An Award, a Giveaway, and more!

I had already planned on doing a lengthy post for today, but it got a little longer when I heard the big news- I have just been given my first award as a blogger! (squeal, blush) I was one of the lucky recipients of a "You Make My Day" award from my kindred southern soul De at Bowls-n-Annies. Thank you so much darlin'- I love ya! I think I am supposed to pass it along to 5 (?) people now...(bear with me, I'm still learning the rules of Blogdom...) but narrowing down my favorites would be nearly impossible, so how about I just list a few in no particular order:

De (Bowls-N-Annies) - De is one of those rare people that if I ever met her in person, I know it would feel like we'd known each other all our lives. De, you ALWAYS make my day!

Katy (The Country Blossom) - Katy just bubbles with so much enthusiasm for EVERYTHING from her Bible studies to cleaning her toilet! Katy, you are so much fun!

Lea (Farm house Blessings) - Lea is another one I feel a special kindred to, and all the warmth of her home really shines through her blog! (and I look so forward to her Monday recipes, too!)

Cora (Hidden Riches from Secret Places) - Cora's whole life is an inspiration, and I enjoy her thoughtful writing so much... you can tell it comes straight from her heart. Thank you Cora for sharing with us!

There are so many special places I love to visit, and even if your name isn't on my list, please just know that if I have ever left a comment on your blog, then I really enjoyed my visit!

Now, on to our next topic.....

I'm having my very first GIVE-A-WAY, and the winner gets to choose their own prize! And it doesn't matter if you are a regular visitor, or if this is your first visit to the farm, I want everybody to enter!

There is only one thing I ask you to do if you enter: Please tell a friend about me and my ETSY shop!

Here is how it works: I have 6 new items that will be for sale in my ETSY shop next week. However, you will get a sneak peek at each of them this week BEFORE they go into my shop; 2 items today, 2 on Wednesday, and 2 on Friday.

Here's how to enter: You can enter the drawing by leaving an "ENTER ME" comment on any one of the three posts this week- the deadline is this Friday night (March 21st) at midnight.

Here is what you'll win: On Saturday, March 22nd, I will draw a name from the entries and the winner will get to choose one of the items from this week as their prize! The nicest part about all this is, even if your name isn't drawn, you'll still have the chance to buy your favorite item from my ETSY shop if it isn't chosen by the winner! (Of course I know that's not as fun as winning it, but...)

Now for your sneak peek at the first two items.... (Remember- these will be in my ETSY shop next week, unless one of these is chosen by the winner!)

Item #1: "The LORD is my Shepherd" Tote Bag!

This bag measures 13" wide x 12" tall, and I made it with sand-colored fabric with patchwork fabric trim, lining, and straps. "The LORD is my Shepherd, I shall not want. Psalm 23:1" is machine-embroidered beside the woolly little sheep applique. It would make a perfect book bag, or even a lunch sack!

Item #2: "Stars and Stripes" Oversized Tote Bag!

This bag measures 13" wide x 15" tall, and has a prim-looking star fabric that I machine-quilted to give it a puffy, full appearance. The bag also has navy blue fabric with tiny white stars trimming out the top and the long strap. The inside is lined with a denim-look light blue fabric. Bag has a velcro closure at the top. This would also make a really nice book bag, or a great beach bag for summer!

Don't forget to enter! And that means all you "lurkers", too- I want to meet everybody who stops by!

O.K., are you still with me?

One more thing...

I should have done this already, but I guess I've been working up the nerve... Allow me to introduce myself-

(I'm the one on the right. Thats my eye-candy Hubby on the left.) My real name is Paula. You can call me by that name if you want to, or Farm Chick will still be o.k., too. I just thought you might want to put a face to either of those names, however scary the face might be.

And remember, I'll always be a Farm Chick, no matter how cleaned up I was in this picture.

(Ya can't see my nails, can ya?)