Think Happy Thoughts, Good Things Are Going to Happen Giveaway

Everyone has their days - you wake up after a less than perfect night's sleep and the cat has deposited a still somewhat live token of affection in your slipper, or your dog has decided that your husband's brand new leather shoes (which he of course left out in the open) are far superior to that chew toy that you invested $15 in. You trudge to the kitchen, tripping over the cat, to get a much needed cup of coffee, and as you open the cabinet door - there it is - the coffee mug that turns your worst day around... Think happy thoughts... the words seem to glow with a magical energy. You smile as you reach up to cradle it in your hands, almost having a spiritual experience as you turn it around. Even though you already know what it says there, the remaining words are a re-affirmation of what you know is true. And all of a sudden, the sun streams in thru the window, you hear birds singing outside and there's almost a skip in your step as you walk over and sit down at your computer to check your Etsy mail. OMG! You've sold 5 items overnight, you're featured in 3 treasuries (one of which is currently on the front page) and on two blogs. Of course the mug was right all along - Good things are going to happen!

You could have mornings like this too - IF you're the winner of this fun and inspirational coffee mug from LennyMud on Etsy. And the only way to win it is, of course, to enter this great giveaway. Lorrie, the oh-so-sweet and funny clay artisan behind LennyMud, describes her earthenware mug this way: Created with all non toxic, lead free glazes; made to be used and enjoyed on a daily basis. Handpainted in vibrant blues and greens. What a happy way to enjoy your morning coffee or tea! This mug retails for $12.

Before I tell you how to win, I'd love to share Lorrie's thoughts on the questions I sent her for her "interview" - so grab that old coffee mug that you'll be able to toss once you win this great new inspirational mug, and read on!

According to your shop profile, you've been creating pottery since you were age 3, having taken a break until Demi Moore, Patrick Swayze, and Unchained Melody got you started again. So... what was it about that famous scene in Ghost that really inspired you to get behind the potter's wheel again? I grew up the daughter of a potter who always had a basement studio (the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts were ALWAYS at our house getting their craft badges.) I made my first pot on the knees of my mother at age 3, but when I left for college really abandoned the craft in order to fully devote myself to the studies of alcohol and frat parties. When I saw the movie ghost with Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore, I was inspired to return to pottery. It may have been the six pack Patrick Swayze had in the scene with Unchained Melody, or it could have been the six pack I consumed: I do know that I was also tragically inspired to cut my hair like Demi Moore's. Unfortunately I do not have the face or body of Demi Moore. The return to pottery thing worked out, the haircut not so much.

Hmmm... you've got some pretty strict pricing policies in your shop - no cows or chickens accepted as payment? Seriously, you seem to have a great sense of humor that shows through - both in your writing and your work... what's your view on humor and life? My philosophy is that at least once a year you should laugh so hard that what ever liquid you are drinking comes out your nose.

Tell us a little bit about Lenny. Lenny is my studio cat. He was rescued as a kitten from 112th street in Manhattan. He is mentally challenged, or "special" as we like to call him because when he was 2 months old, he jumped into a 5 gallon bucket of glaze and almost drowned. He was rescued, but he tends to make bad decisions and lacks motor coordination. In addition to breaking many pots, Lenny's favorite thing to do is sprawl on my desk and delete whole sections of my email. Just this week he managed to push just the perfect combinations of keys to delete my entire address book of emails I had collected for 9 years. He is lucky he is cute and soft.

Name one thing that not many people know about you. Most people think that I am Lenny, and not my cat. I am a married mommy of two who is often called Lenny for this reason. I try to take it as a compliment--but I would prefer to be more Lacey and less Cagney.

What one word would your closest friends use to describe you? Is it an accurate description? My closest friends describe me as pleasingly plump, my wonderful husband calls me voluptuous, and the majority of Women's magazines would call me chunky. I prefer FAT & HAPPY.

You're stranded on a desert island and you've been praying that you had one item to make life bearable. All of a sudden a crate washes up on shore. What's in it? In the crate: A computer so I can put my shop on vacation, and tikki bar with umbrella drinks, my family & a boat so we can return to civilization after two weeks so I can get back to crafting!!!!

Lorrie has decided to keep the entries for this giveaway simple, so in order to receive your entry, simply head on over to LennyMud, pick out your favorite item, and come back here and comment on it! Couldn't be simpler, could it? And then of course, think happy thoughts, because good things are going to happen!

The winner for this giveaway will be chosen promptly at noon on Monday, October 19, 2009, so be sure to enter before then! One more note - PLEASE leave contact information on your comment so it's easy for me to find you!!

Thanks for entering and good luck, everyone!

(Oh, and btw, there really isn't a guarantee that this mug will really get you 5 sales, or 3 treasury spots, or 2 blog features, but then again, you never know!)