Giveaways

Thankful for You ~ A Little Giveaway

Earlier this fall I took some time to re-evaluate my writing here and in that process I wrote a blogging manifesto.

I asked myself some hard questions about why I publish these thoughts (on family life, homeschooling, creativity, being outdoors, etc) in public and why not just keep a private scrapbook. And the truth is I continue to blog and love doing so because people read it.

Yes, I'd still write and publish my thoughts, in some form, even if no one but my mom continued to read but it sure wouldn't be this much fun and or so rewarding (no offense mom).

And so I'd like to thank you and offer a little giveaway. I don't have much to give, I'm not affiliated with sponsors and advertisers but I have things made from my hands (and heart) to show my appreciation. I've saved two bars from my latest soap batches for this very purpose.

I'm not asking you to tweet, subscribe (it would be sweet if you did), facebook fan me or otherwise advertise my blog to enter this giveaway. I find that kind of giveaway hoop jumping annoying.

Trust me, I don't want to annoy you because the purpose of this giveaway is to say thank you. Thank you for reading, thank you for commenting, thank you for encouraging and inspiring me. (Oh and thanks for voting - I won!)

autumn spice cake soap

This thanks(for you)giving holiday giveaway is for a bar of my homemade soap, either Autumn Spice Cake of Peppermint Patty. I will choose two lucky winners Wednesday, December 1st but I do have one request. If you leave a comment to enter your name please answer the following question. It's not mandatory (no hoops) but it would be helpful for me.

What I like best about FIMBY is the:

homeschooling talk

family life updates

creative ideas and inspiration

random mother musings

soap recipes and skin how-tos

photography

outdoorsy hiking family stuff

gardening, flowers, herbs

homemaking in general

vegan recipes and health

other - please specify

You see, at any given moment I often have something to write and share about all of these. This blog will continue to be an expression of what's going on in my heart and home in the moment but I'd like to keep my readers in mind also and write content that is helpful for you in some way.

Please do let me know what you think (new comments not eligible for giveaway).

And thank you.

Handmade Home Book Giveaway

My idea to gather together a list of blogs with handmade gift ideas (a Handmade Holiday Grab Bag) was a bit of a gamble. Bloggers are busy people and maybe no one would want to participate.

I wanted to create a resource here at FIMBY of great handmade holiday gift ideas and help other bloggers promote their creativity.

I'll be honest, pulling this together has been a stretch for me, in terms of my time and limited blogging connections.

But I took a chance because I'm trying to grow this little blog of mine, step a bit outside my comfort zone, and yes, even take risks. I feel quite out of my element (I'm not a graphic artist, I don't make cool buttons, I don't have tons of blogging contacts) in trying to promote a little handmade fun for the holidays.

What if no one participates? What if I'm left looking like a blogging dud?

I've heard from a couple of you who have posted a list of ideas on your personal blogs. Others, without blogs, have sent ideas via e-mail. And I so appreciate everyone who has spread the word.

Today I'm here to bribe you all to consider participating in a Handmade Holiday Grab Bag. Why am I bribing you? Because I'd like Handmade Holiday Grab Bag to be a great resource, a wealth of real ideas for people who want to make gifts for their loved ones.

And so for every person who participates I will enter their name into a random draw for my gently used copy of Handmade Home by Amanda Blake Soule (you know, Soule Mama).

I bought this book last August at the book signing. I used it as inspiration for a few gifts last Christmas and now it's time to let it go. I have limited time these days for this kind of sewing and crafting and I'm simplifying my bookshelves. I'd love for one of you to have it and put it to good use.

How do you participate in Handmade Holiday Grab Bag? You can read all about it here. I've changed the post deadline till Monday, November 1st to give folks a couple extra days to put their ideas together.

If you are a blogger, or even not (please e-mail me if you'd like to participate and are not a blogger), and have made any crafty things you'd like to share and include in a Handmade Holiday Grab Bag please do consider participating. There is still time left and you have a very good chance of winning this great craft book.

Update: Seeing as many of you crafty types already have this book I'm offering the choice of my Autumn Spice Cake soap instead to the winner.

~ A LuSa Organics Soap Giveaway ~

Let's try this again shall we.

I've had the pleasure recently of making the on-line acquaintance of Rachel Wolf from LüSa Organics. LüSa Organics is a small family business that makes and sells natural soaps and bodycare products.

Why a giveaway? Well mostly I wanted to draw your attention to this sweet little company. Since I'm unable to sell my own soaps at this time I'd like to support other small businesses who are giving it a go.

measuring oils for handmade soap in my kitchen

I love making my own soap but realize that not everyone has the opportunity or desire to craft their own bodycare products (though you really should consider it, it's easy and adds touches of loveliness into everyday life). If you love handmade soap and aren't making it yourself maybe you'd consider buying from this small family business, literally a mom & pop (and two kiddo) shop.

I can't vouch myself for having tried any LüSa Organics products; I make all our skin care products after all so don't need to purchase any. I was the one who approached Rachel about hosting this giveaway because I want to support what her family is doing and also because I love to give away quality goodies on my blog. Who doesn't want or need a bar or handmade soap?

Lavender Lemonade: my latest batch of spring soap

So this is how it will work. LüSa Organics will giveaway two bars of soap (one a piece) to two lucky readers. Please visit their site and scroll through to see what bar you would like best, I know it's hard to choose from a such a wonderful selection.

I personally love the look (blue is a color I have yet to experiment with, need to get some natural ultramarine oxide for coloring) of Gaia's garden and use those three essential oils - lavender, mint and rosemary in many of my own soaps.

Come back here and leave a comment with the name of the soap you'd like to win. Giveaway closes Sunday night, April 11th. I will randomly draw two names and LüSa Organics will mail out your soap. Congrats Bridget & Michelle.

Giveaway is open to all North American residents (I asked Rachel specifically about being willing to ship to Canada since I know some of you live there). Since others of you visit from overseas I'd like to include you too but if you win and for some reason shipping is too difficult for LüSa Organics because of customs and what not I will mail you a bar of my own latest creation, Lavender Lemonade. Sound ok?

I also recommend Rachel's blog, Clean. She shares tidbits of her family life that I identify with and appreciate - raising kids, cooking, using herbs, living creativity, and of course... making body care products.

Oh, I almost forget. If you decide to place an order with LüSa Organics use the coupon code "hello" and receive a free lip balm with your first order! (Add a lip balm of your choice to your basket.)