sharing makes me happy

So do giveaways!

Since this is Christmas time, I decided to put a few little things together and have more prizes to share! They are things you can keep yourself or give to a friend. I didn't want them to be so Christmas themed that they wouldn't be useful all year, but they do all have red in them! I really love red lately. I think it's the season.

So without further ado, I give you:

The burp cloths - these are so useful. I loved these thick cotton diapers for their absorbency alone. And who doesn't like a little baby rick rack? These are a perfect addition to any baby shower gift - or keep them for yourself!

The placemat pillows - pick 2! I have a plethora of pillows hanging around since I whipped these up. They are the perfect size to accent your couch, your bed, a chair, but most importantly - your head! I forgot - these don't have any red. I may just decide to throw something red in for fun....

The petite zipper pouch - use it in your purse or diaper bag to store those things you tend to lose. Like your phone, chapstick, change. As an added bonus you'll get a selection of fabric covered button magnets!

The bracelet and earring set - who doesn't love red and turquoise together? I think this is going to be my new holiday theme! Turquoise dyed howlite, red coral and sterling silver beads with a toggle clasp. Measures 7.5", but I can adjust it to fit the winner.

Now for the rules:
To enter, leave a comment on this post. (that's right, mom, you have to leave a comment!)

To get an extra entry, post about it on your blog and leave me a separate comment telling me where your blog is. Can't wait to see what you guys are doing!

International entrants accepted!

Deadline to enter is Monday December 8, midnight PST (for you, my california friends!)

4 winners will be chosen at random and announced on Wednesday December 10!

Good luck to everyone! I can't wait to see who wins!

Comments are closed.

give-away day is here!

I love Sew, Mama, Sew! Today you can go to their blog and see everyone who is participating in Give-away day! I am one of them, but I'm working out a few kinks on my photos. I'll post my giveaway shortly! Good luck everyone!!

better pictures of . . .

these. From that post way back when. When I didn't know there was a crafty blogland! I had a short stint at a bead store where I learned all sorts of cool stuff. And these necklaces were part of that. I am going to be listing them in my etsy shop in the next couple of days (when I have a break from my 3 year old asking for candy corn and trick-or-treating! - doesn't she understand it's CHRISTMAS?!). They will be over there <----------------- on my sidebar, when they're up.

This turquoise was sold to me as turquoise, but then the lady I worked for told me it was howlite - which is commonly dyed to look like turquoise. Real turquoise or not, I still think it's pretty. It's paired with red coral, sterling silver bali and accent beads and a versatile toggle clasp. It can be worn long, double stranded or as a lariat.

I love the colors in this. Smoky topaz and peridot. The focal stone is aventurine, I think. All sterling silver accents and handmade s-hook clasp.

Doesn't this one just scream fall? Smokey topaz, orange freshwater pearls, and carnelian. Sterling silver beads with a handmade s-hook clasp.

I'm tempted to keep these for myself. But the reality of it is that I don't wear jewelry that often. I hope that someone will love them as much as I do!


Speaking of posts from way back when. . .

When looking through my sitemeter stats I've noticed that people come here from a google search for Bart Simpson as Hamlet and Funfetti images. I love that those posts get looked at often - they are a couple of my favorites. Say what you will about the Simpson's but they do the best remakes! Anyone seen Homer's rendition of the Nutcracker? Hil.a.ri.ous.

P.S. Don't forget to check back for my giveaway tomorrow!

jenny's bag

This is one of the bags I cut out last weekend. It was a (belated) birthday gift for a dear friend of mine. I was telling her she needed to get a new bag when I saw the diaper bag she was using was not really working out. She wanted a classic but fun design that would go with a lot of different things. This black and white Michael Miller had her name all over it.

I found the Alexander Henry print for the lining at Joann's. I have to take back my griping about that place - they have managed to have some cute fabric lately. Some. Not a lot.

I like how this is very geometric compared to the less structured print on the front.

I did some top-stitching in red. Just because. I think it needed a little pop. I really like how subtle it is.

I gave it to her on Friday and she was really excited. It's really true, every time I make a new bag, I think, "Wow! This one is my favorite!"

Well, that's true for now. Wait until I post the other one I've finished! It's going in the mail to it's owner, so I have to wait until she gets it to post about it. But it is CUTE!

If you are looking for a fun Christmas gift, I have 2 of these bags stocked at my etsy shop. I also have some fabric selections that aren't made up yet. Just let me know if you are interested and I'll get sewing for you! Look for some jewelry to be added this week too.

Sew, Mama, Sew has designated this Wednesday, December 3 as Giveaway Day!! I will be hosting a little giveaway that I have been meaning to do for at least a month. I had a winning streak a few months ago and I wanted to share the love and pay it forward. I plan on having 4 different prizes to win - so stay tuned!! I'm excited!

weekend sewing and a pillow tutorial

I don't know what got into my this weekend. But I lazed around in my new fleece jacket and sweats all day Saturday not really doing a whole lot.

Then I cut out 3 bags.

Then I almost completed one of them. (just one seam and some top-stitching to go.)

Then I worked on some placemat pillows.

Here's a *tutorial* for these pillows.
1. buy a placemat (for a couple bucks on clearance) - make sure it is 2 sided.
2. open up one end of the placemat. (I did these while I was on the phone.)
3. stuff with stuffing (also did while I was on the phone.)
4. topstitch close
5. display on bed, couch, chair, floor, etc.

Can you really call that a tutorial? It's so easy! I made these pillows last year from some napkins and placemats I found at Target.

The downside of this creative spurt is the insomnia. Last night and Saturday night I had a really hard time falling asleep. It was dreadful. Well, staying up late not so much, but the ensuing fatigue and malaise, not so fun. The monkey chatter in my head would not quiet down. I'm tired enough today (no nap) that hopefully it won't be a problem.


I forgot the not to moo part of that last post. I don't want to moo so I started working out again last week. The problem I find is that when I run, I am starving by 10 am and asleep by noon. I blame nursing - it really wears a person out making all that milk! But let me tell you about the revelation I had. Our laptop nestles onto the treadmill quite securely. I can watch online TV, dvds, or as I did last week, catch up on my blogging! I actually started that post while walking a brisk-ish pace. Now I don't have an excuse. Darn it.

to moo, or not to moo

Have you heard about MOO cards? I've seen some people blogging about them and I was intrigued by the idea - a half size business card with your basic contact info. On the back you can pick their designs OR you can upload your own photos! I went with that option and I used pictures from all the bags I have made so far. I really like the way they turned out!

There is a shipping deal if it's your first order. I found a coupon code: EWSCCV and got 20% off my first order. They are located in London so it takes about 8-10 days from printing to get them. It was around 20$ for 100 , which I thought was a great deal.

It really didn't take me that long to design them, once I got finished browsing through the ready-to-use artwork, there were so many cool things to look at. In the end I decided to use my own photos. It was easy to upload them - just like in any program - and then you can crop them and see what they will look like printed. Easy-peasy! It was way easier than designing and printing my own.

do you need a little chuckle?

I just saw this today and it made me laugh out loud - not LOL, but really laugh.

Go to Google.
Type in Find Chuck Norris.
Hit "I'm feeling Lucky."

Go on, do it. I'll wait.
strumming fingers

twirling hair

snoozing

heheheheh, no need to watch that rerun of Walker, Texas Ranger tonight!


Here's something else. Have I mentioned this before? I love this web site and I always crack up.

Cakewrecks: When professional cakes go horribly, hilariously wrong
I can't really explain it - you just have to see for yourself. On Sunday she takes a break from the wreckfests and shows some amazing cakes. It's a lot of fun!

Here is the cake that started it all

Here's a link to the last Sunday post: Car Cake
and check out this Muppet beauty. More pictures HERE.

Have a great day!