Win a Great Letterpress Poster!!!

Please ignore the fact that I decided to wear no makeup for this photo and that is why I look like death-warmed-over.  Or maybe like one of the victims of the SISTERS BROTHERS.

I just reviewed this book and was lucky enough to be selected to give away a lovely letterpress signed and numbered poster of the cover. Even if you don't read the book, I think the cover is pretty awesome from a graphic design standpoint. Plus, who doesn't love letterpress? 

Read more about my review and the giveaway here.

Lisa Leonard Giveaway!!!

(photo borrowed from and owned by Lisa Leonard)

I have been wanting this Lisa Leonard necklace for a LONG time!!!  I have entered every single Lisa Leonard giveaway that I can find trying to win a gift certificate. I haven't won yet but hope springs eternal!

Lisa is currently hosting a fabulous birthday giveaway. The winner will receive a Lisa Leonard gift certificate AND a Target gift certificate.  Boy I could really use those gift certificates right now!!!

To enter, go here.

(of course, I'm gonna win.....wink)

How My Life Would Be Better With a Serger

Sew Mama Sew is hosting a serger giveaway and I have to give it a shot!!!

(photo borrowed from and owned by SEW MAMA SEW)

Many of you know that I have recently become passionate about sewing.  There is just something so satisfying about creating homemade items on your sewing machine.  I especially love making handmade items and clothing for Noodlebug.  I have discovered when making clothes and knit items that simply using a zig-zag stitch for finishing does not give one the same effect that a serger would.  I'm so tired of seeing unpleasant looking raw edges and it would certainly help with hemming and generally piecing fabric together.  A serger would also be great for adding embellishments to my projects.  As my sewing skills improve, I would love to be able to take my projects to the next level with a serger so they don't look so unfinished and amateur-ish.  Since it is a luxury item, it would really make my day to win one!!!

I cannot have Noodlebug wandering around in homemade clothes with unfinished edges!! What would the other (crafty) moms say?  I can hear it now....."Poor Noodlebug's mom.  She works full-time and doesn't even have the time or resources to properly finish her child's clothing. Tsk tsk."

Members of the SEW MAMA SEW Editorial Board!  Please don't let me be the subject of such talk and speculation!!!

Fat Quarter Shop Giveaway

My friend Kim revived my love of birds recently and I have had birds on the brain every since.  I was looking at this charm pack on Fat Quarter Shop yesterday and was thinking about making a quilt from it.  I just don't have the money to buy more fabric right now, though.

THEN....I went onto one of my favorite blogs, V & Co., and saw that she is doing a Fat Quarter Shop giveaway! Kismet!!! 

The giveaway is for a Lumiere de Noel Moda Quilt kit. Wouldn't that be a fun project to tackle?

Might need some help with this one, though.

If you would like to enter the giveaway, go here.

Create Studio's Get Out and Play Spring Giveaway

Look what CREATE STUDIO is giving away! I need this! I am working on creating an outdoor play space for Noodlebug so that we can spend lots of time outside.  He loves being outdoors and I could use the encouragement to get my own bum off the couch.

To get in on the giveaway fun, go here.

Of course, I'M going to win!  (wink)

Darling Apron Giveaway

Can I just tell you how much I love this little apron?

We are big Disney fans at my house and this apron captures the essence of Minnie perfectly!  Never Enough is giving away this adorable apron and, if you win, it will be personalized with your name!  (of course, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I will win!)

Find the giveaway here.

Little Bit Funky Giveaway---Week Two

I dearly love the musician Keb' Mo'.  If you haven't heard of him, he is a blues artist whose music is filled with spirituality.  One of my favorite songs of his that always makes me smile is "God Tryin' to Get Your Attention." After seeing this giveaway today, I think I'm getting the message loud and clear.  Look at this wonderful piece:

It is a piece from the faith-inspired art collection by Red Letter Words.  I can just see it in Noodlebug's room.  It is Hannah's prayer from 1 Samuel 1:20. There are so many other wonderful things in this Etsy shop that I am on the verge of breaking my Etsy hiatus vow right now. But I will wait and see if I win Little Bit Funky's giveaway first.

By the way, my personal favorite scripture verse?  John 1:5.

"The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it."


(photo borrowed from and owned by Red Letter Words)

Little Bit Funky Favorite Things Giveaway

The ever-fabulous Little Bit Funky is hosting a weekly Favorite Things Giveaway! Today is the first giveaway and boy is it a good one!!! Free holiday card design with 100 printed cards! I could really use this!  To join in the fun, go to Little Bit Funky every Friday to find the latest giveaway. And cross your fingers!!!

(image borrowed from and owned by Little Bit Funky)

Madsen Bicycle Giveaway

Remember how I said I REALLY REALLY REALLY wanted one of these?  Well, Madsen is going to give one away every week!!!  Isn't that fabulous?!  Now, if I can just channel some good-luck-giving gnome or something. 

Anyway, if you want to join in on the giveaway fun, go check out Madsen's blog here.  Find more information on their lovely bikes here.

Maybe Noodlebug and I will get lucky this time and will soon be tooling around town on our very own Madsen!!!

Anniversary Reflections and A WINNER!!!

In honor of my six-year blogging anniversary, I thought I'd go back and read through all of my posts during my first two years of blogging. I started blogging a year before I met my husband. I seemed to whine a lot. About being lonely and hating my job. It seemed that everyone around me was going through life changes and I felt like I was staying in the same place. Now, six years later, I am living in California with a husband and a child and a very different job. I probably still whine a lot and depression can get me down. However, blogging has become more important to me than ever before. I decided to split my blog into two a few years back and focus my personal blog on life issues and book reviews. I created a separate blog for creative pursuits and little delights that I find. The new blog introduced me to a whole new group of blogging friends. The old blog focused my efforts and connected me to a wonderful world of fellow bibliophiles.

Thank you to my long-time readers and my new friends. You all inspire me so much.

And now for the winner:

"Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:

21"


And lucky number 21 is:

"Mary Isabella and Kiley too! said...
WOW!!!!! I am glad you are doing some better!!! What a great give-away...m.

June 10, 2009 7:00 AM"

Mary Isabella has been a devoted reader of mine for awhile. She always leaves me supportive comments and prayers for me when I ask for help. Plus, she has a delightful blog herself. So, Mary....I will be contacting you soon about your win!!!

The Life by Candlelight Anniversary Giveaway!!!

***FRIDAY IS THE LAST DAY TO ENTER!!! PLEASE ENTER BY 5PM PST TO BE INCLUDED IN THE DRAWING!***

To celebrate six years of blogging, I will be giving away a prize package that will include the following items which represent facets of my life:

1) A signed first edition book (I have a few that I will allow you to choose from if you win)

2) A subscription to Sunset magazine

3) Some crafting goodies including ephemera and vintage pieces

4) a vintage children's book (or two)

5) some edible goodies

6) a crafty item made for you by me

7) a few surprises!!!

To enter, leave a comment here. If you blog about my contest, you will receive an additional entry. (just leave me another comment letting me know you posted about it) If you twitter about the contest, you will get an additional entry. (again...leave me a comment telling me you tweeted!)

You can start entering today. I will be drawing the winner on Saturday, June 20. Good luck!!!

Coming Soon!

I started blogging in June 2003 with my personal blog "Life by Candlelight." Hard to believe I'll be celebrating six years of blogging at the end of the month!!! So, I will be hosting a giveaway in honor of this big event. The goodies will be posted soon and I'll let you know how to enter.

Lettered Cottage Giveaway

The Lettered Cottage is hosting a Hudson Goods giveaway! Go here for your chance to win one of these lovely hand-hooked, wool, vintage-style pillows. This is the one that I'd like to win!!! See other wonderful Hudson Goods items on their website.

Giveaway!

Don't you just love a good giveaway?! The Farm Chicks are doing a giveaway over one their blog. Go check it out!!!

Oh boy! Another Giveaway!

I just found a fun and girly giveaway over at Say it with Letters.

Hop on over there and sign up. You could win some great stuff!

(I'm not sure which I like more....swaps or giveaways!)

Visited by the Tag Fairy!!!!

Remember that scene in "Little Miss Sunshine" where Olive jumps around yelling "I won! I won! I won!" after getting the message about the Little Miss Sunshine contest? Well, I feel the same way! I just found out that I won some beautiful tags from the uber-creative lady at Creative Chaos!!!

See my winnings here.

Oh, boy! I can't wait!!!

LBC Birthday Giveaway

I am hosting a birthday giveaway at my personal blog.

Join in the fun here.