Bring it on and GIVEAWAY

It's my new life motto.  After months of ups and downs and twists and turns I think we have finally hit straight road, at least for a few weeks.  We have battled our way through one family mess to another.  We've had kids so sick hospitalization was looking like the only option (more on how we avoided that to come!), we've decided to sell our business, van repairs surprised us two weeks in a row (I was not a happy camper) and on top of that we had a few personal issues arise that no one saw coming.  It has been a summer of trials for us.  At the beginning of the summer I think I would have said that I could not take another trial and be able to come out alive.  Oh how I would have been a liar.  Now that we are on this side of it all I am finding myself just a bit more relaxed, a bit more at peace, and a bit more optimistic.  In fact optimistic is high on my list right now.

Through all the struggles and trials of this period we have also had great bursts of creativity and brain power.  Over couple months time, together Dean and I wrote a list of all that we wanted to accomplish in our life.  The list was long and varied as one would expect but one common topic that kept popping up was we wanted to have a family business that could change others lives for the positive yet would be able to cover what we need financially.  We also wanted a creative outlet to burn off stress.  After our list making we found that our current business had  more cons than pros because of the added stress.  In the end we decided to combine our talents and open an online business.



Dean had a simple PDF out at one time but after lots of feedback from users, decided that it just didn't meet the varying needs of his students.  We tossed the PDF and created an entire web-based curriculum for kids ages 8-18 (give or take depending on maturity and ability).  The course features videos, lessons, forums, recital space, and more.  We really tried to think of everything in this program and I think we just about nailed it.  We have about 6 more weeks till our launch and I couldn't be more excited.  This business will make it so our family can get back on track with our goals of simplicity.  (For me stress does not equal simplicity!!)

So if you are interested in supporting a small family business and you want quality online kids guitar lessons AND you want to get them for free (possibly) then you should head over to the Guitar with Dean site, watch the video and enter your email.  We will be sending out an email when our Grand Opening week will be and we will be announcing the winners of the free guitar lesson contest (there will be 5).  I would love for all of your support as this is a huge step for our family.  If you have a mind to, please pass on the information to whoever you think will be interested.  Pin it, Tweet it, or plunk it down in your status.  However you want to share would be much appreciated.

PS if you don't want to go to the website you can simplify and enter your email below.

Enter to win online guitar lessons for one year...FREE!

Just a reminder....

The Guitar Lesson GIVEAWAY will end on November 25th at 6pm.  So enter to win or pass the word along!

 

Good luck!! :)

Guitar Lessons and a Giveaway!

Wow how's that for a title!  So first off I want to welcome our newest sponsor Guitar with Dean.  I know, I know, he doesn't really count as a true sponsor because he is my husband BUT I think you will like him anyway. ;)



So a little more about him....in his words.

So tell me how you got started playing the guitar?

"You already know this, why do I have to answer these questions? lol" (I nudge him here and remind him that you do not know all of this) "Okay, okay...I started playing air guitar when I was a kid, like every normal young boy.  By high school I wanted to play the real deal.  I took a class for one semester and I was hooked."

So you have been playing for a long time, you must be really fantastic.

I actually have only been play steadily for a few years now.  After my high school class I was left in the dark a bit.  I could play a bit here and there but none of it made sense, I mean really made sense.  A few years ago I started playing a little here and there.  Pretty soon I was figuring out a lot of information that wasn't shared in my high school class.

What made you decide to make a beginning guitar program?

I had the idea to make an easy to learn guitar program a while back but I wanted to hone my skill and understanding more.  I want to make the guitar easy for anyone to learn but also provide them with enough knowledge that they have a deep understanding of how it all works.  Not many programs show and teach you how everything is inter-related on the guitar.

What does your program cover and where can I purchase it?

In the program we talk about music theory, guitar theory, CAGED cords, and fret board understanding.  Its simple enough that both kids (with adult help if needed) and adults with no previous experience will easily be able to understand and retain the information.  You can purchase the full 11 week program on my personal blog Guitar with Dean or through my Etsy shop.



If you have any questions you can contact dean at info@guitarwithdean.com.

Dean is offering a complete beginning guitar course for FREE to one reader!!!  Isn't he awesome! :)

Giveaway Winner:

Sarah George who said "I “like” you!  Thanks for the give-away."

Sarah please send me an email at kimberly@imnaturallysimple.com and we will get your guitar lessons sent over.  Congrats and happy playing!

Todays Thanks:

1. Creativity

2. Husbands, well mine specifically

3. Holiday cheer

4. Love

5. Family

SPONSOR GIVEAWAY:: Side Slip Cloche Hat

First off, I want to welcome Cassie from Rustic Needle as our first sponsor!  Woot!  As described by Cassie "Rustic Needle is the place where I can share what I love, knitting."  Please take a moment to check out some of her projects and thoughts.

How did you get involved it knitting?

"Out of necessity.  We were at a time when I couldn't afford to purchase longies for my newborn daughter.   I stumbled along the Tiny Birds Free Soaker Pattern and I went for it."

When did knitting become a passion for you?

"LOL About two days after I finished the Tiny Birds soaker.  It got me hooked and I haven't looked back since."

"What's in your knitting bag today?"

"Secret sock, secret project, hexagon puffs for the Beekeeper Quilt"

You spin as well, what got you interested in spinning?

"LOL I'm too cheap to buy the yarn I want.  Well that is only partially true, it started out as curiosity for the art and then it went from there.  You can see a project that I spun and knit here.  I am entering this project in Rhinebeck."

"How does knitting bring simplicity and contentment to your life?"

"It's like meditation for my fingers.  It sounds funny but its true.  Even when it is a mindless project I find I can hone in all my thoughts and just create something.  It give me an escape from the daily stresses, it centers me."

GIVEAWAY TIME!!

This autumn loving girls likes a few things in this world.  Autumn leaves, autumn smells and autumn weather.  You see a pattern there?  Autumn.  Autumn is cool but warm, sunny, filled with yellow, red, orange and browns.  This autumn loving girl looks good during this time of year.  Everything matches or compliments my hair. (I know shallow).  The smells are even more fantastic this time of year, everything is going to sleep and the cool air carries burned wood lightly through the air.  Its magical I tell you, I look forward to it every year.  It's what carries me through the blistering heat of summer (anything over 70 degrees that is), the long days of winter, and the rainy mucky days of spring.

So when an Autumn loving girl wakes up on October 7th and looks out her window and sees snow, she is understandably a little irritated.





BUT there is a silver lining to this sad autumn morning, this sweet little baby.

{Pictures taken by my 6yo, Ian.  He wanted you all to know that!}

 

The Side Slip Cloche.  Cassie has offered this beautiful hat to one I'm Naturally Simple reader.  And I have to say I wish I could enter this giveaway because not only is this hat gorgeous, it fits wonderfully and is soft.  The winner will have one happy head!

Giveaway Closed!!

The lucky winner is #1 Lorraine:

2011 October, 7 at 4:22 pm (Edit)

# 1

im hexipuffing too..its funny how that project consumes you ..i love this hat..i think its a style that looks great on everyone..and the color is gorgeous too!

email your shipping information to kimberly@imnaturallysimple.com.  Congrats! :)

Lorraine: If you read this again, please send me your address!!!  I have yet to recieve it and  this hat is tempting me too much! :)

GIVEAWAY:: Market Bags

Goodies today!  Do you love cloth market bags?  Have you wanted to try them out?  Now is your chance!  Made from the wonderful pattern by keyka lou, these bags are roomy, pretty and easy to carry!  What more do you want from a bag!

To Enter:

1.  Leave me a comment!!

2.  Follow me on Twitter or "Like" me on FB for an extra entry.

 

That's it!  Simple and easy.  Pass the word along if you so desire. 

Giveaway Closed!

The winner is: #3

Bobbi: Very nice bags, count me in.

Please email (kimberly@imnaturallysimple.com)  me your shipping information and I will get these bags sent out to you on Monday.  Congrats!!

GIVEAWAY!! : Ball Canning Book and Kit

I love canning.  I used to think my  mom was the most out of date person, I  mean really who in the world would choose to can when you can go to Albertsons?!  Luckily I out grew that mentality and I have embraced canning wholeheartedly.  Each year I start thinking about gardening in January,  by February I have my game plan and by March I am thinking of what goodies I will be able to put away for the coming year.  It's a slight step away from crazy but its my step! :)





So this week I am Giving Away a canning kit and my favorite canning book! Heres the rules:

1. You must comment on this post.

2. Follow me on FB and let me know in a separate comment on this post.

3. Follow me on Twitter and let me know in a separate comment on this post for a third entry

4. Link to this post on your own blog or Facebook page (and let me know in the comments here) for a 4th entry!

You can have just one chance to win or you can have 4! It's up to you. Giveaway will end Monday August 30th at noon. Winner will be chosen by random number generator and announced in this post Tuesday morning! Good luck!

COMMENTS CLOSED!!

And the winner is: #24 Sharolyn!!  Congrats and happy canning!! :)

Email me at kimberly@imnaturallysimple.com with your shipping information and I will get this sent out tomorrow.