Monday, October 27, 2008

Tis better to give

Well hello there, nice to see you!

I had so much fun participating in the last Bloggy Giveaways Carnival that I knew I had to be part of the next one. And lucky for you, that starts TODAY!

I spent a lot of time during the last carnival entering giveaways for jewelry and handbags. Yes, I tried to get the megagroovy Visa gift cards and Target gift cards, but my true weakness is jewelry.

I love to collect beads and buttons and those rare occasions when I actually have time to be "crafty" - I can put together earrings and things that are pretty darn cute...if I do say so myself.

That's my PRIZE this time, two pairs of hand-made earrings and some really cute note paper with magnetic strips on the back for putting on your fridge or file cabinet.

Here's what the earrings look like:


Sorry for my "mad" photo skillz....HA!

The pair on the left have light amber glass beads on top of light aqua blue glass beads. They hang from a silver fish-hook wire.
The pair on the right are really fun. The top beads are metallic and have dimples of pink all over them. They remind me of what the New Year's Eve ball in Times Square is made from. I stuck a round clear crystal at the bottom to give them that "little something extra"!

Here is the pretty note paper:











They are put out by the company Blueink Studios and are quite lovely.

Last time, I had contestants tell me about their most favorite blogger or author. Reading the comments ended up being for me, the best part of the giveaway and because of that question, I'm now a faithful reader of several awesome writers!

This time, leave a comment and tell me what (aside from great prizes), your favorite part of participating in the Bloggy Giveaways Carnival has been in the past, or now. Remember, I'm not looking for "I won a $500 Coach purse and that really rocked" because...DUH! Tell me something you found out that you wouldn't have if you hadn't participated, or tell me about someone who entered your giveaway and maybe has become YOUR new, loyal reader.

Yeah, yeah....there's a little work involved, but it won't hurt too much. I promise!

This contest will end Friday, October 31st at 11:59 pm Pacific time. I will use a random number generator to pick the winning post number. Also, make SURE you leave your email address in the comments. On Saturday, November 1st, I will email the winner to get your mailing address. Once I've heard from the winner, I'll announce his/her name here.

Good luck to everyone!

74 comments:

Becca said...

I love this giveaway because I see how talented some people are and am so inspired by what they can do!

Thank you for your giveaway as well!

nicole said...

Lovely earrings! I like the giveaway carnivals because I get lots of good ideas for affordable, unique gifts. And of course I always find new blogs to read.

Belle Ecrivaine said...

I just found out about the bloggy giveaway today, and so far aside from seeing some pretty awesome prizes (duh, who doens't love free stuff?), I love how it's a gateway to hundreds of new blogs for me to discover! Like yours!

409cope said...

I love to see all the neat things that people make and maybe get some ideas for a little creating myself.

Dee said...

A friend told me about the last one and I entered a few things AND won a few things! BUT I met a few girls and started following a few blogs! SINCE THEN, I've even started my own blog and have giveaways of my own! My favorite part is definately "meeting" so many different people!

And go check out my giveaways..
http://www.twoofakindworkingonafullhouse.blogspot.com/

Killlashandra said...

I think it's neat having one blog post generate over 500 hits for the carnival. It's so cool to see all the different people who stop by.

I can't blame you for the bead love. I'm right there with ya. Stop by my blog when you have a chance and sign up for my giveaway. I'm also giving away custom jewelry. :)

Deane said...

This is my first time doing the Giveaway Carnival and I canhonestly say that I love the ability to find so many neat sites that I otherwise wouldn't have come across. This is awesome. deane_williams at sbcglobal.net

Anonymous said...

I've had a great time just reading new blogs. I don't get much time to browse through blogs much, but I let the housework go a little and make easy peasy dinners during the carnival to allow more time!

Thanks for the giveaway! I think the earrings are beautiful, but I am a paper-a-holic so the note paper would be especially nice to win :)

~Jennifer
jhayes0611(at)yahoo(dot)com

Katie said...

I love the variety of great blogs that I found and otherwise wouldn't have ever known about!

Thanks for the fun giveaway!
katiellloyd at yahoo(dot)com

altermyworld said...

Last year i participated in
http://oneworldoneheart.typepad.com/
I met a few friends who i have grown to love and cherish the internet is a powerful tool it brings together artist, poeple and friends.
ANg

Rebecca said...

I like finding blogs that inspire me and add them to my blogroll.

Mer said...

I love finding new blogs and new artists. Sure the giftcards are great but I really love when someone decides to share their favorite etsy store.

Peggie said...

For me it is meeting people and new blogs. I still have contact with some of these bloggers in a personal way. This year I am not at home and actually looking at this on a computer at my daughter's. As a result I am not participating by giving and I feel really bad. I may figure some way to do it before this is over!

peggie dot loden at gmail dot com

Jessica @ Wanting Adventure said...

I love finding new blogs. I have found some of my favorite authors this way - always something inspiring.

Thanks for the giveaway! Cute earrings.

Anonymous said...

I always enjoy seeing what others are giving away...and discovering new blogs to add to my blog reading list.

Deborah
dbstout{at}juno{dot}com

Katie Stacey said...

This is the first giveaway I've been a part of, but I've already had new people visiting my blog and it is great!

Shara said...

This is probably the only time I will go through about 1000 blogs in a few days, and it's been fun to see such a variety of bloggers. I'm enjoying it! Thanks for the giveaway!

Crunchy Green Mom - Suzanne said...

I love the fact that everyone in my family and outside of my family knows this week is very limited on time for me.

My favorite thing, is finding new blogs. I find about three a quarter from this giveaway that I stick with forever, my favorite is Nydia, from Bringing up Salamanders. She's a doll!

Chantelle said...

I love being introduced to all of the great bloggers :) Awesome Giveaway! Thank you for the chance to win! :)

Anonymous said...

ALL THOSE BOOK GIVEAWAYS!
i found a ton of AMAZING looking books to read even if i dont win em! :)

HOT earrings
hope i win XD

nina . rockz at gmail dot com

§wanny said...

I love these because it lets me find some great blogs to add to my regular reading list that I normally wouldn't have found.

MOMFOREVERANDEVER said...

love seeing the talent which makes me bookmark shops and spend money!

MamaGames - Alexa C. said...

I've found a lot of art inspiration for my own work from seeing all the photography, painting, crafting, woodworking, etc. I love it!

Thanks for the contest! chappyandalexa [at] earthlink [dot] net

AudreyO said...

There are several reasons I enjoy the bloggy carnival:

1. I've found some awesome blogs that I've subscribed to in the past
2. I've met some women I share a lot in common with and friendships have been formed.
3. I've found women who want to read my blogs
4. I've found some really awesome etsy shops
5. and yes, I've won a few prizes along the way.

Becca said...

This is my first time giving away something in the bloggy carnival and I really hope to gain some new readers. What's the point of a blog if no one reads it? lol

Anonymous said...

I get to see unique handmade products
KawaiiNeko2008 (at) aol (dot) com

Anonymous said...

Its a great way to come across new blogs that have your interest.


Shannon
palmersf(at)bellsouth.net

Jenny said...

Well, this time I am giving away a baby sling I'm going to make. In the comments, a couple of ladies mentioned they might want to make one and I sent them the URL for the directions. They may not have found out about making them if I hadn't done the giveaway :-)

the_other_alice_(at)yahoo.com

Crayl said...

I do enjoy looking into other peoples blogs, I have found new friends this way. I also found out that I can not use Airbone (sp?) products, and that soapnuts really work. :)

Diana Dang said...

I always loved free stuff. It's a great way to communicate with new people because I always remember the host.

Ren said...

I love giveaways on specialty blogs. For example, I came across a digital scrapbooking blog that was having a giveaway and now I've been able to find a lot of great digiscrap sites because of it. (It's a new hobby, so not something I know a whole lot of.)

Becca Ann said...

I love the earrings.. I love seeing all the talent!

HilLesha O'Nan said...

It helps keep me in the know about the latest products. Plus, it has helped me find good stores! :)

lilacbutterfly [at] earthlink.net

Michelle said...

I'm really enjoying the bloggy carnival because it's giving me some AWESOME ideas for gifts. The holidays are coming, you know! Thanks for the chance to win.

Daintry said...

I love finding new blogs! There are so many out there that I have yet to find. Getting present ideas, and craft idea's are just some of the things I love about it!

Unknown said...

This is my very first Carnival. I'm enjoying it for a few reasons.

1 - I just had surgery, and it's giving me something to do - while I'm not allowed to do anything

2 - I'm pretending to do my Christmas shopping - and that's entertaining. ha!

and 3 - I have found some really cool blogs to add to my reader

Sarah said...

I love finding new blogs, and also getting introduced to new etsy sellers!

Michele P. said...

I have subscribed and bookmarked a ton of blogs I want to keep reading, found some really great recipes, hints, tips and met some very nice people!

micaela6955 at msn dot com

Cherie J said...

Besides entering for all the cool prizes I have also picked up some cool recipes I want to try from some of the blogs. One recipe was for a potato dish that I must make for my family one day when I have all the ingredients. I also enjoy checking out all the Etsy shops and getting some ideas for Christmas gifts so I am actually getting some Christmas shopping done as well.

cherierj(at)yahoo(dot)com

Emily Jennings said...

I like the excuse to be on the computer...guys, I'm trying to win stuff here!

Ginny said...

Well I love getting all the traffic to my blog & I know I've gotten at least a few readers through it.

For participating though, I always find tons of new blogs to read each time. I already can barely keep up with all the blogs I read, but I love adding new ones!

Unknown said...

I found out that a lot of the blogs that I had been to before are very creative --the blog folks I mean-- I would have never thought that some people could create such amazing things and boy was I surprised!


lc_intocable [at]yahoo [dot] com

Halifax @ Sparkled Beauty said...

Through Bloggy giveaways, I found out so many new blogs that I wouldn't have known by the limited knowledge in blogging world. I subscribed to some blogs that I read and loved, and was looking forward to the entries every day. Thanks.

juan_hurrican (at) yahoo (dot) com

Stephanie said...

I just love this carnival. I have found fun moms that enjoy the same things i do and some things i don't! It has been great to read those!

grayjones5 at yahoo dot com

Kathy in WA said...

I love the blue earrings! Thanks!

Unknown said...

I've discovered so many great blogs I may never get off the computer and get my floors mopped!
Elaine
bells6ATbellsouthDOTnet

noreen said...

I started blogging because of the carnival this time last year. I started blogging in Jan but I set up my account in october

toohotforturtle said...

While entering the giveaways, I found the most awesome cinnamon roll recipe on a blog. My son is having a sleepover this weekend and guess what will be for breakfast?

Anonymous said...

i love the bloggy carnival because i came across some awesome new blogs that i'm now a loyal reader of and also made new friends! i hope to make even more friends this time!

fertawert AT yahoo DOT com

Nissa said...

My favorite parts of the bloggy carnivals are getting comments (I love comments), having people look at my handmade products, and finding cool new blogs that I'd never have known about before. I, too, have found some of my new fave blogs through these giveaways!


And who's giving away a coach purse??! lol

Susan said...

I am always amazed at the generosity of people during the carnival. It makes me want to do more, even if it is something small.

Thank you for the giveaway!

shaunjoy said...

I've found several new blogs by women who think and live life in a way that makes them feel like an instant friend. I've also found some incredible etsy sites!

shaunjoy(at)juno(dot)com

Holly said...

My favorite part is seeing all the cool things people put up. It's a fun way to discover new shops/gift ideas
hollyollyberry[at]yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

It's because of the last bloggy giveaway carnival that I discovered blogs and I am so severely addicted to reading them now! They're so much fun and I've met the nicest people this way. I love my bloggy friends. Also, I was encouraged to start my own blog and so far, it's fun!
doot65{at}comcast[dot]net
Elizabeth

Smellyann said...

Oh, I love so much about it! I love seeing all the neat crafty things everyone is able to do. I love finding lots of new blogs to read! And I LOVE getting all those comments, that's my favorite! Getting complimented on my stuff, well, it just feels good. :D

Molly C. said...

My fave thing is discovering new websites. I love finding new interesting things to buy for people.

rlgrady said...

In the past, I have loved looking at all the creative things people are making. This time, I'm going Christmas shopping!

rlgrady[at]yahoo[dot]com

aahcoffee said...

I have loved meeting so many new people....and I do have to say that I loved winning a book called The Shack last time around...what a fantastic read!

redpolkadotsgirl said...

I just love visiting all these NEW blogs I didn't even know about. I've found so many I've subscribed too or saved in my favorites. I also enjoy seeing everyongs individually.

Anonymous said...

After the giveaway week is over, I go back and visit all the blogs of the people who left comments on my give away to say thanks for visiting! It's been a great way to meet new bloggy friends.

Niwi said...

I like discovering all sorts of new bloggers! I usually wind up with about ten new bloggers in my Google reader after each Carnival.

greenyak [at] yahoo [dot] com

janetfaye said...

I love the Bloggy Giveaways Carnival because I meet other bloggers and I find new blogs and I get ideas for gifts.

janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

Charlotte said...

I always find new blogs to read! Like I need to spend more time on the internet...

charlotte(dot)evard(at)comcast(dot)net

Anonymous said...

i've made many cool new friends and found awesome blogs to read!

texan_michael(AT)yahoo(DOT)com

frugallm said...

I have found several new blogs to read! My favorite so far is We Are THAT Family, because she makes me laugh everyday.

elkmeese at yahoo dot com

Dani said...

Here comes one lame comment.... ARE YOU READY??

I had no idea that companies gave stuff to bloggers for their giveaways! I thought the blogger had to go out & buy it. This year there was like a million Chex spa basket thingys! I love that!

daniwilliams30 AT gmail DOT com

Lori said...

I have found some really awesome blogs that I read regularly through the bloggy giveaway. I never would have found these blogs otherwise.

FaithfulMommy said...

Even though I'm not a blogger, I have made so many friends by reading their blogs. Getting little glimpses of someone's life through their blog is a great way to connect. Through the giveaways I have found so many new places to shop. Oh and so many fellow Christians. Thank you!

Sarah DeSalvo said...

I have a few new bloggy friends and even met someone who has a connection with me from my childhood - it's a SMALL world!!!
junglewife (at) gmail (dot) com

Peggy said...

I love blogging and reading other blogs. The giveaways are amazing .Count me in

Jackie B. said...

Like you, I am a jewelry junkie! I am having so much fun with the carnival. I have discovered some amazing new blogs too. It's all good!

Jenna said...

I have only done the bloggy give-away twice but I now read three blogs regularly that I never would have it hadn't been for them winning some of my prizes!

checkers said...

My favorite part of the Carnival blog is to enter the contests, this is the first time im doing so, I never knew it existed before.
skyskyaa11[at]gmail[dot]com

Amity said...

I have discovered TONS of wonderful handmade products through the bloggy giveaways!! I would much rather support moms and small businesses!!

amitymatthia[at]hotmail[dot]com