500TH POST/FOLLOWER GIVE AWAY SIGN UP (Edit Added)...

Please note, this give away sign up is closed.

A friend is one of the nicest things you can have, and one of the best things you can be.

- Douglas Pagels -
Edit Added: I almost forgot to add the photos of the finished collage, scroll down to see finished project. Thanks!

When I started this blog it was to get back in touch with my artistic roots and create an online journal that was both visual and verbal. When I hit the publish button for the very first time it was with nervousness and anticipation. Ever so slowly a trickling of friends found me and some fast friendships were formed.(Gift #1, Handmade Lady Bird Shoe)

I had no idea where this journey would take me or if anyone would care to come along side me. I am, after all, an ordinary person leading an ordinary life and can that really be that interesting? I found that most people really are interested in other people, how they live, what they do, and what it is that makes them unique or special. I have found that I am embraced in a community of caring people that have touched my heart and life in a very profound way.(Gift #2, Handmade Baby Shoe)

When I was a young girl I wanted a pen pal so badly. There used to advertisements in the back of teen magazines where you would write to a pen pal. My best friend had written away for one and got the most interesting letters. I begged my mother but she was firm in not trusting who was on the other end of the letter writing and refused my pleading. I always felt I was missing out on something by not being able to connect with other people through letter writing.(Gift #3, Teeny Tiny Baby Boy Shoe)

Now all these years later, I have not only one pen pal but ever so many and my mother would probably still not approve or trust who is on the other end of the keyboard. But, you know what, I know for a fact that I would be missing out on something very wonderful and very special if I had denied myself the pleasure of pushing the publish button on that very first blog post.(Gift #4, Handmade Nature Notes Quote Journal)
I wanted you to know that you each enrich my life. Thank you for embracing me and drawing me into your wonderful community. Thank you for being my friends. I think of you often and hope to share something encouraging with you in this little slice of cyber space that is my modern form of writing to you, each dear pen pal. It is a very small way to say thank you, and I mean it from the bottom of my heart, to celebrate recently passing my 500th Post and my 500th Follower I am hosting a Give Away.
(Sorry this one is not finished yet but it will be by days end and then I will post the finished project. Who knew wedding plans would be so all consuming?)
The photos you see peppered throughout this post are the presents. I will be choosing 5 winners, each receiving one of the gifts. To sign up for the Give Away just leave a comment on this post. Anyone is welcome to enter, even my international friends. You do not have to be a follower and you do not have to have a blog. I will leave the sign up open until Thursday, February 10, 2011 and will post the winners on Friday, February 11, 2011.

Have a wonderful day!