con-tain-it

(in)courage: Everyday Encouragement Giveaway

This week (in)courage is hosting a grand giveaway which highlights the everyday encouragement that we offer to our friends and family.  They also want to see where and how we all store our stash of cards and memorabilia after the occasion has passed. 

• Do you file them away in your drawers for later to add to your albums and scrapbooks?
• Do you leave them out on your mantels or bookshelves, displayed until the next occasion? 
• Or like me...do you have a special place for your inspiration?

 

iheartfaces: Slice of Life Photo Challenge

This week at iheartfaces the photo challenge is a "Slice of Life".  Which essentially is...a photo-journalistic theme where your image captures a slice of your life.  It can be a photo taken of your own family, from a lifestyle session you’ve shot with another family, or any other type of session you can think of. Just make sure it has at least one human face clearly showing and that it is more of candid type of photo that shows off a bit of real life. 

"Me and My Shadow"

So I picked this self-portrait that I took at the end of last summer when DH and I went away to Middleton Place outside of Charleston, SC.   It was unusually hot for September and we were there for a long weekend getaway.  We sat under the shade of a big oak tree trying desperately to cool off and I was playing around with the new camera that DH had just gotten me for my 50th Birthday ;} 

This shot represents us in so many ways...DH is my shadow and I am his...always together, yet separate individuals at the same time.   We always gravitate to the outdoors and find a quiet place to just sit and be still.  DH always chooses a bench or chair and I always choose to sit right on the ground.  Many times I have laid down and taken naps while DH watches over me.  On this day we were watching the alligators and turtles in the Ashley River and appreciating the breeze as it came up off the river.

This is one of my favorite shots because it's simple and truly reflects us together. 

Be sure to hope on over to iheartfaces and check out this week's entries and even enter yourself.  It's easy and it's fun to check out other people's photos!  Be sure to comment and let them know how much you like their interpretations of this week's theme.

Fondly, Roberta

 

Winner! Winner! Chicken Dinner: Soup-a-Palooza

Fresh n'Fast Chicken Tortilla Soup that is!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last month I participated in a Soup-a-Palooza with TidyMom and Dine and Dish sponsored by Bush’s Beans, Hip Hostess, Pillsbury and Westminster Crackers.  With over 230 entries, I was so excited to learn that I was one of the Pillsbury Bread Basket winners when TidyMom made her announcement here ;)

Anything but a face...

This weeks Photo Challenge on iheartfaces is for Anything But Faces!  So I decided to be very, very brave and take a photo and post it here on my blog {let alone on the photo challenge ;}  because I'm also participating in RHONNA DESIGNS 6 week shape up challenge.  Rhonna started her challenge last week and the first assignment was to take a before photo.

SO...I choose to take a before shot of the SCALE...because as we all know...NUMBERS do not lie ;)  Next I will be taking my measurements and I will be using the sweet card that Rhonna has provided for us all who are participating in the shape up challenge.  So, print this card out & add your starting weight on the card, too, if you want!

This photo, as well as my measurements, will be going into a food journal that I will be keeping.  This journal is also going to be a creative journal where I will be writing about my weight loss goals, where I'll collage photos of dream outfits that I want to fit into by this summer, AND where I will write about my struggles and successes.  The hardest part for me on this shape up challenge is going to be finding an exercise/fitness solution...yuk...yuk!  BUT I'm not going to think about that right now, because after, tomorrow is another day {spoken in my true Tara voice ;}

So, if you would like to participate in Rhonna's 6 week shape up challenge then go here and leave a comment and be sure to grab all of Rhonna's fun motivational print-ables.  AND then take your before photo and join me in this weeks Photo Challenge on iheartfaces is for Anything But Faces (but be quick...cause the photo challenges are open for entries until Tuesday, 9:00 pm CST).

Be brave...be very, very brave...won't you join me?

Fondly, Roberta

If you are just starting a blog, or you want to take your blog to the next level, check out The Art of Blog Seduction: How to Draw Subscribers to Your Awesome Blog.  It is the next A-List blogging bootcamp starting March 6th.  Last year I joined the A-List Blogger Club when I first heard about it through Leo Babauta, Zen Habits (especially when I learned that Leo was one of the founders of the A-List Blogger Club).  Since then I have participated in some of their previous Bootcamps and I've learned how to improve my About Page, how to write better blog posts and headlines and much, much more.  Check out The Art of Blog Seduction here.

Winner, Winner: Custom Canvas

Hosted by Just Something I Made

 

 

 

 

Before Christmas Cathe Holden of, Just Something I Made blogspot hosted a giveaway for 30 x 40cm canvas wrapped prints from  Photo-Canvas to two lucky JSIM readers!  Cathe had used Photo-Canvas services previously when she turned a very special photo of her great grandparents into a wonderful piece of heirloom art.  I really loved Cathe's canvas and when she notified me that I was one of the winners I found myself wishing that we had some decent old photographs to turn into heirloom art.  But it was not to be...so I gifted the canvas to my son and daughter in-law for Christmas.  They were very happy to create their own memory art (someday to be an heirloom ;) from their trip to Spain last July.

They had SO many photos from their trip that it took them a while to pick out the ONE PHOTO for their canvas art.  Photo-Canvas was actually faster with their processing then Tim & Ashley were with their selection process ;)  Here is the first photo they provided me with of the canvas hanging up on their wall:

CRAFTSIDE: Holiday Goodness Giveaway

Winner, Winner! Craftside's Holiday Goodness Giveaway

Windham Fabric, Westcott scissors and Quilt Around The World book Giveaway!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

Before Christmas, Craftside had two spectacular Holiday Goodness Giveawaysand I was the lucky winner of this spectacular prize package which includes a 29-piece fat quarter stack of Windham Fabric's Cat In The Manorby Mary Koval, a 2-pack of Westcott Titanium Bonded Scissors and copy of the coffee table book Quilts Around The World: The Story of Quilting from Alabama to Zimbabwe by Spike Gillespie.

After New Year's I was notified by email that I was a WINNER and before I knew it...it was like Christmas all over again with all the special deliveries ;)  First the Windham fabric fat quarter stack arrived...so yummy!  Then the Quilt Book...

This essential book for all quilters and quilt collectors tells the fascinating story of quilting around the world, illuminated by the international quilt community’s top experts and more than 300 glorious color photographs. Covering Japan, China, Korea, and India; England, Ireland, France, and The Netherlands; Australia, Africa, Central America, North America, and beyond,  Quilts Around The World explores both the diversity and common threads of quilting. Discover Aboriginal patchwork from Australia, intricate Rallis from the Middle East, Amish and Hawaiian quilts from the United States, Sashiko quilts from Japan, vivid Molas from Central America, and art quilts from every corner of the globe. Also included are twenty patchwork and applique patterns to use in your own quilt projects, inspired by designs from the world’s most striking quilts.

AND then today, the Titanium scissors arrived...woo hoo! btw...I better not catch DH even thinking about using my new scissors...lol

The fabrics are so pretty {I peeked at the corners ;} cause I'm just not ready to take them out of their neat, little, be-ribbon-ed stack.  The scissors I have actually opened up and HID them away in my sewing basket ;)  The BOOK came in real handy this week when I needed a heavy object to hold down my sketchbook so that I could scan all 82 pages...and NOW that I'm finally done with The Sketchbook Project 2010 I can actually sit down this weekend with a cup of tea and have a proper look at the book!

THANKS again to Stephanie of Craftside for hosting another great giveaway AND I also want to give a special thanks to Jennifer of Windham Fabrics for all these wonderful after holiday deliveries ;) 

Be sure to stop on over and check out what is new at Craftside and tell Stephanie that Roberta sentcha!

Special Deliveries...Coming and Going!

Over the river and through the woods...to EVERYONE's houses we go...

That would be my Christmas Cards...yipeee...over 50 of them all signed, stuffed, sealed and stamped and dropped off at the Post Office on Monday morning.  Over the weekend I managed to squeeze in a small newsletter to go along with this year's photo postcards.  Then I typed up all the mailing labels using this word templatefrom Worldlabels.com...WHAT a time saver that was ;)  Try it...you'll like it!  Some people frown on address labels being used in lieu of hand writing the addresses...but I'm sorry I would never get my cards mailed if I had to hand write the notes and the addresses!  Remember, it's the thought that counts and the intention behind the card and the note or "newsletter".  I love to get either notes or newsletters because we are all so busy and sometimes Christmas is the only time that we have to catch up with what is going on with everyone's families.  That is also why I love photo cards and watching the changes in everyone from year to year.  How about you...what are your preferences?

These sweet kiddos love ANY cards that they receive because they are Unsponsored Children...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Winners Are...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's time to announce the WINNERS for my GIVEAWAY for THREE Copies of the NEW WINTER 2010 Cloth, Paper, Scissors STUDIOS magazine that was just released November 1st and is not even on the new-stands as yet.  I wanted to thank everyone who stopped by and left such supporting comments.  I also wanted to thank all of those individuals who subscribed to my blog email post and I hope that you will continue to enjoy receiving and reading all of my NEW blog posts as they are delivered to your personal emails.

 

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star...Mosaic Monday & A Giveaway

Cortney of Living & Loving in California is celebrating her 100th Blog Post this month with a special giveaway.  Of course I wanted to share this with everyone BUT more importantly I wanted to tell you about how proud I am of her.  Cortney...who for those of you who do not know...is also my niece ;)  However, I'm not just proud because she is my niece...I am proud as a peacock...because she is an accomplished young woman who has written more than 100 posts in 7 months (big...don't you think ;)  while working full time as a Special Education teacher.  Newly married (they just celebrated their 1st Anniversary ;) Cortney brings a fresh outlook to marriage and makes us all laugh at her antics in the classroom and at home.  I've gathered a few of my favorite posts and created a photo mosaic from these posts to share with you all for Mosaic Monday.

HomeGoods Mom Cave Link Party: My Ultimate Fantasy Space

 
IT'S HERE!  Today is the day of the HomeGoods Mom Cave Linky Party on Susan's blog, Between Naps on the Porch. So be sure to hop on over to Between Naps on the Porch, here, to read all the details on how to link up your Mom Cave Posts. There will be 4 winners! The grand prize will be $250 Gift Certificate to HomeGoods and 3 runner-ups who will each win a $50 Gift Certificate!

GIVEWAY for THREE Copies of the NEW WINTER 2010 Cloth, Paper, Scissors STUDIOS

 
Fall has finally come to North Carolina and it's brilliant colors are peaking everywhere!  But with this beautiful foliage we have also had some fierce winds and storms this week and soon all of the leaves were pulled from their tree limbs.  This was the view from our hotel room earlier this week in Concord, North Carolina where we were staying while my DH had work/meeting this week in uptown Charlotte.

SO to celebrate the end of fall and the beginning of WINTER and the release of Cloth, Paper, Scissors WINTER 2010 Edition of STUDIOS magazine I am having a COMING OUT party here on my blog!

COMING OUT you ask...well previously I posted about my studio being featured in this edition and now that it is hitting the new-stands I want to share it with all of my followers ;)

 

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner: Blood and Silk!

Blood and Silk: The Hidden Love Story of Mary of Magdala and Jesus of Nazereth:

  Author Carol McKay's gift to everyone fascinated by the life of Mary of Magdala-Mary Magdalene-and her often misunderstood relationship to Jesus of Nazareth. In this beautifully crafted historical novel, the reader is guided through a time rich with art and architecture, and fraught with change and controversy. Mary's narration introduces us to first-century Judea, when the atmosphere crackled with fear, and determination of friend or foe was often difficult, if not impossible. As much as theologians paint the story about Mary and Jesus as straightforward and even simple in nature, the author reminds us that theirs was a love weighed down and complicated by the politics of the day. The story of Mary, and then Mary and Jesus, is intricate and often as perilous as the times in which they lived. Founded on historical accuracy and an eye for a well-told story, this is a novel that will fascinate and delight.

Centsational Girl's 'Mom Cave' Link Party: My Ultimate Fantasy Space

The ONLY closet here at the Love Shack...

CLEARLY We Have A Winner!

Congratulations Cortney you are the winner of the Modular Mates ® II Giveaway!

Hello! It's me...Carl's friend is over and let me use his laptop. YAY! I made it just in time for you giveaway. I am obviously a folower and I just signed up for the new e-mail subscription. I also posted a link on my side bar about the giveaway. I hope a lot of my peeps come over and check it out. I can imagine using these in my classroom for all the snack food that I keep stocked for the kids. I always have open bags of chips, pretzels, marshmellows, skittle, gummy bears...and so on and I'm sick of all the bags. I need these!!! Thanks for hosting such a great giveaway!

Posted by: Cortney Lyon | October 09, 2010 at 01:21 AM

Cortney is receiving this set of slightly-loved, Modular Mates® and I'm so happy that everyone appreciated another one of my GREEN GIVEAWAYS!  Cortney I'm sending you an email so that I can get these shipped out to you asap, so that you can CLEARLY organize your cabinets.  I want to thank everyone who participated and to welcome you all as the newest subscribers to my blog. 

Almost forgot to pick a winner today because I've been so busy working on this fun project!

 
SHHH....don't tell anybody...it is TOP SECRET...

How about you...what are you working on for today's Wednesday's Workshop?

Cause inquiring minds want to know...leave a comment and a link back to your blog post :)

Fondly, Roberta

 

Week 41: I Heart Beef Photo Challenge: Cheesy Barbeque Meatloaf

This is my first time participating in an iheartfaces photo challenge – the theme this week is "i heart beef". I decided to participate because this week's challenge was not just about "hearting faces"!  Nope this week it's all about beef - a special food challenge sponsored by TexasBeef.org and one randomly selected entry will be winning $250 Nolan Ryan Beef gift certificate.  So I'm linking up some of our favorite beef recipes and picking out the best photos...SHOW ME THE BEEF!

 

Cheesy Barbeque Meatloaf:  Recipe Here

Week 41: I Heart Beef Photo Challenge: Chillin' Chili

This is my first time participating in an iheartfaces photo challenge – the theme this week is "i heart beef". I decided to participate because this week's challenge was not just about "hearting faces"!  Nope this week it's all about beef - a special food challenge sponsored by TexasBeef.org and one randomly selected entry will be winning $250 Nolan Ryan Beef gift certificate.  So I'm linking up some of our favorite beef recipes and picking out the best photos...SHOW ME THE BEEF!

 

Chillin' Chilli:  Recipe Here

Week 41: I Heart Beef Photo Challenge: Manicotti w'Ground Beef

This is my first time participating in an iheartfaces photo challenge – the theme this week is "i heart beef". I decided to participate because this week's challenge was not just about "hearting faces"!  Nope this week it's all about beef - a special food challenge sponsored by TexasBeef.org and one randomly selected entry will be winning $250 Nolan Ryan Beef gift certificate.  So I'm linking up some of our favorite beef recipes and picking out the best photos...SHOW ME THE BEEF!

 

Cheese Stuffed Manicotti with Sausage & Ground Beef Sauce  Recipe Here

 

 

Week 41: I Heart Beef Photo Challenge: Stew Beef

This is my first time participating in an iheartfaces photo challenge – the theme this week is "i heart beef". I decided to participate because this week's challenge was not just about "hearting faces"!  Nope this week it's all about beef - a special food challenge sponsored by TexasBeef.org and one randomly selected entry will be winning $250 Nolan Ryan Beef gift certificate.  So I'm linking up some of our favorite beef recipes and picking out the best photos...SHOW ME THE BEEF!

 

 

Slow Cooked Stew Beef with Gravy!  Recipe Here

This is my first time participating in an iheartfaces photo challenge – the theme this week is "i heart beef". I decided to participate because this week's challenge was not just about "hearting faces"!  Nope this week it's all about beef - a special food challenge sponsored by TexasBeef.org and one randomly selected entry will be winning $250 Nolan Ryan Beef gift certificate.  So I'm linking up some of our favorite beef recipes and picking out the best photos...SHOW ME THE BEEF!

 

 

Slow Cooked Stew Beef with Gravy!  Recipe Here

Week 41: I Heart Beef Photo Challenge: Juicy Burgers

This is my first time participating in an iheartfaces photo challenge – the theme this week is "i heart beef". I decided to participate because this week's challenge was not just about "hearting faces"!  Nope this week it's all about beef - a special food challenge sponsored by TexasBeef.org and one randomly selected entry will be winning $250 Nolan Ryan Beef gift certificate.  So I'm linking up some of our favorite beef recipes and picking out the best photos...SHOW ME THE BEEF!

 

Juicy Burgers with Mushrooms and Brown Gravy!  Recipe Here

Clearly The Best Storage: Modular Mates II Giveaway

 

  

  

  

  

  

 

Work-for-Me Wednesday is a weekly blog link hosted by Kristen of, We are THAT Family

 

 Fall is officially here now which means that I am spending more time in the kitchen preparing all of our favorite heart warming meals and yummy desserts.  Which is why I am so thankful for having the perfect storage system for all my dry food storage and spices in Tupperware Modular Mates™.  Being able to find what I need at a quick glance into my cupboards and pantry  Works-for-Me!  Previously I have demonstrated how they can work for you in this WFMW post and now I want to continue to get you motivated with another special subscriber Tupperware Modular Mates™ II Giveaway.

Five Fall Favorites & A Grand GIveaway

Living & Loving in California is hosting a Fantastic Five Fall Favorites Link Party & Giveaway.  Why?  You may be asking...well autumn is Cortney's favorite season for many reasons and to celebrate she is hosting this party and having a HUGE giveaway for all those who participate.

How do you participate and win? It's easy, just go to Cortney's blog post and follow the easy steps.

Be sure to complete your post and link up by Saturday, September 25th and a winner will be chosen on Sunday, September 26th.

Usually...I am not a big fan of Fall because it always means that WINTER is coming...however, this year we have had such a HOT Summer {that does not want to ever end :} so I'm actually looking forward to some cooler weather.  Also, after reading all of Cortney's posts about why she loves Fall so much, she has inspired me to start celebrating the season for what it is. 

CLEARLY We Have a Winner!

Announcing Debbie Rice as the winner of the Modular Mates® Four Square Giveaway!

 subscribed!! you know me and tupperware.... !

Posted by:  Debbie Rice | September 09, 2010 at 07:59 AM

 

Debbie is receiving this first set of slightly-loved, Modular Mates® and I'm so happy that everyone appreciated my GREEN GIVEAWAY!  Debbie I'm sending you an email so that I can get these shipped out to you asap, so that you can CLEARLY organize your cabinets.  I want to thank everyone who participated and to welcome you all as the newest subscribers to my blog. 

In the near future, I would love to do some more giveaways like this because I have many more slightly- loved Modular Mates® sets to offer.   So please, leave me a comment, right here on this post and let me know if you would like to see more GREEN GIVEAWAYS!

Fondly, Roberta

Share

Clearly the Best Storage & A Giveaway!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Work-for-Me Wednesday is a weekly blog link hosted by Kristen of, We are THAT Family

For many people, fall is a great time to take stock of your kitchen cupboards and to organize your pantry.  How many times have you reached for your favorite cereal in the morning, only to find an empty box placed back in the cupboard?  Or how many of you have gone to make dinner and find that your favorite muffin mix has bugs...eewwwhhhh :{  Disqusting I know...but that is what happens when you bring home those boxes from the grocery store and put them in your kitchen cupboards...you run the risk of bringing home some of the store's fringe benefits!  That is because the bugs live off of the GLUE that is used to seal the boxes, as well as eating any exposed contents. 

But you can eliminate this pesky problem all-together and build your perfect storage system by transferring your dry food storage into Tupperware Modular Mates™.  Works-for-Me and I am going to show you how they can work for you this WFMW and help you get started with a special subscriber Tupperware Modular Mates™ Four Square Giveaway.

Photo of the pantry in our former apartment. 

Making the best of Labor Day...

What can I say...Labor Day is NOT my favorite Holiday!  Why? You may ask...because it is a big END OF SUMMER party for everyone and I do not want to celebrate the END OF SUMMER!  Cause truth be told...I HATE FALL!  You can try to make it sound more appealing by calling it AUTUMN...BUT it doesn't help me one bit.  FALL means all the leaves FALL off the trees and that means WINTER IS COMING...and if you think my hatred for FALL is bad...then you do not want to get me started on how I feel ABOUT WINTER...let's just say I'm an ICE QUEEN...very cold!

So...with that being said...I am trying to make the best of this long weekend...there...that makes me feel better...LONG WEEKEND!  So I'm laying around the house, doing as little as possible...yes I showered and got dressed...in my favorite summer PJ's ;)  BECAUSE I am NOT LEAVING THE HOUSE!  I am hanging out here at the house in my PJ's all day, eating leftovers and laying around READING my SUMMER NOVEL...and I'm not moving until I finish it...I'm on the last 100 pages out of 600 ;)

  
AND to make the best out of this BUM HOLIDAY...I'm sharing some great GIVEAWAYS that my blogging buddies Lucy & Amy are having this month...

Thanks to You...Another Miracle! AND the winner is...

Thanks to You...Together we made a difference by leaving comments and support and raising over $2,000.00 for another Miracle Makeover! 

Each comment is cherished. Each comment or thought has value. That is the premise behind the concept of the "comments fundraiser" we just completed. The founder of Guideposts, Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, said "If you can change your thinking you can change your world." With all of these positive, uplifting, and powerful thoughts-- as comments you have donated-- we are changing our world. Guideposts Magazine, Colette Gauthier, and I, thank you friends and bloggers that put so much love into this endeavor.

 Kelee's organization,

2nd Annual Where Bloggers Create Party!

  June 19th, 2010

Last year was such a success that Karen Valentine of, My Desert Cottage blogspot, is hosting the party once again. 

If you are not familiar with Where Bloggers Create, it is an on-line blogger party where you get to share your creative spaces!!!
It doesn’t matter if your space is big or small, it’s yours and that makes it special!

Is your space at the dining room table?

Do you have a room of your own?

Have you converted a closet? And what do you do in there?

What kind of things do you create?

This year is special because Jo Packham and Where Women Create magazine are sponsoring the event and they are offering some fabulous prizes!

 

The first prize is your own feature in Where Women Create magazine!  Jo Packham herself, will pick the winner...talk about fantastic!

Wait…there is more to go around…for 6 random party goers:
2 Bloggers win- 1 year subscriptions to Where Women Create magazine
2 Bloggers win- Sets of Jo’s books Where Women Create and The Book of Inspiration
2 Bloggers- WWC charm bracelets

So hop on over to Karen's, Where Bloggers Create II blog post and get all the details on how you can participate in this year's party.

Can hardly wait to see you all there!

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!

Happy June EVERYONE...hope you all had a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend!  DH and I got away for a long, relaxing weekend to one of our favorite places here in the Carolinas...Asheville.  The weather was beautiful and we spent most of our time here...just taking in the views...

 
Which is the reason why I didn't get to pick and announce a winner for my 2nd Year Blog Anniversary Giveaway before today...because we were not home :D 

So here goes...but before I make the announcement I just wanted to thank everyone for supporting and encouraging me on my blog for these past two years.  I look forward to hearing from everyone of my friends and family and love the way this blog allows me to share my life and many interests with everyone.

First I picked a winner the old fashioned way...

that is, I printed the comments from my giveaway blog post and added the extra chances for all the referrals, followers and blog posts.  

Then...I cut them all up and placed them in my lucky bowl...boy it is really dark here today in Raleigh, NC because we are having some heavy thunderstorms...lol

AND FINALLY...Darling Husband picked the lucky winner...

CONGRATULATIONS...WENDY SMEDLEY...you are the winner of my 2nd Anniversary Blog Giveaway and you win a custom canvas bag with a picture of my favorite sketchbook page...

As well as a $25.00 certificate for any purchase in my con-tain-it Etsy shop! 

Well...since it is the 2nd Anniversary for my blog and I didn't get to have a giveaway last year...I decided to have another giveaway for one of my custom canvas bags and to try out one of those Random Number Widgets...I just couldn't figure out how to load the darn thing in my blog post and I have no patience for techno stuff...lol

Anyway...the 2nd Giveaway Winner is for comment #18. EXTRA CHANCE FOR BLOG POST

Posted by: Lucy | May 17, 2010 at 07:26 AM

CONGRATULATIONS LUCY of Enchanted by Josephine...you are the 2nd Drawing Winner!

Wish I could have something for everyone...Wendy and Lucy I have sent you both an email so that you can give me all your shipping details...cool beans!  Don't you just love winning ;}

BLOG Award, BLOG Anniversary & Giveaway

Wow...my FIRST blogger award and it is on my 2nd Anniversary for writing this BLOG...I'm very excited...I don't know what say...yeah right...lol

This blog award comes from a very sweet friend and blogger buddy, Flory of Living Creatively and she is a little powerhouse (full of energy...she runs circles around us all ;), very talented designer and artist and I am honored that she thought of me and my blog for this award

For this award I have too...

1.) Thank the person who gave me this award...this is the easy part...THANKS SO MUCH FLORY! 

2.) Share seven things about myself...believe it or not...this is the hard part for me...oh boy...here goes nothin'...

  
 
* I'm love my husband, Kevin more than the day I first met him...really...I mean it!  I still get worked up when he calls my name and I want to be with him 24/7...and basically we are :D

* I'm just as passionate about my two boys, Mitchell and Timothy and want them to be happy in their own lives.

* I'm a Foodie and didn't know it.  Like (don't love) to cook foods that taste good but are also good for us...always motivated by POWER COOKING...which is to cook alot of meals at once and munch on left-overs for a few days.  Cook and clean it all at once so I can play for the few days :D

* I'm a Gypsy and my DH believes it now...I have moved/lived all over the world...20 different places as an adult and ten as a child...lol...guess that explains why change doesn't bother me and that I can adapt well to new situations :D

* I'm ALWAYS re-inventing myself...hence the new haircut ;>  AND I do not feel like I'm turning 50 this year...which is a good thing!

* I'm passionate about reading EVERYTHING...and have a pair of reading glasses ALL OVER the Love Shack...it makes my DH laugh every time he discovers a new pair...lol

* I'm somewhat OCD and didn't know it...just always liked things in order...lol  My sister use to get made at me when we played Barbies...because I spent all our time setting up Barbie's home and "organizing" her closets...some things never change...ha! ha!  I love decorating my home(s) and DIY projects that re-purpose what you have (probably from all that moving I've done ;}

AND 3.) Pass the award on to 15 bloggers who I have recently discovered (or inspire me ;) and I think are fantastic (in no particular order), then contact the bloggers I have picked and let them know about their award.  So here are my favorites...

1.) Lucy at Enchanted by Josephine

2.) Amy at Passages from the Past

3.) Mary Ann at Dispatch From LA

4.) Patty at River Bend Ranch

5.) Teresa at{My MiNuTia}

6.) Roben Marie at Every Life Has a Story!

7.) Rachael at La Fuji Mama

8.) Michael Lee at Designs by Gallum

9.) Kristen at We Are THAT Family

10.) Susan at Between Naps on the Porch and Houzz

11.) Bonnie at Bonnie's Digital Designs

12.) June at Simply Elegant Paper Crafts

13.) Seleta at Simply Seleta

14.) Wendy at The Possibilities are Endless

15.) Nina at Ornamental

Congratulations to all these lovely bloggers whose generous hearts have touched me in many ways.  Please Pay It Forward!

NOW I want to celebrate my second year of blogging and over 200 posts that I have done...WOW...hard to believe that two years have come and gone...however...when it comes to my writing 200 posts...I'm not surprised...cause I can type as fast as I an talk...and that's ALOT!  Blogging helps all my friends and family have an automatic FILTER...ha! ha!

To help me celebrate, I'm asking all of my followers to help my stats...that is to actually subscribe and show those who do not want to or feel comfortable leaving comments that you still appreciate my blog and want to show your support without being as verbal as "moi"...

So I have recently added the "Google Friend" connect widget onto my sidebar and I'd really like everyone to join as a follower (THANKS Flory:)  To show my appreciate for you all I'm hosting a GIVEAWAY...

It will include this custom canvas bag...with a picture of my favorite sketchbook page...

 
This bag is great with a black bottom and straps...you know...those areas that show the dirt first...and it will make a great all-around tote bag this summer for the beach/pool, work or shopping.  I am such a big supporter of NOT using plastic bags...so hopefully this will encourage whomever wins to keep it handy in their car when shopping ;}

BUT I also want to offer you all a gift certificate in the amount of $25.00 to spend in my ETSY shop! 

AND this giveaway will be open to international participants as well.  SO here are the guidelines:

 

 

1.) First, leave a comment and let me know how you found my blog and what you like (or don't like) about it...your feedback is so important to me!

2.) Second, become a follower and leave a comment here letting me know.

3.) Blog or post about this giveaway on your blog or facebook page (with the link to this post, please) and leave another comment with your link :D

4.) Share the love and tell your friends and have them become followers...just ask them to leave your name (as their referral) in their comments and it will not be necessary for you to come back and leave another comment.

5.) OH YEAH...this GIVEAWAY ends May 31st!

That's ALL FOLKS...thanks for supporting me and encouraging me to write and create!

Winner Winner...Chicken Dinner!

Wow...I'm a Winner...THANKS TO AMY of Passages to the Past that is! 

Last month Amy hosted SEVERAL giveaways on her blog and of course, I entered them all because I just cannot resist a good book!  So this week she announced LUCKY ME as the winner of this one:

This is an entirely new genre for me in historical novels so I'm really looking forward to it, especially after reading Amy's lovely book review.  I was so excited about it that I've placed Rome, the HBO series, into my Netflix queue (I'm such a dork...I know :)  But I'm not watching any of the until I read this book first!

Now, I'm sharing my great news with you all...not just because...I'm so darn Lucky...but to show you that you can also be winners...you just have to participate!  You can join in on the fun right now by checking out these awesome book giveaways that Amy is hosting on her blog this month:

 
There is still time to enter...this giveaway ends May 9th!

WOW...how great is this giveaway!  Hurry on over and read Amy's interview with the author, Sandra Gulland and enter before this one ends on May 20th.

As always...you will find all of Amy's giveaways...posted on my sidebar with links to each post so that you can keep up with all of the latest and greatest historical fiction.  AND...when you do enter these giveaways...or if you just want to leave a lovely comment (always welcome :)...then please be sure to mention how you found Amy's blog...if it was by way of my blog posts...or sidebar links.  Thank You and Best of Luck!   

The Clock is Ticking: Modern Country's 3rd Anniversary

Today I discovered a great blog, Modern Country, after being linked via another great blog, Dreamy Whites...don't you just luv this...great big, fun-loving, crazy, wonderful...blog land?  I know that I certainly do and I luv Google Reader even more because...it makes keeping up with my favorite blog posts even easier...let alone the fact that you can translate foreign blog posts into your own language...simply amazing!

So be sure to check out Modern Country in a reader that translates for you so that you can find out all the details on how to participate in her 3rd Anniversary Celebration and giveaways!

Count them here with me...

1. Vintage Clock Faces...

 

 

2.  Handmade, embroidered, lavender filled, Linen Heart

 

3. Swedish Vintage Dish Towels, Embroidered by Hand

Oh My...I'm seeing so much red and would love these for the kitchen or bath here at the Love Shack!

So do not miss out on these lovely items and be sure to hop on over to Modern Country and leave a sweet comment and help her celebrate her 3rd Anniversary. 

Right now I am so inspired to celebrate my 2nd Anniversary for con-tain-it!  So be sure to follow along for all the details...coming very soon!

It's an EPIPHANIE...

Oh my...hop on over to epiphany and check out this fantastic GIVEAWAY!  I don't know about you...but I truly believe that if I have one of their camera bags...and you'll find me having this much fun on that cool sofa...oh yeah! 

"Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner"

No...I'm not in Las Vegas...but this lovely couple just got back and I nabbed this photo...

Wonder if they had any luck at the Casinos...call me Beth...can't wait to hear how much fun you and James had in Vegas :D 

No...I'm not in Las Vegas...but I'm a Winner just the same!

Last week I commented on the lovely Stef's, Craftside blog about "peaking" inside one a craft book Stef features on her blog and that I'd love to read.  Then she obliged me by posting my request for: Page 131 of 1000 Artist Journal Pages...cool beans :D  So...anyone who knows me...knows that the number 13 is my favorite so I just had to pick a page with the number 13 in it...and the pages were fantastic!

So then my request went into a weekly drawing that Stef has to win a new craft book of your choice...and I won last week!  Stef contacted me and asked what kind of art/craft I preferred and I told her that, I love art journaling and collage/mix-media art the most.  So Stef choose this lovely new book for me...woo hoo! 

Vintage Collage Journals

Can't wait to get this in the mail...I'll be listening for the mailman everyday for this delivery.  Thanks so much Stef, you made my day!  You all need to hop on over to Craftside and get in on all the fun...and let Stef know that I sent ya ;}

Historical Reading Challenge and MORE Book Giveaways

Before the month of January is over....WOW...I wanted to share with you, some more FUN giveaways as well as the details for joining in a Historical Reading Challenge that goes on for the entire year.

 First up, Amy of Passages to the Past has two book giveaways:

 Don't miss out on The Queen's Dollmaker by Christine Trent who has provided an autographed copy of her novel for this giveaway.  Contest ends February 4th, so make sure you go over to Passages to the Past and read Amy's review and the details on how to win this great book giveaway.

Next is O. Juliet, by Robin Maxwell which is a highly anticipated book by many Robin Maxwell fans and you can read Amy's review of the book here.  This contest ends February 12th, so be sure to hop on over to Passages to the Past to get in on the fun!

  Lucky for all of you...Lucy at Enchanted by Josephine is also offering a giveaway for O. Juliet, by Robin Maxwell on her lovely blog.  This contest ends February 4th, so share the love and hop on over to Enchanted by Josephine to read Lucy's review and read all the details for the giveaway.

French Historical Challenge
Earlier in the month I read about this great Challenge that Lucy was hosting on her blog this year and because of my moving and all, I just felt a little overwhelmed by the idea of taking on a book challenge.  But after thinking about it...I've decided to HOP on board because the reality is...reading historical novels really makes me happy.  Reading has always been a "luxury" for me and right now I NEED IT!  I'm going to challenge myself and reach for: La Dauphine: Read 6 books...Oh La La!  How about you? 

Marvelous Monday!

WOW, what a great way to start the week!  That is, finding out that I am the lucky winner of not ONE... but TWO...great Book Giveaways!

 First, the lovely Amy, of  Passages to the Past, sent me an email notifying me that I was one of the lucky winner of The Book of Fires by Jane Borodale:

 Talk about fireworks!  I am really excited to get this book because it is different from the English/French historical reading that I normally gravitate towards.  The review has made me very curious to see if there is any "physical" fireworks going on between the "pages"...I'll keep you posted:}

Then I had to pinch myself when I got the second email from Lucy of, Enchanted by Josephine telling me that I was the lucky winner of Her Mother's Daughter, by Julianne Lee:

 This will be a great addition to my "Tudor" family collection of historical novels...this will be the first book that I've read about "Queen Mary", daughter of Katherine, the first wife/queen to Henry.  

Believe me when I tell you that...both of these emails were such a pleasant surprise after a long weekend of moving things and making two trips...trekking back and forth to Raleigh to get things ready at the "Love Shack".  THANK YOU both,  Amy and Lucy for making my WEEK :} 

Enchanted by Josephine: January's Giveaways

This is SUCH a great month for all of you who love historical novels as much as I do...because Lucy is also offering three great giveaways on her blog, Enchanted by Josephine...all this book love...I can hardly con-tain myself...sorry, I went there ;} 

First up is,  Notorious Royal Marriages, by Leslie Carroll, "A Juicy Journey Through Nine Centuries of Dynasty, Destiny, and Desire".  Lucy writes an in-depth review here that is great!  Contest ends January 21st, 2010, so hop on over and leave a comment and your email address to participate.

 
The second giveaway, Her Mother's Daughter by Julianne Lee, is a novel about "Queen Mary Tudor".  Lucy is giving away TWO copies of this great book and the author, Julianne Lee has actually written this guest post about her book on Lucy's blog.  This contest ends, January 21st, 2010 and there are multiple chances to be earned to win a copy...so be sure to check out the details. 

The final, third giveaway is, Mistress Shakespeare by Karen Harper and it's "a bold and intriguing novel about the woman who was William Shakespeare's secret wife".  Read all about what the author, Karen Harper, has to say as the guest here on Lucy's post.  This contest also ends on January 21st, 2010, and offers multiple chances to win a copy...woo hoo!  

 
Please leave a comment on this post, especially, if you do go and enter any of these giveaways because it is so helpful to all of us who write blogs to know who we are reaching...thank you!

Passages to the Past: January's Giveaways

This month, Amy, from  Passages to the Past, has not one...not two...BUT THREE great book giveaways...FANTASTIC...I can't think of a better way to spend the cold days in January then curled up in a comfortable chair with a good book...yeah!

First up is,  The Book of Fires, by Jane Borodale and you can view a great Book Trailer, read by the author on Amy's post...it's always great to hear the author talk about how they learn about their subject matter while researching and writing their books.  This contest ends soon: January 21, 2010.

 
The second giveaway is, Notorious Royal Marriages, by Leslie Carrol and it's...A Juicy Journey Through Nine Centuries of Dynasty, Destiny, and Desire...yummy!  This contest also ends soon, January 22, 2010.

 
The third and last, but in no way the least, is...Alice I Have Been by Melanie Benjamin.  Amy is giving it rave reviews...it's a new spin on Alice In Wonderland where, "we meet the young girl whose bright spirit sent her on an unforgettable trip down the rabbit hole–and the grown woman whose story is no less enthralling".  This contest ends January 29, 2010, so be sure to hop on over to Passages to the Past to read all of Amy's reviews and details on all these wonderful giveaways.    

  

Please leave a comment on this post, especially, if you do go and enter any of these giveaways because it is so helpful to all of us who write blogs to know who we are reaching...thank you!

Wednesday's Workbook: "A Year in the Life" eBook GIVE-AWAY

Ella Publishing, the on-line publishing company that is dedicated to preserving memories, is offering a wonderful new eBook...

 
"Whether you’re wrapping up 2009 or getting a jump start on 2010, A Year in the Life is your must-have eBook companion. With oodles of two-page spreads and multi-photo layout ideas, you’ll have your annual photo stash tamed in no time! Brought to you by the talented designers of Write. Click. Scrapbook, this 30-page eBook includes 24 layouts—both digital and paper—and enough inspiration to see you through the year in style."

For those of you asking...What is an eBook?  Hop on over to Ella Publishing's website and check it out. 

Today, I downloaded my copy of, A Year in the Life, so that I could sample the product before I posted about it and I'm so excited to have this eBook because it is allowing me to be creative at a time when I can't get to all my STUFF...cause remember...I'm moving...YIKES!

Personally, you all know how much I love eBooks because they are fantastic, detailed, step-by-step instructions that inspire you to GO AT YOUR OWN PERSONAL PACE, in YOUR OWN PERSONAL SPACE!

So, as fast as I could, I opened my file (btw...Ella Publishing is an "end-user" friendly site ;) and read, A Year in the Life, from cover to cover.  Now, I can't wait to get started...

But first...Ella Publishing has offered to share this great eBook with my blog readers by sponsoring a give-away...woo hoo!  How cool is this...I want to personally thank Wendy Smedley, who is a contributing editor (a.k.a. Creative Goddess) for Ella Publishing,  for contacting me and for "thinking of me" with this generous offer.

So to enter, here's all you have to do...Give-away Ends Tuesday, January 19th at 8:00pm (est):

1. Receive one chance by leaving a comment and your email address.

2. Receive an extra chance by referring a friend to enter this give-away. (Please note that they must include your name in their comment for the referral chance :)

3. Receive an extra chance for each time you blog/post on your site with the link to this give-away.  (Please note that you need to come back and post another comment with the link to your blog/social site).

4. Receive 5 (five) extra chances for posting this give-away on your sidebar, using the eBook graphic, and my blog link.  (Again, you need to come back and post another comment with the link to your blog).

Winner announced next Wed., January 20th when I post about my progress in completing A Year in the Life in my Wednesday's Workbook post.  Here's a hint...I'm going back to 2009 and creating an "art journal" with all the inspiring journal prompts that this e-book offers...remember...my "bags" are packed...but that is NOT stopping me from:

• Enjoying the Process...
• KISSing myself...Keeping Things Simple Sweetie!
• and remembering...BETTER DONE THAN PERFECT...

Good Luck Everyone!  

Enchanted by Josephine Bloggiversary and Giveaway...

Hop on over and check out Lucy's wonderful blog post which celebrate's her 1st year Bloggiversary with a wonderful interview with Sandra Gulland who is the author of The Josephine B. Trilogy and Mistress of the Sun books.  Lucy continues her special celebration with a "grand" giveaway of not one, but three books that celebrate her muse, Josephine to three separate winners.  The following are not to be missed...so hop, skip or jump on over to Enchanted by Josephine and get in on the celebration:

The Many Lives & Sorrows of Josephine B.

 

Tales of Passion, Tales of Woe, by Sandra Gulland

The Last Great Dance on Earth, by Sandra Gulland

Winners are to be announced on January 3, 2010 so be sure to go to Enchanted by Josephine's blog and read Lucy's interview with Sandra Gulland and find out the details for entering this great giveaway!  

ps...please mention me as a referral when you visit Lucy's blog and leave a comment to enter this contest so that I receive extra chances...love it!

The Twelve Days of Christmas: WWC Style...

"The Twelve Days of Christmas": WWC style!

Starting December 1st and continuing until December 12th at midnight (MST),  the blog for Where Woman Create will feature a fabulous prize each day. All of the wonderful items have been generously donated by twelve talented artists. You can enter each day by simply leaving a comment on the daily post. THE BEST PART ABOUT THIS CONSTEST IS THAT you can comment on ANY of the posts throughout the contest until the last day at midnight (MST). Please make sure to post only once on each post, unless you have an additional entry. An Additional entry will be given if you put the "Twelve Days of Christmas" WWC image on your blog or website (widget available here), or by posting about the contest on your blog. You may add this one additional entry on every post you comment on by simply posting the word "blog" under your daily entry post (so you will post twice). WWCwill use a random number generator to pick the winners and announce them on December 14th.

Good Luck Everybody and Happy Holidays!

 

Winner...Winner...Chicken Dinner!

Well I haven't been to Vegas...just Pittsburgh, PA...and when I got back I discovered that I was a WINNER once again...WOO HOO!  This time it was for a gift certificate/card to Target for $50.00...great timing with the holidays :}   So...how did I win this time...you ask?  By leaving a comment on a great home decorating site called houzz.  This interactive, design site is being called "The Flicker of design idea sites,"  by The Washington Post.  The best part is...that it is absolutely FREE for everyone to set up an account with your own "page" and "idea books" so that you can keep all your favorite photos handy for your next home project.

Every week I receive an email highlighting all the newest designs, idea-books and interviews that they host on their site.  These interviews can feature professionals, hobbyists and bloggers who all have a passion for home design.  A few weeks ago houzz featured  Mary's Little Red House and her blog and just for leaving a comment, everyone had a chance to win a $50.00 Target  gift certificate/card!  All's you have to do is join houzz by setting up your own page/account so that you too can leave comments!   The fun part is that the individuals's who are being interviewed, Mary in this case, decide on what gift they want to offer.  So THANKS TO MARY for picking out such a great gift AND THANKS TO HOUZZ  for recognizing those bloggers who have a passion for design.

Houzz Interview: Mary's Little Red House

houzz- kitchen design, bathroom design, landscaping and more

So hop on over to Mary's Blog and to houzz and check out all the cool design ideas and get in on the all the fun :}

Handmade Holiday Day 7 Winners!

HH 2009 Day 7 Winners...

That would be me...yeah!  Just wanted to share with you all that, people that you know...aka ME...really do win these blog contests so be sure to participate and Take The Pledge this holiday season :}

For those of you wondering what I won...well I got to choose a lovely photograph from Kimberly Taylor's lovely ETSY shop, Mimi Charmante - home of lovely things.  I chose this little lovely and now I'm trying to decide if I'm going to keep it for myself or give it away for Christmas...such a touch decision...I'm so bad...lol

I think this would look wonderful in my new kitchen on top of my cabinets with all my cookbooks...be sure to hop on over to Kimberly's shop, Mimi Charmante - home of lovely things for your holiday shopping.