Sunny Delight - An Update on Buddy Bird + Future Cottage Charm Giveaway Suggestions are Welcome!

We went to view the found cockatiel on Thursday and I'm sorry to report that it was not our Buddy. I had a good cry because I was so hoping that it was him. But on a positive note, we are now the official foster family of a little lost cockatiel. We know someone out there has to be missing their baby (as we are) and hopefully we can reunite them soon. We are calling it "Sunny":) Thanks for all the well wishes regarding Buddy - he's out there somewhere and maybe with a foster family of his own:)

Thanks so much to everyone that has joined up in this years Cottage Charm Giveaway and to others that are helping to spread the word! Last year we had 40 hostesses join within 6 weeks (I started it early last year!)but this year so far, we've had 32 giveaways added in just 11 days - and there's plenty of time left for others to join! That's amazing!

This is something that I plan to do yearly in May. I think that beginning next year, I'll start the giveaway at the beginning of May to give everyone a full month to join. Six weeks was a little long, 2 weeks is a little short, but a month is just right, don't you think? So mark your calenders for May of 2009! I'm already starting to put items away for my personal giveaway next year:)

Next year, I would like to give back to those that are posting the Cottage Charm Giveaway banner on their sites even if they aren't personally having a giveaway - this really helps to get the word out and I truly appreciate it! So I may have a special giveaway just for everyone that posts the banner on their blog, as well as separate giveaways for other giveaway hostesses and everyone else, too.

I love doing this giveaway for several reasons. For one thing, it's a great way for many of us to get rid of some of our excess. There are some things that I know I could easily put in a yard sale or send to Goodwill, but how much more wonderful it is to give it to others that you know share a love for cottage style?! These giveaways are also a great way to discover other inspiring blogs filled with great ideas! My blogroll will probably double after this year's giveaway is over and maybe yours will, too! For those of you who have shops, I think it's a wonderful way to promote your shop (and that's ok - nothing at all wrong with that! I encourage it!). Some shopkeepers are so generous in literally pulling items from their "shelves" to give away. Lastly, it's just so much fun both putting together "prizes" to give away and to also have a chance at winning one or more of the beautiful giveaways!

If you have any ideas, comments, or suggestions for future Cottage Charm Giveaways, please let me know! Thanks again to everyone!