Springing to Life!

Spring is here! I know those of us in Michigan are doubting that after the last couple of days, but we are starting to see some flowers poke their heads out of the ground and up through the snow. We're celebrating spring at Watercolors by Phyllis in two ways.

First, we're having a spring special. From now through the end of May, take 10% off your order at www.watercolorsbyphyllis.com with contest code SPRING2011. Remember, shipping is free on orders over $50.00.

Most importantly, we're having another photo contest - SPRING FLOWERS CONTEST. Submit your favorite floral snapshot (that you have taken) to contests@watercolorsbyphyllis.com. Contest starts April 18, 2011 and ends May 31, 2011. All entries must be received by May 31, 2011 11:59 EST. Along with your photo, include your full name, address, phone number, and email address. If you don't have a digital copy of your photo, you can mail a print to us at Watercolors By Phyllis, PO Box 312, Topinabee, MI 49791. Sorry, but we will not be able to return any entries sent by mail. Winners will be notified by email by June 30, 2011.

We will evaluate the entries and choose our three favorites. All three favorites will be used as inspiration for watercolor paintings by artist Emilia Ackerman. The first place winner will receive the original watercolor rendition of their submitted photo, a matted 5 x 7" print and a free box of 10 note cards based on the painting. The second place winner will receive a free 5 x 7" matted print and box of 10 note cards based on their photo-inspired painting. Third prize winner will receive a free box of 10 note cards based on their photo-inspired painting.

If you send us a photo,

1. You must own or at least have the right to send us the photo, and by sending it to us you are indemnifying us (Watercolors By Phyllis LLC) from any copyright or trademark infringement or any other liability related to the photo and its use.


2. You are granting us (Watercolors By Phyllis LLC) the non-exclusive, transferable, worldwide, royalty free right to use and distribute the photo and any painting or print based on that photo, without limit, as we see fit.


3. One entry per email address, so pick your best photo.

So go through your pictures, or go to the garden and take some new ones. We'll help make them everybody's memory.

Last Chance - Contest ends today

Today is the last day to enter your photo in our contest. If you have a favorite spot or photo that you would like memorialized as a watercolor, enter it in our contest TODAY! Email the image to contests@watercolorsbyphyllis.com. For complete contest details, go here.

Contest Update: You really CAN win a free watercolor!

We're still waiting on your photo entry for our contest. From personal experience, I can tell you that it is exciting to see a photo you have taken end up as a watercolor hanging on your wall. I have a number of them in our house.

I've included a handful of photos I've taken that have made their way from photo to watercolor to prints and cards at watercolorsbyphyllis.com.

The photos themselves aren't anything special, just a way to capture a memory, but when the eye of the artist captures the essence and the brush of the artist puts it on paper, it becomes something special.

Take a look, then go to watercolorsbyphyllis.com and see if you can identify the item taken from the photo. Then, imagine your photo ending up on your wall.

And remember, the only way to be sure you won't win is to not enter. So choose your favorite shot and email it to contests@watercolorsbyphyllis.com by July 31. Just don't use one of my photos.

For complete contest rules and prizes, read our earlier blog post.

CONTEST UPDATE: Win a free original watercolor painting

Less than three weeks remain in our contest. Enter today for your chance to win a free original watercolor painting of your favorite vacation spot.

E-mail a photo of your favorite place to contests@watercolorsbyphyllis.com or mail a print to Contest, Watercolors By Phyllis LLC, PO Box 312, Topinabee, MI 49791.

For full contest details, including prizes, rules and limitations, see our previous blog entry. No purchase necessary, and NO COST to enter - simply email us your picture.

Then, be sure to stop by our web site and browse through our large collection of prints and note cards. Remember, shipping is free on orders over $50.00!

Win a Free Original Watercolor from Watercolors By Phyllis

Everybody has a favorite vacation memory - most have pictures of them.  If you have memorialized your favorite vacation spot with a photo, now's your chance to make it even more meaningful.  Between now and July 31, 2010, submit your favorite vacation picture (scenery only, please - we don't do people) to us at contests@watercolorsbyphyllis.com.  Be sure to give us the details surrounding the photo, such as where it was taken, when it was taken, who took it and anything else you think may be pertinent.  Obviously, we are partial to Michigan vacation spots, but are not limiting this contest to just Michigan

Some time in August we will evaluate the thousands of entries and choose our three favorites.  Those three photos will then miraculously turn into watercolors.  The first place winner will receive the original watercolor, a matted 5 x 7 print and a free box of 10 note cards based on the painting.  Second place winner will receive a free 5 x 7 matted print and box of 10 note cards based on the painting.  Third prize winner will receive a free box of 10 note cards based on the painting.

Of course, as with all contests, there has to be a fine print section.  Here you go.

If you send us a photo, 

1. You must have the right to send us the photo, and by sending it to us you are indemnifying us (Watercolors By Phyllis LLC) from any copyright or trademark infringement or any other liability related to the photo and its use.
2. You are granting us (Watercolors By Phyllis LLC) the non-exclusive, transferable, worldwide, royalty free right to use and distribute the photo and any painting or print based on that photo, without limit, as we see fit.
3. One entry per email address, so pick your best photo.

So go through your pictures, break out the memories and share them with us.  We'll help make them everybody's memory.

If you don't have a digital copy of your photo, you can mail a print to us at Watercolors By Phyllis, PO Box 312, Topinabee, MI 49791.  Sorry, but we will not be able to return any entries sent by mail.  Be sure to include your contact information.