Grow Your Blog Party WINNER

WOW - what a party!  In my wildest dreams, I never thought it would be such a success for me and my little old blog.  I started out with a mere 29 Followers and as of last night, I have 137 wonderful readers following me.  And to think that 133 people left a comment on just one post.  I am humbled, to say the least!

That pretty Red Carpet Red nail polish has chipped, the pastries have all been eaten and I've kicked off my shoes ... but the door is still open and the light is on so come on in and enjoy yourself.  You're always welcome.

I must (again) give a shout-out to Vicki for hosting such a great gala ... and also for encouraging me to start a blog.  Thank you, dear friend!!

As promised, I said I was going to give away these three cards.  I wish I could give them to every single person that left such kind words in the comment section but you know that's not the way it works, right?  When creating them, I tried to make them as "all occasion" as possible.  They can be used for a birthday, an anniversary, a thinking of you, a get well soon, a sympathy or even a congratulatory card.  It's her choice.

Who's choice, you ask?  Well, it's Erin Houghton's choice.  She is the WINNER of my Grow Your Blog Giveaway.  If you haven't had a chance to visit her blog, you don't know what you're missing!!  Hurry on over there and look at her beautiful California garden ... the real one outside and her painted ones as well.  Spectacular!  She is an extremely talented soul and my wish is that I lived closer so that I could crash her monthly Art 101 lessons.  Erin, I've notified you (check your spam/junk folder if you don't see me in your Inbox) and am waiting for your address; once received, they will go out promptly.  I hope you enjoy them.  And Happy Day of Love, too!

Now, wasn't that just the best party you've attended in a long time?  I'm already looking forward to next year's party.  You will stop by, won't you?

Grow Your Blog and a Giveaway

WELCOME!  It must be party time because I am wearing Ulta's Red Carpet Red nail polish.  I've rolled out the red carpet so come on in.  I'm so excited that you are here visiting my blog.  This is where I share my creations with you - and once in a while something personal, too.

This is the very first Grow Your Blog Party where my blog has played along but I've been a visitor to each and every single blog that wanted to grow during the first two parties.  As you all know, blogging isn't for sissies!  It takes a lot of work, a lot of photographing and a lot of wordsmith-ing.  I'm hoping (like all of you) to increase readership so that these efforts don't go wasted.

I invite you to leave a comment, subscribe and follow along.  I know I don't have to tell you how - you know all that.  You also know how important that is to a blogger!

You may recognize me (Sue Kosec) and/or my work from Vicki Boster's blog.  Time and time again, she has shared all of the items that I have created for her over the years.  She is one of the main reasons I now have a blog.  Thank you, dear friend.

A little about me.  I was born and lived in Pennsylvania until I was 11, grew up in Ohio and much later on, I've jumped around.  The Runner and I now live in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.  If you fly in or out of DFW, please wave ... I'm sure I'll see you because we are that close.  You will see that I refer to my husband here as "The Runner" because that's exactly what he is.  Not just a runner, but an ultra marathon runner.

I think I've picked up some of my father's creative genes as I've dabbled in all areas of crafting: crochet, macramé, dip-n-drape dolls, decoupage and now paper craft.  My fingers were never idle.

My love for paper started in 2002 when I created a memory album for my parents' 60th wedding anniversary.  When I think back to that debacle, I have to laugh.  I had no idea how to do any of the techniques and had no idea what the tools were for or how to use them.  But I learned - and I am still learning.  As they say - the rest is history.

I had no intention of ever blogging.  Didn't know how.  Didn't want to know how.  But people were constantly asking me if I had a website.  Nope - didn't have one of those either and figured the lesser of those two evils would be a blog.  My sister sat me down and together we created SuZeQ Creations.

And now I have two blogs.  If you enjoy going on a retreat - or are interested in reading what retreating is all about, I'd love to have you read about my love for it (and Whitworth Ranch Retreat) and visit me.  Be sure to look on Vicki's list of participants because it's listed there, too.

As my giveaway to you, I'd love to share a little of me with one lucky winner.  It seems that the majority of the time I spend in my playground, is spent creating cards - and that's what I'd like to share with one lucky person.  Just so you know, all of my cards are originals.  To date I have never made two of a kind (even when begged!) and over the years, I've probably created about 6-7,000!

You don't need to be a follower, but I'd sure appreciate it if you would click on that button.  To show my love for you visiting here and leaving a comment, I plan to draw a winner on Saturday, February 14, the day of love.  Please remember to leave your e-mail address so that I may contact you.  All you need to do is leave a comment right here on this page and one lucky person will receive these three cards!

I thank you, Vicki, for your dedication to this endeavor again this year - and thank you to all that have helped put this party together.  I know all of you know who she is and have followed her wonderful blog.  We've all vacationed with her and we've all ooh'd and aah'd over her knitted creations.  We have sent pink scarves for The Pink Scarf Project and have donated from the heart to Josephine's Children in Uganda.  Ohhhhhh, and those nests - we cannot forget them.  When I talk about Vicki to my friends, I always say "oh my friend Vicki in Kentucky - you know, the nest lady!" ... and everybody immediately knows who I am talking about.

Should you need to contact me, I'm never too far from my computer.  I'd love to hear from you.  In addition to meeting up here, you can also become my friend on Facebook.  Send me a friend request and let me know that we first met right here on Grow Your Blog.  Just look for Sue Daggett Kosec.

It wouldn't have been a party without you so thank you for stopping by and I certainly hope you'll come back often.  I'll leave the light on ...

"Letters from Africa"

"You have not truly lived

until you have done something for someone

who can never repay you."

~ John Bunyon ~

 

Today I'm going to give you an opportunity to do something for someone - and perhaps win one of the fabulous gifts being offered.  My sweet friend, Vicki Boster, has been contacted by Josephine, a social worker, in Uganda.  Josephine is asking for help for abused and/or ill children.

 

Vicki has stepped up to the plate and accepted Josephine's plea and has written a post on her blog asking for your help.  Here is a letter I've copied and pasted from her blog (with her permission, of course.)

 

Josephine,

After what seems like such a long time, in actuality, a couple of months,

I finally have all the plans in place for a charitable blog project that I hope

will bring help to your beautiful children.

Soon, I will share this project with my wonderful blog readers.

You and I will pray that they will be moved to help us in this most precious charitable cause.

Please remember this project in your prayers

as we go forward with this mission -- I send love to you and your children -- so very far away-- on the other side of the world. 

Love,

Vicki

 

I am so excited to tell you that the Runner and I have accepted Vicki's invitation to help these children.  Does your heart not melt when you see them?

As Vicki states:  "It takes a village." and I am inviting you to join Vicki and me to touch the life of a child.  All that is being asked of you is to donate one $5 Walmart gift card and mail it to:

Josephine's Children

311 West Main Street

Grayson, KY 41143

The gift cards will be mailed to me, and then The Runner and I will go to Walmart and purchase the items the children need for their schooling as well as some of the personal items they so desperately need.

As you can well imagine, shipping costs to Uganda will be very expensive (probably several hundred dollars.)  Vicki is willing to bear this cost herself but if you would like to consider sending just $1 to help, she will be extremely grateful.

In addition, we would like to send crafting supplies.  I have already collected some items from very generous friends and would love more.  If you could just please look through your supplies and share.  The children could use coloring books, crayons, buttons, yarn, stickers, flowers, inks, stamps, paints, scrapbook paper, envelopes for note cards, glue sticks, foam sheets, ribbons, lace, stencils and beads.  You know you have some of these items in your craft space that you haven't touched for years!  No?  You don't want to part with your supplies, would you like to consider buying new?  It's time to share with those less fortunate.  Again, if you wish, you may add a $1 donation for shipping.

IF YOU LIVE IN THE DALLAS-FORT WORTH AREA, PLEASE CONTACT ME TO DELIVER OR ARRANGE FOR PICK UP.  There is no need for you to mail these items to Vicki and then have her mail them to me.  Please help put a smile on these faces.

Please join us in this endeavor to send some love across the waters.  Besides the "feel good" part of helping, you will have the opportunity to win some spectacular prizes.  Should you choose to deliver supplies to me, please be assured that your name will be forwarded to Vicki to ensure that you are included in the drawing for the wonderful prizes (check her post to see what YOU could win!)

This opportunity is open to everybody ... it doesn't matter where you live.  If you would like to make a $1 or a $5 donation instead of shipping items or gift cards, you may do so by sending the donation to Vicki's Paypal account (vboster1@windstream.net) ... I highly encourage you to do so.

There are numerous ways to become eligible to win a prize.  I reiterate: visit Vicki's blog.  Also, please spread the word to maximize this effort to help these children.  This project ends on December 1 and we need all the help we can get between now and then.

I spoke with Vicki this evening and she said since August 19, more than $1,800 has come in from her blog readers.  I am hoping that I can touch a few more people - and that means you - that are willing to help.

I ask that you consider sharing this endeavor on your blog or on Facebook.  Social media is a great way to spread the word.

Vicki and I will share the winners on December 1 on our blogs.  Good luck to everyone that has opened their heart to these children.

I'm not slacking off ...

I've been on a non-stop merry-go-round since coming home from the retreat.  I can't believe I've been home for 10 days already - time for another retreat, right?!?

Day one was spent unpacking and doing laundry, the next few days were spent putting everything away.  And then I hit the ground running making cards.  Here are just a few:

This sweet little girl is going to Kayla - happy birthday!

I love the femininity of this one.  The softness of the flowers, lace and feathers juxtapose perfectly with the rusted heart.  Happy birthday, Tasha.

This is one of my favorites!!!  I found this photo of my great grandmother and decided to put it on this happy birthday card for my cousin, Lisa.  My regret is that I didn't make a copy of the picture first.  Enjoy, Lisa!  Lots going on here and I enjoyed creating it every step of the way.

Good friends are like stars.  You don't always see them, but you know they are always there.  Happy birthday, Pete.  I hope you enjoy this year's card.

This will be given to a happy couple that just became engaged (in Belize - lucky girl!)  True love stories never have endings.  May your love story continue forever.

The remainder of these were made while I was on my retreat.  Thank you Vicki and Julie for supporting me.  I appreciate you!  I hope the people you send them to enjoy them.

 

Oh - and that's not all I've been doing - I will fill you in another time.  You won't want to miss it.  My next post is where I'll share an exciting opportunity and a giveaway.

I leave you with this:  hold someone's hand today - we all need each other.

 

I have a winner ...

Congratulations, Sandi Boothman!!!  You have won my birthday giveaway Christmas in July mini album.  Sandi, please send me your address - the package will go out in tomorrow's mail.  Today I am CELEBRATING my birthday!

 

Thank you to everybody that visited my blog, left a comment and became a follower.  I appreciate all of you.

A Birthday Giveaway

Do you remember me telling you that this is my birth month?

I've decided that I would love to give somebody a present on my birthday.  And what could be more fitting than a Christmas mini album giveaway on July 25, Christmas in July?

I'm sure you will be able to fill the many pages (here are just a few) with photos or journaling.  Catch up on last year's pictures or save until this coming Christmas.

There's even a little envelope to hold more photos or any special trinkets you might like to hold in one place.  Whatever your heart desires - it's going to be your album!

I will draw a winner on the 25th.  Domestic only.  Oh - and you must leave a comment and be a Follower to be eligible.  Haven't signed up yet?  Don't delay; you don't want to miss out on this birthday giveaway.