Boggy Carnival has Arrived!

Check out my fellow e-tailers/retailers and have a great time with this blog carnival all week! Here's the link!

http://weirdstuffinmydesk.com/?p=133

Bloggy Carnival Is HERE All Week Long! Over $975.00 In Prizes!

July 28, 2008

The Bloggy Carnival is here! Starting on July 28th 2008 and ending at midnight Pacific time Saturday August 2nd 2008. You will have several ways to win the AMAZING prizes listed on our blog. Winners will be announced by Wednesday August 6th. Remember to visit all of the other participating blogs at the Bloggy Carnival. We are just one stop of hundreds! Many of our contributors ship internationally, so don’t be shy, everybody whether you are in the US or not, or whether you have your own blog is welcome to participate!!

CONTEST INFO

Readers, here’s how to enter the contest. You can do one or all of these things, and each one will give an additional entry and thus MORE chances to win.

1. SUBSCRIBE to our newsletter here on the right hand side of the site. You MUST verify your subscription via the email the site will send you. Unverified subscribers will not be entered into the contest. This option is for new subscribers only.

2. Post this blog post in it’s entirety with a link to our contest here at your blog, group or website and you will be given additional entries to win. You MUST post the links where you have shared the info in one response here in this thread. The more places you post the event, the more entries you get, so spread the word! NOTE: Don’t worry if your post doesn’t show up right away or you get an error message, the spam filter on the site will catch it if there are too many links. I will approve your posts so no need to worry, if this happens please don’t post your list multiple times. Check back later in the week to see if it is up.

3. Visit each of the sites who have contributed to our event below and pick ONE favorite item from each store and come post the LINK to that item or the page the items is on here in this post. You can do one or all of the sites, you get an entry for each business you visit and the ONE item link you post here. Try to combine all of your items into one big post. NOTE: Don’t worry if your post doesn’t show up right away or you get an error message, the spam filter on the site will catch it if there are too many links. I will approve your posts so no need to worry, if this happens please don’t post your list multiple times. Check back later in the week to see if it is up.

4. Make a purchase today from ANY or all of the retailers participating on our page (see list below) and send us a copy of the receipt for your purchase to: racoo.smith @ gmail.com (no spaces) for an additional entry. You get entries for every purchase you make. Be SURE to put WSIMD Contest Entry in the subject line so it doesn’t get lost in our spam filter.

5. Read through our Weird Stuff in my Desk blog and find your favorite post and come back here and post the LINK to it. One favorite post per contestant please.

6. Come back daily to see more options for winning and possibly more prizes to compete for. New companies or prizes may be added to the bottom of the list.

Be sure you leave a valid email and your name when posting here so we can contact you if you are the winner. We will contact the winners and request your first/last name and a valid email which we will give to the retailer whose prize you have one. It is up to the individual retailers to award your prizes. If we do not hear back from winners within one week of contacting you, you prize will be forfeited and an alternate winner will be chosen. We reserve the right to delete any inappropriate or inflammatory remarks or comments.

Be SURE to visit our sister site Bitten by Books will be offering a $50.00 Amazon.com Gift Card as well as HUNDREDS of dollars in different prizes, books and gift certificates for the Bloggy Carnival ! Go here: http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=738 and see what you could win! The directions for entry are set up there as well! Have fun and happy Carnival!

A BIG thank you to our fabulous contributors!!

Here is the list of AMAZING prizes you are trying to win!

KLEAN Bath & Body - $100.00 Gift Code
http://www.kleanbathandbody.com/
Klean Bath & Body provides luxurious, hand-mixed, bath and body products at an affordable price.

Flying Needle Gallery - $20.00 Gift Certificate
http://flyingneedlegallery.com
Gifts for the body & home: Offering velvet scarves, silk pillows, eco-friendly napkins & handkerchiefs and more. Includes FREE shipping if the prize winner is in the US — but will ship worldwide.

Broken Teepee Designs - $25.00 Gift Certificate
http://www.brokenteepeedesigns.com/
Beautiful beaded jewelry. Made in Montana. Free shipping on your order, will ship internationally

Get Happy Goat Soap - $10.00 Gift Certificate
http://www.gethappygoatsoap.com/
Handcrafted soap made with the milk from my Nigerian dwarf goats Pricilla and Abigail plus other rich ingredients. Get happy! Free shipping on your order, will ship internationally

Starring…! Fragrances - $26.00 Gift Certificate
http://www.starringfragrances.com/
Organic & Natural Perfumes & Body Products that Star you in Sweet, Sensual Scents!

Little Black Boxes - 2 $20.00 Gift Certificates for Little Black Boxes
http://www.thelittleblackboxes.com
The Little Black Box is the perfect place for consumers to learn about our wonderful online retailers before purchasing. It’s a handmade revolution!

Bovine Bubbles and Hogwash - Canadian Company - 2 $25.00 Gift Certificates
http://www.bovinebubblesandhogwash.com/
Udderly the best handcrafted body care in the world.

South Main Designs - $25.00 Gift Certificate
http://www.mysouthmaindesigns.com/155
Beautiful jewelry at affordable prices! Shipping to US and Canada.

Lillian Skincare - $50.00 Gift Certificate
http://www.lillianskincare.com/
At Lillian Skincare, we believe that caring for your whole body not only means being careful about what you eat, but also what you feed your skin from the outside.

Pampertini - $25.00 Gift Certificate
http://www.pampertini.com/
We offer a variety of pampering items for you to enjoy, whether you are a shower person or love to indulge in a tub of bubbles, come by for some ONE STOP SHOPPING fun!

Bauble Bath - $50.00 Gift Certificate
http://baublebath.com/
Thick Creamy scrubs as well as bath bombs in indulgent fragrances.

Crater Lake Company - $30.00 Gift Certificate
http://www.craterlakecompany.com

Delightfully Wed - $15.00 Gift Certificate
http://www.delightfullywed.com/
Delightfully Wed supplier of wedding accessories, supplies, decorations, and favors, specializing in western-themes. Shipping is free within the US - we will ship internationally if the winner wishes to pay the shipping costs.

Candles and Woodcrafts - $15.00 Gift Certificate
http://www.candlesandwoodcrafts.com/
We provide a wide array of items from wooden soap molds and displays to wax tarts, finished woodcrafts, clocks, lighted holiday items….way to much to mention in one line so come on over and take a look!

Ginger’s Garden - 2 - $10.00 Gift Certificates
http://www.gingersgarden.com/
Come visit Ginger’s Garden for handmade soaps, skin and body care, gift baskets, toiletries, Zodiac Perfume blends, sculpted soap flowers and more. US Shipping Only.

Snowberry Creek - A Gift Certificate for a sampler box valued at $22.95
http://www.snowberrycreek.com/
A box full of luxurious, fragrant samples and full-sized items, such as handmade soaps, lotions, massage oil, bath teas, bath salts, shea butter, votives, tarts, bath bombs, teas, coffees, decorative soaps, potpourri, jewelry, candles, bubble bath and much more. Shipping is free within the US - we will ship internationally if the winner wishes to pay the shipping costs.

FeltLikeStitchin - $20.00 Paypal Gift Certificate - UK Company
http://feltlikestitchin.etsy.com/
DiDi Dolls are small, unique hand stitched felt dolls, each with a note in its pocket with the name and date of creation. Will ship worldwide from their store.

Things That Make Scents - $25.00 Gift Certificate
http://www.thingsthatmakescents.com/
Things That Make Scents is a Jersey Shore-based candle manufacturer offering superior customer service and a diverse menu of all-natural soy wax candles and scented wax bears. With many scents available, you are sure to find a favorite! Carrying candle accessories, gift baskets, jewelry and great gift items, its your one stop shop for your gift giving needs! Ships to the US and Canada.

Linda’s Gifts and Decor - $25.00 Gift Certificate <---MY STORE!!
http://www.lindasgiftsanddecor.com/
Shipping to Canada and US ***Come by on Wednesday for a special offer from this retailer.

The Bath Project - $25.00 Gift Certificate
http://TheBathProject.com
Handcrafted body care, inspired by nature, crafted in small batches using certified organic ingredients. Will ship internationally.

Chunky Butt Candle & Bath Co. - $20.00 Gift Certificate
http://www.chunkybuttcandles.com/
As a small business, Chunky Butt Candle & Bath Company, we are dedicated to making a unique candle and bath & body experience. World wide shipping

Bad Girlz Bath Co. - $50.00 Gift Code
http://badgirlzbath.com/
Do you have a Fragrance Fetish, a Lust for Lather, Massage oils make you Hot & Bothered? We’re NOT your mother’s Bath & Body shop, we’re SO much more fun!

Just Right Candles - $15.00 Gift Certificate
http://www.justrightcandles.com/
Just Right Candles you a No Flame, No soot, SAFE alternative to traditional candles.

Lindsay’s Candles & Stuff - Canadian Company - $25.00 Gift Certificate
http://www.lindsayscandles.com/
Lindsay’s Candles & Stuff proudly handcrafts scented candles, soaps and bath & body products.

Lily Gulch Soaps - $30.00 Gift Certificate
http://www.lilygulchsoaps.com/
Handmade 100% natural cold process soaps, unique bath & body products and natural bath accessories. International Shipping Worldwide using United States Postal Service (USPS).

Bin Hog Designs $25.00 Gift Certificate
http://www.binhog.com/
Custom embroidered Luggage ID Handle Wraps - choose from one of our many designs or get them personalized!

Pacific Scents $20.00 Gift Certificate
http://www.pacificscents.com
Hand-poured Custom Candles, Bath and Body Products. Over 150 scents!

J.Lynne Cosmetics - $25.00 Gift Certificate
http://www.jlynne.com/
Handcrafted mineral makeup. Purely beautiful, naturally you!

Manic Trout - $25.00 Gift Certificate
http://www.manictrout.com/
Handmade jewelry that is both colorful and unique, using unusual and quite often vintage materials.

Vintage Body Spa LLC - $15 Gift Certificate
http://www.vintagebodyspa.com/
Vintage Body Spa handcrafts natural, luxurious and paraben-free spa products designed to ‘Indulge Your Body’ ™.

Flower Peddler - $30.00 Gift Certificate
http://www.flower-peddler.com/
Naturally-sourced bath, body, and skincare - always fresh, never boring.

Wylde Ivy - $50.00 Gift Certificate
http://www.wyldeivy.com/
Wylde Ivy is all about unique and inspired scent blends, high quality handmade products, and exquisite little luxuries!

Weird Stuff In My Desk - $20.00 Sephora Gift Certificate
http://weirdstuffinmydesk.com

Soapier - $30.00 Gift Certificate
http://Soapier.com

The Blue Raven Tea Co. - 2 $10.00 Gift Certificates
http://blueraventea.com
Let us delight you with our irresistible and fragrant teas. Every cup is a journey. Shipping to US and Canada

Rachel Smith's Blog Carnival Starts Monday!

Rachel Smith's Blog Carnival starts Monday, July 28th. There are over $1000 in prizes! Here's more info:

http://weirdstuffinmydesk.com/?p=131

One of the many major prizes is from my online store, Linda's Gifts and Decor. The winner will get a $25 gift card to choose from a vast array of delightful home and garden items. There's a whole section of my online catalog with items priced at not more than $19.95. So, that $25 gift card will even cover shipping!

I'll post more about the Blog Carnival on Monday.

I almost forgot!! I've also offered up $10 gift cards to the first 25 who email me during the Blog Carnival! You'll have to attend to get one of those. There will be special instructions.

And btw, my website has been completely re-vamped. I seem to have had a lot of extra time while my Blogger blogs were down ... That could probably be called a good thing.

If for some terrible reason you can't attend the Blog Carnival, and you'd like to shop at my store, email me and put "Gift Card" in the subject line. I also have special catalogs (with below wholesale pricing) to use for fundraising for your church group, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, school, booster club, etc.

Hope to see y'all at the event!

Why Freecycle?

I Freecycle. Why? Because it keeps millions of tons of durable and usable goods out of the landfills. It helps those who can't afford a bed or a sofa or a chair (and sometimes even food) to have those items for the price of fuel to go get them. It's GREEN! It's the right thing to do. (The title is a link to the main website. Just insert your city to join.) Everything must be FR*E!

I've met some fascinating folks as I've picked up items. We have received: a futon with mattress, a portable basketball backboard on wheels, a hot tub, upholstered chairs, kitchen items, an antique bed with almost new mattress, a bird cage with stand, perennial plants by the tens, and many other items.

We've given away a bunch of usable "stuff", too. Currently we have grapes for making wine listed. They aren't quite ready, but I have names and phone numbers for 14 people who want them when they are.

And, sometimes, Freecycle is just plain fun! The following was posted a couple of days ago:

WANTED: Devil Duckies. "Any and all to feed our obsession."

My emailed response:

I woke up in a devilish mood, so I'm just going to taunt your obsession. I have a devil duckie - and you can't have it. Neener, neener.

Some history: It was given to me, along with two autographed books, three chocolates in foil wrappers, a Tattered Cover Book Store bag and promo book postcards, by author Mario Acevedo. All but the books are on the wall in my office where the duckie watches over me while I write. Mario would love this taunt! You'd have to read his books to understand.

Check out what I've said about them at about mid-page at: http://www.lindajhutchinson.com/2008_linda_j_hutchinson_for_readers.htm The devil duckie is his "mascot" - of sorts.

I don't gain anything by talking about his books unless you buy them by clicking on the links provided at my website. I'm an amazon.com affiliate. You've been warned.

So that's the story behind my devil duckie. I'm just having fun this morning before going out to spend the day weeding. You provided an opportunity I couldn't pass up.

Hope you receive tons of these delightful creatures ... but, you CAN'T HAVE mine! BWWWWWAAAAAAaaaaHHAAHAAAaaaaaaaa.

Linda J. Hutchinson
Freelance Writer/Copywriter

www.lindajhutchinson.com

http://reviewhutch.blogspot.com
Linda's Gifts and Decor
(Ask me how to get $10 off your first purchase.)
linda@lindajhutchinson.com


(You'll notice the opportunities for marketing and promotion there.)

To which she responded: Evil woman - that's what having devil duckies around will do to you. . . . My grandson is the real obsessive, but I myself am custodian of four duckies, including the prized Dead Duck with x's for eyes. . . . Either Freecycle is a pretty serious bunch, or nobody's giving up their duckies without a fight.

My thoughts: Some days are just more fun than others. You never know when an opportunity will open to market your wares or to write just for fun.

What's in a name anyway?

Yahoo’s front page had the usual blurbs today, but one caught my attention. Seems I’ve been delving into names, common and not, a lot lately.

I’ve been researching names for the characters in my current novel-in-process and Yahoo offered a comparison of the most popular baby names in 1950 to those of 2007. These were US names only.

My alter-ego, J’linn Kramer, was recently featured at Sandy Lender’s www.todaythedragonwins.blogspot.com. I wanted my pen name to be different from the norm and yet to also use my maiden name in honor of my greatest tormentors to “write more”, my dad and his dad. A derivative was all that was needed. I’ve since encountered a JaeLynn, but that doesn’t count. (If you’re of the persuasion, say a prayer for Sandy as she begins chemo this week. Drop by her blog and leave a message to let her know you’re sending kind thoughts her way.)

My husband was born in 1950 and he has the most popular first name and the 4^th most popular name as his middle name, which he goes by. I was born a couple of years later. My parents didn’t use much imagination either. I ended up with the most popular first name for a girl.

I once again wondered why there was so little creativity back then. Was this a generation of total conformists? No wonder there were so many uprisings in the 60’s!

Then I took another look at the 2007 names. Ticking off the names of grandchildren here. Let’s see … we have two boys with the number 2 choice as a middle name, one boy with number 1 and one boy with number 8 first names. And the girls roll in with one number 8 and one number 9 first names. Only LaTosha (the one who will make us great-grandparents in January), Sydney Anna-Marie, one of our two grandsons named Nicholas, and Zachary, didn’t make either list.

I’m thinking most of us haven’t digressed so far from the conformists of 1950.

Most popular boy/girl baby names in 1950:

1. James / Linda
2. Robert / Mary
3. John / Patricia
4. Michael / Barbara
5. David / Susan
6. William / Nancy
7. Richard / Deborah
8. Thomas / Sandra
9. Charles / Carol
10. Gary / Kathleen

Here's the list from last year:

1. Jacob / Emily
2. Michael / Isabella
3. Ethan / Emma
4. Joshua / Ava
5. Daniel / Madison
6. Christopher / Sophia
7. Anthony / Olivia
8. William / Abigail
9. Matthew / Hannah
10. Andrew / Elizabeth

Speaking of the 1950’s, today I found the perfect blog for us old farts: http://www.hownottoactold.wordpress.com

Woo-Hoo! My Blog is Back!

It's been FOUR LONG MONTHS that I've been fighting the dreaded 404 Not Found error every time I tried to access my Blogger blogs.

Thanks to some help from nitecruzr at Blogger, no help from my cellular ISP techies, and breakthrough REAL help at http://www.techguy.org. They have great forums there if you're having issues with your computer!

I'm finally back in and just in time to go out of town to a family wedding. My husband's brother's children always get married on a 3-day holiday weekend so all 5 siblings can make it. They're flung across the US.

You'll have to wait to find out what I've been up to in these 4 very long months of blog deprivation. Although, my website has been updated regularly. Check it out: www.lindajhutchinson.com Lots of new links for writers and readers.

I'll be catching up on everything that's been happening as soon as we get back from the wedding. One of my first dates with my husband of 18 years was to a family wedding - his family. Only 600 of their closest friends and relatives. The band was flown in from Ireland - from whence the father of the bride came. Being Catholic, the women's names were easy to remember ... all but 11 of them were named Mary or some derivative of same.

Hopefully, this gathering will be smaller. I'm 18 years older and not sure my heart can take all the excitement. But then, I probably won't get rushed at the door since everyone knows who I am now.

Check out The Review Hutch for info on what I'm currently reading!