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! 😉
*
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:
*
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
.
*
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.
*
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.
*
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.
*
5. MACRO LENS
With this Canon Macro Lens 
you can easily get great close-up shots; I used it to take this next photo:
*
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.
*
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:
*
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!)
*
9. EMU Australia Winter Boot 
These boots keep me so snuggly warm! Enough said!
*
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!
*
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!)
*
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
*
- 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.
*
Good luck!
xo,
Marian
Love your site!
Love, love, love the cupcake charms! Thanks for the great giveaway!
I would love a macro lens for my nikon! But I’ll settle for the magazine or cupcake charm-they’re both lovely. Your cookies are always so awesome and I enjoy looking at them so much. I hope to use some of your tips for my Valentine cookies I want to bake with my grandkids. Thanks so much for the chance to win and for all the wonderful inspiration!!!
Can’t tell you how excited I get everytime my Google reader tells me that there is a new post on Sweetopia. You make the loveliest things I have ever seen. Your cookies are amazing. I’m also starting to refine my baking skills though I try to leave everything abstract since I’m a mess when it comes to doing a straight line, but I’m getting there. I would love half the things on your list if not everything, but I can do with the book. It would be a great addition to my growing collection of cook and cake books.
Cheers!!!
The martha book is on my want list as well. I borrowed it from the library and didn’t want to give it back, but I did.
Thanks for showing me the right page! I love this site!! So many cute things can’t wait to try something : )
I received a kindle for Christmas. They are great. If you finish a book, all you do is activate the wireless connection, and get a new one. No running out to the store. I love mine. I also love your website. So many great tips. Thanks
A few of my favorite things:
Kate Spade, Uggs, The Happiness Project book, my pug, and Starbucks lattes!
What fun!…And I really enjoyed your wishlist…btw, where did you get your coat?
Two of my favorite things are Diet Coke and my pink KitchenAid mixer!! I aspire to be a better cookie and cake decorator so I love your blog and all of your wonderful tips!!
I’m gonna try to win a giveaway, even though I never win. Boy, would I enjoy Martha’s Wedding Cake Book. I have her cupcake book and it is great!
We seem to have similar things on our wishlist. LOL! 🙂
Great giveaway and thank you for giving us an opportunity to win. I love my iPod…I can carry it with me and always have something to keep me entertained…songs, movies, books. Love it
One of my favorite thing is the internet – being able to go to sites like this for wonderful ideas and instruction on anything. All you need to do is get an idea in your head and “google” it and voila, there is help.
Just Luvin’ Sweetopia… Very New to me Blog &&& totally addicted already… Will be back for many a visit I can see VBG !
I love all you cookies. On my wish klist is that projector how cool is that. It reminds me of grammer school when we had to watch the presentations on anything from sex to micro organism.
Hey- I’m a huge fan of your work. I started dying laughing at the Ann Taintor products. I have 5 kids under 7 and my sister sent me one of her cards a few years ago-the one where she’s standing so sweetly by the fridge and is saying, “Make your own damn dinner.” Still makes me laugh!
And we got my mom the Kindle for Christmas-she just LOVES it.
And top of my wish-list-the KopyKat projector. I stink at free-hand work, but still do it. Ahhh…it’d be so fun. Anyway, thanks for all the posts- love keeping up!
There are 3 things that I absolutely would go crazy without. The first is my Burt’s Bees Lip Balm. My Kindle (I love being able to download something in the middle of the night and have it instantly). And lastly my iTouch….keeping me constantly entertained.
I would love the KopyKat projector – What a fun tool!
I’m dreaming of a new mobile and a new camera too! Dreaming, dreaming, dreaming…. Wants it to become real, now! *smile*
LOVE your blog!!!
Take care, Karin
Your blog is one of my favorite things, the talent you have is on my wishlist!
I love Martha and cake but I love your blog even more. I think you look much better than the girl in the coat!Post more pictures becaues it is great to see where all of this amazing talent is coming from.
Your wish list looks a lot like mine!!
I love your site, this and bakerella are my two favs.
Michelle
Southern Maryland
[email protected]
Oh my Marian!
I think we have some of the same favourites!!!
I have an Anne Taintor day planner. She cracks me up!
I also have a Canon XSI…but am missing the macro lens (I’m gonna buy myself a telephoto!*L*)
As for a couple of other favourite things…
Flickr is one of my favourite sites (and Etsy)
and I completely addicted to Ace of Cakes!! I wouldn’t be much help to work there, but I would definitely want to hang out everyday!*LOL*
I just stumbled upon your site recently and love it – another favorite is Zoebakes.com.
This is an amazing give a way! Thanks for doing it. I just recently have been turned on to your blog and I love it. Your work is amazing and inspiring. Keep up the great job you are doing and thank you for sharing it with us.
Oooh this is a very fun list!
Being a low maintenance kinda gal, and easy to please I’ll just take one of everything on your list. haaaa.
I have to say, that from your wishlist the KopyKake is my favorite, though the Iphone is a close second. On my own wishlist a cupcake carrier is at the top, I’ll have to buy one some day.
And thank you for making this international, very few of these draws are.
I like this post and I LOVE some of your favorite things. Great giveaway! (I retweeted on Twitter under DeeWrizzle).
I love making cakes; currently in course 4 of the Wilton Cake Decorating classes! I think cupcakes and little 6 inch cakes are going to be my specialty; they are so fun and I get more gratification in doing them, not sure I have the patience for 4 tier wedding cakes!
An I Phone tops my list too!!!
#1 on my wish list is an iPHONE too!
Thank you for the offer, I will continue to send in my comments in hope of winning anything you have to offer cause “you rock!!!” Added benefit is that I enjoy Martha Stewart publications.
Sharlaine
I love your blog!! I also love decorating cakes. I don’t get the time to do it as often as I would like because I have 4 young kids, but I love the creative side it brings out in me. I have been wanting to purchase the Martha Stewart book for awhile now, but winning it would be even better!! Thanks!!
Beth
Loving the website, I wish I had your talent for these finer points of the culinary arts. Great tool, my one student is always checking it out!
I love your site – it really is great. Beautiful picutres that inspire and great tutorials. Thank you
Love Anne Taintor, I have a calendar and each month I crack up at the new image.
My favourite things are bath products from bath and body works now finally in Canada.
Also a favourite thing of mine to do is to listen to my favourite CDs in the minivan sans kids. Bliss
Thanks for adding me to this lovely giveaway! I love philosophy bubble bath, especially amazing grace. I also love cupcakes and anything girly girl
Hi Marian! I found your blog about two weeks ago and have been addicted ever since. Love your cookies and you have inspired me to try making my own. I’m a new stay at home Mom and have been looking for something un-kid related to fill up my free time.
My new favourite thing is online shopping! You can find so many cool things and its delivered right to your door!!
Love the website – I too am waiting for my mobile to go before splurging on an iPhone.
I could totally use a pick-me-up for my February blahs! It’s been one of those months!!!
I love your blog! I always try to make my own cookies but somehow they end up beeing a disaster!
Thanks for the tips!!
Your favorites list looks a lot like mine. 🙂 And the Martha Stewart book would be awesome to win. 🙂
I love to listen to my new I POD Nano at Chemo. Makes time fly! I would also love the cupcake charm, how cute is that? GREAT find!! Thank you, as always, for sharing!! I hope you get what is on your list!!
One of my favorites on my ever growing wish list are Swarowski hair clips. I love them in all shapes, colors and sizes….
Love your site and your faves list.
I have an iPhone and I love it!! I’m replying
to you now using it!!! Love the cupcake charm
too. Bet it would get lots of comments.
Thx for the giveaway. Hope I’m lucky!
Wow this was a great idea….a giveaway in February. It certainly seems to have caught the interest of everyone, how fun. I am so glad that you decided to do this post….I think my favourite thing is the iPhone too! I am very familiar with them as my two boys have one each, however, of course I don’t. Mmmmm time to get one!