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Special Christmas Gifting

Yep, it's official... the Christmas shopping season is well underway.  Right now there isn't a single major chain out there that isn't COMPLETELY decked out in Christmas cheer, but while they are all gearing up for their holiday profiting, I'm reminded that supporting our small business folks is probably the greatest gift we can actually give to our struggling economy this Christmas.  I believe it is the greatest gift we can give OURSELVES!!!

And the Institute For Local Self-Reliance agrees with me.  As published in their December 24th article from LAST Christmas, Top 10 Reasons To Support Locally Owned Businesses, they site some pretty great reasons that benefit us all!  My favorites on the list are building community prosperity and creating competition to ensure innovation and lower pricing over the long term.  I also feel pretty good about supporting someone's kid going to school rather than supporting some no-name "CEO purchase a 3rd vacation home" as I heard it put on facebook.  The other benefit that I'm JUST NOW understanding is the quality you get from someone who puts their love and care into a business they NEED to survive.  If it's one thing that drives me crazy about putting hard-earned dollars back into the economy is the lack of service and quality I receive for those dollars.  Small business owners are trying to survive and typically give you far better service and quality at far better pricing.

So, in the spirit of supporting my own local small business owners, I want to give a shout out to a couple of local East Valley businesses (in Chandler, AZ) who have given me AWESOME products and services this week:

First up I would like to thank Kevin and Christy of Baldwin Brother's Automotive who saved me THOUSANDS on my car repair.  My car dealership quoted me $3000 to repair my car, Baldwin Brothers did it for $750 and had my car back to me the same day.  They also inspected my whole car, finding a couple of issues the dealership didn't include in their $3000 estimate.  I have WAY more confidence in my mechanic (Kevin) and am SO MUCH happier with my service.  If you live in the area, I HIGHLY recommend Baldwin Brothers Automotive!!!  Click HERE to check them out.... not to mention I think they have the COOLEST website I've ever seen with the COOLEST logo!!!  Seriously, check them out just for that!!!

NOW.... I SAVED THE BEST FOR LAST!!!  CHECK OUT MY NEW BLING!!!



Aren't they GORGEOUS!!!  I just bought them from my crafty friend Patty who, by the way, just opened a new Etsy shop!!!  She makes incredible jewelry (be sure to check out her soldered pendants) and is selling it at an incredible price!!!  Honestly, I've been eyeballing jewelry JUST LIKE THIS at the mall for 10 x's the price AND she customized it for ME!!!  I am so thrilled with this set.  RUN, don't walk, to Patty's Etsy store HERE!  Bling just doesn't get any better!!!

Really everyone, in both of these cases, not only did I support a local business, I ended up making out "like a bandit"!!!  I got SOOOO much more for my money and from people I call friends.  Could shopping this holiday season be any better than that?!?


Comments

Unknown said…
Thank you so kindly my friend. You'll look like a Queen wearing them as well. Enjoy!

etsy.com/shop/DesignbySimplydv9
November 10, 2012 at 3:47 AM
Julie Tucker-Wolek said…
I totally AGREE!!! We especially shop on "Small Business Saturday" :) PS ... can you email me??? bmwgirl@cox.net ... want to set up arrangements for Thursday!! Was hoping my friend could give me a ride??? Pretty please with a gluten-free cherry on top??? :) Of course when I tell you HOW early we are gonna be there ... lol... you might be running away from me!!! LOL!!!!!!
November 10, 2012 at 6:45 AM
Alison said…
This is a great post, and I totally agree with what you've said. And I think it's awesome that you gave a shout out to some of your favorite local small businesses!
November 10, 2012 at 8:46 AM
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Past 7 Days....

BACK To Halloween.... WHEW!

Okay... BACK to Halloween gifting this week!  We're makin more goody boxes using The Cutest Halloween Bundle again this week, we are also featuring the tags and labels dies from the July - December 2021 Mini Catalog (lovingly dubbed "the holiday mini").  I've got to admit, this bundle really is the cutest and I'm having SOOOO much fun playing with it simply because of how easy it is to work with.  The fact that the punch ALSO punches out the images from the DSP makes this one a super-huge winner for me.  I mean.... three goody projects in under an hour!?!  That's right!  This week's Freebie Friday On A Monday was actually recorded in under 40 minutes!  SO DOABLE to get ready for Halloween gifting!  As always, the link to the free PDF with supplies used and measurements is below the last pic and if you place a $35 or more from my online store (click "Shop With Me" in the banner at the top of this blog) using this week's Host/Hostess code  GHRG
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It's An Outrage.... ANOTHER Christmas Project Before Halloween??? You'll Thank Me!

 Okay you guys!  This is the last Words Of Cheer project for the week.  This one features the dies from the Bundle ( CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE ) and is CASED directly from the July-December 2021 Mini Catalog page 20: I just reimagined the card pictured in the catalog as a box... but not just ANY box..... A CRACKER BARREL PECAN LOG ROLL BOX!!!! Here is the list of colors/cardstock used (except for the vellum, it is ALL from scraps... YAY): 1 3/4" x 4 5/8" Vellum, Pool Party, Very Vanilla, Soft Suede and Brushed Metallic Cardstock.  I finished this off with a scrap piece of linen thread even!  THIS is why we keep those scraps!  Honestly... nothing went to waste with this one.  Below is the video on how to make the box.  Normally I wouldn't be posting Christmas projects before Halloween, but COME ON.... this one is SOOOO worth the preview.  Besides, now you can get a head start for Christmas gifting.... PECAN LOG ROLLS FOR EVERYONE!!!
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Gorgeous Leaves Just In Time

  So this week's Freebie Friday On A Monday projects are just in time to kick off tomorrow's Seasonal Sale with Stampin Up!  WHOO HOO!!!   November 16-18th, you can stock up and save 10% on cardstock, 15% on ink pads, and 20% on dies. Build up your collection of crafting basics—and prepare for another year of top-tier projects—with a steal of a deal on papercrafting products!  SHOP THE SALE: CLICK HERE! This week's party/host/hostess code is:   K2JZGAZW .   Be sure to use this code before checking out this week to get each of these three project make-n-takes for FREE!!! I mean, you might as well earn some free goodies while you're stocking up, right?!?   Okay.... so this week's first project came HIGHLY requested!  It is just the perfect gift the perfect time of year.  I mean, imagine this as a Thanksgiving table setting "Thank you for attending" gift!!!  And this is really easy to make, you could make up 5 or even 20 (depending on how big your party is)
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