Contest Winner

Pam extended the contest over at her own blog, but my contest is up!

My handy-dandy random.org no-pressure-on-Darcy picker picked #23. I had to count a couple times, because I kept counting Pam. I don't think Pam wants to win her own artwork, so skipping Pam that makes #23 Katy Lin from The Great Adventure. Turns out Katy is the mind behind the widely-growing, popular "My Husband Rocks" memes. Hey Katy - my husband does rock. I so need one of your tees! Congrats.

Shoot me an email, girlfriend. I'll hook ya' up with some artwork.

If you didn't win this contest, go leave a message over at Pam's blog. You still have a chance to win. I'm totally entering!

Stepher, Pam and a CONTEST!

Okay, okay - I got the hint. You want me to go back to posting *befores* and *afters*. I am happy to announce that I did do the befores for my upcoming projects. These ones aren't included yet but I promise to make it all worth it in the end!

The first make over is for those of you who love incorporating photos into your blog's header or banner. See all those photos? Count 'em! There're 13 photos - all taken by the blogger herself - in that header. I love when bloggers use their own images or art. In definitely makes for a one-of-a-kind blog. Stepher has traveled to some pretty cool places. She picked a travel theme for her sidebar buttons. See the plane and globe and the cruise ship?



Speaking of using your own images or art, this next project uses all of Pam's own artwork. Even the background was taken from one of her paintings. Know what she used to make that texture? It's coffee! Be still my beating heart. Have I mentioned how intimidating it can be to work with a *real* artist? Pam went easy on me. To include all her pieces I had to take 3 screen shots. Look at her talent!





And because I love showcasing mom-prenuers in the blogosphere, Pam and I have teamed up for a contest. You can win one of the pieces from Pam Warden Art. Eek! It's so fabulous I want to enter my own contest (Hey, Pam, can I do that?!)

YOU can enter! How? Simple - here are the rules:

- Go to Pam's blog and etsy shop and look around at her art.
- Come back here at tell me which is your favorite piece - the one you'd love to have!
- You have until Friday at 10 pm CST to enter.
- Winner will be announced here and at Pam Warden Art.

High and Dry - CONTEST!

Thank you for the comments and emails. We are high and dry from all of Iowa's crazy flooding. It did set me back a few days on the design queue - I apologize to those of you sitting so patiently (or maybe not so patiently!) in it.

But, good news! I'm hosting a contest! Please head over to my other blog to enter. You can win one of Christa Jean's handmade jewelry pieces from her etsy shop - The Christa Collection. You may recognize Christa's blog; I recently designed her space and she has one of only a handful of animated headers in the blogosphere. Thanks for contesting with me, Christa!

Head on over to www.lifewithmy3boybarians.com!

We will return to regular programming 'round here soon. :)

Mystele and Christa are live. Mock-Ups for Wendy and Tamara

Mystele (rhymes with Michele) is live! Isn't her "little glimpses" project divine? You really have to see it in person. And if you're in the market for beautiful folk art - you've found the right person. Her work is beautiful. And you know what? It's intimidating to do design for an artist. Artists see the world through an aesthetic eye. Hope I was able to give Mystele a place to showcase her talent.



And Christa! Christa, Christa, Christa! Christa over at {transforme}, is also a bucketful of talent and goodness to boot. Her blog MOVES! Head on over to her blog, and keep an eye on her header for about 20 seconds. How cool is that? She really made me flex my design muscles. And, I'll fill you in on a little secret... shhhh! Christa and I are pairing up for a CONTEST! Coming soon - very soon - over at my personal blog, Life With My 3 Boybarians, we will be having a content for one of Christa's gorgeous pieces from her etsy shop. You're the first to know!



Tamara wanted a scrapbook-style, feminine place to showcase the goings-on of her gorgeous twin girls. We used a 3 column template and some scrapbook elements created by Nikki Painter. Her sidebars are still under contruction, but isn't that header fantastic?! Love the colors!




Finally, finally, finally! Someone who appraoches me with, "I really love YOUR blog, Darcy...". There's a first for everything! I made Wendy a template styled after my own LWM3B blog with a floating header and sidebars. The arrow and apples are a play on her "Savages" with the apples as a nod to their homeschooling. Isn't she clever?

Thank you and Congrats to Beth!

Thank you to everyone who entered the Blog Makeover Contest. It was fun to get to know each of you over at your blogs and watch the contest unfold. It was trial and error on my part - lesson learned - never post a poll at 1 am!

Beth over at Sunny Side Up won the contest. I hope you'll come back and see her transition.

Some of you have also asked about the queue and and the process of getting on it. I am hoping to open up the queue soon - as soon as I get the list back down into single digits I will open it back up. Please know that when it is your turn it does require you to be at the computer a little more often than what is probably usual for most of you. We work with great intensity for a couple days. This allows me to keep a good pace and not leave others in the queue waiting so long. When you're up - please check your email often. It will help the wait time a lot!

Thanks again to everyone who entered and congrats again to Beth at Sunny Side Up!

Blog Makeover Contest - Your Vote Decides!

The entries are in! Now it's your turn. Your vote will decide. Who do you think needs a blog makeover? Vote above!

Option #1: Carrie Stuckman

Option #2: Heritage Academy

Option #3: Sunny Side Up

Option #4: The Green Greek (the blog she wants to make over is found here - The Happy Turtle.)

Option #5: Rhea Hollan

Option #6: Tap the Smile

Option #7: Mom of Six

Surprise! Mother's Day Contest!

This one is for you, Moms!

This contest is for one complete blog makeover for the winner. Contest winner will receive:

* custom header / banner graphic
* custom template - 1, 2 or 3 columns, winner's choice. (Blogger only)
* matching color (Blogger only)
* 1-5 sidebar buttons: ideas include 'about me', 'archives', 'blogroll', etc.
* signature graphic
* divider graphic
* install (Blogger only)

The value of this package, if you search around the internet is anywhere from $75 - $500+!

Rules:
1. To enter this contest, you must post a blog about your favorite memory with your mom. You can also choose to blog about your favorite memory AS a mom.
2. Post the above contest graphic in your post by copying and pasting the code below:

<center><a href="http://www.graphicallydesigning.com"><img src="http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff293/my3boybarians/MDcontest.gif"></a></center>

3. Enter the url link to your post in my comments sections.
4. Only one entry per IP address. Contest ends Wednesday at 11:59 pm CST.
5. On Thursday, come back and VOTE for your favorite Mother's Day memory post.
6. Call your mother and tell her you love her and you're sorry that you cut off all your sister's hair, dated 'that guy', or in my case, threw wet towels on the carpet.

Many will enter, one will win! Enter now!