Happy Monday to everyone!
Have I got a story for you:
On Friday, I purchased something called an SSL certificate to upgrade the security for my website. Little did I know, it would require 24-48 hours to propagate around the world – meaning my website would have to be down for the weekend.
But, my intuition was telling me that something was wrong. I contacted my host after 24 hours and they told me to just wait.
An exercise in patience, especially since my posts go out on Mondays, right?
After 48 hours, I contacted my host again. I knew I might be perceived as “being a pest” but I had this feeling, you know?
It turns out there was a WHOLE OTHER step in getting my website back online: defining a new IP address within my domain registrar. Ha, what they don’t tell you in “website school” – not that I’ve ever been to “website school” but I can say I’ve gotten quite the education on creating and managing websites.
Whew. It pays to listen to your intuition.
The website’s up and running just in time to announce TWO giveaways.
A Mandala Giveaway
Last weekend, I completed a mandala painting. I had intended it to be part of the October LIFE Project: it’s a month where I’m looking to build community and “give something to everyone I meet,” as much as I can.
This is one way I’m doing that.
It took about 16 hours to complete from start to finish.
I first painted the background, and then lightly created concentric circles with a pencil.
Then, I used both water-based and oil-based white Sharpie markers to create the mandala on the canvas.
The canvas is 12″ x 12″ and is considered to be “mixed media.”
I named it “Tranquility” to invoke a sense of peace to anyone who possesses this mandala.
I would also like to give it away.
How The Giveaway Will Work
- ALL subscribers to the website (via email, not WordPress) will be eligible to win.
- Drawing will be held on Friday, November 3 at 5:00p EST using the website, random.org (basically I confidentially upload email addresses and random.org picks a winner. It will never reveal any email addresses to the public, but provides transparency in that individuals can go to the website, enter THEIR OWN email address and see if they were entered into the giveaway and how many winners there were).
- I will contact you via my email (look for an email containing my name and “mandala” in the subject title) to get mailing address information and I’ll send the painting to you!
Other things to know:
- The winner of the painting must reside within the continental United States due to customs and shipping fees to other countries.
- Anyone who signs up to the website between now and November 3rd will be eligible.
- A valid email address is necessary.
Tree of Life: A Personal Development Journal Giveaway
Back at the end of August when I released this beautiful journal, I didn’t schedule a big launch over on the I & S Facebook page like I did with the coloring book.
It was partly because I wanted to do a “soft release.” Essentially, I wanted to launch this differently than the coloring book to see how a different approach worked.
Both approaches have their merits and I’ve learned a lot.
But in the spirit of giving, knowing that the season of giving will soon be upon us, I thought it would be fun to do a giveaway. It’s also another manifestation of the LIFE Project.
This giveaway is different than with the mandala.
I will be going through Amazon – you can check it out HERE.
I’m giving away 10 journals, with shipping included.
You enter over at Amazon, but you need to have an Amazon account, as well as a Twitter account to do so.
This giveaway is for one week only, so head over and if you’d like a free copy, go have a look-see. It will expire on October 29, at midnight PDT.
Again, this is for folks in the continental US (sorry overseas folks – I’m sending you love, too!).
I hope everyone has a wonderful week and here’s to spreading messages of love and mindfulness!
Yah…. so pleased you got your website back in running order dear Cynthia.. and WOW oh wow.. what a beautiful creation is the mandala painting.. So intricate, I can see how many hours would have gone into that.. So beautifully balanced.. and well named..
Wishing every one who takes part Good luck in the prize draw.. So many big smiles from me to you..
And so enjoying all that you do..
Brilliant..
Have a wonderful productive week..
Much Love and so many hugs..
Sue xxx
Sue – hehe, website fun, no? I’m still working on comments, but little by little, right? I had so much fun creating that mandala. I can’t wait to create some more. 🙂 I absolutely am in love with oil-based Sharpie markers. 🙂 Thank you for your compliments, hehe. And you gave me an idea. Look out for an email from me. <3 I so enjoy all that you do, too! YOU are brilliant! Sending you big hugs and much love!
Aw, glad you listened to your intuition on the website issue. Recently, I had to switch hosting companies even though I was with a hosting companies that initially heard all good about. But then my site keep going down and just knew something wasn’t right. Luckily I also followed my intuition and advice from a good blogging friend to go with her hosting company, who is hosted by an actual live person and developer, too. Seriously the difference is night and day. As for your giveaways, this is awesome and seriously not sure which I would love to win if I could as both your book and your painting are awesome-sauce just like you, my friend!! Many Monday hugs now and wishing you a great week ahead xoxo <3
Janine – intuition is so underrated, isn’t it? I wish every kiddo (and adult) could really learn what an amazing thing it is to hone and cultivate. 🙂 It IS frustrating when your site goes down, isn’t it? I’ve been trying to make improvements here and there helping and hoping the site continues to run well. Glad you got yours figured out. And you’re *so* good at website stuff! 🙂
Thank you for your feedback about the giveaway hehe. I’m so glad you’re psyched about them – that makes me *so* happy! 🙂 And YOU are awesome-sauce! I hope your Monday has been a good one! Wishing you a great week, too! xo
Well I never win anything, but these are great giveaways. I’ll cheer the winners on from a distance, Lil Sis. Love the new painting…love your talent…love your enthusiasm…love your heart.
Now, Big Bro, you never know! You just might! There are 11 chances here. Hehe. Think POSITIVE! 😀 I’m always cheering for you, Big Bro. You’re one of my biggest inspirations! Never forget that. Thank you for your kind words. I love your enthusiasm, too! Sending you big hugs and wishes for a fantastic week, my friend! (((HUG)))
What a beautiful mandala and journal Cynthia. Thanks for sharing the gift of your art and kudos on listening to your intuition. May you be blessed…
Brad – thank you! I always appreciate your kind words and encouragement, friend! Here’s hoping you have a wonderful week! Sending you hugs and light.
Great content by an exceptional writer, filled with wisdom…
Hugs from Alberta
Sweet Rolly, thank you. 🙂 Here’s to hoping all your endeavors with your back go very, very well. 🙂
I understand the frustration of website construction. My son who is my tech support and for many others, still has to call tech support for sites he is building. There is so much to learn. I’m glad you pay attention to your intuition. It’s never wrong. Great artwork. I think you brother should win something. 🙂
Marlene – the tech stuff really can try our patience, no? Hehe, and even if we “know our stuff” oh man, tech support is serious stuff! I have to call them probably once a month. lol But I have gratefully learned so much. 🙂 Thank you for coming by and seeing that artwork. Hehe. As for my “Big Bro,” wouldn’t you know, I’ve never met him in person? We became blogger friends in 2011 and he has been a steadfast supporter of my work since then, and I his. We had a lot in common, so I started calling him Big Bro. Now he calls me Lil Sis. Haha. He’s a funny guy and one of these days, I’ll get to shake his hand and thank him for his awesomeness. He lives in your neck of the woods: Olympia. So when I make it out there, I’ll have to shake your hand, too and give you a great, big HUG! Hehe. Sending you warm thoughts of love and light and have a wonderful week. xoxo
Thank you Cynthia, I will be on the look out for your email, Been so busy all week, so hopefully I have not missed it. xxx
Sweet Sue – I am sending you great big hugs of love, light and creativity! Here’s to poetry, art, beautiful imagery, and writing to CHANGE THE WORLD! xoxo
I LOVE your mandala painting! It’s GORGEOUS! Well done – can see you put a lot of work into it (like every other amazing creative thing you do!) Good luck to everyone entering! If I was in the US, I’d have hopped over and entered in a heartbeat. So glad you figured out that website stuff! When it comes to non-creative things, really technical things, my brain sort of freezes and I just can’t connect the dots LOL. So I’m glad you got that sorted. 🙂 x
Sweet Melanie, thank you! Haha…I would so love to send it to you! We know how that works, don’t we? lolz The technical things are challenging and then it feels great when it just starts working. Hehe.
In any case, thank you so much! I appreciate you! xo
You have a beautiful and generous heart, dear Cynthia – this is a lovely initiative and your artwork is exquisite.
Wishing you lots of fun today – Happy Halloween! Love, Maria
Maria – I’ve secretly held off on the drawing. I was selling some of the coloring books yesterday at a fair and had a couple people register for the website. So…I’m letting any stragglers ‘in the door’ so to speak and will do it sometime this weekend. 🙂 Sending you big hugs and I hope you’ve had a wonderful week! xo