If a genie, fairy godmother or other benevolent imaginary being with the ability to bestow wishes - or perhaps more accurately in this case, talents - came along, I've always maintained that high up on my list would be the ability to draw and/or paint like a gifted artist.
I like to joke that even my stick people don't look like stick people and while that is a bit of an exaggeration, as much as I adore art, did well in art class, and consider myself to be an artistic person in general, I am by no means a talented drawer or painter.
Thankfully however, there are plenty of folks in this vast, wonderful world of ours who have been blessed with this fantastic talent. One of them who resides in our own online vintage community midst in none other than Sabrina from the lovely, photo filled blog Vibrant Vintage.
Earlier this year Sabrina took the exciting step of launching an Etsy shop by the delightful name of Inky Notions, where she sells prints of her original artwork, much of which is deeply imbued with a charming, memorable old school quality mixed with a distinctly appealing style all her own.
Around the time that Sabrina launched Inky Notions, she became a Chronically Vintage sponsor and very, very kindly offered to create and send me a custom print of my own. As Tony and I were on the cusp of celebrating our next "loveiversary" (the date that commemorates the day that we first meet back in 2004) around then, I instantly knew that I wanted my custom print to be a present for my beloved.
While a drawing of me might have seemed like a natural choice, as Tony already has tons of photos of his vintage wearing wife, I suggested instead that the portrait depict our two adorable pets, Annie (a black and white Bulldog dog) and Stella (a grey tabby cat).
I wanted an illustration of such for Tony not only for its own merits, but because while Annie loves everyone and everything on the face of the planet, shy little Stella is not as keen on her canine sister and the likelihood of an actual photo of the two of them “playing nice” in the same frame is exceedingly unlikely to ever happen.
Sabrina was game for this idea and did a marvelous job, using photos of the two of them (separately), to create an image on paper that will probably never be captured on camera. The piece is a true joy and testament to Sabrina's artistic talents (see the iPhone photo that I took of it below).
Tony loved it to bits and was so surprised by this hand drawn present (you just about could have knocked him over with the feather!). We're still looking for the perfect frame for it, but for now it is carefully displayed sans frame on a tall bookshelf – safely away from the inquisitive critters that it depicts.
We're both so honoured to have this custom piece of art in our home, and today I'm thrilled to be able to offer one lucky winner the same opportunity, as I've teamed up with Inky Notions for a great giveaway. Read on to get all the exciting details!
Giveaway Details:
This giveaway is the winner's choice of any three art prints that are currently available in the Etsy shop Inky Notions, as well as a custom 5 inch x 7 inch sized self portrait of yourself or someone else to be included with the three prints of your choice.
As per the sponsor's guidelines, this giveaway is only open to those in the US and Canada (though international readers are welcome to comment on this post still, if so desired).
The giveaway will run from today's date (July 12, 2016) until 11:59 PST on Monday July 18, 2016. The winner will be drawn using Raffle copter's random winner selection tool after the contest has wrapped up and will be notified via email shortly thereafter.
{A sample of three of the more than fifteen different original vintage inspired art prints that are currently available in Sabrina's shop, Inky Notions. If you're the lucky winner of this giveaway, you'll be able to choose any three prints of your choice, plus you'll receive a custom original 5" x 7" portrait as part of your prize as well.}
There are 11 different ways to enter this giveaway, the only one of which is mandatory is that you share with me what your favourite print currently available in Sabrina's shop is. The more ways in which you enter - all via Rafflecopter - the greater your odds of winning become.
If you have any questions about this giveaway, please don't hesitate to email me.
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Sabrina was a true joy to work with on my own custom print. She not only "got" my vision, but executed it to a tee and created an adorable original piece of art that my husband and I will treasure for the rest of time.
I really appreciate and want to thank Sabrina for so generously offering up this prize pack, including a custom portrait print, to one lucky Chronically Vintage reader, and likewise want to sincerely thank all those who enter this fun giveaway.
Best of luck to everyone who takes part!
