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back at the house & JAK Camera Strap Giveaway

There has been a lot of activity at the studio and things have been pretty quiet at my house.  I did rearrange the family room a few weeks ago, but otherwise, my house is just my house, which is a big change from how it was a couple of years ago.

If I was at this stage of getting ready for Lucketts, I would have things piled up in my dining room, pieces in every corner of my basement and I would be hauling furniture up to my family room for quick photo shoots before I rearranged the furniture back in place by the end of the day.

I realize I’m enjoying my house much more as just a home, not a place of business AND a home.

Anyway, after living with the new arrangement for a couple of weeks, I am totally sold on it.  I still have a lot of details to figure out, but the arrangement is working well for how we live in the space and it feels comfy and inviting.

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I am in the process of swapping out the pillows to figure out what works best from a design perspective as well as a practical one.  Since most of the pillows end up on the floor, I need to find the balance between enough for me, but not too many for the boys/men in the house!  I like leaning on pillows, but the boys would prefer to make an obstacle course out of them.

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I’ve also been moving my blue and white quilts around to balance out all of the blues in the room.  Certain blues look better together than others, so I’m trying to pair ones that really sing together and distant blues that clash.

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I also found a home for my newest quilt, which I picked out for my birthday…

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I fell in love with this quilt when I spotted it a few weeks ago on a shopping trip.  I knew it was a personal purchase and not one I was really ready to make then and there, so I folded it back up and waited.  Jeff drove me to the shop and bought it for me for my birthday.  It does have a bit of wear, but I love the design and the quilting is gorgeous.

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It’s a little thing, but I love how the room looks especially from this perspective…

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When I walk out of my bedroom, this is what I see and it always strikes me as pretty.

I’m still figuring out the space behind the sofa.  I have the wing chair there for now, but inspiration hasn’t hit me, so I’m just going to wait until it does.

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Remember the beautiful, chippy pie safe I mentioned in my post about the rebuilt pie safe?  Well, there it is…

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(The side door, I know.  I know.)

Anyway, it’s just a really special piece and I’m going to keep it for now.

 

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As I said, there is still a lot more playing to do in this room.

But there is no rush…

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Before I sign off for the night, I have a fun giveaway!

When I went to the Vintage Whites Market in Loveland, CO, I tripped across a vendor who sold bags and camera straps.  I was drawn immediately to a sturdy leather strap with blue and beige ticking on the back.  I thought about it overnight and bought it immediately when I entered the venue the next day.

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I was able to meet one half of the creative partnership that makes the JAK | designs.  She asked if I would be interested in running a giveaway on my blog.  Well, I loved the strap enough to buy it myself, so definitely!  And I love supporting other creative entreprenuers and offering fun giveaway goodies to my readers.

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The strap is so well made and super sturdy, which is one reason why I was so attracted to it.

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The clips are also easy to get on and off, so I don’t have to loosen straps to remove it when I’m shooting on a tripod.

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They really are beautifully made.  JAK also offers wrist camera straps and soft fabric straps with a more feminine feel to them.

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JAK is giving away a camera strap of your choosing!  Here’s how to enter to win…

  1. Just visit the JAK | designs online shop, take a look around and come back to this post to leave a comment letting me know which strap you would like if you win.
  2. Subscribe for JAK’s newsletter and leave another comment letting me know you’ve done so.
  3. Follow JAK on Instagram and leave one last comment letting me know you have.

The giveaway is open to readers over the age of 18 and those living in the US.  Entries are valid through Sunday, April 10, 2016, at midnight PST.  A winner will be randomly selected and announced shortly after.

Good luck!

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Disclosure: I paid full price for my camera strap, but I was sent a second one to photograph and keep. I did not receive any additional payment for this post.  I really just wanted to promote a fellow creative entrepreneur!

Marian Parsons 

Paint Enthusiast | Writer | Artist | Designer

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307 Responses

  2. Absolutely love the camera straps. I believe I’d like the blue stripe or either the gray white pinstripe.

  6. I really do like the blue stripe, though the peach plaid is cute too and the scarf ones are really neat!

  15. I like the peach and ombre leather camera strap. They look very nice and sturdy.

    I also like your new birthday quilt from a distance and your pretty blue throw. The ruffle is cute and adds warmth to the room.

    Thanks

  20. So many pretties to pick from…I love the american flag/leather one since my bday is 4th of July, I also love the blue floral scarf one!

  22. Okay, I have to admit…I was not sure about the switch when you originally posted. Not because I didn’t like it, but because I LOVED the way you had it. I should have known I would fall for the new set up, it looks great…so cozy and fresh. I love the blue and white everywhere, ironstone, chippy white paint and pops of dark wood, the antique quilts on the backs of the slip covered chairs and sofa, the beautiful pie safe (that got me excited!)..it’s all so sweet and so…Marian. It’s the best when your space inspires and excites you…and you just feel good in it.

    Those camera straps look so nice, I love the blue and white stripes! I need to get my hands on that one. It’s such a great thing to find all these great products and resources I’d never know about otherwise.

    Have a fantastic weekend (random side note, you and Kriste should do more design ramblings! They are my favorite and I miss them!)

  29. Love the blue stripe leather camera strap! I take tons of pictures of my daughter playing club volleyball and my son playing ice hockey (he’s a goalie). I would love to have a stylish, comfortable camera strap for their tournaments. Thanks for the giveaway chance!

  32. I like any of the wrist straps. Such an elegant way to handle a utilitarian problem.

  34. I like the leather with the blue stripe. I need a new camera strap so thanks for introducing me to these, they’ve beautiful.

  35. I love the new arrangement of your room. It looks cozy and inviting and the quilt you got as a birthday gift is the perfect addition.
    The camera straps look like such a quality accessory. I enjoyed browsing around their site and looking at all of the great products they offer, but I would definitely choose the blue striped leather camera strap if I was lucky enough to win this fantastic give away.

  37. I signed up for the newsletter. Thanks for introducing your readers to such a nice quality product. Cameras are a big investment and these sturdy straps look like the prefect stylish accessory.

  38. Love the camera straps – especially the easy clips!!! The blue stripe is my fave! I signed up for JAK’s Instagram and newsletter!

  39. JAK is actually my initials as well. I am in total love with the scarf camera strap especially the cream floral. It seems like everything I own is practical but that scarf screams camera strap screams that my photography is for MY FUN.

  40. Subscribed to their news letter. Will be asking for one of these straps for my birthday if I’m not lucky enough to win it from you. ?

  41. Followed on Instagram as well. Looked back through some of the pics and found a scarf strap with cabbage roses in black & white that screams it needs to be mine as well. Thanks Marian!!!!

  42. Pie safe looks great! Guessing it offers great storage too. What a great giveaway. I’d love to win the leather multi stripe strap. Very fun!

  43. Your house looks so dreamy with all the white and blue. So idyllic.

    I’d be happy with either the blue stripe strap or the blue ombré one. Both cool.

    Great work!
    The Other Marian

  45. Love the blue ombre leather strap! Thanks for doing the giveaway! Love looking at the soft colors in your living room! So pretty!

  54. Gorgeous, and a definite upgrade from mine, which I hate! Would love to win this! I like the blue stripe.

  57. I’ll throw my name in the hat for this one. Followed on instagram, added to newsletter, and my favorite strap is the Leather Multi Stripe!!

    Yeehaw!!

  63. Wow. I have never seen a strap like this! The blue, brown, ombre would be my choice! My husband and I take lots of pictures on our birdwatching trips. This would be so beautiful to have.

  66. Oh my! I am torn between the Leather Camera Strap (Peach Plaid) and the Blue Floral. They are both beautiful 🙂

  69. Not a photographer (other than iphone) but I wanted to say I always love how comfortable and inviting your home looks. What about a small writing desk and wooden chair behind the sofa at the window? Seems like such a bright little place to write a quick note or pay bills. 🙂

  71. Coincidentally, I was just shopping last night for a camera, I think it’s time for an upgrade and since it’s my birthday week and I’ve been saving up my money and you’re giving away a free leather strap…I think we can all hear what the universe is trying to tell us. I was basically meant to have the leather multi stripe. You’re welcome for just making your job easier.

  76. I really love the floral scarf straps which is a bit unlike me- And I totally adore the American Flag Scarf/Leather Strap Combo & I also like the Peach Plaid Leather Strap. I can’t get over how well made the leather straps appear to be made & how beautiful they are! Stunning!!! & I also happen to LOVE the leather luggage tags too! What a great idea & so pretty!

  87. This would make a great gift for my sister’s birthday. I think she’d like the blue floral.

  89. Your home is so lovely! I enjoy seeing the beautiful ways you arrange everything. Very inspiring!

    This shop offers so many nice camera straps! I’d choose either the blue striped leather strap or one of the floral scarf straps. Thanks for the opportunity to win!

  97. I love the blue and white striped one, but it says out of stock 🙁 that would be my first choice but the blue and brown ombré is lovely too…such a great line- the scarf ones are really fun too!!

  104. ANY of the leather camera straps (blue stripe out of stock right now. But NOT the “flag/leather combo”.

  107. OK, signed up for the newsletter—the flowered scarf strap also looks great in the closeup on that page…just sayin’.

  108. Personally, I would pick the blue stripe. But if I win, my daughter is just getting in to photography and I would let her have her pick for her new camera. Thinking maybe the multi stripe.

  110. I like the multi stripe leather camera strap. 🙂 I followed them on Instagram and I subscribed to their newsletter. 🙂

  112. Subscribed to JAK’s newsletter and I would like Leather Camera Strap (Blue/Brown Ombre’).
    I can’t find them on instagram??

  113. Love the blue striped strap, it will go well with my casual everyday wear….blue jeans.

  117. Hi! I signed up for JAKs newsletter and liked them on Instagram. I’d LOVE their peach plaid leather strap. Thanks for considering me! Nicole

  120. I like the multi stripe leather for my dear daughter-in-law who takes pictures of my grandson and sends them to me. She is in NC and I am in TX. She is so very thoughtful! I would love it for her.

  126. Hey there! I picked out my favorite: definitely the leather with blue and white stripes!!

  129. I like the strap with leather and the american flag colors. I don’t use instagram, so I’m done.
    thank you

  130. I signed up for the newsletter and then was so curious, I checked out the whole website. Love the creations!

  137. I subscribed to the newsletter, am following them on Instagram, and really like: Leather Camera Strap (Blue/Brown Ombre’)!

    i like your family room better this way too!

  139. The leather straps are lovely but I think I prefer the softness of the creme floral strap. The real velvet wrist strap is super cute, too. Oh, decisions, decisions! Thanks for hosting the giveaway!

  144. I love your style and projects so much! The camera strap is so pretty. I am following them now on Instagram. My user name is buggabear11.
    Thanks so much for the daily inspiration!

  149. I would like the peach/leather strap, and I signed up for their newsletter!!!!!! these straps look so comfy!!!!!! which is important when wearing them for a couple of hours!!!!!!

  156. Do you take “boarders”? Your décor is “right up my alley”…when I moved from Italy, my daughter inherited all the wonderful treasures from my years of collecting. Made me smile to see the rooms you have shared. I don’t own a camera but have ideas for other uses for the “Grey Pinstripe” strap. Thanks for your website; I enjoy your emails.

  164. I love the peach plaid leather camera strap. These straps are just beautiful

  167. You have a lovely home. I love the way to decorated your home. It’s simple, neat and attractive. Looks appealing to me.

  169. Oh! I just saw the scarf and leather straps combination on Instagram. Love that! Following JAK designs now.

  175. They are lovely-especially the peach plaid leather strap. I have the very coarse manufacturer’s neck strap-this would be a delightful change! Thanks for the giveaway!

  177. I would love to win the blue and white stripe camera strap!

    I love your blog, finished projects, style and inspiration. I look forward to checking in each day!

  178. I’m a girly girl. I love the white floral. It would be nice for my Nikon!!

  180. I’d love to win the blue stripe/brown leather combination for my 19 year old daughter who is starting a hobby in photography.

    Thank you for the chance to win one of these gorgeous straps!

  183. I also followed on instagram! I also know all the drinks, trees, and auditoriums.

  199. I want the blue striped camera strap! I subscribed to the JAK newsletter but couldn’t follow them on Instagram as I don’t use a smart phone and couldn’t download the app. But I’d really love using that strap! Thanks for the opportunity to win it.

  200. I actually like the the blue stripe one that you have! The floral one is neat too though

  208. Oh I LOVE the scarf straps. How pretty! If I won, I’d find it hard to choose between the cream scarf floral strap and the leather blue stripe strap! Beautiful craftsmanship. What a lovely business she has!

  211. … AND just hit the “follow” button on their insta page. Beautiful work girls! All the best everyone!
    This is me hoping the competition ships to Australia, but all the same if you don’t, I’ve just helped support a fellow business woman across the miles.

  212. The floral/leather combo is lovely. It would be a great graduation gift for my daughter.

  217. My daughter would be thrilled with the Blue/Brown Ombre Leather strap. Thanks for the fun giveaway. These are beautiful!

  218. My daughter would love the leather blue/brown Ombre strap for her new camera! Absolutely gorgeous!

  220. Wow! The floral scarf/leather strap combo is amazing. Would love to add that one to my new Canon.

  221. Love the teal fabric scarf for my daughter who, too, is a professional photographer. It would be great at beach and wedding shoots.

  224. I would choose the leather/multi strap. I’ve been looking for a more comfortable strap with some style for a while. Coincidently, it’s my birthday on April 10th. We could be birthday twins with our new straps!
    Thank you,

  231. I would pick “Floral Scarf/Leather Combo” because it has a feminine appeal.

  239. I love the American scarf and leather strap as well as the blue striped.

  245. I love the leather strap with blue brown ombré also. Thanks for the giveaway

  248. Oh my! I love the leather straps with the stripes combos. Each of them is just beautiful!

  249. These are great. I love the blue brown ombré. I’ve been looking for strap that both my husband and I like and I think this is it.

  252. Either the cream floral scarf or the floral/leather combo. I love their design work. Their logo is beautiful. I do not have a camera strap so hope I win!

  253. Hi Marian,
    Thanks again for bringing new products to us that are both unique and well-made and supporting small business! Bravo!!
    I Love the Blue/Brown Ombre camera strap and would make great use of it!

    I appreciate the opportunity!

  255. I would love to win the floral scarf/leather combo giveaway! It would look great on my Nikon and I do love those lobster clasps! No need to loosen straps and buckles. Great idea.

  257. Great pics of your wonderful home!
    Love the camera strap!
    My choice would be the Fiesta Scarf Camera Strap (wrist) for my small camera! Get me STYLIN’!
    I signed up for the jak newsletter.
    I had to install Instagram since I’m partially dinosaur when it comes to technology, but I am going to follow them on Instagram also.
    Thank you for the generous offer, along with JAK Designs.

  261. Hello Marian,
    I’m so excited about this giveaway! I love the JAK Designs leather and blue stripe camera strap. It reminds me of grain sacks and ticking. I love both. 🙂

    Your home looks amazing always!

    Blessings,
    Linette

  272. That JAK camera strap is a serious camera strap for sure! Nice quality and workmanship today is a dying thing. Thanks for spotting it and sharing your find with us! I would love the same blue stripe one that you love! (It says ‘out of stock’ but I hope that is just a temporary thing and let’s just say we’ll worry about that after I win! Fingers crossed! A great giveaway! All signed up for their news letter and Instagram too so I’m good to go!

  284. Awesome giveaway! I would love to win the blue stripe leather strap, but I also adore the flag and the flannel scarf straps as well.

  287. I don’t shoot too many pictures, but I liked the ‘Wanderlust’ – Luggage Tag since I do a lot of traveling.

  291. I visited JAK and fell in love with the camera straps. I would choose the leather/blue stripe, as I think it is a classic. I subscribed to their newsletter as well am now following them on Instgram. Thanks for the opportunity!

  298. Hi!! I would love to have the white floral scarf for my Sony camera!! I also subscribed & am following on Instagram…thanks for the chance to win & love your blog!
    -Amber Batt

  301. Hello! Wow they are all so wonderful! I would love the blue, brown, ombré one! They do beautiful work! Thank you!

    Blessings,
    Aimee

  303. I love your redesigned living room!
    And the JAK straps look so nice, I’d have to pick either the floral scarf/leather combo or the blue stripe leather one 🙂

  305. And I’m following them on Instagram!

    Thanks again for this great giveaway!

    Blessings,
    Lissa

  306. Love the new set up and it looks so cozy and inviting 🙂 Also love myself the slow making of a home.

    Lauren | Lovely Decor
    xx

  307. I am new to your lovely site and look forward to enjoying it. Would you name of the family room paint colors.

    Thanks,
    M. Ramsdell

I’m Marian, a painter, writer, and lover of all things creative. From art and antiques to home projects and everyday life, I share my journey in hopes of inspiring you to embrace your own creativity and make beauty in the spaces you live.

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