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Wednesday, August 17, 2011

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

17 comments:

  1. Congrats on your 'oh so happy dance' :). Thanks for having a giveaway. I'd love to have this book. I think I borrowed it from the library once. If I'm picked here's my email to obtain mailing info brainangles@cogeco.ca
    Stay inspired!
    Michelle

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  2. Congratulations on the blog award. I check in here daily, but don't often comment. I do enjoy seeing the progress you are making on your projects. Also congratulations on getting so close to your weight loss goal. That's great. I'm off the check out those other blogs now. Bye

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  3. bLESS YOU FOR YOUR KINDNESS, VICKY!!!! AND CONGRATS ON YOUR AWARD! WELL DESERVED!!!!!

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  4. Hurray for you and your happy dance! I Knew you would do it (notice not "could", but "would"!). The book will be a wonderful addition to someone's library (not mine, tho .... I'm pretty sure I have one that's very similar), so good luck to everyone else! Also, I forgot to mention on your last post that your watercolor is coming along beautifully! hugs, nancy

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  5. Congratultions on your diet and your award! I don't have time to follow the other blogs but I try not to miss yours.

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  6. Just to note, there are four (!) books on amazon with this title :)
    Nice of you to make this giveaway. If I'm picked please comment on my blog http://havascurse.blogspot.com/

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  7. Michelle in Michigan says,
    Great job on the awards! Looks like blogging is another joy for you, wish I had the time but save it for painting. Would love to have the giveaway and thank you for offering.
    Michelle Beck
    witchipoo64@hotmail.com

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  8. No wonder you are dancing - what great news - congratulations. Thank you for the giveaway - as was said before, you are very generous and a great blogger. keep up the good work - in all areas. Cheers Sandy in Canberra AUS

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  9. It looks like a good book...add me to you list please!
    Well done with the diet, I wish I could stick to one.

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  10. Congratulations on the weight loss...awesome, and the Blog award.

    Please add my name to the list for give away...

    I'm going to check out the other blogs you've listed.

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  11. Found you on Every Day Matters, I'm new there.

    Congrats on the weight loss, I need to get that done too!
    And Congrats on the Blog award! How wonderful to be recognized.

    would love to win the book. I really don't know much about watercolor, about the only medium I've tried and had no success in. So I have a lot to learn!

    wendy
    1artsychick@gmail.com

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  12. Congratulations on the wonderful blog award. You definitely deserve it.

    I have been wanting to try my hand at water coloring so I will jump up and down doing a magical let me win dance. Have a great night!

    raevenmaniac@gmail.com

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  13. Congratulations. Don't know if you send stuff abroad, but if so I would love a chance to win that book.

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  14. Congratulations on the award and the weight loss. I checked out those blogs and they all have wonderful things to offer, but http://studiohyde.blogspot.com/ is my favorite. Putting myself for a chance to win the book also.

    amariesart@yahoo.com

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  15. Congrats on the blog award- I am enjoying your blog and look forward to checking out your recomendations. please put my name in for the drawing
    Johnina :D

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  16. Congratulations on the weight loss and the Liebster award! (I bet it loosely translates as "favorite.")

    I'd adore having the book, if I should happen to win. I'm struggling with watercolor but in love with how it looks in the hands of more experienced artists, and determined to learn.

    I'll definitely be taking a look at the blogs you mention. I'm already a big fan of Roz's (though I'm not officially subscribed). I love finding answers to questions, or simply popping in to look from time to time.

    If I win:
    conniecohn@yahoo.com or conniecohn@gmail.com

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  17. You are wonderful Vicki! Always keep in on my list of the the Best. You offer so much in Life and Art. Keep up the girl tribe. Congrats on the diet.

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