Sharpies for fabric...yee-haw!

What?! Sharpies for fabric?

Brilliant! I can't wait to get my hands on these...totally revolutionary!

Today's Creative Blog is sponsoring a giveaway for one lucky reader to win some loot from Sharpie. Click here to enter!
And while you're there, check out the rest of her blog. You'll find recipes, decorating ideas, fun giveaways and crafty goodness there!

Go. Get creative and if you win those Sharpies, I'm gonna cry...but I'll be happy for you. Sad for me. Happy for you!

lunch at Panera's!

You may have previously heard me whining about a wisdom tooth I unexpectedly had pulled last week. No
problems.

But two days later, I had a raging headache that just wouldn't quit...for 3 loooonnnggg days.

And then on Friday, the kiddo came home from work a mean, green, hurling-machine!

Posting here didn't happen, because (A) I didn't feel well, (B) my son was sick and (C) my week was BORING!

To ensure our work week ends on a resounding sweet note, I'm going to buy one of you lunch. 

As much as I'd like to pick you up and go off together for a nice chat, we all know that's not possible. Especially if you live in Texas, or New York, California, or anyplace outside my 8-mile radius. 

Panera's it is!

So much to choose from...healthy, delicious, sweet! 

I strongly urge you to try the Thai Salad, if you enjoy mild "hotness."

Are you hot?

Interpret that any way you'd like.

In the comments section at the end of this post, tell me if you're hot and what makes you hot.

I'll randomly choose a winner...or choose a random winner. Which is it?

I'll choose the winner on Friday. And you can only enter once.

Is it me, or is it hot in here...? 

*Note: if you need to comment via "annonymous," please leave your email address in your comment so that I can notify the winner.

"feels-like" factor....and the winner.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, MOM and DAD!

One ringy-dingy, two ringy-dingies...

"Hi, Dad! Happy Anniversary!"

"Thanks, honey."

"So, Dad. How many years have you and Mom been married?"

"One-hundred and fifty-seven years!"

"That's funny, Dad. Is that how long it feels like you've been married?"

"Yup...ha, ha, ha."

And that, my friends, is the "feels-like" factor.

I only hope that we all, one day, will be able to say that to our children. What a blessing!

On behalf of my brothers, the son-and-daughter-in-laws, grandchildren and great-grandson... 

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad...we love you!

And now, the winner of the CSNstores.com $25 certificate is...

Yankee, Transferred said...

I would totally love to win! I need a new toaster in a big, bad way!


Yankee, please leave me your email, so that I can send you the electronic gift certificate code instructions. Have fun  shopping!

Thank you to everyone who left a comment. This was fun, we'll do it again, real soon!

online store giveway!

Recently, I was contacted by CSNstores.com, asking if I would be interested in a) ordering an item from their store and writing a review for my blog, or b) offering the certificate amount as a giveaway on my blog for a lucky reader.

"Hmmmm..." I mused. "Do I want something for myself, or do I want to show my appreciation to my faithful blog readers with a giveaway?"

Decisions, decisions, decisions.

Modern Rugs. So pretty, I love the floral print and the colors are so delightful! I found this runner in the children's rug section.

 If there's a man in your life, you might find this handy-dandy little bottle opener, well...quite handy! I think this would look dashing on the wall near the fridge...in the garage!

 And who wouldn't love to serve a casserole in this beautiful cobalt-colored dish?

My hand is waving wildly in the air...I would, I would! Choose me!

This corkscrew is a work of art. And it comes in other tropical colors. It's sooooo precious! Get this for yourself and that bottle opener for Joe Shmoe...he'll love the bottle opener, you'll love this parrot. Win/win!

Go! Click here and give CSNstores.com a gander...many items ship for free!

I'm not going to keep this certificate for myself, I've decided to give my reader-friends a chance at winning the $25 gift certificate to CSNstores.com. You can, of course, choose something for a higher value and apply the $25 towards that item. Here are their sites: Cookware.com, Petsbycsn.com, Everygameroom.com, and Shoesgotsole.com.

All you have to do is leave a comment on this blog in the comments section, telling me what you'd buy with the moolah. If you leave a comment on my Facebook page, I'm going to chastise you and tell you to come back and leave a comment here.

I'll randomly choose one comment from this post with Random Generator and announce the winner on Friday evening.  Unless I'm busy installing a bottle-opener.

Now I'm off to rewrite some patriotic lyrics...Christina Aguilera called and asked me to write some new words for her.

She'll be performing the new tunes at your local county fair this Summer...

Boo, To You! {A Giveaway}

It's time for a giveaway.

I've been meaning to make something nifty to give away and I think I've got it! 

These little Halloween ghosts and bats, pumpkins and cats, vampires and spiders are too cute.  Not at all evil looking. 

I don't like evil.

There's a nice roomy pocket on the back. 

Perfect for receipts and other stray items.

There's a coordinating key fob to go with the strappy shoulder bag...I seem to have misplaced the hardware to finish the fob.  But I promise, once I find the missing bag of metal, I'll post a photo.

All you have to do to enter a chance at this Halloween fun is leave a comment...that's it.  Please be sure to leave your email address somewhere for me, I'll need to contact you.  If you forget, I'll wait 3 days and randomly select someone else.

If you're a blogger and would like to mention the giveaway on your blog, just slap in another comment...you know the procedure! 

Fun, fun, FUN!

In other news, I had a surprise root canal today.  Lucky me.  Now my head hurts. 

Hey, FYI...don't try applying your lipstick following a dental procedure.  Don't ask me how I know this...you'll end up looking like that old crabby cartoon lady, Maxine.  But in our family, we call that crabby senior "Ruby." 

hello, Cupcake!

Watch this fun little clip and visit here to get the details on this fun giveaway.

Wow...this is quite the machine!

Decorate your cakes and other goodies using the same cartridges you use in your Cricut machine!

What? You don't own a Cricut machine?! Neither do I!

Pretty cakes!

You know you want one....

Enter here, now!

warning...turn away, don't read this!

My friend Randi is cleaning her shop to make room for new Fall fabrics. Yummy. She's giving away all her leftovers...not the food type, the fabric type. In my world, leftovers are lifesavers! The scraps vary anywhere from 6 to 22 inches in length, 44-inches wide, which is a very generous scrap! All you have to do to enter is visit her beautiful blog (one of my very first blog-addictions) and answer the burning question: "What was your favorite TV show as a kid?" That's not the only way to enter. If you Tweet and/or blog about it, you can enter again. Just go over to I have to say... to verify the rules and regulations of this fabulous giveaway.

I don't know why I'm telling you about this giveaway...I'm totally ruining my odds of winning this treasure. I'm hoping the lipstick doesn't come off the fabric. Who would want to win lipstick-laden fabric?

"FREE-ky" Friday Giveaway.

I'm gettin' my "free-k" on today. Feelin' free-ky! I feel that way pretty much everyday, so it's really no big deal. Maybe a little drinkie-poo might help calm the free-ky girl inside me.

How are you feeling today? What with the end of school, getting teacher gifts together, planning summer excursions with your sweet little dumplings...

To win this beverage-themed wristlet (sorry to those of you who don't partake, but might know someone who does and could re-gift this themed cutie), just leave me a comment as to the state of your being these days. And could you use a drink? Or some other vice that helps you get through the days.

One entry per person, please. I'll use Mr. Random to choose the winner. If you'd like to share this giveaway on your blog or Tweet, I'll throw in an extra chance for you. Just let me know how you've shared this giveaway. Mr. Randy and I will choose the winner next week. Please be sure to leave your email address, so that I may contact you if you're the winner. Good luck!

thank goodness yesterday is gone & we have a winner!

Congratulations, Mindy! Random has again worked his mathematical magic, choosing you as the winner of this very bright, neon pink cooler. The huge neon green and pink flower pin should look lovely on on of your work ensembles. I'd like to thank all who entered, it's been a lot of fun reading your comments and blogs. Thank you for being my friends.

Yesterday was quite a day...for one thing, I had my new closet installed. I love it! I'm in the process of sorting clothing & deciding which frocks are worthy of residing in my new space. These are important decisions, as I don't want to end up with junk overtaking the closet again. Along with these concerns, I was composing a paper for a meeting I was to attend in the evening. I was completing the final edit and putting some finishing touches on it, trying to lighten it up a bit. Closet, paper, back to the closet, again to the paper...a vicious circle. Then the phone rang and plopping in MacGyver's big chair to chat, I looked out the back window and let out a blood-curdling scream into the receiver. OK, I didn't really scream out loud, I was screaming inside my head and I've gotta tell you, there was an echo (what does that mean to you?). There, on the roof of MacGyver's practically new high-tech garage (not really high-tech, MacGyver doesn't need new equipment to be effective), was a big gnarly tree limb. It had bent the framing and punctured the roof...why, oh why, oh why, oh why, why, why?! Why do the neighbors' trees fall into our nice and neat yard, why won't they just topple in their own yards? Why?!!!!! Water Oaks are just no darned good, I'm telling you!

I never finished the paper. I was late for my meeting. They ridiculed and mocked my shallow excuse (not really, they're all lovely ladies), dashing my hopes that this task would be completed and wiped off my to-do list. So much for hope.

And now if you'll excuse me, I have a date with my closet.

FREE-ky Friday!

Hello, Summer!

I am giving away this supremely cute hot-pink tote cooler, just in time for summer. This cooler is not only handy, but looks stunning sitting by the pool. It fits about 6 soda ("pop" up North) cans, or several bottles of water...yes, you know you can substitute beer for soda and wine coolers for water! I made and added the flower pin, to give the tote cooler a kick and have something handmade on it. The pin is removable, stick it on your hat, or bikini. Or use it as a pastey (pastie?)...ha, ha, ha.

The inside of the cooler has that silver stuff, used in lunch bags all over the world. I call it insulation, therma something-or-other...I'm not a technical gal.

I'm depressed...I have only 8 followers. I know, it's not the quantity of friends one has, it's the quality of the friendship. And I agree with that, 'cause the followers I have are SPECTACULAR! But I'm looking pitiful, like a wallflower at the dance. So I'm unabashedly begging for friends...don't judge me! Here's what you'll need to do:

~Become a follower for a chance at the tote.

~If you grab my button over there on the side bar (Share Me) and paste/link it to your blog, there's a second chance. **I am desperately trying to figure out how to get the HTML code in the sidebar...would love you forever if you could help me...

~If you blog about my giveaway, there's a third chance.

~If you're an original follower, prior to today, I'll throw in an extra chance for you.

~And if you're brand spanking new to blogging and can't do any of the above, leave a comment and you'll still get a chance at Pinkie up there. Afterall, one chance is really all you need (that's what I tell myself as I'm buying one Lotto ticket.)!

You must leave a comment telling me which of the above you're doing, so that I can check on you, like a mother checking her daughter's dusting...that's another story. I'll use my trusty friend, Random Generator to select one lucky follower. Confused? Yeah, me too!

I'll run this giveaway through Thursday, May 7th and announce the winner next weekend. You know, this could end very badly for me. What if only two people show up? I mean, I'll cherish them, but I may end up in therapy. This could be The Miss America Pageant episode all over again. Where I answer the question incorrectly and end up on the Today show, talking about my failed contest and my rumored breast implants, or lack thereof.

Good luck, friends!

stalking opportunity.

OK, my friends! Here is your chance to become an official stalker of Pepperberry & Company. There's very little work required...no standing outside in the rain, looking through windows. No sitting in a car, waiting and waiting for your target to come out of the building. No phone calls with tissue over the receiver, trying to disguise your voice...not that I've ever done any of those things. Maybe...or not. Head on over for a visit, learn how you can become her own personal stalker and possibly win this lovely notebook cover. AND make a new friend!

FREE-ky Friday business GIVEAWAY!

Today's theme is business. I have much business to get done today. Sometimes, I put my nose in business it does not belong. If I don't get my business papers in order, I'm gonna get the business from MacGyver. And horror of horrors, my eyeliner pencil is kaput, fine', done for. So I must go to a business and buy some, fast!

Need a business card? Here, take one of mine. And while you're at it, put it in this nifty business card holder. It's yours. And it's not perfect. In my wild abandon to get it finished, I ignored trimming the interlining to reduce bulk in the corners and I didn't use the proper colored thread. This happens the first time I make something...I'm in a hurry to see how it's going to sew up and look. The next time I make the same item, I refine it to make it look nicer. The holder's OK, but it's not up to snuff. So if you're lucky, it can be yours.

In the comments section, tell me what business is about in your life this weekend. See, there I go again, putting my nose in other peoples' business! My friend, Mr. Random, will close his eyes and pick a lucky number, sometime early next week. Same rules apply, one entry per person, yada, yada, yada...(name that TV show!).

Oh, and the little miniscule drop of DNA I left on the card holder is barely noticeable. I think it'll come out...just kidding!

"FREE-ky" Friday Giveaway.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, POPPY!

Welcome to my new category, "FREE-ky Friday." I can't guarantee that every Friday will be FREE-ky, but I'll try. My dear sister-in-law Melany, sent me the pattern to make these delicious little potholders and I couldn't resist whipping up a set. I used what fabric I had in my stash and this Amy Butler combination was the first to fly into my twitching fingers. This set is my first attempt at these darlings... they're not perfect, but they're for you!

**To enter: go to the "comments" section at the bottom of this post and leave my dear husband, MacGyver, a birthday wish. YES, it's his birthday! I'll randomly select a winner sometime next week. Please leave only ONE comment, to make it easy on me when I use the Random.org thing-ama-jig. For those of you who do not have a blogging account, please leave your email address so that I can contact you should you win. Shipping in the U.S. is on me, but if you reside elsewhere, we just may have to split the cost of shipping...'cause with my luck, the winner will live on some remote volcano island and only the military can deliver on a tricked-out helicopter...you get my drift.

GOOD LUCK!

you feel lucky? Well, do ya, punk?

Yes, it's GIVEAWAY time! I want you to have this newly finished bag. It's bright and it's roomy! The pattern is from Anna Maria Horner's book, Seams To Me. I'm not sure about the ribbons in the corner...how do you feel about them? So, let's get this shindig started. I'll run the contest through Friday, January 16th. The winner will be announced on Saturday, after I've had my coffee and prepared breakfast for my teenager. I should be done with that by about 3 PM. OK, here's what I need you to do: in the comments section following this post, tell me why you must have this bag. One entry per person, please. If you win and live in the Continental United States, I'll pay for the shipping. If you live elsewhere, we'll discuss the shipping and come up with an agreeable arrangement. Sound good? And please, leave your email address...

OK punks, go ahead, make my day...

***I'll use the Random Generator thingamabob to choose the winner. So if you see more than one post from the same person, I'll eliminate their subsequent comments, using only their original comment. Boy Scout's Honor!***

apron giveaway!

I went looking for plain white dishtowels to make this apron...no white dishtowels, anywhere! What's with that?! When did the demand for practical white dishtowels cease?

Plan B: use the waffle weave fabric I had stashed, cut it and hem it and add a few pretties...ta-da!

The waistband and ties feature pretty cardinals and holly, the embroidered snow couple are adorable and the red ball trim adds a little whimsy.

And it's for YOU!

The beauty of this apron is that you can wipe your damp hands on it and it'll absorb the water. You can get flour all over it and who will know? You can get chocolate on it and you can just lick it off. I mean, why waste good chocolate?

Here we go, ladies. Just leave a comment telling me what you're going to make while wearing this apron. And if I know some of you, this might be an interesting topic!

Leave your comment with your email address...many of you wonderful readers featured my last giveaway on your blog. Thank you! Do it again and you'll get an extra chance in the draw *if any of you have a great way figured out how to do that, please email me with your method*

We'll run this giveaway until next Saturday, at which time I'll let the Random-thingy do my dirty work! It's a pretty cute apron and I don't have one! Why is that?! Can I choose me?

If you'd like to purchase an apron, email me and we'll figger it out. In the meantime, good luck and enter now!

giveaway!!!

I've been waiting for Christmas to arrive to start giving Christmas stuff away. I've also been waiting for my photo-editing software to arrive at my front door, but that's not going to materialize till the beginning of the week. So I went ahead and snapped a picture of this nifty little wristlet, all Christmas-y and begging for a new home. Mindy was the winner of the last wristlet and she was surprised at how much this little sucker can hold. It's great to carry in lieu of a purse, or you can put stuff in it and slip the whole danged thing in your purse. You can put your little camera in it, your cosmetics, or gobs and gobs of Christmas cash and credit cards!

Just leave a comment telling me what you want for Christmas this year. Maybe I'll get some good ideas from you, I like to hijack people's good ideas! Just ask my brother. Don't forget to leave your email address, so that I can contact you for important information, like what you're making for dinner tonight. One entry per person, please. The winner will be selected by my friend, the Random Generator. I'll pay for shipping anywhere in the United States. Outside of the U.S., we'll split the shipping fee. Are we ready? Let the giveaway begin!!!

I'll announce the winner on Thursday, December 4th.

Good luck!

Thanksgiving giveaway!

This giveaway is for this Thanksgiving wristelt and key fob. The fabric pattern consists of Pilgrims and Indians and Turkeys, oh my! It really is adorable fabric. There's not much of it left, unless I sttttttrrrrreeeeeeeeeettttccccchhhhh it and have enough to make one more wristlet out of it. But you will be the hit of the grocery store carrying this. They really are convenient little doo-dads. Oh, and you also win the orange bandanna key fob. Because I want you to coordinate, that's why!

Just leave a comment at the end of this post, telling me if you're going to wait till the last minute to defrost your turkey, or if you always have it under control. I need to know. And remember, one entry per person, please.

Baby Mama, you pretty much guessed on the last post what that was a picture of. It was the pilgrim/indian people. Congratulations, you've earned some extra chances. Mindy and Jenny also win an extra chance for posting in the comments.

Good luck and I'll announce the winner next week.

giveaway sneak peek.

Can you guess what this is a picture of? Because (never start a sentence with "because") I so want to get my giveaway up, I'm providing you with a little peek. I've been angsting over what to put up for days, driving myself insane. Mindy doesn't care what it is, she just wants it up here! I've finally decided and it's currently in production. The first 4 people who respond to this post will get an additional chance to win the giveaway. And for the first person who correctly identifies what the above picture is, will win two additional chances. So if you're one of the first 4 and you correctly guess what that is up there, you could get four chances to win the giveaway. Hello.....mathematicians, did I figure correctly? If not, let me know and I'll give you an additional chance. Ha, ha...OK, kiddos. Have at it!