Monday 1 October 2012

Happy Blogiversary to ME!!!

In honour of my Blogiversary, I am having a SALE and a GIVEAWAY! (Read on...)

A year ago this week (October 3, 2011), I wrote my first blog post. Here is a link if you want to see what was on my mind that day. Always one for a deal, I wrote about acquiring cheap art supplies!
I was so excited about blogging that I wrote FIVE posts that day!

I sent a note to my friend Mark (Montano) to show him my new blog and he replied by saying something to effect of "Whoa, Chiquita! Slow down!"


Once I started pacing myself, I began to blog sporadically and then fell into a pattern of blogging every day.

Daily posting went on for quite a few months, and I started to burn out. Five posts a week is a lot of writing/planning/creating!!

I was worried about continuing the quality of posts that I wanted to have on my blog, so I have slowed my pace to a much-more-manageable three posts a week - Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

I've made a ton of new friends while blogging, especially after hosting two International Mixed Media Postcard Swaps, one in December and the last one in June.

I'll be hosting another SWAP this Winter, so stick around! :)

Now, after 220 posts (this one is 221!) I am LOVING being a blogger and having a chance to share my creative endeavours, inspirations and musings with my readers!
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Enough of this silly banter - let's get to the GOOD STUFF!!

In honour of my Blogiversary, I am having a SALE and a GIVEAWAY!

The SALE is in my new etsy shop. It's NEW because I've renamed it and redesigned it!
Introducing

This week only, until Saturday, October 6 at midnight, PST, receive any item for HALF PRICE.
No "up to," just 50% off. Period.

Use Coupon Code HAPPYME at the checkout to receive this discount.
 
Pretty cheesy sign, hey?!
The GIVEAWAY is a whole gorgeous lot of creative fun!

Win an Art Journal Exploration Kit! 

Just LOOK at what's included:

1 - A signed copy of Journal Bliss from my good friend, Violette. She was excited about my blog from the start, and has been a very inspiring friend for me. Journal Bliss is an EXCELLENT guide for art journalling. Seriously, every art journaller should have a copy of this. Violette is also the creator of Teens Dream, inspiring teens to express themselves through creativity, and Purple Juice, her diverse website. I personally enjoy Violette's blog most of all. You can find it here.

EXCITING:  Violette will autograph her book and write a personalized message to the winner of my Blogiversary giveaway!


2 - One of my BRAND NEW hand-built journals (pictured above) featuring vintage children's books as covers. The books include 60 papers including at least 7 fancy scrapbook-style papers. This means 120 pages for you to write on, doodle over and make art with! Have a look at my new line of re-purposed children's book journals here in my NEW & IMPROVED etsy shop.

3 - In case you need even MORE inspiration, I'm including a couple of handfuls of ephemera and art journal fodder to get you started in your new journal. All you'll need is some pens and a glue stick! :) Here's a pic of what I've grabbed from my stash for the winner:


What to do:
To be entered into the giveaway, you need to leave a comment on today's post about what topic(s) you enjoy most about my blog OR what you would like to see on my blog. Simple, right? (Make sure you include a way for me to contact you in case you're the winner!!)

If you want additional entries, share this post on your own blog or post it to your Facebook Page. Comment again on this post to let me know that you've done that and include the links to show me :)
Maximum three entries per person.

At midnight PST on Saturday, October 6, entries will close and I will draw a winner using a random counter.

good-luck-comment-009




26 comments:

  1. Happy Blogoversary!!
    So happy for you blogging for a year!

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  2. Since I adore swaps, what I'd like to see on your blog is more swaps. :-)

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  3. I so want to win one of the journals, I just found you and I love the journal ideas and decorating and that you have a shop Congrats too on your anniversary!!! Julie jm monore ourredtrucktravels@hotmail.com

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  4. I am sharing on my facebook page too

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  5. https://www.facebook.com/laurie.morris.79

    I don't have a blog, but I did share on FB. You have my email address from swaps. Thanks for the chance to win! Fabulous prizes!!

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  6. Just shared in my FB group Close Friends group also so that gives me the three entries thank you for the opportunity, if I win this will be my 1st art journal

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  7. I am new to your blog, just did a quick glance through some old posts, and i will come back to see some more. love the envelopes best of what i checked out so far. I'm fairly new to mixed media art, have yet to start a journal. Thanks for the chance to win. have a great day. Kim
    kimlemear@gmail.com

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  8. Hey this is Tina from SAS :) I really love the fact that your blogoversary is on my birthday ;) October 3rd. Your blog is awesome so now that I know it exists I will be bookmarking it and reading it often. I would love your insight in art journaling since I am new to it ;) thanks again for setting up those postcard swaps I always have fun doing them.

    Tina
    lncjimmi@gmail.com

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  9. I like to see the art you've been making. it's so inspiring.

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  10. Congratulations on your milestone in blogging! Way cool giveaway. I have the Violette book but the hand-built journal looks fabulous!

    I'm going to check out your past posts and see what the post cards swaps were about. Maybe I can catch the next one!
    Deb

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  11. I like seeing pictures of art in progress. I love the swaps as well. Congratulations!

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  12. Happy, happy Blogiversary! I like the way the word "give" is tucked away in that word! I'm very new to all of this arts & crafts stuff (I wasn't born creative like some, lol), and I feel like a brand-new sponge trying to soak up all of the goodies. I would be thrilled to win a copy, and will be back to your blog over & over, I'm sure. Love it!

    Karen Roberts Fitzgerald
    kmoore8@charter.net

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  13. Will look more later, bookmarked it...great stuff here...thanks

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  14. Thank you so much for your amazing emails! You inspire me every day!

    Pat Lawson
    thintowin@hotmail.com

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  15. Happy Anniversary! I haven't been with you for the full year - but I have participated in your last 2 postcard swaps and LOVED them! I love your posts - they are inspiring! Jeanne in Minnesota

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  16. ooops! jeanne533k@yahoo.com (Jeanne from MN)

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  17. good for you girl. today is oct 1st for me too....to start trying to blog. gonna give it a try. i loved what you wrote about and it has given me inspiration for sure, to know that it doesnt have to be everyday, its quality not quantity. i sure would love to win the prizes and i will be following your blog now. i like what you have done....the postcard swap sound fun. so you have a new reader. i am lurabrown@gmail.com just in case i am lucky enough to win. thank you for the opportunity and your generosity to win such great things. xox

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  18. oh i forgot.....happy anniversary hun!! xox

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  19. Happy 1st Bloganniversary....love readding about about your projects !!! I have Violette's Journal...

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  20. Congrats on your first anniversary Shannon! LOVE your new etsy name and I just enjoy everything on your blog and have loved the postcard swaps as well! Looking forward to the next one! Would love to win the giveaway....onwards and upwards!!! :) x

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  21. Congratulations on your first anniversary. I have really enjoyed your blog--gotten some great tips. I really enjoyed the postcard swaps. I received some beautiful cards & got lots of great ideas to make more.

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  22. Yes, Happy Blogiversary to you! My most favorite thing to see is art - its inspirational!!

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  23. Congratulations Shannon....your blog is very fun and I love the inspiration! I especially love the creative inspiration that is generated by being involved in your postcard swaps!!! For me.....they are the best!!! Count me in on your next one too! All the best to you!!!
    Brenda
    leonard.brenda@gmail.com

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  24. Congratulations on your Anniversary!
    Love seeing how you put your Journals together. Also I have really enjoyed participating in the Postcard swaps,great fun!

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  25. Wanted to wish you a Happy Blogversary!
    I agree Viollette is a delightful friend. She's full of amazing ideas as well as artwork.
    I hope you get a ton new readers. I've added ya to my must read blogs. Wishing you tonns of success.
    Hugs, Poe

    http://www.lillovecreations.blogspot.com
    http://www.poeception.blogspot.com
    poeticdreams@cox.net

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  26. Awesome giveaway! And you are awesome, too!! I'm so grateful you introduced me to mixed media with your first poastcard swap and I've been learning and practicing art journaling ever since. It's added joy to my life, a retreat from daily stresses, and excitement for the future. I love reading your posts and seeing your art work. You have been a true inspiration and I thank you so much!

    Dawn
    girlstock@hotmail.com

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