crystal b's madame lucy earrings & giveaway blog

occasionally my dear friend crystal b
(designer of the best selling all is well nie nie necklace)
(and my secksy c jane earrings)
sends me over some of her sweet homemade jewelry.

she does this sort of stuff
because she might be the kindest person
on this planet
and we've developed a nice
email box friendship
over the last few months.

the other day a package arrived with
new earrings included.
good stuff like
these turquoise friends:

and these dangley princesses:


and other retro sweets made out of metal.

the next day at church
i ran into a friend
who had recently decided to cut
all of her hair off for a good cause.

she complimented me on my earrings
and asked where she could get some
to go with her new short cut.

i told her i had a few that would be perfect
for her newly exposed earlobes.
and so because of my dear friend crystal b
i was able to donate some
sassy danglies to my friend in need.

then
tonight i find out that crystal actually has a blog
where she gives away her jewelry to the public
and tomorrow she is giving away a pair
of madame lucy earrings
(named after my little sister-
pictured above)

(what crystal doesn't know
is that lucy and i fought over these earrings
for a good half hour after they arrived
which ended in my concession
as it normally does
-i am such a softie.)


thanks crystal b and your big heart!
for the giveaway go here.
to shop crystal b go here.

p.s. i think this je t'aime necklace might be the valentine's gift you are looking for?
(chup?)

this post is brought to you by these awesome sponsors:

Second Vintage Pearl Giveaway Winner Announced

I was on a date tonight with a guy I call Chup when I looked deep into his rootbeer eyes and remembered I was supposed to choose two TWO (not one, two) Vintage Pearl Winners. I am sorry.

Second winner goes to Sara:

Sara said...

I have had Vintage Pearl on my list of favorites ever since Pioneer Woman blogged about it last year! I've been saving it for a Mother's Day gift this year for my beyond wonderful mom!

Sara, congrats!

Email me?cjanemail @ gmail .com

a new url, giveaway winner's announced & january's mother lode giveaway

first of all, we have a new url around here
(which means we are official)

cjaneanswers.com

go ahead and use it
(dearcjane.blogspot.com works too)

secondly, we have winners from our
three giveways this week
the ewillow winner is announced here.
the vintage pearl is announced here
the cbc'10 is announced here.

thanks everyone for entering!
and thanks to the sponsors for giving away!

third,
this month has been so huge for this blog
what with a new url
and new sponsors
and giveaways
i decided to celebrate by putting together
a virtual "gift basket"
of some of the products i blogged about this month
and give it away all to one lucky reader.

so
here is goes . . .

january's gift basket:

1. zurchers party supplies has generously donated
the balloon pumper i blogged about here.

2. kelly mccaleb threw in a couple of her
cool knitted bangles
that i have deemed
"wrist warmers"
and wear almost daily.

3. ann dee knight has pledge a signed copy
of her book
everything is fine
--a novel i describe as a
masterpiece.

4. amy schilling-busch
knitted a cat hat
just for this occasion.

5. the good people at redmond clay
sent me a box full of
products
for you
including the clay
and salt products as well
(dreamy stuff).

6. amanda at halftees
wants you to try one on
so she's tossing one in the basket
(i am wearing mine this second).


you want to win this basket
or what?

you have from right now
until next thursday night
feb. 4th
midnight mst.
to enter.

the winner will be chosen
at random
so no pressure.


thanks for a great month!

love,
c jane

this post is brought to you by these awesome sponsors:





the vintage pearl
is offering 10% off
to dear c jane readers
this week!
use the code CJANE10

typetypetype prints

( i apologize ahead of time for our non-lds readers
who might be confused at all the
mormon vernacular in this post)


recently i was asked to work with
the youth in our ward (local church unit)
specifically the young women.

they are really cute young women
and i feel pretty lucky to be
enjoying this time of their lives with them.

mostly they make me laugh.

sometime ago
i was sent some prints
from an etsy shop called
typetypetype
by design artist michelle budge.

the prints at typetypetype are mainly
themed for lds youth
bold-colored, funky-styled sayings,
mottos and reading charts.

we've used several prints as birthday presents
for the young women and are
looking to get the
joshua 1:9 theme prints
to give out as gifts
at our new beginnings evening
(a night where we celebrate the young women's program)

i also like this one with all the
young women values:

see more at typetypetype

thanks michelle!

(too read more about our young women program
click here)

this post is brought to you by these awesome sponsors:





the vintage pearl
is offering 10% off
to dear c jane readers
this week!
use the code CJANE10

. . . your cleaning playlist?

last week i wrote about house cleaning
which always includes listening to music
which endorses endorphins
which helps in the exercise.

a few readers wanted to know
what exactly was on that cleaning playlist.

it varies daily
and according to tasks
but here are some current favorites:

white sky by vampire weekend
we used to be friends by the dandy warhols
colors by april smith
i'm the man who loves you by wilco
kissing the lipless by the shins
that's not my name by the ting tings
just a song about ping pong by operator please
take me out by franz ferdinand
suffer for fashion by of montreal
jungle drum by emiliana torrini
get better by mates of state

and the song on repeat in retro house these days
empire state of mind part II by alicia keys

also, for a wind down
try bon iver
(i fell hard last year for these guys,
and remain a loyal fan)
if i could share one piece of internet joy
it would be this:

a shout out to passionista
and the jolly porter
who supply me regularly
with new tunes!

this post is brought to you by these awesome sponsors:





the vintage pearl
is offering 10% off
to dear c jane readers
this week!
use the code CJANE10

3 new sponsors & two giveaways

i am happy to introduce
3 new sponsors for dear c jane!


ewillow.com




ewillow is the esty of paper crafts.

this is a place for people
who are passionate about paper
and the endless possible projects
which can be created.

paper crafts
like this purse:



or lucille ball:

(i am going to ask chup
to make a puppet of me
for my birthday--
it has been decided.)

charlene harreveld
the engineer behind this project
(and also a former model)
(and also a donny osmond fan)
launched this site
as a means for people who like to create paper crafts
to sell
and people who like to give/have paper crafts
to buy.

win/win.


ewillow is giving away
a choice between a

$30 shopping spree on eWillow.com
or

complimentary storefront subscription
for three months on eWillow.com
for dear c jane readers

go here for details!

the vintage pearl

at the vintage pearl
you will find
simple, sterling silver
handstamped
and homemade
jewelry
with a touch of pearl
or birthstone crystals.




and also bracelets
and keepsakes
(like these baby spoons
which will now be on my list
for baby gifts.)

(i love them so)



find out more about erin
from the vintage pearl
by visiting her pretty blog
here
or follow her on twitter
here.

would you like to win a
$50 gift certificate to vintage pearl?

of course you would!

please click here for the giveaway.




little tots big ideas

a mommy blog brought to us by
tina, mother of three
little tots big ideas
features tina's adventures in
in motherhood.

tina's series real mommies real challenges
are an interesting read, not to be missed.


welcome ewillow, the vintage pearl and tiny tots big ideas!




tomorrow on dear c jane:
i answer
. . . what is on your cleaning playlist?
because no one likes to dust
with out beats.
right?

ewillow paper crafts giveaway--winner announced!

winner announced!
our ewillow prize goes to

Christina said...

What a fabulous store. So much to choose from. I do love the Edward & Bella card--so perfect for girlfriends!

christina,

do you mind emailing me

so you can claim your prize?

(and let me know if you'd like

the $30 shopping spree

or subscription)

cjanemail @ gmail.com

congrats!

ewillow is giving away
a choice between a

$30 shopping spree on eWillow.com
or

complimentary storefront subscription
for three months on eWillow.com

here is how to enter:
go to ewillow
and visit.

you can hit up the
shop
where you can browse products to buy

or

check out
charlene's personal idea blog

maybe even stop by the the forum
and chat with other paper crafters
or see what stamps are being sold in "the attic" area.

while you are at it
why not get yourself signed up to be a vendor
by creating an account?

then,
come back and tell us what you liked about ewillow
in our comments section
thereby
entering the giveaway.

see how easy?

we'd love to take your
entries until thursday night
(jan. 28th)
(midnight mst)

enter away!

vintage pearl giveaway

winner announced!
our vintage pearl prize goes to:


Stacey said...

I would buy a necklace with the names of my "gang" on it.

stacey,

you and your gang deserves this!

do you mind emailing me at

cjanemail @ gmail.com

and we'll get you your due prize!

congrats!

at the vintage pearl
you will find
simple, sterling silver
handstamped
and homemade
jewelry
with a touch of pearl
or birthstone crystals.

would you like to win a

$50 gift certificate to vintage pearl?

of course you would!

enter here by
telling us what you'd buy with your
$50.

you have until thursday (jan. 28th)
(midnight mst.)

2 winners will be chosen!

casual blogger conference & giveaway!

winner announced!
free cbc '10 pass goes to:

NatTheFatRat said...

Well, if you do not sing a little Celine a la cjane then I think the entire crowd may revolt.

c-line a la c-jane? You can use that if you'd like.

And you should wear blue!

Aren't you glad you asked?

hey nat,

i don't know how many times
the first comment wins the prize
but you done won it.

email me at cjanemail @ gmail.com
and we shall hook you up!
congrats!



ever since i started blogging

i've wanted to go to a blogger's conference
but not a high profile conference
so much
a smaller, more intimate conference
for those bloggers like me
who do it more for hobby.

i was thrilled
--you can imagine--
to learn about
the casual blogger conference
to be held may 28th
in utah.

it will be a one day affair
perfect for a daily outing
with your blogger friends.

(worth making the trip, for out-of-towners!)

(utah is especially lovely in may!)

and by the looks of things
i will be the last keynote speaker
(gulp).

but maybe the best part of all
is the pricetag
really,
really
cheap packages
and early bird deals.

(see: here!)

the most excellent organizers
at the cbc'10 have given me
permission to giveaway one
conference pass.

who wants it?

to enter: toss me a comment
with a suggestion for my keynote speech
like what should i wear?
what joke should i start with?
how shall i manage my unmanageable lisp?

giveway will run until thursday, mst midnight!

thanks elisa, lee lou and team!

would your company be interested in sponsoring cbc '10?
good idea
email here:
admin@casualbloggerconference.com

cbc'10 is also looking
to feature products
in swag bags
(a swift way to get your
stuff out into the hands of bloggers)
email here:
admin@casualbloggerconference.com

doing good in the world today

possibly the most overwhelming part of blogging for me
is getting daily emails from people,
organizations,
churches
asking if i could blog about
service projects,
auctions,
families in need,
fundraising,
or relief work.
it hurts my heart because i know
i can't get to all of them.
and i really want to help.
because so many people helped us
this past year and a half.

(i remember the pioneer woman herself
posted a kind link to my blog
on hers when we were getting the news out about
my sister's situation.)

i've been thinking about how i could
help spread the word about so many different causes
with the limited time i have
and here is my idea
(the best idea i've come up with so far
although, i am going to keep thinking)

how about we take the day and post
-in my comments section-
any event,
blog
or project
that could use
general help,
money,
donations of time,
well-wishing and prayers
or
just public knowledge.

and those of us reading
can pledge to pick one cause
(or two, or more
if you are generous)
to help out
in a way we can.

what do you think?
let's start right now:


feather in your nest
is an online store
for home-inspired
wares and gifts
created by gina drennon.

two weeks ago
gina's husband michael (39 years old)
unexpectedly passed away
leaving gina and her two boys
obviously heart broken
and in need of help.

gina has decided to close her online shop
to look for a more stable job.
friends are asking to make the public aware
that all items on feather in your nest
are 25% off
the more amount of inventory she can liquidate
the better it will be
for her and her family.

if you'd like to
help out gina and her family
by shopping at her store
you can go here.

best wishes gina.


what else can we help with?

dangerously experimenting with cake mixes

a couple years ago i went to a
darlybird party
and bought earrings
that i never took off
until the day when
one fell off my ear
somewhere over nevada
thousands of feet up in the air.

no matter.

at this party there was an offering
of very non-traditional cupcakes.
guava frosting, lime cake
raspberry smothered
ganche filled chocolate
and all sorts of nice pairings.

that weekend i was in charge of
desert at my family's easter party
and i asked darly (aka rachel) to email the exotic recipes.

one of the first things she wrote in the email back
was the suggestion that i buy a cake mix
and use it as a building block
to create a new taste
(you''ll put so much time into perfecting the frosting
or piping in the cream
it will take you all day
unless you short cut the process
-she added.)

perhaps this suggestion is as old
as the betty crocker world
but since i realized what fun i could have
spicing up a pre-mix cake batter
my baking world changed.

every sunday
we experiment by throwing things
into the mix.
butterscotch pumpkin graham cracker crust cupcakes
have been our favorite so far
(no recipe, just throwing things in wildly).

last sunday i was thinking
about sharing this tip
for the those who haven't discovered
the joy of playing with cake mixes.

and there you are.

(do you play with cake mixes?
do share your favorites!)






if you feel like doing good in the world tomorrow
i've got a post for you.

. . . nie's green paint?

our sister in law lisa

was charged with picking out paint
for nie's new house.

when she asked me
what color i thought
my sister would like
i told her a shade
of avocado.

so she went with it
and ordered two tones,
a lighter one for the living room
and a shade darker for the kitchen.

when i asked her if she remembered
the actual name of the paint colors
lisa responded, no.

but, she gave me some good advice
to share:
pick a color you like
and go with it.

which seems pretty simplistic,
but for someone who easily
complicates paint-choosing
(does it go with everything in the house?)
(how does it make me feel at 3:30pm?)
(does it match the cat?)
(my eyes?)
i greatly appreciate this wisdom.

good luck!




*first photo by justin hackworth
*second by nie

darlybird taught me a wise lesson about baking
(and i want to document it)
tomorrow!

amanda barker's halftees

i bought two halftees the other night
i wore my first one today
i can't tell you the freedom i felt
of having less fabric
swimming around in my
middle section.

halftees are the clever invention
of amanda barker
a mother to five children.
she thought them up one day
and years later
decided to actually produce them.

halftees eliminate
all the underbunchings of
t-shirts
but help in covering up the parts
you'd like to keep under wrap
(aka my ample cleavage).

they are made with soft cotton
installed with a comfortable band
at the bottom
(to stay put)
and
come in short
and long
sleeved varieties.

they are perfect for pregnant bellies
easy access to the chest for
breast feeding
but mostly,
a dream come true
for any girl.



you can read more
see more
or shop
here.

or see my cross-linked post
on c jane's Guide to Provo
here.

p.s.
they run just a little big
(in my opinion)


tomorrow i answer the burning question
. . . nie's living room paint color?
it's been a favorite of the inbox.

after these messages . . .

. . . or this holiday
i'll be right back.