. 
Please don’t link up a button for your blog, then one for your link party, then one for  any speciality post, 
you catch my drift right? 
 I just want to give this opportunity to any blogger who wishes to link up , an equal shot.
Links will post in reverse order to give everyone a spot at number 1.
THEN 
from those of you who link up with your blog button, I have a special giveaway
It’s an end of the year smorgasbord of cool (possibly random) stuff!  
It’s my way of giving a special treat to my amazing readers. 
So, yes in order to win the giveaway then you must follow Stay At Home Nation publicly on gfc.
So again to be clear
(You may still link your button for the party but in order to win, you must follow my blog)
Alright please link up & grab my button & post it somewhere on your blog so others can
come party with us too.
Remember you can follow me on twitter & pinterest too.
=D
Oh & if you let me know(in a comment below) that you follow Stay At Home Nation publicly,
then I will follow you back(if I don't already).
 It's a win win!
Speaking of win, be sure to enter my other giveaways going on this week too!
(You can find a direct link to each active giveaway on the top of my sidebar) 

Much love
~Iffy~

Don't forget to send me your email address if you want to be a guest blogger in 2012.
More details HERE

I also am starting a button tab so if you place my button on your sidebar then send me your html code & I will place your  button on my sidebar on Stay At Home Nation.  
It’s a FREE swap, so what could be better?  

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Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Giveaway #23 ~ Teething Bling Pendant Necklace ~ NOW CLOSED

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Thank you for everyone who entered!
Congratulations to #3 Maggie10 (Rhonda) I hope you enjoy this awesome
teething necklace-it's really a great product!
Thanks again to Amy at Smart Mom Jewelry!

Are you a mommy of a teething baby, or know someone who is, or will be?
If so you NEED to enter today's giveaway from Smart Mom Jewelry
I was very impressed with my pendant necklace & how much Landon loved chewing on it.
For 1-It is cute, you'll want to wear it even when your baby isn't with you
2-It's not like your typical teether that your little one can drop, since it's around your neck
3-It's convenient for when you are holding your little one, as it keeps them happy
4-It's on a cord that doesn't irritate your skin
5-You can wear it a couple of different ways
6-Here's a big one -It's dishwasher safe so you can keep it clean without chemicals-Yay!
7-It comes in an assortment of colors, styles, & they now even offer bangles too!

My little man LOVED this necklace, it's something I wish I had with my other 3 children when 
they were little. Oh well, at least I can pass on this AWESOME find to you!

One of my lucky readers will win a Teething Bling Pendant of their choice so take a look at just a few
of the many colors & designs to choose from.
And Bangles in every color to mix & match!

Here is how YOU can enter to win one of your OWN:

Mandatory    
*Be a new or existing follower publicly of Stay At Home Nation and leave me a comment below letting me know = 3 entries!!! Wow

Additional Ways to Enter
(additional entries will not count if you do not publicly follow StayAtHomeNation on gfc)

*Check out Smart Mom Jewelry and 
leave me a comment below letting me know which teething necklace you would pick= 1 entry

*Blog, tweet, or facebook about my giveaway = 1 entry each time (per day) you do!!

*Follow me on twitter here   ~  @StayAtHomeIffy = 2 entries

Follow me on Pinterest ~ here = 2 entries

*Put my button (located at the top of my sidebar) linking to my blog,on your sidebar  = 2 entries

*"Like" Smartmom on Facebook here = 2 entries

*Follow Teething Bling on twitter here = 1 entry

(Post your url in your comment below so I can verify any twitter, blog, etc entries) 
Please note: You must leave a comment for each entry in order for multiple entries to count (ie: tweet 1 & tweet 2)

Also for 20% off at checkout enter the code S-SMJ

There are so many chances to win, but you can't win unless you ENTER! 


This giveaway is currently open for U.S. residents only, & will close at midnight est on January 3, 2012. This will be a completely random drawing so the more entries you have, the better your chance to WIN!
I will notify the winner by that following Friday, so please make sure I have your email address so I can contact you asap.
A special thanks to Smart Mom Jewelry!
Oh & be sure to enter my other giveaways ending soon 
DNA skincare kit & Go Sticks from Havvn ~ Enter HERE
&
Art bundle from Nyneve ~ Enter HERE
Good Luck
Much Love
~Iffy~



I was provided my own item to review as in the giveaway but all opinions are 100% mine & honest.
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Saturday, December 24, 2011

Giveaway #22 ~ DNA Skincare bundle ~NOW CLOSED

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OK I hope you are all having a nice day with your families!
First, I want to let you know that My Favorite Things Friday Party is up & running.....
I have had problems with inlinkz before but usually catch it,
this time I double checked everything was good to go after I posted it & everything,
but apparently something happened as the link vanished.
I have fixed it and you can link up HERE to join my party!

Congratulations # 36 Ryanac32 you are the winner!
Thank you to everyone who entered!
XoXo
~Iffy~

Today I am giving away, to one of my lucky readers,
a full HAVVN DNA Skin Care system which includes 
1 night cream bottle, 1 day cream bottle, and 1 activating/antiaging bottle,
as well as 1 box of GO Sticks

The DNA line is 100% natural and you can really
tell a difference being free of chemicals. The cream goes on so thick & rich, it is such a 
treat for your skin.
Honestly at first I loved how it felt, but after using it day in & day out I noticed how greasy it left 
my skin. So much so, that I started to notice that 'rich' feeling I originally felt was now heavy.
I am not a girl to wear any makeup on my face, as foundation feels like a mask to me.
And now this creamy skin care line was making me feel that same way.
I personally did not see any results, but maybe that's
because I couldn't get past the smothered, greased up feeling.
This product could be great for you, as it is for many people. It just wasn't something I 
could do long term. 
You can read more about the DNA skin care line here.

And you can read up about the GO Sticks here


I feel confident that this skin care line from Havvn will do wonders for
making your skin feel hydrated & smooth, plus you may see the other
benefits such as anti aging too.


Here's how to enter:



Mandatory    
*Be a new or existing follower publicly of my blog and leave me a comment below letting me know = 3 entries
(leave a comment for each, ie: 2 & 3)
Additional Ways to Enter
(additional entries will not count if you do not publicly follow StayAtHomeNation on gfc)

*Check out Havvn DNA and 
leave me a comment below of what you like best about the DNA skin care= 2 entries

*Blog, tweet, or facebook about my giveaway = 1 entry each time (per day) you do!!

*Follow me on twitter   ~  @StayAtHomeIffy = 2 entries

*Put my button (located at the top of my sidebar) linking to my blog,on your sidebar  = 2 entries
(Post your url in your comment below so I can verify any twitter, blog, etc entries) 

There are so many chances to win, but you can't win unless you ENTER! 


This giveaway is currently open for U.S. residents only, & will close at midnight est on Friday 12/30/11.
It will be a completely random drawing so the more entries you have, the better your chance to WIN!
I will notify the winner by New Years Eve, so please make sure I have your email address 
so I can contact you asap.


Be sure to enter my giveaway from Nyneve HERE
Oh and don't forget to email me if you would like to be a guest blogger on Stay At Home Nation
more details here

Thank you again to Havvn!

Good Luck!

~Iffy~






I was given the same items mentioned above to review & these opinions are 100% mine & true.
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Thursday, December 22, 2011

Giveaway #21 ~ Nyneve ~ Beautiful Art Bundle ~ NOW CLOSED

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This Giveaway is NOW CLOSED, Congratulations to Trisha!

I do have a Post your button link party going on as well as a couple of giveaways so check those out too if you like!

I LOVE doing reviews & giveaways not only for companies that are
already well known or new products
 but especially for lesser known, or small businesses & etsy shops that have
SO much to offer! 
Nyneve is just that! Laura has some crazy talent, take a look at my favorites
This beautiful print is Sweetie Pie and the Raven & it comes framed
Oh how I love this - A Case of the Butterflies
She also offers neat stickers
and all sorts of buttons too!

I love how her art has so much emotion, she is definitely one of a kind!
And for one of my lucky readers she has put together a really cool
assortment package of her items.
It includes 3 pins, a print, a sticker, & a bookmark!
Also, Nyneve is giving you 10% off of anything in her shop when you use the code
If all else at checkout! This even includes her paintings!
Here is how to enter:

Mandatory    
*Be a new or existing follower publicly of my blog and leave me a comment below letting me know = 3 entries
(leave a comment for each, ie: 2 & 3)
Additional Ways to Enter
(additional entries will not count if you do not publicly follow StayAtHomeNation on gfc)

*Check out Nyneve and 
leave me a comment below telling me which item you like most in her shop= 2 entries

*Blog, tweet, or facebook about my giveaway = 1 entry each time (per day) you do!!

*Follow me on twitter   ~  @StayAtHomeIffy = 2 entries

*Tweet me a hello = 1 entry

*For each friend you send to my giveaway (have them leave your name or email address) & you both will receive 2 additional  entries!!

*Put my button (located at the top of my sidebar) linking to my blog,on your sidebar  = 2 entries
(Post your url in your comment below so I can verify any twitter, blog, etc entries) 

There are so many chances to win, but you can't win unless you ENTER! 


This giveaway is currently open for U.S. residents only, & will close at midnight est on Thursday12/29/11.
It will be a completely random drawing so the more entries you have, the better your chance to WIN!
I will notify the winner by New Years Eve, so please make sure I have your email address 
so I can contact you asap.
I know I have fallen behind with my giveaways with all this medical stuff
I've had going on lately, so to say Thank YOU for
reading my blog & as an apology from me.....
I will have a new giveaway or review throughout
 New Years Eve, so check back often
ENTER the HAVVN DNA skin care bundle HERE
A very special thank you to Laura at Nyneve


Thank you for entering
Good Luck!!

~Iffy~



I was given the same to review that are being given away but this is my honest opinion.

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My Favorite Things Friday Link Party ~ #24 New ideas

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Are you done with your holiday shopping? 
I am, all except for some stocking stuffers.  I went on a big cleaning spree
this afternoon while the little ones were down for their naps.  Yeah they 
actually went down at the same time today woohoo! 
Today I wanted to feature some NEW holiday crafts/recipes/decor that you may not  have seen
before.  I don't know about you, but seeing the same things all over the blogosphere gets old after a while. Not to say that you haven't seen these before but they are new to me & hopefully you as well.
Enjoy!
Don't these Pumpkin Spice Latte Cupcakes from The Pinterest Project make you want to reach out
and grab one? YUM! This is a new blog I can't wait to explore more.
I know there are a ton of pillows out there, but this Love Note Pillow from Show & Tell
is so very sweet. Plus she shares some other easy, cheap, last minute gifts.
And aren't these Wine Cork Reindeer from Make The Best of Things, really cute? Very rustic! 
OK so that's this week's Stay At Home Nation Spotlight,
now let's see what you have to share!

Please link up & grab my button & post it somewhere on your blog so others can
come party with us too.
Remember you can follow me on twitter & pinterest too.
Oh & if you like my blog then why not follow me?
Plus if you let me know you follow Stay At Home Nation publicly,
then I will follow you back. It's a win win!
Speaking of win, be sure to enter my giveaways going on this week!

Have a wonderful weekend & Happy Holidays!
Much love
~Iffy~



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Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Sweet Tooth Satisfaction # 6 ~ Xmas Wreath Cookies

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Can you believe Christmas is THIS weekend?!?
I have been so busy but I feel there is still SO much to do still!

I had 3 MRIs on Friday of my shoulder, brain, & cervical as my new neurologist
is trying to figure out the cause behind my pain & migraines. I received
the report but am waiting to meet with her so she can explain it. I have always
worked in the medical field but I do not know all of the terminology. 
I will keep you posted on the findings, as of now it looks like I have a small anurysm which could 
be the cause of my migraines, and I have degenerative disease in my shoulder
& neck as well as a bulging disc that is causing weakness in my hands. But I will wait to 
see what the Dr says. Thank you for all of your words of
encouragement & well wishes. 
You ladies are amazing!

OK, on to this great little treat made from
1 (16 ounce) package large marshmallows
1/2 cup butter(1 stick), softened
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon green food coloring
3 1/2 cups cornflakes cereal
 cinnamon candies (as many as you like)
First melt the butter, marshmallows, & vanilla in a large saucepan 
over med-low heat.
Go ahead and add the food coloring too. Be sure to keep stirring so it does
not burn by sitting on the bottom of the pan.
Prepare your working area (aka table) with wax paper & spray 
lightly with cooking spray.

Keep the spray out as you will need it for any little hands that are
shaping the wreathes.....trust me.

I'll explain in a minute.

Don't forget to stir your marshmallow mix......
It's pretty lumpy.....be patient & keep stirring
Almost there....
Perfect! Now, while still on the stove, add in your cornflakes
and stir
Once the cornflakes are covered in your green goop
quickly drop spoonfuls onto your waxed paper.
Here's where the kids can help, but be careful the mixture just came off of the stove.
So I saved this cookie for just the older kiddos & had them wait a minute
before diving in with their sprayed fingers.
It is messy but all they have to do is make a hole in the center. 
There's no science to this but as they cool off it gets stickier. Sydney kept wanting to
shape the outside for some reason so she was a mess by the end. Lol


It washes off your hands fairly easy with soap & water.
After all of the wreathes are shaped, it's time to wash their hands before the final step.

Then while the wreaths are still warm they can push the cinnamon candies into the wreathes
making them look like Holly. The recipe I altered was from allrecipes.
Let them cool & then I wrap them in saran wrap to keep them from sticking to 
each other & then place them into a large ziplock.
This is a quick, easy, & fun recipe for the holidays.
Enjoy!
Oh and don't forget to link up to My Favorite Things Friday Party if you have something
you would like to share!
And be sure to check out my giveaway tomorrow from Nyneve.

Much Love
~Iffy~
Tip Junkie handmade projects
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