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 –
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 pageto 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.
I’ve heard for
years that the pineapple is a symbol, especially in Hawaiian culture, used to
give one’s guests a hearty “Welcome!” A
pineapple in your entry hall or used in your tablescape can indicate more than
just a liking for tropical décor.
Recently, however, a friend told me of another custom. It seems that when you’ve had house guests and enjoyed their company for just about as long as you can stand it, you leave a pineapple in their room. It’s meant to imply, more or less, “Here’s a lovely parting gift, because it’s time for you to go!”
The latter is a fabulous idea as a mannerly way to avoid conflict or hurt feelings. Of course, it does little good and merely provides a nutritious snack if your house guests haven’t heard of the custom. I promise that this month’s First Friday Freebie is meant to welcome you to Midwest Storyteller and to invite you to stay as long as you like!
This pineapple from Hobby Lobby, at 10 inches tall and 5 inches wide, will be a great addition various styles of décor, including farmhouse styles, due to its neutral color and weathered appearance. A shabby bit of metal art that sits close to the wall or nestles into the back of a bookshelf, it’s a great way to welcome guests to your home. It’s shown in the photo above hanging on my fence, so it could also welcome guests to your back yard.
I suppose you
could let it make a sudden appearance on the nightstand should you have some
guests who linger a bit long, but I’ll leave that up to you.
To enter to win
the metal pineapple décor, all you need to do is “Leave a Comment” on
this post, saying, “I welcome First Friday Freebies!” You’ll need to do that before midnight
TONIGHT, August 2nd, 2019!
Important: Once you’ve entered,
you MUST keep checking the email address you used to subscribe or you may not
know you’ve won and have to forfeit your free gift.
All my Freebies
occur on the First Friday of each month and last for one day only, so share
with all your friends and family TODAY through social media, send them the link
in an email or just plain tell them, “Hey!
It’s Freebie Day!”
Good intentions
will not help you enter to win before midnight tonight so you had better navigate
to the comment section now before you forget!
First Friday
Freebies are for email SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.
You can subscribe by going to the right sidebar or use the menu to
navigate to the “Contact” page and subscribe to Midwest Storyteller
if you haven’t done so already.
Confirming your subscription through the confirmation email you’ll
receive is absolutely necessary, so don’t forget that!
Use the Facebook,
Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest icons on this page to help you share with
friends.
See past gifts and their winners on my “Freebies”page.
Remember, a winner
will be chosen at random from those subscribers who enter before midnight tonight
by leaving a comment which says, “I welcome First Friday Freebies!”
I send Freebies to any winner who lives within the continental United States. For the complete First Friday Freebie rules, CLICK HERE.
Glitches
happen. If you subscribe and do not
receive a confirmation email for some reason, please email me and let me know
at barb@midweststoryteller.com
Enjoy this last full month of summer and prepare yourself! I have a couple of things I’d like to tell you about my Life With Smuffy.
My last First Friday Freebie was a small thing reminding us to enjoy the small things. Let’s meet July’s winner –
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 pageto 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”!
We’ve been in celebration mode around here and midnight approaches as I type this post. Independence Day is big stuff in our family. Not only is it the birthday of the Good Ole’ USA – it’s Smuffy’s birthday as well. I’m afraid the announcement of July’s First Friday Freebie has only existed in the recesses of my mind due to all the other things at the top of my list.
Now that the fireworks ash has settled, let’s take a look at July’s Freebie –
Everyone loves a little word art these days and this bit of wood and metal is just the thing to remind us that the smallest things in life that bring us the most joy. When we lose the ability to appreciate a baby’s cooing, a flaming sunset, the purring of a kitten or the idea of winning a gift we can keep for ourselves or give away to bless someone else, we likely have become obsessed with things that don’t really matter in the long run.
This 6”X6” wooden reverse box-top is deep enough to sit on a shelf without toppling if you choose not to hang it on the wall and the raised metal lettering is eye-catching and stylish for anyone’s décor. I left the corner protectors on for this photo, but you get the idea.
All my Freebies
occur on the First Friday of each month and last for one day only, so share
with all your friends and family TODAY through social media, that dinosaur of a
thing called email or that rarely used technique of communicating called
conversation.
Good intentions
will not help you enter to win before midnight tonight so you had better
navigate to the comment section now and do that before you forget!
To enter to win
the wood and metal reverse box-top décor, all you need to do is “Leave a
Comment” on this post, saying, “I enjoy the little freebies!” You’ll need to do that before midnight
TONIGHT, June 5th, 2019!
First Friday
Freebies are for email SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.
You can subscribe by going to the right sidebar or use the menu to
navigate to the “Contact” page and subscribe to Midwest Storyteller
if you haven’t done so already.
Confirming your subscription through the confirmation email you’ll
receive is absolutely necessary, so don’t forget that!
Facebook,
Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest are great ways to share First Friday Freebies
with your friends. They won’t know if
you don’t tell them!
Subscribers win every single month! See past gifts and their winners on my “Freebies”page.
Remember, a winner
will be chosen at random from those subscribers who enter before midnight tonight
by leaving a comment which says, “I enjoy the little freebies!”
I send First Friday Freebies out to any winner who lives within the continental United States. For the complete First Friday Freebie rules, CLICK HERE.
Glitches
happen. If you subscribe and do not
receive a confirmation email for some reason, please email me and let me know
at barb@midweststoryteller.com
Freebies last one
day only! Enter now so you don’t forget!
I’m always excited to see who wins my monthly giveaway. Let’s meet June’s winner of the First Friday Freebie –
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 pageto 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.
June is when those
of us in the Midwest can truly feel that summer has arrived. Even though the official first day is a few
weeks away, the First Friday Freebie is here today, right on schedule!
I hope you’ve been
spreading the word about my monthly freebies by sharing with all your friends
and family through social media, that dinosaur of a thing called email and that
nearly out of style thing known as actually speaking to people.
Some of you have
good intentions, but forget to enter to win before midnight on the first Friday
of the month and you know what that means – you increase the odds that the
freebie may go to my sister, Donna, the subscriber who never forgets!
Let’s take a look at June’s free gift (and remember, I’ll send it anywhere in the continental United States)
Don’t you just
love to fancy things up for no reason at all?
Recently, as I gathered with several friends, I mentioned having used
washi tape. Several eyebrows went up and
I discovered that I sat in the midst of a bunch of people who, for the most
part, had never heard of the stuff.
Well, what can I say? Washi tape
just makes your day a little happier!
What really sends it over the top is a set of copper-colored paper clips
with (yes!) tassles and what really
lifts the soul is that the whole thing is color-coordinated in bright summer
shades!
Can I help it if I’ve
always been tickled pink over the small things?
These 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.
Now about washi tape – like sour cream, you can’t really fall in love with it until you try it, because why would you try a thing with a name like that? This pack of washi tape by Pebbles at pebblesinc.com has six rolls of coordinating narrow tape! Washi tape is unusual in that it sticks well, but comes off when you want it to. Totally unlike the adhesive on the typical sticky note, it seems more permanent to the touch. Yet, with gentle persuasion, it will even lift right off most surfaces, even paper, allowing you to rearrange things easily. It’s a great way to highlight a special day or week in your planner. I recently used the ½” size to tape a long list to a cabinet door, framing the list with the cute pattern around all four sides. Then, when I got ready to take the list down, I simply lifted off the whole thing without leaving any icky residue and walked straight over and taped it neatly onto another surface as it still had plenty of adhesive left. That makes it great for those things on the refrigerator that tend to wave in the breeze and look messy.
Washi tape comes
in all patterns and sizes and is great for taping tags onto gift bags or just
jazzing up something for the kids. It gets
heavy use on school lockers as a great way to express oneself without leaving
gooey stuff behind.
Washi tape is just
plain fun. Washi tape with coordinating
tassled paper clips is more fun!
Both these items are a Tuesday Morning find, a store that draws me through its doors like a moth to a flame with it’s varied selections of home goods, personal care items, décor, outdoor living, pets supplies, arts, crafts and more.
You can’t spend
all your days outdoors in the summer sun, so why not have a little fun during
your indoor time?
To enter to win
the whimsical paper lips and washi tape set, all you need to do is “Leave
a Comment” on this post, saying, “Color my summer fun!” You’ll need to do that before midnight
TONIGHT, June 7th, 2019!
First Friday
Freebies are for email SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.
You can subscribe by going to the right sidebar or use the menu to
navigate to the “Contact” page and subscribe to Midwest Storyteller
if you haven’t done so already.
Confirming your subscription through the confirmation email you’ll
receive is absolutely necessary, so don’t forget that!
Share this post with your friends through Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest. They won’t know if you don’t tell them!
Subscribers win every single month! See past gifts and their winners on my “Freebies”page. This will include, of course, at least three photos of my sister, Donna. (This contest is not rigged.)
Remember, a winner
will be chosen at random from those subscribers who enter before midnight tonight
by leaving a comment which says, “Color my summer fun!”
For the complete First Friday Freebie rules, CLICK HERE.
Glitches
happen. If you subscribe and do not
receive a confirmation email for some reason, please email me and let me know
at barb@midweststoryteller.com
Freebies last one day only! Enter now so you don’t forget! If that happens, you’re giving Donna even greater odds of becoming like Jeopardy James!
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 pageto 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?
Here we are again
at the first Friday of the month. I hope
you’ve told all your friends about First Friday Freebies so they can enter to
win today’s drawing.
Sometimes, when I’m on a creative binge, I like to give away my latest creations. Remember the sparkly, repurposed gift bags I crafted out of shopping bags?
Today I’m giving
away this set of three gift bags with coordinating tissues. The winner will receive “Congrats”, “Best
Wishes” and “Happy Birthday” bags with die-cut designs and jeweled
embellishments.
I hope you enjoy my handiwork and are encouraged to try some similar rescue/recycle projects of your own. If you have any creative ideas for the “accumulated treasures” we all seem to have around the house, I’d love it if you’d share your ideas in the comments and please feel free to send any photos of your creations you’d like to share with me to barb@midweststoryteller.com
If you’d like to see how I made the bags and get ideas on how you can do similar projects on your own or with the kids (and whether or not you have a die cutting machine), check out my post here.
To enter to win the
gift bag set, all you need to do is “Leave a Comment” on this post,
saying, “Draw my name from the bag!”
You’ll need to do that before midnight TONIGHT, May 3rd, 2019!
First Friday
Freebies are for email SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.
You can subscribe by going to the right sidebar or use the menu to
navigate to the “Contact” page and subscribe to Midwest Storyteller
if you haven’t done so already.
Confirming your subscription through the confirmation email you’ll
receive is absolutely necessary, so don’t forget that!
Your friends will
want to enter to win, too. Share this
post with them through Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest. They won’t know if you don’t tell them!
Subscribers win every single month! See past gifts and their winners on my “Freebies”page.
Remember, a winner
will be chosen at random from those subscribers who enter before midnight tonight
by leaving a comment which says, “Draw my name from the bag!”
For the complete First Friday Freebie rules, CLICK HERE.
Glitches
happen. If you subscribe and do not
receive a confirmation email for some reason, please email me and let me know
at barb@midweststoryteller.com
Freebies only last
a day! Enter now so you don’t forget!
I’m excited to meet the latest winner of my First Friday Freebie and to introduce you to –
Margie
from Farmington, West Virginia!
I’ve seen Margie’s name pop up in the entries before and this time her persistence paid off when she won the floral metal art wall hook from Hobby Lobby.
Congratulations,
Margie! I hope it finds a great place in
your home to add a little cheer.
If you’d like to see the original freebie offer, click here.
A freebie offer appears the first Friday of every month. Check out my Freebies pageto see the winner and their free gifts they’ve won here at Midwest Storyteller.
Subscribe now and you’ll be notified via email of May’s drawing. You never know what I might be giving away.
The
next First Friday Freebie drawing will be on Friday, May 3, 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.
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 May 3rd.
“Share”,
“like” and “pin” this post! You’re friends will want to know about First
Friday Freebies, 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.
I
think I feel a Smuffy story coming on!
One of those might be wonderful with some Gluten-free Sourdough
Pancakes. Now, which one to do first…
April showers, as the old saying goes, bring May flowers, and I’m offering you an early bouquet with this flowery First Friday Freebie!
This metal art wall hook from Hobby Lobby is just the thing to set the tone for warmer weather in your home. Subtle shades of pinks and yellows, along with green leaves give this rustic hook a bit of “happy”. It’ll be the perfect place to hang a fun tote bag, basket, scarf, or serve as a catcher for that jacket you can’t wait to stop wearing. It measures 12 inches tall and 8 ½ inches wide.
I do love a great Hobby Lobby find and this one is cute, cute, cute!
To enter to win the
flowery wall hook, all you need to do is “Leave a Comment” on this
post, saying, “Bring on the spring thing!”
You’ll need to do that before midnight TONIGHT, April 5th,
2019!
First Friday Freebies happen every month for email SUBSCRIBERS ONLY, so hop on over to the right sidebar or use the menu to navigate to the “Contact” page and subscribe to Midwest Storyteller if you haven’t done so already.
Share this post
with all your friends and family through Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest
so they can enter to win, too!
Subscribers win every single month! My “Freebies”page has past freebies. Take a look at all the free gifts and the wonderful people who’ve been winning them.
Remember, a winner
will be chosen at random from those subscribers who enter before midnight tonight
by leaving a comment which says, “Bring on the spring thing!”
For the complete First Friday Freebie rules, CLICK HERE.
Subscribing is
simple and FREE, but don’t forget to go immediately to your email to confirm
your subscription or it will not go through.
If you do not receive a confirmation email for some reason, please email
me and let me know at barb@midweststoryteller.com
The clock is
ticking! Enter now so you don’t forget
to do that before midnight tonight!
I hope we all get to enjoy many more glorious spring days! Phoebe June and I spent some time outside working and playing before this last round of rain. Would you care to guess which one of us worked and which one of us played? She’s enjoying spring as much as I am, except for being irritated at her humans for not spending entire days outside with her. She lets us know, loud and clear, what she thinks of our disobedience. Sometimes it’s just a mere glance, but even that is enough to convey the message in her eyes as, “You nitwit!” She shares her opinions on my Phoebe June page.
Thoughts? Questions? I’d love to hear from you! Please leave a comment.
The First Friday Freebie for March has found the perfect home!
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.
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.
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.
I just heard the
extended weather forecast. Cold. Snow. More
arctic air has us in its sights and it looks like March is not going to lure us
outdoors in our shirt sleeves, at least those of us who live anywhere in the
Midwest. But, then again, it just snowed
in Las Vegas, so I suppose few of us here in the U.S. will escape the
chill. We may dream of tiptoeing through
the tulips, but it’s only a dream, lest we catch cold.
That makes March the perfect time to curl up with a good book! I want to give a special thanks to Diane Yates for providing this month’s First Friday Freebie!
If you’ll remember, I recently did an interview with Diane and a review of her first book, “Pathways of the Heart”. You can catch up on that here in case you missed it. In my post, I shared about how I met Diane, how much she has helped me in my writing endeavors and my thoughts and gleanings from “Pathways of the Heart”.
Now, Diane is
graciously giving one of you the opportunity to receive this autographed copy
of “Pathways of the Heart” absolutely free!
What better way to curl up with a cup of tea (or hot chocolate) and
pretend the cold winds aren’t howling
outside?
To enter to win “Pathways
of the Heart”, all you need to do is “Leave a Comment” on this post,
saying, “I’m ready for a good read!”
You’ll need to do that before midnight TONIGHT, March 1st,
2019!
First Friday
Freebies are for email SUBSCRIBERS ONLY, so hop on over to the right sidebar or
use the menu to navigate to the “Contact” page and subscribe to
Midwest Storyteller if you haven’t done so already.
Your friends will
enjoy the stories, recipes, laughter and, of course, the FREEBIES here on the
blog, too, so share with all your friends and family through Facebook,
Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest.
Subscribers win every single month! On the “Freebies” page, you’ll be able 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’m ready for a good
read!”
And now, here are the complete rules:
Four simple steps!
Don’t let the day
slip away! Subscribe now if you haven’t
already, and confirm in your email before you forget!
Spring, I promise,
is on the way. It’s never failed me
yet. Well, except for maybe last year
when it came for two days and then vanished.
I’d have thrown a temper tantrum, but it was 90 degrees and so humid
that I couldn’t muster up the energy.
May our 2019 bring delightful days that, like treasured loved ones, come
early and stay late!
Comments or
questions? I’d love to hear from
you! Please leave a comment telling me
what good books you’ve read lately. I’m
curious – what is your favorite book of all time?
My most recent First Friday Freebie went to a familiar face! Let’s take a look at the 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.
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.
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.
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 –
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:
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!
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 –
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.
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.
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.
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:
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!
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 –
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.
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.
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 –
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:
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.
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 –
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.)
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!
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.
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.
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.
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:
Four 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.
My little owl has been flying across the country, but he’s finally ended up here –
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.
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 Lobbyjust 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.
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:
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!
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…
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.
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!
Go ahead. Sniff the air. Is that an autumn breeze passing by?
Well, no, not really. It’s hot. But it’s September and that brings hope that the worst is over.
We find ourselves directly in the path of Hurricane Gordon’s “leftovers”, which are due to bring us several inches of rain this weekend and perhaps some cooler temperatures. Highs in the 70’s and 80’s are better than the highs in the 90’s that we’ve been having ever since May.
I have just the thing to put you in the mood for cooler, crisper days. Take a look at September’s First Friday Freebie.
This beautiful scarf by MIXIT is just the remedy for that first urge one gets this time of the year to run out and tie one on! Get it? Tie. One. On. Oh, never mind. I am sometimes overwhelmed by my lightning wit.
As you can see in the photos above, the rose pattern speaks of summer’s end with soft ivory and brown tones to usher in cooler days. Subtle touches of metallic gold highlight the leaves and petals. The woven fabric is thin enough to wear at the first hint of cooler weather.
At 73 inches long and 26 inches wide, you’ll have plenty of room for tying it into multiple styles. Take a look at some of the ways my model wore it.
Of course, there are all sorts of unique and stylish ways to tie scarves, from twisting them into rosettes to leaving them untied and just letting then ends hang down straight.
To enter to win the MIXIT scarf, “Leave a Comment” on this post, saying, “I’m ready to tie one on!” (I know, I know – but humor me.) You’ll need to do that before midnight TONIGHT, September 7th, 2018!
Remember, you must be a subscriber to Midwest Storyteller in order for your comment to be entered into the drawing.
JCPenney carries a wide selection of MIXIT accessories and you can check out more styles from MIXIT here.
SHARE this post through Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest or send the link in an email to all your friends so they can enter to win!
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 ready to tie one on!”
And now, here are the complete rules:
First Friday Freebies are available to SUBSCRIBERS ONLY. That means if you have come to this 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 (or all the way to the bottom, depending on your device) and click on “Leave a Comment”. Subscribers who comment as directed before midnight on Friday will enter the drawing, provided they are already on the subscribers list and live within the continental United States.
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, September 7th!
Announcing the August Freebie winner! Let’s see who won the free gift –
Ruth from St. Louis, Missouri!
Ruth not only received the free cupcake kit, but also an “E” for effort! I think she’s entered almost every Midwest Storyteller drawing for months now and is finally a winner! All she had to do was comment on the August 3rd post, saying, “Come on, let’s party!” Her name went into the drawing for the adorable cupcake kit by MeriMeri. Smuffy chose a name from those who entered and there you have it
I’ve had a little delay in making this announcement, so it won’t be long until time rolls around for September’s freebie! If you haven’t subscribed, you’ll want to do that now because First Friday Freebies are for SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.
Take a look at our “Freebies” pagewhere you’ll see some of the other gifts subscribers have been winning.
Congratulations, Ruth! I know you’ll have fun making your favorite cupcake recipe cute with all the items in this kit.
You can check out more items from Meri Meri at www.merimeri.comwhere they have coordinating items for all your celebrations, including, baby, wedding, anniversary and more. Words cannot express how much I adore their Peter Rabbit themed party items!
The next First Friday Freebie drawing will be on Friday, September 7, 2018. As Ruth can testify, it pays to be a SUBSCRIBER.
Share this post with all your friends so they can SUSCRIBE and enter to 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 September. “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.
Smuffy returns soon: Need I remind you that I am not responsible for this man’s actions? Another landmark moment for the books is coming up! If you’ve not let Smuffy entertain you, click here.
It’s easy to get tired of summer heat. Let’s enjoy it while we have it! In this neck of the woods, I start missing it once the crisp fall days give way to the ones that ice up my car and force me to cancel plans because I’m snowed in.
Not to mention the fact that ours is the damp kind of cold – the type that creeps into your bones and starts arguments over who gets to snuggle Phoebe June for a bit of extra warmth.
Summer’s hanging on, but so are the picnics, parties and celebrations that go along with it. The little added touches are what transform you into the hostess-with-the-mostess at your summer get-together.
The August Freebie will help you out with that. Let’s take a look –
This cupcake kit by Meri Meri contains twenty-four cupcake cases and twenty-four toppers. It’s all-over floral design is perfect for summer parties and events and don’t you love it when each cupcake has a flower sprouting out of it?
Come to think of it, why do we always dress up sweets? This might be a fun way to get your kids or grandkids to eat a healthier choice, such as a fruit-filled muffin! Spread the love – after all, it’s FREE!
To enter to win the Meri Meri cupcake kit, “Leave a Comment” on this post, saying, “Come on, let’s party!”
Remember, you must be a subscriber to Midwest Storyteller in order for your comment to be entered into the drawing.
You can check out more items from Meri Meri at www.merimeri.comwhere they have coordinating items for all your celebrations, including, baby, wedding, anniversary and more. Words cannot express how much I adore their Peter Rabbit themed party items!
SHARE this post through Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest or send the link in an email to all your friends so they can enter to win!
Previous freebies can be found on the “Freebies” page. Take a look at 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, “Come on, let’s party!”
And now, here are the complete rules:
First Friday Freebies are available to SUBSCRIBERS ONLY. That means if you have come to this 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 (or all the way to the bottom, depending on your device) and click on “Leave a Comment”. Subscribers who comment as directed before midnight on Friday will enter the drawing, provided they are already on the subscribers list and live within the continental United States.
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, August 3rd!
July’s Freebie winner has been drawn. Let’s see who won the free gift at Midwest Storyteller –
Ruby from Boonville, Missouri!
Ruby commented on last Friday’s post, saying, “I love the USA!” That’s all she needed to do to put her name into the drawing for three free copies of the US Constitution. Smuffy showed up for duty, as always, and chose a name from all those who entered by making the comment. This time, he opted for the pointing method. He likes to keep things fresh.
You just never know what freebie you might find at Midwest Storyteller. Gifts have included cozy winter gloves, home decor, sets of handmade Valentines, wood burning art and more. Take a look at our “Freebies” pagewhere you’ll see some of the other gifts subscribers have been winning.
This time, in keeping with the celebration of Independence Day, I thought it appropriate to offer these wonderful books which embody everything our nation is founded on. If you’re disappointed that you didn’t win or just want to be sure your family is grounded in this founding document that makes us free, just click here. Like almost everything else, it seems, U.S. Constitutions are available on Amazon at a great price.
Congratulations, Ruby! I happen to know that Ruby has children and grandchildren to whom I’m sure she wants to pass on her love of country.
The next First Friday Freebie drawing will be on Friday, August 3, 2018. It pays to SUBSCRIBE! Freebie offers are for subscribers only.
Share this post with all your friends so they can SUSCRIBE and enter to 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.
It pays to SUBSCRIBE!
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 August.
.“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.
I hope you all had a fabulous 4th of July and I hope that somewhere along the way, somebody called it Independence Day!
It’s so easy to fall into the habit of asking, “What are you doing on ‘the 4th?'” Every month has one, after all. I hope you truly celebrated the birthday of our nation with the kiddies, the grand-kiddos, the cousins, in-laws and others that you love.
It’s difficult to ignore at our house, as the USA shares its birthday with Smuffy. Yes, I’ve got a Yankee Doodle sweetheart and he’s my Yankee Doodle joy. I think Smuffy must have been nearly twelve years old by the time he realized the whole nation wasn’t having one big wing-ding all on his account.
When I married Smuffy, I had to get used to the fact that we would be up close and personal with fireworks. I’m still not, shall we say, “at my ease” until the whole thing’s over. As I’ve said before, his guardian angels (and there must be a squadron) have to take care of things while I look the other way and hum the national anthem. Check out a prime example of his escapades here.
This year, once again, we give thanks that we all have all our fingers and toes and have survived celebrating the fact that we live in the finest nation on earth. Now, we can turn our attention to July’s First Friday Freebie!
As I pondered an appropriate gift for you this month, I kept coming back to love of country and the things that make us great. The thing that came to mind, first and foremost, was –
The U. S. Constitution
Nobody’s perfect. Nothing this side of Heaven is perfect. But the U.S. Constitution is as near to a perfect document as has ever been crafted by humans (and, I believe, with Divine Guidance).
Most of us studied it in school, but, let’s face it – we did it to pass the dreaded Constitution Test, not because we were overly fascinated by it.
I’d love to send you these three copies of the U.S. Constitution –
Isn’t it about time you gave this little booklet another read? Look around the world at all those other countries – don’t you wish they had our freedoms? If nothing else makes it onto your summer reading list, make it this little forty page book. The United States Congress has designated September 17th of each year as Constitution Day to commemorate its signing on that day in 1787. Now your family can brush up on their “freedom knowledge” ahead of time!
There’s a copy for you, one for the kiddies (whether they be children or adults) and another for the grandkiddos or friends. If we do not teach the generations to value this precious document, we will lose it!
To enter to win all three copies, “Leave a Comment” on this post, saying, “I love the USA!”
SHARE this post through Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest or send the link in an email to all your friends so they can enter to win!
Previous freebies can be found on the “Freebies” page. Take a look at 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 love the USA!”
And now, here are the complete rules:
First Friday Freebies are available to SUBSCRIBERS ONLY. That means if you have come to this 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 (or all the way to the bottom, depending on your device) and click on “Leave a Comment”. Subscribers who comment as directed before midnight on Friday will enter the drawing, provided they are already on the subscribers list and live within the continental United States.
Three simple steps!
What are you waiting for? Go! Go! Go! Subscribe if you haven’t already, confirm and comment to enter before midnight tonight, July 6th!
Rules are rules, and there’s no rule here at Midwest Storyteller against winning the First Friday Freebie again! It just goes to show you that it pays to keep on trying. She won back in November and she’s done it again. June’s freebie winner is –
Ginger of Prairie Home, Missouri!
(Now, you may be wondering how she managed to do that twice. I can only think of one way to lower the odds of such a thing happening and that is if you subscribe, enter to win and SHARE with everyone so your friends and family can enter, too!)
Ginger commented on the post, saying, “I’m all stirred up!” She needed to do just that in order to place her name into the drawing for this six-piece bamboo utensil set with wood burning designs done by Kathy and me. Then, as usual, I offered up the names to Smuffy so he could choose one at random. He must have been a little bored or perhaps this is something his scientific brain has been working on for a while, because he introduced a motif of name flagging, counting off remaining names according to a pre-determined number and then stopping on a new name. (Huh?) Since it seemed even more random than just picking one, I let him have his way. I need to do that once in a while, you know. Variety, as they say, is the spice of life.
The utensils will look great on Ginger’s kitchen counter. Take a look at the photo she sent me showing them displayed in an antique pitcher that belonged to her grandmother.
To see the original freebie offer, click here. To meet the amazing Kathy, who showed me that wood burning was nothing to shy away from, clickhere and see the tutorial. To see what Ginger won in November, click here.
Congratulations, Ginger! I know Grandma is looking down, pleased to see you’re keeping your memories of her alive.
The next First Friday Freebie drawing will be on Friday, July 6th, 2018.
Share this post with all your friends so they can SUSCRIBE and enter to 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.
Take a look at our “Freebies” page where you’ll see some of the other gifts subscribers have been winning. It pays to SUBSCRIBE!
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.
Subscribe now, before you forget, following these three simple steps, and you’ll be ready for July.
How will your friends find out about First Friday Freebies if you don’t “Share”, “like” and “pin” this post? They’ll 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.
When the First Friday falls on the first, the First Friday Freebie can sneak up on you! (Say that three times fast while standing on one leg, rubbing your tummy and patting the top of your head.)
I, however, planned ahead. The fun part is that I did it right under your very nose! Take a look at June’s free gift. Recognize these?
That’s right! The last post – more than just a tutorial – provided this month’s free gift! If you missed it, check out the first installment of “Create with Kathy”. While Kathy was sharing her wood burning skills with me, I had been all the while hoping that I wouldn’t be a total failure at it so I could create something special just for you.
This set of six bamboo utensils with wood burning accents goes to Midwest Storyteller’s June winner. Each is embellished with a different pattern and I think they’ll make a great addition to your kitchen decor. All you need to do to enter to win is leave a comment on this post before midnight tonight, June 1st, telling me how excited you are to win by saying, “I’m all stirred up!” You’re name will go into a drawing and a winner will be chosen at random. (Container shown is not included.)
I picked up this set of dishwasher safe wooden utensils at Marshalls. I find they have some great deals on gadgets, necessary items and home accents. I purchased them just after I saw the utensil set my friend, Kathy, made for her mom, and Kathy agreed to bring her wood burning kit and help me get started.
Note: I do not know if the utensils are still dishwasher safe once the wood burning process has been done. I’d be hesitant to put them in the dishwasher myself, as I think it may fade the patterns.
Kathy will be returning with more great ideas. You can get to know herhereand see her utensil set along with other unique items she’s created.
I find that everyone loves a handmade gift. I suppose I should have counted the hours it took to do this project, but as usual, I became hyper-focused on the creative process and time ceased to exist.
Just a little help for the guys: Handmade gifts score points, if you get my drift, so why not subscribe and enter to win. The lady in your life will appreciate your thoughtfulness.
SHARE this post through Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest or send the link in an email to all your friends so they can enter to win!
Previous freebies can be found on the“Freebies” page. Take a look at 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 all stirred up!”
And now, here are the complete rules:
First Friday Freebies are available to SUBSCRIBERS ONLY. That means if you have come to this 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 (or all the way to the bottom, depending on your device) and click on “Leave a Comment”. Subscribers who comment as directed before midnight on Friday will enter the drawing, provided they are already on the subscribers list and live within the continental United States.
Three simple steps!
What are you waiting for? Go! Go! Go! Subscribe if you haven’t already, confirm and comment to enter before midnight tonight, June 1st!
