daily gratitiude giveaway

The Squam Art Workshop store is having a holiday bizarre now until December 1st. Among the wonderful items being sold you can find my daily gratitude journal. They were sold back in January/February and have been redesigned with a different cover for 2013.

Journals are shipping immediately so there is no wait if you are looking to purchase them as a gift for the holidays. Stock up now!



[photo by Michelle Madden Smith]

As a way to celebrate another year of gratitude, I'll be giving away one of my gratitude journals. Just leave me a comment by Wednesday evening at 9pm MST and I'll announce the winner Thursday morning.


Happy Voting!!

giveaway

In honor of today's holiday, if you can be the first one to guess correctly what this photo is, I will send you a little something. I'm thinking jewelry--earrings perhaps.

I will announce the winner tomorrow.

Hope you have a great "green" day.

charm winner

Kris it's your lucky day. Congrats you are the winner of the charm. :)
Please email me with your word and address and I'll send it out to you this week.

p.s. I'm not on my computer so I apologize for not being able to show the random.org generate box.

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I've had several of you interested in the charm I made for myself. If you would like one or one like it with your own word or phrase email me. The cost will be $20 for the charm only (no chain).

thanks for playing along.
xo

giveaway results

Stephanie that means you're the winner! Please email me your address and I'll send the earrings out to you this week.

my motely crue + winner

- we're working on putting our stuff where it goes around here. I thought pretending to move this summer had changed their habits, but I think it was just me who was trained to constantly remind them to pick up after themselves or else we've totally forgotten. Back to the drawing board.

- even though they are not so good at putting their stuff away they are really great about helping me around the house when I ask. I guess that's the key...when I ask. They vaccum, do the dishes, put away their own clothes (megan always complains about this), helps with the folding, & cleans bathrooms.

- we're trying to find a good balance after school with homework and relaxation time. Tuesdays and Thursdays are our busy days where we're just making it home to get dinner on the table, but on the other days we come home and veg in front of the TV for a bit. It seems like my days are constantly moving from one thing to the next so I enjoy having that bit of down time with them and not feeling guilty about taking it. Plus it make getting homework done so much easier when they've had a moment or two.

- i am constantly amazed at the food choices my girls make. Yes, they like candy but for whatever reason they never eat their Halloween candy. There is still 3 big bags of candy hanging around our house, which like I said yesterday is hard on me. Megan even has hers in her room, which I thought would make a huge difference, but she's only eaten a few pieces. It's crazy.

- they are in a huge scooby-doo phase right now.

- they're becoming more and more independent. Each morning they get themselves up and get ready by themselves, which includes a shower, eating, dressed, & brushed teeth. Today they were up making lunches because they didn't want what was on the menu. They didn't even ask for help...times are changing.

- night times have changed a bit for us as well. Bella and Tess read every night in Bella's bed for at least a half hour if not more. When I go to see them they merely give me a kiss goodnight and send me on my way. I'm trying to think now, if they actually take their eyes off the book when they kiss me goodnight. I guess I need to get in there before the reading starts. At least Megan welcomes me in.

- I know I've said this before, and recently too, but I love where we're at right now. I would love to freeze time for just a bit...just to keep them here a while longer. I'm not so sure I will ever be ready for the heavier teenage years (that's only 3 years off people).

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Congratulations Elizabeth. You are the winner of the merry&bright tags. Send me your info and I'll get them sent out to you.

all is calm + nov giveaway

At the moment I'm sipping hot cocoa enjoying a quiet house. Megan's at a friends and the only sound I can hear in the distance is the laundry drying. I guess I should turn on some music because I don't need laundry to remind me I ought to get back to work. I've got lots on my plate, but I'm taking a moment to just enjoy the day. The last week I had a rough bout with anxiety. With my neighbors passing I had a hard time pulling myself out of the death thoughts. I suppressed what I could and didn't blog the days I couldn't. Poor Adam who had to try and help me through it. I love him for his patience. Today is the first day in 6 days that I feel myself and calm...feels good to be back.

here is some stuff I would have shared...



-I'm running out of hard drive space, quickly, so I've been going through erasing images I know I will never want. I hate to do it, but it's needs to be done. Anyway, while looking through them I came across this image of Bella and her cousin Austin taken way back in July. It made me smile so thought I would share.

-I have a serious chocolate problem. I thought I had the will power to limit myself to just one a day, but I don't...they're so little I think I can have multiple. I told Adam last night to please get rid of the candy in the house, but it's still here. Will I be able to make it a day?


[Oct 12th. Click here to enlarge]

-Tomorrow is the 12th if any of you are playing along with me. I've actually really loved having this collection of photos every month (you can see them all here). I've been looking through them and it's definitely serving it's purpose to tell the story of our life over a years time. I think I will continue the same goal for 2010. Who knows maybe I will change the date.

-Megan loves puzzles so the two of us have been doing tangram puzzles almost everyday for a couples weeks now and it's very addicting. She'll end up moving onto something else and I'll still want to play.


[taken with my iphone. I tried to bring my camera in but when they checked my bag they said, no pro cameras. I was bugged.]

-Saturday night I went to the sytycd tour with Hannah, Lucy, and Lucy's sister Sara. We meet for dinner at training table (cheese fries) but split up for the show. I thought it was good, the second half at least when I could actually see both dancers together. The girl ahead of me sat on her bag (we were on the floor) so I struggled to see around her. The second half, since we were the second to last row, I sat up on my knees because the guy behind me was sitting up too. It work out great even though I felt like I had just worked out after wards....my legs were sore. I now know floor seats are not the best seats in the house.

-I've been listening to the Lost Symbol the last week while I clean and such and am very bored with it. I keep making myself listening to it thinking it will get better, but it's time I just turned it off. I guess I just can't get into the story line...I need to find something new because I enjoy listening to books while I work. Any ideas?

-I've been thinking about Christmas, Christmas cards, and gift ideas...what to do? I still can't believe it's almost time to pull out all the decorations and welcome the snow.



-For November's giveaway I made these "merry&bright" tags. Included is a set of 8 with punched holes and added red gingham ribbon. I think they'd be a great addition atop any gift if I do say so myself. Comment if you want to be in the drawing. I'll announce winner Thursday evening. I will also have some for sell in my etsy store.

Have a great day.

falltastic + winner

This has been such a marvelous fall. Adam tells me last year was memorable too, but apparently not to me because I can't remember it enough to compare. All I know is it's been so falltastic...the coolness, the colors, the smells. I don't want it to end.

Last Friday after school I took the girls and their friends up into the canyon to play around. I decided it had peeked and knew it wasn't going to last much longer...a storm was coming.






[this is them decoration the door to their house]







They had the best time running around and playing house while I walked around and took photos. It's amazing being out there and hearing nothing but the rustling of the leaves. I think we all thought we had found a bit of fall heaven. Good times.

Have you been enjoying your fall?

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Now for the winner of my October giveaway.
According to random.org
Congrats to #14 Tasha

Tasha I'll be sending it out this weekend so hopefully you can use it before the Halloween decorations go back in there boxes.

giveaway winners

Congrats to
#4 Charity
#10 Robyn

Charity email me your address (Robyn I've got yours) and I'll send the tags out this week. :)

Enjoy!

this weeks headlines

one for piano
Tess finally started piano lessons Wednesday after school. I dropped the ball last year finding her a teacher in time, but this year I was fortunately enough to find a great teacher who lives close. As I sat watching her lesson I couldn't help, but think her teacher reminded me of my own grandma and then I felt even more excited that we had found her. I think it's going to be a great match.



thank goodness for backup
This has been my set up since my computer failed me last weekend. Thank goodness I had some sort of back up. I never realize how much I depend on my computer until it's gone. Besides needing certain files, not getting to create the tags I needed for Sunday, or having photoshop, the laptop has worked great. Luckily, Adam is picking up my computer this afternoon so I won't have to go another weekend without it. :)



always better to buy
I'm not sure what i was thinking except some where in the last few weeks I decided making costumes this year was the way to go. I guess after I made the apron I thought, why not do it old school. Megan picked out her costume, she wants to be Little Red Riding Hood, and I hit Joann's yesterday to pick up the pattern and fabric. $40 later. Yes, $40, I left feeling duped. I guess those nice $30 costumes online aren't such a bad deal after all (even though I have yet to spend $30 on a costume). What was I thinking? I was just having this conversation over the weekend with Robyn and Jill that you can't make clothes for cheaper than you can buy them.

a cold reminder
I heard through my screams and curses after getting a shot of cold water from Adam while enjoying my nice warm shower this morning, "nothing is worse that not feeling alive!"

and last, but not least



August & September giveaways
For one reason or another my August giveaway didn't happen so I'm making that month up. I'm giving away 10 Happy Birthday photo tags to two readers. Just like the ones seen in my esty store. If you would like a chance to win just comment and I will announce winners on Saturday eve.

have a great weekend!

giveaway winner

Sorry it's belated. We went camping this weekend and I wasn't able to get to it done before I left.

According to random.org kg you are the winner. Congrats!

Please email me (upper left sidebar) your address so I can send it to you.

july giveaway

It felt good to wake up this morning excited to actually make something. I decided to give away another small 4x5.5 inch notebook I sewed together and bound with ribbon.



To win just leave a comment and I'll post the winner Friday.

Have a great day!

how to: etching

This is really so simple you'll think it's silly I am doing a how to, but you asked for it so here you go.

Step 1


Mask off the area you want etched. I use cardboard stickers because they are thicker and can hold up to the cream. There are also a lot of vinyl designs you can buy if you want to add a design like a flower. Make sure to really push the letters and tape down on the edge so you get clean lines. I use a bone folder, but be careful not to push so hard you move the letters around.



This is the etch cream I use. I bought it at Michaels Art & Craft store. I think this 3oz bottle was around $7, but it's been too long I could be wrong.

Step 2


Wear gloves to protect your hands, this is really potent stuff. Liberally apply the cream in the same direction. I use a foam brush and use a downward stroke. Make sure not to leave any holes. I have found when using stickers 3 minutes is max. I went to 5 minutes once and the cream started to eat away at my letters and I didn't get a clean line. This is my experience, but you can look on the back for direction.

Step 3 (sorry no photo)
Wash the cream off with water and then begin to pull off the stickers and tape. It may look like it didn't work right away, but once it's dry you will see your design.

Here's the final result.



See, so simple. It really only takes a few minutes and there's hardly any clean up.

and the winner is

according to random.org

the winner is....Lindsay!

Congratulations! Email me (afmphotography@gmail.com) your address and the word you would like on the jar. FYI I think it works better with words 7 letters or smaller.

may giveaway

This month I'm giving away an IKEA glass jar that has been etched with whatever word you would like. FYI the jar will be shipped empty.

If you are interested in being part of the drawing please comment. You can enter the drawing up to Monday at noon.

and the winner is

according to random.org

Numero uno commenter...Jenn

Congratulations! Email me (top right sidebar) your address and I'll get the cards out this next week.

april giveaway

“We can do no great things, only small things with great love.”
- Mother Teresa

When I heard this quote at conference a couple weekends ago it resonated with me and brought me back to the reason I chose the word give to focus on this year. When I was younger I always thought I would do big and important things, only to grow up and wonder where are those big and important things? The older I've gotten I've realized doing great things don't need to be big and loud. In fact, most often great things are done quietly, behind closed doors, and done with love.

I believe we can all do great things which can make a huge difference in someone's life...a difference we may never know. Think of what it feels like for a total stranger to give you a warm smile while you're in the middle of a very bad day or to get the mail only to see that there's a hand written envelope with your name on it or someone takes the time to comment on your blog post or a co-worker buys you lunch. It feels big and great and meaningful. Wouldn't you want to give that same feeling to someone else? I know I run this list through my head when I'm not in the mood. It helps me to remember how even small acts can mean a great deal to someone.

Sorry to get carried away in my thoughts, I guess it's just been on my mind lately. Without further ado on with my April giveaway. I'm giving away another set of 10 cards including envelopes.


here is the original photo. I feel like the picture of the card doesn't do it justice even though it printed beautifully.

You know the drill. If your interested comment. I'll post the winner Friday afternoon.

Good Luck!

edited to add: I meant to say Saturday afternoon I will post the winner. So you have til then.

a crazy week comes to an end & a winner

I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. Not only are we picking up Adam at 6:30 this evening, but this crazy week of mine, which included violin, dance, RS enrichment (this is where the majority of my week went), book club, lunch with friends, recitals, dr. appointment, watching my niece, and kindergarten preview...is almost over. I have nothing to do tomorrow and I'm going to savor every minute. Now I've just got to think of something to keep my girls occupied while we wait.

Thanks for all your comments and for playing along with this months giveaway. I so enjoy the process of what I might share with all of you. Now for the winner.........

Congratulations TX Girl!
I'll get the book sent out to you early next week :)

PS in case you're interested how I choose the winner, I put in the number of comments at random.org and it randomly generate a number. It's easy peasy.

march giveaway

Right now I feel like I'm running faster than I have strength. In fact, I'm not quite sure how I'm doing all that I'm doing, but I'm grateful that I am. I'm really glad I have this brief moment before dance to post my giveaway because yesterday I actually had an SPT, but not time to post it. Sigh! I hate when I'm this busy.

So without further ado, this month I'm giving away a small 4x5.5 inch book I sewed together and bound with ribbon. Let's just say it's my ode to spring.



To enter just leave a comment and I'll announce the winner Friday.

Have a great day!

february winners

Congrats Amy and Liz. You're the winners of my February giveaway.

Email me which kind of gift card you would like (itunes, etsy, or amazon) and I will get it to you this week.