Sharing the wealth :: GIVEAWAY

COMMENTS ARE NOW CLOSED

Comments are now Closed

Good Morning readers. I woke up this morning to find out that I won a wonderful gift voucher from Quilthome.com for $20.00. The start of a great day for me, and maybe for you to. So I am honoring my readers by giving away a free yard of fabric, or 2 half yards or a pattern of your choosing. (up to 10.00)

All you have to do to win, is visit quilthome.com and pick out 2 half yards or 1 full yard that you would love to have. Then come back to my blog and leave a comment telling me what your request would be. (please keep it to 10.00) So half my gift voucher will be yours.

That's it! So what would you order if you got a free yard of fabric? I have my shopping cart ready for your requests. Winner will be picked sometime tomorrow 7/1/2009.

Sign up to for thier weekly newsletter and you can also be a winner. please read Quilthome.com for more details on how to win.

COMMENTS ARE NOW CLOSED

WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED SHORTLY

THANK YOU ALL FOR STOPPING BY.

Sunday Stash :: Thank you's

After acquiring the first 3 pieces of the Heather Ross sensation :: Rabbits and Race cars. I had to find the rest of the collection. After weeks of searching I finally found the whole set. (I think)

Cute little foxes, and rabbits, with beautiful flowers and weeds. And a little vroom vroom too. I can't wait to make something for Sophie from this collection.

Sunday Stash is hosted by Tamara over at 1/4 inch blog. To see other entries for this week or to sign up please visit the flicker group Sunday stash.

I also wanted to take a minute and thank everyone who left me get well wishes yesterday. I am feeling much better today thanks to all of you, and I think it's finally passing. I pumped my husband full of vitamin C and he says the cold he felt coming is now gone (thanks mom for the tip). I wish everyone a wonderful weekend and good health to you and your family.

A little cuteness on my sick day::

So I finally got it. Everyone wanted to see a picture of Sophia and her pretty little fabric bracelets. It turned out to be harder then I thought to get one. (well a decent one) She takes all six of them and loads them up on her arm, then slightly bends her elbows and prances around the house flapping her wrists. (oh brother) Problem is, as soon as mom brings out that camera, she straightens her arms and the bracelets drop to the floor. I got one now so I hope you enjoy it. :)

Get the tutorial here to make your very own fabric bracelets.

I promise to be back blogging soon, and have some great new projects coming your way. I just need to get over this flu I got somehow that has been haunting me since Sunday. Oh I hope I feel better soon, I need some playtime with my little girl. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

How cool is this...

Look at this, my second treasury! Only this time the etsian was so nice as to let me know so I got to see it, and share it with you . I am so honored to be a part of this beautiful treasury. You can view it here. LoveandDream a fellow Etsian chose this. Please take a minute and leave her a comment on her Treasury, she did a great job with this one I am super flattered. I am also an alternate in another one here ::

Take a deep breath:: Relax

Sorry for the fact that I have not written anything remotely interesting in awhile. I have been working on some custom jobs. Mostly in my new clutch design. As you know in patterns, whenever you add or change something to the design, new measurements have to be made. This can go good, or very badly depending on what your doing to it.

I had this wallet for instance add 3 pockets to the left side and make the closure a arrow style like my wallets. Sounds easy right? Well that's what I thought. Anyway I finally got it done today and I am so proud of it. This custom owl clutch is now on it's way to it's new owner. Next is a custom Amy Butler one, I will show pictures when I finish it (completely different then this one).




So I am working on 4 birthday parties (9 wallets each) and 8 custom clutches. (anyone need a job? I need help) I am telling you this so you know why I have been gone. I hope that I didn't miss out on anything really interesting. Maybe all of you can catch me up. What have you all been up to?

Still looking for Full Moon Dots??

Check out this site Quilthome.com. I just got an order from them in the mail today. I didn't want to share until I got my order being that last time I found a great opportunity, I was tricked into ordering some great stuff only to be sent a refund and a note in the mail saying no longer in stock over at (QuiltArts.com) now out of business.

So I officially sharing the link for Amy Butler full moon dots. She has the whole collection of lotus and belle to, as well as Joel Dewberry's Aviary collection.

Plus she has a promotion for all orders over 50.00 you get free priority shipping.. What a deal huh. You know I had to share this with all my lovelies so enjoy.

LOOK What I just got:: FMF Beauties

So last week or so, me and Christina went fabric shopping. Remember the "LOOT". Well she was telling me about this wonderful flicker group that swaps rare fabrics in trade instead of money. I watched for a few days, until I saw this lovely fabric. I have been collecting FMF since February. Of course it's all way out of print, and only my favorite fabric ever. I decided to make Sophie a quilt so I will always have the fabric near the family.

Anyway, I swapped some fabric of mine for these beautiful fat quarters, and added them to my collection. Also in the mail, I bought 1 yard each of the green dots, the brown dots, the brown leaves, and the green leaves. As well as some heather ross VW buses, and some vintage linen from Elizabeth over at oh fransson. How lucky am I.

So this is my little collection so far. Some of it I am swapping on the flicker group to get what I don't have yet. I am hoping to get as many from the line in FQ size as possible to fit in my wonky quilt. Do you have some?? Wanna trade? visit the group and see what I have left. I am also looking for some Heather Ross prints , scraps are ok to. So go now and feast your eyes!

Put on your thinking Caps

So it's official, I have entered the world of swapping and I love it!! Not only do I get to meet tons of wonderful people, but I get lovely treasures in the mail. It's like Christmas every time.

I am thinking about hosting another swap for the summer possibly early july-ish. I have a few great ideas, but I wanted to hear from all of you first on what you might like to do.

If you were to join a swap, what kind would it be? What kind of time frame should there be? If everyone could give me some ideas, I will decide on one and start it up next month. If you were in the last one you already know I can be full of surprises. he he he......

New Summer Sale

After extending the Buy 1 get 1 half off sale for an extra 2 weeks, I decided it was time for something new. My new summer sale is great for those of you who might not need 2. prices have already reflected the sale prices so there is no waiting for refunds.

Also a new item was added to my store last week that I forgot to mention. Are you throwing a birthday party, summer, party, or maybe need a few gifts on hand? Try the new Birthday party favor listing buy 8 wallets and get a bulk discount. Plus get the 9th one free for the birthday girl or boy.

Check out the shop for new items and fabrics to. Have a great summer everyone.

You're doing it wrong

Yeah sorry but I am going to vent a little....
It seems to me that handmade is getting a little similar everywhere I look. Don't you just hate it when you think of a really great idea, and then someone comes along and changes the color of thread to call it there own design.
Or maybe a button or two, that makes it look oh so completely different. (yeah right)
Or my favorite, "well my item isn't selling so maybe if I copy hers and sell it cheaper it will.

No matter what it's still mine, weather they copy it or not it's original to me just as before. Go ahead and undercut my price, or copy my sale. I will do my best to always stay one step ahead with that great product idea. you may take my patterns and ideas, but no one can take my creativity. Thanks readers for listening to my rant.

The "Loot"

Whoohoo! today was fabric shopping day and I think I died and went to heaven for a few hours.

There is almost nothing more wonderful then a whole day dedicated to fabric shopping. Me and Christina hit shop after shop looking for our hearts desire. Gazing upon beautifully made quilts, and seeing all the new fabric in the shops was wonderful. I got a great loot today, and we both made out like a bandit .

Pretty Ginger blossom, red and orange henna, heather bailey, and Denise Schmidt. Like I said the perfect day. Sophia stayed home with daddy today, but we took her cute little on Brice with us. He has a blast with the girls today and I am hoping that we wore him out good so his momma can get some projects done. Feast your eyes on all this goodness.

Update:: Kitchen Swap 2009

Big HUGE thanks to everyone who participated in the 2009 Kitchen swap. The blog roll list is still up on my sidebar for everyone to view the goods. Despite all the work, I really had a ton of fun with everything. I have met some wonderful bloggers as well along the way. This was my loot from the swap (see picture above) I had 2 fabulous partners. Although because I was the host, I didn't have a lot of chatting time with them, I do hope to get more chatty time in with them in the future. I would love to hear every ones wonderful stories maybe on what you got, or how it made you feel, did you meet someone really cool?

Also check out our flicker group here and share pictures of all of your wonderful items. If you have not yet received your package please let me know, and I will post a list for you and try to contact your partner. Thanks again everyone, it's been a lot of fun.

Check out what I got....

This was from Jenelle over in Australia. She is a super talented crafter as well as a fellow etsian. Included in this swap box was a beautiful set of handmade coasters, with a matching table runner, pot holder (trivet), teapot cozy, and wine bottle holder. I am not sure if I told her how much I love wine, but she knew. What a great idea. Jenelle had to think outside the box on mine which I very much appreciate. She is a shabby sheik kinda person and works a lot with soft colors. I am glad that she took my red and mustard yellow request so far. I feel like I should clean my kitchen now to display all the pretty stuff from Jenelle.

Jenelle thanks so much for all the work that you put into my package it was wonderful, I hope that you loved yours just as much. Check out what she got here.

My second partner's stuff arrived today. It was Jennifer from Texas. Jennifer is an entertainer, she loves to give small parties in her home. She also loves to shop LOL so I made out like a bandit. I absolutely love love love the orange ice cream scoop, and the bamboo cutting board will be perfect for cutting fruit when the girls come over for cocktails. She also sent me some measuring spoons, a rubber scrapper, and some super cute bar towels, as well as some yummy chocolate. (I think it has hot peppers in it).

Jennifer is not feeling well right now so if you get some time, stop over by her blog and give her some warm wishes to get better. Jennifer I love everything you sent, even if you didn't make it your self I am still glad that you love to shop. Thanks for a great swap box.

Hope everyone had as much fun as I did.

Thank you!

Tutorial:: Sewing a strong Beautiful Button

For those of you like me who have been sewing for years, and didn't know that you could use your sewing machine to attach a button. Well this is for you, as well as the beginner sewers out there.
I told you all that I recently bought a new Viking sewing machine. This machine came with free classes, and my first was about a month ago just on the basics of my new machine. Sewing a buttonhole as well as attaching a button was basic. Something I had never ever done.

So here is a tutorial after much practice so that all of you can pick up this very cool way to make beautiful strong buttons.

First Drop the teeth on your machine also called the feed dogs. On my machine this is a switch on the back ( see photo above) after turning the wheel you can see the teeth drop away from the top of the plates. These teeth are used to guide the fabric. Since we are sewing a button we do not need to guide it.


Next remove your presser foot so that you have a bare needle. (some machines have a special foot just for this but most of you do not really need it. The foot can usually be removed by pulling forward or backward as it just snaps in and out. Some machines have a screw on foot.



I labeled my machine to give you a visual of where parts are on my particular machine, yours may be very different. The selection wheel is the wheel that chooses your stitch. Int this case we want number one (a straight stitch)

The bottom wheel on my machine is the length of my stitch. To sew a button I want this wheel all the way to Zero to get a nice tight stitch. No length is needed.



Position your button onto your fabric and drop the needle down. Use the hand wheel to turn it and make sure that you are striking that button exactly. When you know it's right, put a few stitches into the button 3 or 4 should be just enough.

now making sure that your needle is in the upright position. Change only the selection wheel to the number 2 selection. On most machines this is a zigzag stitch. Again using the hand wheel, find the second hole of your button by adjusting the width wheel (shown on top of my machine) Mine is all the way at 5 usually for buttons.

Turn the hand wheel a few times making sure the button goes back and forth into both of the holes. Then when you are comfortable with your settings go ahead and use your foot pedal.

After you are happy with the amount of stitches in your button, with needle in the upright position, turn the selection wheel back to 1 (straight stitch) and sew 3 or 4 more stitches into the first hole only. This will tighten the stitch for you and you will not have to worry about it coming unraveled.


That's it you have a beautiful button, and strong to. I just love they way they look. Try some yourself. it took me awhile to get all the changing of the wheels and such but after you learn it, really it goes faster then by hand.

Enjoy making buttons !!

A BIG thank you 20% off shop

I wanted to extend a bigger thank you to the people who did stop by, but did not win. I wish that I could have let you all win something special. So I am offering 20% off anything in my shop not including the shipping of course (winners the gift certificates cannot be used with this discount sorry). Just fill up your cart then add in the notes to seller section WINNERINBLOGLAND to the notes section of your shopping cart. Pay with pay pal, and you will be refunded 20% of your purchase. This can also be combined with sales but not for custom orders.

Thanks again to everyone this was a lot of fun.

GOOD UNTIL WED:: JUNE 3RD-2009

Flattery, I think not!

Disclosure:: Please know that this post is not in anyway directed to the readers of this blog. It is general information for consideration only. Not often do we crafters speak our minds, on subject of this nature, but sometimes it just needs to be said. I hope that everyone who reads this understands the information and feelings behind the point of this post. I am in no way a "writer" so Please take that into consideration .

As a new pattern writer and seller, as well as Blogger. I have noticed so much generosity from crafters all over the world. People who blog free tutorials, and patterns. Giving free tips on crafts or common crafty websites. This is something that unites us all as crafters, we don't feel obligated to share them we just do.

I was wanting to write this for a few weeks now and after the kick in the butt I got after reading Elizabeth's post over at Oh!Fransson. I felt that this was the time. (I did write her and ask for permission to link her on this)

Our patterns and crafts hold a special place within all of us, we take great pride in the product we make, so that you may enjoy making them to. Some patterns are free, some cost very little, but all are made with the lots of thought and energy as well as time.

When someone shares a pattern free of charge, it's meant for your crafts at home only. Items from these should not be sold unless it's been ok'd by the person you got the pattern from. It's only polite to also share where you got the information from.

For instance, I sell a pattern in my etsy shop for a crayon wallet. Although different from the pattern make in my shop that I sell it's still a great pattern. In my instructions it clearly states, you may sell these items, but please give credit for the pattern. (not to much to ask right)

Well the last few weeks I have seen wallets for sell made from my patterns with no credit whatsoever given. ( what do you do, it's gonna happen )
The part that really upset me, is seeing someone else who bought my pattern take credit for making the pattern themselves. This is just a personal example it happens all the time to lots of crafters. I have even seen someone go as far as opening a new account just to buy a pattern to sell it under a different name, and take the credit for it.

So I guess the moral of the story is me personally as a crafter and a business person, I understand the drive to want to make a great product to sell. Some people are not so great at making patterns, but we need to start taking in consideration the person who did take the time to put it together for your use. I decided to be the bigger person somewhat and not link the people I have found just using my pattern (yes there is more then one). In turn I know that it comes around.

Please know that this is just not patterns, nor is it just me. If you want to use someones photos, ideas, patterns, or any kind of content just ask. Most crafters are so very nice that is why they share in the first place. Please take the few minutes to take their feelings into consideration and just ask.