I finally was able to spend a morning getting a new digital clip art kit into the store!  This one has been long awaited by many of you.  It’s my Deja’ Brew Coffee Collection.  For those of you that are quilters or love to sew you may have already seen the fabrics that debuted in January with Studio E Fabrics.  This digital clip art kit coordinates with the fabrics and if you love to sew the possibilities are endless.  You could design and print your own coordinating pieces on printable fabrics such a Pabric (www.pabric.com) and create a whole kitchen decor between the items you print yourself and the fabric panel from Studio E or the coordinating fabrics!

For those that don’t sew you’ll also find plenty of ways to use this artwork, especially if you love to create your own gift/food products for gifts or as a crafter.  If you don’t sew, try using the coordinating fabrics as your “gift bag” by cutting out large circles of fabric with pinking shears, putting your cookies, chocolate covered coffee beans or other goodies inside the fabrics and creating your own gift tags, product toppers or other packaging options.

There will be a paper pack to coordinate and a Deja’ Brew Holidays that contains both fall and winter designs that coordinate.  Look for them in the next couple days if everything goes okay.  Enjoy!!

I am missing writing so much, this is the busy season and my head is spinning with new ideas and not enough time to get them all done!!  I also am very blessed to have manufacturers that are clamoring for work to be done (believe me, especially in this economy that’s a VERY GOOD THING!)

But I woke up and actually remembered that I needed to draw the blog contest winner this morning.  I had no helpers so I had to pull the numbers out of the jar myself… and the winner is the 11th comment on this day’s post: LINK TO POST HERE.

She won my newest kit “Retro Doodles” which I’ll be uploading here some time today or you can see it at www.aimeeasher.com.  Congratulations to the winner!

Lambie reminded me that there haven’t been any posts to draw the names for the free digital clip art kit that I give away twice a month sooooo…..  How about I’ll extend the date back to March 16th through the 15th of April.  You can post  comment on any thread including this one and I’ll pick one at random.

Good luck!

The next collection I am working on is going to be filled with birds.  Here’s where you can help.  If you have excellent, up close, high res images of birds that you would share with me and allow me to paint, please leave a message in the comments section (which will give me your email address) and I’ll be in contact.

I’m especially looking for the classic birds that people love: hummingbirds, blue birds, cardinals, all types of songbirds etc.  You are the most generous and amazing people I’m so blessed to be able to turn to you guys for source materials.  Thanks in advance!!!!!

I thought I might even make it a contest.  Each person that supplies photos for me will be entered into a drawing and will receive a digital clip art kit as a gift. By the way, if I use your photo, I’ll provide you the art on disk for personal use as a thank you.

I’ll have to have a release form filled out granting permission for me to use your photos as they are copyright covered items.  You will retain your copyright, but grant me permission to use it.

The first comment on THIS POST (LINK HERE).  She will receive my “Red Poppy Fields” digital clip art kit as her prize.

Oh, and yesterday my hit counter went over 100,000 on my new blog which brings me to about 430,000 since I started.  That is a staggering number and I am soooo blessed that there are a few of you who love to come and visit.  I’m getting ready to make some changes here with a friend’s help so bear with us.  I want to install a new format for the store, I hate it’s current function but am stuck with it!  Also, I want to do a monthly newsletter soon and I will see about installing a sign up box here for all who are interested.

I’ve added three kits, one entirely new and two fonts that hadn’t been in the store since the Daisie days.  I’ll try to write some this afternoon and feature them.  Have a great day and CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNER!

LINK TO RED POPPY FIELDS DIGITAL CLIP ART KIT IN STORE.

This kit is priced at $3.98.  There are 13 pieces, 2 card fronts, 1 border, 8 art pieces and 2 coordinating papers. I’m running behind, as I finished this kit last week and got it up at a Aimee Asher (www.aimeeasher.com) and but didn’t get it up here at my own site!  I have another kit almost completed that I will be putting up a little later today called “White Poppy Fields” and I promise I’ll put it up here AND at AAE at the same time.

I love red poppies.  I remember growing them as a little girl.  My mother had a retaining wall garden on the side of our house where our play house and play kitchen were kept.  I used to pretend that the dried seed heads were pepper shakers and used them to “season” my pretend food that I served my dolls.  I used to pick them and put them in a “vase” (which was usually a clean tin can) with water and enjoy their fragile and fleeting beauty.  It’s amazing the way memories are tied to songs, food and special items isn’t it?

These poppies were lovingly hand water colored to be used in creating greeting cards, scrapbooking, or other digital crafting.  I wish I had photos from our play kitchen days with the poppies in the background, that would be so special to scrap!

AND THE WINNER IS:  The first comment on the 7th of February’s post.  LINK TO POST HERE She will win this kit if she hasn’t already purchased it.  Congratulations (and I’m sorry Lambie I really, really tried!)

When I post the White Poppy Fields Kit today I’ll also have a devotional.  It’s been quite a while since I wrote one — mainly because I just haven’t had anything to say.  I’ve been going through a little bit of a dry place so that’s what I’ll write about.  We all go through those dry and weary places don’t we?  See you later today or early tomorrow.

LINK TO KIT IN STORE

Specially priced only until December 15th at $3.98, this fun craft kit is so easy to print and assemble.  It’s the perfect size to fit up to a dozen cookies to give away for your yearly cookie exchange.  The kit includes a Chinese take-out style box (4″ x 4″ x 4″) with 3D accents, matching gift tag card, two additional tags and two versions of a recipe card to print with the cookie recipe that you’ve used.

There are many, many gingerbread kits that I have created which are available in the store.  These kits can be used to make additional items to match with this box and create a truly custom Christmas Gift Basket.

This is a brand new kit never before offered for sale.  Art & kit Copyright Audrey Jeanne Roberts

THE CHRISTMAS STORY: Luke 1:26-38

26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, 27 to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. 28 Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!”

29 Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. 30 “Don’t be frightened, Mary,” the angel told her, “for God has decided to bless you! 31 You will become pregnant and have a son, and you are to name him Jesus. 32 He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!”

34 Mary asked the angel, “But how can I have a baby? I am a virgin.”

35 The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby born to you will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. 36 What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she’s already in her sixth month. 37 For nothing is impossible with God.”

38 Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant, and I am willing to accept whatever he wants. May everything you have said come true.” And then the angel left. NLT

COMMENTS:  Mary was very young, many experts believe she was around 13 or so.  She had been raised in a faith that taught their young women that they could one day become the mother of the messiah.  She would have known many of the scriptures and yet like us, would never have believed that she could actually be “the one.”  Her response shows humility, willingness and a complete submission to God’s highest purposes.  Her willingness to say, “Yes” to God is an incredible example to us who follow her.  Have you said “Yes, God.  What ever you will in my life?”

Mary’s saying “Yes” would lead to great and soaring highs and terrible lows.  She would be blessed to kiss the face of God, she would be heartbroken as she saw her son, the Lord of the Universe, hanging on a cross dieing for something she didn’t quite understand at that point.  She would see her son rise from the dead and know that he sat at the right hand of the Father.  But as a mere child of thirteen she couldn’t yet comprehend the impact her saying “Yes” would have, instead she simply trusted God.   So should we.  “Yes, Lord” should be our constant answer — it’s mine, can you make it yours today?

PRAYER:  Lord, I can’t even imagine what you might be desiring to do with my “oh so ordinary” life.  I certainly can’t imagine an angel appearing to me like Mary, and my being able to so instantly and so trustingly say “Yes” to your plan.

But my desire is to always be willing to say, “Yes” to you.  Help me overcome any reluctance or fear and give me the strength and willingness that I need to be useful to your purposes in this world.  Lord, this day I say “Yes” to your will in my life.  AMEN

The third commentor on this post LINK TO POST HERE which is really funny, because she was the one who was reminding me that today would be the first of the month!  I also am going to give a bonus award to DebD who is in the hospital facing some pretty tough circumstances with her COPD.  We love you Deb and are praying for a speedy recovery.

Each of these winners probably own most of my kits, so I will give them their choice of kit in this store.  Merry Christmas!

The first comment on this post: “I have Computer Issues”

Congratulations to the winner!  She wins a $5 gift certificate.

I am busy cataloging the sets that I have available to load to this store and to www.aimeeasher.com and will upload a couple, probably tomorrow so keep your eyes out!

For the second half of the month blog post comments drawing, the 3rd commentor on this post:  POST LINK HERE

If you aren’t the winner, but didn’t know there was a freebie there, you’ll find a little bonus at this post

I missed the first half of the month drawing as I’ve been gone quite a bit at the end of this month so the winner of the first half of the month is the 2nd commentor on this post: http://audreyjeannesblog.com/BlogShop/?p=470#comments

Then on top of that I have a drawing from those that have purchased in my store that month and the winner of that drawing is:  Agnes Færch Nielsen  She is one of my international customers and lives in Denmark.

Each of the winners will receive a $5 gift certificate that is good for anything that they desire to purchase in my blog store.  Thanks to all of you that are faithful readers and purchasers of my artwork.  It’s such a joy to share a little bit of my life and art with each of you.

Have a great Labor Day (for those in the USA).  And when you’re done barbequing and put away the last of the summer equipment, and send the kidlets off to school, it’s time to CRAFT!!!

(UPDATE:  WHHOOOOOPPPPSSS!  I just realized that this was supposed to be in the second half of the month on the blog contest winner, so I picked a third winner and she will also get a $5 gift certificate. The third winner is the 4th comment on the 24th of July.  Congratulations to her too!!!!)

The winner of the $5.00 gift certificate for purchasing at the Audrey Jeanne’s Blog store is Calikat!

The winner of the $5.00 gift certificate in the blog contest drawing is the ninth comment on the 11th day of July.  All you have to do is click on the calendar (go back to July) and click on the 11th and you’ll be able to count down on the comments to the 9th entry.  Congratulations to the both of them!!!

SCRIPTURE:  1 Tim 2:1-2  I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  NIV

PRAYER:  Lord, remind us to pray for our nation’s leaders frequently.  We forget and so often we complain about them more than we pray for them.  Complaining doesn’t seem to bring much change, but prayer will!

As our nation (USA) prepares to elect new government officials this fall, please give us the officials that will be a blessing to your people  and to your kingdom.  Lord, please give us the rulers we need not necessarily the rulers we think we need!  For those in other nations as well, raise up godly leaders that will rule in wisdom, with sound governmental principles and bring peace and quiet to their lands.  AMEN

There are now two ways you can win by stopping by my blog.  The first is our twice-monthly blog comments drawing and the second is a drawing that will be held every month from those who have made a purchase in the blog store!

I’m going to make each of those prizes a $5 gift certificate from now on.  This will allow the individual who wins the greatest freedom in what they select.

I can’t believe the store’s been up for almost a full month already!  You have made it such an amazing blessing and success so quickly.  Thanks to each of you!

SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY: Ps 18:28-29  You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.  With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall.  NIV

PRAYER:  Sometimes Lord, my days are so long and exhausting that I’m not sure how I will get through them.  In the days of the scripture, if you ran out of oil you wouldn’t be able to work any longer or see where you were going.  I love this verse’s promise that you will keep my lamp burning and you will help me tackle the challenges that are set before me.

Every wall that gets in my way can be gone over or around if I trust in, listen to and obey your word. Elsewhere your word says that your word is a lamp unto my feet and light unto my path.  Shine your light like a powerful flashlight in front of me to show me the way you want me to go.  Give me victory in every area of my life Lord, that I might bring Glory and Honor to you.  AMEN

The seventh post on THIS DAY’S BLOG POST (link here)

Congratulations to the winner!  Hmmmm…. she has so many of my sets that she might have to wait until the next new one comes out to claim her prize !

If you don’t know, I have a blog contest drawing twice a month and all you have to do to enter is post a comment on any day from the 1st – 15th, or the 16th – 31st and you have entered the contest.  A number for the day of the post then is drawn at random and a number for the comment and that individual wins one of my kits for free.  The kit given away varies each time and if you already own that kit I will always substitute it for another.

Also, this is a great time to remind you all that I have a new contest each month that will be drawn from everyone that purchases an item in my store.  It will be drawn on or around the first of the month from the previous month’s sales.  You don’t have to do anything special to enter.

for the second half of July is the second commentator on this post: July 21st Congratulations to the winner, she receives the “Everything’s Rosey” Mini Kit set.  You can see it HERE IN THE SHOP.

Remember that I will be drawing a winner out of this month’s store purchases as well.  It will be drawn on the first of August for the month of July and that person will win a free kit of their chosing from my entire catalog!!!

DebD, neener, neener, neener!  For once I remembered the contest and did it before you had to remind me LOL!  Love you girl!

For those that are new to my blog, twice a month I draw names from the comments that were posted during that period and that winner receives a free kit.  So if you would like a shot at winning a free kit, just post your comments on any and all posts and you’re entered.

The winner today will win “Les Fleurs Antique” Paper Pack which is coming to the Daisie store soon.  Her post is the 7th on this day: http://audreyjeannesblog.com/BlogShop/?p=379 congratulations to her!  And Cheryl, you mentioned on that very post that I didn’t seem to pick the early posting (LOL!)  It is truly totally random so the numbers fall where they may — everyone has an exactly equal chance except for one thing THE MORE YOU COMMENT THE BETTER YOUR CHANCES!!