many muses musing - the winners

Thank you for joining us for Many Muses Musing this year!

All of us at Mortal Muses wish you a wonderful holiday with your family and friends, and lots of photography-related gifts in your future. 

Happy Holidays!

And the Many Muses Musing winners are...

SPARKLE: Jennifée 

TOGETHER: Veronica of Life in Pictures

GREETINGS: Anna of Alchemy of Art

GLOW: Paula of Little Scraps of Magic

MAGIC: Andrea of she dreams of {tinsel}

BELIEVE: Susan of Sunflower Status

SURPRISE: Larraine of Coffee and Chocolate

WONDER: Christine of Christine Marks Photography

HOPE: Cathy H. of Gramma's Little Corner

COSY: Lily of lilisview.com

PEACE: Terri of Creative Explorer

JOY: Lynne of photo-per-diem

SHARING: Jo of Jo Murray - Art

********

If you are one of our lucky winners and have not been contacted about your giveaway yet, please feel free to reach out to us at mortalmuses9 [at] gmail [dot] com.

many muses musing - SHARING

'tis the season pa- favorite things by shutterbug 1018

“Love only grows by sharing. You can only have more for yourself by giving it away to others.”

Brian Tracy

During the holiday season, we like to open our home to friends and family by sharing a meal, laughter, and tradition. Many times we light a fire, reach for our holiday books and read our favorites. As you might guess, the gifts I tend to share most during the holiday season, are books.  I would like to share this gift with you as well, by giving away a $20.00 Amazon gift card.

Please link your blog or flickr url in the linky tool provided below and/or leave a comment on this post for a chance to win the giveaway. You can share your hopes for 2012, or just leave any old comment to enter! (max 2 entries per person)

I look forward to seeing your submissions for the prompt SHARING. Our holiday giveaway winners will be announced tomorrow.

Best of holiday wishes to you and your family ~
xo
Christina {soul aperture}

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many muses musing - JOY

10 more days till Christmas!! Yippeee by ~mimo~

I love when JOY is expressed in unabashed glory. Children have the advantage over us without hang ups and total lack of self-awareness at times. I wish I had the ability to express that kind of pure JOY so openly and freely. Capturing that brings JOY to me.

Wanting to keep that JOYful feeling all year long? Today's giveaway is for a FREE 30 page Keepsy Photo Album or Calendar. Keepsy allows you to import your photos from your Flickr, Instagram, Picasa or Facebook account. In a few simple steps you'll create your own hardbound book or calendar to keep forever.



Please link your blog or flickr url in the linky tool provided below and/or leave a comment on this post for a chance to win the giveaway. You can share what brings you JOY, or just leave any old comment to enter. (max 2 entries per person)

Your creative holiday prompt for tomorrow is: SHARING

Happy! Happy! Joy! Joy!

Lindsey G aka modchik

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disclosure: Photo album provided by Keepsy, there was no additional compensation received for this post.

many muses musing - PEACE

peace on earth by SightSpecific

Imagine all the people

Living life in peace.

You may say I'm a dreamer,

But I'm not the only one.

I hope someday you'll join us,

And the world will be as one.

- John Lennon

Finding peace can be a simple as looking at what's in front of you to discover what matters most this holiday season: a happy memory, a loved one's smile, a sense of calm within. My holiday wish for you is to find peace within your heart as you finish out the year and embark on a new journey in 2012.

For today's giveaway, one lucky winner will get a spot in Darrah Parker's Winter session of the Slice of Life Project: Capturing the Everyday in Extraordinary Ways, a photography workshop focusing on digging beneath the surface of your everyday life to unearth the beauty that's been there all along. The workshop begins February 6th. Click on the link above to learn more.

What brings you PEACE? For a chance to win a spot in Darrah's class, link up your images of PEACE from your blog or flickr in the link provided below and/or leave a comment on this post. (max 2 entries per person). I'm looking forward to seeing what you share!

Your creative holiday prompt for tomorrow is: JOY

Sending you love & peace this holiday season and best wishes for the new year,
Holly {Soupatraveler}

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many muses musing - COSY

1. Visions of sugarplums..., 2. Untitled, 3. a little bokeh, 4. 18

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.

And mamma in her ’kerchief, and I in my cap,

Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

Twas the Night Before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore

I love this poem, not just for the reindeer and Santa’s antics, but because of the cosy feeling that it conjures, just before he arrives. However you are celebrating over this festive time, I hope you will be able to experience that warm, snug feeling with your family and friends. Please share some of those moments by linking your blog or flickr url in the link below and/or leaving a comment on this post for a chance to win the giveaway.

And what is the giveaway? Today, I am giving away one of Cara's wonderful "I click therefore I am" T-shirts. Good luck!

Our creative holiday prompt for tomorrow is: PEACE.
Merry, Merry, Kirstin of fleeting moments.

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many muses musing - HOPE

something new by she dreams of {tinsel}

Hope is the thing with feathers, that perches in the soul, 

and sings the tune without words, and never stops at all.

-Emily Dickinson

I found this lovely silver "hope" charm by staciejewlery on etsy last week and I knew it would make the perfect giveaway for my holiday musing post. This delicate handcrafted charm is an everyday reminder that there is always hope. It is approximately 1/2 inch (1.4 cm) round and decorated with a silver star on the back allowing you to wear it two different ways.

I'm thinking of getting one for myself, as I've been unsuccessfully working on a personal project for quite some time, and perhaps this little trinket will be just the luck I need to finally make it happen in the new year :)

Please link your blog or flickr url in the linky tool provided below and/or leave a comment on this post for a chance to win the giveaway. You can share your hopes for 2012, or just leave any old comment to enter! (max 2 entries per person)

I look forward to seeing your submissions for the prompt HOPE. Your creative holiday prompt for tomorrow is COSY.

I hope you all have a beautiful week filled with laughter and love.
I hope all your dreams come true in 2012.
Happy holidays and a peaceful new year to everyone!
~christy {urban muser}

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many muses musing - WONDER

reflecting on the season by brooke@myreal.everyday.life

For me the delight of the holiday season is best seen through the wonder of a child’s eyes. As adults we become busy and harried with plans and preparations at this time of year and often our delight is lost, or temporarily misplaced. My wish for you is that you may find time to slow down and open up to the wonder of the season. No matter how you celebrate, it truly is a magical time of year.

Today I'm giving away a handmade necklace from my Etsy shop.  The necklace includes a  "Keep Calm and Snap On" soldered charm and a camera charm strung on a 24" shiney silver ball chain.

Please link your blog or flickr url in the linky provided below and/or leave a comment on this post for a chance to win the giveaway. (maximum 2 entries per person)

I look forward to seeing your submissions for the prompt WONDER.

Your creative prompt for tomorrow is HOPE.

How nice to be back again musing with the Muses. And I have so enjoyed seeing your holiday preparations and activities through your images in the flickr pool!

Have a lovely holiday season,
xoxo maureen of Cottage 960

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many muses musing - SURPRISE

surprise by jessicavescera

What I love most about Christmas time is you never know what to expect. A surprise makes me even more giddy in the time leading to Christmas day. They are never disappointing. And I love surprising others even more than opening my own surprise gifts. This year it may be the best surprise to finally lay eyes on my soon-to-be-born son.

And as much as I love surprises this is my surprise for you! I am giving away $50 gift certificate from Paper Coterie. In order to enter into this giveaway please link your blog or flickr url in the linky provided below and/or leave a comment on this post for a chance to win. (Max 2 entries per person.)

I am so looking forward to see all your beautiful SURPRISE entries :)

Your creative holiday prompt for tomorrow is: WONDER.

Love,
Suki by Sukiphotographyblog

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many muses musing - BELIEVE

believe by jan@twoscoopz

I Believe In Christmas
by Janeen DeGolier Noetling

I believe in magic,
turning people's hearts.
I believe in Christmas joy,
that does not have to part.
I believe somehow, sometime,
we have to make a start.

I believe in Christmas,
why does it need to end,
why does it go away,
just to begin, again.

But I believe in Christmas,
cause just for one glad day,
we get to see the possibility,
if Christmas came to stay.

I can only imagine,
the cheer and good will,
dripping from hearts,
that use to be still.

I can only imagine,
from people who hate,
people who grumble
and cry at their fate,
magically filled straight
up to the brim,
emotions and feelings
they never felt in.

I believe in magic.
I believe in Christmas too.
I believe because not to,
would hurt
the whole year through.

My giveaway today will definitely make believe in the magic of Christmas!

A stylish and comfortable CAMERA STRAP courtesy of Stylish Beach Bum.

Winner can choose from the following styles: Manhattan, Tide, Bodega or Long Beach (or any of the discontinued styles).

All camera straps are sturdy and fully padded. The inner side is a plush minky chenille that not only is comfortable, but adds a bit of luxury. All straps are wide enough to accommodate the lens cap pocket and long enough to wear cross body when you need it out of your way.  Stylish Beach Bum is working on an additional accessory (available in the coming months) that will turn this conventional style strap into a sling style for those with that preference.

If you're interested in winning, please link your blog or flickr url in the link provided below and/or leave a comment on this post for a chance to win the giveaway. (max 2 entries per person). In the meantime, Stylish Beach Bum is offering a 15% off coupon for all Mortal Muses' readers for any camera strap or accessory purchases. Simply enter the code mortalmuse at check out.

I look forward to seeing your submissions for the prompt: BELIEVE.

Your creative holiday prompt for tomorrow is: SURPRISE.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

♥ Ashley of Ramblings and Photos

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many muses musing - MAGIC

untitled by AnyDirectFlight

I know it's not just me but this time of year makes me feel like anything could happen. All that waiting really creates a magic brew of anticipation while we wonder if and hope that our dreams will come true. All the sparkling lights and gift wrapped packages, happy music and heightened goodwill make it seem like magic could really happen! Sentimental traditions and special memories swirling together with the excitement of new toys, new chances, and a new year are ingredients for a magical elixir for sure. You know the expression 'the tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife?' Well, this time of year for me, the anticipation is so tasty, I could eat it with a huge spoon!

Today I'm giving away one of my "I click therefore I am" t-shirts. Please link your blog or flickr url in the linky provided below and/or leave a comment on this post for a chance to win the giveaway. (Max 2 entries per person.)

I look forward to seeing your submissions for the prompt: MAGIC

Our creative holiday prompt for tomorrow is: BELIEVE.

holly, jolly from cara of cararosephotos.

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many muses musing - GLOW

thankful for weekend getaways by ~becky sue~(rsl photography)

Here in the Northern Hemisphere, we’re fast approaching the Winter Solstice, that time of the year when the night is longer than the day and the dark seems to have the winning hand. But the Solstice marks a turning point: from now on the days slowly begin to grow longer and the nights shorter, and these long, dark hours are really a sign that the light is on its way back.

Mid-winter festivals the world over are about celebrating the return of the light; they symbolise a battle between light and dark and the eventual triumph of the sunlight that we need in order to survive. And that's why this time of year is full of our attempts to bring back the glow of the sun: we burn candles, set light to Yule logs and glowing fires, and light up our homes and our streets with strings of bright, glowing, coloured lanterns and lights.  Sometimes, as in ~becky sue~'s stunning photograph, the low mid-winter sun itself creates a beautiful glow in the evening sky.

I hope my giveaway today will bring a little bit of a glow into someone's life.  I have a copy of my ebook for one lucky winner: Photography Outside the Box: loads of creative ideas and inspiration for what to photograph next.  It has over 150 photos and enough ideas to guarantee you'll never run out of inspiration again.  You can read more about it here.

I look forward to seeing where in the dark mid-winter world you find your GLOW.  Please link your blog or flickr url in the linky tool provided below and/or leave a comment on this post for a chance to win the giveaway (max 2 entries per person).

Your creative holiday prompt for tomorrow is: MAGIC

Wishing every one of you a warm and glowing mid-winter holiday, and a new year filled with the glow of love and happiness.

gilly of the camera points both ways

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many muses musing - GREETINGS

17 by *kuki*

There is something special about the mailbox this time of year, isn't there? We open it with anticipation instead of worry. Who did we receive a card or a letter from today?What did they send? In our world of online sharing and instant access, there is something wonderful in the tradition of sending a written holiday greeting. I love the personal touch!

Today I'm giving away a space in my Find Your Eye class series starting 8 January. This includes both Starting the Journey and Journey of Recognition classes. Please link your blog or flickr url in the linky provided below and/or leave a comment on this post for a chance to win the giveaway. (Max 2 entries per person.)




I look forward to seeing your submissions for the prompt: GREETINGS. Please link your blog or flickr url in the linky tool provided below.

Your creative holiday prompt for tomorrow is: GLOW.

Kat of The Kat Eye View of the World
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many muses musing - TOGETHER

swimming together by mayte-pons


to·geth·er (t-gr) adv.
• In or into a single group, mass, or place: Everybody get together, try and love one another right now.
• In or into contact: We belong together.
• In association with or in relationship to one another; mutually or reciprocally: It’s always better when we're together.
• By joint or cooperative effort: You and me, together, can do anything, baby.

I hope this holiday season, you’ll gather together, laugh together, feast together, work together, swim together, and love together.

Today I’m giving away a pair of little handcrafted notebooks together with accompanying pencils – great for throwing in your purse or camera bag to record your thoughts, dreams, or grocery lists. Please link your blog or flickr url in the link provided below and/or leave a comment on this post for a chance to win the giveaway. (max 2 entries per person).

I look forward to seeing your submissions for the prompt: TOGETHER. Please link your blog or flickr url in the linky tool provided below.

Your creative holiday prompt for Tuesday is: GREETINGS.

All the best for the coming new year!
--lucy (so happy to be together with the muses again!)

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many muses musing - SPARKLE

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...by christineellen

The Sparkle of Christmas

by Rose Standish Kellogg

The very name of Christmas

has sparkle in it's sound.

It has the shine of tinsel,

of crisp and frosty ground.

It prickles with a fragrance

of spicy northern pine,

whose fresh and pungent perfume

is part of Christmas time

It rustles with gay secrets,

with gifts and mistletoe.

It tinkles with the silver

of bells across the snow.

It smells of goose and turkey,

of walnuts, cakes, plum jam,

of mincemeat from the storeroom,

of ruby jell and and ham.

It spells a brighter brilliance

of stars in heaven's blue,

as if angels, keeping Yuletide,

are lighting their trees too.

It has the shine of tinsel,

Of crisp and frosty ground,

The very name of Christmas

has sparkle in it's sound.

__________________________________

My giveaway today will definitely make your eyes sparkle!!!

A gorgeous FESTIVE RED leather camera bag courtesy of Pompidoo.

I look forward to seeing your submissions for the prompt: SPARKLE.

Please link your blog or flickr url in the link provided below and/or leave a comment on this post for a chance to win the giveaway. (max 2 entries per person).

Your creative holiday prompt for tomorrow is: TOGETHER.

The happiest of holidays to everyone!

♥ tammy lee of bliss and folly

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many muses musing - let's get started!

MANY MUSES MUSING

14 Days of Holiday Prompts and Daily Giveaways

December 10th - December 23rd

~333/365~ Cuppa Joe by DocUNC

Here at Mortal Muses, we look forward to spending another holiday season with you. For the next 14 days on the blog, we will be featuring one photo from our festive flickr pool and announcing a special holiday theme word and daily giveaway. Please continue sharing festive photos in the flickr pool and try to take some time each day to spread some comment love and holiday cheer with your fellow musers.

Use the daily prompt to get creative. Show us your family traditions, your holiday goodies, your hopes and wishes, and what it looks like in your part of the world this time of year.

We will be adding a linky tool on the post each day so you can link back to your blogs and flickr pages to share your images inspired by the daily word. The linky will open at 1:00 am EST each day and will stay open for 24 hours, when the next prompt and giveaway will be announced. We will be randomly selecting one lucky person as the winner of each giveaway from all the comments and linkups for that day. You will be entered one time if you link up with an image inspired by the daily theme and/or one time if you leave a comment (maximum of two entries per person). All winners will be announced here in a post on December 24th.

Your creative holiday prompt for tomorrow is **SPARKLE**, and our founder Tammy Lee will be here with a special holiday giveaway to share with you. We hope you will join us.

Happy Holidays!

Ashley, Cara, Christina, Christy, Gilly, Holly, Kat, Kirstin, Lucy, Lindsey, Maureen, Suki and Tammy.

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and the next theme is...FESTIVE MUSING

MANY MUSES MUSING

13 Days of Holiday Prompts and Daily Giveaways

December 10th - December 24th

Goodness, is it already that time of year again! Where did 2011 go?
But since it's that time of year again, we thought we would start our old and new muses musing again, just as we did last year, on some holiday-related themes. So, every day from December 12th to December 24th we will post a picture and some words, giving you a chance to link up to the theme and win a prize. Then we will give you the prompt for the next day. Make sure to go and look at the other links and join in the seasonal cheer.

I wonder what you will put in our flickr pool over the festive season…

Will you share your bokeh pictures?

starry bokeh by ashley sisk

Will you post your family traditions?

christmas spirit by mosey|kim

And don't forget that beautiful wintry light.

winter sunset by soupatraveler

Do add your snowy pictures too.

day 348 by aprilmn

And remember this in the midst of it all…

don't get so caught up...by tumbleweed.in.eden

We look forward to enjoying the festivities with you.

Ashley, Cara, Christina, Christy, Gilly, Holly, Kat, Kirstin, Lucy, Lindsey, Maureen, Suki and Tammy.
xxx