And The Winner Is...

The Sew Mama Sew Giveaway results (as generated by a random number generator) are in!

For the Sewing giveaway, the winner is Wilai!

Wilai said "skirt for myself and it would be my first skirt ever. Got pattern, fabric. Just need time and maybe a little encouragement"

Congratulations Wilai!  This little packet will certainly get you started towards making many skirts!



For the Quilting giveaway, the winner is Susan!

Susan said "A kaleidoscope quilt is on my bucket list! I think M'Liss Rae Hawley has a pattern for a scrappy one in one of her books...I just need to find it! Thanks for the chance to win!"

Congrats Susan!  This package has not only a kaleidoscope pattern in one of the books but also the Cluck Cluck Sew pattern--so you can get started on that bucket list!



I really want to thank everyone who came by and took the time to comment during the giveaway--I had so much fun reading everyone's responses!  I wish I could give each and everyone of you something fun.  And, because I did read each and every comment, I hope you'll come back and visit as I will be trying to post tutorials and reviews that specifically cover some of the projects mentioned--I want you all to finish your projects and get started on your bucket lists!

Congrats again to our two winners--I'll be contacting you via email for your mailing addresses!

RATZ Swap Round 1--Key Fob

I've really enjoyed Round 1 of the Rapid And Tiny Zakka Swap (also known as RATZ).  The idea behind this swap (invented by the crazy gals running the Doll Quilt Swap) was that it would be fun to have some swaps of various items that weren't quite as involved as a doll quilt.  Something that didn't cost much to send and could be whipped up in month's time on a busy schedule.  Let us try out all those cool crafty items seen on blogs.  I think RATZ definitely accomplishes that.

Our first round was for key fobs.  I haven't received mine yet--of course, we have until the last day of the month to mail out--but I'm sure I'll love it.  I've enjoyed seeing all the cool creations so far.  I'm pretty excited about what I made my partner too!  My partner's a secret for now, but I can show you what I made.  Here it is:

See--there's the little embroidery I showed earlier this month!

I can't recall having made a zippered pouch before, so I think this is my first (although not my first zipper installation).  It was pretty easy.  I mostly followed the tutorial found on Noodlehead for construction information, with some changes in size, loop construction, front design and materials.  Mine is approximately 3 7/8 inches by 5 1/4 inches after starting with pieces of  4.25 inches x 6 inches (not counting the loop and hardware).

The hardware is heavy duty, so I don't have to worry that my partner will stick a phone in there and it'll snap and break the phone.  The clip also swivels so as my partner carries it around it will move with her.  Also, the clip is easy to open and close, but not flimsy.  The zipper is a YKK white 5 inch zipper purchased from ZipIt, an Etsy seller with a great reputation and excellant customer service.  I also used some Pellon 987F which is a fusible fleece (you can usually find some at stores like JoAnns and online) to interline both sides and the key loop to give some sturdiness and padding.

Here's a bit of a peek at the lined inside, check out that beautifully installed zipper!

For the interior lining, I used a Kona solid--Bahama Blue, I think, but could be Robin's Egg.  The exterior is all from the Millie's Closet line (I'm currently in love with this fabric.) with a solid back and a pieced front.  I did just a bit of quilting for decorative purposes--it's not that big of a pouch to be worried about batting stability (and I used fusible anyway).

Back exterior is a piece from Millie's Closet:  blue/red/aqua color way, Designer cloth.

The front uses the hand embroidered piece that I made using a vintage embroidery pattern and DMC embroidery floss.  The outer edges are strips taken from the same Designer cloth (also called cheater quilt cloth) from the Millie's Closet line.  One thing I like about this particular type of fabric is that it has large squares of lots of fabric designs, so, for tiny projects, you can get a wide variety of "fabrics" from one fat quarter!

The "smudge" under the eye is actually the thread knot on the other side--isn't visible in real life, just under bright camera flash.  Figures, LOL!  For those just learning embroidery, I used the outline or stem stitch.

I really hope my partner will like this!  If you haven't made a little zippered pouch before, try it!  (There are lots of tutorials and patterns online, I liked the free one at Noodlehead mentioned earlier, but you could even make up your own.)  They're easier than they look, make a great little key chain attachment (think of those summer garage sales you can go to without that big clunky tote), and once you get used to the zipper installation you'll be whippin' these babies out for gifts.

Bearpaw's Having a Massive Giveaway!

Not to distract you from all the Sew Mama Sew giveaways, but...

I've got a great UK site for you to check out--and she's having a terrific giveaway to boot!

Bearpaw's website launch giveaway here. 

Here's a direct link to her store too.  I'm so getting one of those bento lunch boxes (found in the homewares section)!  And of course, some fabric...I mean, I'm already there right?  :)

So, after you're done signing up for the giveaways here--because I love that you are here--then head on over and sign up for Bearpaw's too!  (Or don't--it'll increase my odds of winning.  Just kidding!  Well, sort of...)

Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day--Sewing

Today is the big Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day! I have two giveaways--a sewing one and a quilting one! I'm giving them each their own posting to avoid confusion when drawing a winner, so enter for both or just one, its totally up to you.

Sewing Giveaway!!!

Welcome to my little giveaway for sewing---I'm not going to keep you long, because I know you want to get back to entering for other goodies.  I love sewing crafts, quilts, and clothes.  So I already have the other giveaway (linked above), but I wanted one more for all of you fashion sewing enthusiasts.  A few of my favorite sewing related items for you to enjoy--or maybe to even get you started sewing in the first place.

Awesome, right?  I

Here's what's included in the sewing giveaway:

Threads magazine  (I love the inspiration, tips and techniques this magazine and its website has)
Sew What! Skirts by Francesca DenHartog  (a start into making your own pattern, so easy to follow, you'll find your creativity really gets going)
1 yard of Pro-Sheer Elegance Fusible Interfacing from Fashion Sewing Supply (this is THE interfacing place, warning:  awesome interfacing is addicting)
5 yards of 3/4 inch White Pro-Stretch Elastic from Fashion Sewing Supply (you won't go back to that icky kind at JoAnns after this)

That's enough elastic for (depending on waist size) at least 6 skirts or pjs and a yard of interfacing will last you through quite a few projects--so no excuses about not sewing!  I've given links for you to check out the details if you want or, if you don't get lucky and win, to get some for yourself.  Pam Erny runs Fashion Sewing Supply and she is just absolutely lovely to work with, so don't hesitate to ask her a question.

I'll ship internationally and the giveaway is open until May 25th, 5 pm (maybe a bit later if I'm still eating dinner). Please, make sure that if you have left me an email to contact you with--if I can't contact you, I'll have to pick another winner, and that would just be sad.

So leave a comment telling me your current/next fashion sewing project to enter. You're welcome to become a follower (I love followers), but it is not necessary to win.

So, here's another look at what you're commenting for:

I love all this stuff--maybe I should comment on it myself!

Come back soon!

Update  5/25/12:  This giveaway is now closed.  Thank you to all who participated.  The winner will be announced soon.

Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day---Quilting

Today is the big Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day!  I have two giveaways--a sewing one and a quilting one!  I'm giving them each their own posting to avoid confusion when drawing a winner, so enter for both or just one, its totally up to you.

Quilting Giveaway!!

I'm going to save you some time (so you can get back to commenting for more goodies) and just cut to the chase.  I have for you a great selection of quilting books and a pattern!  I love quilt designs that can be used with a huge variety of fabrics and that have very clear instructions--because I want to quilt!

Yeah, the pic stinks--you try photographing shiny surfaces on a gloomy Oregon May day!

This giveaway includes:

Kaleidoscope by Cluck. Cluck. Sew  (because her patterns are awesome and very versatile)
Show Me How to Paper Piece by Carol Doak  (this one is brief but very clear and will get you going)
M'Liss Rae Hawley's Fat Quarter Quilts by M'Liss Rae Hawley  (versatile designs, could go scrappy)
M'Liss Rae Hawley's Scrappy Quilts by M'Liss Rae Hawley  (great scrappy designs)

I've included links for you to check out the details if you're so inclined, or in case you're not the happy individual who wins but still want them anyway.

I'll ship internationally and the giveaway is open until May 25th, 5 pm (maybe a bit later if I'm still eating dinner).  Please, make sure that if you have left me an email to contact you with--if I can't contact you, I'll have to pick another winner, and that would just be sad.

So leave a comment telling me one quilt on your bucket list to enter.  You're welcome to become a follower (I love followers), but it is not necessary to win.

So, here's another look at what you're commenting for:

Come on, you know you want it!

Come back soon!

Updated 5/25/12:  This giveaway is now closed.  Thank you for participating!  Stay tuned for the winner to be announced.

Thrify Finds

I thought I'd share some of my latest finds at the local thrift stores.  Do you love thrift shopping?  I sure do, it's like a big treasure hunt that changes almost everyday!  We recently had a huge Goodwill store open just a few blocks away (I love it when things are within walking distance.) and I have been having fun going and checking things out.  (We also have a nice little Senior thrift store in town and, of course, garage sale season is starting.)  I also like pushing my creativity with some upcycling projects---like this messanger bag tutorial that I'll be trying out soon with some cargos I traded my sis for.

I just love pretty little plates.  You can use them for holding treats on a garden party table, homemade soaps in the bathroom, change holder, children's tea parties and so much more.  I'm always on the look out for a pretty plate.

Am I the only one in love with Fire King?  I love the blue and pinks the best.  This bowl is just screaming for some ice cream with fudge sauce!

I found this pattern with these three pieces of fabric inside.  The pieces are each around 1/2 yard or larger.

Doesn't look like much, an embroidery hoop and metal tin.  The tin, along with another two, had colored craft buttons inside.  I plan on painting them and then creating a pincushion in the center of each lid where the hole is.  Love having future projects planned.

I kind of splurged on this wooden drawer box.  $12.99!  Not to sound terribly cheap, but I'm a budget, so I normally don't spend that much on my thrifty shopping.  This lets me have fun shopping without wasting a lot of money.  However, I really could use a better way to store my sewing notions or thread and this will do nicely for one of those jobs.  A light sanding and then some woodburning by my talented sis, and this will be one stunning sewing box.  Update:  I found out this is one of the discontinued Ikea Moppe drawers, sadly they're harder to find now except through their UK site.

These little horses say made in Norway.  They fit nicely in the hand and would make great toys.  For now, they'll sit on a bookshelf in my sewing area.  I think I'll name them Freya and Johan.

Here's an adorable little child's ironing board!  It even folds down.  I found it for only $3.99 and plan on recovering it with something more vintage-y. 

The wooden iron on the right is actually attached to the ironing board by a cord.  The adorable little red iron is metal with a wooden handle.  My sis found it for .99 cents and when she saw my ironing board she gave it to me--thanks sis, its perfect!

Wooden village found altogether in an organza bag for $1.99.

I'm not sure what those three colored objects on the left are supposed to be, but you can see the houses, some trees, people and reindeer.

The village buildings, walkways, trees, people and reindeer herd.  A bit of touch up on paint and these will be perfect!

Okay, I'll admit, I probably didn't really need this stuff (come on, it's not like a small wooden village is essential for survival)...but I like it and am going to have fun having it and working on my upcycling projects!  What's your favorite find so far this year?

Sneaky Peek for RATZ Swap

Here's a quick look at what I'm making for my secret partner in the Rapid And Tiny Zakka Swap (RATZ).  I finished up the hand embroidery for one side of the little zipper pouch I'm making.

This cute little vintage pattern was found at the Hoop Love Vintage Transfers group over on Flickr.  (If you love vintage embroidery like I do, then you really must join the group--they have one of the largest collections of patterns I've found anywhere!)

Just waiting for my zippers to arrive.  After hearing all the rave reviews about Zip It on Etsy, I decided to give them a try.  (Review to follow.) I'll be putting the front and back and lining of the pouch together so they're all ready to go once the zipper arrives.  I'm following the tutorial found here on Noodlehead, although I may make an adjustment in size, we'll see.

Now, I'm going to go eat some pancakes and enjoy this gorgeous sunny Mother's Day---Happy Mother's Day to all you beautiful, talented ladies out there making the world a better place!