Tale of the Multi-Tasking, Craft-and-Design-Loving, Mother-of-Two, Singaporean-Living-in-US, Corporate-Working Mom Named Grace Hester

My Little Reader II

My Little Reader I

Women Who Helped Me

 
When I was challenged by The Clever Girls Collective to write a blog post on “A Woman Who Helped Me”, it took me awhile to figure out which of the many women I have had the pleasure of knowing should be featured in this post.  Needless to say, my mom would win this award hands down if ever there was an award show for this in my life.  But throughout my life, as a young female professional, I have had the blessing of meeting so many women who have contributed to my belief in basic human kindness and in the goodwill of the general population.  So who I will highlight is actually a group of women who were so instrumental in my early professional years in building my confidence and for helping me see that my then-unique identity as a young Singaporean woman international business, was more of a strength and advantage than a weakness.  The organization is the Organization of Women in International Trade and they have chapters all across the world where women who are in or desire to be in international business can network and support one another.  Through this organization, I had the opportunity to do hands-on marketing as an intern, and over the years, worked up the ranks to become President of the Northeast Ohio chapter.  The leadership experience and camaraderie was priceless and I will forever treasure the time I spent in the organization.

One of the causes that OWIT believes in is helping women globally and when I was last active in the organization, they had just started looking into micro-lending to help communities of women globally to earn or supplement a living for their families.  Well here’s another way you can help communities in need - from now till May 8^th, you can shop at Macy’s for the Heart of Haiti and Rwanda Path to Peace products and enjoy 15% off with the use of this code: CLEVERGIRLS.  Check out the range (offering and price points!) they have and consider getting mom or that woman in your life who helped you, as a thank you gift for them, and in turn, lend a helping hand to these communities in need.

Here are some of my picks,

 

How gorgeous is this Fair Winds harvest basket!  Each basket is hand-wovened in Rwanda and made from naturally dyed sisal coil-sewn over bundled sweetgrass.  They also come with a numbered Certificate of Authenticity.

 
The Heart of Haiti necklaces are handcrafted in Haiti and signed by the artisan.  Each necklace includes a numbered Certificate of Authenticity.

 
These paper weights are totally up my alley – made from soapstone and in classic icons like the heart and an owl.  Also handcrafted in Haiti.

I  was selected for this very special “CleverHaiti” opportunity by Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity. All opinions are my own.

Recycling Gift Cards Idea (via Artistic Flair)

 

Stumbled upon this from Deb DiSalvo from Artistic Flair - she used old gift cards to make these key chains!  She creates colorful fused glass art so I suspect some if not all of these were fused.  Maybe she'll post a how-to on her blog sometime in the future.  (Pretty please Deb?)

Anyway, I leave you with some of my favourite pieces from her store,

 
Bird is the Word by Artistic Flair

 

Oh Nuts by Artistic Flair

 
Pretty Peacock by Artistic Flair

Birthday Giveaway Day 3: Possible Bag from Bagel Creations

THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED.  The winner will be announced shortly.

 
On the third day of the giveaway, my true love sent to me . . . .

A Possible Bag from Bagel Creations!

Thanks to my rockstar fellow Busy Mom Maryanne from Bagel Creations, I have the above Possible Bag from Bagel Creations up for grabs!  To enter, simply do one or more of the following.  Each of the following completed action earns you an entry (remember to come back and leave a comment to your twitter/facebook/blog post),

1. Visiti Bagel Creations and leave a comment listing your favourite item from her store
2. Follow me on Twitter @gracehester
3. Follow Bagel Creations on Twitter @bagelcreations
4. Tweet about this giveaway, feel free to use this tweet text,
   
   @gracehester is giving away a @bagelcreations Possible Bag today! #giveaway #purse http://ow.ly/4DUS6
   
5. Visit my Facebook page and leave a comment with the color of your favourite bag
6. Blog about this giveaway.

One winner will be announced on April 29th!  International entrants welcomed.

Birthday Giveaway Day 2: Custom Pendant Necklace or Custom Cufflinks from Daisy Mae Designs

THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED.  The winner will be announced shortly.

 
On the second day of the giveaway, my true love sent to me . . . .

Your choice of a custom cufflink or custom pendant map necklace from Daisy Mae Designs!

 

 
Thanks to my dear friend Kristy from Daisy Mae Designs, I have ONE prize of the winner's choice of a custom set of map cufflinks or a custom pendant necklace!  To enter, simply do one or more of the following.  Each of the following completed action earns you an entry (remember to come back and leave a comment to your twitter/facebook/blog post),

1. Visiti Daisy Mae Designs and leave a comment listing your favourite item from her store
2. Follow me on Twitter @gracehester
3. Follow Daisy Mae Designs on Twitter @daisymaedesigns
4. Tweet about this giveaway, feel free to use this tweet text,
   
   @gracehester and @daisymaedesigns #giveaway - choose from a #custom set of map cufflinks or a map pendant necklace http://ow.ly/4DUS6
   
5. Visit my Facebook page and leave a comment about which city or country you would pick for your map cufflinks or pendant necklace.
6. Blog about this giveaway.

One winner will be announced on April 28th!  International entrants welcomed.



Birthday Giveaway Day 1: TWO 8 X 8 Shutterfly Photo Books

THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED.  The winner will be announced shortly.

 
The timing of our first giveaway worked out only because I did not make my intended giveaway date.  Yet another justification for my tardiness (is it working?). 

Alot goes on around here in the Spring time - our household has two Spring birthdays, and we start seeing wedding or party invitations listing outdoor locations.  So far, I already have over 500 photos since Spring arrived and antipate many more.  So I plan to use Shutterfly to create a "Spring 2011" photobook!

 
 

Shutterfly's services makes it easy for anyone to store your images online (at full resolution!) and create beautiful photo products from them.  From graduation announcements to save the date cards to photo books, there are so many options available and the neatest thing is that they provide templates and a drag-and-drop interface that makes it super easy to put a personalized photo gift together.

Thanks to Shutterfly, I have TWO 8 X 8 photo book credits to give away as part of my week-long (belated) birthday celebration!  To enter, simply do one or more of the following.  Each of the following completed action earns you an entry (remember to come back and leave a comment to your twitter/facebook/blog post),

1. Leave a comment on how you are celebrating Spring!
2. Follow me on Twitter @gracehester
3. Tweet about this giveaway, feel free to use this tweet text,
   
   @gracehester is giving away @shutterfly photo books as part of her birthday week #giveaway #cleverspring http://ow.ly/4yBYk
4. Visit my Facebook page and leave a comment about how you you are celebrating Spring.
5. Blog about this giveaway.

Two winners will be announced on April 27th!  (Note: the coupon codes for the announcement cards and photo books will expire on August 1, 2011.)  Good luck! 

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Are you a blogger, too? Click here to register for a chance at 50 free announcements!

This post is part of a series sponsored by Shutterfly. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.



2011 Week-Long Giveaway Party!

 

Honestly, I had every good intention to host my annual week-long giveaway party during my birthday week.  But then celebrations IRL and Life happened and the next thing I knew, April 7th came and went and the only thing to do is to call it a "belated birthday giveaway" and proceed.  After all, what's a week or two between friends?

So here it is!  To help me celebrate my birthday week, some of my kind friends and sponsors have helped me line up 7 daily giveaways that you can enter!  There is no limit to how many giveaways you can sign up for and each giveaway will have multiple chances to earn entries!  It's all about sharing the love with my lovely blog readers, twitter followers, facebook fans, and most of all, my wonderful customers.

Check back daily to enter the giveaways!

DAY 1:  TWO 8 X 8 Shutterfly Photo Book Credits (Two Winners) (CLOSED)

DAY 2:  Choice of custom map cufflinks or custom map pendant necklace from Daisy Mae Designs (CLOSED)

DAY 3:  Possible Bag from Bagel Creations (CLOSED)

DAY 4:  TWO Spools of Baker's Twine from The Twinery

Help For Japan via Sycamore Street Press

via www.sycamorestreetpress.com

Sycamore Street Press is donating 100% of the proceeds from this print to the American Red Cross. You would be purchasing a lovely letterpress print for your collection, and doing good with the same purchase.

Bubble Fun in the Park