April 25, 2011

500th Post Celebration and Giveaway!

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It’s my 500th blog post celebration! So Marty and I are having a grand giveaway! All the things you see below will be raffled off to a lucky blogging friend: a birdhouse carving, an antique doily with a pen-ink illustration, four picture note cards, and a National Monument patch. Can you tell that the theme is “birds”? I like critters of all kinds (almost), and I have a particular fondness for our winged friends. And it’s finally the spring season, that time of year when the birds are starting to build their nest and raise their young. Three cheers for spring! So I have collected this special assortment of prizes to commemorate my latest blogging milestone.

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One of the treasures is a wooden birdhouse and little bluebird made by Appalachian whittler, Bill Henry. Bill is a long-time member of the Foothills Craft Guild and the Southern Highland Craft Guild. He is a dear friend of ours and was a handcrafting colleague of hubby’s mom (who was a famed hand weaver). Bill holds the distinction of being one of the nicest people I have ever known in my life. Sad to say, I don’t have a personal picture of him, but you can see Bill whittling away right HERE. The carving is about 7 inches tall and couldn’t be a more charming piece of folk art.

Another special treasure is an antique embroidered doily. An adorable sketch of birds has been applied to the linen by talented artist Michelle Palmer. The ink drawing is entitled “Brothers and Sisters – Perched!” Measuring a dainty 10” by 5½”, you should be able to find a place in your home to display this endearing art piece.

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Carrying on with the feathered theme, I am including a set of four of my handmade note cards. I captured the image of a momma wren a couple of years ago while it was tending its brood in our Williamsburg bird bottle. A gentle watercolor application was applied to the image for additional charm. Also, I picked up an extra Petroglyph National Monument patch in New Mexico to include in the giveaway box. This patch features a petroglyph image of a bird that we saw along the park’s trail.

Here’s how to get your name in the proverbial hat to win this bevy of prizes:

  1. Leave a comment on this post to get one entry.
  2. If you follow my blog, please leave second comment to get two additional entries.
  3. Entries outside the U.S. will be accepted. However, only those from bloggers with active web sites will be eligible.

The last day to enter is Sunday, May 1. Good luck and thank you for helping me have so much fun through 500 posts!

32 comments:

  1. I'm afraid to go first! And I would SO love to win! I love the Michelle's art and all of the lovely things! ♥

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  2. You've been on my blog list for a long time...but I am a new follower! I love your blog! It seems like we have a lot in common...I always enjoy my time here! Happy blogging! ♥

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  3. Congratulations! Such beautiful treasures and the winners will be so pleased :) I'm a follower and an admirer of all your outstanding photos!

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  4. I would Love this but it wouldn't be fair... I won your Bear giveaway.... And it was Great!
    Sign up People!! Donna's giveaways are Wonderful!!!
    Great stuff Donna!
    Happy 500drth!!! I've loved every post...
    Hughugs

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  5. And you motivate me to do much better!! ((Hugs))

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  6. Oohhhh...count me in! And, I'm a follower! I would LOVE the petroglyph patch! Hubby and I just returned from the eastern Sierra Nevada range, where we found some petroglyphs! Now, I'm eager to return and take more photos!
    Cheryl Ann

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  7. congratulations on your 500th post. What wonderful giveaways, and what clever people you know. It's because of your bird thingy that I've really started to look at our feathered friends. Thanks.

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  8. i do follow your blog, so count me in again.

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  9. Oh I do love birds! Thanks for tossing my name in the cap. (My grandfather was a whittler so I am particularly charmed by Bill's art.)

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  10. Hi! I have been slow to write new posts for awhile but I enjoy keeping up with my fellow bloggers. I guess I'll put my name in the hat for your giveaways! I love birds too~

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  11. Oh, goodie. I get two entries. :D I'm in love with both the bird house and the doily. I am so impressed with your note cards -- exceedingly clever and beautiful.

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  12. As a follower, here's my second entry. :D

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  13. What a wonderful giveaway, Donna! You are such a sweetie :) So count me in!

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  14. Ah, and you know I am a happy follower :)
    Congrats on 500 posts!!!!!!!!
    xo, misha

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  15. Congrats on your 500th post. I'm quite as prolific only reaching my 200th post recently. I love all the gifts you have chosen to bless readers with for your giveaway.

    Looking forward to many more posts! Jeanne

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  16. Congratulations on your 500th post. I have so enjoyed your posts and gorgeous pictures!

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  17. Congratulations, Donna!

    Those are lovely gifts, but please don't count me in as I've already received wonderful gifts from you!

    ((hugs))

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  18. Congrats! I LOVE that little birdhouse...too too sweet. I'd love to win!!

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  19. Congratulations Donna!!!

    But I don't participate in give-away's. Because I never gave one.

    Gentle hugs...

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  20. Congratulations on 500 posts Donna!
    Those bird items will make a wonderful collection for any bird lover!

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  21. Congratulations of 500 posts. I haven't been here since the beginning but I've enjoyed every one I've read. Here's to 500 more

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  22. And of course I'm a follower. You are one of my definite stops :)

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  23. Congrats on 500 post! I always enjoy seeing all of your pictures you post! I'm a follower, but former winner, so I'll be fair and let others have an opportunity to receive such beautiful items from you.

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  24. Such a bevy of beautiful and wonderful gifts! Having been the recipient of your bloggy-benevolence before, I know the lucky winner will be more than thrilled with the gift box!!!

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  25. Oh and ... happy 500th post! May you write 5000 more.

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  26. Congratulations on your 500th post I've got a way to go before I hit that milestone.
    I do whittling myself a little bit and think the bird house is great what a neat idea.

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  27. I've visited your blog numerous times before from links through so I thought it was about time I followed it properly too great blog here goes for another 500.

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  28. Oh girlfriend. I am totally into the bird thing right now. I have them throughout my home. So I am all over this giveaway.
    Congrats on the 500th post too. I'm glad that I've been able to read probably over 400 of them since I met you.
    Hugs
    KIm

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  29. Happy 500th blog, Donna! What cute items you're giving away. I wouldn't mind winning, that's for sure! :-)

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  30. Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, and did I mention I'm a follower of yours too? LOL And a follower of Marty's! We can't forget him!

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Marty, here! Donna loves comments, and I faithfully pass them on to her. Thank you so much for visiting!