Sometimes it's ok to be a follower

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Life Lately

Hello all my wonderful friends,
I know it's been awhile, much to long actually. 
Life has been full of challenges recently. I'm normally a happy, perky, optimistic person, but I had a little streak of sadness take over for a bit; and even though the events would have made great stories, I really didn't want to make everyone tear up day after day.
However, I do feel I owe everyone an explanation for my extended absence.
Pretty much, it started with the death of a very close family member. She had been one of my closest friends for my entire life. Her unexpected passing left me feeling so very much alone. I found myself many times dialing her number then crying as I realized that she would never answer again. It just hurt so very much.

Then, well to make a really long story short, I fractured a bone in my arm, and it hurt more than I thought a broken bone ever would. This event truly set my art back. For the first little bit it was almost impossible to create with it, but I learned, and now I feel so much better that I can use a little art therapy to cheer me up.

Finally, the topper that just broke my heart.
I recently lost a pet. It hurt like nothing I had ever felt before. She was the first furbaby to pass in my adult life. She had been a family member since pretty much the day she was born. She was an abandoned  rescue that we hand fed formula to every few hours, I was holding her the first time she opened her eyes, the first time she took her first bite of solid food, and I was holding her close while she took her last breath. I miss her so badly, words can not even explain.

So after a handful of sad events, I was a bit lost and needed to take some time. Lately though, I've been waking up with a renewed sense of life. I'm ready to jump back up and enjoy the little things in my everyday again. Ready to be a positive and uplifting person. Ready to enjoy the activities that make me who I am. 

And most of all, ready to create! 
Art is a great release,
a great source of happiness.

I've put a lot of thought into where I want to go with my creations. I want to expand from drawing and papercrafting and add art journaling and mixed media to my list. During the past few weeks I have amassed a huge amount of supplies for this endeavor. I'm truly excited to try something new and I can wait to share the outcome with you guys.


My latest Cuddlebug - Coming Soon

I'll post a list of my goodies that I'm starting out with soon, as well as a new Cuddlebug for you all, and I'm putting together a little Prima blog candy too.

Hugs,
Anna

Monday, August 11, 2014

The CLIMB Chain Linky


God’s Growing Garden

WELCOME!
It's the month long Networking Blog Hop 
With our 10th CLIMB GIVEAWAY!
Networking means helping each other grow!! 
If you want to promote a CLIMB link, then use #ChainLinkyCLIMB on Twitter or Google+ so that we can all help each other grow!
Here's how the Giveaway & Co-hosting works - the co-hosts from the previous month's CLIMB will have the opportunity to participate in a Giveaway during the next CLIMB - that gives co-hosts 2 months in a row of blog growing fun!!  (If you would like to co-host please sign up at the end of this post using the last "Linky") 
Please enter below -one person will win:
- $10 Paypal Cash
- $15 Starbucks Coffee Card

- 1 Ad Space on A Peek Into My Paradise for 30 days - $30 value
- Turbo Sponsor Spot on 100lb Countdown - $10 value
- 1 Ad Space on Cuddlebug Cuties - $10 value
- 1 Ad Space on Sew Crafty Angel - $15 value
- 1 Ad Space on Oh My Heartsie Girl - $15 value
- 1 Ad Space on Heartbeats~Soul Stains - $20 value
- 1 "Bottled Blues" Pendant/Keychain
 photo bottledblues_zpsf437cb77.jpg
BOTTLED BLUES - Lake Michigan Rare Bluestones in Glass Bottle, Real Cork on Silver Bead Chain Pendant or Keychain by ShorelineDesigned
Total prize value over $120!!

CLIMB Giveaway Rules & Conditions:
- this is open worldwide (void where prohibited)
- You must be 18 years or older to enter 
- You MUST have a valid Paypal account to win the Paypal Cash (otherwise this will become a second place prize)
- You MUST have a blog to win the Ad spaces (otherwise this will become a second place prize)
- You MUST live in the lower 48 of the USA to win the "Bottled Blues Pendant" (otherwise this will become a second place prize) 
- This Giveaway is open from July 31st, 2014 until August 29th, 2014
- Winner must respond within 48 hours or a different winner will be chosen
- Giveaway Hosts & Co-hosts can NOT enter this Giveaway!, however - AUGUST 2014 CLIMB blog hop co-hosts ARE allowed to enter this Giveaway (provided they are not also part of the Giveaway)
- correspondence is done through email and the winner's email addresses will only be used to deliver or set-up e-prizes.  Email addresses will NEVER be sold or shared.
- Paypal Cash will be delivered by Angie.  All other prizes will be delivered by the contributing Bloggers.
- if you have any questions or concerns about this Giveaway please email one of the hosts:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Now onto the CLIMB (blog hop):
We have changed it up a bit - instead of linking your homepage you may now link up to 4 of your family friendly blog posts per month!!

 
CLIMB by Angie Ouellette-Tower for godsgrowinggarden.com photo ClimbIntro_zps6919dad8.jpg


CLIMB by Angie Ouellette-Tower for godsgrowinggarden.com photo ClimbRules_zps77e9b7a4.jpg
By participating in this blog hop your understand that your link might be promoted on social media.  Also, by participating in this blog hop your email address will be added to our CLIMB list & you will be sent an email reminder next month. 

CLIMB by Angie Ouellette-Tower for godsgrowinggarden.com photo ClimbLink_zpsf527c076.jpg

Remember - If you co-host you will receive a free Weekly Sidebar Ad and your blog button will appear on both Angie's blog & Angel's blog!!

(The Ad will run live a few weeks after you have co-hosted)

CLIMB by Angie Ouellette-Tower for godsgrowinggarden.com photo ClimbCo-host_zpseca2ac09.jpg







Friday, August 1, 2014

Enjoy the View Giveaway!

I'm so excited to be able to bring you this $900 Giveaway
in honor of {enjoy the view}'s 2nd blogiversary!
There will be THREE lucky winners!! 
So you have an even better chance of winning!!


I wouldn't have been able to offer you this giveaway without the help of these very special bloggers!

Meet my fabulous co-hosts! All you have to do is click on a picture and you will be magically transported to that blog - and it opens in a new window, so you won't lose your place here.

Image Map

And I also have some wonderful sponsors! Again, you can just click on a name to be magically transported to that blog in a new page.

Image Map


Here are a few details about the giveaway:
  • Giveaway is open worldwide. Void where prohibited.
  • There will be three winners chosen. 
  • The grand prize is $500, 2nd prize is $250, and 3rd prize is $150.
  • Winners have a choice of receiving their prize as Paypal cash (requires a valid Paypal account), or a gift card to Amazon, Target, Home Depot, or Lowes.
  • In order to choose Paypal cash as a prize, the winner must have a valid Paypal account. Winner will also be responsible for any fees associated with accepting Paypal cash.
  • Gift cards will be issued via email. 
  • Winners must respond via email within 72 hours of notification in order to claim prizes. If no response is received within that time, a new winner(s) will be chosen. 
  • Please be sure to read the complete terms & conditions on the Rafflecopter form.
  • If you have any questions, please email Kim at enjoytheviewblog at gmail dot com before entering the giveaway.

And now to the part you've been waiting for - the GIVEAWAY!
Good luck!!

 
What will you do with the money if you win?
Disclaimer: Prize to be distributed by enjoy the view.