I thought I’d have a little giveaway to add some sunshine to the February blahs! The giveaway includes two of my wishlist/favorite things here… I’m sure you’ll guess by the end of the post which ones they are.
A clue; sorry, it’s not a Oprah-esque giveaway! 😉
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This post isn’t really sugar related, but I do have other things I love besides my sweet hobby; a few of which I’ll share with you:
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1. Anne Taintor Products
Her name is Anne Taintor and she runs a humorous business selling greeting cards, notepads, magnets, purses etc., which, to quote the words on her site, “…give voice to modern women’s secretly subversive thoughts.”
I just knew that when I found this charming Anne Taintor I Don’t Recall Asking notepad, it would be a perfect gift for my female colleagues studying Culinary Arts in Kingston this past summer. We definitely did enjoy some interesting, insolent humour together. (That’s Liz and Delia below):
They did get a kick out of their parting gift from me. (Notepad above). You can find Anne Taintor’s hilarious items on her site here or if you’re an Amazon fan, at my affiliate link here
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2. Kindle
This one’s on the wish list. Ever since I used a Kindle
(a wireless reading device), at a friend’s place over the Christmas holidays, I’ve been thinking of getting one. If you have one I’d love to hear what you think of it in the comment section.
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3. iPhone
The iPhone… Also don’t have one of these yet, but I’ve certainly looked at them longingly a few times. I’ve pledged not to get one until my old phone dies, but I’m really looking forward to that day.
You should see my phone. My students think it’s so old and retro that it’s ‘sick’. Here’s a pic:
Pretty battered huh?
I’m glad this pic is in my favorite things after all. This phone has lasted me a long time, and (my DH will laugh at this), it has great reception. Let me tell you, there’s been many a time that all the BlackBerries in the room didn’t get a signal and I did. It is analog-digital after all.
Ahem… on to another favorite thing. This one is a gadget as well – seems like I like a lot of them.
This one has helped me take better pictures this year.
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4. Canon Rebel Xsi Camera
The Canon Digital Rebel XSi
is what I use. I’m still learning lots on how to use it, but even on the automatic settings it does a great job!
I really do dislike getting my picture taken – it rarely works out. So, only because I wanted to post a pic of the camera and needed a mirror to take a its snapshot, I’ve put a photo of me in here with it. (Okay, and because I actually paid some attention to my hair this day I was out with my friend. I was waiting in change room for her to try on some clothes and I had recently acquired the camera).
Anyways, on to the next item.
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5. MACRO LENS
With this Canon Macro Lens 
you can easily get great close-up shots; I used it to take this next photo:
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6. Cupcake Charm
Of course something sweet related had to sneak in here. I gave this cupcake charm to my friend Kim earlier this year… she’s a sweet-nut as well. I don’t have one yet but might just head over to Amazon
to order one. They’re $17.99 (Guess you know now Kim. Actuuuually, really they were SO expensive when I went to buy one. They’re on sale now).
Ahem.
The next fave is, alright, another sweet related item.
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7. KopyKake Projector
Not a very pretty looking thing, is it?
It’s big, it’s awkward-looking, (although it doesn’t look quite as bad with the table clamp option), but I know I couldn’t have created many of the cookies I did this year without this Kopykake Projector . If you’re new to visiting Sweetopia, you can find some examples of cookies I made using the projector by clicking these links:
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8. My Winter Coat
What is there to say? I love it! I have to wear it every day in the climate I live in and never get tired of it. (I don’t think I look like her in it though!)
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9. EMU Australia Winter Boot 
These boots keep me so snuggly warm! Enough said!
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10. Martha Stewart’s Wedding Cakes Book
I’d like to practice more of my cake skills in 2010 and am going to use this inspiring cake book
by Martha Stewart and Wendy Kromer. Here’s a small sampling of what you’ll find inside:
Excuse the crooked images; I took actual pictures of my book.
Wendy Kromer, the creator behind many of Martha’s cakes, is coming to the Bonnie Gordon School in April. I’m so excited to be signed up for one of her classes and will keep you posted on that!
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Now that I’ve shared my current 10 favorite items, it’s time to have a giveaway for TWO of them!
Wish I could be like Oprah, but even though they aren’t a KopyKake Projector or a Kindle, they are FREE! (If you win!)
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Martha Stewart Wedding Cakes and Cupcake Charm Giveaway!
If you’d like the chance to win a copy of Martha Stewart’s Wedding Cakes & a Cupcake Charm Necklace, leave a comment below, maybe sharing one of your favorite things or whatever you’d like to write! CONTEST CLOSED
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- Another way to enter is to retweet this post on twitter. You can tweet as many times as you choose; they will be added to the draw! CONTEST CLOSED.
- The contest is international
- The draw will be held on Sunday, February 7th, at 7 pm EST
- I’ll be using www.random.org to draw the winning comment.
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Good luck!
xo,
Marian
Those charms are the cutest!!
🙂
how cute!
doubtful i’ll win but i figure why not?
My wish list is far to long to post here! That cupcake charm is darling.
I keep dreaming of wonderful cookies to make with a KopyKake Projector!!! One day I hope to finally get one!!
Love your wish list…I actually download books on cd to my Ipod so I can listen whenever I want!
Love the cupcake charm…so cute!
I have an iphone and love it! I wouldn’t mind an ipad too 🙂 I have my eye on some Stampin’ Up products since I just started getting into scrapbooking and card making.
The cupcake charm is adorable!
Lots of super fun things on that list!!! I want an iphone too, hopefully next month when I am up for renewal I can get one. I love steaming cups of hot chocolate loaded with marshmallows. I love sitting in a huge, overstuffed chair at Barnes and Noble with a stack of cookbooks and magazines. What a fun giveaway!
I came across your blog tonight, and you make me want to get right into the kitchen and start whipping up something. However, all my family is in bed right now so I don’t think they would appreciate my sudden motivation! I love photography and baking. I love my beautiful kids and my wonderful husband. I now love your blog!
I have the same camera and macro lens and love them both!!
I found a new “wishlist” item at a bow making class this week. It’s a 12 wheel pastry cutter with both wavy and straight cutters. I can’t paste a picture here, so here’s the link to see one: http://www.pastrychef.com/EXPANDABLE-CUTTER-12-WHEEL_p_1131.html
We used them in class to cut strips to make our bows. It was almost a religious experience! Every strip was perfectly straight and even!
I’d love a Kindle, but I want to pay less for it. The iPhone will change your world – go for it! You’ll love it.
Thanks for inspiring me. I love your website!
Snowed in and baking in Maryland : ) ,
Colleen
i LOVE your royal icing tutorials! Everything on here is beautiful. I found your website via tastespotting.
I love your list, very diverse! My new favorite hobby is making bento lunches, so my wish list is 99% baking and bento related.
Your list was fun to read. I love the idea of putting our subversive thoughts on lists and stationary. I know I can definitely relate to those words. This giveaway is great. Something on my wish list right now is the boxed dvd set of Anne of Green Gables with Megan Follows. I love that series!
Oooh..I guess I really want this book now. 😀
I want an iPhone too!!!
Love your website and love a giveaway!
Wow! Thanks so much for this giveaway. I would really like to attend art classes right now.
An iPhone would be great. I will take the book and cupcake thing, though! ;D
More decorating supplies, I really need that. That book looks great!
Tweeted: http://twitter.com/corynnchan/status/8574744790
Just RT-ed again: http://twitter.com/corynnchan
Tweeted AGAIN! http://twitter.com/corynnchan/status/8574930207
Marian-thank you so much for doing this wonderful giveaway…it is for the camera…right??? I love the charms and would so enjoy the book. Lisa
Oh, I love pretty cake books! And Martha Stewart always has such great ideas. I also have an iPhone and a Kindle on my wish list but I think I’ll have to wait a while. My husband was recently kind enough to get me 2 other items on my wish list, a Canon 40D (which I still need to learn how to use) and a Cricut Expression.
Just found your blog through Bake It Pretty which I found through Bakerella. What a great list of giveaways. I’d love to win the camera for my hubby 🙂
the uggs! oh i love them! its not winter in Australia but i still i cant wait till it is so i can start wearing mine again!
One of my very favorite things is the pizza rack I bought with birthday money this year – I can stack 15 cookie sheets on it, it makes an awesome cooling rack and saves space!
I have oft been teased about this, but Martha is one of my fave people. My dad even has a not too nice song…but who can resist Martha, the mother of all DIY crafters! ♥
Loving your site and your tutorials. So far all reading and no doing. Hmmm … maybe some cupcake charms would help.
So many great things. I would love an iPhone one day but I am thankful for what I have. I love your site!! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
I would LOVE to win the Martha Stewart book. I’m obsessed with her!
One of my favorite things is my robin’s egg blue Martha Stewart mixing bowl from Macy’s. It is the perfect size and such a happy color! Too bad I can’t find a picture!
wow you’re amazing! thanks for this amazing giveaway
you’re wishlist is fantastic, especially the camera 😀
My favorite thing is baking for my hubby to be. The excitement he gets to sink his teeth into a new treat makes any day fabulous. Another favorite thing…disco dust, I have become obsessed!
i love your giveaway! i need this book.. My favorite things are cake & cookie decorating books! and i love your cookies :)))
Hi Marian,
I would love the Martha Stewart book more than anything. I just got engaged at Christmas and I am planning on making my own wedding cake next year – and I need all the help I can get! So not only am I the happiest girl in the world, but the most terrified.
Thanks for your wonderful blog,
K
I’m Sweetopia addicted!!! 😀
I love, I ADORE your cookies
baci from Capri
Sara
Oooh what a brilliant list! Love the Anne Taintor products. I’v had my eye on the Martha Stewart book for a wee while now as I’v been told its a beautiful book full of inspiring ideas.
Thanks for the post
J
Thanks for holding another wonderful giveaway! Ever since I first came across your blog and saw the Kopy Kake projector I’ve been saving for one – it’s always at the top of my wishlist! 🙂
Hello from Istanbul, Turkey. I have come across with your blog just recently and been around since then. I certainly enjoy your posts, thanks for sharing all : )
so here is elif to take a chance in your giveaway 🙂
Thank you for hosting giveaways I think you are so kind.
I am a big fan of Martha Steward and one wish I have is one day been on one of her shows, (if they still taping).
thanks again from Australia
ooohh, the book is great! I love making gorgeous cakes… I promise I will get some friends to marry if I win 🙂
Great top ten! In my top ten, I’d have to include my Kitchen Aid mixer. I don’t think I would do much baking without it!
I can’t wait till your next emails. Always such cute ideas. Cute cookies ! Love the little charm. I just started cake classes, I’m on my 3rd set. I’d love the book.
I can’t wait for March for my birthday because on the top of my wish list is the kopykake!!!! I hope that my family and boyfriend have taken the hint! Thanks for another great post
I love all things “Sweet” and your blog!!!
Thanks for always inspiring me! Kim
Alway love your great ideas…would love one day to get a KopyKate.
Love your coat! Karmaloop??? I recognize the model! hah (:
Marian,
I love your wish list! Specially the Kindle since I love reading a lot.
Thank you for you lovely posts.
Lisi
Marian, I love everything about “Sweetopia”…. and your wish list is great. Your coat is daring. I live in Florida so I don’t have a need for one, but if I did, that’s one I would go for. Thank you for sharing so much of your experiences!!!!