Monday, September 6, 2010

A Prairie Path Giveaway

 This giveaway is closed!  Go here to see who won.
 

I am so excited to introduce you to the artist behind this giveaway.  Her name is Marla and I am honored to know her personally.  I was good friends with her brother in college and soon Marla started attending as well.  We shared the same group of friends- Oh!  Don't you all just miss some of your college friends to bits?! I'm going to let Marla tell you a bit more about herself, her craft and the gorgeous pieces in her Etsy shops- Prairie Path and Prairie Path Vintage...


I have always been a creator/artist.  Growing up in rural Kansas left me with a strong connection to the land.  My inspiration comes from nature: vibrant flower blooms, the brilliant green of new grass, the golden rolling wheat fields just before harvest.  Being a mother, my children are constant sources of inspiration, as well.

As a child I would spend hours in my Grandma's sewing closet digging through her scrap fabric to make Barbie clothes.  Fabric has continued to be the mainstay of my work.  In high school, my senior art exhibit included tie-dyed shirts and corduroy caps.  While majoring in visual art at a small liberal arts college (where I met Thy Hand) silk painting and weaving were amongst my favorites.



Prairie Path offers upcycled items made from pre-existing wool and cashmere clothing.  I don't know when or who coined the word upcycle, but I like it.  Think of recycle, except elevating the recycled material to a new level of quality and beauty.  My Etsy shop has been a win-win-win situation for me.  First of all, 2 years ago when my family moved to the DaIlas metroplex so my husband could pursue a Doctor of Chiropractic degree, I was (and still am) staying at home (in an apartment) with our 3 kids and desperately needed a creative outlet for my own mental health.  Secondly, because I use pre-existing materials (primarily wool sweaters from the thrift store) I am keeping materials from the landfill, cutting down on fossil fuels and supporting the stores that make a difference in people's lives.  Thirdly, Prairie Path has generated some extra income for our family currently living on student loans (it's tough, folks!)  



Because I'm a thrift store junkie and love vintage items, I also have another Etsy shop called PrairiePathVintage, where I sell vintage clothing, etc.  One more shameless plug (it's the last one, I promise!).  Anyone in the DFW area in October can come see my  creations in person at the Urban Street Bazaar Oct. 2-3 and at the Coppell Farmer's Market Oct. 30.


Thanks, Thy Hand, for hosting this giveaway on your inspiring blog and for letting me sleep on your dorm room floor all those years ago.

The Giveaway:  The winner of this giveaway will get to choose an item of their choice from Marla's Etsy shop, Prairie Path (up to a $30 value!).

To Enter:  Visit Prairie Path and look around.  Then, come back here and tell me in the comments section which item you would choose if you win.  Please only one entry per household.  If you comment anonymously, please leave your first name or initial so I can identify you.

I will choose a winner sometime on Friday.  Thank you, dear Marla!!


I love hosting giveaways for my readers.  If you're a regular reader here, please let me know if you'd like me to host a giveaway of one of your creations (thyhand123@gmail.com).  It's a great way to support and get to know each other.


Photos courtesy of Prairie Path.
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42 comments:

  1. I LOVE the red Fair Isle hand warmers. I'm such a sucker for that particular pattern. I also love the Irish Wool stocking. It's just beautiful.

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  2. Leigh Sabey
    I love the grinch red and green stocking!

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  3. Beautiful work Marla!
    I love the wool stockings--it would be hard to choose which one, but I'd love to try :)
    Cindy

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  4. Oh My Gosh,were do I even start.There is so many things the Christmas stockings are awesome but I relly do love the handwarmers with the fingers exposed.I can say if I don't win I will be buying for Christmas.
    Blessings~

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  5. Adore those hand/arm warmers! What a creative idea~
    So great for keeping warm :)

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  6. I'm absolutely loving the pink patchwork cashmere scarf. I know it's a bit over $30 though.... The fair isle arm warmers are also gorgeous!

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  7. I love the blue/green cashmere scarf and the pink patchwork cashmere scarf.

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  8. I love any of the winter white lacey stockings!

    What a beautiful art!

    Alisa's Garden
    www.alisasgarden.blogspot.com

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  9. In honor of fall, I love the pumpkin - time to get my fall decorations out!

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  10. I love the all of the armwarmers but I think I would have to buy the pumpkin. Time for all the fall decor to come out!

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  11. Love everything you make...but I adore the stockings...it would be hard to choose which one..they are all sweet!!! Marked you as one of my favorites...so glad your site was shared! Blessings...Denise

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  12. I really like the red cashmere patchwork scarf. I think I need to start Christmas shopping.

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  13. I like those black and white arm warmers.

    And I love the word upcycle, too.

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  14. I am new to your site and really enjoying it! My favorites on the etsy site were the arm warmers or a stocking.

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  15. I would pick one of those gorgeous patchwork cashmere scarves (maybe pink?), and just pay the difference.

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  16. One of the hand/arm warmers---the fair isle red, perhaps. Or maybe one of the scarves. Gorgeous stuff!

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  17. Holy wow! She is very talented. I would probably choose the arm warmers in bubble gum. They are super cute and would match my coat. Of course I might change my mind and choose the Autmun leaves garland beacause I LOVE FALL and that would be a cute decoration to add to my collection.

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  18. I love the cashmere scarves, but everything is so beautiful and warm and cozy :)
    EMW

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  19. We have a new little one on the way! I'd for sure get the bird and egg mobile!
    Thanks for the giveaway.

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  20. I love those arm warmers. I would def. choose those...would take some time to choose the color. :)

    kgl51@yahoo.com

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  21. I would probably have to get a stocking, though the pumpkins are calling my name.

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  22. Beautiful things! I would have to choose a pair of hand warmers for my daughter. She would LOVE them. Thanks!

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  23. Chocolate/Tan body with white spots slow poke turtle would be what I would choose for my little boy Jack who really loves turtles.
    jacksoncrisman@yahoo.com

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  24. The Arm Warmers are really nice. I like the Fair Isle Greens. And I love the Scarves, either the red or pink patchwork. What lovely work.

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  25. oh I would want: http://www.etsy.com/listing/52307711/birds-and-eggs-mobilewall-decor FOR SURE. it'd be great in my girls' room!

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  26. Everything on Marla's site is just fabulous. If I had to choose, I would pick the adorable Octavian Octopus for my son. :)

    Alesha

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  27. pretty stuff! Thanks for the opportunity to get something so pretty. I would choose the bird mobile - I adore mobiles.

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  28. A very talented woman indeed! Love the idea of upcycling the cashmere sweaters, so I would choose one of the scarves and pay the difference. :-) In particular, I LOVE the multicolored stripes scarf. Thanks to both of you for doing this giveaway!

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  29. I love the octopus. Octavian is just too cute.

    Aunt V.

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  30. love the mobile, love the stockings...my fav is the pumpkin featured in your post, but i didn't see it on the etsy site.

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  31. I love the pumpkins, but the octavian octopus is calling my name as a baby gift for a dear friend.

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  32. If I win this contest, I would choose Octavian Octopus. Thanks!

    Rachel S.

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  33. the mobile or the little nest...
    carmen

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  34. I recently found your site when searching for what to do with all these cherry tomatoes that are secretly multiplying in my garden! I love the roasted tomato idea - and it's so good with cherry tomatoes. I also love the concept behind Prairie Path's stores. I'm a huge proponent of recycling and she's found a wonderful way to contribute to saving the environment! Of course, if I were to win I would have to choose the orange pumpkin - orange is my favorite color...

    Thanks for a great blog!
    Lisa H.

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  35. I have a friend who would go crazy for those arm warmers. It's so hard to choose which color/pattern but I'm thinking the autumn brick stripes are really pretty.

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  36. I love the cashmere green scarf.

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  37. Hi! Such cute stuff! I LOVE all the arm-warmers, but my body has decided that it needs to be allergic to wool, so I can't pick anything wool for wearing. :-( But, I also love the pluch pumpkins and the little turtle. I think I would get one or the other or both! Very nice!!

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  38. What a great idea! I like the Alpine Wool Stocking. But the arm warmers are very tempting.

    -KSM

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  39. Oh - I love the stockings - it would be great to have one for our newest baby. The sage wool one is so pretty and the elf ones are so cute!

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  40. Love the slowpoke turtle. They are all so cute, great ideas for Christmas.

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