2012 Calendar Swap - Giveaway

Giveaway closed

Congratulations to Janetfaye, Tessa, and Shasaphire. Your names were randomly chosen (I decided to give 3 calendars away). I've emailed you and await your reply.

Thank you to all who participated!

I've always enjoyed seeing all the new handmade calendars popping up this time of year. I decided to join a Calendar Swap this year hosted by Design Crush. This project surprised me. To create a calendar from scratch is quite challenging. The kerning alone was a doozy. But, I'm happy with the way it turned out. Will I do it again? I'm not sure. Perhaps with some of my photography next time.  I received my calendar from Eye Poetry Photography. Her photography is beautiful and you can purchase the very calendar in her Etsy Shop.

My design was based on my own preferences.  I created separate pages with tabs and a note section for each month (yes, I cut out each one individually).  I clipped them all together with a magnet to hang close to my desk.  Even though my main calendar is on my computer, I like to look at something for quick reminders.  As each month is separate, I can also hang them up in groupings.

I made extras and if you'd like one let me know in the comments below or on my Facebook fan page. I'll draw two names on Friday (December 16) at noon PST.  Two individuals will receive one calendar each (magnet clip and decorative envelope included).  Keep it for yourself or give it to a friend.

Here's to 2012!

Want a bag from a la mode?

Giveaway closed

We have a winner!

Amy guessed correctly! 
The number is 132 and can be found in this post.

It's been a busy couple of weeks. Between getting the house in order for the move and my back going out (may be a ruptured disc), my studio giveaways have been lost.  So today, I'm happy to get back on track with this bag giveaway.

I've chosen a number between 1 and 250.  Guess the number and this bag is yours.  Here's a hint...the number can be found in one of my blog posts.

Bag details:  This OOAK (one of a kind) bag is made from high end upholstery.  The modern design is a favorite of mine.  It is approximately 12"w x 13"h x 1"and sits nicely on your shoulder.  A magnetic snap closure will keep your valuables safe inside and the compartmentalized slip pocket will help keep you organized.  The seatbelt shoulder strap and tab closure are signature á la mode features. 

This giveaway will end when someone guesses the number correctly.  You can guess 2 times a day.  Let me know your answer by commenting below, tweeting me, or a comment on my Facebook fan page.

The alamode STUFF studio GIVEAWAY

As you may know, I'm moving across the country.  We're loading up the covered wagon in Rhode Island and moving to Reno, Nevada.  Packing has begun in earnest this week.  Movers are coming out to give us estimates.  Purging is in full swing.

Besides selling much of our personal belongings (out with the old, in with the new) in tag sales throughout spring, I've decided to give away items I've made in my studio to YOU, my wonderful fans, friends, and followers.

Like any "maker," I have dabbled in various projects many of which have landed on my website or Etsy shop.  However, I have lots of things that never quite made it to the public.  From bags and jewelry, to mini canvas art and switchplates. They are all new unless otherwise noted (I may have sample bags that are slightly used).

Here's the plan:  I will choose a group of items weekly.  For instance, this week I'm giving away these resins rings below.

I will tweet or announce on Facebook anytime or any day during that week (Monday-Friday) with instructions.  You simply have to respond accordingly.  It's that easy.  The only restriction is you can only win once a week.  For instance, if you win a ring this week you'll have to wait until next week to try winning again.  However, you can still spread the word and RT for great karma points.

I'll be giving these 6 silver plated adjustable resin rings away, one at a time (randomly), sometime between now and Friday (March 4).  Watch for the announcement on Twitter or my Facebook fan page and one could be yours!

September Giveaway with Spiffing Jewelry - custom stamped id bracelet

Giveaway CLOSED

Congratulations, Trixx!!

Thanks to all who participated and promoted.  I appreciate it greatly.  While you may not have won this giveaway, I'm offering a 10% discount 'til Sept. 30, 2010, to all who participated.  Simply add the code SpiffingJewelryGiveaway to the note to seller at check out and I'll refund your discount to your Paypal acct.  I will be double checking the list of participants so no non-participants, please.

Today, for us, is the first day of school.  The kids got off okay and I am breathing a sigh of relief.  September (I know it's technically still August) is a month of many changes.  Additionally, September 2 is my 3rd "Etsyversary."  I officially opened my shop on that day in 2007.  So, I thought this would be a great time to have another giveaway!

I'm excited to have Annie Nygard's, Spiffing Jewelry, as sponsor for this giveaway.  I came across Annie's shop a while back and loved it.  Simply visiting her shop will put a smile on your face.  It's bright and cheery.  Annie's jewelry is both casual and fun and make a great gift for yourself or a friend.  Here's more about Annie:

I've been crafting since I was old enough to hold a paintbrush, and I've tried every craft I could get my hands on... but once I discovered jewelry making, I just couldn't stop.

I got into making jewelry after discovering these handmade charm bracelets that I wanted to get for my bridesmaids as a thank you gift for being in my wedding... but I soon found out said bracelets would cost me nearly $200 a piece! The crafty-gal in me quickly said "I could make that", and off I went. I made my bridesmaids, junior bridesmaid, flower girls, grandmothers, mom, mother in law all jewelry for the wedding, and my own wedding jewelry as well. I then made cuff links for all of the men in the bridal party.

Shortly thereafter I used leftover beads to make the original Spiffing necklace, which I wore so often, I had to replace the cheap-ish beads I'd used with higher quality crystals and pearls. Every time I wore that necklace out of the house, I would get a compliment from a stranger, followed by the inevitable question: "Do you sell your jewelry?" For nearly a year I kicked myself each time this happened, wishing I had simply a business card or a website...

After getting married I decided there was no better time to take on a huge project like starting a business.  My goal is to provide super fun jewelry to help all women wear a bit of their personality on their sleeve (or ears, wrist, or around their neck)." [source]

Annie has generously offered a custom id bracelet for this giveaway.  That's right, you can have any one word (including signs for those who may want their Twitter user name) custom stamped onto an aluminum tag and strung onto 30" of  genuine suede cord.  You even get to choose the cord color.

Thank you Annie, for making this giveaway possible!

Entry details:
Visit Spiffing Jewelry and come back to this post and leave me a comment about your favorite item.  Make sure your comment includes contact information. (1 entry)

4 Additional entries when you:
1) Tweet about this giveaway. Be sure to include @alamodestuff in your tweet so I can keep track. (1 entry)

2) Blog about this giveaway with a link to the post. (1 entry)

3) Follow this blog.  If you already follow, let me know. That counts, too. (1 entry)

4) Follow Spiffing Jewelry's blog, Twitter, and/or Facebook and let me know. (1 entry)

Please let me know if you done any of these to ensure you get your extra entries.


One (1) winner will be randomly chosen (through Random.org). Contest ends Friday, September 3, at midnight EST.  Winner will be notified by Monday, September 6.

Home is wherever I'm with you - new print by a la mode Stuff

Giveaway closed
congrats to Liz, Lindy, and Mary Ann!

Greatly influenced by my recent Pin it Forward post about what home means to me (seen here), I  designed these prints over the weekend.

Coincidentally, I heard this song on the radio this weekend and thought I'd share it with you.

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros "Home" from Edward Sharpe on Vimeo.

I'm thinking about selling these prints but need to experiment with papers and printing.  In the meantime, I've printed several on 8 1/2" x 11" matte 8mil brochure paper.   I'd love to give 2 of them away.

If you like them, leave your choice between the two in the comments.  I will choose 2 names via Random.org on Wednesday, June 16, at noon EST.  One entry per person, please.

alamode May giveaway with Septic Soaps

- Giveaway closed - congrats to Cyn!

A few months ago I posted some funny Etsy finds.  Septic Soaps, a handmade soap shop with sass, was one of the shops I featured.  You know how I'm a sucker for marketing (and a cheeky sense of humor) and these soaps caught my eye immediately. 

Need to wash some childhood trauma from you life? 

Here's the solution! 

Lori Holcomb is the creator of these soaps:   

I began making soaps about 2 years ago because everything seems to bother my skin and I ended up making my Lucky Lather Soaps (luckylather.etsy) first. They are so pretty and yummy. My husband and I both have a pretty naughty/wicked sense of humor...one night we wrote up about 3 pages worth of funny/insulting soap names and said we should try to make some. I came up with the "Septic Soaps" name when our septic tank at home exploded (fortunately outside of the house and not in)...it seemed very appropriate for what we wanted to do. It took me around a year of procrastination and unhappy packaging problem solving that was holding things up...then BAM! I figured out what I wanted to do and did it. (Standard creative process for me with both soaps and my jewelry shop: cherrymatador.etsy) I am always doing things in bursts, leaps and bounds. 

My husband helps with the creative, brain-storming, back-seat driving part of our business but I am the one-person workforce cooking, pouring, wrapping, designing, selling and all the other nonsense that goes along with this business. [He has the 'real' job...I used to work for attorneys but, once my two kiddies (8 & 5) got big enough for school, the hours were murder on our household and I was forced to make some changes.]

My soaps are currently in two local boutiques and I plan to try to expand that number by the end of the year. Cooking is probably my most favorite thing in life (aside from my family). Soaps fall into that same category...I get to cook/create, mix and sniff (instead of tasting) and try to get the color and texture 'just-right'. I am all about a good laugh, too...and I hope that our Septic Soaps give people a good chuckle or a blush with a "oh, my!" or something that takes away from the monotony of the everyday for them. We will have many more coming very soon!

Lori has generously offered her OCD 3 bar set of soaps to be given to someone with a wicked sense of humor!  The set will include lonely loser, childhood trauma, and lawyer lather.

Thank you, Lori, for sponsoring this giveaway and for your fun sense of humor!

Entry details:
Visit Septic Soaps here and come back to this post and leave me a comment about your favorite soap and why.  Make sure your comment includes contact information. (1 entry)

3 Additional entries when you:
1) Tweet about this giveaway. Be sure to include @alamodestuff in your tweet so I can keep track. (1 entry)

2) Blog about this giveaway with a link to the post. (1 entry)

3) Follow this blog.  If you already follow, let me know. That counts, too. (1 entry)

Please let me know if you done any of these to ensure you get your extra entries.

One (1) winner will be randomly chosen (through Random.org). Contest ends Friday, May 21, at midnight EST.  Winner will be notified by Monday, May 24.

Save the Date - Crafted by Lindy Blog Baby Shower - Giveaways

Lindy Turner (aka Crafted By Lindy) has been a contributor to this blog since September of 2009. She has become an online friend through blogging, Twitter, and Etsy. She is a member of the Alberta Street Team on Etsy and writes for the Indie Girl Blog as well as her own, Crafted by Lindy. Lindy is a self professed paper fanatic and creates whimsical illustrations and stationary which she sells in her Etsy shop.

Baby #2 is on her way!!

Being a friend from afar and through blogging, I thought it would be fun to throw Lindy a virtual BLOG BABY SHOWER. You are invited to join in on the fun!! No fuss, no muss...just well wishes and great fun!

Next week - March 10-12 - I will be co-hosting this shower with 2 other blogs, Candied Fabrics and Smidge Box (please take a moment to vist these great blogs). We will host several giveaways and share some fun stories, antecdotes, and tutorials.

In the meantime, get to know the co-hosts, sponsors, and guest of honor!

Guest of honor:
Crafted By Lindy: shop :: blog

Co-hosts:
alamodestuff: shop :: blog

candiedfabrics: shop :: blog
smidgebox: shop :: blog

Sponsors:
SeaFindDesigns
CandiedFabrics
alamodestuff

Oh, and spread the word! The more the merrier!!

Be a socially conscious consumer and support independent designers @Moxsie .com

Shopping online has become easier over the years. Now we can buy anything from anywhere at anytime. We can also make socially conscious decisions about what we buy and from whom. But beware of savvy marketing. Being "green" is the thing these days and many companies put more effort into clever marketing than true sustainability.

[As a socially conscious independent designer and business owner, being truly "green" is on the forefront of all my decisions. I work hard to find materials that would otherwise be discarded. My seat belts and upholstery are all overruns or remnants. My seat belts come directly from a local manufacturer, not a third party buyer. I even save my own remnants and find new ways to use them. My new wallets, checkbook covers, and business card holders are a prime example. They utilize all my smaller scraps. From there, anything left over is donated to a child who is learning to sew or an artist who uses tiny scraps in his work.]

Having so many choices means that we need to be vigilant in our efforts to buy responsibly. Recently, I came across a San Francisco company called Moxsie which not only promotes independent designers, but also "donates a portion of all sales to the charity of each shopper's choice."

Moxsie was created by Catalina Girald when she realized there was a need to not only support talented, independent designers but bring them to the attention of socially conscious consumers. "These brands do not exist for volume, they exist for passion and causes."

"Moxsie's mission is twofold: to provide world class service to our consumers and to find and support talented designers from around the globe. We look for artists with a purpose and sustainable or cause driven designers. We guarantee quality of construction and originality of design and we don't sell fur or products made from endangered or threatened animals."

Moxsie has launched a new Eco Shop focusing on organic, socially conscious and reclaimed material clothing, shoes, and accessories. So now, I can buy an Eco-friendly outfit, support an independent designer, AND give to a great cause...all in one push of the "buy now" button. Now that is what I call a fantastic circle of socially conscious consumer life...and, well, great karma.

Here are some of my favorites from their site (click photo for more info):

And here's more...Moxsie offers free shipping and returns within the US, Alaska, and Hawaii. They've also offered my readers a discount of 15% off any purchase through the end of the year. Simply use this code, Eco15, upon check out! They are planning some fun giveaways around the holiday, so check their site and blog often.

Week in review

Well, I hope you had a great week. Beside the e. coli scare, mine was great. I'm working on orders for 3 of my clients: Habitatter.com; Studio Six (Bristol, RI); and Clover (Seattle).

I also finally "mastered" my wallet design. After making 4 wallets, cutting them apart, restitching, cursing, throwing, and gritting my teeth, I came up with one that satisfied me. While this design has been floating around in my head for at least the past year, I was motivated to make it for a great challenge by my Etsy handbag team, CAB (Carried Away). This challenge was to make a change purse of some sort to be added to our CAB Team shop.

Each challenge is geared toward a specific cause/organization. The Change purse for Change challenge #2 is giving all proceeds to Woman for Woman International. So, if you are in the market for a change purse or bag and want to support a great cause, check out this shop! We will also have a giveaway at the end of September! I'll keep you posted.

I'm also excited to be teaming up with Mad Housewife Cellars, a great wine and fun label.

I'll be creating some exclusive items for them that will include cheeky, retro switchplates, jewelry, and wine charms.

If you are in the RI area, you can request this wine at your local liquor store. It isn't available here yet. It is available in other parts of the country, so look for their fun label.

Check out their recipe challenge/giveaway announced on Facebook. I will also be giving away some of their fun t-shirts.

So, as you can see I've been busy and fun things lie ahead! Hope you have a great weekend!!

End of summer giveaway

GIVEAWAY CLOSED

I am resisting the urge to throw my name into the draw for this next giveaway. I love photography, especially Polaroid pictures, and I love note cards. Lindy Turner's Polaroid greeting cards are simply too hard for me to resist.

Lindy lives in Alberta, Canada, and admittedly has a paper obsession:

"I've been obsessed with paper for a number of years. When I made the decision to stay at home with my son full time I decided I needed something for me. I've been making cards and stationary for a number of years so I quickly started working on some images and opened my Etsy shop in February of 2009. I didn't realized how much my shop would feel like work, how many great people I would meet and how much I would love it! It's been a fantastic experience so far.

I'm currently obsessed with single images on solid white backgrounds. I can't get enough which is why you'll notice the majority of my products look this way. I love creating and nothing beats the rush of discovering something new or having a project turn out just how it's pictured in my head."

Lindy's work includes adorable characters such as Olive the Octopus, Beatrice the Birdie, and Timmy the Turtle. All are colorful and irresistible. A collection of them would make a very cute statement on the wall of any nursery or children's room.


Lindy is generously offering 2 sets of Polaroid greeting cards (6 cards in all) to one lucky person randomly drawn in this giveaway. Cards include:

Be Yourself - Just Be - Beautiful

Wish You Were Here - Best Wishes - Make a Wish

The cards are blank inside and ready for your personal message. They can be used for any occasion or can be given as a gift. Each card comes with brown bag envelopes.

Details:

Visit CraftedbyLindy look around, come back to this post and leave a comment about what you find. Please be sure to leave me contact info.

One entry per person. Follow this blog (if you already follow, let me know) and/or retweet for additional entries. Yup...that's 2 extra entries if you do both. Max. 3 entries in all.

One (1) winner will be randomly chosen (through Random.org).

Contest ends Saturday, August 29, at midnight EST.

Winner will be notified by August 31 and must confirm within 24 hours or a new winner will be chosen.

July giveaway - zipper pouch from Bags and Buds

You may have noticed that on the right side of the blog --------> I've been featuring current giveaways and some great freebies I've found. If you are just now noticing, there are great giveaways and freebies on the right side of my blog --------->. I update often so be sure to check them out.

It dawned on my that I haven't had a giveaway on my blog since...well, last summer. Hard to believe. So, it's time for me to start doing some in addition to promoting others.

My July giveaway is sponsored by Bags and Buds. A fellow Carried Away Bag team member, Wendy has generously offered this great summer zipper pouch. Besides a keen eye for color and fabric, Wendy is known for her gorgeous bags with their signature fabric flower detail. This bright and cheery little number is perfect as an addition to your bigger bag or as a small clutch to grab and go. AND, it could be yours!

Giveaway details:

1. Visit Bag and Buds, look around, come back to this post and leave a comment about what you find. Please be sure to leave me contact info.


2. One entry per person. Follow this blog and/or retweet for additional entries. Yup...that's 2 extra entries if you do both. Max. 3 entries in all.


3. One (1) winner will be randomly chosen (through Random.org).


4. Contest ends Wednesday, July 8 at midnight EST.


5. Winner will be notified on July 9 and must confirm within 24 hours or a new winner will be chosen.

Great Giveaway!

I came across this giveaway I'm sharing with you!

Go to http://www.outofthepinksky.net/ for details!

Last day to enter my June giveawy!

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Be sure to enter this giveaway! The winner will be chosen and announced tomorrow!

My next giveaway will be a monogrammed outfit from Tiny Bubbles! You can preview Tiny Bubbles here!

Are you feeling lucky?!

I love giveaways! Here are two different giveaways to check out, but ya gotta hurry because they end soon! Be sure to click on the links below to read all about them!

Mother's Day contest from the Arts in Rhode Island Etsy Street Team. Win this beautiful necklace by Tracy Prince, of Stepping Stones and Sea Find Designs.

Win a bunch of great goodies from Scoutie Girl's 1st Indie Goodness Giveaway.

Twenty-four designers (myself inluded) donated items and you have up to Twenty-four chances to win. Read more at Scoutie Girl.

Hurry, have fun....and good luck!