On the 8th Day of Christmas Painted Butterfly Studio giveaway

I think you're really going to love tonight's giveaway! Julie from Painted Butterfly Studio is SOOOOOOOOO incredibly talented! If you have a little girl in your life one of the most fun things is dressing her right??? I remember when I was first introduced to the world of custom boutiques- wow! Fun stuff! Nothing like dressing your princess like the princess she is right? Julie is one of those women who makes incredible custom pieces for kids. Here is some of her work from Painted Butterfly Studio:

Wouldn't this make an awesome Back to School outfit????

Gorgeous! Completely Gorgeous!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE ME so I'm completely drooling over this!!!

Have you gone over to Painted Butterfly Studio to take a look around? If not what are you waiting for?????

Julie is giving one Sarah Simplifies winner a personalized Gingerbread t-shirts up to a size 10. The shirt is a $25 value. AWESOME!!!

Each piece of appliques are individually hand-drawn and cut, heat-bonded, securely satin stitched and inner stitches are covered with fusible bond for an itch-free finish. This particular tee features little buttons and some hand stitching as well! Wait- it gets better! Julie is offering every Sarah Simplifies reader that purchases from her from now until the end of the Painted Butterfly Studio giveaway FREE SHIPPING!!! In the Message to Seller box tell her that you're a Sarah Simplifies reader and she will reimburse your shipping fee!

Want to buy the shirt right now and not wait for the giveaway to end? Ok-
BUY IT HERE

Win It:
Mandatory: This must be done or all other entries will be deleted.
1)Publicly follow Sarah Simplifies (this has to show up on your Dashboard for it to count)leave a comment that you are a Sarah Simplifies follower- counts as 8 entries (leave 8 comments)
2) Head on over to Painted Butterfly Studio and take a look around. Come back here and leave a comment of what your favorite item is. Click HERE to go to Painted Butterfly Studio- 1 entry (leave 1 comment)
So just for publicly following Sarah Simplifies and going to Painted Butterfly Studio & telling me what you'd love to bring home you will get 9, count them, 9 entries!

Extra Entries:
-Blog about this contest and leave a link worth 5 entries (leave 5 comments)
-Add my Christmas in July button to your blog 5 entries (leave 5 comments)
-Subscribe to Sarah Simplifies worth 3 entries (leave 3 comments)
-Follow Sarah Simplifies on Facebook HERE worth 3 entries (leave 3 comments)
-Follow Sarah Simplifies on Twitter HERE worth 5 entries (leave 5 comments)
-Follow Sarah Simplifies on Networked Blogs 3 entries (leave 3 comments)
-Enter the JessKay Designs giveaway 3 entries (leave 3 comments w/ your email)
-Enter the Mudpuppy giveaway 3 entries (leave 3 comments w/ your email)
-Enter the Loriette's Grammy giveaway 3 entries (leave 3 comments w/ your email)
-Enter the Barb's Heartstrokes giveaway 3 entries (leave 3 comments w/ your email)
-Enter the Elephant Tales giveaway 3 entries (leave 3 comments w/ your email)
-Enter the Meese49 giveaway 3 entries (leave 3 comments w/ your email)
-Make Painted Butterfly Studio a favorite store if you are an etsy.com buyer worth 2 entry (leave 2 comments)
-Buy something from Painted Butterfly Studio (leave a message that you're a Sarah Simplifies reader) 10 entries (leave 10 comments)

Now for the fine print:
The giveaway will end on August 15th. Any comments left after August 15th 11:59PM CST will not be counted
Please make sure that you have a visible email link or include it in your entry
Winner will randomly be chosen from all entries
Winner will be notified on August 16th of their lucky win! They will have 72 hours in which to claim their prize. If the prize in not claimed within that time frame another winner is chosen.
Open to US and Canadian residents only

Disclaimer- NO monetary payments were received for this post. All opinions expressed are my own. Different people may have different experiences with products and/or the company. I was not compensated in any other way for this review and/or giveaway.

On the Seventh Day of Christmas- more Shabby Boutique!!!

I'm so sorry that I didn't get a post up last night. The best laid plans have a tendency of going awry don't they? Tonight there is a giveaway with two winners! Its sponsored by The Shabby Boutique again. If you missed the first giveaway from The Shabby Boutique please read it HERE. Tonight's giveaway from The Shabby Boutique are these lovely sand dollar rose ornaments. One has is tied with a blue ribbon and one with a pink ribbon. These are so delicate and dainty aren't they??!!!??

I've got some really exciting news too! If you sign up for Jewel's Blog HERE and leave a comment that you're a Sarah Simplifies with your email address you will then get 20% off one Christmas item of your choice from The Shabby Boutique! Leave a message to seller saying that you are a reader from Sarah Simplifies and Jewel will then reimburse you the 20% via Paypal. Pretty cool, huh?

So same rules as before but to lay it all out there again, here's the breakdown!

Buy It: HERE

Win It:
Mandatory: This must be done or all other entries will be deleted.
1)Publicly follow Sarah Simplifies (this has to show up on your Dashboard for it to count)leave a comment that you are a Sarah Simplifies follower- counts as 8 entries (leave 8 comments)
2) Head on over to The Shabby Boutique and take a look around. Come back here and leave a comment of what your favorite item is. Click HERE to go to The Shabby Boutique- 1 entry (leave 1 comment)
So just for publicly following Sarah Simplifies and going to The Shabby Boutique & telling me what you'd love to bring home you will get 9, count them, 9 entries!

Extra Entries:
-Blog about this contest and leave a link worth 5 entries (leave 5 comments)
-Add my Christmas in July button to your blog 5 entries (leave 5 comments)
-Subscribe to Sarah Simplifies worth 3 entries (leave 3 comments)
-Follow Sarah Simplifies on Facebook HERE worth 3 entries (leave 3 comments)
-Follow Sarah Simplifies on Twitter HERE worth 5 entries (leave 5 comments)
-Follow Sarah Simplifies on Networked Blogs 3 entries (leave 3 comments)
-Enter the JessKay Designs giveaway 3 entries (leave 3 comments w/ your email)
-Enter the Mudpuppy giveaway 3 entries (leave 3 comments w/ your email)
-Enter the Loriette's Grammy giveaway 3 entries (leave 3 comments w/ your email)
-Enter the Barb's Heartstrokes giveaway 3 entries (leave 3 comments w/ your email)
-Enter the Elephant Tales giveaway 3 entries (leave 3 comments w/ your email)
-Enter the Meese49 giveaway 3 entries (leave 3 comments w/ your email)
-Make The Shabby Boutique a favorite store if you are an etsy.com buyer worth 2 entry (leave 2 comments)
-Buy something from The Shabby Boutique (leave a message that you're a Sarah Simplifies reader) 10 entries (leave 10 comments)

Now for the fine print:
The giveaway will end on August 15th. Any comments left after August 15th 11:59PM CST will not be counted
Please make sure that you have a visible email link or include it in your entry
Winner will randomly be chosen from all entries
Winner will be notified on August 16th of their lucky win! They will have 72 hours in which to claim their prize. If the prize in not claimed within that time frame another winner is chosen.
Open to US and Canadian residents only

Disclaimer- NO monetary payments were received for this post. All opinions expressed are my own. Different people may have different experiences with products and/or the company. I was not compensated in any other way for this review and/or giveaway.

On the Sixth Day of Christmas, Meese49's Cigarbox Santa Purse Giveaway!

I've always been kind of enthralled with cigar box purses. They just seem so whimsical! I saw this purse and knew that I had to ask for Meese49 to participate in our Christmas in July event! Check this out!

Isn't that simply darling??!!!?? Michelle of Meese49 is just one of those truly crafty people. She makes seasonal seasons in pumpkins that are just awesome and tabletop decor. Take a peek:

I think the cleverness of using the funkins as the base of a decoration is unbelievable! I also might have to snatch the autumn tabletop decoration for myself. Fall is my favorite season and I'd love to decorate for it. Is it me or does it seem like there is a serious lack of autumn inspired decor?

Michelle was kind enough to answer my holiday/craft questions. I love getting the insight to these really crafty people- don't you? Lets dig into Michelle's mind for a few minutes!

What is your name? Michelle Worley

How long have you been selling on Etsy? little over 2 years

How did you pick your shops name? I have a service dog who I named Moose as a puppy. My friends told me I should use the plural of moose=meese(lol) and that was that. The numbers are special to me.

What is your favorite item in your shop? My pumpkins

What is your favorite holiday? Halloween

What is your favorite Christmas memory or tradition? Christmas light looking with my mom and dad in my pjs and going to McDonalds with my parents after Christmas Eve mass for dinner.

What is your favorite Christmas song or carol? I have a lot of favorites but the one I like to play on the piano and sing is Silent Night

How long have you been crafting? since I was 3 yrs old. How did you get started? My grandmothers sewed, knit and crochet. My mom is an Oil and Acrylics Painter, art teacher and sewer so I grew up around arts and crafts.

What inspires or motivates you? Nature, my 2 dogs, and music

What advice would you give someone wanting to sell on Etsy? Do what you enjoy and don't worry if anyone else will like it


What do you do, if anything, to try to live a greener lifestyle? I have an Environmental Degree so I have done a lot with the water and animals in my area. I use recycle bags and try to use recycle items in my crafts where I can.

If you could go on vacation anywhere where would you go? Europe (Germany, the UK, Ireland, Scotland, Italy and Poland)

Do you have a season or a favorite that is your favorite to create for? I love the fall and winter months. In Fl we don't actually get seasons much but creating items for those seasons make it feel like fall and winter.

So you know you want to bring this cigar box purse home and maybe even another holiday decoration. Here are the details!

Buy It: HERE
Michelle is also being kind enough to offer a 15% discount to Sarah Simplifies readers! When you check out with your item enter "JulyBlog15" in the messages to seller box. Then you will receive a 15% discount sent to your paypal account. Pretty cool huh?!!?

Win It:
Mandatory: This must be done or all other entries will be deleted.
1)Publicly follow Sarah Simplifies (this has to show up on your Dashboard for it to count)leave a comment that you are a Sarah Simplifies follower- counts as 8 entries (leave 8 comments)
2) Head on over to Meese49 and take a look around. Come back here and leave a comment of what your favorite item is. Click HERE to go to Meese49- 1 entry (leave 1 comment)
So just for publicly following Sarah Simplifies and going to Meese49 & telling me what you'd love to bring home you will get 9, count them, 9 entries!

Extra Entries:
-Blog about this contest and leave a link worth 5 entries (leave 5 comments)
-Add my Christmas in July button to your blog 5 entries (leave 5 comments)
-Subscribe to Sarah Simplifies worth 3 entries (leave 3 comments)
-Follow Sarah Simplifies on Facebook HERE worth 3 entries (leave 3 comments)
-Follow Sarah Simplifies on Twitter HERE worth 5 entries (leave 5 comments)
-Follow Sarah Simplifies on Networked Blogs 3 entries (leave 3 comments)
-Enter the JessKay Designs giveaway 3 entries (leave 3 comments w/ your email)
-Enter the Mudpuppy giveaway 3 entries (leave 3 comments w/ your email)
-Enter the Loriette's Grammy giveaway 3 entries (leave 3 comments w/ your email)
-Enter the Shabby Boutique giveaway 3 entries (leave 3 comments w/ your email)
-Enter the Barb's Heartstrokes giveaway 3 entries (leave 3 comments w/ your email)
-Enter the Elephant Tales giveaway 3 entries (leave 3 comments w/ your email)
-Make Meese49 a favorite store if you are an etsy.com buyer worth 2 entry (leave 2 comments)
-Buy something from Meese49 (leave a message that you're a Sarah Simplifies reader) 10 entries (leave 10 comments) Don't forget about that discount code! :)

Now for the fine print:
The giveaway will end on August 15th. Any comments left after August 15th 11:59PM CST will not be counted
Please make sure that you have a visible email link or include it in your entry
Winner will randomly be chosen from all entries
Winner will be notified on August 16th of their lucky win! They will have 72 hours in which to claim their prize. If the prize in not claimed within that time frame another winner is chosen.
Open to US and Canadian residents only

Disclaimer- NO monetary payments were received for this post. All opinions expressed are my own. Different people may have different experiences with products and/or the company. I was not compensated in any other way for this review and/or giveaway.

On the Fifth Day of Christmas: Elephant Tales Giveaway

Are you guys having an awesome Christmas in July yet??!!!?? Tonight's giveaway is a personalized hanging block from Elephant Tales. Susan the owner of Elephant Tales is one really, really crafty lady! Her shop offers personalized wooden blocks, personalized wooden yo-yo's, bottle cap jewelry, Tooth Fairy bottles, art clips and much more! Take a look!

Pretty cool stuff, huh??? :) I thought you might like it! This is what Elephant Tales is contributing to the Christmas in July Event:

The winner will be able to choose any type of personalized wooden block, birth announcement, wedding block, baptism block or Christmas ornament block.

Want to know how you can bring home an Elephant Tales wooden block?
Buy It: HERE

Want to know how to win?
Win It:
Mandatory: This must be done or all other entries will be deleted.
1)Publicly follow Sarah Simplifies (this has to show up on your Dashboard for it to count)leave a comment that you are a Sarah Simplifies follower- counts as 8 entries (leave 8 comments)
2) Head on over to Elephant Tales and take a look around. Come back here and leave a comment of what your favorite item is. Click HERE to go to Elephant Tales- 1 entry (leave 1 comment)
So just for publicly following Sarah Simplifies and going to Elephant Tales & telling me what you'd love to bring home you will get 9, count them, 9 entries!

Extra Entries:
-Blog about this contest and leave a link worth 5 entries (leave 5 comments)
-Add my Christmas in July button to your blog 5 entries (leave 5 comments)
-Subscribe to Sarah Simplifies worth 3 entries (leave 3 comments)
-Follow Sarah Simplifies on Facebook HERE worth 3 entries (leave 3 comments)
-Follow Sarah Simplifies on Twitter HERE worth 5 entries (leave 5 comments)
-Follow Sarah Simplifies on Networked Blogs 3 entries (leave 3 comments)
-Enter the JessKay Designs giveaway 3 entries (leave 3 comments w/ your email)
-Enter the Mudpuppy giveaway 3 entries (leave 3 comments w/ your email)
-Enter the Loriette's Grammy giveaway 3 entries (leave 3 comments w/ your email)
-Enter the Shabby Boutique giveaway 3 entries (leave 3 comments w/ your email)
-Enter the Barb's Heartstrokes giveaway 3 entries (leave 3 comments w/ your email)
-Make Elephant Tales a favorite store if you are an etsy.com buyer worth 2 entry (leave 2 comments)
-Buy something from Elephant Tales (leave a message that you're a Sarah Simplifies reader) 10 entries (leave 10 comments)

Now for the fine print:
The giveaway will end on August 15th. Any comments left after August 15th 11:59PM CST will not be counted
Please make sure that you have a visible email link or include it in your entry
Winner will randomly be chosen from all entries
Winner will be notified on August 16th of their lucky win! They will have 72 hours in which to claim their prize. If the prize in not claimed within that time frame another winner is chosen.
Open to US and Canadian residents only


Disclaimer- NO monetary payments were received for this post. All opinions expressed are my own. Different people may have different experiences with products and/or the company. I was not compensated in any other way for this review and/or giveaway.

On the fourth day of Christmas, Barb's Heartstrokes Giveaway

So did y'all have a good weekend? I took my daughter to a children's museum about 45 minutes from here & she had a ball! I must say that it was very nicely put together! The water table & acrylic wall painting were definitely the highlights! Are you ready for a bit more Christmas in July fun? I sure am! After weeding the garden a bit this summer & trading gardening notes with my cousin this weekend in some way too humid weather I must admit that Christmas seems kind of nice in theory (someone remind me of that when we're buried in snow- we had a fuzzy bear caterpillar on the porch last week that was WAY furry!)

Anyway, its time for our next Christmas in July giveaway! This giveaway is from Barb's Heartstrokes, another incredible etsy.com shop. I know that I shared my love with the shabby style with you last week. The other style that I absolutely adore is the whole country/primitive look. I love the homey, comfortable feel to it. I love getting issues of Country Sampler magazine and marking items for my wish list! Especially when it comes to Christmas decorating. Barb of Barb's Heartstrokes has absolutely captured that feel in her work. Her medium is hand painting on fiberglass black screen material and it is absolutely INCREDIBLE! I was showing my daughter some of Barb's pieces the other day and she literally wanted to bring all of them home!

Here are some samples of Barb's work

Barb was kind enough to share some of her insights and holiday favorites with us!

1. What is your name? Barb Stock
2. How long have you been selling on Etsy? Brand new since April 2010
3. How did you pick your shops name? ‘Heartstrokes ’ came about because I was an Intensive Care Cardiac nurse and was learning to paint. So between my job and learning to paint they were both quite a challenge. But anything that is a challenge usually is worth it. So when I started a business it seemed natural to combine the two.
4. What is your favorite item in your shop? That is a hard question to answer…I end up falling in love with what ever I happen to be painting at the present time. But my latest favorite is

I love this Witch!
5. What is your favorite holiday? Actually Halloween
6. What is your favorite Christmas memory or tradition? Since marrying my husband every Christmas Eve we light traditional luminaries in our driveway and side walk to guide the Christ child to our house. My children get the biggest thrill out of that.
7. What is your favorite Christmas song or carol? O Holy Night
8. How long have you been crafting? I have been painting for about 14 years.
How did you get started? My husband was in the Air force and was deployed overseas so I took an acrylic painting class at a local craft store and loved it!
9. What inspires or motivates you? Fun whimsical patterns and COLORS!
10. What advice would you give someone wanting to sell on Etsy? Jump in and get started. I wanted to do it for awhile but was to timid to start. It is quite a leaning curve and everyday there is something new to learn. But all the fun people I have met along the way have been by far the greatest part.
11. Do you have a favorite Etsy shop (other than yours)? Look at Dimdi’s watercolor art work at http://www.etsy.com/shop/dimdi It is incredible to me.
12. What do you do, if anything, to try to live a greener lifestyle? I grew up with parents that insisted we recycle, reuse, and reduce on everything so it has always been apart of my life. We grow, can, and freeze most of our food. We try to walk instead of taking the car and that has help not only cut down on gas money but we have become healthier.
13. If you could go on vacation anywhere where would you go? Antarctic. My son loves penguins and it is a land that looks very intriguing to me.
14. Do you have a season or a favorite that is your favorite to create for? Each one has a special feeling and it is the colors that attract me. Once I am tired of orange, purples, and black of Halloween I move to the reds and greens of Christmas then on to the blues of winter then there is all the bright colors of Spring!


Don't you just love the way the colors Barb uses just pop against the black background??? The winner of the Barb's Heartstrokes giveaway is going to receive this darling ornament

So you want to know how to win it, right? Read on my friend!

Buy It:
Barb's Heartstrokes HERE

Win It:
Mandatory: This must be done or all other entries will be deleted.
1)Publicly follow Sarah Simplifies (this has to show up on your Dashboard for it to count)leave a comment that you are a Sarah Simplifies follower- counts as 8 entries (leave 8 comments)
2) Head on over to Barb's Heartstrokes and take a look around. Come back here and leave a comment of what your favorite item is. Click HERE to go to Barb's Heartstrokes- 1 entry (leave 1 comment)
So just for publicly following Sarah Simplifies and going to Barb's Heartstrokes & telling me what you'd love to bring home you will get 9, count them, 9 entries!

Extra Entries:
-Blog about this contest and leave a link worth 5 entries (leave 5 comments)
-Add my Christmas in July button to your blog 5 entries (leave 5 comments)
-Subscribe to Sarah Simplifies worth 3 entries (leave 3 comments)
-Follow Sarah Simplifies on Facebook HERE worth 3 entries (leave 3 comments)
-Follow Sarah Simplifies on Twitter HERE worth 5 entries (leave 5 comments)
-Follow Sarah Simplifies on Networked Blogs 3 entries (leave 3 comments)
-Enter the JessKay Designs giveaway 3 entries (leave 3 comments w/ your email)
-Enter the Mudpuppy giveaway 3 entries (leave 3 comments w/ your email)
-Enter the Loriette's Grammy giveaway 3 entries (leave 3 comments w/ your email)
-Enter the Shabby Boutique giveaway 3 entries (leave 3 comments w/ your email)
-Make Barb's Heartstrokes a favorite store if you are an etsy.com buyer worth 2 entry (leave 2 comments)
-Buy something from Barb's Heartstrokes (leave a message that you're a Sarah Simplifies reader) 10 entries (leave 10 comments)


Now for the fine print:
The giveaway will end on August 15th. Any comments left after August 15th 11:59PM CST will not be counted
Please make sure that you have a visible email link or include it in your entry
Winner will randomly be chosen from all entries
Winner will be notified on August 16th of their lucky win! They will have 72 hours in which to claim their prize. If the prize in not claimed within that time frame another winner is chosen.
Open to US and Canadian residents only

Disclaimer- NO monetary payments were received for this post. All opinions expressed are my own. Different people may have different experiences with products and/or the company. I was not compensated in any other way for this review and/or giveaway.

On the Third Day of Christmas: The Shabby Boutique Giveaway

The owner of The Shabby Boutique has so generously decided to giveaway several items in the Sarah Simplifies Christmas in July event. Today I'm sharing the first one with you. I must confess that I'm a huge fan of the whole shabby style! I think its because I was brought up having a "thing" for roses and roses figure so prominently in the Shabby style. My middle name is Rose after my Mom's paternal grandmother and its also my daughters name as well. When I was born my dad had a tea rose corsage made and put on my hospital gown (see what I mean when I say I was brought up having a "thing" for roses???).

So lets take a peek at what The Shabby Boutique is giving away today!

Don't you just love it??!!!?? It makes me what to have Christmas rolling around the corner instead of dealing with highs in the high 80's! So you want to know how to win this lovely right? Ask and ye shall receive!

Buy It:
Go HERE


Win It:
Mandatory: This must be done or all other entries will be deleted.
1)Publicly follow Sarah Simplifies (this has to show up on your Dashboard for it to count)leave a comment that you are a Sarah Simplifies follower- counts as 8 entries (leave 8 comments)
2) Head on over to The Shabby Boutique and take a look around. Come back here and leave a comment of what your favorite item is. Click HERE to go to The Shabby Boutique- 1 entry (leave 1 comment)
So just for publicly following Sarah Simplifies and going to The Shabby Boutique & telling me what you'd love to bring home you will get 9, count them, 9 entries!

Extra Entries:
-Blog about this contest and leave a link worth 5 entries (leave 5 comments)
-Add my Christmas in July button to your blog 5 entries (leave 5 comments)
-Subscribe to Sarah Simplifies worth 3 entries (leave 3 comments)
-Follow Sarah Simplifies on Facebook HERE worth 3 entries (leave 3 comments)
-Follow Sarah Simplifies on Twitter HERE worth 5 entries (leave 5 comments)
-Follow Sarah Simplifies on Networked Blogs 3 entries (leave 3 comments)
-Enter the JessKay Designs giveaway 3 entries (leave 3 comments w/ your email)
-Enter the Mudpuppy giveaway 3 entries (leave 3 comments w/ your email)
-Enter the Loriette's Grammy Giveaway 3 entries (leave 3 comments w/ your email)
-Make The Shabby Boutique a favorite store if you are an etsy.com buyer worth 2 entry (leave 2 comments)
-Buy something from The Shabby Boutique (leave a message that you're a Sarah Simplifies reader) 10 entries (leave 10 comments)
and just for fun
-Leave a comment telling your favorite memory for 3 entries (leave 3 comments)


Now for the fine print:
The giveaway will end on August 15th. Any comments left after August 15th 11:59PM CST will not be counted
Please make sure that you have a visible email link or include it in your entry
Winner will randomly be chosen from all entries
Winner will be notified on August 16th of their lucky win! They will have 72 hours in which to claim their prize. If the prize in not claimed within that time frame another winner is chosen.
Open to US and Canadian residents only



Disclaimer- NO monetary payments were received for this post. All opinions expressed are my own. Different people may have different experiences with products and/or the company. I was not compensated in any other way for this review and/or giveaway.

Gulf Coast Spill

I wanted to share this website with all of you. Please in no way think I am encouraging you to give money to the effort or the organizations listed on this site. If you can- wonderful. If you can't- that's ok too. There are many other things you can do. Salons here are gathering the clippings from customers haircuts and sending them to a company that makes mats of hair that helps absorb the oil. It just seems as time goes by the crisis is getting the attention it was although the need is still very real. I was so proud of my daughter when she saw a brown pelican covered in oil and demanded to know what she could do to help. It was such a wonderful teaching opportunity! The organizations listed here are also by no means the only ones worthy of helping with this crisis- I'm just sharing this as a starting point. Please share this with friends, family, fellow bloggers and tweet about it! Every little bit helps!

Network for Good Help animals and wildlife threatened by the oil spill HERE

On the second day of Christmas- Loriette's Grammy Giveaway

I know y'all know about my love for Etsy and you're going to see LOTS of Etsy shops in the Christmas in July giveaway. Etsy is so awesome in so many ways. It is crafted items that are made with care- isn't that the kind of item you want to buy- and give? Our next Christmas in July Giveaway is from Loriette's Grammy. Barbara is the owner of Loriette's Grammy and was kind enough to do an interview as part of the giveaway. Grab a cup of tea (iced is ok!) and join us for awhile!

-What is your name? Barbara Redmon, or Barbilu
-How long have you been selling on Etsy? About 2 years
-How did you pick your shops name? This shop is based on my first grand child's middle name, and the name is a tribute to her two great grand mothers. Mariette and Lola, making Loriette. I do wish I had thought this out better, as it would have been Loriette's Designs.
-What is your favorite item in your shop? This is my favorite thing in my shop and has been for quite some time. I would love to put it on my bed and would if it were not for the husband.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/32312841/ooak-shabby-chic-in-pink-and-grays-throw
-What is your favorite holiday? Christmas
-What is your favorite Christmas memory or tradition? Christmas Morning with the children. The happy faces and joy of anyone receiving a gift that you have picked out especially for them or created especially for them is what makes it all so fun.
-What is your favorite Christmas song or carol? Jingle Bells and We Wish You a Merry Christmas, well there are more too... but you did say a favorite.. I love lots of them.
-How long have you been crafting? How did you get started? All my life in some way or another. I grew up with a very creative mother. She started sewing at age 3. She was from Belgium and they had a flat in Paris, where she would go with sketch pad in hand to the designer stores and go home and make the outfit. I am not as good as her in the clothing making, but I do like to make my way in the design of household items and my brooches etc.
-What inspires or motivates you? Everything, I love flowers and the beauty of the Pacific Northwest, but odd things inspire me as well... and I strive to recycle/upcycle/repurpos as much as I can. Other things that inspire me, Babies, dancing girls, the color of food, lollipops, blueberries, pigtails, the texture of nature, like rocks, dirt, moss growing on a tree and the list goes on and on.
-What advice would you give someone wanting to sell on Etsy? List every day if you can at different times in the day and take great pictures.
-Do you have a favorite Etsy shop (other than yours).. way to many of them and they are always changing. A few that I find I keep finding something I like and what do you know it is so and so.
-What do you do, if anything, to try to live a greener lifestyle? Oh, drive my family nuts...compost all food and paper and some other things... also recycle everything I can... from the container the strawberries come in to cereal boxes (I use to ship things in them) to tiny pieces of fabric. I grow some of my own food and I buy green/organic as much as I can. I just had a guy come and remove the bees from a hornets hive from my home in as humane a way as possible. They freeze them and milk them of their venom and this does not kill them. I found it very interesting. My husband would have loved to kill them, but I would not let him.
-If you could go on vacation anywhere where would you go? To a cabin on a lake and bring my sewing machine and crafting materials, a book to read and fresh food... and by myself would be good. I love my alone time.
-Do you have a season or a favorite that is your favorite to create for? I love to create for eclectic people, and when I find someone who enjoys my things then I am inspired to get even more creative

So would you like to see what Barbara is giving away?

Love it don't you???? :) I knew you would! Barbara makes the most awesome brooches, bracelets and baubles! You SO need to go to her shop Loriette's Grammy and check things out! I'm just jealous of anyone that can make yo- yo's! I'm relatively crafty but those just don't happen for me! So, in the spirit of giving Barbara is giving away this darling brooch and without further ado I'm going to tell you how to win it!


Win It:
Mandatory: This must be done or all other entries will be deleted.
1)Publicly follow Sarah Simplifies (this has to show up on your Dashboard for it to count)leave a comment that you are a Sarah Simplifies follower- counts as 8 entries (leave 8 comments)
2) Head on over to Loriette's Grammy and take a look around. Come back here and leave a comment of what your favorite item is. Click HERE to go to Loriette's Grammy- 1 entry (leave 1 comment)
So just for publicly following Sarah Simplifies and going to Mudpuppy & telling me what you'd love to bring home you will get 9, count them, 9 entries!

Extra Entries:
-Blog about this contest and leave a link worth 5 entries (leave 5 comments)
-Add my Christmas in July button to your blog 5 entries (leave 5 comments)
-Subscribe to Sarah Simplifies worth 3 entries (leave 3 comments)
-Follow Sarah Simplifies on Facebook HERE worth 3 entries (leave 3 comments)
-Follow Sarah Simplifies on Twitter HERE worth 5 entries (leave 5 comments)
-Follow Sarah Simplifies on Networked Blogs 3 entries (leave 3 comments)
-Enter the JessKay Designs giveaway 3 enteries (leave 3 comments w/ your email)
-Enter the Mudpuppy giveaway 3 enteries (leave 3 comments w/ your email)
-Make Loriette's Grammy a favorite store if you are an etsy.com buyer worth 2 entry (leave 2 comments)
-Buy something from Loriette's Grammy (leave a message that you're a Sarah Simplifies reader) 10 entries (leave 10 comments)



Now for the fine print:
The giveaway will end on August 15th. Any comments left after August 15th 11:59PM CST will not be counted
Please make sure that you have a visible email link or include it in your entry
Winner will randomly be chosen from all entries
Winner will be notified on August 16th of their lucky win! They will have 72 hours in which to claim their prize. If the prize in not claimed within that time frame another winner is chosen.
Open to US and Canadian residents only



Disclaimer- NO monetary payments were received for this post. All opinions expressed are my own. Different people may have different experiences with products and/or the company. I was not compensated in any other way for this review and/or giveaway.

On the first Day of Christmas.... Mudpuppy Review & Giveaway!

Thanks so much for being patient! I really had this all set up & ready to roll on July 1st. Well, you know what they say about the best laid plans right? My mom gets epidural cortisone shots for her back. Well, the last one went awry and she started suffering from spinal fluid headaches as well as her legs not wanting to work. The Dr. decided against a blood patch instead seeing if it would heal itself. Thankfully for the most part it has. My mom isn't 100% but she's WAY better than she was! Now...on to the good stuff, right????

This month we're doing an ENTIRE month of Christmas giveaways! The first up is an oh so cute Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer cube puzzle from Mudpuppy! This thing is so darling! My daughter is quite the puzzle aficionado and its an area that she has absolutely no delays in. Therefore, I LOVE shopping for new puzzles for her. Also, my family is a bit over the top when it comes to Christmas. I knew I had this Christmas in July event coming up and when I saw all of the super cute Christmas items Mudpuppy has to offer I knew I'd found a fit! Mudpuppy has sticker scene sets, advent calendars & puzzles. I love knowing that I can get something for my daughter that actually has a good chance of being liked more than the box it comes in (c'mon- all of you parents know what I mean!). Here are a few pics of Mudpuppys offerings:

and this little cutie that Mudpuppy sent me to review! Its also going to come live with a lucky Sarah Simplifies reader!

I've got to say that first of my daughter loved this puzzle. Secondly this isn't your cheapo might last for a few weeks kind of puzzle. This was a great, bright printed graphic on a nice thick base. This puzzle can definitely make it through a few holiday seasons and most likely more than one child! So, you want to know how to get this puzzle? Well, I'm here to serve!

Buy It:
Go to Mudpuppy HERE

Win It:
Mandatory: This must be done or all other entries will be deleted.
1)Publicly follow Sarah Simplifies (this has to show up on your Dashboard for it to count)leave a comment that you are a Sarah Simplifies follower- counts as 8 entries (leave 8 comments)
2) Head on over to Mudpuppy and take a look around. Come back here and leave a comment of what your favorite item is. Click HERE to go to Mudpuppy- 1 entry (leave 1 comment)
So just for publicly following Sarah Simplifies and going to Mudpuppy & telling me what you'd love to bring home you will get 9, count them, 9 entries!

Extra Entries:
-Blog about this contest and leave a link worth 5 entries (leave 5 comments)
-Add my button to your blog 5 entries (leave 5 comments)
-Subscribe to Sarah Simplifies worth 3 entries (leave 3 comments)
-Follow Sarah Simplifies on Facebook HERE worth 3 entries (leave 3 comments)
-Follow Sarah Simplifies on Twitter HERE worth 5 entries (leave 5 comments)
-Follow Sarah Simplifies on Networked Blogs 3 entries (leave 3 comments)
-Enter the JessaKay Designs giveaway 3 enteries (leave 3 comments)


Now for the fine print:
The giveaway will end on August 15th. Any comments left after August 15th 11:59PM CST will not be counted
Please make sure that you have a visible email link or include it in your entry
Winner will randomly be chosen from all entries
Winner will be notified on August 16th of their lucky win! They will have 72 hours in which to claim their prize. If the prize in not claimed within that time frame another winner is chosen.
Open to US and Canadian residents only



Disclaimer- NO monetary payments were received for this post. All opinions expressed are my own. Different people may have different experiences with products and/or the company. I was not compensated in any other way for this review and/or giveaway.