A Happy Dance, A Blog Award and A Giveaway

I am doing the "oh so happy" dance this morning. The scale read 159.9 today. I know that isn't very far into the 150s, but it is there nevertheless. My goal is 155 and I hope to reach that by the time this HCG diet has reached its conclusion. I am on day 16 which means I just have another week to go. So far it has been fairly easy. I am not hungry and I have lots of energy.

I had the absolute pleasure of receiving the Liebster Blog Award from Maryann at Words on the Shelf (thank you so much Maryann) and this is what she had to say about my blog:

"she blogs about art, I love art, what more is there to say? Keep the beautiful pieces coming sweetie :)"

 As far as I can tell the word liebster means "very dear" or something close to that in German. The award is given to blogs with fewer than 200 followers and I am so pleased to be awarded this. Now I am to choose five blogs that are dear to me and that have less than 200 followers. After much deliberation, I have chosen the following in no particular order:


Roz @ Roz Wound Up - she has an information filled blog with lots of art and her personal review on   
                                          paper and pens and other art supplies.

Lin @ View from The Oak - lovely, lovely watercolors.  



Nina @ The Other Side of the Ocean - She writes about her life in Madison, WI, and her travels to all
                                                              parts of the world. She writes beautifully (you feel as though you
                                                              there) and she takes spectacular photos.




Kip @ Small But Mighty Arts - She is a wonderful, warm woman who is very involved in art and its 
                                                   promotion in the mid-Michigan area. She has a huge heart, lots of
                                                   charm, and multiple talents.

Ann @ Ann's Art @ Studiohyde - She has lovely sketches and watercolors and has interesting stories.
                                                       She also participates in art challenges and has links to them.


Once you've had a chance to check out these blogs (and I know you will want to) I'd love to know which ones have become daily reads.

 I was supposed to post an image of the Liebster Award, but blogger is not cooperate.




On to the giveaway - I have a lovely book called "Complete Watercolor Course". It has "35 complete lessons, expert hints and tips". It was published in 2001.

 

Earlier this summer I was in Schulers Books and found what I thought was a new book called "The Complete Watercolor Course". "The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide to Painting Landscapes, Still Lifes, and Portraits." Not only is the title different, but the chapter headings are not the same. And although the projects are a bit different, the intent of the lessons is the same. The informational sections about supplies and paints are identical. This one was published in 2010.

Both books are wonderful and have really well explained lessons and content, but the first book pictured above, the blue one, is much lighter and would therefore cost much less to post. For that reason the blue one is the one that I am giving away. 

To be entered to win just leave a comment on this post. I will use the random number generator to select the winner on Sunday, August 21, at midnight eastern time. Please be sure to include some way for me to contact you if you win or be sure to check back when the winner is announced on Monday, August 22. Good luck!!

I think it is time to take a walk on the treadmill and then sew the signatures that have been sitting under a huge, heavy book overnight. I should be able to find the time to add a bit to my watercolor WIP also. I hope to see you tomorrow.

xoxo