Giveaway winner, etc.

First of all, I'm so thrilled about the response generated by the Magnetic Etsy Giveaway! Thank you so much to everyone who entered, and to those of you who checked out Marleah’s Creations. Marleah, who generously provided the awesome magnets for the giveaway, also had a little something to say:

I'd like to thank everyone who entered the giveaway for the magnet set, and of course I'd like to especially thank Amanda for hosting it! I really appreciate this chance to share my shop with all of you, and I'm so grateful for all of the wonderful comments that I've read. I know that someone mentioned a custom order, and I would be glad to do my best to fulfill any custom orders, depending on what I have available -- specific colors, a certain area from a map? If you are interested, just let me know!

Check out all the cool stuff in her Etsy shop, if you haven't already. So I suppose you'd like to know who the lucky winner was, hmm?  According to random.org, it was…….. comment #11 by Oleander! Congratulations on winning the Robin's Nest Magnet Set!

In other news, I also surpassed 100 followers a couple days ago – woot! I hope that I’ll be able to do another fun giveaway in the near future… guess you’ll just have to check back and see, eh?

Also, I hope to share more about our basement bathroom situation soon, too... be patient with me!

* Fellow Blogger Shout-out *
For any of you who are interested in cycling, fitness in general, or food – and heck, even if you’re not – you should check out my friend Chelsea’s new blog, The Cycle Cow. She started it to document her preparations for the 100-mile (!!!) fundraising bike ride she’s doing this June, as well as other fitness- and food-related experiences. Let’s just say, it should be one wild and entertaining ride! (Pun intended.) Don't get left behind.... she's already on post #2!

A Magnetic Etsy Giveaway

* UPDATE: This giveaway is no longer accepting new entries. The winner will be announced soon!*

I have to admit, I haven't gotten into the whole Etsy phenomenon yet (buying or selling). It's not that I'm not interested - quite the opposite, actually. I'm afraid once I start looking at all of the shops and all of the cool handmade stuff, I'll want to spend too much time and money there. And someday, I think it'd be cool to have my own shop, I'm just not sure what I'd sell yet. That's kind of important to figure out first.

ANYway. My talented and crafty friend Marleah, on the other hand, does have an Etsy shop which she recently re-stocked with a variety of unique handmade items. Here's a sampling of what you'll find at Marleah's Creations:

Cumulus Scarf in Kaleidoscope - $25

This cozy scarf, measuring 5" x 60", will keep you warm and stylish! (And those of us who deal with these crazy harsh winters can never have enough scarves, am I right??)

The Crucial Cloth in Peppercorn - $15 (set of 4)

These multi-tasking crocheted cloths can be used for dish-washing,

face-washing, or even as potholders!

British Isles Magnet Set - $10

This set of eight (8) glass magnets was created using an honest-to-goodness atlas.

Small yet strong, the magnets are housed in a sleek, silver tin.

Here's the really good part... To help get the word out about her shop, Marleah has offered to give away a Magnet Set to one of my lucky readers! She was even nice enough to send me a set of my own just for hosting the giveaway. The problem is, I like both designs and can't decide which one to keep! SO, being the indecisive person I am... I'm going to let the winner decide for me.  :)

How cool are these??

Robin's Nest - Sophisticated stripes and leaf patterns in blue, brown, & cream

Sherbet - Funky stripes and dots in orange and white

(I must apologize, my pictures are nowhere near as sharp as Marleah's -- just imagine these taken with her camera instead.) 

If you're like me and the mismatched magnets currently on your fridge are just the free, flimsy, fugly promotional ones (see Exhibit A), then you could really use a magnet makeover (see Exhibit B)!

Exhibit A

Exhibit B

Imagine how they would spruce up an office filing cabinet or a magnetic memo board, too. They look just as good when they're not actually being used to hold anything up!

Now, here's your chance to score one of these marvelous magnet sets for FREE!  

• Leave a comment on this post and specify which set you'd prefer if you win (Robin's Nest or Sherbet). As always, be sure to include a valid e-mail address.
• BONUS - To earn an extra entry, just visit Marleah's Creations and leave a separate comment on this post with a link to your favorite item in her shop.
• Entries will be accepted until Tuesday, February 15, at 12 p.m. (CST). This giveaway is open to U.S. and Canada residents only.

Easy-peasy, right? That's how I roll.

And hey, even if you don't win, there are other cool magnet designs in Marleah's shop that you can grab (for yourself or perhaps a fun gift for co-workers) for only $10, which definitely won't break the bank, am I right?

Good luck everyone!



Bathroom Makeover: Part II (and giveaway!)

After some minor paint touch-ups and re-accessorizing, I'm finally done with the hall bathroom! But first, let's reminisce with the dark and dim Before:

And now, the lighter, brighter, better After!

I really like this bar of soap. It was kind of my inspiration for the new look.

So besides the paint color, what else changed in here?

• Replaced chrome towel bar with oil-rubbed bronze towel bar (which we already had on hand from our old apartment bathroom)
• Replaced chrome toilet paper holder with new oil-rubbed bronze holder
• Replaced shower curtain with new white curtain that lets more light into tub
• Minimized clutter by taking old, mismatched towels off etagere and putting them in storage until needed

Combined with the new wall color and crisp paint lines (thanks to ScotchBlue Painter's Tape with Edge-Lock Protector), these changes all made a big difference and really helped to pull the bathroom together. I was able to save money by keeping the neutral rug & toilet seat cover and one set of towels in here because they still coordinate with the new color scheme. Also, there was no need to buy a new soap dispenser or other decor/accessories.

Here's the cost breakdown:

Paint: $35 (Behr Premium Plus Ultra in Mojito/satin finish; Home Depot)

Toilet Paper Holder: $15 (Walmart)

Shower Curtain: $16 (Bed Bath & Beyond, with $5 off coupon)

Total Makeover Cost: $66

FYI - I love the Mojito paint color and can't believe I found the perfect shade of green. It has just enough yellow mixed in to make it bright and cheery without being obnoxious. I also think it would be a fun color for a kitchen. It looks great combined with deep browns, black, chrome, white, etc... Ok, I'm done gushing over this color now! (And no, I was not paid by Behr to say any of this.)

So, what are your thoughts on the before & after?

***THIS CONTEST IS NO LONGER ACCEPTING ENTRIES***

3M, who graciously provided me with the painter's tape that I used in the bathroom makeover, has offered to give away a roll of ScotchBlue Painter's Tape with Edge-Lock Paint Line Protector to 16 of my readers! I know all you painters out there would love to get your hands on this stuff!

All you need to do to enter is:

• Be a follower of my blog
• Leave a comment on this post (and just for fun, you can let me know what project you'd use the tape for)
• Make sure you have a valid e-mail address so I can contact you if you win.

I'll accept entries until Tuesday, January 25, at 5 p.m. CST.

Enter away, folks!



Giveaway Winner and Upcoming Projects!

For those of you who are dying to know, the winner of my $35 CSN Stores giveaway was commenter #11 - Chelsea from This Fresh Fossil! Congratulations, Chelsea, and thanks to everyone who entered!

Meanwhile, I have a few things in the works here at the house that I'm excited about sharing! Just to name a few...
- Painting of the hall bathroom
- Making a photo display wall
- Organizing the garage (ok, that's more Luke's project than mine)
- Re-designing my blog (perhaps in time for my 1-year blogging anniversary?? :)

And, I finally decorated my console table. Ok, so it's nothing special, but it helps spruce up our entryway! I got the "Faith" word on sale from BB&B for about $2. It was black, and I spray painted it white. Since we have an outlet right there, I suppose I could replace the candle with a lamp, I just don't have one that's a good fit. Anyway, I'll change it up again for the holidays!

Finally, I'm also looking forward to participating in the upcoming Dare to DIY parties hosted by Kim at Newly Woodwards! This fun idea comes just in time for the holidays, too. Go check it out - she was even nice enough to post a schedule for us!



Monday Fun-day Giveaway!

** This giveaway is now closed to new entries. **

Let's face it, Mondays suck. So make your Monday better by entering my giveaway for a chance to win a one-time-use $35 promo code to use at any CSN Store! Whatever it is that you need for your home, you can get it from CSN. A set of bar stools? A light fixture?  Maybe even a pet bed for your fur-child? I don't have the time to list everything they have, so just go to CSN Stores to see all the options. Here's another idea... if you're one of those un-selfish types, you could even use this to buy a Christmas present for someone, since the holidays are right around the corner!

I, for one, wouldn't mind snagging a couple of these sleek Aloha bar stools for our kitchen counter.

But, this $35 giveaway isn't for me, it's for YOU! So here's what you really care about... the rules!

1) Leave a comment on this post and let me know which CSN Store you'd use your $35 gift certificate at. (One comment/entry per person, please!)

2) Include your e-mail address in your comment. (Unless you don't want us to have a way to contact you if you're the winner.)

3) Become a follower of my blog. (See all my lovely followers over there on the left? You know you want to be one of them!)

That's it. Easy peasy!

This contest will remain open until Friday November 5, at 10 p.m. CST. Check back on Saturday to see who the winner is. Good luck, bloggy friends! And thanks to Cameron at CSN Stores for sponsoring this giveaway!
 

 
 
 
 Boring yet important fine print: Giveaway open to U.S. and Canada residents only. The winner will be chosen via random.org. Shipping charges may apply for certain products. Canadian residents may be responsible for paying international fees for certain products.

CSN Stores Giveaway Winner!

I'm proud to announce the winner of my very first giveaway! According to random.org (which is hard to argue with), the winner is... *drumroll*

 Comment #6!

Congratulations, Mrs. Chic from Chic Little House! I can't wait to see what you get with your $40 gift certificate to any CSN Store! Knowing you, it will be fabulous! And thanks to everyone else who entered my giveaway.

Luke and I have been busy around here the past few days with a couple of exciting projects (inside and outside the house), so check back soon for an update! We're also going to the farmers market this morning for the first time in a long time, and I'm pumped!

Hey, Hey, Whaddaya Say...It's a Giveaway!

*** This contest is no longer accepting entries. ***

What's that, you say? You've never won anything before? First of all, I can totally relate. Second of all, this could be the day that changes! That's because CSN Stores has offered to do a giveaway just for Little House on the Corner readers!

So what is it you've been wanting lately? Do you have a lot of guests but not a lot of space? Then maybe you'd benefit from a comfy sleeper sofa. Or perhaps you've got an empty wall that's screaming for a fabulous piece of art. Whatever it is -- be it cookware, office supplies, baby products, or home decor -- you can find it at any one of the 200+ CSN Stores. And the winner of this particular giveaway will receive a one-time-use $40 gift certificate to any CSN Store!

Personally, here are a few of the things I'd love to have for myself. These are all from AllModern.com, one of my favorite CSN Stores.

Vondom Fang Cuenco Flower Pot

These would be just the thing to brighten up our barren front porch!

Glenna Jean McKenzie Floral Pillow

I'd get a couple of these fun, fresh pillows to replace the red throw pillows on our couches!

Alessi Nuven Wire Flower Vase by Fratelli Campana

This unique vase is a work of art in itself!

So here's the deal. In order to enter this giveaway, you need to do three simple things:

1) Leave a comment on this post and let me know which CSN Store you'd use your $40 gift certificate at. (One comment/entry per person, please!)

2) Include your e-mail address in your comment. (Unless you don't want us to have a way to contact you if you're the winner.)

3) Become a follower of my blog. (See all my lovely followers over there on the left? You know you want to be one of them!)

Doesn't get much easier than that, huh? I'm leaving the contest open until Friday, May 21, at noon CST. Check back on Saturday, May 22, to see who the lucky winner is... It just might be YOU!

Boring yet important fine print: Giveaway open to U.S. and Canada residents only. The winner will be chosen via random.org. Shipping charges may apply for certain products. Canadian residents may be responsible for paying international fees for certain products.

Good luck! And thanks to Jess at CSN Stores for sponsoring this awesome giveaway!