Friday, January 16, 2009

One World - One Heart

Before I started this blog, I was convinced that it was the perfectly wrong thing to do. Here I was, running a bricks-and-mortar store where I get to have face-to-face conversations with all of the wonderful artists who visit Castle in the Air. What sort of online experience could hope to match that?

While there isn't anything that can trul
y compete with real world friendships, it didn't take long for me to see that the store's blog was putting me in touch with all sorts of people whom I would never get to meet otherwise. Alongside our Online Shoppe, the blog lets people from around the world get a taste of what we do at Castle in the Air, and we can get to know each other through email or through visiting each other's blogs.

Someone who understands this power of the Internet to bring artists together is Lisa "Oceandreamer" Swifka. For three years now, Lisa has organized One World-One Heart, an annual festival that takes place across any number of blogs. Participants simply list an item they'd like to give to a lucky reader, then go and enter similar drawings for prizes at other participants' blogs.

For our entry, we're giving away a signed and numbered copy of Castle in the Air, the first book from my publishing company, Dromedary Press. The story in the book was a surprise gift from my husband on our first wedding anniversary (the paper anniversary). It tells the tale of a queen who has countless suitors, but pledges to give her heart only to the one who can build her "a castle in the air." While Duncan was secretly writing the story, I was furtively painting a picture for him, a picture of a queen waiting to meet the one who would sweep her off her feet.















When we exchanged gifts and saw h
ow well they went together, Duncan and I decided to celebrate by combining the story and the painting into the most romantic little book. We engaged letterpress printer Richard Seibert and bookbinder Victoria Heifner to create it in limited hardcover and pamphlet editions. The forty-page book includes the full-color image of the queen and five line illustrations of the marvelous castles proposed to her.

Do you want your very own copy? We sell them at Castle in the Air as well as through our Online Shoppe, of course, but we're giving away one copy of the Castle in the Air
hardcover to a lucky reader -- it could be you!

All you have to do to enter the drawing is to leave a (non-anonymous) comment on this blog post. You don't have to be a fellow participant in One World-One Heart, you don't even need to have your own blog -- the festival is just about getting people to say hello and get to know each other in this brave new online world. We'll draw a winner's name at random on Thursday, February 12 and announce it here!

To learn more about One World-One Heart and see who else is participating, please visit Lisa's blog.

284 comments:

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beadbabe49 said...

Sweet story and great item...please add me to your list and thanks for visiting my blog!

threesidesofcrazy said...

What a beautiful tribute to each other! I'd be honored to read your story. Please enter me and be sure and drop by to enter mine for a spring themed wall quilt.

s hyler said...

What wonderful giveaway. It is so nice to meet you during this event.
Have a wonderful day,
Sandra

Melissa said...

What a wonderful first Anniversary gift you gave each other! Please enter me in your drawing.

thank you,
Melissa
missmelissaf@yahoo.com

malleycc said...

WOW sweet romance. I love it. I would love to win. Thanks

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful blog you have! Thank you for the great OWOH give away...very generous and what a neat book...and great story~

Cher B
junkandmore@comcast.net

My Creative Side said...

i love romantic stories. pls include me. thanks and God bless!

meldyfider@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Oooh I love books, count me in please! I'm in OWOH this year also, drop by :) http://urbanfireflycreations.wordpress.com/

Birgit said...

A "real" fairy-tale -- how charming is that?! :)

Greetings from Munich,
Birgit
swappinghowdies@yahoo.de
# 756 on the caravan :)

Kristal said...

A true gift from the heart. Thanks so much for sharing this during this wonderful event. I love a chance to enter your drawing. Thanks so much!

Lady Roxi said...

Love to have this.

Thanks,

darkfyre1(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

What a nice prize. Please enter me, and come enter mine as well. http://summersadie.wordpress.com
summersadie@live.com

Anonymous said...

a book?!?

this is the best giveaway yet!

please enter me!

Anonymous said...

I'm opening a little shop and have been feeling a bit flat today when I came across your fabulous site - joy delight and inspiration has flowed once more thank you so much and yes...I would love to win a copy of your gorgeous book xx Detta Darnell www.acreativewoman.com

Nikki said...

I would so love to have a copy of your book. The whole story about the creation of the book is so romantic.

Alisa said...

What a great story. Please enter my name in your very generous give-away. Thank you. :)

Francine Cronos said...

This is so romantic. Please enter me in your amazing giveaway.
Francine
http://harpsinthewillows.blogspot.com/

Tumbleweed Trails said...

Wonderful book. Thank you for participating in the wonderful giveaway. Please enter my name into your drawing. It would be such a delight and honor to win. Jody
visionquest2020@msn.com

theresa martin said...

So nice to find you through this event. Thanks for participating.

Barbara Olivo Cagle said...

I would love to win your book "Castle in the Air." Your site and prize is so beautiful. I would love to win your prize. After this is all over I’m going to spend more time viewing every ones. Please stop at my site too. I’m giving away my new book.

blog.http://blog.barbaracagle.com/2009/02/01/one-world-one-heart.aspx#AddComment

Barbara #830
barbara@barbaracagle.com

Anonymous said...

Your story reminds of "The Gifts of the Magi", a Christmas story where a destitute couple has nothing to give each other, so the wife sells her hair to buy him a gorgeous gold watch fob for his grandfather's pocket watch that is now his, and the husband sells his grandfather's watch to buy her a beautiful comb for her lovely long hair....
Please enter me.
Hugs, Bonnie
Bonagraphic@aol.com

Milkberry said...

It sounds wonderful! Please let me join! Thank you very much!

OWOH #875
Milkberryland.com

Anna Banana said...

I would love to win your beautiful book!! My Beloved and I had our very own Fairy-Tale Wedding ... he wore a suit of Armour and I wore an Elizabethan dress - I just adore all fairy tale love stories!!
Please enter me! and if you have time, stop by my blog and check my giveaway out!!
I'm number 859 on the One World, One Heart site :)

Thanks!
Anna Banana
Wisconsin - USA

Anna Banana Creations

Tester Mari said...

Please enter me for your lovely giveaway, I love this kind of books!

Thanks!

Mari

marilavado at hotmail.com

Dorothy Massey said...

I'd really love to win a copy of your book, Karima. I'm offering a signed copy of a book too. Please enter at www.kidsbooksuk.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Lovely story and giveaway. Please enter me in your giveaway and do pop over to mine if you have not done so.

Artifax said...

Oh, oh, oh! I think I might have seen an illustration in progress for this book somewhere ... maybe in one of the Somerset Publications?? I can't remember. Oh, it was sooo gorgeous and the story sounded so romantic! Oh yes, please sign me up too!!

enquiry[at]jeweledonline[dot]com

*jean* said...

how wonderful! please count me in!

jean (#889)

mine is here

http://bluebirdslivinginthemeadow.blogspot.com/2009/02/one-world-one-heart-giveaway.html

jolt said...

how neat
please add me to your draw
thanks
http://jjolt.blogspot.com/

CoffeyHouse Collection said...

This is so nice! I would love to win!!! OWOH #834

Donna, The Decorated House said...

Wonderful!!
Thanks for being a part of OWOH.
Please enter me in your drawing and I hope you leave your name for my GiveAway, too.

Donna, The Decorate House #197

Carapace said...

What a sweet and perfectly timely prize! Thank you for sharing the story of the story with us!

Artseyanne said...

I would love to own your book, please include me in your draw.

Contessa Kris said...

What a wonderful giveaway! I'm hoping I might win!

Come by and visit my blog for a OWOH prize to win as well! Have an artfilled day.

Betty Boogie said...

what a beautiful story I'd love to read the book, please enter me in the drawing.

C. Sage Deerborn said...

What an unique gift. I would love to win a copy.

Michelle Frae Cummings said...

What a romantic give away!
~ Michelle
http://faeriedustdreams-michelle.blogspot.com/
altered-art@hotmail.com

Karen Mireau, Founder of Bio.Graphia said...

A book of castles and celebrated Queens, oh yes, please do . . . please enter me . . .

Tapestry said...

I would love so much to have your lovely book in my home. Please enter me in your OWOH giveaway and tyvm for the chance to win!

Marie Alton said...

Real love stories are the best even if in Fairy Tale form...and I'd love to have yours first hand!
Sign me up!
Marie
sredeluxe@rogers.com

Carla said...

Add me in:)
amellowlife.blogspot.com

Christine said...

What a lovely story. I would love to be entered in your giveaway. Thanks for participating in OWOH. It's so much fun seeing all of the blogs.

http://changeofheart56.blogspot.com/
cnanabele@hotmail.com
Christine from Idaho!!!

Anonymous said...

I like how the story and the book came to be. It's so sweet. But I would also like to know more about the story of the book itself and how it ends. :-)I wish I am the lucky one.

Micki Wilde said...

That is probably one of the most romantic things i've ever heard, how beautiful!!

I would love to be included in this draw!!

Micki x

P.s. I missed out on the deadline for one world giveaway but am holding one of my own on my blog, feel free to enter!!

Margo said...

What a wonderful giveaway!!
Thank you!!

Lois0607 said...

Thank you for offering your book.
parachute73@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

One a lovely gift! If you have not already visited my blog make sure to check out my different giveaways!

kathy55439 said...

Looks interesting.... thank you for the contest

Deborah said...

Beautiful.I would really enjoy winning this. Please enter me in your drawing.

deb2604 at comcast.net
http://debsvintagesoul.blogspot.com/

Danielle Barlow said...

That is SO romantic! Please enter me!

Inkqueen said...

How cool is that!!!??? Wow, please count me in.
Gretchen

Candie L said...

What an amazing story. Thank you.

candieluster(at)gmail(dot)com

Ginny said...

What a great giveaway, I would love a chance at winning!

Wandering Mermaid said...

Castle in the Air has been a lovely and magical place for me to get lost in since I have moved to Northern California.

Thank you for the information on One World - One Heart.

I would love to be entered in the drawing.

Carol said...

Excited to read your love story. Plese enter me in your drawing.

Ann-Marie said...

i am having so much fun with this! thank you! ann-marie

Sarah said...

I would love to own your beautiful romantic story

Please enter me into your draw – my email address is in my Blogger profile

This is my first year taking part in OWOH and I have discovered so many wonderful blogs! Even if I don’t win any of the giveaways I have gained so much.

Best wishes from Sarah (England)

Vanessa said...

What a cool giveaway! Please enter me. Thanks

BrendaLea, the Prpldy said...

Thanks for a awesome chance to win. Please enter me into the draw. And visit me when you have time.

BrendaLea OWOH #754

http://prpldy15.blogspot.com}

prpldy@comcast.net

demmi said...

would love to win the book con5459(at)gmail(dot)com

Thistle Cove Farm said...

This is fabulous! Please enter me and join me for OWOH
Sandra

Valerie said...

Wonderful giveaway. Please count me in. Also if you haven't already please stop by and enter my giveaway. I'm #505 on the caravan.

Kim Reid said...

Fabulous Gift!! Please enter me in your great giveaway - Thank you!

kimberlybreid [at] hotmail [dot] com

Katarina said...

How romantic! Reminds me of me and my sweetheart. I love a romantic story!

kamadesign

Sushiboofay said...

What a great story!

http://sushiboofays.blogspot.com/

Purrfectsolution@aol.com

Unknown said...

This sounds great! I love your store and have seen the lovely book under glass there. I'm keeping my fingers crossed...
allthisismine{at}gmail.com

Our Hands For Hope said...

Well here I am 'running with scissors' as fast as I can through all these amazing blogs.
I'm in!
Terisa
PS I'm on my way to your store this next week!

happyichigo♥ said...

count me in for your fabulous giveaway!! thank you!

izadira@hotmail.com

HeARTworks said...

How charming!

Anonymous said...

What a sweet, lovely story. And congratulations on your wedding anniversary which caused the book on the first place. Happiness!

suzanne_rodrigues @ iol dot pt

Gerry said...

This is a great give away. Please count me in. I welcome you to also enter at my blog (I'm #98 on the Caravan).

Thank you!

Witedove said...

What a beautiful story, I would LOVE to have a copy of your book! This event is so fun, I'll be so sad when it is over but also can't wait to see if I win any of these wonderful prizes!
wite_dove1@yahoo.com

JoaniB said...

What an amazing gift. I have loved castles as long as I can remember. Please add me to the drawing. Thanks! Joani
t-i-double-g-r@comcast.net

Mary Ellen said...

I would love a copy...........

Dottie said...

This is so incredibly romantic. I would love to win this.

Please add me to the list of entries and if you have a chance, please visit my blog and giveaway (#669) www.gardensandcrafts.blogspot.com. Thanks!

Lydia said...

Love to win!!! Thanks so much for your giveaway! So much talent !

I'll be stopping by later to browse around at leisure. :) #908 Lydia:)

lydiaohlydiaart@yahoo.com

ozlynda said...

How fabulously romantic. I hope he keeps up the good work. I would love a copy of your book.
Please enter me into the draw and thanks for your generosity.
Lynda - Australia
lyndat65 at tpg.com.au

Becky said...

Oh talk about tugging at the heart strings. I would love to win a copy of this book and then share it with my husband of almost 29 years.

Please enter me into your giveaway.

Thanks so much!

http://thediversewoman.blogspot.com/

Art of Jana said...

Please enter me in your giveaway and if you haven't entered mine, please come on by!

http://hillaceaous.blogspot.com/2009/02/one-world-one-heart-give-away.html

(#905 - OWOH ) Jana

P.S. I'll be coming back to hang out …I started late entering and I'm rushing to get to all of them! …
So many giveaways - so little time! :)

KV Creative Designs said...

Would love it! I hope to win it! If you have not done so already come visit my OWOH giveaway #438!
Happy New Year and Artful Blessings,
Kathryn
http://kvcreativedesigns.blogspot.com/2009/01/one-world-one-heart.html

Stacy/Creativemuse said...

I love your Artwork. I have read your story about this magical creation I think it was in where women create if i'm not mistaken I so love those sommerset publications!I am so excited to find your blog! This OWOH event is totally awesome! Thank you for participating and I look forward to visiting again! If you want I have just jumped in and started a blog but didn’t finish in time for the event. Darn it. SO next year for sure!
http://creativemusewhereinspirationsflourish.blogspot.com/




Warmly,
Stacy~Creativemuse
Sharris145 at roadrunner dot com
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5023227
http://www.flickr.com/photos/52895107@N00/
http://creativemusewhereinspirationsflourish.blogspot.com/

Steph said...

I would love to win your book, it sounds fabulous!!
Steph

Anonymous said...

Please enter me! What a wonderful site I just happened to stumble on! bookmarking you now!

Anonymous said...

Enter me, too! Love this site I just stumble onto this morning!!

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