decor8 Contest: Get a Hobby! Book Giveaway

I have 3 copies of Get a Hobby! 101 All-Consuming Diversions for Any Lifestyle by Tina Barseghian to give away this week. I own the book and love it because it turned me on to many new ideas that I hadn't thought about before, a few I plan to try. I'd love to share this book with you, so if you'd like one, here's how to enter...


Rules: To enter, Simply comment below and tell us, if money and time were no object and you could have any hobby in the world, what would it be? Only ONE dream hobby and only one entry per person. In order to qualify, you'll need to include one of the following below your answer: 1) your blog address 2) email address, or 3) your website address. Please post your email address like this: Jane AT yahoo DOT com to avoid spam freaks. If you do not include a place where we can contact you, you will not be entered in the contest, so make sure you include a link of some kind. Thanks!

How winners will be determined: I'll read through the comments that you leave below and the most bizarre and unique answers will be grouped into my top ten list. I'll then post the top ten list on Saturday morning, May 5th and I'll reveal the 3 that I selected as favorites. I'll also email the winners to notify them. Winners: At that time, you'll need to reveal your full name and mailing address so I can mail the book to you. It doesn't matter where you live, the contest is open to anyone, and I'll pay for the postage on it, so it's 100% free all the way!

Have fun!


[UPDATE: 5/1, The publisher, Harper Collins, was so impressed by the response that they are giving us additional copies of the book so we'll have more than 3 winners! Yay! Keep the entries coming, this is fun!]

Stephanie DosReis of Ponies & Sugar Cookies

Stephanie DosReis from Providence contacted me over the weekend about her art. She'll be attending Surtex for the fist time in May down in New York (4th floor of the River Pavilion, booth #1003 with Bridgewater Design) and thought we'd enjoy a sneak peek of her work before it hits the show. You can view some of her work in progress below or here on flickr. Some already completed designs, in the form of onesies, t-shirts, quilts, art, are for sale in her etsy store, Ponies & Sugar Cookies.


Psst: Learn more about Stephaine via her blog, A Little Deer. I love reading about the process of design, so her blog is a must read if you enjoy tapping into the brain of a creative lady like Ms. DosReis. Thanks Stephanie for introducing us to your work, I especially love your mini quilt art, it's beautiful!

(images from ponies & sugar cookies)

The Pet Set Stationery

Combining fashion and pups - adorable! Stationery from The Pet Set celebrates the pampered pooch like no other, and Philadelphia-based illustrator Colleen Madden captures that special relationship perfectly, don't you think?


(images from the pet set)

decor8 Reader Kitchen Transformation

This is what I live for. At least from a career perspective. I seldom post entire letters from readers, but this one from Niki C. absolutely made my day. I have to share it with you.


"Hi Holly! I've been reading your website for over a year now - check it every day and have turned countless friends to your site as well. I am a hurricane Katrina survivor and moved up to Pennsylvania after the storm - no flood zone - my husband and I bought our first home this past September. Your daily postings served as inspiration for me to decorate and design the way I like -- but not the bland suburban way that would guarantee a resale value (all that beige and stone color, blech!). The first room we renovated was the tiny bathroom; we went with bright yellow and loved it so much that it gave us the confidence to take on the kitchen with boldness too.

before and after

Since your aesthetic and daily musings served for such a constant source of inspiration and encouragement to be bold - I wanted to share with you the photos from my kitchen renovation. The lights aren't worked out yet and there are still little things that aren't finished, but I just felt like sharing it with you because you were a part of it to me. :) Thank you for decor8 and your vision." :) -Niki

before and after

Thank you so much Niki, very impressive work that I'm sure everyone reading here today will enjoy. We all know how hard a DIY renovation can be, especially a kitchen, so we applaud your amazing transformation. That candy apple kitchen is gorgeous, I would cook in there day and night! Readers, you can view all of her before and after photos here on flickr. Thank you for sharing it with us.

For all the other design/creative bloggers out there that have long time lurkers (like Niki) reading YOUR blog, remember this: You may have no clue how your words are helping others to make positive changes. So stay with it. Keep sharing your voice. There's room for all of us.

(images from niki crosby)

Rockett St George *New* Items

Jane over at Rockett St George sent me an email this morning about some of their new items, and so far I'm really enjoying the work of textile designer Johanna Basford. She designs wallpaper, cushions and lampshades, but it's the lampshades that appeal to me the most because they are a non-sensual version of P Van b in Berlin (I visited their studio in Berlin last November, even more amazing in person), so I could actually install one over my table without making my guests blush.

Jane mentioned that soon she'll be stocking Bombarock textiles and Susan Bradley's complete range, so stay tuned! Rockett St George has so many beautiful new things because Miss Jane has such a great eye, browse their site to see what I mean... You'll want it all!

Thanks for the updates, Jane!

(images from rockett st george)