MY HUGE BLOG GIVEAWAY

If you're a regular reader of my blog, then you remember that in June I promised two give-aways in July because I just couldn't get it done in June! It was a crazy month!

So, as I've been thinking about what to offer, what two items, I decided that instead it would be a lot of fun to give away ONE REALLY COSTLY ITEM. . .

Meet the SPRING BANNER, retail cost $68.00 (includes presentation and postage).

It measures 36" across *not counting the ribbon for hanging*, each flag is 5" x 8" and, the flags spell out the word "SPRING".

You will love this banner!
It's light and sweet and each flag is a delightful piece of art in it's own right!

There are glittered pastel yellow and green eggs hanging by different trims between each flag. And the ribbon stringing the flags is pale pink satin.

Pay attention to the detail put into each flag including sewing, scalloped edges, etc.

I hope you like my choice.

I absolutely love this banner.

THE DEALINE FOR ENTERING

THE GIVE-AWAY IS

SUNDAY, 10 p.m. CST, AUGUST 2nd.

All I ask that you do to be eligible for this drawing is

1.) leave a comment and be entered ONCE.

2.) if you're not already following my blog, I would love

for you to - if you sign up to follow, let me know that

(and let me know if you're already a follower) and

I'll enter you in the drawing TWICE.

3.) And, last but certainly not least, if you post on your

blog sending your readers over here to enter, let me know

that and I'll enter you THREE times.

You must leave me your blog address so I can visit it.

Gosh, this is so exciting for me! I've never given away anything worth so much nor do I remember ever asking for more than a comment in a give-away (I'm relying on my memory - ouch).

A special shout out to my loyal readers that I can always count on to keep up with me by regularly reading my blog. I think y'all are absolutely the best!

And, a shout out to my lurkers...I know you're reading, just not commenting, because I am able to keep up with my numbers. Y'all are shy, but really important to me!

Today I ask you to consider stepping up and start leaving a comment when you read my blog - it makes me feel very popular. heehee

XOXO, Jan

BLOG WINNER A-A-A-N-N-N-N-D DON'T FORGET TO LOOK UP!

May's blog giveaway was this precious stamp set below - oh, how I love it!

I did the drawing last night with the help of my best friend, Annette (she picked the number - always helping; that's just who she is), and the *excited* winner was CAROL O'CONNELL of Vintage Crafter! Yea for Carol!! And, she's from Canada which I think is so cool (well, until I get to the post office) - I'm making friends all over the world with my giveaways and that's the most wonderful thing! (I wonder how far away my farthest away reader lives???)

Oh, and don't forget that I have decided to have a giveaway EVERY MONTH!

Big WOO HOO!!

.....And, now the second part of this post............a fascinating story follows. LOL

Frank the Tank has been out of town this week so I've been in charge of watering his babies......his tomato plants (oh, please). So, I'm standing there watering them, probably not the right way, the gentle way...........I simply laid the hose in the container and let it fill with water and then moved to the next container. (DON'T TELL!) Anyway, I'm standing there just thinkin' about important stuff...you know, stuff like 'do these tomato plants make my butt look big?'...'what excuse can I think of to get out of making dinner? "oh, darn, Tank, I was with the tomatoes so long that I didn't have time to cook! *shrugging shoulders pitifully* I guess we'll have to order in" '...'this chore is great for fluffing'...and, pondering such serious dilemmas as erectile dysfunction.

Okay, I'm just kidding. (Well, not about how I watered them...) What I really noticed was the view towards the highway and how green the plowed and planted front field was and how gorgeous the hills across the highway are and how blessed I am to have that view. And, as I was thinking these things I thought about all of the things of beauty we miss because we don't look up! Like the hills across the highway - not something I see very often because I don't look up.

So, I went inside and grabbed my camera so I could share with you some of the beauty that is all around me. Now, you may not think my "views" are beautiful because we all define beauty in our own way. But, my views are awesome to me - they're bits of life that make me smile (fyi - glitter is a bit of life, too:) and a LOT of them make me smile because they make me think of God and how He is the one that has given us all the beauty that is around us!

I took the picture of the oh, so revered tomato plants, the view towards the highway and now I'm going to show you the view to the left of where I was watering the revered ones - you're looking at the barn area. When I look that direction I am flooded with memories of the boys when they were growing up!

And, so, these are the round bales from one of our hay fields. They'll feed the cattle during this drought and through the winter. The boys and their friends used to climb up on them (the hay bales, not the cows) and play 'keep away' while running down the rows and jumping from row to row! They also make a great background for target practice (so they say).

A close up of some of the barns (you're missing the hay barn - hey, hay barns are important AND they're honkin') and the pens. Oh, my gosh, talk about God's beauty! A lot of the beauty is in the memories of the parties we've had down at the barn - behind the small barn that eventually became my first studio. And also, looking at this area is a reminder that the barn was built in 1890 and that the ranch has been a working ranch owned by the Thomason's since 1890. Wow - now that's vintage and I LOVE vintage!

Oh, this is so cool! I see this beauty every time I take the curve coming up our lane - the wicker settee, fence gate and yard chandelier hanging in the ancient pecan tree. I love this little bit of "me" that you see as you're approaching the house and after you've seen the beauty of the pink bicycles lined up along the fence at our entrance...

See? The yard chandelier! Doesn't it make you smile?

Beauty.

Oops! I need another yard chandelier!

This little sitting area is just outside the fence that runs around our yard. It's crazy *meaning more pink on a ranch*, but it's so me:)
As I was walking around the front yard to get this one last picture for you I passed the front door....my lovely front door that no one ever sees because everyone that comes to our house uses my studio door (go figure). I think my front door is beautiful and I was so glad I looked up and saw it as I walked by!

Ahhh, my favorite place in our yard....the swing. I love to sit in it and gently rock back and forth as I look out at my favorite view.

I always look up and see this view! It's my special place where I can be calmed when agitated, blessed when I am troubled, cooled down after a long bike ride, and simply at peace while I am gently rocking back and forth.

You know what? There is beauty all around us; we simply need to look up from our busy-ness and see it! Even a parking lot is a thing of beauty to me if I find a rusty smished bottle cap! Texture, color, faded color, vintage buildings, children, all of God's people, and let me not forget the horizon - what do you see when you look towards the horizon?

I simply adore all of you, my readers. There's such beauty in your comments.

xoxo,

. . .Jan

YOU'D THINK I HAVE NOTHING TO DO!

Oh, my gosh, you'd think I have nothing to do! I've spent most of the morning creating a mosaic of some of my work. It's in my photostream on Flickr, it's in the right hand column of my blog and now I'm posting about it.
You'd think I have nothing to do.
No laundry, no crack house, I mean studio, to finish cleaning up, no Easter dinner to prep, no searching my closet for something cute and pastel to wear to church tomorrow....that fits, no packing to do as I prepare to leave for Michigan on Wednesday, no weeds to kill *Round-up is my weapon of choice*, no bird feeders to fill and bird baths to fill, hummer's bottles to fill........well, you get it.
You'd think I have nothing to do!

But, I think it's just really cute!

And, while you're here I thought I'd show you my first Marie Antoinette piece! It's a Marie themed cake banner.

I had made this *the most amazing* carrot cake for a ministry party last Friday and I thought, at the last minute, of course, that it needed a banner! A Marie Antoinette banner!

This is what I came up with....

This is the front:And, this is the back of the banner. . .

I've decided that I like these so much that I'm going to make more of them and will even try some different themes. What do you think???

Well, that's it for today. My hummingbirds are wondering if I'm going to fill their bottles or not so I best get busy!

Thanks for taking the time to read my post - leave a comment if you will:) And, to all of you, Happy Easter and praise our Lord as we celebrate his resurrection!

XOXO,

. . .Jan

WE HAVE A WIN-E-E-E-R-R-R-R-R-R-R!!!

the VINTAGE APRON GIVEAWAY!

There's nothing more exciting than finding out who the winner is of one of my blog giveaways!
I almost get goosebumps. . .hoping, hoping, hoping that the winner is someone that really loves the giveaway.

And, I got my socks blessed off yesterday when the Random Picker-outer (my dear mum) pulled out STEPHANIE ZOLLER @ tatuedmomof4@aol.com!! When I read her post I knew the winner was someone that was going to treasure my precious vintage apron!

I have loved reading y'all's entries and knowing that I was giving away a treasured goodie that brought so many wonderful ladies to my blog to enter! Thank you for taking the time to be a part of my life - I so appreciate it.

The other giveaway on my blog is below and ends on April 10th so make sure you've entered it! It's a really good one, too!!

Thanks to my loyal readers for making me realize that writing my blog is blessing people. You know I love you!

XOXO,

. . .Jan

IT'S TIME FOR ANOTHER FABULOUS GIVEAWAY!!

THIS GIVEAWAY ENDS ON MONDAY, APRIL 6th, 9:00 am CST

I may be really, really behind on my blog posting, but I'm sticking this post in the middle of catching up because I promised you that I would! AND AREN'T YOU EXCITED???
My second blog giveaway because my first one was so much fun!
And, look! Look at what I'm giving away!!!

Y-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-KES!!!

Check out this first photo - it shows the front of the apron which is made of a shear fabric that is patterned in a black floral pattern with SPARKLIES! And, the scalloped botton edge - oh, my gosh!
I have never seen such a stylin', precious, look at me, meet your husband at the front door with nothing else on, serve cocktails stylin', hang on your kitchen wall, stinkin' cute, PINK VINTAGE REVERSIBLE APRON in my entire life!!

Okay, so I *originally* bought it to sell in one of my shops, but as I was walking out of the antique store I thought to myself, "Jan! USE THE APRON FOR YOUR GIVEAWAY!!" and I was so excited about doing that!!

Now, if you'll look at the next photo you'll see the REVERSIBLE side of the apron!
Isn't this just the bomb???
It's pink satin with a pocket made out of the patterned fabric and is just as cute as it can be!!
The picture of this sweet young thing is my youngest son, Clay's, girlfriend, Stacey.
I had her model the apron because her wrinkles don't show.
Oh, wait.
She doesn't have any wrinkles. (Isn't she simply the cutest thing?? And, she's just as cute on the inside! I absolutely love her!)
The wooden spoon's mine.

And, here's a close-up of the reversed side of the apron.
OH, MY GOSH, are you as excited about this giveaway as I am??? Aughhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!

As you know, every good giveaway should have some sort of marketing scheme to grab those that enter who don't regularly read your blog. (I just made that up)
And, since I don't market myself harldly at all, I'm going to use these fabulous giveaways as a marketing tool once in a while starting TODAY because this apron was NOT on sale! LOL

You can enter the giveaway ONE TIME by simply leaving a comment on this post.

You can enter the giveaway TWO TIMES by joining my newsletter mailing list and mentioning that fact in your comment.
(sign in on the right side of my blog near the top - you really can't miss it:) And, don't worry
about getting 4,706 newsletters a week from me. . . .I've had the newsletter sign up box for
about a year and am just now thinking about putting out my first newsletter. hahaha, not
kidding!

You can enter the giveway THREE TIMES by going to one of my shops
(www.lollishops.com/polkadotbarn or http://www.jthom03.etsy.com/) and letting me know which of my pieces you like best (be honest - remember "marketing":)

You can also enter the fabulous giveaway FOUR TIMES by posting about it on YOUR blog and letting me know in your comment that you have done so.

Leave your comments here letting me know "how" you've entered, blah, blah, and be sure and leave me YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS so I can contact you when you win! (I've only had one other blog giveaway - I'm new at this - but, the winner of my first giveaway didn't leave me any way to contact her and it was, well, okay, I'll just say it, it was not a pleasure trying to find her. However, SHE is a pleasure!!)
*And leave your BLOG URL if you entered by posting about this amazing vintage pink apron giveaway on your blog* so I can check it out.*

I think we've just about covered it!
Oh, I'm so excited about this! This is much more fun than selling the apron!!
I love my readers!
And, I'm anxious to see all of you enter the giveaway so that you *might* win!!!
woooooooooooo hooooooooooooooo

xoxo,

. . .Jan

JUST ONE MORE POST AND THEN I PROMISE!!!....

Oh, my goodness, now don't get upset with me.
Feel sorry for me.
My computer made me cry today.
Well, it wasn't exactly the computer that made me cry; it was the stupid new software I bought, Photo Explosion Deluxe.
The word "deluxe" should have been a clue.

You see, I had to get a new computer. Frank Two Pies' computer crashed and since his computer skills are *shhhhhh* laughable, I told him that I would get the new computer and he would get mine.
Makes sense, doesn't it?
I have/had Vista on my computer and hated it and was so excited to get a new computer with XP.
Ahhhhhhhh, XP. No more Vista.
Well, no more "I know it like the back of my hand" software program either - it couldn't be transferred because going from Vista to XP is going backwards in the world of Bill Gates.
When you really think about Vista, however, you realize how stupid that sounds.

But, alas, I couldn't take my Microsoft Picture It 9 with me so I had to buy a new program.
An easy program simply for fixing the photos of my art for my shops, that's all I wanted.
I have Adobe Photoshop Elements 2 (don't ask) but I don't have six weeks to learn it.

I needed a software program that I could use NOW.

So, I wasted all day yesterday trying to find a store online and in San Antonio that had my baby.
Nowhere to be found.
So I buy the new software program thinking to myself, "How hard can it be to learn??? It's only 40.00". And by bedtime last night I was in tears.
And, then this morning found me crying, trying to make it work.
It's a stupid program. Don't buy it.

Then, tonight, my over-used, very decayed, not-all-there, brain kicked in and I remembered,

DER - Picture It 9 is still on Two Pies computer!!
YOU IDIOT.
YOU OLD, OLD WOMAN.

So, I've taken some pictures of what I think would make lovely Easter presents and simply must get them before you as Easter is but a few days away! I need to get them listed in my shops, and I will, but first, my blog.
And then..........................THE NEXT GIVEAWAY! Why, I've already got the post ready to go - just want to give y'all a few days to buy up all of these banners I've made (Just leave your email on your comment telling me which one you want and I'll catch ya later. Don't dally - they're going to go like hot cakes. LOL).

Here ya go - my labors of love...............

A close-up of "R and I" to give you a better idea of what it looks like. Those are glittered eggs hanging between each banner flag - so darling!

And, "N and G".

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OH, MY GOSH!!! Am I seeing this right??? Have I not looked at this picture a hundred times?

Did I not make this banner?

Do I not know how to spell "NEST"??? ROTF!!

It will be fixed tomorrow, I promise!! *still laughing and shaking my head!A couple of close-ups so you can see how the banner would look with just two letters. hahaha

Okay, I'm off to bed. I'm obviously fried.

I love all of you, my sweet readers!! That's the only reason I can post such a mistake! LOL

.

XOXO,

. . .Jan

DO YOU STILL LOVE ME?

I wonder.
Do you still love me?
I haven't posted since last month and every day that goes by without me posting,
I go to bed wondering if you'll still love me in the morning.
Aaaaaa! (as in "cat")
I try so hard to get everything done every day so that in the evening I can post,
but LIFE keeps getting in the way and I seem to stay behind!
Take yesterday for instance.
Phone calls to the pharmacist, the dermatologist, and my internet provider.
The call to the internet provider necessitated a house call *which will cost me money* to switch me from wireless to DSL because our renter's Direct TV non-English speaking idiot (did I say that out loud?) of a satellite man TOOK OUR HIGH SPEED INTERNET SATELLITE DOWN and used that bracket for a new satellite for the renter.
WHO HIRES THESE PEOPLE???
We finally discovered our stolen satellite sitting in the garage AFTER we had switched to DSL. (Trust me, this is not over. There's a phone call to Direct TV in my future and I'm afraid my nice voice is going to give away to my frustrated voice. I just hope that when I call that I'm not routed TO INDIA!)

Is it any wonder that I'm bald, have wrinkles, puffy under eyes, constipation, dry skin, weeds, a husband who can eat 1/2 of a 9 x 13" casserole in one sitting that was going to be tomorrow's leftovers, a studio that looks like a crack house, a dog that sheds, another dog that derives great pleasure in licking her privates in my presence, no ice cream in the house and hate to cook???

I'm so behind, and so afraid that you'll leave me in the morning without even a note on the pillow, that I'm going to post a fascinating group post here to get caught up.
Then, after I'm sure y'all have had time to read this amazing post, I'm going to post the next giveaway.
Oh, my gosh. You aren't going to believe what I found to give away. It will probably cause you to tinkle just a wee bit because you're going to be so excited!

So, on with the photos of my latest (even I can't remember what they are).......

First, let me mention once again that we are going to have the best little art retreat in Texas in June! And, boy howdy, would I ever love to see you there!!
On the trip down here from Kalamazoo in February, I kept my eyes peeled for these kind of soft serve ice cream dives. They have the BEST soft serve!
Did you know that ice cream "parlors" up north close during the winter?
What's with that???
We stopped in some town at the most precious shop as is attested to by their parking sign! Isn't it the best???

Another stop that I always make if I happen to be on I-35 in Ardmore, Oklahoma, is The Cloverleaf...mostly for ideas...they're a wee bit expensive!

If it was for sale, I'd probably have to rent a U-Haul and buy it. I know just the place for it...

I'll never understand why everyone doesn't drive the back roads when traveling.

The photo ops...........see the swans? I think they're real.

I love, love, love taking pictures of old buildings! ...The texture!

A PINK TRAILER with all of the amenities!! I'd almost live in it!

Have I showed you this yet? ...A HUGE Barbie tote! ...Still trying to decide if I'm going to keep it or sell it! I'm always amazed at how much I look like her...

Oh, these vintage hankies! I love them - check out the one with the lovely lace edging. Amazing!

A corner of a fabulous photo I found in Noblesville, Indiana. Look at those precious kiddos!

A whole bunch of vintage patterns and all were simply darling!

I've started collecting Bobbsey Twins books! They were one of my favorite series when I was a kid and I thought it would be fun to try and collect all of them. I'm well on my way - this is the first one.

A 1910 dance card! You don't find these anymore! I was thrilled to find it.

Okay, y'all, that's it! Whew! I'm going to look over at the pillow next to me and am hoping to see your head lying there! LOL

I love my readers - y'all are the best to stick with me when I'm lame! hahaha

.

XOXO,

. . .Jan