Friday, January 15, 2010

Blog Candy Giveaway-Happy Birthday to Me....almost!

I had really intended to have a Blog Candy Giveaway for my 2 year blog anniversary....but it was in the thick of getting ready for craft fairs. Then I thought I would do one for my 100th post...no, that was too close to Christmas and there wasn't enough time to plan it. Now remember that my word for this year is MANAGE ,so I must not put it off any longer!!!!!
Next week, Wednesday, January 20th, is my birthday....my 61st Birthday!!!! I love birthdays. I think every day that you open your eyes and can swing your legs over the side of the bed and get up is a really good day! Sure, some days I feel like I'm 80...aches and pains that come with aging but for the most part I feel no where near my age! The majority of my friends are younger than me, not by design but they do keep me alert...LOL! So, in celebration of my Birthday, I'm giving away some things that I LOVE and I hope you will like them, too. If you would like a chance to win, all you need to do is leave a comment telling me what has been your favorite age so far and why! Please enter just one time to make it fair for everyone. If you follow my blog but have never commented, I hope you'll pop in and say hi. If you're visiting for the first time...Welcome in! If you are already a blog friend...please know how much I appreciate your visits and your comments...I love you all!
OK....first I want you to see what you could win....

Are you familiar with The Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond? Her blog is filled with mouth watering recipes and funny, funny, stories about life on the ranch. She recently came out with this cookbook, The Pioneer Woman Cooks, and you will devour it. I ordered 2 copies. One for myself and one for this giveaway!


Anyone who knows me...even my husband, knows how much I love punches. I have lots and lots of them and use them all of the time in paper crafting so I've included this
Martha Stewart border punch as part of the package...


I love Valentine's Day so as a nod to that special day, a cute tea towel and a small ceramic heart dish....hmmmm, maybe I should get some holiday M&M's to go along with that!
There is also a cute rubber stamp that says dream....


I have loved the art of Mary Engelbreit since the early 80's. Her cards, her stationary, her books and calendars...I have collected for years. I have every issue of her beloved Home Companion Magazine and cried (no, really...I cried) when it went out of publication. Michael's has been carrying lines of Mary's items in their $1 section for a few years. The new things out for Spring are the very cutest I've seen! I wanted to include this little grouping because of the quote...She who laughs...lasts! My philosophy exactly!
There are also 2 little packages of chipboard embellishments to use in your crafting!



Cath Kidston is another artist/designer I've admired for some time. She creates tote bags, home linens and stationary in the dreamiest prints and colors. Most of her things are not available in the US and it's very pricey to have things shipped from the UK but I did manage to find us some notecards and the most darling envelopes. I dare you to actually use these and not just sit and gaze at them...


Bath & Body Works Cherry Blossom is one of my favorite scents so I'm including a few items from that line

Lastly, If you've been reading this little blog for any length of time, you know how much I love dressforms. I have a collection of dressform-themed rubber stamps which I wrote about here
 and I have several wire forms as well.
This dressform is actually a pin cushion but you could use her for holding your vintage pin collection or dressing her up with jewelry for display. Have fun with it!


Now this Birthday Giveaway is intended to be fun for you and me both but
there is one other issue that I want to address.

In the past three days, the news has been filled with sad details of the disaster in Haiti. Many thousands of lives have been lost and homes have been destroyed. I can not begin to imagine the devastation and horror for the people in this country. Haiti is the size of the state of Maryland, and tonight I heard that there could be as many as 140,000 who have perished!. We are hearing of many groups who have come out in support of the relief effort and I would like to do my part also. This is what I promise to do...
For everyone who leaves a comment on this post for my Birthday drawing, I will contribute $1 to
Lutheran World Relief for Haiti. 100% of the money donated to this organization goes directly to the cause. I am so grateful for the blessings that God provides for me in my life and I am happy to make this commitment I will do this in honor of all of you.
This giveaway will run until Wednesday evening, January 20th. I will randomly choose
 a winner after I've had my cake and ice cream.
Don't forget to include your email address so I know how to contact you if you don't have a blog...
Thanks sweet friends!
XOXO
Joyce

(What do you think about my new header and background? The background is from Smitten Blog Designs here and the header is one I pieced together. Thanks, Mimi, for walking me through this!)

39 comments:

LaurieStar said...

Oooh! Am I the first poster to the "almost" birthday girl??? Congratulations on your birthday! And of course I'd love to win all that loot (I love that little red heart dish! Debbie gave me one a bit like that a few years back...) but mostly I was just popping in to say hello. Thanks for your nice comment on my blog tonight. I loved how you said you'd choose a winner after your cake and ice cream! Funny. Enjoy your weekend! :)

Suburban prep said...

What a darling post. Your birthday will be filled with good times and happiness because of your generous spirit.
I do hope that it is a grand one.
What beautiful items you have thought to giveaway.
Happy Birthday Early.
msgb245 at gmail dot com

Paula Clare said...

Happy birthday, Joy! What yummy goodies you have in this giveaway...of course the Cath Kidston has me drooling! So many wonderful gifts...and such a generous spirit! My favorite age was 40...it was like I suddenly realized not everyone was looking at me when I walked into a room (I don't think they EVER were, that was just MY perception!) Anyway, it felt like FREEDOM to me...no more worrying about what everyone else thought! No more social anxiety! It was wonderful...and LIBERATING!

I'm sure you have this, but here's my email addy...just in case of a freak accident and I win the giveaway: pclouse07@gmail.com

marie said...

Happy early birthday to you! You've put together some wonderful goodies to share in your giveaway! Love ME stuff...in fact I just bought the little notebook your giving away! Love that quote. Cath Kidston is one of my favs and the dress form is so cute. It's all wonderful! Lucky me to have a chance to win.

I'm with you ~ birthdays are grand ~ and each new day holds so many promises. I think my favorite age is "gramma age"...or 52 because that's how old I was when Elijah was born. It's the best time of my life!

I love your pledge to donate $1 for each comment ~ thank you so much for donating $1 for me.

God Bless Haiti & you too!

Have a joy-filled birthday week!

Hugs to you my friend!

mimi said...

Happy Happy Birthday my friend (a few days early) Look at all those wonderful goodies you have given us the chance to win. The notecards from Cath Kidston are AAAAmazing! I too have been drawn to the TV watching all the sorrow in Haiti. It truly makes my heart ache. How generous of you to make a donation in our names for this most worthy cause.
Oh I almost forgot to answer the question...my favorite age I think was 25. Alex was born when I was 25 and that was such a special time.
I hope your birthday brings you lots of fun surprises
xoxox
Mimi~

Bev said...

Happy Birthday to you...Happy Birthday to you....(your glad I'm singing with my fingers!) LOL! Hope you have a wonderful day! Thanks for the giveaway - such a spoiler! My favorite age....1 second...because I put the biggest smile on my mother's face!

Huggs...

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday a little early! Your giveaway is just wonderful! And thank you for contributing money to the Haitian cause. I just hope that the monies all get to the right folks...and not the rebles who run that country. God needs to help us here! Thanks so much! I will keep my fingers crossed that this is my first giveaway win!

Diane H said...

Hello! What a lovely post! Birthday Blessings to you and bless you for your contributions to Haitian relief. My fav age? Turned 50 end of Jan. last year and it's been a great year so I'll say 50. It's wonderful as you age to find strength,self assurance, determination and creativity bursting out of you. It's like finding a new friend that you like within yourself. Thanks for the fun giveaway.

Lori said...

Happy "Almost" Birthday, Joy! I love your blog candy and your effort to help the victims in Haiti--God Bless You for that! Now, as far as my age---hmmmm....I want to say 46 (I'm 52 now). I had gone back to school to change careers, met new friends, my girls were able to be on their own, my husband and I had some money (not much, but some in the bank) and life just seemed pretty good! Since then, well.....that's a whole 'nother story!!

Gill said...

happy birthday for wednesday!
what a great giveaway and how generous of you to donate to the haitian people - we read about them in the press in the uk and our hearts go out to them
gill

Gill said...

oops forgot to answer the question! favourite age has to be now/today/53 actually!!
gill

Celestial Charms said...

Joyce,
What a lovely and generous gesture to help out the victims of the Haiti earthquake. Yes, I love your new blog look. So fresh and inviting. Your celebration giveaway is filled with so many fabulous items. My favorate age would have been when I was 37, because that was the age I became a Mommy for the first time. An age to be cherished. Happy Birthday, Joyce!
Maureen

Pattyjo said...

Hey...I'm 61 also! I just don't seem to know very many of us online. I'm not saying we are old, I just think the computer is scaring our generation a bit. Happy Birthday!!! I'm so glad to know your age.
My favorite year was 40, I looked and felt my best and I also became a Grandma.
That is a nice thing to do for Haiti. We are also contributing. What a terrible tragedy.
Pattyjo

annemarie said...

I am one of those lurkers you are referring to - love your blog and this giveaway is fantastic. Happy Birthday - I am the same age as you and I agree - this is the best age - next year 62 will be the best. Age is only a number. We only get better as we get older!!! Hope you have a great birthday. Thanks for a chance at this lovely giveaway.

Betty said...

Oh my goodness! That may be the most wonderful giveaway ever! So many of my favorite things. Happy Birthday on the 20th. I think my favorite age was probably when I was in my mid 20's and my children were small.

Emily said...

What a wonderful giveaway - and how noble of you to donate to the cause in Haiti as well.

Have a happy birthday!

Mimi Sue said...

A VERY generous giveaway! Love it all. I just went to Michaels yesterday and bought a few ME items. Love them. I met ME at a book signing in the early 80's. I have all her books, all her magazines. Cath Kidston love all of her designs too. Mimi

gocanucksgo said...

Brand new follower here. Happy early birthday =) I hope you have a wonderful day filled with the people you love and lots of cake and ice cream!!! Thanks for doing this giveaway on your birthday (you're so sweet =) and donating your comment #'s to the relief (no one loses in this giveaway!) I think my favourite age so far was 16 but i'm hoping that it only gets better from here. Thanks and keep up the great work =)

Cheryl said...

First I want to wish you a warm Happy Birthday. I pray that you are surrounded by those who love you.

Next, my heart is in disbelief about Haiti. I know the Lord has a plan and His love is filling the air right now with all the love and outreach. My heart still mourns for them.

Thirdly, I think my favorite age was 15, life was just beginning where I could have fun but none of the responsibilities that adult life carries.

Thanks so much for the awesome opportunity to enter my name in your giveaway, but also to get to know you a little better. You are so sweet!

Unknown said...

Oh Joyce, What perfectly, perfect timing! This is the most amazing giveaway ever! Your humor uplifts my soul. No wonder you don't act your age! You are forever young at heart! Elizabeth
PS My favorite birthdays are always the "Year After Birthdays". The ones with zeros are tough, and then nine years of bliss!

Hope said...

1. Happy Birthday!
2. A VERY generous giveaway. Many thanks!
3. My favourite age so far? The one I am at now! I turned 43 last year, and it has been a pretty darned good year.

Hope

Anonymous said...

Happy almost birthday! I think my best age was in my 30's....old enough to know better, but still young enough to do something foolish if I felt like it. Love all the items you are so generously offering. Please sign me up for your giveaway. Bless you for also supporting the relief efforts for Haiti.....Anne

GARAGE SALE GAL said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU !!! I I hope you celebrate all week long!
Thank you for a very generous giveaway in honor of your birthday and then to donate to Haiti is wonderful.
I remember my 30th birthday was nice and my 50th was FUN and this year I'll be 55 and loving my "age"!!!
I found you thru the swap we are in with Linda.
Deb :)

Linda said...

Just stopping by via Deb at Garage Sale Gal, hope you don't mind.

Wow, what a giveaway! Who wouldn't love to win even one of your giveaway items!?! Thank you for your generosity!

Happy "almost" birthday to you! I turned 50 a few years ago and I think these last few years have been some of the best. By this time, you reach a level of maturity, peace, and balance. I told my daughter that at my age, of course you want people to like you, but the difference now is that it doesn't hurt my feelings if they don't. This is something that could not be said even 10 years ago. I've grown to like myself and that comes with maturity.

You have a wonderful site here. I'll be back soon!

Debbie said...

Happy Happy Birthday to YOU, Joy! I found your blog through a link on my friend Bev's blog...and I'll be coming back here soon.
What a generous gift you are giving to the relief efforts in Haiti. Bless you.
My favorite age so far was 50...my sweetie Phil & I were living in sunny Corona, CA, he took my numerous hints that all I wanted for my birthday was a simple boxy silver bracelet from Tiffany & Co., and we were happy with our Sophie Cat and the warm southern CA weather for my November birthday.

My Vintage Studio said...

Wishing you a wonderful Birthday Joyce!
Love your new new layout and banner.
Please enter my name in your generous give away. Thank you for sharing!
Hugs, Sharon

elaine said...

Love your header and background and a Happy Birthday to you! So many wonderful items in your giveaway-would love to win them!

Elaine R
emrosser@shaw.ca

LRice60 said...

Happy almost birthday! I'd love to win your wonderful giveaway. (I love all those ME items at Michael's, too.) I will be turning 50 this year, and I think that's the best age yet. I'm healthy, happy, and have time to follow my passions. Love the new blog design, too.

M.L. @ The House of Whimsy said...

My goodness, Joyce! So glad I hopped back on the Blog-train just in time to see this post. First of all, I hope your birthday is a wonderful one for you this Wednesday. Be sure to share all the details with us.
Second...WOW, this is some giveaway! I love everything here! If I had to choose my favorite age, I think it would be 38. Our family was in their "glory years", I was old enough to have gained some wisdom and yet young enough to still look "young'. : )
I LOVE the new Larkspur Lane angel you got this year. She's adorable!! Yes...I noticed the darling Mary Janes. : )
And I was also happy to read that Charlie is coming to visit you on V-Day. The best gift ever. : )
Take care and have a great day on Wednesday!
M.L.

Becca said...

Happy Birthday to you! This past year I celebrated my 50th birthday by having a party in by backyard with 15 of my best gal pals. We had so much fun, the man next door had to come over to see what he was missing. Great giveaway!

Jenna Z said...

Wow, you are so generous to not only award a prize to a reader but also to donate $1 for every lovely comment! Thanks for the chance to win!

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

First of all, Happy Almost Birthday!
Secondly - LOVE your new header!
Third - my favorite age so far is today...and I'm 52 years, 10 months and 13 days old. It's stellar, but if you ask me tomorrow, I'd have to add one more day to it!

Pick me. My wedding anniversary is Valentines' Day..... Just sayin...... ;)

Linda said...

Joyce, what a special giveaway and how very generous to remember the people of Haiti in their time of need. thank you.

i've been thinking about what my favorite age was, and i realize that my favorite age was about 30, when my kids were small and my mom was alive. but did i appreciate it at the time as much as i do now, looking back? i sure hope i did. i have been so blessed... and i count YOU, dear "new old cyber friend" as one of those blessings! you are a dear person, and i wish you the happiest of birthdays! Linda

Unknown said...

Hi again,
I just wanted to let you know that I lvoe the new look! Very sweet and cheerful too in this rainy week!

Anonymous said...

What a sweet giveaway!! I found you via Garage sale gal's blog - you had left a comment there and I had to come and see your blog!

What a great way to help those hurting in Haiti.

blessings
mary

Heidi said...

Hi Joyce! May you have a blessed birthday! {That means, "Happy Birthday"!} Wow, you have a huge list of goodies, I hope you're keeping some good stuff! I'm touched by the love and concern you are showing for the dear people of Haiti. Many are watching but you are acting.
~Heidi (EverydayCookies)

Linda said...

Dear Joyce,

We go back so far. As I told you, I am remebering a birthday in Philadelphia when you turned 6 or 7 and had a party. You looked so pretty in your Sunday dress complete with full skirt and petticoats. We played pin-the tail-on-the-donkey and had cake and ice cream. I wish I could find the pictures. Perhaps they were home movies that my mother took. Anyway, it was the best birthday party I ever attended. I was so very sad when you moved. I loved you, and I can see that my love was not misplaced. You have become a beautiful woman. The love of Christ shows in your face.

Blessings for a wonderful birthday!

Linda

Jo Bryan said...

Happy almost Birthday and what a lovely lovely giveaway, I feel I would not dare to use the Cath Kidston set, I would be happy enogh to sit and sigh and lovingly gaze on them. The Ree Drummond book another desire.
You are a good woman to donate to the tragic disaster of Haiti.

Beadyjan said...

How generous of you - many happy returns and please pop by my blog if you have the time.

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