"Go Granny, Go Granny, ...

... Go Granny Go!!"
(Beach Boys)

WE HAVE WINNERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Prize #1: Metal Ichthus Wall Decor - goes to ...."grannyval"
WooHoo - our big winner!

(Note: had to share with you "grannyval's" blogging profile because she sounds so cute!)
'A granny in her sixties happy to be alive and kicking. A Christian woman who loves the Lord and tries to serve him through blessing others. Married to her honey for 37 yrs. Three wonderful grown children and five of the greatest grandchildren. Blessed with a ministry God gave me Needles of Faith.' blessingyoursocksoff.blogspot.com

Prize #2: Gifts from my Simply Inspiring Hallmark collection- goes to ....
"Susan in SC" from My Cottage Life

Prize #3: Art Print from my Etsy store- goes to ....
"queenbee" at It’s Time To Bee Focused

Prizes #4: A copy of my book Inspirational Home- goes to ....
"Joy" 'What great stuff...I would love to win any of it.' February 13, 2009 3:25 PM

Prizes #5: A copy of my book Inspirational Home- goes to ....
Natalie" from It's a Wonderfully Crazy Life

CONGRATULATIONS, LADIES!!!!!!!!
Please contact me (see upper right for my email) and I'll get your prizes to you!!!

Oh me oh my - SO many entries! And SOOOOOOOOO many extra credits!!! You are all so cool! Thanks again for your sweet words and for posting and emailing and linking and buttoning!! Stay in touch for more Inspiring Ideas!! :-)


PS: Don't forget you can still purchase the Ichthus wall piece for only $99 + free shipping thru 3/1/09 - with discount code JWBLOG at checkout.

Scripture Cabinet ReDo

If you have my book, Inspirational Home, then this little piece of furniture might look familiar: It was a cabinet I had painted black and decoupaged with a scripture for the office in my previous home. It's also one of the many projects described in my book. This cabinet recently moved into my newly created studio in this home and the red type just wouldn't do anymore. I ripped it all off, then contemplated how to redo it. Different font? Different verse? Here's what I decided:I used a "fancier" font, added a little ornament at the top, but kept the same verse. I just love this scripture and it's something I NEED to be reminded of daily. "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God." Philippians 4:6. I printed my design - of aqua text on a black background - on two sheets of paper (because one wasn't big enough.) I glued/decoupaged them onto the cabinet door panel, seaming them carefully. When they dried I went over the top with more decoupage glue to seal. [Be sure to do a test with your paper/printer/glue before applying to the cabinet so your ink doesn't run.] Yeah! Check another "todo" item off my list!
PS: Just two more days to enter my 5-prize Giveaway! See this post to enter. Thanks for all the links and kind words everyone!!

Inspiring Mirror

This scripture mirror adorns a wall in my daughter's bedroom:
It's something I designed before I had children, but had the younger generations of girls in mind when I did. I hoped that if girls see how God values them, they would struggle less with peer pressure, low self-esteem, etc. It reads "I am fearfully and wonderfully made – Psalm 139:14." It was a product I carried in my [old] online store. I saved one for my daughter when she came along ... she's not yet 4, but I hope in the future it will be a positive reminder to her of her heavenly worth! :-) I had a stencil custom made for manufacturing these, but it's easily something you could replicate with alphabet stencils or even freehand. Try a rectangular mirror for an easier go at it! Also, I sold these in several color options and not just for girl bedrooms, either. In fact, I think the powder room was a popular destination! Don't we all need to be reminded of this verse?

PS: My "Blogiversary" [oh - you are all so clever! thanks for the tip on the cool lingo!] Super Duper Giveaway is still going on. See my previous post to enter. MANY thanks for everyone's incredibly kind words!! I know, I know, you're just trying to win, but I'll take it! :-)

1st Anniversary GIVEAWAY!!!!!!

Today is my One Year Blogging Anniversary!!!! WooHoo! Let's PARTY!!

Thank you to everyone for visiting and leaving such sweet comments all year!! I really strive to bring you fresh and unique ideas, so it means a lot to me when you take the time to stop by and give me your feedback! :-) To celebrate and show my appreciation I want to give away some great prizes!! Yeah!! Thunderous applause! Let's get to it!!

Prize #1: Metal Wall Ichthus:"Woah," you're thinking, "that's major." I know! Didn't I say this was going to be a BIG giveaway?!! :-) This iron wall piece measures 40 x 28 inches, and will make a dramatic statement in your home or office! It features the Icthus or fish symbol used by those who believed in and followed Jesus after his resurrection - Christians. This art is also reversible so you have 2 color tones to match your decor. AND, most importantly, :-) it's a product I designed for DaySpring and it was their #1 selling product last year!!!! Yeah! Of course, one graces my home and I'd love for it to be in yours, too!! You can read a description here. One winner will receive 1 Metal Wall Ichthus!

DaySpring is a fabulous company - I love to work with them! They have VERY generously offered to give a discount on the Icthus to all my readers!!! You can purchase it for only $99 (regular $129) AND they have free shipping!! Let me tell you - this baby is the real deal - it's very heavy so that's a wonderful offer!! You must use discount code JWBLOG at the checkout, good through 3/1/09. ALSO, you don't have to wait until the end of the giveaway, because if you're the blessed winner and you've already purchased this item with my code, that money will be refunded! Thank you DaySpring!!

Prize #2: Gifts from my Simply Inspiring Hallmark collection:Yup, that's me doing the Vanna thing! Ha! I am excited to share with those of you who are new: I have a new line of gifts in Hallmark! It's a real honor. Most stores have been carrying the Simply Inspiring by Jeanne Winters collection since late fall. If you haven't already (thank you everyone who has!!!) please stop by your Hallmark and have a look! (See my previous post with some close-up product photos.) One winner will receive 2 products from Simply Inspiring!

Prize #3: Art Print from my Etsy store:Cup o' Joy, perhaps ... OR Crown of Beauty?Or you might choose I Am The Vine ....... I have many more paintings in my Etsy shop, so go have a look ... because it's Winner's Choice! I paint my original retro signs by hand on large wood panels. I offer signed prints and cards of my artwork. One winner will receive his/her choice of one item from my Etsy store: an art print or a set of note cards!

Prizes #4 & #5: A copy of my book Inspirational Home:This hardcover book is subtitled "simple ideas for uplifting decor and craft." It is loaded with beautiful full color photos of the kinds of ideas you see me do here. AND there are complete instructions. It's a craft book and a pretty coffee table book - prepare to be inspired! You can read more about it on my web site. Two winners will receive a copy of my book Inspirational Home.

THE GIVEAWAY: FIVE PRIZES, FIVE WINNERS!
You can enter a bunch of ways:
1. For one entry, simply comment below and share one reason why everyone on the planet needs to read my blog. :-)
2. For TWO additional entries, blog about this post and link to it. You can then come back and leave another comment telling me you did so. If you don't have a blog, you can email a plug for me to your entire address book, or at least a bunch of people, and cc me on it (see upper right for my email).
3. Grab either my Inspiring Ideas or Simply Inspiring button over on the right and post it on your blog for another entry. Post both for TWO extra entries and don't forget to come back and let me know!

Contest is open until midnight MT, Feb. 27th. Winners must have a US address I can ship to. Leave your email or a way to contact you if you win! I'll announce winners shortly thereafter.

Keep Your Eyes Peeled Here!

Exciting news! I am 2 days away from my 1 year blog anniversary!! WooHoo!! Naturally, a contest is in order ... I have a giveaway of epic proportions in the works!!!

I know that many of you are new visitors coming from ... drum roll please:
... where I was featured today!! Yeah! Thank you, Kim!! Anyhoo, I wanted to be sure y'all come back on the 12th to get in on the action!! Prepare to be dazzled!!

Valentine Silhouettes

I've been wanting to do silhouettes of my kids for quite a while now ... Valentine's Day seemed the perfect time to make cute cards for the grandparents. [look away Grammies!]
I wrote "Grandparents are a gift from God" across the top and signed each child's name under their portrait. [I brushed these out in this photo.]

I think if you google silhouettes, you'll find loads of ways to make them, but here's what I did. Snapped a profile photo of each child against a solid color background. And it might take a lot of snaps if you have toddlers! :-) Then in Photoshop I converted to grayscale and increased the contrast so the outline of their heads became more noticeable. Used the magnetic lasso to go around and 'select' the whole shape I wanted. Then stroke or fill that in with black or whatever color you choose. Now I have it digital and can print on any kind of paper or resize as necessary.

Roses + Valentine Question

Look what my darling came home with recently:
He was out shopping on a Saturday with the kiddos [which alone spells L-O-V-E to us moms, anyway, doesn't it???] and he and my daughter picked these out "for mommy and me to share," she tells me. :-) So sweet!!

So I grabbed my favorite vase - this classic pewter pitcher - added a ribbon and silver tag (that usually finds it's home on a little wall cabinet) - and have been enjoying these roses immensely!

Also because I know he bought them BEFORE they cost a gazillion dollars per stem - and I know many of you fellow frugal types agree - it's almost hard to enjoy roses at that cost, right?! Store-bought flowers are a rare treat at our home and that's the way I like it. My hubby knows I love flowers and he is so thoughtful to often surprise me with sweet wildflower bouquets that he picks on his many biking and running expeditions out in the hinterlands! What "unconventional thing" does your husband do for you that spells L-O-V-E?

How do you plan to show your love for him in return on Valentine's Day? see my previous Valentine post for one idea.... and may I emphasize the little coupon?? :-)