Photoshop is Awesome!

I have been learning to use Photoshop like crazy!  I haven't even received my copy of "Photoshop for Dummies" yet (picking it up from the library today!).

Here's some things I've been learning:

Original photo:

Here's the original photo with it only re-sized to fit here.

Here's the photo as I originally edited it by some basic adjustments like cropping, gamma correction and light.

Here I took the edited photo and pulled it into Photoshop and applied a filter of noise reduction and hue adjustment 

Then we had some fun and applied another filter called "poster edge"

And another cool filter was "dark stroke"

Daryl and I also worked all day Saturday creating new graphics for my website, the most awesome of which is the new graphic which started with this photo:

and ended like this:

I can't wait to do some more, but first I need to finish my website overhaul...we are very close, but need to tweak a few things and update all the pages...

3 years ago...

I started this blog! It was actually 3 weeks ago last Saturday, but I wasn't even home...and my 25th wedding anniversary overshadowed everything else!

Just for fun, you can see the first personal post I made. My friend, Renee (of Bakers Dozen Blog - see side bar), was the one who encouraged me to start this. She thought people would like to know more about me and my life, especially my customers. She was right!

[caption id="attachment_565" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Speaking of Renee - she\'s started her own photography business, Little Earthling Photography and did this portrait for me last month!"][/caption]

Speaking of Renee - she\'s started her own photography business, Little Earthling Photography and did this portrait for me last month!

I usually get around 2000 hits per month, but since I got on Facebook, I've averaging closer to 3000/mo! We had a record high when Esther as so sick, Oct 2008 registered 10,419 hits, and December 2008 was 12,726!! It was so nice to have my blog already in place when I needed it to keep friends and family up to date!

Over the past 3 years, my blog has tallied up over 111,000 hits...not bad considering I'm not a consistent blogger!

I always want to blog more, but for some reason, I just can't find the time - I guess I have too many priorities above blogging, so it doesn't happen that often!

Thanks for sticking with me even when I don't post very often everyone!

Here's to another 3 years or more!

Esther in Snap-EZ Diaper!

We are getting all geared up for putting a half page ad in the May/June Mothering Magazine...they are doing a cloth diaper edition!  We will be having photos of several local babies on the ad, including hit photo!

[caption id="attachment_524" align="aligncenter" width="239" caption="Esther modeling Snap-EZ Eco One Size Pocket Diaper!"][/caption]

We have been working with Renee of Little Earthling Photography for the last few months to put together a selection of photos to use in the ad...and Esther will be one of them!  She's great at showing the the One Size diaper will fit even super chunk babies!  Just look how nicely the diaper fits UNDER her huge belly!!  Nice label placement too! LOL!

And Check out the wonderful review and giveaway - OhBabyOh

I'm on Facebook...

You can find me by searching for "Snap-EZ"!!  Please let me know how you know me, as I'm only approving people I can verify, as I have more personal info there!  If you are a customer, just let me know, or if you follow my blog, just say so when you make a request to be my friend!

First Ever Short Sale, Plus Car Project Photos!!

If you want to know what is on sale for this "Short Sale" - you need to sign up to follow my twitter - go to http://twitter.com/ and find me by searching for @SnapEZLady  (be sure to use the right capital letters).  If you haven't used twitter yet, you'll need to set up your own account, but it's free and very easy!!

If you just can't figure out how to use twitter, you can email me and I'll send you the info!

Hope your week is going better than mine - I had head/chest cold symptoms yesterday afternoon and didn't sleep well last night and this morning I'm so tired, my back is achy, and my stomach didn't like breakfast very much...I'm staying away from Esther as much as possible right now to be on the safe side!

Last night, when I arrived home from an errand, this is what I saw on the way down our driveway -

[caption id="attachment_387" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="Daryl and his Daughters at work removing the engine!"][/caption]

When Daryl came home, he asked the kids to help him on a quick, "rip it out, take it apart" project on his Fiero - he got lots of help, and as you can see here, his daughters were all out there ready to get dirty with Dad, isn't that awesome?

And here's our Birthday Boy (Jason was welcomed into our family 21 years ago today!) last month:

[caption id="attachment_388" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="Here's our son, Jason, proudly exibiting his car at a local car show - we were so proud to have a son have his car in a car show!"][/caption]

Jason entered his car as a work in progress - he just rebuild the engine in his 1973 Camaro (something Daryl hasn't even done before!!), and put a really cool looking fuel injection system in it as well.  Now that's a fun car!  Good job and Happy Birthday Jason!

Finally, Blog Contest Winner!

And the winner is........drum roll please.....

Kathleen G!  I am not surprised at all as she left a ton of comments!

(I used the Super Cool Random Number Generator to determine the winner!)

Thanks to all of you who left such great comments over the last month!  I have really enjoyed hearing from all of you - please don't stop....and if you ask nicely, I might do another contest!

Oh - and don't forget that I'll be drawing the winner of my twitter contest next week!!

Monday Monday Monday

Monday's can be so difficult - we seem  to always get behind on Sunday - we go to church, leaving a hurricane in our wake of getting ready for church, we come home, have lunch, take a nap, have dinner, and then go to church again.

Anyone have good Monday's???

Our Monday's usually go better once chores are behind us, but getting to that point sometimes can be really tough!!

Esther's doing fine - there's some redness around the "excavation site", but I'm not convinced it's infected...yet!

AND I haven't forgotten about the blog comment contest, it's just that last week definitely did no go as I have planned!

I have put it on my calendar to announce the winner of that contest on Wednesday, as today and tomorrow are insanely busy for me!

See you here Wednesday!!!!

A Blog Comment Contest!

It was been way to long since anyone has posted a comment!  And I've been trying so hard to post more regularly!  I know lots of people check my blog, both from comment in person/via email and from stats of visitors on the pages.  So, I'm going to start a contest!

For every comment left on a post that was posted after 7/1/09 (I'm even giving you the opportunity to leave a comment on old posts!), your name will be entered to win your choice of a $15.00 gift certificate to either of my stores, or a $10.00 gift certificate to Starbucks Coffee!  I decided to include starbucks for those of you that read my blog, but don't have a need for our products!  I might even have a runner up for whoever posts the most comments!  The contest will end at the end of September, so post away!

So make my day, and hopefully I'll make yours!

Ruth

PS. I supposed the lack of comments might be due to some problem with leaving comments, if that is the case (if you are unable to leave a comment), please email me at snap-ez@snap-ez.com and let me know what error you are encountering so it can be remedied!

Snap-EZ Stocking News

I worked way too many hours, and stock all trainers and diapers that have made it out of production as of this week.  There was new stuff in everysize and style!  Tons of new stuff, and some brand new prints never before seen!

I won't have more products to stock for at least 1 1/2 weeks, possibly longer.  From here on out, there will be very limited prints and almost no fleece, so get those while they are still available!

We have been overwhelmed at the number and size of orders this week, so please be patient on your orders shipping back to you.  We caught up yesterday, only to get a lot more orders today!  We'll be working extra hours to stay on top, but there might be times when we get a little behind.  Also, with so many orders coming at the same time, sometimes the same product is over ordered, so keep an eye on your emails for requests for substitutions!

I've also edited our emails - you can now sign up for or edit your preferences so you can get stocking updates via email for either training pants or Diapers or both!  I'll send out notices when we restock all sizes each time over the next few months.

Also, for my loyal blog followers, I haven't forgotten you!  I plan to update on the personal side soon with pics of Jeremy's visit.  I haven't had much time for blogging as the flu has been hanging out at our house for over a month now - with Esther being the sickest the longest.  She's still got lots of congestion, but is finally not coughing all night.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Ruth

Snap-EZ Products Discontinued

Snap-EZ Products Discontinued

Big Changes for Snap-EZ In light of the new Consumer Safety Product Regulations, combined with added responsibilities at home, we have decided to simplify our product line. This does not effect our line of Snap-EZ 4 Life at this time. We are going to move to offering only the Eco line of products and discontinue our regular line. We plan to increase the type of products and sizes offered in the Eco Product line as our regular line sells out, but this will take time. To start things off, we have lowered the prices on all our products that will no be carried over. We will be continuing to produce products over the next couple of months as we work our way through materials that are already cut and/or in production. Once our materials are exhausted, then we will sell what we have and close out the products as they disappear. Check our Price list for current discounted prices, as we will keep that updated as things change over the next few months! While we are sad that we will no longer be producing our colorful selections and exciting prints, we are excited as we move foreward to expanding our Snap-EZ Eco product line. Thanks for being there for us through the last 4 1/2 years, and we hope to continue to meet the needs of families everywhere through our new line of Eco Products! Because we are discontinuing these products, all sales are final, no returns will be accepted.

Here's a sampling of our Discounted Prices: Solid Color Pocket Diapers - was $17.95 now only $15.50 Solid Color Nap-EZ Stuffable Trainers - was $17.95 now only $15.50 Solid Color AIO Trainers - was $21.95 now only $19.50 Changing Pads - $4 off original retail! Order now for best selection!

Snap-EZ/Snap-EZ 4 Life Stocking and Sales!

We finally were able to do some restocking!

Today we restocked for Snap-EZ the 2T Cotton Trainers, 3T Nap-EZ Trainer in Solid Colors, and 3T AIO Trainers in Solid Colors!

We also have a lot of White/White for Snap-EZ 4 Life in Extra Large, Large and Medium Pocket Diapers (Regular and Low Rise)!

PLUS we are running a Fabulous February Sale!

Check out the Details using these links:

Snap-EZ Specials

Snap-EZ 4 Life What's New

And last, but not Least! We are discontinuing the Snap-EZ AIO Diapers, and they have all been moved to the DealZ Pages! They are marked down to under $15 ea! As low as $11 for small solid colors!!!!!

And don't forget, as always we offer Free Shipping for all orders over $125 - to anywhere in the world!!!!!

Sale ends 2/28 so hurry in to order to get best selection!

Please sign this petition!

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/economicimpactsofCPSIA/index.html

In order to protect our children from the posibility of lead poisoning, they have enacted a law that will basically shut down all small home businesses that produce anything for children.  While precautions are great, this law does not take into account for products that use materials that rarely, if ever, contain lead!

There's lots of info on that page, so please take a moment and read it and sign this petition as if this law is not ammended it could really effect our already precarious economy!

Thanks!

Ruth

Updates, Surprises, and a Snap-EZ/Snap-EZ 4 Life Moving Sale!

Sorry I haven't posted in a long while! Once I got started on painting the inside of our new house, we were down to survival level functioning around here - do what it takes to keep the children fed, educated, clothed and keep the business afloat, and spend 4 - 8 hours a day painting!

All that is left on the house is window trim painting (me - should be done by Tuesday), carpets/laminate flooring (Tuesday - Friday), Staircases (early next week), Cabinets (Wednesday - Friday), interior doors installed (after cabinets and carpets), and then finish plumbing (sinks/toilets etc) - then we can get a temporary occupancy permit and move in! Then the work of cleaning up the mobile home and putting it on the market and finding a buyer will begin!

We are so close we can taste it - the kids are even dreaming about moving in and I have trouble sleeping as my mind's going 1000 miles an hour thinking about moving/arranging furniture/all the room/all the light/everything clean and new! I'm sooooooooooo excited I'm about to burst!

Needless to say, it's been tough - especially while recovering from the sprained knee and one other surprise - I'm expecting again! Blessing #11 is due to arrive here late in September! So if I'm slow to post here, reply to emails, or anything else, I'm sure you'll understand that I'm running slower but having more than usual to do each day (I'm down to just painting a few doors and window trim, so I can do short spirts of painting now and that helps) and having far less energy than usual to do it all in!!
So while we're gearing up to move and moving into our new house/shop I thought we'd celebrate by having a sale!

To celebrate, until the end of March, all our AIOs are on sale - both diapers and trainers!

$4 off AIO Solid Color Diapers, and $2 off AIO Solid Color Trainers!*

And at Snap-EZ 4 Life - Sale Prices on all our Snap Pads - $1 - 3 off every size*

Best prices on these in years!!

Happy Bargain Hunting!

http://www.snap-ez.com

http://www.snap-ez4life.com
*Sale price appears once item is added to shopping cart!

Finally an Update on the house

I finally feel like I'm getting close to being caught up! I actually started unloading our trailer yesterday (we unloaded food, most of the clothes, and most of the bedding the first night), and I'm done with fixing the inventory for Snap-EZ, I've gotten bids on the windows and cabinets and decided on the front posts and am close to deciding on the front door...we've done homeschooling every day this week - going 4 - 6 hours a day, and I've washed6 batches of fabrics for the inserts and simple soaker...no wonder I'm tired!

So now you know why I haven't posted hardly anything since our spontaneous mini-vacation! And no, I'm not going to post about the vacation yet - don't have that much time!

But I am going to give an update on the house, and I made an animated gif of our container arriving today (we'll move non-essentials into this to make more room for essentials during our "live in pole building" phase (we have to have the mobile home off the property before they will grant us occupancy permits! Yes, that means that in the dead of winter, all 11 of us will be cozied up in a 24 X 36 foot shop - but it is heated, insulated, and has a bathroom, so it's not that bad - plus we are going to pull our travel trailer in there so we'll have a kitchen, master bedroom or sorts, and second bathroom.). Needless to say we can't fit all our furniture, the trailer, and beds and ourselves in there and still get from point A to point B, hense the rented cargo container! It was really exciting to have that big semi arrive this morning with it's huge boom arm and offload the container - we all watched:



Sorry it's so dark, but it was on the verge of raining and then it started to clear up while they were unloading it!

Here's how the house has progressed:



A lot more shows now! Four Walls and all the downstairs floors are done! What you don't see if what they did to my back yard - you should see what my backyard has done to my kitchen - I mopped today and the last few feet I was just "mudding" not mopping!



You might be wondering why we have mattressed in what's left of our backyard - well, we got a new bunk bed for the big boys, and a new mattress for Jess, so the old mattressed went out to go to the dump, only the kids were having such a good time with them, I haven't had the hearts to take them to the dump - it's our trampoline, summersault pad, front flip spring board, and more!

Well, I've got to go to bed - so far this week I haven't been able to stay in bed past 3 am yet - mostly due to Elle teething, but last night she slept through and I just had a plain old case of indigestion/insomnia/there's too much to do so my mind won't shut off. So I am WAY beyond tired!

'Night Ya'll!