OH, YEAH, BABY, FUN IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER!

I had the hardest time deciding what to title this post...there were so many elements to choose from, so I just settled on "Oh, yeah, baby, FUN is right around the corner!" It seems to cover it all in a wide scope kind of way. . .

REGISTRATION FOR THE 2ND ANNUAL PAPER COWGIRL ART RETREAT BEGINS ON MARCH 1ST AT http://www.papercowgirl.blogspot.com/.

This year it's (the retreat) being bumped up and it's going to be amazing! More classes, Vendor's night, shopping at a most incredible scrapbook store, the Hampton Hotel as base, and on and on and on! So, go to the Paper Cowgirl blog, get all the scoop on the classes, shopping, registration information (REGISTRATION BEGINS MARCH 1ST), and, if you can, make your way to the Paper Cowgirl Art Retreat, June 26 - 27!!

Now, I wouldn't be me, would I, if I didn't tell you that I'm teaching one of the classes! So, let's just all say it together. . ."Jan's teaching an amazing class!" LOL

Below is a picture of a canvas I did for my dad a couple of years ago and it gives you a *slight* idea of what my class is about...you'll get more information on the P.C. blog on March 1st and the REAL PROTO-TYPE will be posted there, too.

But, I wanted to give you an idea of what to expect in my class, Home is Where Art Begins. It's going to be so much fun, family themed and I hope to teach everyone at least one thing they don't already know! LOL

That being said, and knowing how wonderful all of the other classes and teachers are, your socks are going to be blessed right off of your feet if you're a part of this amazing weekend!

Thanks for reading my blog! Y'all are simply wonderful!!

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!!!!!!

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!