Win My Illustrated Seed Packets!

Last year I illustrated the covers for over 40 Lilly Miller seed packets, and yesterday I received seventeen of them (two of each) in the mail just in time for my birthday. Since Ferry Morse was purchased by another company, many went unreleased, but I am beyond thrilled to know that at least seventeen of them saw the light of day. So to celebrate I'll be giving all seventeen of them to you!.




Seeing the drawings on the seed packets was a strange sensation, because I could recall every layer and line of colored pencil from when they were first drawn; at my mother's bedside in the ICU, on my coffee table and in waiting rooms. I remember it all. I remember my mom showing them off to nurses, and I remember sharpening pencils from morning until night.

For each vegetable I drew, I tried to eat one as a reference so that I could capture the juiciness of a tomato or the crisp snap of a baby carrot. It was by drawing vegetables that they finally came to be appreciated. The illustration below was going to be the header for the whole seed rack display, and drawing each vegetable required several staged shots using produce from the grocery store. It was delicious!

If you're looking to buy your own, they are a lot rarer now that there have been cutbacks. I've been told that select Lowes and Ryan Turner stores in the Northwest and Midwest have them on display, and other than that I've found some by searching on eBay. All of this rarity translates into collectability! Besides my own illustrations, you'll see work from Jane Schwartz Gates and a few other talented artists.

But enough about me - you want to win some fancy seed packets!



How Do I Win?

It's really easy, and everyone will have a chance. Simply leave a comment on this post to be entered in the drawing for the day.

Every day for the next 17 days, I will choose one winner each day. You may enter once a day.

In the column to the right, you will be able to see which illustrated seed packet is being given away for the day, as well as who won on previous days.

Any prizes unclaimed after the last day of the contest will be forfeit, and a new winner will be chosen in their place.

You'll have 17 chances to win, so I would love it if you could share this contest (and my art) with your friends!

I was going to give them all away as a single prize package, but thought it would be a lot more fun if everyone had a better chance of winning. Have fun!

Ferry Morse provided these seeds at no cost to me. Any views or opinions expressed on this blog are my own.

167 comments:

  1. You're an amazing artist Steve! I am glad to have gotten to know you through the driftseed circuit and have enjoyed watching you online as you created these works of art.

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  2. Gorgeous! I'm sharing too. :) (Sandra Knauf--Greenwoman Magazine)

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  3. Sign me up! I'm hoping to go to Lowe's this weekend, hopefully they will have your seed packets. If they have them, I'll send you some photos. Oh, and I will definitely be sharing this!

    Amy

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  4. Such beautiful seed packets!! Would love to win one!!!!

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  5. Cool. Would love to win one

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  6. those are beautiful! i'd love to win one, and i will definitely be sharing this~

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  7. A light wind swept over the corn, and all nature laughed in the sunshine.
    ~Anne Bronte

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  8. I love your artwork, Steve. I'll share on Facebook :)

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  9. These are lovely, and would look great matted and framed! (After being emptied of course...)

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  10. These are lovely, and would look great matted and framed. (After using the seeds of course!)

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  11. Wow how great. At first I thought each seed pack had a photo on it. Your art is amazing. :) You should sign the packet also! Thank you for sharing.

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  13. Not only are you very talented but are able to make a living with your artwork, congrats. Who knew that seed packets could be a work of art, lol. Very beautiful!

    Best wishes,

    Sheri
    www.pompanobeachgardening.blogspot.com

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  14. lovely artwork...what an ideal way to combine your passions for gardening and creating art!

    sherry
    sherryboas.com

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  15. your art is fab...and seed packets too :)

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  16. oh I wish to win one of these lovelies!!

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  17. I want to win one of these packets!

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    Replies
    1. You were the winner for day 2, Mike! Email your address to steve_asbell@yahoo.com and I'll ship it out on Monday.

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    2. I received the Purple Coneflower packet. Love it! Thanks again for a fun contest and sharing your awesome artwork!

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  18. Round two! Love it Steve

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  19. Ooh, I love purple coneflower and you did a great job capturing their personality!

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  20. It's me Ed, Steve! My favorite are the yellow pear tomatoes; looks like I could just reach out and pick them!

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  21. These are beautiful, and for you provide such wonderful memories. I'd love to win! Thanks for offering these.

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  22. They are very beautiful! Would love to win.

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  23. "I think it pisses God off if you walk by the color purple in a field somewhere and don't notice it.'
    ~Alice Walker

    Beautiful coneflower, Steve
    -Melissa Gould

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  24. Love these peas!

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  25. "I always eat my peas with honey;
    I've done it all my life.
    They do taste kind of funny but
    It keeps them on my knife."
    ~Anonymous

    Beautiful bush peas rendering...love this!
    - Melissa Gould

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  26. Love the contest......and I like peas too....raw or cooked.

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  27. I would LOVE to win this seed packet brawn by such a wonderful & talented guy!

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  28. Would love this and the students at the school too!

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  29. I Love your art. Your seed packet art reminds me of a poster I refuse to part with of Johnny Appleseed making a difference- used in a Decatur, Al. Chamber of commerce campaign type poster. Keep up the beautiful work and thanks for sharing some history surrounding You and this art. Lisa

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  30. Beautiful art! Would love to have one!

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  31. elizabethkyle@rocketmail.comMarch 17, 2013 at 3:55 PM

    Your work is absolutely beautiful! I would be very proud to have a sampling of your art in my home.

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  32. count me in! Seaheart88!

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    Replies
    1. Don't give up, Ed! You were so supportive while I was drawing these!

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  33. Oh how beautiful they are - you wont be able to send them to Australia, so I will enjoy them here....

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    1. If you keep entering and I draw your name, I'm sure I'll at least be able to send you the empty seed packet at least, right? I'm sure we could work SOMETHING out.

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  34. Steve..you continue to amaze. I loved your packets as you did them.

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  36. Steve..you continue to amaze. I loved your packets as you did them and am soo glad your work is now seen "in real life" as people purchase seeds. ...Bonnie

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  37. A tree is known by its fruit; a man by his deeds. A good deed is never lost; he who sows courtesy reaps friendship, and he who plants kindness gathers love.
    ~Saint Basil

    (closest I could come to a Basil quote...lol)

    -Melissa Gould

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  38. Steve, great contest idea. Glad to enter!

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  39. Great work Steve; love the seed packs!

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  40. OK applying for todays give away! Love all your items ;)

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  41. You are a very talented artist Steve !!

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  42. Awesome artist you are & I would love to share the seeds in my garden of my new home.

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  43. Open afresh your round of starry folds,
    Ye ardent marigolds!
    Dry up the moisture from your golden lips.
    ~John Keats

    Marigolds are such happy flowers.
    -Melissa Gould

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  44. I just planted some marigolds last week; love 'em. I like your drawing too even if you don't. The squiggly lines nailed it for the marigolds!

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  45. Im still in love with your drawings; even after all these years! So glad you found a happy calling in gardening & illustrating. :)

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    1. Thanks Candice! I forget why I never joined the art club back then...

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  46. Love the drawings!! I remember when you use to draw in High school also :)

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    Replies
    1. You won, Jess! I'm so glad you remember me from high school too... I was pretty shy and socially awkward back then. Email your addy to steve_asbell@yahoo.com and I'll get the packet sent out to you!

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  47. These illustrations are gorgeous! Crossing my fingers for a win!

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  48. Today's prize is a packet of Lilly Miller Roma tomato seeds.

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  49. I love tomatoes. Another beautiful packet!

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  50. Beautiful! I would love to enter!

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  51. Just beautiful! You are very talented! Love this giveaway because I have a big garden that I plant every year, so glad its the first day of Spring! Time to get outside, put the gardening gloves on and start planting!

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  52. I'm in Steve! Woo Hooo!

    Ed

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  53. I'm entering on behalf of Ellen Bender! The comment box isn't showing up on her computer.

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  54. "It's difficult to think anything but pleasant thoughts while eating a homegrown tomato."
    ~Lewis Grizzard

    -Melissa Gould

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    1. I love your quotes, Melissa! I really hope you win, because you definitely put forth a lot of thoughtful effort.

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    2. I'm having fun! Glad you have enjoyed them.
      (Lord, let there be a beet quote SOMEWHERE) haha

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    3. You are permitted to use a 'beat' quote if you choose. :)

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    4. Actually....I did find a beet quote. :D

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  55. Thanks for chance to win your drawing, and pumpkins.

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    1. You won the pumpkins! Congrats!

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    2. Email your address to steve_asbell@yahoo.com and I'll send it out within the next week or so!

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  56. Love your tutorials! I was curious if you had an update for the Epiphytic cacti yet?

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  57. Is today pumpkin day? I want the pumpkin artwork...errr. I mean seeds. I promise to frame it. H.

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  58. I would rather sit on a pumpkin and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion.
    ~Henry David Thoreau

    -Melissa Gould :)

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  59. Your art is amazing! Only a person who can see creation clearly can draw it so well!
    Annie Fenton

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  60. Oh Please pick me! :) These are really lovely!!

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    Replies
    1. HI Steve! I emailed you my address, I hope that you received it. I am so happy I won. thank you
      lois

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  61. If i won, I would use the seeds and frame the seed packet!

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  62. Absolutely lovely, I love your drawings :)

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  63. Thank you for the chance to win your Alyssum drawing and seeds.

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  64. A-mazing! Thank you for sharing your art with us.

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  65. Thank you for entering and saying lots of nice stuff, everyone! I'm entering for Ellen again since the comment box doesn't show up on her computer.

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  66. I'm in it to win it. Thanks for this contest of your cool artwork.

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  67. Fair is the slim brocade of dainty lace
    The sweet alyssum weaves along each bed
    All, all is fair within the garden's bound;
    No sweeter or more lovely spot, I ween, could e'er
    be found.
    ~John Russell Hayes

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  68. Beautiful work, Steve.. Congratulations!

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    1. Kim, you won the lettuce seeds! Send your address to steve_asbell@yahoo.com and I'll send it out in the next week or so!

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  69. Beautiful work...

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  70. Great art Steve; the squiggles have returned with the lettuce. "Happy little squiggles!"--William Alexander

    Ed

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  71. "When you plant lettuce, if it does not grow well, you don't blame the lettuce. You look into the reasons it is not doing well. It may need fertilizer, or more water, or less sun. You never blame the lettuce. Yet if we have problems with our friends or our family, we blame the other person. But if we know how to take care of them, they will grow well, like lettuce. Blaming has no positive effect at all, nor does trying to persuade using reason and arguments. That is my experience. No blame, no reasoning, no argument, just understanding. If you understand, and you show that you understand, you can love, and the situation will change."
    ~Thich Nhat Hanh

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  72. Steve...I was looking at Ferry Morse packets this week and I said...those are not Steve's... glad I came on here to look... I love your drawings...will need to scout around and see if there are any in my area... so happy for you :) CLD in KS

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  73. “Beet ever so onion there snow peas legume.”
    ~Margaret Thornley

    hehehe....love this one!

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  74. This beet drawing is awesome.....my favorite.....so far.....I think.

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  75. Shoot, I keep forgetting to enter! I'm in for the beets ;)

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  76. I love beets : ) And all your illustrations !
    CLD in KS

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  77. Cauliflower is nothing but cabbage with a college education.

    ~Mark Twain

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    1. You won the cauliflower, Melissa!

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    2. Yay!!!! Thank you, Steve! Such exquisite detail...I absolutely love it, my friend.

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  78. Beautiful artwork. How could anyone not love these vegetables? PS I love cauliflower. (And thank you, Melissa, I've really enjoyed the quotes!)

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  79. I'm in for the cauliflower packet.

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  80. I would love any of these. They are so beautiful!

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  81. "I never worry about diets. The only carrots that interest me are the number you get in a diamond."
    ~ Mae West

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  82. Baby carrots. yes!

    Jennie Brooks

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    1. You won, Jennie! Email you shipping address to steve_asbell@yahoo.com and I'll ship your seed packet out as soon as I'm able.

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  83. I love carrots ! These look so delicious : )

    I am enjoying the quotes posted by Melissa !

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  84. Sunflowers just lovely : ) happy flowers : )
    CLD

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  85. The sunflower packet is beautiful!

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  86. Beautiful artwork Steve! What a generous give-away! Fingers crossed. :-) christine

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    1. Christine, you won the sunflower packet! Just send your address to steve_asbell@yahoo.com and I'll send it out with the rest!

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  87. "Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow. It's what sunflowers do."
    ~ Helen Keller

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  88. I am so ready to start my garden this year! These seed packets are gorgeous!

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    1. Renee, you won the mesclun seed packet! Send your addy to steve_asbell@yahoo.com and I'll send it out with the rest!

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  89. Steve, I got my yellow pears from Amazon; very cool art....the sweet meats squash wasn't your artwork--I took the chance, but I am still interested in growing them next winter; they look yummy. Have a Great time making Chinese food! Ed

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    1. I got mine too, Ed! Looks like according to an ad for Fred Myers and an eyewitness, they used others that we didn't receive as well. :)

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  90. I had to smile when I read how you immersed yourself in your work by tasting the vegetables. Thanks for sharing your talent with others.

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  91. Very interesting website! I love Turmeric post! You got yourself another follower! :)

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  92. Gorgeous! You are so gifted. I would love to win your cucumber seeds and art :) - JSwann

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  93. I need to travel to a Lowe's and see if I find your packets : ) I think all your illustrations are very life like : ) Love cucumbers !

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  94. “To see cucumbers in a dream denotes that you will speedily fall in love. Or, if you are in love, then you will marry the object of your affection.”
    ~Richard Folkard in 'Plant Lore' (1884)

    okay folks, now stop....no jokes about cucumbers being "the object of your affection" Lol!

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    1. Oh my stars!! I am never this lucky....thank you so much, Steve! Can't wait to frame these little seed packages up and hang them in my sunroom. What makes these doubly special, is the fact that YOU drew them. So very happy to know you, dear garden friend!

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  95. I love your artwork. It is absolutely beautiful. Drawing and gardening are two great passions of mine.

    Sharon D

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  96. Oregano is an herb we use all the time.

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  97. I grow all the herbs that I use. I dry and freeze them for use throughout the year. Your packets are gorgeous. Sure wish I would win one.

    Sharon D.

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  98. Count me in! I love these seeds!

    Ed

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    1. You won the oregano! Thank you so much for entering so much and supporting me, Ed!

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    2. Woooo Hooooo; I am just coming to realize I won these oregano seeds! I cannot wait to plant these as I have been craving a big pot of oregano that I can harvest from as needed. I love seeds!

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  99. Mike, what's up!? Aren't these seeds great; Steve's a great artist. Cannot wait to see the Symposium shirt design he'll come up with. Well, count me in again Steve if the contest is still on....Ed

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    1. Yes, Ed, I agree the artwork on Steve's seed packets is way cool! I'm sure his T-shirt will be awesome too. I don't garden any more because I'm always traveling. When I was a kid my Mom would always place a big order for seeds every spring from Henry Fields Seed Catalog. It was just like Christmas when she got the big box of seeds and she would let us kids help her plant the gardens. :)

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    2. A box of seeds would have been Christmas for me :) I used to love to get the Frito Lay chips that had seeds on them :)

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  101. Thank you for a chance to win your wonderful artwork and Cherry tomato seeds.

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  102. I hope I win the beautiful packet of tomato seeds! - Justina

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  103. I love tomatoes and the artwork on these is breathtaking.

    Sharon D.

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  104. Just found your website today. Your illustrations are beautiful and brought sunshine on a overcast day. Thank you!

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  105. I love tomatoes. Count me in for this packet!

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  106. I love your site! The paintings really are beautiful and your terrariums are gorgeous! Keep it up!

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  107. Nice artwork. Especially like the passion vine.

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  108. I was so sad to see the contest had ended! I just stumbled upon your site and I must say, I am very impressed! I am currently building my blog for Smoky Mountain Driftwood & I just love your site & I'm taking notes! I enjoyed reading your stories, spending time focused on the project at hand. I also enjoyed looking to see the amazing next thing. I loved the whole experience & I thank you for the great advice! I'll be back!

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  109. i enjoyed your illustrations and articles very much. I also have drawn and painted many flowering plants and herbs over my lifetime. As a fellow artist, may I say, your work is very beautiful and shows a love all nature.

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Please feel free to share your questions, ideas and suggestions!