vol.25

black friday super sale!!

First of all... Happy Thanksgiving!!

Second: I am going to be really lazy since it is super late and I am really tired from baking and cleaning all day (Thanksgiving is at our house this year) so I am copying and pasting this from the sale newsletter I just sent out to my subscribers. :) Please forgive me for the lack of creativity. :) I DID want to go ahead and give everyone a heads up on the sale. Just in case you planned to make a purchase tomorrow.... you may want to wait until friday and save a little money. :)

 
 the details:
Pour yourself a cup of coffee (or if your me, some hot chocolate) grab a warm blanket and take yourself on a shopping spree. All the while getting the black friday sale experience, minus the angry people, long lines, and horrible traffic! :) If you are going out, I wish you the best of luck finding that super special item! But please drive careful, Thanksgiving weekend is the worst for traffic accidents. So... onto the details.

For each 2 prints purchased you will have the option of choosing one free print. Please do not add your free print to your shopping cart, but please do let me know in the message to seller  (upon checkout) which print you would like as your free choice. There is no limit to how many prints you purchase. Example: If you were to purchase 4 prints, you would have two free prints to choose.

Christmas cards will be included with all prints purchased on black friday (11/28/08) Each print will come with its very own (let it snow) christmas card. Link provided is to show the card being offered, you will not actually be receiving a 20 pack of cards, but a single card for each print purchased. :)

Because I love all my customers Free shipping applies to both international and us buyers. To be eligible simply make your purchase between 12:01 AM and 1:00 PM pacific time. After 1:00 PM I will be updating the shipping charges back to they're normal rates.

I should be home all day to answer any questions you may have. I will be babysitting my sisters toddler and new baby, so things will be a little hectic but I can promise to get back with you super speedy!

Happy online shopping, please be safe... and try not to trip over anything on your way to the computer. :)

the hp touchsmart...

...has found a way into our home, and I've instantly fallen in love!

I finally got my new computer... after saving up for a laptop, and doing a ton of research, I seen one of these online. I kinda fell in love. The touchscreen sold me. I can literally draw directly onto the screen with my finger or graphire pen. The computer itself is built into the screen, the keyboard and mouse are bluetooth wireless and there is just one cord running from the computer/monitor to the wall outlet. Its a little on the heavy side (the screen is 22")  but is still portable around the house. Which is really what I wanted. :)

Oh- and that is my new lack coffee table,  my brother and his wife were kind enough to pick it up for me from ikea. Can't beat the lack at 29.00!

We are having problems networking this to my old computer, so I still do not officially feel like its my computer yet. I need access to all my drawings etc. before it can officially replace my old hp. We purchased it from best buy, and they matched staples' price which was a 100.00 less. So that was nice! It has 4 gigs of ram and is expandable to 8. I'm pretty excited about that. We also bought the three year warranty. I figure with a screen like this, the warranty is a definite must.

and this picture is another reason for the warranty. Trin loves the new computer... she is playing purble place and she is getting pretty good too!

Anyhow, I hope you all have a nice Thanksgiving! Our little family has soo much to be thankful for this year. Are you planning on hitting the stores on black friday? I'm staying home and avoiding the traffic and mobs of people. Instead I am going to babysit for my sister and let her and my sister in law enjoy the traffic. :) If your one of those people staying home and scouting the internet for black friday sales you will find one happening in vol.25 for friday only.  I'm not sure exactly what the sales will be, but there will also be door prizes for the first 5 sales. :) I will be sure and do an official black friday blog post by tomorrow.

shes growing like a weed...

see what I mean? She is 4 months old already!  She is real close to sitting up on her own, and rubs her eyes when she's sleepy now... which I absolutely adore. No more hiding it from mommy! She fights sleep when being rocked, and would much rather put herself to sleep. She's teething and drooling like a baby. :) She also is completely different from her big sister in the fact that she is shy! Yep... we have a shy daughter... I can hardly believe it myself. Of course, my daughter being shy is a little more likely, but if you have met my husband you would know instantly what I mean. He can carry on a conversation with a brick wall, and I mean that in the nicest way. Its a trait I actually admire in him, being able to walk up to someone and strike up a conversation with little hesitation. I tend to have to "make" myself talk at first... but give me some time and I can very easily talk your ear off. :)

Anyhow, I thought I would drop in and give a picture update of the ever changing canvas living with us. She's such a doll and a lovely "work" in progress. :)

the building of a house... chapter one

Hello!

So, this is what I did this morning... the truss truck was scheduled to drop off the trusses to mom and dads house at 10:30 this morning. So, I loaded up the kids and took some pictures of the guys in action. It really works out good because my brother-in-law, and husband both work for my dad building houses. So, they are able to do 90% of the work themselves on this new house... means we can build a house quite a bit cheaper then normal. My uncle also works on the crew, and another 2 guys that live here locally. My brother used to work for my dad before he moved to Oregon, so when he comes back to visit he is also able to get in on the fun. :)

This is the back of the house and the patio. The patio is going to be really nice this summer. They are installing 2 ceiling fans out here, and I am really excited to see how it all turns out!

Jaydon (My better half) doing some cutting...

Jono (my brother-in-law) and my dad landing the trusses. How the guys manage to walk around in the trusses like this, just amazes me. I try not to worry about it!

Just a random picture from inside...

and this is the back view of the truss truck. oversized it was! :) So, there you have it... sorry if I bored anyone. :) This makes me soo excited to one day build our own house. Maybe next winter? A girl can dream. :)

drumroll please....

Hi everyone!!

So...  I think my first blog party was super fun... I thoroughly enjoyed reading everyone's comments. Some of you ladies have some real sweeties as husbands! :) You also gave me a wealth of inspiration... (Kari- I loved the quote by ee cummings, I already have an idea sketched out using the quote, I'll be sure and send you a copy when its all finished!) :)

And ms.Dragon... your lunch box note story gave me a gentle reminder to finish up a project I mentally started months ago. :) So thanks for that!!

So... anyhow onto the good stuff... the winners! Oh, and btw these were randomly drawn. :)

The two art journal winners are:

HB and Amber Zimmerman :)

The winner of the new print is:
Kasie from the art of life. :)

If possible can each of you e-mail me your address? My e-mail is: vol.25@hotmail.com

Thanks to everyone who stopped by, I really did enjoy everyone!!

Well.... I'll be back a little later with pictures of what I did today!! For anyone interested that is... ;)

Hello and welcome!

I decided to start the blog party a few hours early!! :) Hopefully this will work out better for the people over on the east coast. :)

Hi everyone!! Thanks for popping in, for my first annual blog party. :) I hope I can manage to be an adequate hostess. I can promise you that if you spill your punch, I wont freak out, and to be quite honest I am hardly stressing over the mess at all. Isnt that just odd? First of all, I want to thank everyone for leaving comments and congratulating me... your much to sweet! :)

Well, anyhow onto the good stuff... as you know I am hosting this party in honor of vol.25's 500th sale. I am really excited about having reached the half way mark to 1,000 sales. Obviously I couldnt have gotten there without my blog readers, and customers. Even if you haven't purchased a print, your support is still appreciated! I feel compelled to give back a little, so naturally I have a few surprises for you.

One: I am having a giveaway! I only *just* got in my art journals from promosinasnap and I think they are adorable. I was really wanting to get a mock up done (filled out and embellished) for proper photographing purposes... but I am too anxious and really wanted to share these. So, two lucky winners will be chosen to receive they're very own art journal. I dont think I will list these in the shop, I might send about 50 of them to the little black box for promotional purposes. :) You can color them, write in them, and there are also blank pages for stapling various items throughout the book. There are 12 pages total including the front and back covers, and they are sized at 4x6 inches.

To enter: when you comment just leave me an idea for a future work of art, weather it be a new project idea, or a quote, some inspiration for a new print... just about anything that you think may inspire. :) Just be sure and start your quote out as :inspire: and I'll enter you into the art journal giveaway... see you need to specify which giveaway your entering because there are two giveaway's going on! :) Yep...

Two: The second giveaway is for a brand new print I just finished today, (It isnt even listed yet) its been a work in progress for what seems like ages. So, I am happy to get it finished.

To enter this giveaway just leave me a sappy or not so sappy love story, love quote etc. Just be sure and start your comment with :love:. You CAN enter both giveaways, btw. :) Just leave two comments, and be sure to section both off as :inspire: and then :love: If that makes any sense! :) I will be picking three winners total on monday the 24th. So get your comments in before then!

Three: My third surprise is the addition of a new free download! I also finished these up specifically for this party.


They are recipe cards designed to coordinate with the "i heart kitchens series" available in the shop. The cards are sized at 3x5" So, I hope that size works great for everyone. :) You can download the pdf here. For all those who tried to download it and didnt get quite they were expecting... it should be fixed! :)

So there you have it the conclusion of my first blog party. I hope it wasnt too dull for you! I do have a new surprise that will be going out with your orders, and I'll have to wait to share that for another day. I am going to be extremely rude... and skip out on my own party. You see... Jaydon has offered to take me grocery shopping this evening, and if you have kids of your own... you know how much of a job it is to get your shopping done with the help of two "munchkins". Does that make me a bad hostess? ;)

...Besides... we are also planning to buy paint for the living room. A dark grey paint for the accent wall by the fireplace. We are planning to use a suede effect. I am excited!! Woo-hoo!! Dont have too much fun without me, dont worry about the blog... I'll tidy up when I get back!

this is kind of unbelievable...

... but I sold my 500th item today! Yep, seriously...

I am shocked, ecstatic, surprised and super duper excited!  I am sooo excited that I am throwing a blog party tomorrow at 9:00 PM. The party will most definitely include some free blog candy, a giveaway and a little bit of a surprise for all you scrapbookers, crafters etc. :)

So consider yourself invited... and feel free to pass the word on.

Thank you everyone for all your kindness. The blog and shop would not be what it is today without your support. :) I'll see you back here at 9:00 PM (pacific time) tomorrow!! Be sure and bring your lucky shoes... oh and if anyone wants to bring some punch, I'll supply the goodies. ;)

I am thrilled...

Vanessa from etsy sent me a message with some exciting news. Apparently etsy has handpicked 60 holiday cards for possible inclusion into the gift guide. My "let it snow" cards were one of those 60!

I'm pretty excited about it. :) They are allowing etsy members to vote on their favorite of the 60. So... you'll have to be sure and take a look at all 60, they picked some cute ones! Be sure and vote for your favorite too, its super easy... The polls will close tomorrow. As of now, there is only 20 hours left to vote!

Here is a link to the original storque article. :)

I also want to take a moment and welcome all the readers strolling on over from decor8. Holly was kind enough to add me to her blog roll a few weeks back. So if your a decor8 reader... we have something in common, I am a huge fan of holly's. She has a special talent for spying talent, and I love her sense of style. I've yet to see her feature something that doesn't intrigue or inspire me in some way.

Free 40 pack of holiday postcards

update November 18th- My postcard supply is beginning to run a little low, so I can no longer include these with your order. Sorry for anyone who missed out!

Yep, that right! When you make a purchase of 45.00 or more (excluding tax) just enter code: "holiday 40" you will have a 40 pack of these holiday postcards added to your order for free. :) Now you can shop for christmas gifts, and get your holiday cards absolutely free.  Here is a super speedy hyper link to speed up your shopping trip.

Just my way of saying happy holidays! :)

Arrrgh maytie!

I have NO idea if I spelled that right... but I hope you get the idea anyhow! :) I finished this print a few days ago. I Will Leave You A Map is now listed in the shop. I like to think of it as a reminder of how fortunate I am to have already found that little x on the map. :)

If your still in search of that special someone, this print can help remind you that they may be just a few "paces" away. :) How is everyone enjoying the cooler fall weather? I am really missing the days and days of sunny-ness. I hate dreary rainy days, it truly does depress me. Oh well, I am happy to live in a place that does experience all 4 seasons.... well at least I think I am. Sometimes California sounds real nice... but I really hate black widows, and I hear there are plenty of them out there... and dont even get me started on the tarantulas!! yuck :) So, anyhow... on to less creepy crawlyish type topics...

The newsletters went out yesterday, and Crystal C. was the lucky winner of the monthly e-love contest. :) Congratulations Crystal! Thanks for signing up for the newsletter!

I also have a little teaser for everyone. I'm working on something new to add the shop, or rather I am finished with my end of the project, I have all the "pages" designed, and it is now in the hands of my supergirl printer. :)  It will be a little mini journal of sorts, and I am really excited to share... but I'm going to wait until I can properly photograph it.

Hope everyone has a great tuesday!!