Dreamland

Two for Shana.

 

Another difficult week family-wise, and I am not the sort of writer who can use my blog for therapy.  A little focused on being home, being present, being who I am, and here are two books that speak to all of that:

A Homemade Life by Molly Wizenberg of Orangette

The Gentle Art of Domesticity by Jane Brocket of Yarnstorm

Thinking about purchasing both for vacation in August:  perfect curling up at the lake books.  (And, no, it is not lost on me that both of these authors have the talent for making their personal lives and challenges interesting to read.)

After a couple of non-starters this spring, I have some ideas for summer I'll be ready to share on Monday.  And a giveaway later in the month to celebrate the first anniversary of lettergirl!

Moonstruck, issue eight.

 

Moonstruck #6.

 

Moonstruck, 1996.

 

Moonstruck, number one.

Congratulations, Christene, the final winner in my anniversary week of giveaways:

Our new family tradition is buying our plants on Mother's Day and then spending the next several days planting our gardens. It's a lasting tradition as it makes me look forward to fresh ripe vegetables all summer, and I always enjoy the classic purple petunias in our window boxes.

Thank you for all the lovely giveaways you've done this week! :-)

Please email me with the names for the stamp + your mailing address:  gina {at!} sekelsky {dot!} com.

And again, a heartfelt thank you to everyone who played along -- especially those of you who commented every day.  What a treat for me!  Another giveaway is on the way for the month of June, I hope you'll be back.

To finish out my anniversary month, I'll be sharing Dreamland's history through my old newsletters, starting with the very first issue made in 1994.  Enjoy!

 

Anniversary Giveaway number five.

I am having so much fun with all the comments this week, I wish I had giveaways for the whole month of May.  Definitely something to consider for my next anniversary!  (Actually, just thinking that Dreamland might have another anniversary is enough to excite me...since I started this blog a year ago not knowing what direction I was heading.)

 

 

The giveaway:  a wood handled stamp with your family's names and sweet natural accents like bugs, leaves, and flowers.  This stamp is now available at lettergirl.

To enter:  leave a comment on today's post with the answer to the following question:

What is one of your favorite family traditions?

I will post the winner on Monday morning, so you have all weekend to enter.  Good luck!

Yesterday's winner is Kate:

Oh, so many books! I have to say that I LOVE to re-read the Harry Potter series. Every time I read it I feel like I am a student at Hogwarts, fighting against Voldemort, and growing up with Harry and Ron and Hermione...

Kate, please email me with the quote you would like for your stamp and your mailing address:  gina {at!} sekelsky {dot!} com.  I agree, the HP series makes you feel like you are young again yourself.

Chuck, I have received your emails but mine are being sent back to me.  I have your stamp in production!

Thank you to everyone who took the time to comment on yesterday's post.  I really enjoyed each & every comment.  So many books I have already read...I think To Kill a Mockingbird is the big winner of the day (and Pride and Prejudice, my personal fave).  So many books yet to read...I am embarrassed to admit I haven't read Anne of Green Gables.  But it is on my must-read list now thanks to all of your endorsements.  More about books next week!

Anniversary Giveaway number four.

 

The giveaway:  a traditional red rubber stamp with the quotation of your choice in my handlettering.

To enter:  leave a comment on today's post with your answer to the following question:

I love re-reading books, especially in the summer.  What is one of your favorites to re-read?

I will draw a name & post the winner on Friday, along with the final giveaway for Anniversary Week.  Good luck!

Yesterday's winner is Angie F:

I have been to your Etsy shop and LOVED your handwriting but haven't purchased yet. I am now seriously hooked on your blog. I also came over from Ali's blog today. I am a Pampered Chef Consultant and am loving helping raise money for the American Cancer Society and working with the food bank network, Feeding America. Alone I don't feel like I can do that much, but in conjunction with all the other consultants I feel like we can really get somewhere together! I love the idea of the Rice Dinners! Have to get my family on board, but I don't think I'll have too much trouble!

Angie, please email me with your mailing address:  gina {at!} sekelsky {dot!} com.

Thank you so much to all who shared their favorite causes.  WOW!  I am inspired and humbled by all you do.  Seeing the need firsthand, knowing the need that's faraway, living the need in your own families....  I highly recommend you read through yesterday's comments!

Anniversary Giveaway number three.

If you're a regular reader of my blog, you already know that I support the Rice Dinner Project.  The concept is perfectly simple:  once a month eat only rice for dinner, and donate what you would have spent on a bigger meal to a hunger relief charity.  (We support Feed My Starving Children.)  After a few nights of, "What's for dessert?" my kids got it.  Easy peasy.

 

The giveaway:  12 "rice dinner" stickers for your calendar + 12 envelopes handlettered with your return address (for mailing in your donation...or just about anything else you want to send in a pretty envelope!).  I confess that some months are so jam-packed I forget all about rice dinner, so I'm making a set of these for myself too!

To enter:  leave a comment on today's post with your answer to the following question:

What charity speaks to your heart?

I will post the winner (and another giveaway) tomorrow.  Good luck!

Yesterday's winner is Kathleen D:

The wool afghan my Mom made me 24 years ago...I was married on May 25th, 1985 and for a bridal shower gift my Mom presented me with a handmade wool irish knit afghan. I love it then and I love it now! I had seen one and mentioned to her that I liked it. So on the day of my shower my best present was that afghan from my Mom. As I opened it and saw the detail and beauty and knew that it had taken her countless hours to make it, tears welled up in my eyes. Today, 24 years later, it still holds a precious spot in my family room. When I am doing my weekly dusting and walk past it, I remember. When I am cold at night while watching tv and cover myself, I remember. When my dog, tore a hole in it and I was upset, I remembered. When my Mom came for a visit and easily repaired the hole, I remembered. That afghan is a daily remembrance that I am loved by my Mom.

Kathleen, please email me with your mailing address:  gina {at!} sekelsky {dot!} com. 

And thanks for all the wonderful comments.  I will save them to read again on a rainy day!

Anniversary Giveaway number two.

 

The giveaway:  4x6 handwritten quote as shown above, suitable for framing.  (More quotes available in my etsy shop.)

To enter:  leave a comment on today's post with your answer to the following question.  (Sorry, it's a bit long-winded today....)

Before I started Dreamland, I was a teacher.  The hardest thing for me about leaving that profession behind was leaving behind the notion that I had purpose, teaching is so obviously worthwhile.  And I was leaving teaching to do what...make pretty things??  17 years and it still nags at me a bit here and there. 

Last night I saw Bruce Springsteen perform and his work ethic always transforms me.  He is so passionate, he does what he loves, what he's good at, he does it as well as he possibly can, he helps others along the way, he brings joy. 

So my question for you today is:  what handmade object brings you joy?  Handmade by you, your child, your friend, your grandmother.  What little thing (or big thing) enriches your life?  If you can't pin it down to one, tell me five!  I want to know that art has a place in your daily life, that even itty bitty things can transform, that art matters.

Enter before midnight tonight, central time.  I'll announce the winner (and another giveaway) on tomorrow's post.  Good luck!

Congratulations to yesterday's winner:

Bob - though we never see each other, a year does not pass without a call on our birthdays (two days apart).  I look forward to the calls every year.

Happy Anniversary! 17 is HUGE!

Posted by:  Charlie

Please email me your stamp information:  gina {at!} sekelsky {dot!} com.

I love-love-loved reading the comments yesterday.  Thank you!  And I hope you are a teeny bit inspired to seek out someone who would like to hear from you.  Here's how I did just that a few years ago.

Anniversary Giveaway number one.

 

 

The giveaway:  one limited edition Anniversary Stamp.

To enter:  leave a comment on today's post with your answer to this question:

Today you open your mailbox to find a letter from an old friend you've lost touch with.  Who's the letter from?

Enter before midnight tonight, central time.  I'll announce the winner (and another giveaway) on tomorrow's post.  Good luck!

(The fabric in the second photo is from a darling quilting/wearable art/fabric store in wee little Lansing, Iowa, called Yellow Bird Art.)