All bloggers and designers know how expensive stock images can be and how easily that fee can deter a client from getting the design they truly want. Personally, I have looked for images for my blog’s redesign since last Summer, with no success. Ask Susan, she’ll tell you how frustrating it’s been for both of us. Two things are hampering my quest: money and finding the perfect image. Now my problems may be solved. Fotolia.com has offered me a thirty day subscription to their stock image site! I am so happy. You have no idea.

Free, quality photographs and vectors are a web designer’s dream. And Fotolia.com has some amazing images! This review couldn’t be any better, well unless I was offered, say, 1 million dollars or a mini-van to review and keep.

But I digress…

My review of this site includes five downloads per day for thirty days. Vector images count as three downloads and I am not allowed to get any videos, but I am very happy about this, nonetheless.

But, wait, there’s more…

Do you:

Need images for a blog design but don’t have the funds right now? Want to download more images than you have cash to buy?

Have I got a deal for you, my friends!

Fotolia has generously given me thirty-five 14-day subscriptions to give out to my readers. That’s right, THIRTY-FIVE of them.

*The two-week trial entitles you to download 3 images per day, but vector images count as THREE downloads. You cannot download any videos, but who wants to download someone else’s videos anyway?

All you have to do is comment on this post, making sure you fill out the email box in the comment section telling me what you will use the subscription for, promise to send me a brief review of your experience with Fotolia and I will send you the access code. This will be on a first come, first serve basis, so don’t delay. The first thirty-five peeps to comment get the goods.

Easiest thing you’ve ever gotten free, right? Right.

I only have one suggestion for those of you lucky enough to get the trial: find your images BEFORE you create an account. Copy the URL’s of the images you want & save them somewhere, then start your subscription. I know first hand how many hours can be lost  searching for images and your trial period could be up by the time you are ready to download. That would be sad.

FREE Stock Images For Your Design is a post from: Last Shreds Of Sanity | Blog Designer | California Mom Blog

My friend, April Showers, started this very cool site called The Blog Designer Network where bloggers and designers can get and share tips to make their blogs beautiful. Need some tech tutorials? Not sure where to find free fonts? Don’t understand how to make a header, much less add it to your site?

Check out The Blog Designer Network, join the forum and have fun. I’ll be posting tutorials there myself.

To launch this new site right and celebrate her merger with Beautiful Blog Designs, April is having a HUGE giveaway. Just check out the prizes:

Registration to the May edition of The Blog Designer Workshop by The BDN
6 Months of Advertising on the Blog Designer Network by The BDN
$25 Gift Certificate to Workshop(s) or Videos by The BDN
Custom Illustration by April Showers
Social Media Design Package by Laura Jane Designs
Genesis Theme Framework & Family Tree Child Theme by Mommy Monologues
$50 Blogger to WordPress Transfer (Genesis/Family Tree theme incl.) by Mommy Monologues
Vector Customizable Social Icons by Grey Bloom Designs
Basic Blog Layout by Custom Scrapbook Blog Designs
Genesis Theme Framework & Choice of Child Theme + Support by RFE Hosting
6 Months of Hosting by RFE Hosting
Domain Name Registration by RFE Hosting
Wufoo Membership by Zany Dezines
50% Off Any WordPress Package by Zany Dezines

How awesome is that? And I am now entered for every one of those prizes just for writing this post. Want to enter too? Write a post and then go leave your link here.

Awesome Giveaway At The Blog Designer Network is a post from: Last Shreds Of Sanity | Blog Designer | California Mom Blog

Yes, I know…I have been a bad blogger. I have not posted the giveaway linky in a few weeks. Life just…got away from me I suppose. But I’m back, er, it’s back, so link away my friends. Link away!

It’s time to list all your contests here at The Asylum. I don’t have time to search for giveaways anymore, because I’ve started my design business, Shan’s Shreds, so this makes it easier for me to check out what the latest ones are.

Link away, my friends. And come back here every Monday for a fresh Giveaway Mondays linky.

Happy entering, guys. May you all have a successful contests and may those that want to win cool items, win them.

Please leave a comment after linking. It’s just good manners, people. And it gives me the warm fuzzies when I see comments in my inbox.

This linky is for Monday, August 23, 2010.

PS: If you spam my linky, I will ban you. Both from my blog and Mr. Linky themselves. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.

Giveaway Mondays is a post from: Last Shreds Of Sanity | Blog Designer | California Mom Blog

1. Being Alison -6 winners - 4 $50 AMEX GCs and 6 BruiseMD Packs - 9/13 2. Being Alison - $5 DQ GC - 8/25 3. Being Alison -2 winners for SafetyTats - 8/27 4. Being Alison -Powermat - 8/31 5. Being Alison - Memphis Beat - 9/6 6. Cheryl- Executive Gift Shoppe 7. 2 Wired 2 Tired - Cafe Press Custom T-Shirt (8/26) 8. Three Different Directions - Monopoly Game (8/24)

9. Play That Now - Memphis Beat Tshirt & Hot Sauce (9/6) 10. Play That Now - Dinosaur Train DVD (9/2) 11. Musing Mainiac - Guidecraft Drivetimes Signs - ends 9/20 12. Musing Mainiac - IHOP Rooty Tooty Frsh and Fruity T-Shirt - ends 9/15 13. 2 Wired 2 Tired - Dakota's Personalized Gifts $50 GC (8/27) 14. A Hen's Nest - Seventh Generation "Back-to-School" kit 8/28 15. The Review Broads - 2 Winners - "Marmaduke" DVD - 9/7 16. AutismLearningFelt/Dinner & Ice Cream ends 8/30

17. My Little Review Corner - Blockbuster GC (Canada) 9/02 18. My Little Review Corner - Memphis Beat prize pack ends 09/10 19. Nolie's Place - K'Nex Big Building Tub 8/27 20. Nolie's Place - Amazing Hot Massager 8/27 21. Parazul Designer Classic Handbag ARV $250 22. You're next!

By now, you should all know the drill…

It’s time to list all your contests here at The Asylum. I don’t have time to search for giveaways anymore, because I’ve started my design business, Shan’s Shreds, so this makes it easier for me to check out what the latest ones are.

Link away, my friends. And come back here every Monday for a fresh Giveaway Mondays linky.

Happy entering, guys. May you all have a successful contests and may those that want to win cool items, win them.

Please leave a comment after linking. It’s just good manners, people. And it gives me the warm fuzzies when I see comments in my inbox.

This linky is for Monday, July 26, 2010.

PS:  If you spam my linky, I will ban you. Both from my blog and Mr. Linky themselves. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.

Giveaway Mondays is a post from: Last Shreds Of Sanity | Blog Designer | California Mom Blog

1. Momstateofmind- Disney Summer and Pool Safety DVD for kids 2. Momstateofmind- Breyers Smooth and Dreamy Ice Cream Coupon/ 7-30 3. A Shopper's Quest - Good Boy Roy TShirt (8/12)

4. Penguings of Madgascar Gift Pack (ends 7/31) 5. Nature Made SAM-e Complete (ends 8/5) 6. Seeds (6/27) LOW ENTRY

7. You're next!

By now, you should all know the drill…

It’s time to list all your contests here at The Asylum. I don’t have time to search for giveaways anymore, because I’ve started my design business, Shan’s Shreds, so this makes it easier for me to check out what the latest ones are.

Link away, my friends. And come back here every Monday for a fresh Giveaway Mondays linky.

Happy entering, kids. May you all have a successful contests and may those that want to win cool items, do so.

Please leave a comment after linking. It’s just good manners, people. And it gives me the warm fuzzies when I see comments in my inbox.

This linky is for Monday, July 12,2010. Which, coincidentally is my nephew’s 24th birthday.

Happy Birthday, Christopher, wherever you are {Would it kill you to call your Auntie and let her know you’re alive? Just sayin…}

Giveaway Mondays is a post from: Last Shreds Of Sanity | Blog Designer | California Mom Blog

1. Life With 4 Boys - Gotta Know Microphone 7/12 2. Life With 4 Boys - Orglamix Mineral Makeup 3. Life With 4 Boys - Trukid Sunny Days Sunscreen 7/22 4. Life With 4 Boys - Namaste Foods Gift Pack 7/22 5. Cheryl- KY

6. Airplanes&Dragonflies-Agoo 50% off Code & $50 Coupon Code Giveaway! (ends 7/16) 7. BusyWorkingMama – $40 NOVICA Gift Card (US 7/13) 8. BusyWorkingMama – Himalayan Salt Inhaler (US/CND 7/15) 9. BusyWorkingMama – Vivoderm Anti-Aging Mask $85 (US/CND 7/16) 10. BusyWorkingMama – Simply FaBOWlous Headband & Clip (US 7/18)

11. BusyWorkingMama – Happy Green Bee Clothes (US/CND 7/22) 12. BusyWorkingMama – Handmade Soaps/Scrubs/Lip Balms (US/CND 7/27) 13. BusyWorkingMama – Lovable Labels Camp Pack (US/CND 7/26) 14. Guess Spike's Weight & Win A Custom Header Design By StitchBlade! . 15. You're next!

By now, you should all know the drill…

It’s time to list all your contests here at The Asylum. I don’t have time to search for giveaways anymore, because I’ve started my design business,  Shan’s Shreds, so this makes it easier for me to check out what the latest ones are.

Link away, my friends. And come back here every Monday for a fresh Giveaway Mondays linky.

Happy entering, kids. May you all have a successful contests and may those that want to win cool items, do so.

Please leave a comment after linking. It’s just good manners, people. And it gives me the warm fuzzies when I see comments in my inbox.

This linky is for Monday, July 5,2010.

Giveaway Mondays is a post from: Last Shreds Of Sanity | Blog Designer | California Mom Blog

1. Being Alison -Brugo Mug - 7/13 2. Being Alison - $35 Fandango GC - 7/13 3. Being Alison - 5 winners - 3 $25 Amex GCs and 5 $50 Bruise MD - 7/12 4. AutismLearningFelt/$25 Gift Certificate ends 7/20 5. BusyWorkingMama – Smart & Sexy Lingerie Set $75 (US 7/11) 6. BusyWorkingMama – Daily SPF15 Emulsion (US/CND 7/12) 7. BusyWorkingMama – NOVICA $40 Gift Card (US 7/13) 8. BusyWorkingMama – Himalayan Salt Inhaler (US/CND 7/15) 9. BusyWorkingMama – Vivoderm Anti-Aging Mask $85 (US/CND 7/16) 10. CWM: Coby SNAPP Camcorder (7/12) 11. CWM: VTech V.Reader -7-12 12. Cheryl- Reach/Rembrandt 13. Musing Mainiac - Patriotic Pillow Pet 7/26 14. Musing mainiac - Green & Blacks Chocolate 7/14 15. Musing Mainiac - The Necromancer 7/8

16. Musing Mainiac - Seventh Generation 7/8 17. A to Zebra Celebrations @ The TaterTwins (7/10) 18. Zak! Designs Nibble Tray @ The TaterTwins (7/16) 19. Monogrammed Cosmetic Tote 7/10 20. Ocean Complete Sinus Irrigation 7/17 21. Funky Monkey Snacks and T Shirt 7/13 22. Sesame Street Firefly Friend and Buggy Buddies DVD 7/8 23. Lee Ritenour 6 String Theory Album Giveaway – Ends 07/14 24. Inspirational Bracelet by D.O.G.G. Giveaway – Ends 07/14 – Worldwi 25. Profoot Gift Bag Giveaway – Treat Your Feet! Ends 07/18 26. 1-lb of Organic Whole Golden Flaxseed – Ends 07/06 27. Colgate Care Pack Giveaway – Ends July 8th 28. Kenny G – Heart and Soul Album Giveaway – Ends 07/13 29. CnC - 3-month JumpStart Membership (7/18) 30. Deal-ectible Mom (Micralite Superlite FastFold Stroller)

31. Deal-ectible Mom (BuiltNY Stroller & Thirsty Tote-2 winners) 32. Deal-ectible Mom (6 month subscription to Zoodles) 33. $50 CSN Stores Gift Certificate Ends 7/26 (The Greer 5) 34. Oscar Mayer prize pack 35. Airplanes&Dragonflies-Agoo 50% off Code & $50 Coupon Code Giveaway! (ends 7/16) 36. Beccas Backyard - Wanchai Ferry Frozen Entree (7-7) 37. 50.00 Winkflash gift card 38. crayola chalkbaord puzzle 39. corel paint it 40. dispcable me soundtrack 41. good clean fun natural bath products 42. burgo coffee mug 43. rolled canvas giveaway 44. custom wall graphic 45. You're next!

It’s time to list all your contests here at The Asylum. I don’t seem to have time to search for giveaways anymore, now that I’ve started my design business, so this makes it easier for me to check out what the latest ones are.

Link away, my friends. And come back here every Monday for a fresh Giveaway Mondays linky.

Happy entering, kids. May you all have a successful contests and may those that want to win cool items, do so.

Please leave a comment after linking. It’s just good manners, people. And it gives me the warm fuzzies when I see comments in my inbox.

This linky is for Monday, June 28,2010.

Giveaway Mondays is a post from: Last Shreds Of Sanity | Blog Designer | California Mom Blog

1. Being Alison - JumpStart 3 month Membership - 7/7 2. BusyWorkingMama - Balloonatiks Kids DVD (US/CND 7/1) 3. BusyWorkingMama - Organic Body Wash (3 winners US 6/30) 4. BusyWorkingMama – Mineral Basics 15 Samples (Worldwide 7/4) 5. BusyWorkingMama – Mop Top Hair Care Kit (2 US winners 7/5) 6. BusyWorkingMama – Ah Goo Baby’s Plush Pad (US/CND 7/5)

7. BusyWorkingMama – Smart & Sexy Lingerie Set $75 (US 7/11) 8. BusyWorkingMama - Costume SuperCenter Membership (US 7/11) 9. BusyWorkingMama – Daily SPF15 Emulsion (US/CND 7/12) 10. Following In My Shoes - Leslie Sansone Walk Your Way Thin DVDS (7/6) 11. Following In My Shoes - Grocery Store Gift Card Giveaway (6/30) 12. Wanchai Ferry Frozen Entree and Tea Sets

13. TLORABT - $25 Vintage Pearl GC (7/1) 14. TLORABT - Brugo Mug (7/8) *LOW ENTRIES* 15. 2 Wired 2 Tired - BuiltNY Strolling Tote (6/30) 16. Learn to Dress Doll – Emma 10/1 17. You're next!

It’s time to list all your contests here at The Asylum. I don’t seem to have time to search for giveaways anymore, now that I’ve started my design business, so this makes it easier for me to check out what the latest ones are.

Link away, my friends. And come back here every Monday for a fresh Giveaway Mondays linky.

Happy entering, kids. May you all have a successful contests and may those that want to win cool items, do so.

Please leave a comment after linking. It’s just good manners, people. And it gives me the warm fuzzies when I see comments in my inbox.

Giveaway Mondays is a post from: Last Shreds Of Sanity | Blog Designer | California Mom Blog

1. Blommi ~ Eco Touch Car Care Kit 6/22 2. Blommi ~ $150 JCPenney Gift Card 6/24 3. Blommi ~ Jollys Garden Clogs 6/28 4. Blommi ~ Zuvo Water Purification System (ARV $300) 6/30 5. Blommi ~ Home safety Kit (ARV $100 ) 6/30 6. 2 Wired 2 Tired - $50 AMEX Gift Card, 2 Disney DVDs, & More! (6/25) 7. Being Alison- Colgate Smile Gift Pack- 7/2

8. Being Alison- Good Earth Gift Pack - 6/28 9. Being Alison- $20 EcoMom GC - 6/29 10. Being Alison- Tie Shirt or Crochet Hat - 6/30 11. Being Alison- iStyle Originals - 7/1 12. Being Alison- Sodastream - 7/5 13. Being Alison- $400 Summer Travel Pack - 7/5 14. Being Alison- 5 winners. $50 BruiseMD and $25 American Express Giftcards - 7/12

15. Following In My Shoes - $25 Grocery Store Gift Card (6/30) 16. TechyDad - Geek Dad book 17. Mom State Of Mind- Pop Art Minis Totebag Ends 6/25 18. The Art of Random Willy-Nillyness-$75 Novica GC 19. It's All Free Online-Backyard Sports:Sandlot Sluggers for Wii (6/23) 20. Sippy Cup Mom-Mother is Love Necklave, Ends 6/28 21. You're next!

I have been wanting to do this for a while, but have not had a chance to get it up, so please welcome the newest feature at the Asylum, Giveaway Mondays.

I love contests. I love winning things. But with all my work as a blog designer, blogger, Mom and wife, I do not have time to search them out like I used to. So I thought this would be a good way to get them all in one place so I can take a gander at what is out there and so that others can do the same.

Please list your contest for the week of June 13, 2010 on the Mr. Linky below in this format:

Name of the giveaway (name of the item) , ending date

I will put a new post up each Monday morning for you to list your new giveaways.

Start posting!

Giveaway Mondays is a post from: Last Shreds Of Sanity | Blog Designer | California Mom Blog

1. Being Alison - Good Earth Gift Pack - 6/28 2. ThreeDifferentDirections - Country Time Lemonade - 6/27 3. 2 Wired 2 Tired - JumpStart Family Fitness Wii Game (6/18) 4. CnC|Vistaprint Invitations, Ends 6/20 5. Volkswagon Summer Road Travel Survival Pack (6/30) 6. KLZart @ The TaterTwins (6/25)

7. Zulily @ The TaterTwins (6/27) 8. Being Alison - Sodastream - 7/5 9. Being Alison - $20 EcoMom GC - 6/29 10. Mommyhood Unscripted: $40 Gift Certificate to use at ANY CSN 200 Stores 11. Being Alison - Summer Travel Pack worth $400 - 7/5 12. LB&TT ~ $25 Eden Fantasys GC 6/23

13. Eureka! 9 Person Family Tent ($279 ARV!) 14. Simply Stacie- $20 Amazon GC- 6/15 15. All Things Mamma - Kirkland's Basket 6/25 16. The Family Saver $25 CVS Gift Card Giveaway 17. 2 Wired 2 Tired - Sunglass Warehouse $20 GC (7/28) 18. You're next!

I finally have my 2009 Christmas Gift Guide up and ready to go. I have many cool things on it, just keep checking back each day for more. Please grab the button below to be eligible for any of the giveaways I will have going on. What’s In Santa’s Sleigh today is Disney On Ice: Worlds Of Fantasy Family Four Pack of Tickets.

• Leave a comment on this post telling me why you would like to see Disney On Ice. Make sure to leave your email address and PLEASE do not enter if you do not either live in the LA area or will be in the area on December 22, 2009.
• Follow me on Google Friend Connect {On my sidebar}
• Subscribe to Last Shreds Of Sanity through FeedBurner

<center><a href="http://redirectingat.com?id=20541X781770&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lastshredsofsanity.com&sref=rss"><img border="0" src="http://lastshredsofsanity.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/WhatsInSantasSleigh20092.png" title="Whats In Santas Sleigh?: Disney On Ice Worlds Of Fantasy Family Pack Giveaway {Closed}" alt="WhatsInSantasSleigh20092 Whats In Santas Sleigh?: Disney On Ice Worlds Of Fantasy Family Pack Giveaway {Closed}" /></a></center>

What’s In Santa’s Sleigh?: Disney On Ice Worlds Of Fantasy Family Pack Giveaway {Closed} is a post from: Last Shreds Of Sanity | Blog Designer | California Mom Blog