We Have A Winner.... and a new giveaway!

Meant to post this sooner but my internet was down for some reason...grrr....talk about bad timing!

By the time the world came back online (just in time to stop my withdrawal symptoms), my faithful assistant was at his play date. So I popped over to Random.org. Thanks to Lisa Falzon for pointing this site out in on her latest giveaway post, by the way.

A hearty congrats to random pick # 23 - Rukshana Hooda ! !
I'll be contacted you today, Rushana for your mailing info.

I'm digging this Thursday Giveaway thing!

By the great response,I think you are too. So let's do it again!

I've decided to try & make Thursday Giveaways a weekly feature. While I'll be contributing prizes, I'm also looking for others who'd like to donate. I'd like to stick with either items you've made or supplies for creating anything.

What is in it for you besides that warm & fuzzy feeling that you've made some one's day? Well, my last 2 random giveaways had almost 100 entries each. I'm guessing that will continue to increase once Thursday Giveaway goes weekly. Thursday's Feature will be all about you as well as your generous prize. With links to your shops, blogs, websites & what have you. I will also be promoting your prize (plus your talented & generous nature, of course) through a variety of online venues.

The 2 jewelry designers who donated prizes earlier this year WillsOakStudio & CelticKnot saw an increase in traffic in their shops & blogs during the contests.

So, what do you think? If you are interested in participating just contact me (my email's on my profile or just leave a comment) and we'll set something up. Till then, here is the next prize:

The Scented House by Penny Black.

Recipes & techniques for "Creating beautiful & naturally fragrant accessories for every room in the house".

182 pages of how to make colognes,potpourri, floral waters, candles, pomanders, sachets, pressed flowers, garlands, stationary & soap

I bought this hardcover book a few years ago with heavenly scented intentions. But it is destash time! Was all set to list in my Etsy supplies shop.... but I do love making someones day so here we go: Just leave a comment on this blog sometime before noon (EST) next Thursday May 21. I'll post the random winner that afternoon. Give it a go, it could be you!

If you have any opinions or interest in the weekly contest idea,please leave those comments too!
As Always Thanks For Playing!

Jumpy Jester Goes Sky Diving

First a special thanks to Kathy Maximo for lending me her photo of the challenge kit as I deleted mine. See her finished piece on her blog here. Each participant got a manila envelope containing a small folded bit of corrugated cardboard plus all these lovely bits:The idea was to create something using all (or all but 2) of these elements. Use a substrate of your choosing plus your own paints or whatever. Each participant was also allowed to add 1 item of their own, if desired.

So here is Jumpy Jester


And his hot air balloon
Sorry the pic is such crap - it was too windy to shoot outside today.

Here's a few detail shots.

The balloon is "powered" by faux candle, my extra piece.

Balloon & basket are paper mache."Sandbags" are clear plastic chips.
The wire on edge of chips was removed to make the Jester's joints

Backside of jester is colored bingo sheet.
Anchor is altered puzzle piece.
The "pull" is cut from a King of clubs playing card

And here is the jester just hanging around.

There is also a large colored ring on top but you can't see it in these pics. Out of necessity, I used all of the items in the package. I also tested the rules & used the shipping envelope plus the little piece of included cardboard. These added some much needed structure. I took a lot of WIP photos. Thinking about posting a tutorial if anyone is interested.

Early next week, the Melange On Etsy Blog should have images of the other entries. I'll add a link so you can see all the fun creations. Melange members have a sneak peek in our yahoo photos. There are some very cool interpretations. Each piece is one of a kind & very creative

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OFF TOPIC: Illustration Friday prompt is "fleeting". That describes my free time this weekend! Hope to post something but not sure if I'll find the chance. Please play along (such a fun word) or see what others have posted by clicking on the link.

OoPs! MiSsEd ThAt RaNdOm THoUgHt TuEsDaY aGaIn

Dang. I'm extra slow this week. I was saving this for Tuesday but the week's getting away from me: A little time-waster that is worth checking out, especially if you remember the 80s: www.dustfilms.com/literalvideos

Been stocking some valentine supplies in the ColorTheSky shop today - the cool thing is they've been flying off the "shelf" almost as soon as I list them! Wish I had more time - I have many many more things to upload. C'est la vie

Little guy is home this week with an asthma-type cough. All day at the docs yesterday yielded a new med which seems to be helping (yay!). However not much gets done besides Nurse-Mommy stuff.

Have to run. Hope you're having a creative day!