Winter Scrapbook Retreat Sponsor Swag Giveaway: Day 1

Here we go folks! It’s time again for the semi-annual Just Something I Made Sponsor Swag Bag Giveaway! Here’s how this promotion goes:

(1.) I hand-picked several of my favorite companies, contacted and request fifteen sponsored products from each, 11 to share with my scrap retreat buddies, one for myself, and enough to fill 3 more bags to giveaway on my blog. This means, not only do my local scrapbooking friends score with amazing product, but so do THREE lucky JSIM readers!

(2.) I’ll spend Monday through Friday of this week (Day 1 – Day 5) showcasing each and every scrapbook-&-retreat-related product in the giveaway along with the fabulous companies that sponsored them.

(3.) Friday, Nov. 25, will be the final post of this promotion and the one you should comment on to enter. Feel free to comment on any of the posts throughout the week, but know that only comments on Friday’s post (DAY 5) will count towards your entry. Please carefully read the Day 5 post for any and all rules of entry, (I promise to keep it simple!)

(4.) As you visit JSIM throughout this week, PLEASE visit sponsors’ links, “like” the sponsors on Facebook and follow them on Twitter- none of which is required to enter- it’s just a favor I ask and a really nice thing to do.

(5.) All product highlighted as BOLD PINK TYPE will be in the giveaway bags.

(6.) I sincerely appreciate all of the JSIM international readers, however, I will be opening this giveaway up for continental US shipping addresses only. I realize this will disappoint many, but hope to make it up in other giveaways down the road. Thank you for your understanding.

Whether you craft in a studio, travel to crops or retreats or scrapbook from your kitchen table- I’ve put together a load of swagaliciousness just for you! Are you ready? Here we go!!!

What’s a swag bag extravaganza without a fabulously extraordanary bag? Feast your eyes on this baby:

The Four Boys Bag: Jumbo Scout Tote by Bungalow!

Bungalow is all about toting, storing and celebrating your stuff, and their line of SCOUT bags rock that very concept. Thanks to Bungalow, all of this week’s sponsored swag fit perfectly into their Jumbo SCOUT tote Four Boys Bag! in“Pink Lady”.

(Speaking of “Pink Lady”, that’s our retreat hostess-with-the-mostess, Lori O’Donnell, below left!)

It is ENORMOUS!! (24″ x 19″ x 12″). It collapses flat, opens up easily for filling and zippers closed.I have loved Bungalow’s SCOUT products for years. They have totes, travel, cooler bags…super-cool storage & recycle bins…work & laptop bags, even accent rugs! SCOUT products come in multiple sizes, great colors and really, really great graphic patterns and trim. They make excellent special event bags, as you can tell.You’re going to get such a kick out of the SCOUT online store. Not only do they have more cool and practical product than you can imagine, but if you dig enough, you’ll find a few fun surprises.Don’t leave their site without checking out the Scout-let for really great bargains! You can keep up with them on Facebook, Twitter and on their blog.

Thank you Bungalow!

Before we start scrapping, crafting, movie-watching and snacking….let’s get cozy with

Acorn Leeda Mule Slippers

Swag bag giveaway winners will receive their own size Leeda Mule slippers directly from Acorn.

Upon finding their new assorted colors of Acorn footwear in the swag bags, several retreat-goers put theirs on at the same time with a collective “Aaaaahhhhhhhhh.” So soft and comfortable! Most of us kept the Leeda Mules on our feet all day every day with the only exception of our walks down to the main lodge for meals. Because of their non-slip weatherproof outsole made for indoor/outdoor wear, we could wear them outside to gather wood from the pile for the fireplace. (I’m wearing mine as I write this!) These puppies had us crafting in warm comfort and transitioned perfectly into the next room for feet-up movie watching.Acorn, makers of high quality slippers and other comfort-based footwear has perfected the Leeda Mule with textured floral uppers of soft Italian wool-blend, fully lined in sherpa fleece, memory foam midsole over featherweight EVA and duragle suede sidewalls. I think Acorn slippers would be a fabulous gift for anyone in your family and they offer free shipping on purchases over $50. Be sure to check out Acorn’s website for footwear designed for every season, (I’m loving these EarthRoamer Mocs in Shale!)

Follow Acorn on Twitter and Facebook to learn about upcoming promotions, like one they had earlier this month on Veteran’s Day donating a pair of slippers to a veteran with every pair purchased.

Thank you Acorn!

Now that we’re warm and cozy, let’s get even more comfortable with a few goodies from a previous retreat sponsor, Magellan’s, the experts in travel comfort! It’s lights on/lights off with two fantastic products:

A pair of

Mini LED Flashlights/Lanterns

and the

Lights out Sleep Mask!

These lightweight Mini LED Flashlights/Lanterns are just right for keeping in your purse and auto glovebox. They worked great as bright lanterns in our rooms and were essential for lighting nighttime hallways or walking to the main lodge for dinner.I wasn’t home from the retreat 1 hour before my son snagged one of mine for his car. The Mini LED Flashlights/Lanterns come in pairs and have six powerful, energy-efficient LED bulbs and with just a twist, convert to stand-alone lanterns that can be used as a nightlight, for power outages, or anywhere you need a little extra light. They are water-resistant and have non-slip grip wrist straps. Awesome holiday stocking stuffers for absolutely anyone!

However, if you need things dark, I mean really dark, then you’re going to love the ultra-soft Lights out Sleep Mask! It’s designed to allow Rapid Eye Movement (REM) and promotes deep sleep. This mask blocks out light, but you can still blink in it, not that you will need to, it just doesn’t press on your eyes, I love that! It has an elasticized strap with Velcro closure for a comfortable fit. A couple of the ladies at the retreat used the mask while having their one-hour massages as the only room our masseuse had to set up in was a little too bright for complete relaxation. I have a feeling that I’ll be loosing my mask to Mr. Wonderful since he likes to knock off long before I’m finished reading in bed.

If you’ve never visited Magellan’s you’re in for a great treat. They carry everything for the casual day-tripper to the professional traveler to everyone in between. Bags & wallets, luggage, in-flight comfort products, electronics, adaptors & converters, health & hygiene products, and high-quality, and attractive & comfortable clothing for travel or everyday wear.

Here are their Twitter, Facebook links. You can also find them on YouTube for product details and really great travel tips, such as packing like a pro!

Thank you for another great sponsorship Magellan’s!

Several years ago I was drawn to a booth at a local craft fair that smelled soooo good that once found I could hardly pull myself away. It was the incredible scents coming from I Melt With You handcrafted soy candles and bath & body products. I purchased several for myself that day and more as gifts and have continued to buy at times when I find them at other shows in the San Francisco Bay Area. Lucky for me, I’m on their mailing list and they keep me up to date on such shows!Several of their products are good for travel, but this was simply perfect for taking on retreat:

I Melt With You Travel Soap Twist-Up Tubes!

Fresh, fragrant genius in 18 different scents! My favorite- Mint Mango Tea. Just think, no more hotel soap bars, no more plastic-bagged soap or leaking body wash bottles. These 2 oz solid scented soaps in twist-tp tubes are:

• Self Contained
• Portable
• Airline Compliant for Carry-On
• Great for travel, gym bags, camping & more
• Gentle, moisturizing veggie glycerine soap

Once again…perfect stocking stuffers! Keep up to date with I Melt With You products on Facebook and join their mailing list.

Thanks I Melt With You!!

It’s hard to be creative & crafty when you’re craving chocolate. So it’s a really good thing that my favorite go-to chocolate company sent us

The Scharffen Berger Chocolate Variety 12-Pack Tasting Squares!

I was a guest of Sharffen Berger’s on a bakery crawl back in October and had the privlege of tasting several delicous desserts elevated with Scharffen Berger Chocolate made by several celebrity bakers. It was such a delicious experience! And Scharffen Berger not only shared their tasting squares and $1.00 Off coupons for the swag bags, but they also sent along a 70% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate Baking Bar to me for making John’s Favorite Brownies for the retreat. Mr. Wonderful, the resident baker, whipped up a batch for me to take (sans the walnuts due to known allergies at the retreat.) I took several photos of him in a Sharffen Berger apron holding the paper-doily-lined tray of warm stacked brownies, only days later to realize I had my brand new camera on demo mode. Those shots are lost forever so I’ll have to leave that image to your imagination. I was, however, able to snag a shot of the very last extremely delicious brownie before it was devoured. They were completely sensational.

You should also know about Scharffen Berger’s latest contest, Elevate a Classic Dessert, with a chance to win up to $10,000 and enough chocolate to keep you happy for a long time! Keep up with them on Facebook and Twitter for amazing recipes, events and conversation.

Thank you Scharffen Berger!
That’s a wrap on Day 1. Now that we’re comfy, cozy, safe and deliciously satisfied with all the wonderful retreat-related products, let the crafting begin! Tomorrow I will start featuring the exciting sponsored craft products! So check back daily to watch as the bags fill up! Feel free to leave a comment on this post, I’d love to know what you think so far, but remember- entry comments are only on Day 5.

SEE WHAT ELSE IS IN THE BAG, CLICK ON NEWER…