I squeezed in just enough time (and space) in my studio to snap a shot of the girls for their annual portrait! This is the version I used to create our annual ornaments this year, though I did them a little differently – printing them on metallic paper backed with matboard instead of my usual dough ornament. I designed this years ornament completely in Photoshop. (Talk about timesaver!)

Here’s how they turned out. Nice! I love the metallic paper and how the lights reflect off of it on the tree. Thanks to Miller’s Lab for the awesome prints!!

I also wanted to mention Catie’s jacket – we were going with a layered look for her so she could wear the scarf that her friend brought back from a missions trip in Tanzania last summer, and Lee Jeans was awesome enough to provide us with their Women’s Vintage Light Denim Jacket for her to wear. It’s an awesome jacket and she just loves it! I think it really gives their portrait the rugged/vintage look that I was going for this year and I’m just tickled to be able to share their products with you. (Side note, I also picked up 2 pair of their slender secret flap pocket jeans in charcoal and Spy and LOVE LOVE LOVE. You’ve gotta try these jeans!)

Now I think I’ve got you completely caught up on my Christmas happenings, and it’s just about time to ring in the New Year! 2011?! Already?!

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas, too!!

This December, Lee is turning 120 years old! To celebrate, Lee is giving away 120 pairs of jeans EVERY DAY from December 1-31 on their Facebook Fan page: facebook.com/leejeans! PLEASE NOTE: YOU CAN ENTER ONLY ONCE.

Lee Jeans? Well, they rock. If you haven’t found a pair that you love, you haven’t tried on all of the different fits they offer. A fit for every person, for every figure. I kid you not. (I have most of them.)

From the press release:

“Our longevity in the denim industry is thanks to our loyal customers so we wanted to do something to say ‘thank you’,” said Liz Cahill, Vice President of Marketing Communications at Lee. “We’ve grown with our customers through the years so it’s only fitting we celebrate this important milestone with our valued customers and friends.”

And while Lee Jeans is a household name today, many are unaware of just how impactful the company’s work has been in developing the jeans we know and love today.

“It’s hard to imagine a time when women didn’t have the option to choose between a skinny jean and a boyfriend jean, but until 1949 when we introduced the Lady Riders, the industry didn’t even offer a cut tailored to a woman’s curves,” said Cahill. “We come in a lot of shapes and sizes, and Lee’s proud to have led the way in fit innovations for both men and women alike.”

Lee’s innovations through the years include:

1911: Lee introduces the overall
1926: Lee produces the first zipper fly
1949: Lady Lee Riders was introduced to the women’s market
1964: Lee introduces the first no-iron pants
2007: Lee introduces the Natural Fit instantly slimming tummy panel
2009: Lee introduces Slender Secret, an ultra-stretch slimming jean for every woman

For the most part here in my world, I enjoy giving things away. From custom portraits, desktop wallpapers to Lee Jeans, I enjoy giving away free stuff. I know, I’m an odd duck – I can live with that.

Now, though, is a time where I am going to ask for something from you. It’s not much, just a little something, because it’s a special cause, because it’s a personal cause for so many of us, because every little bit, every single person who reaches out – it means something to so many.

Lee National Denim Day takes place tomorrow, Friday October 2nd. It is a day to wear jeans, to wear pink and – if you could spare $5, to donate – just a little bit – toward the fight against breast cancer. Your $5 donation will go to the Women’s Cancer Programs of EIF to support the fight against breast cancer. I invite you to join my team and make a donation!

Donate $5 today to my team, and
help me reach 100 people!
Thank you!Thanks to everyone for participating!

I’ve just drawn ten random numbers from all entries using this random number generator.

Here are the numbers/winners of these awesome Lee Jeans!!

68 : Oz-Girl
93 : Tawnya
10 : MJ
97 : Andi
67 : CC in WI
2 : Megan
43 : Lisa’s Chaos
113 : Grace @ Sandier Pastures
50 : Carline Jones
30 : Joanna Smith

Congratulations!!!! I’ll be dropping you an e-mail to get your size, color preference and mailing address!!

Don’t forget that Lee National Denim Day is just a month away, On October 2nd – if you could spare $5 for my team, I would appreciate it!! Your $5 donation will go to the Women’s Cancer Programs of EIF to support the fight against breast cancer. I invite you to join my team or make a donation!

Donate $5 today to my team, and
help me reach 100 people!
Thank you!Thanks to everyone for participating!

Have I told you lately that I love Lee? I do. Selected by Lee as a “Fit Ambassador”, I get to try out BRAND NEW product, tell you all about it, and SHARE IT WITH YOU. Wee! Fun stuff!

This time, Lee sent me a pair of their new Slender Secret Stretch jeans. They sit a little low on the waist, but not too low, they’re bootcut (and a wee long, which I love) – and I WORE THEM TO THE ROLLER RINK. Yes, I did. I went roller skating in my new jeans. And they were wonderful, and stretchy, and light!

This is not your normal thick denim. This looks like denim, feels like denim, but is so light, like khakis! The best way I can explain the thickness of these jeans is comparing papers: card stock (regular denim) to copy paper (these Slender Secret Jeans by Lee). Yes, there is that much of a difference! I was truly surprised by that, they do not have a spandex kind of feel, it’s definitely denim. Just uber AWESOME denim.

Okay so on to the good stuff, which I know you’re waiting for. You want a pair now, don’t you? Oh, yes you do. So let me help you out with that.

From August 4th through August 14th (by 8pm) you can enter to win one of 10 pair. I’ll draw 10 winners on August 15th. Winners need to get back to me by Monday, August 17th or a new winner will be chosen.

These Slender Secret Stretch are available in the following sizes:

Misses: 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 (short/med/long)
Petites: 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16
Plus: 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28 (petite/med/long)

The color I’m wearing is Mystic Blue Handsand, but they are available in basic blue and black as well.

ENTER TO WIN A PAIR!

Want a pair of your own? Just leave a comment (valid e-mail addy and at least your first name, please). Want to increase your chances? Here are a few ways to do that – please leave additional comments for each additional entry:

1. Subscribe to my blog via e-mail or via RSS. (if you’re already subscribed, THANK YOU! Let me know that you are already a subscriber for an extra entry!)
2. If you commented on this post, you get an extra entry. Leave another comment that indicates you replied to that post (and, if you’re html savvy, grab the link to your comment as well).
3. Tweet it (1 entry per day, link to the tweet)
4. Mention it in your FaceBook status w/link (1 entry per day)
5. Mention it on your blog and link back here. (1 entry per day)
6. Become my fan on Facebook! (1 entry)
7. Become a fan of Lee Jeans on Facebook! (1 entry)
8. Click here and send this to up to 5 friends at a time! (one entry per e-mail sent, must use this link – independent e-mails can’t be verified, sorry.)

Open to Ladies only who reside in the US and Canada – (International entries are welcome but will incur shipping charges.)

Please be sure to leave a separate comment for each extra entry, as I’ll draw using random numbers from comments.

Comments will close on August 14th (by 8pm) and I’ll draw 10 winners on August 15th. Winners need to get back to me by Monday, August 17th or a new winner will be chosen.

Good luck!!

Lee National Denim Day is one of the country’s largest single-day fundraisers for breast cancer, benefiting the Women’s Cancer Programs of the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF).

Since its inception in 1996, Lee National Denim Day® has adhered to a simple philosophy: One day, One cause, One cure®. In 13 years, that philosophy has become a mantra for millions and has made an impact Lee Jeans never dreamed possible. It all started when several Lee Jeans employees realized that each of them, in one form or another, had been touched by breast cancer. An everyday conversation sparked an idea and led to the creation of Lee National Denim Day, which has become one of the largest single-day fundraisers nationwide for breast cancer. In its first year, Lee Jeans set a goal of raising $1 million on Lee National Denim Day. To do this, Lee Jeans invited companies to go casual for a cause, inviting employees to wear their jeans to work on Denim Day in exchange for a $5 contribution to the fight against breast cancer. The underlying concept behind the program was simple—by convincing enough people to take one small step, together they could reach an incredible goal.

The response to the inaugural Lee National Denim Day program was astounding. That year, more than 3,000 companies signed up to participate, raising $1.4 million dollars for the fight against breast cancer, setting the stage for what would become one of the most captivating social action campaigns in the country. Lee National Denim Day has raised more than $75 million in the last 13 years in the fight against breast cancer and unites nearly one million supporters nationwide each year.

You may have already seen the latest People Magazine’s ‘Most Beautiful’ issue, but if not – Christina Applegate will be returning as the 2009 Lee National Denim Day Ambassador! Christina was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer in 2008, and is appearing in a new public service campaign that encourages people to wear their jeans on Friday, October 2, in exchange for a $5 donation to support crucial breast cancer research being funded by the Women’s Cancer Programs.

Visit www.denimday.com to learn more.

If you would like to be a part of my team, please let me know. If you would like to make an individual $5 donation, you can do that here: Leanne’s Team : Every Day is Denim Day. I’ve set a reasonable participation of 100 people donating just $5 each – so please help me reach that goal and share this with your friends!

Click here to e-mail this to up to 5 friends at a time:
http://intricateart.com/lee-national-denim-day-breast-cancer-fundraiser/email/

If you haven’t already, join the cause on Facebook: http://apps.facebook.com/causes/8116?m=3f1cca43

I don’t know of anyone who hasn’t been affected by cancer in one way or another. If this touches you in a personal way, please consider participating.

Put this button on your blog to help me reach my goal!
Link it to:
http://www.denimday.com/team_page.aspx?tid=233703Or just copy and paste this code:
<a href=”http://www.denimday.com/team_page.aspx?tid=233703″ target=”_blank”><img src=”http://intricateart.com/wp-content/uploads/leenationaldenimday.jpg” alt=”Lee National Denim Day” title=”Lee National Denim Day” border=”1″/></a>

Have I told you lately that I love Lee? I do. I was recently selected by Lee to be a “Fit Ambassador”, and what a cool gig this is. I get to try out product, tell you all about it, and GIVE YOU FREE STUFF. Wee! It works for me.

I have to tell you, when I first received these Colorwashed Khakis, I was a little concerned. You know when you hold up a pair of pants on a hanger and you think “um, no.”? Yes, well that’s what I kinda thought when I took them out of the box.

But wait! NO WAY, they slid on like a glove! They’re 97% cotton, 3% spandex, but you’d think they were more like stretchy cotton microfiber, they are so soft. Super light, too, which I love. Within about 15 minutes of wearing them, they relaxed and had a really cozy broken in feel.

They sit lower on the waist but not TOO low. They’re a little long, and have a nice wide leg which is super flattering for people well endowed in the thigh area. (ahem. Memememe!) The boot cut makes it really easy to give ’em a couple of rolls up and call them capri’s, too!

Okay so on to the good stuff, which I know you’re waiting for. You want a pair now, don’t you? Oh, yes you do. These come in some really pretty spring colors – here they are:

Cocoa, Jade Green, Riviera Blue, Strawberry, Sunlight Yellow, White
They’re also available in the following sizes:

Misses: 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16
Petites: 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 (colors may vary)
Plus: 16, 18, 20, 22

Though you do NOT choose the color or size right now – you tell me that after you win a pair.

ENTER TO WIN A PAIR!

 

Want a pair of your own? Just leave a comment (valid e-mail addy and at least your first name, please). Want to increase your chances? Here are a few ways to do that – please leave additional comments for each additional entry:

1. Subscribe to my blog via e-mail or via RSS. (if you’re already subscribed, THANK YOU! You will need to choose another method to earn extra entries.)
2. If you commented on this post, you get an extra entry. Leave another comment that indicates you replied to that post (and, if you’re html savvy, grab the link to your comment as well).
3. Tweet it (1 entry per day, link to the tweet)
4. Mention it in your FaceBook status w/link (1 entry per day)
5. Mention it on your blog and link back here. (1 entry per day)
6. Become my fan on Facebook! (1 entry)
7. Become a fan of Lee Jeans on Facebook! (1 entry)
8. Click here and send this to a friend! (one entry per e-mail sent, must use this link – independent e-mails can’t be verified, sorry.)

Open to Ladies only who reside in the US and Canada – (International entries are welcome but will incur shipping charges.)

Please be sure to leave a separate comment for each extra entry, as I’ll draw using random numbers from comments.

Comments will close on April 30th (by 8pm) and I’ll draw 10 winners on May 1st.

Good luck!!

 

I’ve just drawn ten random numbers from all entries using this random number selector.

Here are the numbers/winners of these awesome Lee Jeans!!

12 : Taba
72 : Grace @ Sandier Pastures
81 : Mary Beth I
70 : Lady Lu
20 : Becky
17 : Mir
66 : MomW
91 : Charlotte (Life’s a Charm)
5 : Usedtobeme
61 : Patois

Congratulations!!!! I’ll be dropping you an e-mail to get your size, color preference and mailing address!!

Here are your choices:

The One True Fit premium bootcut comes in four different washes: Union Blue, Blackdigo, Shadow Blue, and Galaxy blue. Union and Blackdigo are darker and Shadow and Galaxy are more of what you think of when you think “blue jeans.” These are available in sizes from 2-16, short, medium or long. The plus size scale ranges from 16w to 26w, available in short or medium. For this jean, there is also a petite scale from 2-16.

Thanks to everyone for participating!

If you could just hold off on the laughter for a moment (yes, I can hear you way over here), I’ll explain why I’m sharing this ridiculous photo of me modeling a pair of Lee Jeans that I have photoshopped SO much you would NEVER be able to pick me out in a crowd. (haha. I kid. No, I don’t kid about the thinify tool, but about most other things, I kid.)

Hahaha! Okay stop laughing, I said.

Last year, I lost a whopping 20’ish pounds strictly eating core foods from the WW core food list. Of course, in standard girly girl fashion, I went shopping. I tried on a pair of Lee Jeans. I loved ’em. I even wrote about them.

Fast forward to this year. It’s jean season again, and I’m just a smidge frustrated that uh, well, my jeans from last fall don’t fit so good.

I would say that’s cool, cause I get to go shopping again, but honestly? I’d rather save my money for a personal trainer and a fridge full of core food.

Heaven must have heard that.

I woke up one morning to an e-mail with an offer to try out a pair of Lee Jeans. All I needed to do was pick out a style and a size. Seriously? How often does this happen? Not often enough, I say! Here’s the cool thing – now it can happen to you!

I’ve been given 10 pair – yes TEN PAIR of jeans to give away. The style I chose is a little hip because I wanted to try something different. The wrap waist, button pockets and low rise might not suit everyone, but I really dig them. The style I’m wearing is “Cristina” if you’re out and about and want to pick them up.

In an effort to be a little more conservative with the jeans I chose to put up for grabs, however, I’ve selected a more traditional style for ten lucky winners:

FOR THE GALS:
The One True Fit premium bootcut comes in four different washes: Union Blue, Blackdigo, Shadow Blue, and Galaxy blue. Union and Blackdigo are darker and Shadow and Galaxy are more of what you think of when you think “blue jeans.” These are available in sizes from 2-16, short, medium or long. The plus size scale ranges from 16w to 26w, available in short or medium. For this jean, there is also a petite scale from 2-16.

UPDATE!

Lee Jeans is happy to accommodate the guys, as well. Here are the jeans that you boys will get if you should be drawn as a winner:

FOR THE GUYS:
Lee’s custom fit for men – relaxed seat & thigh, straight leg jean. Colors available are Medium Stone (denim color), Vintage Dark, and Shadow (black).

These are the jeans I’ve chosen for ten of you.

Want to enter to win a pair? Leave a comment. Want to increase your chances? Here are a few ways to do that:

1. One extra entry: Subscribe to my blog via e-mail or via RSS. (if you’re already subscribed, THANK YOU! You will need to choose another method to earn extra entries.)
2. One extra entry: Share it on twitter, facebook or another social networking site. (leaving comments on other blogs is great, but will not result in additional entries.)
3. Two extra entries: Mention it on your blog and link back here.

Please leave a separate comment for each extra entry, as I’ll draw using random numbers from comments.

Drawing will be held December 1st. Good luck!!