A Special Day and a Giveaway!
I want to share something with you today that is both sad and happy~
let’s do the happy part first~ August 1 is my “Blogaversary.” I started the Painted Apron August 1, 2012. I started it because I wanted to push myself to be more creative, being creative makes me happy… it gives me energy and strength…
Now for the sad part…August 1 is also the anniversary of my youngest son’s death. He was 18 years old, 2 weeks from going away to the College of Charleston, with a full scholarship in the Honors program. He was smart, funny, loving and charming. He was a talented artist, a scholar and a musician.
I couldn’t breathe for a month. It was a massive struggle to go anywhere for a year. I cried everyday for three years.
I know, sorry, I do not want to make you cry, I promise this is going to get happy again…
August 1 was such a dreaded day that I would get physically sick weeks before it’s arrival.
After 5 years I decided I could not live like that anymore. I decided to stop crying, be thankful for his short life, and get on with my own.
After 8 years I decided to turn August 1 from a dreaded day to a celebratory day and I started blogging.
I had been writing recipes for a collection dedicated to my children that I called the Painted Apron. I decided this would be the perfect title for my blog and a way to keep a virtual log of recipes and ideas for them,
All of them.
I share this with you today because often in my writing, this significant part of my life feels like a stumbling block and something I am hiding.
It isn’t something I want to hide, we have all suffered great losses, and have to continue. I have been blessed with courage and strength, from my family and friends, to be able to celebrate today.
It has been 10 years now, and a long healing process……I will always remember August 1, but now I remember it with love and faith, gratitude and possibilities…
Blogging has become a way for me to give back, to play it forward if you will, and share things I discover that I think others might enjoy or benefit from…
To celebrate my Blogaversary today, I would like to do a giveaway from my handpainted glassware collection JMdesigns
I have painted everything from apples to zebras and lots of things in between…
So since the holidays are coming up so I want to giveaway a set of 4 glasses with your choice ofHalloween, Thanksgiving or Christmas!
Wendi Witch is a happy witch, she has put her broom down and wears striped tights and silver stars~
Tom Turkey is very grateful, the back of the glass says, “Thanks!”
The white and gold Angel is so pretty during the holidays, but also appropriate on any day to make you feel watched over
Of course, Jolly Santa is always a pleasure to have around!
You can choose either glass style too, the all purpose goblet, which is great for any wine, water or beverage, or the tall beverage glass
This is not a complicated giveaway, you don’t have to sign up for anything, visit facebook or jump through hoops…
just leave me a comment telling me:
1. What you like the most about the Painted Apron
2. What you would like to see more of on the Painted Apron
3. Which style glass, goblet or tall beverage and design you would like to have~ Wendi Witch, Tom Turkey, Angel, Jolly Santa
That’s it! The winner will be chosen by a random number generator. This contest closes Thursday August 28 and the winner will be announced on Sunday August 31.
Thank you for visiting, and good luck!
____________________________________
I am not linking this to any parties, I want to share this only with you, my favorite visitors, and keep the entries to a minimum so that you have a better chance to win!
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Sorry for your lost. Your Lord and time is your greatest healer of all. I’ve always said, what doesn’t kill you will make you stronger. Look at the happiness you have given to others with your talents. Bless you. What ever you would like to send in the glasses is fine with me. I would like the wines the best.
Bless you for how you have handled your loss. You are such an inspiration to so many of us. I can’t imagine your loss. This is the first time I’ve visited your amazing blog. I can not wait to check out your recipes! Your paintings are gorgeous! If I win, I would love the tall angel glasses!
Thank you for this wonderful giveaway!
Blessings,
Gert
thanks so much Gert, you are too nice!
Hello,
After learning of your blog today, I read the post and immediately started following you. I am so sorry for the loss of your child. Your strength is such a positive inspiration to others! About the blog, I love the recipes, pictures and painted items. You are really talented and so creative! I hope some rubs off on me. 🙂 Being new, I can’t recommend any changes, just more of the same.
Since fall is my very favorite time of year, I would love the Tom Turkey goblets. They are absolutely adorable!
Blessings to you and I’m so glad Mary with “Home is Where the Boat Is” posted about the painted potting shed jar you sent her. I saw it and knew I had to check out your blog!
Elizabeth
Thank you Elizabeth, I look forward to your visits!
I’ve always said there’s a word when you lose a spouse & for when you lose both parents, but there is no word for losing a child, not matter what the age. ‘Heartbroken’ is insufficient. You are inspiring with your blog – what a wonderful way to honor your son! I just love your creativity & positive outlook! My favorite glass design would be the angels. Thanks!
Thank you so much Karen!
I too an sorry to hear about you losing your 18 year old son. I kno9w yur pain and heartbreak as I also lost a son when he was 24. My son was born with a heart condition of Transition of the Heart. Childrens Memorial Hospital in Chicago manage to keep him alive for 24 years. Your pictures and comments just amaze me. I can be having a bad day, but when I see your post I perk up. The colors, items, and ideas, food that looks so delicious. Especially outdoors, everything taste so wonderful. Keep on shining Mary as your son would want you too.
thanks so much Nancy~ and for sharing your story~ I am so glad to be able to bring you some cheer!
Just found your blog today from Home is Where the Boat is but so far I like what I see. Must send link to my sisters they will love also. I love all things painted.Sorry about your loss.
If i were to win the turkey goblets are so cute.
Hi Jenna,
First of all, I am so sorry for the loss of your beloved son. I had no idea. My dear hubby’s one year is coming on the 16th of this month.
I am so glad you have found happiness through blogging and sharing your talents.
I love your recipes, your table decor and your painting projects.
I’d love to see more painting projects.
If I won, oh gosh, decisions, decisions…I’d go with the angels, as they look so heavenly.
Thanks for the opportunity to win your fabulous giveaway.
Thank you Kitty, I do remember my heart aching for you last year when you lost your husband…that is the biggest unexpected pleasure I have gotten from blogging, I feel like I have so many new and special friends! It is crazy how much you get back when you give 🙂
J.
I have been visiting your blog posts for about a year, and I always look forward to your inspiring and creative art work and tutorials. The painted jar of the potting shed was outstanding. I love the attention to detail in your work, so my suggestion is to continue painting real setting. My favorite glass is large size of Wendi Witch.
Thank you J, I appreciate the kind words~
I’m so sorry to hear about your tragic pathway that led to your blogging. Creativity is a wonderful outlet to move us through the process of grief loss of health and other difficult things. You truly have a wonderful talent! Happy anniversary. My favorite glasses are the turkeys but the angels are close second! Hard to pick a favorite thing but it’s probably your tablescape’s and how you tie your creativity in projects with a tablescape theme.
Thanks so much Jennifer, very appreciated!
Just found your blog through Mary’s post although I recognize your name from reading comments in her blog. Sharing your story was very special and courageous. You are very gifted and talented and I know I will enjoy exploring your blog. I’ve already printed your recipe for the blueberry / raspberry bread with the orange glaze, sounds WONDERFUL! We are planning a beach day this Saturday and it will be in the basket! My birthday is Christmas Eve, would enjoy your goblets with the angel. Thank you for the opportunity to win.
Thank you so much Cyndi! I am so flattered that you are going to make the bread, I hope you have a great day at the beach! I have a Dec birthday too!
I am so sorry I didn’t get to meet your son. Knowing the rest of your family, I’m sure I would have loved him too.
I love everything about the painted apron but especially love take out Tuesday!
If I were to win, I would love to add the Santa glasses to my collection of your beautiful work.
You are so sweet Ricki, thank you! I appreciate your feedback, and If you don’t win, at least I know what to give you for Christmas 🙂
Hello, I found your blog today from Home is Where the Boat Is. Today was a really challenging day for me. I lost my beautiful boy a little over a year ago. He was 25. Odd, he too had just received news that he had a full ride research grant for his Masters. So, you’ll understand what I mean by having a bad day. Out of desperation…ie distraction I started surfing. Maybe I was meant to and here at your site. Thank you for the inspiring words.
oh Jayne, I am so sorry. I will say that it does get a little easier through time, but the 10 year mark for me was brutal, I was ill for a week. You will be in my prayers as I hope you heal~I appreciate you sharing with me~
To my new friend Jenna. Looking forward to seeing more beach stuff… Happy you like my painted beach furniture. Guess this is where I enter the contest 🙂 I would say my fav would have to be the angel goblet.
I can’t even imagine all you have been thru over the years. I don’t think I could manage.
I am sooo glad I found you via Mary.I love all your tropical pieces but, for the drawing I love the cute goblet with little Wendi Witch. She would look amazing on my tablescape for Halloween. Luv that she dropped her broom!!.
Thanks Linda, very kind of you~ You are entered and I love that you noticed her broom!
Love your ideas!!! You are soooo creative!!! I love recepies so if you have favorites…….
Your blog story is inspiring and I admire the strength you found to move beyond such a devastating loss. I would love the Wendi glasses. Halloween is a favorite around our house these days. I consider myself a creative person, but never had the talent for painting!