: a giveaway & interview with patience : adoption equals big hearts! :

hey everybody!! 

we are back [and safe, sore, showered & alive!]

i will recap our bike ride with a bunch of photos in the next few days, BUT before i do that, i have a fun giveaway & interview for you!

today, i have patience here to share about herself & her big dreams of expanding her family through adoption [you know blake & i plan on adopting, right?!]. so fun!

________________________________________________________________________

Who are you?

I'm a teacher, wife, artist, and hope to become a mom through the miracle of adoption soon.  I live in a cheery yellow cottage in the suburbs of Chicago along with my high school sweetheart husband and our spoiled yellow lab, Romeo.

I spend my days as a middle school special education teacher. I love my job- most of the time. It is very challenging but also very rewarding. I am blessed to work with amazing colleagues who I also call friends.  My goal each and every year is to instill a sense of wonder and a thirst for learning into my students who have struggled in traditional classrooms. 

My love of arts and crafts started at a very young age.  I can't remember a time when I wasn't creating something.  As my life has become more demanding, I've learned that having a creative outlet is such a vital part of my well-being. There's just something magical about being able to create something that feeds the soul. 

I've always loved creating things with paper. It started with making my own Christmas cards back when I was a young bride. I became known for my handmade cards among friends, and my cards were often requested for holidays, and life events. I started teaching at local stores and developing kits for the stores. Now I just create things for friends & family... and my customers at PB Creations!

PB Creations came about as a way for me to feed my soul through creating while also adding some extra funds to our adoption fund. My husband and I are anxiously hoping to adopt in the very near future. We've had a long road of infertility and miscarriage that unfortunately required us to use up a great deal of our life savings. We've been blessed through the support of friends and family as we started our adoption process.  The profits from PB Creations are used to cover our monthly advertising costs for our adoption profile and our attorney fees.

Whats your favorite way to relax?

I love spending time with my husband. We both have very demanding jobs and work opposite shifts, so our time together can be limited. We love lazy summer afternoons on our motorcycle wandering through country roads.  We also love watching TV show marathons on Discovery or History channel.

On the other hand- you just can't beat a bubble bath and a nice glass of wine!  :)

Where would you love to be in 1/3/5 years?

We're so hopeful that we will be parents soon- so hopefully you will find me loving life as a mom.  Hoping that I will also be able to teach part time while spending much more time creating and supporting our little family through PB Creations.

Where is your favorite place to create? Why?

I am so fortunate that my husband created a studio for me in our home. It truly is my little piece of heaven on earth. He built the desk into the front of the room where the natural light is just amazing in the afternoons. I have all of my ribbons and flowers sorted by color in glass jars- it just makes me happy looking at them!  I am very messy when I create, so it is so nice to have the space to spread out and leave my mess when life calls me back to reality. Our yellow lab, Romeo loves his spot under my desk. 

Tell us a few of your favorite sites/blogs to lurk on a daily basis?

I'm almost embarrassed to admit that the first place I usually check is Facebook. :)

I also spend lots of time on Pinterest.  I can honestly say that I have found some inspiration for some home projects that we've recently completed on pinterest. 

I also spend time stalking Ali Edwards, Cathy Z, and Janna Wilson.  I love their sense of design even if it is very different from my own. 

Dealing with infertility can be a very lonely road.  I am so fortunate to have found some amazing bloggers who have become virtual friends through the past several years.  One of the first stops I make each morning is also to check out Mel's blog. She is a true voice for the infertility community and has created so many opportunities for the community to support one another. 

What do you want to learn?

I've always wanted to learn to play guitar and speak Spanish.

Best advice you have been given for your artsy career/shop/creative endeavor?

Take time to be creative EVERY SINGLE day.  Even if it is something small or something as simple as being creative with the way you put dinner on the plate- do something!

Lets be honest ; n*sync or the Backstreet Boys?

Backstreet Boys all the way!  :)

Where else can we find you?

facebook //  pinterest // adoption website // adoption facebook 

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time for the giveaway!
patience is giving away a super-cute handmade 5x5 frame featuring mixed media collage cottage. just add your 3x3 photo to make it perfect! a custom insert can also be created to replace the one shown. this would make an adorable wedding or housewarming gift!  the frame will be made to order and can be made with any color palette.

the giveaway starts today & will end on the 7th of august. giveaway is only open to folks in the us!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

a rad GIVEAWAY & some delish vegan caramels :

happy sunday.
i havent done any giveaways for a few months & now in the past few weeks, i have done three.
[enter katherines notecard giveaway here]

when i first started this blog, i didnt share too many 'vegan things' because i didnt want to come off as snotty & pretentious. as my blog has grown, i am finding that people are actually interested in products that are better for their families, the planet & their bodies.

in the next few months, i will be sharing some lesser-known vegan // eco businesses that i really believe in. each & every company does something amazing to give back to the planet // environment & you know how much i love that ;)

if you have been around here for awhile, you know how important it is to blake & i to support small & local. as a small business myself, i know how much time & effort [and patience, money & sacrifice] it takes to create, build & grow a business.

so, when i stumbled upon ocd ; obsessive confection disorder [cute, right?!], i knew i had to contact their resident queen of kind ; melodi!
obsessive confection disorder makes vegan caramels FULL of flavor!
i read their 'about me' & got goosebumps. you can just  f e e l  their commitment & i just love that!


melodi agreed to send me some goodies to test out.
well, image my surprise [and the near-kiss i gave the mailman] when a huge box showed up with ALL of these goodies inside!!

 fudge, caramel 'not' corn, salted lollipop & 4 HUGE pieces [seriously, bigger than my hand] of caramels.

here

half of them didnt make the photo ;)

 chewy [and crunchy] caramel with gf pretzles

here

the fudge was my absolute fave!

chocolate, potato chips, coconut & pecans!

lavender, mojito [not in the shop right now], ipa [BEER!] & agave lime

blake loved the ipa & the agave lime was my favorite caramel.

 

i twisted all of the caramels to see how 'pliable & bendy' they were. 

lets be honest, i really just love playing with food!

i also got this cute little lollipop

if you are looking for a teacher // mothers day // hostess // wedding gift, ocd's goodies would be such a welcome treat.

head over to the shop & look around.

you can also connect with melodi on twitter!

[i really do recommend these products. owning a business is hard, but making the choice to support a business thats doing it right, isnt hard at all!]

on to the giveaway!

*the giveaway is only open to us folks ; sorry international peeps!*

melodi is giving away a delish mothers day gift pack.

whats in it?!

*fruit 'n flowers caramel [Bits of plum and citrus peel, rhubarb, assorted berries, roses, lavender, mint and patron citrus liqueur.]

*balsamic caramel w/heirloom tomato salt 

*chocolate almond shortbread

*all wrapped up in a flour sack dishtowel.

isn't this *so* fun!?!

enter below! good luck ;)

*disclaimer : melodi gifted me these tasty treats, & i meant everything i wrote ;)

: sponsor love & a GIVEAWAY with paper gatti! :

happy friday!!
today, i have an interview & a giveaway from katherine of paper gatti.
one of my favorite things about running a blog [and accepting sponsors] is that i feel like i really try to 'connect' with my sponsors.
katherine & i are super similar and emailing back & forth throughout the week is a highlight for me.
she is in the beginning stages of starting her own shop & its really fun to watch it come together.
take a moment & read her interview. check her out online & be sure to enter the giveaway below for a chance to win her 'yet-to-be released' stationary!
__________________________________________________________________________

tell us : who are you?

My name is Katherine Toyoko, and I am the owner and designer of the blog Paper Gatti. I am also starting up my own shop by the same name. (""Gatti' is Italian for ""cats"", and also rhymes with the Italian-ized version of my name, Kati.)

Paper Gatti produces hand-embossed paper goods. I love working with paper and design - something that I grew to love while earning a degree in architecture - and I also believe in the old-fashioned notion that everybody loves to receive something handwritten or handmade in the mail.

I blog about my endeavors to become a one-woman business, my life, and anything else that inspires me such as fashion, food, running, decor, and DIY projects. I have a ""day job"" as well, but often times I work weekends or evenings instead of the usual 9 to 5...it definitely keeps things from getting too monotonous.

where do you find inspiration?

When it comes to inspiration for my paper products, I usually take a step away from the computer. I live in San Francisco, and there is always something to inspire me in this city!

That being said, I love to read Wonder Forest for graphic design + lifestyle, RevolutionizeHer for business, Sandy ala Mode for fashion, and Apartment Therapy for interior design. Of course I read Dianapantz regularly as well for food + green lifestyle inspiration!

what advice would you give to an aspiring indie biz owner?!

Look before you leap, but don't get stuck looking all day...before you know it the day will be gone! I'm still in-process when it comes to creating a handmade life, but the most important part is that you start doing something. If you're not willing to go out and do it, then you'll need to reconsider what you really want.

find katherine here : 

blog // twitter // facebook // bloglovin'

and now, to the GIVEAWAY!

katherine is giving away ONE set of 'volando' heat-embossed stationary, featuring stamps from Yardwork. [3 cards in the set] PLUS a $10 shop credit once the shop opens [$20 value!]

this would be *great* as a mothers day // new mom // hostess gift ;) 

enter below with raffelcopter ; sorry international folks; this one is just for US peeps!

: earth day GIVEAWAY! :

happy saturday, folks!

are you celebrating earth day this weekend?!

if youve been here for a while, you know that volunteering & making small steps for the planet is a huge part of blake & i's life. i am *such* a strong believer that no matter your job, your location OR your financial situation, you CAN make a difference in this universe.

today, i have a craft fair all day & am *crossing* my fingers our bikes will be fixed by sunday, so we can ride.

theres a super fun event happening in st. paul for earth day & id LOVE to photograph it ;)

i wanted to do a fun little giveaway today for a few reasons.

1) because its my birthday earth day [duh].

2) to show you a few really fun products we love using in our lives.

3) to say 'thanks' for coming to the blog, commenting, emailing & really making this job, the best i could ask for!!

the goods :

*this giveaway is ONLY open to US folks!*

[sorry, international peeps!]

*1 year subscription to whole living magazine [my FAVE magazine]

*small bag of tortilla chips

*sample of garnier shampoo & conditioner

*3 fun harry potter notecards [cuz you know it feels so good to send // get mail]

*pocket notebook + a few cute vintage dictionary pages

*tomato seeds

*mighty leaf african nectar tea

*eat cleaner fruit & veggie wipe

the giveaway runs for a week & you can enter below.

its through rafflecopter, so you are going to have to click on 'read more' to see the widget.

happy earth day, everybody.

do something beautiful today!!

need some new recipes? : the 3-day a week vegan + a GIVEAWAY! :

happy tuesday, everybody!

a while back, my e-book launched [woo hoo!] & i said that once i hit a certain amount of sales ; i would do a fun giveaway.
well, we are only SIX e-books away.
*note : you are only eligible to win the giveaway if you purchase // have purchased the book*
but dont worry ; between the great book, affordable price, a good cause & rad prizes ; its an easy decision ;)

what is it? : you can read all about it here ; but 'the 3-day a week vegan' is a 30-recipe e-cookbook. breakfast, lunch, dinner, sides & dessert are all covered. ingredients are easy to find & affordable. each book comes with color photos [of each recipe!], a shopping list & easy-to-follow instructions. this book isnt just for vegans ; in fact, its perfect for folks who are looking to add a few more whole grains and veggies to their food plan.
how do i get it? : right now, its available in printable pdf form & for the kindle. [nook folks, we are having major formatting issues beyond my expertise ; so hopefully it will be available soon!]
how much is it? : the book is $14, with $1 from EACH sale going directly to charity. the first $100 in donations will go to charity:water.
what can i win? : one winner will get *everything* listed below! [and if we sell 15 books before the end of the week ; THREE folks will win prize packs!]

a bath bomb [or two?] from lush

a few of my *fave* two degrees bars. 

also, for every bar sold, they give a nutrition pack to a kid in need

some gud handsoap [from the makers of burts bees]

source

i will send you all the fixens' for a vegan s'more party ;)

source

and a bottle of sparitual nail polish from their new 'water' line.

for each bottle sold, sparitual gives 20% to surge ; who provides clean water for many countries around the world [haiti!]

want a bit more feedback before you buy?

i shared my favorite recipe from the book here.

and jessica & katherine both said really nice things about the book.

so, lets recap : 6 more books + one person will win everything above [if you have already purchased the book ; you are included!] if 15 books are sold by the end of this week ; 3 people will win vegan prize packs!

[no need to enter ; if you have purchased a book, you are automatically in!]

this makes a great mothers day gift! also perfect for your favorite friend // family member, coworker or hostess!

feel free to spread the word on facebook // twitter : 

looking for new recipes+free goodies?check out 'the 3-day a week vegan'&enter to win LOTS of fun prizes @dianapantzmpls http://flytothewall.blogspot.com/2012/04/need-some-new-recipes-3-day-week-vegan.html

thanks everybody!!

: winner, winner! : and march sponsors :

two things!

1) the winner of this giveaway [customized facebook landing page] from amanda was sahah!
winner : you have been emailed.

not a winner?
amanda has super affordable [and cute!] design packages. see here!

and 2) still looking for a [fun!] blog to sponsor in march?!
head here for all the deets!

have a great tuesday.
we are suppose to get a nasty mix of snow and freezing rain today.
its 10am and the sky looks like its going to dump at any minute.

back tomorrow!

: GIVEAWAY : from Royal Daughter Designs!

hey everybody!
happy tuesday.

today, i have a fun giveaway from amanda.
she has some really great design skills [her portfolio is here!] and she is going to share them with one of you!!

amanda is giving away ONE customized facebook landing page.
i have wanted a more professional landing page for quite a while now.
if you run a business [or just want a fun, new look], i strongly urge you to enter.

want to check out all of amanda's design packages? *poof*
use the rafflecopter entry below to enter.
you may need to click 'view more' to see the widget!

: GIVEAWAY from Enticing Treats + a Winner :

happy tuesday, everybody!

anything fun & exciting happening this week?

i have a winner for the crystelle chic giveaway!

congrats to #16 ; Lillea!! $30 shop credit to her shop is yours! enjoy.

today, tempestt from enticing treats is here with a $20 shop credit to anything in her shop!!

a while back, i bought this adorable headband from her and i love it!

the colors [and her packaging!] are just adorbs!!

here are a couple more of my favorite things from her shop!

love this one with the triple flowers!

this is my first giveaway using rafflecopter ; i hope its easier for all of us ;)

giveaway details : 

you have a week ; its open to the entire planet ;)

good luck, everybody!!

: GIVEAWAY! : $30 from Crystelle Chic :

happy tuesday, everybody.
i have noticed there have been *tons* of comments on the blog lately ; thanks for that.
i love reading comments & i really appreciate your interaction.

lets get on to a super fun giveaway, shall we?!

this is crystelle!

and she is the head creator behind crystelle chic.
she says : I specialize in crocheted hats and photography props for newborn up to adults. From bear 
ears, owls, brimmed hats and ruffled diaper covers, every item is made especially for you!


crystelle is giving away ONE lucky reader a $30 credit to her shop.
her products are so sharp, her baby models are adorbs and she is beautiful!!

this hat is my all-time fave!

three more amazing photos // products [and my goodness! these photos sure sell the products, right?!]

shop // facebook // twitter // pinterest // blog 

so, how can you win?!

*leave a separate comment for EACH entry*

1) head over to her shop ; look around, come back & let me know your favorite item
2) follow BOTH of our blogs via gfc or bloglovin' [hers // mine gfc // mine on bloglovin']
3) follow BOTH of us through facebook [hers // mine]
4) tell me, how are you doing with your 2012 goals?!
5) follow BOTH of us on twitter & tweet about this giveaway [hers // mine]
feel free to use this tweet : @crystellechic is giving away a $30 credit to anything in her rad shop over on @dianapantzmpls blog : http://flytothewall.blogspot.com/2012/01/giveaway-30-from-crystelle-chic.html
*please make sure both of our handles are linked in so i can find your tweet!
5) share on facebook // blog [come back and leave the link!]


giveaway will end january 23rd, with the winner contacted/announced on the 24th.
open to us + canada residents
good luck ;)

: GIVEAWAY : TOMS book review & giveaway :

hey!
i have a few really great giveaways lined up for january and am *so excited* to share this one.
you know i love reading.
and saving the planet.
and encouraging folks to do their part and give to those that need it.

vegan wrap boots

a while back, i was notified by the TOMS folks that they were sending me *two* copies of blake mycoskies book, start something that matters.
i would get one to keep & read.
and then would get to give the second copy away.

image

this book was beautiful! super easy to read. lots of great 'real world' examples. and so inspiring.

who is this book for?!
*someone who wants to make a difference ; even if you only have a few hours to volunteer or a few bucks to give.
*someone who wants to love their work & make a difference.
*someone who is inspired by good ; by companies that are doing great things.

as a new small business owner, i really fell for this book.
chapter 4 was one of my faves ; it talked about being resourceful with few resources.

since the beginning of :dianapantz: [november 2010], i have been giving a percentage of each sale to charity. at the end of the month, blake and i then match that money and give our own donation.
11 months ago, my sales were pretty low, but i still managed to donate, even if it was only $10.

the TOMS model [buy one, give one] is so important.
its important for the business : as americans, we have too so much. when a business is willing to give money/product away in an effort to bring this planet closer together, it makes that business stronger. and honestly, the more 'good' you do, the more folks want to be involved.
the organization : more and more people are learning about them. their mission and what a difference a little can make.
and the consumer : i strongly believe that everybody wants to do their part, but so many folks just dont know how to start. so when they give their dollars to a cause they feel strongly about, they will share with everyone around them.
happy customers = stronger business = more giving.

image

so, i am giving away a copy of start something that matters, by blake mycoskie!
[dont want the book? it would make a really rad gift for your business-minded friend]

wanna win?! leave a separate comment for *each* entry.
1) tell me : which organization do you support? maybe you dont have one? the new year is a great time to commit to change ;)
2) follow me, blake mycoskie AND TOMS shoes on twitter.
3) send out the following tweet [you can make up your own, just make sure all THREE of our handles are linked in]
@dianapantzmpls is giving away a copy of @BlakeMycoskie book 'start something that matters' : @TOMS : such a rad book : http://flytothewall.blogspot.com/2012/01/giveaway-toms-book-review-giveaway.html
4) share this giveaway on facebook // blog about it [please leave me the link as your entry]

this giveaway is open to everybody. it will run from january 3-9th.
good luck!

: GIVEAWAY! : necklace from chrys designs! : and a winner! :

hey everybody!

wanna win a cute necklace?


before we start, i wanted to announce the winner of two pairs of earrings from katie ; congrats #53 fatema!

also, today ONLY i am offering 20% off everything in the shop! just enter HOHOHO20 at checkout.
i just added 6 new pieces ; 4 of them made 100% from CORN KERNELS!

today, chrys is giving away another great necklace.

her stuff is beautiful, versatile and affordable.
and right now [through jan 6th] every piece is 30% off!

shes got tons and tons of choices in her shop ; theres def something for everybody!

i have two necklaces & have given one as a gift!

wanna win one?
chrys is giving away this cute small gold plated horseshoe charm necklace.

cute, right!?!

heres what you need to do!

*you must leave a comment for each thing you do*

1) head over to chrys shop, look around, come back and let me know your favorite piece

2) 'like' chrys designs AND :dianapantz: on facebook [you *MUST* 'like' us both for *ONE* entry]

3) follow us both on twitter [you *MUST* follow us BOTH for *ONE* entry] [hers][mine]

4) tweet this giveaway : @Chrysdesigns is giving away a super rad necklace over at @dianapantzmpls : http://flytothewall.blogspot.com/2011/12/giveaway-necklace-from-chrys-designs.html
*please make sure our pages link, so i can find your entry!*

5) tell me ; ONE thing you are going to do in 2012 that will make this planet a better place.


good luck.
contest is open to everyone and ends on the 26th of december!

want more of chrys?
shop // tumbler // kaboodle // pinterest 

: GIVEAWAY! : with katie from katie sews it all! : and a WINNER! :

hey!

do you know what tomorrow is?!

28 years ago [tomorrow] an angel was born!

hahaha ; just kidding, but it is my BIRTHDAY!

a new year, a new set of goals, new new new ; love birthdays!


before katie takes the stage and does a fun giveaway, i want to say that Tiffany [ZumbaTiff!!!] won the three shop credits!
thanks for entering everybody! and fun fact ; tiff is my zumba teacher!!!

________________________________________________________________________________

Hi there!  I'm Katie from Katie Sews It All!  I'm here to share a little giveaway with Diana's readers :)  I'm starting to branch out into jewelry making, so up for grabs today are 2 sweet little pairs of earrings -- one set is cute, little green rosebuds and the others are super-simple drop earrings with a wooden bead.  I hope you like them!!!  :)

 *ONE* winner will take *both* pairs.

wanna try your hand at winning?

*leave a separate comment for each thing you do*

1) follow katie AND my blogs ; come back and let me know [this is ONE entry!]

2) tell me ; what is *one* of your goals for the new year? 

3) follow katie on twitter ; come back and let me know

4) follow katie on pinterest ; let me know

5) tweet // facebook this giveaway : 

GIVEAWAY! : @KatieSewsItAll is giving away 2 pairs of earrings on @dianapantzmpls blog : http://flytothewall.blogspot.com/2011/12/giveaway-with-katie-from-katie-sews-it.html

[please make sure that *both* of our twitter handles are linked in the post, so i can find them]

*and please don't 'unfollow' after the giveaway is finished ; its just bad manners ;)

 giveaway runs til december 19th ; open to everybody in the whole universe ;)

good luck.