new adventure... and a giveaway!!!

I am so excited!!!  I have a meeting next week with the owners of a store in the town I grew up in.  It's a sweet little shop named The Stork's Cradle.  It is filled with a few goodies for mommies (maternity wear, bags, etc.) and a ton of goodies for babies - nursery decor, books, quilts, blankets, clothing, toys and more.
Here's where I need your help!  I am pulling together some of my baby goodies to share with them in the hopes that they will want to sell some of it in their shop.  If you were going to walk into a store and buy my items off the shelf, what would you like to see?  What should I show off at the meeting - clothing and/or other items?  Hop on over to my Facebook galleries, click on categories ("threads") over on the right column, read old blog posts - whatever works best for you... just help me decide!!!  (Their clothing only goes up to 12month size).

I have also hit 40 followers and 400 blog posts.  So as a little thank you to you for sticking by me & helping me choose - a new giveaway & a coupon code!
GIVEAWAY - One of you will get one of your favorite things mentioned in the comments!!!!  A name will be chosen at random after my meeting with the Stork's Cradle owners.
COUPON CODE -  Order something from my ArtFire shop and include the code 4STORK and you'll get $4 off.

The coupon and giveaway will be closed next Monday at noon (after my meeting).

GIVEAWAY WINNER!!!

And the winner is...Which if I counted correctly means you get the sleeper!!!
Congratulations! I'll be emailing you soon about the details.

Thanks to everyone else for visiting and sharing your snowy memories. We got our first substantial snowfall last night, and although the ground's not completely covered, my son's out there playing already! (He chose snow before breakfast, of course!)

If you liked what you saw, please consider ordering your very own onesie dress from my ArtFire shop! You can also contact me through email to place a custom order.

GIVEAWAY DAY!

Thanks for visiting me for Giveaway Day!

Winter here in the Midwest means snow. Not as much as other places, of course, but we still see a good share of it! Some of my most memorable snowy experiences include... breaking my nose after falling off a toboggan... taking half an hour bundling up my kids & then enjoying hot chocolate inside 15 minutes later... cutting out paper snowflakes... the BIGGEST snowman ever (it was laying on its side) and watching my son & brother climb it... days off of school (as a student & a teacher!)... the list could go on and on!

Today you have two snowflake clothing choices for your little babe.
If you're interested, let me know which one you would like (sleeper or dress) and tell me a favorite snow-filled memory.

1st choice:
This white knit sleeper is adorned in starry snowflakes - even on the toes! Each snowflake has been specially appliqued with a unique design. The right side is open for your special instructions - a monogram or name, "Let it Snow", or larger snowflake design.
It is size 6m.

2nd choice:
This white long-sleeved onesie dress has a starry snowflake skirt & red and white striped ruffle. The top is waiting for your special instructions - a monogram, candy cane, snowflake, or other design will be included!
It is size 3-6m.

Sorry, no international shipping.
Open until midnight CST, December 6th.
Make sure you include your e-mail if one isn't listed in your profile.
The item will be shipped on December 12th.

Check out all the other giveaways over at Sew, Mama, Sew!!!!

a winner... and sorting it all out.

I only had one person enter in my 300 giveaway. Maybe nobody read my blog during those three days, maybe nobody wanted free stuff, maybe the rules were too hard, I'm not sure. Anyway... congratulations to Lisa @ Life with 4!!!! I e-mailed you... so just answer and I'll get your package shipped off!

As for the sorting it all out. I am overwhelmed by some stuff happening here at our house. I won't bore you with the details, but I just feel a little out of control. It probably doesn't help that I've been spending my sewing time doing a lot of not-so-exciting commissioned stuff & prepping for my next craft show, not creating brand new stuff. I am always happier when I can create, not just produce. There's definitely a difference for me!

I read Mary Anne's post today and it just really hit me. I try and roll with the punches - I try to be a mellow mom. I have two grandmas nearby who don't work outside the home & are willing to spend time with my kids during the weekdays when I'm stressed about getting sewing jobs done. My house doesn't have to be spotless. My husband mops! (and an assortment of other REALLY helpful wonderful supportive things)
However, I still have things I'd like to work on...
-more one-pot meals. Unfortunately, I'm not much of cook anyway & don't really like my foods all mixed together. But it sure would make life easier!
-streamline the errands/ stores/ outings. My kids like hanging out at home (which hasn't always been true for my son). I should let them enjoy their toys, playing together, etc. more often.
-better solution to the fighting over toys problem. Unfortunately, Abby's a little young to understand the don't fight or it goes away rule that Mary Anne uses.

How do you keep it together??!!!! Please, any tips would be great!

A couple other things to look forward to... I'll be posting some new projects soon, looking forward to family time over the Thanksgiving weekend, and I'll be participating in the Sew Mama Sew Giveaway December 2nd.
See you all again soon!!

third time's the charm!

Can you believe it? This is my 300th post! Woo-hoo! And I am now up to 33 followers.
I've been thinking about it for a while and trying to decide how to celebrate. A 3-themed giveaway seems the best, wouldn't you agree?

Here's the rules...
1. Browse my ArtFire shop and pick your favorite 3 items. Leave me a comment.
2. Time to be thankful... think of 3 things you're thankful for. Leave me a comment.
3. Been reading my blog for a while? What are your top 3 favorite posts? Leave me a comment.

Each comment is an entry. You have three days... Entries will be closed at 3 p.m. on the 12th. The more comments, the more chances to win!

Oh yeah... and what do you win? One of your favorite 3 items from my shop, of course!!! Good luck!

back on track???

I'm trying to get back on track from a whirlwind 2 weeks of beach, driving, rain, sightseeing, and more driving. I have done absolutely no crafting lately, due to vacation & the madness called unpacking and laundry since my return. I do have a couple custom sewing orders upcoming, but nothing too special or blog-worthy. (ok, well one special project for my hubby's birthday, but I'm not ready to reveal that yet.) So I just wanted to say yes, I'm here. Yes, I will be crafty again.

Cause I know you all love pictures... here's my favorite one of the kids (in the camper) waiting for breakfast. (excuse the junk piled everywhere, that's life in a camper with two little kids!)
While we were driving along one day, I decided to quick look on the school district website for something. I noticed there was a job opening for a librarian. I won't go into all the details, but I decided not to apply. I decided that being home with my kids & doing my thing here is more important than going back to work in a library. But it did start me thinking some more about what I'm really doing here... meaning in the blog world, and in the sewing business. So, indulge me a little here... I am just wondering... Why are you here? (I mean that in a nice way.) What do you love - book reviews, pictures of my silly kids, tutorials, clothing, embroidery, card making, decorating, party planning, organization tips...? What are you interested in seeing? If you could pick one thing from my artfire shop or my past projects to be yours, what would it be? (feel free to click on the sewing label on the side and browse for a while.) I'm contemplating my fall plans, and just trying to think about what to offer. And who knows, maybe one person's dream will become reality....

Thanks for stopping by my little corner today. See you around!

sew, mama, sew WINNER!!!

surreal.
What a whirlwind the last few days have been. The number (and quality!) of comments I've received on my little creation has been overwhelming. Thanks for all the love, everyone!
It is fun to create, and even more fun when other people love what you create!
There were a couple of you who wanted a tutorial or were interested in sewing your own. I'll see what I can put together in the next week or two.

So... the real news you're here for - - -

THE WINNER IS.... ROSEY LITTLE THINGS!


roseylittlethings said...
Strawberries and raspberries are our faves! Darling dress!
May 27, 2009 10:24 AM

I know a lot of people use random.org - I like to do things a little differently. I printed off everyone's names on one single sheet of paper (small print!) and told my son to pick one and circle it. I have no idea what his thought process was, but figured that was pretty random.
So - please email me with the size you would like your dress to be, and your address & I'll get this sent off as soon as possible!!!

For all of you other sad folks out there, I am always selling at ArtFire - please check out some of my other items! Free shipping until June 10th if you mention SEW MAMA SEW in the checkout notes. If you email me with a custom order or request by June 10th, shipping is still free!

sew, mama, sew GIVEAWAY!!!!

If you're here for the Sew, Mama, Sew Giveaway, you've come to the right place!!!

My item for the day is a strawberry onesie dress. It is sewn with a few fat quarters of Elanor's Picnic by P&B Textiles. I made the original for a friend, but loved it so much I made one for my daughter, and have enough fabric to send one to some other lucky little girl!!!
Here's a close-up of the strawberry. It was appliqued on the front of the onesie and made to match the stripes of the skirt.
If you want to enter, just leave me a comment about your favorite fruit. My family kind of lives by the seasons... strawberry, blueberry, pear, apple. What's your favorite season? If you would like to be a follower- that would be great too!!! (but not necessary for the contest)

I'm happy to ship internationally. However, I have never done it before and might need a little guidance! I would also appreciate a little help with the cost of shipping, since (I assume) it will be so much more.

I will announce the winner May 31st, and as long as you get back to me quickly with the size you would like, I'll be shipping out June 3rd. Sorry, it is only available up to 24 months.

pink & green WINNER!

Thanks everybody for your kind comments about my pink & green items. I'm glad you spent a minute (or two) of your Memorial Day weekend with me!

The news you've all been waiting for....

Sarah you're the winner!
YAY!
Email me with the name for the bag & your mailing address.

Now for all the rest of you heartbroken folks, if you head on over to my ArtFire shop and buy something by the end of the month, shipping is FREE! (well, I don't really know how to make it show up as free, but I'll refund it to your PayPal right away.) Just be sure to type PINK&GREEN in the comments at checkout.
Of course, I love custom orders too - so if you have something special in mind, please let me know!!!!

(Still sad? I have another GIVEAWAY tomorrow through the Sew Mama Sew giveaway day. Come on back!)

pink & green & a GIVEAWAY!

If you're stopping by courtesy of the ArtFire Pink & Green Blog Tour - thank you!
I've made a ton of pink and green things - it was so hard to pick my favorites, but here we go...

This bag is a customer favorite - perfect for little girly-girls and ballerinas everywhere!

This sweet onesie was for a little baby named Ivy - the center of the swirly heart is minkee. So soft and cuddly!

This table runner was made for Jen - as part of a swap hosted by Crafty Mama. She said she loved bright pinks, with a little bit of green. So I went to work on a couple whirligigs for her - added some Cuttlebug stars & a pink button, squiggled in the white - and I was done. It was so much fun to find all these great fabrics in my stash!

These dresses were made for my friend's two daughters in Arizona. So simple and easy, made from a soft lightweight fabric - perfect for their hot months!

I made a quilt for my 1st niece out of a mixture of pink and green fabrics. I had some leftover star stuff - and made her this cute hat. I love the scalloped edge on it!


I figured I better stop now and tell you the best part - I'm giving away a tutu bag to one of you!
My very first giveaway - YAY!
Here's how you can win... (3 entries possible!)
1. Make a comment about your favorite item (even if it's not the tutu bag) - or tell me who you would give the bag to.
2. Become a follower (if you already are, you'll still get the extra entry)
3. Blog about me & the giveaway. (make sure you let me know!)

I'll be drawing names May 26th at noon.
Make sure you leave your email address in the comments if you don't have a blog. I'd hate for you to win and then not be able to receive your special bag!
If you can't think of any girls who would want this bag, let me know and I'll design a bag for your favorite boy. I don't want the boys to be left out. :)

Thanks for stopping by. Even if you don't win - I'm glad you're here and I hope you'll come back often! I review books every Sunday, and I'm always up to something else during the week. See you around...