“Toot Your Own Horn”

What does that mean? Well, it means every Tuesday, we get to post a Meme of an accomplishment that we have done. As Moms sometimes, we are quick in praising our kids and others about their accomplishments but we are “shy” when it comes to our achievements so … here’s our chance.

If your’re a WAHM and looking for exposure and sales for your hand-crafted items, I might be interested in your products for my Moomette’s Magnificents Olde Towne Shoppes.

I’m looking to add some unique inventory to my boutique online store.

Specifically, I’m interested in items for children, women, jewelry and home decor.

I invite you to look around my Shoppes, and if you think your product might be a good match, to contact me.

If I add your products to my site, I’ll do a blog post to announce your line!

Here’s an example of one of the beautiful items I carry!

Vintage Inspired Baby Blanket The Isabella

Thanks for stopping by!

Back in the beginning when I started my blog, I mentioned how I have an eBay Store where I’m a Power Seller. I am a Vintage Antique Collector, but branched out into other areas as a result of the forums I belong to. I’m a Moderator on eBay Coach Free Forum, and have met many knowledgeable eBay Sellers on there. You can’t beat Suzanne Wells, the eBay Coach, for all the free excellent advice she’s always dishing out.

Just because I’m successful on my eBay site doesn’t mean that there still isn’t a need to re-access the market and go with the flow of the financial economy ~ see what works for you, and what doesn’t. Change is inevitable ~ eBay changes their marketing tactics; the economy changes; and so do my family needs, time constraints and interests. The challenge is still on to reinvent myself and find my niche.

In keeping with my original mantra to keep my readers updated on my progress (or lack of it) towards retirement - I started this blog. As you all know, I have expanded and opened Moomette’s Magnificents Olde Towne Shoppes where I sell hand-crafted items and more. I’ve also found that I love blogging, am putting a great deal of effort and time into it, and enjoy the many new friendships it has afforded me.

I recently posted on my Mama Mentor Blog that I took a little R & R junket to Lake Keuka, one of the Finger Lakes in Upstate New York to visit my brother. That junket actually turned into an Antique Shopping Spree.

When I flew up - all I brought was a carry-on. Since 4 boxes of Vintage Collectibles wouldn’t fit under my plane seat ~ my brother ending up shipping them back to me (graciously, at his expense!) (Snicker-Yippee!)

So, I had a massive auction liquidation of certain lines in my eBay Store, and am increasing my line of Vintage items, in both my eBay Store and my boutique Shoppes site.

Stay tuned for other posts on how things are going with my affiliate marketing ~ that’s a whole ‘nother area I’m re-assessing.

The most awsome, popular social networking site SK*RT has changed it’s name to KIRTSY!

Get there as fast as you can to check out all the fab information available! I love the banners that say “For Women ~ And the Men that want to Get In Their Heads.”

You’ll find information on Arts & Entertainment; Designs & Crafts; Parenting & Family; Fashion & Style; Food & Home; Internet & Technology; Mind, Body & Spirit and Travel & Leisure.  So sign up now!

Bloggers - upload your latest posts for all of us to see!

What more can a dame ask for? ~ Plus, a chance to enter some fab contests!

I’ve joined a Blog Party to try to meet other Moms and Grams like me!

Blog Fests and parties are a great way to see what’s going on and get to visit some new Bloggers.

Many of the Mommy Bloggers are sponsoring Contests and Give Aways. Here’s a chance to get to take a break from your daily routine or WAHM obligations, and visit some good reads. Enter some of the terrific contests and win some fabulous prizes too! What a selection!

Join in Now for MommyFest! MommyFest, happening May 12-16, 2008 to visit cyber-moms & grams blog all over the world!

I’m sponsoring eBook giveaways from my Moomette’s Magnificents Olde Town Shoppes site. I have some wonderful eBooks with immediate download for your reading pleasure ~ everything from Recipes, Crafts, Gardening, Children & More!

Come Join in on the excitement!
Visit MommyFest to learn how to sign up and get in on the A-C-T-I-O-N!

DD had ‘lil Moomette’s pictures taken today in her Easter Bonnet and dress! It’s been pouring cats & dogs here in Connecticut for 2 days now. I know the rain is needed to bring those May flowers, but my Baby Boomer bones don’t need Doppler Radar to tell me what the weather’s going to be! In the meantime, start planning ahead for that nice Spring weather that’s on its way and ‘chalk’ this great recipe craft project up as a keeper!

Need something easy and fun to do with your munchkins? Look no further than these easy crafts.

MOMS! I’m also including another goodie for you. Busy mothers and teachers are constantly asking, “What can I do with my children?” They want something to do.” Here’s the Perfect activity book for Moms, Grandparents, Home-Schooling, Teachers, Camp Counselors!

Click here to download this rainy day activity book for FREE!

For More eBooks visit
Moomette’s Magnificents
Olde Towne Shoppes HERECRAFT: Sidewalk ChalkWhat You Need:
- 1 Cup Plaster of Paris
- 1 Cup Water
- Powdered Tempera Paint
- Toilet paper Rolls

How To Make It
1. Mix the Plaster of Paris with the water. Add the powdered tempera paint in the color of your choice. You can also divide the plaster mixture into several containers and color each one with a different color paint.

2. Let it sit for a few minutes. Stand up the toilet paper rolls and pour your plaster into them. These will be your molds for the chalk. Set them aside and let the mixture dry for at least 24 hrs. Once the mixture is dry, remove the cardboard roll. If the chalk still seems moist, let it dry for another 24 hrs.

3. Use like any sidewalk chalk.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SOURCE: www.KinderInfo.com, used with permission.
The Fainting Couch

Here’s a great tip. Do you purchase & use products often, such as Mineral Makeup? Say you have a whole group of friends who are about to have babies - need a special Baby Shower Gift or Announcement? Maybe you’re in to crafting? Need to generate some additional income for yourself or the household? Becoming an Affiliate for a company is an excellent way to save yourself some money on the products you normally use, or even find some great boutique sites run by WAHMs that are so unique compared to the typical chain mall sites.Another advantage of being an affiliate is you can cross promote your businesses. For example, if you sell on eBay, if the company allows, you can become your own dropshipper by listing the products on eBay, order & dropship to your customers with your discount! You’re allowed to put up banners only on your About Me Page on eBay. Take a look at how I’ve done my page. Read on!
Affiliate Programs – The advantages of being an affiliate
by: Francois du Toit

Affiliate programs are becoming more and more popular as a fast-track way to start an internet business. These programs can offer huge advantages for affiliates, especially when they offer online training, support and marketing tools. There is a lot of money to be made if you join the right program.I am a strong believer in the value of affiliate programs and believe that the best way to start an internet business is to become an affiliate of another program or to join a network marketing company. Why? To learn as much as possible from your sponsor(s) and make use of all the free advice and tips you will receive from them.

When you are eventually ready to start your own business you will already have a lot of experience and knowledge (that you obtained for free!) that will give you a huge advantage and save you a lot of money and time.

By the way, there are many very successful internet marketers that earn all of their money through affiliate programs and network marketing programs.

If you find a great affiliate program where you can make a lot of money and you decide to stay with the company instead of starting your own new business then good for you! If on the other hand you want to start a new business of your own then you would have at least learned a lot from the affiliate program, and hopefully made some money as well in the process.

The biggest mistake people make is to jump all the time from the one affiliate program to the other without taking the time to learn and understand the program and system. There are many programs on the internet. If you are going to leave what you are busy with every time you think you have discovered a better program then you will never learn anything.

Take your time to learn and be patient. I can assure you that you will not become an overnight millionaire following any affiliate program. Like any other business it takes time to build a successful affiliate business, even with the support and training you may receive.

I tend to look at things very logically. If something does not make sense to me I rather avoid it.

Consider the following:

You develop a great product that you want to sell for $10 on your website. It might have costed you thousands of dollars to develop and many many months of hard work with no income while you were developing your product. You are finally ready to launch your product. Since you are only one person with one website you realize the need to establish an affiliate program where you can have hundreds of affiliates promote your company and get thousands of people to buy from you. In order to get affiliates interested you must pay them between 20% and 50% of your sales price or gross profit.

I don’t know about you but the above scenario looks like a lot of very hard work without any guarantee of success. The thought of it certainly does not get me excited.

Now consider the following - You join the above company as an affiliate and earn say 50% commission on all sales. You do not need to buy the product and have no investment in the company. You can start to sell the product from the 1st day you become an affiliate and make a lot of money. In fact, the company will make 50% and you will make 50%. You have no risk and can walk away from the program anytime you wish. What a pleasure! This is what I like the most from affiliate programs.

Remember that not all affiliate programs are good. Many of them only offer products that you would not want to give away for free to your mother-in-law. Furthermore, the support program and training offered is not always top quality.

I do not know about you but I cannot promote any product or service that I do not understand or do not believe in. You should always be able to sell the product to yourself. If you would not buy the product because you do not believe in it then please do not promote it to other people as the best product out there. You will sleep a lot better at night!

Remember that ultimately it is up to you to make a success of the program.

To your success !

About The Author

Francois du Toit is the owner of http://www.money-maker-advice.com, a website designed to help new entrepreneurs succeed by evaluating various online and offline business opportunities, affiliate programs and network marketing options. The website also offers free articles and tools that will assist webmasters in building profitable websites.

I’m excited to announced I’ve begun a new eBiz, and have become an affiliate for CREATE A CAN!

After researching many Work-At-Home companies, I really loved the creative & unique products that were available to offer you!

Create A Can products include unique and special themed Altered Gift Cans and Accessories that can be personalized ~Each can is carefully adhered with the design of your choice once it is ordered. Designs are printed on glossy paper and laminated to give a professional look that is long lasting!

Create A Can Offers Gallon, Quart & Pint Metal Cans along with several styles of clear cans and will ship right to your door!

Create A Can also offers many specialty items such as lunch boxes, oven mitt gifts, gourmet gifts and so much more – be sure to stop by and see everything we have!

So, if you have a special occasion coming up & you’re looking for something really different to get, or if you’re in need of some unique Fundraising ideas for your organization - check my site out!

Thanks for supporting another WAHM ~gram~

As a special gift to my Readers to Ring in the 2008 New Year, I’m offering a FREE eBOOK from Moomette’s Magnificents Olde Towne Shoppes when you sign up for my Blog Newsletter!

Sign up, and then choose your eBook. You may e-mail me at moomettesmagnificents06@yahoo.com with your selection, and I will forward you the link for your FREE Immediate Download!

I have many eBook categories- Computer & Tech, eBay, Crafting, Recipes, Lifestyle, Parenting, Kids, Holidays, Events & Parties ~ your choice!

Most books are in Adobe PDF format, so you will need the Adobe Reader, which, if you don’t have it, is also a Free Download.

I’m looking forward to having you as a subscriber, and Happy Reading!

Peg, over at SMARTMOMS~SMARTBUSINESS,
is an authority on Cooking with Kids. Here she shares another of her goodies for us to enjoy!

Kids Holiday Cookie Party

The holidays are upon us and we’re busy with everything from decorating the house to wrapping presents. The kitchen plays a big role during this time, and depending on your kids’ cooking skills they can play the lead or be part of the supporting cast. One fun way for your kids to get involved in the kitchen now is to have a Kids’ Cookie Exchange Party. Christmas is a good time to have this kind of party, but you can do this whenever you want. Just ask your kids, cookies are good anytime!

First of all, invite as many kids as you’re comfortable with. It could be just neighborhood kids, school friends, or the kids from your extended families. Let your kids make the invites and encourage them to be creative. How about a hand-delivered cardboard invitation with animal cookies glued around it?

To make this party extra special, you can ask everyone to bring one wrapped book for a gift exchange. Also, do you want them to dress up in holiday attire for this party? It could make for some very special pictures.

The rules aren’t complicated:

1. Every child needs to bake the cookies themselves.
2. They need to be baked (no-bakes are no-no’s for sanitary reasons). Bars are okay.
3. Have them bring 2 dozen, which they should be able to get from one batch. This leaves plenty for eating at the party and taking home to share with siblings.
4. No chocolate chip cookies (already been done a zillion times).

Have your kids decorate the table any way they choose. The table is where all the cookies will go so they’ll want to make it look festive.

Your children can practice their hosting skills by greeting their friends at the door and taking care of the cookies that were brought. They can then be in charge of arranging all the cookies around the table and bringing out the plates, cups, milk and punch. Remind your children to only give positive comments about the cookies that were brought. You want to head off any “Gross!” or “Why are they such a weird color?” type comments.

After all the guests arrive and suitably ooh and ahh over the cookies, you can have them play a few games before eating. This would be a good time for the gift exchange, if you’re doing that.

I think its fun to give out awards to every child at the cookie exchange; prettiest cookie, most interesting-looking cookie, best use of chocolate cookie, biggest cookie, most unusual cookie, best color for a cookie, etc. The kids are so proud of what they’ve created and love to show their cookies off. They just may be on their way to becoming the chief cookie maker of your house!

Peggy is the editor of the popular Cookin’ Kids Newsletter. Interesting themes, fun facts, silly clip art, easy recipes, kid jokes, cooking terms, and safety tips make this newsletter a hit with kids! Learn more about it at http://cookinkids.com_________________
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