The joys of pinning

I can't believe that it has taken me this long to become hooked on Pinterest! Granted I did try and sign up about 4 months ago and had huge issues with the invitation email not working and it telling me that I had already signed up (I hadn't... I was pretty sure I would remember something like that). So of course, I eventually just decided I had better things to do and didn't pursue it further... until now. I signed up a few days ago and have been pinning like a mad woman ever since.

I'm not really sure what the draw is - I think in part it's the joy of seeing a whole bunch of things that I crave, but will (likely) never have all in one spot to come back and look at again and again. Like the furnishings that will never belong in my house (where grubby fingers manage to touch EVERYTHING), or the crafty items that I will never make (but will always think I will make - someday - when I have the time), or the hairstyles that I wish I had (if only my hair was... well... someone else's hair). It's kind of like when I was a teenager and my best friend and I rummaged through catalogues making lists of all of the things we would buy and put in our houses when we were older - and won a million dollars. I know that it's just a dream, but geez it's a fun one to have isn't it? So yep, I'm hooked. And who knows, maybe one day I'll wake up and be the kind of girl who can get away with wearing eight inch heels?

962 is a good number

I can't believe that it was only a few short months ago that I started Monkey Hugs and Snugglebugs. In that time I have made over 150 dolls and monkeys (I lost count somewhere along the way) and have enjoyed making every single one. There is nothing like the feeling I get when I start stuffing and seeing my little creations come to life. Sometimes I know exactly what I want them to look like before I start, others seem to talk to me as I am creating and tell me how they would like to look, what they would like to wear and lots of other little things that may make me seem even more crazy if I say them out loud (or "write them out loud" as the case may be!)

I have had the pleasure of corresponding with some very lovely ladies and working on some absolutely delightful custom orders and have been lucky enough to meet the lovely Linda from Two Muddy Sisters and one of my wonderful customers, Cath, whose gorgeous children have quite a substantial Monkey Hugs collection. I have been a part of some fantastic charity auctions and witnessed the amazing generosity of donators and bidders alike... And all this while being lucky enough to stay at home with my two little monkeys, Maia and Cillian. For that, I am ever so grateful to you all and want to say a big thank you for the support you have shown me and my page. Thank you to everyone who has shared my page with family, friends, acquaintances, complete strangers and anyone else in between. Thank you for helping me to reach 962 likers :)

So, now down to the fun stuff. As a thank you, I have decided to giveaway one of my micro mixed up monkeys. (Picture to come - it's too overcast at the moment!) To be in the running to win, you have to be on facebook and "around" for my 900 liker celebration at 8:30pm on Tuesday 24/01/2012. After I announce the new owner of my Auction doll (if you haven't seen her, she is here), we will be having a little treasure hunt (similar to the one I had before Christmas). I am going to put up 5 questions that you will need to find answers to and will give everyone 10 minutes to find the answers. The answers will need to be posted under the question post (so those on phones can play too). To make it a little easier for those people with slow connections, the first 5 people to have all answers correct will then be put in random.org and a winner will be chosen that way. The prize includes regular post within Australia :) The winner will have 15 minutes to claim their prize or it will be redrawn.

I will also be giving away another VIP Monkey Hugs spot (for those that don't know, this gives you a permanent 5% discount on any future purchase). The VIP spot is a special thank you to all of the ladies who have purchased from Monkey Hugs and Snugglebugs and as such, is only open to people who have bought (or ordered) from me. This can include purchases from past charity auctions and includes those ladies on my current orders list. As a special thank you, I will also include anyone who has bid on my 900 liker auction doll, even if you are not ultimately the purchaser.

To be in the running, you need to comment under the 900 liker VIP spot picture here with your favourite item you have purchased/ordered (if you've only purchased one it will be easy!) I will then place all of the names in a hat and have my hubby or daughter pick a winner. The picture is open now for comments and will be drawn after the treasure hunt on Tuesday night. (You don't need to be present for the VIP drawing)

As usual, facebook is in no way affiliated with these giveaways :)

Thanks heaps... I have a feeling 2012 is going to be a great year!

Sam :)