favorites and a new giveaway

This week while perusing the internet (all about the perusing here), I found a few terrific new blogs. Since it's spring and I'm in an especially good mood, I'm going to post blogs that are funny and whimsically creative.

Life of a Black Lab. Learn about life from a dog's perspective as we follow Shelby, a graduate of Petsmart Puppy training school. One of my favorites is Ask Shelby, Shelby's monthly Q&A session. In her most recent post she tells us about her new library and Paddie. Shelby even twitters! You really must read. Seriously, you must.

So we've covered the funny. Alisa Burke, Redefine Creativity covers the whimsically creative category. Alisa is an artist, creator, teacher, and lecturer. Need more proof? Check out this post showing how she made a gorgeous necklace with SHRINKWRAP! Yep, she's a keeper.

Now it's time to talk about next month's giveaway. I had to fight the 17 year old over this one (AND the hubby, for that matter). Why? Because they both thought it was too nice to giveaway. What did I say? Poppycock! (Okay, I didn't really say that. I just got carried away with the verbiage.)

This amazingly soft wristlet made from reclaimed leather with a super sweet flower on the front, also made from reclaimed leather, is May's gift from Waterstone. It's the perfect size when you just don't want to lug the purse, so soft that you will find yourself stroking this baby, and the inside is lined with a rosebud fabric that actually came from a little girl's Laura Ashley dress. (No, I didn't take the dress from the kid! It's recycled!) Even the zipper is recycled. This cutie would list for about $50 - ish in my shop and I'm not even going to attempt a guess as to how much something of this caliber would set you back in a shop like Anthropologie.

{ isn't it cute? and don't you just love the model's purple nail color? }

The giveaway lasts through May 17th. Here are the rules for the soft as a baby's behind, reclaimed leather wristlet.

Pick one or more from the list below. You will get one entry for each item - up to FIVE! Do all five or just one - it's up to you. Leave a comment to let me know what you've done so that I can add your name to the hat 1 - 5 times. And for heaven's sake, if your contact email isn't on your profile page, provide your contact information. That's it! Again, the contest ends May 17, 2010.

1) Join me on Facebook - it's easy. Just click the "like" button in the right column here on this page. What? Already "like" waterstone? Then post about the giveaway on your wall.

2) Become a follower of this blog. (if you're already a follower, just comment to let me know and that counts as well.)

3) Head over to my etsy shop and bounce back, describing your favorite item.

4) Blog, tweet, or facebook about the giveaway. (provide your link please)

5) Add your name to my mailing list. (click the link at the top of this page)

Don't forget to let me know what you've done to enter.

Sending out tons of virtual {{{hugs}}} to you. Now, go read the fun new blogs and before you're gone for good, enter to win the scrumptious reclaimed, soft as a baby's behind, leather wristlet.