And the Winner Is...

And this week's winner of the FINAL festive friday is...

Congratulations, Alexa! Alexa won a 16"x16" original snowflake pillowcase by Harvest of Blessing!

Thank you Chantel for giving away such a beautiful pillowcase!

Remember to check out Once Was Lost to see how you can support a family with their adoption!

Festive Fridays : The Last Giveaway! : Original Snowflake Pillowcase

I don't have a cool graphic today - sorry guys! Not at the regular computer.

Today I'm partnering with Chantel from A Harvest of Blessing - Chantel is giving away an original 16"x16" snowflake pillowcase - perfect for cheering up your home this January and bringing the beautiful winter indoors!

Chantel's shop on StoreEnvy features a variety of beautiful items for your home. John and I actually purchased two of her canvas prints (one pre-made and we got one originally ordered!) and we get SO many compliments on these in-home beauties!

All of the proceeds from Chantel's shop go towards supporting their adoption - currently they are in the process of adopting a little one from the Democratic Republic of Congo. My personal belief is that if you aren't called to adopt, you're called to support adoption - no matter your faith or creed, kids need parents, and it costs a pretty penny to make that happen. Adoption is a community commitment.

Chantel and her husband have also started an organization, Once Was Lost, which seeks to raise funds to support adoptive families in funding their adoptions. Adoptive parents become affiliates on the site, and 50% of all goods sold on the site support their adoptions. It's that simple, and the decor available at Once Was Lost is fan-gorgeous-tastic. (If you are considering adoption, contact Once Was Lost to find out more about how to be an affiliate.)

So here we are, the final giveaway for Festive Fridays 2012...

 I buy all of my materials locally whenever possible (Chantel is located in Saskatchewan!), or when it is not, I like to buy through smaller shops online.

Many of the items in my shop (particularly the canvases) are made using some recycled material. I like to buy old books, patterns, and lace for my canvases from local thrift stores and have even recycled tissue paper from gifts to use on canvases as well.

All of the proceeds from my shop are going directly to our international adoption. The money we are trying to raise now will go towards our referral fee as soon as we get the referral for our child / children, which will hopefully be happening sometime in the spring!

Here's how to enter...
1. Go to http://waslost.org/ and click "like" to post to Facebook. Then tell me about it in the comments (mention Once Was Lost). This will get you 1 entry.
2. Follow Chantel on twitter, @chantelklassen. Let me know about it in the comments below. That will get you 1 entry.
3. Follow Chantel on instagram, http://instagram.com/chantelklassen. Let me know about it in the comments below. That will get you 1 entry.
4. Finally, follow my blog. That's right, become a follower. Commit, friend. Let me know about it in the comments below. That will get you a 4th entry. 

Enjoy, goodluck, and I'm jealous of your future pillowcase, winner.

Contest closes this Monday December 24 - Christmas Eve!

And the Winner Is...

This week's winner of Festive Fridays is...

Congratulations, Stacey! Stacey won an original 8"x8" canvas painting, "Two Wide Stripes" by Natasha Gouveia!

Thank you Natasha for giving away this beautiful piece of work! Remember to keep in touch with Natasha on twitter @natashagouveia5 to hear the latest news about her art & shows in the Toronto area!

For those of you who may be wondering, I thought I'd shed a little light on how I choose my winners!

1. I visit www.randompicker.org and log on in.
2. I enter all of the winners with their entries - one entry for each task you complete outlined in the original giveaway. This time around there were 11 entries.
3. I click to see the results of the draw and...
4. See the "Drawing Results" - as above you'll see that Stacey's "Original Artwork" comment became the winner!

Thanks guys! This Friday is my VERY LAST Festive Fridays giveaway and I'm super excited about it! In the meantime keep in touch!

Festive Fridays :: Giveaway # 4 :: "Two Wide Stripes" Original Painted Artwork on Canvas

Welcome to Festive Friday, on Saturday! Who says we can't be flexible? This week the contest will go until Tuesday December 18th.

This week I'm very excited to introduce to you an old friend of mine, and fabulous artist, Natasha Gouveia. I met Natasha back in our younger years and (like everyone else who has ever met this woman) knew she would be adding something special to the world of Canadian artistry. And of course, that's exactly what she's doing.

Today, Natasha Gouveia is giving away an original 2012 painting entitled "Two Wide Stripes". Two Wide Stripes is an 8"x8" acrylic on canvas painting valued at $80 and is the perfect gift for any discerning abstract art-lover on your list. Yourself included.

Natasha is located in Toronto, Ontario and her work is available for purchase and viewing at www.natashagouveia.org. She is often featured in Toronto and region galleries and her upcoming shows are announced on Twitter, @natashagouveia5.

She received her BFA from Ontario College of Art and Design University in 2011 in Drawing and Painting with a minor in Art History. In her final year, she completed the Thesis program and created "The Removal Series", which can be viewed at www.natashagouveia.org.

Natasha's work can be seen in public and private collections in Toronto and the GTA, most notably in the permanent collection in Bell Trinity Square. She is now the 2012-2013 Fellowship Winner in the Drawing and Painting Studio and a Resident Artist at the Mississauga Living Centre where she is creating a new body that allows her materials to inform her practice.

Natasha shares, "what differs a painting from a sculpture is the excavacation of the surface of a substrate. I work by finding a single process and using it until a surface is covered. By repeating a forced gesture, I am exploring alternative methods of painting."

I try to buy locally when I can but unfortunately there isn’t always the opportunity to do so. I love buying my art supplies at Curry’s and Aboveground, which are Canadian stores. And lately I’ve been using paint made by Tri Art, a company based in and creating their products in Canada. 

Having a sustainable practice is a challenge for every artist. Making art can produce a lot of waste. But despite all of the factors working against artists, it is still achievable. Like other artists that I know, I like to keep a lot of odds and ends so that I can use materials to their full extent, like scrap pieces of canvas and paper. I repurpose a lot of my materials to reduce waste and to cut costs. I love reusing old paint jars so I can store new colours in them and using old jeans as paint rags.

I keep an eye on what my family, friends, and neighbours are throwing away especially lumber. As long as a piece of wood is still usable I will try to build something with it. Actually, the frame used to build the painting that I’m giving away was made with found wood. 

What I’m really interested in is how paintings are images and are objects; two things confined to one space. It’s the duality of a painting that I find intriguing. It’s what I find inspiring about other people’s work too. Most of my inspiration comes from looking at artwork and working on my own. Work comes from working. I have the most ideas for new paintings when I’m busy working.           

I use a lot of black and white in my work because I want to explore structure, form, and shape on a two dimensional plane and I feel that adding colour for its own sake only serves as decoration. In keeping with a neutral palette I feel that the relationship between the shapes and their relationship to the canvas is emphasized. 

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Trust me on this, Natasha's work is something you want to get your hands on. It's something I want to get MY hands on! Abstract art is the perfect addition to every home. To see some ideas for how you can incorporate abstract art into your home decor, check out this  blog!

So here's how to enter:

1. Comment on this post about why you think it's important to add original artwork to your home decor.
2. Follow Natasha on twitter (@NatashaGouveia5) and let me know about it in a comment below. You must comment to let me know... otherwise I won't know.
3. Share this post on Facebook and let me know.
4. Share this post on Twitter and let me know.

Enjoy, friends!

Open to US & Canadian Residents Only

And the Winner Is...

This week's winner of Festive Fridays is...

Brianna Bell: Felt Toys

Julia: Baby girl headband

Congratulations, ladies! Brianna, you won a set of felt toys by Duch & O (valued at $13) and Julia, you won a baby headband of your choice by Duch & O (valued at $7)! Email me at samanthalisabutler [at] gmail.com to get your products in the mail!

 

Thanks to Ashley of Duch & O for giving away these awesome felt toys and headband! Remember to check out Ashley's shop on Etsy - her eco-friendly homemade accessories, toys, homewares and pet products might be perfect for someone on your list!

[I used www.randompicker.org to find out the winners.]

Festive Fridays :: Giveaway # 3 :: Handmade Felt Food & Baby Headband

Okay, I'm REALLY excited about this week's giveaway because I know a few moms who would really appreciate safe, environmentally friendly, homemade toys for their children. Wait - what mom wouldn't want that? EXACTLY. That's why you should enter this Friday's giveaway.

This week's giveaway will have TWO winners from Duch&O! That means your chances of winning are awesome! These will make a great gift for any future parent, parent or grandparent on your list.

Winner #1 will receive...
1. A 5-piece felt bowtie pasta set, with felt sauce & bag (valued at $6.11) AND
2. A 5-piece felt ravioli pasta set, with felt sauce & bag (valued at $6.11)

Winner #2 will receive...
1. A headband of your choice (valued at $7.50) - view options here

Sample headband Winner#2 can choose from! View the others at this link 

Sample headband Winner#2 can choose from! View the others at this link 

Duch & O is operated out of Barrie, Ontario and is one of the cutest Etsy shops I've seen. Ashley (owner) offers a wide selection of realistic felt foods for kids to play with, in addition to a wide array of mom-friendly products (mitten clips? yes, please) and fashionable accessories (see the headbands!).

I'll level with you here. I don't know Ashley. I found her shop by digging around on the internet for local shops, because (as you know), I think it's so important to shop local. I saw a few products she sells which I thought might be perfect for a couple of people on my list, and the next thing I know, she's agreeing to a giveaway! I love online communities!

What I love about Ashley's products is that they're colourful and bright. Just have a look at these felt peas or the donuts and strawberries! So, let's find out a little more why you should shop from Duch&O this Christmas season:

I am a firm believer in supporting the handmade economy, and also Canadian markets. I purchase a lot of my supplies through Etsy, and through many local suppliers here in Ontario!

My products are made in my spare bedroom/sewing room/photography room!  Everything is made to order, and within 48 hours of receipt of payment.  I sell to Canadians and Americans through my Etsy shop, with the majority of clients being from within Canada!  The majority of my supplies are also bought within Canada!  My goal is to visit as many as possible local craft fairs/shows in 2013 to get my items to more people in Central Ontario.

I love recycling!  I was looking into affordable and durable options for felt, and found a wonderful supplier that sells felt made from recycled plastic bottles!  It is soft, durable, and thick...all very important features in my felt.  It is unreal, and unlike any other material I have used! I love it!  I make all of my products, including collars, headbands, and mitten clips using as minimal waste as possible. All items are made to order, and definitely not mass produced.

My food products are designed to create imaginative play. The more realistic they are, the better!  I also hope that they will encourage kiddos to want to eat those nutritious and crazy vegetables!  I also hope to help moms worry a little less about the products they are putting close to their children.

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Here's how to enter:

1. Comment below on why you think it's important to be inspired when you buy gifts for a loved one. (That'll get you 1 entry).

2. Favourite Duch&O on etsy and comment below saying you have done so (That'll get you a second entry).

3. Like Duch&O on Facebook at this link, and comment below saying you have done so (That'll get you a third entry)

4. Tweet about this contest and mention me @_samanthabutler and leave a comment below saying you have done so (That'll get you a fourth entry)

Remember, there will be two winners this week! Goodluck!

And the Winner Is...

This week's winner of Festive Fridays is...

LINDSAY!

Congratulations, Lindsay! You won a boho chic bracelet by Karlie Bennett Accessories & Designs valued at $20! You can email me at samanthalisabutler [at] gmail.com to follow up and we'll get your super gorgeous bracelet in the mail this week!

Thanks to Karlie of Karlie Bennett Accessories & Homeware for giving away such a beautiful bracelet. Remember to check out Karlie's shop - her upcycled vintage jewellery and home decor collection might just be the perfect gift for someone on your list.

[I used www.randompicker.org to find out the winner]

Festive Fridays :: Giveaway #2 :: Handmade Boho Chic Bracelet Wrap

Wasn't last week's giveaway awesome? It was. Thanks to those who entered! To clarify, if you're sharing on Facebook or Twitter and want to count it as an entry, you need to leave a comment to let me know. Otherwise I won't know you shared it! Santa will, I won't.

And without further adieu... onto giveaway #2!

This week's giveaway is a handmade boho chic braided wrap (bracelet) from Karlie Bennett Accessories & Homeware, valued at $20 (a great Christmas gift for any lady on your list!) (Or yourself!)

Karlie Bennett hails from Orillia, Ontario and began selling beautiful jewelry and homeware on her Etsy shop in 2012. She created this one-of-a-kind bracelet for this Little Band giveaway, but sells a selection of gorgeous charms and chic wear for a variety of tastes.

All of her products are made from recycled yarns and vintage materials, so you can shop and live in style while knowing that your bracelet is made with a little piece of history.

So, let's find out why Karlie Bennett Accessories and Homewares is the perfect place to buy your Christmas gifts this season.

I am located in Orillia, Ontario and I try to purchase all of the materials and products used in my bracelets from local stores. For example, I like to purchase beads and charms from a local antique shop in downtown Orillia.

I try to make sure every material I use is being recycled and up-used. The fabric used in the bracelets are taken from old skirts, jeans and scarves. All the beads and charms used are taken from previous pieces of jewelry and the vintage buttons were bought years ago at a yard sale, just waiting for the right opportunity to be used. I use Eco Yarn that is made from recycled materials as well.

It's hard to say exactly where my inspiration comes from. Usually I just pick 3 different materials and start braiding them together, and then the rest of my inspiration, such as beading and charms, comes as I am braiding. I originally was bored at home one day in the summer and made a bracelet because I had nothing better to do. I wore it out and showed by Sister-In-Law and she said she loved it and that I should make more to sell. She was the inspiration to start making more and selling them. Sometimes different patterns in the material catch my eye and draw me towards choosing certain colours and beads to go with it.

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Here's how to enter. 

1. Comment below on why you think it's important to shop locally, sustainably or with inspiration. (That'll get you 1 entry)
2. Favourite Karlie on Etsy at www.etsy.com/shop/karliebennett & comment below to let me know about it (That'll get you a second entry)

3. Like Karlie's etsy shop on Facebook by visiting www.etsy.com/shop/karliebennett and clicking the Facebook "like" link. (That'll get you a third entry)3. Share the contest on Facebook & let me know (That'll get you a fourth entry)

4. Tweet about this contest and mention me (@_samanthabutler) (That'll get you a fifth entry)

Last week I threw the names in a hat. This week I'll be going high-tech and using random.org to choose the winner (I found out about it through another giveaway!). The more entries you give, the more times your name will be entered into the draw. The more chances you will win.

GOODLUCK! Contest closes Sunday December 2 @ 10 PM.