Do you ever feel like you have a knack for predicting the future? Me, too!

As long as I can remember, I’ve been struck by flashes of inspiration. Or maybe it’s just that I do a lot of wishful thinking.  Either way, I’m not one to chalk things up to coincidence. Whether it’s being in touch with our intuition, the power of prayer or even the self-fulfilling prophecy of positive thinking – I believe it’s possible to envision what you want – and then make it happen.

THE COLOR INSTITUTE

One of the best examples in my recent past is late last year when Pantone, Inc. announced their selection for Color of the Year.

If you’re a designer – fashion, graphic, web, interior – or any other creative professional, you’ve likely worked with Pantones Colors.  In fact, now that programs like Adobe Photoshop are so prevalent and accessible, more people than ever are familiar with Pantone.

In 1963, Lawrence Herbert, Pantone’s founder, developed an innovative system of identifying and matching colors to solve the problems associated with producing accurate color matches in the graphic arts community.

For more than 45 years, Pantone’s Color Institute has been the world-renowned authority on color.

Have you ever wondered why when you walk into a store and see new seasonal merchandise, it all coordinates so well?  Is it a conspiracy?  Do designers really dictate trends in color?

TREND FORECASTS

Designers do play a key role in determining color trends, and the Color Institute relies on this input.

The semiannual Pantone fashion color report surveys top designers. The Pantone team takes the information and utilizes that as a collection for their Trend Forecasts for the coming season.

Hot up and coming colors:  Pink Champagne, Chocolate Truffle, Lagoon, Red Lipstick and Oyster Gray.

But the one I love the most?  Pantone’s 2010 Color of the Year:  TURQUOISE!

Carolyn Kelly, from The Magazine Antiques writes, “Turquoise has been one of the most sought after colors in decorative arts history starting with the turquoise ground, called bleu céleste, developed in 1753 for Louis XV at the porcelain factory at Vincennes.”

Let’s start with one of my favorite kitchens ever.  Created by architectural designer Peter Napolitano and interior designer Thomas Britt, this photo, featured in Architectural Digest and first spotted on a blog I adore – House of Turquoise – serves as a constant source of inspiration.

In fact, if you’ve ever visited the Sugarluxe Studio, you’d think HGTV Designer, Judith Balis, channeled my space when she created this beautiful room below.  From the hot pink chairs and zebra print pillows, to the glossy black accents and turquoise walls, I love her balance of traditional furnishings with a totally modern flair made possible by the smart use of color.  (photo via HGTV Designer Portfolios)

Here’s another gorgeous room that pays homage to the Sugarluxe Life.  Interior Designer, Debbie Sheaf made perfect use of my fav color combo (photo via Southern Hospitality Blog)

Click below on examples from the Sugarluxe Gallery and you’ll see that I’ve been predicting the need for these upbeat, vibrant colors for years.

Pantone says they represent a psychological shift toward the need for optimism and hope.  I say – EXACTLY!

Oh, how I just LOVE color!

HAPPILY EVER AFTER

Speaking of love, fashion mavens and modern designers aren’t the only ones coveting my favorite color this year.

Brides to Be are filling our inbox with orders for mirror compacts and keyrings that feature even the faintest hint of turquoise.  These items have always been great gifts for bridesmaids, but now it seems big orders for bridal parties are coming in like never before.

We are even adding more designs to our SMART Cufflinks Collection because the demand is growing. Even the grooms want in on the action.

I think that speaks to the global reach and impact of Pantone Colors which now permeate every industry.

For even more inspiration, be sure to check out some of my favorite blissful blogs:

It’s a Jaime Thing |  Cocktails & Details |   The Wedding Chicks |  Wedding Paper Divas

In addition to my personal preference, the psychology of this color helps to explain its inherently optimistic nature.

IT’S TIME FOR TURQUOISE

Color can help to build confidence.

Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute, adds that by combining the serene qualities of blue and the invigorating aspects of green, Turquoise inspires thoughts of soothing, tropical waters and a comforting escape from the everyday troubles of the world, while at the same time restoring our sense of well-being…

She explains that whether envisioned as a tranquil ocean surrounding a tropical island or a protective stone warding off evil spirits, Turquoise is a color that most people respond to positively. It is universally flattering, has appeal for men and women, and translates easily to fashion and interiors.

With both warm and cool undertones, it pairs nicely with any other color in the spectrum.

THE FUTURE LOOKS BRIGHT

I also believe that Turquoise is a color of compassion and inner healing.  It relates to our ability to love ourselves, as well as others.  That’s why, even before it became trendy, Turquoise has always played a dominant role in my art.

I feel so blessed that I get to do what I do.  This week, we celebrated our Anniversary at Sugarluxe. Here’s to 5 FABULOUS YEARS of trying my BEST to make the world a brighter place…

BABY PANDAS

There’s no proof, but I’m quite positive that Pandas would love cupcakes.

I’m also pretty sure that EVERYONE loves pandas - what, with that classic black and white fur coat, those woefully sad eyes and their playful, incredibly cute nature - they are one of the most beloved creatures on earth. 

BABY PEOPLE

Chandyn - Baby Person

ARE YOU INSPIRED TO WIN?

It’s almost Valentine’s Day! When you see this picture, do you have the urge to say BE MINE? Already one of the clear favorites of the A La Mode collection, I think I might be able to find someone who would love a FREE 40×36 inch Inspire gallery wrapped canvas.

But first, in true Sugarluxe fashion, the story:

DEDICATED TO THE VISION

Years ago, I gutted my downstairs bathroom.  At the time I first bought my home, I was single, living alone and due to long hours at work, had no time or real reason to do another home improvement project.

Yet, I couldn’t wait for the weekend to arrive when I would rip off the outdated paper, pull out the ugly vanity, and slather the walls with a red faux finish.

In my mind’s eye…I knew the first time I saw this bathroom, exactly what I wanted to do with it.

Unfortunately, never having torn out a sink before, I didn’t anticipate that it would take with it, huge chunks of the wall.  $%&#!  It was a complete disaster.

But large gaping holes, a dangling electrical box and no clue how to fix this mess were not reasons enough to stop me from realizing my vision.

DESIGN INSPIRATION

My weekend job turned into a an entire year’s worth of work.  After the chaos cleared, I put in a sleek white pedestal sink, a beautiful faucet with porcelain knobs, and only then, began to paint.

Layering, rubbing, and glazing for days, I created a dimensional patina of rich velvety red.

Next, I paired vintage black die-cast outdoor lanterns as lighting over an ornate beveled mirror.  It turned out stunning. And finally the moment arrived for me to hang the art:  because after all, it was a beloved framed print that had actually been the inspiration for the entire project in the first place.

The Inspire Artwork from the A La Mode Series, or at least the red, black and white color palette anway, was actually inspired by my remodel of this room years ago.  It hasn’t changed since the day it was completed.  To me, it’s timeless, kind of like your favorite little black dress.

IT’S UP TO YOU

It’s why, when I started to receive feedback on Facebook about which pieces of the collection people liked the most, I was pretty excited to see that so many felt a true affection for Inspire.

My work, especially those emblazoned with a bold message, may never be analyzed by the majority of those who view it.  But perhaps you’ve taken it a step further and pondered. Who is she looking at? Is she seducing someone or is she watching her back?  Is she turning around to say one last goodbye?  That’s up to you to decide.

But whatever the reason people are drawn to Inspire, it makes me happy that it connects with so many.

As such, it turns out, it’s a piece that is in high demand.  From big gallery stretched canvases and small archival paper prints, to daily requests to make this artwork into designer card cases and our crystal compact mirrors…it has struck a chord and that just thrills me to no end.

A SWEET ART TIME OF YEAR

In honor of Black History Month, plus with Valentine’s Day and our 5th Anniversary at Sugarluxe quickly approaching, I’ve been planning a FUN GIVEAWAY for one lucky winner.  What I thought I’d do was make and give away a brand new Inspire Card Case, the very first one of its kind.

Pretty cool, huh?

But then!

Something happened yesterday that changed my whole direction.

A large AP Giclee of my original artwork, with its top quality pine wood stretcher bars and costly high end canvas, takes weeks to complete.

The very last step before we box it up and ship it out is to take a photo to document my signature and the number of the AP as proof of authenticity to file with the purchase order paper work.

However, due to the dreary weather, we could not get enough light in the studio, and our photo lighting rig was in storage.  I always prefer natural light anyway as it brings out the truest colors, so the art scheduled for shipment yesterday needed to be shot outside.

The first one we take out is Inspire.  At almost 10 square feet of material, it is both large and lightweight.  And literally, within moments of stepping outside the studio door, the wind RIPPED the canvas from my hands and went flying across the parking lot.

I felt sick.  Not only was this going to create a delay for my client, I was out money and time.  I was reminded of the day I pulled out the sink in my bathroom and sat dumbfounded as I stared at the unbelievably big hole in my wall.

But nowadays I know there’s a reason for everything.  In fact, I even believe completed DIY projects around the home are great primers for small business owners. That kind of work:

• Teaches you to expect the unexpected.
• Prepares you for the investment of time.
• Helps you to make the most of your budget.
• Gives you the confidence that you CAN fix things.

Because in home improvement projects, as in business, things can and do go wrong.  But if you never mess things up, you never really learn how to make things right.

So, I had an idea…

THE WORK AHEAD

The upper left hand corner is obviously damaged. The edge needs repainted on two sides, and one of the support bars on the back cracked in half and poked into, but thankfully not through, the front of the canvas (look near the stenciled letter S on the third pic).

The biggest challenge will be to build up that gouged corner, followed by trying to get an exact match on the paint and the lacquer glaze protective coat.

The first picture is just to give you some detail of the canvas…the next two show you the actual damage and what I will be working feverishly to repair.

THERE IS ALWAYS HOPE

So during the remainder of the month and somehow in between the mad rush of orders for Valentine’s Day, I’m going to work to fix the canvas.  I want it to go to someone who really cares about the artwork.

I certainly know how to patch and paint.  I think I can do this.  I can make it – almost – like new again.  It will never be perfect, but I’m INSPIRED to give it my best.

And I have a feeling, that even though it has a few scars, someone will adore it more so for it having been saved.

——————————————————–  INCREASE YOUR CHANCES ——————————————————–

2 Entries – Use the Tweet This button below to retweet this blog link.

3 Entries - Comment here on the blog: why you love this art and want to win?

5 Entries - Has Sugarluxe inspired you? Write it on the main Sugarluxe Facebook Page wall.

10 Entries - For any order placed between 2/1/10 and 2/14/10 on www.sugarluxe.com.

——————————————————  INSPIRE CANVAS GIVEAWAY —————————————————

With participation you can earn anywhere from 2 to a maximum of 20 entries into the drawing.  I truly look forward to fixing her up and giving her a loving home!

Someday I’ll wish upon a star and wake up where the clouds are far behind me.
A dark cloud has been looming.  Not only did this month mark the anniversary date of my life-altering accident, but fertility continues to elude me, and a few weeks ago, I discovered a dreadful lump.

To read more about my personal scare with Breast Cancer, you can check out this revealing Facebook post – Sugarluxe Loves Boobs.

Since that time, I’ve had surgery and I’m on the mend.  I am so thankful that we were able to detect this sizable mass early enough to eliminate it before it became unruly.  I feel extremely fortunate.

It’s no use screaming at a time like this! No one will hear you… Help! HELP!
But honestly, even the little stuff adds up.  Like when the unique building that housed my big, fabulous studio was condemned this summer and we were given less than two weeks to completely relocate and try to remain operational. Not a big deal in the grand scheme of things, but unexpected and exhausting.

If you were really great and powerful, you’d keep your promises!
Or the following month, when I realized that the publisher of Rare Magazine, Taylor Perkins, was going to be in willful breach of our contract – essentially stealing money right out of my pocket and making the huge miscalculation that I would sit back and take it.

Little men behind the curtain, bad, mean witches and flying monkeys aside, I try my hardest to stay focused on following my own yellow brick road. 

This is why I love the Wizard of Oz. Like the movie, life itself is an epic journey. And I, like Dorothy, am a dreamer. I believe anything is possible.

Yet, there is no doubt – to overcome your detractors, to survive, to be successful – takes heart, requires brains, and massive amounts of courage.

That’s the beauty of this tale:  You don’t need to be given these traits; you just have to find them within yourself. They’re already there.

—————————————————  70th Anniversary Celebration ————————————————–

And it’s why I so thoroughly enjoyed creating this Sugarluxe interpretation over the last few months.  In the midst of any turmoil, I find refuge in painting a world filled with hope and happy moments.

I’m thrilled to complete and present my piece for the Warner Bros. Anniversary celebration. 2009 marked the 70th Anniversary of this classic movie and as the year draws to a close, I’m excited to unveil my tribute to the wonderful Wizard of Oz.

In fact, over a month ago, while I was still working on the conceptualization of Dorothy and Toto in my signature style, I decided to play a game on Facebook with Sugarluxe Fans.

It was so much fun and Tiffany Bymaster was our big winner.  I’ve since learned more about Tiffany who is an incredible pro-celebrity/movie makeup artist in Los Angeles.  How fitting that she would win the piece dedicated to one of the most beloved movies ever made!

She has also waited patiently to receive the VERY first signed and numbered piece. And now that it’s on the way to her, I finally get to make these giclee artist’s prints available to you, too.

• Title:  Dreamgirl
• Collector’s Edition: Signed, Dated, and Numbered Limited Edition of 70
• Media:  Pigment and Metallic Inks with Watercolor on Archival Museum Grade Fine Art Paper

Can be ordered as ready to frame in black or white mat:
8 ply (very thick) 16 x 20, Beveled Edge, Premium Mat with Acid-Free Mounting Board

If you love the Wizard of Oz like I do, or know someone who does, this vibrant 70th Anniversary Artwork will be sure to please for years to come.  Exclusive to Sugarluxe, you can find out more details at www.sugarluxe.com.

Until next time…I’m off to find some place where there isn’t any trouble. Do you suppose there is such a place?

Ready for me to pour some sugar on you?  How about a Buy One Get One FREE special? 

I just love days like this.  Where I live…it’s 74 degrees, sunny and bright with a nice cool breeze.  Yes, this is definitely my kind of day.

So, I’m feeling good, despite the work overload.  The sunshine is spilling into the studio making everything that much more sparkly, too. Perhaps that explains why I thought it was time to take a break from my busy schedule.

Well, I’m not officially taking a break.  I don’t even really understand the word “break”.  But I am back here on the blog to share some Sugarluxe-y goodness again.

Since it’s my favorite time of year - I just had to come up with an idea today to spread a little of this beautiful sunshine.

In fact, I couldn’t be more pleased about the Sugarluxe website overhaul we did recently because it allows us to implement so many more fabulous offerings for our friends.

Over the past few years, we would put together about 4 VIP deals a year – one per quarter at the most.  It wasn’t that I didn’t have all kinds of things I wanted to do.  It was simply that the website was so painstakingly manual, we just didn’t have the time to make all the necessary changes required to do it more often.  Now, instead of two weeks to change everything in our programming and spread the word about our specials…we can put together something sweet in as little as one day. 

Well, honestly?  A dedicated day to any project right now is still demanding on what little time I seem to have, but if it means I get to come over to the blog and do something extra nice for the people I adore…then it is TOTALLY worth it.

———————————————————— HERE’S WHAT TO DO ———————————————————

Select any size Archival Art Paper Print from the Sugarluxe Website (only) and get a giclee paper print in the same size/format for free!  YAY!

If you own a Sugarluxe Gallery Wrapped Canvas and have thought about anchoring the artwork with some smaller framed pieces – NOW is the time to do it.  Or, if you haven’t started your Sugarluxe Collection yet, but you’ve been dying to get that first little piece – NOW you can get two for one.  Either way, it’s a nice little bonus.

1. Be sure to add a comment in the Customer Comments section at the bottom of the check out page – mention that you want the Spring Art Special.
2. Tell us which ADDITIONAL print you’ve selected and would like to add to your order. 
3. Complete your purchase and your TWO new prints will arrive together. 

It’s that easy!

Please note:  This special expired on 4.31.09

—————————————————  FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS  ——————————————

What is an Archival Giclee Paper Print?
Unlike posters on thin stock paper (oh, and by the way, I love posters so not knocking them – these are just not posters). Our prints are genuine Sugarluxe painting reproductions created on premium archival Museum Grade Fine Art Paper. This paper has been made since 1819 by the oldest paper mill in the country.

What is the Museum Fine Art Paper like?
This smooth 100% Cotton Rag Fine Art Paper feels thick, rich and gives a deep gorgeous color to the images.  Plus, it is naturally acid and lignin free. It is also buffered for added stability and treated with a special UV protective coating to ensure that the colors remain constant over time.  In addition, it is recommended that you mat and/or frame your Sugarluxe print in order to enhance its longevity.

Why don’t you mat and/or frame these prints at Sugarluxe?
Product line decisions are often based on the wonderful feedback and input we receive from customers around the world.  Because we do ship globally, and we have stockists in a number of countries who wanted to carry Sugarluxe Art in addition to our accessories, I was determined to find a way to maintain the integrity of a valued art print, but make it so that it is easy and affordable to ship. 

And – I also like to offer flexibility.  If we mat and frame the piece for you –  it might not work for your decor and that is limiting its potential to work well within your space.  Since we are not a frame shop, we leave that work to the professionals who make a living, matting and framing art.  That way, you get exactly what you want.

I want a bigger print, but 13 inch openings on pre-made mats are sometimes hard to find. What do you suggest?
First – that’s true.  And square mats are harder to locate, too.  But the mat does make the whole piece a bit more substantial. Plus, our prints with a mat and frame look fantastic.  We have twelve pieces installed like this in the studio right now.

What I do is go to the framing section of my local Michaels (not just because that’s my last name) or once you’re familiar with what you need, better prices can be found online at Blick Art Materials (love this place the most and it’s where I buy all my canvases, supplies, mats and they have great, inexpensive frames, too). 

Then, I just pick out a piece of “Mat Board”.  If you don’t know where to find it, the good people in the frame area will show you.  Ask to have an opening cut to fit the size (should be a bit smaller than the actual print size so that it is easier to line up if you’re framing it yourself – best to take in your print if this is the first time you’ve done this and they can make sure there is a good fit when they do the cuts) and really, that’s all there is to it.  If you just get a plain white cut mat with no fancy stacking…it’s about $5-7 (which is definitely less than the pre-cut mats!)

Why not just mount the print?
You could…but if you want me to leave you a personal note on the back, you’ll never see it again…mounting can prove to be a pain in the long run because it will be fully adhered to another surface.  In archival framing, the mats are not glued to the piece or backing, but are hinged to the backing with tape.  If you want to choose a proper mat board and don’t want to spend the money on cotton fiber museum board, choose Conservation or Archival Mat Board.  It is constructed of 100% pure high alpha cellulose (wood pulp) and treated to be inert for up to 300 years. This is the highest quality paper matboard available.

Why don’t you just sign the front of the print then?
I do.  If you choose that option when ordering, I will definitely hand-sign the piece on the front.  When you select a signed piece…I often write a private, personal note on the back for you, too.  If you want my personal note to you ON THE FRONT of your print, be sure to select the option for “White Border” when choosing your print so that it leaves me some room to write you a message.  Just be sure to make that special request in the comments section when checking out. The great news is that a white border piece saves you money over ordering a full-bleed, edge to edge print.  

Can I buy more than one print with this month’s special and still get the two for one?
Absolutely.  For every print you purchase, you get another one for FREE.  No limits on quantities…but this is for retail (not wholesale) purchases only and is not retroactive to previous purchases.

Well, I guess that’s it for now…

Spring is in the air.  So, I sure hope you have a fantastic week full of sunshine!

But then you stopped by here for a solid month…sending love, encouragement and the most excellent feedback an artist could ever want to hear. During the long hours and facing my endless list of to dos – it was such a pleasure to read the amazing comments over the past few weeks – they really kept me going.

I know without a doubt, that even though we had 10 LUCKY WINNERS last month…there are still people who will not be happy (with me) about not winning a prize.  That was the hardest thing about holding these great giveaways.  I want to reward everyone.  But I trust that you understand that isn’t feasible.  I guess what I mean…is that I hope that the generosity is contagious even if you didn’t win – this time.

You see…I believe in the Golden Rule, the Law of Reciprocity, Karma or any other cosmic, universal meme that suggests you get what you give.  Point is, you proved it to me ALL month long.  Did I seriously have time for the giveways? Not really. But what I received in return from offering these prizes is a tremendous amount of support which is very valuable to me! And so it seems – it always comes full circle.

I feel very fortunate that you helped to spread the word about what we are doing here at Sugarluxe.

This brand is more than just pretty pictures.  It is to me, above all else, about a personal, fundamental philosophy built on the belief that extreme determination coupled with kindness, confidence and consideration can be the key to success. And if you know me AT ALL, you see that message is “baked” into everything I create.  So what thrilled me the most was the support and kind competitive spirit you showed each other during this FIERCE competition.

And as MUCH as I greatly appreciate everyone’s efforts…there were a few LADIES who truly worked it like nobody’s business.  Through our analytics software, we were able to track all referring links into both the blog and our main website. These awesome ‘Sugarluxe Girls’ worked very hard (and very creatively, I might add) to spread the word about Sugarluxe and their tenacity was revealed in the results.

I couldn’t let this go unnoticed!  It’s not to take away from so many who put forth great effort too…please know that.  This last minute GIFT IDEA is just another way for me to extend my gratitude to someone who really went the extra mile.

Call me crazy…but this is something I just have to do.  So, for now…another bad ass prize!

One of the top girls will win this:

• 40″ x 40″ Gallery Wrapped Canvas – Soul Sista by Sugarluxe
• Signed & Numbered – AP 1/1
• Embedded with Six Genuine Swarovski Crystals
• With a Personal Note to Winner on the Back
• Also Includes a Certificate of Authenticity

You may have seen pictures on the website this summer when I was actually going to offer this version online.  But for those who pay closest attention…you might have noticed that it went away.  That’s because, just like the Ruby Moon | Cheers Darling piece…I decided to keep this one for the studio.  The version for sale online is the original Soul Sista – so again – this gift/giveaway is another One of a Kind!

For those of you following the updates on Facebook Saturday night…you knew that I gave out one more hint.  (Oh wait! – You didn’t know that I gave insider tips?) – That’s why it’s good to become friends on Facebook where I share lots of little secrets. It was announced on my Facebook Profile as a NOTE entitled:

If you’re playing to WIN at Sugarluxe, you should probably read this…

Well – as you know by now – Stean P. worked his butt off and earned the Grand Prize!  And those who were right on his tail?  (These names are in no particular order):

1. Ebony Y.
2. Jori B.
3. Jette M.

——————————————————–  VOTING STARTS NOW ——————————————————–

P.S.  Ladies – I already know that you are FANTASTIC!  But in order for everyone else to get a good vibe – feel free to use the comments section below to convince your fellow commenters why the WINNER should be YOU!

Every vote is tracked to prevent fraudulent clicks and other artificial means of inflating the results.

Good Luck!

——————————————————–  AND ONE MORE THING ——————————————————–

To everyone else who participated all month long during the Sugarluxe 4 Year Anniversary Giveaways – THANK YOU AGAIN!

I never want anyone to walk away completely empty-handed.  So below I’ve included the code for an exclusive coupon worth 50% OFF any ONE item in the Sugarluxe Shop.  It’s only valid for a very limited time and it’s not a total FREEBIE – but hey – like my mom always says, it’s better than nothin’…

Plus, over the next few months we will definitely be coming up with additional contests.  So, be sure to stay in touch to take advantage of future opportunities.

In honor of our 4 year Anniversary Celebration at Sugarluxe, I am thrilled to offer (for the first time ever) a FREE giclee canvas.  For those of you who have joined me all month long for our giveaways – I hope you’ve enjoyed our brand new items, the chance at winning these goodies, and the anticipation of seeing what comes next. I’ve had so much fun and I sure hope you have, too.

Week #1 – Sugarluxe Art & Soul Mirror Compact Winners
Week #2 – Sugarluxe SMART Collection Cufflinks Winners
Week #3 – Sugarluxe Decor Vinyl Big Wall Graphics Winners

So, let’s talk a little bit about this week’s Grand Prize…

You already know that I work on so many different things at once and I have a multitude of projects underway at any given time. That’s why it made it kind of hard to figure out exactly what I was going to do for the Grand Prize.  When I started this 4 weeks ago, I knew I wanted to give away something BIG…I just didn’t know what!

More importantly, as the clock was ticking, I realized I also wanted to offer something that is unique and meaningful to me.  When it came right down to it – I couldn’t think of anything better than this.

And here she is folks:  Ruby Moon in Cheers My Darling

But why is this piece so special?  After all, you can find Ruby Moon on our website and also a derivative at Z Gallerie.  You can even get a mini print version on our archival paper prints.

HOWEVER – there is ONLY ONE like the photo you see below.  This is a canvas like no other. 

So, this week – for our BIG GRAND PRIZE GIVEAWAY – someone will win this one of a kind:

• 40″ x 40″ Gallery Wrapped Canvas Art by Sugarluxe
• Signed & Numbered – AP 1/1
• Embedded with 10 Genuine Swarovski Crystals
• With a Personal Note to Winner on the Back
• Also Includes a Certificate of Authenticity

And like all of our prizes, this too, includes FREE shipping. 

If you were with me last year during our benefit to help raise money for the Austin Children’s Shelter – you may have seen the Cheers My Darling art before.  It had the honor of being on public display for two months.  But this particular piece was NOT for SALE. 

Why am I finally giving this canvas away now?  Well, it’s simply because:

1. I want it in the home of someone who I’m sure will love it like I do.
2. It’s valuable to me because it’s long been part of the Sugarluxe Studio.
3. I want the winner to receive a gift that NO ONE else will ever have. 

Ruby Moon will be around for years to come…but this is a version that I had made just for my studio.  The “my darling” part is so exquisitely old school and I just can’t wait to share it with you.

Do you want to win?  Do you?  Do you want this REALLY BAD???

If so, make sure you are familiar with the Official Rules.  You must subscribe or have already subscribed via email. 

Plus, even if you’ve already commented elsewhere, remember – you need to leave a comment on this post telling me how much you love me would love to have this canvas…and STUMBLE IT, you can BLOG ABOUT IT, or POST the LINK ON FACEBOOK (and tag me so I know about it) to earn extra entries into the Grand Prize Drawing.

Retail Value?  Priceless.

——————————————————–  WINNER ANNOUNCED ——————————————————–

UPDATE March 2, 2009:

Little did I know that last Monday would set off what would end up being both the most fun, and the most gut-wrenching giveaway to date.  With each remarkable comment, my heart sank.  I was so excited for who might win, while I often felt like I would be letting down at least 50 other people.  As someone who doesn’t much like to disappoint…it’s been tougher than I thought it would be. 

Everyone brightened my days, many people made me laugh out loud.  But in the end…this past week’s contest really came down to who could spread the word about Sugarluxe the most.  Not in a spammy, click the site all day kind of way…but by being someone who brought in MORE unique visitors, turned on MORE people to Sugarluxe, and introduced my art to MORE people than anyone else - and that person is…

wait for it

wait for it

Stean P. – YOU are the GRAND PRIZE WINNER!

You were relentless, involved, fun, relentless (did I already say that?) and you sent the MOST pageviews and MOST unique visitors to both Sugarluxe and the Sugarluxe Blog!  You did an amazing job and you certainly deserve this piece.  As much as I never thought in a million years that it would end up in the man cave we’ve all heard so much about – you definitely earned it.  You are a genuine FAN, a true FRIEND and a FANTASTIC commentator.

CONGRATULATIONS!!

P.S.  There are four other people who followed close behind Stean and deserve credit too.  Want to find out who they are?  Read more about the BONUS PRIZE in this week’s newest post.

Plus, we are not just giving away this gigantic graphic – we are giving away TWO.  So, there will be two lucky winners who will have their choice of the brunette or the blonde!

I’m so excited about the giveaways this week because this particular product has been part of my secret Sugarluxe plan for some time.  It took almost two years to find the right partners.  At the onset of the vinyl wall applique craze, you could find cheap wall stickers from every sign printer on the planet.  I was asked by a handful of these big manufacturers if I would license some of my work.  But I just wasn’t compelled to jump on the bandwagon for three simple reasons:

1. I like to work with companies who appreciate art.
2. I wanted my work to be on the absolute BEST material available.
3. The color output had to be as close of a match to the original artwork as possible.

Most vinyl graphics companies gravitate toward one type of vinyl because it costs less and is easy to find.  But I wanted to work with a higher quality material so that I could be sure it was top quality like our other product lines.

Sugarluxe Big Wall Graphics are:

1. Printed on Top of the Line Premium Media – Removable Adhesive Fabric
   
2. Printed with environmentally conscious, but still totally vibrant Eco-Solvent Inks
   
3. Truly Repositional + Will Not Harm Walls  (check it out below…I just put one up in my studio)
   

This week’s BIG GIVEWAY PRIZES are brought to you by my excellent partners and producers of this super cool product – John and Tavia Doffing of START Moving Pictures and Jason Weisenthal of WallMonkeys.

But get this…

While working on the test phase, John realized that there was extra space when we did the layouts. Instead of being wasteful with the materials…the team decided to utilize that space to give customers more for their money.  That’s where the additional FREEBIES come in.

If you check around online…you will see vinyl laptop and iPhone cover art pieces often sell between $30-$40 just by themselves.  But with the purchase of Sugarluxe Big Wall Graphics (or this week – when you win) you get these extras for FREE.

I love that.

I love adding value and I love being able to create things that you might purchase for yourself…but then you also get a little extra goody you can give as a gift!

Those of you who were with me on Facebook during our final layout phase will remember our night of online design collaboration.  That was fun!

We went through a series of uploads and a few design choices for the iPhone covers specifically.  After tons of awesome feedback…we finally decided to give away three different iPhone covers (thanks to everyone who participated and gave such wonderful input to help finalize the process!)

So, here’s what you WIN on your big 50″ x 36″ sheet:

• One Superstar Sugarluxe Girl Graphic (48″ x 32″)
• One Laptop Cover Graphic (10.4″ x 8.5″)
• Three iPhone Cover Graphics (4.5″ x 2.4″)
• Small Sugarluxe Flower Graphic (3″ diameter)
• Medium Sugarluxe Flower Graphic (5″ diameter)
• Large Sugarluxe Flower Graphic (7″ diameter)
• One Sugarluxe Logo Graphic (5″ x 7″)

Plus, I added the flowers so that you can put them in her hair or maybe on your bathroom mirror.

And here’s a close up of the iPhone graphic decals so you can get an idea.  They won’t stick forever and they aren’t shiny (because I didn’t want shiny for your walls)…but I think they might be a fun, free way to dress up your iPhone.

And – I get to show off two designs that we don’t currently sell anywhere else:  Seafoam Seaweed and Mushroom Lava!  You like?

In a few weeks, these two lovely Superstar ladies will be available for purchase on the Sugarluxe Shop Website. But for now – you can win them here this week!  Or if you can’t wait to see if you win…you can head on over to visit my fabulous partners at WallMonkeys and START Moving Pictures.

If you go over to their sites, you will see that for the initial launch…they chose two additional artists  who also happen to be really amazing guys that I totally respect.

Legendary Spray Can Artist – Vulcan

and

Famous Urban Artist – Justin Bua.

So, there you have it…

I know my post is much longer this week than in the giveways for Week 1 and Week 2 – but I was just so pumped to share the story behind how these things come to be.  I hope you are pumped about the possibility of winning!

Oh yes, and this photo gives you an idea about the size:

Who wants to win?

Now look at my big, big smile…That’s because it’s so fun to hang your new wall graphic!   (Actually that’s me trying to keep it from falling on my head – you should have two people to do it right!)

If you want to win, make sure you are subscribed via email and that you leave a comment telling us what you think about the brand new Sugarluxe Wall Graphics.  Retail Value is $69.

Find out who the WINNERS were of last week’s FREEBIES.

Because I didn’t get this posted until today – entries will be accepted until midnight on Sunday, February 22nd.  And this week’s winners will be announced next Monday afternoon right before we post the final week’s grand prize giveway.

P.S. Even the top cool hunter in the country thinks these ROCK!  See what Josh Spear says about these new Big Wall Graphics.

——————————————————–  WINNER’S ANNOUNCED ——————————————————–

UPDATE February 23, 2009:

I hope everyone had a fabulous weekend!

This week’s winners were chosen by a computerized random number generator.  Every time you left a comment, blogged about Sugarluxe or promoted the contest to your friends, you earned extra numbered entries.  That means your name was entered once for each comment you left last week and up to ten times per any blog entry you’ve written this month highlighting the Sugarluxe Giveaways.

And with that – I’m pleased to announce this week’s lucky winners of the Sugarluxe Big Wall Graphics are:

1. Lisa M. of Tulsa, OK
2. Darby R. of Austin, TX

Please use our Contact Form to send your blonde or brunette selection and shipping information!

Your new Sugarluxe Girl will be shipped to you by our friends and manufacturers - WallMonkeys – based in Fanwood, NJ.

Thanks so much to everyone who participated. I hope you’ll check back later this evening to see our GRAND PRIZE GIVEAWAY.

In fact, if you’ve been to the Sugarluxe site recently, you’ll notice that two of the designs offered on the contest this week are NOT yet available for purchase.  So, you might be the very FIRST to sport our newest cufflinks.

All four winners selected will get one pair of Sugarluxe Cufflinks of their choice.  (Please see the image on this post for the choices available).  Offered are the two best selling pairs…and two not yet released pairs.

You get to pick whichever you like best.

It took quite a bit of time to design the perfect frame for these tiny little pieces of art. More importantly, and true to the brand, we work very hard to develop unique gift items that showcase our commitment to top quality craftsmanship with surprising affordability. No easy feat in these trying economic times.

Cufflinks are perfect for that someone who seems to have everything…

I know there won’t be enough time to get these out to the winners before Valentine’s Day.  But to help, I’m going to change it up just a bit.  This week, the contest will end on Friday the 13th at midnight.   The winners will be announced and posted here on Valentine’s Day.

As a way of thanking our super awesome friends…I thought I would do a weekly contest and give away some unique goodies that you can’t get anywhere else. No purchase is necessary to win.  And if you have any questions about HOW TO ENTER  – be sure to check out the official rules.

The cufflink artwork is created using our proprietary pro-formulated soft luster pigments and then carefully fired into a thick and durable glass-composite onto the base of a polished silver rhodium finish.

Your SMART cufflinks are presented in our custom black cufflink box with velvet lining and padded flip-top made specifically for displaying these tiny works of art.  Retail Value is $39 USD.

Find out who the WINNERS were of last week’s FREEBIES.

——————————————————–  WINNER’S ANNOUNCED ——————————————————–

UPDATE February 14, 2009:

Happy Valentine’s Day Everyone!

Because I hope you are off enjoying your weekend and not working online like me (plus I need to take a little time out today, too) – I thought I would make this week’s selection of winners as easy as possible.

This week’s contest winners, often like in life, are FIRST COME – FIRST SERVED.  If you were one of the first four to respond, you WIN!

And with that – here are the winners of the SMART Collection Designer Cufflinks:

1. Juli A. – Greenville, TX
2. Shannon C. – Barrie, ON Canada
3. Stean P. – Dallas, TX
4. Chic Gal (Beth A.) – Tulsa, OK

Please use our Contact Form to send us your cufflink design selection and shipping information!

1. Love You Cufflinks (black and white floral)
2. Cocktail Cufflinks (blue martini)
3. Celebrity Pin-Up Cufflinks (sexy blonde)
4. Rock Candy Cufflinks (guitar girl)

Please allow time for the production of your new cufflinks – as they are made to order.

Thanks so much to everyone who participated. I hope you’ll check back on Monday to see the NEW PRIZES for next week’s GIVEAWAYS.  More winners to come…

This design, originally created for the Art & Soul Showcase to benefit the Austin Children’s Shelter, has never before been offered on one of our Sugarluxe Compacts.

I have ONLY made THREE of these compacts for this very special occasion…and these pretty little accessories will go to THREE LUCKY WINNERS in this week’s current giveaway contest to celebrate our 4th Anniversary at Sugarluxe.

Sugarluxe launched on February 14th, 2005 and it sure has been a wild world filled with sweet surPRIZES ever since.

As a way of thanking our super awesome friends…I thought I would do a weekly contest and give away some unique goodies that you can’t get anywhere else. No purchase is necessary to win.  And if you have any questions about HOW TO ENTER  – be sure to check out the official rules.

This week’s FREEBIE is a Limited Edition (of 3).  How do ya like that for super limited – Hot Pink Tattoo Heart Mirror Compact.

Each compact is made right here in the Sugarluxe Studio and is meticulously crafted and dipped in silver.  The double mirror cosmetic compact is then coated with a protective layer of lacquer to help prevent tarnish.

The artwork is created using soft luster pigments and fired into a durable glass-composite.

Your FREE PRIZE will arrive wrapped in tissue, placed in a plastic sleeve, inserted into a white Sugarluxe Logo gift box with a velvet drawstring pouch for safe keeping.  Retail Value is $34 USD.

Made just for you – with all my Art & Soul.

Oh yes – and be sure to subscribe via email and leave a comment if you’d like to win.  This week’s contest will end at midnight on February 7th.  Winners will be listed on this post on Sunday.  THANKS!

——————————————————–  WINNER’S ANNOUNCED ——————————————————–

It’s Sunday night and the Winner’s Names have been drawn!

But first, I had to make my way over to my Facebook page.  I made a wall post and requested that someone (who did not enter the contest) pick three numbers between 1 and 93.

1. That’s officially the number of entries we had including comments here, extra credits for blog entries and facebook posts.
2. Thank goodness my diplomatic friend, Melanie Spencer, who just left the Austin American Statesman last week for her new job as Press Secretary to Texas First Lady, Anita Perry – responded to my request and posted three random numbers on my Facebook Wall.
3. Here’s what she wrote:  2, 6, and 60.

And with that – here are the Winners of the Art & Soul Compacts:

1. Elisa B. – Austin, TX
2. Stacy C. – New York, NY
3. Deb D. – Dublin, OH

Please use our Contact Form to send us your shipping information!

Thanks so much to everyone who participated. I hope you’ll check back tomorrow to see the NEW PRIZES for this week’s GIVEAWAYS.  More winners to come…