A Valentine's Day Giveaway - Winner Announced!

Congratulations to the winner of the Valentine's Day Giveaway!

Thank you, everyone, for participating. ♥︎

Stay tuned for the St. Patrick's Day Giveaway coming in March! 🍀

. . .

Happy Valentine's Day! I know it was yesterday, but a holiday about Love should last so much longer than one day....how about every day? No? Well, we can start with a week. ;)

Valentine's Day is all about the love we share and feel towards those most important to us. Love is very important to me, to share with others....especially those that I don't know, because everyone needs it. A truth that is always good to share.

Today I want to share something with you, an original drawing...the first original drawing of my Mermaid Portrait series for my upcoming coloring book.

Here's what you need to do to be entered into the Giveaway:

♥︎ Go to my Pinterest page and Follow
♥︎ Pin something you like from my Pinterest page
♥︎ Share here or on my Facebook Page a link to the Pin you liked  

The more you Pin, the more your name is entered!

This will be running through the entire week of Valentine's. Today February 15th through Sunday, February 21st. All entries AFTER midnight February 21st will not make it to the list.

Winner will be announce Monday February 22nd!
winner announced on facebook and here on the blog. winner will also be contacted via message/email

Happy Pinning! ♥︎

Special Valentine Giveaway

I would like to start a new tradition around here, and I want it to be something special given at least once a year.
I want to give away a painting, and I think Valentine's Day is the perfect time.

Title: "Love Floats"

Image Size: approx. 6.5 x 11 inches
Paper Size: 9x12

I created this piece just for the giveaway, and it's particularly special because of how I went about the process. In my previous post I mentioned I was going to take a watercolor class and I found many awesome videos/tutorials on youtube. 

I applied much of what I learned, and something clicked last night as I completed "Love Floats". I am VERY excited to see the new discovery in my later work. (discovery will be revealed in next blog post)

Why the original giveaway? I truly believe my artwork goes to those it was intended for, and I know in these times it can be difficult to obtain something extra that isn't a necessity. 

So, is this intended for you? 

Here's how you can find out...

Mandatory Entry: Post below about one of the biggest blessings you've ever received. What truly touched you and made you stand up straight knowing you were/are loved?

Additional ways to enter (get your name in multiple times):

1 entry - Share the giveaway on Facebook and Twitter and mention below

2 entries - Visit my shop and share your favorite art print below 

3 entries - Write a blog post about this giveaway and share the post here 

Please be sure to post all comments here so that nothing gets lost. If it's not below it won't count. 

I will use Random.org to determine a winner.

There's More?!

Yuppers! There will be a second and third place winner too!

Second Place Prize: *Two (2) 8x10 prints of your choice from my shop and one (1) Print of "Love Floats"

Third Place Prize: One (1) print of "Love Floats"

♥ GIVEAWAY ENDS FEB. 1, 2012 ♥
*open editions only

My Biggest Blessing? It's a hard question because my life is truly filled with so many blessings! It's why you see me use the word everywhere, because I am overflowing with them. 

I think my biggest blessing is when God encompassed all of me and saved me from a life that could have led to death. I mean this in a physical sense, although he saved my soul too. If he had not done that, and loved me so much to do that, I would not have my husband, my friends, my in laws, the amazing relationships with my mom, dad, and sister, it's astounding.

The life I have now as I know it would not exist....and the one that would be....makes me shudder to even think about. I knew I had to get out of that situation, that lifestyle, but couldn't do it on my own. He and I truly bonded through that experience. It's amazing what miracles he brings. :) 

blessings,

sara

Ready for Valentine's Day?

Bear of Hearts button by sarabillustration

I have some great gift ideas for Valentine's Day this year that I'd love to share with you! Here are some thoughts:

Small heart button. Buy these in bulk and share with friends and family. Remind them of your love for them, or ask them to give their heart to someone in need of love. A great small and simple gift!

Little Valentine Heart button


Send a postcard. I have several postcards featuring paintings showing hearts, love, and the famous color red. Each card is only $1.25! Buy in bulk and send loving thoughts. Great framed once received too. Not only do they get your sweetest words, but they get a piece of art to hang as well.

Child of Healing Postcard


Wear your love. Support your heart by wearing it on your sleeve for one day. A few images to choose from for the day of love that you can place on any shirt of your desire. Now men, I haven't forgotten about you, but assumed you wouldn't want to wear a cute fairy bear with hearts. I have also designed heart ties in two colors for men bold enough to sport them. Great for an evening out! These shirts are great also for breast cancer awareness, every day, and children.

Bear of Hearts Tee

There is much more, mugs, stickers, magnets and other designs not presented here. Take a gander and see if you get any ideas. Thanks so much and let's spread the love people!

Visit my Valentine's Day Shoppe

February Postcard

Last night right before bedtime I finished the illustration for my promotional postcard. Thanks to my advising husband of course. First mail out of the year. Surprisingly enough, while playing in photoshop for layout, it wasn't nearly as hard as my postcard last year. I don't know if it's because there isn't as much pressure (Brian having a new job), or if it's what I hope it is. That I have enough faith and trust in God that I just keep doing what I'm led to do and let Him take care of the rest. A running theme this year I think. :)

I would appreciate any feedback about layout. Especially in on the back. I realized I hadn't done any illustration to take from the front and transfer to the back. So I decided on illustrating a beach like (Columbian?) girl, all the way across the ocean from where the kids on the front are from, receiving one of the loving thought letters. Placement and color was the only real issue I ran into. Couldn't decide.

If you have thoughts, opinions, for either the front or the back, I'm all ears. I'm hoping to get these ordered tomorrow or Friday. :)

Thanks!

Promo Sketch

To start the new year off Candace and I are sending out promo postcards at the end of January. Here is the initial sketch I have for it. Our theme is Valentine's Day.

Below is the sketch with added trees. Not sure if they work or not. Any feedback is welcome. I'm trying to bring in different ethnics and ages plus some play with perspective. Thanks!

Prints! Prints! Prints!

May I say it again, I have prints! Low and behold, I was able to use ImageKind after all. I thought I couldn't. Bah! Not so!

I have 18 images up to order, and whats so great about ImageKind is you have a lot of control over what you're purchasing. Prints (about 8x10) start at $14.49, but the size goes as large as the file will allow. You can frame, mat, place the image on canvas, and so many more things that I could never provide myself. They handle all of the shipping and printing, and have a great reputation. And in the spirit of Valentine's Day, I have six(6) pieces relating to love available. So please visit my gallery at:

http://sarabutcher.imagekind.com

Another great feature are the greeting cards. You have control as to where the image is cropped, and no need about my information, for on the back they place a copyright and a link to my gallery. How cool is that?

One last special note, there are two pieces in the gallery titled "A Lily for Lucy" and "Painted Ladies". These pieces are mixed media and unlike anything else I've created. There are a total of 5 paintings created in this process, and two are available for purchase.