Welcome to anyone here from Sew, Mama, Sew! I hope you'll like what you see here and want to hang around a bit.
My name is Marian and I have 2 kids, 1 dog, and a wonderfully supportive husband. They're all the best and so encouraging and tolerant of my need to buy fabric, cut it up, then sew it back together again. I love them.
I make mostly quilts, and have an Etsy shop here (coupon code alert: THANKS25 for 25% off everything until the end of the year!) where I sell baby and toddler quilts, pillow covers, and zipper pouches, and whatever else I can think of!
Here's what I've been up to lately:
(photos by Allisa from her post)
(photos by Allisa from her post)
(photos by Allisa from her post)
I was so scared of paper piecing. It was on the "maybe I'll try it in 5 years if someone comes to my house and shows me how" list, but I figured I'd give it a shot when she asked for pattern testers! At least she'd get a total beginner's opinion right?
Well I totally love it. This pattern in particular is so incredibly versatile! I'm planning to turn what I've made here into a quilt, with this block off center with a neutral or solid background and awesome quilting. I hope you come back to see how it turns out!!
AND the part you've been waiting for...the giveaway!!
I am offering this bundle of fabrics to one of you lucky ducks to enjoy!
GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED - THANK YOU TO ALL WHO ENTERED!! I read every comment and as soon as I figure out how to number them, I'll pick a winner!! Thank you! I am so excited at how many participated!!!
Ready......GO! and have fun with the giveaways! Hope you win something awesome!


Commenting from Canada, so not for an entry, but I can't help but say that I love what you've done with the fabric from Allisa. You have a great eye for design. Look forward to seeing more of your testing : )
ReplyDeleteMy 4 year old just had a filling today and she was a doll at the dentist! So we are both smiling;)
ReplyDeleteHI!!! I love your pillow covers! I was the pocket apron at the top of the page! :) :) You really did a great job on those.
ReplyDeleteNew fabric makes me super happy, but the most happiness comes from my family and hearing my kids laugh, which I can hear coming from the other room right now.
I made salt dough with my 20 month old this morning. It makes me really happy she is active in this Christmas season and I get to watch it all through her eyes.
ReplyDeleteWhat makes me happy is when my family has a good day. It doesn't have to be anything special, it's just a really nice feeling when we are all in a good mood and want to be around each other. I have teenagers so that doesn't happen nearly as often as I'd want! Thank you for the nice giveaway. :)
ReplyDeleteIt makes me happy to get our christmas tree up and mostly decorated! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteQuilting, cooking, baking, and my family make me happy...thought not necessarily in that order. It just depends on the day...LOL.
ReplyDeleteMy preschooler makes me happy (and my husband!) And Christmas carols, cozy boots, sunny days, and sewing projects that turn out well :)
ReplyDeleteMy husband makes me happy!
ReplyDeleteHugs and Kisses from my 2 year old princess! She's my last of 7 and I am getting all the hugs I can get. It's a long way to grandchildren you know!
ReplyDeleteWow that was super easy. Right now the thing that is making me the happiest is that our whole family is attending church together most sundays.
ReplyDeleteHaving two kids playing nicely with each other makes me very happy.
ReplyDeleteI love your paper-piecing. It is such fun, isn't it? I'm new to quilting, but in the sampler class I just completed paper=piecing was my favorite technique. Just yesterday I started on a set of paper-pieced X-mas tree placemats.
ReplyDeleteWhat a generous giveaway!!! Cadbury chocolate at Easter makes me happy... yum... :)
ReplyDeleteLove the pillows! My husband makes me happy :)
ReplyDeleteusa and would love to win because i am on a fabric diet this month
ReplyDeletegoing home after work to my dog makes me happy.
ReplyDeleteSnuggling with my 2-year-old on the couch under a warm blanket. :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pillows and can't wait to see how your "tester" quilt turns out. What had made me happy most recently is having my son home safe. He arrived home a few days ago from being deployed in Afghanistan with the US Marine Corps. His wife and small son were also very happy, hehe.
ReplyDeleteThank you for an awessome and generous giveaway and a chance to win.
usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com
Warm weather and sunshine in December make me happy!
ReplyDeleteSeeing how excited my kids are to wear clothes that I have made them, and running
ReplyDeletepretty fabrics!! :)
ReplyDeleteAt the moment I can smell my Christmas tree, and that is one of the happiest smells I have yet to encounter- so many memories and happy things wrapped in pine. Thanks for sharing this giveaway with us.
ReplyDeleteMy children and my new grandbaby make me happy!
ReplyDeleteThanks for a fun giveaway and a chance to win!
I don't mean to be a cheese-ball, but my husband makes me very happy. The kids mainly drive me crazy at the moment, but my loving husband always makes me feel good.
ReplyDeleteMaking my hubby laugh makes me happy.
ReplyDeletebeautiful fabrics!!!!!! thanks for the chance.
ReplyDeletei love your pillows. i am tempted to try spoonflower!
my little girls make me happy (and crazy, and crazy-happy) every day. also, bubble baths and being outside!
When my kids say they love me. It makes my heart skip a beat! And also, if my son practices piano without being told. I love it.
ReplyDeletemy daughter's sweet voice :)
ReplyDeletejenna
callherhappy.com
Looking at a stack of gorgeous fabric just waiting to be turned into something awesome!!!!!
ReplyDeleteamandaj(at)cinci(dot)rr(dot)com
OH MY GOODNESS. What an incredible giveaway! That fabric makes me happy. ;)
ReplyDeleteAlso, hot yoga and cuddles from my boys.
My 5-year-old's Christmas excitement is making me so happy!
ReplyDeletesunshine makes me happy :)
ReplyDeleteWarm blankets make me happy. I love y our quilting style...so fresh.
ReplyDeleteMy 3 mo old giggling at his sis make my day!
ReplyDeleteI love your pillows!! Sewing and mountains make me happy :)
ReplyDeleteHot cocoa weather :)
ReplyDeleteShopping for fabric and finishing a project making me happy.
ReplyDeleteThe colors in your fabric bundle make me happy - it's been so grey and cold here in Minnesota for the last week! But it's a good excuse to cuddle in a blanket with a couple cats - which also makes me happy!
ReplyDeleteSomething I love? Rain. Makes me smile every time :)
ReplyDeleteAnd I love the pattern from Diane! I thought about trying it but I'm super dyslexic when it comes to paper piecing. I totally want to though - how big are the blocks?
Christmas music makes me happy. Especially when my two 1-year-olds try to dance to it. :)
ReplyDeleteSnuggling with the doggy when I come home from school.
ReplyDeleteMy family makes me happy, and sometimes mad, but mostly happy!
ReplyDeleteAfter six years of diaper fun, not having to change them anymore. That's what makes me happy!
ReplyDeleteHmmmm.... My chickens running around clucking like idiots make me happy. My kitties cuddling up next to me and purring make me happy. My husband makes me HAPPY!!
ReplyDeletelisa(at)vetteklisa(dot)com
My kids laughing and playing together makes me super happy.
ReplyDeleteSpending time with my daughter and my husband makes me happy. :)
ReplyDeletesalted caramel mochas make me happy.
ReplyDeletebeautiful bright fabrics like the ones you are giving away make me happy :) oh and chocolate!
ReplyDeleteSomething that makes me happy....my dog. Dogs in general.
ReplyDeleteMy grandkids make me VERY happy!
ReplyDeleteMy kids make me happy, Commenting from Canada I have things from the Us shipped to a parcel pick up in the states and then just drive across the border to pick them up, so it would not be extra shipping costs FYI
ReplyDeleteMy dogs greeting me at the door when I get home from work, makes me ecstatic!
ReplyDeleteGiving Christmas gifts makes me happy... I would get this shipped to a friend in the states.
ReplyDeleteSomething that makes me happy? Color!! That's why I love to quilt... all the colors of the rainbow! Thanks!
ReplyDeletethe ocean and good friends
ReplyDeleteYour paper piecing is beautiful. Seeing my Christmas tree all lit up makes me happy.
ReplyDeleteThunderstorms make me happy. jamesandpennym(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI love your flower pillow with the black and white text on the left; love your hand quilting too! I am feeling happy because it is the Christmas season, and our outside lights are on and glowing, and in Florida it is warm enough to sit outside and enjoy them!
ReplyDeletemy family makes me happiest!
ReplyDeleteWhat makes me happy is seeing my partner - my daughter's father and I are living apart for work reasons right now, and we so look forward to weekends when we can spend a couple days together with her!
ReplyDeleteLove the pillows! I was in the social too...she showed a peak of my baby quilt a few weeks ago. I'm still waiting for my binding fabric to show up in the mail that I ordered weeks ago. Anyway, fabric makes me happy, my new house with my own sewing room makes me happy, and my loving hubby and dogs really make me happy.
ReplyDeleteGetting a good report from my daughter's te4acher makes me happy. Sometimes I just don't know how she's doing in school, so it's great to hear that she is thriving!
ReplyDeleteMy family.
ReplyDeleteWhat makes me happy? When my puppy greets me at the door when I get home from work!
ReplyDeletePretty fabric! And my family makes me happy :)
ReplyDeleteMaking things for the people I love makes me happy.
ReplyDeleteI love clear blue skies and fall weather
ReplyDeleteMy kitten makes me so happy! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteMy friends and family, thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteFun stack! I am loving reading Christmas stories to my kids every night-they so enjoy it and so do I!
ReplyDeleteGiveaways make me happy! Hah. So does tea. And less materialistic stuff, but that's obvious. :)
ReplyDeleteWell colors make me happy, so that bundle sure does! For some reason everytime I see pink and orange in the same place I get the belief its summer... Then I try not to be too sad when its not ;) Thank you for the lovely giveaway.
ReplyDeletesecond hand scraps make me happy and sharing mine with others.
ReplyDeleteColorful fabrics!
ReplyDeleteMy kids, my coffee, and Bravo.
ReplyDeletelimor477 at aol dot com
My son Blaze makes me happy. And chocolate. And yarn. And fabric lol.
ReplyDeleteA day with nothing to do but craft makes me SO happy! Thanks so much for participating in Giveaway Day!
ReplyDeleteGoing on little day adventures and eating out at a neat little lunch place in a new town makes me happy.
ReplyDeleteUm, looking at that gorgeous fabrics make me happy! Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteMy daughter taped a sign to my door today that says "I love you Mom." That made my day!
ReplyDeleteJennifer
jennifereladd at yahoo dot com
My 1 year old giving me hugs makes me happy! Beautiful fabric! Thanks for the chance to win.
ReplyDeletesteeplechaser29 at yahoo
Getting a chance to sew guilt free makes me happy (hard with a toddler)!
ReplyDeleteSewing makes me happy. And sunny days!
ReplyDeleteThanks kaloskraft@gmail.com
My 2.5 year old sleeping through the night makes me happy! Too bad this does not happen very often!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance to win!
suzanne dot jourdan at gmail dot com
My three daughters make me happy. Thanks for participating in the giveaway day.
ReplyDeleteDonkeys make me happy. Seriously, I can't drive past one without yelling "DONKEY, ahhh!"
ReplyDeleteI just had to say that your comment made me laugh. YES! Fuzzy donkey faces are so great!
DeleteFlying makes me happy.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway and please enter mine.
Fabric!!!!! Thanks for the chance at the giveaway! (Nice pillow covers, too:))
ReplyDeleteKitties make me happy! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the opportunity to win those beautiful fabrics. :)
sarita0818 at comcast dot net
Sunshine makes me happy.
ReplyDeletersgrandinetti@yahoo(DOT)com
What makes me happy: when my poofy floofy senior cat plays like a kitten. :) "SHOELACES!!! ATTACK!!!!!" Hee hee hee hee.
ReplyDeleteMy family makes me happy. When I hear from my daughter away at college my day is immediately brightened. Thanks for the chance to win.
ReplyDeletemy family : ) esp my children
ReplyDeleteHello from Minnesota! Going to the movies always makes me happy...and hot tea, and my cat's purr, and sewing - of course!
ReplyDeleteMy kitties make me happy. I love to hear that purr!
ReplyDeleteHmmm... peace and quiet. Like after the kids have gone to bed :)
ReplyDeleteHaving my step daughter visit.
ReplyDeleteBirthdays make me happy. Mine was yesterday.
ReplyDeleteMy deep freezer - yum cookie dough!
ReplyDeleteMarian! That you were featured on Alissa Jacob's blog makes me happy! :) And that you attacked paper piecing--you go, girl!!
ReplyDeletekimberlee
A warm fire on a cold evening with the whole family together makes me happy! Thanks for the wonderful giveaway chance - love the fabrics you chose.
ReplyDeleteA good day with my family where no one is over tired and cranky. I don't ask for much, do I?
ReplyDeleteThese unusually warm days in December are making me happy!
ReplyDeleteBright colors make me really happy! Thanks!
ReplyDeletemichaelacking(at)gmail(dot)com
I love the greens & twinkle lights at christmas time! so cozy!
ReplyDeleteSewing my makes me happy!!!
ReplyDeleteamyd14_1999@yahoo.com
Fabric makes me happy! Giddy, even!
ReplyDeleteSo many things, seeing my children succeed, knitting and sewing, shopping for fabric and yarn. Thanks for the giveaway. I love, love your pillows!
ReplyDeleteGiving something that I have made makes me happy:-)
ReplyDeleteSunshine makes me happy - I'm a total sun worshiper. Thanks for the give away!
ReplyDeleteDecorating the tree and seeing it lit up for the first time makes me happy! Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteShoes totally make me happy, but so does being around good friends & family. :)
ReplyDeleteI love Christmas and particularly all the baking I'm about to do. That makes me very happy. Great giveaway!
ReplyDeleteali(dot)dellea(at)gmail(dot)com
Matching my points makes me over the moon (because it hardly ever, ever happens, you see). :-)
ReplyDeleteCoffee makes me very happy, so does bright colored fabric/yarn :)
ReplyDeleteListening to my daughter read :)
ReplyDeleteDesi
weeshareblog@gmail.com
Beautiful fabrics! Seeing my daughters (4yrs and 1 yr) laugh and play together makes me happy :) Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteMy grand kids, my cats, my little Pom, hand quilting and embroidery all make me very happy.
ReplyDeleteChocolate Chip Belgian waffles!
ReplyDeleteChristmas shopping makes me happy. :-) And payday and paying the bills. I feel all adult or something. LoL
ReplyDeleteYou are so awesome! Thanks for testing my pattern! And sharing it on your giveaway post! It looks amazing! Is it ok if I use your picture and comments on my blog? :D Ok, and for the giveaway, those are some great fabrics! Something that makes me happy: when our family is all together doing nothing but having fun and enjoying each other.
ReplyDeleteChristmas decorations make me happy!
ReplyDeleteThe colors of the fabric you're giving away makes me happy. I love Lilly Pulitzer-esque color schemes! In my day to day life, it definitely has to be my husband. He pops out from behind a wall or does something silly to cheer me up all the time. He's a sweet, sweet boy. Thanks for the great giveaway!
ReplyDeletefabric in general makes me happy lol. Christmas music. Hot cocoa. Sleeping in. Giveaways ;)
ReplyDeletexoxo melzie4boyz@aol.com
Fabric makes me happy...bright, cheerful fabric! Lovely. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteBeing around my grandchildren makes me happy. I think with paper piecing you either love it or you don't - I love it
ReplyDeleteMaking things for my kids makes me happy! thanks for the chance
ReplyDeleteRight now butternut squash is making me happy!
ReplyDeletespending time with good friends makes me happy. I'll be missing some of that on new years!
ReplyDeleteBeing outside in the sunshine always makes me happy.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway!
kessilari(at)gmail(dot)com
My kids make me happy when they're not fighting!!
ReplyDeleteMy two year old son makes me happy!
ReplyDeletetime with a cup of tea and a good book make me happy.
ReplyDeleteRight now finishing quilty UFOs is making me very happy!
ReplyDeleteOur little Peachie makes me smile each night. After we turn out the lights, Peachie-one of our cats, hops onto the bed over our pillows, walks right onto my chest and stops with her head right near my hand. She waits there until I pet her and then she curls up on my stomach to sleep. I swear each night my heart smiles when she does this!
ReplyDeleteCOLOR! and my kids. even if they drive me crazy at the same time ;) Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteRainy days make me happy, and we've had a nice run of that around here recently, so I'm quite the giddy girl! Thanks for the chance at your giveaway!
ReplyDeleteMy girls laughing together makes me happy.
ReplyDeletemframe00@gmail.com
my children make me happy
ReplyDeleteThat fabric bundle makes me happy ;-) So do big fluffy puppies!!
ReplyDeleteStanding on long sands beach at Cape Neddick when the weather is a little rough. Love feeling the power of the ocean and watching the waves crash.
ReplyDeleteany fabric makes me happy!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Margaritas, picking out a Christmas tree in shorts & flip-flops, canoeing with my husband, daughter & huge chocolate Lab, sewing all by myself for hours on end, sleeping in late, reading quilt blogs 'til I'm cross-eyed...
ReplyDeleteMy family makes me happy! Thanks for the chance! mjp0419 at gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteMy christmas tree is making me really happy right now!
ReplyDeleteMy toddlers curls
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway! Getting new fabric in the mail sends me over the moon! wonderlandbyalyce(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI am happy today because my husband and I both had the day off and we got to spend the whole day together.
ReplyDeletetalking with my grands on the phone
ReplyDeleteThe smell of cinnamon!
ReplyDeleteSeeing the moon pass behind clouds makes me happy.
ReplyDeletemy 4 little munchkins...when my husband gets home from work.
ReplyDeleteHiking in National Parks with my husband and son makes me happy.
ReplyDeleteSunshine makes me happy. It's a good thing I live in SoCal.
ReplyDeleteBabies make me happy.
ReplyDeleteGoing to my kids blog makes me happy since I get to see photos of the grandkids!
ReplyDeleteMy boyfriend makes me very happy! Thank you for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteamyd14_1999@yahoo.com
my daughter just started clapping and it makes me happy throughout the day becasue she'll clap when i do things for her....like change her diaper or fix her food. i get claps for those.
ReplyDeleteHandmade gifts make me happy. You know someone had to spend time thinking about you to make you something. It means so much more.
ReplyDeletekristie_keely(at)yahoo(d0t)com
Snuggling with my little girl
ReplyDeleteMy husband and two little girls make me happy.
ReplyDeleteThanks for such a great giveaway.
Erin
emstone28@gmail.com
My dogs make me happy. They are super lovable.
ReplyDeleteQuite times in my sewing room make me happy :) Thanks for the chance!
ReplyDeleteHappy Day!
Michelle
www.daydreambelievers.net
daydreambelievershop (at) gmail (dot) com
Seeing my teenager cleaning the dishes tonight after dinner and not asking for anything in return makes me super happy!
ReplyDeleteGetting to go home on Thursday nights (I live in Tennessee, but work in Chicago 4 days a week).
ReplyDeleteLight on my Christmas tree!
ReplyDeleteChristmas cookies! I love them!
ReplyDeleteCows! (Ps. 50:10) Thanks for the great giveaway!
ReplyDeleteFamily, sunshine, being creative all make me happy. I hope you're having a happy day! Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteNancy from joy for grace
I love dahlias - such happy flowers!
ReplyDeletestarsandsunshineblog at gmail dot com
Seeing my children at the end of a long day of work makes me very happy.
ReplyDeletecuddlescuddlescuddles with my boy babaloos
ReplyDeleteMy pug makes me happy! She is so cute and an excellent snuggler!
ReplyDeleteHot coffee and fresh scones make me happy! I too haven't mailed any Christmas gifts because I am dreading the postage charges:) Thanks for chance.
ReplyDeleteWhen I wake up and notice how beautiful the sunrise is.
ReplyDeleteMaking something pretty and creative makes me very happy.
ReplyDeleteMy family make me happy. Every day! Thanks for the chance -- you put together a super cute bundle!!
ReplyDeleteFabric makes me happy!
ReplyDeleteDeborah
pinkscissorsdesign @gmail .com
Love those pillows! Besides fabric, my nightly snuggle with my daughter makes me happy!
ReplyDeleteI made baby clothing as baby gifts for my BFF and they love it, that makes me really happy~
ReplyDeletethanks for the giveaway!
A good conversation with friends or family, feeling loved, and snuggling with a warm cat!
ReplyDeleteA sweet hug from my little boy or girl make me happy, as does a good cup of joe and a book to read and many other things much more profound.
ReplyDeleteRight now-drinking coffee, snuggling with my dogs under a quilt I just finished! Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteGreat giveaway! So glad I found you. I am a new follower.
ReplyDeleteLove your pillows, especially the one with the text fabric.
My family and my yorkie make me happy. Thanks for the chance
to win.
wigglypup2(at)yahoo(dot)com
Winning a giveaway definitely makes me happy! :) In all seriousness, though, seeing my grandkids faces light up when I see them makes me happy beyond words! Thank you for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteSewing and my grandchildren make me happy!!
ReplyDeleteFondue and puppies make me smile! (Those were the first things that came to mind.) BTW: Those would be separate smiles. No puppies in my fondue!
ReplyDeleteChristmas makes me happy!
ReplyDeleteHi Marian, you did a great job with the paper piecing, I was too so intimidated by paper piecing, but I'm so glad we got to test Diane's pattern and we conquered our fear of paper piecing... that makes me happy!
ReplyDeleteHugs and hearing "I love you, Mommy".
ReplyDeleteGetting together with my family during the holiday season to bake or craft! Next week is cookie day at my Aunt's house- yummy!
ReplyDeleteMy kids make me happy. :D
ReplyDeleteMy son and husband make me incredibly happy. I can't imagine life without them! (Sewing/quilting/fabric also make me happy but the family comes first!)
ReplyDeleteMy kiddos make me happy. Cliche, I know, but it's true!
ReplyDeleteSewing with friends makes me happy! thanks for the chance!
ReplyDeleteChocolate
ReplyDeleteGladiola flowers. They are my favorite, and the time that they are available to buy is so limited. I treasure every minute !
ReplyDeleteHugs from my little boys!! Thanks for the giveaway! Amy @ gasudimack(at)sbcglobal(dot)net
ReplyDelete