A winner!

I am happy to announce that Lisa is the winner of the My Memories Suite scrap booking software!  I hope she enjoys it and it will be great to see what ideas she comes up with for the software.  Lisa is a photographer in British Columbia, Canada her website is here. I will be emailing her shortly for info and she can collect her prize and get started!!


On the sewing front I have been crazy busy with Annie.  Here is an "action shot" of three of the dresses I made.  This is at the dress rehearsal.  There was also an incredible number of costumes to alter or make, I am so thankful that I was not alone in this endeavour!  There was a fabulous costuming director and a great team of worker bees.  All in all a great experience.

The Boylan Sisters

Moo made a great orphan!

Bean was backstage every night taking care of "Sandy" when he wasn't acting.

It was fun but thoroughly exhausting!  We must have done well though because the show was a sell out and it ran for five shows.  I also have been asked to assist with the next production that runs next week called the King and I.  Yikes!  I still have Christmas sewing to do!
GET TO WORK!!!
See ya soon.

A new trick! And a GIVE AWAY!

Hi there, it has been a little while since I've posted anything creative but it is not because I haven't been busy!  I have been very busy sewing lots of costumes for the production of Annie that my daughter is in, but I have also had a new toy.

My Memories contacted me a while ago to see if I wanted to try their digital scrap booking products.  I had to think about it for a little while because I am not very well versed in computer software programs and I knew I would be very busy at this time of year.  What I also discovered is that I will ALWAYS be busy and they have a great customer service line!!  I used to scrap book with my film printed pictures before I had children, but now that all my pictures are on my computer....A). I NEVER get to see them and B). they NEVER get a journal log or shared.  What is the purpose of taking pictures if they only live in the computer and no one ever sees them?  And what if the unthinkable happens and your computer hard drive fries? (Like mine did this summer???)  What happens with all of those fabulous memories you downloaded to the computer for "someday".  Well, I decided that I should at least try a digital scrap booking method. So I decided to go ahead with My Memories offer.  They allowed me to download the My Memories Suite software for free to try it out.  Let me just say it is VERY comprehensive!  I LOVED all the options for backgrounds and papers.  They basically have a layout for every imaginable event, season or Holiday.  I really appreciated the pre-organized pages that allowed me to drag and drop my pictures into a fully designed layout.  I am a busy Mamma and I don't have the time to dream up beautiful page designs!  However, if you do, they have options for you as well. Pick your own papers and accents and design away!

Now for the really fabulous part!  They very generously offered me the opportunity to do a give away for you guys, so you can have your own My Memories Suite software download!  The ideas for this are endless.  Of course for you scrap bookers, there is and endless array of digital scrap booking options, but for you sewers and quilters out there, I am envisioning a whole new level to memory quilting!  No more just printing plan old photos onto transfer fabric, now we can make a whole story unfold on the page with test included and print it out onto the transfer paper ready to incorporate into our projects!!  Yippee!  The page above is just a quick layout I picked but I hope to be able to do some really fun pages and get some printed on fabric for Christmas gifts.  I just knew that I couldn't wait until all of that was done if I wanted one of you to be able to have some fun before Christmas too!

So, to enter the draw, please go see the My Memories website and let me know you did in a comment below.
If you would like to have more chances to win you can chose any or all of the following options! If you check them out on Facebook you can leave another comment and if you become a follower or post this on your blog/FB leave me a third and fourth comment and I will make the draw November 30th.

Please make sure I have a way to contact you!  Leave me your email in the comments if you are not a blogger or if you are a "no-reply" blogger!

They have also offered a promo code to anyone who doesn't win, which will give you $10.00 off the software and $10.00 to spend in the shop which is a $20.00 value and actually buys a lot in the shop! Just enter this code (probably best to copy and paste it to be sure!): STMMMS21894


FULL DISCLOSURE:  Please also be aware that I do get a benefit when this code is used. Please don't feel you need to buy anything you wouldn't have purchased without knowing this. Please shop responsibly! 


Good Luck to everyone!

Have a great day!
Penny

Catch up!

I figure I have some catching up to do since it has been so long since I was last here.  It has been a busy season for all members of my family.  I'll just do a quick update and then I am working on a fun but simple tutorial and will make a new post.  As you know my husband has been battling colon cancer since early this year.  It has not been a fun journey but there are still good things that come out of these types of trials.  We learned a lot about each other and ourselves.  We also learned what incredible children we have, they are such troopers!  He is still doing a few more rounds of chemotherapy but we hope that by Christmas we will be done and looking forward to a new and healthier year.

The kids have started their new school year and as always they run in the Cross Country meet at Hiawatha Park.  It is just gorgeous there this time of year and this year we were blessed with a most spectacular day.  Both kids did very well and what I was most pleased to see was their character.  They cheered each team mate to the end and many other runners that they could see were frustrated or feeling defeated. When their sibling was struggling to do that sprint at the end of the race they both ran to the end with the other and cheered words of encouragement.  Moo came across almost in tears from a cramp and Bean ran beside her until the end and caught her as she collapsed in pain at the end.  When I got to her, he was holding her and telling her what a great race she ran and how proud he was of her for running through the pain and finishing still in fourth place!  When it came to his turn she did the same with him and he had his best finish ever.  He finished in 3rd place and she was telling him how proud she was that he had worked so hard and done so well.  I was a proud Mamma that day!  Nothing makes me happier than seeing my little ones love and encourage each other.

Absolute Determination.

Total Perseverance.

                                                                                                                As for me I am standing in on both school councils and the volunteer committee this year which should keep me insanely busy!  And to top that off, Moo auditioned for the Musical Comedy Guilds production of Annie and got in!  She is an orphan and is loving the theatre group.  So of course when they asked if anyone sewed I said yes, and guess what?  Now I am part of the costuming team!  YIKES!  I am quickly brushing up on 1930's period costumes!  Other than that..... well as usual Christmas is coming!!! So yes, I am sewing like a nut!

In an interesting turn of events I was contacted to do a product review for a scrap booking company and they have also offered a give away so I will be working through the details of that and post about it soon!
Nice to see you all again!
Penny

I won!

I don't know about anyone else out there but I LOVE Stitch Magazine by Interweave.  I get updates from the Sew Daily blog and I love to read all the new information.  A while back they had a Freebie Friday for two great books for girls, so I entered.  Now really, I enter quite a few things out there in blog land but I never win the prize...only a new contact with another great blog which is great too!  But, this time, I WON!!  I was so excited, I emailed my address back right away and in 2-3 days my books were in my hot little hands (right after both my kids who also sew, had gone through them thoroughly!)  If you want to see what I entered to win just go here!  They have give aways regularly.

            

They are two spectacular books and they came with a great little note from Stephanie, such a classy touch!

Hope every one is having a great week.

Great Giveaway!

Little Bluebell is having a giveaway for the new DS Quilts Collection fabric!  It looks like very nice fabric but I may never know because it is carried at Joann's and we don't have them in Canada!  I did make two trips to Michigan to check it out at the Joann's there but they weren't selected to carry it.....sigh.....
This giveaway is open until the 5th of May so quick, quick go check it out!  And while you are there check out some of her very cool quilts!  Love the colours!

Not a whole lot of sewing here this week, hubby had a bad reaction to some medication and well...that took all of my attention!  This weekend though, should be good for at least a few good stitches!  Until then, here is one of my favourite pictures from Easter.

What a great Auntie and Uncle!  They were so wonderful with her...I was a proud Nanna!
Have a great weekend.

Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED FOR COMMENTS!  THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR COMING! The winner will be posted Saturday morning.....after I wake UP!!


I am so glad you are here to visit!  I am really excited as this is my first giveaway ( I am pretty new to blog land!)  I am grateful to Sew Mama Sew for running this because I was struggling to find a way to do a giveaway and this is perfect.

There is a little history to this giveaway but I know you are busy so I will keep it short and sweet.

This is Hazel:

If you want to read back a bit in my blog you will find labels for Hazel.  Hazel is a dear friend of mine from British Columbia were I spent 12 years. She is almost 87 years old and a life long quilter. Well, she is no longer able to quilt and I have been blessed with her stash!!  There is so much that I am absolutely unable to use it all and it would be un"Hazel" like to keep it all to myself anyway.  She is a very giving lady and I wish to honour her by continuing this trend.  So for today's giveaway I am giving away some of her fabrics.  Many of the pieces that I was given are vintage and many are quite beautiful and unique. 

I am doing this giveaway not only to share what Hazel has given me in fabric but also in character. I would like to see Hazels generosity and spirit spread as far as possible outside of my community.

So here is the deal:

I am giving away these three pieces of fabric.  They are at least 2 meters each, one of them is three.  The colours are brilliant and the feel of the striped orange one is divine! The others are lovely too of course but there is just something about that one!

Here is the HOW to and the FINE print ;-) 

1). Leave me a comment on this post telling me what is your favourite thing to do, at this time of year, to show the spirit of giving?

2). If you do any type of crafting for charity of any sort (or would like to) and you are willing to share a little bit of what I send to you by making a little something for a charity or group in need in your area tell me about it in the same comment and I will include with the 3 pieces, a box full of assorted other fabrics.  Many that match the first three.  Some are large, some are scraps all are useful for something!  It doesn't matter to me if you make a pillow case, a doll dress, a snack bag, a hair band, a pin cushion, a mug rug,  a soft stuffed animal or if you trim a tea towel!  What ever it is you wish to donate, if you will share....I will share:  

So that is it...one comment either way, seems easy right?  Right!!  It is Christmas!!!  So take a minute and think about how you can share the love, then tell me all about it!  

Post your comment here by the 17th, winner will be chosen by my children (who are successful "givers in training"!)  Your parcel will be in the mail by the 20th... as long as you make sure I have a way to contact you!!  PLEASE.....If you are unsure if your email is linked, or you don't have a blog, leave it in the comment.

You are welcome to follow my blog if you like or if you wish to just visit for today, I am happy you dropped by.

Have a great day!

30th Post giveaway!

Well, this is my 30th post and as promised I am doing a give away!  I have been procrastinating about writing this post because I was struggling with how to do the giveaway and thank Goodness Sew Mama Sew has made it easy for me!  They are having a blog wide giveaway here and I decided to join that.  So, the details will be posted on the 13th but as you probably know I will be parting with some of my dear friend Hazel's fabrics!  She was a fabulous quilter and is a truly generous soul. You will have to tune in on the 13th for the details though cause true to my "procrastinator" ways... I am not ready yet!!!

I have been getting a lot of Christmas sewing done but most of it I can't show just yet because some people may be lurking to find out what they are getting!!!! Ha! I know who you are!!
I will show the apron that I made for my very first swap though. I am not sure it will get to my partner in time for Christmas given the very taxed postal system and I want her to be able to at least see it for Christmas!  It was mailed December 1st but that doesn't mean it will arrive for sure, so here it is

It is a Heather Bailey Pattern called Daily Spice.  I was trying to get my partners favourite colours; black white and red, but that combination was no where to be found in our little fabric stores here in the north!  The main fabric is black and red though so I hope it will do! It did turn out really cute and I added some fun tuck ins too.  So I hope it makes her Christmas a little merrier!

In other news, my little Bean has turned 12!  He is getting so big and I am not sure where the time went!  He had a little party on the weekend and it was a good thing because by Tuesday (his actual birthday) he had strep throat and was really sick! 


Well, there are lots of other things to chat about but it is late and I better get to bed or my sewing time tomorrow will be shortened by my need for sleep.....zzzzzz

Have a great one and if you are in the path of the blizzard headed our way....keep warm!!

Fabric Give away! One on NOW....One coming up!

There is a really sweet give away over at Retro Mummy!   Beautiful fabric is the deal of the day...Quick quick!  Go See!

Bean's fish creation!

We are sewing up a storm here for the craft fair.  It is all small tedious stuff though so I don't feel like I am getting too much done.  We are making reusable snack bags, sandwich wraps, crayon rolls, stuffies that the kids are dreaming up!  Nothing has a pattern and I am just cutting and sewing and hoping that it all works out!  I would like to try a few mug rugs too, they just seem like a great teachers gift!  I can see one on each desk with a peppermint tea in a cute mug to ward of the headaches that must threaten their everyday!  You can see I am NOT teacher material!  I don't do noise!

I do do fabric though!  And the sound of the machine is sweet.  But I have a task to do, and that involves the fabric that I received from a dear friend. I have to sort it out because the snow is starting to settle in here and I have to park my car in my garage for the winter months or it will refuse to start in the morning!  My 30th post is coming up soon and I am hoping that I can do a give away.  A lot of the fabric is small pieces (Hazel was a quilter!) so I am sure there will be some scrap bags.  It is not designer fabric, but a good lot of it is certainly vintage!  Hazel is 86 (or so!).  It is all very clean and neatly folded, or it was until I tried to sort it all out! There is also a fair bit of fabric that is not quilt fabric, I think it is more clothing type fabric.  Is anyone interested in a grab bag of surprise fabric?  There are some pretty laces and a stunning silver sparkly type piece and of course florals and well really just a whole variety of things! Does anyone make quilts for the Alzheimer's Society that need multiple textures and types?  Anyone have little girls to sew costumes or play things for? There is definitely lots to share?  Anyone sew for charity?  It would really be a delight if some of the fabric that Hazel has given would go into a piece made for a good cause.

I'd love to hear from you any ideas of what you would like to see in the give away...the aspect of variety is definitely covered!

 This was my first sort of the fabric onto tarps in the garage. Some of the piles are 18" high at least. The yellow recycling bin holds a bag of tiny, tiny pieces!

 This is the pile of random craft projects and UFO'S all individually bagged. There is even a bag of smocking pieces.

This is a bin with vintage patterns and small pieces of baby printed flannel and a few others like that shiny purple one!

 Thanks for stopping by!

Another Go Give Away and the Mistletoe Make and Bake Blog Hop!!

Just wanted everyone to know that there is another GO! give away over at Simply Solids Blog.  Thanks to Lucky Duck Dreams for the heads up on that one!

There is also a very neat Blog Hop happening!  The Mistletoe Make and Bake 2010 Blog Hop Started today!  It looks like it should be a great week for Christmas treats!  Thanks to Paulette for the invitation to share in this one! This list is copied and pasted...I am not that great with making such snazzy posts just yet!  As you can see I can't get blogger to "un-highlight my first" lines!  It started typing in red and I didn't know how to fix it so I accidentally highlighted it and now, well I can't get it off!  Yep, still learnin'!

November 15th-20th, 2010

Here is the line-up~

November 15th

Sherri K. Falls of This and That Patterns 

November 16th

Heidi Kaisand of Chicks & Hen

Monique Dillard of Open Gate Blog

November 17th

Celine Perkins of Perkin's Dry Goods

Patrick Lose of The Latest News from Patrick Lose

Kelly Ann Richardson of Kelly Ann's Quilting

November 18th

Lissa Alexander of Moda Lissa

Julie Stewart of Quilts 4 Julie

November 19th

Roseann Kermes of Rosebud's Cottage

Brenda Riddle of Little Acorns

November 20th

Vickie Eapen of Spun Sugar Quilts

Melisa Morrison of Sweet Home Quilt Co.

November 21st

On the seventh day, we’ll rest. And eat cookies!

 So mark your calendar and get ready for a fun week filled with cookie bliss, wonderful projects and awesome prizes!!

Hope you all had a great Monday!

Another GO! giveaway!

I, like many other quilters out there, have been travelling around blog land looking for GO! give aways.  I am happy to let you all know that Micki of Irish Muses is having a give away!  It closes Nov 5, so hurry on over there and enter to win!  And while you are there wish her some luck with her knees!  She really needs to be able to get back to sewing!