$15 Gift Certificate Giveaway!

It's been too long since my last giveaway. To enter to win a $15 gift certificate to my shop, just leave a comment on this post. For (1) additional entry, follow my blog, for another (1) entry, follow me on twitter. Leave a seperate comment for each entry. Winner to be announced next Monday. Good Luck!

UPDATE: This giveaway is now closed. Tras el Secreto de Venus is the winner and will be contacted via email :)
Thanks!

Sarah

Win $50 Worth of Baking Supplies from Smidge and Pinch!

Theresa of Smidge and Pinch, your one stop shop for baking and posh party supplies, has generously donated a $50 gift certificate to one of my lucky readers. Just think of all the homemade goodness you can make with a new set of cookie cutters, cupcake liners, and let's not forget, lots and lots of sprinkles. Smidge and Pinch mixes your school colors and adds coordinating labels to make their famous School Spirit Sprinkles, perfect for school fundrasiers. Don't see what you're looking for? No worries, Theresa welcomes custom orders!

To win, just leave a comment on this post. For an extra entry, visit Smidge and Pinch and leave another comment with your favorite item. Following my blog will get you yet another entry (leave a comment stating that you are a follower). Winner will be announced next Wednesday. Good Luck!

Win $ Toward Craft Supplies and More at CSN!

Did you know you can buy craft supplies like the ones above over at CSN stores? And today you can also enter to win a $45 gift certificate to put toward anything from a barstool to craft supplies at CSN stores, just in time for your holiday shopping.

To win, just leave a comment here. Earn one additional entry for (1) following my blog, (1) following me on twitter. Leave a comment for each entry. Open to U.S. and Canadian readers only.

Happy Thanksgiving and good luck! I will announce the winner next Wednesday.

-Sarah

Zeppiprints Giveaway!

We are long overdue for a handmade giveaway, and how better to start up again, but with a lovely customized 8x10' museum quality archival print from up and coming etsy seller Robin of Zeppiprints!

To win, simply visit Zeppiprints and leave a comment here with your favorite item from Robin's shop. For additional entries, (1) follow this blog, and/or (1) follow SimplyFunStuff on twitter.  (Leave a comment for each of your entries.) Winner will be announced next Monday.

Now let's here some more about Robin of Zeppiprints:

Describe your perfect day:

My perfect day would be divided into family time and work time. I would start the day with design time on my computer, it's the first thing I think of when I wake up! My son, who is 18 months old, sleeps a couple of hours longer than I do, so it's time when I can really concentrate. Later, I would take my husband and son for brunch, my favorite meal. Then, we'd drive out to the beach and take photos. I consider myself extremely fortunate because I can actually have "my perfect day" if I choose.

Where/when so ideas hit you? Where do you find inspiration?

I come up with more ideas than I could ever actually create. This is my strong point and weak point all at the same time. At any point in the day, everywhere I look, I see ideas for new designs. There are countless notebooks and scraps of paper lying around my house, completely unorganized, full of ideas. The problem is focus. I love all colors and patterns, so it's very hard to create a cohesive style.

It's awesome when you see a shop that looks like a great magazine spread, or the front page of Etsy...but that's not my shop! I might create a conservative nature inspired acorn print one day and a nursery print covered with bright patterns the next! That's the beauty of design, the freedom.
Describe your perfect workspace
My perfect workspace would be an industrial loft in an urban setting with a great view of the Cliffs of Moher. Led Zeppelin would be off to the side playing "Tangerine" and my computer would be sitting among fresh flowers and gourmet chocolates. That would be perfect!

On a more realistic level, I would love an open space with tons of natural light, chic furniture, and less toys.
What drives or motivates you?

I'm motivated by my love of design. It's simple really. My husband has classic cars, my son has Christmas morning, and I have design.
Tell me a random fun fact about you.
I have an affinity for British...stuff! My favorite bands, tv shows, actors, and cars are British.

Thanks Robin!

Giveaway at the Queen Bee Market!

Head on over to the Queen Bee Market for a chance to win this Personalized Ice Cream Bowl Hand Painted by me!

Another Giveaway You Say?!

Why Yes! And this time you can win a lovely pair of earrings from etsy shop Sparkling Bliss!

To enter, simply visit Sparkling Bliss and leave a comment with your favorite item. For extra chances to win, follow Sparkling Bliss on Facebook, Twitter, and/or her Blog (One bonus entry for each you follow). To make sure you get credit, note which you follow in your comment!

And now more about shop owner Michelle of Sparkling Bliss:

Where do you find inspiration?
I find inspiration all around me. It might sound cliche, but nature, music, sights and sounds all add to the design process. Sometimes while I'm browsing for beads, I envision how I can bring them together. I can visually create a piece and it's exciting when I bring the beads to my studio and they mesh, just as they did in my mind.

What are 5 things you want people to think when they see your product? I'd like people to see my jewelry as elegant, transitional, functional, romantic and fun.

What words do you live your life by/ what's your motto?
"Dance like no one is watching, love like you'll never be hurt, sing like no one is listening and live like it's heaven on earth."- William Purkey

Where else can we find you?
Blog: http://sparklingtwi.blogspot.com
FBook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sparklingtwi/186281241828?v=wall
Twitter: http://twitter.com/sparklingtwi

Thanks Michelle, and Enjoy the Holiday Weekend Everyone!

$60 Giveaway!

Yay! It's giveaway time again! And this may be our biggest giveaway ever, a $60 gift certificate from CSN stores. To tie the giveaway into this week's cherry blossoms theme, I put together these coordinating bedroom items with cherry blossoms, along with one of the many headboards from CSNstores.com. And since this is such a great opportunity, I thought I'd extend it for 2 whole weeks!

Items shown above are:
1. Skyline Furniture Button Tufted Headboard in Red 2. Oriental Furniture 72" Cherry Blossom Decorative Room Divider 3. Muu Sam Dresser in Red Blossom Panel Design 4. Twinkle Living Cherry Blossom Rug 5. Sitcom Furniture Keiko Blossom Wall Art

To win, just follow my blog and leave a comment on this post (prize available to US and Canadian residents only). AND PLEASE NOTE, THE $60 IS GOOD AT ANY OF THE CSN STORES! Good luck!

And the Winner is...

Ladytink !

You will be contacted via email. Enjoy your $10 gift certificate to my shop!

Happy Friday everyone!

Giveaway! and meet me at the Market this Weekend

This week's giveaway is a mystery prize from my shop. The only catch is, you must be a follower! I know, I know. But hey, I figure my loyal readers deserve a perk of some sort. So to win, just make sure you are a follower, and leave a comment here with your favorite and least favorite word (One of my favorite questions to ask during interviews).

???

Thank you, and good luck readers!!!!

-Sarah

Oh, and p.s. This Saturday, I will be at the Queen Bee Market in Carlsbad, California. Please stop by and say hi if you live in the San Diego Area!

Giveaway: Amy Butler Weekend Travel Bag Sewing Pattern

Someone gave me this sewing pattern (Thanks Melanie!), and since I don't sew, I thought I'd put it up for grabs on my blog. Leave a comment here with your contact info and your name will be entered into a random drawing. Happy Friday!

Giveaway: Kigis Boutique

This week's giveaway is a $20 gift certificate from Kigi's Boutique. Shop owner Jennifer is a mom who makes some really cute baby items and manages to capture some adorable shots of her perfect little models.


To win, just visit Kigi's Boutique and leave a comment here with your favorite item. Shop hearts, item hearts, and blog followers are not required, but always appreciated! Giveaway winner will be drawn next Sunday night at 8pm.
And now some more about Jennifer:

What word do you like? HaHa! I think I say "like" alot!

What word do you dislike? "Dude" It reminds me of the movie "Dude, Where's my car?" and I hate that movie!

Where/when so ideas hit you? It just depends...sometimes just when I see a certain product, or a type of material!

Describe your perfect workspace. My perfect workspace, would be to have a workspace! Right now I usually sit in the floor or unload all my boxes at the kitchen table.

What the craziest place you've ever been or thing you've ever done? It's not really crazy, but it's pretty cool. It's called "Lost Sea" and it's really interesting!!

What drives or motivates you? "My Family - 100%"

Tell me a random fun fact about you. I LOVE Reese's Peanut Butter Cups!! Like I'm addicted to them..LOL

See more of Jennifer and Kigi's at:
Website: http://www.kigisboutique.com/ - 20% off sale going on now!
Blog: http://kigisboutique.blogspot.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kigisboutique?ref=ts
Twitter: http://twitter.com/KiGisBoutique

Thanks Jennifer and good luck to all!

Friday Giveaway: Sugar Chills

Ok, trust me when I tell you to enter this giveaway. I mean, you should enter all of them, but this one is all about pampering yourself with indulgent treats from Sugar Chills. You have to love shop owner Laura's product names: Face Slimes, Skin Sludges, Foot Gunk, and Body Dust. All in powder form, ready to mix with water, you get more bang for your buck!  I was lucky enough to try Face Slime #1 (Smoothing Cocoa) and Face Slime #5 (Cleansing Clay). #5 was a good exfoliant and smelled wonderful (like tea tree oil), but my favorite was definitely #1. Not only was it very gentle and smelled good enough to eat, but surprisingly it also left me with very clean pores. Just ask my husband. And no, I am not getting paid to say this.

Oh, and another good reason to enter. Laura has gracisouly agreed to donate 4 prizes!!! Two lucky readers will win a sample of the Face Slime of their choice, and two others will get $5 gift certificates! To win, just visit Sugar Chills and leave a comment here with your favorite item. Shop hearts, item hearts, and blog followers are not required, but always appreciated!

And now some more about Laura:

How/why did you get into this stuff?
I started SugarChills natural body care shop while pregnant with my third son - looking for a more natural and gentle way to care for my (our) body! I began experimenting with natural deodorant powder recipes and finally came up with one I really liked, worked well, and didn't irritate my skin... From there, I branched out into foot scrubs, then face masks and body scrubs!

What word do you like?
Krakatoa.

What word do you dislike?
spleen

Where/when so ideas hit you?
In the shower, while falling asleep, when nursing my eight month old son.... basically anytime when it's impossible to write it down.

Describe your perfect workspace.
Well, any workspace to call my own would be great! Right now we're in a two bedroom condo so my "office" is basically a nook of the kitchen. But we're moving to a house soon, and then I get my own space!!

And even more info about SugarChills:
http://www.seabirdchronicles.com/adc/sugarchills-20-a-shop-is-born.html
http://www.seabirdchronicles.com/about

Friday Giveaway!

This week's giveaway prize is a lovely photo from Casey of Casey McArdle Photography. Casey is a young and very talented photographer from Brisbane, Australia who is generously offering a print of photo called "The Gift". She is also including a matte, so it's ready to frame when it arrives at your door! To win, just visit Casey's shop, and leave a comment here with your favorite item. Shop hearts, item hearts, and blog followers are always appreciated!

And now a little more about Casey:

How did you get into photography?

I've always loved photography - I especially loved going through old family photographs when I was a little girl. I took a short photography class in high school and I guess that's when things really took off! I was taking photographs all the time and got lots of compliments. That's when I decided to save up for my very first DSLR camera and I haven't looked back since!

What is your favourite genre?
My favourite genre would definitely be portraiture - I love being able to take photographs for families that they will continue to look back on for the rest of their lives. I've recently shot for my first wedding too - that was an amazing experience.
Describe your perfect workspace.
I'm really messy, so my perfect workspace would be clean and completely clutter free - I'm working hard on achieving this! I have lots of photographs pinned up around my desk - they keep me motivated and make me laugh from time to time hehe. I also make sure that my lolly jar is always full - just in case I get one of those pesky sugar cravings haha.

What are your goals for the future?
I'm only 19, so I have many goals and dreams for the future. Professionally, I plan to promote my etsy store like crazy so I can get some more sales flowing. I also want to work on getting my name out there and developing a client base for my portrait sessions. At the moment I am working hard to complete my university degree (Primary School Education) so that I can move out of home! I would also love to write a book, get married, have 2 little children and travel the world!!

Thanks Casey, and Good luck!

Giveaway: Earrings from SmileForSuzy

This week's giveaway prize is a choice of earrings from etsy seller SmileForSuzy. Suzy is a fun girl whose works are self admittedly funky, oddball, a little weird, and slightly offbeat. To win, just visit SimleForSuzy, look around, read her entertaining item descriptions, and then leave a comment here (by next Thursday at 8pm PST) with your favorite item and a way to contact you. Easy as pie.


Want to know more about Suzy? Read her blog, check out her professional portfolio here, and read my interview with her below.

How/why did you get into this stuff? I didn't discover shrinkydinks till I was already in college. And I felt so cheated from my childhood because I totally missed out on all this color and baking glory. So once I discovered shrinkydinks, I really just started doodling on the plastic and baking things and it just went on from there.


What word do you like? sweet! I know the word I like and the word I dislike aren't far off from each other. To each his own.

What word do you dislike? score! when used in place of a high five. I don't really know why.

Where/when so ideas hit you? Usually I'll try to sit down and consciously think of ideas. But every now and then I'll just see something while I'm out and it'll spark something and I'll have to write a note on my hand to remember.

Describe your perfect workspace. Sitting outside on a lounge chair in the sun with a board on my lap coloring and drawing.

What the craziest place you've ever been or thing you've ever done? Bonnaroo Music Festival 2 years in a row. It's four days of standing 12-18 hours in the sun with thousands of other people all for the music. Did I mention you camp on the premises?

What drives or motivates you? I love the feeling of creating. Sometimes I'll get anxious if it's been too long since I've made something out of nothing, I'll have to stop and do something then. It's a great feeling of release and I love the idea that people out there are wearing something I've created.

Tell me a random fun fact about you. I'm left handed, and so are my brother and mom. When I was growing up I didn't realize it was an unusual thing until they started teaching writing in school.
 
Thanks Suzy and good luck!

Giveaway!

Happy Friday! This weeks giveaway is a cute little pouch from Eva at eRoa. Made from recycled materials including an outer shell from Coco Chanel fabric, you can use this beatifully lined pouch to carry everything from your cash to your camera, alone or in your purse! To win, just visit eRoa and then leave a comment here with your favorite item and a way to contact you. Easy, right?

Now some more info about Eva:

How/why did you get into this stuff?

I started getting crafty in Chicago many moons ago. I sold my first coin purses at Woman Made Gallery at their annual holiday bazaar back in 2006. The pouches were a success. This gave me the confidence to approach local shops and continue selling them and do a few more bazaars at the gallery.

During this same time in Chicago, one of my sisters emailed me the link to Etsy. I considered it and in retrospect should have acted on that but never did. I was working full time and was focused on other things.

Now I love creating and making my pouches. It has become my main priority these days until I go back to work but even then I’ll be working in the evenings and weekends on new pouches and updating the look of my shop. I can’t stop doing what I love to do. I’ve had a few days where I started working at 8AM and didn’t go to bed until 7AM. When I get in the zone I just keep working.
What word do you like?
I like the word ‘chum’. It sounds funny and makes me laugh plus it’s the nickname for my other half.
What word do you dislike?
Oh man! I can’t say the word but can say it rhymes with ‘hunt’ and is used in a derogatory way to describe a female body part. So dislike the word.
Where/when so ideas hit you?
I get ideas from everywhere and everyone even when I am not looking for inspiration. I may be talking to a friend or my nephew says something funny or I’m browsing different magazines at the bookstore and I’ll get an idea.
Describe your perfect workspace.
My perfect workspace has plenty of windows for natural light. Love natural light especially for taking photos. It’s spacious and has plenty of storage. All my supplies and fabric are labeled and organized because I tend to be disorganized. I have a few sewing machines for different purposes. Maybe I use one wall to hang things that inspire me like postcards or photos or some of my collage work. Somewhere in the workspace I’d have a mannequin with a gown I’d make from recycled material (maybe it’s a work in progress that I keep adding to). Also there’s space for my office/shipping area. Music is important to in the workspace.
What's the craziest place you've ever been or thing you've ever done?
New Orleans and Mardi Gras in my twenties (before Hurricane Katrina). We’ll leave it at that. Love you New Orleans. Beautiful and magical city you were and are.
What drives or motivates you?
Trying not to be boring or pathetic.

Where/when so ideas hit you?
They have no rhyme or reason. I just learn to listen better to my inner voice. Sometimes the best ideas are those that happen spontaneously with no planning.
Tell me a random fun fact about you.
I’m silly on the sly.

Tanks Eva and good luck to all!

Giveaway!

This week's giveaway is a yellow "Chain Me Up" Necklace from etsy seller Laci of ZigZags! Add a splash of color to a pair of jeans and white t-shirt with this unique piece crocheted from super soft yarn. Check out all of her great color choices and styles here! To enter your name in a random drawing, please visit  ZigZags and comment on this post with your favorite item from Laci's shop! It's that easy! (Entires must be received by 8pm next Thursday PST). And to learn more about Laci, read the interview below!

Interview with Laci from ZigZags:

Me: What drives or motivates you?

Laci: The need to create, and to express myself in ways other than being a mother. Being a mom is wonderful, but that just makes having "Me" time all the more PRICELESS.

Me: Tell me a random fun fact about you/What the craziest place you've ever been or thing you've ever done?
Laci: Me and my husband lived in Las Vegas for a summer.. 'NUFF SAID. LOL!

Me: How/why did you get into this stuff?
Laci: It is simply a natural reaction to life for me to create. I love it, it is my passion.

Me: Describe your perfect workspace:
Laci: QUIET. :D

Thanks Laci, and good luck to all my readers!

Giveaway: Jenuine Jewels & Last Weeks Winner!

Before we get to the winner of the pillow giveaway, I want to reveal next week's prize, a beautiful set of silver wrapped opalite earrings from Jenuine Jewels! I had the pleasure of chatting with the shop owner, Jen, and she seemed like such a nice person that I thought it would be fun to do a little artist interview. But first, let me tell you how to win. To enter your name in a random drawing for these earrings, please visit Jenuine Jewels and comment on this post with your favorite item from Jen's shop! It's that easy!

Interview with Jen from Jenuine Jewels:

Me: How/why did you get into this stuff?

Jen: To be honest, I can't even remember. I just remember wanting to create. I think it actually started with pencil drawing, then a little painting and finally I found the world of beads and so came my jewels. I still love painting, but I think making jewels is my true love.

Me: What creative things did you do growing up?

Jen: I remember my parents signing me up for private classes. I must have been showing some interest in drawing or something at the time...I can remember going to this woman's house in the evenings and she taught me how to draw portraits, taught me about scale and things of that nature. It was all pencils and charcoal. I do remember loving it and I can still do that type of thing, but I craved some COLOR. Looking back, it must have been hard for them to afford it and fit into their schedules at the time...as a young parent now, I appreciate it more now than I ever probably did then!

Me: Describe your perfect day.

Jen: I have so over-thought this question and deleted my answer and started over again and again (life and timing relative-ness happening here...LOL). This is a weird one and then not so much...in the end I know what it would be. I would simply be with those I love and we would all be smiling and laughing over something ridiculous and meaningless in the grand scheme. Our faces would be in the sunshine. There would be great chats and talks. There would be tears and hugs. There would be jokes and crazy. We would be healthy and happy. We would just be loving the moment and planning the next one...

Me: What word do you like?

Jen: Smile

Me: What word do you dislike:

Jen: No

Me: Describe your perfect workspace.

Jen: I would love a little room with lots of lights and windows. It would have the same old wooden door I've been working on, propped up on shelves from the Home Depot still, but it would be HEATED (my room now is in my basement and is not! LOL). Painted a soothing green or blue and it would be filled with fabulous ORGANIZATION! Not my strong point as far as supplies! I would have an area just for my jewel supplies and an area for my painting things. It would have pictures of the people I love all around. It would have bigger speakers too! Funny, because I've always whined about my husband's electronics everywhere...LOL! I love feeling music when I work!

Me: What is the craziest place you've ever been or thing you;ve ever done?

Jen: I certainly hope, and knowing myself, am quite sure this hasn't happened yet! Life is short! There is always something new around the bend...

Me: What drives or motivates you?

Jen: My family, they have always believed in me. Myself too, that is coming...

Me: Where/When do ideas hit you?

Jen: All over the place! I can see most anything and want to figure out how to make it. Or at least make a form of it into my work. I usually work late though. The witching hours are my best!

Thanks to Jen for the great interview and giveaway prize. Good luck everyone!

I almost forgot! The winner of the pillow giveaway is....

Danielle!

Congratulations! I will provide NCS with your email!

Craft Swap

I was so excited when my new piece of art arrived in the mail this week. Ren Adams of Plastic Pumpkin Designs offered to swap one of her Chinese Brush Painting Prints for my Mini Glass Tile Push Pins. This was the first craft swap I've held on my blog as kind of a social experiment slash way to learn about other artists and crafters, and I was quite happy with the results. Ren offered to let me choose from the wide selection of Prints on her etsy page. There were so many great ones, but I just could not resist these jellyfish!:

Some of my other considerations:

Ren offers both original and prints in her shop at reasonable prices and is currently holding a personal challenge for herself with her "30 paintings in 30 days" experiment. Read all about it on her blog. Good Luck and Thank You Ren!

p.s. I'm cooking up another swap and would love to hear from you if you are interested.

Your Best Small Outdoor Space Winner

And the winner of the Small Outdoor Space Contest is....

Mary!

Mary's small outdoor space combines nature and shabby chic with her fresh vines, potted succulents, vintage metal chair, and creative arrangement of drift wood. Even the mini in the driveway fits our contest theme! Thanks Mary! Your prize will ship out shortly.

Balcony or Patio Decorating Ideas

Since I'm not getting quite the response I had hoped for my Small Outdoor Space Contest, I'm linking to a few sites to help inspire you!:

Okay, so maybe you don't have the view, but you can have the balcony! Photo and decorating tips from IndiWO.

And HGTV offers more ideas including adding privacy with bamboo fencing.

On a side note, I found this cute little grill at Freshome, perfectly sized for your small outdoor space!

Have a great weekend!