Goose Creek Candle Winner!

Hello, dear friends!  I hope you are enjoying a lovely fall day wherever you are today.  I apologize for being late in posting the winner of this giveaway!  My generous children decided to share a nasty virus with me this week, and I have been a little under the weather!

So without further ado, the winner is:

Pat from Gypsy Heart, who said:

Congratulations, Pat! 

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BUT DON’T FORGET!

You can use coupon code 1050 for 25% off your entire purchase from Goose Creek Candle Co. through September 30.  Christmas is coming!

Autumn Buffet & Goose Creek Candle Giveaway!

The days are getting shorter and thankfully—a little cooler as well!  This weekend I decide it was time to add a few autumn touches to my home, starting with my beloved buffet.

The timing was perfect because I recently received a candle from Goose Creek Candle Company to try, and I chose the “Apples & Spice” scent.  Naturally we had to light it up immediately…and it made me long for fall even more!  In my home, we eschew apple pie in favor of homemade apple pizza (it’s divine)…and it smells just like it!  My children sniffed the kitchen hopefully, and were admittedly a little disappointed when they found that the aroma was coming from a candle and not dessert!

The pretty glass jar and deep red color fits in beautifully with my other fall decorations. 

I love the fact that the jar is so understated, without a big clunky label.  It looks pretty lit or unlit!

I am highly sensitive to many perfumes, but I am happy to report that this scented candle did not bother my nose at all!

I think scented candles make great gifts.  It’s one of those things that I rarely buy for myself, but always enjoy having around. 

Goose Creek Candle Co. has generously offered to send a 16 oz. American Heirloom jar candle to one of my readers.  To enter, simply peruse their selection of scented candles and then leave a comment here telling me which scent you’d like to try!  Giveaway will close Friday, September 21.

Please leave an e-mail if you even think you MIGHT be a “no-reply” blogger!

In addition, you can use coupon code 1050 for 25% off your entire purchase from their site through September 30.  Christmas is coming!  Wouldn’t these make great neighbor gifts?

Two Years Winner!

My heartfelt thanks go out to all of you who took the time to leave such kind comments on my two year blogiversary!

I really enjoyed reading which projects were your favorites.

Without further ado, the winner of the giveaway is

Sue of Wicked Faerie Queen, who said:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Congratulations, Sue!  I will be e-mailing you.

And don’t forget to join me for Christmas in July for the next EIGHT DAYS!  My project will post Sunday  ;-)

Two Years & a Giveaway!

 

Two years ago my daughter pushed me to stop drooling over other people’s blogs, and start contributing to my own! 

So I did!

It didn’t stop the drooling…but it gave me a constructive outlet for my own projects!

Not only has blogging proved to be another great time-waster (like I needed another??), but has also inspired my creativity and encouraged me to learn new skills (like power tools!).

I’d like to say THANK YOU to all of you who make blogging worthwhile through your

kind comments,

genuine praise,

helpful suggestions,

and gentle good humor. 

I feel blessed by the “virtual friends” I have made over the last two years, and I look forward to getting to know more of you!

Now for the important part:

To celebrate two years, I will be giving one reader a FREE 24” x 8” beadboard sign of their choice, OR a $20 credit toward any other item in my etsy store.

TO ENTER

Leave a comment telling me of a favorite past project.

That’s it!  Giveaway will end Friday, July 20.

If you don’t want to wait…use coupon code TWOYEARS for 10% off any item in my etsy shop!  Code valid through Friday, July 20.

Easter Giveaway Winner!

Thanks to everyone who took the time to stop by my friends’ new Etsy shop:  Sister Time Creations!  Remember, cute baskets aren’t just for Easter!  Keep them in mind anytime you want a fun and unique gift idea (especially if you happen to know some birds-that-are-angry fans).

The winner of the beadboard sign giveaway is

Angie @ Knick of Time!  Congratulations, Angie!  I will be e-mailing you.

Easter Baskets & a Giveaway!

Two of my good friends have ventured into Etsy territory!  They are selling all sorts of painstakingly crocheted Easter baskets under the name Sister Time Creations.

What have they got to offer?  Well, take a look!

There are bunnies in all colors…

…a couple of bugs…

…and my personal favorites…the “birds who look angry.”

In all seriousness, Etsy can’t allow my friends advertise these under the famous name that probably popped into your head!  I suggested they call these “PerturBirds.” 

Think it would catch on??

…and their friends enemies!

There is still time to order these cute baskets before Easter!  And at $10 per basket, they are a bargain!

Now for the giveaway portion of this blog post.

I am offering one hand-painted 24” x 7” beadboard sign (below are a few examples, but use your imagination)!  If you want one larger than that, I will credit you the price of the smaller sign.

Two ways to enter!

1. Simply visit Sister Time Creations Etsy shop, and come back leave me a comment telling me what your favorite basket is.
2. Tweet, blog, or facebook about this giveaway for another entry!  Leave a separate comment telling me how you shared.

That’s it!  Giveaway will end Wednesday, April 4. 

Please note:  I cannot make the winner’s sign after April 9.

Burlap Love–a giveaway!

Growing up, picnics and holidays were an excuse to make homemade ice cream!  My introduction to burlap began there—my dad would put a big chunk of ice in an old burlap sack and whack it with the flat side of an axe to crush ice for the ice cream freezer.

If I told my dad that people (meaning me) were using burlap for curtains and pillows, I *know* he would think I was crazy!

But take a look at these adorable pillows from Kijsa Studio!

She makes them out of old burlap sacks

Dad, I’m sure she washed them first.

…and she has generously offered to give one of her initial pillows (your choice) away to a Red Hen Home reader!

There are two ways to enter:

1.  (Mandatory) Please visit Kijsa Studio’s Etsy shop, then come back here and leave a comment telling me which pillow is your favorite (initial, zipcode, address, etc).

2.  (Optional) Leave another comment telling me something good that happened to you within the last 24 hours!

That’s it!  Winner will be determined via random number generator on Monday, February 27.  Good luck!

What are you waiting for?? Visit Kijsa Studio HERE.

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P.S.  For those sweet souls who are wondering, the table issue isn’t quite resolved yet.  Apparently the manager got an e-mail back from the corporate office finally on Wednesday, and they were firm but kind on the store-credit-only stance.  The manager said he would send a second e-mail back saying HE thought they should give us our money back.  We shall see!

Olive Garden Review & Giveaway!

Hi all! Today I am posting a review for Olive Garden (make sure to read till the end of the post, there is a special giveaway for Tea Rose Home readers by Olive Garden!)

When I got the offer to do a review for them I squealed with joy! Olive Garden has been one of my favorite restaurants for years. When Mr. TRH and I were newlyweds we didn't have much money to eat out. It was "THE" restaurant to go to for special occasions. After we have been married for so many years with three kids, Olive Garden is still our favorite restaurant.

I love their comfortable and friendly atmosphere. To me, it is a nice restaurant that I want to dress up for a little, but it's not so fancy we can't take our kids. In fact, they offer a great selection & quality on their Kid's Menu, and I love their kiddie cups with lid, and the crayons & paper keep them busy while we wait for the food.

When I received the offer to do the review, the first people that popped in my head to take (besides the whole clan that lives under our roof) were my father and mother-in-law. I have been getting multiple procedures since October last year every three weeks or so, and sometimes it takes a week or more to recover. They have been such a wonderful support to our family during those times, picking up the kids from school the day of the procedure and keeping them for 2-3 days so I can rest better. My kids absolutely LOVE spending time at grandma and grandpa's, and I am so grateful they are so willing to help us. So, all seven of us went out to celebrate our "family". :)

My mother-in-law. Isn't she lovely?

At Olive Garden they are offering a new dinner special for $12.95. It is a 3 Course Italian Dinner. The 1st course is soup or salad...

Everyone's favorite bread sticks

Our favorite soup Zuppa Toscana. Did you know those breadsticks and soup/salad are unlimited?

2nd course is one of 5 new and exciting entrees...I really had a hard time choosing one, but being a seafood lover I had to choose Five Cheese Marinara Penne with Shrimp.

Mmm...I loved the sauce and the baked panko on top adds extra touch of flavor and texture

Wow, Mr. TRH took a picture right after I took a huge bite

3rd course is one of 5 Dolcini desserts. We all ordered different ones so we could taste most of them. What I love about their Dolcini desserts is their portion size. Usually I am too full to order a dessert after eating a dinner. They are just so perfect to end the meal on an even happier note. :)

I must say that my favorite is Dark Chocolate Cake. Are you in the mood for Chocolate mousse and caramel cream?

We enjoyed each other's company and spending time together with yummy food. Oh, wait; there are other happy makers my kids always look forward to. The mint chocolate. :)

So, that was my $12.95 3 Course Italian Dinner experience. Is your mouth watering? The special is running through March 18th so there's still plenty of time to try it! Are you ready to enter a special giveaway?

Olive Garden and BlogHer are giving away a $100 Olive Garden gift card to one of my Tea Rose Home readers!

To be entered for a chance to win, leave me a comment telling me your favorite course-breadsticks and soup, the main entree, or dessert?

Here are the rules:

No duplicate comments.

This sweepstakes runs from 2/21/12 - 3/18/12.

You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

a) Leave a comment (see question above in bold)

b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post

c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post

d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older.

Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail.

You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

The Official Rules are available here.

So, make sure to come back to see if you won the gift card. Good luck everyone!

Also, visit the Olive Garden page on BlogHer.com to check out the other blogger reviews and more chances to win!

Stocking Pillow Winner (and a teaser)!

Thank you to everyone who left sweet comments on the Stocking Pillow Giveaway. I was truly touched by the thoughtful and selfless gifts so many of you wished you could give!

Without further ado, the winner of the gray stocking pillow is:

Shellie B., who said:

Congratulations, Shellie! I will be e-mailing you for your address.

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Guess what crazy thing I decided to do in the two weeks before Christmas? I re-finished my countertops! Next week I will show them off, and there will be a giveaway for the great product I used!

Kitchen countertops BEFORE – gray and with a wood border I didn’t like…

More to come!

Stocking Pillows–tutorial & a giveaway!

This is a re-post of a tutorial for my Pottery Barn knock-off pillows that appeared on Craft Gossip in November.

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Pottery Barn has terrific pillows, no doubt about it. However, they also seem to be rather fond of their pillows, based on the price they put on them! For example, their Knit Stocking Lumbar Pillow cover is $49.

Yep, just the cover—pillow not included!

I actually visited the store (for the second time in my life) to get a closer look at this pillow. It’s SUPER cute, but really there isn’t anything too difficult about the construction or design.

So…I decided to make my own!

The little knit stockings are (obviously) what make the whole pillow. I visited a couple of local thrift stores and bought sweaters that had small-scale cable patterns.

And what else? Skirts! I could have gone to a fabric store and bought off-the-bolt fabric for the pillow slips. But I’m lazy; I was already AT the thrift store!

Pillow inserts came from IKEA. The FJDRAR inserts are 16” x 24” and cost a whopping $3 each.

I drew a stocking shape on a scrap of tissue paper for my pattern. I pinned my pattern so the bottom hem of the sweater would become the top of the stocking—less finishing work that way.

Pin the wrong sides of each stocking together, stitch around the edges (by hand or machine), and voila! Three little knit stockings.

I used another scrap of sweater material to make the stocking hangers, but you could use a loop of ribbon or yarn or twine.

To make the pillow slips, you want to add 1” to the width of your pillow form (1/2” on each side for a seam allowance), but about 4” to the length, to allow for the hem and the buttons. Here’s a tip, though—if you’re using the IKEA pillow forms, they aren’t very “full,” so I actually didn’t add any extra for seam allowances—that allows me to stuff the pillows a little fuller.

If you are using a skirt like I did, make sure to take advantage of the already-finished hem for one side of your pillow, and you can even use one of the side seams for your top seam. (Don’t forget that you don’t need that 1/2” seam allowance then. Don’t worry if you mess up; pillows are very forgiving.)

It’s easier to stich on your stockings and trim if you leave either the top or bottom seam unfinished. Lay everything out and be generous with your pins! I stitched the trim down first, and then I “tacked” the stockings in place by stitching back-and-forth-and-back-and-forth for about four stitches at about four places around the stocking (right near the edges). This could easily be done by hand as well. And the trim? Well, I gave strong consideration to using hot glue!!

Isn’t it amazing how the colors changed mid-project?? Must be Christmas Magic!

The last step in completing your pillow is to add the buttons on each side. If you want to be able to re-use the pillow insert, you can use real buttonholes, or you can just stitch the buttons on through both layers of the pillow cover! And what you choose to do may depend on what kind of day you’re having… (guess what I did??)

Ta-da! Here’s my Pottery-Barn knock-off.

But why stop there? There are a whole lot more options when you’re making them up as you go along! I loved this combination of red with a subtle gray plaid (from another skirt)…

…or you can make it even easier by using a pre-made pillow cover (this red velvet one was $7 from IKEA) and just dress it up with the stockings! (See the candy cane? these are functional, baby!)

And maybe you can add some jingle bells since this one didn’t get buttons!

I had fun making the three pillows, but quite honestly, the gray one doesn’t go anywhere in my house! But I thought maybe one of YOU might like it!

If so, simply leave a comment here! Tell me…what one gift would you most like to GIVE this year if you could? Let me know, and you’re entered to win. Giveaway will end Thursday, December 15. Please leave your e-mail if you don’t have one linked up!

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Linking up here:

Coastal Charm’s Nifty Thrifty Tuesday	Topsy Turvy Tuesdays
	Someday Crafts’ Whatever Goes Wednesday
Hookin’ Up with House of Hepworths	No Minimalist Here’s Open House Thursday
Friday Remodelaholic
My Simple Home Life’s Simple Creations Friday	Sisters of the Wild West
Funky Junk’s Saturday Night Special	The DIY Show Off
	I Heart Naptime
Beyond the Picket Fence’s Under $100 Party	My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Perfectly Imperfect	{Primp}
	My Repurposed Life