Monday, March 14, 2011

Silent Moments Feature and Giveaway

I love photos! Photos make such wonderful memories especially when they are of people you know and love. People photography isn't the only type of photo I like though. I love looking at pictures of  God's amazing creation! Our loving Creator has given us such a beautiful, wonderful world to live in!


Silent Moments is an Etsy shop that offers beautiful photographs from way up in Canada! :)


Please tell us a little about yourself.
I'm 29y/o and I've been married 10 years this June. My husband and I spent many years hating each other until I dropped to my knees, tears pouring down my face, broken and desperate and asked Jesus to take control of my life. It's been a few years since then and the hatred has melted away. My husband became a Christian this past December and our lives are now on a new and wonderful path. Together we have 3 sons. Our oldest is almost 13 and our twins are 9. When I'm not busy being a mom/housewife/artist I enjoy learning piano & guitar, writing songs and poems, silent moments in nature, knitting and listening to music.

How and when did you become interested in your craft?
My interest in photography began as a young girl. My dad gave me a great appreciation of nature early on and it left me longing to take pictures of animals, birds, flowers, trees, you name it. I finally picked up a camera in 2007 and have been dabbling with it ever since.

What inspired you to open your shop?
My best friend opened up one of her own and was an instant success. I figured I'd give it a shot and see what happens.


Is there something that you do differently than other people in your craft?
I "ruin" the image with text! Most leave them untouched, but to me a picture isn't complete until God's word or something inspiring is written on it.



What is your favorite item in your shop?
Be-still-square-photography-art-print  I've had this one on my wall for over a year now and it still catches my attention. This dock is one of my favorite places to be. Whether it's a warm calm morning or a raging storm with big beautiful waves crashing on the shore, it's always the perfect place to just be still.

What is the most exciting thing that has happened since you've started?
Selling my first mug was very exciting for me. The night before it sold I was talking to the Lord and asking him if I made a mistake by starting a shop. My husband recently became unemployed and with 3 kids and money being so tight it seemed silly to be paying into something - even as little as 20 cents a listing. I prayed that God would help me sell something as a sign that I should keep going. The next morning I had a sale!


Why do you do what you do?
The photography I do because I believe God wants me to and I enjoy it. The mugs I do for a few reasons.  I often doodle in my Bible with flowers, vines and crosses and I write verses all over my house. I've always had a liking for mugs and since one of the best moments of silence is in the morning while reading the Bible and sipping coffee, I figured I'd combine them into one. And thus the mugs were born!


Not only does Crystal make and sell such beautiful and meaningful photos, magnets, and mugs, she's also graciously offering one of my readers a 5x5 print of their choice! These would be perfect for a special gift for a loved one, or you could use it to decorate your own home. I love having Scripture verses on my wall, and it would be extra special with a beautiful photo accompanying it.


There are several ways to enter this giveaway, but the mandatory entry must be complete first or the others won't count! Please leave a separate comment for each entry. Don't forget to include your e-mail address in your comments so that I can contact you if you win!

Mandatory Entry:
Visit Silent Moments, browse around, then come back here and tell me your favorite item in her shop AND leave me your e-mail address so that I can contact you if you win.

Extra Entries (please leave a separate comment for each one and don't forget to leave me your e-mail address!):
*Follow me with Google Friend Connect (1 entry)
*Blog about this giveaway (2 entries)
*Tweet this giveaway (can be done once a day - 1 entry each)
*Share this giveaway on Facebook (1 entry)
*Share this giveaway with friends through e-mail and let me know you did (1 entry)
* Sign up for an Artfire PRO account with this link (10 entries)


This giveaway is open to residents of the US and Canada. The giveaway will close on March 21st, and the winner will be chosen by random.org and notified by e-mail. The winner has 48 hours to get back to me with their address or a new winner will be chosen.

55 comments:

MYSAVIOR said...

I have loved her "Be Still" photo for quite a while now. It is riveting.

♥♥♥
Sue
mysavior.etsy.com

MYSAVIOR said...

I am now following your blog here.

♥♥♥
Sue

MYSAVIOR said...

Tweeted this giveaway!

♥♥♥
Sue

Sandra said...

I love the mug the best! Please enter me.

email address: sandra.thesensiblemom@gmail.com

By the way, I'm hosting another blog design giveaway on my blog if you'd like to enter. :0)

www.thesensiblemom.com

carol said...

beautiful pictures

MoneySavinDiva said...

I like the Rest - Inspirational Words Gifts For Mom Hostess Gifts Magnets Kelowna Bible Verses Christian Coworker Gift Ideas! The bare tree would fit in my bathroom decor perfectly!

moneysavingdiva (at) gmail (dot) com

MoneySavinDiva said...

I follow you on GFC!

moneysavingdiva (at) gmail (dot) com

Rosebuds and Ladybugs said...

Thanks so much for visiting the Link Up Lounge! We just changed locations and I would love for you to stop by and take a look around! A new link up is offered each day and the first blogger to link up will be featured! =)I am now a follower!

Karen said...

LOVE the "Be Still" photo :)

ktgonyea at gmail.com

Ellen said...

My favorite is the same as YOUR favorite!! :)
I love the “Be Still and Know that I Am God”

Ellen said...

I tweeted about this giveaway!
@PearlsForCurls

Amanda said...

I like the Psalm 1 photo.

amanda.corley@ymail.com

Chelsea Van Tol said...

love be still

Kristi S said...

My favorite is Sweet to the Soul.

eksummit(at)hotmail.com

Kristi S said...

I follow via gfc!
eksummit(at)hotmail.com

Jus and Kat said...

I like the "Unfailing Love" print.

according2princess (at) yahoo (dot) com

luvncrafts said...

The photo's are all so beautiful!! It's really hard to pick a favorite!! I like the snow one, because I LOVE snow!
http://www.etsy.com/listing/66534231/restoration-square-photography-art-print

But I like them all!!
Neat getting to know that artist! Great shop!!

uhmewzing1@yahoo.com

Nicole Copeland said...

I love the space between us one..
nicole22654 at yahoo dot com

Niecey said...

I visited the site. My favorite one is "rest"
http://www.etsy.com/listing/69864108/rest-inspirational-words-gifts-for-mom
nieceyd(at)gmail(dot)com

Niecey said...

I follow your blog via google friend connect - Niecey

nieceyd(at)gmail(dot)com

Niecey said...

nieceyd(at)gmail(dot)com
I blogged about this giveaway
http://goodieslist.blogspot.com/2011/03/silent-moments-march-21.html
#1

Niecey said...

nieceyd(at)gmail(dot)com
I blogged about this giveaway
http://goodieslist.blogspot.com/2011/03/silent-moments-march-21.html
#2

Niecey said...

I tweeted
http://twitter.com/goodieslist/status/48898898659512320
nieceyd(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

I would pick the "Sing & Make Music - Black and White" Beautiful words for the musical child in my home!
my_2_cents at hotmail dot com

Unknown said...

I am a GFC follower
My_2_cents at hotmail dot com

Unknown said...

http://twitter.com/#!/Valeries_2cents/status/49178543506206720
I tweeted
my_2_cents at hotmail dot com

Unknown said...

i posted on FB http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=118926001516981&id=168508646518271
my_2_cents at hotmail dot com

Kathleen said...

I love the Satisfy- 6x12 Ocean Sunrise Print with Inspirational Words.

Sparklezstars@cfl.rr.com

Kathleen said...

I follow via GFC.

Sparklezstars@cfl.rr.com

Kathleen said...

http://twitter.com/#!/Sparklezstars/statuses/49308906140352512

Daily Tweet

Sparklezstars@cfl.rr.com

Kathleen said...

http://www.facebook.com/#!/permalink.php?story_fbid=206936242652513&id=100000726162848

Shared on Facebook.

Sparklezstars@cfl.rr.com

John said...

The Sweet to the Soul print is beautiful! http://www.etsy.com/listing/67386088/sweet-to-the-soul-8x8-pink-blossom-art

hiwendyhi at yahoo dot com

John said...

I am a follower of your blog with GFC as ArtsyChaos.
hiwendyhi at yahoo dot com

John said...

Tweet:
http://twitter.com/#!/ArtsyChaos/status/49339918471790592
hiwendyhi at yahoo dot com

Kathleen said...

http://twitter.com/Sparklezstars/statuses/49641011227541505

Daily Tweet

Sparklezstars@cfl.rr.com

Stacy said...

I love the "narrow road" photo
SLSteffen86 at gmail dot com

Stacy said...

I’m following you on GFC
SLSteffen86 at gmail dot com

Stacy said...

tweeted the giveaway
http://twitter.com/#!/slsteffen86
SLSteffen86 at gmail dot com

carole said...

like the SATISFY print
gram122@comcast.net

carole said...

gfc follower
gram122@comcast.net

Marcie W. said...

I love the "Unfailing Love - Square Sunrise Photography Art Print with Inspirational Words - 8x8" & I know my good friend would too!
wickedperfection83@yahoo.com

Marcie W. said...

I tweeted 3/21
http://twitter.com/MDub70Deuce/statuses/49905496471252992
wickedperfection83@yahoo.com

Julie said...

http://www.etsy.com/listing/67386088/sweet-to-the-soul-8x8-pink-blossom-art this one-so beautiful
Crystal sounds like a lovely person to me )
thanks
aunteegem@yahoo.com

Julie said...

http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwhatsoeveryedo.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F03%2Fsilent-moments-feature-and-giveaway.html%3Fspref%3Dfb&t=Silent+Moments+Feature+and+Giveaway
Julie Scsott Lws
aunteegem@yahoo.com

Kristie said...

I like the "Be still" magnet. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.

Kristie said...

Follow with GFC. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.

Kristen said...

I like Psalm 1 - 8x8 Square Photography Art Print with Inspirational Words.

kristen_yeh at yahoo dot com

cman said...

Soul Food - Hand Drawn Mug.
My email is in my profile..

cman said...

Now following GFC.

Taleah said...

I like the Satisfy Ocean sunrise! taleah AT roknor DOT com

Taleah said...

I follow on GFC - taleah AT roknor DOT com

Kathleen said...

http://twitter.com/#!/Sparklezstars/statuses/50017805386522624

Daily Tweet

Sparklezstars@cfl.rr.com

beth said...

the be still is very nice
shortygoldstein@yahoo.com

Deanna said...

fave:Narrow Road - 8x8 Foggy Landscape and fence with Inspirational Words
deannalw47 AT hotmail DOT com
xoxoxo

Deanna said...

tweet
http://twitter.com/#!/dlw447/status/50067036549824512
deannalw47 AT hotmail DOT com
xoxoxo