Beautifully Elegant Giveaway and Discount!

***This giveaway is now closed, but the 10% off discount is available throughout the month of June. See the end of this post for the promo code.***

I wanted to take the opportunity today to introduce you to one of our newest sponsors, the gorgeous Etsy shop Beautifully Elegant!

Beautifully Elegant is all about unique one-of-a-kind pieces that you will not be able to find anywhere else!

There is a huge variety of necklaces, like this beautiful Leaf Teardrop Necklace,

this Small Blue Charm Necklace,

this simply lovely Figure Eight Necklace,

this bright and beautiful Hadley Necklace,

this colorful Amanda Necklace,

or these incredibly fun Nerd Specs.

She also has beautiful earring! I just love these Feather Earrings,

or these Amanda Earrings.

She also carries a few vintage items as well, such as this stunning Vintage Turquoise Ring.

Aren't the designs gorgeous?!

Elegant Designs is offering a 10% discount on all merchandise this month, simply use the code JUNEDISCOUNT at checkout!

As a special treat, Elegant Designs is giving away this turquoise necklace, a $20 value, for free!!

You have 2 chances to win this beauty.

1.) Head on over to Beautifully Elegant to see all of the lovely jewelry, comeback and let us know what your 2 favorites are.

2.) Follow Beautifully Elegant on facebook here for upcoming giveaways and news.

The giveaway will close Friday at midnight and the winner will be announced Saturday morning.

Good luck!!

Read more...

FREE Canvas Offer!!

I am SO excited to tell you about this great deal!!

I have mentioned before that my husband and I lived in Scotland for a few years while he did his PhD. We had an amazing time and have incredibly fond memories of our life there. I've had in my mind that I want to get one of our pictures from our time there blown up and give it to him for his office.

That time is now.

Canvas People are currently offering an incredible deal on their canvases. You can get an 8x10 canvas print FOR FREE!! 

You only pay for shipping!

I had to try it out. Here is the result.

This is my favorite picture of the school where Chris studied, complete with yummy sun flare peeking over the back. I love it!! It brings back so many good memories!

The colors on the photo turned out great and the picture wraps around the edge of the canvas, which I love. It seems much more like a finished piece that way, no need for framing or anything additional.

It also has this great canvas texture. Love!

We had recently ordered some family pictures from a photographer and when I received the 8x10, I thought to myself, "It's just a little too small!" Luckily you do have the option to upgrade your canvas from an 8x10 to an 11x14 for only $9.99, and I decided to do this.

(My 8x10 family picture in front of the 11x14 canvas. A HUGE difference, right? Well worth the $9.99.)

The best part of all? My husband LOVED it!! He kept talking about it the night that I gave it to him, which is just so rewarding for us gift givers. :)

Now I can't stop thinking about who else might love to have a favorite photo blown up and canvas-wrapped for Christmas!!

Grandparents? Yes. Aunts? Uncles? Me? Yes, yes, yes.

What photo would you use for this great deal?

A sweet moment with the kids? An unforgettable trip? A rare capture of the whole family looking towards the camera with smiles? Your family Christmas photo?

Do you want to try it?! You know that you do!

Just click here to turn that perfect picture into the perfect Christmas present, or your new favorite part of your decor.

I'm not sure how long this offer will last, so click over and order your print now!

And let us know when you get yours! We'd love to see your best and most canvas worthy photos! :)

Read more...

Making A Mess and Meeting God: Review and A Giveaway

**Note From Erin: I recently read an inspiring book that discusses worship through the arts, and I thought that many of our readers might appreciate it as well. As such, it includes my perspective as a practicing Christian and will perhaps be most relevant to readers who share that perspective. **

A Review of Making A Mess and Meeting God, by Mandy Smith

I feel like I should confess, upfront, that I am not a person who typically looks for alternative forms of worship. If the minister says something like, “Okay, we’re going to do something a little bit different today…” my husband and I automatically look down at our little nursery buzzer, silently (or not) begging it to start buzzing. We console ourselves with, “We’re just a couple of introverts,” to squash any guilt we may feel over just wanting to avoid the uncomfortable situation that is rapidly coming our way.

Ironically, this is one of the reasons why I loved this book. If an author can make my grumpy, foot-dragging, introverted self feel inspired to step out of my comfort zone, then this author is obviously very talented and has some good things to say. Such is the case with Mandy Smith.

Mandy is an Associate Pastor at University Christian Church in Cincinnati, Ohio. She did her BA in Biblical Studies at Cincinnati Christian University, and was Valedictorian. She and her husband are originally from Australia, and currently reside in Cincinnati with their two children and one dog. She is in charge of the worship service as a part of her current role, has served on worship teams in the past, and was the creator of “The Collect,” a citywide trash-to-art project that took place in Cincinnati in 2007.

Format:

Mandy's sets out to help readers discover the potential that ordinary activities and daily life have to teach about God in a new and deeper way, and much of this discovery is done through various forms of art. She hypothesizes that, “If we explore new opportunities to find the divine in the ordinary, and through a little artful play, then we will discover new depths in our comprehension of and communication with God.”

Mandy leads the reader through a collection of object lessons for grown ups. Each of these lessons is explored in two main forms. First, there is a purposeful effort to find God in the everyday moments and activities. Second, there is exploration through art. Each chapter has a different set of themes that it explores, culminating in a re-evaluation of what one thinks about God, shifting from a working toward him mindset, to working out how to realize that he is already there.

My Highlights:

Introduction of “Recipe Cards”

In the first chapter Mandy describes a time when her church was exploring the topic of spirituality. They agreed that spirituality wasn’t necessarily about going on a quest to find God, but about being aware of his presence in their every day lives. The ministers invited the members of the congregation to submit the ways that they experience God through the ordinary. In light of churches often putting together recipe books by compiling the members’ favorite recipes, they called these their “recipe cards for spirituality.” These recipes are peppered throughout the book, and I found them to be engaging, encouraging and often examples that I really resonated with.

Biblical Teaching

Each chapter begins by introducing the themes and passages that the lesson is based upon. What follows is poignant teaching, thoughtful investigation of these themes and really practical means of application. Admittedly, with a professor for a husband, I hold education and knowledge to a very high regard; So I was encouraged to read a good balance of biblical teaching and creative challenges. Neither was slighted in favor of the other.

Awareness of Potential Awkwardness

This was a bit of a big one for me, because of the stress I described at the beginning of this review. Mandy obviously knows that there are hurdles when dealing with a subject as personal as finding God, particularly when looking for alternate means of doing so.

She discusses obstacles such as opening oneself up to creativity, how to deal with the dynamics of group settings, helping introverts to feel comfortable, varying skill levels, people who are tied to their traditions, distractions in a group setting, the “cool factor” involved in being non-traditional, just to name a few. She addresses these issues head-on and with helpful suggestions for moving beyond them. Furthermore, in each experiment, she provides possible adjustments to make it work for an individual, for small groups or for corporate worship settings.

Challenging and Relevant

Though the topic of finding God is not a new one, Mandy’s perspectives are unique and very relevant.

The ideas are refreshing; much like talking to a friend with the rare gift of insightfulness and thoughtfulness. It is written with such clarity that I found myself underlining sentences periodically, thinking, “Yes. She put that perfectly.” The experiments are applicable and interesting, and sent me rushing out to the store and scrounging around the house for supplies so that I could try them out.

Addressing the Big and Small Picture

When I originally looked at the book, the title Making a Mess and Meeting God made me think that it would be full of various creative projects to help a person become more aware of God’s presence. I was right, but there are also broader applications. “The mess” also is in reference to the mess of our world or the various messes in our lives, and Mandy leads us to find God in those as well.

Who is This Book For?

I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for encouragement or new ways to think about the Christian life. With each chapter as an object lesson, it’s a good choice for ministers or small groups.

Though it may naturally appeal to people with some interest in art or creativity, the applications are relevant to all.

For more about this book, including the option to purchase, click here.

How do you find God in your every day experiences?
Leave a comment below for a chance to win a free copy of Making A Mess and Meeting God.

Read more...

What I Like Wednesday: July Giveaways

I just wanted to let everyone know that for the last 2 Wednesdays in July we have a few great giveaways!  Yay!  Christmas in July, anyone?! :)

Next week, Kerry from Cutting Edge Stencils is giving away one of their incredible stencils, (up to a $40 value) to one of our readers!

The following week, Mandy Smith will be giving away a copy of her book, Making A Mess and Meeting God, to one of our readers!

So mark your calendars and plan to be here on Wednesday!  You also should come the rest of the week too, but that is a given, right? :)

 

See you then!

Read more...

What I Like Wednesday: Christine Otte

Don't you just love when you are friends with someone, and then suddenly discover that you have a shared interest that you didn't even know that you'd had in common? I do, I really do. It is a rare thing though. Normally when I tell people about LTC, they say something like, "Oh, hmm." and that's it. But occasionally, someone jumps in and not only do they totally get it but also have a few projects of their own up their sleeves.

Such a thing happened to me recently with my friend Christine. She is a tremendously talented Chicago-based photographer and I've been lucky enough to be assisting her on some weddings this summer. Here is a shot from the wedding we did Saturday. (I know. Seriously amazing.) Check her out at www.christineotte.com.

She even did the photos for Patrice's wedding a few years ago, which were stunning!

I would love to continue to show you all of her pictures, but should probably get on with her projects. Christine and her husband are resident directors in a student apartment complex in Chicago, and have found a few fun ways to personalize and improve their apartment that I loved, and thought I would share.

Things such as this coffee table. When I walked into her apartment a few months ago my eyes went directly to it, and I then begged her to let me share with my readers. She took a standard black Ikea-find, to fun Starbucks-laden beauty.

She arranged some old Starbucks gift cards in a fun puzzle-pieces format and then glued them down.

She ran a strip of blue painters tape around the edge of the table and then poured on a thick layer of Envirotex which you can see here.

This sealed seal the cards down, filled in the cracks, gave the table top a thick protective layer and a high gloss finish. Super cute and fun!

My head was swimming in ideas after seeing this. Wouldn't this be an amazing way to display a collection? I have a bunch of ticket stubs, brochures, and other knick knacks from traveling, and have been thinking about how this would be a great way to both protect and show them off!

They also had some crazy checkered flooring in their kitchen that was driving them crazy.

Christine turned to Traffic Master Allure's Vinyl Plank Flooring for an amazing transformation.

Here is the description from the website, I'm roped right in by the easy installation-especially the interlocking edge design and that no adhesive is needed! A huge improvement, huh?

Easy GripStrip installation Lays directly over your old floor; no floor prep or messy glue needed! Looks and feels like real wood feel the knots! Completely waterproof. Perfect in high moisture areas basements, kitchens, and bathrooms. Warm comfort and quiet under foot. Install an entire floor cleanly, easily in just a few hours. 25 year residential warranty.

• American Walnut Finish
• Super durable and completely waterproof
• Unique interlocking-edge design for simple installation
• Simply lay overlapping GripStrip of one plank on adjacent plank and press together No other adhesive required. Minimal trimming involved Just score and snap!

She purchased these from Home Depot, which you can see here if interested. She just tucked the edges under the existing trim, so it looked like the apartment had come with this lovely flooring.

Aside from this project being relatively easy and highly efficient, I just keep thinking how great it is for people in temporary living situations, because the whole thing just pops right off when it's time to move out. This fix is definitely grumpy landlord-friendly.

I was also pleased to see that she was sporting an adorable jewelry holder.

She simply secured a screen to a large empty picture frame. It's functional and laden with cute accessories, so it looks like an art piece. Enough said.

Aren't these ideas great?! I hope you like them as much as I do!! If you want to become of fan of Christine Otte Photography on facebook, you can do so here. I can assure you that you won't be disappointed!!

Happy Wednesday everyone!

Read more...

What I Like Wednesday: Knitty Bitties Giveaway

I was thrilled when Andrea from Knitty Bitties contacted me to do a giveaway on Lemon Tree! Our first ever giveaway and it could not be with a better lady or product!

You really should get to know Andrea, her blog, and her shop. All 3 are just awesome. Here is a little about Andrea in her own words...


"I'm first a wife and second a mom, my heart belongs to my Lord and He filled my soul with creativity. I have a BA in Graphic Design though I never used it formally. Instead I worked as a project manager for a national bank until I had my son almost 6 years ago. Since then I've enjoyed raising him up and having more time to create. Three years ago, I started sewing and haven't stopped since. Two years ago I started selling on Etsy to support my fabric habit and put a little aside to help our family finances. I love talking fabric and patterns and design and color...a nice big glass of iced tea and a fresh plate of cookies would make it a perfect afternoon. I do have a life outside of my sewing room (or at least some weeks I do) which is filled with all the duties that go along with being CEO of our household. After all that, if I can still find a little time, I love to run (I just finished my first 10K days before I turned 33), read, bake, knit, eat and shop...and not necessarily in that order."


Now for some serious eye candy straight from the Knitty Bitties shop...


This caught my eye first and foremost since my large belly tends to dominate my thoughts these days. If I have a girl, she will most definitely need this...


Bitty Baby Birdie Gift Set...





Happy Little Camera Strap Slipcover in Cherry Limeade...




Oh Snap Mini Wallet...



Ruffled Happy Little List Taker (which was actually featured on Lemon Tree here)...



An inside look at the Happy Little Picture Keeper w/ Ruffles...



Everyday Ruffle Pouch in Rainy Days & Polka Dots...



And last but not least, as a personal testimony, I must tell you that my sister bought me this purse from her shop for my birthday. I love this purse. It is high quality and crazy cute! I get tons of compliments on it and it perfectly holds everything I need! I highly recommend her totes.





I think Andrea's taste in fabric is amazing and all of her products are wonderful! Don't they all just make you happy looking at them? Imagine actually having them in hand or giving them away to a loved one?


Well, here is your chance. Andrea is giving away a Happy Little List Taker to one of our lucky readers.


Here is what you can do to win...


1.) Visit the Knitty Bitties Etsy shop. Leave a comment here on Lemon Tree giving your name and what you fell in love with in the shop.


2.) Blog about this giveaway and receive a second entry. Give us the link in your comment.


2. ) For a third entry, click here to visit Andrea's blog and become a follower.


3.) For a fourth entry, click here to follow Andrea on Twitter.


***You must leave a separate comment for each entry.


The lucky winner will be picked by random.org and be announced on Saturday, June 5th!


If you are not the winner, Andrea is still offering a special 15 % discount in her shop for our readers when they mention "Lemon Tree". So, happy shopping to you!


Thank you, Andrea for sharing your stitched goodness with the world!

***{COMMENTS NOW CLOSED. WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED TODAY!}***

Read more...

What I like Wednesday: Farm Sinks

I love a good kitchen. Don't get me wrong, it's not because I cook or anything, there is just something intoxicating about a beautiful kitchen. I dream of having a big family, all gathered around in a beautiful kitchen on the holidays, enjoying a nice bottle of wine and great conversation. All while my husband is cooking away! Ha!

Anyway, as soon as I have enough expendable income to actually make my own decisions about what comes in my kitchen, this is the FIRST thing I will be hunting down: A beautiful farm sink. Enjoy some sink inspiration I have found lying around lately...

My #1 obsession...The beautiful kitchen at Home & Harmony...

#2 Beautiful blue with a farm sink at Pink Wallpaper...

#3 And finally, this gorgeous modern meets farm sink by my home ideas...

Enjoy! See you again tomorrow!

Read more...

What I Like Wednesday: Yellow Love

I know that I just posted a few weeks ago about removing an offensive yellow color from my kitchen walls (see here if you missed it), so you might be wondering what this yellow love is all about.  I do LOVE my new blue color, it is better in a million ways.  But as soon as I did it, I started to see all sorts of beautiful yellow inspiration everywhere that I looked.

It turns out that yellow and I aren't actually breaking up, we just needed to spend some time apart so that we could remember what we liked about each other in the first place.

Like how sometimes the color is so bold that it catches you off guard, and you are surprised by how perfect it is.  I saw this arrangement on Becky Higgin’s site here, and thought that I would have put those flowers straight into a clear or brown vase, but that yellow just makes the whole thing pop.  That vase actually makes the arrangement, which is a pretty big compliment because the flowers are incredible.

I also love how yellow can be so calm and soothing. (That is, when it's not sucking the soul out of your kitchen with an angry orange glow...let it go Erin, let it go.)  Anyway, I love this peaceful yellow bathroom, from Cottage Living.  I just want to take a book and some bubble bath and hang out in there all day long.

Or how a subtle yellow can be so beautiful.

Sometimes yellow can bring a fun and funky vibe, like on this adorable sign, which you know I am a sucker for, courtesy of Meet Virginia here.

It also turns out that a good shade of yellow can work well in a room with grayish blue walls, and can remind you of why you used to think of it as a color that was sunny and happy.  I found this dresser makeover at Design Sponge.

Perhaps I will bring some yellow back into my kitchen.  Not on the walls because I already know that it can't be trusted there, but in a few small places.  We'll see how it behaves and then maybe move forward from there.

Do you have a place in your home where the yellow is really making the space work?  If so, we'd love to see it!!  Have a great week!

 

 

Read more...