Winner, Winner, turkey dinner!

I have drawn the winner of the free fall blog banner give-away I hosted for my blog designer, Danielle. Also known as The Design Girl, Danielle very generously offered the prize to a lucky reader, and that reader is..........................................................................................................................

Betty Ann, of Langley Girl

Congratulations Betty Ann! You will love your new fall banner!!

For the rest of you, Danielle has graciously extended her discounts. Remember, you will save $10 off a standard blog design and $15 off a deluxe design, She is also offering a 25% discount for any digital scrap item to my readers over at her scrapbook shop. Just use the code, restyledhome25, so she will know I sent you!

Now, I am off to peel veggies for our Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow!!

A New Fall Banner...and a Give-away!!!

Have you noticed my new banner? Considering I am finally getting down to the business of decorating my home for the fall, I decided to decorate my blog a little, too. I love how NieNie changes her banner each month, so I decided I will change mine up on a smaller scale: for the seasons. Luckily for me, I have a brilliant blog designer who can pull great things out of her hat with ease. Danielle, the Design Girl, tweaked my banner a titch and I am very pleased with its sparkly crows and cheery pumpkins.

Danielle and I have decided to pair up and host a give-away to our readers for a new fall banner, designed and installed by Danielle herself. Head over to Danielle's studio for a sampling of her pre-made fall banners and templates. If you want to check out her other pre-made templates, go here. While you're at it, why not consider a custom blog design? You will guarantee your blog will be original and suited to your taste and style. Check out Danielle's portfolio of blogs that showcases examples of her great style. If you decide you want a Design Girl blog, Danielle is offering a discount to my readers of $10 off a standard design and $15 off a deluxe design.

Now, Danielle also has a new line of digital scrapbook kits and stationery on her blog. In fact, she is hosting a give-away of one of her Halloween kits right now! To continue her generous mood, Danielle is offering a  25% discount for any digital scrap item to my readers over at her scrapbook shop. Just use the code, restyledhome25, but hurry: it expires on October 15th!

Be sure to also check out her blog for a link to her stationery selection. For those of you who are considering a Halloween party or get-together, Danielle has a wickedly inspiring line-up of invites just waiting for you.

**But first, leave a comment below to enter the fall banner give-away contest!!* Of course, for an extra entry, simply become a follower of Danielle's blog and leave a comment here letting me know you did it! **

(contest ends Saturday at midnight)

Winner, winner...

Whew!! That took a while! Sorting out so many entries (and double entries) was quite a job, but I managed to pull it off with the help of the trusty random number generator!

Matthew obviously has a lot of fans who are very excited about his new Halloween magazine, and rightly so! Because he is a fair and generous sort, Matthew is giving away a copy of his magazine to five lucky winners. And they are:

Lisa, of The Coastal Nest

Tracy of I Stamp Too

Jennifer of Rosy Little Things

Laura of Piece of Cake

 and Marsha

Congratulations, ladies, and please send me your mailing address (linda@restyledhome.ca). Matthew will ship the books out to you once he returns from the Bonanza! 

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All things Fall lead to Halloween...and a give-away!!

This morning as I headed out to the car to drive my son to school, I had to blast the heat for a minute to clear the windshield. That, coupled with the fact that I needed a sweatshirt, was a stark reminder that fall is inching in and scoffing at the date on the calendar. My favourite TV shows are returning - with a double header of America's Next Top Model last night - and I will have to remember to stock snacks in my hiding spot for my family's Thursday night gathering to watch Survivor. All of these little milestones have gently prepared me to surrender summer and all its glory.

Because we Canadians see Thanksgiving arrive in early October, we don't really get into the swing of Halloween decorating until after we eat the turkey and sleep off its effects. That doesn't stop us, however, from devouring the fun Halloween magazines that taunt us from the newstands. And, of course, it wouldn't be fall without seeing Matthew Mead's second annual Halloween magazine. Like everything Matthew does, this edition is gorgeous...beautiful photography, writing (by Sarah Egge), and simple but fun projects that leave you marvelling, "Why didn't I think of that?!" I had my own surprise when I opened up the book for the first time: in it, Matthew included me in his acknowledgements! It is the first time my name has ever been in print...I feel quite famous!! : )

Have a look at these lush images, direct from the magazine, and head on out to get one before they are all snatched up!

(all images, courtesy of and photographed by: Matthew Mead)

Now for the really fun part:

Matthew has generously offered up five copies of the magazine to be given away to my readers! Simply leave a comment to enter the draw and if you want to better your odds, write a post about the magazine letting your readers know it is on newstands now. You can simply copy the magazine cover photo (found above) and cut and paste this info:

Check out Matthew Mead's newest Halloween magazine: Hundreds of Spooky Treats and Clever Crafts for the Best Holiday Ever! Beautiful photos of easy, creative and fun projects and straight-forward directions and patterns that will appeal to crafters of every age. On newstands now throughout the U.S. and Canada!

...Or write your own!

Leave the link to your post in the comments below and you will be entered twice. If you would prefer to Tweet about it or tell others about the magazine on Facebook, that counts, too. Just be sure to let me know you did so!

***I will draw for the winners on Sunday night and announce on Monday. The magazines will be shipped out after we all return from the Bonanza...just in time for your Halloween decorating!!

A Give-away, a la "cart" !!

Would you like to win this?

If so, head here.

Chandelier Anyone?

It sure has been a long time since my last give-away...

Because I have the BEST readers and blogging friends EVER, I figured it was about time I did another. Remember the post I did about Wilson Graphics? Well, they sent me a chandelier decal which I am offering as a give-away prize. You know the rules: leave a comment to enter, and for a second entry, mention this give-away on your blog. It's that easy.

Who doesn't love a chandelier??

Please Santa...and a winner!

photo source: Country Home magazine, styled by Matthew Mead

How many of you fine adults still pounce on the Sears Wish book and flip to the toy section? Well, I do, even though I show enough restraint to allow my kids first dibs. I remember being a young girl and finally getting my hands on it and stealing away to a quiet corner to look at all the loveliness. I'd greedily put a star beside each gift I coveted, especially if it involved Barbie or Sindy. I certainly didn't get everything I asked for, but that was hardly the point. By laying claim to a particular toy, it opened up the possibility that it might find its way under our tree. Between Mum and Santa, such magic could surely unfold?

photo source: BHG.com

After my daughter had a good look through this year's edition, I curiously looked at what she had "starred". Instead of writing her name next to the toys or drawing a check mark or star, she had simply written the words: Please Santa?

~Sigh~

How can I resist such a sweet request? I jotted down the numbers of a couple of the toys that I knew she was really hoping for and from Santa they will be! My boys have moved on from such wish lists, and instead I have to pull teeth to get them to reveal a few things I can pick up for them. Santa is over for them now, at least in the truest sense. Me? I'm a believer. Like one little friend of my son's said a few years ago: "How could there be no Santa? My parents certainly couldn't afford all that stuff!!" Indeed...

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Now on to the winner of the Fairy Door: courtesy of the random number generator, PippaJo of Cottage at Wit's End is the lucky winner! Thanks to all who entered!!

Luck be your Lady...give-away winners!!!

Apparently, you all love a good give-away, and you are also among the many fans of Matthew Mead!!

What a great response to the Entertaining Simple and HomeGoods give-away! There was over a hundred entries between here and Matthew's blog (for the non-bloggers), and that little random number generator was giving off sparks! The lucky winners are listed below:

Winners of Entertaining Simple:

Megan @ Cottage Bluebird

Angie @ Casa Mia

Not Martha @ Working Woman's Guide to Domestic Success

Jen @ The Cottage Nest

Kirsten @ Nilsen Life

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality

Kimba @ A Soft Place to Land

Stacy @ 19 Butternut

Mrs. Limestone @ Brooklyn Limestone

and, from Matthew's site:

Kathie D.

Winners of Matthew Mead's Entertaining Simple book and a $25 gift card to HomeGoods:

Jen @ Mrs. Jones6

Stephanie @ My Life Preserved

Robin @ Robin's Blessed Nest

Tami @ Aunt Mimi's Creations

Half of the Style Sisters

Suzann @ Lavender and Roses

Christine @ Lavender Limes

and, from Matthew's site:

Denise

Brittany

Dixie

Congratulations, ladies, and please send me (linda@restyledhome.ca) your full name and mailing address, your blog title, along with the name to whom you would like Matthew to autograph the book. The prizes will be sent by Matthew and Wiley Publishing, so watch for your packages in the near future!! A big thanks to all who entered, and to Matthew Mead, Wiley Publishing, and HomeGoods.

**Watch for an upcoming Halloween pumpkin decorating contest in conjunction with our favourite junk queen, Ki Nassauer of Junk Revolution. Lest you think I am becoming a professional give-away blogger, I assure you - after the Halloween one - I am going to sit back on my laurels and let everyone else do them. I will simply go around, entering all of yours and... not win!!

A final word from Matthew:

" Linda, I am overwhelmed with the kindness and generosity of your readers..." Matthew

(and what he's really thinking):

photo: "redesigned" by Amy @ One Day at a Time. Amy is a former winner (Halloween book), great sport, and wonderful bloggin' friend. Check her out, she's a lot of fun!!

The results of the give-away: signed, sealed and delivered by Matthew Mead!!

I have the best blog readers ever!! I have said it before, but it bears repeating! I asked, and you delivered, and now it is time to reveal the ten winners of the Matthew Mead Halloween Tricks and Treats give-away contest!!

Without further adieu, here are the top three winners (as selected by Matthew Mead himself), chosen for their detailed and, often, innovative posts:

Amy of One Day at a Time blog (whose photo of Matthew is shown above!)

Lianne and Paul of The Swirly Designs Blog

and, Cammy Of Freckled Farm blog

Congratulations folks, you will receive a signed, hard-covered collector's edition of the magazine, along with an additional "surprise prize" from Matthew Mead!

The winners of the remaining seven signed copies of the magazine (collector's editions, too) are:

Paige @ Simple Thoughts

Anne @ Cupcakes and Sunshine

Mary @ Be Mary

Erin @ Welcome to the Motherhood

Blueberry (non-blogger, but Matthew Mead fan)

Julia @ Hooked on Houses

Melissa @ The Holiday Queen

**Winners, please send me (linda@restyledhome.ca) your full name, mailing address, and the name you would like the book signed to, by Matthew. For those who didn't win this time, don't fret: Matthew and I will be sponsoring another fantastic give-away very soon!! Watch for it!!

A final word, and message of thanks, from Matthew: "Creating a project like the Halloween Magazine really means nothing unless I can share all of my ideas and creativity with readers. The most joyful thing about technology, and my friend Linda at Restyled Home, is that I actually have the opportunity to connect with all of you. I can't thank you enough for sharing your enthusiasm for TRICKS AND TREATS and hope that its popularity leads to more projects that will bring continued joy and creativity to all of our futures. "

Want an autograph? It's a treat, not a trick!!

Matthew Mead (photographed by Ken Williams)

I warned you. This is command central for learning all about Matthew Mead Halloween Tricks and Treats. But, I didn't tell you that this is also the place to come to win one of TEN autographed, hard-covered collector's editions of the magazine!!! Who needs candy when you can have that in your hands?

Now, you're going to have to do a little work for this prize. In addition to leaving me a comment, you are going to help me spread the word. You see, if you are like me, and want to receive Matthew's magazine monthly, then we have to get all bloggers and blog readers to buy a copy!! What's a magazine without booming magazine sales?? What good are great ideas if you can't have easy access to them? Don't get me wrong, Matthew's website is wonderful, and chock full of inspiration and projects. BUT...wouldn't it be lovely to flip through the crisp pages of his magazine every month - clipping favourite ideas, and inserting them into an inspiration folder...keeping special seasonal and holiday editions and bringing them out each year... easily discovering something you missed the year before? This is where you come in...

To be eligible to win a copy (I repeat, there are ten prizes!!!) simply write a post on your blog, announcing the magazine. Include a photo of, or from, the magazine (see below); Matthew's image (see above); note that it can be purchased at news stands across the U.S. and Canada; include a link to Matthew's website ( http://www.matthewmeadstyle.com/index.php?option=com_flippingbook&Itemid=142); and send me the link to your post (via your comment)so that I can verify it is up, and includes all contest criteria.

Now, because Matthew doesn't do anything halfway, he also wanted me to come up with a way to choose three top prize winners. What do these top prize winners receive? In Matthew's own words: " The top three prizes will include a book and other fun stuff from the production of the book." Hmmm...sounds vague, but very interesting...(I told him we could throw in some of my blog pages autographed by moi, but he didn't bite...)

So, how do you win one of these "major awards"? This is what I came up with: in addition to writing your post announcing the magazine, also leave me a comment stating what your all-time favourite project/idea of Matthew's has been, and/or how you discovered him and what made you become a fan. Now, you don't have to sing my praises too much, because Matthew has taken pity on me and is sending me a collector's edition of the magazine, too. Just a perk of the job...I guess he figured I had blathered on and on enough about him to earn one!!

Oh, and don't worry! We didn't forget those of you who don't have blogs!! We set aside a book or two for you, also. Simply leave me a comment telling me which project/tip/recipe you loved most in the magazine, and a winner will be randomly drawn. Remember, this part is just for those without blogs! And no cheating...I know Matthew has a preview of the magazine on his website...!!

***One last note: this contest closes by the time I wake up on Monday morning, September 15th - at which time I will close the comments. The top three prize winners will be selected by Matthew Mead himself, and the rest will be selected by the random number generator. I will then announce the winners later that day, and the prizes will be mailed out by Matthew Mead.

Now...go spread the word, and earn your chance to win!!!

Because you asked...and a winner!

photo: Canadian Home and Country

It's still raining, and I think I am starting to get mouldy...However, I did manage to deadhead all of my flowers and vacuum my (unused) pool. It seems the best place to be is indoors, and this lack of sunlight is clouding my imagination and creativity. You will likely pay the price for this dullness...

I did receive a few questions about my kitchen and playhouse project, so I decided to simply reply to them in a post.

Here goes:

Q. What is holding up the curtains in your kitchen window?
A. Well, like many of you guessed, they are glass knobs (for cabinetry) that I simply removed the screw from, and glue-gunned to the trim. I'm sooo technical...

Q. What and where is Homesense?

A. Homesense/Winners (you will hear me use the two interchangeably) is the Canadian equivalent of TJ MAXX. It is a treasure trove of great decor finds, for real people like me, who don't want (can't) spend $200 on a pillow, or something crazy like that! I bow down at the gates of this store, and I am lucky enough to be getting one in my home town next spring. Otherwise, I have to head to the nearest city, Halifax to get my fix.

Q. Back to the kitchen: is there much room between my stove and island?

A. In a word, no, but there is enough room to open the oven fully, and still position myself in front of it to peer in the oven window...just.

Q. What is the wall colour in your dining area?

A. The wall colour is Silver Sage, from Restoration Hardware. Of course, you know I didn't get it there...I simply had our local Benjamin Moore dealer look up their equivalent code, and mix me a pint. Then, I went to another (less expensive) paint store, with my pint, and had them colour match it and mix it in a gallon. I did buy a small pot of it at RH when I was there in Toronto, and it is an exact match to the one I had mixed. Except I got my colour for a whole lot less...

More importantly, I love this colour and it is truly a neutral in my home. There are bits of this shade throughout my home... in fabric, bedding, accessories, etc.


Q. Where did you get the robin's eggs in your apothecary jar (on the kitchen window sill)?

A. That's an easy one...at Homesense!!

Q. Will Sophie ever sleep over in her playhouse?

A. While she could certainly sleep on the daybed in comfort, my joints would protest if I had to curl up on the floor next to her...Sleepovers will be pretend only!!

Q. Isn't it time to build your son(s) a tree house?

A. Don't think I haven't thought about it!! However, we don;t have a tree big or strong enough to support one, so they will just have to remember all of the things we did for them when they were little...like pitching a tent in the living room for pretend sleepovers; building them hide-outs under the stairs with a window, door and light;..."letting" them use our sofa to practice for the high-jump competition; and creating their very own huge, permanent dirt pile to play with their big diggers in (and cleaning the resultant mud caked into their rubber boots...). I could feel guilty about Sophie having her very own playhouse, but I don't think I'll bother...

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Although I am usually the most undeserving recipient of these awards, as I rarely play along, I am trying to pull up my socks on this one, as I truly do appreciate each and every one sent my way..I'm just lazeeee! So, I am sending along thanks to Mary @ At Home Redesigns for this award: Thanks Mary!!!

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Now, better late than never, on to announcing the winner of my "Matthew Mead Style backstage pass":

The winner is...following a random draw by my uninterested son: Chris from Just a Girl !!! Chris, please email me and I will get you set up and part of this inner circle...!