Oh, hey. Do you want to read YET ANOTHER post about finding balance? I don’t blame you. Do you want to instead talk about LOOT? OKAY!
I won Amy Quarry‘s contest (here’s her shop), and when the package arrived yesterday I would describe my reaction as “ZOMG.” I even thought maybe I shouldn’t show it to you, because deliberately taunting people is MEAN.
Also, my camera is on the fritz. I need to replace it, but have been lazy about that, especially since the camera sometimes works. Today it works but not if I use the flash, so I brought everything out to the new dining room where there’s good light. So you can see my painting stuff in the background, and also the boxes of flooring. Artistic!
First, take a look at this dress for Elizabeth. I GASPED. Those are EMBROIDERED DESIGNS
Then I just kept pulling out one thing after another. I’d pull out an awesome little container with a fabric lid, and INSIDE the container would be MORE THINGS. There’s a necklace with TWO different pendants. A flower keyring made of buttons. Two magnets made out of bottlecaps. Two of those things that pinch big stacks of paper, but with pretty fabric on them instead of the usual plain black plastic. A little zippered fabric pouch. A barrette. Two ponytail holders.
There was also this headband, which is not in the photo above because Elizabeth wouldn’t let me take it off of her. And this is a girl who says every morning as I’m combing her rat’s nest hair, “NO ponytails! NO barrettes!”
If you have Facebook, you can join Amy Quarry’s fan page and be automatically entered for a monthly drawing of a surprise package. This month she’s doing a handbag. Do you remember the handbag she did for the Guess Swistle contests? DROOL.
This was not TECHNICALLY a pay-it-forward contest, but I’m turning it into one because I’ve been moody and crabby and it seems like a pay-it-forward contest is a cheering thing. But! You should not expect anything as good as the package I got from Amy, because GEEZ! I mean, honestly. I am only human, and I am not an artist. The package I put together will be more along the lines of “Things I find at Target while thinking of you,” and will probably include brownies and/or fudge. And then if you win, you’ll throw a contest yourself, and the prize for YOUR contest needn’t be so astonishing, either. A typical pay-it-forward prize is significantly smaller: some brownies and some trinkets, say, or a paperback and some candy.
Leave a comment on this post, ANY comment but if you freeze up in that kind of situation why don’t you tell me if I will be getting a NIECE or a NEPHEW in February? Contest will close on Sunday, September 21st, at noon U.S. Pacific time.
That is a WONDERFUL package! And it came at just the right time too, no?
I am somewhat addicted to Etsy, and have been buying those Scrabble tile pendants like a madwoman. I think I’ve bought about 5 or 6 of them in the past few months.
That pink dress is so, so pretty. Everything in that package is pretty!
As far as your future niece/nephew, I’m guessing a nephew.
I’m going to guess nephew too. It’s her first right? I think the law of averages says it will be a boy.
Also, that is some haul of excellent loot!
That package is A.MAZING. If I have to pay it forward, I want it known here and now that I will never accomplish that level of awesomeness. Just so you know.
I am going to say nephew! I feel like there’s a lot of boy-ness in the universe lately for those who are gestating.
That pic of Elizabeth with the cat is very cute! It almost looks like they are talking to each other.
I think you are getting a niece. Are they finding out before the baby is born?
I am having a boy in like 7 weeks, and I feel totally unprepared. I don’t know anything about boys! Aaaa!
Look at all those lovely lovely things! I love lovely things. It makes one just shine with beatific happiness.
This is awesome, but now I feel a little inadequate because it totally blows MY PIF package for you out of the water.
yeah for contests and swistle fudge! niece!
That dress is adorable. I’m so jealous of creative awesome people!
I’m going to guess that you’ll be getting a NEICE!!
Wow. That package was just all kinds of fantastic, wasn’t it???
As for your future aunthood is concerned, I’m feeling NIECE. Yay!
oh man, i needed a dose of cuteness and hell to the yeah! a contest!
baby: i’m guessing girl.
Hmm…you will be getting a nephew. A healthy nephew.
I love opening cardboard boxes full of goodies. I am amazed at what they can spew forth. And the box you received spewed forth some AWESOME STUFF!
I’m voting niece!
I’m guessing Nephew :)
Fabulous package! WOW!
I’m keeping my fingers crossed for a niece!
That package looked like it brightened your day! I could use one of those. :) And I’m guessing niece.
HOLY ZOMGS! that’s AMAZING! it would probably be best if i did NOT win this upcoming contest, because i stlil haven’t Paid It Forward from shauna’s present yet. except that i am selfishly wanting your fudge ;-)
SWEET!!! That dress is gorgeous. Just gorgeous!
Since I don’t have the official word yet, I’m gonna guess…. boy. Because I know it would make you so happy. :)
i say niece! also, my golly gosh that package is AMAZING. sounds like you deserve it right about now.
and now, i shall channel the random number drawer thing *places fingers to temple and furrows brow* PICK ME! PICK MEEEEEEE!
Neice – because you already have so many little boys, the universe knows you need another little baby girl to fawn over!
I wish that pink dress came in my size!
Oh – and I think you’re getting a nephew.
You need a neice to continue the cute girly shopping thing you’ve got going on. And you have such a cute pink embroidered dress and sweater arm leg warmer things now to pass along! I am pregnant and could totally use some brownies/fudge in the house!
My Dashboard Cluck says it will be a boy.
I think you will have a nephew! And all my pregnant self heard was FUDGE. What a totally cute dress.
Those are some amazingly creative ideas! Thanks for sharing…
I love the headband too. I can never find ones that don’t make the back of my ears hurt.
Yes! I think you WILL be getting a niece or a nephew in February! Can’t wait to hear which.
Love the dress.
I vote niece.
Niece!
To pass that lovely dress down to. I love that gorgeous dress!!!
I am habitually WRONG in my guesses of baby genders. So much so, that when I make a genuine guess, you can be ASSURED that you are NOT having that gender. Let me see if the feeling strikes me and I’ll let you know. Truly, you can bet money on the answer opposite the one I give…
:)
Oh yeah. A mystery box would be cool…
That stuff is incredible. Especially the dress. !!!
A niece.
Oooh! That is an awesome package!
Okay…my guess is NIECE. (A very healthy niece, BTW.)
OK. First time to comment on a Pay it forward contest. Mostly because I don’t have a blog. So, if I win, can I use your blog as my pay it forward?
I hope niece so Elizabeth has an ally in the family. :) It’s hard being the only girl.
Comment, comment, comment:)
I think a NIECE…they are nice!
Blonde little girl + blonde kitty cat = brain rupture on account of too much cute. Good gravy. Guessing niece!
Joanne- Yes, her first!
-R– Yes, they’re going to try to find out. I am VERY EXCITED TO KNOW.
Lawyerish- It’s intimidating, isn’t it? I’m not aspiring to it. It’s too high.
Jess Loolu- It blows ALL PIF PACKAGES OF ALL TIME out of the water. Really, it’s unfair of me to make it a PIF situation. It sets a poor precedent.
Jodi- ME TOO. This one is awesome because it ties on with ribbon–no diggy-in parts.
Trina- Yes!
What a lovely pressy!
Your daughter is GORGEOUS – and so is your kitty!
A niece – girl power!
Oh Elizabeth! I must go have a baby girl!
I think you will have a nephew.
Uh-mazing. People’s creativity just blows me away.
A healthy, bouncing, chubby baby niece to whom you can pass that dress to, for double the joy….if you can bring yourself to part with it!
So, on facebook are you swistle thistle? I was hesitant to add you as a friend because what if it wasn’t you? What if you said no? Ack! I got this horrible combo of Tessie’s Nervous Tummy and your phone anxiety just thinking about it.
But I want to be your facebook friend, even if you don’t really know me….. :)
Oh I agree “Gasp”. So creative and fun. And I voting for niece.
Wow! The dress is amazing! I hope you are getting a nephew. All kids should have a big brother, no?
That is an awesome package! (That sounded vaguely dirty, so moving on.)
I’m pretty sure you’re getting a niece. Or maybe a nephew. Yep, for sure it’s one of those.
Is Amy still making handbags? Because she doesn’t have any on her ETSY site, and I L.O.V.E. one of the bags I found on her flickr page… Want.
Oh, and niece. Elizabeth needs a girl in the family to play with. :D
Wow. Now THAT is a package. I’m truly impressed. And not at allllll jealous, I swear. But I want some brownies! I really really do. Like right this very second now unfortunately. If I go to bed, maybe I won’t anymore.
And you’re getting a nephew! Congrats!
Oh — so have you gone shopping yet for every stitch of clothing that might match that headband yet? :)
I think a nephew is in your future.
Thanks for the chance!
Wow! That stuff is amazing.
I think you’re going to have a niece.
Well, I’m due in March and I think I’m having a boy, so I will say nephew!
I’m glad you loved it so much Swistle. I love your blog so much I just wanted to pay you back somehow for all the belly laughs I get from your brilliant writing! I hope niece so Elizabeth has a girl cousin.
I am commenting in hopes that I win some famous Swistle brownies or fudge! Also, I LOVE that dress :)
Kel- Yes, I’m Swistle Thistle on Facebook. Let’s be friends!
Bethtastic- I went and looked at her shop, and it LOOKS like the handbags are only in stores? We are going to have to move to Canada, looks like.
What a GORGEOUS package of goodies!
I think you’re getting a niece in February, which means a nephew because I’m always wrong!
I love brownies and/or fudge! Also Target; I think this prize has my name on it!
Oh, I became a fan of Amy when I won that delicious bag. My bag!! :) I have loved carrying it around all summer. But now I am her Facebook fan, too.
Gosh, that is a beautiful little dress!
You will get a nephew in February. I am praying the the storks are rationing out girls right now. I’m going to be an Auntie again in March and i NEEEEEED a niece.
Oh, let’s say a niece because girl clothes are way more fun to shop for.
Also, that little pink dress is beyond adorable.
Alright, here I am de-lurking after many months of successful lurking. The promise of Swistle brownies is too much for me.
BTW Postpartum Chocolate Chip Cookies is possibly the best recipe ever! The cookies are good too.
PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE! I haven’t won a PIF YET!
Um, I’ll guess a BOY!
Yeah I want to guess boy as well. All my friends seem to be having girls.
And, OMG, fudge!
Awesome package! Love the cute dress! :o)
No one I know has had a girl in ages, so I’m hoping girl.
I think I need the fudge. I’ve been working out with a personal trainer, using my bodybugg, and have lost 8 pounds of fat and gained 2 pounds of muscle in 4 weeks. I deserve fudge, don’t I?
Wow, that’s kind of an awesome prize. Lucky you!
Wow, what a wonderful package. Nothing that great ever comes in my mail (which is bills and junk mail). As for the niece vs. nephew question: I vote niece, just because there’s been a boom of baby boys around me lately, so, someone needs to have a girl.
You’re getting a niece, because we’re practically sisters (?!) and I’m having a boy. But it’s not February, it’s any week now.
I’m going to say neice! Also, what’s the Z in ZOMG stand for?
Sara- Hee! The Z is an intensifier for the O. It’s like saying Zoh my god. I know, that doesn’t make any sense. It’s an internetlanguage thing.
I say nephew. I wish nephew, because everyone is having baby girls lately and because we have to continue to populate the earth than we need more boys.
k. Now, comments on your package contents.
AWesome! I can only imagine your daughter in that cute dress. I love a package, don’t you?
Girl.
:)
Nephew. Boys are all the rage around here lately. Two of the four pregnant ladies I know had boys; All of us who had babies in the last year had boys.
I’m going niece.
Those buttons are AWESOME.
I’m drooling over that dress and the little hair accessories. You scored with this prize!
My first response is to say boy, but it would be great if it were a girl so Elizabeth could have a girlie pal. But really, you win either way.
I’m putting together my own PIF package and will let you know when I get around to that. Like Jess, I feel like I need to step it up a notch now!
Wow that is some good loot!
I’m going to say nephew.
What great loot! Isn’t it great fun to receive packages in the mail? How lucky you are!
Yes, that was a great gift indeed!
I think you’re having a niece.
I am commenting at 3 in the morning because today is my daughter’s birthday and I got this bright idea in my head to make a barbie cake for her. Those kind where the cake is the skirt and you poke a real barbie down inside the cake so just her body is showing. It is not going well. At all. I would tell you about it but frankly, I’m just too exhausted. It was also the only cake mix in the house so I can’t even throw in the towel and make a sheet cake.
She’s only 4 though. Maybe I can just frost the thing and say it’s an igloo.
Niece! That way Elizabeth will have another girl to play with : )
Oh my god, that is the mother of all prizes! I forsee many many hours of fun on that etsy site!