Monday musings.... Courage

Someone once told me that I should keep it real here on the blog. So here I am keeping it real. This is not a pity party post. No, it is merely me acknowledging the fact that I am petrified of failing. 

The Lanie J. and Co. Shop has been open for over a month now. I have not sold an item yet. I am slowly adding more and more too it. So when I posted a giveaway on my facebook fan page on a Saturday morning and all anyone has to do is like my page, comment on and share the post and as of Sunday evening, there are only three shares, it is hard not to throw in the towel. I know for a fact that the post has had over 200 views. Wrong audience? Maybe. It's okay though. It just makes me rethink the way I am going about things and remember that the point of my blog and doing art and having an Etsy shop is to teach my children to chase their dreams and not give up.

 Courage! 

I even confessed to my 10 year old how I am feeling and told her that I will not give up, I will keep doing what I enjoy. So, I am going to list the rest of my note cards that I currently have printed and head back to what I love. I have Christmas gifts to make. I'll share what I am doing here as I go. 

Leaving you with these wonderful words of wisdom...

Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.
~Steve Jobs 

Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear, not absence of fear.

~Mark Twain 

People who lack the clarity, courage, or determination to follow their own dreams will often find ways to discourage yours. Live your truth and don't EVER stop! 
~Steve Maraboli

Love what you do and do what you love. Don't listen to anyone else who tells you not to do it. You do what you want, what you love. Imagination should be the center of your life.
~Ray Bradbury

Happy Monday!

Giveaway at Scraps and Scribbles...

I forgot to tell you that Courtney at Scraps and Scribbles is having a Reader Appreciation Giveaway Week. She has been hosting cute giveaways all week including a set of magnets from my Etsy shop. 

Head on over to say hi and a chance to win! :) Giveaways will end on October 7. Courtney's blog is really cute, I am sure you will find some crafty inspiration there as well!

I won! Shout outs...

Occasionally, I will enter a giveaway or two on different blogs. One Saturday morning, I hung out just a tad too long, entering a few too many, but I did win! Here is what I've received...

From A Nut In A Nutshell, I won Bingo's Big Adventure!

This was a hard bound book signed by the author and my children already LOVE it!

I won this beautiful bookmark at Reflections In The Window.

You can buy one from All You Need Designs!

And my favorite, this gorgeous hand knit shawl was won at The Craft In Me.

But you can purchase one at the Laughing Chicken!

Speaking of giveaways, I like to enter them, but I don't want all the extra buttons and blog posts to clutter this blog. So, I started another blog specifically for entering the giveaways. If you are interested in seeing some of the ones I post, visit me at I Could Do This All Day.

Ryah Sofia Giveaway!

This giveaway is closed. Using Random.org a winner has been selected.

#39 is Lizzie at smrtmouse

Lizzie has been contacted via email and has until 7pm on Saturday 9/11 to reply or another winner will be choosen. Congratulations Lizzie!

Recently, I was contacted by Angie from Ryah Sofia about hosting a giveaway here. Angie has a beautiful boutique full of girly accessories. I am an avid supporter of quality handmade products and of "momprenuers", so I jumped at the chance.

Here is a quick introduction to Angie...

I am a stay at home Mom to 2 bow wearing, headband sporting, flower accessorizing, little girls. And the wife of one very supportive and loving hubby.

I grew up with bows and ribbons in my hair, ones that my Mom would make. I quickly followed suite when my first daughter was born. She is rarely seen without bows, ribbons or headbands in her hair.

Soon after, I tweaked the headbands to make them look more "mature" ;0) using different kinds of fabrics, so that I could wear them.....shortly after- the birth of my boutique, { ryah sofia }, was born.

I hand make each rosette headband using different types of fabrics and ribbons.

Here are a couple of samples of Angie's beautiful work...

What I love, is that 10% of all proceeds from Ryah Sofia go to benefit Nana's Box- a not for profit project dedicated to "fighting cancer one box at a time." You really should drop by Nana's Box and if you are a crafter with extra materials you don't use, donate them to Nana's Box. You will help in bringing a smile to someone's face who may desperately need one.

Angie would like to give you, my rockin' readers the chance to win one of her beautiful headbands of your choice!

To enter, simply visit Ryah Sofia and then come back here and comment telling me which headband you would choose. That's it! No jumping through any hoops! Be sure your email address is in your comment or accessible through your profile so I can contact you if you win.

What? You're still here? Go, go, go to Ryah Sofia and pick a pretty headband out and comment!

Giveaway will end on Sept. 9 at 7pm.

Guest posting at Pure Joy and a giveaway!

 So? Have you been over to visit Jamie at Pure Joy for Random Acts of Kindness week? If not, then you should go there now! Each day this week, Jamie is having guest posters and giveaways to celebrate Random Acts of Kindness. I'm over there today guest posting and giving away some magnets and notecards from my shop. My post is about how a friend has touched me in the past year with her RAK and some ideas I have for paying it forward.  Go visit and check out the previous days giveaways. Jamie started Sunday, so there are already 5 giveaways up and running! In other news, I have lost my second camera in 1 year. This time to saltwater damage at our little island by the sea. If you have a tip for a very nice (but relatively inexpensive) point and shoot camera, I would really appreciate your input.  If I can figure out our giant Nikon today, I will update you on my latest project... cue drumroll... conquering the sewing machine! I have had a brand new machine in the box for about 4 months. Yesterday my friend Aamie (who you will get to know better in my post at Pure Joy) came over and we started me on a bandana beach quilt. It is a very fun and colorful quilt and I can't wait to share my progress with you!

Happy 4th of July! And a fun week at Pure Joy starts today!

First, happy July 4th! I want to take this time again to thank the military men and women and their families for their sacrifice so that we can enjoy the freedoms that we have today. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Second, I wanted to give you all a heads up. My friend Jamie at Pure Joy is having a week of random acts of kindness. Also known as RAK week.

 She has ten guest posts and 7 giveaways this week to celebrate RAK week. Head on over and pick up the button above and display it on your blog proudly. Jamie has some surprises up her sleeve. If you have the RAK week button on your blog, you may be the surprised recipient of a RAK! So head on over and get your button and join us in some random and kind fun!

Two great book giveaways at Pure Joy!

 My friend Jamie at Pure Joy has 2 great book giveaways going on. Head on over and take a peek.  

An Absence So Great (4/8)

This Little Prayer of Mine (4/15)

While you are there, take a look at her awesome photography and cute Etsy Shop! :)

Monday, Monday and a great little giveaway!

My youngest got revenge of the Easter candy in the middle of the night and she and I have just been laying low today. I've been puttering around the house. I planted my first herb garden and we'll see what comes of that. Gotta have lots of fresh herbs for salads and pastas for the warmer months. And... I planted plenty of cilantro to make my famous Southwestern Salsa!

Gonna make a sweet recipe in a bit. I'll post it tomorrow for you so stay tuned. And, provided my patient (who just so happened to just come in and ask me if I knew what "puking" means), cooperates, I hope to get a post up about K's 7th birthday party last weekend for Wednesday.

In the meantime... Wouldn't you love to win this little basket of goodies?

If so, head on over to Bucket of Cherries (formerly Bizzy Bee Creations Crafts) and enter (ends on April 12th). While you are there be sure to check out her crafts! So cute!

Hope your Monday is great!

I promised a giveaway at 100 followers...well... here you go!

This Giveaway is Closed.

And here we are at 200 just 5 weeks later! Wow! You all are so much fun! I really have had a great time meeting all of you. I have made some fantastic blog friends, some that I feel truely are kindred spirits. If you are following me and I am not following you, please let me know via my little email button over there on the right and I promise to jump on board.

Since we have surpassed 200 friends I would like to host another giveaway from my Etsy shop, Creations by Lanie. Here is what is up for grabs... There will be 2 lucky winners!

One lucky winner will receive a set of 4 cute Black and White Stripes and Dots Clothespin Magnets.

A second lucky winner will recieve what I call the "Pessimistic Optimist" magnet.

This magnet is ceramic tile and measures 2" x 2".

Since I love to hear what you all want to see more of in a blog (particularly this one!), the first and mandatory entry above all other entries is to leave a comment telling me what you would like to see more of on Lanie J. and Co and what your favorite posts are right now (Friday Favorites, Tutorials, Recipes, Monday Musings... etc.)

after the mandatory entry you can get bonus entries by the following....(Please be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry). If your email isn't in your profile, please leave it in your comment entry so that I can get a hold of you if you are a lucky winner! :)

1. Become a follower via Google Friend Connect and leave a comment (or leave a comment telling me you already follow via Google Friend Connect) - worth one entry

2. Follow me on Twitter and Tweet about this giveaway - worth two entries

3. Follow me via Networked Blogs on the left sidebar - worth one entry

4. Blog about this giveaway (leave a link to your post) - worth five entries

The giveaway will close at 6pm on Sun. March 28th and the winners will be selected via Random Number Generator.

Good luck!

Saturday Featured Blogger... Thoughts of a Wife and Mommy

This is a new feature I would like to do on Saturdays. I would love to feature your blog or Etsy shop. If you are interested, please contact me by clicking my cute new button to the right under my profile.

Today's featured blogger is Michelle at Thoughts of a Wife and Mommy! After you read about her, be sure and visit to enter her giveaways:

Pic Pocket Books: Kids Picture Books for the IPhone and the IPod Touch. (3/12)
U Printing Giveaway (3/3)

And follow her for her upcoming giveaways:

Charm Factory
Pawparazzi
Slimperfect

Tell us a bit about yourself.
My name is Michelle. I am 28 years old. I am married to Sascha. We have 2 children Hailey (6) and Tyler (3). I have an associates degree in applied science (Medical Assisting). I am from Ohio!

Please give us a little insight to what your blog is about.
My blog is about my life, my favorite band (Adelitas Way) since I do promotional stuff for them, and I do reviews and giveaways.

What made you start blogging?
I started blogging because my family wanted updates while I was pregnant with my son Tyler since I was not around.

Who does your blog appeal to?
Pretty much anyone. But I do focus on mothers and kids.

What do you love about blogging?
I love the fact I get to talk to new people. Letting people read my opinion and such. Sharing with others.

What do you hope to accomplish with your blog in the future?
I want to make my blog a place where people would want to come every day and read what I have to say.

Please list 3 of your favorite posts on your blog.

Monster Truck Nationals

Cooking with Kids

7 Years Later

Please share some of your favorite blogs with us.

Thanks Michelle for being my first featured blogger. Be sure to grab an "I was featured" button from the right side bar!

Sharing a giveaway with you...

If you get the opportunity today. I highly suggest visiting New Day New Season for a beautiful giveaway. Tara does some amazing work and she is sharing it with us! She will be giving away one of her handmade domino pendants and a handmade wire wrapped cross (both pictured below). She also will be giving away a handmade surprise! Now who doesn't love a surprise?!

Be sure to tell her I said hello!

Be back later with an awesome sugar cookie recipe.

Have a blessed day!

100th Post and My First Giveaway!

This giveaway is now closed.

I've been waiting for this! I am so excited to say... "This is my 100th post and my first giveaway!"

I am so glad to have you all around that I am going to give you the chance to win, win, win! All of the below items are from my Etsy shop, Creations by Lanie.

Pretty Blue and Green Clothespin Magnets

Pretty Blue and Green Coasters

And... a Pretty Blue and Green 2" Magnet

These would make cute gifts for yourself or a friend! One lucky winner will be chosen to win all three!

To Win (please leave a comment for each entry, entry #1 is mandatory for all others to count):

1. Leave a comment telling me would like to see more of on my blog.
2. Become a public follower of my blog via Google Friend Connect, or leave a comment telling my that you already follow publicly.
3. Follow me on Twitter (see the link on my lefthand sidebar).
4. Blog about this awesome giveaway on your blog and leave a comment with a link where I can come and visit you.
   

Winner will be chosen via Random Integer Generator and announced 1 week from today. That's Thursday, Jan. 14th. Good Luck!

Metropolitan Mama's Christmas Gift Guide

One of my favorite blogs to visit is Metropolitan Mama. I just love Stephanie's philosophies on life and child rearing. She also is very knowledgeable about the ins and outs of blogging and how to actually profit from it.

Right now she is hosting several fanastic giveaways. You don't have to jump through a million hoops to enter either (another thing I love about her). You really need to drop in and pay her a visit, maybe enter a giveaway or two... or three.... oh heck just enter them all!