WE HAVE A WINN-A-H-H-H-H!

I could hardly stand it this morning!

It was finally here - the day of the drawing!
We would know the winner of the giveaway!

Oh, my gosh, I was so nervous!.................What if I drew my BFF's name?

What would people think?..................Would they think it was rigged?

"Oh, good grief, Sophie!! Wake up!! - this is exciting!"

What if I drew the name of someone I was unable to reach?
Then what do you do?

This was my very first blog giveaway - no wonder I was so excited and so nervous!

"Okay, mom. It's time. (with my precious mom drawing I knew I wouldn't be accused of any blog crimes) Put your hand in the box and please draw someone I don't know! (Oh, I'm just kiddin' ya! - I didn't really say that!)
She puts her hand in the box and draws.....................(doesn't she look good???)........................................

SUMMER SUNDAYS - JW!!! wooooooooooooo hoooooooooooooooo!

We've got ourselves a winnah-h-h-h!

And, now that it's all over except for the mailing of the box, I'm kinda sad.........................so I'm going to have another blog giveaway when I get home from Michigan! Yipee!!! (that'll be the latter part of February *yeah, I know*)

***And, now, on a serious note. . .I cannot begin to tell you how much your posts during this giveaway have meant to me. Your kind words, those of you who wanted to be added to my *some day I'll get it together and send my first one out* newsletter, those of you who signed up to follow my blog because you enjoy it so much, all of you made me feel very special, very loved, very accepted.

Thank you. I love my blog and I love that you love it. (and if you haven't read the story just below this post, oh, you must. It's simply divine.)

So, until next time, XOXO,

. . . . .Jan

"I got AWESOME!!!"

The 7 year old little girl was walking through the lobby of the Radisson Hotel, downtown Kalamazoo, this afternoon.
She was all bundled up for the weather and was following her mom and little sister to the lobby door.
As she walked, she concentrated on eating Valentine candy hearts out of a little bag.
I couldn't help but notice her....walking, picking out one heart at a time, sticking it in her mouth and chewing it up.

Her friend and her friend's mother had ridden the escalator to the mezzanine and were walking along the railing. But the little 7 year old girl was too involved in picking out the hearts, one by one, and reading what was written on each one before she popped it in her mouth, to pay attention to anything around her.

As I stood watching her, she pulled out one of the candy hearts and time stood still as she suddenly stopped.....turned the heart over in her hand.....read it.....and in the high, shrieking voice of a 7 year old girl, she held her hand in the air as she turned towards her friend and screamed,

"I got "AWESOME"!! I got "AWESOME"!!"

It was one of those moments in life that is simply precious.
It was so sweet, so honest, so natural, so precious that I am still re-living it.
I don't want to lose it.
I want to remember it forever.

XOXO,

. .Jan

IT WAS JUST THREE LITTLE WORDS!

Who would have thought that me naming my new Lollishop something other than the Polka Dot Barn would raise such a ruckus?
Well, obviously I didn't think it would cause so many of my dear friends to freak, but, I was obviously wrong about that.
You wouldn't believe some of the unsolicited squeals of disbelief,
of concern for my mental health, of the, "Shut up!" emails I received. . .

FINE! I hear you! Today I changed my Lollishop name from the Velvet Rain Studio (oh, how I'll miss that name......I did so love it) to the one all of you ranted about.............the Polka Dot Barn.
I decided it was more important to do what makes my friends the happiest.
So, make note.
Do it now.
http://www.lollishops.com/polkadotbarn
just like my blog,
just like my Etsy shop,
just like my Flickr account.

Like someone said...........it's just so me.

XOXO, my dear readers, my support, my friends,

.Jan

Oh, and guess what?!! Lee Ann and I hooked up! She read the post below and re-emailed me:)

REMINDER: MY BLOG GIVEAWAY ENDS THIS SUNDAY AT 11:59 p.m. - IF YOU HAVEN'T ENTERED IT, JUST SCROLL DOWN 'TIL YOU GET TO THE BLOG GIVEAWAY POST AND LEAVE A COMMENT. THIS IS A GREAT GIVEAWAY! WOOOOO HOOOOOO!!!!!!

LEE ANN / MAYO - I DON'T KNOW ANY OTHER WAY TO DO THIS!

Pardon me, everyone, but I got the most wonderful email from one of my faithful readers, Lee Ann.....when I tried to email you back, Lee Ann, my email would not go through to the email address you gave me.

Please email me again as I would like to reply to your email! I am not going to post the email address you gave me since this blog is read by millions.

ROTF, Jan

CUPCAKE EXTRAVAGANZA GIVEAWAYS & MORE!!

Ohhhhhh, this is going to be FUN! Mammalicious Finds is hosting this fun time, so get on over to their blog and get the information you need to play!

I'm playing!!
I'm one of the sponsors, I guess that's what you'd call me:)
I'm giving away the cupcake box below and I am so-o-o-o-o-o excited about that!
It's so darling, with a glittered ballerina on top - and the top is wrapped with a beautiful violet single seam binding ribbon.
The cupcake is made of felt and is glammed up with glitter and sequins!
There's pink rick-rack running along the bottom of the front of the box.

I filled the inside of the box with all kinds of wonderful ephemera!

Just look at it all! Oh-h-h-h, it's just wonderful!

I hope you play so that you will have a chance to win this cupcake box!

I originally had it listed in my Lollishop for approx. $21.00 before I pulled it to play in the Extravaganza!

Have fun playing and visiting all of the different sponsors!
And, vote for me as your favorite if you want to! LOL


FYI: MY OWN BLOG GIVEAWAY IS ENDING VERY SOON, SO BEFORE YOU LEAVE MY BLOG, SCROLL DOWN AND ENTER YOUR NAME! AND, YOU CAN SIGN UP TO FOLLOW MY BLOG AND RECEIVE MY NEWSLETTER, TOO! WOW - WHAT A DEAL! lol

XOXO,

. .

NOT SNOW, NOR SLEET........

Just a quick note to let you know that I made it to my mother's late this afternoon!
Oh, don't let the casual tone of my voice fool you.
I could have been killed!

I was quite fine until I got to Ft. Wayne, Indiana, on my way to my sister, Joan's, last night.
Then I could see snow on the ground, it was really windy so snow was blowing across the highway and I couldn't see the road at times and I was driving in the dark.
A lone woman.

I got to Angola where my sister lives and then I almost hit an unsuspecting car stopped at a light.
Oh, it wasn't that I was traveling too fast for the conditions or texting while drove (I'm too old to even try). I drive a convertible and I told Frank the Tank that my car was too light to drive in the snow.

I was right.

But, God loves me so much he got me to mom's this afternoon.
Oh, once again, my casual tone is deceiving.
I could have been killed.
It was snowing so hard that sometimes everything looked white.

And it's cold up here.
I wanna go home.
I'm holding off my final opinion that you have got to be nuts to live in this weather until I've been here a bit longer.
You see, I grew up here until I left for college in Oklahoma in '71.
But, I'm thinking old people should all live in Texas.
In fact, we've got our guest house for rent.
If you're old, then you should seriously consider moving to Texas.
You can live on the ranch with us.
It was 75 there today.

I've got wonderful pictures of purchases I made in an antique mall in Noblesville, Indiana, on the way up here.
I'll get them posted tomorrow:)

XOXO,
. .
. . .

MISSOURI - AMERICA'S VACATION STATE???

Okay, before you start reading this you must take two things into consideration.
One, I'm really tired.
And, two, I'm really tired.
Oh, wait.
I already said that. LOL
Okay. Two, if you live in Missouri or hold it dear to your heart for whatever reason, read this in the spirit that it's written - I'm just going for a laugh and, actually, I could be writing about many different states that I've driven through in the past...

As my blog followers and friends know, I'm driving to Michigan to get my mom and bring her back to the ranch for a few months like we did last winter.
The difference this year is that I've packed most of my studio, including my Lollishop listings, in my trunk because I'll be dog sitting my sister's dog, Mo, for four weeks (you read that right - long story and you'd be bored) while she's in Florida before mom and I start back for the ranch. I'll have lots of time to work!

Anyway, today I hit Missouri and I declare, I'm on the tollroad and the minute I cross into Missouri from Oklahoma, it was like vacationer's Hell.
Missouri - America's vacation state??...........
you be the judge. LOL

Billboards...........lots of billboards, advertising all there is to do - how does anyone get through this state???

PRECIOUS MOMENTS MUSEUM - The first billboard I saw.
What do I do???
Do I stop?
How do I NOT stop?

SNAKE WORLD ZOO - If I stop, I can die happy.

XXX ADULT VIDEO SUPERSTORE - Do they have motels close by???
I could hit the Precious Moments Museum first, then XXX and walk across the parking lot to my motel.

WALNUT BOWL FACTORY - I can always use another bowl and these are wooden.

COZY COFFEE CORNER AT CALICO COUNTRY - Cozy coffee? We do not have that in Texas. Might be worth a stop...

WORLD'S LARGEST GIFT STORE - Christmas shopping early.
I wonder how big their gag section is?

So, I had some fast thinking to do............
stop???
keep driving???
stop???
keep driving???

And then I saw a Motel 6.

XOXO,
. .

WHAT DO YOU GET WHEN YOU PUT TOGETHER A BLANKET, FLARES, EXTRA WATER BOTTLES AND A CHARGED CELL PHONE???

What do you get when you put together a blanket, flares, extra water bottles and a charged cell phone?
Me.

Me and my really light weight convertible driving from south Texas *leaving today* to Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Snow storms, blizzards, really cold weather (lower than FORTY!!), black ice, truckers that really should have stopped hours ago for a nap on the interstate with me.....oh, my, that certainly doesn't sound right!

What I meant was that I'm on the interstate with truckers that should have stopped hours ago for a nap.

Not a nap with me.

Just a nap alone in their truck so that they don't fall asleep at the wheel and my car becomes their extra axle. (I think I know what an axle is so that crack should have worked...)

So, there you have it! I'm on my way to Michigan, laptop in hand so as to keep you up to date on all of the excitement on the way, while I'm there for FOUR *stinkin* weeks (another post), and the drive home.

Bringing mom back with me like I did last year. What a blast!! We do have fun!

So, until later, keep those prayers comin' for travel safety and I'll keep you abreast (still thinkin' about that trucker) of the adventures I happen upon on my way up north!

Loveyoumeanit.

You're the best!!

(oh, and not to worry, I'm takin' the giveaway with me:) It's all packaged up and ready to go out to the "winn'ah"!)

Hey, I'm taking all of my precious (leaving the stupid ones home) Valentines with me that are listed in my Lollishop.

Go order something.

I may need the money to pay the tow truck to pull my little lightweight convertible out from under than sleepy trucker!

.

Blessing to you all,

.

XOXO,

.

OH, I JUST HAVE SO MUCH TO TELL YOU!

BLOG GIVEAWAY

IT'S STILL OPEN, SO IF YOU HAVEN'T ENTERED,

SCROLL DOWN A FEW POSTS & ENTER!

.

.

Now, where to start???
Should I break all of my fun news into several posts over the next several days or give it all to you at once?
I'm feelin' "break it down into several posts" - keeps ya guessin' and comin' back, right???
So, let's start with the BIG NEWS!

I HAVE *finally* OFFICIALLY OPENED MY LOLLISHOP! wooo hooo!!
I have been working so hard on Valentine's pieces so y'all would have much to choose from and I feel like I've stocked the shop enough to break out in song that it's open!!
You're looking at some pictures of what you can expect to see in
my new shop.

And, while you're here, I'd like for you to take a poll........
in the comments section, after you rave about my art

and before you go to the shop and buy lots,

.........

let me know, do you think:
(a.) I should keep the name "Velvet Rain Studio" for my Lollishop name,
(b.) I should change the name to "the Polka Dot Barn" which is the name I've used forever for my Etsy shop and my blog, or
(c.) I should call it "the Velvet Rain Studio at the polka dot barn".

.

I really value your input so please let me know what you're thinking - though I will tell you that if you "search" for "Polka Dot Barn" when you go to Lollishops, it should take you to my shop because I always use P.D.B. in my tags list.

OH, and this is a vital piece of information!..........
THE POSTAGE CHARGE IS FIGURED INTO THE COST OF EACH PIECE!
No extra postage charges tacked on at checkout.
AND, if you buy more than one item,

of course I'll combine the shipping!

I'm even using a digital scale, so I'm exact.
Obviously, I'm a professional. LOL

I hope you've enjoyed this peek into my new Lollishop!
I'm really excited about it!
Double click on any of the highlighted and underlined

"Lollishop" or "my new shop"
and my shop will magically appear for you to look over!
.

Thanks so much for letting me ramble on about my new adventure!

And, don't forget the giveaway if you haven't entered!

.

.

Like I always say,

I have the best readers and I do so appreciate you!!

.

XOXO,

.

KREATIV BLOGGER AWARD....i got an award!!

For me, to receive an award that references my blog and shows me that someone appreciates the work I put into making it the best I know how, means a LOT to me.

Silly, I know, and it sorta reminds me of high school - the affirmation, the being chosen (and not being chosen last - horrors)

- anyway, my sweet friend, Heidi, at Everyday Cookies has presented me with an award! ....made MY day!

(Also, be sure and visit her blog because she has a nice surprise for you:)

The rules of this award are pretty straightforward.

I am to name 7 random things that I love and pass the award along to 7 deserving bloggers.

Now, naming 7 random things that I love is easy-peasy - I could make this list like 100 random things I love! LOL
So. What I'm going to do is list things that are not the first things that pop into my head.....like God, my family, my studio...........you get it, right? I'm going for random!

1. I love that all three of our boys (age 18, 21, 23) are letting God lead them in school, relationships and work. (pics of the Fab Three are in a post a couple below this one...)

2. I love that we have so many winter birds that they're eating us out of house and home.

3. I love that we live on a ranch and don't have neighbors. That I can spend days at home without seeing anyone or going anywhere.

4. However, I love going to the movies, so much so that I don't mind at all going alone.

5. I love that I'm having my very first blog giveaway - I think that's so cool!

6. I love that I've taken the plunge, which comes with great risk of failure, to open a shop on the new marketplace, Lollishops. (www.lollishops.com/velvetrainstudio)

7. I love junking. It's like a drug for me. The thrill of the hunt and then when I find a treasure and the price is right - it's a high.

Now, the rules state that I must pass this award onto 7 deserving bloggers and they will tell us 7 random things that they love. I think this is one of the better survey thingies I've been asked to do - I liked the random part.

So, ladies, I tag..............

1. Kathy @ http://www.alteredantiquity.typepad.com - she' a friend from Paper Whimsy and I just adore her!

2. Blaiz @ http://www.blaiz.blogspot.com - I met Blaiz at Art-n-Soul and she is the sweetest thing!

3. Tina Lee @ http://cherryhillcottage.typepad.com - I haven't visited her blog in entirely too long *however, I will very soon!*, but, I love it and Tina Lee, herself!

4. Theresa @ http://gardenantqs.blogspot.com - oh, my gosh, I adore her blog!

5. Keesha @ http://lemoncholys.blogspot.com/ - one of my dearest friends and even though we have both gotten so busy in so many directions that we're not in touch as much as we used to be, I still count her as one of my BFF. She's wonderful!

6. Pam @ http://pamwardenart.blogspot.com - a true soul mate. This woman is one of my closest friends. . .and we've never even met! How about that!

7. And, last but never least, Rande @ http://r2artstudio.typepad.com - she is my inspiration when it comes to art. Visit her blog and see what I mean...http://r2artstudio.typepad.com

I hate that I have to stop at 7 because there are more I'd love for you to get to know.

The only thing I ask of my 7 is that when you've posted, that you shot me an email so I can go read and learn more about you because you're all dear to my heart.

Don't forget my blog giveaway (the post is right below this one:) and thanks so much for taking the time to visit my blog! I've just got the BEST readers!

XOXO,

.

MY FIRST BLOG GIVEAWAY...about time, don't 'cha think?

Hi, sweet friends!
I'm having my very first blog giveaway and I'm so excited!
. . .I gotta tell ya, I've never even been tempted to have one before last night!
Last night I was working on this most precious box of treats for my new *more empty than full!* Lollishop and it just hit me, "Der! You should put together some of these fabulous treats for a giveaway!"
The "Der" told me it was from God - so, a giveaway it is!

Now that you've seen the big picture, here's a close-up of part of the treats!
I want you to notice the paints.....I LOVE THEM! They are amazing - the paint goes on translucent with a sheen to it. Light. They're so wonderful - you will love them!
And, there's tickets, ribbons, glitter flower die-cuts and a really cute stick pin.
And, in this next close-up you can see that there's yards of ribbon (single seam binding), a vintage needle folder that is shaped like a rose and comes in a glassine envelope, lace, darling tags, flowers and it all comes presented beautifully to the winner of the giveaway!

Oh, and looking at these pictures I just thought of something else to add! It's fabulous - I'll keep it a surprise!! wooohooo!!

Okay, so here's all you need to do to win!
(Isn't this fun???)
Just post a comment making sure you give me your email address and it wouldn't hurt my feelings at all *giggling* if you signed up to receive my newsletter and signed up to follow my blog (both in the right column)!

I'm going to run this giveaway until, hmmmmmmm, I wanna give everyone in the world time to find it, sooooo, I will run it until Monday, January 26th.
That's three weeks - I think that's long enough, don't you?
I'll be on the road from January 15th 'til January 22nd making my way to my mom's (road trip! "Yes!!"). I'll be in Michigan at mom's when the drawing for the winner takes place so I'll have my mother pick the winner and mail the 'package' from her house!

Thanks for playing! You're the best and I appreciate all of my readers so much!

XOXO,
.

Later this week look for a post about my new shop at Lollishops!