05 July 2011

365 days... a few more than 365 posts

First header used - so sad!
Wow.  It's been an entire year since I started this little project.  I am amazed to say that, technically, I was not much different than I am right now - a mother alone during the summer while her husband is working and her kids are visiting their grandparents.  It's interesting how everything in your world can completely change and yet, technically, stay the same.

So in honor of this little piece of interwebs making it a full year, I made a few wishes and sent out a couple prayers... and they were answered!  I wanted to celebrate and share the joy that this little space in the cosmic blogiverse has given me with all of you.  I was looking for a way to say "Thanks for hanging out with me over the past year" but I wasn't sure what I could do that would convey my gratitude... and then it hit me.  I knew exactly what I wanted to do and exactly how I wanted to do it - the question that remained was whether or not others would feel the same and want to lend a hand in the celebration.  What in the world am I babbling about, you ask... having a giveaway, of course!

This is Bellini
Sharon, the beloved genius behind Three Irish Girls, was the first to answer my prayers and did so without a moments hesitation.  I sent a simple email one night before bed and I woke up to a resounding "I'd love to" the next morning.  The Yarnista, as she is known through the blogiverse, is a wildly talented entrepreneur who, after a humble start on her kitchen stove, is a colorway connoisseur... a yarn guru... an inspiration in so many ways.  She has a gorgeous family and a beautiful business.  I have loved her yarn since I first stumbled upon it a few years ago and was amazed at the intricate colorways.  Sharon's eye and attention to detail is off the charts.  I have said it before and I'll say it again, if I could only use one yarn for the rest of my life, it would be Three Irish Girls.

This is Bridget
Sharon has sent over two of the most beautiful skeins of yarn that you could ever dreamed of - Bellini and Bridget.  Bellini is a very soft and subtle Springvale 100% superwash merino wool that has the sweetest peakaboo of cotton candy to blush pink running through it.  I know these 370 yds of sock weight wool will make any project drop dead gorgeous!  Bridget is equally as fetching in all her Springvale 100% merino wool glory.  There are so many twists and turns in her colorway from green to blue to purple and back again.  It took all I had not to unwind all 460 yds to see where she went!  I know that this DK weight wool will make any project pop with excitement.

Desmondus Socks
Another wonderful woman to grant my anniversary wish is Sandra Singh from Sandrasingh.com.  She very graciously offered up one of her exclusive patterns, Desmondus Socks by Chrissy Gardiner.  Sandra also asked for me to share that her "easy to navigate pattern section offers you over a thousand designs ranging from Garments & Accessories for men, women and children and more.  Sandra works with many of the best and most respected Independent Knitwear Artists in the fiber arts community and is constantly searching for new talent to introduce to you."

Sandra went on to say that "in the Fall/Winter 2009-10 season [she] collaborated with many talented Knitwear Artists to bring you patterns that are exclusive to her website, the Sandrasingh.com Exclusive Collection, look for these designs in the Patterns section.  Chrissy Gardiner of "Gardiner Yarn Works" has done two exclusive patterns for Sandrasingh.com, the Tangled Vine Socks and the Desmondus Socks, which are knit in one skein of Serendipitous Ewe's hand painted Fate Fingering sock yarn."

Sweets tin, boxes, labels, tags and jar grip.. oh my!
Then I got the biggest surprise of all - my hero surprised me with a box full of goodies!  Y'all remember my sending out thanks to Mrs. Paula a few days back?  It took all I had not to add these gorgeous items to the mix... and keeping secrets is not my strong suit, just ask Pokey!  I wasn’t expecting a box because I hadn't received any correspondence back.  I assumed that it wasn't something that they were able to do but I was okay with it and actually expected it.  Then the UPS man stopped out front of my house and handed me a box.  I read who it was from then I thought “I don’t remember ordering anything”… I hadn’t - she sent me stuff because of my email.  It was amazing!  I jumped up and down and cried and giggled and had a full blown girlie fit over everything.  I mean look at it all ~ wouldn't you?

So what does all of this mean, exactly?  It means that I have not one, not two, not even three but four fabulous things to giveaway today!  Yes, you read that right - there will be four winners, giving more of you a chance to win some of these delectable goodies.  Sounds good, don't you think?  That being said - here are the ways you can enter the giveaway to celebrate my blogiversary ~
  1. Following me here will get you one entry.
  2. "Like" me on Facebook will get you an additional entry.
  3. Follow me on Twitter will get you yet another entry.
  4. Answering this question in the comment section will get you the most important entry (manditory for giveaway entry):  "My favorite part of Peppermint Mocha Mama's past year was..."

Please be sure to let me know which ways you have entered (with ID information) and don't forget to leave valid contact information such as Ravelry ID or email so I can reach you when you win!  Unfortunately, at this time I can only offer the giveaway to those inside the United States.  I'm shooting for internationally next year!

Good luck to everyone and I will have Pokey pick the names out of my very pretty pink sun bonnet in one week's time (July 12th at 12 a.m. EST).  The winner will be announced later on that day.  Should I be unable to reach one of the winners, an alternate will be drawn on July 16th.

Thank you for spending this past year with me - I can't wait to see what trouble we'll get into this year!

26 comments:

  1. Of course on your big "give away" day, Blogger is acting up. I tried to leave a comment earlier and it wouldn't let me (just thought you should know) but excited to finally get a comment through.
    My favorite thing about our blog is your enthusiasm for whatever it is you are doing -- it really shines through! Happy Blogiversary Amy!

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  2. Congrats!! I can't believe it's been a year and at the same time, I can't believe it's only been a year! I'm very happy for you and wish you continued blogging success! To follow suit: My favorite thing about Peppermint Mocha Mama's blog is your ability to make me feel like I am sitting in your home with you, sharing stories of your days; rainy day fun, crafting success, graduations and oh so much more!

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  3. Congratulations on such a big milestone! Oh how i wish I could entre, but never mind, there's always next year! I can't believe how generous the people you contacted were!

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  4. Congratulations, Amy! I have been thinking about your blog project, and thought what a great way to put your writing interests and talents to work. Your blog excels because of your candor and joy -- even when you post about your bad days, your love and respect of life is evident.

    I liked your posts about "Why would you say that?" -- the one about how wives talk about their husbands. I also enjoy your posts about Pokey. I also remember one about your new understanding about Christmas clean up. Also like it when you post music videos, particularly from newer artists, because it helps keep me educated on the latest in pop culture.

    Congratulations, again! Looking forward to keeping up with you over the next 365.

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  5. Look at you and your Anniversary Amers! Congrats. It has been a great year because I have gotten to know you. Hmm...my fav part over the year? You know that had to be your first pair of socks!!!! :) Cheers to you and another year, may it only get better from here.

    I liked you on FB and Followed your blog and now I am answering your question.

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  6. I've only read a few of your post since joining several blog forums on Rav. I love saying your name!! I did "Like you on FB" I don't tweet/twitter.
    I'm Napiligal on Rav and Yvonne Miller on FB.
    Congrats on your 1 year anniv.

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  7. Congratulations! On your anniversary! I love the blog and especially enjoy your wonderful photos. The DIY is great and I still plan on making the case for my Kindle (I really need one.) I've enjoyed getting to know you through Ravelry and now your blog and Facebook. I'm not a twitter person (no time for that, yet). Best wishes for Year 2!

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  8. cool giveaway and congrats on your blogiversary!
    1- i liked you on fb
    2- im following your blog
    i just found your blog while searching rav..so my favorite part about it so far is actually finding it..im looking forward to following along!
    oh yea and this is my rav id- loveelle

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  9. Wow what a great giveaway! I found you from Ravelry. Thanks for the invite.

    lotsofhermies of Rav

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  10. Great giveaway. I found you on Ravelry too, and have been perusing your blog. I thought the post about learning Norwegian purling and socks was cute! My Ravelry id is anywayzhereiam

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  11. Congrats on your one year anniversary and for Mrs Deen getting back to you with stuff! My favorite part has been getting to know you since I'm still a new reader. I look forward to reading more of your posts! :)

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  12. My favorite part of Peppermint Mocha Mama's past year was the GIVEAWAYS!

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  13. I follow you on Twitter @MissMelissaZ

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  14. I 'like' you on Facebook!

    Thank you for such a wonderful opportunity! Congrats on your anniversary! :D I wish you many more to come!

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  15. I can't believe it's been a year for you?!?!

    Congrats on your hard work...

    Well I follow you on Facebook, added you on twitter, follow you on Blogger, and I'm telling you my favorite part of your year is hmmm... listening to your thoughts on life, like your Peanut growing up...

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  16. I found your blog on ravelry :)
    I follow you here and on Twitter (@herroamy), and liked your facebook page (Amy Valentino).

    I gotta say that my favorite part of your year is listed right in this post! To be contacted by someone you idolize like Paula Deen is pretty terrific! I think if Alton Brown contacted me I would be doing a huuuuuuuuuuuuuge happy dance.

    My ravelry ID is AmyBamy

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  17. Since I have just been introduced to your blog via Ravelry, I have to say this is my favorite so far.

    I signed up to follow your blog.

    I "liked" you on facebook

    Congratulations on your year anniversary! I am looking forward to the next one. :-)

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  18. I became a follower of your blog yesterday on Google.

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  19. I found your blog yesterday via Ravelry. I read several of your posts and thoroughly enjoyed reading them. I like the font you used and that it is on a white background. It makes it easy to read. Some blogs are hard to read because of the fonts and backgrounds they used. Congratulations on your anniversary.

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  20. I'm following your blog, have liked you on facebook (Ashley Nicole Parker), am following you on twitter (ANicoleParker). This is my first time reading your blog (just found it!), so my favorite part is you getting that box! You sound so excited about it, and it makes me excited for you! What a great giveaway. I haven't been lucky enough to use 3 Irish Girls yarn yet, but I hope I'll be able to one day!

    HermioneWeasley on Ravelry

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  21. whew!! <> I almost missed this bus! I was having kind of an off week last week. Anyway, glad you did this cuz I realized that a.) I wasn't officially a follower yet, and b.) I hadn't officially liked you on fb. So those wrongs have been righted! LOL My favorite thing from this past year, is, of course, your new love affair with the dreaded socks!!! LOL!! Was there any question about that???

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  22. Yay for one whole year! I have enjoyed reading your blog (I found you during blog week). My favorite blog spot was the one where you spoke about being told "not to touch". I completely agree about how touching is all part of the knitting experience!

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  23. My favorite part spending the last year with your blog was getting to know you better. The way you write and what you share makes me feel as if I am sitting with you having a cup of coffee at your kitchen table. Happy anniversary my dear friend.

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  24. My favorite part was seeing the prizes that YOU won! :)

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  25. Did I miss the cutoff for the giveaway? I hope not. I don't have a favorite part yet as I just discovered your blog today. But I can't wait to read more.
    I now follow you through Google and twitter (cmouse01)

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  26. if i'm not too late, please consider my entry

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