Dropping Facebook to pick up Swagbucks

I want to share with all of you the best thing I have found to utilize my online time in a more productive manner than facebook.  I have known for some time that I waste entirely too much time scrolling the news feed on facebook- but I didn't know how to stop myself.  That is until I found out I could utilize my internet time to earn gift cards through online surveys.

I have recently rediscovered the little perks of participating in online surveys to earn points for gift cards.  Before lady genevieve was born I participated in a lot of surveys through ipsosisay, and was able to get 1 gift card.  It took me a while to get enough points for a gift card.  Recently I was reminded of online surveys after taking a Nielson Radio survey through the mail.  I googled "surveys for cash" and a host of websites came up.  One site I signed up with, sends me a daily email with different survey companies to sign up with.  This is how I found Swagbucks.  Swagbucks is much more fun and entertaining than the previous survey group I used because you can earn points by doing more than just taking surveys.  The surveys available come from various survey groups, which offers variety to the types and formats of surveys available.  You can get points for playing games, online shopping that you would normally do through points back/ dollar spent at different retailers, web searches, watching videos...  It's seriously great.  In 10 days, I have already earned enough for a $25 gift card, and am waiting to be awarded my points for 2 larger surveys that amount to $35!  It's really quite amazing how quickly I was able to accumulate points.  I am saving up points to purchase a new car seat.

You should check it out, click on this link: Swagbucks Referral

The various surveys available are assigned the approximate time the survey takes and a swagbucks point value for completing the survey.  Whether you only have 1/2 hour free or a couple hours, you can earn a few dollars a day.  Now this may not seem like much if you work a real job- but for a half hour to an hour a day, you could possibly end up with $50 or more each month.  This is nice to have as an extra treat for self.  There are lots of different gift card options as well.  As I mentioned before, I have already earned about $60 in my first 10 days (I have been quite motivated to earn enough for that car seat- and if I keep at it I would love to start saving up for gift cards to eventually get a new refrigerator in a year or two).

Some of the surveys have been pretty interesting too- and this excites me that my opinion and voice are being heard.

For the Love of Custom Framing

Have you ever had a picture or piece of artwork custom framed?  Anyone who has knows it is quite a pricey process.  When I graduated college I photographed my neighbors giant sunflowers.  This was a time when digital photography was on the rise, but I was still using a film Canon Rebel.  The photo was so sharp that I decided to enlarge it to a poster size.  Due to the large size of the photo, it was difficult to purchase a ready made frame and matte that would fit.  After storing the photo for some time, I finally decided to use that Joann Fabric coupon for 40% or 60% off a custom framing order (can't remember which).  After picking out the perfect frame, 2 mattes and the museum glass, they gave me the total cost.  Even after the discount, the piece cost me over $350!! Though it cost a ton, I used my birthday money and treated myself.  When it was finally finished and hung on my wall, I fell in love with it.  It was pure quality.  There was a definite sense of pride in this piece that I had never experienced with buying ready made frames for my photographs.  I knew I definitely wanted to custom frame more in the future.

That initial custom framing experience was about 10 years ago, and I haven't custom framed another piece since.

On a recent visit home to visit my family, I saw that my mother had finally custom framed a drawing she had done in 1983.  She is truly and amazing artist.  If the cost of custom framing wasn't so much, I am sure she would have done it sooner.  It turned out gorgeous and I fell in love with the whole piece, the frame and triple mattes.  She mentioned that she actually had a few more copies of this particular drawing.  I requested a copy of it for christmas or my birthday sometime in the future.  That request came true this past Fall for my birthday.

FORT KLOCK in St. Johnsville, NY

A friend gave me the idea that I could probably custom frame this piece myself, for a lot cheaper than Joann Fabric or Michaels.  In my internet research I found Pictureframes.com.  It is a great website, as you are able to upload your photo or photo of your artwork, and then try it on with different mattes and frames.  This is a great feature since you cannot see things in person before you purchase.

In my shopping for the perfect frame, I got a little distracted by a great "Distressed Barnwood" frame.  I decided they would be great for photos of lady genevieve and lord Alastair in our great room.  Since the photos were smaller than the Fort Klock drawing, the investment was less and an easier purchase to make.  The Laird just hung them up, and they look great!  So excited!