I could use a give-away right about now...

Hello friends,

Sunday evening has somehow arrived already and I can't be sure but I think that the weekend only lasted about ten hours. It certainly felt like it. Maybe it was that yesterday was gorgeous here and seeing as we average about one *gorgeous* day for every 18 ugly ones, all of that joy made time fly.

Today was anything but gorgeous - on the weather front anyway. I was up at sunrise as today was the Seattle Race for the Cure - something that I was doing with some of my dearest friends. I was really looking forward to it because not only do I love these girls (and one very fabulous husband) but it was a short race and I knew it would be fun. Even with the POURING rain, the gray skies, and the cool temperatures, I was looking forward to it.

We met downtown, ready to go sign in and get our numbers, and had some time to talk on the way. I haven't had a lot of time to see these friends lately - life gets busy, kids, work, travel. But summer is coming and I know that time will slow down a bit, we will get together spontaneously more often over bbqs and bonfires, and I am so looking forward to that. After today, I am looking forward to it more than anything. You see, sometimes things come up that you aren't expecting - that you absolutely aren't ready for. You think life is rolling along and you learn that it isn't rolling quite as smoothly as you had thought. And it makes you appreciate your friends, and wish that you stopped more often to just *be* with them. Maybe though, it is what you need to make those changes. To really prioritize and possibly eliminate some of the excess odds and ends and put what really matters first. So maybe, when that rock comes out of left field and hits you square in the temple, the one that stunned you for a short while, it was really meant to help you - to help you see something that was right in front of you the entire time.

And with that, I need a pick-me-up. So, I am going to give away three of my 5x7 prints (the ones in this post) and a set of three cupcake cards~ You need only be a follower and leave a comment. If you want to tweet/post/facebook/email all of your friends - that would be fabulous. However, just being you - that is what I am needing right about now. I will draw a name Wednesday afternoon~

Thanks for always being present and sending such kindness my way. I truly appreciate each and every one of you~

xx

we have a winner!

I was so excited when I heard that Shana Rae was going to donate a set of her Flora Bella actions for a give-away. You all know how much I have LOVED my new action set, and I know that anyone who has their own set will while away endless hours that probably should be spent, oh, I don't know, raising children, running a home, doing laundry, etc... etc.... etc...

The winner of EITHER the two new spring sets OR the Vintage/B&W/Color & Haze set is:

Melissa of MISS SEW AND SO

Congratulations!!! MISS Melissa, please send me your email address and I will pass it along to *she who creates such incredible actions and textures*~

If you didn't win, I really do think you would LOVE any and all of the Flora Bella sets - they truly are divine!

Thanks so much to Shana Rae for letting me host this give-away~

xx

loving me some actions... and a GIVE-AWAY!

Friday was an exciting day for me. It was one of those days that I had waited for with such excitement. To bring it home to my husband, it was like the day the iPad was finally available. Yes husband - that good.

Friday Flora Bella released her spring actions. Yes, new actions for me to play with! I have spent more time that I should have these last two days playing with them and when I say *love*, I mean LOVE. They are FABULOUS!

All of the photos in this post have a different action from the Spring Set I - and there are more. They are available for Photoshop and for Photoshop Elements. I don't know how many of you have the last sets, but I used them constantly and love the effect they have on my photos.

And guess what? WE ARE HAVING A GIVE-AWAY!!! Shana Rae has offered to give-away all three of the previous sets - yes, you heard me correctly! The winner will get Vintage, B/W, and Color/Haze. If you don't know what they are, visit Flora Bella and have a look. This is the set that I first fell in love with. Trust me, you too will fall, and probably fall hard.

FABULOUS UPDATE!!!

FLORA BELLA HAS OFFERED TO DONATE EITHER THE THREE ORIGINAL SETS, OR - WOULD YOU BELIEVE - THE TWO NEWEST SPRING SETS!!! The winner will choose which they prefer!

If you want to enter, simply do the following:

~ be a follower

~tweet, facebook, or blog about the give-away

~leave a comment with where you left your announcement so that I can enter you!

Please note, you will need either Photoshop or Photoshop Elements to use the actions.

I will be drawing the name on Sunday, May 16th and announcing it Monday morning so make sure to check back!

Happy Mother's Day to each and every one of you~

Bisous

xx

~the winners!!!

Good Morning!

The winners of the ribbon/beads/craft supply give-away are~

Cat of writing out loud

Florence of essences of the past

Shelly of bungalow bling

If the three of you would be so kind as to email me your addresses I would love to send these little packages out to you!

mimicharmante@gmail.com

Congratulations!

a give-away!

This set of flower shots was taken at a gorgeous flower shop in the 6th. Kasey and I loved how they had flower petals scattered all over the ground, and that they had THE MOST BEAUTIFUL bouquets.

I plan on listing these shots in the shop when I get myself organized enough to do so. For now however, I am doing a give-away. I have a HUGE collection of craft items - ribbon, beads, glass, small mirror pieces, etc that is sadly neglected in my home. Thus, I want to re-home it with people who will use it! It is all a part of my attempt to focus, something I am finding difficult when every day I stare at so much excess. I will put together two packages and (happily) send them off to two lucky readers next week! Please simply leave a comment - followers will have two entries, three if you tweet/post about it. Please MAKE SURE TO TELL ME how many entries you have so that I make sure and credit you~ I will draw the names next Wednesday.

I am sure there may be some vintage french pages in both packages - have I mentioned that I came home with a "few" very old books?

Have a lovely Thursday mes amies~

xx