Wednesday, 8 February 2012

A Reflection On Why I'm So Grateful, plus Giveaway...

I was going to finish a sewing project but I've been so busy at work that it just hasn't turned out that way ...  instead I have the opportunity to reflect on why I'm so grateful for this wonderful hobby.  Sometimes, I find it really hard to switch off from the everyday routine and I'm also aware that I'm not being 'creative' these days, which is what I originally trained to be.  Sewing has helped me to re-discover this side of myself in lots of ways ... there's the searching for fabulous fabric and choosing just the right stuff for a pattern.  There's the creativity of visualising how something is going to turn out, then the actual making and having something unique to wear.  I'm also inspired and encouraged by other bloggers and their creations, so as a thank you, I'm giving away this pattern and pincushion as part of Sew Grateful week.  I'd really like it to go to one of my followers though, so if you already are then just leave a little comment - anything will do - after this post.  Winner will be drawn at random on Valentine's Day.
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37 comments:

  1. House of Pinheiro8 February 2012 at 13:21

    Hi Diane, Its great pattern. so what are you sewing at the moment??

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    1. margueritedesigns9 February 2012 at 03:20

      Hi Rachel

      I'm doing the red challenge for Sew Weekly. Just need to finish the sewing this weekend and get my photos ready for attaching to my post on Monday.

      Delete
  2. charlotte9 February 2012 at 00:40

    I love this pattern!! I agree with you that I find it all so exciting, begining to end! x x x

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    1. margueritedesigns9 February 2012 at 03:22

      I reckon it's the whole 'creative' process that's so exciting and absorbing.

      Delete
  3. Anonymous9 February 2012 at 08:11

    I got into sewing my own clothing because I couldn't find anything that appealed to me visually that fit and flattered my body (I'm a hourglass shape with a slightly apple-y abdomen). My choices, as far as I could tell, were to wear clothing for teenagers, or wear clothing for grandmas (I'm not knocking either group--I have a teen aged cousin in my life whom I adore beyond reason and I would fight to the death for my grandmas... Just saying my age group is not a demographic that stores really market to). And don't even get me started on the quality of construction!

    It's been a learning curve. Sometimes frustrating (okay, frequently frustrating) but I'm getting there. I've had to learn a LOT about how my body is shaped really quickly. And I've had to learn how to accept and love that shape just as quickly.

    So here's to us! May we continue to learn and grow our skills.

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    1. margueritedesigns9 February 2012 at 12:45

      Hi Tina, nice to see you here! Agree totally with where you're coming from ... sounds a lot like me ... going to have a look at your blog now, sounds intriguing.

      Delete
  4. adriprints10 February 2012 at 02:35

    Thanks for posting about your blog on the Sew Weekly. I'm not sure I would have found it otherwise! I loved seeing your finished projects during the holidays, and am glad to see you're still in the sew weekly mix! I'm also working on my "red" challenge project (a funky red button down shirt).

    I'm also very aware of when I'm not being creative enough and it gets me down when I haven't printed in a while. I studied printmaking and illustration. But, I am knitting and sewing and adapting patterns which makes up for it a little bit.

    Thanks for putting this giveaway together and sharing your work! Happy Friday!

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    1. margueritedesigns10 February 2012 at 03:00

      Hi Adri and welcome. Glad you liked the things I've made so far. I look back on them now and can see a lot of room for improvement, which I hope I can do this year. I actually quite miss having something ready to post each week - I've slowed down a lot so I can learn a bit more about finishing techniques etc...but I miss all the comments!

      Delete
  5. Sew Blessed Maw [Judy]10 February 2012 at 02:42

    I love the pattern. And all of Amy Butler fabrics are beautiful. Happy sewing.

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    1. margueritedesigns10 February 2012 at 03:01

      Hi Judi, hope you're doing well. Miss you and Cathe at Sew Weekly. It's a lot different this year.

      Delete
  6. Macska10 February 2012 at 12:13

    Cute giveaway! I've never actually seen an Amy Butler pattern before - it's very pretty. :-)

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  7. margueritedesigns10 February 2012 at 13:23

    There are some gorgeous ones Kat ... not just for clothes either but for bags and accessories too.

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  8. Stacie Davis11 February 2012 at 14:18

    I love Amy Butler. I'd like to try this one!

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    1. margueritedesigns12 February 2012 at 03:07

      Hope you're lucky then Stacie - nice to see you here!

      Delete
  9. Sara11 February 2012 at 15:37

    I have wanted this pattern for quite a while. I'm a new follower. I blog over at www.theprettypickle.blogspot.com and I use sewing as my creative outlet while i'm raising my two girls. I have a degree in dance and used to dance and choreograph all the time, but for this season, that creative outlet has been taken from me and sewing has replaced it. I'm having a blast though! Thanks for the chance to win. :)

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    1. margueritedesigns12 February 2012 at 03:11

      Think I'll go over and have a look at what you're up to then. Glad you're having an equally fun time with sewing too

      Delete
  10. seeks11 February 2012 at 15:37

    So fun! Glad to have you join in!

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    1. margueritedesigns12 February 2012 at 03:14

      Hi Seeks! I'll be using the fabric swap very soon ... just waiting for a pattern I've ordered to arrive.

      Delete
  11. Rachelle11 February 2012 at 17:51

    I'm a new follower, just getting back into the sewing myself after a few years of a knitting bender.

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    1. margueritedesigns12 February 2012 at 03:18

      Hi Rachelle - know what you mean about knitting, which still plays a big part in my life. Sewing gives quicker results though!

      Delete
  12. Magpie Mimi12 February 2012 at 02:09

    I'd like to throw my name in the pot as want to give the pattern to my sister as I cut mine before I realized it would be better to trace patterns and not cut them and she wants a dress of her own! I want to get her back into sewing as think it would cheer her up a bit! Lovely pin cushion too, did you make that? Thanks for the chance! x

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    1. margueritedesigns12 February 2012 at 03:22

      Hi Mimi, I remember your version, it looked really good. This pattern is completely uncut - I just haven't had time to do anything with it - I'll probably get another one in the summer, but in the meantime, I hope someone else has fun with it!

      Delete
    2. margueritedesigns12 February 2012 at 03:25

      Forgot to say, no, I didn't make the pincushion but found it in a sale last week - thought it might come in handy for a giveaway as I've got pincushions of my own.

      Delete
  13. Briana D.12 February 2012 at 09:27

    How beautiful! Would love to find that fabric too!

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  14. Holly S.12 February 2012 at 10:30

    Please enter me! I follow you via GFC as Holly S. Thanks!
    hstorm799{at}gmail{dot}com

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    1. margueritedesigns12 February 2012 at 10:50

      Hi Holly, glad to put you in the competition. Good luck!

      Delete
  15. margueritedesigns12 February 2012 at 10:54

    Exactly Briana - wonder where it came from ...

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  16. Beata12 February 2012 at 13:50

    Hmm, I've never sewn with an Amy Butler pattern, eager to try!

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    1. margueritedesigns13 February 2012 at 01:27

      I've done the 'Liverpool' and it all came together really well.

      Delete
  17. Kim Powell12 February 2012 at 19:28

    This looks like a great patter to try! I would love to and am already thinking of possible patterns that might work out well.

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  18. monkeysocks13 February 2012 at 05:51

    I normally go a bit gooey over the Amy Butler bag patterns, but then have to remind myself that much though it would be awesome to have custom matching handmade luggage, I never really go anywhere so it would just be depressing! This pattern is the clothing one that catches my eye however, (most of her other one's aren't quite my style sadly).

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  19. margueritedesigns13 February 2012 at 06:01

    I quite like the Liverpool shirt/tunic. I love this one too but just haven't had time to make it.

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  20. Maria13 February 2012 at 08:21

    Thank you so much for the giveaway. The little cap sleeves and open neck on the pattern are very feminine and pretty. The fabric on the envelope picture is great too! I would love to win that pin cushion - how cute!
    I'm also a follower on your site.

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  21. Emily13 February 2012 at 21:47

    Very cute! I'm a follower, so please enter me!

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  22. Megan6 February 2013 at 13:28

    Such a cute pattern :) I'm "sew grateful" for your blog!

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