A Free for All

My friend, Elicia, lives in a little split-level one street over from me. She just recently finished part of her basement, and I saw the finished result.
There were two tiny bedrooms with new paint, closets and carpet. She now also has a downstairs bathroom, with a huge, gorgeous circle mirror.
I'm so happy for her to have those new spaces for their soon-to-be expanding family. But I have not stopped coveting her bedroom since I saw it. Why? Because instead of a closet door she covered her closet opening with a beautiful drape/shower curtain (it looks classy, really), complete with the cutest shower curtain rings. And her bed had a funky, colorful duvet cover complete with bright, IKEA pillows.
It made me want the same kind of beauty in my own bedroom, which has become the catch-all for my unfinished projects and unneeded furniture.

So, in an effort to take the first baby steps to finding a more a more serene sleeping space I'm offering the following items for interested parties:

Item #1:
My treadmill, which is a hand-me-down from my sister Trina. I used it mostly when I was pregnant and not feeling well enough to go outside for a run, but still wanted a bit of exercise.
It was a generous gift from a loving sister and I'm hoping it can be a welcome addition to your home.
It works well, but I HATE running on a treadmill and I always have. It is not a top model, by any stretch. I think it's from Shopko (brand: Sportcraft) and originally probably cost less than $300. When I got it I had to buy treadmill lubricant off eBay ($7) in order for it to work in top condition and I've never had any problems with it.

Item #2: I bought these 2 cute chairs from a garage sale last summer with the intention of recovering them in beautiful chocolate and cream damask cotton. But it was like adding one more thing to my already overflowing plate, and I'm finally (sadly) letting go of the dream. My sister, Heather, has basically given me everything that's cute in my house, adheres to the mantra 'What Goes Around Comes Around'. I think she's on to something big in the way she lives this through her service and love everyday. The chairs are sturdy and have a bit of sentimental value to me. You see, as I started taking off the old fabric, I found a sale ticket stapled underneath the seat which indicated that these were originally ordered for the Provo Park Hotel (now the Provo Marriott) in 1997. Joel and I fell in love (really) at the Senior Dinner Dance at the Provo Park Hotel in April of 1997. They are in great condition and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the lines and size of these puppies. I even have the fabric to recover them with, which I found at an upholstery fabric shop for a steal at $3.5o per yard.

Are you interested in any of these items?

A Giveaway I Didn't Deserve

Remember my awesome giveaway? Just after I posted it, I looked on Megan's blog and saw one of her friends was hosting a similar giveaway. I clicked over to it and found the giveaway was available to the first three commenters. Two people had already commented, so I slid in at third. But I felt really guilty about it. I didn't know this person and felt guilty taking her luxurious generosity for granted.

Today I received the giveaway, and I was BLOWN AWAY! Anybody who knows me (Tia) knows I find no pleasure in making my own cards, but they sure are useful when I need a card to give away. So, Willeyes, THANK YOU so much. I had just used my last nice-looking cards for Joel's birthday (tomorrow). I even got out my cardmaking supplies today, thinking how I needed to make more. But I couldn't bring myself to do it. I loathe it, really. I don't have it in me. But my! Willeyes does!!! Look at 'em! I'm speechless and so grateful, and per the agreement of accepting said prize I will be hosting another giveaway on my blog soon, so stay tuned. However, be vigilent, people, as the rules of this pay-it-forward giveaway dictate that only the FIRST 3 COMMENTERS score the goods.

A Link to a Video

I urge you to head over to my friends Joe & Corinne's post, if you dare. They're friends of the Rebel forces and have served their cause well. Obviously, the force is strong with them.
(Yoda voice:) A funny time you will have.
It was just an enjoyable video, okay.
Plus, be sure to wish Marilyn a happy birthday today. She's like, 40, or something.

Word of the day:
HORK
Use it in a sentence, please.

Want to see what I sent Heather?

And the Winner Is...

Here are the results of the randominteger.com raffle I used to determine the winner:
Kirsten, who wanted the Be Mine pennant banner, is our lucky winner! Congratulations, Kirsten!
Some of you may have noticed that in her comments she divulged that her email address is sexybeast at hotmail.com, which I think should have made her the winner regardless of integer generator sites. I'd like to make another red glitter banner with just that email address on it, because, it's genius!
So, Be Mine is taken. Kirsten, I sent you an email asking for your mailing address, although I guess I could just call Becca on the phone to get it.
I also decided that since I'm in the spirit of giving ('tis the season, isn't it? I mean, this last Christmas somebody on Kosy 106.5 was singing 'bout how Christmas should last all through the year, so...) I'd like to give away the I Love You banner as well.
randominteger.com (org?) loved Marilyn. So, since I'll see you next week for your berfday, Marilyn, I'll not mail it, but bring it up to the Daybreak myself. That's service!
Now, these prizes are 100% guaranteed, so if you're not satisfied, simply return the merchandise within 30 days for a full refund, minus shipping. And also, be sure to leave me good feedback for my awesome customer service!
Well, so that's it. Fun, huh? Well, except for all you losers.
Look forward to another giveaway...someday

A Pay it Forward Giveaway

You know what I'm sick of? Entering giveaways on blogs and never winning. Well, almost never winning. I hate getting my hopes up and then realizing I was one of 10,000 people who entered. Hence, I'm starting my own giveaway that may be a little more palatable to my good readers (who can anticipate they'll be one of about 10 entrants).

Heather's gift inspired to create. And I did.

As I thought about her kindness, I felt I not only wanted to pay her back, but to pay her kindness forward. Putting a little something together for her in return for her friendship and generosity was good for me. It provided me with an opportunity to think of something besides laundry and it provided a bright spot of creativity in this seemingly endless winter.

So, I'm sending a little something off to her today as well as hosting my first GIVEAWAY! Lame, you think? Joel thought so, too. And I'm a little sheepish in offering it because I know my collective readership comes in under 15 people. But they're all people I like, so I thought it would be a good idea to give either of these to one of you.

The prize: one of two Valentine-themed wall hangings, made from top quality (Close to My Heart!!!) scrapbook paper, and glitter-covered chipboard letters (40% coupon down to the Michael's), fastened with cute little scrapbooky brads. Put it up in your home, and if this doesn't get your lover feeling romantic, I don't know what will.

Here's the deal:

If you want one of these fine pennant wall-hangings (each pennant is 5"X8"), leave a comment with the following information:

1. which pennant you prefer - be mine or i love you

2. an email address (if I don't already have it)

3. how you'll pay it forward to someone else. I'm thinking you could include what craft or service you'll giveaway on your blog if you win.

I'll choose the winner at random on Thursday night, and then mail it out on Friday or Saturday.

I hope this works! Don't be shy! Tell your friends! Enter! Comment! Win!

How to Win Friends and Influence People

I know some people. Talented people. Funny people. Deep people. Healthy people. (I could go on and on.)I’m blessed, I know.
For example, look at what came in the mail yesterday? My friend, Heather, posted about a couple of cool dolls she had made. So casually, non-moochingly, I suggested she make one for me. And, she did! And then she paid for the postage to send it out here (from Vegas)! Can you believe it?
Her generosity leaves me speechless, and looking for an equally stunning gift to gift in return. My sewing talents pale in comparison, but I want to wow her the way she did me.Please, in your comments, help me to come up with some ideas.