"Quilting Happiness" Book Review and Giveaway

Disclosure: I received a copy of the book "Quilting Happiness" for review. All opinions below are strictly my own. All photos used with permission.

Fair warning. Before I commence this book review, I'm alerting you to the fact that this review might well be unintentionally slanted. That's because I am personally acquainted with one of its authors. I have tried my best to be impartial. But it was tricky under the circumstances. So you be the judge, ok?

Under the microscope today is a brand-new book called "Quilting Happiness". Written by Christina Lane and Diane Gilleland and published by Potter Craft, it is a book of "projects, inspiration and ideas to make quilting more joyful".

Sounds promising, eh?

This book has two distinct facets to it: the Quilting part and the Happiness part.

First, the Quilting part. Like most quilting books, "Quilting Happiness" has an array of projects that quilters can make, including several quilts and smaller projects. Each project comes complete with cutting, piecing, and quilting instructions, and includes two handy lists. The first list, "Christina's Tips", serves to simplify the project; the second list, "Quilting Ideas", suggests a few quilting alternatives. Cool!

I love quilts, as you know. If I were to pick a favourite from this book, it would have to be the very cozy-looking, hand-quilted and scrappy, Plus You Quilt pictured above.

The Quilter's Tote Bag, below, is one of the small projects I could see myself trying from the book's pages. Pretty and useful, I could imagine doing it in random scraps or a completely different set of solids. I noticed in "Christina's Tips" a suggestion to use a tool I haven't tried before too. I like this sort of information. It opens the mind to what's out there.

And then comes the second facet of the book: the Happiness part. This part is what makes the book different from most. Sprinkled amongst the projects, hither and thither, are various "happiness-related goodies". These range from "creative exercises... inspiring stories... and practices to increase your enjoyment of quilting".

For example, one of the first exercises is creating a collage to help you define your quilting style. As part of this task, the authors pose a number of questions to help you "tease out" your style from within the collage's composition. In this age of too-much-information, it's easy to become overwhelmed with the quilty possibilities only to be left perplexed as to what you like or what your style might be. If an exercise like this results in a little clarity, it's probably worth a shot, eh?

Other thoughtful happiness bits include the block of quotes below the title of each project. These are not famous quotations, but friendly words from Christina and Diane themselves about the project in question. Another is the personal story such as that shared by avid quilters Kay Bailey and Rachel Hauser. And one very interesting aspect of this book (which I've linked to many many times in this review), is the website Quilting Happiness." As well as a ton more info about the book, you'll find other goodies there including, but not limited to: bits that were edited from the book, freebie patterns, the ability to purchase the digital version of the book, etc... Do check it!

So that, in my view, is what "Quilting Happiness" is all about.

Okay... To the GIVEAWAY!

It just so happens that I have an extra copy of the book. And it just so happens that I'm willing to give it away. For a price of course: ONE COMMENT! Leave your comment below and make darn sure I can reach you via email, okeedokey? Beauty.

I'll announce the randomly-chosen winner on Friday, September 27th. Best of luck to you!

♥M

TRaNG Picks a Giveaway Winner!

Just let me ask my dear friend TRaNG (a.k.a. True Random Number Generator - we're on a first name basis like that) to pick a "Sew-It...Today" Magazine Giveaway winner.

Um, TRaNG? Could you do the honours?

Why, thank you TRaNG! So helpful!

Well it looks like commenter #12 is the lucky winner.

I wonder who it's going to be... Counting down to the 12th comment because I'm too lazy to put numbering on my comments, gives us... 1... 2... 3... 4... 5... 6... 7... 8... 9... 10... 11... 12...

Ooh it's my bloggy friend Saraccino! This is the first time I've ever known the giveaway winner. How exciting! Congratulations Claire, you've won the magazine! I'll be getting in touch with you via email lickety-split. Yippee!

And thanks to everyone else who played along too. Have yourself a lovely weekend!

♥M

"Sew-It... Today" Magazine Giveaway

GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED!

A happy post today... A few of my denim crafts are featured in the premier issue of a new sewing magazine called "Sew-It...Today". I took a pic of the actual page above. You see? There are my little denim pincushions, denim pouf and denim bowls! Kinda neat, eh?

The first-ever issue of the magazine will soon be in stores and contains instructions for 22 pretty sewing projects that range from tea towels to doggie beds. HERE's a helpful review from Pattern Review in case you're wondering what other goodies it holds.

Interested in getting your hands on an advanced copy? Well it just so happens that I have one precious copy to give away... Yay! 

Just leave a comment on this post, making sure I can reach you via email, and I'll throw your name in the hat. Anyone/anywhere can enter, and the winner will be randomly chosen on Friday, November 9th at 6pm ET. I'll announce the winner shortly thereafter. 

Best of luck to you!

♥M

GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED!

Hexa Go-Go Giveaway!

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED! 

Thanks for joining in!

Just a tiny addendum to yesterday's Hexa Go-Go review post...

I've been given the chance to GIVE AWAY a copy of Tacha Bruecher's book Hexa Go-Go at the conclusion of the blog book tour! Yippee! To enter, simply leave a comment on this post. One comment will be drawn absolutely randomly on September 21st. The winner will be contacted via email.

NOTE: If you live in the U.S. you will receive a hard-copy book. If you live outside of the U.S. you will receive the e-book version.

Best of luck to you!

♥M

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED! 
Thanks for joining in!

Treasures From Those Northern Skies

My friend Melissa held a giveaway the other day and guess who won it! Yes, it was I!

Melissa blogs over at... well... a few places. She has a home-schooling blog and a poetry blog, but I visit her most often at Those Northern Skies where she shares a little bit of everything including crafts, photography, and real-life family adventures. Melissa has a gifted photographic eye. She's a poet. A crafter. A teacher. She does it all actually. And her blogger voice is a most natural and honest one. I love that about her.

The giveaway prize was advertised as the lovely embroidery kit in the first pic. But that sweet Melissa! She sent along all kinds of extra miscellaneous goodies in the prize package! Opening it was like having a personal look-see into Melissa's private craft stash. So much fun! Each little bundle contained a handwritten note detailing its contents. Isn't that the neatest thing?

This one below says: "Michele, I know I've seen you use concentrate containers frequently but never the lids.  :)" Well Melissa, this is where I beg to differ. Take a look here, here, here, here, and here. See? I have used metal juice lids! And these will happily join my beloved recyclable stash.

She included a few different recyclables like these beautifully coloured plastic rice bags and a white glass bottle. I'll for sure have fun playing with these! Maybe even in combination...

Now here's something I've never crafted with: old puzzles! Hmm... that sounds like a bit of a challenge, eh? Going to have to think hard about that one... Oh, but I recall that Melissa herself crafted with puzzle pieces. You see, she made this lovable puzzle snowman! Isn't it a cutie-pie?

You're truly kind Melissa. Thank you so much for sending along this treasure. I know I will enjoy days, if not weeks, of crafty fun with all your gifts.

Have a great day!

♥M

Drop-Dead Denim Giveaway Winners!

Before I put the final touches on our September of Denim, I'd like to send big hugs out to all who entered Monday's giveaway. It was so much fun putting these packages together. I'm most excited to send two lucky people some lovely denim loot!!!

Okay. Now. So. Are you ready? Brace yourself... The Drop-Dead Denim Giveaway winners as chosen by the Random Number Generator are:

#13 Agy who stated: Ooh, this is great! I'm from somewhere on the other side of the globe :-) The favourite denim craft I've made is when I reupholstered my hubby's swivel chair... I'd love to be able to make some patchwork out of it too. Count me in :-)

and

#30 Liberty who said: Ooh! Very exciting giveaway! I've been following the posts this month with so much enjoyment (my partner somehow puts holes in otherwise strong jeans so I have lots of denim free to use!) What I'd love to make is a denim sunhat with a very wide brim :)

Yippee! Yahoo! Yay! Many congratulations to Agy and Liberty!!! I'll connect with you imminently and send out those delicious packages as soon as possible. And one day I'd love to see your patchwork (Agy) and your very wide brim sunhat (Liberty)!

Coming up in a minute... The Final Drop-Dead Denim post. Can you believe it?

Drop-Dead Denim Giveaway!

This Giveaway is now closed!

The month-long Michele Made Me marathon à la denim continues today with... ah yes...

A GIVEAWAY for YOU!

Why a giveaway? Well Drop-Dead Denim was my first big bloggy event. This is just my way of celebrating its near-completion. And... I guess it's also my way of showing my gratitude to you for being part of it and making it so much fun! You know that your mere presence fuels my creativity right? That makes me a happy person. So I want to say thank you.

Edited to Add: Item #12 was added to the Giveaway on 27 Sep 2011!

What's on the table, you ask? The 12 items pictured below will be divided secretly (yet carefully) amongst two lucky readers. Tee hee hee...

NOW! I am just chuffed to have some generous sponsors contributing to today's giveaway!

The first is Brentave Ideas, a dear little etsy shop who's motto is: "Giving new life to old jeans". By George, that is my kinda shop. Denise, the owner, has generously donated the handmade denim pillow (Exhibit#11) above! And pictured below are some of the great denim items available in her shop. They include: a Lilly pad lap cover, a bolster pillow, and a wrist pin cushion. Drop by Brentave Ideas and have a gander. Denise would love to have you!

Daring Miss Lassiter, a second lovely etsy shop, has furnished us with the cutest pair of denim heart earrings (Exhibit #8)! Susan creates unique accessories often using denim as a starting point. Some favourite denim items in her shop can be seen below and include: the designer tie tote, dangle earrings, and pendant necklace!

Susan is kindly offering 15% off to shoppers who've found her shop via Michele Made Me. Enter coupon code MMMPROMO to receive the discount. Isn't that brilliant? Visit Daring Miss Lassiter at etsy or on Facebook anytime!

Here is a closeup of those adorable heart dangle earrings by Daring Miss Lassiter!

Edited to Add: I've been lucky enough to add Fringe Fiber to the giveaway contributors today (27 Sep 2011). See the following paragraph!

Thirdly, Fringe Fiber is an etsy shop whose owner, Kristie Peters, weaves old denim and other fibers into the rich and gorgeous coasters and table runners that you see in the photo below. Kristie has been weaving most of her adult life, and in her own words: "is particularly drawn to upcycling and repurposing existing materials." As you've probably guessed, Kristie has generously donated some beautiful hand woven denim coasters (Exhibit #12) to today's giveaway. Kindly visit her at her shop, Fringe Fiber, on her blog Kris Peters, or on Facebook to see her creativity at work!

And finally, Nancy Minsky (our Drop-Dead Denim special guest), has graciously supplied one of the winners with a copy of her book, Denim Revolution!

Thank you Denise, Susan, Kristie and Nancy for your kind generosity!

Let's get to the heart of the matter, shall we?

The giveaway (divided between 2 winning persons) includes:

1. a copy of Jean Therapy by Scatha G. Allison and Maria Stefanelli
2. a pair of small, non-stick, craft scissors by Fiskars
3. a fine water-erasable fabric marker by Clover
4. a pocket full of vintage lace
5. 2 me-made denim pincushions (pictured below)
6. 4 balls (2 denim blue, 2 variegated yellow-orange) of crochet cotton
7. a copy of Denim Revolution by Nancy Minsky
8. a pair of heart dangle earrings by Daring Miss Lassiter
9. one Mi-shell denim pendant
10. 100 flat flower straight pins
11. a handmade denim pillow by Brentave Ideas
12. denim coasters by Fringe Fiber: Kristie Peters

Rules of entry:

• Please be from somewhere.
• Please do not have a broken email. I cry mostly real tears when the rightful winner cannot be reached.
• Please enter on this post telling me of a favourite denim thing you've made or dream of making.

The giveaway ends Thursday September 29th, 2011, 9 pm EST. Winners will be generated randomly and announced in Friday's Final Drop-Dead Denim post.

Best of luck to you, and have a wonderful day!

P.S. I posted yesterday (yes, Sunday!) so if you missed Poppyprint Krista's guest-post, it was a doozy! Do check it out.

This Giveaway is now closed!

A Thousand Thanks Celebration and Giveaway!

This Giveaway is NOW CLOSED. Thank you to all who entered!

Happy Monday!

I'm so glad you could make it! Today I'm celebrating a truly nifty milestone: this blog's amassing of 1000 Google Friend Connect followers. Happy happy joy joy!!! It seems impossible, but there it is in black and white down there in the foot of the blog. See? I'm not even making this stuff up. I'm so chuffed about it I can't even say...

And speaking of following, I also want to acknowledge my lovely email and RSS subscribers. I want you to know that I haven't forgotten you. One day you'll get your very own celebration, never fear. You too are important to me! And needless to say, you are most welcome to stay and play today, as is everyone.

So what are we doing? We're sharing. Sweet eh? I'm going to tell you a little bit about me. And, eventually, you'll do the same. But I'll get it started. Here are some things I've never told you before.

Ready? Okay... here goes nothing:

• I'm very shy. People don't believe me when I tell them this, but it's true. I'm afraid of you. You scare me.
• I don't do the dishes every day. Sometimes I skip a day and just let the pile grow for another day. And oddly, I really hate doing 2 days worth of dishes but sometimes I really hate doing ONE day of dishes. It's a circle.
• I'm ambidextrous. I use my left hand for eating, writing, and cutting. My right hand I use for handling a computer mouse, playing sports like hockey and baseball, and weeding. And despite cutting with my left hand, I cannot abide left-handed scissors. They're just awful.
• I'm not colour blind, but sometimes red is green and green is red. Unexplainable.

• I'm modest to the extreme. Sometimes I wish it was winter all year round. That way I wouldn't ever have to wear small clothes. I've literally gone years without swimming to avoid wearing my bathing suit. Canada with its long winters is the place for me.
• I have a temper; I've been known to get angry much much.
• I used to do a lot of acting. I co-starred in a local children's television series in the 1990's. We recorded only one season.
• Frequently my brain itches, and I can't reach in to scratch because it's inside my brain.
• Warm scarves are crucial, essential, necessitous to my existence. My first few inches are permafrost so I'm cold, always cold... I'm cold right now.

Hey, that went pretty smoothly...

Okeedoke. Now it's your turn. Wanna know what you're playing for? Alrighty then!

The giveaway prize includes:

1. A small spiral bound notebook for sketching or recording your precious ideas.
2. A set of 8 fine-point sharpies including a twin-tip black.
3. 10 squares of felt (4-1/2" x 4-1/2" each)
4. 3 (10 g) spools of DMC cotton perle
5. All of the above neatly packaged in a pretty Michele-designed reversible fabric gift box. (Note: See my tutorial and template HERE to make your own, if you just can't wait.)

The rules of giveaway-play are:

• Anyone, anywhere can enter.
• Have a solid email address.
• Leave a comment on this post telling me one little-known fact about yourself, anything you like.
• If you are a follower, you get a second entry!

The winner will be chosen ever so randomly on Friday June 17th, 6 am EST, and divulged in Friday's post.

Finally I'd like to say that the blogosphere is a big overwhelming place sometimes. Yet you, my friend, have allowed me to stake my claim on a tiny piece of it, call it my own, and share in it with you. I am so tickled by the lovely comments you leave, your thoughtful remarks, and your genuine support of the work I do. I thank you for being part of this with me.

So now it's your turn. Is there anything you're just itching to get off your chest? Come on, don't be shy now...

This Giveaway is NOW CLOSED. Thank you to all who entered!

Holy Mackerel, Man, Oh Boy, Wow, Yay, Yippee!

Is there cause for celebration?

Oh yes indeed.

When's the big day?

Why, Monday of course!

Can I come?

Well it's your blog, so you must be invited right?

Everyone's invited.

I'll see you Monday then.

See you Monday!

And I hope to see YOU Monday as well! Have a great weekend!

It's a Dandy Giveaway!

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED! THANKS FOR ENTERING!

Hi!

IT'S GIVEAWAY DAY!!!

The day wherein crafty blogs far and near join Sew Mama Sew in a craftospheric-wide gift-giving extravaganza extraordinaire. The chances of winning a prize today are ama-ZING. So prepare yourself for the onslaught of eye-candy, give those digits a stretch, slather on some hand lotion, visit some beauteous blogs, and click 'n comment til you can click 'n comment no more. Best of luck to YOU!

Today I aim to give away some loveliness as well. If you're new to Michele Made Me, welcome! So glad you could join in the fun.

This day is thricely special to me. I'm officially celebrating my 1st blogiversary (which actually took place last month but sorta got shoved to the nether regions of the to-do pile). I've recently published my 200th post. Yippee! And I've witnessed this blog's 400, 000th pageview. Hurrah! A lot of round numbers and many 'a milestone for sure.

Perhaps you are wondering what is getting given. Perhaps you wish me to get on with it and cease my incessant blathering. Indeed. Forgive me. Let's do this thing.

First off, contrary to popular belief, I am NOT giving away dandelions. They just somehow got themselves into my pictures. They're everywhere.

This is what I will be giving-away:

1. One me-designed handbag upcycled from an old sweater, and inspired by the book "ReSew" by Jenny Wilding Cardon and published by Martingale & Company.

2. One copy of "ReSew" which I reviewed in my last post here.

3. Five fat quarters from the Art Gallery "Color Splash" collection.

4. One seam ripper by Clover.

5. One package of 16 embroidery needles, size 3/9 by John James.

To enter you must:

• Be from Earth.
• Have an email account that isn't broken or dead to you, and can be reached by me.
• Leave a comment on this post stating your most beloved colour of all time.

The winner will be randomly chosen on Thursday, May 26th, 2011 @ 6 pm EST and announced in Friday's post.

And finally, to you who has visited this little blog over the last 13 months, who has left a kind word, who encourages me and pats me on the back, to you my friend I want to say thank you. It's a joy to share my crafty experiments and musings with you. Thank you for being here. ♥

Now, if I dig deep, I'd have to say my favourite colour of ALL time is aquamarine blue. What's yours?

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED! THANKS FOR ENTERING!

Book Review: Stitched Collage by Sherrill Kahn

Today I'm reviewing the craft book "Stitched Collage" written by Sherrill Kahn, and published by Martingale & Company.

It is a 32-page booklet that "explores some easy and fun ways to add stitching to collage designs". The book discusses painting methods, hand-stitching and machine-stitching techniques, and stitched embellishments, all of which can be used to adorn your own unique paper or fabric collages.

Colourful photos and diagrams fill the pages of "Stitched Collage". You will not find step-by-step instructions for how to make specific projects in this book. It's more of a crafty resource or a collection of embellishing ideas which encourages readers to make their own distinctive projects.

My favourite part of "Stitched Collage" is the "Stitched Embellishments" section in which Ms. Kahn suggests some creative ways to add clever touches to your collages. In particular, I like how she uses interesting stitching to sew on buttons, and I also love how she designs her own unique buttons using fun-foam. Imagine the potential of this one small idea!

The booklet culminates in a "Gallery" of some of Sherrill Kahn's lovely collages incorporated into a variety of projects ranging from book covers to bags to clothing to wall hangings, and more still.

I enjoyed reading and looking at "Stitched Collage". So next week I will be giving the book away along with a little Michele-made project inspired by it so that someone else can enjoy it too. Stay tuned!

Until then, have yourself a delightful weekend!

Gadzooks, It's a Giveaway!

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED!

Well, the people have spoken! Okay... ONE lovely person who's blog starts with a Dresden and ends with a Quilter spoke, and since I do take your suggestions extremely seriously, a giveaway is getting given here today!

WHY A GIVEAWAY?

• First, it's a Follower milestone here at Michele Made Me! My heartfelt gratitude to you who comes by, reads my thoughts, peeks in at my work, leaves a kind word, and returns regularly to keep me company. I wish I could explain what that means to me... Thank you. ♥
• Second, it's Sew Mama Sew's Giveaway Day in which I am a downright jubilant first-timer!
• And third, 'tis the season to be giving, fa la la la la la la la la!

WHAT'S BEING GIVEN?

• A small recycled ice-cream-bucket-turned-felt-and-embroidered-button-box designed and made by me.
• Some Michele Made Me handmade covered buttons. (Find out how to make your own by clicking the link.)
• Some Michele Made Me handmade wooden buttons. (Find out how to make your own by, well, you know...)
• 2 spools of pearl cotton twine
• 1 vintage lace collar and 2 pieces of lace
• Some yarny crocheted bobbles

WHAT ARE THE GIVEAWAY RULES?

• Please leave a comment that consists of YOUR FAVOURITE SAYING. In other words, what is the most common group of words that spills out of your mouth many times a day each and every day? For example: "Goodness gracious!" or "Holy mackerel." or "Ya know what I mean, jelly bean?" Whatever it is, that's the comment I want. Let 'er rip.
• Make sure I can reach you by email.
• Anyone, anywhere can enter.
• Giveaway ends Friday, Dec 17th at 12 pm noon EST. The winner will be chosen by random number generator. I will announce and contact the winner shortly thereafter.

Now, let those precious little words fly...

Good luck, and have a great day!

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED!

100th POST CELEBRATION AND GIVEAWAY!

GIVEAWAY CLOSED! THANK YOU TO ALL WHO JOINED IN THE FUN!

Welcome to Michele Made Me's 100th Post Celebration! Yippee!!!

Great to have you! Please, please have a seat and nestle in for a bit. As they say in Spanish: "Mi blog es su blog." Now, not only is this my 100th post, it is also (almost) simultaneously my 6-month bloggiversary. I'm really kind of amazed and aghast at how quickly time has flown! Wow!

So while I have your attention, please let me re-introduce myself by telling you some stuff you wouldn't otherwise know. A bullet list of Michele facts (minus the actual bullets; this is strictly a non-violent crafty blog):

• The obligatory photo update: Me and a rock, 2 Oct 2010.
• Born and raised on the outskirts of small town Espanola, Ontario, Canada.
• 4th of 11 children of Roman Catholic French Canadian parents. I have 3 sisters, 7 brothers.
• Bilingual: french and english
• Grew up out in the countryside in a 4-bedroom house which my parents built.
• Father was a millwright.
• Mother worked inside the home.
• Father was a scavenger; he made furniture, toys, and garden structures from junkyard finds.
• Our clothes were often donated to us by relatives in large green garbage bags (the clothes not the relatives). Was like getting a bag of gold.
• Beds were covered in simple quilts made by my mother when she had a rare moment.
• I loved playing in old cars. They made perfect playhouses. In fact, I remember there were usually a couple of them around in various states of disrepair. Most of the time, these buckets of bolts sat frozen in the driveway until my father or older brothers found time to pull them apart and make them "new" again. One day, 3 of my young siblings and I decided to play "Holiday" in the Blue Car, the one working family vehicle. Our driveway was on a distinct incline, so when my brother Robert decided to put the car in neutral, the car naturally rolled down the driveway, across the road and into the woods on the other side. As the car rolled, my brother Robert jumped out of the driver's side, I jumped out on the passenger side, and the other two kids sat tight in back. Needless to say, those two were fine. I'd somersaulted out of the car and managed to escape with only a couple minor scratches. My brother Robert, however, was lying face down in the driveway. When my mother came screaming out of the house, we all rushed to him. Tire tracks travelled from the top of his shoulder, diagonally across and down his back. Despite this, Robert slowly raised his head, got up and started dusting himself off. My mother was beside herself crying, but she nonetheless bundled him into the car, managed to wrangle that Blue car out of the woods, and drove him to the hospital. They came back a few hours later. My brother had made a miraculous escape, the doctor claimed. He had the tire prints etched in his skin proving that he'd been fully run over by the car, but had sustained no other injuries. (Oops. That bullet got away on me didn't it?)

• That kind of "miracle" was common in our family.
• Left home at 18 years of age to get married.
• Blessed with 2 awesome kids (they are 23 and 18 years old)
• Marriage in smithereens after 8 years.
• Survived.
• Found Lo (my amazing man) 3 years later in 1997.
• Moved to Kingston, Ontario, Canada in 2001.
• Gave birth to "the Boy" in 2004. He's 6 (you did the math…).
• In June of this year, left my job of 8 years to take a break and stop the flow of tears that gushed out of me every night when I got home from work.
• Haven't cried since.
• Still figuring work-related things out.
• Otherwise, so happy I could spontaneously combust.
• Love making stuff.
• Make stuff in my lovely basement workroom, which I call "The Dungeon".

(End of Bullet List)

Now, I've created a few things in the last 6 months. Here's a look at a few of my early favorites:

Left to right: Sockrates, Painted Tape Dispenser,Toilet Roll Flower Ornaments, Felt Needle and Hook Book

And some later ones:

Left to right: Teddy Bear Swim Needle and Hook Book, Styrofoam Tray Flowers, Plantain Seed Flower, Crocheted Ripple Throw

And. And I have met YOU. That has been the most heart-warming part of this little crafting adventure of mine, meeting you and having a chance to see what you are up to as well. It's been an honour for me to get to know you a little over these past 6 months. But today, I'd like to share with you in a more tangible way. It's my way of thanking you for accompanying me on this crafty road, for encouraging me with kindness, for being there. With that in mind, I'd like you to join me in my FIRST-EVER GIVEAWAY!

A GIVEAWAY? Yes, a giveaway.

There are 2 packages to be won. Each package includes the following:

• 1 original denim tree pencil case
• 1 package of original handmade wooden buttons: 2 large, 2 medium
• 4 fat quarters of the Afternoon palette of Market Fresh fabric by Hokkoh House (Japanese imports)
• a small surprise

Are you ready?... I am!

So the giveaway is a game. No worries. It's a super-easy one.

HOW TO PLAY THE GIVEAWAY GAME:

Leave a ONE-WORD COMMENT on this post. The word must be the first word that pops into your mind when I say the red word I will tell you in a moment. Yes, it's a free-association word-game!

For example if I say, WHITE, the first word that pops into your mind could be, say, BLACK or SNOW. See what I mean? Your word is your choice by the way, it doesn't have to make sense to me. Just to you.

Furthermore, the 2 winning words in combination will be my inspiration for a crafty post. Yes, I will be creating something based on the two winning words. Hee hee!

Anyone, anywhere can enter. If you are a no-reply commenter please leave your email address so I can reach you with the good news.

The giveaway closes on Sunday, October 10th at 12 pm EST at which point I will randomly choose the two winning words. I will announce the winners sometime Monday (exact time unknown) in the word-inspired crafty post.

Now let's get to it already!

What is the first word that pops into your mind when I say:

ATMOSPHERE ?

Good luck and thank you so much for being there. It means alot to me.

And, of course, have a fantastic day!

GIVEAWAY CLOSED! THANK YOU TO ALL WHO JOINED IN THE FUN!