Monday, June 7, 2010

Merry Blues Art {review + giveaway}

Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. Restore. Rethink. Welcome to Merry Blues Art!!



This beautiful shop is filled with gorgeous art created by the very talented Ana. She explores all sorts of art mediums, and is committed to using earth-friendly products, like banana paper and recycled/reused products. From cards to memory games, it's stunning what she can create! She is currently working on her 2011 multi-lingual calendar, which features a different language and a collage of her artwork each month! (Here's one lovely example from 2010!)




See what I mean? I love the originality, and the way the speckled grain of the paper shows through. She's incredibly easy to work with, ships fast, and your items will arrive safe and sound... and ready to give as a gift! She's even sweet to offer to our readers 10% off through June 21st by using the special code "give&take" during checkout! Can't beat that!!

Not only that, but Ana has a huge heart. She has many causes that are dear to her, but she even worked up some fleece blankets for Project Night Night! I can't thank her enough for this special contribution!! 10 percent of sales in her shop are split between Population Connection and a local creative material reuse shop!


You can also check out her blogs, her vegan blog with her sister, and her newly created Merry Blues Art Blog! Read about their vegan lifestyle, and check out the shop's most recent activities, and her works in progress!


When the packaged arrived, it was packaged so well that it was ready for gift giving. She surprised us with her Pairs of Spring Memory Game. These pictures do not even do these justice! Each game piece is solid cardboard (recycled too!) with a pretty stamp on the back, carved by Miss Ana herself! The original artwork featured on the game pieces are absolutely breathtaking, and it was hard to let my two year old even play with them! But, I did, and she totes it around with her everywhere; to church, to the dinner table, and even to bed. She's not exactly playing memory, but she loves to match the pictures and name the beautiful illustrations.


And me? Well I love it too! Here are my personal faves:







I know... fall in love! Then go check out the other seasons!


Ana has offered a $20 gift certificate to Merry Blues Art to a lucky reader of The Ivy Twines! How sweet!



To qualify (you MUST do this before any others!): Check out Merry Blues Art and leave a comment on this post telling us your favorite item! I know you'll have more than one :)



**Please leave a valid email address so we can contact you if you win!**




And if one entry is not nearly enough. . . (please leave a separate comment for each extra entry)




Earn one additional entry:


Earn TEN additional entries:


  • Make a purchase from Merry Blues Art! Get 10 off through June 21st by using the code "give&take"! Let her know you came from Ivy Twines!






Your GIVE BACK Entry:


  1. Participate in our Give Back Project Night Night Challenge! (Head over to this post for the details, check out how you can help, and leave a comment!)


  2. Help Project Night Night, and earn 5 extra entries here!! Yay!



Good luck readers and happy shopping at Merry Blues Art! I hope you win!




Giveaway will end June 21st at 11:59pm CST. Winner will be chosen via random.org and contacted by email and have 48 hours to respond. Must be 18 to enter, US entries only. Special thanks to the very sweet Ana and Merry Blues Art for her beautiful art that truly makes us smile!! Your contribution to Project Night Night warmed my heart too! Thanks so much for helping out!!






118 comments:

  1. Love the June-December 2010 banana peel calendar.

    Thanks!
    angiedkelly at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Follow Merry Blues on Twitter @yeahhappy

    angiedkelly at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  3. Follow Merry Blues on Twitter @yeahhappy

    angiedkelly at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Like you on Facebook

    angiedkelly at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hearted/Favorited the banana peel calendar on Merry Blues Art

    angiedkelly at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  6. i love the calendar in the shop, a different language for each month is a great idea :D

    ReplyDelete
  7. My favorite is the Jet Setter (set of 6 cards printed on banana paper)!

    northssclub at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  8. I favorited the jet setter cards (my Etsy name - SilkLotus)

    northssclub at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  9. I follow Merry Blues Art on twitter (as @alitsao)

    northssclub at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  10. I "liked" Merry Blues Art on Facebook (as Alli Tsao)

    northssclub at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  11. I follow The Ivy Twines publicly on Google Friend Connect

    northssclub at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  12. I follow The Ivy Twines on twitter (as @alitsao)

    northssclub at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  13. I "like" Ivy Twines on Facebook (as Alli Tsao)

    northssclub at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  14. I like the Merci Beaucoup cards.
    mearley1979 (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  15. I follow on GFC.
    mearley1979 (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  16. I like you on FB
    mearley1979 (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  17. I love the pairs matching game
    Rhonda
    kermode@iowatelecom.net

    ReplyDelete
  18. I'm a fb fan
    Rhonda
    kermode@iowatelecom.net

    ReplyDelete
  19. I follow your blog
    Rhonda
    kermode@iowatelecom.net

    ReplyDelete
  20. I worked on blankets for project night night
    Rhonda
    kermode@iowatelecom.net

    ReplyDelete
  21. I helped make 20 blankets with friends and family for project night night
    Rhonda
    kermode@iowatelecom.net

    ReplyDelete
  22. Had a great time working on blankets for project night night
    Rhonda
    kermode@iowatelecom.net

    ReplyDelete
  23. worked on project night night
    Rhonda
    kermode@iowatelecom.net

    ReplyDelete
  24. worked on project night night
    Rhonda
    kermode@iowatelecom.net

    ReplyDelete
  25. I love the Gratitude Series of cards!

    yepfinleywedding at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  26. i love the buen viaje cards, so cute
    engh.katie at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  27. I follow The Ivy Twines on twitter - @narniamum

    ReplyDelete
  28. I like the ivy twines on facebook

    ReplyDelete
  29. I really like the memory game.

    buganderson@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  30. I follow your blog

    buganderson@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  31. I'd love to get the pairs of spring (memory game) for my son!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Adorable shop, happy to learn about it. I like the "Merci Beaucoup (set of 6 cards printed on banana paper)" from the shop.

    ReplyDelete
  33. It is hard to choose a favorite item, but I adore the Penguin Congratulations cards!

    urchiken at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  34. love the Let's Parrty! cards! thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  35. ms(dot)verymarried(at)gmail(dot)com

    i THINK this is my favorite http://www.etsy.com/listing/48234489/thank-you-set-of-6-cards-printed-on

    ReplyDelete
  36. I love the mini thank you cards!

    hrfarley at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  37. The Pairs of Spring memory game is my favorite!
    Thank you for the giveaway :)
    hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  38. I heart the Pairs of spring memory game - my etsy username is Hurdler4eva
    Thank you for the giveaway :)
    hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  39. I follow the Icy Twines publicly with google friend connect1
    Thank you for the giveaway :)
    hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  40. I love the pairs of spring (memory game) limited edition

    hellasaunders@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  41. I added this: http://www.etsy.com/listing/48054536/pairs-of-spring-memory-game-limited

    to my favorites

    hellasaunders@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  42. Following Merry Blues Art on Twitter

    ReplyDelete
  43. Like Merry Blues Art on Facebook

    ReplyDelete
  44. Follow The Ivy Twines on Twitter

    ReplyDelete
  45. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  46. I'm following her on twitter!

    craftytofu at yahoo

    ReplyDelete
  47. I've favorited an item in her shop!

    craftytofu at yahoo

    ReplyDelete
  48. I like her shop on facebook.

    craftytofu at yahoo

    ReplyDelete
  49. I just became a blog follower!

    craftytofu at yahoo

    ReplyDelete
  50. I'm following the ivy twines on twitter now! I'm vegancraftastic over there

    crafytofu at yahoo

    ReplyDelete
  51. I just love the spring memory game! They are so neat.

    ReplyDelete
  52. Merry Blues Art Twitter follower soluckyducky

    ReplyDelete
  53. Merry Blues Art FB fan sarah linette

    ReplyDelete
  54. Ivy Twines Twitter follower soluckyducky

    ReplyDelete
  55. Ivy Twines FB fan sarah linette

    ReplyDelete
  56. I love her animal, eco, vegan-friendly artwork! :0) This is one of my favorites; http://www.etsy.com/listing/45066770/happy-fathers-day-set-of-4-cards-printed mvegan5@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  57. I favorited this item http://www.etsy.com/listing/45066770/happy-fathers-day-set-of-4-cards-printed

    ReplyDelete
  58. I facebook fanned Merry Blues Art

    ReplyDelete
  59. Ivy Twines fan; Michele Erez

    ReplyDelete
  60. I love- http://www.etsy.com/listing/45066770/happy-fathers-day-set-of-4-cards-printed

    samyrocks92 at msn dot com

    ReplyDelete
  61. I favorited- pairs of spring (memory game) limited edition

    ReplyDelete
  62. I follow Merry Blues Art on Twitter

    ReplyDelete
  63. I like Merry Blues Art on Facebook

    ReplyDelete
  64. I follow The Ivy Twines (publicly) using Google Friend

    ReplyDelete
  65. I follow The Ivy Twines on Twitter as PSVintage

    ReplyDelete
  66. I like Ivy Twines on Facebook

    ReplyDelete
  67. my fave is the pairs of winter memory game. the pieces are really beautiful.

    boswife @ gmail . com

    ReplyDelete
  68. I love the Congratulations baby series. The elephants and penguins are tooooo cute.
    cheatingpiggies at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  69. Love the Happy Birthday set of 6 mini cards. omydarlingblog(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  70. Following Merry Blues Art on twitter @omydarlingblog

    ReplyDelete
  71. i love the Merci Beaucoup (set of 6 cards printed on banana paper)

    hockiemack at hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  72. favorited the merci beaucoup cards as hockiemack

    hockiemack at hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  73. I like the Happy Birthday / Feliz Cumpleanos bunting set of 6 cards and envelopes.
    jswandrn at gmail

    ReplyDelete
  74. I love the gratitude series cards – the bunting is so cute! Actually I love all the cards – the paper she uses is beautiful!
    jenny.maurer84 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  75. I added the Gratitude series cards as a favorite (JennyBolech)
    jenny.maurer84 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  76. I’m following Merry blues on twitter as JennyBolech
    jenny.maurer84 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  77. I’m following Merry Blues on facebook as Jenny Bolech
    jenny.maurer84 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  78. I’m following on GFC as Jenny
    jenny.maurer84 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  79. I’m following Ivy Twines on twitter as JennyBolech
    jenny.maurer84 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  80. I liked Ivy Twines on Facebook as Jenny Bolech
    jenny.maurer84 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  81. I like the June-December 2010 ConVivere Calendar i o (printed on banana paper)

    ReplyDelete
  82. I like the Penguin Congratulations cards.

    couponboss at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  83. love the banana paper "merci beaucoup" cards!

    karen (dot) erkert (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  84. I really like the pairs of spring (memory game) limited edition

    Donna
    dwarrington1@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  85. I "heart" Happy Birthday / Feliz Cumpleanos bunting set of 6 cards and envelopes on ETSY

    Donna
    dwarrington1@gmail.com
    (ETSY username: 2Cats4Me)

    ReplyDelete
  86. I follow Merry Blues Art on Twitter as 2Cats2See

    Donna
    dwarrington1@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  87. I "like" Merry Blues Art on facebook

    Donna Hufman Warrington
    dwarrington1@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  88. I follow your blog

    Donna
    dwarrington1@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  89. I follow you on Twitter as 2Cats2See

    Donna
    dwarrington1@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  90. I "like" Ivy Twines on facebook

    Donna Hufman Warrington
    dwarrington1@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  91. I love the Extra Baggage card set!
    Lilyhoot at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  92. I follow merrybluesart on twitter, username slowclublover.

    ReplyDelete
  93. I follow theivytwines on twitter, username slowclublover.

    ReplyDelete
  94. I tweeted: http://twitter.com/slowclublover/status/16665245824

    ReplyDelete
  95. I like the pairs of summer memory game
    ejxd95@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  96. I favorited the pair of summer memory game
    ejxd95@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  97. following merry blues art on twitter-jblanton41

    ReplyDelete
  98. following your blog
    ejxd95@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  99. following on twitter-jblanton41

    ReplyDelete
  100. I love the Congratulations baby mini cards.
    kendylann3 (at) yahoo (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  101. Marked an item as "favorite" at Merry Blues Art. (username kendylann)
    kendylann3 (at) yahoo (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  102. FB fan of Ivy Twines (Kendyl S.)
    kendylann3 (at) yahoo (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  103. FB fan of Merry Blues Art (Kendyl S.)
    kendylann3 (at) yahoo (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  104. Following via GFC (username "K" with picture of a dandelion)
    kendylann3 (at) yahoo (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  105. Following via Google,
    I love the memory games sets and would like to own them all! Montessori classrooms would go NUTS for those!

    ReplyDelete
  106. I like the pairs of winter (memory game) limited edition thanks for the chance to win eaglesforjack@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  107. I like the Thank You (set of 6 cards printed on banana paper). dramaqueensmum@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  108. My favorite is the Merci Beaucoup set of cards! peanut[at]nyc.rr.com

    ReplyDelete
  109. Love the Happy Birthday bunting cards, so colorful! tylerpants{at}gmail.com

    ReplyDelete

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