8th Anniversary & Giveaways!

Eight years ago today, I started this blog. What began as a hobby, creative outlet & way for me to spread the word about cool handmade stuff I discovered, unexpectedly blossomed into what is now my full-time job! I am so thankful for the opportunities Funky Finds has afforded me & my family, as well as all the funky artists, crafters, designers, authors & food makers we have met over the years. Thank you so much for your continued support of Funky Finds and handmade!

We recently hosted the 6th Annual Funky Finds Spring Fling, our tenth art & craft show held in Fort Worth, Texas. Quirk Books, one of our generous event sponsors, donated Quirk DIY tote bags & copies of Sprinkles for our swag bag giveaways. We received eleven additional copies of Sprinkles to giveaway on the blog! We also have some other goodies we're giving away as part of our anniversary celebration.

Sprinkles is full of beautiful photographs of desserts that somehow incorporate cake sprinkles. There's also instructions & projects showing you how to swirl sprinkles into waffles, “embroider” them on cookies, and bake them into pretty pie crusts! You’ll find dozens of creative, colorful, super-fun recipes, plus quick-and-easy projects (ideal for little kids), holiday treats, and party-perfect edible gifts.

*** GIVEAWAY - Closed ***

 PRIZES:
 

• Six winners will receive a copy of Sprinkles courtesy of Quirk Books.
Congrats to intensev5, Tina Reynolds, Sky Evans, Jean R., jdine & Craftylas

• One winner will receive a FULL swag bag from our recent event (includes Sprinkles).
Congrats to Sunday Afternoon Housewife

• One winner will receive a large "Crafty Minds Love Funky Finds" t-shirt,

as well as a Quirk DIY tote bag & copy of Sprinkles.
Congrats to Made to Lather

• Two winners will receive an extra-large "Crafty Minds Love Funky Finds" t-shirt,

as well as a Quirk DIY tote bag & copy of Sprinkles.
Congrats to Kittykill & Slick Vickie

• Two winners will receive an extra-large "I'm a Funky Find" t-shirt,

as well as a Funky Finds tote bag & copy of Sprinkles.
Congrats to Anne & Heidi V.

TWELVE WINNERS IN ALL!!!!!

TO ENTER: Leave a comment on this blog post. Please include t-shirt size & email address.

ADDITIONAL ENTRY: Like Funky Finds on Facebook & leave a comment noting that you have done so. Please include t-shirt size & email address.

ADDITIONAL ENTRY: Subscribe to our monthly email newsletter, then leave a comment noting that you have done so. Please include t-shirt size & email address.

ENDS: Thursday, April 10th, at 6pm CDT.

GIVEAWAY: Heart Wide Open

I am very excited to announce that Heart Wide Open: Trading Mundane Faith for an Exuberant Life with Jesus by Shellie Rushing Tomlinson has been released today! Shellie is the Jesus loving author, speaker, and radio host known as The Belle of All Things Southern. Based in Lake Providence, Louisiana, Shellie hosts a daily radio show that is broadcast on twenty-eight radio stations & a weekly video segment that streams live. She has also written several books, including Sue Ellen’s Girl Ain’t Fat, She Just Weighs Heavy, which has been endorsed by Jeff Foxworthy who called it "laugh out loud funny!"

Heart Wide Open chronicles Shellie's quest for something more than routine faith in God. With a yearning to love God with a genuine, all-consuming passion, Shellie details how she got honest with God & asked Him to help her love Him as deeply as she wanted to. On the book jacket, it says that in Heart Wide Open, Shellie invites you to answer the call of your restless heart & refuse to settle for anything less than the intimate friendship of God.

Through her heartfelt & honest words, you'll find practical inspiration to help you:

• exchange your "just enough Jesus" mindset for an all-out pursuit of Him

• put sizzle in your Bible study by asking God to show you the wonder of His Word

• trade formulaic devotions for a devoted life

This book spoke to me on many levels. I have worked hard, and often times struggled, to have a deeper connection to God. I want to be a "good" Christian, but we all know that can be difficult with so many distractions. I find it easy to spend an hour every morning catching up on Facebook, but have to force myself to make time for a five or ten minute devotional reading. In turn, that makes me feel guilty. But we have to take the first step that Shellie took & that's to ask God to help us love Him as we should & as we want to. He is always there to answer our call & guide us in our quest to open ourselves up to Him.

Shellie points out that scripture assures us that God loves us not because of who WE are, but because of who HE is. We don't have to wait for the afterlife to begin living with God. By pursuing & enjoying a fulfilling relationship now, we greatly enhance our life her on Earth. I love that Shellie is completely honest in how she struggled for years to love God fully. I also liked that she compliments her commentary with scripture throughout the book.

If you are looking for a book that will help you grow in your faith, but speak to you on an easy to understand basis & one that's easy to relate to, this is the book for you. It would also make a great gift for just about anyone! If you happen to be near Winnsboro, Louisiana, Shellie will be at Every Occasion for a book launch & signing today (March 18th) from 3-5:30pm. Be sure to like All Things Southern on Facebook for more information!

*** GIVEAWAY - Closed - Congrats Chantel B. ***

To celebrate the launch of Heart Wide Open, Shellie is giving away a Heart Wide Open Gift Basket that includes:

• A beautiful wallboard inscribed with these words from the Song of Solomon, "Come and awaken love and when I find him I won't let him go."

• A beautiful coffee mug bearing this sentiment, "Heart you to the moon and back."

• A Bird of Paradise heart shaped candle

• A Heart Shaped Keepsake Box

• A Red and White Chevron Design Scarf

• A Heart Wide Open T-Shirt (winner to designate size)

• A $50 Amazon Gift Certificate

• And, of course, a copy of Heart Wide Open

Winner will be chosen April 1st. Contest open to US residents only.

Enter via the form below or by clicking here for the entry form.

THIS WEEKEND!!!!

Shop Local, Shop Handmade, Shop Funky

at the 6th Annual Funky Finds Spring Fling

This weekend we will be hosting the 6th Annual Funky Finds Spring Fling at the Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth. This free indoor event will feature over 120 independent artists, crafters, designers, authors & food makers selling a wide variety of uniquely hand-crafted items. Preview all vendors here.

While most participants are from the DFW area, several are traveling from other states, including Louisiana & Nebraska. With items ranging from accessories to pet goods & everything in between, the family AND pet-friendly event truly features something for everyone!

WHEN: 10am-5pm, Saturday, March 8th, 2014

11am-4pm, Sunday, March 9th, 2014

WHERE: Will Rogers Memorial Center

3409 Burnett-Tandy Dr., Fort Worth, TX 76107 • Directions

Small Exhibits Building (marked Poultry Barn)

ADMISSION: Free!

EVENT WEBSITE: www.funkyfinds.com/spring

In addition to all the talented artisans selling their work, the event will feature a charitable raffle benefiting two local organizations - The Humane Society of North Texas and CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Tarrant County, an organization of volunteer Advocates who stand up on behalf of abused and neglected children.

Every vendor, sponsor & other generous business owners have donated terrific raffle prizes! Raffle tickets are $1.00 each and the first 75 attendees each day to purchase ten or more tickets will receive a Quirk Books tote bag filled with tons of funky products, coupons & more!

The Humane Society will be facilitating on-site pet adoptions and CASA volunteers will be accepting donations while informing the public about advocacy opportunities. Don’t Forget to Feed Me Pet Food Pantry will also be on-site collecting pet food donations. Attendees earn one free raffle ticket per pet food donation. To date, Funky Finds has raised over $15,000.00 for local charities and over 100 animals have found a forever home at Funky Finds events!

Funky Finds provides area residents with the opportunity to support a large number of local independent business owners & charitable organizations, as well as the chance to purchase unique items that are lovingly hand-crafted.

The event is generously sponsored by Quackerbox Creations, Ltd., World of Wellness, Plaid Enterprises, Quirk Books, and Right On! Graphics.

We hope to see you there!!!!