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150 Additional Prizes to be Awarded in Augmented Reality Instant-Win Game Including Martha's Newest Book - Everyday Food: Fresh Flavor Fast

Valpak, one of the leading direct marketing companies in North America, and Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia today announced a new sweepstakes which will be tied to upcoming episodes of "The Martha Stewart Show" (distributed by NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution/check local listings).  Viewers will be rewarded simply for watching the show each weekday, with the chance to win a VIP trip to see Martha live in-person during the New York taping of the "The Martha Stewart Show."

The sweepstakes will run from February 22 through April 9.  To enter, viewers must watch "The Martha Stewart Show" each weekday and then go to marthastewart.com/viptrip to enter the name of the guest that appeared on the show that on that day.  

During the sweepstakes promotion, more than 40 million households will receive a Martha Stewart-branded Valpak signature Blue Envelope® in the mail.  Each envelope will feature a large black and white "M" symbol printed on the right side of the Valpak envelope that accesses an augmented reality instant win message.  Recipients with webcams are instructed to visit the official sweepstakes web page at marthastewart.com/viptrip and hold the black and white "M" symbol up to their webcam to find out if it is recognized by the sweepstakes web page as one of the 150 instant winners of Martha Stewart's new book titled Everyday Food:  Fresh Flavor Fast.  

After finding out if they have been selected as an instant winner, all recipients will be able to preview what is coming up on "The Martha Stewart Show" and will then be thanked for taking part in the sweepstakes by Martha Stewart herself through augmented videos.  Recipients of an envelope without a webcam can still play the Instant Win game by clicking on the "No webcam" button on the sweepstakes web page.  This instant-win contest represents a first in Augmented Reality technology use in this space.

"The interactive sweepstakes is a fun opportunity for "The Martha Stewart Show" to use Valpak's iconic Blue Envelope® to help Martha effectively reach her fans on several levels," said Deanna Willsey, director of corporate communications for Valpak.  "With multi-dimensional sweepstakes such as these, Valpak continues to establish its position as forward thinking in the digital space and as a leader in the direct marketing industry."

The Sweepstake Official Rules may be obtained at www.valpak.com or by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Valpak's "Win A VIP Trip to The Martha Stewart Show" Sweepstakes, P.O. Box 13428, St. Petersburg, Florida 33733, Attn: Promotions Department.  The sweepstakes are open to all persons who are age 18 and over, and are legal U.S. residents to residents of Canada (excluding Quebec) who have reached the age of majority in their province of residence at time of entry. The sweepstakes are void where prohibited or restricted.

For more information about "The Martha Stewart Show" visit www.marthastewart.com.  For more information about advertising in the Valpak Blue Envelope or for printable coupons for restaurants, groceries, auto care and more visit www.Valpak.com.

A unique and talented group of more than 18 North Shore artisans are hosting Harbor Holidays at The Boston Yacht Club on Saturday, November 21, 2009 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at 1 Front Street in Marblehead, Massachusetts. Admission to the event is free and there is ample parking.

"This is a great opportunity to sail through your holiday shopping, enjoy the panoramic views of the beautiful, historic Marblehead Harbor, while enjoying a cup of warm chowder," said Patsy Wiswell, Harbor Holidays co-chair.

All of the vendors are local artists with crafts including unique jewelry, chic clothing, fine art, hand-painted furniture, and hand blown glass. This year's show includes work from Patsy Kane, Lucky Fish, TQOF Jewelry, Landfall Gallery, Old Town Nantucket Baskets, Martha Everson Photography, Bass Point Wildcrafting, Le T, Peapod Fashions, and more!

There will be chowder for sale and The Balloon Man will be on hand from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for the kids.

In addition, during the Harbor Holidays, the Marblehead nonprofit, Community of Friends is kicking off its 2009 Stocking Drive to help more than 500 children. Volunteers are needed to help fill handcrafted stockings with loving gifts for the underserved children. The organization's mission is to provide practical necessities, outreach services and enriching experiences to our neighbors in need. For more information on Community of Friends, please visit their website: www.communityoffriends.org

"Please come and pick up a stocking to fill for Community of Friends and make a child in need's holiday special," added Wiswell.

For more information regarding Harbor Holidays, contact Patsy Wiswell at 781-631-4677.

SOURCE Harbor Holidays

MOUNT DORA'S 25th ANNUAL CRAFTS FAIR - This year's annual two-day Craft Fair in Mount Dora, Florida promises to be one of the best ever, and certainly one of the biggest as it welcomes over 250,000 visitors who come to see, experience and purchase the special handicrafts and products produced by the nearly 400 hundred crafters who will be displaying their artistic talents and unique wares at the event. This year's craft fair will be held, once again, in the streets of Historic Downtown Mount Dora on Saturday, October 24th & Sunday, October 25th, 2009 from 9am until 5pm.

The Annual Mount Dora Craft Fair event is presented by the Mount Dora Village Merchants & Business Association (MDVMBA), a non-profit organization responsible for promoting Mount Dora. MDVMBA is happy to announce that they are "paying forward" by also promoting the efforts of other local, not-for-profit groups by inviting them to participate in the Craft Fair at no cost to their respective organizations.

These hard working non-profit groups will be set-up to fund raise and promote their respective organizations and share information about the efforts and good deeds that they perform on so many levels for their community. The groups showing (and in some cases offering and selling their wares to interested customers in order to raise money for their organizations) are: The Eustis Service League, The Mount Dora Lions Club, Lakes Cares, Friends of The Ice House Theater, Lake Dora Area Women's Club, Kiwanis Club of Mount Dora, Lake County Quilters Guild, Mount Dora Middle School, The City of Mount Dora Water Department - Water Conservation, The Mount Dora Music Festival, Florida Lakes Symphony Orchestra, and Central Florida's Blood Centers' BIG RED BUS will be there on Saturday from 11am to 4pm in an attempt to break the one day blood drive record! All individual are urged to donate as Central Florida is experiencing an urgent blood shortage, so "give the gift of life - Blood!"

The 25th Annual Mount Dora Craft Fair event is presented by the Mount Dora Village Merchants & Business Association, a non-profit organization responsible for promoting Mount Dora. - SORRY, NO PETS ALLOWED during the event.

SOURCE Mount Dora Village Merchants & Business Association

Following the successful launch of the Craft & Hobby Association's (CHA's) Craft SuperShow consumer event in Orlando, Florida this past summer, CHA is pleased to announce the next venue for the Craft SuperShow will be the Anaheim Convention Center, January 22 - 23, 2010. The Craft SuperShow is scheduled immediately preceding the 69th Annual CHA Winter Convention & Trade Show in California.

The Craft SuperShow was designed to introduce people to new crafts by providing a venue where crafters are exposed to all different types of crafts. The objective is to provide cross-promotional opportunities for crafters where knitters can get hooked on scrapbooking, scrapbookers can try quilting, quilters can experiment with beading, and so on. The formula works as demonstrated through Orlando SuperShow attendees who reported 63 percent tried a new craft at the SuperShow and 85 percent were planning a purchase relative to trying a new craft.

While most craft shows focus on one or two segments of crafts, the Craft SuperShow educates and inspires crafters with a broad range of craft projects. The SuperShow has demonstrated consumers want more crafts, not only from scrapbooking companies, but from across all sectors of the craft and hobby industry. From knitting to scrapbooking and art materials, this Show gives people an opportunity to learn, create and buy. Thousands of craft enthusiasts will be able to buy the hottest craft products and projects, take professional-grade workshops from craft industry experts, witness and participate in product demonstrations from leading manufacturers, meet celebrity crafters, and enjoy the family-friendly activities that cross generations.

CHA anticipates even greater attendance and wider support from consumers and craft companies due to its location in the greater Los Angeles area. Approximately 10,000 - 12,000 attendees are expected at the Craft SuperShow in Anaheim. SuperShow exhibitors will be comprised of CHA members and other businesses from the manufacturer, retailer, designer, professional crafter and publisher sectors of the craft and hobby industry.

"CHA looks forward to introducing another successful Craft SuperShow in Anaheim," explained Steve Berger, CHA President & CEO. "Based on our success in Orlando, we know we can provide crafters not only with the products and crafts they want, but by introducing crafters to a new, broad range of crafts we have an opportunity to incrementally grow the entire craft and hobby industry."

SuperShow Hours:

January 22 - Noon - 8:00 PM (PST).

January 23 - 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM (PST).

Admission:

$20 for 2-days/$15 for 1-day

Kids under 10 free with paying adult

ABOUT CHA

The Craft & Hobby Association (CHA) is a not-for-profit organization consisting of thousands of member companies engaged in the manufacture, distribution and retail sales of products in the nearly $30 billion U.S. craft and hobby industry. See www.craftsupershow.com for more information.

SOURCE Craft & Hobby Association (CHA)

'Crafts at Rhinebeck' features children's activities, a petting zoo, select hand-made crafts all against the backdrop of the spectacular Fall foliage of upstate New York.  October 3 and 4 at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds.

Background: The year was 1972. It was yet another time of unrest in our nation. A band of young artists had an idea that had shown great promise in the mountains of Vermont. Outfitted in their tye-dye T-shirts and jeans, they traveled from Mt. Snow and Stowe, Vermont to the fairgrounds in Rhinebeck, NY. They were pursuing a venue with a potentially larger audience for their new creation, an arts and crafts fair. Unfortunately, a very skeptical fair manager informed them that he had no intention of turning his beautiful fairgrounds over "to a bunch of pot smoking hippies!" Because they had traveled a distance to get there, the manager told them that they could come back and make their "pitch" to the Ag. Society for a more favorable response, if they wished. The young artists returned later minus the tye-dyes, minus the aroma of musk and incense, and now outfitted in their Sunday best. The Society members listened to their plea and responded affirmatively. Thus, the American Crafts Council brought their first event to the Dutchess County Fairgrounds. That inaugural show was open to artists from thirteen east coast states. The ACC remained on the fairgrounds through 1983 before moving to the East Coast States Exposition grounds in West Springfield, Massachusetts. In June of 1984, Crafts at Rhinebeck was born and has remained the premier arts and crafts show in the Northeast to this day.

The June Crafts at Rhinebeck is a "high end," contemporary show. The fall show has more of the flavor of a family festival. While many of the same artists participate, with a petting zoo, hay rides, and plenty of pumpkins, the fall show is produced with the family in mind. Both shows are juried and attract some of the finest artists from around the world.

Woodstock, VT is a charming New England town.  What a great place to visit for a crafts fair!  Coming up very soon on October 10 and 11 is the 37th Annual Woodstock Apples & Crafts Fair.  The fair features juried crafts, jewelry, paintings and specialty foods. There are craft demonstrations and you can buy crafts as well.

Details: Oct. 10 & 11 from 10 am - 5 pm. Baileys Meadow, Woodstock, Vermont (VT) 05091

Poteau, Oklahoma's annual BalloonFest, will be held on Halloween weekend with over 20 hot air balloons featuring a helicopter candy drop, the "Mean machine" Hummer monster truck rides, helicopter rides, stage coach rides, mud pit races, crafts and more.

Mayor Jeff Shockley said, "Each year we add several more attractions to our BalloonFest but this year, we have really gone all out. There is something for everyone. The skies will be full of over 20 hot air balloons, skydivers and if that is not enough, on the ground will be a real carnival both days. We encourage you to make overnight arrangements soon as our motels are rapidly filling up. This is a great and safe way for the family to spend this holiday. Join us and come see that Poteau is 'above the ordinary'."

A Pet Costume Contest is scheduled as well as Little Mr. and Ms. BalloonFest, Silver dollar pick up for kids and our Fun Times Carnival. Contests include ugliest big toe and biggest nose contest. A spook house for kids is planned.

Each night will feature hot air balloon glows, silhouetted against Cavanal, the "World's highest hill."

The live music line up includes: Pottersfield, The Banister Brothers, Still Kickin', Good Nite Jon Boy, Mint 11 Bee, Terri & The Executives and Magic 55.

Gate admission is $5 per person and parking is free. For more information contact the Poteau Chamber of Commerce at poteauchamber@windstream.net or 918.647.9178.

The Art of Pairing - Symphony & Crafts. Some combinations simply work! Just when you thought it couldn't get any better; this nationally ranked craft show, held in the streets of historic downtown Mount Dora, will now become the backdrop for the Florida Lakes Symphony Orchestra as they perform a free afternoon concert in Donnelly Park. The symphony rehearsals will begin at 11am on Saturday, October 24, and the free performance is scheduled for 1pm.

During this two-day Annual Craft Fair, Mount Dora welcomes over 250,000 visitors. This year's craft fair will be held on October 24 & 25, 2009 and Saturday's attendees will enjoy music performed by the Florida Lakes Symphony Orchestra (FLSO). The FLSO is Lake County's resident professional orchestra and was founded by internationally acclaimed composer and pianist Guy Saint-Clair and his wife, artist Audrey Sanders and is led by award-winning conductor Michael J. Garasi. The Symphony's October 24th performance will include its full 60 professional musicians from all over the world, who now reside in Florida.

Co-founder and executive director, Audrey Sanders said, "We're so excited to perform in this year's Craft Fair, showcasing the Symphony's many talents and splendid music. We're looking forward to being a part of this year's show and marrying both the music and the art together, something Mount Dora does so well!"

The Mount Dora Annual Craft Fair is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year and will be featuring over 350 talented crafters from all over the United States, displaying their art for show and sale. For more information on the 25th Annual Mount Dora Craft Fair, visit www.mtdora.org or call 1-866-683-6722.

The 25th Annual Mount Dora Craft Fair event is presented by the Mount Dora Village Merchants & Business Association, a non-profit organization responsible for promoting Mount Dora.

SOURCE Mount Dora Village Merchants & Business Association

Make art the core of your fall plans! The 44th Annual Art & Apples Festival announced today that National City, now part of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. will be the Festival's Title Sponsor for the fourth straight year. The September 11-13 event will showcase nationally renowned fine art, a variety of food, and non-stop entertainment and activities for all ages.

"We are proud to return as the title sponsor of the Art & Apples Festival," said David Boyle, president for National City in Michigan. "It's a privilege to be part of a tradition that features an organization that continually works so hard for the growth and preservation of the community and appreciation of the arts."

Festival organizers are pulling out all of the stops to make this year's event the best ever with the latest in art and innovative crafts and even more family-friendly activities. Last year an estimated 125,000 visitors attended the Festival which is a program of Paint Creek Center for the Arts (PCCA).

The Festival is Michigan's second largest juried fine arts fair and has been regularly voted among the TOP 30 of Sunshine Artist magazine's "200 Best Festivals" in the nation. Over 260 exhibitors participate in the show each year. The talent and range of artists' mediums at the festival includes textiles, watercolor, woodworking, glassblowing, pottery, jewelry and more.

"The State of Michigan has been hit hard by the declining economy, however, cultural tourism offers significant opportunities for local economic development," said Suzanne Wiggins, executive director of Paint Creek Center for the Arts. "National City's ongoing commitment enables us to look forward to the future and helps showcase PCCA's extraordinary programs. It's incredible to work with a corporate partner that recognizes the importance of art and culture and its economic impact on the regional community."

Paint Creek Center for the Arts is a regional non-profit art center located in downtown Rochester. PCCA enhances life in the region by promoting, encouraging, and creating opportunities to participate in and appreciate the arts.

Interested sponsors and volunteers can contact Paint Creek Center for the Arts at (248) 651-4110. For additional information about the National City Art & Apples Festival, please visit www.ArtandApples.com.

SOURCE Paint Creek Center for the Arts

What:       Summertime in California might mean hitting the beach for
                some, but for many of the 27 million Americans who quilt as a
                hobby, this summer's International Quilt Festival is what's
                making waves. The second annual Long Beach show, sale, and
                quiltmaking academy features more than 1,200 quilts, textiles,
                and wearable art ensembles on display; nearly 100 hands-on
                classes and special events; and shopping in more than 400
                booths selling quilts, fabrics, books, notions, crafts,
                patterns, machines, and sewing supplies.

                One of the most popular features of the Festival is Make It
                University!(TM), a mixed-media pavilion featuring the arts of
                scrapbooking, rubber stamping, paper crafts, textile arts and
                more. Developed in collaboration with Cloth Paper Scissors(R)
                magazine, Make It University! includes teaching showcases,
                workshop projects, vendors, artist studios and special
                exhibits.

    When:       July 24-26, 2009
                Tour begins July 21
                Classes begin July 22
                Preview Night is July 23

    Hours:      Thursday, July 23, Preview Night, 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.
                Friday and Saturday, July 24 and 25, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
                Sunday, July 26, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

    Where:      Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center
                300 East Ocean Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90802
                (Entrance on Pine Ave.)

    Admission:  $10 general, $8 seniors 65+ and students. Children 10 and
                under admitted free with a paying adult. $25 for a three day
                pass (includes Preview Night). Preview Night tickets are $10
                (no senior discount) and are good for one free additional day.
                Order and print tickets in advance at www.quilts.com

    For more information:
                Call 713-781-6864, fax 713-781-8182, e-mail shows@quilts.com
                or access www.quilts.com
Source: Quilits, Inc.