I'm on Pinterest!

Well, folks - I finally took the plunge. I joined Pinterest last night, and I'm ashamed to admit how much time I've spent on it since. It's just as fun as I had imagined (which is why I'd resisted joining), although it will be a while before my boards are filled and fleshed out.

In the meantime, feel free to track me down (you may notice my bright red, shiny, new Pinterest button on the sidebar!). I'd love to see what you all have been pinning!...And if you you have any tips for this somewhat overwhelmed newbie, I'd appreciate them!

One more thing: don't forget that tomorrow is the last day for the My Memories Suite giveaway! Entry is still pretty low so your chances of winning are good!!

A New Look!

Regular readers of The Traveling Spoon may notice that things look a little different today. I promised you a redesign as part of my New Year's resolutions and, while it's still a work in progress, I think I've made a good start. Gone is the rust-colored background (very 1970s) and the Moroccan tagine photo border (I'll admit I was partial to that photo, but it's time to move on). Instead, I'm aiming for something a little more clean and crisp.

I'll be the first to admit that I know nothing about blog design. In fact, I'm pretty stone age when it comes to computer skills in general. Matt always laughs at my two-finger typing (some of us weren't fortunate enough to have computer classes in high school and, anyway, it gets the job done), and before I started this blog, I thought HTML was a shortened version of Hotmail (okay, I might be fudging the truth a little - I knew what HTML was, but you can be sure I couldn't understand it!).

For this reason, my new design isn't very adventurous. But I'm learning, and I expect the blog to grow with me. Of course, I wouldn't have managed nearly so well without the help of My Memories Suite digital scrapbooking software. Yesterday, I mentioned that the software was for much more than scrapbooking, and this blog redesign is another example of what it can do.

In case you haven't noticed, I have a giveaway going on at the moment, so if you're interested in some fun easy-to-use software to help you get your photos in order, re-vamp your blog or perhaps create a few cute Valentine's printables, head on over to the giveaway and enter!

My Memories Suite GIVEAWAY! (UPDATE: We have a winner!)

Last week, I mentioned my desire to get a little 'crafty' on The Traveling Spoon...and I believe I promised you an exciting GIVEAWAY. Well, it's here!!!

 

I've dabbled in all sorts of crafting, using everything from macrame to Mod Podge, but most of all I love working with paper. I love scrapbooking (I even made my husband a scrapbook of 52 handmade postcards - one for each week of the year - sent during his last trip to Afghanistan), but I don't love the mess, the expense, and the endless boxes of equipment that seems to come with it these days. So you can imagine how excited I was when Liz from My Memories contacted me about hosting a giveaway of their award-winning digital scrapbooking software, My Memories Suite.

I made this page for my adorable nephew in under 10 minutes!

My Memories Suite was rated #1 by Amazon and TopTen reviews, but more importantly its incredibly fun and easy to use! It takes the mess and mistakes out of paper-craft and allows you to create exciting, professional-looking scrapbook pages on your own computer, with no need for all those pricey scrapbooking gadgets (the page above was created in under 10 minutes, using one of their design templates). It's Windows and Mac compatible (which is good news for divided Mac/PC households like mine), but the best part is that it's not just for scrapbooking. That's right, with My Memories Suite you can also create cards, calendars, photo albums and gifts.

This page was made 'from scratch' in less than half an hour

I was provided with a copy of the software for review (the pictures about are just some of the ideas I came up with), and I can honestly say that it is really easy and fun to use. Oh sure, it takes a little while to figure out how to use all of the features, but if you use their album templates, you can create a professional-looking page in just minutes!

Pages can be exported as jpegs, which makes it easy to drop them into blog posts or e-mails. And - my favorite part - you really can do a lot more than just scrapbooking. In fact, you can come back later this week for a sneak peak at my latest My Memories project. 

But in the meantime, why don't you hurry on over to their website and take a look for yourself? In fact, I'll sweeten the deal:

My Memories is offering $10 off the purchase of the My Memories Suite Scrapbook Software plus a $10 coupon for any purchase in the My Memories store. 
That's a $20 savings for every Traveling Spoon reader! 

Just copy and paste this promo code: 


STMMMS22562

If you've ever spent money on scrapbooking supplies, you know that's a great deal, but that's not all...

My Memories is also giving one Traveling Spoon reader the chance to win their very own My Memories Suite software (a $40 value!)


Here are 6 things you can do to enter
(Please leave a separate comment for each entry, or it won't count!):

1. Follow The Traveling Spoon via GFC or Linky Followers (and let me know you did!)

2. Visit My Memories.com and leave a comment below telling me what products you love! 

3. 'Like' My Memories on Facebook (Bonus: Facebook fans can get a $5 coupon code for the store!)

4. Visit and Follow the My Memories blog.

5. Share this giveaway via Facebook or Twitter.

6. 'Like' The Traveling Spoon on Facebook.

You'll get 1 entry for each of the above actions, but make sure to leave a comment below. 

The giveaway will end at 10pm EST on Monday, 13th February. Winner will be notified via e-mail and have 48 hours to respond (so make sure I have access to your contact details!).

Good luck and Happy Scrapbooking!

UPDATE: The Winner of the My Memories Suite Giveaway is Alecia! Thanks so much to all of you who participated!

Note: This is my first sponsored giveaway! I was given a copy of the software to review, but all opinions are entirely my own.

The Traveling Spoon is Getting Crafty!

For a few weeks now, I've been debating whether or not to include crafts, home accents and DIY ideas on The Traveling Spoon. Since this is essentially a food and travel blog, I wasn't sure they'd fit. Still, I spend a lot of time browsing other craft and lifestyle blogs, and I've come to the realization that crafting and creating are a big part of my life. In fact, they used to be a big part of my everyday life until this blog came along and coaxed me into trading time at my craft table for more time in the kitchen.

I don't regret the exchange, but I do miss crafting.

And so, I've decided to introduce a few of my crafting ideas on the site, starting next week. Die-hard cooks and bakers needn't be disappointed - I've no intention of slacking off on the recipe front - but hopefully the change will appeal to other readers whose interest is as...eclectic as my own!

I'll be sharing a few Valentine-themed craft ideas next week (how could I resist with all the hearts and cupids floating around the blogosphere?) but I'm even more excited to be sharing my first ever sponsored GIVEAWAY!!!

Thanks to the kind folks at My Memories, I've had the chance to try out a digital scrapbooking software called My Memories Suite - and they've given me the chance to give a copy away! I'll also be giving you my unvarnished opinion of their product and showcasing a few of the fun things it can do, so make sure you come back next week for a chance to win!

Free JIFFY Recipe Book

Have you ever used Jiffy mixes? You know, that ones that come in the cute, 1950s-style, blue-titled boxes? Matt and I use their cornbread mix from time to time because it takes me forever to go through a bag of cornmeal and because, in this instance, I think the box tastes just as good (I can't believe I just said that, but it's true).

source

Well, today in my online wanderings, I came across an offer for a free Jiffy recipe book. It's true that in these days of food blogs and Google searches, it's usually easier to find a recipe online than to thumb through a cook book. Still, their recipe book is cute (you can see an online version here) and I like having these pocket-size books for camping trips or other situations where the internet isn't at your beck and call (well, at least for those of us who don't have iPhones!) All you have to do is fill out an online form and confirm your order via e-mail. Easy-peasy. Just like using a Jiffy mix!

As usual, I'm not sponsored by Jiffy, nor do I receive any benefits from this post (well, aside from a free recipe book, I hope!). I just like passing on good deals to my readers!

We Have a Winner!

* NEWS FLASH: I interrupt my Nashville Noshing series to bring you the results of my 100th Post Giveaway!!!*

Thanks to all who entered my first giveaway and CONGRATULATIONS to.....Emily O.!!!! Her lucky number was chosen by Random.org and she'll be receiving The Cheese Tasting Party Kit and (hopefully) hosting her very own cheese party soon!

I had fun getting to hear about all of your favorite cheeses (I love anything blue or creamy - I know, the really unhealthy ones!) and meeting a few new followers along the way. I hope this will be just the first of many more milestones and giveaways to come!

100th Post and my first Giveaway!!!

*This giveaway is now closed*

This is my 100th post and, to celebrate, I'm hosting my first giveaway! I'm thrilled to finally have the chance to give something away - even though it may not be tickets to Rome or a sparkling new Kitchen Aid mixer. This blog doesn't really have a budget, or any sponsors, so I went out this week and purchased a fun little gift for one of you to use at your next dinner party - Janet Fletcher's Cheese Tasting Party Kit!

I fell in love with this handsome little kit the moment I saw it and knew it would make a perfect gift for one of my readers. It's food and travel-related, and promises a fun and exciting new dining experience  - one of the things I'm always pursuing as I write The Traveling Spoon.