Winner of my "Where Bloggers Create" Giveaway

I just realized I'm so far behind I forgot to announce the winner of the Where Bloggers Create Giveaway - big apologies!!

So without further ado the winner of the (my favorite) woven wire key holder is...

✻Janelle✻

CoNgRaTuLaTiOnS!!

I've sent off a congratulatory email to Janelle and hopefully I'll hear back from her shortly. A huge thank you to all of you who visited and left comments to enter the giveaway. Look for more fun giveaways in the near future as I continue to liquidate the treasures from my Mana Moon Studios shop and don't forget the savings are up 50% Off now with Free Shipping!

Enjoy!

Mad Tea Party 2010 Apology

I had fully intended on participating in the Mad Tea Party 2010 taking place today over at A Fanciful Twist. I even have a partially written post, a half finished tea party blog background, and a nearly completed tutorial, all for this wonderful event.

Sadly family responsibilities have come forward and so I will have to put it all on hold until next week. I do apologize and promise to have it all for you soon. In the meantime do stop on over and visit Vanessa and take part in her fabulous party, they are always utterly delightful and entirely enchanting!

See you soon...





Teacup image, courtesy & copyright of Magpie Mine.

Weekly Spotlight - Confessions of a Junkyard Cat

I have the absolute honor of spotlighting one of the most charming and enchanting blogs I've ever had the pleasure of encountering in my travels through blogland.

I stumbled upon this blog in my travels some time ago and my heart was immediately and completely captivated by it's host Romeo... the cat.

Romeo shares his life with a few other feline companions as well as an immensely talented artist and collector of treasures galore. There's an eye-full of candy at ever turn and your heart will sing reading the adorable antiques and muses of the fantabulous Romeo so stroll on over when you have a moment and get lost in the world of...

Confessions of a Junkyard Cat

To view previous Weekly Spotlights click here and if you've been featured and wish to shout it out here's a little button just for that...

<center><a href="http://plumroselane.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy344/plumrose-lane/Blog%20Backgrounds/Bus%20Logos/FeaturedonPrLWeeklySpotlight-sm.png" /></a></center>
Enjoy!

The Versatile Blogger Award

It's with delight and honor that I accept the fabulous Versatile Blogger Award from a recent and new visitors to my blog, Kathleen of Charm Bracelet Diva. Kathleen is a jewelry designer and hosts a lovely blog where she features her latest creations, easy to follow tutorials and a wealth of fab finds.

Now as many of you know when I receive an award from a fellow blogger it's just too difficult for me to ever decide who to pass the loveliness on to and so I rather enjoy taking the opportunity to create a few new buttons instead. And so I present you with these new sidebar freebies....

Some Sugar

<center><a href="http://plumroselane.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy344/plumrose-lane/Badges/SomeSugar-1.png" /></a></center>

Memories are the Stars

<center><a href="http://plumroselane.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy344/plumrose-lane/Badges/Memories_are_the_stars-1.png" /></a></center>

The second one was a saying I came up with when I was 16 in memory of my mom who had passed away a few years earlier. I've always loved the saying and I'm happy to share it with all of you.

Enjoy!

Where Bloggers Create II

I'm absolutely delighted to be participating in this year's Where Bloggers Create. Today is the big day were bloggers from around the globe share with their visitors the places where they create their magic. Now obviously most of my creative time is spent inside my little mind where images and designs are constantly whirling about but since I'm unable to give you a glimpse of that inner mess, I've decided to do my best to capture the inspirational locations where I create.

Although most of my visitors know me exclusively for my graphic designs I've spent much of the past five years working from home as a jewelry artist. Although I'm in the process of leaving a large portion of that behind as I move back into working with graphics full time, I do still work some with jewelry and so I am going to show where I work on jewelry AND where I work on my grahics.

The first work area is my computer desk...
I work from an antique desk which has been in my husband's family for many, many years. I couldn't live without the two monitors I use, although I remember not long ago when I was reluctant to add a 2nd monitor. Whether I'm cropping jewelry images or working on a new blog theme, Photoshop CS3 is my preferred software tool.

My co-workers...
My son, who attends cyber school from our home, sits just on the other side of my two monitors. He and our two cats are the best co-worker/companions I could ever ask for.

I'm never at a loss for inspiration....
On the shelves behind me sit the extensive collection of cards, letters, and gifts I've received from all the friends I've made in blogland over the past several years.
Sometimes it's utterly amazing to believe how many lives have crossed my path and touched my heart through blogging - most of whom I have never met in person - and I cannot imagine my life without the blessings each of them has left me.

The second area is my jewelry work desk...
I work from an old desk we purchased second hand from a local university. Here I am also surrounded by the inspiration of online friend's creations, their photographs, and personal notes as well as a selection of colorful beads, wires and baubles.

I'm immensely blessed and forever grateful for the gifts blogging and my travels through blogland have imparted in my life♥

And now, to say thank you for taking the time to visit and read about my little corner of the world, I will be giving away one of my original key holders...This particular key holder is my favorite and I've been holding it for this special occasion. The title is "Malika" and it has so many whimsical details to it (my personal favorite is the ornate dangling key).

All you need to do to be entered for a chance to win is leave a comment on this post. Be sure you leave a way for me to contact you in case you win, such as an email address or link to your blog. To give everyone enough time to visit and enter, I will hold this giveaway open until June 26th.

Good luck to everyone and as always...

Enjoy!

Weekly Spotlight - Tattered Gold

I recently ran across this posting by Tattered Gold whose blog link sits among the many buttons I feature on my sidebar. I love visiting her blog and reading the beautiful poet writings whenever I can however this particular posting touched me deeply and so the latest Weekly Spotlight is...

Tattered Gold

To view previous Weekly Spotlights click here and if you have been featured and wish to shout it out here's a little button just for that...
<center><a href="http://plumroselane.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy344/plumrose-lane/Blog%20Backgrounds/Bus%20Logos/FeaturedonPrLWeeklySpotlight-sm.png" /></a></center>
Enjoy!

"In Gear" for Father's Day

How I wish I could say I have been 'in gear' for the approaching Father's Day being celebrated this Sunday but once again time seems to be at a loss. I do however have this new blog background to offer up and I've created it in three formats, the last including a Father's Day stamp inserted. So you can either choose to don the holiday version or one of the plain ones. I also hope to have a few coordinating elements in the near future. And so, here are the codes for...

In Gear

plain

2 column background code

<style type="text/css">body {background-image: url("http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy344/plumrose-lane/Blog%20Backgrounds/InGear-2Column-nokeys.jpg"); background-position: center; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; }</style><div id="tag" style="position:absolute; right:0px; top:30px; z-index:50; width:150px; height:45px;"><a href="http://plumroselane.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy344/plumrose-lane/Blog%20Backgrounds/Bus%20Logos/online-PrL-signature.png" /></a></div>

3 column background code

<style type="text/css">body {background-image: url("http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy344/plumrose-lane/Blog%20Backgrounds/Ingear-3Column-nokeys.jpg"); background-position: center; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; }</style><div id="tag" style="position:absolute; right:0px; top:30px; z-index:50; width:150px; height:45px;"><a href="http://plumroselane.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy344/plumrose-lane/Blog%20Backgrounds/Bus%20Logos/online-PrL-signature.png" /></a></div>

with keys

2 column background code

<style type="text/css">body {background-image: url("http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy344/plumrose-lane/Blog%20Backgrounds/InGear-2Columnbackground.jpg"); background-position: center; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; }</style><div id="tag" style="position:absolute; right:0px; top:30px; z-index:50; width:150px; height:45px;"><a href="http://plumroselane.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy344/plumrose-lane/Blog%20Backgrounds/Bus%20Logos/online-PrL-signature.png" /></a></div>

3 column background code

<style type="text/css">body {background-image: url("http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy344/plumrose-lane/Blog%20Backgrounds/InGear-3Columnbackground.jpg"); background-position: center; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; }</style><div id="tag" style="position:absolute; right:0px; top:30px; z-index:50; width:150px; height:45px;"><a href="http://plumroselane.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy344/plumrose-lane/Blog%20Backgrounds/Bus%20Logos/online-PrL-signature.png" /></a></div>

w/Happy Father's Day

2 column background code

<style type="text/css">body {background-image: url("http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy344/plumrose-lane/Blog%20Backgrounds/InGear-2Columnbackgroundw-stamp.jpg"); background-position: center; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; }</style><div id="tag" style="position:absolute; right:0px; top:30px; z-index:50; width:150px; height:45px;"><a href="http://plumroselane.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy344/plumrose-lane/Blog%20Backgrounds/Bus%20Logos/online-PrL-signature.png" /></a></div>

3 column background code

<style type="text/css">body {background-image: url("http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy344/plumrose-lane/Blog%20Backgrounds/InGear-3Columnbackgroundw-stamp.jpg"); background-position: center; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; }</style><div id="tag" style="position:absolute; right:0px; top:30px; z-index:50; width:150px; height:45px;"><a href="http://plumroselane.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy344/plumrose-lane/Blog%20Backgrounds/Bus%20Logos/online-PrL-signature.png" /></a></div>
If you need help adding a background to your blog click here for easy to follow step-by-step instructions

And here's a little coordinating wax stamp button for your sidebar...
<center><a href="http://plumroselane.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy344/plumrose-lane/Badges/FathersDayStamp.png" /></a></center>
Simply copy the code into an html/javascript gadget or follow these step-by-step instructions for help.

I also had some fun creating a few sidebar buttons. Now the first one is w-a-a-a-y beyond the realm of where I normally work but having recently gone through a separation with a wolf of a husband I find my heart must have been searching for some humor in the situation and so the "Daddio" blog badge was created...
<center><a href="http://plumroselane.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy344/plumrose-lane/Badges/smallerDaddio.gif" /></a></center>
At least I can vouch for the original image having a nice meaning, maybe not healthier but certainly more reserved...
Being a perpetual "Daddy's little girl" at heart I offer up the "Always" blog button for those of you who share this affinity for Daddy...
<center><a href="http://plumroselane.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy344/plumrose-lane/Badges/HFD-Always2.png" /></a></center>
Wishing you all a wonderful and very Happy Father's Day!

Enjoy!

Winner of "How Does Your Garden Grow" Giveaway

First I would like to thank everyone who entered my recent giveaways. Holding giveaways is always such fun. The toughest part is that I wish everyone could win and that's where a handy online random number generator comes in - it chooses the winner for me.



And so, without further ado the winner of this giveaway is Peggy Gatto - Congratulations Peggy! Peggy is the winner of this original Woven Wire bracelet I created under my Mana Moon Studios business.


Remember there are loads of deals and steals in my other shop right now and the savings are up to 50% Off now. It's really strange seeing the prices so low, a very odd feeling indeed, but once that inventory is cleared away I can begin creating new treasures as an addition to my Plumrose Lane shop.

In the meantime I do hope to hold a few more giveaways in the coming weeks to help promote sales (and just for fun too) so please stop by again and spread the word ~ thanks!

Enjoy!

Shout Out for Handmade

Normally I don't venture too far beyond graphic design on this blog and although that may change over time - given the vision I have for this little budding business of mine - today I just had to give a shout out to what I feel is a great cause.

One of the regular arrivals in my inbox is the Scoutie Girl newsletter, basically it's a copy of their daily blog post and I find it a great way to keep up on all the fun indie finds they come across. But today Tara over at Scoutie Girl has taken matters into her own hands and wrote a letter to Oprah (yes, THE Oprah) in the hope of driving a campaign to help handmade get the recognition it deserves. I like this idea and what Tara is trying to accomplish and so I'm casting my own little spotlight on her movement in the hope you might venture over to her online letter and help spread the word.

Whether I'm working with jewelry design, graphic design, or some other creative outlet that strikes my momentary mood, ultimately I live in the realm of handmade. I make handmade, buy handmade and support it vehemently over large corporations that line our urban and suburban streets. So won't you join me in taking a look at the Tara's letter and help spread the news. There are handy little Facebook and Twitter buttons located just below the letter to assist in spreading the word.

Thanks!

PrL Sidebar Images

I was recently contacted by a new visitor who wanted to give credit back for using one my free sidebar frame tags. I'm always so pleased when I encounter people who are anxious to give credit where credit is due, it instills such hope in this world and especially blogland.

It got me thinking about my sidebar badge though and how it may be beneficial to offer a few variations, especially smaller images for those who would like to give some credit back but would prefer a simpler or smaller look. And so I've added a few new images which you can find below.

<center> <a href="http://www.PlumroseLane.com" target="_blank" alt="Custom Blog Design by PrL"><img border="0" src="http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy344/plumrose-lane/Blog%20Backgrounds/Bus%20Logos/PrL-cstm_blog_design.png" /></a></center>
<center> <a href="http://www.PlumroseLane.com" target="_blank" alt="Custom Header by PrL"><img border="0" src="http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy344/plumrose-lane/Badges/PrL-custom_header.png" /></a></center>
<center> <a href="http://www.PlumroseLane.com" target="_blank" alt="Custom Blog Elements by Plumrose Lane"><img border="0" src="http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy344/plumrose-lane/My%20Blog/PrL-custom_blog_elements.png" /></a></center>
<center> <a href="http://www.PlumroseLane.com" target="_blank" alt="Blog Makeover by PrL"><img border="0" src="http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy344/plumrose-lane/Blog%20Backgrounds/Bus%20Logos/blogmakeoverbyPrL.png" /></a></center>
<center> <a href="http://www.PlumroseLane.com" target="_blank" alt="Website Makeover by PrL"><img border="0" src="http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy344/plumrose-lane/Blog%20Backgrounds/Bus%20Logos/websitemakeoverbyPrL.png" /></a></center>

<a href="http://plumroselane.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy344/plumrose-lane/Blog%20Backgrounds/Bus%20Logos/PrL_badge.png" /></a>

Simply copy the code below the image you like and paste it into an html/javascript gadget box and if you need any help with using the code for blog buttons or badges click here for a handy step-by-step tutorial.

I've also added a new animated "Grab One of My Buttons" badge to the side bar of my blog and to really spice things up, I've created it in an animated gif format. It's the first time I've worked on an animated gif image, at least since ages ago when I used to play in Flash, and although it needs a little work it's not a bad first attempt.

So thanks again to all of you who look to give credit back, you make me love what I do even more!

Enjoy!