~Fabulously Free Giveaway~ & ~Mosiac Monday~

Happy Monday!!!
So a little *Mosaic Monday* to prepare for our giveaway

1. orange and blue ... i love you, 2. Not a E-mail, 3. Sweet preparations ♥, 4. a few of my fav. tools..., 5. Lady Writes the Blues, 6. Free vintage black and white postcard texture for layers, 7. And now ... I have to find the words, 8. for marie, 9. AIR MAIL, 10. approved by the postmaster general, 11. Valentines Card 2009, 12. 388 and 392, 13. Would You mind getting the mail?14. Not available15. Not available16. Not available

Don't you just love good ole mail?!

I do! Way back here I posted "Operation Snail Mail". 

Go chk it out and join in! I have a few pen pals I gained from this, and love it!

Ok so speaking of love letters and mail . . .

***Another hand picked Fabulously Free Giveaway***

Hosted by TJ from the adorable Etsy shop

Ink and Iron

(LOVE letterpress card)

Me:"What influenced you opening your Etsy shop?"

TJ: "I opened my Etsy shop just to test the waters with my products to see if anyone would buy them. So far, so good!"

(you're hot-letterpress birthday card)

Me: "Where do you gather inspiration from?"

TJ: "Gosh, inspiration comes from everywhere. A car driving down the road, a photo online, clothing, a phrase or expression of speech, music, basically from anything I see or hear. You never know when inspiration will hit you, so when it does write it down!"

(we're a great match-letterpress anniversary card)

Me:"Give us 2 words to describe your personal style"

(Ring Box-letterpress engagement card)

TJ:"contemporary and classic"

Me: "What are your top 3 favorite shops/online stores?"

TJ:"j crew, theory, piperlime (I know, not super original, but it's the truth!)"

(happy face-letterpress birthday card)

Me: "What was the BEST handmade gift that anyone has ever given you?"

TJ: "I don't think I've ever gotten a handmade gift!"

Me: "Tell us a little bit about your creative process."

(XOXO infinity letterpress card)

TJ: "My creative process starts with an inspiration. I run a lot of my ideas by one of my besties to see what she thinks. If she thinks the idea is worth pursuing, then I move onto brainstorming ways to execute the idea. Once I've decided on the best solution, I usually got through quite a few revisions before I get to the final design or illustration."

 

Me: "What is your favorite item in your shop, or your top-seller?"

(letterpress birthday card-great sentiment)

TJ: "My favorite product is the birthday dots card. It has such a special message."

Me: "Besides your wonderful items in your shop, what are some of your other creative outlets/hobbies?"

TJ: "Some of my hobbies are running, working out, and recently I'm getting into photography (although I have no idea what I'm doing yet!). I also love horseback riding and flying, but I haven't been able to indulge in these pastimes lately."

Me: "What do you want others to get out of your items/shop?"

(when adam was lonely-letterpress marriage card)

TJ: "You know, it's a lot easier to buy a greeting card from a store front, so I really appreciate when someone makes the effort to order a card on Etsy. Since they took the time, I really want my customers to be happy with the product; I just want them to be happy."

Me: "Is there anything else that you would like to share with us about you or your fabulous creations?"

TJ: "Just that they're all handmade with love!"

The Giveaway:

~Win $25 worth of her lovely product!!!~

To enter:

(please use a seperate comment per entry!)

*Go visit Ink and Iron and tell me your fave item (1 entry)*

*Tell us what kind of card you would like to see in her shop (1 entry)*

*Be a fab follower of my blog (1 entry)*

*Be a fan of Memory Bean Designs on Facebook (1 entry)*

*Favorite Ink and Iron on Etsy (1 entry)*

*BLOG about this giveaway (2 entries!)*

So many ways to win!!!

***Giveaway ends midnight PST Monday Aug 8th***

Winner will be picked randomly:-)

Ready, set, win!!!

P.S. if you haven't read it yet, chk out my "August Charity Spotlight"

***MWAH***

Weeekend of dreaming . . .

~Dreaming of spring and summer dresses~

Ha ha . . . soooo my lovely hubby just informed me he wants me to get more patterned dresses. 

Kinda random

but I'm girly and love dresses so I totally am game:-)

 We started looking online and it's funny how our tastes vary!

So I decided that I'm here to educate him on what is cute (and what def. is not!)

See I'm a good wifey by helping him out right?  LoL

Anyway so that, combined with the GORGEOUS weather outside, has me thinking and dreaming dresses . . .

What I wore today:

(and blogged about way back here)

and dresses I'm dreaming off . . .

Cinch Garden Dress by Free People $98

Streamer Ruffle Dress by Free People $98

Free Bird Dress by Free People $148

Wind Catcher Dress by Anthropology $168

Tiered Floral Chiffon Belted Dress $24.80

Cheryl Dress by Guess $79

Oooh and this necklace to go with of course:-)

One of a Kind Vintage Spray Necklace by Free People $128

Any ideas of other stores to find some super cute, soft, girly spring/summer dresses???

Help a girl out:-)

~Dreaming of our next Westie~

Ha ha ok if you didn't read my "To Westie or Not to Westie" do it here and you'll know what I'm talking about here:-)

So after a ton of feedback from ya'll . . .

(THANK YOU! You guys rock and that's why I lurve ya'll)

 The votes were:

To Westie! : Fifteen yes ma'ams

To Not Westie and enjoy your life! : Five no's

Foster! : Uno . . .Mrs In Training you're too cute!

So again thank you all for all of your stories and feedback!

I sure do love these fur balls

And my hubby and I have been in deep discussion about this . . .

and have decided . . .

dum . . . dum . . dum . . .

To wait! Lol at least until after getting back from vaca

 (leaving in like 40 days! Who's counting tho?)

and then we will talk about it again and maybe go down there and check all those adorable dogs out. 

BUT I'm thinking we're both leaning towards

TO WESTIE!

I will let you all know our decision then. 

At least then if we get one I can take a little time off of the 9-5 and get it aquainted, etc. 

(because a baby isn't in our plans for 2-ish years?)

(Travel travel travel and save save save ya know . . . ha ha at the same time???)

~Dreaming of Cute cards and Operation Snail Mail~

I got my first return "snail mail"!!!

So thanks Diana!!!!

 I absoltely LOVED it, esp the super cute photo of Paris (sigh)

THANK YOU!!

Also just sent out a few more fabulous cards to people . . .

If you don't know what I'm talking about read this blog entry:-)

Have a fantabulous rest of your weekend!!!

"Tagged" Photo by luvpublishing

What have you been dreaming about as of late?

~Tamara Nicole~

P.S. Don't forget some dress advice:-)

A few lovelies and . . . Kiss me I'm Irish!

*Ok seriously if you haven't checked out OneCraftyFox dooo it!*

She's super cute and has a fun blog:-)

So two lovelies from her blog:

~Operation Snail Mail~

If you missed my post on this chk it out!

Let's get back to the basics and send unexpected, heart warming cards to people.

Anywho the lovely OneCraftyFox posted a blog post for this!

Chk it out here

AND I still have some super cute cards to send, so if you want to be a part of this

 email me at memorybeandesigns@yahoo.com

with your addy and let's bring it back to sentimental thoughtful fun:-)

~Sunshine Blog Award~

Thanks my lovely OneCraftyFox!!!

All I can say is you never can have too many awards right?! :-)

They're so fun, make me feel all kinds of special . . .

 and it's nice to know I have readers who enjoy my blog!!!

So thank you all for being the amazing readers that you are!

Spring is in the air (lovin the blossoms!!!) soooo  let's spread the sunshine!

I will therefore pass this award along to the following lovelies:

1. http://laceyinloveblog.blogspot.com/

2. Suegarcoated

3. Prrfectgirl

4. Meet for Stonekings

5. It's Always Summer on the Inside

6. Cassie

7. Mrs. in Training

8. Juicy J

9. The Holmes Home

10. Iva Messy

11. http://kelseyandgabriel.blogspot.com/

12.  Risley

♥´¨)

(¸.·♥ Here are the rules for accepting this award:

1. Put the logo on your blog or within your post.2. Pass the award on to 12 bloggers.3. Link to the nominees within your post.4. Let them know they received this award by commenting on their blog.5. Share the love and link to the person from whom you received this award.

~Kiss me I'm Irish~

Can't ya tell with my freckles and red hair?!

AND I love kisses:-)

Anywho some St. Patties Day Love:

SALE Silk and metal cuff bracelet - GREEN LIME -- no.79

by Sleeks $18

Dipping dish - ginkgo in chartreuse

by hope johnson

Kiss kiss. Hand stamped tag with sterling clover and Irish green glass drop necklace

by Ruby Studios $30.00

Anyone celebrating tonight?!

 I just ate my corned beef I made and broght for lunch, and a mint mocha?  Does that count?  :-)

My New "Wellies", Awards, Updates

Ha ha ok I'm sooo out of the"know", and didn't know what everyone was referring to as "wellies" on my rain boot post. 

NOW I know lol, guess I've been out of the loop:-)

So after much deliberation
(and the fact that ALL the red/white polka dot ones are still sold out . . . boo!)
 and all of your
lovely opinions
 on this post
 . . .
I chose THESE:

(Thank you to Nikosmommy, Alicia, Nikki!!! Ya'll have some good style there!)

So they ship out today and will arrive on my doorstep soon, can't wait! Perfect for dog park trips, and prancing around in the rain.  Who knows maybe some

puddle stompin?!

lJ7-1 Photo by velvet.harriet

Why do kids get all the fun huh?!

***ALSO***

my lovely blog friend Juicy J from "Lace and Leather"

awarded me with the

*Sunshine Award*

This lovely award is for all those sweet blogs that inspire us everyday...

Here are the rules for accepting this award:


1. Put the logo on your blog or within your post.


2. Pass the award on to 12 bloggers.


3. Link to the nominees within your post.


4. Let them know they received this award by commenting on their blog.


5. Share the love and link to the person from whom you received this award.

So 12 of my lovely ladies that inspire me on a regular basis:

*Design is Mine, Isn't it Lovely?
*Amber Housley: The Sweet Life
*Sunshine and Sprinkles
*A Reflection by Tuesdai
*A Blonde Ambition
*Jennifer Fabulous
*Life is Bananas
*Step Inside . . .
*Moon Face
*It's Simple Love
*Le Musings of Moi
*Jeans Friday

These are some AMAZING and inspiring blogs, seriously cheeck them out:-)

***Operation Snail Mail***
In full effect! Just sent out 5 cards to some wonderful blog ladies, and went to this SUPER cute boutique by my work and bought like 20 fun girly cards.  To join in chk out info HERE

A fun quote from one of my new cards:

"Go for long walks, indulge in hot baths, question your assumptions, be kind to yourself, live for the moment, loosen up, scream, curse the world, count your blessings, just let go, just be"

(Carol Shields)

***Giveaway***
Still open until Monday, don't forget!
Who doesn't love FREE?!
Enter here


***Memory Bean Designs***
Ok I've been crazy busy . . . and it's so so nice to see my creations adored and used! Makes the hard work to get a "bi-niss" going when I see things like this.  Chk out Olga's blog "Vintage Pretty".  Super cute blog, thsi girl's got style.  ALSO chk out that frame in the first photo.  Yup I made that and it's up in someone's house and they love it.  Awww I'm all smiles right now

 Have a FANTABULOUS weekend my dears!!!

~Tamara Nicole~

P.S. don't forget to SMILE

"77/365, you're never fully dressed without a smile!" by Serendipity

"Operation Snail Mail"

"146/365 send me your love in my mail box" Gibson Claire McGuire Regester

"Words that Fly" by Magpie's Fancy

Ok now who can say that they don't get SUPER excited when they get an actual letter or card from someone in the mail?!

  Nope we're not talking all that junk mail that fills your mailbox each day.  I'm talking about those
super rare
actual hand-written letters from a friend or family member. 

And even better . . .

a card just because!

But these days they are so few and far in-between.  So what I am challenging myself

***And all of you***

Is to help spread a little happiness with a little note, cute card, or letter.

AND have you heard that the postal service is possibly going to cut back and not work Saturdays?!
Not ok. 
Let's keep them in business so when we order fun lovelies online we can get it FASTER.
Keep them employed, AND spread some joy:-)

So what I am going to do is "Operation Snail Mail"
I am going to start sending out cute cards to friends and family, and in that envelope I will send them another cute card that they can use to pass on to someone else to keep it going.

Let's re-connect with people on a more personal level than just email and text.  This is one thing that is missing in the world

Show some old school love!!! 

~Send Snail Mail~

To get this jump started . . . for this week if you email me your addy (memorybeandesigns@yahoo.com)
 I'll send you some snail mail love!!!
(and I promise you won't be added to any mailing lists, etc.)

By simply hue

~Reminder~

Enter my giveaway here to win a set of 5 greeting cards of your choosing from

Tandy Photography

Who doesn't love free lovelies?!

Have a great day my peeps!!!

~Tamara Nicole~

P.S. Chk out my shop's items review over at savvymomsaves!!!