{Crafting it Forward}

The always creative Martha posted a giveaway on her blog this weekend. As I was one of the first three to comment, I am hereby {crafting it forward} on my own blog.

So, the guidelines: The first three people to comment on this post will receive a handmade gift from me! There’s a twist, though – winners must post this giveaway on their own blog, and then create something handmade for the first three commenters as well. You have 30 days to make and send your handmade goodies, any price range, anything you decide to make. I think it will be fun.

I’m so eager to see who will post! And if you know me, you can probably guess that I may just go ahead and make cards for you! Perhaps I’ll let the winners pick their favorite images from my blogs…we’ll see!

And the winner is...

Michelle from Our Little Monkeys! I will be in touch with you.

I wish I would have been able to send something to all of you! I'll have to have more giveaways in the future. I loved reading all of your travel memories - you are some adventurous women! My exploits have been limited to America, with brief border crossings into Canada and Mexico, but now that I'm flying again, perhaps I can remedy that. I look forward to hearing more about everyone's travels, near and far, on your blogs in the future. Thanks for your comments on my blog - I enjoy them!

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:8
Timestamp: 2008-12-22 12:18:42

Thanks, Amy Ruppel (Or, Meet the Owls)

A few weeks ago, I won a giveaway at Shutter Sisters for an original Amy Ruppel 5x5 inch painting (top photo.) It is super sweet and quite a delicious addition to my home. For the time being, it is residing in a bookcase with my other owls (middle two found at thrift stores, bottom one at Starbucks.) Amy was Target Stores Holiday Artist of the Year in 2007! Thank you, Amy! I love it.

My First Giveaway

I've been wanting to hold a little giveaway as a way to say 'thank you' to my blogging friends as well as for the giveaways that I have been fortunate to win myself. I'm starting out a bit small, but hopefully you'll like it! I'll send the winner a set of 6 of my door photo notecards (2 of each color), 5x7 inches on white art cards. Also included is a set of map notecards - the winner can tell me what location in the USA they would like cards of and I will do my best to find some maps in my stash to make the cards! (I used to sell these on my rather neglected little etsy shop.)

To enter, just leave a comment, perhaps leaving a brief travel memory (since we're looking at maps here!). To enter a second time, just mention/link it on your blog and leave another comment!

Deadline will be this Sunday at 12 midnight Central Time. Please leave a way I can contact you if you don't have a blog! I'll draw the winner by random number and will announce it next Monday morning.

Giveaway Thank You's

I've been blessed to win a few giveaways in the last several months, and I'm rather overdue in sending my thanks. Renee had a giveaway awhile back for this intriguing book (top photo), which is now patiently abiding in my 'to-read' pile. And Snapdragon's Garden kindly sent these lovely fabric, stitched butons all the way from the U.K. some time ago. Wayfaring Wanderer hosted an interesting green challenge last month and my name was drawn for Living Green, another book that looks fascinating. Finally, yesterday the sweet gals at Shutter Sisters held a contest for artwork by Amy Ruppel, and I was very delighted to find out I was the lucky winner. My warmest thanks to all of you for your generosity. I don't usually think of myself as a 'lucky person' when it comes to contests, but I feel I have been this autumn. And while I'm making my Christmas presents, I'm also planning a giveaway of my own to host, most likely very soon!

I should also mention that the wonderful Crafty Crow is holding giveaways this week for some delightful children's items. http://belladia.typepad.com/crafty_crow/. Also, my pen friend Cindy has a link to a good reminder about the importance of writing thank-you's.

Edited 12/09/08 I also need to thank the lovely Martha for the sweet giveaway package - some of her adorable cards, a Trader Joe's chocolate bar (very much appreciated since the great state of Texas does not have any TJ's!), tea, and a sweet Christmas card she made. And Renee has once again shared something from her home - a handmade bar of soap, which I cannot wait to put to use! Thanks, everyone! I appreciate the sweetness you've added to my days.

Inspiring Photos

Wayfaring Wanderer of the beautiful photos is hosting another unique giveaway (deadline is midnight tonight.) Her challenge to us was to post about a photographer who inspires us. I stumbled upon Ansel Olson on flick earlier this year and was immediately captivated by the ethereal images he created in his en plein air set. These photos are like paintings; they exude peace and calm. He has managed to capture such beauty. Please stop by if you are in need of a visual vacation.

(By the way, Jennifer is also hosting a giveaway that ends today.)

Green Habits

This topic has been on my mind lately, so I was happy to stumble across it on Wayfaring Wanderer’s blog as well. She’s hosting a giveaway and asks us to list a few things about our ‘green’ habits.

A Few Things I Do Now:

Use my own reusable shopping bags the majority of the time.
Recycle all paper, cardboard, metal, and plastic.
Print paper on both sides in our printer.
Am beginning to use cloth napkins more regularly.
Recently purchased glass food storage containers because I’m starting to get creeped out by storing all my leftovers in plastic!
Use cold water for laundry, except for things that get really dirty like towels and undies.
Hubby takes the bus most days.
I donate as much as possible to charities rather than throwing stuff away.
Combine errands to save time and gas.

5 Things I Don’t Do Now But Easily Could:

Save our glass containers to be driven to the recycling center (they don’t take them curbside.)
Buy more food in bulk.
Try to locate nearby farmer’s markets.
Stop subscribing to paper versions of magazines that are available online.
Also on my mind, as WW suggests: fixing our leaky faucets and finding healthier cleaning products.

While we’re on this topic, has anyone ever found convenient ways to dispose of electronic waste? Or more specifically, cassette tapes? I have a binful of dubbed tapes that I doubt Goodwill would want, but I hate to just toss them into the landfill.

Please share your ideas as well!

Photo by my hubby

Memories of Spring

Memories from spring as we very slowly ease into autumn - our pink magnolia budding last February.

ps - Green Kitchen is hosting another groovy giveaway for a nifty felted child's apron (check out the tutorial to make your own!), and Grosgrain is also hosting a giveaway for a beautiful child's nightgown.