Fun Packages in the Mail

Well, the school year has come to a close--finally!  I love the kids, but I also love having the summer off (although the lack of a paycheck isn't quite so enjoyable)!

This year has been especially stressful as I have some mean spirited, down-right snotty co-workers to deal with who add a lot of stress to what should be a simple fun job.  Go figure.  Maybe they should get a hobby so they can occupy themselves in a more positive manner.

Anyway...after a crap-tastic week of work, I came home to some packages in the mail.  The first was a winning from the Sew Mama Sew giveaway day---some fabric, who doesn't cheer up with fabric?  I won this over on A Quilt and a Prayer blog.  Teresa is a great person and her blog is fun to check out.

I haven't decide what to make yet.  Maybe a thread catcher or a Hoop Travel Bag.  Hmm...

As if that wasn't fun enough, I also had another package.  This one actually surprised me because I wasn't expecting it at all.  It was from Alexandra408, who I had sent a quilt to in DQS12.  She had sent me a lovely Thank You package!  (And she had already thanked me in Flickr!)  Some fabric, a cute notebook (always needing those), and look at that adorable bird design she made.  It's already hanging on my wall!

The bird design is made of felt, in case you were wondering, and hand stitched.

But, the part about these packages that really made my day--the lovely notes included!  Each was so kind and thoughtful, it really touched me, especially after a long week of dealing with petty co-workers.  I admit, I'm not one to normally write long notes.  You want long, find one of my sisters.  You want short and to the point, that's me.  (Not that I don't send a good thank you note, email or message--I never skip that!  I just tend to run into writer's block when writing notes, so they tend to be short.)  These notes were from two ladies who took the time to write something extra when they didn't need to.  I'm thinking I need to be better with my note writing, because it does mean something to the person receiving it.

So thank you Teresa and Alexandra--you totally made my week!

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.

Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day Coming

Well, twice a year Sew Mama Sew! has a huge blogland giveaway day--I'm sure you've all participated in it.  I've even won a couple of items--which is shocking, because I have the worst luck with drawings. 

Every time I think I'm going to participate next round, but then I get busy and time flies and I totally forget about it until I start seeing giveaways on my blog following list and think "oh crap, missed it again".  Well, not this time!  I tweeted Sew Mama Sew to get the date ahead (May 21st BTW) just so I could get ready.  Now I just need to decide what to giveaway--I kind of cover quilting, sewing and crafting on this blog, so it could be from any of those categories.  Maybe a finished item or maybe supplies.  What do you think?  What would you like to see in a giveaway?

The Plaid Scottie is Having a Giveaway!

You know what I love about giveaways?  Okay, besides the chance to get fun free things.  It's discovering a new blog that is interesting to me.  Sometimes the only time anyone mentions their blog is to announce a giveaway and that's how I've found some really great ones.

Well here's an announcement I just saw today--but you'll need to hurry as the giveaway is only open until September 7th. 

Right now a blog called The Plaid Scottie is giving away some gorgeous Meadowsweet fabric and a cool zipper pouch (perfect for those sewing supplies you need to take with you to classes and such).  You know you want it!  So head right over there and leave a comment to enter.  And while you're there, check out her cute little helper, Sir Whiskers MacTavish, an adorable black Scottie dog.  (You know I just had to promote the giveaway on a blog of someone who has a four-legged--I mean, what would Stars say if I skipped it!)

Jaybird Quilts Fabric Giveaway

There's a great giveaway happening over at Jaybird Quilts (great blog btw) that you need to check out--stack of Sandi Henderson fabric!  Now who doesn't want that?!

Just look at that Meadowsweet goodness!  Quick go to Jaybird and leave a comment to enter!  Sign-up for the newsletter at Above All Fabric and comment on Jaybird for a second entry. 

Come on--you know you want it!