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Maggie Whitley

joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith & simple living

You are here: Home / lifestyle / giveaway / {My Soul Shines :: feature + giveaway}

{My Soul Shines :: feature + giveaway}

April 27, 2010 ·
Filed Under: giveaway, shop feature

This giveaway is now closed.

Do you remember this print? I blogged about it here.

“Sew much time & sew little to do.
Strike that. Reverse it.
Roald Dahl, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.”

My blogging friend Becca made it for me. Just for me!!! Of course I loved it instantly and had it framed and now it sits on a shelf just outside the Sweat Shop. It makes me so happy to have met great people like Becca. Life is about the journey — Becca has definitely been a part of mine.

Becca loves to design things that touch souls. She is an artist, has two Etsy shops {this girl is so talented!} and she’s a wife & mom :]

Her most-recent Etsy shop, My Soul Shines,

…is a place to come and be inspired to let your soul shine. In a cold world, we all need little reminders to get us through, and help us remember that we are, indeed, miracles.

Becca and I met last summer from blog hopping {visiting one blog, that leads you to another blog, and to another, and another…}. We’ve been in contact more recently, and here’s what she’s up to:

***

What inspires you?

I am truly inspired by SO much in life. First and foremost, I’m inspired by God and his awesome creation. Everyday I see glimpses of His handiwork, and am awestruck.

I am very inspired by strong women who follow their dreams. A few of my favorites are Audrey Hepburn, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Marilyn Monroe. I love quotes, as you can tell from many of my prints.

I have very eclectic taste, and have trouble committing to one style of anything! There is so much out there to be inspired by, that I’d just have to say that I’m inspired by LIFE!

How did you come up with your shop name?

I came up with the name My Soul Shines just playing around with words I like in my head. I love words and language. To me, when people are truly happy, they just seem to radiate light from their souls (Gussy does, for sure!)

Lovely Yellow Ribbons came to me in kind of the same way. I knew I wanted to incorporate a military-ish theme to the name (hence, yellow ribbons) but I wanted it to sound a little more girly. I enjoy all the “L” sounds in the name too. ;]

Share a little bit about yourself.

I was born in Lebanon, PA. My father was (is) a minister at a small church there, but when I was about 4 years old, he felt called to join the Navy as a chaplain. So my family and I packed up and moved to the Marine Corps base in Albany, GA. We spend four years living there. After his service in the Navy was up, my family moved back to the Allentown, PA area where he became the pastor at another church, and we’ve been there ever since!

When I met my husband, he was going to college and had already enlisted in the Navy and was going to be going to Officer Candidate School after graduation to become a submarine officer. So I knew what I was getting into going into it ;] I’m from a military family (my dad was a Naval officer, my brother and grandfather are Marines, my other grandfather was in the Army, my uncles were in the Air Force and Navy) so I was excited to do my part as a Navy wife, haha!

My husband and I will be married for 5 years this July, and we’ll have lived in Charleston, SC; Groton, CT; San Diego, CA (where we are living now); and we’ll be moving to Blacksburg, VA this summer. Whew! It’s exhausting, but SO exciting, and I LOVE every minute of it!!

If you had to describe yourself in a word, what would that word be?

Whimsical.

What made you decide to open up shop?

My husband is a Naval officer on board the fast attack submarine the USS Albuquerque. When we found out that we were expecting our first son, I decided that I’d like to decorate his room with sort of a submarine theme. I couldn’t find anything that I liked! So I decided that I’d just have to make some artwork for myself. I started off just doing paintings and mixed media pieces for myself and friends on base (in Charleston, SC) who were also having babies. Someone suggested that I try selling my military artwork, so I decided to give it a try! I opened my first etsy shop, Lovely Yellow Ribbons to sell “Whimsical Military Artwork.”

My work has evolved so much over the few years I’ve been selling. I’ve worked with acrylic on canvas, watercolors, gouache, and I’m really into digital designs and blog designs these days.

As much as I LOVE supporting our troops and military families with my art, I’ve always been interested in opening a non-military shop. That’s when I decided to open my My Soul Shines etsy shop to sell inspirational and happy artwork and prints.

Do you have a day job or sell on Etsy full-time?

I am a stay-at-home mom to my 2-year-old son, Noah (he’ll be three June 2!) so I’d say that “Baby Wrangler” is my full time position. I work on my Etsy shop part time, although I’d LOVE to be able to start working more, possibly get it going to a full-time job as Noah gets a little older and starts preschool.

What would you like to learn to do?

This is SUCH a hard question for me, I have so many goals I’d love to accomplish in this lifetime! I’d love to learn to play guitar, and I’d love to learn several foreign languages fluently. Specifically, Spanish and Russian. Maybe Japanese. I want to learn how to ski (I hate the cold, and am DETERMINED to find something that I enjoy about cold weather, lol!)

What are you listening to right now?

Right now I’m completely obsessed with John Mayer (I could listen to “In Your Atmosphere” and “Slow Dancing in a Burning Room” all day!) and Joshua Radin (“Brand New Day” and You’ve Got Growin’ Up To Do”). I also love to listen to Ray Lamontagne (“Empty,” “You Can Bring Me Flowers,” and “Sarah”) while I design. So I guess I’m into brooding male singers at the moment. Ha!

***

Becca is offering one reader an 8×10 print from her shop

To enter, leave a comment sharing what you’d pick out!
This giveaway is open to US residents only.

For additional comments {leave a comment for each one}:

-become a follower of Becca’s blog

-become a follower of my blog

-tweet it: Enter to win a soul-inspiring print from My Soul Shines, @beccasw via @GussySews http://u.nu/6mxq8

-blog about this giveaway

Giveaway ends Thursday night at 10 CST.

Winner announced the following day.
Good luck!


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Filed Under: giveaway, shop feature

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190 Comments
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wishful nals
wishful nals
12 years ago

oooh, i follow your blog!

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wishful nals
wishful nals
12 years ago

i follow becca’s cute blog!

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wishful nals
wishful nals
12 years ago

i love the everyone can use a prayer motif print. so clever!

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Ashley
Ashley
12 years ago

I can’t pick just one….they are all so cute!

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The Chubby Dove
The Chubby Dove
12 years ago

I love the Boys Will Be Boys with the sailboat. Being a momma of two and all….

Her stuff is very unique and fun!

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The Chubby Dove
The Chubby Dove
12 years ago

The Dove follows the Goose. We’re fly girls.

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The Chubby Dove
The Chubby Dove
12 years ago

Just tweeted about it.

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Melinda
Melinda
12 years ago

I love the “This is how we roll” print!

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Ashley Gurski
Ashley Gurski
12 years ago

I follow you already!

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becki
becki
12 years ago

LOL i love the this is how we roll print.

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Candy @ SoBella Creations
Candy @ SoBella Creations
12 years ago

What a wonderful and cute shop!

I love the Happy Girls Print.

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Ashley Gurski
Ashley Gurski
12 years ago

& I subscribe to your email updates!!

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Candy @ SoBella Creations
Candy @ SoBella Creations
12 years ago

I follow your blog!

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Ashley Gurski
Ashley Gurski
12 years ago

I would LOVE the “boys will be boys” print! The color matches my son’s nursery just perfectly!

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Ashley Gurski
Ashley Gurski
12 years ago

I follow Becca’s blog. Love it :)

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Ashley Gurski
Ashley Gurski
12 years ago

Will tweet as soon as I leave work! (won’t let me here)

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Candy @ SoBella Creations
Candy @ SoBella Creations
12 years ago

Tweeted

http://twitter.com/SoBellaCreation/statuses/12947817308

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Ashley Gurski
Ashley Gurski
12 years ago

I blogged!! http://gurskigossip.blogspot.com/2010/04/yall-know-me.html

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burlap+blue
burlap+blue
12 years ago

Her customizable To Do list is so wonderful!! Love this shop so much!

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burlap+blue
burlap+blue
12 years ago

follow you!

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Cristy
Cristy
12 years ago

love the happy girls print!!!

gussy you have such great giveaways! love it!

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Christy
Christy
12 years ago

I love the deer print in Green! Would look great in our home :)

stoutfamily@rocketmail.com

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Christy
Christy
12 years ago

I follow your blog :)

stoutfamily@rocketmail.com

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Christy
Christy
12 years ago

And I’m a new follower of Lovely Yellow Ribbons :)

stoutfamily@rocketmail.com

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Meg
Meg
12 years ago

I love the Be Still and Know print! They are all beautiful!
xoxo~Meg

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Jacky {The Sweetest Petunia}
Jacky {The Sweetest Petunia}
12 years ago

Oh, I love her shop! I first discovered her after you tweeted a link to her shop, I think. I even based a blog post on her “to do list” ( http://sweetestpetunia.blogspot.com/2010/04/to-do-list.html )

The To Do List is definitely a favorite – I also love the Its a Brand New Day print!

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Meg
Meg
12 years ago

I follow Gussy!
xoxo~Meg

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Jacky {The Sweetest Petunia}
Jacky {The Sweetest Petunia}
12 years ago

I’m a Gussy follower!

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Jacky {The Sweetest Petunia}
Jacky {The Sweetest Petunia}
12 years ago

tweet, tweet :: @thesweetpetunia

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Nicci
Nicci
12 years ago

LOVE never trust a skinny cook :)

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Nicci
Nicci
12 years ago

Follow Becca’s Blog

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Nicci
Nicci
12 years ago

Follow your blog!

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Bethany Keepman
Bethany Keepman
12 years ago

I LOVE the one that says “I believe the happy girls are the prettiest girls”!!! I have a 6 month little girl and would love to put that in her room! what a great message! :)

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Bethany Keepman
Bethany Keepman
12 years ago

I follow your blog! :)

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Bethany Keepman
Bethany Keepman
12 years ago

I follow Becca’s blog! :)

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Rebecca @Piggy Bank Dating
Rebecca @Piggy Bank Dating
12 years ago

The “That’s How We Roll” sign is hilarious! Love it! What a cute idea!

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Rebecca @Piggy Bank Dating
Rebecca @Piggy Bank Dating
12 years ago

I follow Becca’s blog!

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Jessica M
Jessica M
12 years ago

Thanks for the giveaway! I love It’s a Brand New Day.

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Rebecca @Piggy Bank Dating
Rebecca @Piggy Bank Dating
12 years ago

I follow your blog!

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Jess :)
Jess :)
12 years ago

I would choose the “It’s a Brand New Day!” :) Love those

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Jess :)
Jess :)
12 years ago

I follow your blog :)

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Tonya
Tonya
12 years ago

I would definitely order the Sylvia Plath Quote Print to go in my office! I love it!

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Tonya
Tonya
12 years ago

I am a follower of your blog!

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Tonya
Tonya
12 years ago

I am a follower of Becca’s blog!

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MeganO
MeganO
12 years ago

I love the Happy Girls Quote print. It would be perfect for my baby girl’s room, plus I hold a special place in my heart for Audrey Hepburn.

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MeganO
MeganO
12 years ago

I’m following Becca’s blog

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MeganO
MeganO
12 years ago

I follow gussy!

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MeganO
MeganO
12 years ago

My tweet is complete: @megozz

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The Gosfam
The Gosfam
12 years ago

I love the Happy Girls Quote Print. I also Love Be Still and Know That I Am God. I don’t know between the two which I would pick.

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Maggie
Maggie
12 years ago

I NEED that Audrey Hepburn quote one! It is fantastic!

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jessica hills
jessica hills
12 years ago

I would love the “stupidly optimistic” one!

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jessica hills
jessica hills
12 years ago

I am a follower of Gussy too

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Danica
Danica
12 years ago

I was sent here by Becca ;). I love her Happy Girls print.

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Danica
Danica
12 years ago

I follow Lovely Yellow Ribbons.

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Neely
Neely
12 years ago

I would pick the carrie quote!

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mandiesmithsegura
mandiesmithsegura
12 years ago

I LOVE the Sylvia Plath quote! :)

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mandiesmithsegura
mandiesmithsegura
12 years ago

Here’s my tweet: http://twitter.com/mandiegirl/status/12952992732

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mandiesmithsegura
mandiesmithsegura
12 years ago

I also follow your bliggity blog!

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Sandy a la Mode
Sandy a la Mode
12 years ago

omg these are all sooo whimsical and cute that i can’t just pick one favorite! i think the “this is how we roll one” is hilarious and i really love the “i like my money right where i can see it – hanging in my closet” because it defines me, LOL! =)

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Sandy a la Mode
Sandy a la Mode
12 years ago

Of course, I am a follower of your blog Gussy!

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The Painted Daughter
The Painted Daughter
12 years ago

oooh!! I lovvvvvve the Marilyn Monroe quote “If you can make a girl laugh, you can make her do anything.” It would go great with all of my Marilyn prints!

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Elizabeth Johnson (Toile)
Elizabeth Johnson (Toile)
12 years ago

I follow Gussy on Google Reader!

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Elizabeth Johnson (Toile)
Elizabeth Johnson (Toile)
12 years ago

I love the Sylvia Plath one. Thanks!

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Lisa G.
Lisa G.
12 years ago

such a sweet shop! Hearted it for future reference, since I’m moving soon and will need decoration. I would get either the “It’s a brand new day” print or one of the “boys will be boys” print.

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Lisa G.
Lisa G.
12 years ago

I started following Becca’s blog!

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Lisa G.
Lisa G.
12 years ago

I’m a Gussy follower!

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Heather D.
Heather D.
12 years ago

Super duper fun…love the quote boys will be boys for my sweet little boys’ play room.

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Heather D.
Heather D.
12 years ago

follow your blog

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Leeann H
Leeann H
12 years ago

I want several of these great prints, but the one I want the most is “It’ a Brand New Day”. I am thankful that we get to start each day anew…this is a good reminder. leeann.hadgis@gmail.com

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Leeann H
Leeann H
12 years ago

I have been following your blog for some time…love it! leeann.hadgis@gmail.com

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Leeann H
Leeann H
12 years ago

I am now following Becca’s blog….I love the “Be Calm” prints, too! leeann.hadgis@gmail.com

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Rachel
Rachel
12 years ago

I love the print – If you pray for rain, do you carry an umbrella!! So cute!

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Rachel
Rachel
12 years ago

I follow your blog!! ;)

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Rachel
Rachel
12 years ago

Tweet, tweet!! =)

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Rachel Ridd
Rachel Ridd
12 years ago

I love the be still and know that I am God print! Hope I win :)
Rachel

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Pamela
Pamela
12 years ago

Wow. Beautiful. I am originally from Allentown, PA.

Amazing to see someone so talented, generous, and open. Thank you for sharing your gift – where you are.

I love Just Like the Butterfly and the Fly. Would love either. Just like the Butterfly took me to almost tears. Fly makes me feel like soaring. Possibilities.
Blessings to you and your family. Safety and thanks to our troops and their families who sacrifice so much.
beehope3 at gmail (dot) com

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Jesica
Jesica
12 years ago

I would so pick “Stupidly Optimistic” – LOVE IT!

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Southern Gal
Southern Gal
12 years ago

I love the Be Still print and the To Do list.

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Kendra
Kendra
12 years ago

I follow becca’s blog.!

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Kendra
Kendra
12 years ago

I follow your blog.!

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Caroline
Caroline
12 years ago

I do love the “Skinny Cook” print. It gives me a good giggle. :)

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Kendra
Kendra
12 years ago

and I tweeted about it.! @ohhkendraleigh

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Kendra
Kendra
12 years ago

My favorite is the Audrey Hebrun quote.! I love her and all of her quotes. This one just lifts my spirits.!

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Jill
Jill
12 years ago

I would definitely pick the “Be Still and Know..” print. My daughter just recently learned that song in our Children & Worship program at church, so we sing it every night before bed! :)

Jill

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Tessa
Tessa
12 years ago

I love the BOYS WILL BE BOYS prints!

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Tessa
Tessa
12 years ago

New follower of your blog!

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Tessa
Tessa
12 years ago

New follower of Becca’s blog – and happy to know she is local!

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Kristen
Kristen
12 years ago

Oh, I love Becca’s stuff! I’d love to have either the Carrie Bradshaw print or the Shakespeare one!

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Kristen
Kristen
12 years ago

I follow Becca’s blog =)

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Kristen
Kristen
12 years ago

And I tweeted @KristenOK!

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Jaimie
Jaimie
12 years ago

I would pick EVERYTHING. We are moving to a place with A GIANT master closet though, so i would pick the “money right where I can see it” print. : )

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Jaimie
Jaimie
12 years ago

I follow her blog!

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Jaimie
Jaimie
12 years ago

I follow your blog in Google Reader!

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Katie @ Making This Home
Katie @ Making This Home
12 years ago

the skinny chef one cracks me up. what if the chef’s husband is insanely skinny? hmmm…

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Katie @ Making This Home
Katie @ Making This Home
12 years ago

follower right here

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Adrienne Wamhoff
Adrienne Wamhoff
12 years ago

“stupidly optimistic,” I absolutely love it!

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Adrienne Wamhoff
Adrienne Wamhoff
12 years ago

I’m a follower of your blog.

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Heather Thomas
Heather Thomas
12 years ago

My favorites are the “It’s a brand new day” print, and the “When you pray for rain, do you carry an umbrella?” print!

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Heather Thomas
Heather Thomas
12 years ago

I am also now following her blog! What a cool chick!

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Beth
Beth
12 years ago

The If you can make a girl laugh print is adorable!
reading44654@yahoo.com

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