Give away #3 Animal stickers

My computer is back. Yes!!  Had to take it back.  Boo!! Hiss!!  Now I have a computer that works so much better in spite of the frustration of getting it fixed.  First I had to take it down because it was s--l--o--w and frustrating, overheating, but put it off cuz I didn't want to be without my computer no matter how frustrating it was getting.  Then the touch pad was no longer functioning properly and sometimes the cursor wouldn't move and I would have to restart.  Kind of hard to use a computer in that condition so to the Geek Squad it went. 

They backed it up, wiped it clean, reinstalled Windows, took it apart and cleaned out the dust and it worked amazing better.  However I had to reload programs and then data but could not get my one computer, one use programs  to reinstall.  Considering this included MS Works and my anti-virus program this was a serious problem.  I also tried to reinstall my photos onto my computer and then couldn't pull them up on my editing programs another big problem for me.  Back to the Geek Squad again.  They were able to fix all these problems and I am now back in business; however I was without a computer that was set up for me for quite a while.  I had to borrow a computer to put up the posts for the last week or so.  Unfortunately this has slowed down getting my themed sticker sheets out to my winners.

Above is the sheet for SheWhoSeeks; she choose animals as her theme as she like the frog on the bottom of the first sheet of stickers (see my post on Giveaway #3.  These photos were taken of critters from my garden and the Atlanta zoo.  Hope she enjoys.

The give aways for those I heard back from will be going out Monday as I had to re-install my printer, too and then the ink needs to dry before they can be sent. Helpful tip: when you print in color on an ink jet printer the ink needs to dry and cure for 24 hours before it can even be stacked much less shipped.  It has taken longer to do this than I had expected but they are going out as quick as I could get them out

Even though I am still reinstalling programs and getting things set up like I want, I'm back.  Thanks for you patience

Enjoy

☺☺☺Johnina☺☺☺

  

Sticker winner is:

These are the stickers to be given away and after the winner lets me know what theme they would like )see http://young-eclectic-encounters.blogspot.com/2011/09/give-away-3-photo-stickers.html.  I will be posting their personally selected photo stickers.

Using a random number generator the winner is

Gypsywomen (http://gypsywomanworld.blogspot.com/)

Since I had so many entries I decided to give a second prize and the random number generator picked

Carlyn (http://craftingwithstyle.blogspot.com/)

And since Debra entered more times than anyone else and entered in all three ways;  I have decided to give her a third prize

Debra (http://shewhoseeks.blogspot.com/)

Congratulations to all; I'll be contacting you shortly or you can leave a comment here with your chosen theme

Enjoy

♥♥♥Johnina♥♥♥

Disorganized organization

A couple of days ago i opened up my computer only to be greeted by the dreaded blue screen.  Fortunately I was able to start my computer without any more problems; however It reminded me that I had not backed up my photos for about a month.  When I was backing up my files I realized I really needed to organize my photos.  Yet another task that I have neglected lately.

When I was going through my photos I discovered some photos I really liked and don't think I've ever posted so just for fun I am posting just this and that photos.

Hope you

Enjoy

☺☺☺Johnina☺☺☺

PS scroll down to enter my latest give away

Give away #3

Give away #3 Photo Stickers

I have so enjoyed sharing my art that I have decided to do another giveaway,  This time it will be two sheets of stickers with my photos.  Since so many of my followers are artists I thought this would be creative way to share my work.  Mixed media artists can use them in their art, or they can be used on envelopes for mail art, glued to a magnet or any way the winner wishes to creatively use them.

 The photos are 12 to a page which makes them about wallet size. The photo sheet above is one of them and the other one will be a sheet of photos with the choice of theme chosen by the winner. Some ideas might be fall colors, clouds, Christmas, landscapes or whatever strikes the winners fancy.  I have lots of photos with lots  of different themes so hopefully I can create a set of stickers from their theme.  I will post a photo of that sheet when the winner chooses their theme

Rules:

Winner will be chosen on Oct 15

The winner will be chosen using a numbers generator.

Each of the following will count as an entry

1- Leave a comment on any of my posts- please leave a comment on the post itself, you will be automatically entered for each comment

2- Sign up to follow my blog- if you already follow my blog leave a comment on this post

3- List me on your blog as a blog that you follow, then leave a comment telling me so- if you already have me on your blog list just leave a comment on this post

Good luck

and

Enjoy

☺☺☺Johnina☺☺☺

Update Give away #2

So far i have not recieved any entries for my give away of the book Creative Awakenings.  As blogger comments are not always reliable and if you have entered; please e-mail me at johninayoung@yahoo.com.  If you would still like to enter see my post Give away #2.  The deadline is still tomorrow, Sept. 15.

Enjoy

☺☺☺Johnina☺☺☺

Give away #1 revisited

This is going to be short and sweet.  I gave myself my IVIG last night which always leaves me achy and then I had physical therapy first thing this morning.  Big mistake.  I hurt. With the help of my husband;  I did however get my act together enough to get the first giveaway gathered together and mailed. 

I hardly ever delete my photos no matter how bad they are.  The background for the CD and cover is a very badly out of focus photo of a Nasturtium.  I think it made a great background; much better than a solid color.   Going to the post office after my afternoon Doctor appointment (long day) turned out to be a pleasant experience.  The winner lives in Thailand so I had to deal with international mail; which I haven't done since my son served a 2 year mission in Brazil several years ago.  The postal worker was very helpful and because it was international mail it took longer to mail it.  While I was filling out the paperwork this delightful postal worker and I had an interesting conversation on mail art and the photo I had placed on the envelope.  Even with as tired and in pain as I was, this discussion lifted my spirits and made me glad that I have decided to share my art with others.  Not so long ago I would not have felt that my art work was worth sharing much less believed  it would  bring pleasure to other people's lives.  Even at 55 I am learning and growing not just in my artist endeavors but also personally.  Once again serendipity brings joy into my life.

Enjoy

♥☺♥Johnina♥☺♥

Oh no- fall begins in Georgia

In the last couple of days it has become obvious that autumn is getting a head start this year in Georgia.  In the last couple of days I've had to locate my jacket, turn off the air conditioner because the house was to cold with it on, and this morning I was able to open the windows so I could check out the heater and make sure it worked.  Every year when it starts to get cool at night we turn on the heat to make sure it works and to make sure any dust accumulated in the system during the summer is gone.  I hate that first time start up smell.  I would also be very unhappy if we needed it one night and it didn't work.  We've lived in this house for over 20 years now with the same heat pump.  The last time we had to have the air-conditioner part of it fixed, we were told they don't even make parts for our heat pump anymore.  Happy to say it works wonderfully.  I really don't want to have to replace it right now.

I am enjoying the cooler weather especially in the morning when I walk the dog and work in the garden.  I am really getting excited about planting my fall perennials, clearing out and changing around my gardens.  I am not looking forward to the leaves falling and this has already started.

This picture was taken in my front yard this morning.  Amazingly the photo above is the same photo as the photo at the top of this post.  I am still learning the nuances of Photoscape and having lots of fun.  I have been organizing my photos and in doing so  I have discovered that I do not feel that a photo is finished until I either put a frame around it or do some kind of art editing to it.  Discovery # 1 in my journey to decide what direction to take my art.

Please remember the giveaway of the book Creative Awakenings. I am working on my journal and will shortly have some photos of my progress.  Click here for details.

Enjoy

☺☺☺Johnina☺☺☺

Give away #2 Creative Awakenings

This is the book to be given away

I received this book for my birthday and it is wonderful.  Soooo I decided to share it with my friends,  for my second give away.  This last birthday was the big double nickel and with all the changes and challenges of late; I am feeling a little at a loss as to what direction to take my life.  When I was younger I wanted to go into psychology and become a therapist.  This developed into wanting to do art therapy with abused children.  I have always had a creative bent, but with raising six kids; time and money were at a premium so my dreams got put on hold.  It literally took years of birthdays and Christmas's to gather brushes, paints and canvases for my first paintings.  I did sew and quilt for my family which did give me a creative outlet, but the kids always came first.  I had plenty of plans for when I became an empty nester.  Unfortunately as an empty nester my health severely limits what I can do.  I'm learning not to put my dreams on hold anymore; especially after Emily has been so sick, I realized nobody is guaranteed a tomorrow to make their dreams come true.  My problem is what direction do I want to take my life.  I know it will involve blogging as I have come to love this form of self expression and the friendships I have gained.  I can't do everything that I want to do; my body just won't allow that any more, so this book is perfect for where I am right now. Hopefully to give some direction to my endeavors.   I have read Creative Awakenings                                                                                                                        pretty well all the way through and what it does is take you through the process of discovering yourself and your dreams through art and words.  Once a month you do a piece of art and everyday you look at it and contemplate what it is trying to tell you.  You can add to the art as the month goes by changing and considering.  I will be posting this once a month and would like anyone out there to join me in my new encounter with myself and maybe discover some things about yourself in the process.  All you need is this book, a 9x12 sketchbook (mine is one for Mixed Media) and art supplies of your choice.           I am able to offer this as I have become an Amazon Associate and this prize will be sent to the winner by Amazon.  I chose Amazon as an income choice for several reasons  1-I can choose just exactly what is advertised; only those things that I fully recommend as I have found what is advertised has brought help or pleasure into my life. 2-All it takes to help me out is to click on the advertised items or if you order from Amazon for other items you can help me out by going to the Amazon box in the top right of my blog and fill out your category or just hit GO and it takes you to Amazon.  I then get credit for your sales without it costing you anything but an extra mouse click to get to my site.  Please remember me anytime you order from Amazon as this is how I can get my art supplies, instructive books, give aways and other wishes.  3-Amazon has great prices, quite often cheaper than Wal-Mart, excellent service and an amazing selection of merchandise.  4-Amazon has a great wish list policy. Everyone can create a wish list, anyone can order for you as a gift and Amazon will ship it without giving your address to the sender.  Cool, huh. I have several wish lists on Amazon and that is how I received my book.  All these reasons are why I am using Amazon as my giveaway provider.

Rules

1-  Going through my website; click on the Amazon box on upper right, set up a wish list with Creative Awakenings on it, or if you choose to buy the book now and join me in starting to use it, just choose another item of the same price.

2- Leave a comment letting me know that you have a wish list and then preferably let me know what you like about my blog or how I can improve it.  You could also let me know by sending me an e-mail at johninayoung@yahoo.com.  Any comment left after I have received a comment on your wish list; will count as an additional entry.

3- This time I am going to try a random number generator so I don't have to worry about making sure I have mixed the entries enough or any other worries about it being fair.
4- Deadline is September 15

Good luck

and

Enjoy

☺☺☺Johnina☺☺☺

And the winner is...

First I would like to thank all those who participated in my give away.  I have met some wonderful people in the last few weeks and have seen and felt the support of my longtime Internet friends.  This give away came at both a good time and a bad time.  It was good in that while I was under trying times; I felt the support along the way.  It was bad in that I was not able to comment back or keep track of my friends.  I do want you to know that that the support and new friends are very much appreciated.

The winner turned out to be Lolit.  She was only entered once which just goes to show the luck involved; she is however a long time Internet friend of mine and we communicate over several sites.  Facebook & My Shutter Space

Congratulations Lolit

I'll be contacting you soon

I've also decided to do another give away; there will be details tomorrow

Have a great day!!!

Enjoy

♥♥♥Johnina♥♥♥

Giveaway#1- Mail art

This birthday has been full of ups and downs, but mostly good and we are still celebrating, still getting presents and the grandkids wanted to to celebrate Grammies birthday too.  So tonight we had pizza (more about that later) and a birthday cake that Hayden helped me pick out.  We went to Wal-Mart and I showed Hayden all kinds of flavors of cake and he kept saying 'no, birthday cake' until we got to the funfetti cake mix and he got all excited ' birthday cake, birthday cake' so we had funfetti cake  tonight.

With all that I have recieved, Emily's recovery (still in progress), lots of birthday wishes (never had so many), grandchildren here; I decicded to give something back.

I've been doing lots of mail art lately.  Instead of doing my my artwork in a sketchbook, I do it on envelopes.  That way it can be enjoyed by many more people and not just stuck in a book to hardly be looked at.  The postal workers love to see me, they  just love the brightly colored envelopes.  So to spread this idea around I am giving away a cd with the jpeg images of these 5 envelopes for someone to win and use.  They are designed for 6x9 envelopes.

Rules

This is going to be a random drawing.

If you win you may use the cd to print out your own envelopes as long as you leave my blog address and copyrights on the image.

These are  my designs so you may use the cd for personal use only, no commercial use allowed.  The contest runs from now till Aug 30.

 How to enter:

There are three ways to enter

1.Sign up to Follow my blog- those who already follow my blog are automatically entered.

2.  Leave a comment- not just please enter me in your contest-  I want to know what you like or dislike about my blog or how it could be improved.  Leave as comment or e-mail me.  Each comment is one entry.

3. If you have a blog  with a blog list that you follow and you like my blog, please add me to your list then leave a comment or e-mail me to let me know.

Have fun and thanks for making my birthday so wonderful!!!

Enjoy

☺☺☺Johnina☺☺☺