The Wacky Wednesday Winners are....

The winner of my thank you gift is Shell...(DW)...YAY! You deserve it, sweetie. It is a little surprise, so hang in there til you get it. Please email me your address so i can get it on its way.


Now...for the drawing of the $10 gift certificate to my store, The Odd Sparrow. I am please to announce that the random number generator at random.org has selected #6...that is Janet of Beloved Creations! YAY! I will send you an email about how to redeem your gift certificate.

Congratulations, ladies, and thank you for playing Wacky Wednesday on my blog. We had a load of fun.

Pink Friday, May 1

Please join us for shopping with a twist on Friday May 1, 2009 as we present "Romantic Delights"

Remember when you realized that your mom was the most beautiful of all? And every Mother's Day since then, you've wished for a way to say thank you for all the gifts she's given you. Romantic delights - exquisite creations that inspire remembrance of times past - also inspire gifts for Mom this Mother's Day.


Nostalgic gifts such as a vintage-inspired hankie, reminiscent of one that her mom may have carried in her purse. A needlepoint pillow whose design speaks to Mom's heart and reminds her of evenings spent stitching while the children slept. Quilt kits to fill her quiet time with the fabric of reminiscence; journals almost too beautiful to write in to set down her most secret hopes.


Totes decorated with embroidered hankies and floral handbags crafted from romantic fabrics carry spring and remembrances when she walks to the nearby park or her favorite store. Heirloom jewelry made from the finest crystal beads; broken china charms, engraved with a special memory. Antique copper pendants, vintage silver charms. Cameo-inspired jewelry and accessories. Recollections of a daughter asking, "When will I be old enough to wear that?"


Perfectly placed touches - floral decals and stitchery, lace trim, satin ribbons, paper roses - bring romance and recollection to Mom's every day. Sparkling lights as delectable as the sugar-coated candy she used to buy from the five and dime. Whimsical treats - Cinderella slippers decorated with glitter and jewels, pillows shaped like lovely ladies, faux cakes iced with ribbons and lace - satisfy romantic whims. Scrapbooked memories sprinkled with flowers and stamps. You'll find romantic treats to delight any mother at The Odd Sparrow and Make Mine Pink.

Wacky Wednesday the FINAL WEEK!

This week, I have compiled a list of great decor tips from my blog readers that I would love to share with you. Please post a comment below telling me which tip is your absolute favorite and why. Of all of the comments, I will choose the most THOUGHTFUL comment and send that person a $10 gift certificate to my online shop at The Odd Sparrow. The author of the tip that receives the most votes will receive a small thank you gift from me. Below are the tips...enjoy!



1. I always had a problem with the suction cups we put on windows to display things. So this year at Christmas I found some really cool Christmas themed shower curtain hooks and the light bulb went on! Now I have all kinds of decorative shower hooks that match the rooms decor hooked onto my curtain rods to hang suncatchers etc. These are not the snap~tight hooks but the ones that are like the letter 'C' that sit over the top. And they look great too!

Huggs,
Nancy
http://www.coeurdalenegifts.com/
www.coeurdalenegifts.com/blog



2. As you know I make bags, even bags you can decorate with! I have a very popular tote called a "porch pouch" and I see them all the time in magazines as decor! Check them out here: mamaspocketbook.com

3. Slip a Potpourri Pillowette or Pillow among your other occasional pillows, when people sit down they will be surrounded by a subtle fragrance. Use a bowl of lemon potpourri in the living room, always smells "just dusted".

PatPatricia Rose - A Potpourri of Fabric, Fragrance and Findings
http://www.patriciarose-apotpourri.com/
http://www.patriciarose-apotpourriof.blogspot.com/


4. My favorite tip~ Use what you love!~S

5. After many years of designing and decorating for people as I have built their dream homes, my best piece of advice it so always stay true to yourself. The best home is one that reflects your personality and style and looks like a lived in and well loved home, not the taste of the designer. "One truly lives in a home that they love." My saying and belief.

blissfully,
shell

6. I have a few but one that links to my site is to find a great vintage piece of furniture with good lines and structurally sound. Give it a face lift with paint, any color to match your decor. And for the shabby chic style, lightly sand the edges to distress when you are done. I have several pieces on my site if you need a photo:http://www.cottageflair.com/catalog.htm?category=7

7. Second, for we shabby chic lovers with boys who really can't have a white denim slipcover ( some dirt just doesn't come out, even with bleach). Throw a pretty patterned quilt over your couch for comfort and style. It won't need to be washed as much and won't show the dirt. I can supply a photo if you would like.

OK...those are your tips this week...Please vote for your favorite by indicating the tip #1-7.
Again...I will draw from among those that vote for a prize, and whoever gets the most votes among the tips will receive a thank you gift from me.

Thanks for playing Wacky Wednesday!

An assignment for each of my friends

I would love to make up a blog posting filled with your best decor tips. Now, for those of you who have shops, please do not hesitate to include your weblink and something about one of your products...BUT...do NOT forget to make it into a DECOR TIP...which is the point of this assignment. Please just make a sentence or two and that way I will try to fit all of it in.

Please comment below if you are interested, but please send your tips to my email address at oddsparrow@msn.com and i will be compiling them for WEDNESDAY. that's right. this will be part of our wacky wednesday, the final week. i want to get everyone reading our great tips and suggestions, so i want to post this on a big traffic day. please, please join me and make this the best wednesday ever on the blogosphere!

Pink Friday ~ April 24

Please join us for shopping with a twist on Friday, April 24, 2009 as we present "Lavender and Lace"

A lavender field in full bloom creates a purple and green landscape and infuses a sweet fragrance into the air. A field of flowers brought to life with the buzzing of bees, decorated with birds and butterflies drawn to its fragrant aroma. The lavender fragrance wafts gently through the air, carrying the memories of flowers, happiness, and sunny days.
Far away, a summer porch, framed by windows with white lace, is surrounded with the scent of lavender. Lavender blooming in window boxes and flower pots, or decorating a flower garden with their purple blossoms. Whether along a country road or on a city street, the lavender scent embraces all indiscriminately.
Too beautiful to remain outdoors, the fragrance of lavender easily enters our homes and daily lives. From a carefully tended flowerbed we pick a tiny bunch and place it in a hand-cut crystal bud vase, where it can brighten a corner as it sits upon a vintage lace doily. Tuck a sprig of the tiny flowers into the lace band of a broad-brimmed summer hat, carrying the beautiful fragrance with us wherever we go. Or perhaps lay it inside a dresser drawer. Tie it with a tiny scrap of lace and hang it upon a wall, set it upon a shelf. In a drawer or as a lavender bouquet tied with apple-green organdy ribbon, edged with a dainty row of lace, the loveliness of lavender is impossible to contain. An elegant centerpiece set upon an antique table draped with a vintage lace table cloth, it's a feast for more than the eyes as the fragrant aroma declares its presence. Sunlight shining through the lacy curtains warms the room and casts delicate shadows upon the wall. Suddenly, the room seems draped in a lavender landscape and fields of lace.

Joyce Lucas,Founder
http://www.MakeMinePink.com/pink-friday

Photos provided by istock photo

Wacky Wednesday winners this week

Pat Morello wins the boutique tissue box cover. Congratulations to Pat of Patricia Rose Potpourri

Also, winning the $10 gift certificate to my shop at The Odd Sparrow is Charlotte Blackwell.

Thank you to all who played. Be sure to come back next week for our last week of Wacky Wednesday! It is sure to be a load of fun!

Wacky Wednesday fun!

Today is Wacky Wednesday, the day when we go a little crazy with a lot of fun on my website The Odd Sparrow. Your challenge today is simple. You need to find ONE item in my web shop that is hand sewn with navy homespun fabric done in a very tiny checked print with an item ON it that can be found on a barn.

When you have located this item, you must do the following:

Email me at oddsparrow@msn.com
Indicate the item by item number.

On THURSDAY morning, I will pick a winner from all of the submissions. This winner will receive the item for which you are all searching.

B-U-T W-A-I-T !!!!!

That isn't all that wacky is it????

Nope...that it is not! That's why there will be a second drawing for a $10.00 gift certificate to my site (not including shipping). That's right...two chances to win!!! SOOOOO...get hunting...time is a-tickin'!

NEWS...NEWS...NEWS...

Our first bit of news is for those who participated in Wacky Wednesday last week. The random number generator at random.org chose #3...Georgia Mallory! Georgia, I will email you with details.

And in other news...(I have always wanted to say that!)...there are lots and lots of great things going on these days at The Odd Sparrow. One great way to stay in touch with that news is to follow me on Twitter or on Facebook . I know some may be skeptical about these social networking sites, but I promise you that if you make yourself an account on each one, you will soon find that it is a great way to keep in touch. In each instance, YOU decide who sees the information you post...no one else. So, if you want to follow me on Twitter, I am @TheOddSparrow and on Facebook, as I continue to work on my site there, I am The Odd Sparrow...become a fan!

Now that you know WHERE to find the latest news, besides my blog, you need to know what some of that news is. Well first, on these sites we will be exploring your decor issues, particularly for those who are decorating in country, cottage, or even prim style. Feel free to ask questions and post issues and we will try to get them resolved. Thus far we have tackled issues regarding window treatments, floor coverings, and even bookshelf refinishing. What will be next? Visit us to find out!

More news...well, The Odd Sparrow is hosting Wacky Wednesday again this week. This time we will have a special giveaway...so be sure to visit THIS WEDNESDAY!!!

The Odd Sparrow is still considering a physical location. Please pray that I will have wisdom regarding this. I am also considering some special product offerings, so please keep that in mind as well.

Ok...that is the latest news from here. Remember that my whole purpose at The Odd Sparrow is to BLESS you with unique items for your home and gift giving needs and to BLESS you with the knowledge that YOU are as important as the odd sparrow in God's eyes. Have a blessed day and I"ll see you on Wednesday!

GREEN Pink Friday

Just a quick little post to remind you that we are celebrating a very green Pink Friday this week. The theme is reuse, recycle, reclaim, repurpose, and basically keep things clean and green! To celebrate this event, I have some wonderful special pricing on several items and have placed them in the Pink Friday category on my site.

Please check out the wonderful Pink Friday shopping for April 17 at www.TheOddSparrow.com and at www.MakeMinePink.com and have lots of fun shopping and staying green!!!

WACKY WEDNESDAY...WEEK 1!!!

Wacky Wednesday...now what exactly is that? Well, it's a day when we get a little crazy around here. I will run Wacky Wednesday for the next few weeks, and if it's a success, well, we will just continue it thereafter. Are you ready to get a little crazy???

This week's Wacky Wednesday involves a little challenge...it's a scavenger hunt!

1. Go to my site at www.theoddsparrow.com
2. one pink item, one burgundy item, one green item, one multicolored item, and YOUR FAVORITE ITEM.
3. list these 5 items along with their price and email the list to me at oddsparrow@msn.com
4. on MONDAY i will pick a winner from the submissions, at random. if your name is selected you will receive a special offer on your favorite item.
5. ONE submission per person, please.

Remember...you have til Sunday night to submit your list. Enjoy! and best wishes!

Musings of a Mid-life Shop Owner

"It's the economy, stupid." ...an infamous quote from a former election. Hmmmm...is anyone saying that now? Of course! We all are, but no one is listening. Ahhhh...so much more reason to bury one's head in the sand. I, personally, do not understand it all. In fact, I do not want to understand it all because somehow it seems that if I did, I would personally be held responsible for all that is happening on the economic front. Oh, I know that's silly...you don't have to tell me. But don't you honestly agree? After all, if you alone had a grip on what is going on in the world, would YOU not feel responsible? This IS the United States of America, after all...we are supposed to KNOW how to run our economy!

Well, truth is, I am of late trying to live in blissful ignorance. And to be honest...it works for me. I am enjoying turning OFF the news. Oh, don't get me wrong...I KNOW what is going on around me. I am just on some level IGNORING it. And THAT, my friends, is the secret to a stress-free, happy-go-lucky life. IGNORING the crappola. Yeppers! I understand that you may be thinking that this poor old gal has lost her last marble...and you may be right on some level. But what you are not acknowledging is that I have never had that many marbles to begin with and therefore, have learned to live without said marbles. It is a wonderful life!

So now, back to the economy. I plug away. I ignore it. I KNOW it is there...believe me...I hear the reports, and turn them off after a while. Blissful ignorance. But I press on. Onward and upward. I am plowing right through it and I hope you are too. First of all, I am STILL keeping a watchful eye out for a new brick and mortar location for my shop. Haven't found the "perfect" place yet...there may never be one of those (that's a whole other post)...but there will be one that is optimal and I will find that sooner or later.

Secondly, I continue to provide a wide selection of most excellent and unique products for you. I know that pricing is sometimes an issue for you. That is why I offer discounts and specials on our already well-priced merchandise. The Odd Sparrow is one place where you can find the most creative and one of a kind items for your home and gift-giving needs at great prices.

Thirdly, despite my lack-of-physical-presence (i.e. a brick and mortar location), I am here 24/7 with awesome shopping specials, unique products, and lots of fun. You get the best of shopping without leaving home. Best of all, if you are like me, you can do it in your jammies!

So, while I am plugging happily away at my business, won't you join me in some of the greatest shopping there is online? Please log in to http://www.theoddsparrow.com/ and treat yourself to some great spring decor today...and let me know if you find any marbles. I might be needing them later. Oh...and by the way...the coupon code below on my April 1st post is good til the end of the month,...no foolin'... so enjoy!

Wacky Wednesday!

Guess what? I have decided that we need some FUN around here!!! Every WEDNESDAY I will be providing a little fun and excitement. Here's the deal....

1. You must come to my blog right here for your instructions.
2. There may involve something on my site, so be prepared to hop on over there.
3. There will be prizes on a MONTHLY basis, or even MORE FREQUENTLY...depending on the event/game.

SOOOOOOOOOO...you don't want to miss this...no way, no how! MARK YOUR CALENDAR!!! We start next week, April 15. I am SURE you need a little fun on tax day, now don't you???

Happy Spring!

Here is your spring coupon code that I promised in the newsletter:

BLOGREADER

Just type in this code at checkout and you will receive $5.00 off your purchase of $25.00 or more! It is my spring celebration for all of you blog readers out there. This code is good til the end of April, but you might just want to get started now...before your favorites disappear!