Monday, May 6, 2013

we're still kickin' and a GIVEAWAY!


well, guess what?
i've hemmed and hawed about how to start this post, so here ya go.
i miss you.  there.  i said it.  :)
i miss your comments of encouragement and the love that you show to me so graciously.
i miss sending reply emails and getting to know you better.
i miss sharing our life, and documenting it for my children(the whole point!).



the krauses are still very alive and well! 
 life has simply gotten the best of me these days 
and i've decided that it's moving waaayyyyy too fast for my liking.
i have a daughter who is 14 going on 30(see above).
my boys are becoming little men.
and my sweet maddie, well, she keeps me busy with sleepovers and such!




but of course, in the middle of all of that, you can find me hiding in a pile of laundry a mile high, or trying to figure out what to make for lunch(again), maybe grading papers, killing succulent plants, scouring the toilet, perhaps? 
maybe photographing my sweet husband repairing a leak.  
#iamthatgirl





if you are on instagram, you may see the goings on of our life over there(mary_krause).
it's so easy for me to share photos and activities on there, but part of me misses the interaction over here, too.
it's like sending a text when i should be calling.
or an email when handwritten is best.
i have really gotten impersonal and while it is convenient for this 90MPH life that i feel like i am barely hanging on for some days, 
i know that i crave slow and simple and being more reflective. 
being more present is important to me!  #helpmeLord
i don't just want to hang on for the ride, i want to enjoy the journey.
and i have to come clean, these past few months i haven't been doing that very well.
i'm sure some of you understand.




the Lord has been teaching us so many things, and He has been so gracious and tender with me along the way.
i am SO glad that HE is the captain of this ship, because i would for sure steer us right into trouble.
He is my TRUE NORTH.
unfailing.  constant.  
me....not.so.much.

SO!  with that said, my friends, we have been up to some pretty fun stuff that we are really excited about!
my daughters have this constant desire to create and make(no idea where that comes from!?), and so, with the Lord's help, we decided to DO IT AFRAID and start up our very own etsy shoppe.


believe me, i.was.scared!
our prayer is that HOPE homemade inspires you in your faith and that our pieces will be a constant reminder of His love and faithfulness to and for you.
i mean, we can NEVER be reminded of that too much, right?

so, to kick off our new venture, we would like to have a giveaway!
here's a peek at some of our creations.


and..........we are giving this necklace away to one of YOU!
something that i need to be reminded of DAILY.  or MINUTELY, more like it!
>>>we walk by faith, not by sight<<<



to enter:::

just leave me a comment on this post!
#easypeasy  :)

additional entries(leave separate comment for each one):::

1) visit our shoppe and tell me what your favorite item is!
2) share this giveaway on facebook/instagram/your blog

giveaway ends 5/10 and is open to readers worldwide
a random winner will be picked(out of a hat!) by 5/11  :)
please leave your email addy so that i can connect with you if you are the winner!

head on over to :::sew mama sew::: for TONS more giveaway fun!

thank so much for stopping by!
we HOPE you love our creations and that they inspire you in your faith.

it feels good to be back.  :)




xoxo,
mary


180 comments:

  1. My fave of the DAY (because it changes with the breeze) is the dog tags. Loving those for my boys. I can't wait to order some!

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  2. Love it!! Here is my comment. Love it!! I wish you the best. You are a lovely and busy family. b(dot)moews(at)gmail(dot)com

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  3. Congratulations on your new shop, I hope it brings you joy and resources :)

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  4. I love your selection, there are so many beautiful items with an encouraging word! I like the "Grace like rain" one best :)

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  5. Stopping over from Sew Mama Sew. Would love to win this. Your work is beautiful. I especially like the crewel work. :-) Very vintage and homey looking. snowflakes2hotcakes {at} gmail {dot} com

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  6. i L.O.V.E. the oh victory in jesus art. seriously, one of my favorite songs ever (and for obvious reasons).

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  7. The embroidery is my favorite!!

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  8. Lovely shop! Thank you for the giveaway!

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  9. It says it's a custom item but I love the "Be Still and Know" necklace. It reminds me of one of my favorite worship songs and in the hustle and bustle of my days, something I need a constant reminder of. Thank you for the giveaway!

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  10. I love this necklace. I'll go look at the store but I can tell you now the one you are giving away is my favorite. My husband recently resigned from his pastoring job on complete faith that God had something else for our family. We are currently waiting for him to reveal that "something else". It is truly walking by faith and not by sight. Thank you for the chance to win and blessings on your stepping out and starting up this Etsy shop.

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  11. Great shop! I like how they are 'aged'.

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  12. I've just found you and your shop - so very lovely!!! I love the Grace Like Rain charm, but then I saw the Be Still and Know one...that one should be my motto. Just yesterday I heard a brilliant sermon about that, and it was tailormade for me! Best of luck in your new venture - it looks like it will be a huge success.

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  13. I adore this necklace... the look, the verse- it's beautiful!

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  14. I can't choose a favorite from your shop... I love them all, seriously.

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  15. What a wonderfully inspiring shop you have...thanks for sharing your gift!

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  16. I like you "deeply rooted" pendant. Good reminder for me.

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  17. I love the “deeply rooted” pendant and the “be still and know”....okay, actually I love all of them.

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  18. Your necklaces are lovely and the embroidery is great too! Thank you so much for sharing and given us a chance to win.

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  19. Thanks for the chance, it is beautiful

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  20. Love your jewelry! This would make a wonderful gift for my daughter for her birthday in June.
    melsdaisypatch at gmail dot com

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  21. Antique Bronze Hand Stamped GRACE LIKE RAIN Pendant is my favorite item in your shop at this time

    melsdaisypatch at gmail dot com

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  22. Wow your necklaces are awesome, I love the sayings on them.
    smjohns63 at yahoo dot com

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  23. From your shop, I love the He sees me owl shaped necklace it is very lovely.
    smjohns63 at yahoo dot com

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  24. Beautiful necklace. thank you for the chance to win. I hear what you are saying about life moving too fast and teen daughters going into adulthood! Most of all, about missing your blog family. I have been a bit behind in the blogging myself and I really miss the blogland family. IG is fun but it's not the same. :)

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  25. Wow! Congrats on the new shop! And thanks for hosting this giveaway! I'd like to win the necklace. :)

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  26. I love the bird and 'look up' necklace. Thanks again.

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  27. i love them all!! what lovely necklaces & embroidery!

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  28. Congrats on your new shoppe, Mary. I just blogged this morning for the first time in a month. I miss "this", too.

    Fondly,
    Glenda

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  29. I am SO glad you took the etsy plunge!! you and your girls are so talented and your hearts behind the work makes it all complete! love this all so much. I'm working on a mother's day post and I'm including your work...love you much!
    xo,
    a

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  30. I love this: one of my favorite songs: http://www.etsy.com/listing/150346687/custom-order-for-jami?ref=shop_home_active

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  31. Congrats on your new shop.
    mcintoshsusan@hotmail dot com

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  32. I love 'hope is the thing with feathers'
    mcintoshsusan@hotmail dot com

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  33. Mary, what a lovely way for you and your daughters to share your faith with us! I'm sure my daughter will want one of everything!

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  34. congratulations on your new shop!! what a great way to spend time with your girls! thanks for the chance to win. :)

    bess

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  35. Yeah for the new shop! Here's to new endeavors!

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  36. Okay, I am seriously contemplating purchasing the "Deeply Rooted" for a friend whose husband may have cancer.

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  37. I am so happy for you that you started a shop. The things I've seen on Instagram are just gorgeous. Can't wait until I have some extra $ and can go shopping!!

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  38. Goodness, how do I even pick a favorite?! Gah!! Well, I must say that my favorite off what's listed on there has to be the "joyful in hope" necklace. But I really, REALLY love the showers of blessings one you put on instagram. =)

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  39. I love seeing your necklaces and creations on Instagram!

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  40. oh I love this! Just really lovely items - I think you & your girls made a good decision!

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  41. My fav is the one you are giving away, but I also really like 'be still and know'.....

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  42. This will be a very good reminder to the wearer and all those she comes across. God bless!

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  43. I like the Antique Bronze Hand Stamped Oval 'BE STILL and KNOW' Necklace. :)

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  44. I know how you feel, girl! Life has been moving too fast! Jahorn12820@gmail.com

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  45. Joyful in hope or grace like rain! Jahorn12829@gmail.com

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  46. Shared on facebook!

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  47. :) love these!!!
    They would make great graudation gifts!!!

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  48. I commented earlier but I forgot to say what my favorite item from the shoppe is! I love the necklace that says, "His love is a song."

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  49. Congrats on the new shop!

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  50. My favorite is the "He loves you so" necklace

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  51. Good luck with your new shop. Thank you or the chance to win.

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  52. The bird "forgiven" necklace is my favorite.

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  53. What a lovely giveaway and good luck with your shop!

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  54. I love the deeply rooted necklace!

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  55. Tweeted here: https://twitter.com/DistractedDebra/status/331528340349521920

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  56. Love this one! Thank you for the chance at a giveaway!

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  57. Your necklace caught my eye on the SewMamaSew blog. Beautiful

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  58. I really like "The Gospel is all I have"

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  59. Love it! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  60. I like the "bloom" pendant. Very pretty!
    brooke at richardchurch dot com

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  61. Your work is lovely. Thanks for the give away.

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  62. Laundry and Lunch...that's my life too.

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  63. I really like your bird necklace.

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  64. My favorite is the owl! I have a slight obsession with them.

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  65. I love what you are doing and what it stands for. I am going through an extremely difficult time myself right now and have chosen HOPE as my word for this year. I need the constant reminder that God is always with me, and this necklace would provide that, so thanks for the chance to win it.

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  66. In looking at your Etsy shop, I honestly liked everything, but was especially drawn to the necklaces that were stamped with "joyful in hope" because as I mentioned in my previous comment, HOPE is my word for the year!

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  67. I posted about the giveaway on my FB page as Maureen Hayes. Thank you for the additional chance to win!

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  68. Gorgeous! Thank you so much for the chance to win :)

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  69. Your creations are beautiful. I live this necklace. My daughter is going off to college and this would give her so much hope.

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  70. These are so pretty! Love your style!
    peachstateme (at) hotmail (dot) com

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  71. These are gorgeous! Good luck with your new shop!

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  72. Oh goodness girl....when I got this post in my inbox and opened it up I gasped at the embroidery and went straight to your shop to scoop me up one. But alas.....they were gone. :( SO excited to see y'all sharing your beautiful creations with the rest of the world. xo

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  73. I really like the Joyful in Hope necklace.

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  74. Welcome back! I SO understand how life can move so fast! It is so hard to try to live in the moment- but what a sweet blessing when we do! Congratulations on your shop and success!! So happy for you! And really, I love them ALL!!!!!

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  75. I love the "His love is a song" necklace.

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  76. Thank you for the lovely giveaway!

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  77. Such a lovely giveaway - thank you !
    prachi DOT bora AT gmail DOT com

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  78. Thanks for hosting this giveaway!

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  79. I love the "be still and know" necklace in your shop.

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  80. Everything is great. Awesome job!

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  81. Good luck with your shop, you have a lot of lovely things. And how very nice that you get to do this with your daughters!

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  82. oh your back! i had just found you and fell in "love" with your story, your kids , you and then you were gone! can't wait for your upcoming posts! i love all the necklaces. My almost 15 year old likes the be still and know. so i think i will get that for her for her bday! don't homeschool moms always have a problem with lunch- I DO!!

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  83. Loving the "look up" pendant. This one, though, would be fantastic for a friend of mine - she's in the process of adopting a little girl from Russia and has been guided in her journey entirely through her faith. Would love to gift this to her.

    Thanks for the chance!
    stephmabry(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  84. What's for lunch? The home schooler's daily dilema! The necklace is a great reminder of our path in life (to follow the path laid for us with faith)

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  85. Been wanting a dogtag with scripture...wonderful choice you made. Would love to win!

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  86. Your necklaces are so inspiring. The sayings remind me that Jesus is the most important force in my life.

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  87. I like the Deeply Rooted necklace. It is hard to pick a favorite. I also like the children's names.

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  88. If I win this just might go to my mom for mother's day!

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  89. really nice! thanks for the chance to win.

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  90. My favorite necklace is Antique Bronze Hand Stamped Bird Pendant FREEDOM.

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  91. Thanks for having this giveaway!

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  92. I shared your giveaway on Facebook as Francine Johnson McGee

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  93. "hope will rise." so needed for me right now. Thanks for the chance!

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  94. Oops! I forgot my first entry!

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  95. shared on FB: libby bloom hunt

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  96. I love this! Thanks for giveaway! Amy @ gasudimack(at)sbcglobal(dot)net

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  97. I love the "grace" umbrella! Thanks for the giveaway! Amy @ gasudimack(at)sbcglobal(dot)net

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  98. This is an absolutely gorgeous piece! And like you, I need this regular reminder. :) Thanks for the chance! hopefulthreads(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  99. I think my favorite piece in your shop would be the "Be Still"....another regular reminder I need. :) Thanks again!

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  100. My favorite items are the embroideries.

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  101. Thanks for the great giveaway!

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  102. I like Antique Bronze Hand Stamped Bird Pendant FREEDOM.

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  103. I wish I had the talent to make jewelry, alas I don't so I am certainly coveting yours!
    cynsaw2(at)yahoo(dot)ca

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  104. LOVE THIS!! Oh my! What a great shop! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  105. The gospel is all I have necklace is my fav! :-)

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  106. I love the style of your work. My favorite item in your shop is probably the forgiven bird. Thank you for sharing your talent and the giveaway with us!

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  107. I tweeted about your giveaway! Good luck in your venture!

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  108. Love these! I especially love the "weathered" look of them. Beautiful! Thanks for participating! :)

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  109. What beautiful creations. Thank you for the giveaway.

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  110. My favorite item from your shop is "Deeply Rooted".

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  111. your necklaces are awesome!! very encouraging! :)

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  112. Beautiful necklace. Thanks for the chance!

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  113. what an inspirational piece, I love it...

    deb_oro@yahoo.gr

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  114. my fave piece form your shop is:
    Antique Bronze Hand Stamped GRACE LIKE RAIN Pendant

    deb_oro@yahoo.gr

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  115. thank you for an amazing piece, I'd love it

    yana_ven@yahoo.gr

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  116. Antique Bronze Hand Stamped Bird Pendant FREEDOM is my favorite from your shop

    yana_ven@yahoo.gr

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  117. My favorite from your store is "Bloom".

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  118. I would love to be entered...so pretty!! Thanks for the chance:)

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  119. My favorite is Antique Bronze Hand Stamped Oval 'BE STILL and KNOW' Necklace:)

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  120. I love your jewelry! my favorite one are scripture related.

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  121. I love grace like rain!!! I favorited your shop! Maybe if I don't win I can convince my hubby I need it for mothers day.

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  122. I liked your page on facebook.

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  123. Love the "deeply rooted" necklace.

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  124. I love the necklace, the quote means a lot yo me because that is the way I try to keep my faith.

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  125. Wow love this necklace. I could use this as a constant reminder to surrender my self to faith.

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  126. Thanks for the giveaway! Love the Grace Like Rain or Be Still & Know necklaces. Be Thou My Vision is one of my favorite hymns and now I am singing it inside my head, so thanks for that too! wonderlandbyalyce at gmail dot com

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  127. I love it. What a great reminder.

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  128. i love 'His love is a song" and "Hope will rise"

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  129. Thanks for a fabulous giveaway!

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  130. I love the 'Bloom' leaf pendant!

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  131. I know the perfect person to give your beautiful necklace to!

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  132. What a beautiful necklace. Thank you for the oppourtunity to enter your giveaway.

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  133. Wonderful giveaway!
    Good luck with the new shop!

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  134. Loved the shop!
    Loved the AGAPE necklace!

    I thought you'd have some of the beautiful little framed inspirational quotes -as seen in this post- in the shop too and was kind of sad you didn't.....They are so beautiful!

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  135. Was happy to share the giveaway on fb too...

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  136. A good reminder indeed! You make beautiful and inspiring things!

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  137. Such a fabulous necklace! thank you!

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  138. I love the Blessed pendant - http://www.etsy.com/listing/150667195/antique-bronze-hand-stamped-blessed-with?ref=shop_home_active
    Thank you again!

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  139. This is a beautiful necklace! Thank you! atabanana29(at)gmail(dot)com

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  140. I love the Grace by rain necklace! atabanana29(at)gmail(dot)com

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  141. Shared on FB! https://www.facebook.com/stacy.alfano/posts/644218578926551

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  142. My favorite is "Blessed." Many thanks for sharing!

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  143. I just love the Blessed pendant! Simply beautiful things in your shop!

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  144. I like the BLOOM leaf pendant

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  145. yo woman! i have missed your bloggy action. glad you're back in business. : ) i love everything. you and your elly are gems. xoxo!

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  146. Beautiful work. thanks for the chance.

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  147. hope to win!

    christi(dot)joy(at)gmail*com

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  148. my fave is the deeply rooted

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  149. My favorite is the one you are Irving away!

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  150. I (heart) the one with the swallow flying, although if I won, I'd choose the one with the anchor for my daughter!
    Love this blog and your beautiful work!

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  151. I like the walk by Faith one, not by sight. It was in above picture not shop. Thanks for chance to win.

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  152. Thanks for the chance to win! And good luck on your etsy shop!

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  153. beautiful necklace. thanks so much

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  154. beautiful! i found a new favorite shop!!
    grace like rain! LOVE IT! :) if i don't win, i'll be back to shop! :)

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  155. grace like rain is fantastic!!!! thank you for the giveaway!

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  156. Good luck with your sweet shoppe : )

    Lesley

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  157. I think my fav item is 'Be still and know' I like to be reminded of that every day

    Lesley x

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  158. Thank you for a chance to win! You have a lovely shoppe. :-)

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  159. Ooh, pick me! :) And what an apt reminder that necklace would be.

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  160. The GRACE LIKE RAIN Pendant is by far my favorite in your shop.

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  161. My youngest son was born without sight, so this message has always been special to me. I would be honored to wear it.

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  162. I also like I'll fly away O glory with the bird in your shop. makes me think of singing that hymn in church with my grandmother

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    ReplyDelete
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