GIVEAWAY: Black-Eyed Susans

I recently had the pleasure of reading an advanced copy of Black-Eyed Susans by Julia Heaberlin. As a born & raised Texan with close ties to Fort Worth, I was pleasantly surprised when I started reading & found that the story is set in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The author grew up in Decatur, Texas, which is near Ponder, Texas, the setting for her previous novel Playing Dead.  (Author portrait by Jill Johnson)

Here is a description of Black-Eyed Susans:

For fans of Laura Lippman and Gillian Flynn comes an electrifying novel of stunning psychological suspense.

A girl's memory lost in a field of wildflowers.

A killer still spreading seeds.

At seventeen, Tessa became famous for being the only surviving victim of a vicious serial killer. Her testimony put him on death row. Decades later, a mother herself, she receives a message from a monster who should be in prison. Now, as the execution date rapidly approaches, Tessa is forced to confront a chilling possibility: Did she help convict the wrong man?

Of course, these days just about every mystery is compared to Gillian Flynn, author of Gone Girl. However, Julia Heaberlin earns the high praise, but is definitely her own type of author. I am a big fan of mysteries, but I don't like gore. Black-Eyed Susans was the perfect book for me because it kept me interested from page one, had me in suspense, but wasn't graphic and scary like many other suspenseful mysteries, especially one about a serial killer!

I am really looking forward to reading Julia's previous books, Lie Still and Playing Dead. All are set in Texas, but please don't let that deter you if you aren't a Texan! If you are a Texas resident, be sure to check out one of Julia's upcoming book signings celebrating the release of Black-Eyed Susans. 

US release date August 11th
UK release date August 14th

August 11th, 7 p.m. • Black-Eyed Susans Publication Day • Talk & Signing

Barnes & Noble - Hulen Center, 4801 Overton Ridge Blvd. #100, Fort Worth, TX

August 17th, 6:30 p.m. • Talk & Signing

Decatur Public Library, 1700 S. Hwy 51, Decatur, TX

More events listed on Julia's website.

*** GIVEAWAY - Closed - Congrats Chey-Anne Smart & @daniewoods (Instagram) ***

 PRIZE: Two lucky winners will receive a copy of
Black-Eyed Susans! (US residents only)

TO ENTER: Like author Julia Heaberlin on Facebook and leave a comment noting you have done so.

ADDITIONAL ENTRY: Share this giveaway on Facebook or another social media site, then leave a comment noting that you shared.

ADDITIONAL ENTRY: Leave a comment noting a favorite book you have recently read.

ADDITIONAL ENTRY: Visit our Instagram feed @funky_finds & like the photo of Black-Eyed Susans for an extra chance!

Giveaway ends at 6pm CST, Friday, July 31st, 2015.

Funky Finds Holiday Shopping Experience

Shop Local • Shop Handmade • Shop Funky

The Funky Finds Holiday Shopping Experience will be held Saturday, November 7th, 10am-5pm and Sunday, November 8th, 11am-4pm.

As always, the event will be held in the small exhibits building (aka Poultry Barn) at the Will Rogers Memorial Center located at 3409 Burnett-Tandy Drive, Fort Worth, TX 76107.

Vendor applications are now open through July 31st! 
You can find all the detailed vendor information here.

We are also accepting advertisers & sponsors for this event. The sooner you reserve your ad or commit to a sponsor package, the sooner we can begin promoting your funky business!

The Funky Finds Holiday Shopping Experience is a FREE 2-day family AND pet-friendly handmade shopping event!

Bring the family and be a part of the funky fun featuring over 100 Artists, Crafters, Designers, Authors & Gourmet Food Makers selling their unique hand-crafted items!

Attend Both Days...it's that FUNKY!

EVENT FEATURES:

• Handmade Shopping Extravaganza
• 150 Swag Bags & Charitable Raffle

• Pet Adoptions by HSNT    • Toys For Tots Drop Off

• Photos with SANTA CLAUS   • Funky Finds Balloons for All

• Event T-shirts for Charity & More!

Find items in the following categories:

Accessories • Art • Authors • Bath, Body & Candles • Ceramics & Pottery • Clothing • Gourmet Food • Holiday & Seasonal • Home Goods & Decor • Jewelry • Kids & Parents • Paper Goods • Pet Goods • Photography • Plants

GIVEAWAY: Doodle Lit

If you've been online at all in the last month or so, you've no doubt heard about the hot trend of adult coloring books. The trend is so hot that Yahoo! News reported last month that the two best-selling books on Amazon were adult coloring books! These coloring books that specifically target adults come in a variety of subjects, ranging from detailed illustrations as seen in Johanna Basford's "Secret Garden" to celebrity memes as seen in Mel Elliott's "Colour Me Good Ryan Gosling." (photo from Johanna Basford's Instagram @johannabasford)

I recently had the pleasure of receiving a copy of "Doodle Lit", an oversized doodling book that leads doodlers through Austen, Shakespeare, Tolstoy, the Bronte sisters, and more. The book is extremely large ensuring you get lots of bang for your buck! It includes various prompts & activities that encourage you to doodle miscellaneous things. The best part is that all the activities are based on classic tales, such as Dracula and Pride and Prejudice. (photo from Doodle Lit)

Another plus is that this book isn't just for adults. It would be a fun & creative way to introduce young ones to the classics. The book's creators, Jennifer Adams and Alison Oliver, are well known for their adorable BabyLit books that help introduce toddlers to classic literature with beautiful illustrations and charming prose. Their website also features unique playsets, dolls & much more. (photo from Doodle Lit)

*** GIVEAWAY - Closed - Congrats mousee23! ***

 PRIZE: One lucky winner will receive a copy of Doodle Lit (pictured)!

TO ENTER: Like BabyLit on Facebook and leave a comment noting you have done so.

ADDITIONAL ENTRY: Share this giveaway on Facebook or another social media site, then leave a comment noting that you shared.

ADDITIONAL ENTRY: Leave a comment noting why you would love to win this fabulous book!

ADDITIONAL ENTRY: Visit our Instagram feed @funky_finds & like the photo of DoodleLit for an extra chance!

Giveaway ends at 6pm CST, Friday, June 5th, 2015.

GIVEAWAY: Billy Grrrl

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Laura Hughes, the creative force behind Billy Grrrl. Her Etsy shop is full of fun, colorful modern needlepoint and DIY needlepoint kits. She also offers Polaroid photography, Rorschach art, landscape photography, and women's winter hats.

1. Please give us a short background description of yourself.

I’m originally from Cleveland Ohio and live in New York City. When I’m not creating (this is now what I do full time) I am working out (yoga, pilates, biking), visiting galleries / museums, reading, and exploring NYC while walking my dog Billy (a 16 year old Jack Russell Mix). She’s cute and feisty which is why the name is Billy Grrrl.

2. How did you get started crafting?

I’ve been crafting since I was a kid. I never thought I was good at it, but I loved working with my hands. I went through periods when I wasn’t crafting, but I feel more balanced when I do craft - it’s my meditation.

3. What is your specialty & why did you choose it?

Needlepoint is my specialty though I also like cross stitch, rug hooking and crochet. I don’t know why I chose needlepoint, it just felt right and comfortable. It was a struggle to learn at first, but once I found my rhythm I never turned back. I really enjoy working with small canvases since I can travel with them and finish them easily. This is why I design small kits. People would ask me what I was doing and where they could get one.

4. What inspires you?

I am inspired daily by different things. I love the colors and patterns of the 60’s and 70’s (textile design, furniture, clothes, wallpaper, etc). Discovering new artists is very inspiring which is why I’ve kept a blog since 2008. Nature - especially animals and insects. The characters I design are inspired by this. When I’m stitching I listen to music or podcasts. I get inspired by other people’s stories.

5. What does handmade mean to you?

Handmade means everything to me. I am so attracted to objects that have been made by hand. This is especially true in needlework. I know there are great machine embroidered items out there, but nothing beats the real deal. It’s the difference of wearing a really great handmade sweater vs. a machine-made one. There is beauty in the imperfections you get with handmade. There is no way a machine can duplicate this. I love watching videos of artisans doing handwork on couture clothing, arm knitting, or this link from the British company Mulberry. The women in this video are fantastic!

*** GIVEAWAY - Closed - Congrats Lindsay McCain! ***

 PRIZE: One lucky winner will receive a Skull Embroidery Beginner Needlepoint Kit (pictured) from Billy Grrrl.

TO ENTER: Like Billy Grrrl on Facebook and leave a comment noting you have done so.

ADDITIONAL ENTRY: Share this giveaway on Facebook or another social media site, then leave a comment noting that you shared.

ADDITIONAL ENTRY: Leave a comment noting why you would love to win this fabulous kit!

Giveaway ends at 6pm CST, Tuesday, May 5th, 2015.