My 1*0*0*0th post and a giveaway!

This is it -- the 1,000th post I mentioned was coming up!

Time flies; I started this blog on December 11, 2008.

It wasn't my first blog, but it has been my favorite.

I started out here just talking about some of the fun stuff I made, and picked, for my Etsy shop, Indulge Your Shelf.

Thus the blog's name.

But it became so much more --

a place to find meet friends who visit, stay a while, and come back.

So first let me say, Thank you for visiting...and for coming back...over these past almost-five years!  I have so enjoyed meeting you online, and, when I'm lucky, in real life, too!

When I started writing this blog my son was just 11 years old...

we're all a bit older now!

If you've been around for these five years and 1,000 posts, then you know some of my creative and art-related dreams have come true:

In 2009 I finished a long journey to finally graduate from college, with a BA in Creative Writing.

Along the way I started doing more online writing, including my column on examiner.com;

I took over the blog Button Floozies; 

I got to attend the last Silver Bella;

and, visit one of my blogging/art world heroes, Karla,

along with so many other beautiful people!

Along the way, I also contributed to some books;

and had the thrill of having a fabric book project published in Somerset Studio Gallery.

It's been a hoot!

Just lately, I've begun working full time again -- which is most decidedly not one of my creative dreams come true...

me as the Fractured Fairy Tales Fairy at work last week (for Halloween!)

although I do get to have fun sifting through vintage stuff and listing it online...

it's not my dream job.

And leaves little time for creating...

but I'm not giving up!

In fact: I'm going to create something special

just for you -- if you are the winner of my 1000th post giveaway!

To celebrate 1,000 posts and all the wonderful friends who have read them,

I'm giving away a piece of art -- either paper...

or fabric...

you get to choose which!

It can even be a combination of both.

I'll choose a winner from among the commenters between now and November 11;

the winner will decide what kind of custom art piece they'd like -- paper, fabric, or a combo!

You can even pick a "theme" -- just let me know what you love!

Prize details:

It can be up to ~5x5" -- the size of a quilt square (if fabric)

or a page in a small journal (if paper.)

You can frame it, or use it to create something altogether new...

like a pillow, or a journal cover.

That way, we can create together.

And I can't think of a better way to celebrate 1,000 posts, can you?

I will commit to getting the piece to you by December 31, 2013 -- or within 30 days of when you tell me what you'd like, whichever comes first -- via mail.

HOW TO ENTER:

Comment on this post only and tell me how you read my blog -- Bloglovin', Facebook, via email subscription...or?

To make this easy -- only one entry per person.

Feel free to share with all your friends -- on Facebook, on Pinterest, or on your own blog.

It won't get you more entries, but it will make me happy.

And who knows...if I'm happy I might give away more than one gift!

I'm just sayin'.

Thank you for 1,000 chances to love you!