to blog or not to blog...

2 days in 1!

While I was busy sleeping last night the elves I put in charge of the contest were sleeping too (ok so that's a lie, no elves were in charge, I just plain ole slept right through 10:00 last night).  SO... we'll be running day 6 & day 5 today as well as announcing day 7 & 8's winners.  My sweet, sweet cleaning lady Ms. Fee kindly choose the name out of my very rectangular box today, and Ms. Debbie W is our winner for day 7!  Watch for your pedicure kit in the mail (or your front door!) Ms. Debbie!.  A special thanks to Fee for helping a girl out.  Day 8's winner is Ms. Mariah B! Your Sephora gift card will be in the mail this week Mariah, ENJOY! I know a certain guy was really hoping to win the pedicure set (his wife confirmed that earlier today :) ), but he'll just have to keep playing in the hopes of winning something a bit more "him" (You know I love ya Mark!).  The answer to where the Brady's kept their tree is "by or near the staircase".

Day 6's CHALLENGE is:  All about charity :)  This time of year we often think of those less fortunate than ourselves, we pass by a million red kettles and hear the countless radio ads for Toys 4 Tots, all in the hopes of giving those less fortunate a little brighter holiday.  This Friday my family and I will be ringing bells at Macy's in what is fast becoming a holiday tradition for us.  We try hard to teach our children the meaning of the holiday and that while receiving is nice, giving is even better. Friday is a community match day for the Salvation Army, for every dollar donated in the red kettles, area companies will match (if my fuzzy brain remembers what my husband told me correctly) up to $50,000.  My challenge to you is between now and 5:30PM on Friday to stop at a kettle or Toys 4 Tots box, please take a picture of the person manning the kettle, or of the box, then send me the picture and the dollar amount you donated (or aprox. $ amount of the gift donated to T4T).  Artistic Impressions will match your dollars and add it to "our" kettle on Friday afternoon, which then will be matched by other area companies, see how great that is!  Now if you're feeling exceptionally brave tomorrow afternoon (um today for most of you reading this, unless you're all night owls), feel free to stop by the west side entrance at Macy's between 4 & 6, Dan, myself and the kids will be there ringing our bells.  I will have access to email while bell ringing (thank you iPhone!) which will enable me to see exactly how much to donate before we leave our shift. 

Day 5 Challenge:  It's all about friends...
I have been so very blessed to have an extended group of friends that truly are some of the best people I know.  I have girlfriends I consider to be sisters, from near and far.  Some live within a few minutes drive and some I need to get on a plane for, but they all touch my life every day.  Some of them I talk to almost daily, others it's once a month or more, but they always are in my heart.  My challenge to you is to write me an "essay" about your best friend.  I want to know what makes them your best friend, how long you've known each other, how you met and why you think they deserve something special this holiday season.   I will tell you two of my dear friends I have met in the strangest of ways... my girlfriend Angie and I met while shopping at BabyGap one day.  She had just moved to town (as I overheard her telling the store clerk) and had a baby girl just a few months older than my baby girl, being the very social person I am told her I was listening in on her conversation and if she ever wanted to get together for lunch I would be happy to sell her on the finer points of Appleton.  She called me and we've been friends ever since (6+ years!).  Then there is my dear friend Ruby.  Ruby and I met on an on-line baby board when we were both pregnant with our daughters.  Turns out we had our babies on the same day, weighing in just an ounce shy of each other.  We quickly became online friends sharing stories of motherhood and easily finding out we had a lot in common.  Ruby and I share so much in common that a lot of times we scare each other with the things we have been doing, or in a lot of cases recently purchased (we have bought the same cell phone, home decor items and many countless things identical to each other, normally within days of each other, not knowing the other had it). Ruby lives in the Chicogoland area so I don't get to see her as often as I'd like but when we do get together it is just like sitting down with my sister.  We were very fortunate that our husbands enjoy each other's company just as much as Ruby and I do.  You have until midnight on Friday to submit your "essays" to me via email at artisticimpressions@new.rr.com. 

Again I thank you all for participating in my wild, crazy and really silly games.  I hope with days 5 & 6 we can do some good for those less fortunate, and for those that matter most to us and make a difference in our lives.  I look forward to hearing about your best friends and seeing how we can improve our community with donations tomorrow. 

God Bless,
Stacy

On to day 7!

First can I say that I have some of the most talented clients anywhere!  I received some FANTASTIC and very creative creations today for last night's contest.  A sampling of a few for your reading enjoyment:

Submitted by Debbie W.

Perfectly perfect service

Our Favorite photographer is Artistic Impressions

Really works hard to get the job done

Treasures to keep and share

Real Value - photos priced just right

Always awesome photos

I can't wait until my next session

Talent is Stacy's middle name

and this one by Mariah B.

Photography that is

Original and

Real,

That also

Remembers to

Artistically capture every

Individual's

True personality.

And who could forget Marcy W!

        Picture Perfect shot

   of Our children

captuRing many

        Timeless memories

       cReated by

         Artistic

         Impressions

         To cherish for many years.

Thank you to everyone that participated in last nights contest, I truly am in awe over the responses.  A winner will be announced tomorrow.

Now, on to tonight's competition, first the prize!  A fun mini-pedicure set from The Body Shop!  Anyone that has been in the studio in the last few years knows that I LOVE The Body Shop.  I usually burn their oils (except during newborn and maternity shoots) during sessions to keep the studio fresh.  For those wondering I almost always burn Satsuma, Strawberry and Exotic (yup, dump some of each in the burner and enjoy!).  Durning the holiday season I switch over to cranberry or vanilla.  And then there are the tubs of body butter I use all winter long!  Ok so now you know the prize, how about the contest...

I'm tired and therefore keeping it short and sweet tonight, tonight's contest will be of the trivial kind.  Answer this question, while keeping the rules at left in mind. 
"Where does the Brady Bunch keep their Christmas tree?"
I'm looking for a semi-specific answer here, think carefully before responding.  Please email the answers to artisticimpressions@new.rr.com with the word "contest" in the subject line. 

off for some slumber...

On the 8th day...

I announced a winner or two :) 

Day 10's winner is Rebbecca M, who was the only person to answer the question "In Tenth Avenue Angel, what farm animal kneels at midnight?" correctly.  The answer is a calf.  Rebbecca your gift card will go in the mail this week.  Day 11 is still in the works and Day 9 will have to wait till weeks end to find out if they're the winner.  I'm shocked that only 2 people have a  wish for something special just for them this holiday season.  I thought for sure that would be the contest that everyone would be playing for.   

That leads us up to Day number 8... wow 8 days till Christmas!  I still have shopping to do!  Day 8's contest will be another creative contest (they can't all be trivia!).  Using the word PORTRAIT come up with words or sentences that describe Artistic Impressions Photography.  Example:

     Perfect Pictures                        
of Our kids
foR display

you get the idea... again single words, sayings or sentences to describe Artistic Impressions.  Today's prize, a $25 gift card to SEPHORA!!  For use in store or at sephora.com, I LOVE this store!  Please remember to read the "rules" on the left before entering the contest.  Also for every contest you enter your name will be entered in the GRAND PRIZE drawing to be held on Christmas Eve night.  That means you have up to 12 times for your name to be entered in the grand prize drawing!! 

Ok a little side prize, the first person to get 3 people to sign up for the blog updates will win a secret prize!! Hee Hee!

On the 9th day of Christmas my photographer gave to me...

I am TIRED and therefore day 11 & 10 contests will run until morning when I have a chance to sift through them because chances are good I will be sound asleep by 10:00 tonight. 

Now on to the contest!

You are going to LOVE this contest, trust me LOVE it!  Here's what I want from you.  I want  you to post on the blog (click on "comment") one item $50 or less that you would really like for Christmas, why you want it and why you think you deserve it. The "winner(s)" of this contest will not be announced, instead they may find their item wrapped and in their mailbox or door by the end of the week as a fun little surprise.  I will post the "winner" after I know the gift has been received.  Your "wish list" item needs to be posted in the comments section of the blog by 10:00pm tomorrow evening.  Please remember to review the rules on the left.  In order to participate you must put your email address in that cute little box and click on "get email updates".  For every contest you participate in you will be entered into the GRAND PRIZE drawing, that means you could have your name entered as many as 12 times!!  *disclaimer* These games are meant as fun, a way to sit back, de-stress and enjoy something a little bit different during the holidays *end of disclaimer*

I'm off for some shut-eye, happy "contesting" (yes I just made that up, see I've hit delirium, I really do need some sleep tonight!).  Stacy

extending a deadline...

Ok folks the Packers won and I REALLY want someone to win that PB gift card.  I had a few people tell me they were looking forward to sending me pictures and yet I've only received one.  While I will be sending that person a gc for getting their image in on time I'd like to see a few more if possible.  So in the spirit of the season and a little competition I am extending day 11's contest until 10PM tonight.  There will be a second $25 PB gift card up for grabs if I can get more than 3 people to submit images by 10:00 tonight.  Also don't forget about last night's trivia question for the Starbucks gift card!  Submissions for that can be sent up until 10:00 when the winner will be announced and a new contest posted.  You are going to LOVE tonight's contest and prize, trust me!

tonights game...

I'm sorry I'm a bit late with Saturday's game, we had a couple of Christmas parties to go to this evening which we got home from a bit later than I anticipated (doesn't that always happen though!).  So because last nights contest was a bit of a challenge and required you to leave the comfort of your computer chair, plus due to the late hour of the night (um, early morning) I am keeping it simple for the 10th days contest...

Answer this trivia question:
"In Tenth Avenue Angel, what farm animal kneels at midnight?"
The prize for tonight is a $10 Starbucks gift card. 
All answers MUST BE EMAILED to me at artisticimpressions@new.rr.com with the word "contest" in the subject line.  Please read the rules posted on the left before entering.  Remember every time  you participate (only once per day please) you will be entered in the GRAND PRIZE drawing held on Christmas Eve.  Happy trivia time!

Stacy (who's head is ready to hit the pillow!)

11 Days and counting...plus the winner is??

I'm so excited to announce the winner of last nights trivia question, Ms. Heather B.  Heather your iTunes gift card will go in the mail this weekend for you, enjoy! The answer to my trivia question "Maxford House was the brand name of the coffee in what Christmas movie?" is:  Christmas in July. I had 12 correct answers in my less roundish and more rectangular shaped container.  Thank you to all that participated, if you didn't win last nights trivia question please play along again tonight for a chance to win.  And remember just for participating your name will be added to the GRAND PRIZE drawing to be held on Christmas Eve night. Oh this is FUN!

Tonight's contest is.... *drumroll*
A Photo Contest!
Ok, I know what you're all thinking, but trust me I am not judging you on your photography skills, just how much you can have fun.  And quite honestly I won't be doing the judging of this one at all, a few fellow peers have stepped up to the plate to do it for me :).  First the prize for tonight's contest: A $25 Pottery Barn gift card!!  So I know $25 at PB doesn't buy much but if you go the day after Christmas you could come home with a bag full of stuff to decorate your tree or house with next year, just make sure you get there early!  Ok on to the contest...
You must take a picture of your "sweetie" sitting or standing near your Christmas tree, they must either be wearing a Santa hat or draped in holiday lights (over clothes please!), in one hand must be their favorite holiday beverage and in the other a sign that reads "We love Artistic Impressions because ____ (please fill in the blank).  These may be posted on the blog, so please make sure your significant other is ok having their picture posted.  Due to the nature of this contest I will give you until noon on Sunday to submit your images, the winner will be announced some time Sunday night. Please email all images to artisticimpressions@new.rr.com with the word "CONTEST" in the subject line.  Now if you happen to be single or your significant other is not available please use either a friend/family member to stand in or a pet.  Oh I can not wait to see some of these images.  Remember this is all in fun, something to break up the stress and craziness of the holiday season.  Throw in some Christmas tunes, pour yourself a beverage (mine at the moment is hot apple cider, YUM) and beg your significant other to participate with  you in this crazy contest.  Remember you MUST be signed up to receive email updates on the blog to participate and you'll be entered in the GRAND PRIZE drawing one time for every contest you participate in, whether you win or not just for participating in my silliness you'll be entered to win :).  Ok ladies and gentleman, grab your cameras and go have fun!

Another contest to come tomorrow evening, stay tuned!

A quick clarification

Well I love how excited everyone is to play my silly games with me, but just to clarify quickly the Clement Moore question was actually a fun little one I played last week.  I appreciate all of the answers to that question but Ms. Debbie W actually won the Starbucks card and is probably already enjoying it. 

As for last night's trivia question I am so excited to read the responses!  There are several correct answers and many really funny ones.  I will stop todays contest at 10 tonight and pull a winner, at which time I will announce the winner and today's game... a quick little hint, have your cameras ready :)!! 

'till tonight...

CONTEST TIME!!!

Oh gosh I'm giddy!  All sessions have been proofed, all orders have been placed (well I still have to order my cards and have a sneaky suspicion I'll have another card order or two to place yet...) and there is a light at the end of the tunnel.  Now to get through my children's birthdays the this weekend and try to get some gifts wrapped and I'll be one happy camper. 

Did I mention my year-end newsletter has gone out and oh yeah, it's CONTEST TIME!  I'm so excited, the prizes this year are F A B U L O U S (sung out loud in true HSM fashion, did you all run out and grab HSM2 this week??!), if I do say so myself.  I have gift cards, beauty products and a few surprises to give away.  I'll start off the contest light tonight, seeing I'm barely sneaking in before the day ends! 

PLEASE NOTE THE CONTEST RULES ON THE LEFT!

Today's contest will be a trivia question.  I will put the names of everyone that submits the correct answer in a hat, bowl, or whatever happens to be roundish and close to my desk at the time tomorrow evening at 10 to pull a winner.  Remember you must first subscribe to the blog to play in the contests.

Todays Trivia Question is:
Maxford House was the brand name of the coffee in what Christmas movie?
The prize: $15 iTunes gift card!!

Have fun and remember to watch the blog for tomorrows contest!

burning the midnight oil, and other fun facts

Ok so I guess I'm not really sure what fun facts I can share but as I sit here working on client cards and holiday orders I started thinking about all of the fun things I have in store for the next few weeks leading up to Christmas.  I thought to myself, "hmm, I really should get the newsletter out that I've been working on for a month", which by the way is now old news.. I had planned on mentioning in the newsletter to please keep your eyes open for the fun contests, but seeing I have yet to send that out I thought again to myself (something I do a lot while staring at the computer well into the night, cut a girl a break, who else is going to stay up talking to me at this time of night but, well, me :D ), what am I going to do to make sure my faithful blog followers are going to know about these great contests, and then the light bulb went off DUH!  Just post a note in the blog, giving my faithful followers a leg up on upcoming contests because as of right now those that don't read the blog won't know about the contests.  Have I mentioned I've been working on that newsletter for a month, chances are good at this point I may be half way through my contests before I send it out, so SHHHH, if you want to win prizes keep this all to yourself :D.  Oh but WAIT, the very first contest is coming right now! 

Be the first to answer this holiday trivia question correctly and you'll receive a $10 Starbucks gift card, NOW, be the first to answer this correctly AND forward the link to the blog on to at least 30 people, not only will you receive the wonderful Starbucks gift card, but you'll also receive a $25 Pottery Barn gift card! *You must include my email address when you forward the email so I can count how many people you sent it on to*

Ok the trivia question is:  Clement Moore compared St. Nick to what type of magical creature?
Remember to email the answers to: artisticimpressions@new.rr.com... remember if you're the first person to answer the question correctly and forward this link on to at least 30 people, you'll receive the Starbucks gift card AND the Pottery Barn gift card.  This is just the start, there will be many more fun contests this month so make sure you check back often!

Happy trivia answering!

Stacy (who is now going to head to bed at the ripe time of 2:08AM)