It's Fantastic Feature Friday...Christine Marie Ford and Winner of Weekly Giveaway

TGIF fellow bloggers!! Hope everyone has had a great week.

I'd like to start off by announcing this week's giveaway winner. Gloria of gloriajeanDesigns (http://www.gloriajeandesigns.etsy.com/) and Giggle Rainbow (http://www.gigglerainbow.etsy.com/ ) offered a $20 gift certificate for this week's giveaway. I would like to say thanks to Gloria for letting me host her giveaway and we wish her many happy sales :D

So...the Winner is...................KimNettieDesigns..................!!!
Congratulations Kim, thanks for participating ;D

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Today, on Fantastic Feature Friday, I am featuring an amazingly talented artist who specializes in Jewelry, Fiber Art, Quilting and Inspiration!

Christine Marie Ford (http://www.christinemarieford.etsy.com) is a full-time artist located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. She says "Versatility is my niche." Here's what Christine also has to say about her craft:

"As an artist and craftsperson I love to create rich and colorful contemporary fabric art, quilts and jewellery. My art quilts are often created with an abstract flair inspired by themes of nature and the human spirit. My first quilt was made entirely by hand and took one and a half years to complete."

"Today with the aid of a sewing machine, I create my own designs and specialize in a process called “free motion” quilting in which I can literally draw with the needle! Some of my newest work is completely “improvised” from start to finish. I tend to use 100% cotton commercial prints and batiks as I enjoy the “thrill of the hunt” but am also known to paint on fabric from time to time."

"I’m also known for my innovative fabric vases, textile jewellery and beaded jewellery and have much to share with you! I’m always redefining my personal style and looking to transform my work in new and exciting ways."

"My life before fabric and jewellery making was as a stage and screen actress for over 22 years and this theatrical background greatly influences my bold and dramatic creations. I continue to participate in the performing arts as a singer/songwriter and just about everything in between!"

I must say that I love everything that Christine creates. Her items are exquisite and would lovingly grace anyone's home or personal presence!

Christine is also offering an item from her shop (http://www.christinemarieford.etsy.com) for this coming week's giveaway.

This gorgeous Mini Suede Journal/Sketchbook is created with beautiful high quality medium brown suede leather which Christine hand picked right from the tannery. It als features 160 pages total(both sides); size is approximately 3" x 3.75" (50lb, acid free, 100% recycled) and is hand bound with beige waxed Irish linen thread. The strap is made from a more unusual leather to add visual interest and to hold the book closed when not in use. There can be only one lucky winner! Best of luck to all who enter!!

How to enter:

1. Follow my blog ~ 1 entry
2. Comment on today's blog post ~ 1 entry (be sure to leave contact link)
3. Mention this giveaway on your Facebook Fan Page ~ 1 entry (be sure to leave your facebook page link in the comments section so that I may fan you)
4. Twitter about this giveaway ~ 1 entry (be sure to leave your twitter link in the comments section so that I may follow you)
5. Purchase from my shop, Ethereal Beginnings ~ 1 entry
6. Purchase from Christine's shop ~ 5 entries (please copy your transaction into the comments section for valid entry)
7. All of the above ~ 10 entries

So...if you do ALL 7 of the above you will have a total of 20 entries to win Christine's Mini Suede Journal/Sketchbook.

Thanks for blogging in on this fantastic Friday. Hope you have a great weekend.

Cheers and Blessings,

Fantastic Feature Friday...ScrapHappyLyrebird

Today's Fantastic Feature is Scrap Happy Lyrebird. A wonderful new Etsian whom I have had the pleasure to come to know.

Tess of Scrap Happy Lyrebird is a Decoupage Artist. Here is a little of what she has to say about her craft:

"I began decoupaging after I envisioned a special card box for my wedding, but couldn't find one anywhere. I covered an entire wood chest with vintage ephemera and fell in love with the process."


"My pieces are made with a mix of authentic vintage ephemera from my antiquing trips, scrap-booking materials, and odds and ends that strike my fancy from around the house. I spend a lot of time trying to evoke a certain feeling from the past with each of my pieces, and making sure that each little scrap adds its own unique quality."

"I love decoupaging boxes in particular because of the endless possibilities they present; they can be secret hiding places for little treasures, repositories for love letters, or lovely presentations for a special gift."

Please visit Tess at Scrap Happy Lyrebird, http://www.scraphappylyrebird.etsy.com.

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Today is also the day that I announce the winner of my weekly giveaway.

And the winner is..................Jewelry of Note..................

Congratulations!! I hope you enjoy your "Sample Tea Chest" from Teaman.

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Thanks so much for blogging in this week. Please join me on Marvelous Monday to check out my new giveaway. I hope you all have a Fantastic Friday and fantastic weekend.

Cheers and Blessings,

Fantastic Feature Friday...Tim the Teaman

Happy Fantastic Friday!! Every Friday I feature a fantastic etsian. If you would like to be featured please convo me at http://www.etherealbeginnings.etsy.com/ or leave a comment here on my blog.
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Today's Fantastic Feature is Teaman. Teaman has amazing hand blended teas in both tea bags and loose tea. Here's a little more about him from his bio:

"I am originally from Windsor, Ontario, Canada. I relocated to the US in 1996. I reside in the quaint little town of Howell, Michigan. I have a great wife, two wonderful daughters and a pug."

"I take great pride in my tea products and feel that customer service is my top priority. I have worked with the production and custom blending of tea for years and I am quite confident you will love my items. My tea is bagged with the highest quality tea paper providing great flow through ability yet prohibits product dispersion keeping its contents intact. Whether it is Assam, Ceylon, Kenyan, Chinese, Indian or Japanese, my teas are always fresh and are of the highest quality. Hand blended with real fruit, spices, roots, or beans then enhanced by adding flavor flakes. A fairly unique process which sets my teas apart. It is like flavor crystals that enhance the flavors of the fruit and spices. Along the lines of flavor crystals when added to chewing gum. The crystals flavor is dispersed with the addition of boiling water filling your cup with robust flavor!"

Tim says, "Tea really is the best thing you can put in your body! I invite you to take a minute and read some healthy facts about tea. A cure for most ailments and a step in the right direction for anyone looking to cut their caffeine intake or rid their diet of sodas. Also helps reduce wrinkles!

www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/green-tea-000255.htm

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/11/051117174842.htm

http://www.realage.com/tips/smooth-your-skin-with-a-cup-of-this

"Don't forget most of my teas can be enjoyed iced as well. Follow the same method as if you were making hot tea, using approx. 5 teabags for a gallon pitcher. Add boiling water to teabags and let cool. After cooled, remove teabags and pour into individual serving, then add sweetener, stir and add ice."

Teaman offers over 35 varieties of teas and they are beautifully packaged in a variety of ways. Please visit Tim's shop at http://www.teaman.etsy.com . He is offering some amazing deals starting at $1, $2, and $3. So, come on over and have a cup of tea.
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Today is also the day I announce the winner of my weekly giveaway. I would like to say thank you so much to all who participated. We are definitely growing and I love reading all your comments :D

And the winner of this week's giveaway is......ScrapHappyLyreBird......hope you enjoy shopping with your $20 Gift Certificate!!

Thanks so much everyone for blogging in. Be sure to come see me on Marvelous Monday for the start of a new week and a new giveaway!! It's going to be marvelous so don't miss out!!

Cheers and Blessings,