First Friday Freebie Winner

September’s Freebie Winner!

~ Midwest Storyteller

The month of September and summer have slipped past in a whirlwind.  So much so that here it is October and I am just announcing September’s First Friday Freebie winner.  Have you forgotten these beautiful “paper” earrings?

Paper Earrings www.midwetstoryteller.com

No, I didn’t forget to give them away.  They found their new home soon enough –  it was the announcement that lagged.

Let’s meet the winner and wearer –

Ginger from Prairie Home, Missouri 

They look just great on you, Ginger!  At their core, these lovely earrings really are paper.  Many steps are included in the process that transforms them so that they look like metal under glass.  You can see the original post offering the earrings here.

Congratulations, Ginger, and enjoy!

All Ginger had to do was comment as directed when she received her email on the first Friday of the month.  That’s all it took to enter her name into the drawing.

Freebies are my way of reaching out to more folks who might enjoy the various stories, recipes and more here at Midwest Storyteller.  Why not share with all your friends via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest so they’ll be able to subscribe?  Subscribing is every bit as free as the freebie!

Freebies happen every month.  You might be wondering if the gifts are worth the effort. Check out my Freebies page to see the winner and the free gifts they’ve won.

 The October drawing is coming on up Friday, October 4th.

A winner is chosen at random from those subscribers who enter before midnight on the day of the drawing by leaving a comment as instructed in the post. 

An important thing to remember is that should your name be drawn as the winner, you will be notified via the email you used to subscribe.  That means you’ll need to check your email often in the week following the drawing so that you can respond and keep the prize from being offered to someone else.

Be sure to take a moment make yourself familiar with the Freebie Rules by clicking HERE.

These four simple steps will have you ready to enter to win on October 4th, 2019.

Leave a comment!  Have you ever tried making your own jewelry? I’d love to hear your creative ideas!

Here’s August’s Freebie Winner!

~ Midwest Storyteller

We welcomed August with a pineapple, a symbol of welcome, or perhaps not, as we discussed in the original post.  Let’s see who won the drawing for the First Friday Freebie and welcomed it into their home –

Freebie Winner Eva www.midweststoryteller.com

Eva from New Franklin, Missouri!

This shabby little bit of metal décor from Hobby Lobby will liven up Eva’s walls, that is, if her daughter doesn’t latch onto it for her own room.  I’m told she’s enjoying a pineapple craze at the moment. Do teenagers do that? 

Congratulations and enjoy, Eva – whichever one of you ends up with it!

Eva has entered to win multiple times as one of my faithful subscribers.  She commented as instructed when she received her email on the first Friday of the month.  That’s all it took to enter her name into the drawing.

Freebies are my way of reaching out to more folks who might enjoy the various stories, recipes and more here at Midwest Storyteller.  Seriously now, would you want one of your friends to miss an episode of my Life with Smuffy? Why not share with all your friends via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest so they’ll be able to subscribe?  Subscribing is every bit as free as the freebie!

Freebies happen every month.  Check out my Freebies page to see the winner and the free gifts they’ve won.

 The August drawing is coming on up Friday, September 6th.

A winner is chosen at random from those subscribers who enter before midnight on the day of the drawing by leaving a comment as instructed in the post. 

An important thing to remember is that should your name be drawn as the winner, you will be notified via the email you used to subscribe.  That means you’ll need to check your email often in the days following the drawing so that you can respond and keep the prize from being offered to someone else.

Be sure to take a moment make yourself familiar with the Freebie Rules by clicking HERE.

These four simple steps will have you ready to enter to win on September 6th, 2019.

Leave a comment!  On a desktop computer, scroll back up under the title of this post and let me know what you’re thinking.  On various devices, you may find “Leave a Comment” at the bottom of the post.

Announcing July’s Freebie Winner!

~ Midwest Storyteller

My last First Friday Freebie was a small thing reminding us to enjoy the small things.  Let’s meet July’s winner –

July Freebie Winner Elise www.midweststoryteller.com

Elise from Sterling, Illinois!

This 6”X6” bit of wood and metal décor with metal lettering will perch on Elise’s shelf or hang on the wall. 

I know you’ll find the perfect spot for it, Elise.  I’m so glad you entered to win!

Congratulations!

All Elise had to do was to become one of my faithful subscribers (which she was already) and comment as directed when she received her email on the first Friday of the month.  Then, POOF, just like that, her name entered into the drawing for the Freebie.

It’s that simple, folks!  Why not share Midwest Storyteller with all your friends via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest so they’ll be able to subscribe and do the same?  Subscribing is every bit as free as the freebie!

Freebies happen every month.  Check out my Freebies page to see the winner and the free gifts they’ve won here at Midwest Storyteller. To see July’s original Freebie offer, click here.

 The August drawing is coming on up Friday, August 2nd.

A winner is chosen at random from those subscribers who enter before midnight on the day of the drawing by leaving a comment as instructed in the post. 

An important thing to remember is that should your name be drawn as the winner, you will be notified via the email you used to subscribe.  That means you’ll be needing to check your email often in the days following the drawing so that you can respond and keep the prize from being offered to someone else.

Be sure to take a moment make yourself familiar with the Freebie Rules by clicking HERE.

These four simple steps will have you ready to enter to win on August 2nd, 2019.

Enjoying the Freebies?  Leave a comment!  If you’re on your computer, scroll back up under the title of this post and let me know what you’re thinking.  On various devices, you may find “Leave a Comment” at the bottom of the post.

Smuffy’s latest adventure, “A Studebaker in the Hand is Not Worth Two in the Bush” got a lot of attention!  I’m glad so many of you enjoyed it.  The incident reminds me of the time we went to pick up some new living room furniture…  Stay tuned, for Smuffy, quite literally, is “on a roll”! 

June’s Freebie Winner!

~ Midwest Storyteller

I’m always excited to see who wins my monthly giveaway.  Let’s meet June’s winner of the First Friday Freebie –

June's Freebie Winner Francine www.midweststoryteller.com

Francine from Boonville, Missouri!

Congratulations, Francine!

I know you’ll find plenty of things to do with these fancy, tasseled, copper paper clips and all six rolls of that nifty color-coordinated washi tape.

The fun paper clips are from Paige Evans’ line called Pink Paislee.  They are just the type of thing I love to use as a bookmark for favorite spots in a recipe book, planner or anything else I want to make a quick grab for.

The washi tape by Pebbles at pebblesinc.com and all the colors and patterns go great with the tassled paper clips.  If you’re new to the washi tape scene, you can find out more about it in the original Freebie post here.

You can enter to win every month on the first Friday.  Share Midwest Storyteller with all your friends via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest (or be old fashioned about it and just tell them)!  Subscribers receive an email on the first Friday each month reminding them to leave a comment that will enter their name in the drawing.

Check out my Freebies page to see the winners and the gifts they’ve won here at Midwest Storyteller.

Don’t dawdle!  The next drawing happens on Friday, July 5th.  With the holiday, you’re bound to forget, so subscribe now and you’ll receive an email reminder.

Only SUBSCRIBERS can win!

A winner will be chosen at random from those subscribers who enter before midnight on the day of the drawing by leaving a comment as instructed in the post.  See the recently revised rules below.

Be sure to take a moment make yourself familiar with the Freebie Rules by clicking HERE.

These four simple steps will have you ready to enter to win on July 5th.  

Enjoying the Freebies?  Leave a comment!  If you’re on your computer, scroll back up under the title of this post and let me know what you’re thinking.  On various devices, you may find “Leave a Comment” at the bottom of the post.

May’s Freebie Winner! Really?

~ Midwest Storyteller ~ 1 Comment

We’ll never be able to say that it doesn’t pay to try, try and try again.  Let’s meet (again) the latest winner of my First Friday Freebie –

Donna from Bunceton, Missouri!

I would like to start out by saying (“scout’s honor” if I had been any sort of scout, but I wasn’t, so you’ll have to take me at my word) that this monthly drawing is not rigged.  Perhaps you’ve noticed that Donna has now won the First Friday Freebie three times.  Perhaps you didn’t notice, and in that case, I’m sorry I brought the whole thing up.

The other thing that maybe some of you know and many of you don’t is that Donna is also my sister!  There is nothing in the rules that says that my relatives can’t enter to win, but this is getting ridiculous!  No matter how I adjust my poker face, or display the backs of the little slips of paper with entries written on them, Smuffy’s hand just randomly snatches Donna’s name out every so often as though by some magnetic force.

Anyway, congratulations, Donna!

 I hope you enjoy your set of handcrafted, up-cycled, sparkly gift bags and I hope they bring joy to whomever you bless when you give them away with gifts inside.

The gift bags were an art project of mine.  If you’d like to see how I take store merchandizing bags and turn them into beautiful gift bags, click here.  To see the original freebie offer, click here.

To all my readers, I’d like you to climb on board the “Stop Donna Express”!  I can only think of one way to stop my sister from becoming like one of those Jeopardy contestants who just can’t seem to go home and that is if YOU lower her odds by entering to win and share Midwest Storyteller with all your friends via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest (or be old fashioned about it and tell them to subscribe so they’ll be able do the same.  Subscribers receive an email on the first Friday each month reminding them to leave a comment that will enter their name in the drawing.

A freebie offer appears the first Friday of every month.  Check out my Freebies page to see the winner and their free gifts they’ve won here at Midwest Storyteller.

 June’s drawing is right around the corner – June 7th, to be exact.  Donna is bound to enter, but the question is, will you?

Announcing March’s Freebie Winner!

~ Midwest Storyteller ~ 1 Comment

The First Friday Freebie for March has found the perfect home!   

March Freebie Winner Ruth midweststoryteller.com

Ruth of St. Louis, Missouri!

Ruth was kind enough to email me a photo. She assures me that she is an avid reader and is tickled pink to receive her free autographed copy of “Pathways of the Heart” by Diane Yates.  There’s something mysterious in the way Smuffy’s fingers reach out for just the right name.  It’s as though, somehow, they just know.

Congratulations, Ruth!  You’re going to want to read the continuing story, “All That Matters”, too.

Here’s a photo of them both.

Books by Diane Yates midweststoryteller.com

If you’re feeling sad that you didn’t win this book by Diane Yates, remember you can visit www.dianeyates.com for access to her books, blog and more. Another thanks to Diane for donating a copy of her book to Midwest Storyteller. For my thoughts on “Pathways of the Heart” and an interview with Diane Yates, click here.

If you’d like to see the original freebie offer, click here.

Of course, I’m giving away another freebie on the first Friday of every month, so be sure to subscribe, if you haven’t already, and watch for the email you’ll receive on Friday, April 5th.

Visit the Freebies page where you can see what subscribers of Midwest Storyteller have been winning.

MORE ABOUT FREEBIES:  A winner will be chosen at random from those subscribers who enter before midnight on the day of the drawing by leaving a comment as instructed in the post.  See the recently revised rules below.

And now, here are the Freebie Rules. 

Freebie Rules www.midweststoryteller.com

These four simple steps will have you ready to enter to win on April 5th.

Oh, and Happy Spring!  It’s been a long winter and I’m lovin’ this!

“Share”, “like” and “pin” this post!  You’re friends will want to enter to win, too!

Enjoying the Freebies?  Leave a comment!  If you’re on your computer, scroll back up under the title of this post and let me know what you’re thinking.  On various devices, you may find “Leave a Comment” at the bottom of the post.

February’s Fabulous Freebie Winner!

~ Midwest Storyteller ~ 2 Comments

My most recent First Friday Freebie went to a familiar face!  Let’s take a look at the winner – 

Donna, February's Freebie Winner

Donna from Bunceton, Missouri!

Donna has won once before and her name popped up again this time when Smuffy did his duty, following my instructions to and “picked a card – any card”.

Congratulations, Donna!  I hope you enjoy your “Love Deeply” word art plaque from Hobby Lobby, not just as Valentine décor, but all year round!

Here’s another view of Donna’s gift.

Love Deeply Plaque midweststoryteller.com

If you’d like to see the original freebie offer, click here.

A freebie offer appears the first Friday of every month.  Check out the freebie page to see what people have been winning here at Midwest Storyteller.

 Subscribe now and you’ll be notified via email of March’s drawing.  You never know what it might be. 

The next First Friday Freebie drawing will be on Friday, March 1, 2019 and only SUBSCRIBERS can win!

A winner will be chosen at random from those subscribers who enter before midnight on the day of the drawing by leaving a comment as instructed in the post.  See the recently revised rules below.

And now, here are the Freebie Rules. 

Freebie Rules www.midweststoryteller.com

These four simple steps will have you ready to enter to win on March 1st.

“Share”, “like” and “pin”  this post!  You’re friends will want to enter to win, too!

Enjoying the Freebies?  Leave a comment!  If you’re on your computer, scroll back up under the title of this post and let me know what you’re thinking.  On various devices, you may find “Leave a Comment” at the bottom of the post.

2019’s First First Friday Freebie Winner!

~ Midwest Storyteller ~ 1 Comment

Sometimes it pays to speak up!  The squeaky wheel gets the grease – right?

That’s how this month’s First Friday Freebie winner managed to enter the drawing!

Let’s meet –  

Freebie Winner Carol midweststoryteller.com

Carol from Boonville, Missouri!

Carol contacted me to say that she’d been having trouble trying to subscribe to the blog.  She’d wanted to enter the drawing for the freebie, but hadn’t been able to get her subscription to go through, receive her confirmation email, confirm through the email and so on.

I told her to fear not, give it another try, and if for some reason I still didn’t see her pop up as a subscriber, I would be sure to put her name into the drawing along with everyone else who entered.

I’m not going to exclude anyone who’s trying on account of a technicality.

Technology – marvelous when it’s working – maddening when it’s not!

This has happened to a couple of other people and I only know this, of course, because they contacted me and let me know.  I have no way of knowing how many others may have had the same experience but didn’t speak up, so if this has happened to you, please email me at barb@midweststoryteller.com and let me know.

It all paid off in the end for Carol, because when Smuffy reached in, he plucked her name out of all the others! I can also see now that her subscription went through as it should.

Congratulations, Carol!  I hope you enjoy your necklace!

Here’s a close-up view of the handmade paper necklace Carol won.

Paper Jewelry midweststoryteller.com

I know it looks like metal under glass, but it’s not! “Paper Jewelry” is a unique creation of mine. If you’d like to see the original freebie offer and get a better description, click here.

I’ve given away lots of great gifts, so check out the freebie page to see what people have been winning here.

 Subscribe now so you can be ready for February’s drawing.  It’ll be a freebie you’ll love!

The next First Friday Freebie drawing will be on Friday, February 1, 2019 and only SUBSCRIBERS can win (and, of course, those who are trying their doggoned-est)!

A winner will be chosen at random from those subscribers who enter before midnight on the day of the drawing by leaving a comment as instructed in the post.  See the recently revised rules below.

And now, here are the Freebie Rules.

Freebie Rules www.midweststoryteller.com

Follow these four simple steps and subscribe now.  Then, you’ll be ready for February 1st.

“Share”, “like” and “pin”  this post!  You’re friends will want to enter to win, too!

Have an opinion on the Freebies?  Leave a comment!  If you’re on your computer, scroll back up under the title of this post and let me know what you’re thinking.  On various devices, you may find “Leave a Comment” at the bottom of the post.

‘Tis the Season to Announce December’s Winner!

~ Midwest Storyteller ~ 2 Comments

Amid the rush of preparations for Christmas there are just some things that can’t be ignored.   One has to make time to take a deep breath, listen to some Christmas music, spend quality time with friends and, oh, yes – have Smuffy draw out a winner for December’s First Friday Freebie!

We have another repeat winner. The winner of the lovely watch set is –

December 2018 Winner midweststoryteller.com

Ruby from Boonville, Missouri!

Ruby says she’d been watch shopping and when December’s freebie offer appeared in her email.  The watch and its six coordinating bracelets seemed to be the perfect solution. All she had to do was to comment as directed in the post and then – just as if she and Smuffy had been of one mind – her name was drawn!

It’s great to know that my freebie winners are pleased with their gifts.  Enjoy your watch, Ruby, and keep entering!

Subscribe now, if you haven’t already, because December is slipping away and with the hustle and bustle of the season, you’ll want to check that simple item off your list so that you won’t miss anything from Midwest Storyteller in 2019.

To see the original freebie offer, click here. The next First Friday Freebie drawing will be on Friday, January 4, 2019 and only SUBSCRIBERS can win! A winner will be chosen at random from those subscribers who enter before midnight on the day of the drawing by leaving a comment as instructed in the post. See the recently revised rules below.

And now, here are the Freebie Rules.

Freebie Rules www.midweststoryteller.com

Follow these four simple steps and subscribe now.   Then, you’ll be ready for January 4th.“Share”, “like” and “pin” this post!  You’re friends will want to enter to win, too!  Click here to go to my “Freebies” page and see what types of gifts my subscribers have been winning.

Have an opinion on the Freebies? Leave a comment! If you’re on your computer, scroll back up under the title of this post and let me know what you’re thinking.  On various devices, you may find “Leave a Comment” at the bottom of the post.

A Little Slow, But Still SO Thankful!

~ Midwest Storyteller ~ 1 Comment

Due to circumstances that burned my candle at both ends and in the middle, I’m announcing November’s freebie winner in December. Welcome to my world. I am so thankful for all my readers and all the wonderful feedback I receive from you, whether in comments on the blog or on social media. Soon I’ll be giving you a glimpse into what has been taking up all my time lately – and Smuffy’s – I have him hard at work.

You may recognize this face. The winner of the Thanksgiving Hostess Set was –

Freebie Winner Kathy www.midweststoryteller.com

Kathy from Prairie Home, Missouri!

Kathy, a guest here at Midwest Storyteller a few months back, inspired us all to test our woodburning skills. You’ll want to check out our efforts and meet Kathy here.  After watching Kathy add some awesomeness to a set of wooden kitchen utensils, I was able to put my newfound talent to work and create yet another freebie for you, which you can see here, along with its winner, here.

I know Kathy will put the items in the hostess set to good use as she is always trying new recipes and loves blessing others with her amazing hostess ideas. She’ll be back here again on the blog sometime soon, I hope, to share what she’s been creating lately.

Take another look at the Thanksgiving Hostess Set.  (I realize the above photo is a little blurry.)

Thanksgiving Hostess Set www.midweststoryteller.com

All Kathy had to do to enter the First Friday Freebie drawing was to subscribe, read the blog post on the first Friday of the month and comment as directed in the post. Subscribe now, if you haven’t already, because December’s freebie is only days away!

To see the original freebie offer, click here.

The next First Friday Freebie drawing will be on Friday, December 2, 2018 and only SUBSCRIBERS can win!

A winner will be chosen at random from those subscribers who enter before midnight on the day of the drawing by leaving a comment as instructed in the post. See the recently revised rules below.

And now, here are the Freebie Rules.

Freebie Rules www.midweststoryteller.com

Follow these four simple steps and subscribe now. Then, you’ll be ready for December 7th.“Share”, “like” and “pin” this post! You’re friends will want to enter to win, too!  Have an opinion on the Freebies? Leave a comment! If you’re on your computer, scroll back up under the title of this post and let me know what you’re thinking. On various devices, you may find “Leave a Comment” at the bottom of the post.