Birthday Giveaway from Studio Jewel!
My birthday is this Sunday and I want to celebrate with you! My awesomely talented friend, Lisa, makes gorgeous jewelry and we want to give you one of her pieces! If you want a chance for a $75 gift card to her Etsy shop for my birthday, all you have to do is share a special birthday memory with me in the comment section. I love to hear stories! I’ll do a random pick from the entries on Saturday.
So, tell me one of your special memories around birthdays (yours or someone else’s)!
And just as a teaser, check out a few of my favorite pieces from Lisa below. Of course you could randomly pick anything from any of her work, and I’d love it, so…
This bangle set with handstamped text and added charms
This gorgeous sterling silver and blue stone ring
These funky and delicate-looking earrings
This awesome “word” necklace. Lisa came out with this early this year, and I love the idea. I’m a word girl, so it resonated with me!
Two years ago, my wife was in a very bad car accident where she literally died and was revived by the Care Flight the brought her back. She was told she would never walk and yet on her birthday, she was able to walk without any help from anyone. This year has been especially rough with money, losing jobs and family trials that are still ongoing. The 29th of this month is my wife’s birthday, and I have nothing to give her due to our present circumstances. It breaks my heart that I can’t buy her something nice for her birthday.
Jason~Thanks so much for sharing your memory. Your wife sounds like an exceptional woman. I’m sorry your year has been so rough, but I’m glad y’all have each other.
I gave my daughter her first big birthday party when she was 10. She and her friends were fans of a certain Nickelodeon show that featured kids doing all sorts of messy tasks, like digging for prizes through slime, so I decided to base her party on that show. I spent days and days making tubs of J-ello which we put in kid-sized swimming pools with prizes (wrapped in Ziploc bags)buried underneath. I made whipped cream mountains with prizes inside, slime filled balloons, and a gummy worm cake. We had a paintball target contest.
All the kids were told to wear disposable clothes and they all had a blast. Her party was the talk of school for several weeks, and it thrilled me to see her so happy.
Jane~Awesome! If you’re daughter is anything like me, she still cherishes the memories of that party!
My favorite birthday memory was when my brother who had moved from NY to CA moved home without telling us, he showed up at my grandmothers house just as we were about to have cake and ice cream. I was 16yo and the one thing I had wanted for my birthday was my brother to move back. My wish really did come true!
Kristina~Oh my gosh! It’s like those Foldger’s commercials at the holidays! Love it!
I’m the oldest of 7. Starting with me and through number 4, our birthdays fall within 10 days of each other (from May 24 through June 2 – a house full of Geminis!). Birthdays for me have always been part of a “season” of celebrations with some of my favorite people – my siblings. This year the youngest in the Gemini-cohort turns 30. It’s always festive, even when we live far apart. And I have to say I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Kelli~That is amazing timing! For your parents, I mean. I love the relationship you have with your siblings!
The most memorable birthday on my record is my daughter Natalie’s 10th birthday. Her dad died the same day, not suddenly, but from complications of a stem cell transplant. And so, there was my very first chance to show my kids, and myself, that life is precious and worth celebrating, even in a head-on showdown with death. The house was filled with balloons, and my closest friends gathered to treat a bunch of 10 year old girls to manicures and pedicures…and then a sleepover. It’s one of my proudest accomplishments as a mom.
Jill~I’m so sorry about your husband’s death and so proud of you for know what you and your daughter needed. Thanks for coming by, I hope to see you often!
Lisa is one of my favorite people of all time!!!
Mine too! You’re pretty high up there too 🙂
I’ve only had one grandfather growing up (my Mom’s Dad passed away before I was born) and last year for his 85th birthday I made him a guitar shaped cake. He has played guitar & mandolin his entire life and loves music. Seeing the look on his face when he saw that guitar cake was priceless and he kept saying in all his years he’d never had a guitar cake. He was even hesitant to cut it to eat it…ha! I loved making that memory for (and with) my grandfather.
bamagv at aol dot com
Gretta~I love it! I think one of my favorite things about birthdays is the chance to make someone happy with a truly thoughtful gift.
One of my best friends surprised his girlfriend (now wife), that he hadn’t even been dating a year, with a party and arranged to have all of her out-of-town friends come in. She was completely surprised and the party was awesome!!!!
What a good boyfriend! I wonder if he was worried about having to top that for the rest of their lives? Thanks for coming by, did you bring a big ol’ jug of wine 😉
My mom used to make our cakes for our birthday every year. Whatever we wanted we just asked for it and she would make up the most creative cakes! They were just home made cakes, not at all like what people do these days, but the cakes themselves are the best memories of all.
When I was 5 I asked mom for a jellybean cake. I don’t know what I expected from that, but Happy Birthday Marsha was spelled out in jellybeans. When I was 10 I asked for a horse cake and she made a cake in the shape of a horse head and frosted it to look like my horse.
I love it! Those are some of my best birthday memories too! My mom was a super-creative cake baker and it’s one of my favorite things about my kids’ parties now!
My most remarkable birthday memory is that of my twin girls, Madeline and Molly. They came crashing into the world 15 weeks early at 1 lb 13 oz and 1 lb 12 oz. January 6, 2009 changed my life for the better. I will never, ever take anything for granted in my life and will celebrate every moment in that moment. You never know what life will hand you, but you make the best of it and celebrate. Even though my husband and I were terrified, we smiled and touched our little baby daughters all the while whispering ‘Happy Birthday.’
Amy~Wow, your girls were eager to get out into the world! Thanks so much for sharing! I know what you mean about not taking anything for granted, it’s an amazing gift.
I never really had birthday parties growing up, and as an adult had never really had a group of friends close enough to have a party thrown for me. After having my daughter, I got in tight with some ladies from a local moms group. We’d planned on going to one of my favorite restaurants for my birthday, but they took it to a whole other level and surprised me with a table of about 20 people when I was expecting a little group of 4. It was awesome, sweet and special all at the same time. I realize that it may sound a little pathetic LOL, but I’ve never really had ‘close’ friends before and it was so touching that someone else cared enough about me being happy to put it all together.
Jamie-Thanks for coming by! I love unexpected moments of joy. Especially from new friends 🙂
My favorite, and last favorite memory isn’t exactly a happy one, but a good memory none the less. My 29th birthday was July 16th 2009, and my husband and I were taking the kids up to BC Canada that day to visit my family for a week. We had been packing and packing and packing, and finally got on the road and were 10 minutes away from the house, when I realized I forgot my makeup bag. I immediately asked my husband to turn around, but he adamantly refused because we were running late already. I was so upset with him because he told me to just buy new makeup when we got to my Mom’s house. Buy new makeup? seriously? thats a ton of products to replace. I was sulking in the mini van, and just so incredibly PISSED OFF at him because he wouldn’t turn around for me. I thought he was the biggest ass in the world. We had to stop off at the bank on our way out of town, so while he was inside, I rummaged through the bags even though he told me not to, and found my makeup bag hidden amongst some things I had packed. I never told him I found it, but went right back to sitting in my seat. He knew I was mad at him, and that he was being unreasonable, so as we drove away from the bank, he put on a birthday song for me to get me to cheer up and laugh. It was “In da Club” by 50 cent. If anyone knows that song, you know what I am talking about. He was laughing and smiling at me, trying to get me to laugh, and I did finally. What makes this even more special though is that this was my last birthday with him, he passed away from H1N1 complications and a Pulmonary Embolism just 2.5 months later. Last year when I turned 30 I played that song, and will continue to do so every year for my birthday because it was the last birthday I ever had with my husband Barry. That song reminds me of him and that day, and it turned out to be one of my best birthdays ever.
Joanna-Thank you for sharing. It sounds like Barry knew you. I love that you have such a strong birthday memory with him!
I still remember when my parents let me have my first (and last) birthday sleepover. My dad set up a tent in the backyard. We played hide and seek in the house and I was hiding in the clothes hamper in the bathroom at one point. My parents gave me the one thing I wanted – a Cabbage Patch doll. Life used to be so simple:).
Erin-I feel like my birthday wishes are going back to those simple ones (although not wanting a Cabbage Patch Kid). Spending the night with a bunch of friends sound good though!
Hurricane Erin slammed into Gulf Breeze, FL on August 3, 1995, also my birthday. We had planned a big cookout party for all of my friends. The storm hit that morning, knocking down trees, taking out power and removing the part of the roof of my mom’s house, which we were in. After several hours, the storm moved through and the skies were clear. We had dozens of hamburgers and all the fixings which had to be cooked due to the lack of power. We gathered as many friends and neighbors as we could and had one hell of a cookout on our gas grill. Everything that was in the fridge or freezer was thrown on the grill. We all had a feast and I had a great, and memorable birthday.
I love it! Well, not the damage part, but making the best of the situation. If I remember, Hurricane Erin was a lot meaner than we thought it would be. I’m glad she couldn’t take the birthday fun from you!
Your friend’s work is amazing!! Wow!!
Hmm… favorite birthday memory… I auditioned for Wheel of Fortune in the summer of 2007 and was selected. I patiently waited for them to call to tape my episode. In November 2007 I got the call. I was to fly to LA and tape my episode a couple days before my 22nd birthday. I basically spent my birthday weekend meeting Pat Sajak and Vanna White, touring Hollywood with my husband (then fiance) and sister, and relaxing in Venice Beach. BEST BIRTHDAY EVER.
And I hope your birthday is equally amazing this year. 🙂
What a cool birthday weekend! Thanks for sharing!
Are friends allowed to win? lol. Really, happy birthday to YOU Sherry.
Birthday memory. I worked at a place that gave us our birthday off every year. On my 30th, I awoke a single professional with no one to spend the day with. I was bummed. After trying tv, and finding only Maury Povich talking to women that had been raped and left for dead (no lie) I went to Potomac Park, in DC, and went hiking. It was the best day ever. 🙂 That night I hung out with friends.
The lesson: It is all about attitude!
and I keep learning that lesson to this day.
Kami you always have the best attitude! Thirty is a big birthday, and it obviously left a big impression on you 🙂
Happy Birthday Sherry! Love you woman.
I wish I had a birthday story of my own to share but I do not. My daughter was born 30 June 2005 and 2 yrs later we were blessed to have a son join our brood. His due date was her birthday. My husband was excited about possibly getting a twofer (one combined birthday party) but my son had plans of his own. He was born 29 June 2007. I guess he wanted his own twofer. His own special day and just to spite his sister the day before her own special day 😉
Love you too Sunshine! And I love that your N had a mind of his own from the very beginning!
I love that we have family only birthdays right now while the kids are young! A day of our liitle family unit, solely uplifting and honoring the special birthday girl/boy!! The focus is totally off stuff and refocussed on the reason for the day and thankfulness on person. However presents are involved and looked forward to!!:) that is what I like about birthdays!
Audra~That is such a great tradition! The birthdays in our family are pretty similar, but our family has enough cousins that it turns out to be a pretty big birthday party! Thanks for sharing!
Ok, I’m going to share a mom memory! M went through a phase where she did not want to turn a year older. At 5. Seriously. For weeks, anytime her birthday was mentioned, sobbing ensued. Finally, the night before, she told me “I will turn 6 tomorrow, but my butt is staying 5 forever!!” Yeah, good luck with that, honey. I thought mine would stay 18.
I love it! I wish mine had stayed 18 too. Of course that might look kind of strange with the rest of my body…
Happy Birthday Sherry!! I always remember your birthday since you share it with my mom.
I think that this past birthday was one of my favorites. I was a week away from giving birth to Penelope. I was such an exciting time because I didn’t know if we were having a boy or girl and I knew this was our last baby. I got to relax (being 38 weeks pregnant!) and enjoy one last dinner and movie date with my husband before we had a newborn to keep us busy. And now I will always get to celebrate with her since our birthdays are so close together!
Vicki~What a great birthday season!
Currently, at this stage in my life, the special times are my kids’ birthdays. I love to make them homemade cakes, and we celebrate, at home, together, and its beautiful!
Mish~It’s amazing, isn’t it, how special those days are? Even if we have a big party with our extended family, we always have a little cake on the kids’ actual birthdays with just our little family. Those are my favorite.
my favorite birthday memory is my 30th, when i spent the day golfing with my two brothers and brother-in-law (and played well), then went to my mom’s house where there were 100 people waiting underneath a GIGANTIC banner that said “happy 3oth birhtday [sic] matt!”
turned out that the whole thing came together WHILE WE WERE GOLFING. my then-wife started making calls, and those people called people, and before you knew it we had a whole flash mob going…mind you, this was in 1995, WAY before there was any such thing as facebook, or twitter, or for that matter generally even cell phones. all land lines and driving around…cool memory.
What a great memory! And I love the typo on the banner! I wonder if your party invented flash mobs… Thanks for stopping by and entering!
One of my favorite birthday memories was my mom’s 65th birthday. We had found out 6 months prior, that her cancer had returned and we had limited time with her which gave us the unique opportunity to celebrate her life by inviting all of her close friends and family. My sisters and I planned a big party at my house, ordered Chinese food and ate, talked and had a great time. I often recall that party when thinking of happy memories of my mom.
Lisa~It’s a wonderful gift to have had that time with your mother. Thanks for coming by!
I absolutely love birthdays! A WHOLE day to celebrate just one person – fabulous! One of my favorite birthday memories was my 29th. We were in Kingsland for our annual whole-family trip. Everyone was there…me, my husband and our littles, my parents, my two brothers and their families, and my grandmother. It was fantastic. We had a shrimp boil outside. Seriously wonderful. 🙂
I love when the extended family can all be together! It’s an automatic party 🙂 Thanks for coming by!
I have one very sad birthday memory that often overshadows others, but I’ll share a happy one from my teens! I had an obsession with smiley faces and neon colors for the majority of my teenage years. My best friend always came for a sleepover on my bday and her family would come over for dinner. I think it was my 16th bday, and she was distracting me around dinner time, even though I heard her family walk in. They finally called me into the dining room and there stood her dad and 4 brothers all with dyed neon colored hair…one even had a smiley face painted on the back of his head. The pictures and surprise on my face are hilarious. The dye was washable, but it always meant a lot to me that these friends (teenagers & adult no less) would do something like that just to surprise me. Definitely a wonderful birthday memory for me.
Anne~Don’t you just love spontaneous shows of love? Thanks for coming by!
Thanks to everyone who entered! Amanda is the big winner!