1st GIVEAWAY & my 200th post!

Yay! It's my 200th post today! I've been blogging for a while but I don't post everyday so this is exciting for me. My 100th post kinda came and went without me realizing it, so I wanted to do something special for this milestone.

I've been going back and forth as to what to offer in my giveaway. I want it to be something nice and also something that people will actually want to receive and that is what has stumped me. I've won a couple things myself and have always been so pleased with the gift, that I feel I have some big shoes to fill. Since I don't make jewelry and I don't have anything for sale in my shop that you can wear I wonder if people will actually want anything I've got. So I've thought since it's the Christmas season and December 1st and who couldn't use another decoration. Plus, that isn't too taste specific well maybe a little, it's not traditional colors. I've decided to give away my mixed media "Blue Santa" 5x7 framed print. I also will send along some other goodies that I want to remain a surprise.  (see the Santa before it was finished here). This is just the right size for display on a counter or side table or the mantle, tucked in the tree, even the bathroom sink. It stands on it's own and also hangs. It is ready to display.

I was inspired to draw this Santa because of my grandmother, Elma, who is 94. She had an incredible Santa collection, I mean thousands. I was mesmerized as a child with her carefully laid out collection and many Santa trees throughout her warm and inviting home where I spent every Christmas Day. It is such a warm and fuzzy memory for me now. Her favorites were always a little bit quirky and she is going to love this one, since I plan to give her my original framed for her gift this year. She now has had to give up most all her earthly possessions because she lives in an Assisted Living apartment.

If the Santa isn't your thing, then you'll have a gift to give to a last minute drop in or a "Dirty Santa" party and at the very least you'll have a white frame with matte. ;)

I offer this Santa as an ACEO right now in my Artfire shop and my Etsy Shop and will be adding this larger size as soon as possible, hopefully this evening. What does everyone think about offering it for sale with the matt and frame?

Blue Santa 5x7 framed mixed media signed print

Deadline for entry is Friday, December 10th 2010 6 pm Central time. Winner will be picked by random and be notified by email so please make sure you have a way for me to contact you. I will mail it out right away so you can enjoy it displayed for Christmas. If you have trouble posting just contact me (my email is under my profile picture in "about me" along right side bar)

Here's what ya gotta do to enter (Rules of participation):

1. Leave a comment on this post; and
2. Follow me :)
3. For one additional entry, become a fan on facebook (like)

While it's not necessary to tell others about via twitter or on your blog or elsewhere, I'd appreciate it! I always like to return favors ;)

You need to have a place where it can be delivered, no post boxes unless you can receive a parcel there. Good luck!

Here's Happy

"Happy"

Here's a little ACEO that I named "Happy". I hope her little starfish doesn't fall off... ha ha. Today up in the art studio, since it is the new fun place to be for Asher, I was able to get a small project finished and this is it. As usual, as I sit at my drawing table, I haven't the faintest of ideas what to draw. Sometimes, I have dreams of the things I draw, but more often than not I just make it up as I go along. I get so inspired by drifting around the sites and blogs that when I get in the studio I wonder why my mind just goes blank.

Last night, I found the most marvelous site called Creative Souls. I have had so much fun and inspiration from just browsing through the artists on there. I loved it so much I joined as you can see from me proudly displaying the logo to the right here. If you get time, go visit and join the fun!

new listings

I've listed these on my Etsy shop last night. I know, I know... it's a little late but they can be mailed and received within 3 days or so, so maybe... plus I wanted to look like I was still alive. I haven't listed much in a long time.

I've posted these before while I was working on them, but here is the finished piece. I've just started making these little ACEO's and I think I'm getting addicted. So fun!

A little bird told me...

Late last night I treated myself to just the cutest little ornament by Ellen Crimi-Trent. She posted them on her blog earlier that day and said they were the last ones she was going to make, she even included the template to make your own. But I don't much interest in that, at least right now, so I bought her Silly Red Bird. I can't wait to get it.

I seem to get like this around Christmas. A time when I should be buying up gifts for everybody else I find all kinds of goodies for myself! Oh well a splurge every once in a while is good for my soul. At least that's what I plan to tell the hubs when he sees it.

I made a couple more ACEO's today. The Blue Santa is still in progress. I wanted to get some better photos before I put them on Etsy, but I may just get them on there and then change them later since it is so close to Christmas. They are all a whim anyway. These are my first attempts at the little cards, so I hope they are well received. I just love working with glitter and metallic ink. I'm like that crazy bird that hordes all the shiny stuff in their nest.

Notice the new 2 pictures I have on my blog? (the shark and the caution sign). I got them from a new blog I'm following, Shark Bite, and just hee-hawwed when I saw them and had to swipe them. Matter of fact, she is who I'm featuring today on my...

"This Artists Observations of the Day"

Feeling of the day: cold!

I'm grateful for: spurts of creativity

I thought about today: subscribing to an art mag, got any suggestions?

I miss: the feeling of holidays as a child

Best thing I did today: let my kid have his toys back

Today I lingered at: Shark Bait