playlists & a giveaway: with Shiny Happy World

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yippee!
it's kids week here @ the rikrak studio: 6 days of celebrating children, and the wonderfolk who handcraft art for their curious, wonderful little hands!

::::::::::::::::::::> UPDATE! <:::::::::::::::::::::

be sure to enter all of the KIDS WEEK giveaways!

1. WIN a moozle home stuffie, here.
2. WIN a *my beautiful girl designs* prize pack, here.
3. WIN 6 REusable snack baggies by BananaSaurusRex, here.
4. WIN a kids prize pack from Claire & Me, here.
5. WIN a beautiful eco mobile from Babongo Home, here.
6. WIN a fabulous eco-softie by Shiny Happy World, here.

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superdooper, nicies!
here we are... at day 6 of 6 amazing giveaways.
welcome to our final fabulous kids week giveaway!

now, i love happy stuff.
i especially love happy kids stuff.
so the Shiny Happy World of artist wendi gratz is one i just adore!

aren't her whimsical, vivid creations just gorgeous? AND they're eco-friendly! yay!

with such an eye for colourplay & design, the Shiny Happy World shop and site are a virtual trip into a joyous, child-friendly forest... filled with adorable recycled and thrifted fabric plush bunnies, wonderful happy robot-y artworks, beautiful, crafty dolls and more.

i asked wendi if she would share a child-inpsired playlist with us today, too: great songs filled with the wonderful kind of energy we feel in her handmade shop.

so sit back and listen to her fab playlist, visit her beautiful shop, blog and more, and read on to WIN an adorable softie of your own!

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dj: Shiny Happy World
theme: children's songs that adults will love too
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1. Mahna Mahna by Cake

2. What a Wonderful World - Stacey Kent

3. La La La La Lemons - Barenaked Ladies

4. Birdhouse in Your Soul - They Might be Giants

5. Mr. Heatmiser - Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

6. YMCA - Village People

7. One Was Johnny - Carole King

8. Bicycle Race - Queen -

9. Rainbow Connection by Sarah McLachlan

10. Yellow Submarine - The Beatles

wendi writes: I LOVE listening to music while I work. My studio is right in the middle of our very open house - no walls and right in the center of everything going on. Sometimes I listen to music for everyone to hear - often showtunes - but more often I put on my headphones and create a little cocoon for myself in the middle of the chaos. I have different playlists for different needs - high energy to get me going, quieter music for more focused work, and a few general playlists for everything else.

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woohoo!
love those, wendi - great choices for fun folks of all ages!

and now.. one lucky rikrak studio reader will WIN...

wendi writes about this giveaway prize! : This Shiny Happy Bunny is cute as a button and full of awesome. What's so great about him? Well. . .

* He's dang cute! Just look at that crooked smile.
* He's very squishy and huggable.
* He's made out of recycled fabrics.
* He's machine-washable.
* His ears are lined with satin. Satin!
* He's safe for babies - no buttons or tiny bits.
* He's one of a kind – just like your kid.

Size
My daughter says he's the perfect size for snuggling. What, exactly, does that mean? Well, he's 9 inches (23 cm) tall if you don't count his long, floppy ears. If you count them - and I think you should 'cause they're pretty awesome - he's a whopping 16 inches (40 cm) tall! And he doesn't like me to tell people, but you'll probably want to know that he's 6 1/2 inches (16 cm) wide across his bottom.

Materials
I make all of my dolls and softies from recycled and thrifted fabrics. I find great fabrics (mostly old clothes, but sometimes I find embroidered tablecloths or other wonderful treasures), take them home, wash them, inspect them for damage and stains, make sure they pass the sniff test, then cut them up and turn them into pure cuteness. This particular Shiny Happy Bunny is made from:

* red and white checked cotton
* red satin from a coat lining
* scraps of red felt
* new poly stuffing
* love

Care
Machine wash in cold water. Tumble dry. Easy peasy.


1. go visit the lovely Shiny Happy World

... come back and tell us about your favourite goodie from her shop & why you love it!
= 1 entry

2. leave us a comment telling us about a *kid-friendly song* that YOU love!
... = 1 entry

3. follow Shiny Happy World on twitter. (she's http://twitter.com/wendigratz)
come back and tell us.
... = 1 entry.

4. sign up for the Shiny Happy World newsletter
and come back and tell us.
... 1 entry

5. tweet on twitter
about this giveaway and come back here and tell us! please be sure to include @therikrakshop so i can find you! :)
= 1 entry.

6. leave a comment over in this etsy thread here sharing a link to something FUN in your shop/at home that you handmade for a child/ for kids OR something handmade by another that you LOVE for kids!
come back here and tell us about it.
= 1 possible entry

7. follow or subscribe to the rikrak studio blog
and leave me a comment here telling us that you do! = 1 more possible entry.

8. do a facebook update about this giveaway (& follow wendi! )
come back and tell us.
= 1 more possible entry

9. :: PLEASE NOTE:
each entry must be it's own comment.
thanks! ::

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:: RULES ::

a) it is possible to have a maximum of 8 entries total per person.
b) please make sure to leave each entry as it's own comment. thanks!
c) using random.org, 1 winner of the Shiny Happy World giveaway will be chosen on tuesday, may 25th @ 7pm EST.
d) open to contestants worldwide.
e) please be sure to leave me an email where i can reach you if your account doesn't link to one. thanks.

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::::::::::::::::::::> UPDATE! <:::::::::::::::::::::

be sure to enter all of the KIDS WEEK giveaways!

1. WIN a moozle home stuffie, here.
2. WIN a *my beautiful girl designs* prize pack, here.
3. WIN 6 REusable snack baggies by BananaSaurusRex, here.
4. WIN a kids prize pack from Claire & Me, here.
5. WIN a beautiful eco mobile from Babongo Home, here.
6. 6. WIN a fabulous eco-softie by Shiny Happy World, here.

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playlists & a giveaway: with LaLa! Shoes

i just love a great playlist. i think it stems back to those glorious mixed tapes days where i'd either make, sometimes receive and always always covet a fabulous collection of tunes by various great artists! for me, a personal playlist is a magical grouping of songs. *bliss!* ... so i've asked some wonderful artists if they'd make up a little playlist on a theme for this new rikrak studio series. i thought we might get a glimpse into what musically inspires these fabulous folks... i'm thrilled to present the next: playlists with lalashoes! and check out the other great playlists here.

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i'm smitten.
i'm just enamoured with the beautiful, colourful, whimsical, etheral world that talented footwear artist Daria of LaLa! Shoes creates with her amazing linen & felt home shoes.

a visit to her boutique and i'm whisked away to a home that is vivid and filled with all the right kinds of energy for the kiddies in our lives: wool felt baby shoes in the most luscious colour-combos! and beside them in the shop, women's home shoes in delightful linens that evoke that well-balanced, blissfully content, healthy & happy woman inside each of us.

*swoon!*

wouldn't these be fabulous mother's day gifts? or birthday gifts for a dear friend? or a pair for yourself? how about a baby pair for the wee ones! so sweet!

as a medallist in the handmade olympics, i was thrilled to see world sharing my complete adoration for the style and panache of LaLaShoes! her unique shoes and slippers are, for me, simply perfect. read on for your amazing chance to WIN a pair! woohoo!

and i thought you all might like a little glimpse into the music behind the artistic footworks that are *designed with passion & sewn with care!*

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dj: la la shoes
playlist theme: a mix of the songs I love.

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1. Esbjörn Svensson Trio - From Gagarin's Point of View
One of my favourite pieces by EST - I really feel like floating in space. It's wistful & very calming.

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2. The Pixies - Where is my mind? & Hey
Ha! The whole Band! It was so difficult to choose! Sorry, must be at least 2 songs!
Energizing! They scream when I'm not allowed to!

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3. Radiohead - 2+2=5 & Knives out & Paranoid Android
Again - I could just write - Radiohead "All & Everything". I could listen to them any time!

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4. Miles Davis - Generique / from L'Ascenseur pour l'échafaud
So good, so sad.

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5. Louis Armstrong - What a Wonderful World
This makes me remember Sundays of my childhood - my father used to wake us up with Armstrong on Sundays. Makes me feel sunny and optimistic. Found a funny performance!


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6. Cannonball Adderley feat. Miles Davis - Autumn Leaves
I could listen to jazz all the time - good for everything. Working, reading, cooking, just listening. The genre I enjoy the most.

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7. The Dave Brubeck Quartet - Take Five

Excellent to start the day!

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8. Massive Attack - Karmacoma
Haha, the sexy song :) I found this interesting performance.
Makes me feel powerful. And very focused.

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9. The Shins - Sleeping Lessons

Incredibly cheerful - it's like a huge vitamins shot! Fantastic to match colours for the shoes!

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10. Cinematic Orchestra - The Man With The Movie Camera
Keeps me focused.

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11. Etta James - At Last
I always stop when I hear this song. I can't think or work. Absolutely mesmerizing.

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12. Gershwin plays Gershwin - Rhapsody in Blue
Makes me smile. I used to listen it from an old gramophone we had,
head down in the armchair.

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13. Bonobo - Days to Come

Excellent for long working hours! Keeps me focused.
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14. Paris Combo - Fibre de verre
Just hyper! Like me, sometimes.
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15. Dionysos - La Mécanique du Coeur
Our first band together- the funniest thing is that we discover a new French word each time we listen to them, and then feel so proud :) (still learning French!)
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In Daria's words: So hard to make such a short playlist :)

My husband and I both work from home - so we listen to music all the time. He's our DJ! We rarely mix different artists when listening, we almost always play full albums. It gives me rhythm when working, knowing which song is next and staying in one mood for at least 45 minutes.

Sometimes we listen to calm music the whole day, but sometimes we put an "energizing" album on to wake us up! Most of the time music just keeps in tune with the ongoing mood - up, down, calm, screaming, cheerful. It has a great impact on me - one of the most important things in my life, I remember periods of my life by some albums or songs. Well, who doesn't? I enjoy silence, but can't imagine a day without music (especially if it's a working day).

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wonderful stuff! thanks so much for such a fabulous playlist, nicey!
love it!
and now... the moment you've been waiting for...
an amazing giveaway from LaLaShoes!

that's right! one lucky rikrak studio reader
will win a pair of
Pop! Stars shoes
in green, size 18-24 months / EU size 22.
a $52.00 value!

{ the details: They're made of thicker pure wool felt (Oeko-Tex Standard 100% certified) and have 3mm thick soles and eco-leather (leather substitute) no-skid undersoles.}

eep! they're so fantastically sweet! yay!
perfect for spring indoors! yay!

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here's how to enter the giveaway!

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

1. go visit the wonderful LaLa! Shoes shop!
... take a look around ... come back here and leave a comment in this post about your favourite goodie from her shop & why you love it!= 1 entry

2. leave us a comment about a song you love to listen to all the time!
... = 1 entry

3. visit Daria's vibrant flickr photosteam & add her as a contact.
come back here & tell us.
... = 1 entry.

4. follow LaLa! Shoes on twitter @lalamonde . Come back here and tell us about it!
... 1 entry

5. tweet on twitter
about this giveaway and leave us a link to it in a separate comment here. please be sure to include @therikrakshop so i can find you! :) = 1 more possible entry.

6. blog about this giveaway and leave us a link to it in a separate comment here.
= 1 more possible entry

7. follow or subscribe to the rikrak studio blog
and leave me a comment here telling us that you do! = 1 more possible entry.

8. :: PLEASE NOTE:
each entry must be it's own comment.
thanks! ::

..........................................

:: RULES ::
a) it is possible to have a maximum of 7 entries total per person.
b) please make sure to leave each entry as it's own comment. thanks!
c) using random.org, 1 winner of the LaLa!Shoes giveaway will be chosen on wednesday april 7th @ 9pm EST.
d) please be sure to leave me an email where i can reach you if your account doesn't link to one. thanks.
................................................

have a fabulously vivid day, nicies!

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playlists: with inklore

i just love a great playlist. i think it stems back to those glorious mixed tapes days where i'd either make, sometimes receive and always always covet a fabulous collection of tunes by various great artists! for me, a personal playlist is a magical grouping of songs. *bliss!* ... so i've asked some wonderful artists if they'd make up a little playlist on a theme for this new rikrak studio series. i thought we might get a glimpse into what musically inspires these fabulous folks... i'm thrilled to present the next: playlists with inklore:songs to print fabric to and check out the other great playlists here.

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as cyber monday swirls all around us and folks are traveling home, artists hopefully brimming over with orders (fingers crossed that the sales*fairy has come to visit you all, lovelies!) and everyone looking looking looking for those perfect holidaying gifts for everyone on their list, i thought a wonderful playlist, with songs to create to, would be a perfect background for the day!


the lovely and talented inklore, whose gorgeous eco-friendly, handprinted housewares & accessories seem perfect for so many folks on those holiday gift lists, is a wonderful eco-artist. i just love her design palette and her lovely minimalist designs.

so check out her beautiful shop, her wonderful eco-forward blog, and tune in for all kinds of gorgeous songs from her very own playlist below. (psst: she's also having a long weekend sale that ends today! check it out!)

---> ps: still a few more days to enter the AMAZING MEGA handmade giveaway here on the blog, with a prize pack valued at over $450 US! woohoo!

dj: inklore
theme: songs to print fabric to
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Beginning to See the Light - The Velvet Underground

Strange Overtones - David Byrne and Brian Eno

That'll Be the Plan - Daniel Martin Moore

Seule - Keren Ann

Writer's Minor Holiday - Calexico

Autumn in New York - Billie Holiday

Fitz and the Dizzyspells - Andrew Bird

Your Reverie - Kelley Stoltz

Talk to You - Tracy Chapman

Her Morning Elegance - Oren Lavie

Love Minus Zero - Bob Dylan

It Never Entered My Mind - Miles Davis

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in her own words: "I love music, but never pay enough attention to the names of songs/artists to make my own playlists. Luckily I'm married to a man who has excellent taste in music; he has a collection of many different genres and makes playlists for me so that if I'm making dinner, there's a mix for that and if we go on a roadtrip, there's another mix. I must admit I made this mix myself, from some of my current favorites of his, and I think this would be the perfect music to work in my studio by. There's just enough pep to keep me going with the occasional jazz piece to keep my mind at ease.

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lovely, inklore. thanks so much! here's to *keeping our minds at ease* today, lovelies!
??? what are you listening to as you create???

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playlists & a giveaway: with tomate depingles

you know what i really love in fashion?
a gorgeous personality to go with an uniquely gorgeous look. i think the two working together is what pull off truly sensational, forward thinking fashion!

enter the wonderful tomate d'epingles! a sisterly duo who handcrafts gorgeous statement jewelry that possess the magic of speaking volumes without saying a word: just like great art does! and these two nicies are among the loveliest handcrafters around!

i have to tell you: i'm the proud owner of a number of tomatedepingles pieces (you know how i love fun jewelry!) and without a doubt, whenever i wear a piece, folks swoon over it! and... as soon as i put on a tomate de pingles piece, i gotta say.. i just instantly feel gorgeous & smiley! magic, huh? keep reading to see how you can WIN one!

i love tomatedepingles and the brilliant ways artists Guylaine and Isabelle (one of whom is now working on their jewelry-ing full time! yay!) combine recycled, natural, vintage & retro elements into their magnificient accessories. film negatives into earrings, reclaiming leather into rings, these personality pieces are sure to charm!

{i thought you might also like to know that i love their work so much that this season some lucky rikrak customers receive tomate d'epingles jewelry as a gift with their purchase! you'll love it!}

so check out their beautiful shop, read a little bit more about these superstars here, and bask in the delight that by purchasing tomatedepingles, you're supporting eco-forward, cutting-edge, thoughtful fashion! now let's listen to their playlist!

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dj: tomate depingles
playlist theme: songs that make us happy &
that we just cannot not dance to!

1. Blind - Hercules and the love affair
We fell in love with this band and the lead signger, Anthony. He has such a spectacular voice!

2. Rainbow Warriors - cocorosie
cocorosie is a very fun and fresh band that has an aesthtic we adore

3. Fashion - David Bowie
David Bowie is an inspiration to us everyday... He has always been a trendsetter and everything he touches is gold

4. Underpass - John Foxx
This song is the quintessence of alternative electro in the 80s... we just adore it!

5. Just Can't Get Enough - Depeche Mode
How can anyone not dance to that song? Depeche Mode is awesomeness

6. Holiday - Madonna
We've been fans of Madonna since the very first album. We used to dance to her vinyl records in our pjs as kids :o)

7. Self Loathing Rulz - Shout Out Out Out Out
SO4 is a young canadian electro pop band. They rock in concert, its a must see!

8. Mixed Bizness - Beck
Beck is another one of those artists we've been following since the beginning. He has edge and humour... how fabulous!

9. Canned Heat - Jamiroquai
Retro sounding but always fresh and new, Jamiroquai has got it all

10. J'aime la bourgeoisie - numéro#
This is from the first album of a couple of friends of ours who have a fabulous electro pop thing going on.

in their own words: "we love music, we love to sing along, even sometimes indulge in kareoke, we love to go see good shows, discover new music... But we also love to DANCE! Its the best way for us to disconnect with all the rest and just have fun!"

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hear hear! yay to dancing! lovin' this fun playlist! while you're checking out these great tunes, see what tomate depingles is offering one lucky rikrak studio reader....

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the tomate depingles giveaway! one lucky reader will win

a faux heirloom vintage glass vial necklace

woohoo!

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here's how to enter the giveaway!

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

1. go visit the lovely tomatedepingles shop
... take a look around ... come back here and leave a comment in this post about your favourite fashion-statement goodie from their shop & why.= 1 entry

2. leave us a comment on YOUR FAVE song you just have to dance to!!
... = 1 entry

3. visit the tomatedepingles blog and leave them a comment on a post
... then come back here and tell us about it. = 1 entry.

4. tweet on twitter
about this giveaway and leave us a link to it in a separate comment here. please be sure to include @therikrakshop so i can find you! :) = 1 more possible entry.

5. blog about this giveaway and leave us a link to it in a separate comment here.= 1 more possible entry

6. follow or subscribe to the rikrak studio blog
and leave me a comment here telling us that you do! = 1 more possible entry.

7. :: PLEASE NOTE:
each entry must be it's own comment.. thanks! ::

..........................................

:: RULES ::
a) it is possible to have a maximum of 6 entries total per person.
b) please make sure to leave each entry as it's own comment. thanks!
c) using random.org, 1 winner of the tomate de pingles giveaway will be chosen on
tuesday november 10th @ 9pm EST.
d) please be sure to leave me an email where i can reach you if your account doesn't link to one. thanks.
................................................

happy dancin'!

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playlist and a giveaway: with michele maule

gosh.
i just adore michele maule's artwork.
the modern nostalgia. the colour palette. the fusing of text with various media in such an artful, artful ways.
*sigh!*
and i have the hunch you might just love it, too!

{and now you can WIN a print for yourself! read on!}

& here's an interesting little tidbit for you: not only does our family own a michele maule original artwork (that we love!) but heavens to betsy, it's such a glorious feeling walking into someone's home and seeing original artwork by an artist you love, isn't it? and now that has delightfully happened to us twice. i love it! i guess that's the power of an amazing artist! to reach admirers far + wide in such a beloved way.

so i hope you'll visit michele's beautiful shop, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee while you peruse her insightful blog, that's filled with glorious insights into her process and her works in progress. and sit back and listen to the playlist that inspires her art!






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dj: michele maule
playlist theme: Songs to Paint to!

1. Karen O and the Kids - Igloo

2. Tender Forever - My Love

3. Michael Cera and Ellen Page - anyone else but you

4. Mates of State - My Only Offer

5. PJ Harvey - You Said Something

6. Cocorosie - By Your Side

7. The White Stripes - We're Gonna Be Friends

8. The Clash - Lost in the Super Market

9. The Blow - Parentheses

10. Death Can for Cutie - Diamond and a Tether

in michele's own words: "I love music. It's a huge part of my process and my work. So many bands and musicians influence me and inspire me, and making art would be much harder for me if I didn't have music to listen to. These are just some of the bands that I listen to daily. There are so many more, and it's hard for me to just pick ten! I hope you enjoy it."

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i love it, michele! your playlist is as wonderfully eclectic as your work! and now, while you're checking out these great tunes, see what michele is offering one lucky rikrak studio reader....

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the michele maule giveaway!
one lucky reader will win

a gorgeous print of the work: I hope it's okay

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here's how to enter the giveaway!

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

1. go visit the lovely michele maule shop
... take a look around ... come back here and leave a comment in this post about your favourite inspiring goodie from her shop & why.= 1 entry

2. leave us a comment on YOUR FAVE eclectic song you love to craft or make art to!
... = 1 entry

3. visit the how to draw a cup of coffee blog and leave her a comment on a post
... then come back here and tell us about it. = 1 entry.

4. tweet on twitter
about this giveaway and leave us a link to it in a separate comment here. please be sure to include @therikrakshop so i can find you! :) = 1 more possible entry.

5. blog about this giveaway and leave us a link to it in a separate comment here.= 1 more possible entry

6. follow or subscribe to the rikrak studio blog
and leave me a comment here telling us that you do! = 1 more possible entry.

7. :: PLEASE NOTE:
each entry must be it's own comment.. thanks! ::

..........................................

:: RULES ::
a) it is possible to have a maximum of 6 entries total per person.
b) please make sure to leave each entry as it's own comment. thanks!
c) using random.org, 1 winner of the michele maule giveaway will be chosen on
tuesday november 3rd @ 9pm EST.
d) please be sure to leave me an email where i can reach you if your account doesn't link to one. thanks.
................................................

be inspired, cuties! {and don't forget: still time to enter the sponsor's shopping spree giveaway + i hope to see you tomorrow (thurs.) LIVE for my little workshop in the Etsy Virtual Labs! woohoo!}

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