THE WINNERS...and a little sumpin' else...

The winner of the 12 days of Christmas trivia drawing is: Lilli Blue (aka Debra). Lilli will be receiving her pink pinecone set in the mail just as soon as I can get them out! Lilli was #30! ...and who guessed that Lilli won???

Well, the correct guess came from Teresa Callihan. YAY! Teresa will be receiving her pinecone soon as well. Thanks so much for playing. That was super fun!

So the little sumpin' else....well, I wanted to announce that I will be doing trivia more frequently, since everyone just had so much fun with it. That's the first lilttl sumpin'. The second little sumpin' is another announcement that I will be clearancing some of the Christmas merchandise on my site. I will post this week more information on that.

The last little sumpin' is that I just want to wish each and every one of you the happiest of new years. This year has been an adventure, getting started on my site, etc. but I am so looking forward to the year ahead. Have a blessed holiday and stay safe!

WINNER of the 12 days of Christmas Trivia

We had 89 correct answers, and thus 89 entries in the drawing. The winning number, courtesy of the random.org integer generator is...#30! WOOHOO! Oh...you don't know who #30 is, do you??? lol... sounds like the person that guesses who #30 is gets a pink pinecone too!

Here's how it works...I will notify #30 so that the winner can relax...lol. You guys keep guessing and you have until Sunday at midnight to guess the name of #30, our winner. Now I am going to post #30's name on my blog for Monday. If someone guesses the correct person BEFORE that, I will stop the guessing and that winner will also be posted on Monday. Any questions??? This is your second chance to win!!! Submit your guesses to my email: oddsparrow@msn.com and GOOD LUCK!

12 Days of Christmas Trivia Answers

Day 1: Gene Autry
Day 2: real estate
Day 3: Ebeneezer
Day 4: White Christmas
Day 5: A Star in the East
Day 6: God with us
Day 7: Marley
Day 8: An angel named Gabriel
Day 9: 25,000
Day 10: Montgomery Ward
Day 11: Germany
Day 12: That Jesus Christ is born

Stay tuned for the announcement of our winner!

12 Days of Christmas Trivia - Day 12

In the Christmas carol "Go Tell It on the Mountain", what are we supposed to tell?

Submit answers to: oddsparrow@msn.com

12 Days of Christmas Trivia - Day 11

The tradition of the Gingerbread House originated in what country?

Submit your answer to: oddsparrow@msn.com

12 Days of Christmas Trivia - Day 10

What company originally created Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer as a Christmas Promotion?

Submit your answers to : oddsparrow@msn.com

12 Days of Christmas Trivia - Day 9

In the movie National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, how many light bulbs are on the outside decorations at the Griswold house?

Submit your answer to: oddsparrow@msn.com

12 Days of Christmas Trivia - Day 8

In the Bible, who told Mary that she was going to have a baby?

Submit your answer to: oddsparrow@msn.com

12 Days of Christmas Trivia - Day 7

What was the name of Scrooge's deceased business partner in Dicken's A Christmas Carol?

Submit answers to: oddsparrow@msn.com

12 Days of Christmas Trivia - Day 6

What does the name Emmanuel mean?

Submit your answers to: oddsparrow@msn.com

12 Days of Christmas Trivia - Day 5

In the Bible, what was it that the wisemen saw that let them know that the Messiah had been born?

Submit your answers to: oddsparrow@msn.com

12 Days of Christmas Trivia - Day 4

What is the name of the biggest selling Christmas single of all time?

Send your answers to oddsparrow@msn.com

12 Days of Christmas Trivia - Day 3

What is Scrooge's first name in A Christmas Carol?

Send your answer to oddsparrow@msn.com

12 Days of Christmas Trivia - Day 2

What does Lucy want for Christmas, in A Charlie Brown Christmas?

Send your answers to oddsparrow@msn.com

SO...YOU ARE WONDERING ABOUT THE PRIZE

Yes, I did "forget" to post the prize on Monday. UMMMMM....well maybe I didn't forget so much as that I wasn't sure what the prize would be. So what do YOU want it to be???? hmmmm???? List your suggestions here and um....maybe, just maybe, it will be what I had in mind!!!

Twelve Days of Christmas Trivis - Day 1 (better late than never)

Who was the original recording artist that sang Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer?

Please send your answers to my email address: oddsparrow@msn.com

The 12 Days of Christmas Trivia

PLEASE JOIN ME FOR THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS TRIVIA ON MY BLOG STARTING 12/13 THROUGH 12/24. HERE ARE THE RULES:

1. There will be one trivia question each day. ONLY EMAILED, CORRECT answers will be added to the drawing.
2. Enter with your correct answer only ONCE per day, or guess as MANY times as you like each day.
3. Winner will be randomly drawn from the qualified correct answers that have been emailed. Winner will be chosen on Christmas day...or night...or maybe the 27th if I am too exhausted...lol.
4. Winner will receive the gift that I post on my blog this Monday...so you must hop over to my blog this Monday, December 8th to see what it is!!!

December 1st

Just wanted to share with all of my friends the view from my front porch today.

Drum Roll, Please...

...and the winner of our drawing for the Santa ornament is...

Jennifer of A Cottage Flair!

Jennifer, please email me with your address and your little ornie will be on his merry way! Thank you all for participating...and please...keep your eyes and ears open. We might just be having another drawing or contest reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeal soon!!!

Ready for Pink Friday!

As Thanksgiving dinner weighs heavy in our bellies and we begin to have sugarplum dreams of Christmas shopping, so many end up turning to the big box stores for their staple gifts. But we want so much more, don't we? Just bring back the old time Christmas memories with special and unique gifts for all and the family gathered for the festivities.

The shops at Make Mine Pink are here to help you recapture those times and spread that joy to your family. We want you to relive the pleasures of yesteryear and at the same time create new and wonderful memories for your loved ones. That is why instead of offering you Black Friday specials, we have opened our doors to you for Pink Friday shopping.

This Friday I will have a number of items on special. Please check under the Pink Friday category for those items, but don't forget to check the other areas of the store...there will be more special pricing hidden around for you. Just click on the link above to my site or go to TheOddSparrow . Also, you may want to check through the holiday catalog at MakeMinePink and be sure to check out my boutique...The Odd Sparrow...while you are there!

Thanksgiving

This week I am looking forward to my favorite holiday of the year. Thanksgiving is such an awesome day to me because I am so very thankful to God for all of the many blessings in my life. As I prepare for the holiday, along with you, I clean my home and see to all of the ingredients for the feast. I turn the television on in the morning to watch the parade, and enjoy watching the afternoon football games with my son. These traditions are important to me and to my family. But mostly, I come to this holiday with a thankful heart.

This year I am most thankful for: Jesus and all He means to me. I am also grateful for my family, for my home, and my life here.

It is out of a grateful heart that I am offering a little gift to a sweet pink lady out there. This week I will have a drawing for this little santa ornament. Please submit your comment with what you are most thankful for this year and I will draw a winner at random on Thanksgiving.

Time for some Christmas shopping

In deference to the Christmas shoppers who would love to give a handmade gift...or who are just looking to treat themselves, I spent some time over the last few days listing some beautiful scarves and boas that I made. Many are made with a really soft sueded yarn, so they are comfy, warm, and super luxurious. You will feel like a million bucks wearing one of them. Check my site to see the others!!!! http://TheOddSparrow.com

Show and Tell

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. Mine was very busy with creating. Here's a few pics of what I have done.


Above is a reticule I made with a handpainted sunflower on it. There is a little bee at the top of the drawstring...I have a close up of it further down the page. This will be for the show.

Below...two jars of scented rag balls for the show. Lavender-vanilla scent...yum!



Below is a close up of the little bee on the drawstring, and the following picture is a full shot of this reticule. I made 6 of these this weekend for the show.

Last of all...an attempt at a rag basket. First time I have tried this, and I think it turned out cute. I don't know if I will make these for the show or not, but it is currently on my site.

Back to work now!!!!

Gearing up

With the fourth quarter in full swing, I have been heavy into production and will continue to be in this mode for quite some time to come. So I thought you might be interested in what i have been up to. First up is a final product from last year's line up. This is a set of grubby candy canes that smell most divine. They are scented in the delicious aroma of warm baked cinnamon buns. These were a fabulous seller last year and this year is proving to be much the same.

I am currently working on a wholesale order for these from someone who couldn't keep enough stocked last year. This particular order is for 6 1/2 dozen, and with 3 per set, this means I will be dipping 234 canes for this order alone. Below is just a small part of the order, which I grubbied up this past weekend. I still have a lot more to go!

Now just because the holidays are fast approaching does not mean that I can ditch everything else. On the contrary. I have not lost sight of the many, many products that I will need to produce for the show in February. Here is just a sampling of what I have been working on this week.

Well, that's all for now....I better get back to work!!!

The random number generator

...at Random.org has chosen the random #1 for our winner from last week's guesses!!!! Francie, you have WON!!! I'll be in touch about your prize.

Looky, looky!

I found these in a closet today in the craft room. I made them a while back. I will be sewing them into more pillows right away. The even better news is that I have about 10 more sitting there ready to be stitched! So I have my "work cut out for me." LOL!

Guess what I've been doing????!!!!

THIS:



I am sure that it is obvious that I have been making a pattern up and then producing these cute little crocheted flowers! NOW...the question is: Do YOU know what I am going to do with them???? Post your guesses and I will randomly choose one from the correct answers who will receive a little gift with one of these flowers on it! Happy guessing!

Pink October

This week we at Make Mine Pink will present a special shop hop called Pink October. All shops that are part of this special shop hop have contributed money to the Susan Komen Foundation to further breast cancer research. I would love it if you would join me as we present you with special items for your shopping experience. Please don't forget to support this special charity and honor the women in your life.

Please join us...this will be FUN!!!

Stitches in Time; tiny stitches holding the hem of a linen napkin, stitches intertwined to make the most delicate lace, stitches crocheted by the smallest hook, stitches through canvas strengthened by wool yarn. It's these stitches created out of love that adorn a bedspread crocheted for a granddaughter's wedding, a sampler commemorating the birth of a child, a fine table cloth made to entertain the most important guests and family at Thanksgiving. Each of these stitches has survived the test of time and is so much more appreciated today as gifts from our past and treasures of our future.

Join the Boutiques at Make Mine Pink for our "Stitches in Time" Pink Friday event, September 26. You will find the most cherished item stitched with time and love.

The Newest Product!!!

Although I did not win the big prize for my display, I am so happy to use the picture of my creation for this special announcement! I want to introduce to you the newest product for my line, one that I am sure you will love. These are hand dipped scented pinecones. They come in several colors and scents, but this is the very newest one, Peppermint Kiss. The scent is a scrumptious combination of peppermint and white chocolate. A basket of these will scent a room as well as making a beautiful statement. Single cones will scent a small powder room or even a drawer or closet...but I can't imagine hiding one for long! They are so pretty. I will have them listed on my site soon with pricing information. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me in the meantime.

Quick reminder...

...just letting you all know that this Friday is again our themed shopping event "Pink Friday" over at Make Mine Pink. If you haven't visited there recently, make sure you stop by. I have a number of items on my Little Pink Boutique that will add some homey comfort to your decor...just in time for this Friday's theme: Comforts of Home. Happy shopping!

IGF...top ten

In the true spirit of my dw friend Shell, I have decided to share a list of things that I am grateful for this Monday.

1. IGF my wonderful dh to whom I have been married for 23 years as of yesterday. It is amazing how time flies, but it's a good life...ain't so?

2. IGF my one and only ds. He is 16 as of the end of August. At 6'2" my guy is one handsome dude with lotsa muscles...but so much more importantly he is an amazing guy on the inside. He is in 11th grade but by the end of the year he will have 30 college credits under his belt. He is currently studying theology and is a writer. The Lord has great plans for this one and I am so happy that my ds knows and loves Him.

3. IGF my dad, who I miss like crazy and my sweet mom who is living nearby.

4. IGF extended family and friends. Isn't it awesome to have a great support system and lots of love surrounding our lives?

5. IGF the retreat and my pink sisters...we are going to have a blast this weekend.

6. IGF the opportunity to display my products for the Business Recognition Award contest. I am so excited to share my ideas with everyone and get some feedback. Hope you all like it! I think you will.

7. IGF my pups who bring such joy to my life.

8. IGF my home, my health, my family's health. For plenty of food, clothes, whatever we need in this wonderful country. What wonderful freedoms we have here too!

9. IGF my dh's job. God is good!

10. IGF...and this actually SHOULD be number one...God's amazing love and that He has provided me a way to spend eternity with Him through Jesus. For being a "new" creature in Him...and oh, how I need that every single day as I keep messing up!

Now, I challenge you all (except Shell...dw). Can you list 10 things you give thanks for today?

What I did on Thursday...

Thursday was the grand opening of our newest dollar store. Being the cheapskate that I am, and being in the mood for fall, I decided to embark on a creative project which I wasn't convinced would be...shall we say...passable. After all, the ingredients for my project were from...well...the cheapest place around! Undaunted by the underwhelming price of my components, I threw myself into a project to create a front door wreath.

I started with a wreath base and four fall leaf garlands. One by one I tucked the end of the garland into the wreath and wrapped it around the wreath til i got to the other end, tucking that into the wreath base as well. I took two picks with little gourds and pumpkins on them, and tucked those into the base, then made a bow with the 3 feet of wired fall ribbon that I had just purchased at Dollar Tree. At this point I needed to snip off a little piece of floral wire to tie the ribbon onto the wreath. Unfortunately, in my short-sightedness, I did not take pictures of the process. After all, I thought this whole idea could potentially be a big flop! To my delight, the wreath turned out great and I promptly displayed it on my front door. My cost: $8. The whole thing took about 15 minutes (and would have taken less time except that I couldn't find the floral wire!) Can't beat that with a stick!

Pink Friday August 29

What a great theme we have this week!!! A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS is the theme for your special shopping experience at Make Mine Pink. So I will have the wonderful opportunity to share with you some of my favorites at The Odd Sparrow. Please be sure to stop by tomorrow! There are lots and lots of specials and great pricing on some of the most special items! Can't wait to see you there!

Vacation Time!!!

Without a doubt it is beautiful here. We are in Lake Buena Vista, Florida on the grounds adjacent to Disney's Carribean Beach Resort and Epcot Center. These photos are from our balcony in our second floor hideaway. Down the way on the other side of the lake is the resort's main pool and lazy river. I will try to take more pics there to share. AND if I can get some good pics of the Epcot fireworks I will share those also. But for now, I would love it if you could see the lovely condo unit which we will call home for the next week.

Well, it was a LONG time comin'! We had our challenges getting here, but now we are starting the process of decompressing and I wanted to share a bit of where we are currently decompessing. These pictures are of the living room at our resort condo. Such lovely tuscan style decor!

Of course, everyone needs a nice, luxurious master bedroom and bath and here is ours, above.

And my ds' room. I couldn't get a pic of his bathroom that looked any good. It is very nice, but just a standard bathroom.

Lastly, but not least-ly...the kitchen and dining area. NO...I will NOT be cooking. But we have made sure to pick up some cereal, lunchmeat, milk, and a variety of items that will come in handy this week.

We are hearing word that the storm will pass by, grazing to our west this week. Hope so...or we will be washed out. But I think we will be ok and if we have to stay in a day or two, we will do just that. It is about family...not about the parks, not about the pools, not about animated characters. It's not even about the Ghirardelli chocolate...although it's a close race...haha! So we will be family...a little, happy family...and we will enjoy this vacation. And maybe, just maybe, I will get to meet dear, sweet Andie while I am here. So all in all, it will be good and while I am away, my mom and sis are taking care of sweet Max and he is doing just a bit better than when I left, so I am at peace and just keeping him in prayer.

As I have updates, I will post this week!

Shy Patricia Rose

My dear cyber friend Pat Morello of Patricia Rose is my very first feature boutique. I wanted to introduce her to you because she is very shy and will not introduce herself. Just kidding! Anyone who knows Pat will tell you that she is actually a very outgoing and friendly gal!

Pat features in her shop some of the most awesome potpourris that you have ever seen. She home grows as many ingredients as she possibly can, assuring the honest, natural, organic quality of her products. Pat does not use artificial ingredients and is sure to deliver a high quality product, scented with essential oils and not the chemicals that are so commonly used elsewhere. She shared with me that "almost everything [she grows] goes into the potpourri. [She keeps] expanding the gardens in the hope that [she] will no longer have to purchase supplies." Some of her gardens include: roses, herbs, numerous bushes of various sorts, annuals, tons of perennials, and pine trees.

Just speak to Pat once and her enthusiasm for her product will shine through. She mentions, " I have been dabbling in this for years. I like the aromatherapy aspect of natural scents and reallly dislike potpourri that smells 'almost like' something. I like the fact that my potpourri is nearly totally natural (with the exception of musk, which is a synthetic. They no longer kill the poor little deer for their musk glands) and occasionally I have used synthetic rose oil because attar of roses or rose otto is unbelievably expensive. Rose geranium oil is usually my substitute to avoid synthetic." Of course, who could not notice how incredibly eye-appealing her beautiful potpourri is as well.

The one thing that Pat wishes for her customers to take away from their experience with her product is the absolute pleasure of pure fragrance. Since it is so difficult for her to share her scents over a computer, she leaps at the opportunity to convey the essence of her product: "It's something that is only a background note to your home but it makes an impression on people, nonetheless. I would like them to see the benefits of having a 'signature ' fragrance for the living areas, for the bedroom, for the office. Potpourri can be produced to enhance feeling of well being, relaxation, alertness, sensuality."

Pat has hopes of being able to renovate her detached garage as a studio and teaching area in order to give classes. She has a real vision for her business and I know that someday she will have her dream studio...and boy will it smell wonderful! But what is HER favorite scent? "I don't have only one favorite."

Please be sure to visit my dear friend Pat's potpourri boutique at: http://www.patriciarose-apotpourri.com/

Oh, My Goodness!

I totally forgot!!! I was tagged by Gail at http://www.cupcakesandcutestuff.blogspot.com/ last week and since then I have also been tagged by Andie of http://www.thebrownbee.blogspot.com/ . They tagged me to tell you 7 things about myself...things that just maybe you did not know already.

1. When I was little, I had a pink shag carpet in my bedroom. Now that may SOUND good, but believe me it wasn't! This rug was cursed from day one, matting down immediately. I admit though, that it did look cute with my french provincial white/gold furniture!

2. My middle name begins with an "F". That's what I used to tell my friends and they would guess every name in the book and could never figure out what my middle name is. It is Faith.

3. I am told by my husband that we were introduced long before I thought we had met for the "first" time. Apparently our mutual friend had introduced us...the same friend that introduced us just before we started dating. Sadly, I do not remember the real first time. Guess he didn't make such a good first impression! Lucky him...he got a second chance to make a first impression!

4. My sister once asked me if I wanted to sign her autograph book. Being quite young, I was honored and knew exactly what I wanted to write. She helped me spell it out as I eyed up the stuffed cat that she had sitting by her bedroom door. "Janie has a kitty cat and it won't vigor."

5. When I was but a young 'un I picked a pussy willow from the branches mom had in the corner of the living room. I took it into the bathroom and promptly put it up my nose. My dad managed to extract it with tweezers when I panicked because I could not get it out. Ironically, many years later I met someone who remains a dear friend. She did the same exact thing when she was a kid. I wonder why we did that...



6. When I was little I got stung by a bee on my right arm. It eventually became infected and I needed to have it lanced. My mom told me that the bee was attracted to me because I was dressed like a flower in my pretty yellow, white, and brown playsuit. I believed her.



7. I once went to Florida with a friend. She and I were perplexed when we tried to cook hotdogs in the broiler at our hotel room and they were not getting done. Turned out we had put them in the oven drawer. I have since learned to cook.



Ok...so now I get to tag 7 more people. If you want to play, you have to link the person that tagged you (ME) and the people you tag (7 of them) AND you need to notify them so that they can play! Oh, and be sure to tell them the rules...

Here are the people I am tagging:

1. Karen of Sweet Necessi-Teas http://sweetnecessi-teas.blogspot.com/
2. Susan of The Dutch Rose http://thedutchrose.blogspot.com/
3. Pat of Patricia Rose http://www.patriciarose-apotpourriof.blogspot.com/
4. Michelle (dw) of The Raspberry Rabbits http://www.theraspberryrabbits.blogspot.com/
5. Kitty of Sweet Invocations http://kittysglitter.blogspot.com/
6. Erica of Meadow Street http://www.meadowstreet.com/blog/
7. Stephanie of Shabby in Pink Boutique http://www.shabbyinpinkboutique.blogspot.com/

NOW THAT I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION...I have a few announcements:

1. Please note the results of last week's poll. I will be creating some patterns and kits in the future to add to my site. Please stay tuned for that.

2. Take note of this Friday's Pink themed shopping on the sidebar to the right.

3. Make sure you come back next Monday for a few vacation pics!

4. and most importantly: PLEASE TUNE IN THIS THURSDAY TO READ ALL ABOUT MY FEATURED BOUTIQUE.

Branching out

One of the things I really enjoy is creating these little stitchery pillows. The one in this picture is inspired by my love of birds and it is one of my very favorites because it captures the spirit of creativity...branching out. We all spend so much time TRYING to come up with creative ideas, but they flow so much better when you just stretch yourself a little and see what happens.

In the spirit of branching out, I am taking a poll to see what you think I should do. Please vote. I would love to know where you think my energy is best spent!

Winner of Blog contest

Thanks to the random number generator at random.org, the winning number for this drawing is...*drum roll* ...number 11. That would be smarty pants Susan of the Dutch Rose. Congrats, girlie!

Stay tuned for my Show and Tell coming in a little bit...

Christmas in July drawing!

In honor of our Christmas in July Shop Hop at Make Mine Pink (there is a link for this in the side bar to your right), I have decided to celebrate with a drawing. Anyone who is not currently on my email list is invited to sign up in order to be entered for a drawing for a special surprise. Please sign up in the box to your right or you may also sign up on my homepage at TheOddSparrow.com . Anyone who joins during the month of July is eligible, so if you already signed up, you are already in the drawing. A winner will be chosen at random on July 31.

For those who are already on the email list, please be assured that you will have a fantastic opportunity to be entered in your own drawing. Just be sure to leave a comment on my blog in order to be entered for the random drawing. Let me hear about what Christmas means to you and I will put your name into a "hat" of sorts for the second prize...which, again, will go unnamed as we girls like surprises. Comments must be left during the week of July 21-27. A winner will be chosen at random and announced next Monday, July 28.

Ok...got it? Two drawings: Email list and Blog. Two prizes...two chances to win...more if you post more comments on my blog! So, how's that for a celebration?

Celebrating the Garden

I LOVE my garden! Unfortunately, I don't always get the time I would like to play in the dirt. This week MMP is celebrating the Garden Path for Pink Friday. In honor of the beauty found in our gardens, I wanted to share with you some pics of my own garden. This year I planted dahlias for the very first time. I am so pleased that they came up and are doing so well.

In my garden every year grow wildflowers...well, some would call them weeds. These are so pretty that i let them go. They are miniature daisies. I also have some beautiful tiger lillies growing by my porch.

I bought mom a little miniature rose for Mother's Day, which she planted in her garden. It recently decided to bloom again. This is it on the left. Next up are her impatiens...aren't they beautiful?!

And this is my veggie garden...nothing ready to be picked, but looks like there is going to be a good crop. This is our first year at this, so we are very excited to be getting some home grown produce this year. We have planted tomatos, peppers, bush beans, cucumbers, yellow squash, basil, and zucchini. I also planted eggplant...which i THINK i see coming up...ever so slowly....and rosemary seeds that never sprouted, sadly. I sprinkled marigold seeds around the garden that are also coming up.

View from the porch

This week's theme, The Cottage Porch, is exciting to me as I do so love my front porch. When we had our home built, one of my requests was that we have a porch built on the front of the house. I am so happy to be able to share it with you. This Friday we will have loads of fun sharing ideas for your porch or outside sitting area.

Let's start with the view...







Now that you have seen the view, perhaps you would like a peek at the porch itself. Keep in mind, no picture of my house is complete without me sharing these beautiful adirondack chairs. These chairs along with the little red and white table were handcrafted by my dear dad. I will always cherish them.