So, I may have mentioned this one or twenty times, but the people I have met through this glorious blogging adventure are one of the big reasons why I continually log in and keep banging out these posts. Depending on how you feel about me, this may be a good thing or a bad thing. If you are a fan, then you have yourself to thank for keeping me motivated and continually challenged. If you’re not, then today I’d like to introduce you to one of the people you can blame for the continual harpings of The Waiting.

The Artist

When C was just a lump of newborn, I had a *tad* bit of extra time on my hands to scroll through the different tags on WordPress to find some new blogs to read. One rainy afternoon not unlike today, I found one of  Tamara’s blogs and quickly fell in love with the person behind it. She’s the kind of person who gives away her wedding dress to a couple in need (yep) and who writes passionate posts to companies with misogynistic practices and actually gets attention. Gal is fearless and vulnerable all at once, and I am proud to call her my friend. The coffee I shared with her in Memphis over the summer was one of the most delicious cups I’ve had in awhile.

T always has her hands in about a million pots at once. She writes a humor blog which you can find here, she homeschools her daughter, she helps with publicity and art for the folk group Yancy & Yancy And The Good’uns, she rehabs her new-to-her-family historic bungalow, and at any given time, you can find her exploring any number of new interests in passions. The world is her oyster, and knowing her, she probably slurps it right from the shell seaside. I honestly do not know how she does all she does, and just writing this paragraph makes me tired.

The Art

Source: mockingbirddont.com

One of her newest, biggest undertakings is the launch of her DIY blog Mockingbird, Don’t. She has a sewing machine and is using the heck out of it, making reusable grocery sacks (I have. I love. Obvs.), home decor, zipper bags, and a myriad other gorgeous, functional upcycled items. “Upcycle” is the key word here; all of her materials and patterns are secondhand. We could all do a little better to reuse for once. T is committed to leaving as small an impact on the Earth as possible when she crafts her creations. I was reading something awhile back about the tremendous waste that often goes in to crafting with new materials, and it is wonderful to know that there are a plethora of talented artisans who don’t play into that culture of waste and often, exploited overseas labor.

The Giveaway

Because she apparently doesn’t have enough going on (but more likely because she is wonderful and generous and probably made of gingerbread and candy canes), Tamara has created a beautiful, one-of-a-kind winter white bunting specially for readers of The Waiting.

You. Guys.

It is beautiful.

Crafted with twine and lace, it would make a gorgeous addition to your home this holiday season, or a festive hostess gift. (But who are we kidding. If you win you’re not going to want to give it away.)

Want to win it? Of freaking course. Click here to enter the giveaway. This is going to be a relatively short giveaway because we want to get it in your house ASAP so you can enjoy it to its fullest extent. The giveaway ends this Thursday, December 12th at midnight EST.

Good luck!