Happy Giveaway Day!!

And it's Monday again!

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)

Just yesterday I was featured on Allisa Jacobs' blog with three pillow covers I made using her fabrics (designed through Spoonflower) as part of her sewing social group!

 (photos by Allisa from her post)

It's a fantastic post, and group, with so many talented women I'm just thrilled to be part of!  I loved making these, Allisa's designs are gorgeous, and you should see what else she does!!

 (photos by Allisa from her post)

I've been broadening my skills by pattern testing for Diane at From Blank Pages.  She's a total doll and I've so enjoyed getting to know her through Instagram (I'm mgriffin87 if you feel so inclined) and her blog.

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!

This giveaway will be open to US READERS only (just to keep shipping costs down this month since I haven't shipped xmas gifts yet - so sorry to my international friends!!) and will be open until December 7th at 5pm at which point I'll pick and announce a winner!  

To enter: leave a comment on this post telling me something that makes you happy!

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!

And the winners are....?

...comments #14 and #4, congratulations!!  I've emailed you both.

#14 GillOctober 19, 2012 9:04 AM

Congratulations Marian!
I'm just re-reading(Because I love it!!) 'The Timetravellers Wife'
Thanks for a fabulous giveaway!

#4 Heather D.October 18, 2012 5:49 PM

Congratulations!! I'm reading Cutting for Stone. EXCELLENT book. A lot longer than what I normally read (I think it's over 600pgs) but it's not feeling long at all.

I used the random number generator (but I couldn't figure out how you put the results here.  Anyone know?)  so, if you didn't win, stick around, I'm sure there will be more giveaways!  Thank you all for your wonderful comments!


Some of the ladies in our kids playgroup formed a book club and we're supposed to have The Last Promise by Richard Paul Evans read by November 6th (I just got my copy yesterday and honestly would much rather sew... Has anyone read it?  I'll start it tonight and we'll see how it goes).

I also got The Preschooler's Busy Book that has 365 activities to do with 3-6 year olds.  It snowed yesterday so the days of creative indoor activity have begun...and I need all the ideas I can get! 

I'm compiling a list of all the books you recommended that'll be ready tomorrow! 

We were going to have a Halloween party tonight but nobody can make it anymore : ( so now that my day has opened up again, maybe I'll get my Wiksten Tova made and watch Young Frankenstein with Ben tonight and eat carrots and olives anyway : )

Thank you again to everyone who entered!  I loved hearing your recommendations and what you are all up to!  It really is so nice to hear from you all!  Happy Friday! 

100th post!! Giveaway and discount code!

Hi everyone!!

This is my 100th blog post!  I hope you have all enjoyed some of the last 100 posts, I've had a lot of fun playing around with the whole thing!  I have some more fun stuff planned for future posts, and am hoping to get a bit more organized so I can be a bit less scattered.

I am waiting on my tutorial for Halloween Bunting until tomorrow but I do have something to share!

I made cookies today and they're my favorite (It's the recipe on the back of the Toll House Chocolate Chips).  And when a day like today comes along, they're wonderful to put together in 15 minutes.  You could just make the dough, I won't judge.

I don't feel like I am super good at tons of things, but I've been making chocolate chip cookies (from this recipe) since I was 5 years old.  That's almost 20 years of experience!

Chocolate Chip Cookies

2 sticks (1 cup) softened butter
3/4 cup packed brown sugar*
3/4 cup granulated sugar*
2 eggs
1 tsp. baking soda
1 scant tsp. salt
1 generous tsp. vanilla (to be honest I don't measure this....vanilla is the best)
2 cups flour*
as many chocolate chips as you want :) (I don't measure those either)

Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 350.  Combine butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar in a med-large bowl until creamy and smooth.
2.  Add eggs and mix until combined.
3.  Add baking soda, salt, and vanilla and mix again.
4.  Add flour and chocolate chips and mix (if you like your cookies cake-y then feel free to add more flour).  Taste to be sure of it's deliciousness
5. scoop onto ungreased baking/cookie sheet and bake for 9-12 minutes.  I set timer for 9 minutes, check them and add time.  I hate burnt cookies.
6. Devour and then make some more.

*Living in Idaho I've modified the recipe a tad to get good results at this elevation.  I use 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 cup brown sugar and 2 1/4-2 1/2 cups flour.  Basically, the more brown sugar, the chewier the cookie.  If you like crunchy cookies add more granulated sugar, and if you like cakey cookies add more flour.

Now for the GIVEAWAY!! 

I have 2 i-spy charm packs from my Etsy shop to give to two of you!!!

There are 56 5" charms in each pack and the fabric came from my stash (This is just an example of the type of charms in 1 pack).  All quality fabrics, even some Japanese and organic fabrics! 

To enter:

1. Leave me a comment telling me what book you've read lately that was awesome.  And fair warning, if you say Twilight I'll assume you're being sarcastic ; ) Or, if you haven't read anything lately, what have you done lately that was awesome!

*You don't have to be a follower to enter this giveaway!  I love having followers but that's not why I do this.  Follow me if you want to but I'm not going to make it a requirement.  That's up to you!!  

Giveaway will be open until Wednesday night, Ocober 24th and I'll pick a winner on Thursday. 

I also wanted to give you a discount code (100POSTS) for 15% off in my Etsy shop.  The discount will be good until the end of October! 

Thank you all for being such amazing supportive people!  I enjoy reading your comments so so much, though I don't always respond quickly I assure you, your words are read and so appreciated!! 

Discounted Rainbow Baby quilt in the shop!

Monday's aren't too cool with me so I wanted to show you this quilt I finished over the weekend and listed in my Etsy shop.

I used charms from a rainbow charm swap I did over the summer to make it, and think it'll be great for a little one to carry around.  It'd be great too as a playmat for a baby to roll all over and stare at and learn colors!

I've taken $20 off the price of this one because I wasn't happy with the way my "straight line" quilting turned out.  There's nothing wrong with the construction, it's just that the lines aren't straight....so I'm still hopeful that someone will enjoy it and not care that the lines are a little wavy!!!

The quilt measures 45 1/2" square and is backed with a leftover Ikea sheet that is super cozy and a great blue with red dot print. 

You can find the listing for this quilt here.

Thanks everyone!

My next post (100th!!!)  includes a tutorial for a super cute Halloween decoration and a giveaway!!  Be sure to come back soon :)

(Ok, I'll tell you, it's bunting!!)

We have a winner!!

And if it's not you, I'm sorry.....blame my kids.  They wanted to help out so we pulled the two winners out of a hat!  They loved it.

There were 34 comments/entries into my first giveaway (amazing!!)!!

The lucky winners of the Quilt Blocks charm packs are #22 and #29!

It was ridiculously hard to get pictures of them holding their numbers...goodness were they excited!

#22 - rachael  May 18, 2012 6:46 AM

my favorite thing at this *very* moment is that i'm actually catching up on some blog reading ;)

#29 - twelfthzodiac  May 18, 2012 8:21 PM

Favourites...there's a cat curled up on my lap right now...she's a favourite for sure :)
I have been keepin an eye out for this line, some really cool prints in there!

Congratulations!!!  I'm sending you both an email so as soon as I get your address I'll send you your charm pack!!  

I really want to thank all of you who entered!  It was so fun to read all your comments and hear what your favorite things are!  I love this online community and am so glad to be a tiny part of it!  

HAPPY 50TH...

...post...50th post...not birthday, haha!  Though today is actually my HALF birthday (I will be 25 later this year)!

Let's get down to business!  To celebrate all you awesome folks who read my nonsense and inspire me with your creativity and beautiful projects, I have two charm packs of the new line Quilt Blocks to give to two lucky people (one each).

I REALLY love the fabrics in here and have already seen some awesome projects popping up using these prints.  The colors are fabulous and the patterns are so great. 

Alls you need to do is leave me ONE COMMENT below.  Tell me something that's your favorite right now!

I'll run this through Sunday night and then pick a winner on Monday.  Sound good?

Ready...


Set...

Go!

Updated : The giveaway is now closed.  Thanks to all who entered to make my first giveaway a success!!

I Won Something Awesome!

My day has just been brightened by a fantastic email. I won a giveaway!!

Red Pepper Quilts had a giveaway from Moona Fabrics of 10 fat quarters of Summerlove by Pat Bravo.  I entered it dreaming of all things summery and thinking I might as well go and buy some.  These giveaways have hundreds of entries and I can't remember a time in my life that I've won something...

The fabric was in and out of my online shopping carts all day!

And what did I find today in my inbox? I had to look twice...I won the 10 fat quarters!!!!

Check out this fabric...it's unbelievable! I have shopped at Moona Fabrics before and they are a wonderful place!  If you haven't visited them before, you should definitely check them out!

I'm so excited, now I get to flip through my quilting books and find the perfect pattern to use for these beautiful fabrics!  Stay tuned...I'll be sure to share pictures when they arrive!