Some Fun ~ a Holiday Giveaway

I know the mood has been a bit gloomy around here lately... and I just couldn't be more appreciative of all your love and support ~ so I thought it might be nice to give a little back and have some fun at the same time!

Since I didn't get a chance to post a monthly giveaway and you're all so wonderful that I wish I could gift each and everyone one of you, I've decided to hold one fabulous giveaway with a selection of several lovely prizes ~ just in time for the holidays too! So here are the details, there are loads of ways to enter and win but first the prizes...

~The Prizes~

First Prize - Bracelet~
Some of you may not know this but long before I dabbled in Graphic Design I was a published Jewelry Artist. You could find my colorful handmade bracelets and key holders in jewelry stores, boutiques, and I loved participating in the art show circuit during the warm summer months as well. While time doesn't permit much playtime these days I still enjoy creating with lovely artisan lampwork beads and winding wire when time allows. And so one lucky winner will receive this one-of-a-kind wire wrapped bracelet...

Second Prize - Scarf ~
Next up we have one of my original woven fiber-wear scarves. My hands are seldom at rest but sometimes my mind likes to take a break from the computer and so when I'm relaxing I can often be found weaving one of these colorful delights...

They're luxuriously soft and super warm and one lucky winner will have their choice of any one they like from my Etsy shop.

Third Prize - Keyholder~
The next prize is one of my original wire wrapped key holders...

These key holders are incredibly whimsical and fun to use either as a keychain with a handy spring hook for hanging on your purse or if you're really hard on your keys they make beautiful sun catchers by hanging in your window and come with an alternative suction cup. One lucky winner will receive this prize.

Forth Prize - Gift Certificate~
Next up is a $20 gift certificate good toward the purchase of anything in my shop ~ yep, you can use it on digital images, some fabulous custom business tools, or toward some of my new trinkets and treasures ~ whatever you like! One lucky winner will receive this prize...

Fifth Prize - Digital Holiday Pack~
Lastly we have a selection of seasonal goodies which include three lovely vintage label sheets in red, green, and blue along with a set of my holiday bookmark/tags...

These all work so beautifully for seasonal gift giving and craft making and add that elegant personal handmade touch. One lucky winner will receive this prize.

So let's see... that's a total of 5 prizes ~ pretty sweet! Now let's move on to you enter...

~To Enter~

The first step is a must so I know that you've entered and every other step is to gain more entries if you'd like so enter as much or as little as you'd like, the choice is yours.

❀Be a Follower of this blog and leave a comment on this posting if you want to be entered for a chance to win. (Be sure to include your blog address or email so I can contact you if you win.)

❀Follow my Facebook page for an additional entry and leave another comment.

❀Follow my Twitter page for an additional entry and leave another comment.

❀Favorite my Etsy shop for an additional entry and leave a another comment.

❀Post the little badge below on your own blog for an additional entry and leave a comment. (And let's be fair... the badge needs to be posted on an active blog and towards the top of your sidebar)

<center><a href="http://www.PlumroseLane.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="PrL Holiday Giveaway" src="http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy344/plumrose-lane/Badges/PrL-Holiday_Giveaway-1.png" /></a></center>

Just copy and paste the code above onto your own sidebar and if you need help, click here to view a a simple tutorial to install the code.

❀And here's the last step with some real fun... For every person you refer to this giveaway, I'll give you an extra entry yourself ~ just be sure they leave your name in their comment here ~ that's a must! So if you blog about the giveaway and 10 people enter and leave your name, you'll get 10 more entries without having to leave any more comments! Whoot!

~Other Info~

The giveaway will run from today through Sunday, December 11th, so all the prizes have time to arrive for the holidays. The winners will be selected by a random number generator and I'll post the giveaway winner names in a follow up posting, about a day or two after the giveaway ends to allow me time to tally up all the entries. All winners will be notified immediately and must respond within a five days of the announcement post or a new winner will be selected in their place. Prizes will be awarded in order as they appear.

So... that's it~ 5 fabulous prizes, loads of ways to enter and win! I hope we all have tons of fun with this and you spread the word too, but most of all I hope you know how much you're loved and appreciated! Good luck everyone!

Enjoy~

Thanksgiving~

Words cannot begin to express how much your comments of heartfelt thoughts, wisdom, and inspiration have meant to me this past week. As I'm sure you all know this is going to be a difficult Thanksgiving on so many levels and yet through your kindness and understanding you've filled my heart with more gratefulness than anyone could ask for.

So as I sit down at the table this Thanksgiving surrounded by my children and grandchildren, my heart will also be surrounded by the gift of love you've all extended me. Truly... from the bottom of heart, thank you so very much for your friendship and support.

Namaste~

Difficult

You know... some postings are just plain difficult to write. This is one of them. The truth is ~ I find myself feeling the need to share what's going on, if for no other reason than my business is on such a personal level with my customers and all too often we wind up becoming friends. I think it may have to do with the way I go about creating ~ it's on a strangely intuitive level where I tend to "connect" with my clients, which in the end enables me to create the theme or images of their dreams. Whatever the case ~ because my 'business' is so 'personal' I feel I have to make it known that my husband and I are divorcing.

It's painful and challenging and affecting my life on so many levels but it's something that after years of trying so hard to help him and make things work, it's time to throw-in-the-towel and just move on. As always I'm doing the best I can but because I aspire to such a high standard in everything I do, I can't help but feel I'm falling short. I don't handle failing very well ~ really who of us does ~ but I have to try and use the same positive attitude that's helped me get through the past 6 years of heartaches and hold tight to the belief that something much better lies ahead for my little family and me.

Some may feel this topic isn't suitable for a business blog but for me, this blog is more than just a place to connect with customers ~ it serves as a window to the world and for this isolated graphic artist who's full-time job has been to work from home these past 6 years, it's all too often been the only connection I've had to some of the dearest souls I've ever known.

So this is an f.y.i. posting to let you all know why... why my postings have been less frequent, why I've struggled to keep up with my custom orders, and why I'm behind in my classwork. Although I've managed to continue creating, granted at a much slower pace than my norm, it seems that when it comes to mixing pain with creative inspiration they're more like oil & vinegar for me.

This posting isn't any easier to end than it was to begin so I'll leave it with this simple reflection... that life is a journey we all make together ~ some paths are easier to share than others but there's still always something to be gathered from our time together. Although I'm currently experiencing a course adjustment, I still love hearing from you ~ whether it's a few simple words of encouragement or a lengthy email of your own trials and triumphs ~ every word touches my heart and helps to reassure. And thank you... thank you for being the most wonderful souls to ever grace my life ~ you truly are a gift from heaven.

50% Off Seasonal Images

Now's a great time to snatch up some super seasonal savings! All of my off-season banners and digital images are on sale in my shop with 50% off savings so grab some while you can! No coupon code needed just visit the Seasonal Sale Section of my Etsy shop.

Enjoy!

Veteran's Day Sale

Looking for some fabulous holiday savings on festive designs for your blog or shop?

Now's the perfect time to snatch up one of my original prefab banners or seasonal digital supplies...

~ just enter coupon code: VeteransSale2011 during checkout in my shop! Sale runs through Monday, November 14th.

Enjoy!

Giveaway Winners

I'm just popping in from my busy schedule to announce a few recent giveaway winners, so here we go...

The first winner is from my Fanciful Twist Halloween Party posting and the prize is this fabulous package of fun goodies ~ The package includes a set of spooky bookmarks, a set of my new colorful vintage labels in green, orange & purple, and a $10 gift certificate for my shop.

and the winner is...

of

Today's Gold

The next giveaway announcement is for my October Monthly Giveaway and the prize is a $10 gift certificate for my Etsy shop.

and the winner is...

of
Patti's Paper Creations

I will be following up with email notifications to each of the winners so you can look for those in your In-boxes.

Thanks so much to all of you who participated in these giveaways and keep your eyes open for this month's giveaway posting ~ coming soon!

Enjoy~