Midwest Storyteller Freebie

Love (and a Freebie) is in the Air!

~ Midwest Storyteller ~ 13 Comments

Welcome to February!  I love gift-giving and I wish I could send this First Friday Freebie out to all my subscribers as my Valentine to you.  Ah, if only…

But, I can send it out, as always, to the winner of the February drawing!

Let’s take a look –

Love Deeply Plaque miidweststoryteller.com

During this month when we celebrate love and take special time out to tell people how much they mean to us, this wooden plaque serves as a great reminder.  It measures 5.91”X7.87” and has a hinged easel attached so you’ll be able to tuck it in amongst the décor on your mantle or anywhere else you choose.

I love that it is not “seasonal”.  After all, love never goes out of style or out of season, does it?  You can display it year round and it will add a great “farmhouse touch” to your home’s décor.

Roaming through aisles of home décor never goes out of style either and I hope you enjoy this Hobby Lobby find.

To enter to win the “Love Deeply” plaque, all you need to do is “Leave a Comment” on this post, saying, “I LOVE First Friday Freebies!”  You’ll need to do that before midnight TONIGHT, February 1st, 2019!

First Friday Freebies are for email SUBSCRIBERS ONLY, so if you’ve not become a subscriber to Midwest Storyteller yet, give yourself a little love gift by heading over to the right sidebar or using the menu to get to the “Contact Me” page and subscribe if you haven’t done so already.

Share Midwest Storyteller with all your friends and family through Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest so they can enter to win and begin enjoying all the great stories, recipes, tips for healthy living, product reviews and more!

Subscribers win every single month!  Visit the “Freebies” page to see what they’ve been winning.

Once again, a winner will be chosen at random from those subscribers who enter before midnight tonight by leaving a comment which says, “I LOVE First Friday Freebies!”

And now, here are the complete rules: 

Freebie Rules www.midweststoryteller.com

Four simple steps!

The clock is ticking!  Subscribe if you haven’t already, confirm in your email and comment to enter before midnight tonight, February 1st! 

Enjoy this sparkling winter month by letting those you love know just how special they are to you.  Hint:  This First Friday Freebie would make a great gift for your Valentine!

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.

Fresh New Freebie for a Fresh New Year!

~ Midwest Storyteller ~ 15 Comments

My cogs have been turning.  My creativity seems to kick in and do double-time over the holidays and for my January First Friday Freebie, I wanted to offer you one of my recent works of art.

Not every creative idea of mine is a hit, as they say, “first crack out of the box”.  There are days when I feel like the Queen of the Do-overs.  This one, however, turned out great the first time!  So, (…drumroll…)  I now present my latest invention –

Paper Jewelry! 

I know, I know – you’re thinking, “Paper?  No Way!”  I’ve been brooding on this idea for months and I’ve searched online many times, thinking that some pioneer must have already blazed the trail, but I found absolutely nothing, even on Pinterest, that resembled the materials, techniques or results I was hoping would give me the type of thing I envisioned.

There are two reasons for my vision in the first place.  One is that I compulsively invent things in my head all the time and then can’t resist piddling with them.  The other is that I hate heavy jewelry, especially earrings, but I love big jewelry.

Finally, I had to ask myself one of those questions like, “If I were paper jewelry, how would I be made?” 

The results are these beautiful cut-out pieces, specially treated so that you’ll never believe they are made of paper.  The appearance is more like metal or wood under glass.  Their featherweight quality is only discovered when you reach out and touch!

Are they durable, you ask? I’ve been pleased with how sturdy my technique has made the end product. I wouldn’t recommend sleeping in this type of jewelry, but I think it will do as well as much of the other costume jewelry found in stores (some of which I could crush in my bare hands even though they were metal or plastic).

I couldn’t wait to give this one to you as January’s First Friday Freebie!  This pendant is around 1 ¾ inches with a 16-18 inch chain.  I know you’re going to love the patina that gives it the somewhat the look of aged copper under glass.  Though the cut-out areas may look open in the photo, they are not.  They are filled, yet crystal clear!

To enter to win the paper pendant, all you need to do is “Leave a Comment” on this post, saying, “I’m ready for a brand new freebie!”  You’ll need to do that before midnight TONIGHT, January 4th, 2019!

First Friday Freebies are for email SUBSCRIBERS ONLY, so if you’ve not become a subscriber to Midwest Storyteller yet, give yourself a another free gift by heading over to the right sidebar or using the menu to get to the “Contact Me” page and subscribe if you haven’t done so already.

Share this blog with all your friends and family through Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest or by copying the link into an email so they can enter to win and begin enjoying everything else on the blog as well!

Subscribers win every single month!  Take a look at past freebies on the “Freebies” page to see what they’ve been winning.

If you’d like to take a look at some of the other creative ideas here on my blog, check out my “Create!” page!

Once again, a winner will be chosen at random from those subscribers who enter before midnight tonight by leaving a comment which says, “I’m ready for a brand new freebie!”

And now, here are the complete rules: 

Freebie Rules www.midweststoryteller.com

Four simple steps!

Don’t delay!  Time is running out!  Subscribe if you haven’t already, confirm in your email and comment to enter before midnight tonight, December 7th! 

I pray you have a marvelous, fabulous, bright, happy and prosperous New Year!  And for one of you, may it start off with a First Friday Freebie!

‘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.

“Time” For a Christmas Freebie!

~ Midwest Storyteller ~ 8 Comments

The clock has been ticking away all year and once again we find ourselves in the full rush of the holiday season.  For our family, that means time together, feasting, gift-giving – all things we are so blessed we could do any time of the year if we chose to do so, but things we do now with extra joy in our hearts as we celebrate the birth of our Messiah. 

I’ve always loved gift-giving! I love packages and bows and surprises and keeping secrets. I love decorating and food traditions and dressing up and …well, you get the idea.

I’m tempted to wrap this up and make it a holiday “mystery freebie”, but there are enough secrets this time of the year, right? Let’s take a peek –

Watch Set www.midweststoryteller.com

This beautiful watch set will have your (or someone special) looking stylish at this year’s holiday gatherings.  I’m loving this latest trend in rose gold.  I think it’s so flattering to all skin tones.  The watch has raised markers for each numeral and a second hand.  The faux leather band is rose gold as well.  Six bracelets are included – four bangles and two beaded.  You can split them up or wear them all together.  (You know me – I’m wearing them all at the same time!)

To enter to win the watch set, all you need to do is “Leave a Comment” on this post, saying, “It’s time for me to win!”  You’ll need to do that before midnight TONIGHT, December 7th, 2018!

First Friday Freebies are for email SUBSCRIBERS ONLY, so if you’ve not become a subscriber to Midwest Storyteller yet, give yourself a another free gift by heading over to the right sidebar or using the menu to get to the “Contact Me” page and subscribe if you haven’t done so already.

Share this blog with all your friends and family through Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest or by copying the link into an email so they can enter to win and begin enjoying everything else on the blog as well!

Subscribers win every single month! Take a look at past freebies on the “Freebies” page   to see what they’ve been winning.

Once again, a winner will be chosen at random from those subscribers who enter before midnight tonight by leaving a comment which says, “It’s time for me to win!”And now, here are the complete rules:

Freebie Rules www.midweststoryteller.com

Four simple steps! 

What are you waiting for?  Time is running out!  Subscribe if you haven’t already, confirm in your email and comment to enter before midnight tonight, December 7th!

Enjoy all the celebrations and those around you this holiday season. Years from now, you won’t remember any of those bargains you chased or a fraction of the presents you got or gave, but you’ll never forget the laughter, sweet tears and loving arms that made this Christmas a precious memory.

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.

Here’s What’s Cookin’: The First Friday Freebie!

~ Midwest Storyteller ~ 9 Comments

Welcome to November! How did that ever happen? Soon the hustle and bustle begins as we prepare to gather our families and friends together for Thanksgiving.

Food begins to play an even more important role in our lives and I’m here to help you be the hostess with the mostess this Thanksgiving with November’s freebie.

Thanksgiving Hostess Set www.midweststoryteller.com

This set will spruce up your kitchen, give you a head start on baking cookies to celebrate the season and help you set a great display for your guests. The oven mitt lets you pull all those cookies out of the oven in style. The set of three cookie cutters offers a turkey, a pilgrim hat and a pumpkin and I know you’ll come up with great ideas for decorating those. Also included is a set of three spreaders with pumpkin and leaf handles to make those yummy spreads and dips even more appetizing.

If you’d like to enter to win this Thanksgiving hostess set, you’ll need to “Leave a Comment” on this post, saying, “Thank Goodness for Freebies!” and you’ll need to do that before midnight TONIGHT, November 2nd, 2018!

Remember, you must be a subscriber to Midwest Storyteller in order for your comment to be entered into the drawing. Head over to the right sidebar or use the menu to get to the “Contact Me” page and subscribe if you haven’t done so already.

I’ll be thankful if you’ll help Midwest Storyteller reach your friends and family by SHARING this post through Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest or by copying the link into an email so they can enter to win and begin enjoying everything else on the blog as well!

Subscribers win every single month! Take a look at past freebies on the “Freebies” page to see what they’ve been winning.

Once again, a winner will be chosen at random from those subscribers who enter before midnight tonight by leaving a comment which says, “Thank Goodness for Freebies!”

And now, here are the complete rules:

Freebie Rules www.midweststoryteller.comFour simple steps!

What are you waiting for? Go! Go! Go! Subscribe if you haven’t already, confirm in your email and comment to enter before midnight tonight, November 2nd! Coming up next – Comfort food is where it’s at this time of year! One of my family’s slow-cooker favorites is bound to become a favorite with your family as well.

Wondering “Whooo” Won October’s Freebie?

~ Midwest Storyteller ~ 2 Comments

Owl Mantle Decor www.midweststoryteller.comMy little owl has been flying across the country, but he’s finally ended up here –

October Freebie Winner Jan www.midweststoryteller.com

He’s made his new home with Jan in Greeley, Colorado!

Jan tells me that she sometimes forgets to enter to win my freebie on the first Friday of the month, but this time she remembered. Good for you, Jan!

October marked the first time that I’ve had to do the drawing twice. That is because our first winner did not respond to the email notice and provide me with contact information so that I could send out the gift. After waiting a week, we conducted the drawing again from those who had previously entered.

Jan tells me that she’s already named her new little friend “Ollie”. I hope the two of you will be very happy together, Jan! When you introduce Ollie to your friends, I’m sure he’ll be happy to have you tell them that he came all the way from Midwest Storyteller so they can subscribe and enter to win also.

If you haven’t subscribed, you’ll want to do that now.

To see the original freebie offer for this adorable owl from Hobby Lobby, click here.  I know there’s a store near you with more awesome fall décor.  Or, you can order online here.

The next First Friday Freebie drawing will be on Friday, November 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 revised rules below – I am trying to make certain that I do my best to make contact with the winners.

And now, here are the Freebie Rules.

  • First Friday Freebies are available to SUBSCRIBERS ONLY. That means if you come to the post through social media or someone has emailed you a link to it and you haven’t become a subscriber yet, you’ll need to hop on over to the right sidebar and do that really quick.   If you are on a phone or tablet, the easiest way is to go to the “About Me” page. All it means to be a subscriber is that you’ll receive an email each time Midwest Storyteller has something new, which won’t likely be more than once or twice a week. It keeps you from missing out on all the fun and FREE STUFF! And, I’m not sharing your emails with anybody.
  • IMPORTANT: After subscribing, you MUST check your email to confirm the subscription or it will not appear. Then, sadly, you won’t be eligible to enter.
  • To enter the drawing, scroll back up to the top of this post and under the title, click on “Leave a Comment”. Subscribers who comment as directed before midnight on the first Friday of the month will enter the drawing, provided they are already on the subscribers list and live within the continental United States.
  • The drawing will be conducted the weekend after Friday’s freebie offer. The winner will receive an email at the address they’ve provided in order to subscribe. ENTRANTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR CHECKING THEIR EMAIL so they can receive notification. If the winner does not respond within a week of the original contest date to provide name and mailing address, they will forfeit the freebie and another winner will be selected from those who have already entered according to the rules. Follow these four simple steps and subscribe now. Then, you’ll be ready for November 2nd.“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.

Who Will Win the Freebie? “Whoo – oo!”

~ Midwest Storyteller ~ 11 Comments

Owl Freebie www.midweststoryteller.com

Here I am, in turmoil again, as the First Friday Freebie takes flight. If there had been two of these in the store, there would have been no problem, but I’m mustering up my courage to part with this one, because it is meant for you!

It’s October and most of us are in the mood to decorate for fall. This adorable owl wall plaque from Hobby Lobby just begs for a place among your fall leaves, candles and other autumn décor.

Here it is, propped up on my mantle where it sat begging me to give it a forever home.

Owl Mantle Decor www.midweststoryteller.com

My personal preference would be to have him sitting and not hanging, but there’s a hanger on the back so you can do whichever you like. Did I say “he”? I suppose it could be a “she” or, as they say in “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers”, a “little gal owl fowl”.

The owl measures just under eight inches tall and is seven inches wide, so it’s just the right size to slip in with your other decorations and set things off really well.

If you’d like to enter to win the owl plaque, you’ll need to “Leave a Comment” on this post, saying, “I’m the one WHO wants to win!” and you’ll need to do that before midnight TONIGHT, October 5th, 2018!

Remember, you must be a subscriber to Midwest Storyteller in order for your comment to be entered into the drawing. Therefore, it would be WISE to head over to the right sidebar or use the menu to get to the “About Me” page and do that if you haven’t already.

Help Midwest Storyteller reach your friends and family by SHARING this post through Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest or by copying the link into an email so they can enter to win and begin enjoying everything else on the blog as well!

Take a look at past freebies on the “Freebies” where you can see the gifts subscribers have been winning.

Once again, a winner will be chosen at random from those subscribers who enter before midnight tonight by leaving a comment which says, “I’m the one WHO wants to win!”

And now, here are the complete rules:

Freebie Rules www.midweststoryteller.com

Three simple steps!

What are you waiting for? Go! Go! Go! Subscribe if you haven’t already, confirm in your email and comment to enter before midnight tonight, October 5th!

Coming up next – It’s that time of the year for hot and hearty comfort foods. I’ll take you on my journey through the wonderful world of that delicious (albeit embarrassing) and nutritious topic – BEANS – and you’ll get two great from-scratch recipes to please your whole family!

 

 

Announcing September’s Freebie Winner!

~ Midwest Storyteller

September Scarf www.midweststoryteller.com

By commenting on my last First Friday Freebie, someone got to “tie one on”!

On September 7th, I asked my readers to leave a comment, saying, “I’m ready to tie one on!” in order to enter the drawing for this beautiful scarf. And the winner is…

September Winner Liz www.midweststoryteller.com

Liz from Boonville, Missouri!

Liz is another one of my repeat winners. She’s sure to put her name in almost every single month and it’s paying off!

Soon it will be time for October’s freebie! If you haven’t subscribed, you’ll want to do that now because First Friday Freebies are for SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.

Check out the “Freebies” page! After seeing some of the gifts other subscribers have won, you’ll want to be sure you enter to win and SHARE so your friends can do the same.

Congratulations, Liz! The scarf looks great on you and I know you’ll like wearing it now that we are having cooler days.

This beautiful scarf is by MIXIT. You’ll find more great styles in scarves, other accessories and clothing at JCPenney.

To see the original freebie offer, click here.

The next First Friday Freebie drawing will be on Friday, October 5, 2018. Why not follow Liz’s example and become a SUBSCRIBER so you 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.

And now, here are the Freebie Rules.

  • First Friday Freebies are available to SUBSCRIBERS ONLY. That means if you come to the post through social media or someone has emailed you a link to it and you haven’t become a subscriber yet, you’ll need to hop on over to the right sidebar and do that really quick.   If you are on a phone or tablet, the easiest way is to go to the “About Me” page. All it means to be a subscriber is that you’ll receive an email each time Midwest Storyteller has something new, which won’t likely be more than once or twice a week. It keeps you from missing out on all the fun and FREE STUFF! And, I’m not sharing your emails with anybody.
  • IMPORTANT: After subscribing, you MUST check your email to confirm the subscription or it will not appear. Then, sadly, you won’t be eligible to enter.
  • To enter the drawing, scroll back up to the top of this post and under the title, click on “Leave a Comment”. Subscribers who comment as directed before midnight on the first Friday of the month will enter the drawing, provided they are already on the subscribers list and live within the continental United States. .Follow these three simple steps and subscribe now. Then, you’ll be ready for October.  .“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.

Leave a comment today and let me know how you are liking the freebies!