Pieces of Paris winner!

Hey there. How have you been? 

I've been a bit scarce around here lately. Life happens, you know what I mean? But I've made it back in time to announce the winner of today's random drawing.

I tossed the entries into random.org & out popped the lucky......

QueenBe from QueenBe'sAlteredNeeds

 

Congrats, QueenBe! I will contact you with instructions for claiming your Pieces of Paris.

Thanks to all who entered. I hope to post a new giveaway prize later today, so please stop back if you get a chance. Sorry to be flaky - 'tis just that kind of day week life.

Tampa Etsy Craft Party photos

Jenny Conn adds her touch to the collaborative canvas

Last Friday the family had a blast at the 2nd annual Global Etsy Craft Party. Did you make it to your local shindig? 

Jenny ran the embroidery/cross stitch demos

The Tampa event was great fun, a much more intimate gathering this year. In 2010 the focus seemed to be more on vending, but this year was all about fun demos, new friends, and good food. 

this lovely lady is from whitwamorganics.com  

This family friendly event was open to everyone .. well almost everyone...

J. Conn's sampler - sorry about my flash

This is where I apologize for the cruddy photos. My camera & its battery were both on their last gasps, so the pics leave a little something to be desired.

Everyone added their special touch to a big canvas. 

This collaboration was a gift for the generous folks who donated the party space at the last minute.

Miranda Hammond was sporting a new Tardis tattoo

The make-it/ take-it demos were awesome and varied.

Amanda Barber

From making button necklaces 

Rachel Zablocki

to cake decorating

(the cake table was very very popular)

Kristen Bird from birdhousedesigns.etsy.com taught leather keychain making

Little Dude also had a grand time pounding away over at the leather working station.

While I enjoyed the coffee roasting demos

yummy coffee from Kaye Brown of Jitterz Cafe

There was a children's station for budding young artists

Plus

Greg Hilferding's table was busy all night

dreamcatcher tutorials

& other creative activities.

Cthulu cross stitch from J.Conn

Basically there was something for everyone

Although some were left wanting more....

Want to see more photos? Click here to find additional pics from the Tampa bash on Facebook. Visit ThatGirlAllie's blog. Or click here for worldwide images from the Global Etsy Craft Party on flickr.

Also here is a list of some of the creative business people I met on Friday. (If I missed anyone, please let me know & I'll add you asap)

Allison Barkley - ThatGirlAllie.com
Lindsay Blankenship - WorkingSquidDesignCo.etsy.com
Kristen Bird - BirdhouseDesigns.etsy.com
Kaye Browne - Jitterz Cafe
Michelle Palenik - PurpleCloudStudio.com
David Whitman (& family) - WhitwamOrganics.com
Aris - LiteratiCreative.com
Carmen Taylor - PomFlair.com
Kara Mundy - Kara Mundy Body Art
Juhli Green - GreenImage.com
Assorted folks from Brasky.org

------------------

Off topic - You still have time to enter my Pieces of Paris random drawing. Just leave a comment on this blog before 1 a.m. (EST) on 6/16 to have your name tossed into the hat. One lucky winner takes home a great bag of French-themed goodies. Click here for details

Musical Monday - Happy Birthday Xmas Dolly

Wow - Is it Monday again already?! 

I happened to peek over at TheNewXmasDolly's blog to see what today's suggested theme is and I see that she just had a birthday. So my dear this one is for you:

I hope everyone is off to a fantastic week. If you are looking to share or listen to some tunes be sure to visit Dolly or DeniseIsRunDMT. They always have something spinning on the turntable.

Since it is about 2 am I'm off to dreamland. But will be back later today with photos from Friday's local branch of the Global Etsy Party. 'Twas a grand time. Lots of good food, new friends , and craft demos. DH & Little Dude thought they would take off after an hour but ended up staying for 3. And the Dude brough thome lots of great crafty swag. But... more later. The only tune I'm singing right now is a lullaby.

What'cha doing Friday night?

Come out and play! June 10th is the second annual Global Etsy Craft Party and you are invited!! Last year's 5,000 people turned out for 500 craft parties, Everyone had so much fun that those fun folks at Etsy.com decided to do it again.

Friday night.... your town... world wide... get your Craft on! 

Okay, yeah, that sounded silly but you know what I mean

In Tampa, Florida we'll be hanging out at 108 S 12th Street in Channelside from 7-11pm.  By the way, I love these directions from Allison Barkley "If you've ever seen that crazy metal dragon sculpture that lives in Channelside, that's right beside the building we will be gathering in. It is a light purple building that has "Lofts of 12th" on the front side. There will also be a huge sign letting you know you're at the Tampa Etsy Craft Party."

So, will I see you there? This event is FREE and open to the public. We'll be enjoying tasty treats, great conversations, and demos about everything from making dream catchers to roasting your own coffee beans. There will also be a Make it & Take it Table full of art supplies for kiddos (young and old) to play with. Sounds like a fun night to me! Pop by if you have the time, I'll save a space for you. For more info, including a list of demos visit Tampa Etsy Craft Party on Facebook or http://www.meetup.com/etsy/Tampa-FL/

If you are not in Tampa on 6/10 (heaven forbid) hurry over to meetup.com/etsy , enter your location and find the party nearest you. It'll be a grand time

Musical Monday - Happy Birthday, Harvey

Actually, I think the average voice is like 70 percent tone and 30 percent noise. My voice is 95 percent noise. -Harvey Fierstein

I was looking around for some Musical Monday inspiration and noticed that it is Harvey Fierstein's birthday today. Here's one of my favorite H.F. tunes:

What are you listening today? Want to show off your fabulous taste? Post to your blog and then head on over to XmasDolly and RunDMT to share your rockin' tunes. While you are there, click some linkies & have a listen to what other Monday music lovers have posted.

Before you go, can I interest you in some crafty Paris swag? In 10 days I'll draw one lucky winner from everyone who leaves a comment on my blog before 1 a.m. (EST) on 6/16. Free shipping world wide to winner. For prize details, click here.

And if you are in Tampa, FL area this Friday.... the Tampa Etsy Craft Party is on! Stop by & enjoy some wholesome handmade goodness on 6/10 from 7pm - 11:30 pm. This year's bash will be over by the aquarium (‎108 S 12th Street in the Channelside district). There will be lots of fun creative folks, yummy treats, a kid's table, and several crafting demos. This event is open to the public, no need to be from Tampa or Etsy.com. So come out & get your craft on!

Find event details & a list of demos on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=219420521415349 or meetup.com  http://www.meetup.com/etsy/Tampa-FL/100657/

I am baking some sweet treats & will be manning the children's table. If you do visit, be sure to stop by and say hello! Also, this gathering is still evolving ... so if you have any skills, treats, or tables that you want to share please do.

New Thursday Giveaway - Pieces of Paris



Shakespeare & Co.

I can't believe it has been a whole month without a random drawing! Where did the time go?


Batobus on the Siene


Oh yeah -that's right....

 I'm still floating on the cloud of lovely Paris memories,
so how about a faux-French giveaway?

I still have to unpack all of the wonderful bits & pieces found on the trip. Plus I've picked up additional Paris-themed goodies since returning including cute Eiffel Tower charms from GatheringSplendor.etsy.com.

Eiffel Tower Charm + photo from GatheringSpendor.etsy.com

Over the next 14 days I will collect some fun pieces into a lovely bundle - papers, ribbons, fabric, jewelry bits ... plus an original drawing/painting/collage or two.

I'll also include a couple of photo ATCs from the trip. We took hundreds of pictures - I've posted only a handful so far. If you missed them they are here, here &  here. I'll post more soon.

Am I tempting you yet? Leave a comment on my blog before 1 a.m. (EST) on June 16 and you will be entered in this great giveaway. On 6/16 one lucky winner will be randomly selected to take home everything in the package. Giveaway is open worldwide with free shipping to the winner. Please be sure to leave an email if your comment doesn't automatically link to your contact info.

Au revoir et bonne chance!

Almost Wordless Wednesday - Hôtel Baudy studio

A peek into the garden studio behind Hôtel Baudy (Giverny,France). I have more photos of this space & colorful garden. But I am in a wee rush today. Will share them soon.