Over the past couple of months, I’ve really been enjoying the opportunity to meet more and more Canadian bloggers. In doing so, I was introduced to a tradition that started three years ago called The Great Canadian Blog Bash. Started up by three Canadian bloggers, the idea is to showcase Canadian pride via a blog post (which I will do shortly) as well as to showcase Canadian products and services via an all-Canadian giveaway (this post!).
The gals behind The Great Canadian Blog Bash have put together a fabulous prize package worth almost $1,700! It includes such Canadian classics as Tim Horton’s and Green Beaver, as well as some cool experiences such as Safari Niagara. So go on and enter that one too — I’d love to see a Coffee with Julie reader win!
Please note that if you are a friend or family member, you are also welcome to join in all of my giveaways! I know many of you hesitate, but hey, you’ve been reading this blog since day one and I owe ya’! I think it’s only fair.
Prize #1: The Canadian Homeowner Prize Pack (total value of $140)
This prize pack will help add those special Canadian touches and warmth to your home! It includes a $100 HBC gift certificate, a conversation-starter game for families ($10), and a lathe-turned wooden bowl with live edge made from a Maple burl ($30).
First up is a $100 gift certificate to Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC) from a Canadian company that knows exactly what it takes to make a dream home. Ottawa’s Shellstar Homes has been making family’s dreams come true for more than 40 years in Ottawa and its surrounding communities. Whether you’re looking for a custom-designed home or a renovation to your existing home, Shellstar Homes provides the personal, one-on-one service that makes what can be a daunting process into a fun and enjoyable one with beautiful results. (Trust me, I’ve personally been in many Shellstar Homes and they are drool-worthy!)
Patti, who owns Tag Along Toys (aka the best darn local toy store around!), introduced me to this game called “Spark Your Imagination” ($10). Created by a Canadian mom, these cards feature 50 open-ended scenarios which are designed to kick-start imagination, encourage problem-solving, and get kids talking. It’s exactly this kind of game that keeps me returning again and again to Tag Along Toys. The store works hard to stock the very best and most engaging toys and games for kids. (You can find some more of our family’s favourite games here, most of which are available via Tag Along Toy’s online shop.)
This sweet little creation is truly Canadian, a wooden bowl turned from a burl on a Maple tree ($30). The patterning in the wood is just like Canada — beautiful, fascinating, and a little rough around the edges! It is the perfect size to drop keys into on your way into your home or to leave beside your bed for jewelry. You can’t use it for food since it has natural holes and a live edge, but I’m sure you can find a creative way to add it to your home’s decor. (This is from Hubby’s workshop; you can see more of his work here and here.)
Prize #2: The Canadian Small Business Prize Pack (total value of $345)
I know that many of you are small business owners and/or bloggers, so this prize pack is just for you! There’s inspiration and coaching ($75), combined with the basic business basics of security monitoring ($45) and advertising ($225). Put the two together and you’ve added some extra spark to your business!
Whatever your business, blogging is increasingly a business essential. Veteran blogger Andrea Tomkins is a friend and mentor to me. She’s been actively blogging since 1999 and offers blog coaching sessions to clients across Canada — in person or via skype. For this giveaway, she is offering a 1 hour session (valued at $75) completely tailored to you – your blog, your experience, your needs and requirements!
Camcloud is a cool new Canadian tech company that makes it easy (and seriously affordable!) to use video monitoring in your home or small business. All you need is a webcam and a computer and it literally just takes minutes to get set-up. Once you’re set-up, you can look at your video monitor on any computer or even on your smart phone! I know the founders of this company, so it makes me very happy to see the great industry buzz they’ve been getting. For this prize, Camcloud will provide a 3-month Premium Plan, which is a value of $45.
And last, and in this case, maybe least, I will also kick into this prize pack! I am very grateful for the community that this blog has created and would be honoured to offer a direct advertising space here on the Coffee with Julie blog for 3 months, which is a $225 value. (Does not include graphic design.)
This contest is now closed and the two lucky winners have been contacted and issued their prizes.
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