Pay It Forward: Birthday Edition

A few weeks ago I signed up to be one of Annabella's Pay it Forward (PiF) friends over at her blog Life's Rich Pattern. I have seen PiF over at a few blogs this past year, but hadn't really realized what it was exactly or had the chance to join in until I read Annabella's post about her PiF experience. Basically, for anyone who isn't familiar, PiF (in the blogging/sewing world) is a sort of like a goodwill sewing and crafting exchange where much positive karma is spread around in the form of handmade treats. 

Since today is my birthday, :) I thought it would be fitting to send out some goodwill wishes to my blog friends (that's you!) by getting the ball rolling on my PiF. Later this year Annabella will be sending me a lovely package of some goodies and in return I will be sending out three packages of my own to the first three commenters to post here. There are a few rules, so make sure to read carefully before committing:

1. I will make a crafty gift for each of the first three people to comment on this post. This little gift is a surprise, and will arrive to you anytime within the next 365 days.

2. To sign up to pay it forward, you need to commit to the project yourself... so you can pay it forward too! Just post this, or something similar on your blog so others can get involved.

 3. You need to have an active blog of your own...(or some other way to post up your PiF info like a flickr, pinterest, or facebook account. Basically you'll need a place to announce your own PiF and to post some pics of the process.)

 4. After commenting on this post, post something similar on your blog...so you can spread the pay it forward love. I will email you asking for your mailing address (and the online address where you are posting) so I can get your little treat in the mail. (Please make sure that your email address is visible on your profile or leave it in the comment.)

And just to make sure this post has a little bit of eye candy, here are the voiles and flannels I picked up with my gift certificate from Pink Chalk Fabrics. They are so soft!

Made in Cherry(Echo) Mock-up

I just wanted to stop in a moment to say thanks to everyone who voted during the Handmade with Love Tutorial Contest at Pink Chalk. I was really excited to see the amazing projects that won and to have a chance to take part in round two of the contest. I received a $20 gift certificate from Pink Chalk (so generous!) for making the top 15 and I can't wait to show you guys what I am going to be making with the fabric I picked up.  

I also wanted to share my mock-up plan for the Made in Cherry Quilt Along that I am participating in this January. I decided to go with the Echo collection by Lotta Jansdotter for this quilt, with a solid cream thrown in to add some lightness. While my original idea was to only use the warm prints from my 1/2 yard bundle, and not add in any turquoise, I ended up playing around with working some of it in during one Photoshop iteration and I liked it so much that they are staying. 

I think that the change in value between the star and the background is what really works for this, and that the range of colors doesn't detract from the impact of that. I can't wait to start cutting the fabric!

By the way, the move is going well and things are starting to resemble a home again. I really appreciate everyone's good wishes and even kind offers to help (thank you Sunni!). I might have a another trip to Ikea in the works before all is said and done (must resist extra fabric purchases), but I can hopefully get back to sewing soon. :) Finally, if I don't get a chance to post before, have a wonderful Christmas and a joyful weekend!

Hooray!!

My Embroidered Snowflake Table Runner (from the Holiday How-to Series) was selected as a finalist in the "Deck the Halls" category for the Handmade With Love Tutorial Contest at Pink Chalk Fabrics! WOOT!! :) I am extremely excited to be one of the featured projects (especially among so many other really amazing entries) and I hope you guys will have a chance to swing by before December 21st to cast your vote for your favorite tutorials in each category. Thank you so much to Pink Chalk Fabrics for sponsoring this great contest!

I won't bribe you with chocolate or anything to vote for mine (although...) ;), but I do hope you will get a chance to look at all of the wonderful projects and maybe bookmark a couple of your favorite tutorials.  I am signing off for a couple of days as I won't have consistent internet access (typing this while borrowing coffee shop wifi). :) Have a great rest of your weekend and I will be back soon!

My "Home for the Holidays" Christmas Ornament

I wanted to share with you some pics of the ornament I made for my swap partner, Gina, for the Lindsay Sews Holiday Ornament Swap.

The pattern is from Retro Mama and can be found here. I have recently seen a bunch of really cute ornaments made from this tutorial all over blogland, so make sure to check out the Retro Mama flickr group too if you'd like to see some more finished examples!

Yellow, Aqua, and Gray + Bow-tie Progress

This post has been in my mind for a while, but with a busy November,  I just never got around to showing you the beautiful charms I received from the Yellow, Aqua, and Gray Charm Swap at Craft Buds. Here is the collection.

Clover and Violet Guest Post / "Little Chick" Felt Penguin Ornament

I just wanted to let you know that today you can find me guest posting over at Clover and Violet with a new tutorial for the Welcome Baby Tutorial Series. Jennie just welcomed into her family her own baby girl Norah, and was inspired to create a series that features an amazing collection of baby-themed tutorials perfect for expecting and new moms as well as those who like to make for them! She has been featuring some amazing guest bloggers and kindly asked me to join in the fun. I am so thrilled to be able to be a part of this awesome series! Here are a couple photos of my project,  the "Little Chick" Baby's 1st Christmas Felt Penguin Ornament.

    

Head on over to Clover and Violet to get all the details on the series as well as complete instructions and the downloadable pattern to make your own "little chick"!

Mail Day!

Between Thursday and Friday I have had the best mail days this past week! Do you have days like that too, where you get a nice letter and maybe a package or two that you have been waiting for? It seems like I always have everything awesome arrive together and between yesterday and the day before I have had the perfect storm of awesome mail. What I am rambling about you may ask? Let me show you!

Great News and the Winner of the Giveaway!

Today (or rather tonight) I have the pleasure of making a couple of great announcements. :) First of all I have drawn the winner of the Sew Lux Fabric and Gifts giveaway as part of the Holiday How-to Series finale. The winner of the stack of three fat quarters plus a half-yard cut is:

Alli of B. Yazoo!

Congratulation Alli! I hope you enjoy your beautiful fabric. :)

And thanks so much to both Sew Lux Fabrics and Benzie Bazaar 

for sponsoring the Holiday How-to Series this November!

I also would like to share that this past week the wonderful folks over at Pellon contacted me about featuring the "Holiday in Paris" Spa Gift Set tutorial on their website. I am already a big fan of their products (I buy Shape Flex by the bolt) and was so excited to have the chance to share my tutorial with their customers and readers as well. It is now up and available as a download here on their site! You do need to register in order to download it, but it's super easy to do so and also allows you to have access to a ton of other great tutorials from other featured Pellon artists and project designers. The company is also sending me some of their products to play with, so I will be sharing my experiences and tips with using them here on the blog!