The Puttery Treats Challenge!

Welcome to the very first BrocanteHome Puttery Treats Challenge!

Closing Date: November 20th 2007.

Over the three years that BrocanteHome has been online I have amassed a scrumptious little collection of ideas that I like to call  "Puttery Treats". From making winter nights cosy, and winter colds endurable to yummy things to do with vintage ribbon, teatowels and postcards, there is in fact probably something deliciously happy to do on  each and every day of the year....

Start collecting twigs and berries and branchs and cones and conkers and add them to your seasonal pot pourris, wreaths or displays. Fill baskets with logs and put next to the fire. (Even if it's electric.) Dry huge bundles of dried lavender, basil and sage to use as smudge sticks or to throw on the fire late at night.

Find a blackboard and write yourself a daily maxim;  a  favorite quote or a  line from a poem that makes you smile.  Make a commitment to yourself to change it regularly.

Root through your larder and fill glass jars with dried whatever, then fasten vintage paper scraps to the outside of each with a velvet ribbon flourish. (Who says you can't have a bit of fripperie on your kitchen shelves?

But never before have I wondered out aloud which of the treats you were most inspired by,  which brought back  memories of seasons past , which you took, ran with and created  something my  silly little imagination could  only have dreamed up....

Until now that is... and so in a  moment of  delightfully early  Christmas Spirt I am declaring a competition of kind... a celebration of all that is puttery and yummy and delicious and above all else a celebration of you, my gorgeous loyal readers, your blogs, creativity, homes and imagination...

The Challenge.

Simply choose just one of the puttery treats from the list here and create a blog post around it... write an essay, create a tutorial, use as many photographs as you wish, endow it in emotion and imagination, or show us what you have  created in a  video or podcast...  In short use one of my puttery treats as a starting point and conjure up the bestest blog post  you have ever created...  tell us why this particular treat made your day, or sparked your imagination, bless your post with, authority, humour or  pathos, but make it as personal as you possibly can and endow it with a sprinkle of the spirit of BrocanteHome...

Every few days a collection of your posts will be featured on the main page of Brocante Home with a link back to your blog and the five shortlisted for the prize will go to public vote...

Don't Forget To Read The Rules!

The Prize.

Well now, that would be telling wouldn't it? Suffice to say, that  damned postal strikes allowing, the chosen winner will on the first day of Advent receive a  scrumptious little box  jam-packed with a selection of divine deliciously wrapped festive treats, some vintage inspiration and a literary  prize or two to keep you cosy on cold Christmas  nights... Tiny little nothings that will I hope make all the difference to your Christmas...

The Rules.

The competition closes on November 15th. No entries will be considered after this date.

Your post should be titled The BrocanteHome Puttery Treats Challenge and should include the full text of the puttery treat you have chosen in the body of your post.

Your post must also include a link back to the main page of BrocanteHome.

Once your post is live on your blog leave a link back to the permalink of your post along with your name, email address and blog address in the comments box below. Entrants who haven't linked to the permalink of their post will not be eligible.

I, Alison May, will judge the initial entries, until on November the 20th I will issue a shortlist of five blog posts that will then go to public vote in the form of a poll on the main page of BrocanteHome.

The results of the public poll will be considered final.

The winner will be notified on November the 28th, and the prize  despatched thereafter.

Good luck!

Comments

[Vee ~ A Haven for Vee]

Poor Alison! I am so sorry that my links haven't worked and I'm not sure that this one will either, but just in case I am trying one more time. I promise that it'll be the last time. No, really, I do!

http://ahavenforvee.blogspot.com/2007/11/brocantehome-puttery-treats-challenge.html

[The Machinist's Wife]

Oh drats... Late again.

I got all confuscious about the times and days. I originally started the blog on the 18th, feeling very pleased with myself, as I wasn't being a 'last minute Lil' as my mam fondly says.

Anyway, for what it's worth, here is my entry:

http://machinistswife.blogspot.com/2007/11/spend-baking-day-this-week-filling-your.html

Hey, I have to chuckle at the permalink, because I couldn't even get that to read "Puttery Treat Challenge". It should get you there, though!

[Genevieve]

Yes Please do still take entries, its still 8 o'clock here in Pennsylvania!!

http://itsonlyapapermoon.blogspot.com/2007/11/brocante-homes-puttery-treat-challenge.html

[Tea Party Girl]

Oh, please let me in! It's only 3:39 pm here in California!! Sheesh~talk about leaving something to the last minute.

http://www.teapartygirl.com/have-you-made-your-indoor-tea-corner-yet-the-brocante-home-puttery-treats-challenge

I really, really, love your ideas, Allison. Your practical tips for Christmas are so helpful, now that we have to get down to brass tacks, as they say.

[malin]

True to myself, I entered the puttery threat challenge in the absolute last second, here´s a link to my entry: http://malinmaskros.blogg.se/1195540063_the_brocantehome_putt.html
Now all I have to do is cross my fingers real hard - I know there has to be great things in the price box!

[theresa]

I posted my essay via "contact Alison" I have pictures but not sure how to send them to you.

you are a treasure and inspiration....

[Lorrie]

My post is up - I barely made it!
http://fabricpaperthread.blogspot.com/2007/11/brocante-home-puttery-treats-challenge.html

Lorrie

[lp]

OK, here is my go at it.
http://coyotecreekroad.blogspot.com/

That was fun. ;-)
I really enjoy seeing what other did!
thanks Alison
lp

[fromthepines]

My post is up!
My link is http://fromthepines.blogspot.com/2007/11/brocantehome-puttery-treats-challenge.html

Just under the wire... thanks!

Cheryl

[Melanie]

This competition is so good, thank you Alison.

http://www.freewebs.com/melaniegalloway/diaryofahousewife.htm?blogentryid=2537858

[OohLaLaura]

Thanks for extending the deadline, Alison! What a fun project...I hope everyone will find a few minutes to put something up. I SO enjoy seeing these little bits of your lives. Thanks! Laura

http://laurairrgang.blogspot.com/2007/11/brocantehome-puttery-treats-challenge.html

[Gayla]

Oh, Alison... You had already inspired me to do one of your puttery treats, and I posted, so I added a bit with the treat highlighted and here's the link. You ALWAYS inspire me to add the warmth and charm.... I love your blog, and I love you....

http://oatmealandwhimsy.blogspot.com/2007/11/will-she-fall-for-this.html

[Victoria]

Alison,

I'm so pls'd you extend the deadline as it mean I could get involved!

Pls find my blog at;
http://vintagetea.blogspot.com/2007/11/brocante-home-puttery-treats-challenge.html

My fingers are crossed and good luck everyone

xxx

[Anita]

I did two.. is that allowed?? I couldn't help myself... I could use these for inspiration to write lots of posts!! :)
here:
http://prairiedreams.blogspot.com/2007/11/brocante-home-puttery-treats-challenge_16.html
and here:
http://prairiedreams.blogspot.com/2007/11/brocante-home-puttery-treats-challenge.html

[Midori]

Here's my entry. It was so nice to read through the puttery treats list and be reminded of all the lovely suggestions.

http://prettylittleblog.blogspot.com/2007/11/brocantehome-puttery-treats-challenge.html

[Jennifer]

i created a blog now just because of you Alison! Your challenge was post number 1! I really enjoyed it, thanks!

http://sty1eyourhome.blogspot.com/2007/11/brocantehome-puttery-treats-challenge.html

[mimi]

http://littlesipsoftea.blogspot.com/2007/11/brocante-home-puttery-treats-challenge.html

I forget how good scribbling away makes me feel, I really enjoyed this challenge, thanks Alison!

[Vee]

I can read! Sometimes. (http://ahavenforvee.blogspot.com/)

[Vee]

Tossing my cap in, too. What fun! Thanks for the opportunity to share in it.

[Chaya Bluma]

This was so much fun! Thanks for the challenge.
You can find my post at:
http://kosherwhine.blogspot.com/2007/11/brocantehome-puttery-treats-challenge.html

[Maddie]

What a fun contest! and so timely for me.
http://domesticanarchy.blogspot.com/

Maddie6@bellsouth.net

[kari and kijsa]

Great post....we love a challenge....now to decide which one....they are all FABULOUS!!!

blessings, kari and kijsa

[Gena]

Hi Alison I have just posted my entry! you can see it here; http://thesefoolishthings.typepad.com/these_foolish_things/2007/10/the-brocante-ho.html I had great fun with this!

[Counting Your Blessings]

Thank you! Blessings... Polly

http://countingyourblessings.blogspot.com/2007/10/brocantehome-puttery-treats-challenge.html

[Tea Party Girl]

Can we only enter once?