Giveaway Winner and the Garden in November

I'm thrilled to announce that the winner of the Artful Blogging Giveaway is Susan from Windrock Studio!  Thank you to everyone who entered, and to those who sent emails and notes as well!  You are what makes blogging matter to me, and I'm so grateful that we found each other.

These photos are of the last few marigolds that I gathered from my garden yesterday as Mr. Magpie and I raked and began putting the gardens to bed for the winter.  We've had flowers blooming up until the snowstorm (yes, snowstorm) that hit us over Halloween weekend, so I've been hesitating to really clean up the beds or cut anything back.  Besides, I tend to leave as much as possible to overwinter as it stands so that the birds will have seed heads for eating. Plus, I love the look of the browning stalks as the snows begin to come.  I believe winter gardens have an austere beauty of their own.

Still, it's fun to gather up armfuls of the last annuals and the last herbs for drying, so I brought in huge bunches of beauties yesterday, and these marigolds just looked especially marigold-y against our newly painted bedroom floor, so they got to feature in a mini photo shoot.

As I worked in the garden, I remembered a poem by Jane Hirshfield that I love, so I thought I'd share it with you here:

November, Remembering Voltaire

In the evenings
I scrape my fingernails clean,
hunt through old catalogues for new seed,
oil work boots and shears.
This garden is no metaphor –
more a task that swallows you into itself,
earth using, as always, everything it can.
I lend myself to unpromising winter dirt
with leaf-mold and bulb,
plant into the oncoming cold.
Not that I ever thought the philosopher
meant to be taken literally,
but with no invented God overhead
I conjure a stubborn faith in rotting
that ripens into soil,
in an old corm that flowers steadily each spring –
not symbols but reassurances,
like a mother’s voice at bedtime
reading a long-familiar book, the known words
barely listened to, but bridging
for all the nights of a life
each world to the next.

Jane Hirshfield, from Of Gravity & Angels, 1983


More soon, my friends.  xo Gigi

The Gifts of Blogging: A Publication and a Giveaway

Happy November!  Here in Maine it has started off just as any self-respecting November should: with bone-chilling cold and torrents of rain.  I don't mind one bit, as this gives me the excuse to drink cups and cups of chocolate yerba mate latte, and to sit down with the latest copy of Artful Blogging.  For years I've looked to the pages of this gorgeous magazine for inspiration and community, so it's with giddy joy that I get to share the news with you that my writing and photos are featured in this issue.  And I'm even more excited to tell you that to celebrate, I'm giving away one free copy of Artful Blogging to a reader of The Magpie's Fancy!  Read below for more details about how you can enter the giveaway.  

Somebody pinch me.  What a thrill to see my work included with so many talented bloggers, writers, artists, and photographers.  I was especially over the moon to learn that two of my blogging friends, Kim Klassen and Beth Mcwilliams, are in this same issue!  That makes the whole experience all the sweeter.  

I've been writing and publishing for more than two decades, but this particular publication means more to me than most, because when I started blogging six years ago, I had no idea that it would become such an important part of my life.  I write a bit about that journey, and about how the more I played and experimented with photography (a real trial by fire), the more I couldn't tell where writing ended and photography began for me.  Each inspires the other so much now that I can't imagine not doing both.  I hope my article will give other writers and bloggers some inspiration for their own work--where to begin and how to enjoy the process along the way.

There is one other reason that this publication means so much: simply put, I had nearly given up blogging when the editors at Artful Blogging contacted me about doing a feature.  It wasn't that I had stopped loving writing posts or that I no longer wanted to connect with readers and fellow bloggers.  It was that feeling that I've heard so many writers and bloggers talk about of being pulled in too many directions by social media, by work, by family, and life's many other obligations.  

The early years of blogging had been straightforward, but now I felt like once I had published a post, I needed to share it on Facebook, Tweet about it, Instagram it, Link to it on Flickr, and otherwise communicate in every way humanly possible short of sending smoke signals to subscribers.  My old warm and friendly blogging community had become scattered over the years by the onslaught of social media.  We were doing our best to keep up with each other, but sometimes it was just overwhelming.

And so, I had cut back dramatically on posting.  I was working on writing and photography projects, and I didn't even realize that I was missing blogging.  And then I began work on the Artful Blogging piece.  It reminded me all over again of why I'd started to blog in the first place.  This place, this blog--this is pure joy for me.  Whether I have 10 or 10,000 readers, I get to write about and photograph the things that inspire me.  I get to connect with likeminded people.  And I get to read their stories, too.  I can't imagine a better reason to be here.

And so, as a gift of friendship and community--and of my heartfelt thanks for visiting me here--I'm offering a giveaway of this new Winter 2015 issue of Artful Blogging.  To register for the giveaway, simply leave a message on this post by Wednesday, November 5, at noon Eastern Standard Time.  

All are welcome to enter, wherever you live and whether this is your first time visiting or your 500th.  I know many of you prefer to send me emails or Facebook messages.  If you would, for this contest, please leave your message here on the post.  That way I can be sure to keep track of entries.  You don't need to type in one of those awful codes to prove you're not a robot.  Just leave your comment along with your name and an email address where I can reach you, and I'll see it and then approve it for publication.  Please let your friends know about the contest, too.  

If you've ever read Artful Blogging, you know what a truly gorgeous and inspiring publication it is.  If you don't want to wait for the contest, you can purchase your copy at any local bookstore that carries Stampington & Company publications in its magazine section, Barnes & Noble, or Books a Million.  You can also buy it directly from Stampington & Co.  

Thanks, as always, chickadees, for being so wonderful.  xo Gigi  

The Winners!

Just a quick note in between baking pies to let you all know that we drew two giveaway winners from Random Number Generator.  Congratulations to Relyn Lawson!  You've won the painting of the gorgeous purple peaches plums by Elizabeth Floyd!  And congratulations as well to Lynne from Dreams on 34th Street for winning the set of notecards!  

Thank you to everyone who entered the giveaway, and thanks as well to you, Liz, for sharing your beautiful art with us.

Wishing all of my friends here in the United States a Happy Thanksgiving.  I am thankful for much this year, including your friendship and inspiration.

xo Gigi

A Very Special Giveaway!

I have a fabulous surprise.  This week I am thrilled to be hosting a giveaway of this beautiful painting of plums by Elizabeth Floyd.  

One of the the things I love most about blogging is the opportunity it gives me to meet talented and inspiring people.  Liz stumbled upon my blog a few months back.  She left a comment, and as so magically happens in this blog world of ours, this in turn led me to her blog and her website, where I fell immediately in love with her still-life paintings and landscapes.  I also came to realize that, while she is a visual artist and I am a writer, we share many of the same inspirations and ideas about the creative life.       

I think we both realize how much work and discipline it takes to even begin to master one's craft, but in the midst of all that work lies the discovery of profound beauty and joy.  Like me, Liz works at her art daily, and her dedication is obvious.  Her paintings have been shown in numerous exhibitions across the country and are in collections all over the world.  

And one of them could be yours!  Liz is offering this gorgeous framed painting of plums ($200 retail value) to one lucky reader of The Magpie's Fancy.  Simply leave a comment between now and next Wednesday, November 21st at noon EST to enter the giveaway.  The winner will be announced later that same day.

Plus, if you would like an extra chance to win, simply subscribe to Liz's mailing list here.

And as a special bonus, we will draw one more winner, who will receive a set of 5 fine art notecards printed with with a detail of Liz's floral still-life painting on the front, Still Life with Azaleas and Bowl.

To see more of Liz's paintings and notecards available for purchase, visit her Etsy shop here.

It's an honor and a joy to get to share Liz's work with you.  I have one of her paintings (pink zinnias in a chartreuse vase) resting on my mantle at home, and Mr. Magpie and I both love it.  Liz's work is even more beautiful--and more luminous--in person than digital photos can capture.  Trust me when I say that this is one giveaway you don't want to miss! 

I hope you are having an inspiring and creative November, my friends.  xo Gigi

The Winner!

Hello, my friends!  I have used random number generator to select a winner of the "London Treasures" giveaway, and I'm excited to announce that the winner is the amazing prairiegirl!  I was stunned when her number came up on the generator.  It just seemed so perfect.  Pg was one of the people I met during my first year of blogging, and we have been friends ever since.  In addition to being one of the most gifted photographers I know, she is also one of the kindest, funniest, and most supportive people I have ever met.  I use the term "met" in a bloggy way, since we have yet to meet face-to-face, but I feel like I have always known her.  I know that any of you who blog understand just what I am talking about.  It will be a joy to think of Miss prairiegirl while I am making my rounds at the London markets (although I may have to let you down a wee bit, pg, since I'm going to have to eat all the fish and chips myself)!

And because I wish, wish, wish I could bring back gifties for everyone, here are five more folks to whom I'll be sending postcards upon my return from the UK: Jillayne, Marlowe, Oliag, Sunday, and Cathi.  If your name is on the list, please send me an email (see Contact and Links) with your mailing address.  I'll be pleased as punch to write you a pretty postcard.  

Here is a big thank you to everyone who entered the giveaway, as well as to all those who sent sweet notes via email and Facebook.  In most parts of life, three years isn't very long, but in the transitory world of blogging, three years seems almost a lifetime, and I feel a lucky magpie, indeed, to still be here, typing away.  

x Gigi

Three Years and a Leap and a Giveaway!

"With freedom, books, flowers, and the moon, who could not be happy?"  ~Oscar Wilde

The Magpie's Fancy turned three years old on February 26th, but I decided to wait until today to mention it.  What better way to celebrate than with a leap?

While anniversaries usually make me pause and reflect, this year I simply want to move forward.  Blogging helped me muddle through one of the most painful periods of my life (there I go reflecting anyway), and now I feel it guiding me during a time of renewal.  

Thank you, thank you, thank you to all the amazing friends I have made here in the blogging world, and to my dear friends from the face-to-face world who have long supported The Magpie's Fancy.  You inspire me every single day.  I have no idea what the future holds for this blog, but I'm so happy that you have shared the journey with me this far.

To celebrate, I am hosting a GIVEAWAY.  Those who have won my giveaways before know that they are very much in keeping with my magpie tendencies.  I select a winner at random, and then collect various magpie treasures especially for the individual who wins.  I gather them up in a unique package, and ship them off to her or him.  

This giveaway is an extra special one, because I will be gathering the giveaway treasures during my trip to London!  That's right.  All the goodies will come from my favorite markets in and around that glorious city.

If you would like to enter to win a parcel of magpie treasures from me, simply leave a comment on this post between now and March 6th, 2012.  I will draw a winner on March 7th.  

While only one person can win the big prize, I will also be drawing five more names to receive a postcard printed with one of my flower photographs.  

Thank you, dear ones, for giving me riches beyond compare.  x Gigi

A Week of Beauty and the Giveaway Winner!

Hello, my friends!  I assigned everyone who entered the giveaway a number, then I used Random Number Generator to select a winner of the Novica gift certificate, and I'm pleased to announce that the lucky person is Patti!  I happen to know that Patti is a very talented artisan herself, so it's wonderful to share this prize with her.

Thanks to everyone who entered, and to everyone who visits The Magpie's Fancy.  I love the community of people I've met here over the past two years.

The collage above is of various shots from my week.  That's my little sunporch, and down in the right corner is the creamy lemon meringue pie I made for Easter.  I'll be posting the recipe for it on HubPages this weekend, and I'll let you know when it's up.

Wishing you all a beautiful weekend.  Like you, my heart and thoughts are with everyone who has been affected by the horrible tornadoes this week.  Each day lately seems to be a reminder to live life to its fullest and cherish one another.  xo g  

Wishful Thinking and a Giveaway

I'm engaging in a little Wishful Thinking at Reverie-Daydream today.  Please come visit me there!

Also, if you haven't registered for my giveaway, you can do it here. 

 The prize is a $75 gift certificate to Novica--

a truly beautiful online catalog full of handmade beauty from all over the world.

Deadline for registering is this coming Friday at noon EST.

I hope you're having a beautiful week.  

Welcome to new followers and subscribers!

A Very Special Giveaway

Hello, my friends.  
As promised, I have a very special giveaway to share this week.  

The prize is one $75 gift certificate from Novica.

If you have never shopped at Novica, you are in for a treat.  All of their products are handcrafted by artisans from all over the world.  Novica works in association with National Geographic to connect buyers directly with artists and craftspeople.  As they explain in their mission statement: "We want you to know about who you're buying from. We want you to feel that attachment to the product and to the hands that created it." 

Photo from here.

I recently ordered two items from the Novica website, the "Wine Garden" silk batik shawl by Yuni Kristina from Bali that is pictured above and a gorgeous pair of chalcedony earrings crafted by Thai jewelry artist Khun Boom.  Novica items are shipped directly from the country where they are made, so my items arrived separately, but very soon after I ordered them, and they came packaged in beautiful gift boxes.  In fact, the scarf came in the deep-red and black silk box in the photo above--a box that I will definitely reuse for storing jewelry.

Just as you see in the photo, the scarf is a rich red decorated with a lush floral batik pattern.  Yuni Kristina explains that she learned the art of batik from her mother when she was a young girl and that her mother is still her inspiration:  "She and I still design together, especially the floral and bird motifs that are typical in Pekalongan batik."  This artist's talent is obvious, and I know I will be wearing this scarf in the summer as a light shawl with sundresses, but it will also look great with a black t-shirt, jeans, and some silver jewelry. 

Photo from here.

Speaking of jewelry, Khun Boom's designs are stunning.  I will be ordering more of her jewelry both for its beauty and value.  All of her work is reasonably priced, and I had a difficult time choosing from the many designs I loved.  This particular pair of earrings, "Sublime," caught my eye with its simple sophistication.  Boom has a tremendous amount of design experience, which is evident in all her work.  Like Yuni Kristina, she is very inspired by her mother.

Each item from Novica is accompanied by a story card telling you a little about the artist.  You can also read a full profile or watch a video of each artist on the website.  I follow the company on Facebook, and I've noticed that if a customer posts a special request on Novica's Facebook wall, the company is more than happy to talk with artisans about customizing an order.

Novica offers a wide range of jewelry, clothing, and home decor products, with a strong focus on eco-friendly gifts.  They also have a fair-trade corporate gifts section, including gorgeous stationery, art glass, sculptures, and much more.

Another reason I like Novica is that they have a microfinance program.  In addition to buying products, customers can provide loans to gifted artists in developing nations.  The loans are provided to artisans at 0% interest.  If you make a loan, once it is repaid you can earn a 15% bonus when you spend the repayment money at Novica.

I am thrilled to be able to offer this giveaway.  The $75 gift certificate can be used to purchase anything the winner desires at Novica.  To register for the giveaway, you simply need to become a follower of The Magpie's Fancy (if you aren't already) and leave a comment below.  Please be sure to include your email address in your comment so I can contact you, if you win.  The deadline for registering is Friday, April 29th at noon EST.