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.
Seriously, marvelous site design! The span of time have you been running a blog intended for? you create blogs search straightforward. The complete appear of your respective web site is fantastic, along with the material!
Prize #1 would be wonderful! I have two other beautiful turned wooden bowls and a third would be great. The Bay card would be so handy as towels are in short supply here and the game would lead to a lot of laughter I am certain! Thanks!
Oh, prize number one!! I think I may be ‘blogging’ at my new school but not at this level!!! Lol
What a great idea! I might have to do it next year too!
I would like the Canadian Homeowner prize pack – love the game idea!
I’d also have to go for prize pack number one – I am addicted to The Bay, seriously. I’d like to say I’d spend it all on Hudson Bay themed coloured stuff, because I LOVE THAT, but my blender died yesterday (20 years, may it RIP), so it’s on the agenda.
Plus, we’re taking a massive road trip this year to the maritimes – that game sure would come in handy!
Very cool idea! Thanks for sharing, Julie!
Love to win prize #1!
Prize #1 would be very handy!
Although my site could use the second prize, I am going to put my happiness first and say that I’d like to win The Canadian Homeowner Prize Pack
Would love to win the homeowners prize pack
WOW!
Love all the prizes.
I would love to play the game with my Grandaughter!
One of my daughter’s is moving, so The Bay gift would be amazing!
Thanks for the oppurtunity, Julie.
Would love to have Miss Fish mentor me and help me with my blog, wow what amazing prizes!!
I would love to win the Prize #1: The Canadian Homeowner Prize Pack
I’d love to win prize pack #1.
I’d like to win Prize Package #1. I’d give the game to my nieces and nephews, I’d use the gift certificate to buy myself some new underwear, and I’d make salad every single night!
Prize 1
I would love to wine pkg. #1
Prize #1
Prize no. 1 would be wonderful!
I don’t have a blog, and I do have a home, so I’d like to win the Homeowner Prize Pack.
prize 1. I don’t have a blog, or a small business, but I live in a house
Thanks for the chance.
As a fellow blogger, it’s hard to pass up the Blog coaching with Andrea. I attended her round table session at the Social Capital Conference in Ottawa and it was great. I know I could learn a lot more from Andrea
Thanks for some great giveaways, Julie! Happy Canada Day!
Prize #1 would help me to update my patio for the summer at the bay
I would love to win prize pack #1
The Canadian Home Owners prize pack
pack #1
Prize #1: The Canadian Homeowner Prize Pack would be my first and #2 my second choice
The Canadian Homeowner Prize Pack please
I’d like to win Prize #1: The Canadian Homeowner Prize Pack
I’d love to win Prize #1 – The Canadian Homeowner Prize Pack
Hmmmm both prizes are great. Can I pick either??
Prize Pack #2 would be fabulous!!!
I’d to win the love the homeowners prize pack! (#1!)
The Canadian Homeowner Prize Pack
Thank you so much for the chance to win awesome prizes. I love package number 1 The Canadian Homeowner Prize Pack as I am expecting our first little bundle of joy this late Fall. I hope to begin shopping for my little baby to be this Summer as I head into the third trimester in a months time. We are so over the moon as my pregnancy took years of fighting endometriosis, miscarriages, surgeries and numerous fertility treatments. We love shopping at The Bay as they always have quality made items. Our family loves to play games but we don’t get the chance often enough so the game prize would be super for us. I love natural products and nature and the bowl would be perfect in my kitchen. Fingers crossed Twitter fan@plumerea
number #1
I love all of them, but the business package is awesome.
Prize pack #1 would be fantastic!
I will be settling into a new home halfway across Canada in September, so I would love to win the homeowners prize pack!
The Homeowner’s prize pack would be perfect!
I would love to win the first prize!
Prize #1: The Canadian Homeowner Prize Pack
I would like prize pack #1. Thanks for the chance!
What amazing prizes! I think I would pick #2, but it’s so close!
I’d pick prize 1:)
I like the homeowner prize pack (#1)
I’d love the homeowner prize pack!
What a fun one! I’m sure one day I’ll get the blogging bug back *g*
Prize pack #1!