Giveaway Time - Drawing Nature: A Journal by Jill Bliss

Hello lovely friends! It's been quite a long while since I last hosted a giveaway, so when the awesome folks at Chronicle Books asked if I'd like to be part of a blogger book tour and give a copy of Drawing Nature to one of you lucky ducks...I couldn't say yes fast enough. I also received my own copy to check out ahead of time, and I have to tell you that whoever wins this beautiful book is truly in for a treat! Are you excited, or what?!!

Portland-based artist Jill Bliss has been tantalizing us with her exquisite renderings of the natural world for years...and now she finally shows us how it's done in this wonderful hands-on journal. But this isn't a book simply for the artistically gifted...the beauty of this art journal is how Jill provides easy to follow guidance that is meant for all (artists and artistically-challenged alike). I especially appreciate how the emphasis of this journal is all about discovering who you are artistically through the practice of drawing simple natural forms and patterns (no right or wrongs ways to go about it). But perhaps my most favorite touch of all might be the little motivational captions and inspirational prompts written at the bottom of each journal page...thoughts to inspire and keep you going (and we all need those from time to time, don't we). All in all, Drawing Nature: A Journal is a beautiful book for anyone who loves to draw and/or journal (plus it looks great sitting out on your desk)...and it would make the perfect gift (I'm planning to share the copy I received with my little sister).

Take a little peek at this short video interview with Jill Bliss for a more in-depth look at the book and what it's all about. If you'd like you can purchase your own copy (or one for a friend) at Chronicle Books, Amazon, or Barnes & Noble.

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THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED - THANKS!

Rules for Entry (PLEASE READ ALL RULES BEFORE ENTERING):

• For your entry, please leave a comment on this post telling me why you'd love to win a copy of Drawing Nature (if you plan to give it as a gift to someone, I'd love to know who the lucky person will be).

• BONUS ENTRY is available if you blog or tweet about this giveaway with a link back to this post.  Be sure to leave your regular entry comment PLUS a second comment with the link to your post or caption of your tweet (including your twitter username).

• All entrants, please be sure to include your first name AND last initial plus a VALID email address when commenting or I will not be able to include you in the final drawing when selecting the winner.
• One comment per reader unless you have been given a second entry by posting about this contest. (I do use IP tracking)
• Contest open to everyone - US and International entrants welcomed.
• This contest will end Tuesday, April 26th and the winner will be announced here on Wednesday, April 27th.

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Best of luck to you all and a big thanks to Chronicle Books for providing such a lovely prize for you to win! xo Ez

P.S. Take a look at the other blogs scheduled to be a part of this fun book tour! Each blogger is featuring the book in their own way - with giveaways, interviews, and more...so be sure to follow along. Maybe you can up your odds of winning!

April 15     Craft
April 18     AOL Shelterpop
April 19     Creature Comforts
April 20     Mint
April 21     UPPERCASE
April 22     Pikaland
April 25     The Little House in the City
April 27     Wit + Delight

DIY: Salt Water Taffy from Vanilla & Lace

I looove salt water taffy (peppermint in my favorite) and I've always wanted to try my hand at making it myself. But after one look (years ago) through the window of a seaside candy shop at its frantically twirling taffy-puller, I tucked the thought away into my wishful thinking file...until now!

After spotting the gorgeous mound of minty goodness (above) via Kalie on pinterest, I just had to follow the link to see what I would find. And there on the lovely Vanilla & Lace blog visions of handmade salt water taffy began, once again, to dance in my head. Yes, it still looks like a lot of work, but man-oh-man do the results ever look worth it!

I'm thinking this would be a fun project to work on with a group of older kids (my daughter and sister's age). They can do all the pulling, have fun choosing which color to dye it (I'm guessing they'd pick something from our pack of neon food coloring), and then we can all enjoy the tasty taffy at the end. Yummers! xo Ez

Inspiration Daily: 04. 19. 11

Whimsical illustration by Isabelle Arsenault.

Pinterest Picks: 04. 18. 11

Hello there lovelies! Did you have a nice weekend? I sure hope so. Things were pretty mundane around these parts (other than discovering that our backyard is suddenly crawling with poison ivy—my daughter has the rash to prove it, poor thing)...but sometimes mundane is exactly the way I like it (so it was good thing).

Anyhoo...here are four pretty pinterest picks that I'm loving today. The first image is exactly what I wish I was doing right now. Doesn't lounging around in a beam of sunlight sounds just marvelous to you too?! You can see my past Pinterest picks here, and find my Pinterest Boards here. xo Ez

1. Editorial photography by Sarah Rhoads - Model: Nina with SMG, Hair/Makeup: Tiffany Lowry, Styling/Concept: Sarah & Chris Rhoads | via Rebecca Paul
2. Lovely photography by Hilda Grahnat | via Jennifer Pebbles
3. Cloud Magnets by JD Wolf | via Mike McDowell
4. Simple but sweet tea party favor bags from Hello Naomi - Photography by Natalie Hunfalvay | via Nuria Teulon

Free Printables by Anna Bond

If you've had a chance to page through the latest issue (May 2011) of Martha Stewart Living, than you probably already got just as excited as I did to discover the adorable free printables created by Anna Bond for the Once Upon a Baby Shower feature. The printable set includes shower invitations, bookplates, and a sweet bookmark (I want to tuck one of the bookmarks into my daughter's Easter basket next weekend—the adorable bunny design is just too cute for words). Find the printables here.

The rest of the DIY ideas in the baby shower story are definitely worth hanging onto as well...whether you're planning a baby shower any time in the near future or just want some cute printables to have handy (you never know when the need for cute bookmarks + bookplates might strike). xo Ez

See more from Anna Bond right here | Photography by Tara Donne