How's about a little Q & A...an award and a milestone celebration giveaway?

     Whew! I am posting really late today, but time just got away from me...
    I get so many questions and sometimes I fall behind in answering them, so I am going to answer the ones I can think of right now. If I've missed any, just post 'em here and I'll edit the post with more! Sound good?

1. How do you do the furniture repainting and antiquing? I shared that here.

2. What color Blue paint do you use? I shared the recipe here.

3.What kind of printer do you have?
It's an HP PSC 1350 all-in-one printer scanner copier and I think it came from Walmart, about $100 when I bought it, probably replaced with newer version by now in stores.

4.What software program do you use to make your invitations and place cards?
Broderbund Printshop Ensemble III...a very very old version (at least 10 years old!)

5.What do you use to fuzzy up the edges on your photos?
Professor Franklin's Instant Photo Effects...I love it! It's made for beginners!

6.What is the name of the black color paint in your cottage?
I use Behr Brand (and I prefer eggshell finish, but you can use whatever finish you like) and it is called LAMP BLACK.

7. Can you show the inside of the composition book?
Sure!

8. How do you increase the font size in WORD to make it huge?
To make the font larger, highlight the font. Now go up to the font size box (where it shows 72) and type in a bigger number, like 150 and hit ENTER. The highlighted letter or word should jump up to that size.

edited to add...

from Tina-
9. I would like to know about your blue dishes. Where they came from and/or brand. I have found similar ones at Ballards and Penney's, although I am wanting the creme color 
They are the ones from Ballard or from Horchow I think, but I got them at TJ Maxx.

and from Gabrielle-
I got two paint swatches...Behr..one is 'creamy white and Innocence....have you used these colors before?
No, I haven't tried those shades. I have Behr TOASTED CASHEW in my living room and hall though.... 

From gail-

11.What kind of glue did you use on the composition books?

We used regualr craft glue. i also think spray glue would work great, if you spray it on the backs of the paper and then attached it to the comp book.

from holly-

12.Could you tell us or show us how to make one of your lovely pennant banners?

I make them in the Printshop program listed above. I do it as a POSTER, with 1 letter at a time per page, then edit to do the next letter. I draw 2 angled lines (in Printshop) making a big "V" and have the letter centered within the "V" if that makes any sense. I saved the template and use it over and over again.

from Judy-
13. How do I show an award on my blog?   
You right click on the award picture, click on save image as...and save it in with your pictures. You can even rename it if you need to.  

Oh, I forgot to share a napkin ring from this past post..and in fact, it's one of my favorites...new this season, on clearance at 60% off at Pottery Barn!

Look what I got today!!! Special thanks to Kathy for this wonderful award! There are way too many daily dose of love kind of blogs on my list to pick just one...so, if you're reading this, and you have a blog...consider yourself tagged!

Next Sunday marks 1 full year of words to live by. Wow!In fact, it was last mid January that I began posting everyday...and in the past 12  months, I have only missed 3 days of posting. (I'm not sure what this says about me...either I am devoutly dedicated or I need some professional help...or maybe both) At any rate, I think that I'll get on the celebration bandwagon with all the other blog giveaways out there in bloggyland! All comments from today through next Saturday night (on any posts) will go in a drawing for a prize in honor of the big occasion., so make those comments! I'll do the drawing next Sunday morning at 7:00 a.m. and announce the winner. Sound fun?

Oh, and here's the prize..... A fabulous Cathy Penton charm necklace!
Good luck, and thanks so very, very much for reading my blog and becoming my friends!

Comments

[Beth Dasecke]

wow I have only just found your blog so am getting a cuppa and sitting down for a good read! I love it so far
hugs Beth

[Alison Gibbs]

Wow Tracey that was a big Q & A section in your post today. Mmm... 12 months blogging and only 3 days missed - yep, you are addicted. Cute charm necklace for the giveaway.
Alison

[Joy]

Thank you for sharing the pictures of your workroom- they are truly lovely and inspiring. I love the light blue color, it's got to be my favorite choice for paint after the moss green I have in my bedroom. Something about nature colors, I guess. Love 'em!

[Gena]

I so enjoy your blog and visit every day. I am always excited to see what beautiful creation you have to share with us. I'm not sure I've ever posted a comment, so this might be a first.

Thank you for answering those questions. I haven't asked them, but had wondered about many of the things you answered.

I would love to be entered in your sweet drawing. That necklace is lovely.

P.S. I live in McDonough, about 10 minutes away from The Plum Tree. It is a GREAT place!

[Elaine L.]

Tracey,

Well, if posting everyday makes you crazy, then I'm glad. LOL Reading your blog makes my day! It always perks me up. I find you to be very inspiring.

That's cool about increasing the font size. I never knew that and plan to print and frame some words.

~elaine~

[Lorrie Orr]

Yours is one blog I check every day because you post so faithfully - on wonderful topics. Thanks for answering the Q's and kudos for posting every day but 3! WOW!

Lorrie

[Kay Phillips]

I am certainly glad that you post so frequently, I love your blog and check it every day. I am looking for a soft blue to paint my bedroom and I might just have to find one close to yours! Thanks for entertaining me daily!

[Gabrielle]

oh count me in....thanks for the q and a...

[Elizabeth]

I'm so glad you did the Q&A...I've been refinishing all of the woodwork in my house and I love the antiquing affect you use. Our color pallettes are also similar so I make a point n stopping by daily to see what fun stuff you've done. OH...and those dishes I bought...my dear jack russell had an accident and broke one 2 days after I bought them! Now I'm really glad I didn't go with the expensive set. Congratulations on your anniversary!

[From My Cherry Heart]

Everyday for a year is a big accomplishment! Congradulations... thats wonderful!

I would love to be entered in your blog celebration give away!

Thank you
Hugz, Dolly

[Cheryl]

Tracey,
I look forward to reading your blog each and every day! I also LOVE the DVD about decorating cookies and cupcakes...can't wait to try out all of your great ideas. Happy Blog Anniversary!

[laurie]

One post = 3 things I need to do. I've been planning to paint my kitchen table; you gave step by step how to. We do birds and the napkin ring is perfect...I'll go to pottery barn tomorrow and I've already bought the composition book to cover. That's pretty good for one post!

[Gabrielle]

Hi I'm posting again...do I get to be entered twice? hee hee. I got two paint swatches...Behr..one is 'creamy white and Innocence....have you used these colors before? Can you show me some examples of them..If not I understand...I'm the worst at decisions, I never used to be..but now..that i'm holder I can't decided whether I need to use the restroom or not..it's that bad.

[Carol]

Wow, Tracey, a whole year of blogging! You're alot more dedicated than I. I'm trying to blog at least once a week this year!
Carol

[pam]

Drawing or not, I love your blog and your daily dose of inspiration!

[Karla/Grace]

Even though I don't have the space, the time, or the resources to redo furniture like you do, I still get inspired and love reading about all of your projects. The colors you choose are so refreshing and beautiful and it's like Christmas morning every time you reveal a new piece you've worked on! You've made me love black and white like never before. I just love your blog and want to say congrats on the bloggy award, and the milestone.

[Erin]

Hi!

Thank you so much for the paint recipe. I just love that shade of blue. I really enjoy visiting your blog - always such beautiful things to see! I love your journal that you made. Great minds think alike - LOL! I just made one recently too. I'm using it as a recipe journal/scrapbook for when the kids and I bake together. It's always such fun to add the pictures and recipes and journal about our adventures in the kitchen! Thanks for a beautiful blog and have a lovely week!!

~Erin

[Erin]

Your blog is the first one I check each morning! I've gotten so many great tips and ideas from you! Thanks for your inspiration!

[Gayla]

I am a devoted fan of yours. I read your blog every single day, and I think I found you just a few days before the fourth of July. It was amazing to catch up with you and then to follow you through everything. I would love to be entered in your giveaway, but the real prize is being able to read your blog every day for a sip of inspiration and charm. And I mean that sincerely.

[Dawn]

Well girl, if you need help then so do I!!!! I'm a blogger maniac myself ~ but inspiration is a give and take thing and it's so very strong in this blog world ~ and you are such a wonderful giver!! Congratulations on a year of goodness, Tracey ~ I've loved it, as so many others have as well, and I loved meeting you...wishing you many, many more and count me in on Cathy's necklace ~ I love her work! xxoo, Dawn

[Dorothy]

Congratulations on your award, on your milestone, AND for blogging every day!

I would love to win that lovely charm necklace!

And once again, thanks for the inspiration!

[Joyce]

Oh dear Tracey... how fun~ a giveaway from one of my very favorite blogs! Yaaay! I so enjoy reading your blog each day, I hope you will always "be here".... I have just started to go back in your archives and read from the beginning, and oh what fun! Thanks so much for doing what you do! :-)

[Dana Welsh]

I am always sharing your blog with those I love - but I am a bit stingy with the sharing - only those who I know will be as devoted as I am get the link. One of the strongest feelings I get from your blog is of resilience - you make me feel like getting off my butt and doing it... thanks!

[Mecky]

Thank you for posting everyday! I love having a Daily Dose!!

The bird napkin ring is adorable!!

[cindy]

Thank you so much for posting everyday and being such an inspiration to us all...I feel like i'm reading a letter from a really good friend (even though we've never met) when I read your blog and I hope we do the same for you. Keep up the great work!!! We all love you!!!!!!!

[September Lady]

You ARE dedicated and you DON'T need help! I think the Blog IS your help. Thank you for it. I visit your site several times a day just to make sure I don't miss anything! I read several but if I could only choose one, you would be it. Keep on blogging. I, for one, will keep on visiting
! Good Night!
September Lady

[haus frau]

I typically check your blog morning and evening just in case you share TWO posts in one day. I'm hooked and fully realize I'm one step away from professional help, myself. So, perhaps there's a group rate for your fans...?

That charm necklace is so pretty..I hope my name is drawn. ;o)

Thank you for posting an interior journal picture. Very helpful.

Have a good rest this evening...

[cindy ~ my romantic home]

I love the Q&A ~ what a great idea. I get so many questions and sometimes I can't answer the question because they didn't leave their email address!

I love that you post everyday because I love your blog! See, it's 2:00 AM and I can't sleep so I'm reading your blog!

[Jilly]

I REALLY enjoy your blog. Your projects, outings, teaching, adventures, WEDDINGS and you! Thank you for sharing!

[Lizz]

Your blog is one of my favorite ..thanks for all the tips.

[Holly C]

I love your blog. Thanks for sharing!

[Vanessa]

I love your blog! It is such an inspiration each day - the photos, the words to live by...It is just all so wonderful! Thank you for sharing your life with all of us.

[Gail]

thanks for doing this giveaway! I never win much of anything...I love that necklace!

[Cathy]

You answered many of the questions I would have asked you! Thank you. Love your beautiful blog :)

[Sherry]

You are really so talented. It is so much fun to check in everyday to see what you have going on. You write everyday and we all come and read what you have to say everyday so maybe we are all a little bit crazy but what a boring life we would have if things were different. Thanks so much for sharing with us.
Sherry

[senecamom]

I know if I lived out there, we would be fast friends! I enjoy your blog and your family- I also have 2 daughters and a son- isn't it nice when our children grow up to be adults we really, really like?!? Thank you for sharing- Donna

[Lorraine]

So much loveliness and sharing - thank you!

[Kandi]

I love reading your blog. I like the check in and see what you have made and LOVE seeing pictures!

[Judi Mancuso]

I love presents and contests! But, I love your blog even more! A daily dose of it keeps me inspired! You have created a wonderfully warm community here. Thank you so much for sharing your quest for a beautiful life with all of us. All of us are searching in one way or another. It's both comforting and fun to be doing it together. Although my blog is not at all about decorating (well, maybe I mention it or talk about my junking addiction or my decor shows up in the background of my pix!), I'd love for you to stop by. I know you have many invitations but if you're ever looking for something to do and have any interest at all in Lapband surgery (for weightloss) or just curious what I'm talking about....my WELCOME mat is out to you at
http://judifromthismomenton.blogspot.com/
Your blog is a lovely place!
Judi

[tina]

I love and adore your blog! Happy 1 year blogging!!

I would have asked about the composition book. So glad you showed the inside - I'm definitely going to try one!

I would like to know about your blue dishes. Where they came from and/or brand. I have found similar ones at Ballards and Penney's, although I am wanting the creme color. Just wondering about yours and how you like them. Thanks!

tina

[Colleen]

Thanks for all the inspiration over the time I've been visiting. Great blog - one of my favorites. Here's to another LONG time of blogging (and the occasional day off!)
Colleen

[Kris]

I look forward to your blog every morning! I appreciate the fact that you post daily (whatever the reason! LOL). Congratulations on your first year!!!

[Cindy Lammon]

You have wonderful ideas! Thanks so much for sharing with such detailed instructions.

[klynnnn]

I just spent the better part of three days going through *all* the entries on your blog - from end to beginning. I can't believe this is the first I've found your site as I really think you're living out MY beautiful life! ;) Your projects are certainly an inspiration for me and I plan to become a "regular" reader now. And, the transformation you've made in the past year is amazing - keep hanging in there!

[kathy]

I can see why you posted later than usual! My what a wealth of info. It's so nice that you took the time to format the questions and answers. Once again thank you.
Best,
Kathy

[Syd]

Thanks for all your inspiration. Keep up the good work. I check in every day.

[Kristy aka a lurking reader]

Tracey,

How did you know I had even more questions for you but didn't want to keep pestering you? You answered alot I had, and even a few i hadn't yet thought of :)

Thanks for all your help with the baking as well. Of course, they all look wonderful!

Congrats on being both committed and crazy (hey those two adjectives sometimes go together, right??)........

Kristy
St. Pete, FL

[margaret]

Thanks for your blog!

[Raised In Cotton]

Thank You for the Q+A's you are wonderful!
Hugs,
Carol

[SusanG]

I love reading your blog. You are so inspiring for my creativity and my life!

Susan