Welcome to the blog home of the Pixel Chicks! :)

We're so happy you've found us! Come back often as we have big big things in store, including contests, giveaways and of course, photography... lots and lots of photography!

Monday, March 22, 2010

Our First Giveaway!!!

We're kicking off our "new" and definitely much improved blog with some giveaways! That's right... we have bunches of freebies coming so keep checking back. This first one is awesome... a matching hat and bowl-style cocoon made with love by a very good friend, Ellen Tietke, also known as The Crochet Nanny! (*Please keep in mind that the cocoon is a photo prop only*)




What do you need to do for a chance to win? Just leave us some love (comments) here on the blog, and "fan" us on Facebook! Everyone who does will be entered to win the set and the winner will be drawn totally at random next week. Please be sure to leave your full name with your comment so we can identify you! Results will be announced here on the blog next week so be sure to check back!



First... a little interview with "The Crochet Nanny"...

Q. When did you first pick up a crochet needle?

Probably about 35 years ago, as a new bride! My husband's grandmother crocheted all the time and tried many many times to teach me. I was all thumbs, I just couldn't get it, but she was very patient and finally it all came together! I always made the ripple afghan, but after my grandson was born seven years ago, I taught myself to read patterns and attempted little hats, and sweaters, and it just grew.

Q. What do you love most about what you do?

I love learning to make something new and giving things I have made to people as gifts! I love when people like what I make.

Q. We love your biz name! Where did the name "Crochet Nanny" come from?

Well, actually, when my grandson Damien started talking he would identify his grandfathers by what they did! He calls one grandfather Red PopPop because he wore a red shirt for work all the time and called my husband Garage PopPop because he was always in the garage smoking! My grandsons call me Nanny, and in my family grandmothers were always known as Nanny, with an adjective! So we had Fat Nanny, Old Nanny, etc., so I thought Crochet Nanny fits me and thought it would be a cool name for my shop. (And I thought I better grab it before I became Fat Nanny or Old Nanny II!)

Q. Vanilla or Chocolate?

Vanilla

Q. What is your secret indulgence?

Obviously yarn, I cant get enough of it, I have bins and bins and still keep stopping in at AC Moore and Michaels to buy more. Its an obsession.

Q. Favorite movie?

I love movies, it is great to sit on the couch, crochet and watch a movie! One of my favorite pastimes and very relaxing! I think one of my favorites was Between Heaven and Earth with Tommy Lee Jones, Amadeus I loved, but it changes often. Anything that is a good dramatic hearwrenching tale with a moral to it, and anything on Masterpiece Theatre!

Q. What do you do when you're not crocheting?

Cruising the computer, Facebook, blogging, playing games, Bejeweled Blitz, Hidden Object games. This week I'm hooked on Mahjong, and most often I am looking for new crochet patterns or ideas for crocheting. I have a whole box of patterns I have printed off the internet!

Q. If you could go anywhere in the world for a month long vacation ( money is no object here) where would you go and who would you want with you?

I always dreamed of going to Ireland, but lately I have been thinking of seeing the western United States, Grand Canyon, all that kind of stuff and I would love to take my whole family, children, spouses and grandchildren. However, since one son in law is from Romania and one from Portugal, I would also like to visit those countries as well with the whole crew of course! I think I need more than a month!

Q. What is the best advice you've ever been given?

I remember my mother always saying "a day doesnt a week make" and "this too shall pass" - which didnt make sense until lately. My three favorites that I really try to live by are Kill Em with Kindness (from my Uncle Ed O'Brien) and Live in the Moment (which is a variation of something my father used to say all the time), and happiness is a choice I make everyday (I made that one up, I think!) Something I read on a day by day calendar once that I repeat often to others is "the door to happiness opens out"!

Q. What do you most want people to know about you and your products?

Hmmmm... I think that people should know that I put a lot of love into everything I stitch, I think of the person who will be wearing or using it and try to put good thoughts and karma into them. I have a lot of respect for my husbands grandmother and my own aunts who were avid crocheters and feel honored to have many of the things they made. I hope that people will appreciate the time and skill it takes and that perhaps they will be encouraged to learn a craft that they can enjoy and create heirlooms for their own families.


We truly, truly want to thank Ellen for her joining with us for this "grand opening" of sorts. Ellen has lovingly made and donated several more items for future giveaways here on the blog as well. Be sure to check out all the wonderful goodies in Ellen's Etsy store or her 1000 Markets shop! Tell her the Pixel Chick's sent ya!!!

Now get busy - drop those comments and become a Facebook Fan!

74 comments:

Unknown said...

I LOVE THIS YOU GUYS!! I first started following you girls about a year and half ago when I stumbled upon my local super star photographer Alli Gaulin!! You are all un-believably talented! Thank you for sharing your gifts!

Andrea said...

I am a new photographer and am so glad God lead me to this site!! Thank you all for sharing information with everyone. Most photographers do not tell how they edit photos or even what kind of camera they use and I hate to ask afraid I will offend someone because it is their work and they are trying to bulid a business.I realize I have ALOT to learn! I have two daughters who are 2 and 3 years of age so they have inspired me to prusue with this. I have a wonderful husband who supports me 100% who has recently bought me my first professional camera. I am a stay at home mother so it means a lot for him to do that for me and for him to trust me that much.Anyway I am giving a life story so I will stop.haha Thank you again for sharing!!!:) Oh and I have a cannon rebel camera would it be an ok camera to start a business with later down the road?

Sharna Wilkerson said...

What a cool cocoon! I can't wait to be a part of your blog readership. Just love your work ladies. You are all an inspirationg to the photography world.

Sharna Wilkerson said...

Forgot to leave my full name on the last post. Love you guys, thanks for sharing....such an inspiration.
Sharna Wilkerson

Trula said...

Love you girls! What a great bunch of talent all collected here in one place.
Love this cocoon too. On my way now to check out Ellen's Etsy!

Anonymous said...

Shannon Steffens -- What a great looking blog by some Rocking chicks!

Nikki Scott said...

Hey Girls! Love the makeover! I came across your Pixel Chick group through the wonderful Laura Stetser-Lynne, I couldn't believe there were a whole group of women as funky, fresh and talented as her....You guys R*O*C*K. I too am a newbie photog ~ giving a shout-out from Canada; and am inspired everyday by cruising the internet and finding everything from blogs to props. Thanks for putting yourselves out there and blazing a photography trail!!
Cheers, Nikki Scott

Laura Kalcheff said...

I recognize everyone of you from betterphoto and have heard of your group before. Love the group name AND your work! The pod style cocoon & hat set is too cute - would be great for my very first grandchild, due in late September.

Kat Forder said...

Ellen's products are amazing! I'd love to be entered into the draw! Thank you!

talinga said...

Wonderful talent...Cindy is unbelievable!!!

Chris said...

I loved following your previous site and work at better photo. I'm so happy to see you have a new blog! You've all been a huge help and inspiration to me, and I personally thank you for helping me with questions, etc. in the past. Your an amazing group of photogs, wish you the best of luck with everything!! Now on to facebook to become a huge fan:) Love your creative process features, I will be checking frequently! Thank you so much:)

Jaidean said...

Love this...love your tag line...so cute!! Cool giveaway!

Eric said...

i just became a facebook fan look foward to perusing the blog!

boren5 said...

Love these they are soooo cute! www.heatherborenphotograpy.blogspot.com

Jen said...

So glad I found your blog! You all are so talented! Adding you to my google reader!
-jen bertoch

Grace said...

Discovered you guys on betterphoto, and have been following you since :) The cocoon and hat are adorable. Thanks for the information you share! ~Grace Watts

Anna Bebee said...

I have been a fan through better photo for quite a while. All of you are so inspiring. Thank you!

Renee Bynum Photography said...

What talented ladies and a great give-away! Can't wait to see all the new things y'all have in store! Hope to win the adorable cocoon and hat!:)

Renee Bynum

Allison said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Alicia Slusher said...

You guys are all amazing!!!! Your pictures absolutely tell a story and it is amazing to see.

Unknown said...

Very cute! Love the colors!

Congrats on the new blog ladies! It looks great!

Michelle K.

Kelly said...

SO adorable! Great giveaway! I am a fan on FB!

Troy Kivel said...

Im a huge fan of rockin female superstars, especially if one of you happen to be living close to MN. Keep the creativity flowing, i appreciate your work. YOU GO GIRLS

Anonymous said...

This is Katie Moses. I need to set up my own blog so I can become like one of you guys. You are all my heros. LOVE YOU CINDY!!! :-)

Shelly Ferguson said...

Shelly Ferguson ~ What a fantastic blog! I will definitely be bookmarking it to read regularly. Thanks!
Shelly

Christy Lee said...

Love your tips and photo samples. Thank you for sharing your talent! Christy Lee

Laurel E. Riffey said...

I don't how I did not find your blog sooner! I was missing out! I have enjoyed all of your posts and love learning!!!

Ali Miller said...

i absolutely love you guys, and the crocheted pod is the cutest!!!

Connie McClain said...

Very cool!! Looking forward to more also... :)

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Jacklyn Ringle said...

I just love the pod style cacoons. They make for such great baby pictures. I have seen many of the pictures that hailey has take, and they are just adorable. The photography style reminds me of Anne Geddes babies. Love the work!

Tina Doane said...

Hi Girls!!! Its me Tina Doane....I love all you girls and your work!! So excited about t he blog and fan page I will be checking it daily!! Keep up the good work!!!!

Tamara Roach said...

So glas I was referred to you guys-awesome stuff-and awesome give away!

Laura said...

OMG! And I was only looking for inspiration! so excited to hear about contests! :) Thanks girls, you are great inspirations!

Carrie Chatham said...

What amazing talent you all have...Such a blessing for you to share your passions with everyone...I check in often to see whats new!!! Thanks for the invite Cindy Harter!!!

Carrie Chatham

Faith said...

What a lovely site and the cocoon/hat set is gorgeous!

Julie Ranee said...

Hey Ladies!
Love the name pixel chicks!
Crochet Nanny has got some mad skills. Love this beautiful set.

Julie Ranee

MichelleW said...

What a cool way to inspire and support each other! I'm a fan!

M Wasden

Alanna said...

Love the new blog and the name! Beautiful set Crochet Nanny!
Alanna

Miranda Parker Photography said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Martha Bravo said...

Congrats on this new venture girls! I wish you all the best!!

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad I came across this blog! Awesome work, I'm definitely a fan!

~Emilee Graziano

Sarah Goblot said...

This is so cute!

But seeing crochet & Nanny together reminds me of when my grandmother's Church group misspelled/mistyped crochet quilt as the give away for the bazaar. I wont use their spelling because I don't want to get in trouble. :D

Darby Struchtemeyer said...

So excited to have found this blog. You are all a huge inspiration to me that all started on BP. Think I have all your websites in my favorites! Can't wait to keep up with this blog.

Susan Roberts said...

Looking great!!!

Chelsey said...

Fun! I'm in! Congrats on the new venture guys! Enjoy the journey!

Tara Martindale said...

Tara Cain Martindale here from Made in God's Image Photography. I just started following your blog and your fb page today and I'm already in love. I can't wait to read more!!!

Pam said...

I love this blog! I became a fan on Facebook today. Thanks for sharing this link Cindy. Please let my daughter Jenni know if you Pixel chicks do decide to do a photography workshop : )

Monica McGuire said...

I fanned you on Facebook and I am now following your blog's RSS feed. This is a very adorable cocoon set!
Thanks~ Monica McGuire

xoxoxo ~Lori said...

Very exciting *chicks!*
BTW - Julie & Megan, funny that I have met both of you on separate occassions! Hope to meet the rest of you girlies :)

xoxoxo ~Lori said...

Alli, you too!!!! xoxoxoxo!!!! :)

Stephanie Christine Photography said...

Hi Ladies! I have been following you for while now! I love all of your work, and each and everyone of you has a different outlook! You inspire me all the time and I hope that someday I can be a great photographer with a great support system! I am so jealous... you all look like you have so much fun on your get togethers! Wish all of you the best.. and so happy to see the new updated blog!

gingersnapps said...

OMG... Love you guys. I just started "pro" in July and love sharing ideas and info with other photographers. What a great source of info. So glad a friend of mine shared the link for your blog!

Bethany Perkins said...

Love you guys! I enjoy looking at all of your blogs daily :-) I am new to photography, and all of your work inspires me SO much! Also, I absolutely adore the pod and hat. They are too cute!!

Bethany Perkins

Nicole Wandrie said...

That's cute! Looking forward to seeing what you guys show here in the future! :-) I started following you on Facebook last week.

Thanks!

Miranda Parker Photography said...

I'm a fan on facebook, thanks for the giveaway!

~Miranda Parker

Unknown said...

This is wonderful of you all! :) Sooooo adorable! I think you all area amazingly kind! :) oxox love, Shannon

Shannon Edwards Photography
http://shannonedwardsphotography.weebly.com/

Maggie Law said...

Maggie Law- Mrs.Cindy you are wonderful! You did such a great job with all my pictures when I turned 16. I tell everyone about how wonderful you are. I hope yall all do well with this site and Facebook! ;)

Dave Hails Digital Images said...

I LOVE the fact of being included in your group because I am certainly not a CHICK. Thanks Julie M. I hope to learn a lot and help you all get closer to your masculine side. LOL

Mollie Kendall said...

So very cool to see you girls from BP over here doing your thang :) Love the add so I can keep up with you. I'd love love to win this set, as you know I adore my newborns mostest. Looking forward to more from the Pixel Chicks!

Beth said...

Oh my heavens! For a cocoon like that I'd get pregnant all over again. (truth be told I didn't need any arm twisting, but still!). On my way to fan you on FB....

:) Beth Mallett

Haleigh said...

WooHoo! Love you girls and your work! What a cool cocoon! It's great!

jeanine said...

I'm a fan, looking forward to the adventures of the PixelChicks. Love the cocoon!

Patti Mustain said...

I have followed your blog for over a year now and often check back to see your new posts...it was a while there that is seemed that you had stopped blogging. SO NICE TO SEE YOU BACK! I will keep following...I am now a FAN on facebook as well!
Patti Mustain
Mustain Photography

Anonymous said...

I am trying this again, for some reason it wont post. You guys are awesome and I look forward to checking out the blog daily!
Nikki Dixon

Tracey Southerland said...

Love the new & improved blog - it rocks!! And what an awesome giveaway. Thanks.

amandachapman said...

This is such a wonderful product you're giving away! Kudos to the Pixel Chicks :)

Amanda Chapman

Jeanine Bailey said...

So glad I found you girls!!! I'm looking forward to following you all on a regular basis!! :)

Jane said...

Love your new blog! And the give aways are great. I thoroughly enjoy browsing your photography.
Jane Holestine

Kristen Mackey said...

Thank each and every one of you for sharing your beautiful work and information. In today's digital age it is very hard for most to be helpful and share information. I truly admire each of you for that. I love that there are so many different styles and categories (babies, seniors, etc) amongst the Pixel Chicks. I've been a follower for a little over a year and will continue to follow and be inspired. Thank you!! ;)

Myacobucci@gmail.com said...

I love all the gorgeous pics of the little ones! That baby in the green crocheted thingy looks just like a pea in a pod! Love Love Love!!!

Stacey Tirabassi said...

Hi Ladies - I am already fan of your new site and I only just became an official fan! It is such a great concept to learn from each other. I'm loving the give away!

Michelle Ross said...

I love the pea pod . . soooo cute!

Nicole said...

I love it, totally a FB fan now!


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