Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Amazing Necklace Give Away

AND THE WINNER IS: kimbo1970
CONGRATULATIONS!!


When Steph from
SassyBelleWares contacted me about having a Give Away on my blog I was thrilled! Her shop is amazing :) Steph has some of the most unique jewelry items I've seen on Etsy, and she is giving away a wonderful necklace. But first - you know how this works - We have to learn a bit more about Steph!


*Where are you from? Tell us a bit about yourself.
I am originally from Florida but have been living in New Jersey for close to 12 years. I love it here...growing up in Florida's climate was enough heat for me! I love the change of seasons and snow!!!!! I do miss my family & longtime friends though. I have a few obsessions...cupcakes, handbags, Broadway musicals, and books. My hubby and I have 2 cats and 2 dogs...they are all rescues except for the newest guy a 7 month old German
Short Haired Pointer. I often say my husband and I are a modern day version of Oliver & Lisa from Green Acres...I would love to live in NYC and he wants to move to a big piece of land far from city life!

*How did you decide on your shop name? Why did you start your business?
I came up with my shop name because I love the word "sassy". I also have a love for southern food and southern accents and the word "belle" reminds me of a southern belle. So I put the two together and added "wares" which, for some reason, reminds me of the old time general stores.

*Do you have a blog?
I do have a blog: http://www.sassybellesspotlight.blogspot.com

*When did you start crafting?
When I first discovered Etsy I loved it. You can find so many fun and unique things. I was a great buyer for about a year and then decided I would try to also sell. So about a year ago is when I started crafting...I never did in my younger years. I love finding things and
saying "that would be cute as a ring, bracelet, necklace, etc." I don't know that I have a favorite supply but right now I love my silly cocktail monkey necklaces...they make me smile while I am making them!

*What would you love to add to your crafting space?
My crafting space-what crafting space?! Maybe if I am a good kid Santa will bring me one. I have all my supplies in baskets and I bring them into the kitchen and work at the kitchen table...maybe we should leave the crafting space out of this!!!!


NOW FOR THE GIVE AWAY!

Steph will be sending one lucky woman this amazing necklace!
Shoes & handbags...you can never have too many!


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A rhodium plated pewter high heeled sandal with purple rhinestones & a silvertone metal purple handbag sit atop a 1 1/8" polymer clay button. The 20" black necklace is made of soft silky rat-tail cord with silver plated findings & has a lobster clasp.

THIS GIVE AWAY IS CLOSED!

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Audrey's Country Crafts is in no way responsible for the mailing of the prize. After the name is drawn I will contact that person. They have 3 days to respond before another name will be picked! The name and address will be forwarded.
Thank-you for entering!!


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Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Jean Blanket Give Away

AND THE WINNER IS:PAM!!
CONGRATULATIONS!

During the week on my regular blog I had a poll asking which jean blanket I should Give Away. The vote was 77% in favor of the Birdhouse Blanket, so here it is! :)


Each square is painted with a different birdhouse surrounded by a painted grapevine wreath with berries or flowers. The jean squares are recycled from old jean skirts I found at the local thrift store. The backing is some navy material that I inherited from my mother-in-law.

For the people who enter the give away:
25% off your order (not including shipping)
Plus: I've been experimenting with Dip Mixes, and every order will receive one as a gift!

NOW FOR THE GIVE AWAY!
One lucky winner will get this hand painted jean blanket!







THIS GIVE AWAY IS CLOSED!


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Monday, December 7, 2009

Ocasiocasa Original Oil Lamp

AND THE WINNER IS: HOTSNOTTY2!!
CONGRATULATIONS!

A few months ago while searching Etsy for interesting shops to feature Etsy mini's from (on my other blog) I came across
Ocasiocasa on of the most unique shops I have ever seen! When I emailed them about their Etsy Mini, Jeff & Dale offered to also have a give away on this blog!! You have no idea how thrilled I was! This is an amazing shop - wait till you see the give away prize :)


Where are you from?
We are Jeff & Dale Ocasio. I am a second generation Floridian, was born in Miami and grew up in the Tampa Bay area, which is where I met Jeff while I was still in high school. Jeff was born in Brooklyn, NY. Our three children were born in Tampa. We moved,
here, to SW Florida a little over 12 years ago.

How did you decide on your shop name?
The name Ocasiocasa was thought up many years ago. I would use it, on a very casual basis, when sending out party invitations or holiday cards to friends and family. ‘Casa’ means house in Spanish; ‘Ocasio’ is our last name and is traced back to Spain, where Jeff’s paternal grandfather is from. Our house is where all the great things in our life have happened; I like that it has a place in the name of our creative business.

Why did you start your business? Why recycling/upcycling?
It started with a branch in the yard years ago that became wooden oak
blocks our my son. Since then Jeff has always had an eye for making things into other things by recycling. An old waterbed frame left out for trash by a neighbor became a sandbox, then part of a small playhouse. Using bamboo as a medium arose from the necessity to cut back our over-sized bamboo stand we inherited when we bought our property. Turning the stalks into useful walking staffs became a pastime and the reason our family spent several years as artisans in renaissance festivals. A request for a bamboo mailbox, carved chair and stool were later made for local charity fundraisers. An excess of bamboo wasn’t the only useful material we’ve had to work with … my love for red wine, and Jeff’s for the art of decoupage turned out to be a good match. We never threw the bottles out; there are many uses for empty wine bottles (google it sometime), but altering their look and re-using them has been our favorite.
For our son’s wedding, Jeff re-crafted over fifty bottles and a single orchid was put into each. Not only were they used as table décor, but were also handed out as wedding favors.
Jeff has always felt that one should share their ideas and feelings with others in anyway they can. He does it in his art of bottles and bamboo from our home and recycle bin.

Where do you create?

We create in a workroom Jeff built off the side of our house. It is all windows, and I feel as if I’m outdoors while I’m in there; only better---no mosquitoes!

What would you love to add to your creative space?
I would love to add a bit more room---wouldn’t everybody?

What’s your supply addiction; is there a specific color or type of supply you just can’t pass up?
I have to admit, we get a little giddy when we come across a really interesting bottle that is being tossed out. Most of our supplies that we buy are from hardware stores; I get a lot more inspiration in them than I do craft supply stores, and love to browse the isles.

Do you have a blog?
We have a blog that I manage and write in---www.ocasiocasa.blogspot.com. I am not a prolific writer, on any level, and did not think I would enjoy it or be able to keep it going. However, it has turned into my favorite form of social networking and am so happy that I jumped in. Our blog tagline: “…a blog of thoughts, musings, and instructions from Jeff and Dale; we are makers, and encourage all to be the same---whether or not you do; it’s all good.” It’s a mixture of news from our business, favorite things, and tutorials from us or ones that I find and like online.

NOW FOR THE GIVE AWAY!

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The Prize is a Casa Bottle Oil Lamp. This one is called ‘Celtic Glen’
and is a one-of -a-kind.

Description:
Unique illuminating home or bar décor - this oil lamp is an upcycled beer bottle with shades of olive and kelly green. Jeff designs and applies a layer of a sculptured form of decoupage over the bottle. Then we paint, stain with dye, finish with a lacquer, and carefully clean off the areas of bare glass. A lamp oil fitting, with wick, is added to create an indoor tabletop oil lamp. All that is needed is regular lamp oil (lamp oil is not included).
Measurements:
7.5 inches tall and 2.25 inches in diameter
An 8 inch cotton wick is included
All bottles are signed by Jeff Ocasio ~JEO, on the bottom. We wrap and custom make our shipping boxes.


THIS GIVE AWAY IS CLOSED!!

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Audrey's Country Crafts is in no way responsible for the mailing of the prize. After the name is drawn I will contact that person. They have 3 days to respond before another name will be picked! The name and address will be forwarded.
Thank-you for entering!!


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Sunday, December 6, 2009

KJ's Kwilting

AND THE WINNER IS:
KATIE!!
CONGRATULATIONS!


I love quilting and everything quilted!! And for some reason I seem to have developed a fondness for coasters :) That's what drew me to
KJ's Kwilting. Originally I had approached KJ about having her Etsy Mini on my other blog - then she offered to have a give away on this blog!! WOOHOO! Before I tell you what you can win - we have to learn more about KJ and her wonderful shop!


How did you decide on your shop name? Why did you start your business?
The name is easy - I'm KJ and I quilt, just made it with a K to make it a little more unique.
I started my business as I'm kept very busy with my grandchildren and I work part time and I love to quilt. I love everything I do and a little extra income is just a bonus!

Where are you from?
I live in a St Louis in the south county area, but I grew up in small town about 50 miles west of here.

When did you start sewing? Who taught you?
My mom taught me to quilt. I started quilting back in '89!

Where do you sew? What does it look like?
I quilt either at my kitchen table or my patio. I sew with the machine putting things together in my basement which I refer to as the cave.

What would you love to add to your sewing space?
Oh my that's easy to answer - organization!

Do you have a day job?
I work part time at McDonalds but I consider being a Nana my most important job.

Which item/items in your shop did you enjoy making the most and why?
Oh that's a hard one to answer - I love doing them all. Most rewarding I'd say my embroidered wall hangings, the most fun I'd have to say right now the Christmas Ornaments.

NOW FOR THE GIVE AWAY!
KJ will send one lucky winner their choice of a set of Quilted Coasters from her shop!!

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THIS GIVE AWAY IS CLOSED!!


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Audrey's Country Crafts is in no way responsible for the mailing of the prize. After the name is drawn I will contact that person. They have 3 days to respond before another name will be picked! The name and address will be forwarded.
Thank-you for entering!!


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Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Punk Scrapper

AND THE WINNER IS:
4SMARTMONKEYS!!
CONGRATULATIONS!


Julie has a wonderful shop on Etsy.
Punkscrapper's Shop is filled with a huge variety of wonderful items. Julie also has a BLOG and can be found on Flickr. Let's find out a bit more about Julie and her shop before we find out what the Give Away Prize is!


How did you decide on your shop name? Why did you start your business?
My shop name is something I came up with because I love the whole punk rock scene (styles, attitude...tattoos, etc) but I also love scrapbooking...so its a combo of the two. I started my business because honestly...I hate working in the real world. I guess Im stubborn...or something because conforming to the idea of a reg job (strict hours, repetitive duties...etc) just makes me ill. Ha! Plus I love creating and most jobs out there really aren't very creative. I wanted to jump out and try working for myself and doing artsy stuff for years and years and finally my husband was like...why don't you just do it?! So I did.

When did you start crafting?
I have been crafting pretty much my whole life. We didn't have a tv for much of my childhood and so my sister would keep me busy with art projects! We would break out the art supplies and play for hours. We made a lot of our Christmas gifts too. My sister was my first drawing, painting, crafting etc school! I took art courses in middle school and high school as well.

Where do you craft?What would you love to add to your crafting space?
I craft mostly at home...either at my dining room table or on the couch with a good movie playing. I don't really have a craft room where we are living right now...but I wish I could have an art studio...with lots of shelves and organizers from ikea...and a great big wall that I could paint a mural on! That is what I would wish for!

Where do you find your inspiration?
My sister has been my first and greatest inspiration, without her I don't know that the bug would have bitten me...at least not so hard! I had the pleasure of meeting
Disney artist Mr. Glen Scott (he was a customer of my Dad's) and just in the few times I met him and spoke with him in Highschool were filled with encouragement and creativity! His biggest disney movie that he worked on was Bambi, but he did many others. He was a background designer. My family and friends have been a great encouragement and inspiration to me. My husband, Nathan, has always been my source stick-to-it-iveness and is my greatest 'cheerleader'. He is always challenging me to go further with my art and try new things, he believes in my abilities and helps me to do the same! He is my best friend and without him I wouldn't have had the guts or esteem to make crafting my full time career! I love the artwork of Disney artists/colorists from the 50s and 60s. Mary Blair is fabulous (think art from disney alice in wonderland and peter pan) but also Eyvind Earle is absolutely amazing (his most famous was sleeping beauty). I love tattoo flash by artist Sailor Jerry, his designs are wonderful, bright and bold! I also draw a lot of ideas and inspiration from Edward Gorey (he illustrated the John Bellairs Mystery series as well as PBS's Mystery...and much much more) and Tim Burton is one of my art heroes! The way he creates is so alluring...his sketches are brilliant and his movies are perfection! I love the combination of witty, whimsical and dark, surreal content.

Do you have a day job?
Not in the professional world...my day job is crafting...with a cuppa coffee and a curled up kitty or two!

What is the item in your shop you enjoyed making the most and why?
Hmmmm...this is a tough one...I really enjoy making all of the items in my shop...but I would have to say I love drawing the most. There is something magical and satisfying about creating a world or moment in time through your sketch pad and art pens! Recently I have most enjoyed working on my Halloween Candy girl prints!


NOW FOR THE GIVE AWAY!
The lucky winner gets to pick their favorite Holiday Coffee Cozy!

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These are perfect for keeping in your purse or glove box (or both) and would make great stocking stuffers! Go green in the morning and turn down that cardboard coffee cozy from your java stop!
*star on blue
*reindeer on tan
*ornament on pink
*holly on green
*tree on green


THIS GIVE AWAY IS CLOSED!

The draw will take place on: Dec. 18 at 10PM Central.
This is open to US, Canada & UK residents only!
Good Luck Everyone!!



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Audrey's Country Crafts is in no way responsible for the mailing of the prize. After the name is drawn I will contact that person. They have 3 days to respond before another name will be picked! The name and address will be forwarded.
Thank-you for entering!!


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Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!


A big THANK-YOU to everyone who has supported my Give Away Blog, supplied their items & to everyone who has taken time to enter the Give Aways in 2009! I hope to see all of you in 2010 and to bring you more awesome Give Aways!
Have a Very Merry & Relaxing Christmas!!
And a Happy New Year!!


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Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Lotion Tarts Give Away

AND THE WINNER IS:RAINMOMMY!!
CONGRATULATIONS!

Jackie is one of the sweetest people I've met on the internet. She contacted me quite a while ago about doing a swap (one of my bags for some of her soap). Well as crazy as I am about handmade soap I said YES!! It was an awesome swap. Jackie's shop is 2 Virgos Designs and her soap is AMAZING!! Since then Jackie has added Cologne, Milk Bath, Lotion, Perfume, and more to her shop. A few weeks ago Jackie contacted me about a new product she has in her shop: Soy Wax Lotion Tarts with Emu Oil. She asked if she could send me a sample to try and she would love to give one of my readers one as a prize in a Give Away.

What a wonderful product! Jackie was raving about it before I received it, and you know what? She was right! Who knew something that looks like a smelly waxy thing could also be amazing lotion! And it's warm when you use it. AHHHH :) I used the first tart on a day I was home alone. Hubby can get headaches from strong smelling candles etc. This doesn't bother him at all. The scent is sublte but amazing. It doesn't take long for the room to smell wonderful. Jackie sent me the Medievil Diva scent. Here is how Jackie describes the scent:
Medieval Diva: a blend of pink cotton candy
notes, soft musk bottom, with a warm vanilla and caramel base which creates a fun and frisky fragrance with the added zest of Italian sweet orange. A WOW women's fragance!

The tarts come in a variety of scents, and all the descriptions are in the listing. I haven't tried the other ones but I think I'm addicted to the Medievel Diva one :) Jackie does have a new type of lotion tart: Vegan Soy Wax Lotion Tart with Almond Oil. It comes in the same scents at the other tarts - will probably be purchasing this one as well!



Before I tried the first tart I asked Jackie for instructions to make sure I did everything right. Here is what she told me:

You do not have to melt it all the way but the longer you melt it the more it will scent your home. That is what is cool about it! It is dual use: home fragrance and heated hand lotion that rocks. But I will let you be the judge of that! LOL Just don't let it burn dry! when I want to use it as hand lotion, which is just about once every day, I let it melt just enough to melt a bit of it good, not even all the way through, and carefully dip my finger in the melted portion and get a DAB of it and dab my hands and callouses on my feet. It only takes a tiny bit, smooth it on your hands and let it work its magic! If you use too much, you will know, it will leave a waxy residue on your skin, that is the soy wax. Very green product. Note how long your hands will be soft and smooth. If you have hangnails they will disappear.


My heels were in terrible shape, so I used the lotion on them and on my hands for the last week. They are so much better! My hands feel great too. In the description of the product (in her shop) Jackie mentions that one tart should last a week if you only use it as lotion. With the way the tart smells - it's didn't last quite a week at my house :) This product definitely gets an A+ from me. It would make a wonderful gift!


NOW FOR THE GIVE AWAY!

Jackie is giving one lucky person their choice of Lotion Tart with Emu Oil in Medievil Diva (for women), Royal Dragon (unisex) or the new Almond Oil Lotion Tart in either scent.

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GIVE AWAY IS NOW CLOSED!!


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Audrey's Country Crafts is in no way responsible for the mailing of the prize. After the name is drawn I will contact that person. They have 3 days to respond before another name will be picked! The name and address will be forwarded.
Thank-you for entering!!


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You Can Make This

AND THE WINNER IS:AMANDA!
CONGRATULATIONS!!




A few weeks ago I was contacted by You Can Make This about featuring their website and products on my blog along with a give away. After checking out the site - my answer was "YES!". They offer patterns for absolutely everything you could ever want to make, the variety is just amazing! It's easy to sign up to join them, and you get some FREE patterns for joining too. The patterns are well written and very easy to follow.

So with the holidays just around the corner, we thought it would be fun to showcase some quick and easy gift ideas you can give to friends, neighbors, co-workers, and oh yes…even your family! You can enter to win eBooks from www.YouCanMakeThis.com and learn some fun new techniques, tips, and ideas not only for the people on your list, but also creative ways to decorate your home!

You Can Make This has created a free download for some fun gift tags. Each of them coordinate with ideas found as part of the DIY Gift Giving Series videos that can be found at www.SWAKembroidery.com and www.YouCanMakeThis.com.

You can also enter to win hundreds of dollars in gift certificates just for watching the videos that are part of the DIY Gift Giving Series and answering a question on the You Can Make This blog!


NOW FOR THE GIVE AWAY!

TWO people will win a wonderful set of patterns!!

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Sew the Mini-Kimmy Doll! 10" doll pattern PLUS doll clothing patterns!
Make the Mini-Kimmy Quilt!
Personalized Name Pillows
Bundle Pack: Christmas Doodles Applique Patterns: Volumes 1, 2, 3
How to Applique the Easy Way



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THIS GIVE AWAY IS NOW CLOSED!!

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