Our September Winner is Announced!

We pulled a random number this week and are pleased to announce the winner of the set of handcrafted pumpkins. The prize goes to Chani of France. Congratulations Chani! Belinda will be in touch with you to work out the shipping details.

Thanks so much to all who entered! And watch for the October giveaway to be posted later this week, just in time for Halloween!

Special thanks to Belinda of Wandering Whimsies for hosting the September giveaway!

Our September Giveaway-Just in Time for Fall

Here in the Louisville area we had a brief snap of cool weather and for a moment, it felt like fall! It was so welcome after the 90 degree temps we've had all summer. Thinking of cooler weather ahead, it's a great time to think about decorating for fall. And we have just the giveaway for you!

This month we are featuring the shop of Wandering Whimsies with creations by Belinda Johnston.

Belinda has graciously donated a set of large handcrafted country pumpkins. They will be perfect for Autumn and Halloween decorating!


"This set of large fabric pumpkins will look wonderful nestled atop your cupboard or sideboard with leaves and grubby pillar candles! Or as a table centerpiece, or along your mantle. They are the perfect touch for your Autumn decorating!

Each pumpkin is sewn from warm and natural quilt batting, painted a shade of harvest orange, coffee stained and baked dry in the oven.

The leaves are sewn from a variety of green plaid or check fabric with layers of batting and then coffee stained. (Shown with green checks). A single leaf is added to each pumpkin, along with rusty wire tendrils and a wood stem cut from a tree branch.

Each pumpkin has been sprinkled along the top with German glass glitter
--- just like the dew on the pumpkins in the fields.

Each pumpkin is approximately 5 1/2 - 7 inches in diameter and is unique from any other in the set."

The value of this giveaway is $24.95.

Wow, there is a lot of detail that goes into creating these special pumpkins. Need a set of your own? Here are the ways to enter!

1. Visit the WanderingWhimsies etsy shop and leave a comment here about any of the items in Belinda's shop. Or tell us something you would like to see Belinda create.

2. Follow the Bluegrass etsy team blog if you are not already a follower. Let us know you are following by commenting below. (one chance to win)

3. Subscribe to the Bluegrass etsy emails from this blog if you are not already a subscriber. Let us know you have subscribed in a comment below. (one chance to win)

4. Post about this contest on your own blog and leave us the link below for your blog. (one chance to win)

5. Tweet about this contest from your twitter account and leave us your twitter name. (one chance to win)

6. Make a purchase from Wandering Whimsies for 3 chances to win. List the transaction ID in three separate comments below.

This contest ends on September 30th. Good luck!

Our Holiday Giveaway!

We are excited to announce the winner of the November giveaway!! Wanda B. of Winnipeg, Manitoba is the winner of the necklace from 3Magpies.

Our December giveaway will be drawn in two short weeks so that the winner can enjoy it during the holidays. The December giveaway is created by our very own Belinda Johnston of WanderingWhimsies. Be sure to check out her shop for other cute whimsical items for the holidays!


Description: This 5 1/2 inch star shaped wood snowman is holding a banner made from a piece of vintage quilt with "Joy to the World" hand-stitched across the banner. Several small jingle bells adorn the edges of the banner.

The snowman is painted a light buttermilk color, sanded along the edges and lightly antiqued for an time worn appearance. This beautiful country primitive snowman ornament does have a wire hanger attached for hanging on your tree or wreath, but will also stand on its own on a shelf or mantle.

This item is valued at $15.95.

Want to win? Here's what you need to do. Visit the WanderingWhimsies etsy shop here. Come back to this blog post and leave a comment on something in Belinda's shop. Give Belinda ideas about what you like or ask a question of her. For additional chances to win, subscribe to this blog, become a follower, tweet about the contest or put the contest on your blog. Be sure to let us know with separate comments so you get additional chances to win.

We'll draw a random winner on December 15 and will post that week.

Good luck to all and Happy Holidays from the Bluegrass Etsy Team!!

Feature Friday: Wandering Whimsies

Today we feature Belinda Johnson of Wandering Whimsies, a talented member of our Bluegrass Etsy Team!


How did you first hear about etsy?

The first time I heard about etsy was several years ago while I was sitting in the school parking lot waiting to pick up my son. I always carry a project to work on, no matter where I'm at, and the lady parked next to me was sewing also. We started talking about crafts and the local shows coming up. I told her about my website and she told me about etsy and her shop.


Tell us about a little about yourself and your favorite craft/art!

I'm located in Radcliff, KY, just outside of Ft. Knox. We are retired Navy and when the US Army offered my husband a job here, we packed up and relocated one last time. I'm now a stay at home Mom with two teenagers (one a freshman and one is a senior) and work full time on my crafts. I have my etsy shop, a .com website, wholesale to specialty giftshops around the country and do several craft shows a year.

My favorite craft is sewing! I love primitive country decor and enjoy designing and creating my stitcheries, little "critters" (such as my sheep) and seasonal items, like pumpkins and snowmen.

How did you get started as a designer?

I was taught to embroider and sew at a young age by my mom, aunt and grandmothers and it's always been something I've done. As an adult, I spent my spare time working on projects and doing craft shows wherever we were stationed.

What inspires you to create?

Anything can be an inspiration! Things I see, something that someone says, a piece of fabric, etc. It stays in the back of my mind until an idea just "clicks". My best ideas seem to happen right before I fall asleep or in the middle of the night! My husband isn't concerned anymore when I get up to write down an idea or sketch a rough pattern.


How long have you been a member of Bluegrass etsy and how did you hear about the team?

I joined the Bluegrass team near the beginning of this year. I kept reading in the forums about being part of a team. So I checked all the teams listed (and there are quite a few) that sounded interesting and I may have common interests with.


Any advice you would give to aspiring designers?

To keep working at what you like to do, don't be afraid to try something new and challenging; and above all, never give up! Keep going even though you may want to quit - success, personal and otherwise, doesn't happen overnight.

*****************

Thanks Belinda for the interview. It was great learning more about you and we are happy that you selected Bluegrass etsy when you were looking for a team!

To see more of Belinda's art and craft, please visit her Wandering Whimsies etsy shop!