Twitter Party Calendar This Week March 31 - April 6 With Prizes - Continuosly Updated

Twitter Parties

Updated 4/5/13 - Sneak Peek at Coming Weeks Too!

Get all the details in this free constantly updated Twitter Party Master Calendar listing tons of family friendly parties including specifics on prizes you can win and links to RSVP and participate. Includes Twitter Parties in the U.S. and Canada. Be sure to check back often every week as new events are added on an ongoing basis -- often with new prize-winning opportunities added several times per day. You'll also get a sneak peek at Twitter parties coming up next week and in the month ahead. Now listing Facebook and Google+ parties with prizes too.

Be the first to know when the latest Mommy Blog Expert Twitter Party schedule goes live by following MBE on Twitter, Facebook and/or by subscribing to this blog right now.

THIS WEEK

Sunday, March 31

Raising Generations Today Twitter Party at 11 pm ET with @Generations2Day and others. Lots of Prizes. Participate with hashtag #RGTHope Details 

Monday, April 1

Healthy Choices Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @healthy_choice @cleverhousewife @somedayilllearn @cbtweetchat. Prizes: $500 in Walmart giftcards. #Healthychoices RSVP

Travel Mistakes Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @Travelingmoms @KimOrlando @DebMomof3. Prize: TBA. #TMOM RSVP

Tuesday, April 2

My Marianos Twitter Party at 11 am ET with @cbtweetchat. $500 in prizes. For details soon watch hashtags #MyMarianos and  #cbias

Better Homes & Garden Twitter party at 8 pm ET with @CentationalGrl @BHG @thepapermama @InspiredbyCharm and others. $300 in prizes with $200 Grand Prize. Details

Pure Natural Diva Botanicals Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @PureNaturalDiva @Momitforward and others. Prizes: Pure Natural Diva products. #gno #PNDBotanicals RSVP

Lost in Suburbia Book Launch Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @TracyinSuburbia @theculturemom. Prizes: Copies of Tracy Beckerman's new book and lots of other prizes; Grand Prize is a $150 SpaFinder gift card. #lostinsuburbia RSVP

Bounty Showdown Twitter Party at 10 pm ET with @Bounty @Listen2Lena @FeistyFrugal & others. Prizes: THREE (3) winners will each receive a one year supply of Bounty towels. #BountyShowdown RSVP

Wednesday, April 3

Beauty Scoop Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @Janetgoingcrazy @lomargie. Prizes: FIVE (5) $100 Walmart GCs. #Beautyscoop RSVP

Go Soup Twitter Party at 2 pm ET with @smiley360 and others. Prizes: SIX (6) Campbell's Soup Gift Bags and ONE (1) $50 gift card winner. #GoSoup RSVP

Walgreens Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @therebelchick @paulabendfeldt. Prizes: FIVE (5) $100 Walgreens giftcards. #cbias #WalgreensLatino RSVP

Mamas and Papas Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @mamasandpapas @verasweeney @audreymcclellan Participate with hashtag #mamasandpapas

Scotch Brand Twitter Party 9 to 9:45 pm ET with @scotchproducts @snapconf @taunitweets @sahans. Prizes: TWO (2) $50 baskets of Scotch branded craft supplies. #ScotchExpressions RSVP

It's the weekly @theonlinemom Twitter Party at 9 pm ET talking about Internet Safety. Prize: Jawbone JAMBOX Wireless Bluetooth Speaker. To be eligible to win a prize RSVP & participate in party with hashtag #TheOnlineMoms.

Aveeno Active Naturals Bilingual Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @chicanol @ClubdelasDiosas @lbconnect @laflowers and others. THREE (3) prize packages valued at $150 each that include $100 in Aveeno products plus $50 giftcard. #AveenoActiveNaturals Details

Thursday, April 4

Mashable Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @Mashlifestyle @Beccasara @AndreaSmith @CarolineKnorr. Prizes: ONE (1) iPod Shuffle ($50 ARV) and FOUR (4) Speck smartphone cases ($30 ARV each).#MashLife Details

WWE Moms + Friends Twitter Party at 7 pm ET with @WWEMoms @skconcepts @RachelFerrucci and others. Prizes: An Xbox 360, iHome Bluetooth speaker system and more. #WWEMoms RSVP

Friday, April 5

Constructive Eating Twitter Party 11:30 am - Noon ET with @A_ThirtyMommy. #30chat #constructiveeating RSVP

Weekly Verizon Wireless Twitter Party on Mobile Photography hosted by @theonlinemom at 3 pm ET. Prizes: MOGA Mobile Gaming System or a Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 (7.0) + $125 Verizon Gift Card. To be eligible to win participate in chat, use hashtag #VZWBuzz and RSVP

More Twitter Parties constantly to be added for This Week to this list as soon as they're scheduled. So stay tuned for updates as they happen by following this blog.

NEXT WEEK

Monday, April 8

Mom Bloggers Club Twitter Party w/ Prizes - Save the date hosted by @MomBloggersClub. More details soon.

Disney Travel Tips Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @Travelingmoms @KimOrlando @DebMomof3. Prize: TBA. #TMOM #TMomDisney RSVP

Ultimate Blog Party 2013 Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @5minutesformom @picmonkeyapp @janicecroze @susancarraretto. Prizes TBA. #UBP13 RSVP

Tuesday, April 9

Tyson Meals Together Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @outnumberedmama @turningclockbac @cbtweetchat. Prizes: FIVE (5) $100 Walmart gift cards. #cbias #MealsTogether RSVP

Get Pet Clean Twitter Party at 7 pm ET with @CharlotteReed. Pet Friendly Prizes. #GetPetClean RSVP

Real Moms Shop JBF Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @JBFPhilly @Joeyfortman @TheStephGlover. $250 in prizes TBA. #JBFPhilly RSVP

Flea Free Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @BusyMommyMedia @PetArmor. Prizes: Pet Armor products for cats and dogs. ONE (1) Grand Prize Pet Armor products plus $100 American Express giftcard. #FleaFree RSVP

Family Savings Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @maritramos @iamthatlady @couponnw @gettingfreedom @valpakcoupons @savings @savingsclasses. Prizes: FOUR (4) $50 VISA gift cards, ONE (1) $50 Utrecht Art Supplies gift card, TWO (2) $25 Amazon giftcards, TWO (2) $50 Amazon giftcards, and ONE (1) $100 American Express giftcard. #FamilySavings RSVP

Ultimate Blog Party 2013 Google+ Party at 9 pm ET with @5minutesformom @picmonkeyapp @janicecroze @susancarraretto. Prizes TBA. #UBP13 RSVP

Wednesday, April 10

Pampers Baby Dry Twitter Party at 2 pm ET with @pampers @shespeaksup @TheShoppingMama @MomStart @amommyinthecity. Prizes: Sweet Sleep Time prize packs w/ branded products every 10 minutes plus ONE (1) Grand Prize that includes a year's supply Pampers Baby Dry diapers, a 6 months supply of Pampers Baby Wipes and a $300 Pottery Barn Kids gift card. #PampersBabyDry RSVP

3M Auto Spring Car Care Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @askpatty @askpattykaeli @3Mcarcare and others. Prizes: Car Care products from 3M. #3MSpringCarCare RSVP

World Market Mother's Day Twitter Party 8:30-9:15 pm ET with @worldmarket @snapconf @taunitweets @sahans. Prizes: TWO (2) $25 giftcards, ONE (1) $50 GC & ONE (1) $100 GC. #MyAmazingMom RSVP

It's the weekly @theonlinemom Twitter Party at 9 pm ET. Prize: TBA. To be eligible to win a prize RSVP & participate in party with hashtag #TheOnlineMoms.

Scotch Brand Twitter Party 9 to 9:45 pm ET with @scotchproducts @snapconf @taunitweets @sahans. Prizes: TWO (2) $50 baskets of Scotch branded craft supplies. Follow hashtag #ScotchExpressions ~ RSVP link coming soon

Thursday, April 11

My Marianos Twitter Party at Noon ET with @kellysluckyyou @east9thstreet @cbtweetchat. Prizes: FIVE (5) $100 Mariano's giftcards. #MyMarianos RSVP

Shane Jeremy James Twitter Party at 7 pm ET with @ShaneJJames @WeHeartMom. Prizes TBA. #ShanegingTheGame RSVP

Everyday Effect Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @Shespeaksup @ProcterGamble @Zipporahs @StacieinAtlanta @LisaSamples @MommyBlogExpert @WICProject. $1000 in prizes; ONE (1) Grand Prize Whirlpool High Efficiency Washing Machine. #Everdayeffect RSVP

Friday, April 12

Healthy Choices Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @cleverhousewife @somedayilllearn @cbtweetchat. Prizes: FIVE (5) $100 Walmart giftcards. #cbias #HealthyChoices RSVP

Weekly Verizon Wireless Twitter Party hosted by @theonlinemom at 3 pm ET. Prizes: TBA. To be eligible to win participate in chat, use hashtag #VZWBuzz and RSVP


COMING SOON

Monday, April 15

Natural Parents Network Twitter party at 10 pm ET with @NatParNet. Prizes: TBA. Participate with hashtag #NatParNet Details

Monday, April 22

Moms and Brands Earth Day Twitter Party with @MomsandBrands at 7 pm ET. Lots of family eco-friendly and green focused prizes. #MomsandBrands RSVP

Wednesday, April 24

Grilling is Happiness Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @grillhappiness @sears @theblogfrog @shibleysmiles and others. Prizes: Sears giftcards. Participate with hashtag #grillingishappiness Details

Wednesday, April 27

Mother's Day Twitter Party at 10 pm ET with @sassymomchicago @momtrends @savvysassymoms @momsfashionfile. Lots of Prizes moms will love. #MomsFF RSVP


About this Weekly Twitter Party List
Compiled by MommyBlogExpert.com Twitter Parties are listed free of charge in this weekly schedule. If you'd like to add an event to the Mommy Blog Expert Twitter Party Calendar email janis at janiselspas dot com with Twitter Party in the subject line including all the details and links in the body of your  message.

Also available, for a nominal fee, to host, co-host or serve as a panelist for your own brand Twitter party. To inquire, please email janis@janiselspas.com for information with Twitter Party Consulting Query in the subject line.

FTC Disclosure: MommyBlogExpert does attend some Twitter parties as a guest and also works as a host, co-host, and panelist on others. However, I did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Passover Empty Matzah Box Recycled Crafts

Recycling Crafts

Easy DIY Projects for Home, Garden, and Gifts

Image from JudaiKitsch

Why not just toss all those empty matzo boxes -- the ones that always seem to pile up during this time of year -- into the recycling bin? Do something different instead this Passover. Make any or all of these eight creative super quick projects repurposing all that Pesachdich cardboard clutter. In fact these ideas are so simple your kids will probably enjoy making these DIY art projects either on their own or with your help and supervision, depending on ages and abilities.

The inspiration for this post comes from the mountains of matzot boxes at our house right now as much as from this Manischewitz Matzo Meal Box Passover Purse encrusted with matching colors of seed beed. This project, from the Jewish arts and crafts book JudaiKitsch, by Jennifer and Victoria Traig, has been in my personal library since it was first published back in 2002. This beautiful handbag can be made as shown with a matzo meal box or it can easily be adapted and crafted from a standard square matzo box which is about double in size, instead, following the same directions.

Empty Matzah Box Crafts

Added to this clever, fashion holiday accessory statement are seven of my own project ideas to make using empty matzah boxes. Even for those of you that are arts and crafts challenged, none of these crafts should take more than 10 minutes to create.

Matzo Napkin Holder

Napkin Holder

These handy cartons are the perfect square size for a Napkin Holder for your Pesach table, so why not make one? This is as simple as just trimming the flaps off the top end of the box. Then fill one half full with styrofoam packing peanuts or crumbled tissue paper and stand paper napkins on end inside. It will take you about 2 minutes total to make.

Gift Box elegance emerges as empty matzo box

Matzah Gift Box

If you're going out for a meal during the holiday, say thank you to your host or hostess with a Matzah Gift Box that you first fill half way with packing material as with the napkin holder. Then add your sweet treats, tuck in some colored paper shred on top and give along with a nice bottle of kosher wine.

Eco friendly cardboard box planter

Eco Friendly Planter

Spring is here and it's time to start your tomato plants from seeds to be transplanted outdoors toward the end of May. To make this you'll carefully cut the front off the box, leaving approximately 1" border all around for strength. Then, securely tape the top box flaps shut. Finally, with the front cut out opening facing up you'll add potting soil and then plant your choice of seeds. Keep watering lightly and in a few weeks you should see sprouts popping out of the dirt.

Family Photo Frame charms with a distressed box

Family Photo Frame

This project, which will look nice either on your dinner table, kitchen counter or book shelf, doesn't involve any cutting at all. All you do is tape the box flaps shut. Then take a snap shot of your family and using a glue stick attach it to the front of the box, placing it strategically wherever you think it will look best. Done!

Building Blocks so easy a child can make them

Building Blocks

You'll need some packing material to fill all the boxes you'd like to use for this. No cutting of the boxes is needed, all you do is use some packing tapes to seal the boxes after they're filled. Then watch your toddler stack these and knock them over again for hours.

Lace Up Toy

To make two lace up toys, cut the front and back off a box. Then using a single hole hand-held paper punch place holes about 3/4" inch from the edge and about 1" apart around the entire perimeter of each cut out square cardboard. Last, recycling an old shoelace, attach it to a corner hole and knot it so that when your child weaves the lace in and out of the cardboard it won't slip through. Believe me, I'd show you an example of this Lace Up Toy project, but my kids lost my own paper punch because it wasn't nailed down to my desk.

Matzah Box Reborn as a Kids Puzzle

Puzzle

Cut both the front and back off a box so you have two squares of cardboard to create a pair of puzzles. Then all you have to do is cut each square in pieces, larger sizes for smaller kids and smaller, more oddly-shaped pieces for big kids. For toddlers I'd suggest just one puzzle for them to put together at a time, but for the older ones it would be more challenging if you mixed up the pieces of both puzzles you've cut up and then let them figure out what goes where.

Those empty boxes are just sitting there. What can you think of to make with yours?

Matzo boxes piled as far as the eye can see

Whether you decide to save your finished projects for next year or recycle them when you pack up all your Pesach dishes, pots and pans and other gear, you will certainly have fun and create lasting memories especially if you are engaging in some quality time with your children.


FTC Disclosure: I did not receive any payment or other compensation for this story. Thoughts in this blogpost are my own. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Easter Sugar Cookie Fillable Basket Craft

Good Food

A Fun Recipe Craft to Make for Kids

Holiday themed candy is a constant source of creative inspiration for new recipes and presentation ideas on MommyBlogExpert. Gourmet Candy Bar Candy Apples for Halloween, Butterfinger Blondies Bar Cookies for Hanukkah and Christmas and How to Create a Valentine's Day Elegant Candy Bar Table Presentation to name just a few. 

MBE partnered with Nestle for this story

I've got something new, different, playful and extraordinary for Easter for you this year -- a completely edible Sugar Cookie Easter Basket filled with Nestle's colorful foil-wrapped chocolate Butterfinger and Nestle Crunch NestEggs. 

You can easily make this fun project at home either to spend some quality time in the kitchen with your kids or to surprise a very young child on Easter morning. This also would make a beautiful centerpiece for your special brunch buffet or the dinner table this Easter Sunday.

Sugar Cookie Easter Basket Recipe Craft

Step-by-step directions to make this whimsical, sweet craft

1. Make your favorite Sugar Cookie dough recipe
2. Chill cookie dough for at least 1 hour
3. Meanwhile, create cookie cutter templates cut out of cereal box cardboard. You'll need three rectangles in the following dimensions. 
- For bottom 5 inch x 3-1/2 inch
- For front/back 5 inch x 2-3/4 inch
- For sides 3 inch x 2-1/2 inch
4. Roll out dough to about 1/4 inch thick and using a sharp knife cut out one bottom, two identical front/back pieces and two sides for each basket you are making. For the handles just shape flat crescents that are about 3 inch in diameter at the bases so they fit the sides. An an option you can also use miniature cookie cutters to cut out some spring shapes to add to the completed basket later.
5. Carefully transfer cut out dough rectangles to cookie sheet and use a knife to gently straighten sides to retain original shape -- they won't be perfect just do your best. Freeze on cookie sheet for 15 minutes, then bake in preheated oven following your recipe's directions.
6. When cookies are done remove from oven and again use the knife while the cookies are still on the cookie sheet and still hot, make edges as straight as possible. Then use a spatula to transfer them to a cookie rack to cool completely.

Cookie pieces both after and before frosting

7. Make royal icing by beating 1 cup of confectioners' sugar, 3  tablespoons of dry egg white meringue powder and 1/4 c. water (added a tablespoon at a time) till stiff peaks form. Use a small amount of your choice of gel food color for the desired result. Note: always keep icing covered until you are ready to use it with plastic wrap, otherwise it will harden.
8. The next step is to fill a pastry bag fitted with a #5 tip and pipe the royal icing to cement your rectangular front/back, sides, bottom and handles together, using the same technique used to assemble a gingerbread house. Let the basket frame dry to ensure a strong bond before proceeding.
9. Next using a spatula and more royal icing, frost the exterior of the basket including the front/back, sides and handles but excluding the bottom since that will not be visible. As an option, use other decorative tips such as I've done with the shell edging to embellish your basket. Allow this to dry completely for 6-8 hours or more.
10. Handle the finished cookie basket carefully to avoid breakage, lifting from the bottom, not handles. First fill the basket about 3/4 of the way full with styrofoam packing peanuts, then top with faux plastic grass and add Nestle chocolate NestEggs and optional homemade mini sugar cookies which are the perfect size for this basket. Enjoy!

Nestle is offering both returning and new sweet candy options this spring. A favorite at our house are the delectable solid chocolate Butterfinger Bunny and Nestle Crunch Bunny -- both boxed and ready to give. Also taste-tested and loved by my own kids are the Nestle Crunch NestEggs and Butterfinger NestEggs.

Among other Nestle Easter 2o13 seasonal offerings are NERDS Bumpy Jelly Beans, new WONKA Laffy Taffy Jelly Beans and a product called Hard2Find Egg Hunt which are prefilled plastic eggs that resemble cement, stone, grass and the outdoors to make them more of a challenge to find.

FTC Disclosure: This is a sponsored post and I received the Nestle products featured to facilitate this review. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.